As John Sheridan stood at the main observation port in the Ops room of Babylon 5, he couldn't help but have a feeling of great anticipation, as if something in the galaxy was about to happen, something that he should have been a part of. The odd transmission he had received days earlier, telling his senior officers to go to Nimbus III, and the war between the Narns and the Centauris, called for his attention on the station. There was no way he could leave at the moment. He had wanted to see what it was.
"What are they doing here?", she asked.
"Maybe they've come for Mollari.", Sheridan replied.
News of the arrival of the Narn ship soon reached G'Kar. A few moments later, he, too, was in Ops, standing alongside Sheridan.
"Have they made contact yet, Captain?", he asked.
"No. Their weapons aren't armed, so they're not here to attack."
"Let me speak with them.", said G'Kar. "I may be able to get through."
"Very well.", said Sheridan. "Commander, open hailing frequencies."
A channel was opened, and G'Kar spoke.
"Narn cruiser, this is Ambassador G'Kar of the Narn Empire, speaking on behalf of Babylon 5. Please state your intentions."
The image of a weary Narn appeared on the screen before them.
"I am No'Kloth, commander of the war cruiser Belok. I am carrying over two hundred war injured. I am low on power, and I request urgent medical attention for myself and my wounded."
G'Kar turned to Sheridan. Sheridan knew what G'Kar was going to ask him.
"Captain, we must help."
"No'Kloth is right.", said Ivanova, checking her scanners. "The ship is shot to ribbons. I'm surprised they even had enough power to get here. And the life signs are getting weak. They need medical help.”
"You can't just turn them away,” said G'Kar. "If they try to find anywhere else, they will be attacked by the Centauri.”
"The Prime Directive prohibits me from helping them," said Sheridan. "However, if I were to get clearance from the Federation..."
"But that could take days!", said G'Kar.
"I know," said Sheridan. "That's why I am allowing the Belok to dock."
Sheridan then activated his communicator.
"Sheridan to Sickbay. Doctor Franklin, prepare to receive incoming wounded."
A smiling G'Kar turned to Sheridan.
"Thank you, Captain. I am forever in your debt."
A few minutes later, Sheridan was walking along the corridor on his way to Sickbay when he was suddenly stopped by Mollari.
"Captain! I have just heard that you have gave permission for a Narn cruiser to dock with the station. I must protest!"
"Why? Babylon 5 is neutral territory. They have every right to get medical treatment here!"
"And what of your Prime Directive? By helping the Narns you are involving the Federation in a war that does not concern them."
"When someone asks me for help it concerns me. The Narn ship was almost destroyed in a battle, and all of their crew need urgent medical attention. I intend to give them that attention."
Mollari grabbed Sheridan by the arm. Sheridan did not like this, and his expression told Mollari this.
"Tell me, Captain, if a Centauri ship arrived here asking the same, would you help them?"
"Under the same circumstances, yes, but from what I hear the Centauri Republic hardly need any help from the Federation. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Sheridan continued on his way towards Sickbay. Mollari knew, however, that the Federation may be helping the Centauri Republic soon. Very soon.
Connor MacLeod suddenly became aware of a light so bright that it hurt his eyes, even though they were tightly closed. Then, it faded. Cautiously he opened one eye, then the other. He could see nothing apart from sand as far as the eye could see, and the figure of Duncan MacLeod, looking as bemused as Connor felt. Connor smiled.
"Welcome to Vacation Paradise!", he quipped.
Duncan broke into a broad grin.
"I've been here before; it's not Nimbus III, it's Cromer. We ought to see the church soon!"
Still joking, Connor produced a compass.
"This way to Paradise City."
High above the planet, the sensor panel aboard the Enterprise began to register something.
"Commander, I'm picking up another ship.", called Worf.
"Put it on the main viewer.", ordered Riker.
Worf looked disconcerted.
"I cannot, Commander. It has gone."
No comments:
Post a Comment