PART 7 - The Delicate Balance of In-Between" by Jimmy, June 2, 2001 Dr. Franklin examined his friend's vital signs with rising confidence. It had been steady for the last hour, allowing him to judge her stable enough to be removed from the ICU. "She is so small. Is she as fragile as she looks?" The unfamiliar and lightly accented voice remarked from a dark corner in the room. Franklin whirled around to face a female Minbari sliding out of the shadows. He had never considered the aesthetics of their physical attributes, until now. The visitor was his height, dressed in the uniform fitting of a warrior. Yet, unlike others of her caste, this silent intruder possessed a demeanor less martial and more serene. She also had the most startling gray eyes Stephen had ever seen, which fully caught his attention and held it. "I am sorry, but this area is off-limits to everyone but family and visitors." The female gave a curt bow and stepped out of the room. Franklin followed, wondering who she was. "May I ask what your business is?" "I am Jerina of the Sun Hunters Clan. Callimer belonged to us." "My apologies," Franklin immediately softened his tone. "And my condolences for your loss. What can we do for your clan?" "When will you release his body?" "If you give us the appropriate paperwork, we can do it at your earliest convenience." Jerina took a deep breath, "I was told ... I was told Callimer died of unnatural causes." "Yes, he was murdered." "Do you know who?" "No, I'm afraid not. And the investigation into Callimer's murder has hit a problem. Dr. Quietbrook, the patient whose room you found me in, was heading the investigation with the Chief of Security when she was injured." "What happened to her?" Jerina asked, her voice turning cold. "There was a sabotage attempt ... she and two other Minbari were almost killed." "Who else?" "Ambassador Delenn and her friend, Rathenn." She gasped sharply, "Are they well?" "They came out of it fine. Your physiology is much stronger than ours and the impact did little damage to either of them." "But the doctor suffered. Will she survive?" "Yes, she'll bounce back pretty quickly. I expect the medication to wear off within the hour and for her to start demanding to be let out of the bed ten minutes after that. Quietbrook's one stubborn human." "Are there any other kind?" Jerina asked. Franklin had to smile at her observant answer. "No, unfortunately for the universe there isn't." "I have something ... Callimer's body ... a shroud to ..." Jerina did not finish the sentence and Franklin didn't need to hear more. "This way." Stephen led her to the cool, tomb-like room and turned on the weakest light. He respectfully left the guest alone with the unfortunate soul, but managed to discreetly watch through the observation window. Jerina unfolded what looked like a flag and covered the body of her clan member. Then, without any warning, she bent down and kissed the corpse passionately. Franklin turned the light off from a remote switch when he heard her crying and walked away. His presence would only offend her, and he had no desire to further burden the warrior's soul with the shame of another witnessing her grief. Jerina exited the room few minutes after, her face unrevealing of her previous emotion. Franklin admired her, she was obviously very young but her self-control was well developed, and she practiced it flawlessly. No wonder Callimer fought so hard, even when he knew he didn't have a chance. "If I speak to Delenn, will she know what to do?" "Yes, if you wish, I can escort you to the Ambassador's quarters." "I hardly need an escort, doctor." Franklin nodded in embarrassment, "My assumption, my mistake. I will be here in case Delenn needs to contact me with any questions." "Thank you for your troubles, doctor. I hope your friend recovers quickly, for everyone's sake." "Thank you for your concern." The Med Lab's door opened and Neroon rushed in with Adolyn in tow. "Jerina! I only just learned of your presence on Babylon 5." She bowed but her eyes never left Neroon's figure. Franklin felt animosity radiate from her frigid stare and debated whether to stay or leave. "Doctor, if I may have a moment." Jerina politely asked, getting Stephen off the hook. "I'll be with Dr. Quietbrook if you need anything." He didn't even glance at the others before leaving. Hell would freeze over before he recognized any sovereignty rights Neroon and his ilk might possess in Babylon 5. "Satai Neroon, I am surprised to see you here." "I had business to attend to. Jerina, your clan's grief for the loss of Callimer must be ..." "Incalculable, Satai. I contacted my father, and he's demanding all sorts of things, mostly improbable, but I will do what I can to see justice brought to our clan for this, most grievous theft of our warrior." "Your clan must realize everything that can be done ..." "Will be done, yes, and we thank you, Satai Neroon, for your personal involvement in this tragedy. The Sun Hunters will long remember your actions in this." Neroon took a deep breath, "Jerina, think carefully. You are not aware of all the facts." "I have to respectfully disagree, Satai. I am thinking very carefully. Indeed, I have never thought this hard, and I must admit it is a disturbing experience for one so young as I." She turned her gaze to Franklin who had returned to his friend's side. "The human doctor told me interesting things. His friend was involved in the investigation into Callimer's death, and as a result, she's in there, under medical observation because the murderer decided she was too great a threat to live. There is enough insult in that act alone to bring our clan's wrath down on the particular creature responsible for so much pain, but to make it worse, there were two other victims in the attack, Ambassador Delenn and Satai Rathenn. I can only imagine what the Religious Caste would demand once they hear of this ... vicious and cowardly behavior." The gray eyes once more trained on Neroon. "Though the Religious Caste are not like us, Satai, they are not without influence as the Earth-Minbari War clearly demonstrated. To target both Delenn and Satai Rathenn, someone's either very stupid or very ambitious. I wonder if there is a difference between the two." Adolyn took a step forward, but Neroon blocked his path by raising his arm. "Your grief does great justice to your loss, Jerina. If you need anything, I will be here." She smiled bitterly and tears once more clouded her eyes. "I will be looking for you soon enough, I think, Satai Neroon." "Is there any request from your clan that I can fulfill to ease your burden while you're on Babylon 5?" Neroon offered magnanimously, deliberately choosing to ignore the thinly-veiled threats behind Jerina's words. "None. My father has given me permission that should a Minbari be involved in this heinous act in any capacity, I am permitted to invoke Denn'Sha against the traitor. And that right belongs to my clan only." "Denn'Sha?" Adolyn echoed in shock. He didn't think Shykan would allow his daughter to perform the ritual fight to the death on behalf of his clan, no matter how deep the insult. "He has done this?" "The Sun Hunters swore vengeance as soon as we received the news of Callimer's murder. And since I am the only Sun Hunter here, I claim the right as mine. Why does that worry you, Adolyn?" "Just that the humans will not like Minbari interference." Adolyn tactfully replied. "They have made that abundantly clear to us." "I will speak with Delenn. I believe she can handle any human interference. If I may be excused?" "Take care who you ally yourself with, Jerina. The repercussions might be greater than the benefits." Neroon cautioned the grieving lover. "How strange, I was thinking the same thing about Callimer. Satai." She gave the final salute and left the group without a backward glance. "Shykan would not risk his daughter's death by allowing her to ..." Adolyn protested weakly. "Jerina is the only Sun Hunter on-board. Even if Shykan wanted to deny her the right, he can't stop her." "What will Delenn do?" "I don't know, Adolyn." Neroon answered truthfully. "I do not know, but it cannot be good for the Star Riders." * * * * * * * * "Sir?" Lou's usual boisterous voice was subdued. "We need to talk to you." Garibaldi said, "Sure, what's up?" "Jerry and I, we think we saw something the afternoon that Minbari got killed." Lou said, looking at his partner. Jerry continued, "We had a day off and decided to go exploring B5. We always wanted to see this place from one end to the other, but we didn't have a chance until yesterday. We were in that sector and we thought we saw something funny, but it didn't seem important then so we thought nothing of it." Lou nodded, "We walked by two Minbari dressed like Warrior Caste. I recognized one of them." Garibaldi tapped the console and a picture popped up on the screen. "Is this who you saw?" Lou saw the photograph. "Yeah, that's the one. Mean sucker, real nasty like to Sinclair when he came on-board last year. You remember, he raised all sorts of hell when Branmer's body went missing." "Do you have any idea if they got into a lift after they passed you?" "Yeah, I think so ..." Lou said hesitatingly, "But I can't be sure." "What time was this?" "Around 4:30. We were thinking about getting an early bite in the Zocalo, before the regular crowd swarmed in." Jerry answered. That was good enough for Garibaldi and he began playing all records of the lifts in the sector. It took him less than two minutes before he found what he was looking for. Michael was actually checking all security vids, but since he didn't know what time the murder occurred, it was a tedious and time-consuming task. "There you are," Michael whispered gleefully as he watched Neroon and his aide, Adolyn, get into the lift from the level and area where the murder took place. "Thanks a lot guys, you just did me a great favor." Lou shrugged, "I figured because we weren't in uniform, they didn't know who we were." "Be glad, Lou, because if you guys were, I don't think you'd be talking to me right now." "Amen to that." Lou quipped. "Anything else?" "From now on, you move around without that uniform, and you wear your link even in the showers. Also, report to me on the hour every hour until I say otherwise. Is that clear?" "Yes, sir." Jerry said with a heavy sigh. "And pick up a back-up before you leave. I'll clear you for it." Lou gave a knowing glance, "Should we be expecting trouble?" "Lou, this place ain't nothing but trouble." "Amen to that too." * * * * * * * * Sheridan took Garibaldi's message on a private line. His face turned grim as he heard Michael tell him what he feared most. "But that doesn't mean he killed Callimer." "No, we have to place them in the room." Michael agreed. "And the person who was assigned to do that is in Med Lab." Sheridan's voice rose in anger. "She woke up, sir. Franklin called me just a minute ago. He says she's fine, a little worse for wear, but from what I could hear in the background, she is hopping mad that all her time off was spent as a patient in the Lab." Sheridan laughed softly, "That would track. Garibaldi, don't do anything until I say so. When this cage closes, I want to make sure we've got everyone we need." "Sir, the Minbari government will throw a fit if we proceed without their knowledge." "The Minbari government can sit on it and spin for all I care." "Sit on what, Captain Sheridan?" Rathenn's voice interrupted Sheridan's tirade. Sheridan immediately broke the link's private line and turned to see not only Rathenn but also Delenn, both brimming with curiosity. "The conversation was private." "We needed to talk to you. We didn't mean to pry." "What can I do for you?" Sheridan asked stiffly. Delenn immediately noticed the distance he placed between himself and her. She wondered what was the cause of the sudden switch in behavior. "Rathenn ... has requested that I stay with him on his ship until this issue is resolved. It seems to be the safest recourse considering what has been happening on Babylon 5, and we have much to discuss. And, I think your security team could be put into better use than trailing behind Lennier and myself." "I agree with him absolutely." Delenn felt a little sadness then. She wondered what Sheridan's response would be, but she never imagined he would allow her to leave without a fight. Not even a token advice against my departure. Delenn thought wistfully. Have I misjudged you that badly? "Captain, regarding your private conversation ... whatever you may believe, you must realize this is a Minbari affair." Rathenn cautioned the human, which was the last thing Sheridan needed to hear. His patience, long-frayed since morning, finally snapped. "I'm afraid not. The attack on Dr. Quietbrook makes this Earth Alliance affair, and the crime took place on Babylon 5. From now onwards, Earth Alliance's interest equals or outweighs those of the Minbari government in this matter." "You have no evidence to prove the attack on Dr. Quietbrook is any way linked to the investigation." Rathenn counter-pointed as his logic dictated. "If you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn you'll be interested in." Sheridan said sarcastically. "There is no need to use that tone, Captain." Delenn interrupted the conversation. "Well, forgive me, Ambassador, I am only human after all. However, I am well aware that you two are playing a very dangerous game. Out of my respect for you, I stepped aside, but as of this minute, it all stops. Either you play fair with me or you'll find yourselves out of this altogether. And before you say a word, I may not be smart as you, or as aware of what is going on, but I can promise you before you can say Valen I will change the rules of engagement and everything else I can get my hands on. The choice is yours." "I hardly think that is necessary. We are all looking for a peaceful ..." Rathenn now tried to intervene. He could see Delenn was about a breath away from losing her temper. "I am the law on Babylon 5." Sheridan continued, ignoring Rathenn. "It is my duty to protect not only Minbari, but also all humans on board." "And the promise to your Admiral?" Delenn said what Sheridan dared not. "That promise, Ambassador, goes above any law or this uniform. That promise is sacred until the day I die." Delenn blinked once. "I see." She said softly. "Then we have nothing more to say." "No, I don't. You do, and when you feel like it, please feel free to contact me. Until then." Sheridan sat down and returned to the work in front of him. Delenn didn't say another word either and stormed out of the room. Rathenn was torn between trying to explain and following his compatriot. A murderous glare from the human gave him the incentive needed to choose his friend. * * * * * * * * "Tea will be coming soon, Delenn. Lennier will be joining us as soon as he settles into his quarters." Rathenn assured the ambassador. Delenn nodded weakly, her mind elsewhere. "The Vorlons have stripped off their encounter suits and are currently dancing naked in the corridor outside. Would you like to join them? Of course you'll have to be nude also." "Perhaps later," Delenn responded, still inattentive to her host. "Delenn," Rathenn said half-laughing. "Please come back to me before I have to send out a search party to find you." Delenn finally looked at Rathenn with embarrassment. "Forgive me." "I understand perfectly, Delenn. This situation has spiraled out of control faster than we feared." "I know Captain Sheridan, his behavior today ..." Delenn could not finish her sentence as she was interrupted by a resounding crash outside the room. Rathenn gave a long-suffering sigh and shook his head. "That would be Lenann, my aide." The door slid open noiselessly to reveal a shame-faced acolyte. Around his feet was a puddle of tea liberally sprinkled with shards of Rathenn's prized tea set. "Just get us another, Lenann." Rathenn gently said, never revealing his dismay. Lenann bowed deeply, took a glance at Delenn then bowed even deeper before the door closed on him. Delenn couldn't help herself and began laughing. Rathenn soon joined her. "In spite of his rather catastrophic introduction, Lenann is a fine aide and a talented captain. I just have to make sure he doesn't handle anything that weighs less than a flyer." "Where did you find him?" "He came highly recommended from his temple. Lenann possesses fine temper, very gentle soul in spite of that warrior build, and is eager to learn. It's just that sometimes his enthusiasm gets the best of him, and usually I end up paying the price for it." "Is he really that good a captain? I imagine you must have gone through several tea sets by now." "Three so far. But that's a small price to pay knowing I am safe while he's captaining the ship." "I see. He seems a little old for an acolyte." Rathenn took a deep breath, "That's because Lenann was first trained in the Telepath's Guild." "Is he a telepath?" "Very latent and his gift is not at all useful from what I know. They tried developing his skills, but it never came forth. So, the Guild released him to us. I think he's happier now than he was before. The frustration of sub-par performance ate away at him while he was with the Guild. You know how demanding they could be, and Lenann has a level of intensity that worries me sometimes. Prayers and meditation seems to suit him best, and his temperament has much improved since he joined our caste." "And who could turn away from a chance to command a war cruiser on behalf of a member of The Grey Council?" Delenn chided playfully. "That too, of course." Rathenn said smiling. "But we don't discuss such things. We are after all members of the Religious Caste, and totally untrained in the art of war or how to conduct affairs involving war cruisers. According to certain others who will remain nameless, it's a miracle Lenann hasn't run the ship into a planet or an asteroid belt." Delenn smiled grew wider and she gently reached out to touch his hand. When she made contact Rathenn's eyes widened. She had forgotten for a moment that casual contact between Minbari was almost non-existent. Rathenn looked away, not because he was embarrassed, but because he desired more. Delenn, sensing his discomfort, withdrew but not before he gave a small squeeze on her delicate fingers as a thank-you for the warm show of intimacy and trust. The chime rang and Rathenn was relieved to answer. Lennier stepped in, gave a bow of respect before taking his seat. "The quarters are very suitable, Satai. Thank you." Lennier said. "I am glad." "Satai, there is a large puddle outside the door. Shall I call someone to clear the mess?" "No," Rathenn answered with a smile. "It'll be taken care of." The door opened a moment later to reveal Lenann balancing a large tray crowded with tea and food. It was as if he doubled the content in order to make up for the loss earlier. Lennier rushed to him and took the tray as Lenann was fast losing grip. "This looks delicious." Lennier said. "Thank you." "Join us, Lenann. Since we're doing nothing but making humans uneasy with our presence for now, you can do with a little relaxation." Rathenn offered generously. Lenann took his proper place next to Lennier and offered to pour tea. Delenn, who knew better, gracefully preempted his gesture. Lenann kept quiet throughout the conversation that followed the ritual sharing of tea. He was too busy studying the brilliant and fast repartee between Delenn and his teacher. He admired their wit, their logic and their relentless desire to dig deeper into each other's answers and questions and wondered if he would ever reach their level. To his surprise Lennier volunteered his own. That was not proper protocol, yet Delenn seemed to welcome her aide's input and delighted in his opinions. Lenann suddenly wished he could form some respectable ideas of his own and not be afraid to voice them. "So, Lenann, does it still sing?" Rathenn's question took him by surprise. "What singing?" Delenn asked. "My aide here was very eager to come to Babylon 5. He dreamt about the station the night before our departure and said the place sang to him." "Really?" Lennier was genuinely curious. "Is this true, Captain Lenann?" Lenann opened his mouth to correct Lennier. Technically he wasn't really a captain, but the title sounded too good so he accepted the mistake without complaint. "Yes, at least I thought it was singing. I can't be sure." "Will you tell us if you hear any singing tonight, Lenann?" Delenn asked. "I had heard of such things, but never met anyone who actually dreamt it." "If it continues, yes." Lenann answered. "What does it sing?" Lennier asked. "Is the song in Minbari?" Lenann shook his head, "No, it's not and that's the strange thing. It's lovely and sad, like a song that's lamenting because it was forgotten by everyone." "Lenann, the universe has placed a mystery in front of you," Delenn advised with a twinkle in her eyes. "And a mystery is a gift that must never be ignored." "I don't plan to," Lenann answered, feeling slightly flustered under Delenn's intense scrutiny. She may no longer look like a Minbari, but the unwavering and unblinking gaze marked her as one.