Ranger Dawning

by Richard Ford

  Vance glanced across at Merreck, who was a filthy mess, bleeding from several wounds, but his face was a stone mask. Vance felt compelled to speak and thank Merreck for saving his life. Before Vance could utter a word, however, he was interrupted by the pealing sound of a console alarm.

  ‘We are being followed,’ said Jerklenn, her voice calm and reposed.

  Vance quickly unbuckled his belt restraint and moved forward as fast as his broken body would allow. The ship’s proximity sensor showed three craft of fighter class approaching fast. ‘Merreck, take weapons. Jerklenn, get us out of here,’ said Vance.

  Without argument, Merreck moved to the weapons console. Vance would later realise the Minbari had obeyed his order without question, despite the fact that they were of equal rank.

  Vance checked the ship’s fusion power point. The generator showed eighty percent power. Hopefully the fighters would have limited attack capability, at least little enough so Merreck could take them out before they crippled the ship. ‘What’s our location? Other than Zhabar do we have any options for cover?’ Vance asked.

  ‘Negative,’ answered Jerklenn. ‘Zhabar’s moon is the nearest satellite to our current position, but we cannot reach it before we are engaged. It will take us one hour to reach the nearest jumpgate.’

  ‘Options are thinning as we speak,’ said Vance quietly, watching the three flashing icons moving closer to the freighter on the proximity sensor. ‘What condition are our weapons in?’

  ‘One hundred percent,’ replied Merreck. ‘But these approaching ships are fast and have an unclassified designation.’

  Manipulating the console, Vance confirmed the ship’s sensors could not identify the fighters. ‘We have to assume they’re Ky’Thain,’ said Vance. ‘And that means we have to assume the worst as far as their capabilities are concerned. We could be in trouble. Unfortunately we have nowhere to hide.’

  ‘We live for the One,’ said Merreck.

  ‘We die for the One,’ Vance finished, smiling despite the danger of the situation. ‘OK, Jerklenn, full thrusters, let’s make it look like we’re making a run for it. When they’re within weapons range, we’ll turn on them and open up with everything we have.’

  Jerklenn expertly manipulated the freighter’s controls, pushing its engines to their limit. Vance saw the pursuing fighters likewise increase their speed, still gaining on their ship. ‘As soon as they’re in range, Merreck.’ Vance did not take his eyes off the ship’s sensor screen.

  ‘Understood,’ Merreck replied, likewise keeping his eyes fixed on his console.

  As the trio of bleeping lights drew ever closer, Vance stared at them, feeling a strange glee as they approached. There was little chance they would survive this encounter, but the Ky’Thain would pay dearly.

  ‘Now!’ Vance shouted, as the first of the ships entered their weapons range. Jerklenn banked the ship as Merreck locked the freighter’s electro-pulse guns on the first Ky’Thain fighter. Both vessels fired simultaneously, the Ky’Thain particle beam bouncing off the freighter’s mediocre armour. In turn, the freighter’s weapons cut through the front of the Ky’Thain ship, igniting its fuel ports and wrecking its life support systems. The ship flashed as its engines ignited for a fraction of a second, instantly extinguished in the vacuum of space.

  When the remaining Ky’Thain fighters opened fire, the freighter’s defences proved completely inadequate. The Rangers held on as the fighters’ particle beams rocked the ship. Vance could see the armour reducing right before his eyes, fifty percent, twenty, ten. ‘Jerklenn, relay a message on all encrypted channels. Tell the Anla’shok as much as you can. We don’t have much time.’

  An explosion jolted the rear of the ship as the last of the freighter’s rear armour was destroyed. ‘Merreck, talk to me,’ said Vance.

  ‘They have our measure,’ he replied. ‘Now that they know we can fight back, they are avoiding us. Their ships are too quick to lock on.’

  ‘They’re blocking us,’ said Jerklenn. ‘Even our encrypted channels can’t get through. Nobody knows we’re here.’

  Another explosion rocked the ship. The klaxon sounded, signifying that life support was in danger. Something had to be done to reserve it or they would only have seconds to live. ‘Cut engines. Our only chance is to play dead and draw them in. Concentrate power to life support in the cabin and re-route everything else to weapons.’ Jerklenn obeyed, her hands moving across the console as though she were manipulating some colourful musical instrument. Vance could see the fighters readying for another pass.

  ‘We may only have one shot at this, Merreck.’

  ‘I understand,’ replied the Minbari, never taking his eyes from the display.

  Vance could see the Ky’Thain fighters approaching from different angles. They would come close to the guns, but not close enough.

  ‘Jerklenn, I need power to the port thrusters, now!’ shouted Vance, as the console signalled to him the fighters had locked onto them for a final strafing run.

  The small readout that signified engine power suddenly shot up halfway and Vance engaged the thrusters, banking the freighter just enough to bring the pulse-cannons in line with the approaching ships.

  Merreck needed no encouragement, sending a single volley out into space and right into the path of the approaching fighters. The Ky’Thain ships had no time to manoeuvre out of the way as the pulse blast cut them in two.

  Vance wanted to leap into the air and hug his comrades but he managed to resist the compulsion. For one, his Minbari brethren did not seem the type to appreciate such a gesture, and two, they certainly weren’t out of danger yet.

  ‘Sit-rep,’ said Vance, looking to Jerklenn who was already checking her console.

  ‘We have life support for two hours if I shut down all other systems. We will be a sitting duck if there is another attack.’

  ‘Did we get a signal out?’

  ‘Yes, but there is no way to tell if it got through.’

  ‘We don’t really have a choice then do we,’ said Vance, gingerly slipping from his chair and sitting on the floor of the cockpit, his legs crossed. ‘Let’s assume the position.’

  With that, the three meditated and waited to see which would arrive first; suffocation or their rescue.

  Anla’shok Tulat

  The deck of the Torotha was amazing. Then again, Vance could have been standing on the deck of a Pak’ma’ra sewage ship, and it would have been a welcome relief. His elation was also enhanced somewhat by the anaesthetic he’d been given for his wounds. He hadn’t been able to thank the Minbari healer enough for that.

  They had only had to wait an hour before the Minbari ship had come to their rescue and somehow Vance knew it would happen. He was not fearful as the three had sat on the cramped floor of the freighter’s cockpit, waiting for their air to run out. Rescue had seemed inevitable. After all they had been through, the three fledgling Anla’shok were not destined to die is such an ignominious way.

  ‘There were four of you on this mission?’ Vance turned to see the captain of the Torotha looking at him seriously. The Minbari in charge was Hadan, a tall and stern-looking Ranger. His drawn face gave the impression that he’d spent several years with the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders.

  ‘Bakkatt didn’t make it,’ replied Vance, suddenly feeling the ache in his tired limbs once more. ‘He gave his life to save ours.

  ‘That is fitting. It is how Bakkatt would have wanted his final moments. You should be proud that you served with him, for he was the best of us.’ Hadan managed a smile and placed his hand on Vance’s shoulder. As the Minbari returned to his duties, Vance wondered if that was what his own future held. Fighting against impossible odds and then dying to save his comrades. Six months ago, the thought might have filled him with apprehension, but now he felt a strange calmness at the prospect, as though that destiny was worth striving for.

  Shaking his head, he silently thanked the Minbari healer once more, and returned to the room put as
ide for him and the other Rangers.

  The journey back to Tuzanor was swift. Hadan was a congenial host, treating the three Rangers like the family they were. As soon as they hit orbit around Minbar the trio were guided to a shuttle bound for Tuzanor.

  They broke Minbar’s atmosphere with barely a tremor, and as the shuttle touched down on the academy’s landing platform, Vance felt he was home. He could never have imagined he would consider this place dearer to him than Earth, but his feelings could not be misinterpreted. Earth held little for him now. He had a purpose here, a mission that could not be forsaken. As he left the ship and walked toward the high obsidian building, his head was held high. Turval greeted the Rangers. They bowed to one another solemnly, and Turval touched the hand of each Ranger in turn. ‘It pains us to hear of Bakkatt’s passing. His name will go down in the halls of the hallowed. Unfortunately, before this conflict is over, his will not be the last name we engrave there. Rest for now. It is obvious you are exhausted. The Anla’shok Na will speak with you later.’

  With another bow, Turval led the Rangers into the academy, where half of the new recruits were waiting. As they passed, each spoke a word of comfort or simply touched the Rangers in a conciliatory gesture. Vance noticed that William was not amongst the waiting Anla’shok. He realised his friend had probably been sent on a mission of his own. Wondering when he would see William again, he continued until the now-welcome sight of his slanted bunk greeted him.

  Vance woke to Jerklenn’s smiling face staring down at him. ‘It is time for us to see the Anla’shok Na,’ she said.

  His wounds were all but healed. Vance was amazed how the Minbari healers had managed to fix his shoulder and the various cuts and bruises in almost no time. He ran his fingers through his messy hair and stood, flattening the creases in his uniform, which he hadn’t thought to remove before collapsing in a heap. Merreck was waiting for them, standing to attention as usual, jaw jutting and chest suitably puffed.

  Turval was also in the Anla’shok Na’s office when they arrived. Sinclair forced a smile as they entered, but his strain could not be masked. His eyes were ringed dark red, and he looked more ashen than ever. Vance found it hard to believe how much Sinclair had changed, especially since he had seen him a few short days ago.

  ‘Please sit,’ said Sinclair. ‘This won’t take long. Hadan has already relayed most of what you reported, so we just need your take on events. Obviously we also need to make sure you’re all okay.’

  Sinclair proceeded to question the three Rangers. To Vance, it seemed to be a full debrief rather than an informal chat, but he was happy to repeat details of the entire event. For his part, Merreck remained silent, only filling in any details or correcting Vance’s errors in memory when necessary. The Minbari seemed to be able to remember every event with photographic precision, but he allowed Vance to do most of the talking. Vance was also surprised when Merreck pointed out the specific occasions when Vance had shown bravery and initiative during the mission, playing down his own part in events.

  ‘It appears you’ve all been through the mill,’ said Sinclair when they had finished. ‘The loss of Bakkatt is one we can barely afford right now, and I’m sorry to say things are only going to get worse before they get better.’

  ‘We are Anla’shok,’ said Jerklenn. ‘It is our purpose.’

  Sinclair smiled. There was a hint of sadness behind his eyes, as though he appreciated Jerklenn’s words but wished she had not said them.

  ‘What about the Drazi?’ asked Vance. ‘We got the impression that Musan Volt’s involvement with the Ky’Thain was only the tip of the iceberg.’

  ‘The Drazi, and particularly the Thath Vorak, are being closely monitored as we speak. For now the Ky’Thain have retreated to lick their wounds, and we could find no trace of them or their ships around Zhabar.’

  ‘Do we know who the Ky’Thain are? I’ve never come across anything like them before in any texts or data crystals.’

  ‘Little is written about them, even in our oldest manuscripts,’ said Turval. ‘They were wiped out by civil war, and we had thought them extinct. It appears the Shadows must have found the remnants of their race. Appealing to their base nature, they have seduced the Ky’Thain to their cause. It is a talent of theirs we will have to learn to deal with. Many more long-forgotten races may be working for the Shadows in secret, with powers and skills we are unable to prepare for. At least now we have intercepted one of their targets. The Drazi will be tough to subvert into a Shadow servitor race. Especially with the Anla’shok monitoring their every move.’

  ‘Are we to be part of that monitoring team?’ asked Vance.

  ‘For you, we have something different planned,’ said Sinclair. ‘You all worked well together, overcoming stacked odds despite the loss of your leader. I’ve therefore decided to keep you together, working as a team.’ He paused as though waiting for a reaction. The three Rangers remained silent in their seats. ‘If there are no objections, you will be given your own ship. I trust you will have no problem with that. Due to your background, Vance, I want you to lead the team.’ Yet another pause. Again no reaction from the Rangers.

  Vance was surprised at his appointment, considering how short a time he had been a Ranger, but he realised the order was desperately short of members, and it was not something that would have happened had they the numbers and resources of a thousand years past. Mostly he worried about Merreck’s reaction, considering he’d had just as important a role in the mission and even saved Vance’s life.

  ‘Tomorrow you will be sent to the Outer Rim. Your mission remains classified until you reach your destination. Unfortunately that’s the way we have to work from now on. It’s not a matter of trust. You’ve all proven yourselves beyond reproach. It’s just the way it has to be for the protection of the Anla’shok and our mission.’

  ‘We understand and obey, Anla’shok Na,’ said Merreck. It was the first time Vance heard him speak directly to Sinclair when unprompted. The stout Minbari must have finally come to terms with having a human as his commander.

  ‘You will leave tomorrow,’ said Sinclair. ‘Get some rest, for you have a trying time ahead of you. And good luck, all of you.’ The Rangers stood, bowed to Sinclair and Turval and left the room. They did not speak as they made their way back to their quarters. Vance waited for Merreck to show his true reaction to his appointment as leader, but it never came.

  More silence surrounded them as they ate in the dinner hall. None of the Rangers made eye contact in the all-but-deserted room. It appeared that since their arrival, even more new recruits had been sent out on missions of their own. Afterward, Vance headed off toward the Chapel to see if he could recapture any of the serenity he had previously felt there. The prospect seemed shattered when he heard a deep voice behind him. ‘Vance!’

  He turned and his heart immediately sank. Here we go, he thought. It was only a matter of time. Merreck stood for some seconds, as though unsure of how to begin. Vance almost spoke himself, wanting to hurry Merreck up and get this all over with. ‘Greetings from the earth to the stars,’ said Merreck, and Vance recognised the words of the Star Rider ritual immediately. ‘As far as you ride may the light guide your way and your mount remain steady.’

  ‘Fire burns for my clan,’ Vance replied. ‘Rain slakes our thirst and we prosper. Who wishes to share the fortune of the Star Riders?’

  ‘Merreck of the Anla’shok.’

  ‘Then kneel, Merreck of the Anla’shok, and tell why you should be honoured thus.’

  ‘I honour as the Star Riders honour,’ Merreck began. As he continued, he looked into Vance’s eyes, speaking as though he really meant the words and wanted Vance to believe them too. ‘I fight as the Star Riders fight. I worship as the Star Riders worship. Together we can roam the plains and watch the stars, and you will know my friendship is unmatched. Our joining makes us stronger until I sunder it.’

  When Merreck had finished Vance held out his arm. Merreck grasped it and rose to
his feet. ‘Now we are as brothers, and our lives belong to each other. May the feud of our fathers be forgotten. Our futures are bonded in blood, Vance, and you have shown that you are worthy of trust--and respect.’

  ‘I owe you my life, Merreck. I intend to repay the debt.’

  ‘I am sure you will get the chance.’

  Vance smiled and was surprised when a small grin crept onto Merreck’s lips. As they released each other’s arms, Jerklenn appeared behind Merreck. The big Minbari turned, wondering what Vance was looking at. Vance felt immediately uncomfortable, despite the conciliation they had just shared. Merreck turned and approached his sister. Silently they embraced, burying themselves in each other’s arms. Vance suddenly felt something in the corner of his eye. He turned and entered the Chapel, not wanting the two Minbari to see him removing it.

  Jerklenn and Merreck left him alone in the Chapel. Vance understood; naturally they had much to talk about and years to catch up on. Besides, this was one of those occasions when Vance felt comfortable in his own company. He had no idea when he would get the chance to be alone again.

  Footsteps echoed down the passage to the Chapel, and Vance stood as a Minbari Ranger entered. ‘Someone is here to see you,’ said the Ranger. ‘He is waiting in the observatory.’ With that he bowed and left the Chapel.

  Vance was not surprised about his visitor. Deep down he knew who it was and, when he entered the observatory, he greeted his father with the respect he felt was due. ‘Colonel,’ said Vance, bowing in the appropriate Minbari manner.

  ‘Sinclair told me you’ve just returned from a mission. A success I hope.’ The Colonel was smiling and seemed almost ebullient. Vance was curious as to his motives.