As Watt entered the briefing room of the Saratoga, he found a sight he hadn't seen in years, not since he first considered a career as a Starfleet pilot. Five young humans, several elves, a Traxxon, and a Vulcan, seated, facing a viewer, with their commanding officer standing before them. As soon as Watt seated himself, Colonel McQueen began his briefing.
"Our mission is simple," he said. "Since we can establish no contact with the surface, and all of our sensor scans are being blocked, you're to go to the surface in your Vipers, and find out what happened down there. Establish whatever contact you can. Lieutenant Amarus will lead the mission."
"With all due respect, Colonel," said Vansen. "Lieutenant Amarus hasn't worked with us before, and he isn't even a pilot."
"I am well versed in Viper operations, Miss Vansen," said Amarus. "I also know how to fly an Imperial TIE fighter. Can any of you say that? And besides, that's my planet down there!"
"Enough!" said McQueen. "Mr. Amarus is an expert in Traxxor, and he knows exactly how craft operate in Traxxor's freezing climate."
"What about these pointy-eared geeks?" asked Hawkes. "They coming along too?"
"Those geeks are some of the finest pilots I've ever seen," said McQueen. "Now, you have your mission. Get to it."
The briefing room began to clear. Only Watt and McQueen remained.
"I wish I was going with them," said Watt. "It's been a while since I was in a Viper."
"Me too," said McQueen.
Londo Mollari was not a happy man. Something was happening on Babylon 5, and he knew nothing about it. When he tried to ask someone, he got no reply. Even G'Kar was acting strangely. For some reason, he seemed happy. For the first time in months, the former Narn ambassador had smiled. Something had happened to him. His sources on the station had told him that someone had contacted him. Who it was, they did not know. This annoyed Londo. His sources were usually more reliable. It was while Londo was deep in thought that he failed to notice the mysterious Morgan approach him. Londo almost bumped into him. Even then, his mind was still on the strange goings-on.
"Is everything alright, Ambassador?" asked Morgan. "You seem preoccupied by something."
"Something's happening around here, Mister Morgan," Londo replied. "Everyone is running around preparing for something. I want to know what it is. Perhaps you know something of this."
"I do, but I can't tell you here. Can we go to your quarters?"
A few minutes later they were at Londo's quarters. When they arrived they found Vir working. Vir was annoyed and surprised to see Morgan. He had made it clear on many occasions that he had no liking for Morgan. As soon as they arrived, Londo gestured to Vir, asking him to leave, which Vir gladly did. Once he had left, the conversation began.
"So what is this all about?" Londo asked. "What's going on here? Is it something to do with the Imperials, and the Centauri alliance with them?"
"Yes, and no. You already know that G'Kar was contacted by someone on a secure channel. I know who."
"Who? Who was it?"
"Phineas Magus."
Londo smiled upon hearing this name.
"Magus is an old friend of mine! Why would he want anything to do with G'Kar!"
"Think about it. My sources tell me that Magus is on his way here, to Babylon 5!"
"He's coming here! It will be good to see him again!"
"He isn't coming here to see you. He's coming here to see Sheridan and G'Kar. The preparations you have been observing are for a conference here. Delegates from all over the quadrant will be here."
"What for?"
"Isn't it obvious? To discuss the future of the Free Federation."
"What are you going to do about it?"
"I can't do anything. This is a matter for the Galactic Federation."
"Making the first sweep now," Vansen reported, leading the fighters down into Traxxor's atmosphere. "Ten thousand... nine thousand... eight thousand... making the first scans."
"Full beam scan," said Watt.
There was a pause of a few minutes as the fighters flew around the planet.
"Nothing," Amarus reported. "We should go in closer."
"Are you sure that's safe?" asked McQueen. "Given the low temperatures for this time of year?"
"We should be safe," Amarus replied. "Follow me down to a thousand feet, and take it easy! Too fast and the icy air could shear your wings clean off!"
The fighters took up formation behind Amarus, and began a further descent towards the surface. As they passed through the clouds, Amarus could see the surface. The sight that greeted him shocked him.
"Report, Mister Amarus," said Watt.
There was no reply.
"Queen Bee to Wild Cards," said McQueen. "Come in, Vansen!"
There was another pause before West answered.
"There's nothing down here, Colonel," he reported. "It's all gone!"
"What do you mean, Lieutenant?" asked Watt.
"Everything's gone!" said West. "The buildings, every structure, has been destroyed by some powerful weapon!"
"Vansen, is that true?" asked McQueen.
"Yeah, it's true alright," Vansen replied. "I'm picking up no life signs. No humanoid, animal, or plant life! It's all gone! Totally destroyed!"
"Scan the debris," Watt ordered. "See if you can find any weapons residue."
"We have another problem!" said West. "It's Amarus! He's breaking formation and heading up!"
Sutek looked down at the tactical panel.
"He's coming out of the atmosphere now," he reported. "His wings are heavily covered with ice, and he's lost consciousness. The G-force was too much for him."
"Tractor him in," said Watt. "And beam him directly to Sickbay. Lieutenant Vansen, you're in command now. Begin your scan."
As Sutek guided Amarus' fighter back to the Valkyrie, Vansen began her scan.
"It matches with the Imperial weapons systems," she reported. "Exactly the same."
"I want all of you to take readings," said McQueen. "So we can get a good look at them later."
As the channel was closed, McQueen turned to Watt.
"So what do we do now, Captain?"
"There is nothing we can do. All life has been destroyed here. For all intents and purposes, Traxxor is dead. I only hope their colonies were spared. Sadly, we haven't the time to investigate them. Once the 58th is back aboard the Saratoga, we'll set a course for Babylon 5."
A few minutes later, Watt entered Sickbay. He found Singh treating Amarus.
"Is he okay?" asked Watt.
"Physically, he's in shock, and he'll be alright. Mentally, I doubt it. What would you do if you'd just found out your homeworld had been destroyed?"
"Did he come round?"
"For a few minutes. He got hysterical, so I had to sedate him. He kept saying one thing over and over again: 'Death to the Imperials!'"
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