The Battle For Babylon 5: Civil War II Chapter Forty-Six

Magus could no longer concentrate. It was as if something on the Gorgon, he could not tell what, had interrupted the flow of things. Four squadrons of TIE fighters launched from the Gorgon's bays upon arrival. Their confidence ebbing away, the Free Federation forces pulled back. It was as if they were tired, fatigued in some way. They had just defeated a powerful enemy. Could they do so again?

The remnants of the first attack force soon joined the Gorgon in renewing the attack on Babylon 5. Admiral Daala had contacted Sheridan, and this time, had given him a vocal warning to implement Imperial rule, to the letter or else.

Magus closed his eyes, and tried to concentrate, but it was no good. It was as if something, or someone, on the Gorgon was blocking his thoughts. He could no longer help his allies.

Then, the jump-gate opened again. Everyone in Ops, including Magus, expected another Imperial fleet to arrive. If that happened they might as well surrender. The forward saucer section of a starship began to appear. Everyone began to fear the worst. Another former Starfleet ship, under Imperial control. They couldn't have been more wrong.

Magus smiled as the ship began to make itself more clear. He recognised the design instantly. Wagner-class U.S.S. Lohengrin. It was as he told Sinclair before they left. He would have a vital role to play.

The Lohengrin was closely followed by a sleeker, smaller ship. Delenn had returned in the White Star, and had brought some Minbari comrades with her, in the shape of three Minbari War Cruisers.

From the command chair of the Gorgon, Daala cursed her luck as Delenn's image appeared on the screen in front of her.

"This is Delenn of the Minbari Religious Caste. Withdraw from this system, or face the might of the Minbari people!"

Daala was prepared for the fight. From what she had heard about Minbari war cruisers, an Imperial Star Destroyer was more than a match for three of them. But then she got the surprise of her life. Another jump-point formed above Babylon 5, and three more War Cruisers, accompanied by several fighters, appeared. They were clearly outmatched.

Daala had no choice, and she knew it. She could fight, but the Emperor wouldn't want one of his ships and most talented commanders wasted in a pointless exercise. A double jump-point formed in front of the Gorgon, and moments later, they were gone. The battle was over.

 

With the clear-up operation moving swiftly, Sheridan entered the presidential quarters, quarters not used since the inauguration of James Watt the elder. He entered to find Spock seated on the floor, having adopted the poise of meditation. Sheridan did not want to disturb Spock, and was about to leave when Spock stopped him. The Vulcan looked up, and noticed that Sheridan was carrying his tunic in his hand. He was no longer wearing his Starfleet station uniform. It had been replaced by a white shirt.

"I thought you would like to know that I sent a transmission to Earth five minutes ago, declaring Babylon 5 an independent state".

"And what route are you taking now, Captain?" Spock asked, still seated on the floor.

"Officially, we are in neutral space, but it's obvious that we have no hope of defending this station alone, should the Imperials attack again. That is why I am officially asking for membership of the Free Federation".

Spock rose from his position on the floor and approached Sheridan.

"Come with me".

Sheridan followed Spock along several corridors, into the turbo-lift, and finally, into the hydroponics garden. There, he found a crowd of seemingly hundreds waiting for him, including some of the people he cared for the most. Upon seeing Sheridan, he received a hero's welcome.

"These men and women want the same as you, Captain," said Spock. "I will grant you your request".

The conference lasted several days, and Spock was officially sworn in as President of the Free Federation, with Zarkoff acting as his deputy. For once, Lwaxana Troi did not act like a manhunter, as the ranks of the Free Federation grew. From afar, Londo watched the proceedings, secretly wishing he could have been part of them. After his meeting with Magus, he knew that something was very wrong with his life, and he didn't know how to change it.

 

The time had come for Spock to depart. Sheridan and G'Kar escorted him to the customs area.

"We'll all have a difficult time ahead of us," said Sheridan. "A lot of us still have loved ones on Imperial worlds, with no way of getting word to them".

"Times will be difficult," Spock agreed. "But I believe we have turned a corner. The Free Federation is growing, and will get considerably larger soon".

They came to the departure lounge. Spock turned to face them.

"Ambassador G'Kar will now be my eyes, ears and voice here on Babylon 5," said Spock. "If you need my help, tell him".

Sheridan smiled, and gave the customary Vulcan salute to Spock. He was surprised when Spock extended his hand, intending to shake Sheridan by his hand. Vulcans normally had a natural aversion to most forms of physical contact. Realising what this meant, Sheridan grasped Spock's hand.

"Live long and prosper, Mister President".

"May your gods go with you, Captain Sheridan".

 

The Flying Scotsman was the last of the Free Federation ships, and as Pendragon and Magus walked through the customs area, Pendragon yawned.

"Can I confess something to you, Doctor?" Pendragon asked.

"I haven't heard a confession since I was a priest".

Pendragon chose not to pursue that line of questioning, and yawned.

"The battle out there, when we were not only defending ourselves and each other, but our very way of life... I actually enjoyed it!"

Magus smiled.

"If only Mister Worf could hear you".

"It was just as..."

Pendragon suddenly stopped and looked at the passing crowd. One man in particular had grabbed his attention. Dropping his bag, he began to move back, scanning the crowd, trying to look for someone. He soon saw him, just as he was turning a corner. Pendragon raced to that corner, and found the corridor empty.

Soon, Magus was beside him.

"What is it, Captain?"

"It couldn't have been. Not here," Pendragon replied, staring across the vacant corridor.

"What?"

"Morgan!" said Pendragon. "My brother! I could have sworn that Morgan was here!"

"What would your brother be doing here? Wasn't he on that farming world near the rim? If he was coming here he would have let you know! Come now, Captain! We have a ship to catch!"

Pendragon joined Magus as they moved towards the airlock. He picked up his bag where he had left it, and a few minutes later, was back in the command chair of the Scotsman. As they entered the jump-gate, he couldn't get the thought out of his head. What was his brother doing on Babylon 5?