NationStates Jolt Archive

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They gathered slowly through the dark, aproaching the columns of light, lone sources of music for the eye, in the surrounding silence. They were Satai, the nine that rulled the Empire. They were gray, a barrier between light and darkness. They were the Grey Council.

They started chanting the ritual words....

"We are Nine, formed by Valen two thousand years ago, to bring peace and order to all Minbari. We stand between the candle and the star, between the darkness and the light."

They drew back the hoods of their rough grey robes and stepped into the columns of light, completing the circle of the Nine.

`It is time.`, a voice of power

`Is it?`, a voice in doubt

`There can be no doubt. The signs are there`, a voice of one that knows his destiny

`Are they?`, a voice that wishes not to know

`Yes.`, three voices uniting to shred the last hope there was

`Then so it shall be.`, the voice of one that is prepared to die

`Who will lead them?`, the voice of ambition spoke

`Shai Alyt Surak. He knows best what is to be done. He has the fire in his heart, that is needed for this. He has the wisdom and experience of an elder, with the age and power still sufficient for what lies ahead.`, a voice expressing admiration

`We must do this unseen and unheard by anyone. Where will it be the place of the Gathering? The place where we will forge our weapons? The place no trasspasser will set foot upon and survive to tell the story.`, a voice that knows what has to be done

`Annorax`, spoke a voice, naming the place of the deserted system in calpian space

The vote was called. Those that were against would have their lights go off, leaving only those that agreed. Nine lights there were, and nine remained.

`It is time.`, the voice of power

`So be it.`, the voice without a doubt


This age was nearing its completion. A new one would arive. But where would the grey stand? Will they be the light or the darkness, victorious or hugging the ground in defeat? Soon they would know, but not yet, for now was the time to prepare. The system of Annorax was chosen for this, and Shai Alyt Surak would know what to do. Create the army of.....perhaps of light. Use one third of the military budget of every year for this purpose and build new ships of new design, unknown to anyone. A new fleet that will be hidden there, under the protection of cloak, sensors and promise of death for intruders.

Will they embrace the day or the night, on which side will they lean and support? The time has not come yet for that answer. But they will prepare for battle.

At the edge of the Nevek System

The distinctive blue glow of an opening jump point flared against the background of space, and slowly, flying backwards as it did, a vessel emerged. Its hull bore a dull orange and yellow mottle pattern, with only a very few symbols, and as it slowed to a stop – relative to the system’s star, the vessel slowly folded out a set of four ‘wings’ better described as petals from its body, and began moving off, into a long, slow, orbit of the star.

The jump point faded away and the ship began to drift, waiting, and listening. There was little doubt that its entrance to the system would be detected, unlike those of their enemies, again, perhaps an inaccurate term, ‘rivals’ would be more accurate, Vorlon star ships were not designed for stealth. And so, the large Vorlon vessel began drifting around the star, waiting for someone to notice it, and to investigate it.

Its solitary occupant waited, listened and watched in the darkness.

His look. It was one of shock, fear, hope and sadness, all in one.

`They`re back.`, whispered the young warrior

`What are you talking about Deeronn?`, asked Alyt Nurella

Deeronn turned slowly and looked at his Alyt with a shocked look on his face, speaking only one word `Vorlon`

Nurella sat down, as she felt how her legs were failing her.

`Send a message to the Trigati. The Grey Council must know. And open a link with that ship.`

She thought for a moment. `It must be true what i heard then. We are preparing....and they are here again, after almost one thousand years`. She sent a short message to the vorlon ship:

`Valen with you. Do you wish to talk with the Grey?`

The Vorlon ship waited for what seemed like days, until finally, it was contacted. It recognised much of the transmission, the name of Valen, in particular confirmed its theories. The answer it sent back to the Minbari ship was a single word.

“Yes.”

After a few moments, it sent another message, a longer one.

Quietly. We will wait for them at … followed by a string of coordinates leading to a point in deep space. And with that, the Vorlon transport vanished back, as it had came, into hyperspace.

The greatest ship of the Empire made the final jump. A blue vortex opened before it and embraced the sleek forms of the ship, letting it slide through the tear in space. The ancient house of the Grey Council, the warcruiser Trigati called for answers.

`Where is he?`

`He left. He`s waiting at these coordinates.`, answered Nurella

`Come with us.`

And with those words the Trigati jumped again, followed by the cruiser squadron that always protected it. The Grey were leaving the imperial space for the first time in three hundred cycles.

Once arrived at the meeting point it sent one more message to the vorlon ship.

`We are here. Join us.`

The Vorlon ship was dwarfed by the massive Trigati, and to be fair, it was also outgunned, if not individually, then by two or more warcruisers, let alone an entire squadron. Thus, the Minbari, and their associates, aboard the Grey Council’s ship had very little to fear as the Vorlon vessel manoeuvred alongside and finally docked against the side of the vessel. The hull of the Vorlon ship pressed against the airlock, and slowly deformed inwards, forming an opening. After a brief time, the hull seemed to dissolve entirely to reveal a brightly lit interior to the vessel, a slightly cream coloured light which formed a silhouette as the ship’s occupant emerged, casting a long shadow as it entered the airlock.

It would definitely appear to be a Vorlon, a tall creature in a sealed suit with gold and brown robes hanging from it, and an elaborate panel of dormant lights on the chest. The creature’s solitary green eye looked around as it waited for the airlock to switch atmospheres.

Satai Darak waited, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen a vorlon before, only heard of them. No alive minbari has ever saw one, as they havent been seen for almost one thousand years in these part of the galaxy.

The airlock finnaly opened and he looked up at the Vorlon in front of him. The legendary suit surrounded him, and Darak felt dissapointment for not beeing able to see his true form.

`Valen with you. I am Satai Darak, The Chosen One, of the Grey Council. Would you please follow me to the Council chamber? The others are waiting.`

Alkesh Naranek, as the Vorlon was known, was, like his entire race, not fond of speaking without good cause. In general, the Vorlons considered a fondness of speech a sign of a lack of an appropriately contemplative nature. So, rather than reply and introduce himself, it was not as if names were truly important to the Vorlons in any case, he simply nodded his suited head, and followed the Minbari, careful to observe the interior of the warcruiser, a significant advancement, he noted with a small measure of pride, for his own reasons, on the designs of a millennium ago.

As they arrived to the Council Hall, Darak took his place in the circle and waited as the vorlon moved towards the circle of light from the middle. As he arrived, Satai Darak spoke...

`We are Grey. We stand between the candle and the star. We stand between the darkness and the light.`

...he paused for a moment before speaking again...

`Is it time already?`

The Vorlon listened to the words it had never before heard in person, and looked around at the nine figures surrounding it, it could hear, and feel, anxiety, admiration, hope, some awe and a sense of peace. For now, his words would boost the third emotion, the anxiety would, hopefully, prove misplaced.

“No,” it said, “We have the initiative, for now. Many years remain before we will move against the Enemy.”

The mental equivalent of a sign of relief could be felt coming from the Satai as they heard his words. Darak spoke again.

`We are preparing for the night. Will you be here with us when the time comes?`

The Vorlon paused, considering the limits of his Authority, the degree to which he was authorised to make pledges on behalf of the empire. It was extensive, but his rivals in the High Command would doubtless frown upon committing the entire Vorlon Empire so quickly. But, nevertheless, it was doubtless the right thing to do.

“While we stand against the Darkness, we will stand with you,” he said.

Darak smiled for the first time since he heard of the arrival of the vorlon, beeing able to sence the joy in the others. They could keep the joy for now, as it will be soon gone, as the time started to run out.

`So be it. The Grey will stand by you also when the time comes. The Anla`Shok are preparing and we will have a fleet to serve under the banner of light when the time comes.`

Alkesh nodded, once more seeming extraordinarily pleased with this news, and nodded, considering his next move. “Tell no one all of this but the Anla’shok,” he suggested, “The Enemy will not harm you if they know nothing of your contact with us…”

Alkesh nodded, once more seeming extraordinarily pleased with this news, and nodded, considering his next move. “Tell no one all of this but the Anla’shok,” he suggested, “The Enemy will not harm you if they know nothing of your contact with us…”

Darak bowed slightly and replied

`We have started walking on this path already. It is all done in secret, but we manage to make two Victory class heavy destroyers and eight Whitestar monitors every year. That, the Bluestar scouts, made also in secret and the Sharlin warcruiser fleet that is growing also each year ...... will all be at your side. We have sent word for one of the Victory destroyers to come so you can see it. It incorporates all that we have learned from you.` He bowed again, and turned to see the jump-point forming, and let it through a vessel, three kilometers long, coming in at full speed.

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He turned back towards the vorlon, with pride in his eyes.

`We hope this class of ships will make the difference in the long battle that is ahead of us.`

bump

Alkesh watched the alien vessel as it appared in holographic form around the Grey Council, and cocked his head-piece to one side, curious. He was of course impressed, though it was by no means a Vorlon battleship, he could see some systems that were reminiscient of those used in the massive vorlon vessels, and he suspected that part of its structure was made up of an energy projection system like that used in the Vorlon equivalent.

It was interesting to contemplate where precisely the Minbari had gained such technology, though, given the proliferation of alternate-timelines, he didn't think it entirely impossible that they had aquired it from Vorlons.

Overall, he was impressed despite his puzzlement, though he suspected the power plant of such a vessel might be somewhat problematic. He decided to pass on records of having seen the vessel to his compatriot, Ulkesh, whose skills in ship design far exceeded his own.

Realising that a comment was expected, he nodded again, "Most impressive," he said, sending a telepathic command to his ship, a brief burst of thought that instructed the creature to scan the new arrival in detail.

Darak smiled briefly and continued `We have other ships of course, smaller but as impressive as this one. We can call them if you wish to see. But we were wondering, as support for our fleet, if you would consider giving us some of your technology, like the way to manufacture an armour closer to what you have, or better weapons. It would help us greatly in our task.`

Alkesh was silent for almost a minute, thinking the situation over. "It is not my place to say," he decided, eventually, "I will suggest it."

In truth, he was quite capable of contacting the Vorlon homeworld from where he was, but he did not wish to get a decision too quickly, or reveal that capability. It would be best to let all options be explored. He could see how further Vorlon technology could be beneficial, but he would also like to solve some of the mysteries associated with the designs.

"Call them," he added.

Darak nodded to his aprentice, and the call was made to the Whitestar fleet to come into view. Merely seconds after, the fleet exited hyperspace, with multiple jump-points coming into view, one after another fourty-eight Whitestars emerged and showed themselves proudly to the Grey Council.

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Darak turned once more to the vorlon and waited to see if he was satisfied. His thought was that if they see that we are set on the path of helping them, maybe they would think about sharing some of their technology.

And in the darkness, at the outer rim, something rose, annoyed. Something had to be done. Perhaps they could start the dance a little early...

Perhaps.

The next set of ships that arrived seemed more impressive than their predecessors, and indeed, Alkesh knew that there was a very similar prototype vessel in the Vorlon base outside the 'Sol' system. He nodded again, and turned to the Satai, "I must return to my ship, to communicate with my superiors."

The Satai bowed, and Darak showed him the way back `As you wish. This way.`

As he showed the way for the vorlon, he couldnt stop wondering if they would make a more daring aproach this time. Last war the vorlons didnt quite involve themselves like they could`ve done.

Alkesh returned to his ship and once more shed his Encounter Suit, beginning communication with his superiors. He told them what he had promised and their response was mixed. Some were pleased, ironically, those whose policies he most bitterly opposed, and some were mortified. Still others remained neutral on the issue.

He remained for many hours, silent, quiet, conversing with the High Command on the matter of the proposed technological enhancements. At last, he returned with a decision...

Alkesh returned to his ship and once more shed his Encounter Suit, beginning communication with his superiors. He told them what he had promised and their response was mixed. Some were pleased, ironically, those whose policies he most bitterly opposed, and some were mortified. Still others remained neutral on the issue.

He remained for many hours, silent, quiet, conversing with the High Command on the matter of the proposed technological enhancements. At last, he returned with a decision...

The vorlon was accompanied back to the Council`s Chamber, and the Nine waited for his words. They watched closely the beeing surounded by the famous encounter suit, and stood silent as his words might change the future of the minbari.

Alkesh looked at them, "We are not yet prepared to use our means to enhance you. Production is needed elsewhere. We shall send a permanant ambassador. He will advise you."

Alkesh looked at them, "We are not yet prepared to use our means to enhance you. Production is needed elsewhere. We shall send a permanant ambassador. He will advise you."

The Chose One looked at the vorlon, not beeing able to believe what he just heard. No help, again, and all they asked was some specs for some better weapons. He hold back his anger and replied

`I see. Perhaps you will reconsider this in the future. We will wait for your ambassador, and continue to grow our forces for what may come.`

He stopped and simply looked at the vorlon with coldness in his eyes. He couldnt stop thinking in his time of rage, that they might not fight at all in the following war if they risked again running from their homeworld.

Alkesh could feel his anger, but said nothing, nodding his head and turning to leave. If the rest of the Empire could be persuaded to do their duty, he would be back, if not...

If not all was lost. He returned to his ship to leave...

The Grey Council watched him leave, escorted by Satai Darak, and waited in silence for their leader to return before speaking.

`So, they have once again chose to stand on the side for as long as possible.`, said bitterly Ashan, of the Wind Swords clan

`The Anla`Shok will have to face the enemy alone before the vorlons choose to act. That`s if they come at all.`, said another warrior, this time Dukhat of the Black Stars

` The last time the prophecy was wrong, and the Shadows won the war. They have grown strong during this time, and if the vorlons dont intervene this time all will be lost.`, spoke Fara, of the Bold Roamers religious clan

`Yes, this was dissapointing. We will have to enhance the defences of our space and planets, and spend less on ships for a while. If we do not have their support then we must assure that we will survive. We must make alliances and sign non-agression pacts and strengthen our position in our current space.`, said The Chosen One, Darak of the Truth Seekers religious clan

`Darak, what about the Sentinel Fleet? You have refused us before, saying that this would not work. But if we want to win this, then we should expect to loose much, and I think we should create the new breed of Sentinel warriors. More inteligent, more able to take charge on their own initiative. We need them to reinforce our numbers if it will be needed.`, spoke with a clear voice Satai Aalann of the Dark Wanderers warrior clan

`We shall vote on this. Proceed.`

The Council took a vote there, and they decided, in unanimity to create a new breed of Sentinels, capable of beeing used as pilots, not only as marines. The lights faded after that, and the Council broke, more worried about the future then ever before.