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"The Narns have sent large quantities of their reserves and we've completed the transaction," said Vera.

"Good. And our crews?"

"Transferred off the Iowas, Spruances and Arleigh Burkes. Most of the ships are in Alshain's hands now, and some in G'kar's. There are large numbers of Narn refugees coming in with their military. Many are applying for sanctuary."

"Interesting."

"I know that look."

"Rome was not built in a day. Or by free men."

"You're going to--"

"Why not. There's a massive labor shortage in the shipyards with the Super Battleships. And G'kar won't have a choice. He's got one planet left and he'll default on his payments soon. If the Narns are to retain any financial credibility he'll have to agree to my terms."

"And your terms are?"

"They'll work for me or they'll starve."

Brian

President Alshain stepped off EAS Terra's shuttle and onto the deckplate of Mesopotamia Six. The most ambitious space construction project in the history of Earth.

The command staff awaited him. The station commander approached, and saluted. President Alshain bowed slightly; he was very uncomfortable with the idea of returning a salute when he himself had never been in EarthForce.

"On behalf of everyone here at Mesopotamia Six, I welcome you, Mr. President."

"Thank you, Commander. Thank you, all. This project has meant a great deal to me, and every report I've read about your operations has been overwhelmingly positive. I believe there's a tour scheduled...?"

"Of course. Right this way, Mr. President."

Five hours later...

"...and finally, we've come to the command deck. From here we monitor all sector traffic, direct station operations, and control docking traffic."

"Very impressive."

"If you'll look here, Mr. President, at our dedication plaque..."

Alshain turned and looked at the plaque. It was mostly like any other plaque, with the Earth Alliance logo, and text, including...

Principal Project Sponsor: President Wilhelm Alshain
Without whom this dream would never have taken form

The commander was still speaking. "...we wished you could have been here for the dedication. It was a hell of a show."

"This... this is... thank you."

The command deck had grown strangely quiet.

Alshain cleared his throat. "Ah, I believe the Terra has a few gifts for you."

"Yes, Mr. President. The transfer of Starfuries is still scheduled for tomorrow, last I checked."

"Very well. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been an honor. If you'll excuse me, I believe it's time for me to meet the esteemed representatives of the other nations."

"Admiral, are you telling me that your ships' battle lasers and ineffective against the Shadow's colony?" Londo asked.

The Admiral nodded nervously. "Yes, Excellency. We have, however, drawn some of the Shadows' remaining forces out of hiding. They have launched a disorganized counterattack. We've already destroyed two Shadow vessels, and three more are en route."

"I see," Londo said. "Casualties?"

"Minimal, Excellency."

"Good," Londo said. "Continue to blockade the planet. I will have vessels made that can destroy the colony and sent to join your fleet as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Excellency."

The transmission ended and Londo rolled his eyes. Just when he'd thought that the final offensive against the Shadows was ready to begin, this had to happen. Someone in R&D needed to be fired, that much was for sure.

Well, nothing to be done except fix the problem. He gave the appropriate orders and then went on to other work. Jha'Dur was making threats again. He had to hand it to the Dilgar, they were indeed defiant to the end.

Dmitri suddenly entered his office, literally tripping over his own feet in his haste and falling face first onto the plush carpet. Londo laughed despite himself.

"Forgive my clumsiness, Excellency," Dmitri said, pulling himself to his feet and looking mightily embarressed.

"There is nothing to apologize for Dmitri," Londo laughed. "What brought you here in such a rush?"

"I finally managed to track down the Narn Chairman, Excellency." Dmitri answered. "It wasn't easy, sir. The Narn Regime is in chaos, as you know."

"Well done, Dmitri!" Londo said. "And just in time, too."

"The Corporate Sector has a military alliance with the Dilgar. Rather than empty rhetoric, we have ended the crisis between the Narn and the Dilgar. We have sold the Narns--" Vera looks down. "Eighty-four light cruisers and a hundred and twenty-six destroyers. This is a legitimate business contract and the Narns are sending three hundred thousand standard units of steel to Corporate planets a month."

"So whatever justification the Minbari may have had with intervention against the Dilgar is finished. The problem now will be solved between the Narns and Dilgar, as it should have been from the beginning. We propose to censure the Minbari government for their hostile actions if they do not immediately withdraw their fleet from Dilgar space."

Brian

Quadrant 32 System
Planet Revenge

The Ranger slipped through the dark streets, his small parcel tucked securely into an inside pocket. What he had could potentially turn the tide of the political war currently raging on Mesopotamia 6. So crucial was the parcel that the Ranger was willing to kill anyone to get to a transmitter capable of intersystem communications, and willing to die there to complete his mission.

Ever since the Anla'shok had learned of the brutal Dilgar conquest of the Narn homeworlds, Rangers had been sent in secret to watch, to monitor, and, when possible, to report back. Every little bit of information smuggled offworld would help the Narn cause that much more.

The Ranger had heard about the Dilgar's further push into the very heart of the former Narn Regime. They had captured another homeworld, one of the two in the Mellitra system, plus one of the colony worlds, destroying the rest in a fit of savage brutality. All the more reason to do whatever was necessary to get the message out. Can't stop the signal, he thought to himself.

The entryway to a minor comm relay station was loosely guarded by a pair of seemingly lounging Dilgar, but the Ranger knew that it was an act; they had heard his steps long beforehand and were no doubt ready to pummel some Narn civilian who had gotten lost in the name of "security". He doubted that either of them had ever dealt with a Ranger.

His plain cloak seemed to throw the Dilgar for a second; they had been expecting the trademark bald and mottled head of a Narn, but instead were confronted with...what? "Halt!" one of them shouted. "Identify yourself!"

The Ranger silently drew back his cloak, flashing the emerald pin of the Anla'shok. With a soft shhk, a silver staff shot out into full length from his hand, striking one of the Dilgar guards full in the face, shoving his nose into his brain and sending him sprawling onto the ground, dead. The other barely had time to grumble out the beginnings of a threat before he joined his departed comrade.

Marcus Cole dragged the two guards inside, locked the doors, and headed at a sprint towards the communications relay.

~~~

Secure Undisclosed Location

"Sir, we have made contact with the Centauri. A young aide named Dmitri."

"Appraise them of our status."

"Yes, sir. They're also sending us a live feed from Mesopotamia 6."

"On screen," G'Kar ordered. He wondered what the bombastic and savage race could scrounge together that would seem even halfway coherent.

~~~

Observation Gallery
Some Time Later

G'Kar was sitting silently, staring off into space. After the Dilgar ambassador had finished, one of Marxis's lackeys, Vera, had issued a warning to the Minbari. The sheer arrogance of both made his skin crawl. He wished he was there, wished he could counter them, but he was far away from the Cooke system and there was a considerable number of obstacles between where he was and where he was headed.

The door chimed. "Come," he answered. He turned towards his visitor, mildly surprised to see an aide standing in the doorway trying to catch his breath. "I ran straight from the bridge, sir," he said. "Please, you must look at this immediately." He handed G'Kar a data crystal, who plugged it into the gallery's computer.

What he watched there shocked and saddened him to his very core. And they call us the aggressors, he thought. "Where did this come from?" he said aloud.

"Quadrant 32 III. It was tagged with the identification of a Ranger named Marcus Cole."

G'Kar smiled grimly. Marcus. He hadn't seen him in a while and hoped that he made it off-planet in one piece.

"Get me a channel to M6," he ordered as he marched out of the room. "And don't bother with encryption. I want the whole galaxy to see this."

~~~

Mesopotamia 6
Council Chambers

Marxis's representative had just stepped down and the moderator was preparing to call the next speaker when the viewscreens lit up with the familiar MesCom "Incoming Transmission" screen. He was surprised to see a Narn there, even more surprised to see that it was Chairman G'Kar.

"Greetings to the assembled Councilmembers," G'Kar said. "For those of you who do not know me, I am Chairman G'Kar, leader of the Narn Remnant. As you are no doubt aware, the Dilgar have led an incredibly aggressive and absolutely devastating invasion of our homeworlds. Even now, Dilgar troops are attempting to penetrate the defenses of our last holdout.

"The Dilgar Ambassador would have you believe that this was our fault. He would have you believe that the Narn had this coming. And he would have you believe that the Dilgar are justified in their actions. The Dilgar Ambassador is wrong.

"While it is true that during our initial exploration of this region of space several Narn commanders destroyed unarmed Dilgar vessels, they did not do so with my approval. They paid for their aggression with their lives. And since then, we had left the Dilgar strictly alone.

"That is, until they led an invasion on our world in the Quadrant 32 system. The initial invasion fleet was wiped out with minimal losses, but they soon came back in force and took our world. We had no choice but to declare war. Not soon after that, the Dilgar offered us terms of surrender.

"I refused. Perhaps out of pride, perhaps out of arrogance, but mostly because there are fates worth than death, and that includes being under the thumb of a brutal and ruthless enemy.

"We immediately began to mobilize in an attempt to take back the world so savagely robbed from us, and with the aid of our allies we amassed a massive fleet.

"Our attempt failed. The Dilgar wiped out our fleet. They then led a second invasion into the Mellitra system, where they captured a second homeworld and one of our colonies, then proceeded to destroy other Narn colonies with reckless abandon. Even our outlying colonies were not spared.

"For those of you who still do not see the Dilgar as what they truly are, a bloodthirsty and violently aggressive blight on the galaxy, I have proof of their cruelty. This footage was captured and transmitted off of the world of Quadrant 32 III. It shows just how 'civilized' these monsters are."

With that, G'Kar disappeared, only to be replaced by another Narn. The difference was that this one was naked, covered in his own filth, and was being ruthlessly tortured by a Dilgar.

"Your race is inferior. You are nothing. Flith! You hear me?" The Dilgar jabbed a prod into the prone form, sending another wave of searing pain through his body. "You will tell me of the defenses in the Mellitra system, animal." The Narn was sobbing by this point, and the Dilgar shocked him again until he curled up into a ball, begging for mercy. "Pitiful creature. You are not even worth my effort." With that, the Dilgar turned to leave, and the video froze. The face on the screen was unmistakeably Dilgar.

It was also unmistakeably that of Jha'Dur.

After a few seconds, the face of G'Kar reappeared. "This is who the Dilgar really are. This is what they stand for. If any among you have any conscience at all, you will stand together against them. We did so before. We must do so again.

"And Miss Delaney, your corporation has done nothing to solve the problems between the Narn and the Dilgar. What you did was unload a bunch of old, obsolete warships on a government strapped for cash and facing complete destruction, then threaten us with subjugation and slavery when the destabilization of the Narn government prevented us from paying you on time.

"My boys tell me you're going to default on your payments soon. That won't be good. Your credit rating with the Galactic Bank's been a solid triple A and if you default the Corporate Sector will have no choice but to report your breach of contract. You have the ships but if you ever want to rebuild your cities from the devestation of the Dilgar, you'll need credits. And nobody'll lend to a nation that defaults on hundreds of billions of credits."

"So here's how it works. Your people work for me, from now on. When I say sit, your people sit. When I say stand, your people stand. When I say bark, you bark. You're mine now G'kar, and if you don't play by my rules you can kiss your people goodbye, along with all those asylum applications."

"I'll let your people settle in the Nocalo system. Earthforce has a fleet there, it should be safe from the Dilgar for now. But your skilled workers, shipwrights--they are to immediately begin work at my shipyards."

"I hope we've come to an understanding alien."

"But you don't have a problem with that, do you? Either way, you win. If we accepted those terms, we would have been sold into slavery. But instead, we chose to keep our word and pay you what you were owed. And since we did that, you'll have the pleasure of watching us aliens kill each other. The Dilgar are nothing but allies of convenience to you. I await the day that you two turn on each other.

"To our allies, we thank you deeply for your continued support, including the Centauri Republic, who have proven themselves to be far more honorable than the Dilgar ever were. Good day, all."

The viewscreen turned off, leaving the chamber in a stunned silence.

"How the hell did G'kar sneak a recorder in the meeting," said Marxis. "I thought you scanned him!"

"He must have used some kind of alien technology we couldn't detect. Maybe Minbari, maybe Vorlon."

"The next time I talk with aliens, they're stripped searched," said Marxis.

"We'll still need laborers for our shipyards."

"Damn them all, damn Alshain! If he'd invaded the Hurr Republic like I asked him to, we'd have all the manpower we needed!"

"...and obviously the tape is fake. It was possibly manufactured by aliens unknown and given to G'kar to incriminate us, which our scientists say have computer technology far in advance of ours. The Corporate Sector from day one has been the target of a propaganda machine, spearheaded by Alshain and his alien friends."

"Well words speak for themselves. Despite the warships being obsolete, they were the best we had at the time. The rest of our warships went to Earthforce as we were contractually obligated. What were we to do, give the aliens precedence over our human brethren? These aliens are obviously ungrateful. When nobody would help them, we do and what do we get for our thanks? A forged tape and accusations of manipulation."

"The Corporate Sector is now led by our Prime Minister Ms. Nunziata. I hope she'll be able to smooth things over and bury the vendetta between me and the aliens, started by the aliens. But I will not be forced to resign or retreat due to lies."

"G'Kar is right about one thing--we don't care if you aliens kill each other. It's none of our concern. We don't go interfering in the affairs of foreign governments, unlike your cosorting and lobbying of our President."

Brian

"As a third party interested only in peace, the Earth Alliance is more than willing to offer itself as negotiators and mediators for the nations who desire peace. The Earth Alliance has diligently avoided hostilities with it's galactic neighbors. We have enjoyed years of friendly relations and profitable trade with nearly every major power in the galaxy, and the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne is among the most experienced and professional diplomatic corps in the galaxy. As a result, it is my firm belief that Earth can and would be the most equitable negotiator possible.

I believe strongly in the potential of diplomacy, but I do recognize that words must sometimes be backed by force. As long as both nations agree to it beforehand, Earth will be willing to enforce the results of whatever dispute it is called upon to mediate or arbitrate.

We would do this not for power, or glory. We do this because peace serves us all - whether it is to profit from trade or to sleep better at night or to live freely without oppression. Thus the peace of conquest and broken nations is no peace at all, it is a prelude to rebellion and insurrection, and so we have no desire for any such illusion of peace.

However, I can understand the desire for the fate of worlds to not be decided by the deliberations of only one star nation. I will therefore equally support the formation of a Mesopotamia Security Council before whom such disputes could also be brought.

Either way, we can start by negotiating an end to the Narn-Dilgar war. I therefore urge all involved nations to submit their grievances and offer solutions which would avoid any further bloodshed.

I deeply regret that I will not be able to remain on Mesopotamia Six much longer, as I have pressing concerns back on Earth. However, Earth's continuing representative here on M6 has my complete confidence."

---

"I'm quite flattered, Mr. President, but... if I may speak frankly, sir."

"Sure."

"Why me? And why here?"

Alshain smirked. "More accurately, why didn't I stick Cal out here and promote you to Director of the CDT. Is that about right?"

Ben Magnan blushed, but before he could speak Alshain started in again.

"Cal is a long-time friend and a trusted advisor. I need him by my side. And, I have to admit, in recent years Cal has been so focused on administration I'm not sure he has the knack for diplomacy any more. You, on the other hand, have been keeping your wits fairly sharp with the Marxis' PR boys."

"I see, sir."

"Don't sweat it. You have just become, quite bluntly, the most important diplomat in the CDT. By Presidential order, M6 has become a Class Zero diplomatic post, the first of it's kind. You will have nearly unlimited resources at your disposal. Now, if there's nothing else, I have some last-minute business to attend to before Earthforce One departs for Earth."

Vir took a deep breath as he took the floor, aware that saying the wrong thing could endanger the Republic. "Esteemed representatives, I feel that I must address Ambassador Rai'Jal's claims that the Centauri Republic backed the Narn Regime's first attempt to retake the world currently known as 'Revenge' must be addressed."

"It is true that the Republic gave the Narn Regime a small number of cruisers and a small transport containing a small force of infantry."

"As you know, the Centauri Republic has, in the past, committed what can only be called...atrocities against the Narn people. The leadership of the Republic felt that it was only right that we attempt to aid them in their moment of need, in order to partly redeem our government."

"The leadership of the Republic did this in spite of the fact that we were--and still are, in fact--at peace with the Dilgar Confederacy. I know for a fact that the Emperor himself personally apologized for this action after the Dilgar discovered what we had done. Additionally, the Dilgar asked for permission to colonize a world in the heart of Centauri space. Permission was given."

"It seems, however, that the Dilgar cannot let this go. The fact that this was not a buisness transaction apparently makes it an unforgiveable act, despite the small number of ships the Centauri Republic provided."

There were murmurs from the crowd, but Vir ignored them and continued. "The Centauri Republic will remain militarily neutral in this conflict for the foreseeable future. However, we have made arrangements to take in Narn refugees. Also, my government has authorized me to announce that the Centauri Republic will assist the Narn Regime in rebuilding their space, should they manage to regain it. That is all."

--------------------------

"Come in," Londo called in response to the knock at his door.

Dmitri entered. "Excellency, Narn refugees have begun to arrive, but in very small numbers so far. Chairman G'Kar's flagship has entered Centauri space."

"Good, good," Londo said.

"Excellency," Dmitri began hesistantly. "May I ask you something?"

"In the privacy of this office, you may ask me anything you wish, Dmitri," Londo answered.

"Why are we doing all this for the Narns, Excellency?" Dmitri asked. "It's not endearing us to anyone but the Narns, I think."

Londo sighed. "Many reasons, really. Some purely political, I'll admit. Have you ever heard of a human named Niccolo Machiavelli?"

Dmitri took a wild stab at it. "Isn't he the Earth Alliance's ambassador to M6 now that Alshain has left?"

Londo laughed. "No, Dmitri, he is not. Machiavelli is long dead. He was a genius, a mastermind of politics. At one point, he said that it was better for a ruler to be feared than to be loved, but one must be careful, lest that fear become hate. The Centauri Republic crossed that line a long time ago, Dmitri, and we need to change our image. And because we no longer have the strength to make people fear us again, to make them love us is the next best thing."

"I think I understand," Dmitri said. "What are your other reasons, Londo...er, Excellency?"

"There may be hope for you yet, Dmitri," Londo laughed. "To answer your question, my other reasons are more sentimental. We did some horrible things to the Narn in the past, and when they finally freed themselves and took to the stars, they were a very belligerent people because of it. It is a testament to them that they did not become like the Dilgar. And...let's just say that I think someone I cared for very much would've wanted it this way."

Kosh, as he was now called, wandered the station and sampled the minds of the people. The vorlon found it of immense amusement to browse the minds of people who were not it's own. He was somewhat curious if he'd be allowed into the council chambers now that the humans knew of vorlon telepathic abilities. If he was denied, he could hardly fault them but it didn't make a tremendous difference to the vorlon.

He thought about his people's postition on the Narn/Dilgar war. The Dilgar would be exterminated, or at least scattered never to threarten the more peaceful races again. In the last two months five Dilgar planets, almost as many as they had taken from the Narn, had been razed to the ground by the vorlon fleet. Finally, the vorlon's wanderings had taken him to where he was aiming to be. He stopped and waited, looking directly at the lift. Almost on que the doors opened and some twenty meters ahead of Kosh was the Dilgar ambassador. With the speed of a thought he sent a simple message to the Dilgar.

'Mercy shown to your enemies is mercy shown to you.' erupted into the Dilgar's mind, accompanied by images of Narns subjugated and enslaved. When the dilgar had recovered from the telepathic intrusion the vorlon was gone, he had other ambassadors to see.

Marxis strode down the hallway flanked by Vera, General Stiller, and a dozen hand picked marines. The marines were equipped with PPG rifles, body armor and helmets. They came to a retina scanner. Marxis put his eyes up to it.

"This is Marxis," he said.

A pause.

"Identity confirmed."

The quadruple doors pulled and dialated.

The marines streamed into the room, weapons trained on the freezers. There was a single icicle hanging from the ceiling and the freezer doors were encrusted with translucent sheen.

"Open it," said Marxis.

A marine surged from his formation and yanked open the center freezer. They trained their PPG weapons on the freezer and Marxis went closer.

"Mr. Defel," said Marxis smiling. "I have gone to great lengths to acquire your body. Prep him for transport."

"We've received partnership level access codes from the Shadows," said Vera.

"Excellent," said Marxis. Who knew what kind of technology was left behind by Mr. Defel's people? Whatever it was, it would be his.

Brian

It had been a busy month for Nimune, and the war had gone as expected against the Dilgar. Aboard a sister ship of the Valen'tha, she viewed the battles before her. Merely a week ago, her forces invaded and captured a Dilgar frontier outpost on their route around the front lines.

She mused to herself how their act of sabotaging their own jumpgate beacons only delayed the inevitable, and merely brought the wrath of the Minbari Federation and Vorlon Empire elsewhere. She had since destroyed several of the sabotage ships, and the fleet cruised elsewhere.

Now, a new barrier was found. A blockade before a jumpgate of several Dilgar and what appeared to be Shadow battlestations. They closed range swiftly, and the stealthy war cruisers of her armada pressed on.

The stations opened fire first as her fleet decelerated, missing several ships in the first volley. Shots glanced off the sides of the powerful warcruisers, and only struck one critically, bursting through the other side of the crystaline ship.

"Destroy them all." Nimune whispered. "Cast their ashes into the void."

At her command, the fleet opened their gunports, green beams blazing. Before her eager pilots aboard their Nial and Lintira fighters could even clear the launch bays, all before her were vanquished. Her head shook, and then turned to her second. "Send the flyers to capture non-resisting survivors. We've captured a bulk transport already... send them all to Centauri custody."

M6 Council chambers

The Narn video uplink played.

“Your race is inferior. You are nothing. Filth! You hear me?" The Dilgar jabbed a prod into the prone form, sending another wave of searing pain through his body. "You will tell me of the defences in the Mellitra system, animal." The Narn was sobbing by this point, and the Dilgar shocked him again until he curled up into a ball, begging for mercy. "Pitiful creature. You are not even worth my effort." With that, the Dilgar turned to leave, and the video froze. The face on the screen was unmistakeably Dilgar.

It was also unmistakeably that of Jha'Dur.

A lone representative from the Hurr republic stood in a fit of rage and stated.

"This is ridiculous! That doesn't even look like a Narn!!"

All eyes turned to the man, some shocked others amused as he retook his seat.

The Dilgar ambassador - Rai'Jal, was positively seething. As perhaps the only member of this council who knew the exact whereabouts of his War leader, Rai'Jal was furious. This was a blatant attempt to undermine her character, simply, he knew that Jha'Dur had been present upon Katraa'tzi for the entire occupation.
Not to mention who ever had fabricated this 'production' obviously had no idea how sophisticated Jha'Dur was. It was practically laughable to think that she, Death-Walker herself would resort to something so passé as physical attrition!

A response was definitely called for, one that not only emphasised the ridiculousness of this fake. Evidence that spoke of the atrocities committed by the Narn regime, the Vorlon empire, and the Minbari federation as they pursued this ‘mercy mission’, against the beleaguered empire.

------

M6 Council Chambers, the next day

Rai’Jal stood before the assembled representatives of the various governments. Once again he was greeted by mixed expressions.
As he began he spoke of how the ‘evidence’ brought by the Narn regime was fabricated for very simple reasons. The first being that Jha’Dur was on an entirely different planet during the period that this took place.


The matter concluded, he continued to the next points on his agenda.


The Vorlon aggression against the Dilgar confederacy has been completely unwarranted. They continue to destroy civilian populations of the Dilgar. Even going so far as to avoid military confrontation in favour of butchery!

The Minbari federation, are just as guilty as the aforementioned Vorlons. Favouring to orbitally bombard planets destroying massive centres of corporate and civilian population all in some parody of liberation.

The Narn’s far from what they would have you believe. Indeed, contrary to what everyone thinks NEVER sent out refuge ships from ANY of their planets or colonies.
It was all a smoke screen, a decoy to try and engender sympathy for a low and otherwise selfish race.
In fact they left all the populace to fend for themselves even going so far as to transform their ships that could have been capable of transporting civilians to safety into substandard combat ordinance layers.

Do you all honesty believe our military so inefficient that after we obliterated the Narn navy we would casually let ships leave?!

The answer I assure you is NO! It was not necessary, however, since none were ever detected. No ships ever asked for humanitarian clearances to leave the blockade. Clearances, we would have obliged, since unlike some other powers, our ships do not fire upon unarmed vessels!

The truth is, the Narn were only interested in getting high ranking officials to safety!

They even destroyed the entire infrastructure of one planet by detonating ground based nuclear devices. Not only did this render the planet almost uninhabitable by the 4 billion Narn’s left on the planet, but deteriorated the conditions so that the coming generations will be plagued by the nuclear fallout!!



Since the war of aggression from the Narn, Minbari and Vorlon empires upon us began we, the Dilgar, the ‘butchers of the galaxy’ have tried, often in vain, to take our civilians to safety. We have ships clearly marked and registered for this purpose. Over 15 BILLION Dilgar civilians have currently been exterminated by this coalition of hate, yet we have managed to save 2 billion from the death squads rampaging through our systems.

Infinitely more, I might add, than the Narn’s even ATTEMPTED to rescue, let alone succeeded with.

But the injury doesn’t end there!

The Minbari federation in their thirst for blood have taken it upon themselves to start boarding our refugee transports and enslaving our fleeing people.

We have taken measures to liberate our people before the warrior caste, notorious for all manner of barbarism, have their way upon them.

You may not like us, you may even fear what we have the potential to become. Answer yourselves this, however, if the Minbari, and the Vorlons are allowed to arbitrarily run through the Galaxy on missions of blood. Where, just where do you think their thirst will stop? Dilgar space, Centuari space, Earth space?

Anyone who opposes them, anyone who dreams of autonomy, of self governance will feel the heel of oppression grinding into their backs!

Do not listen to the rhetoric of some failed warlord, a man who sold his soul to the biggest bully upon the horizon because dreams of military conquest were met with righteous opposition from those he would conquer!
Citizen G’Kar, would have you believe that our retribution was unwarranted because the Narn’s ‘internally disciplined’ the responsible captains. That the regime had no idea the actions were being committed.

Well, to that all I have to say is that I have commanded one of the largest Navies this galaxy has born witness to, and I am aware of every ship within the auspice of my command at all times. All times!

So, either the Narn are incompetent, unable to govern themselves. Or, as we have suspected all along they are merely trying to cover their failings with LIES!!!


Oh, and one last thing. If our retribution against the Narn is unwarranted for their attacks upon our sovereignty.
Please, I ask you to consider this one thing. How in the makers name, are the Minbari vindicated in their ‘retribution’ against us. Since, they claim that this war is justified because we destroyed a fleet of theirs. A fleet on attack vector with our capital planet!??
Curious, or just another example of the impudence they so often display!

I leave you, this council to make up your own mind. I will not embarrass my government by trying to parade some doctored tape in an attempt to vilify Citizen G’Kar, no, we have more dignity than that.


- - - - -


With that Ambassador Rai’Jal turned and exited from the council chambers…

Vir seethed as he watched the Dilgar ambassador leave. He took the floor, and began, "The Dilgar representative lies about what the Minbari are doing with the refugee ships they capture! At this very moment, one is in the process of being transferred to Centauri control. When this is done, the ship will be sent to one of our developing colonies and the Dilgar population will be allowed to integrate into Centauri society. They will NOT be slaves!"

"The Dilgar ambassador attempts to justify the atrocities his government has committed by pointing at the ferocity of the Vorlon and Minbari's retribution."

"Never once has he explained why his government did not stop after conquering Quadrant 32, nor why the Dilgar Confederacy destroyed Narn colonies rather than conquering them."

Now for the killer, Vir thought. He silently thanked the Hurr Republic for favoring his people over the Dilgar and passing them this bit of information. "Centauri intelligence has discovered that high ranking officials in the Dilgar government secretly had a changeling net purchased off the galactic black market. While my government does not know what they used this illegal device for, it would not surprise me if they wanted it so their esteemed Warmaster could be in two places at once."

"Humans and the Corporate Sector are the only star nation to remain truly neutral throughout the conflict. We have sold the Narns war vessels for business, and we have entered into a military alliance with the Dilgar."

"The Corporate Sector is putting a motion foward to censure the Minbari and Vorlon empires for their aggression. Now that the Narns can defend themselves, there is no need to pursue a war of extermination."

"If the Minbari continue to interfere with our sphere of influence, we will be forced to intervene militarily if need be."

"The Minbari Vorlon axis of evil cannot go gallavanting around and attack our neighbors without repercussions. Our military stands ready to defend the interests of humanity and make good its treaty with the Dilgar."

Brian

Marxis put Defel's hand in the black blob. The blob asorbed Defel's hand and glowed. Wires were stuck from the blob into a computer terminal, and as usual Marxis was surrounded by a phalanx of elite infantry.

"We've cracked the Shadow encryption. Accessing their primary data net," said Vera.

"Any counter measures?"

"Nothing. It's as if they left their computers on automatic. Nobody's home."

"Tap into the galactic star charts. Alshain's cut us off from information for long enough."

"We present evidence of the aggression of the Vorlon empire. The Vreetan system is entirely depopulated, devoid of life, exterminated by the Vorlons. Even the Minbari would agree that this is a drastic, unprecedented measure. Other than the occupied Narn homeworlds, the Dilgar are now reduced to a single star system and are no longer a credible threat to anyone."

"If the Vorlons or the Minbari move in to exterminate the Dilgar, the Corporate Sector will have no choice but to sever ties with the Vorlon and Minbari empires, and recommend immediate military intervention. As well, although you may perceive Earthdome and the Corporate Sector to be at odds with one another, we do not support the killing of civilians."

"If another Dilgar planet and countless sentient lifeforms are exterminated, the Corporate Sector will declare war on the Vorlons. You have been warned."

Marxis sat in his chair leaning forward, eagerly awaiting the results. The schematics of the Zealot Two class Vorlon ship had just been extracted from the Shadow database.
Marxis laughed. It would be time soon, time to take the Shadows, and the Vorlons would not stop him.

Brian

"My Government wishes to state that our grievance with the Dilgar is satisfied." Delenn said, upon hearing reports of her fleet clearing away the blockade over the Narn worlds.

"Our forces are now positioning themselves to liberate the remaining occupied planets and return them to the control and administration of the Narn Regime, and see no need to pursue further offensive war against the systems of the Dilgar Imperium. We wish to request that the Vorlon Empire also cease offensive operation against their systems and a full armistace be negotiated..."

Delenn's gaze turned across the Messopotamia Security Council, and then to Kosh, as if disapproving of the level of force used. "This is indeed unprecedented, and something... we need to end before their race is eradicated. No race is deserving of annhiliation... even those that do that upon to others for petty territory." she said, glancing to the Dilgar represenative.

"The Minbari Federation is prepared to discuss terms of cease fire and eventually, peace." Delenn sat back down, as Lennier looked at the table with an indecypherable look. In their rage, they had allowed something terrible to happen. They had gone mad with their war, and it had to end somehow...

Sanctuary
Somewhere in Centauri Space

G'Kar smiled thinly. Reports from the Mellitra system were encouraging; the fleet he purchased from Marxis had managed to wipe out a number of Dilgar boarding vessels, and a Minbari fleet had cleared the skies over the last remaining Narn homeworld. Soon, the retaking of the Narn homeworlds would begin in earnest.

Things on M6 were going amusingly as well. The Dilgar had responded as expected, with a lot of bluster, waffling, redirection, misdirection and flat-out lies. When the evidence condemns you, he thought, condemn the evidence. It was of no concern to him in the political sense; the Dilgar would try to cajole and browbeat others into seeing their point of view, but both sides of the conflict were clearly delineated. The only wild card was Marxis, who seemed to go by his own profit-driven agenda.

It was time to respond; G'Kar moved to the vidlink and prepared himself.


Council Chambers
Mesopotamia 6

As Delenn sat, the MesCom link lit up again with an incoming transmission, which soon resolved into the face of G'Kar.

"I apologize that I cannot yet be there in person. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, I am unable at the moment to travel to the Cooke system without exposing my vessel to the threat of Dilgar attacks. As you may have noticed, several jump gates in the region of the Cooke system have mysteriously shut down.

"I am not pointing fingers here, but I have noticed that these gate deactivations have happened in the same general location as the heart of the Dilgar empire. Whether they are attempting to isolate themselves or whether someone else is attempting to isolate them, I do not know.

"That being said, I would just like to take a moment to respond to allegations that the video transmission I sent during my last appearance was forged. That the Dilgar would accuse me of such base and childish trickery is insulting; they would have you believe that I did this just to besmirch the 'good name' of their self-titled Warmaster.

"Quite frankly, I fail to see how the Warmaster's name could be any dirtier. The blood of millions of Narn are on her hands. Her quest for revenge has turned into a quest for power; this much is evident from the illegal capture of Narn worlds and vessels. It is only now, with the help of the Minbari and the Vorlons, that we have begun to drive this menace from our worlds. The Dilgar ambassador made mention of a lack of transport vessels evacuating Narn refugees. The reasons for this are twofold: Firstly, the Dilgar would have destroyed them - do not delude yourselves into thinking otherwise. Secondly, whatever transport vessels we had were stolen by the Dilgar!"

G'Kar stopped for a moment to regain his composure. "Do not let the lies and deceit of this silver-tongued charlatan sway you from supporting the war against Dilgar aggression. We will not rest, we will not stop until the Dilgar presence is once again driven from our worlds."

With that, the video screen went dark.

Ambassador Kosh had litte to add to the proceedings.

"We are already leaving."

Then he turned to look at the corporate sector representative.

"We know your mind."

And again, as he had been for the last few hours of debate, he was silent.

Trogdor wrote: "Never once has he explained why his government did not stop after conquering Quadrant 32, nor why the Dilgar Confederacy destroyed Narn colonies rather than conquering them."

...

"Centauri intelligence has discovered that high ranking officials in the Dilgar government secretly had a changeling net purchased off the galactic black market. While my government does not know what they used this illegal device for, it would not surprise me if they wanted it so their esteemed Warmaster could be in two places at once."

Young Mr.Koto, the points you so elequently raised have already been adressed by this council. Or were you not paying attentoin?

The further forays into Narn space, as previously explained were a direct consequence of the fleet your government sent to attack us...

How could you possibly have forgotten that?

The Narn regime was given ample time, space, and opportunity to end the war. Their choice, resulted in the attack on their planets. Had they chose a different path, a peaceful path. This whole affair would have been avoided.

As for the changling net, well, it's no secret that we are intruiged by such technology. I mean the hyach will sell cloaking technology to anyone that can afford it. Perhaps you organised such 'intelligence', to try to implicate us?
After all the Centauri history with 'illegal' wepaons is wel documented, especially by the narns...

"I've never felt so violated," said Vera storming into Marxis' office. She swung her arm across the glass chess set and shattered the pieces into a million shards.

"We won't have to worry about that soon," said Marxis pressing a button. The table turned over and released another fully formed chess set. Small robots were removing the glass bits from the hardwood floor. "They can think whatever they want but it won't matter. They can't stop us."

"I hope you're right. I can't stand having alien scum poking around in my brain."

"Patience," said Marxis. "Do we have the schematics for Mesopotamia Six yet?"

"No. Alshain's keeping them under lock and key. We'll have to send a scanning vessel."

"Then do it. Whatever happens, that station's the key."

Brian

Tobor wrote:Young Mr.Koto, the points you so elequently raised have already been adressed by this council. Or were you not paying attentoin?

The further forays into Narn space, as previously explained were a direct consequence of the fleet your government sent to attack us...

How could you possibly have forgotten that?

The Narn regime was given ample time, space, and opportunity to end the war. Their choice, resulted in the attack on their planets. Had they chose a different path, a peaceful path. This whole affair would have been avoided.

As for the changling net, well, it's no secret that we are intruiged by such technology. I mean the hyach will sell cloaking technology to anyone that can afford it. Perhaps you organised such 'intelligence', to try to implicate us?
After all the Centauri history with 'illegal' wepaons is wel documented, especially by the narns...

"Do not try and lay the blame for the further attacks into Narn space your government carried out at my government's feet," Vir said quietly. "The Narns' surrender of Quadrant 32 to your people and the apparent ceasefire happened after the Narns attempted to retake their core worlds with some minor aid from us."

"However, this arguement is fast becoming moot. If your government agrees to peace, then the Centauri Republic will be glad to see the galaxy relatively serene for the first time in years. As you pointed, we are not innocent of brutality in the past either. Far be it from us to judge others."

"The Earth Alliance is very concerned about the closure of two jumpgates. Interstellar commerce is dependant on safe navigation, and the unnecessary closure of jumpgates is an impediment to that. I propose the immediate formation of a committee which will plan for and begin work on the preliminary stages of developing a task force which would then look into the various ways by which we could collectively address and investigate this issue..."

Ambassador Ben Magnan's assistant, Jame Retief, watched on, barely concealing his almost lethal boredom with an R-61 (Concerned Interest), when Lennier leaned over:

"Ambassador Magnan is a most... verbose man, isn't he?"

Retief smiled his best 21-B (Congenial Friendliness), glad of the interruption.

"I'm afraid you'll have to excuse the Ambassador. When you've spent as much time in the Corps as he has, you can't help but come away with bits of red tape stuck to your brain."

"I was not aware that your government practiced surgical alterations to..."

"No, no... it's a figure of speech. I'll tell you about it later. I think," Retief gestured over to Ambassador Delenn, "that you had better wake her up before she begins to snore."

"A wise precaution. Thank you."

Retief turned back to watching Magnan, who was just now concluding the legalese justifying Earth's official attention on the matter of the closed jumpgates.

I think I'll have to have a talk with Magnan, thought Retief, otherwise we may never get anything done around here. Right now, we can't afford our usual diplomatic inefficiency.

Ambassador Kosh entered the chamber this time accompanied by a human several of the representatives recognised as Lyta Alexander.

"Hello to all my old friends and greetings to those that don't know me." she began.

"I'm here on behalf of the Vorlon Empire to articulate their point of view. The first issue the wish to discuss is that of the Dilgar Confederacy. What you all know is that yes, a vorlon fleet did cause extreme damage to the Confederacy. What you may not know is that the Dilgar are responsible. Firstly, they colonised Vorlon space, a planet with ancient technology on it. In essence stealing from the vorlons. When this colony was removed, the Dilgar were warned yet again to stay out of vorlon space. Their response? A military action that cost several vorlon ships and drove the vorlons from the sector, including capturing the scout vessel Earthforce encounted some time ago." Lyta paused to let the assemblage consider this.
"The Dilgar then sent ships via hyperspace in an attempt to strike at the vorlon homeworlds. Fortunately a timely deployment of defense satellites cut them short on their trip to Vorlon III itself. Make no mistake, the first homeworld attacked was by the Dilgar. The vorlons merely succeded in stopping it."
Lyta turned to the Earthforce representative.
"It was at this time they began closing jump gates in an attempt to evade retribution by the vorlons. When the vorlons retook their system they captured several dilgar survivors, who were scanned deeply."

There was a murmer from the crowd, mostly of disapproval.

"Before you get upset, there are no interstellar telepathy laws. What the vorlons did may be considered rude and distasteful, but it is painless. The Dilgar themselves don't even know they've been scanned. Added to this most governments here allow scanning of convicted criminals and POWs, which these Dilgar clearly are. Compared to the information gathering techniques of some governments, a painless telepathic scan is hardly worthy of being objected to.
"
She began to pace back and forward looking at each diplomat in turn.

"It was then we learned that the Dilgar and the Brakiri were working together, with destruction of the vorlons a prime concern. That is why the second gate was closed."

"Back to the Dilgar though...in retaliation for their attacks on vorlon space and their attempted attack on a vorlon homeworld the favour was returned. After it was done peace was offered to the Dilgar."
She looked at the Dilgar contemptuously.
"They refused. Another attack, and another offer of peace. Again refusal. Finally the vorlons wiped the Dilgar from three planets and again offered peace. This time even waiting a month to show their sincerity. Their fleet hovered next to the last Dilgar planet in the Vreetan system for a month. Again the offer was made."

She paused for a moment.

"Again they refused. Ambition, as they called it, was attacked. The Vorlon Empire has offered peace to the Dilgar, several times. Each time they have refused. The Vorlons have no quarrel with the Corporate Sector though, and have no desire to see that change. The Vorlon Empire is officially ceasing hostilities against the Dilgar in the interest of greater peace. They will begin dismantling thier attack fleet immediately."

She looked at Vera.

"If you want war with the Vorlons you'll have to find another reason than their treatment of the Dilgar or a personal grudge."

The Vorlons must have taught you to lie well Ms. Alexander. Or perhaps their telepathy is so complete that noone in the Dilgar Confederacy remembers the alleged 'peace offerings', certainly no official communique were received. The vorlon campaign has moved without pause from beggining to end, so don't try and suggest that ample opportunities were given.

As for the allegations of stealing from the Vorlons. What they don't want you to know is that the technology hidden on the planet is from another race, one not present here today because the same Vorlon empire decided that they could be the only race in the galaxy to possess ancient technology. The Shadows asked us to liberate the technology before the Vorlons could use it against them, in yet another mindless campaign of destruction.

The Military action that Lyta speaks of is also a result of Vorlon aggression. The vorlons who have violated Dilgar space from the very beggining of this saga 8 years ago felt that blowing up Dilgar vessels was an acceptable answer to us patrolling our own borders.
If they feel that we began this conflict then they should perhaps look a little further back than they conveniently have...
Our actions to drive them from our space were always defensive maneuvers to their blatent disregard for the boundries of other empires.

As for the time line presented by the vorlons. In two standard hours you shall have incontravertable proof to the extent of their lies. The truth is that the Vorlons invaded Dilgar space long before any counter move was made by us. The first planet to suffer at their hands, Regula 1, was razed at the same time that our ships left hyper space! A move that despite any attempts by the vorlons to feign omniscience, they were unaware of.

Our decision to send that fleet to Zwiest was in an attempt to cut Vorlon supply lines. To stop more vessels from pilliging our systems. The decision to push for Vorlon space was a consequence of the Vorlons razing Regula 1. Which was swiftly followed by the destruction of Regula IV, then Vreetan II III and VI. All within three months of each other. The last stab the destruction of Vreetan VIII was only delayed because they were perhaps running short on supplies.
No, such attempts to obsfucate the truth in this matter should not be believed by the Vorlon empire.

Just because there are no interstellar telepathy laws, well! That is a gem. Apparently the vorlons, feel that it is acceptable to deprive one of its very identity in order to drive their war effort. Yet they do not feel that depriving the vorlons of their tools is a viable war time maneuver...


If any attmepts by the vorlons to pursue peace were made, they were making them quietly enough and infrequently enough that they were unheard over the screams and explosions happening on the planets beneath them.

In two hours i shall reconvene this council, with visual evidence of the points i have made today. You may of course act in accordance to your own discretion.

- - - - -

Dilgar Ambassadorial quarters

Bi'Lar sat, waiting for Rai'Jal to return. He was meditating upon something. A difficult matter that had been buzzing through his mind.

He heard it within his mind, a voice crisp and clean it was the voice of his mother. The voice was asking him questions, giving him instructions, showing him the path.


Rai'Jal suddenly entered the room. For the briefest moment he thought he could hear a buzz. Like it was electrical yet distorted somehow. He saw Bi'Lar in something resembling a lotus position, and smiled.

"Brother! It has been a long time."

He quickly went to a secret place within his quarters and retrieved a data crystal. As he went to exit he turned to Bi'Lar.

"I have to go back to the council chambers, but tonight. TOnight we shall drink deeply of the Centauri' fine Brivari!"

He exited the door and made his way towards the Dilgar flyer docked in bay 26.

Bi'Lar turned his head slightly and nodded.

"Yes, they will be watching him more than ever now. May even attempt to thwart him. I will be safe here for a time, go and protect the ambassador, my brother."

There was a slight ditortion on either side of Bi'Lar. Then he resumed his meditation. Silenty the link was made. De'Fel had been found, and was in the process of reanimation.

Bi'Lar smiled. Soon everything would be in place.


- - - - - -