Title: Darkened Souls, Part 1: The Deliberations of Savages

Author: B5Crusader@geocities.com
Date: 09-11-97

Notes/Dedication:   This story came about due to a discussion I had online in several different chat rooms (and with fans of science fiction offline as well) regarding how humans were always seemingly portrayed as better (morally, technologically, etc.) in most sci-fi. mediums. So I just decided to write a darker version of Babylon 5 and let you decide who is the "bad" guys and who is the "good" guys. (This assumes of course I decide to put ANY "good" guys in this story...hehehe.)

Part 1

Syria Planum Dome, Mars 2250

He silently strode through the chilly halls. Though his pace was hurried, it was even and steady. The robes engulfing him seemed airy and free in the lighter gravity if Mars. Despite the chill the robes were actually too warm and stifling, but he dared not remove the hood covering his head. To do so would only invite trouble from the occasional passerby.

The dull red light of the sun turned his simple brown robe into a rusty red that reminded him of dried blood. Nowadays everything he viewed seemed to be tinted with the shade of blood. For him it was fitting, for the blood of millions...no billions had brought him to his current state.

He came to stop at a door inscripted with an alien language he had only come to know too well. For the barest moment he hesitated to push the small triangle in the center of this script. But he had been summoned. To disobey would only add his own blood to that of others before him.

Though he could care less about himself, the Cause needed him. His people needed him. So he pressed the triangle and waited obediently.

Delenn smiled politely at her guests attempt at humor, hiding the fact that she despised the individual in question and her irritation at the tardiness of her servant. Of late, she had begun to wonder at her life as Satai. She had thought coming to this world would fill the emptiness of her days she had felt while with the Council. While her duties had certainly kept her busy, none were very satisfying. Especially with her present company.

The Warrior who sat by her laughed harshly at his crude joke. "So tell me, Satai Delenn. Why do you live here, on this barren and useless world full of inferiors?" Shai Alyt Sinoval asked, vaguely waving in the direction of the rooms massive window and to the redish sky and barren terrain revealed beyond there.

Delenn's smile tightened slightly at Sinoval's implied insult, but otherwise maintained her impervious and arrogant Satai mask of authority. "I am studying them. You know of the prophecy as well as I."

Sinoval grunted in displeasure. When he spoke his voice was full of dark anger and contempt."Yes, I know. And because of that some of these barbarians are allowed to live."

"They have Minbari souls." She reminded him, wondering silently when her servant would get here.

Sinoval merely snorted and looked out the window. "I have heard stories that this world was named after a human god. A war god, at that."

"This is true." Delenn replied, disinterestedly. She had heard so many Minbari warrior's comment and opinion on this  subject to make her bones ache in boredom.

'Where are you, Jeff?' She wondered impatiently. Obviously she was going have to remind him of who was Satai.

As if in answer to her thought a light chime rang, indicating an arrival. Delenn smiled slightly and pushed a small button to allow entrance into her quarters.

Sinoval stood and glared at the simple robes and hood of the figure that quickly glided into the room and bowed to both of them, murmuring greetings in both Adronado and Vik to the two high ranked Minbari. He could tell by the accent it was not a Minbari.

"So it is true, Delenn. You allow a human to serve you personally." Sinoval stated with disdain.

"Yes, I do." Delenn replied neutrally and turned to address the new arrival with a disapproving look. "You are late."

The brown cloaked figure kept his head cast down and bowed in apology. "I am sorry, Satai. I shall not let it happen again." He replied quickly in Adronado.

Delenn barely touched his shoulder, noting with pleasure the barely concealed twitch and whispered coldly. "See that it does not, Jeffrey Sinclair."

"Of course, Satai Delenn." Again the human bowed deeply before standing complete straight again. She heard no waver or hesitation in his voice. That pleased her a great deal.

"Remove your cloak and prepare myself and our guest some refreshment." She ordered. The human quickly complied and disappeared into the kitchen.

"That is all you will do to punish him?" Sinoval asked in disgust.

"There is no need for more. Jeff knows he has done wrong and will now try to rectify that error by serving well." Delenn said with a hint of pride in her voice towards her human servant.

"You religious caste are too soft on these humans. You should have at least struck him. They only understand violence. They only respect those with power." Sinoval lectured.

Delenn sat on a small couch and smiled at the Warrior. "Too soft?" She laughed mirthlessly. "I personally ordered the execution of millions of their people after the war. It was my words that killed billions."

Sinoval joined her in sitting on the couch, enjoying the smell of the gentle scent of the leather covering. "Then why do you have a human servant? Why him?"

"Why not?" She replied.

Sinoval sighed to himself. "I can't believe Valen's soul was reborn in one of these barbarians. It's a disgrace!"

"Perhaps the universe did not give him, or the other souls of our race, a choice." Delenn commented.

"Perhaps." Sinoval said simply. It was obvious he did not believe what he said.

Jeffrey Sinclair returned with a small silver tray. Upon the tray were two small cups, a pot of tea, and several small snacks of Minbari food. Without comment he quickly poured the tea for them and arranged the food. When done he simply stood a few feet away and waited.

"Thank you, Jeffrey." Delenn spoke in English and was instantly rewarded with a bright, nearly boyish smile from the human. She almost never spoke English to anyone, even humans, despite being fluent in the tounge.

"Thanks are not necessary, Satai." He replied formally in Adronado despite his grin.

Sinoval suddenly was full of rage at this human and Delenn's apparent affection for him. He carefully spoke in English to make sure his insult struck the barbarian fully. "Why do you praise this boot licking dog, Delenn?"

Delenn's eyes narrowed at the insult at the same moment Jeff's smile was completely erased. She could practically feel the sudden cold rage from her human servant. "You should take care with your words in their language, Sinoval. Unlike others, I allow my servants to defend themselves when attacked. I have found it makes them very loyal and trustworthy."

Sinoval stood and faced the human before him. "I doubt very much this one could do anything to defend himself."

Delenn's pleasant smile suddenly turned cruel, sending a tremor of fear through Sinoval's heart. "I would rethink your course of action, Sinoval. Our warriors know this one well by another name. As does his own people."

Sinoval from Delenn to the human and back, disgust and contempt in his eyes. "And what exactly do they call him?" Sinoval asked. Delenn gave a nodding glance to the human.

"Death's Hand." Was the coldly stated reply from Jeff.

Sinoval's eyes narrowed in a mixture of shock and rage as he turned his full attention to the human. Death's Hand! The only human fighter pilot our warriors could not defeat. Only one human killed more Minbari than he, and that was Sheridan the Starkiller.

"Then we have unfinished business, human. I lost too many of my Clan to you." Sinoval hissed angrily as he extended his pike.

Jeffrey Sinclair stood his ground without moving. "And I lost a world. The war is over, is it not?"

"Not yet." Sinoval swung with his pike and was surprised to see the human simply stand there and take the hit to his head. The human spun backwards and fell. After a moments of no movement he rose again and simply stood staring at Sinoval impassively. Blood streaked the side of his face from a nasty gash on the right temple.

"Sinoval, if you strike again know that I give Jeffrey permission to do whatever he deems necessary to stop you from harming him further." Delenn stated coldly. Sinoval could tell by the sudden, almost mad, gleam in Death's Hand's eyes that she spoke the truth but the hate he felt was too great. He struck again.

This time his pike swished cleanly through empty space as the human ducked and launched a powerful blow to his torso. Stunned and suddenly unable to breathe Sinoval could not stop the human from flipping him painfully onto the marble floor, in a smooth move reminiscent of Minbari kalen'tha.

When he opened his eyes the human simply stood there calmly, aiming Sinoval's own Sha'an PPG pistol at him. He could see nothing in the humans eyes but his own death.

"Jeffrey, you may not kill him." Delenn warned.

Jeffrey looked over at Delenn for a moment and bowed his head respectfully. "I shall not, Satai."

Sinoval grinned triumphantly and started to sit up. Jeff saw the movement and quickly changed his aim slightly and pulled the trigger. Sinoval screamed in pain as his left hand was nearly blasted away by the PPG burst.

Jeff couldn't stop himself from grinning in satisfaction at the sight of the now charred and useless hand. It was a small amount of the payback he desired to give the Minbari, but for now it was enough. He purposefully turned and strode back to Delenn's side.

Delenn's eyes glittered dangerously at Sinoval, who lay on the floor grasping his damaged limb and trying not to moan in pain. She held out her hand palm up. An instant later she felt the Sha'an placed in her delicate hands.

"Leave this place Sinoval. You have insulted me, the Grey Council, and all our people by your barbarian behavior here. Be sure never to return to Mars again or I will grant the humans here a small portion of the revenge they seek against us. You have fourty eight of the human's hours to leave." Delenn ordered.

Without hesitation, and despite the pain, Sinoval quickly rose and nearly scrambled to the door, never looking once behind him. He knew Delenn would kill him instantly if he did. A small bloody trail left by the few parts of his injury not cauterized by the PPG burst marked his passage from the room.

He had forgotten the other Satai's warnings about her: She is a child of Valen. She will kill anyone and everyone, if it will fulfill prophecy. Sinoval would never again forget that the descendants of Valen had always been just like the beloved Minbari warrior-prophet. They were ruthless, but tempered that ruthlessness with wisdom. They were both murderous and yet loving. The children of Valen were chaos and order itself. The universe made manifest.

Delenn stared after the retreating form of Sinoval for a moment, her expression unreadable. Jeff started to feel uncomfortable, wondering if perhaps he had gone too far this time. When he heard her light chuckle he relaxed, knowing she would not punish him.

She turned to face him, with a smile. "You fought very well. I am pleased that you have benefitted from your studies of kalen'tha."

He bowed his head slightly. "I had an excellent teacher, Satai. That, and he underestimated me because I am human." Jeff replied neutrally.

Delenn stood up quickly and ran a finger along the cut on Jeff's head covering the tip her finger in his blood. Though her touch stung slightly he gave no indication of this in his facial expression. He watched as she placed the blood soaked finger in her mouth and lick it clean.

"Please clean up in here and then join me in the Garden." She said softly.

"Of course, Satai." His voice softening slightly. She smiled and quickly left the room, her robes flowing gently behind her.

He turned to his work. At the sight of the remains of Sinoval's hand his grin grew. He quickly headed over to start the clean up there while he gave a silent thank you to Delenn for allowing him to add to his collection.

Hyperspace, Off main beacon at Io, 2250

He looked out into the mixed and constantly shifting patterns of hyperspace, idly looking for patterns. Sometimes he saw fire, other times blood. Most often he saw both, though he suspected that was more from the last few years of his life rather than what hyperspace really looked like.

He was excited. The most excited he had been in years. Years of planning and preparing were finally getting ready to pay off. The fleet was ready. The crew was ready. He was ready.

Now they were waiting. Waiting for confirmation of the information they had received.

John "Starkiller" Sheridan had no doubt as to the veracity of the information. Death's Hand had never failed them yet. John doubted Jeff Sinclair would ever let the Cause down. Not after what humanity had been through. But others were not so sure.

John smiled coldly at that. The others would be dealt with soon enough. They thought they were running the show, never even realizing the real power wielders were watching and waiting.

He glanced around the bridge noting the adhoc equipment, mismatched uniforms and clothing, the mix of old "Liners" and newbies that comprised his crew. Everything was a mish mash of what ever he and other ships had been able to salvage or steal from any race they had come across in the past few years. They looked more like raider trash than the last remnant of the once proud Earthforce Military. But that would change soon enough.

We're finally going home! John thought, almost happily.

He had no illusions about retaking Sol. Many were going to die. But he knew Jeff's information was accurate. If he said the Minbari had foolishly dropped the Sol system garrison to a handful of Minbari Warcruiser and a few regiments stationed on Earth and Mars, then that is exactly what they had done.

"Captain, incoming message from the Triumvirate." Lieutenant Marcus Cole, the communications tech informed him.

John could not help but smile at the sarcasm Cole had injected upon the final word turning it into a foul epithet. The Triumvirate was composed of the three highest ranked members of Earthforce: General William Hague of the Army, General Franklin of the Marines, and Admiral Kelly McGregor of the Navy. All were considered fools by the rest of Earthforce.

"Put it through." John replied, adopting his boyish grin look. John was not surprised to see the familiar face of General William Hague on the screen. The fool believed John was his friend. That had been true, until the Mars debacle and the death of most of John's family at the hands of the Minbari.

Jeff Sinclair had been able to save his dad and wife from the concentration camps while the Triumvirate had deemed the millions being slaughtered as irrelevant. Hague had become his enemy that day, and Sinclair had become his new ally.

"What can I do for you, sir?" John inquired politely.

"Captain Sheridan, the Triumvirate has decided to recall all forces for Operation Hegira." The General replied.

"Why?" John asked in surprise. John knew Hague had actually been looking forward to the retaking of Earth and Mars as much as any one. It was one of the few things they agreed on.

"That is not your concern. Suffice to say we believe Sinclair has been compromised. The other Captains are being relayed the message to withdraw. Get them out of there Johnny." Hague cut the link.

"Bloody little bastards!" Marcus snapped. The rest of the bridge crew nodded in silent agreement and waited for their Captain's orders.

"Lieutenant, get me a link with Jack, Ellis, and Mackie." John ordered.

Marcus Cole smiled mischievously. "Already on line, sir."

John grinned as the trio of Captains appeared on screen. "You all heard our orders from the Triumvirate?"

"What orders, Swamprat?" Jack Maynard asked seriously. John looked at the other two Captains.

"We seemed to have had some communications problems, John." Captain Ellis Pierce, commanding the Hyperion, said not even hiding his grin.

"And you Mackie?" John asked.

"I came here to go home. I ain't turning back now." John's old academy instructor informed him.

John smiled coldly at them. "Will the others follow our lead?" He asked.

Jack Maynard grinned roguishly at his friend. "I've got all ships in my fleet ready to join when you make your move. We'll be there."

Ellis Peirce frowned slightly. "I've got everyone on board here except the Prometheus."

"Kill the Prometheus, El. They got us into this mess, by God they'll pay for it." John ordered coldly.

Ellis' smile matched John's own. "Understood, sir."

"John, I can't guarantee the Pournelle or the Kropotkin. I've got 'Fury squadrons on both ships who'll back us, but I can't be sure about the Captains of those ships." Mackie said.

"We'll worry about them when it's time. If they get in the way, destroy them." John said simply.

Mackie nodded grimly. "I hope they join up. We're going to need every ship we can get."

"Me too, Mackie. Me too." John sighed, feeling tired despite the adrenaline pumping through his veins. "We move in one hour. Make no communications with any ship, no matter what the situation, until that time."

The other Captains acknowledged and signed off, save Jack Maynard. "Hey Swamprat, may god stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk."

John smiled a fond, but sad smile, at his friends familiar blessing. "And you, Stinky. Take care."

Jack nodded his head and the screen went blank. John had the sudden feeling he would never see his friend again. He pushed the thought aside angrily and turned to get his ship ready for battle. Billions were counting on them.