PART 5 - The Delicate Balance of In-Between"
by Jimmy, June 2, 2001

Quietbrook smiled triumphantly as she walked back to the lab. She managed to get rid of two Minbari! And without shedding a drop of blood! That had to be a record of sorts for a human, and the doctor barely managed to prevent herself from punching the air with glee.

"Your quarters are two levels below, not to mention the other direction."

She sighed; it really was too good to last. "I decided to continue my work. I would have to get up in three hours anyway."

"I am glad to see a human so diligent, it is a rare sight indeed."

She turned to Neroon and quipped, "It is a Kodak moment, isn't it?" Then left before he could get in a word edge-wise.

Beano was surprised to discover she could not hear him as he fell beside her. For a person that size, it should have been easy for her to pick up his steps. When he followed her into the tube, she finally accepted he wasn't going to leave her alone, and Beano had the common sense not to ask him to do otherwise. To tell a Minbari to mind their own business when their curiosity was roused was asking the mountain to move for Mohammad. To tell a member of the Warrior Caste to turn their attention elsewhere would be even less useful, and one might earn a concussion and a broken spine in the process.

Beano decided to ignore Neroon altogether as they entered the lab. She noted with slight dismay that Franklin had called it a night.  Now she was all alone with a very unsettling guest who quickly blended into the dark corner and stood watch.

Neroon wasn't well educated with medical practice and the various paraphernalia involved, but it was obvious the human did. Once she was freed of her bags, the doctor immediately went to work. Her hands moved among the delicate tubes and various containers with alarming speed. Half the time, she wasn't even paying attention to what she was grabbing, yet by texture and feel, the human seemed to know exactly what was in her hands.

Beano rolled up her sleeves and heard a sharp noise from the corner where the Minbari held sway. She had forgotten about the scar and hoped he would know better than to ask.

"What happened to your arm?"

Obviously curiosity can override anything, even a Warrior Caste's well-advertised distaste against humans.

"I managed to get myself into a mess."

"Looks like an impressive mess."

"It was."

"Have you been talking to Delenn?" Neroon asked, his deadpan voice floating out of the darkness.

"Not really, I would like to meet her though. I hear she is a lively conversationalist."

"She is Religious Caste. When it comes to talking, they're brave enough."

"My father was a priest."

Neroon's gaze narrowed slightly. "Was he a good one?"

"His parish thought so."

"And your mother?"

"Will be remembered."

"You lie, you have talked with Delenn."

She smiled at the blatant annoyance in his voice. "I learned silence is golden."

"Is that human philosophy? I only ask because your kind rarely practice it."

She nodded, "Want to hear another well-loved earth philosophy? I promise it'll be quick."

"Why not?"

"To quote en verbatim, the cruelest lies are often told in silence."

There was a brief pause as both refused to further the conversation.  Finally Neroon had to say something.  The silence in the Med Lab was becoming oppressive, and he was unable to resist a challenge once thrown at his person.

"Are you calling me a liar?  You must know, it's dangerous to challenge a member of a Warrior Caste, doctor, and definitely foolhardy to face me, unattended and alone."

"It was just a statement. People who commit the crimes think they don't leave traces of themselves behind, that somehow ... they can enter a place, kill someone, and then exit without blundering. But the truth is, the moment they decide to commit a crime - they've made themselves a world full of enemies. People who saw them at a certain place will remember and speak. People who sold them material used for the crime will remember and report the transaction. They leave footsteps, treads, blood, saliva samples, fingerprints, threads ... to make it short, they leave themselves behind."

"And you think I am involved."

"Minbari don't kill Minbari." She said, finally meeting his gaze though she couldn't see him hidden in the dark corner. "I remember that from my encounters with your kind on Earth. But I do know you are involved in this, neck-deep, and I hate to tell you but the tide is rising fast and you're going to be drowning in it very soon."

"Is that a warning? I am flattered."

"No, it's not a warning, it was a threat. You really should learn to read humans better."

"It shouldn't take me long." Neroon drawled.

"Good, you can start now. Hopefully, by morning, you'll be all caught up on human discrepancies and oddities to have a raging headache that would force you to stay in your quarters just long enough for me to finish my job." She said. The terminal in front of her began ringing and she immediately switched attention to it, ignoring whatever response might come from the hidden Minbari.

Neroon understood he was dismissed. He was curious enough to stay and continue observing, but knew he would hinder any progress she would make with his presence. It was as he guessed; she didn't lay all her suspicion on him just because he was Minbari. But if she did, he wondered what the consequences would be for him and the Star Riders.

* * * * * * * *

"Oh, hell." Corwin hissed. "Commander!"

"I see it, I see it. Those things are so damn ugly." Ivanova said through her clenched teeth.

The object of their unease was a large Minbari war cruiser coming out of hyperspace.

"It's signaling." Corwin said.

Susan took a deep breath and put on a very friendly smile. "Commander Ivanova here."

"Good morning, Commander. I am Rathenn of Minbar. I am here to see Ambassador Delenn."

"Was she expecting you?"

"No, but I hope my presence will be welcomed by the Ambassador. We are old friends."

"May I ask what this is about?" Susan was pleased to note not all Minbari looked like they had constipation when talking to humans.

"I am here to ask Delenn's hand in marriage." Rathenn said calmly as he dropped the biggest bomb possible into C&C.

Susan felt a warm grasp on her left arm before Sheridan politely shoved her out of her station. She was glad to be out of the Minbari's line of vision. His statement knocked every breath she had out of her lungs and left her incapable of saying a word.

"Good morning, I am Captain Sheridan of Babylon 5. I will be more than happy to welcome you on board and will personally meet you in Bay 11."

"Thank you." The com went black.

"Sir?" Ivanova asked.

"Not one word to Delenn until I figure out what in hell is going on!" Sheridan snarled before stalking out of C&C.

Corwin stared after the Captain and muttered, "Never a dull day, no matter how hard I pray."

* * * * * * * *

"Lennier!" Quietbrook greeted the Minbari acolyte. "And how are we doing today?"

"I am well, thank you for asking." He replied with a respectful bow. "This is Adolyn of the Star Riders, also the personal aide to ..."

Quietbrook broke into a large smile, "Is Neroon indisposed? Does he need some pain medication?"

"You seem to wish some harm to come to my superior. That is disturbing." Adolyn said darkly.

"I had a long talk with your superior last night. I got the impression he would need medical assistance before long."

Lennier looked at her with disapproval. "He was with you?"

"For a little while. I just came back to the lab to finish something and bumped into him. The man has quite a talent for showing up where he's not wanted."

After her statement, she looked at Adolyn, daring him to say something rash in front of another Minbari. To his credit, Adolyn just clenched his jaw and refused to belittle himself by answering a decidedly inferior human. Quietbrook's link rang and she answered. She listened and soon another genuine smile broke over her face.

"Lennier," She said, "Delenn requires your presence right now. I believe someone has arrived who needs your attention."

"Who?" The student asked, more curious than alarmed.

"A Minbari named Rathenn."

Lennier gave a swift bow and hurried out of the room. Quietbrook stared in surprise; she had never seen a Minbari sprint. She turned to Adolyn with a look of hope.

"You can go if you want. I won't hold it against you, and I won't tell Neroon you left if you don't want me to."

Adolyn's smile could only be described as predatory. "Have no fear, I will be by your side until this investigation is concluded."

"I had more fun going through puberty than this damn investigation." She mumbled under her breath as she began her work.

"What is puberty?" Adolyn promptly asked.

The frigid silence was a satisfactory answer for both the Minbari and the human.

* * * * * * * *

Sheridan stood proudly as Rathenn disembarked from the shuttle. The Minbari looked older than he did on the com, but the erect carriage, the noble and gentle visage all made Sheridan admit the man was formidable in ways he was not used to confronting.

"Captain Sheridan." Rathenn said with a slight bow.

"Welcome to Babylon 5." Sheridan said with an answering bow of courtesy.

"Where is Ambassador Delenn? We have much to discuss."

"Yes, I am sure you do, but before ..."

"Rathenn," Delenn's voice interrupted them. She walked towards the group with a genuine anticipation on her face. "I was not expecting such pleasure."

"Delenn, it is good to see you." His bow to her was distinctly lower and more subservient than the one he presented to Sheridan. All of which annoyed the Captain to no end.

"Captain Sheridan, thank you for greeting my friend in my stead, but I will take it from here." Delenn said, affectively dismissing him from their presence.

Lennier saw the man stiffen and did his best to hide his smile. It wasn't too often that Delenn pushed aside John Sheridan for another. Rathenn took his place by Delenn's right arm and the three Minbari gracefully departed, leaving behind one chagrined and frustrated human.

"Hey, Captain!" Garibaldi greeted the man from behind. He saw the thunderous look on the man's face. "Who ate your cat?"

"Find me all you can about a Minbari called Rathenn, and fast. We don't have much time."

"Why? Is he a member of Neroon's I-Hate-You-and-You-and-You Club?"

"No, he's just arrived from Minbar. He's here to ask Delenn to marry him."

Garibaldi froze in his steps. "He's here to what to whom?"

"Just get me the damn information, will you?" Sheridan barked and left.

Garibaldi closed his eyes, shook his head in wonder and headed towards the closest lift. He planned to give Sheridan what he asked through the com. He had no desire to face the man for the rest of the day since Garibaldi planned to live into the ripe old age of forty.

* * * * * * * *

Neroon answered the call and the door opened to allow Lichala in. The confusion on her face promptly annoyed him.

"I sent you to find information. Please tell me you had the common sense to interrupt me to inform me of something useful."

"I have, Satai," Lichala answered, her confusion still manifesting itself in her face and voice. "Satai Rathenn has arrived in a war cruiser."

"Really? That is interesting. If Star Killer is not careful, Babylon 5 might become a Minbari outpost." Neroon observed with some humor. "Do you know why Satai Rathenn is here?"

Lichala opened her mouth then closed it. She repeated the action twice.

"I am in awe of your ability to imitate a fish, Lichala, but my patience is growing short. Do you have an answer?"

"Satai, he is here to ask Delenn's hand in marriage."

The rich laughter that exploded from the Satai took Lichala by surprise. Neroon collapsed against the chair, unable to take a breath of air for a long while.

"The Religious Caste is amusing if nothing else. Return to your post, Lichala. And keep me informed, if only to lighten my mood."

"As you wish, Satai." Lichala stormed out of the room. Sometimes, he really did ask too much of her.

Neroon checked with his other spies. It was true, Rathenn was here and with some force. He began to wonder why when the ringing snapped Neroon out of his thoughts. "Who is it?"

"It is I." The imperious voice echoed into the room.

Neroon debated for a moment of allowing Hedronn into his quarters. He finally acquiesced.

"I was wondering when you would grace me with your presence, Hedronn."

"What have you done?" Hedronn said in genuine horror. "Do you realize what fine lines we are balancing our whole world on?"

"I will not dignify your question with an answer, Hedronn. You might be Warrior, but that does not preclude me from giving you a lesson or two to enlighten you further into our ways."

"Threaten me all you want, Neroon, but realize we are in a precarious situation."

"Then why are you here? From what I hear, you've run back to Delenn's skirts. So, as far as I am concerned, you can stay there."

"Delenn has influence over a great number of people, Neroon. We might need her help before long." He saw the look of distaste on Neroon's face. "We should have dealt with her when we had the chance, but now, it's too late. And what is done is done. We must look towards the future, for all of us!"

"Yes, I know of Delenn's siren song. Rathenn is here, with a Minbari war cruiser no less. I wonder what the Religious Caste is thinking, bringing an entire ship, armed to the hilt and ready for a bloody fight. 
Maybe it's my slow-witted, warrior's thinking, but I sense a slight hint of hostility from them."

"Rathenn? Under what pretense could he possibly ..."

"He's here to ask Delenn to marry him."

Hedronn sighed, "At least his excuse is more plausible than ours."

"They are Religious. Excuses are their specialty. They're experts at making excuses if nothing else." Neroon snapped. "And I will never ask that freak of nature to help me in any way. I would rather die before allowing it to come to that."

"Your death is one thing, but would you still hold the same opinion if it meant the dishonor of the entire Star Riders Clan?"

Neroon had the wisdom to refrain from replying, but he still bristled at the thought of asking a creature like Delenn for aid.

"Why do you think Rathenn is here?" Neroon finally asked.

"Perhaps to regain their power in the Grey Council." Hedronn answered. "Maybe even guarantee it."

"Do you think they were involved in this?"

"Sabotage was never their strong suit, Neroon. And we both know none of them have the stomach to carry out Callimer's murder. However, that doesn't mean they can't take advantage of a situation if it is in their favor. I can assume you have met the human in charge of the investigation? The one they call Dr. Quietbrook?"

"Yes, I read her files on Babylon 5. It was interesting. Why? Do you know her personally?"

"I think you should know about her entire family, Neroon."

Neroon took the data crystal and began reading. His eyes widened as the information flashed across the screen.

"My mother ... will be remembered." Neroon whispered.

"It was no accident she was assigned here." Hedronn declared uneasily. "I see plans within plans within plans."

"And now, we're trapped from all sides."

"Whoever did this to us wants to destroy more than just the Star Riders or the Warrior Caste. I fear for our whole world, Neroon. I fear for Minbar."

Neroon felt a coldness wrap itself around his heart, and for the first time feared he was in a net too complex for him to comprehend. "We need to talk, Hedronn," he said, his voice empty of its usual arrogance and bravado.