EPISODE 9

ON BEING MINBARI

Gyroscope – The Tea Party

Come face to face with it

Pushed on your side

Lose all your self control

Worlds will collide

Inside out, you can’t cope

My Gyroscope

Witness the fall from grace

You shed your skin

Change if it pleases you

Just don’t give in

Inside out, you can’t cope

My gyroscope

Quiet now she said

You’re waking up the dead

I cradle the excuse

In love with the abuse

I handle it with ease

It’s a dignified disease

Slow down

Soul searching breaks you down

You’ll never learn

Annihilate yourself

All things must burn

Inside out, you can’t cope

My gyroscope

Once again attempting to straighten the cording on her uniform, Terann emitted a frustrated groan, deciding that it was destined to remain crooked. It was the first time, in over two years, that she had worn it, and she quickly remembered how much she despised it. Aside from its obvious bulk, she was certain that those that designed it were either fashionably inept or had a sick sense of humor. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror she silently cursed Neroon for insisting she wear it. Up until now, she had been able to pass with her usual, simpler robes. But now that Caelem no longer required her assistance in engineering, Neroon decided that she should appear ‘as Warrior Caste’. Personally she believed he enjoyed toying with her.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and exited her quarters. Though it was still relatively early, the corridors were a bustle of activity. Workers lined the halls, working diligently, still attempting to piece together the Ingata, and paying her little attention as she past. The same could not be said of those from her own caste. Despite their harsh stares Terann did her best to appear unaffected by them. Instead she focused her mind on the upcoming meeting with Neroon to help her keep the hatred and distrust, directed at her, at bay. He had given her no indication of what he wanted of her, only told her that he wished to speak with her. With still six days left in their journey to Minbar, she could not conceive of any reason for his wishing to see her. Since her arrival on the Ingata, she had spent most of her time either helping Caelem or in her quarters and Neroon, for the most part, had left her in peace. That was until this morning when he had respectfully demanded to speak with her. She decided not to let it plague her, reassuring herself that she would find out what he wanted of her soon enough.

Arriving at the door to Neroon’s quarters, Terann allowed herself to take a deep breath before announcing her presence. Almost instantly the door slid open and Terann stepped across the threshold. To her surprise, Eitann was also present, standing possessively beside Neroon.

Terann bowed her head respectfully to both of them, but kept her eyes focused on Neroon. “Was there something you wished to speak to me about, Shai Alyt?”

“Actually, Terann, we were just going over our current course, and Eitann had some concerns.”

Terann lifted her eyes to meet Eitann’s, reinforcing the block in her mind to keep his intense emotions from overwhelming her. He regarded her with a mix of disdain and curiosity before moving over to the computer console to call up a chart. It clearly outlined their current position and heading, as well as the jump gates they would be using to get home. None of which was new too her, as she and Neroon had discussed the safest route home.

“According to this,” Eitann said, pointing at the display, “We are at least six days from Minbar. We could reduce that time by almost three days if we go this way.” At that he pressed the appropriate controls to call up a new schematic.

Ignoring the smug expression on Eitann’s face, Terann moved to stand beside him, studying the display carefully. When she realized where his change in course would lead them, she fixed him with a harsh stare. “Do you know what planet this is?”

The other Minbari looked at the planet that she referred to and answered, not fully understanding what point she was trying to make. “It is Dorak 7.”

“And on Dorak 7 there is a Shadow base,” she stated plainly. “So unless you wish to engage an entire fleet of Shadow ships, I respectfully suggest we remain on our current heading.” Terann continued to regard Eitann for a moment longer before turning to move away.

Once her back was to him, he called out to her. “Are we supposed to accept the word of an outcast?”

The young woman whirled around to face him. “The Anla’shok have been monitoring…”

“The Anla’shok?” Eitann scoffed. “The Anla’shok are a joke comprised of religious fanatics and cowardly Earthers.“

Terann narrowed her eyes in anger. “Cowardly you say? The Human Rangers have fought against the Shadows, saving millions of lives, while those like you, who had an obligation to fight against the darkness, remained too stubborn and arrogant to act.”

Eitann took a threatening step toward her at her apparent affront to his honor. “Shakiri has forbidden any of us from joining the war effort. To even consider doing so is cause enough to be declared outcast.”

“And it never occurred to you to question his decision?”

“My loyalty is to my Caste, Terann, and I would die before betraying them.”

Terann was amazed at the amount of venom he put into his last statement though she was not to be deterred. “Our first duty is to our people… all our people. Be they Warrior, Worker or Religious caste, our obligation is to the Minbari. When you begin to distinguish between who you will and will not serve, you diminish us and in the end, we all suffer.”

Towering over her, he sneered at her harshly. Had she been anyone else he believed he would have been impressed by her unwillingness to back down. However, given her questionable history he found himself fighting against the urge to beat her into submission, to show her what he thought of her candor, and more importantly, how her presence here, attempting to appear as of them, nauseated him. Casting a sideways glance to Neroon, he spat. “Do you not see, Shai Alyt? She does not belong here; she does not know what it means to be Warrior Caste. She is a perversion, someone deserving of our contempt. Her insistence in defending the Religious Caste and the Earthers only serves to prove her cowardice. She has no right to be here, regardless of what abilities she claims to possess.”

“Do you wish to test my abilities, Eitann?” Terann asked, her voice dangerously low.

“Enough!” Neroon shouted, stepping between them to face his executive officer. “Terann is correct. We cannot risk using the jump gate at Dorak 7. We will continue on our current course.”

“Shai Alyt…” Eitann began in protest, only to be cut short by a harsh look from Neroon. Reluctantly he inclined his head, then upon being dismissed by his superior, quickly took his leave.

Terann watched as the door hissed shut, sighing in relief. The strain at keeping Eitann’s emotions out had been difficult and she found herself grateful for his departure. Silently she recounted their conversation and found herself puzzled by it. She had explained to Neroon, before leaving Babylon 5, the reason for avoiding Dorak 7. So why then did she have to defend that decision to Eitann now? Concluding that there was only one way to find out, she spoke:

“Was there a reason behind all that?”

“What do you mean?” Neroon asked innocently.

“You knew about the base on Dorak. So why did you simply not tell Eitann and be done with it?”

Neroon smiled coyly. “I was proving a point.”

“And what point is that?” She asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

Neroon took a deep breath then moved away from her toward the window. He gazed out at the starfield for a moment before turning back to her. “It is no secret, Terann, that there are those that question your presence aboard this ship and Eitann has been the most vocal. He believes that you have misled me; that you have nothing to offer this crew. I had to prove him wrong.”

“Does he question you often?”

“No more than you do,” he replied with smile. “Perhaps that is why he distrusts you, for I see much of you in him. Too many times I have seen our people follow blindly, never questioning an order, always doing what was expected, only to have it end badly.”

“The Drala’fi,” Terann said beneath her breath.

“Yes, Terann,” he nodded. “And others. That is why so many support Shakiri. He has seen what stagnation has done to our people and he knows what must be done to ensure our future.”

“And what exactly does that mean?” Terann asked, unsure that she wished to know the answer. She had heard rumors concerning the Shai Alyt of her caste and those alone were enough for her to distrust him.

Neroon smiled at her. “You are always suspicious, Terann.” He then moved over to the sofa, motioning for her to take a seat across from him. Hesitantly she did as he suggested still unsure what to make of the situation. Once she was seated he continued. “I am going to be honest with you Terann. You have not only garnered my attention. Even back home there are those that have questioned our treatment of you, believing that you make a better friend than foe. In the beginning it was easy to dismiss you and your mother, believing she had allowed herself to be dishonored by refusing to disclose who had fathered you.”

“And now…?” Terann asked.

Neroon fumbled with his hands uneasily, something that Terann found rather odd. “Now… now they feel that perhaps you should not be forced to bear the weight of that dishonor. Do not get me wrong, they are not prepared to accept you without question, but with time…”

“Time is not something I have Neroon,” she said, jumping to her feet to move about the room. “I abandoned those that need me, those I swore to serve and protect, by coming here to help you.”

“Aliens, Terann, not Minbari.”

“You still do not understand, do you Neroon?” Terann accused. “If the Shadow threat is not something that concerns us, then why is the Ingata limping home? You know as well as I that once they run out of easier targets, they will turn their eye toward us. I apologize Neroon, I can not turn my back on my obligations.”

He came up behind her, taking her by the shoulders to turn her to face him. “I am not asking you to do so. All that I am asking is that you step away from the choices you have made, to learn what you are and possibly see what you can be. Stay on Minbar, if only for a few days and see what I am saying. I will stay with you if you wish and perhaps together we can show them that there is so much more beyond what they believe.”

She regarded him thoughtfully, part of her begging to trust him while another cursed her for even considering doing as he asked. With the Shadows attacking openly she knew she would be needed. But by whom? She no longer had any obligations to Delenn and she was certain that if the Vorlons wanted something from her they would contact her. The idea of going home to make an attempt at piecing together her life was a pleasing, yet frightening, one. She knew she could not keep rejecting Neroon’s attempts to help bring her back within their caste and as much as she hated to admit it, she knew that if things went badly she would be no worse off then she currently was.

“Very well Neroon,” she conceded. “I will do as you ask. Just so long as you understand that I have responsibilities that take precedence.”

He inclined his head to her. “Of course, Terann.”

She inclined her head to him then turned away from him to exit the room. Once in the corridor, she quickly turned to return to her quarters, allowing herself a small smile. She found herself looking forward to the time away from the war and her obligations; still at the back of her mind there was an almost silent nagging. Something that told her that everything was not always as it appeared and that perhaps after Minbar things would never be the same for her again.

As Terann felt the ship once more shudder under her feet, she glanced around at the bodies of the dead that lay at her feet. Worker, Warrior and Religious alike, their bodies mutilated by the numerous explosions and the resulting debris.

This is not right, she thought to herself. She should not be here; she did not want to be here, did not want to face the inevitable. She forced herself forward, making her way through the corridors of the Valen’tha, not noticing those around her. She knew if she did their emotions would overwhelm her and she could not allow them to impede her determination.

Arriving at one of the more badly damaged sections, she felt an intense pain pierce through her chest. Only meters away, a small crowd had gathered, tending to one of the injured. She wanted to run, wanted to hide away from the madness that surrounded her. But she knew to do so would be pointless; everything that was happening had happened before. It, and the events that followed, still continued to haunt

Pushing her way through the crowd she knelt down beside the lifeless form placing her hand on his battered body. As she had done before, she reached out and attempted to touch Dukhat’s mind and was met with the all too familiar sense of death. She clenched her eyes shut, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. She cursed herself for showing such weakness in front of so many others; so many that questioned her place here among the best of her people.

Angered whispers drew her attention away from Dukhat’s body. “Shag’tot,“ they said, urging her to her feet.

Reaching out with her mind, she touched upon the insidious being, the desire to squeeze the life from him almost overwhelming her. Her ire sparked she pushed her way through the throng that had formed between the Soul Hunter and his pray. She focused all her attention on him feeling her abilities eager to be set loose upon him.

He stepped to within inches of her, before pulling the cowl from his head. In shock she stepped away from him, turning her head in denial. It wasn’t possible that he was now standing before her. Only minutes before she had touched his lifeless body, felt his empty mind. Even now, as she looked down at her hands, she saw the stains of his blood on her skin. It was some demented trick; it had to be. But as she turned her eyes back to him she realized that it was not. The sight of him, the scent of him, every nuance belonged to him.

In desperation she looked to those around her hoping to find some clarity. But they had disappeared, as had the body they were protecting. The corridor around them was empty and silent serving only as a grim reminder of what had once been.

She felt the softness of his touch as he placed his hand on her face, hoping to draw her attention back to him. Instead she backed away from him, her face a mask of anger and confusion.

“You can not be here.” Her voice betrayed her emotions.

“Who are you?” He asked, his voice as soft as she remembered.

“What?” She asked in confusion.

“Who are you?” He repeated his voice only slightly louder.

Her eyes narrowed in realization and when she spoke her voice was barely above a whisper. “The Vorlons.”

“Who are you!!” He demanded once more.

Terann clenched her fists at her sides. She had long ago grown tired of the games the Vorlons insisted she play. Why, if they wanted something of her, could they not simply tell her instead of relying on senseless riddles?

“Why are you doing this?” She finally asked.

Dukhat circled around behind her, eyeing her curiously. “To solve an enigma.”

“And that is?” She asked casting him a sideways glance.

“Who are you?”

Terann sighed in frustration, her anger mounting. “You know who I am.”

He once again stepped in front of her leaning forward so that his face was mere inches from hers. “Do we? You have strayed, Terann. We are no longer sure of anything.”

As he began to walk away from her, she called out to him. “Why all this? Why you…and why this place? If you want something of me…”

“You do not understand,” he stated sadly not turning back to her.

“No, I do not.”

“This is where it ended. This is where their last hold on you was severed.”

“I do not understand,” Terann told him again, believing she never would.

“There,” he instructed pointing behind her.

She turned and instantly regretted doing so. The body had returned and so had the sick feeling in her chest. She struggled against the tears that threatened to spill. Why did they enjoy torturing her? Why could they not be forthcoming with her? They knew that no matter what they asked of her, she would do it, without question. Her loyalty to them was unwavering.

“Is it?” Dukhat asked, clearing picking the thoughts from her mind. “Then why are we here?”

“You tell me,” Terann said.

“This is where your mind brought us. This is where you feel you belong. But you do not, do you? No matter what you do you will never truly belong. And this is where it ended, when Dukhat died.” He circled behind her, leaning forward so that his lips nearly touched her ear. "He was the only one that cared for you, the only one that accepted you without question yet once he was gone you continued to believe that you could be one of them. Now you must see that this cannot be so. You are an outcast, Terann. A freak! Your blood is impure; your soul is not Minbari. You were meant for better than this, you can be so much more. Yet you choose to remain here.”

“They are my people!” She shouted at him, moving to put some distance between them.

“Are they?” He asked turning his back on her once again. After several moments of silence he sighed heavily. “It is time for you to choose.”

“Choose? Choose what?” She asked, dreading his response.

In that instant, the corpse at her feet disappeared. She moved her eyes back to Dukhat, who once again turned to face her. Behind and to the left of him stood a Vorlon, and to the right Neroon stood, his dark eyes focused on her.

Her heart screamed as she realized what it was the Vorlons were demanding of her, but how could she answer. Her heart belonged to the Minbari, her mind to the Vorlons. To turn her back on either was unthinkable.

“Choose!" Dukhat demanded his voice now dark and cryptic.

“How can I choose?” Her voice was shaky with her desperation.

“Choose. Or we will choose for you.”

Terann clenched her fists, shutting her eyes tightly. She could not believe what they were asking of her. She had always done their bidding without question; had always been prepared to die for them, and now they were questioning her very soul.

When she finally opened her eyes and lifted her head she did so slowly and sadly, affecting a look of desperation. “I cannot.”

Dukhat only sighed softly, and then extended his hand toward her. “Together or apart,” he said simply.

At first she felt nothing, then suddenly an almost intolerable pain shot through her chest and she crumpled to the floor. Her head screamed as she felt the Vorlons tear into her mind, ripping at the fabric of her very being. She screamed out in agony, but her cries went unanswered. Curling her body into a ball she felt her blood boil and her skin burn as they continued their attack on her. Then almost as quickly as it had begun, their assault ended.

For several moments, Terann refused to move, unsure if she even could. Her head throbbed and her body was battered and bruised from the intense violation. When finally she did pull herself to her feet, she found she was tired and weak, both physically and mentally. Yet that was not what concerned her. After such a deep scan, her barriers should have been broken down making it difficult to keep the Vorlons out. Instead she felt nothing. Everything around her felt so shallow and she, herself, felt so small, so insignificant. Her mind was numb, leaving her feeling weak and helpless.

Despite her body’s protests, she spun around to face Dukhat, who still had his hand stretched out in front of him. Yet now it was no longer empty. Instead he now held a sphere of light, and she knew instantly what they had done to her.

“Why are you doing this?” She begged of them, her composure cracking.

With her question, Dukhat disappeared and in his place a Vorlon stood.

Together or apart,

You belong to us.

Terann knelt silently before the burning flame, attempting to use the time to herself to calm her mind. Deep in her heart, she knew that the recent dream that had awoke her had been sent by the Vorlons and that they had been serious in their threat. If she did not make the choice between the Minbari and the Vorlons, they would make it for her. And they would not take her feelings into consideration, of that she was certain. How could they demand such a thing of her, she wondered. She had not made the choices of what her life was to be – they had taken every choice from her when they had captured her mother. From the moment of birth, she had been raised under their dictate, followed their every whim, believed in and trusted them. Was it not right that she at least be allowed the chance to be accepted by her mother’s people? She had made the decision to join Neroon’s crew and help them in their return to Minbar. She had made the promise to herself to at least make an attempt at returning to her people, to find out who the real Terann was. The Vorlons had no right to make these demands on her. Not now. Especially after everything she and Aelora had learned during their attempt to destroy one another. The Vorlons had been content to leave her to die, telling her that they were done with her, had no more need of her. And now they thought they could simply come to her and demand that she turn her back on everything she needed and desired? Their audacity angered and hurt her. It seemed the only times the Vorlons ever took interest in her was either when they needed her or when they became jealous of others needing her. She was a pawn to them, and nothing more.

Yet, their threat still hung over her. She could not imagine having that part of herself taken from her, she could not imagine never again hearing their songs, feeling the warmth of their presence wrapped around her like a protective cloak. Still, if they cared so much for her why did they not understand her feelings, her need to know that other part of her, the part that was Minbari? More and more she found herself questioning the motives of the Vorlons, and hated herself for doing so. It had been Aelora, in fact, who had first prompted her to thinking about the Vorlons purpose in this Universe. Her recent nocturnal visit from them only added more questions. One specific part of her nightmare seemed to stand out to her and that was of Dukhat’s death and the Vorlons comment to her that “This is where it ended. This is where their last hold on you was severed.” As much as it pained her to question them, Terann found herself wondering if the Vorlons could not have prevented Dukhat’s death from occurring. To think such thoughts was insanity but she could not help but notice the self-righteousness with which they referred to the event that pulled her away from the Minbari.

A chiming at the door broke Terann from her reverie and once she touched upon the presence outside the door, she leaned forward to lightly blow out the candle. “Come in, Shai Alyt,” she called out.

“I hate it when you do that,” Neroon commented sternly as he entered, though something that could have been a smile hovered on his face.

Terann gathered her skirts, standing to bow her head in deference to him. “Welcome, Shai Alyt. Is there something you needed to speak with me about?”

Neroon sighed, shaking his head. “Terann, we know each other well enough not to carry on this charade in private. There is no need to be so formal. Not with me. I know you.”

The female arched a brow at this. “And just what is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you would just as soon kick me in the teeth as bow to me, Terann.”

She allowed a small smile at this, enjoying Neroon’s unexpected teasing. “This behavior is not like you, Neroon. Time and again you serve to catch me off-guard.”

“Well then, we have something in common as you are often an enigma to me as well, Terann.”

The telepath shook her head, moving to place the candle back in its place on the shelf near the door. “You exaggerate, Neroon. I am not so complicated as you make me out to be. I am a simple telepath, nothing more or less.”

Neroon laughed aloud at this. “And I am religious caste!”

Terann turned to regard him coyly. “I was wondering what that smell was.”

“Ha!” Neroon flashed her a pleased grin. “Few have your wit, Terann. Or your bite for that matter.”

“Now then, Neroon,” Terann began, focusing a more serious gaze on her visitor. “Are you going to tell me the purpose of your visit or shall we continue to simply banter meaningless comments back and forth?”

“You have little patience for frivolity, Terann.”

“Only when it is out of place,” she replied smoothly. “And on you, it most assuredly is.”

“And that is exactly why I am here.”

Terann raised a smooth brow. “To be frivolous?”

The Warrior shook his head. “No, Terann. For as much time as you and I have spent together through the years, we really do not know one another very well.”

“I never thought we had the urge to know one another.”

“We have had our share of differences, I will admit. But I am here to mend those, Terann. I would like us to get to know one another. I would like to know you, the real Terann. The Terann who single-handedly destroyed a group of Shadow ships to save her Human friends. The Terann who looks Minbari, acts Minbari and yet… seems beyond the Minbari. I want to understand you and everything that makes you who you are.”

“I see.” Terann wandered across the room, her back turned to the Shai Alyt. Her mind was filled with questions, all focusing on Neroon and the purpose of his visit. First the Vorlons and now the one person in the Universe she most feared ever learning the truth of her parentage asking to let him understand her. The entire situation was most ironic. And she was not certain how to handle it. “You may not wish to know the real Terann, Neroon,” she warned, turning back to face him. “You may learn truths you would rather have remained ignorant of.”

“Enough with the riddles and mysticism, Terann,” Neroon ordered, moving to stand before her. Placing his hands on her shoulders he said, “I want to know the female before me. The living, breathing, warm-blooded creature who continually has the audacity to discount every demand I make of her.”

Terann wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that he truly wished to get to know who she was beyond the telepath, beyond the Warrior, beyond the outcast. She hoped that someday she would be seen as nothing more than a Minbari in his eyes. But she was so afraid to allow him to get that close for fear that he might learn too much…and revile her in the end. With the recent warning made by the Vorlons, that prospect was all too close. And though she respected and admired Neroon above all others, she did not trust in his faith to believe in her, to understand that the decisions of her life had never been hers to make.

“Neroon, I –“

“Just a walk around the ship, Terann. It is all I ask. A simple conversation and then I will leave you be.”

It seemed harmless. She knew that Neroon was honorable enough to keep his word. “Very well, Neroon. A walk.”

The Warrior nodded, his smug expression saying that he had known she would say yes. Terann silently warned herself not to rise to the bait as she followed him out the door.

It did not take long before she found herself questioning his decision to walk with her around the Ingata. It was obvious by the surreptitious stares that the crew had not yet fully accepted her presence onboard. To see the Shai Alyt walking with her as if they were equals was undoubtedly both disconcerting and confusing. Terann attempted to keep her gait and posture as subservient as possible but Neroon’s ongoing conversation with her made the charade difficult.

Finally, the Shai Alyt came to an abrupt halt and looked down at Terann with a fierce frown. “Would you care to explain this following beside me like some beaten animal?”

Terann had not realized it had been so obvious. She straightened immediately, the feigned meekness quickly being replaced with her usual arrogance. “I was only trying to protect you, Shai Alyt,” she whispered fiercely, closely watching those who passed by. “The crew should not see us like – “

“What do the crew have to do with anything?” Neroon demanded, realizing that he was quickly becoming tired of this continual game Terann seemed to enjoy playing. If he did not know her better, he would almost begin to believe that she was searching for pity. “You are a Minbari, Terann. Perhaps you should begin to behave like one.”

Neroon continued down the hall after that and Terann followed alongside, no longer adopting a manner of subservience. The Shai Alyt simply nodded at the change in her posture and carried on his conversation.

“The repair on the engines is still running slow. I was hoping that some miracle might befall us and we could somehow make it back to Minbar more quickly than we had planned.”

“That is why I am here, Neroon,” Terann stated with confidence. “If the Ingata does fall under attack, I will protect us.”

The Warrior nodded. “So I was told.”

Terann cast him a sideways glance. She was uncertain how to take that comment. She knew he was curious about her abilities but as of yet had never questioned her regarding them. That left her wondering where this confidence, this almost blind loyalty to her had come from. She wanted to believe that Neroon had honest intentions in developing a friendship between them, but she had seen enough of the Universe to know that not everything was always as it seemed. She felt disloyal by questioning Neroon’s sudden change of heart toward her but knew that until she was proven otherwise, she would remain skeptical.

As they neared the crew’s training area, Neroon slowed his steps, halting as they reached the doorway. Terann glanced around his enormous frame, muttering to herself that he made a better door than window, to follow his gaze into the room. Eitann was currently in the throes of defeating one of the other Warriors. It did not appear so much as training to Terann as it did posturing. The smug smile on Eitann’s face said it all, especially when his opponent finally cried out for the match to end and Eitann laughed tauntingly.

“Had enough have you?” He set his arms akimbo and looked around the room. “So, who is next? Anyone with the nerve?”

“I do not like him,” Terann muttered so that only Neroon could hear her.

“He is a good officer,” the Shai Alyt defended. “Loyal, brave. I will admit he is full of bluster but then he is a Warrior, Terann. It is something one is expected to be proud of.”

Terann frowned. Begrudgingly she had to admit that Neroon’s assessment of his first officer were true. She supposed that her dislike of Eitann stemmed from his own apparent dislike of her. He had not hidden his distrust of her, which she supposed was at least honorable – he had not gone behind her back in turning the others against her. No, it appeared he preferred bad-mouthing her only when she was around to hear it, so at least one could not accuse him of being hypocritical.

“How about you, Alyt Terann?”

The telepath snapped out of her reverie to realize that Eitann had just challenged her. His very expression taunted her, from the arrogant smile on his face to the widespread stance of his legs. The other Warriors in the room had turned to regard her as well, and she could tell by their gazes that each one of them was questioning her presence on the Ingata. Terann turned her head up to look at Neroon.

“Shall we continue the conversation later then?”

Neroon glanced down and she could see that though his expression remained hard, his eyes were smiling. “Wipe the floor with him,” he commented quietly.

Terann started forward into the room when Neroon grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

“Do not be afraid to be who you are,” he whispered, his tone implicative.

Terann nodded imperceptivity then moved out into the center of the room where Eitann stood waiting.

To say that her challenger was large was an understatement. Terann always felt diminutive around Neroon. Standing near Eitann, she felt insignificant. He reminded her of a picture she had seen once of an imposing Earth tree known as an oak. Its branches had stretched far into the sky and its trunk was just as wide. It was enormous, daunting and beautiful in its construction. The same was to be said of Eitann. He was the quintessential Minbari Warrior, the perfect example of a master race.

“I must admit, I am surprised you are standing before me,” Eitann commented, looking down at the female before him. She was small but in her eyes was a courage that bordered on recklessness. Eitann had been shocked when his superior officer had informed him that the outcast would be accompanying them back to Minbar. He had tried to tell Neroon that he believed she would be nothing but trouble for them but his superior had not listened, had, in fact, become quite angry over the matter. Neroon had coddled and defended Terann as if she were one of his own. Now Eitann knew he could prove to the Shai Alyt that she was not a true Minbari, and he would send her back to her protector sniveling like the imposter he believed her to be. “I can not decide if this should be looked on as an act of courage or… stupidity.”

“In your case, Eitann, I believe stupidity is all you seem to know,” Terann replied coolly.

The Warrior glowered at her ferociously. “You shall pay for that, freak.”

Eitann activated his denn’bok, whipping it around to catch Terann upside the head before she could block his attack. The unexpected move knocked her to the floor, her weapon skidding out of her hand just beyond her reach. Her opponent moved in quickly, preparing to slam the end of his pike into the small of her back but Terann sensed his approach and quickly rolled out of the way. The ringing sound of his weapon slamming into the floor caused the telepath to wince, realizing that had she not moved he most assuredly would have broken a vertebra or two. She jumped to her feet, moving to grab her denn’bok but Eitann moved to intercept her, knowing that the quickest way to beat her was to keep her away from the weapon.

He moved to swing again but Terann somersaulted over the sweeping weapon, landing in a roll on his left, within an arm’s reach of her denn’bok. She stretched out to grab it when Eitann’s booted foot slammed down hard onto her wrist, the unmistakable crack of bones snapping on impact. Terann hissed at the pain, unwilling to give the Warrior any satisfaction by showing weakness. She swung her legs around, catching Eitann in the back of the knees and bringing him to the ground with a resounding thud. Once her hand was free, she scrambled hurriedly to grab at her weapon and launch back onto her feet. Though her opponent was bulkier than she, he made it up quickly but not in enough time to block the blow to the abdomen that Terann gave him with her pike. The attack barely caused him to flinch and the telepath began to realize that it would take much more physical strength than she possessed to defeat the Warrior.

As she countered to block his next attack, her wrist throbbing painfully as their weapons collided, she found herself briefly considering using her telepathic abilities to win the match but rapidly pushed the idea aside. She had to win this contest fairly or it would mean nothing. Neroon would be unable to respect her if she resorted to something other than brute strength and speed to prevail in the challenge set before her. And the crew that was watching would not appreciate what would surely be seen as cheating, either.

So the match continued, though it was clearly obvious that Eitann’s strength would outlast Terann’s speed and cunning. Eitann quickly learned that the trick to defeating her was not in elaborate moves but violent strikes. The harder he hit, the more she faltered and it was obvious by the pained expression on her face that her wrist was hurting her greatly. Eitann took an enormous delight in concentrating his blows at the wounded appendage, smiling more at each wince of pain he saw flash across her face.

“Ready to give up yet?” He snarled as she moved to counter a swing that he made toward her right temple.

Terann ignored his baiting, focusing all her attention on his attacks and trying not to think of the blinding hot pain that was shooting through her arm and into her shoulder. She stumbled once, providing Eitann with the opportunity to bring his pike down on her broken wrist once more, the pain so intense that Terann could no longer hold onto her weapon and it clattered to the floor. The Warrior quickly took the opportunity to bring his foot up, kicking her hard in the face and knocking her backwards. He then moved in, kicking her in the ribs twice before bringing his pike down end first into her abdomen. Terann doubled over from the strike, lights exploding before her eyes, as her entire body seemed to scream out from the beating she was taking.

“You are a Minbari, Terann. Perhaps you should begin to behave like one.” Neroon’s words echoed through her mind and Terann began to understand what he had meant. “Do not be afraid to be who you are.” She was Minbari, no matter what Eitann or any of the rest of the crew said. She was born Minbari, raised Minbari… and she would die Minbari. But beneath it all, she was more than a Minbari, more than a Vorlon, more than any label that others attached to her. She was Terann. And she was alive and she had a purpose and no one was going to take from her the person that resided deep within her heart.

As Eitann brought his pike over his head, preparing for a final, match-winning blow, he suddenly froze, an expression of pure confusion on his face. He remained that way; his disbelieving gaze watching Terann as she slowly struggled to her feet. She was breathing hard, a trickle of blood at the edge of her mouth, her sleeve ripped where he had crushed her wrist beneath his boots, her arm hanging uselessly at her side. She approached Eitann slowly, her eyes never leaving his. Then, with careful deliberation, she brought her leg up and kicked him hard in the abdomen, once, twice, three times, all the while the big Warrior making no move to block or attack. The other Warriors watching began to grow nervous, their whispered voices carrying throughout the room as they attempted to solve the mystery before them.

Terann circled behind Eitann, snatching his weapon from his immobile hands and using it with her one good hand to hit him hard behind the knees, bringing him to the ground.

“How does it feel, Eitann?” She mocked. “To have someone use their considerable talents against you? For so long you have used your strength against others that you are unable to comprehend someone else using their own strength against you.”

Slowly, comprehension fell over Eitann and his face became a mask of pure hatred. “Imposter! Have you not the courage to fight me as a Warrior? Or must you fall back on your freakish abilities?”

Terann’s eyes narrowed and suddenly the snapping of bones could be heard around the room as Eitann screamed out in pain, pulling his left hand in close to his chest as if to somehow protect it from the invisible forces that were ravaging it. She ended her attack when the last bone in his fingers had been broken in two.

“That was for my wrist,” she commented before turning and slowly moving out of the training circle.

Eitann was not about to let it end there though. Once he realized that the invisible hold she had placed on him was no longer keeping him immobile, Eitann launched to his feet, charging her with a guttural wail. Terann whirled around, fixing him once more with a furious glare before he was suddenly lifted off his feet by invisible hands and tossed back against the bulkhead, his skull slamming against the wall with a loud crack. Two of the spectators hurried forward, helping the first officer to his feet as Neroon finally stepped away from the doorway, moving to Terann.

“Did I not tell you, Neroon?” Eitann shouted, pulling away from those helping him to stomp over to where his superior stood beside the telepath. “She does not belong here! She cannot fight as a Warrior! She is a freak! An impurity! Do you see what she has done to my hand?”

Neroon glanced down at the slight female standing beside him, her body trembling fiercely though he could not tell if it were from her injuries or anger. He looked back at his first officer, who was obviously prepared to do murder and commented, “I am afraid, Eitann, that your accusations go unwarranted. Alyt Terann fought as bravely and honorably as any other Warrior. She felled you by using those gifts that are unique to her. She sized up the situation, realized that she could not beat your strength and found another way with which to defeat you. And she did so while also allowing you to live, though your slander and accusations against her are cause enough for her not to.” Neroon allowed his gaze to roam the room, taking in each of the Warriors who stood there watching. “I hope that this makes things clear enough that there should be no more questioning regarding where Alyt Terann fits in. She is a member of this crew and will be treated with the respect she is due.”

Terann swayed unsteadily as Neroon touched her arm, the ache of her body and the strain from the use of her telepathic powers taking their toll. She glanced up at Neroon, prepared to offer him her thanks but he shook his head in the negative, letting her know that now was not the time. She trusted his counsel and turned to follow him out the door, the room of Warriors watching them in silence. All eyes then strayed back to Eitann who had also watched the pair leave, his fist clenching at his side.

For the first time since she had left Babylon 5, Terann found herself thinking of Aelora. She was thinking how easily the Human would heal her wrist and then what would Eitann say when Terann appeared before him without a single injury? The thought caused Terann to smile even though her broken wrist was still throbbing. She had gone to see the onboard Healer and he had wrapped the bones, instructing her not to participate in anymore training until she was fully healed. Terann refrained from telling him she would have preferred not to participate in the last one.

Her senses alert, Terann knew Neroon was standing at her door before he rang the chime. Remembering his irritation with her last time, she waited until she heard the peal before calling out for him to enter.

The large Warrior entered, immediately seeking her out with his gaze. “Ah, Terann. I thought you had gone to see the Healer.”

She held up her wrist, displaying pale blue bandages for him to see. “I was told no more rough-housing or else I would be sent to my room without supper.”

Neroon grimaced. “It is not a laughing matter, Terann. Eitann had no right to attack you as viciously as he had. If it were not that you would have been seen as less of a Minbari by the crew I would have ended the fight.”

“It was not as bad as all that, Neroon,” Terann lied, wincing as she stood. She was quickly discovering that she had muscles she never knew existed.

“As compared to what?” Neroon asked incredulously. “Cuddling with a Zarg?”

Terann allowed a smile at that. “Is there something you needed?”

Neroon glanced around for a moment, appearing nervous, even indecisive. It was bizarre behavior for him and Terann was about to comment on it when he replied, “I have come to check on you…to see if you are all right.”

“I am fine, Neroon,” she answered, thinking that would give him leave to go back to his work.

But Neroon did not leave as Terann thought he would and her puzzlement grew. He moved over to her, gently taking her injured wrist in his hand and examining it carefully. Terann was so bewildered by his actions that she could only comment, “If you want one I am sure the Healer has extra.”

Neroon ignored her sarcasm, wincing as he considered the damage that his first officer could have done to her. For all the power that Terann had within her, her body was delicate and fragile. She was petite for being Warrior Caste and, as such, the demands she asked of her body were sometimes too great. Neroon could only be thankful for her grand gifts that she was able to fall back on for her own protection. He continued to hold her hand, his thumb gently rubbing against the skin on the underside of her arm.

“You should have had more care, Terann. You are smaller than him, faster. You should have concentrated on evading Eitann as opposed to attacking him.”

Terann blinked, her concentration broken by the simple caress against her skin. She attempted to pull her hand away but Neroon’s hold on her tightened imperceptibly. “I…” She began, trying to collect her thoughts. What’s wrong with me? She wondered. Did Eitann hit me in the head when I was not looking? “One will never gain respect by running away, Neroon. Eventually you have to make a stand.”

“Yes, you do,” Neroon agreed pointedly and Terann found herself wondering if they were still talking about the fight.

Neroon finally relinquished his hold enough for Terann to pull away and she immediately distanced herself across the room. “If there is nothing else, Neroon,” she said, hoping that he took her subtle cue. “I am exhausted and would like some time alone.”

The Shai Alyt started toward the door, hesitated then turned around to face her once more. “What is it, Terann?” He asked finally, his brow furrowed. “Why does it seem that you are constantly doing your best to avoid prolonged contact with me?”

The telepath felt his frustration wash over her. She did not understand why he was becoming so worked up, his emotions beginning to bombard her with their intensity. She forced a stronger block up, not wishing to invade his privacy. “I am not avoiding you, Shai Alyt.”

“What then?” He took a step toward her. “I was hoping that we could become close, Terann, but you continually fight me.”

“Close?” Terann frowned. “Why? Why this sudden urge to get ‘close to me’, Neroon? It was never there before. Why this sudden interest? You never cared whether I lived or died before.”

“Oh I cared, Terann,” Neroon insisted. “More than I care to admit. From the moment I first met you, I knew there was something special. You had a spirit that would never die, one that could never be held down. But you were an outcast, reviled and shunned by our Caste. How was I to go against that?”

Terann lifted her chin defiantly. “And what makes things so different now? I have not heard anyone from our Caste welcoming me in with open arms. Except for what you tell me and who says that I am to believe you?”

“Can you not trust ---?”

“No, Neroon,” she snapped. “I can not trust. I cannot trust you or Eitann or Durhann or Shakiri or even Delenn, who I served beside for so very long. Lately, I have even begun to question the wisdom of my blind trust in Dukhat, whom I loved like a father. What makes you so different? Why should I suddenly believe that because you bring me on board the Ingata and tell me that I should spend some time on Minbar that all is right in the Universe? Do not take me for a fool, Neroon. I am not so naïve as to believe that someone as respected and revered by his Caste as you are would push past convention in his desire to be with me, the outcast.”

“Terann, things change. That is one constant in the Universe.”

The female scoffed at that. “Neroon, not too long ago you almost killed me. Remember that? Had it not been for the kindness of a Human, I would have died! And now…now you care?”

The Warrior clenched his fists at his side, his frustration mounting steadily. If there was one thing that could be said about Terann it was her obstinacy. He could swear no matter what he said to her, she would challenge him on it. He did not know if she was this way with everyone or just him but he would put a stop to it. If there were barriers to be torn down and lines to cross in order to gain her trust than in Valen’s name he would do so.

Terann had no idea what Neroon’s intentions were as he approached her, only that his frustration continued to penetrate her block and his expression was one that looked ready to kill. She backed away as he neared her, suddenly fearing that he meant to strike her and knowing that she would never retaliate against him. What she did not expect was his reaching out and grabbing her by the shoulders to pull her roughly against him, his mouth slamming down on hers ardently. Terann’s mind immediately went into turmoil as his lips assaulted hers crushing any doubt she had of his desire with determined intensity.

At first she fought to pull away but Neroon held her fast, his mouth gentling against hers until she relaxed into him her mind giving way to the need that rose through her; a burning need for love and affection that she had so long denied herself. She returned his kisses with a strange combination of naïve inexpertise and instinctive sensuality that served to drive him wild.

He took what she offered, took what he had wanted from the first moment he had touched her. He took it mindlessly, driven by a violent compulsion to have her; he took with a determination and urgency and hunger that stunned and aroused him. A wild, primitive mating for him and yet one he wanted – needed – to know was as exciting for her. Pride drove him to make certain she wanted him with a desperation that matched his, and he used all his experience to battle down the defenses of an inexperienced young female who had not any idea how to withstand it.

Terann battled between wanting to become lost in the exquisite new sensations washing over her and blocking the emotions from Neroon that threatened to consume her. She knew that what she was about to allow could be dangerous for her, for once a telepath gave way to their inhibitions, they opened themselves up to their mate, at the same time pulling their mate deeply within them. Terann knew she could not yet trust Neroon so completely, could not yet give him that part of her that was locked away in a secret compartment of her soul. Sadly, she forced down the emotions that rushed through her at his touch, his caress, his kiss, letting only the physical aspects of what he was doing to her take over. She felt the cool air touch her skin as he practically tore her uniform from her body, arched against the feeling of his warm hands as they moved over her, touching her in places no other ever had. She was surprised at the sound of the low moan that came from deep within her throat when Neroon’s mouth captured her taut nipple, drawing hard on it until she writhed in his embrace, clutching him tightly.

He lifted her in his arms, carrying her over to the couch where he gently laid her against the cushions. It was the first time she had a chance to see his naked form and her breath caught in her throat at the sight. He was as beautifully built as any Warrior should be, every part of him chiseled and angled as if carved from stone. He lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms once more, his hands roaming over her smooth skin, his touch gentling as if assuring her that he would not cause her harm. He caressed her hips and inner thighs, finally pressing a finger deep within her wet warmth and teasing her nipple with his tongue until she was arching against him and crying out for the culmination of something elusive she did not understand. Only then did he take her, parting her thighs with both hands and driving into her with just enough restraint to keep from shoving her into the armrest. Wrapping his arms around her, he took her mouth in a stormy demanding kiss and felt her hands shifting softly over his shoulders, gentling him at the same time her melting body was welcoming him, sheathing him, offering them both release.

Every nerve in his body was screaming for release and still he held himself back, driving deeply into her, while the muscles in his arms strained with the rest of his body, refusing to deprive her of the same pleasure she was going to give him any second now. She was whimpering, eyes closed tightly; desperate for that thing she did not understand, afraid to have it. Afraid not to. Sobbing with desire, needing reassurance. Her fragile hold on the block threatened to give way as she went up in flames, her body clenching his and she heard Neroon groan with the extravagant splendor she was somehow making him feel. And then he gave himself over to it, driving toward it, and then past it, his body jerking with the force of his climax.

The mental block that Terann had been forced to erect quickly crumbled as the foreign and magnificent sensations continued to wash through her body. She gave way to it as Neroon pulled her into a tight embrace, allowing, for the first time in her life, the feeling of being wanted to consume her body and soul.

Gazing at the small child before her, Terann struggled against the fear that had suddenly formed within her. This time there was no confusion, no guessing, as she knew that it was the Vorlons that had once again pulled her into the past. She cursed them for constantly plaguing her sleep with their endless riddles. Her entire life she cherished the times when they would come to her, reassuring her, comforting her, showing her that there was truly a reason for her existence. But now, after all their threats and demands she found herself fearful. For in her heart she knew that in the end, she could not resist them.

The young girl, no more than four or five, sat quietly on the floor, her legs tucked under her dark robes. She was small for her age; her skin pale in the dim light, her head bearing faint blue markings that would eventually be cover by her headcrest. Terann was shocked by how innocent and vulnerable the younger version of herself was. Her untrained mind leaked thoughts randomly and Terann found herself awed by the strength of the girl’s gift. Never before had the true nature of her abilities been so apparent to her.

In front of her, the young Terann had carefully laid out several objects: a dark green crystal, a small metal sphere, a lit candle and a small scrap of metal ‘stolen’ from one of the recycling units. For several moments the girl focused on the candle’s flame, calming her mind, before first selecting the green crystal. She held it in her hand, clenching it with her tiny fingers. She then flattened her hand focusing her abilities on the delicate stone. At first nothing happened, and Terann could feel the girl’s growing frustration. Then as the child lowered her fragile barriers, the stone began to shake in her hand before raising several inches from her palm. A smile formed quickly on her face and it was clear that she was immensely pleased with herself. Terann also smiled, remembering the elation she had felt when she, herself, had first begun to explore her telekinetic abilities. Now such things were as natural to her as breathing. But back then, when her talents were still so new to her, she had felt as if she had moved the world.

Next, she reached for the metal sphere, cupping it in her hands, feeling it, and noting its weight, before setting it back in front of her. Terann felt her focus her abilities on the ball hoping to roll it across the room. This time the results came more quickly and the ball moved silently across the floor coming to a stop against the wall several meters away from her. Pulling her eyes away from it, she exhaled deeply, forcing down the confidence that was building in her. Calming her mind once again she turned her attention back to the orb. She pulled gently at it with her mind, first willing, then begging it to return to her outstretched hand. Stubbornly it refused, remaining where it had come to rest. After several minutes, the girl sighed deeply clearly disappointed with her failure, then rose to her feet to retrieve the ball. Settling back to the floor, her attention was pulled toward the door as it swished open. Terann lifted her eyes as well, a heavy feeling settling in her heart as she watched a young warrior enter the room.

“Mother,” she said softly, at the same instant as her younger counterpart.

The woman smiled at her child. “Hello Terann,” she said gently, but something in her voice, something Terann could feel, betrayed the woman’s pleasantness. It was all Kelann said to her daughter, before taking a seat before the computer console and calling up ship reports.

Terann looked back at the young child again, before slowly moving to stand close to her mother. A sad feeling washed over her as she regarded her silently, realizing how much she had forgotten about her in the years since her death. It was not so much her appearance or the way she carried herself; it was something subtler. The sense of her, the familiar feel of her presence, all these things rushed back to Terann. Yet aside from this there was something more, something dark and ominous. It was not anything that Terann could put her finger on, just a feeling that she was seeing something that she hadn’t before.

She glanced back at the girl on the floor who had returned to her exercises. As she did she noticed that the girls concentration was gone, and she constantly looked back over her shoulder toward her mother. Terann realized what she sought and knew that she would not find it. As the minutes past in silence, Terann could feel her younger self’s anger mount. Finally the girl stood and in a very childlike manner, stomped over to her mother’s side. She stood there silently, waiting to be noticed. Finally she huffed loudly, drawing the attention she so desperately wanted.

“What is it Terann?” Her mother demanded her tone clearly annoyed with the interruption.

“Watch this,” the young girl said a self-satisfied smile on her face. She then opened her clenched hand dropping the metal fragment on the table before her. Holding her opened hand, palm down a few inches above the piece of metal, she called upon every ounce of strength her small body possessed. Terann could feel the depth of the child’s concentration, marveling at the focus she now possessed. In her anger at her mother’s ignorance of her, the small child had managed to channel her abilities in a way she never had before, allowing them to build within her before setting them loose. The young Terann cast a quick glance at her mother, making certain that she was watching, before closing her fist. The metal fragment jumped then crumpled into a mangled mass.

At her accomplishment the girl smiled broadly, before bringing her eyes up to meet her mother’s. Almost instantly, her smile faded as she was met with a harsh glare. The young warrior grabbed her child’s hands roughly, clasping them between her own causing the girl to cringe in pain.

“What is it mother? I do not understand,” she asked in fear and confusion.

“Never, Terann,” Kelann instructed harshly. “Never are you to do that again.”

“But…”

Kelann clenched harder onto the small hands, shaking the frightened child. “Do not question me, Terann.” She continued to stare at the girl for a long moment before releasing her.

The girl regarded her mother, as she returned her attention to the console. “You are afraid,” she said before she could stop herself.

“Yes Terann I am,” the Warrior said, before turning back to her child. “Terann, the others will not understand, so you must keep this a secret. You do not wish to make them angry, do you Terann?”

The young girl shook her head sadly then returned to her spot on the floor to gather up her things.

Terann watched as her younger self then disappeared into one of the adjoining rooms, before turning back to her mother. She did sense in her a fear, but it was not directed at her child. Now Terann could see what she had failed to see so long ago. Her mother was fearful for herself, afraid of what the others would think of her if they found out what her child was capable of. She could sense the woman’s own revulsion at what her daughter had just shown her and was confused by it. Never had she imagined that her mother had felt this way, and was eager to dismiss it as another of the Vorlon’s tricks. Yet something inside her told her that what she was seeing and feeling was in fact true. Memories, such as the one before her, returned to her lending credence to what she was sensing.

Terann glanced sadly at the young girl as she returned to the room carrying an ancient text in her arms. She settled into a quiet corner and silently opened it, desperate to forget her mother’s dismissal of her. Kelann too, looked over at her child, and Terann took the opportunity to probe at her thoughts. What she found sent piercing pain through her heart. Kelann’s antipathy went far beyond her child’s gift, far beyond anything Terann had ever imagined. At the revelation, she narrowed her eyes at her mother.

“You never loved me,” she stated in horror, not expecting a reply. Her presence up until this moment had gone unnoticed, as if she was merely witnessing events from so long ago, rather than being a part of them.

To her surprise Kelann pulled her eyes away from her young daughter to focus them on Terann. Slowly she rose to her feet, apparently disturbed by Terann’s accusation. She moved her eyes to look at her child once more, but she had disappeared, leaving the room heavy with silence. Turning her back to Terann she finally answered. “I cared for you, Terann.”

“You lie!” Terann spat at her, reaching out to grab the other woman’s arm forcing her to face her.

“No Terann, it is you that lies. To yourself!” Kelann stated, pulling her arm from her daughter’s grasp. “You delude yourself into thinking that this is where you belong, that the Minbari are your people.”

“The Minbari are my people,” the telepath shouted in response.

“Are you such a fool that you would honestly believe this?” Her mother asked incredulously. “Do you honestly think that you could ever stand among them as an equal? You have always been seen as an obscenity. Constantly treated as a pariah, someone to be looked down upon, pitied. Those that did show compassion did so only out of a sense of charity.

“You have no idea what it means to be accepted, to be valued by your caste and clan; to have your whole life before you then have it suddenly stripped away. I do Terann. I know how it feels to be robbed of everything that you hold dear, to have every shred of honor and pride torn from you and then be cast aside in shame.”

Terann turned away from her mother, not wanting to show her how her words had hurt, trying desperately to once again, blame the Vorlons for what was happening around her. But Kelann would have nothing of it. “Does my honesty hurt you Terann?” She almost mocked. “I had thought I had raised you better than that.”

“You did not raise me at all!” Terann spat, her green eyes flashing. “You constantly turned your back on me, leaving me to fend for myself. Were you so blind that you could not see when a young child needed you? Were you so selfish….”

“Do not ever accuse me of being selfish,” Kelann shouted at her. “I never wanted any of this and if I had known, it never would have happened… Not to me!

“You have no idea, do you? No idea what I gave up for you. For them! Look at you… what you can do. You are a freak. Do you know how I longed to rip you from my body? To show Dukhat and the Vorlons that I would not allow myself to be violated in such a way? Do you know how I wanted to hold you up in front of my caste and reveal you for the obscenity that you are?”

“Then why did you not?” Terann demanded her upset reaching the breaking point. “I can feel your disgust, even now as you look at me. I see now that no matter how hard I tried it was never enough. You resented me, blamed me for your being declared outcast. You never saw me as your daughter, you only saw me as something to be shunned. If you did not want me….”

“I did not want you, Terann,” Kelann replied venomously. “But I was too afraid to defy them. Just as Dukhat was.”

Terann furrowed her brow in confusion. “But Dukhat…”

“Dukhat was a fool, Terann.” She interrupted. “He had no idea what the Vorlons were asking of us. He knew the Shadows would return knew that we would need help. So he became obsessed with making contact with them. He was desperate, so when they came to him asking for a ‘diplomatic envoy’ he eagerly obliged. Dukhat had no idea what their true motives were, no idea of what they were going to do to me. So when they robbed me of my genetic material, stole every ounce of my dignity and returned me in shame he protected you, guarded his greatest mistake. The truth would have harmed him as well as me, so we were forced into silence. Eventually he accepted you, taking you under his charge, ensuring you were prepared for whatever it was the Vorlons had planned.”

“But you never did. You never understood that I did not ask for any of this, that all I wanted was to be seen as Minbari. I am as much a victim of the Vorlons as you were. They have used me in ways you cannot even begin to imagine, abusing my mind and body whenever they see fit to do so, teaching me things I never had any desire to learn.”

“You make yourself a victim, Terann,” Kelann admonished. “You do not have to remain here, yet you choose to. You know in your heart that you are not Minbari and you do not blame others for thinking the same. You look at yourself and know you are an imposter. You hate to admit that you do not belong here, hate to see that everyone who saw fit to shun you was correct to do so.”

“That’s not true!” Terann shouted in desperation. “I am Minbari – I am a part of you! And no one – not even you, my own mother, can take that away from me!”

“You are so innocent, Terann. So foolish. It is that alone that makes you an imposter. You are too blind to see the truths that stand before you, too stubborn to admit that perhaps a travesty such as yourself was never meant to exist.”

The pain knifed through her. A travesty! Her own mother wished for the end of her existence…

…And sadly, Terann knew she was right.

“I hate you,” Terann spat with the obstinacy of a child. “I hate you!”

Kelann only smiled without kindness. “There you are. Hate me with everything you have, Terann. It will never change the fact that I should have taken my own life before allowing your creation…”

Terann cried out in her sleep, her eyes flying open, immersing her in the darkness of the room around her. Sensing a presence on the pallet beside her, she recoiled from it instinctively before her mind remembered the events of the night before.

Neroon reached out to touch her cheek reassuringly. “It was just a dream, Terann.”

She nodded to him imperceptibly, though her mind refused to accept it as merely a dream. It had been too real to ignore; every nuance was exactly as she recalled from so many years ago. Still she was reluctant to accept the conversation with her mother so freely. The Vorlons had toyed with her countless times in the past and she had an almost uncontrollable urge to dismiss it as such. Yet something in her mind nagged at her, telling her to trust in her nightmares, that she was finally seeing the truth. She recalled the first dream she had had, and then the most recent, realizing that she had merely been lying to herself, deceiving herself in someway. Once again she felt the familiar sense of isolation wash over her and she found herself moving closer to Neroon, seeking comfort in his embrace.

Picking up on her distress, he put his arm around her, pulling her toward him until her body was pressed up against his. “Are you all right?” He asked her softly.

She nodded. “I am fine. Traveling through hyperspace is difficult for a telepath. It is nothing more than that.”

“You do not lie well, Terann.” He admonished.

“Please Neroon, I said ‘I am fine’.” Then noticing the change in his emotions at her harsh tone, she quickly moved to rectify things. “I am sorry, Neroon, I just haven’t been sleeping well. I’m sorry to have awakened you.”

He smiled at her, gently caressing the side of her face. “You did not awaken me.” At her confused expression he attempted to explain. “I… I was watching you.”

Terann furrowed her brow in disbelief. “Considering we disregarded seventeen other rituals tonight, I am surprised you would choose to observe that one. Besides, am I not the one that is supposed to be watching you?”

“Yes Terann, but with you it would appear to be a moot point. To see my true face, you could simply scan me. You, however, remain a mystery to me. Every time it appears that I have broken through one of your barriers, you erect another, stronger one in it’s place. Even earlier, when you gave so freely of yourself, you seemed… distant, as if somehow you were detaching yourself. Did I not please you?”

“Of course you did, Neroon.” She answered quickly.

“Then what is it, Terann?”

Terann was surprised at how open his emotions were to her, how he had effectively torn away all of his inhibitions, if only to assure her that she could trust him and that his feelings for her were genuine. She allowed his emotions to permeate her blocks, filling her with the unfamiliar sensations of being needed and wanted and desired. She dared herself to trust him, but sadly she knew that emotions could be denied, hidden and buried. She had seen Neroon, himself, come to her in friendship only to turn and dismiss her out of hand. Finally she replied simply. “You do not understand the nature of telepathic ability. Intimacy can be dangerous for a telepath. If allowed, there is a mental aspect beyond the physicality of it; it is almost as if the two souls are joined. It is a powerful experience, one I did not believe either of us was prepared for.”

“Because you are still unable to trust me?” The hurt was evident in Neroon’s voice.

“It is not that, Neroon,” she reassured him truthfully. It was herself that she was unable to trust, or more precisely, her ability to hide all that was alien within her. She knew she could never reveal that part of her, no matter how much she longed to. To do so would only guarantee her alienation from the Minbari. After several moments of silence she finally responded. “There are things about me, Neroon, that I have never shared with anyone. I am… afraid—“

“You do not need to be Terann,” he told her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Not anymore.”

Her green eyes searched his features, looking for the reassurance she so desperately needed. Then hesitantly she leaned into his embrace, pressing her lips to his, while she moved her hand across the bare skin of his chest. As Neroon responded to her, she parted her lips to gently tease his tongue with her own, trembling slightly at the touch of his warm hands on her bare flesh. Slowly then, she began to detach herself from the physical sensations that raced through her body, forcing her mind to focus. At first she questioned if what she was planning was truly possible. Many times, during her stay on the Vorlon homeworld, they had demanded that she strip away all within her that was Minbari, but never had she ever attempted to shed her Vorlon side. It was a difficult thing, requiring much of her concentration, but eventually she began to free herself of it. She sifted through each of her thoughts and all of her memories, gathering up everything within her that was alien. She then locked it away, in the farthest reaches of her mind, building a wall, brick by brick, to surround it, until finally a stronghold stood. Forcing her mind to relax, she returned to the reality that enveloped her, feeling vulnerable without the strength of her Vorlon half. Pushing all trepidation aside, she focused on Neroon, allowing his emotions to wash over her before finally opening her own to him.

Neroon deepened his kiss while allowing his hands to run over her soft skin. He quickly found the places she liked to be touched then centered his attentions on them, eliciting a soft sigh from her. His mouth trailed down her cheek to her neck, where he nipped lightly at first, then harder as her reactions increased.

Terann’s fingers danced across Neroon’s taut flesh, roaming down his stomach to his leg. She traced the inside of his thigh with her nails, scratching him lightly as he moaned softly in her ear. Her hand then slowly moved to take hold of his erect member, stroking him, reveling in the storm of emotions that washed through him. Sensing his almost burning need to have her, she moved over the top of him, positioning herself above his sex. She then swept any lingering reservations aside, catching his gaze with hers, then took his hand in hers, instructing him not to let go. As their fingers intertwined she thrust downward onto him, sheathing him in her fully. He matched her rhythm yet allowed her to lead conceding all control to her. As they moved in unison, Neroon felt the odd sensation of her entering his mind, yet he gave himself over to it, allowing the essence of her to wash over him.

Terann worked her way into his thoughts, taking care not to harm him. She then lowered the last of her barriers and allowed their souls to touch, at first tentatively, then with fewer inhibitions as the sensations consumed them. They drifted away from the physicality of their coupling centering on their mental bonding.

The experience was unlike any Terann had ever felt before, and she found herself eager to become lost in the core of him, allowing Neroon’s strength to wash over her in tides. She discovered in him everything she had ever sought; the feelings of pride and acceptance that had forever eluded her. Through him she felt what it meant to be valued and embraced by their caste. She saw the pride on the faces of his clan, felt his own sense of honor at his ability to serve his people. She lived his life through his eyes in a matter of minutes and sadly realized how much she lacked in hers.

Neroon sensed Terann’s upset and immediately knew from where it stemmed. He witnessed all the hatred and anger she had been forced to endure, watched the many times she had been dismissed and rejected by those who were meant to care for her. He sensed every ounce of her pain as he relived, through her, the countless times she had tried to prove herself only to be cast aside in shame. Only now did he fully understand her anguish and know the reasons behind her lack of trust.

Neroon then felt her mind withdrawal from his, bringing them both back to their physical mating. As he felt her nearing release he pulled himself up to take her in his arms, driving himself into her, pushing her over the edge in to the bliss that awaited her, quickly following her as her body clenched onto his.

As their movements stilled, Terann tried desperately to bury the pain that stormed through her. Never had she imagined everything she had denied in her existence. All the pain and anguish burned through her, threatening to overwhelm her. Wrapping her arms around Neroon, she pulled him tightly to her, attempting to fill the void within her. But to no avail. The pain and anger were too close to the surface to be silenced. Never had she imagined the scars that her exile had left within her, always believing she had become immune to her people’s disdain. But now, having bared her soul to Neroon, she realized that she had only been fooling herself, that even from the first moments of her life she had locked them away, in the far reaches of her mind, where they lay in wait. Now having been released, they raged through her at a staggering rate making it impossible for Terann to control them and soon she was clenching her eyes shut, begging her mind to calm.

Neroon held her tightly in his embrace, feeling her body tremble in the aftermath of their lovemaking. He knew that what she had just done, by baring her soul to him, was mentally and emotionally draining. Anger washed over him, as he recounted the things he had experienced through her. Silently he cursed their caste for their treatment of her, yet deep down he knew that in some ways they were justified. If only they could see how special Terann truly was, if they would simply take the time to come to know and understand her as he now was beginning to. But sadly he knew that she had tried in the past to sway their opinion of her, had tried countless times to prove herself to them only to be discarded once again.

He was pulled from his reverie as he felt a warm tear fall onto the bare flesh of his back. Pulling away from her slightly he cupped her face in his hands, brushing the remains of the stray tear from her cheek. He searched her features, trying to reassure her, before speaking.

“You don’t have to be alone anymore, Terann. I promise—“

“Don’t Neroon,” she shook her head, not wanting him to make assurances he was unable to keep.

“Trust me, Terann,” he demanded ardently. “If only this once, believe in me. I won’t leave you.”

Terann nodded her acquiescence to him imperceptibly, if only to mollify him, desperate to believe that he truly would not leave her. Though both in her heart and in her mind she knew, if given the truth, he would do just that.

Terann focused on the candle before her, attempting to calm her mind. With the Ingata being less than a day from Minbar, the crew worked fervently to prepare the ship for its return home. Their relief washed over her until she found herself wanting to join them in their excitement. They all believed that since they had come this far without attracting the attention of the Shadows that they were safe. Terann, however, was not so convinced. Aside from the dreams she had been having, she had heard little from the Vorlons and this concerned her. Even when they didn’t speak to her directly she would still have a sense of their presence. But now they felt incredibly distant and no matter how desperately she reached out to them she remained cold and alone. She did not believe they were rejecting her, merely ignoring her, as if there were more pressing matters that they needed to attend to. This was where her fears lay. Despite Kosh’s warnings, Sheridan had gone to Z’ha’dum altering the course of the war and she worried that in his arrogance, Sheridan had inadvertently forced the Vorlons to do something extreme.

She forced back her fear and doubts, attempting to once again focus her mind. Regardless of what the Vorlons were planning, if anything, she knew she had to keep her mind centered on ensuring the Ingata arrived safely at Minbar. Still something at the farthest reaches of her mind nagged at her, warning her not to dismiss her concerns so quickly, telling her they were justified. She focused once again on the flame set before her, giving herself over to it and the serenity that it offered.

Terann found herself standing amidst a desolate world. Once beautiful architecture lay reduced to ruins all around her and the otherwise bustling city now slept in an eerie silence. Absently she kicked at the arid dirt at her feet wondering silently what could have caused such devastation. Choking back a cough caused from breathing in the dust filled air, she forced herself forward, seeking answers she was not certain she wanted.

When she came upon the first of the dead she found herself cursing under her breath. He appeared to be barely middle aged and though his clothes were badly torn and singed she could tell they were Centauri in design. Bending down she touched his arm pulling him toward her until he lay on his back. His head flopped sideways, his lifeless eyes falling on her. Like his clothes, his face was badly burned and what little remained of his hair was heavily crusted with blood. Knowing the Centauri was beyond help, she slowly lifted her eyes hoping to find any sign of life, anything that would supply answers to her endless questions. Her heart weighed heavy in her chest as she was met with only more horror as countless others seemed to materialize out of the nothingness around her. All were Centauri and all were as lifeless as the corpse at her feet. She whirled around in dread, her eyes falling on each of the hundreds, if not thousands, of dead as she called out in desperation only to be answered with terrifying silence.

Glancing back at the body at her feet, the Centauri’s features worked into her memories sparking a sense of familiarity. She could not place where she knew him from until her eyes fell on the body of a Centauri woman beside him. Like him, her body was battered, her once beautiful face burned almost beyond recognition. In her arms she clenched onto the lifeless form of a young girl.

Anissa! Terann’s mind realized in dread, as she bent down to pry the young girl from her mother’s grasp. Cradling the girl’s inert body in her arms she swallowed back the tears that threatened. Gently she reached out to touch the girl’s mind, hoping that by some miracle the child had been spared, retching when greeted by the cold, hollow feel of her. She clenched her eyes shut, willing the horror that surrounded her to disappear, begging for an end to the insanity.

But it did not end. Even though her eyes were closed to the carnage around her, Terann could see it. She knew every detail, could smell the stench of decay as it overwhelmed her senses. She clenched Anissa’s lifeless form closer to her, fighting back her anguish, trying to make sense of everything around her. What could have caused the massive devastation and the countless dead? How far did the destruction stretch? Could it possibly be planet wide?

With the thought that the devastation had not been confined to just the city, Terann felt her knot form in her stomach. If this was in fact Centauri Prime, what about Aelora?

“Impressed aren’t you?”

Terann started at the angered voice behind her and after laying Anissa’s body back on the ground she raised to her feet. Turning she was horrified to find Aelora standing behind her. She too was severely injured, her face charred and bloodied and both of her arms were quite visibly broken. What hair she still had was singed almost to her scalp and her clothes were bloody and torn.

Terann moved toward her wounded friend, offering her hand. “In Valen’s name, Aelora…”

“Don’t touch me!” Aelora shouted at her, pushing away from the Minbari.

“I am only trying to help,” Terann replied in confusion. “You need medical attention.”

“I don’t want anything from you,” the Human spat at her. “It’s because of you that all this happened?”

“Aelora, you are not making any sense. Did the Shadows do this?”

“The Shadows,” Aelora laughed without humor. “You are so blind, Terann. Always so ready to shift the blame… Away from yourself.”

“Me? How could I have done this?” Terann asked incredulously.

“You don’t understand do you? You don’t see what they have done to my world? What you allowed to happen!

“Always so trusting, aren’t you Terann? You never question them; never dream of opposing them. How many have to die, Terann, before you realize how wrong they truly are?”

Terann turned away from her friend, her anger and confusion mounting. No matter how she hard she struggled to understand, nothing the Human said made sense. She clenched her fists at her side all the while attempting to block Aelora’s taunts from her mind.

The Human, however, would have nothing of it and she strode over to the Minbari, roughly taking hold of her arm to force her to face her once again. “That’s it, Terann. Run away, ignore me, and ignore the cries of the millions that will die. Be a good little Vorlon, do their bidding, and be their plaything. After all they are right, aren’t they?”

“The Vorlons did this?” She asked in disbelief. “But…”

She was about to ask ‘why?’ but the answer had already formed. The Centauri had been in an alliance with the Shadows that had begun between Londo and Morden. This association had quickly spiraled out of control, consuming the Narn homeworld and now Centauri Prime. Could this truly be what the Vorlons were planning? Is this why they had remained silent? In their uncertainty about her loyalties, she knew they would be unable to trust her. So they had isolated her, pushed her aside, coming to her only to demand that she choose between them and the Minbari. Only now did she fully understand their urgency. But how could she allow herself to become a part of the madness that surrounded her? As much as she loved the Vorlons, agreed with them, needed to be a part of them, in her heart she knew she could not support the destruction of whole worlds. She clenched her eyes shut the full weight of the decision before her settling over her. To remain the person she was would mean the blood of millions on her hands, yet to live without that special part of her was almost as unthinkable.

Opening her eyes again, she turned back to Aelora who, though still stood, was quite clearly dead. Behind her now stood a Vorlon. Terann regarded him with a mixture of fear and confusion until he spoke:

“Everything touched must die!”

The Minbari felt an intense cold wash over her as something massive passed in front of the sun, blocking its warmth. She turned to look up, her breath catching in her throat as she caught sight of a Planet Killer as it eclipsed the Centauri sun. In terror she glance back to Aelora who, at that moment, like the bodies at her feet, began to smolder into ash before scattering like leaves in the wind.

Terann’s breath caught in her throat in horror as she started from her vision. And it had to have been a vision, she concluded, as none of the usual sensations of the Vorlons had accompanied it. As much as she tried to force the horrible images from her mind, she realized now what the Vorlons were planning and why they had become so distant. How could they have lost so much control? Terann found herself wondering. She had always seen them as being so much more than the lesser races, better in many ways. Always had she believed them to be infallible, incapable of the brutality of the younger races, even the Minbari. Only now did she see how mislead she had truly been. Yet something inside her was fearful as she knew that, despite all the strength she possessed, if they needed her there would be no way for her to resist them.

And what of the Shadows? The thought formed quickly, a wave of dread accompanying it. She had always known they were capable of horrifying acts yet even then there were rules that both the Vorlons and the Shadows abided by. But now? Now with the Vorlons determined to eradicate everything touched by the Shadows she feared how they would respond. Would they also begin a bloody rampage as the Vorlons now were? The thought caused a chill to course down her spine. Here were two very old, very angry races with technology centuries beyond anything possessed by the younger races, prepared to destroy everything in their bloodlust. The realization was one that frightened her as she began to picture the destruction in her mind.

Not wanting to be alone with her thoughts, she rushed from her quarters, welcoming the activity that met her in the corridors. She did not know where it was she was going; merely that she did not wish to be alone. Her first reaction was to seek out Neroon but she quickly brushed the urge aside knowing she was not prepared to face his endless questions regarding her current mood. So instead she roamed the ship, taking comfort in the presence of those around her. She quickly found herself heading in the direction of the engine room in the hopes of finding a more productive diversion. Nearing the lift that would take her to the lower decks she felt a gentle presence enter her thoughts. She knew it instinctively and opened her mind to it, welcoming it despite all they had threatened her with. But the sensations did not last. They fled quickly, reverberating through her mind with a horrifying scream.

The Shadows!

She cursed herself mentally for not having been more alert to them, and then quickly entered the lift to head to the tactical center of the ship. She covered the distance quickly, knowing she had little time to warn Neroon. Upon reaching her destination, she quickly scanned the room, searching desperately for the Ingata’s captain, a sick feeling forming as she found only Eitann.

“Shai Alyt Neroon is…”

“They are here.” She interrupted her voice barely audible.

“Who?”

His question was quickly answered when the display around them came to life, displaying a Shadow Battlecrab emerging from hyperspace. The Ingata shook violently, as the Shadows unleashed their weapons on the already battered Minbari ship and Terann was forced to fight to keep her footing. Centering her thoughts she blocked out the noise around her, focusing every ounce of her strength on her enemy.

She entered the mind of the ship quickly, catching it off guard, but it retaliated quickly, battling back violently, its terrifying wail working it’s way into her very being. Reaching into her abilities, to the darker places of her mind where things she still had yet to understand resided, she began to carve at the mind of the ship, encompassing it before crushing it completely. She opened her eyes in time to see the ship collapse in on itself, a brief wave of elation passing over her.

For a moment she allowed the crews’ feelings of relief to wash over her, then centered her mind again. Carefully she searched the expansive space around the ship, knowing that the Shadows rarely traveled alone. Her suspicions proved correct when three more ships emerged from hyperspace and for a moment she found herself doubting her abilities to fight them off. She glanced around quickly, barely registering the voices around her as Eitann barked orders to the crew, frantically searching for Neroon. She could not understand why he would not be there, especially in the midst of a battle when his ship and crew needed him. Dread slammed into her like a fist as she began to consider his having been injured or possibly even killed during the attack by the first Shadow ship.

Pulled from her reverie by the violent rocking of the ship, Terann allowed her anger to fuel her abilities, focusing, as she never had before. The nearest ship she captured quickly, allowing it to struggle slightly before crushing it as she had its predecessor. This time she did not allow herself time to enjoy her victory, instead quickly turning her attention to the next closest of her enemies. This one reacted differently than the others, striking out with the mind within it. It tore through her thoughts with a force that both stunned and amazed her causing her to falter slightly, her own strength having been drained from fighting the other ships. Desperation unlike anything she had ever felt before raced through her as she began to believe herself unable to defeat her enemy. She centered her strength; meeting the attack of the Shadows head on, calling on parts of herself she had so carefully hidden since her arrival on the Ingata. Inch by inch Terann fought through the mind of her enemy, until she felt it scream out in pain allowing her to crush the life from it.

Taking a moment to collect her senses, Terann allowed herself to glance around the tactical center, a mixture of shock and dismay passing over her, as the vessel appeared to be retreating. She realized then that the Ingata was heading for the local jumpgate. She cast a questioning glance at Eitann, not sure what he was planning.

“They are retreating, Terann,” he told her matter-of-factly.

She nodded almost imperceptibly her eyes then turning to follow the Shadow ship as it moved away from the Minbari ship. Something about it felt wrong, yet she could not place in her mind what it was. Barely cognizant of the activity around her, reports of damage called out from the crew, she gazed around the room at the shimmering images of space around them. Her eyes fell on the jumpgate and a wave of horror crashed over her.

“Eitann,” she said quickly moving beside him. “Do not go near the gate.”

“What?” He asked incredulously.

“Do not go near the gate! They are there.”

“The Shadows are retreating.” He gestured to the images of the Shadow ship.

“No, Eitann, if they were truly retreating they would have entered hyperspace. They are waiting.”

“For what?”

In her mind Terann recalled all she had been taught by the Vorlons regarding the Shadows, focusing on the one she suspected they planned to use against the Ingata. “They have a weapon that possesses the ability to disrupt a hyperspace vortex.”

“They are nowhere near the gate. From their current distance there is no way they could use such a weapon.”

“I believe there is another ship, near the gate, waiting to come out of hyperspace the moment the vortex activates.”

“You believe?” He asked, his voice almost a laugh. “Everything you have said is supposition based on what? The reports of the Anla’shok?”

“Eitann, listen to me—“

“No!” He shouted back at her. “Unlike my superior, I have not become blind to you. You are still an outcast, unworthy of serving along side us and I will hear no more of your delusions.”

Terann’s desperation quickly turned to anger as Eitann turned his back to her, proving he would ignore any reply she might offer. Glancing over her shoulder, as the jumpgate loomed larger the closer they drew to it, she lunged at him, grabbing his arm, forcing him to look at her. “In Valen’s name, Eitann! Are you so certain of your own superiority that you are now unable to even consider the possibility of things beyond your comprehension? I have fought the Shadows, I know how they think, and this,” she gestured with her hand, “is not like them. My own strength was weakened during the destruction of the last ship, the Ingata is barely holding itself together. They could defeat us, yet they run?”

Eitann sighed in frustration, turning his face away from hers, but Terann would have nothing of it. Knowing that the appearance of opposing him was not the way to convince him, she affected a manner of subservience. “Please Eitann, I know how you feel about me, I know that you do not like me, that you do not see me as one of you but please, just this once, put all that aside and trust me… Now!”

His eyes searched her features for a moment as if he were trying to determine her veracity. Then without another word to the telepath, Eitann ordered the ship to be turned around. Terann kept her features passive, though mentally she smiled and returned her attention to the retreating Shadow vessel. As the Ingata turned away from the jumpgate the enemy ship looped back, heading straight for them at the same moment another ship left hyperspace almost on top of the gate. Knowing the Minbari ship had sustained heavy damage she focused all her strength on the Shadows, allowing the Vorlon within her free-reign over her abilities. Gone was her fear of being discovered by the crew to be replaced by an almost burning need to prove herself to them, once and for all.

She focused her concentration first on the initial Shadow ship that was already fast gaining on their position. She reached deeply into it’s depths, attacking the being that operated it, tearing them apart from the inside until she saw the vicious vessel begin to curl up and implode within itself. Its death scream rang through her ears, attempting to pull her into the darkness with it but she struggled for the surface, pulling free as it continued on to its doom. Her heart was racing, her breath coming as gasps as sharp pains filtered through her mind. Terann had never been subjected to such prolonged battle against such strength before and it was quickly taking its toll. She waved her hand toward Eitann, motioning for him to draw near, as she was unable to gather enough breath to speak loudly.

“Have weapons… target the rema – remaining vessel. I will… hold it back…but cannot… destroy,” she gasped.

Eitann nodded to the telepath then quickly barked out the order to the crew to train all working weapons systems on the enemy and continue firing until it was destroyed.

Terann gathered what strength remained and once more focused her mind on the enemy outside. She had only enough left to distract it, drawing the vessel away from its purpose and causing the briefest amount of confusion in its mind. The Ingata’s weapons rained out over it full force, pulling its attention away from Terann to attack. The telepath fought back, sneaking back into its mind and pulling it another direction, poking it when it began to focus again, tricking it with a cunning and quick intelligence that the vessel did not possess. She heard Eitann call out to shift all remaining power into the weapons systems and felt the ship leap beneath her as a final barrage of death reached out to grab hold of the Shadow vessel, consuming it in a fiery explosion.

Terann clasped to her knees as the connection between her and the Shadow ship disintegrated. Her lungs felt as if they were on fire and her heart seemed swollen against her chest. She felt a gentle hand take hold of her arm, pulling her to her feet. She turned her head, surprised to find Eitann supporting her, a look of concern flashing through his eyes.

“You are all right, Alyt Terann?” He asked.

The telepath nodded. “The battle… took my strength. I will recuperate… soon.”

“Should you go to the Healers?”

She shook her head, knowing that all eyes and ears were trained on them at that moment, that the test still continued. “No. I will be fine in a few moments.” She willed her heart to slow, her breathing to steady. “I will check the rest of the Ingata to assess the damage if you wish to stay here and see that we reach Minbar safely.”

Eitann nodded, letting go of his hold on her. “That is an excellent idea.”

Terann moved away from him, straightening her back as she moved, lifting her chin in a mixture of defiance and pride. As she moved passed the crew she noticed that many dropped their eyes, inclining their heads to her as she passed. She accepted the silent approvals with careful aplomb, making her way out of the tactical center with all of the presence of a true Warrior.

Terann spent the next few hours wandering the ship, checking on the status of repairs as well as the state of the crew. She felt their tension, their uncertainty and their frustration. For a Minbari Warrior to meet an unbeatable enemy was unthinkable. And yet, they had almost met their death twice against the Shadows. Two such close calls had a way of causing one to question their capability. Terann passed through each department, sending out a calming wave to each crewmember in the hope that she could soothe their weary nerves. She knew she should be resting; the battle with the Shadows had exhausted her but her loyalty to the crew caused her to forsake her own health. They had all fought as true Minbari and she found herself respecting the Minbari people, her people, more than she had ever thought possible.

Though her attention was focused on that of the crew, Terann continued to keep her senses alert for any sign of the Shadows returning. She did not think that they would, not since they now knew that she was aboard the Ingata, but it was best to remain prepared just the same. In the past hour they had entered Minbari space and though they should now reach Minbar safely, Terann was not prepared to take any chances. With the Shadows, the unexpected was usually what one was to expect.

Entering the engineering section, she was saddened to see that much of the area would once more need massive repairs. The Workers scurried around her, doing their best to hold the ship together with what they had left in order to make it to Minbar. She felt their desperation and wanted very much to lend a hand but knew that at present it was impossible. With Neroon injured, command fell to Eitann and herself, and the first officer could not be expected to do everything on his own. She glanced around the area for Caelem, wanting to speak with him regarding the status of repairs, thinking that she could lend her assistance once they reached the homeworld. When she at first did not spot him anywhere, she thought that he was jumping right into the repairs himself, most likely crawling around in one of the air ducts. As one of the engineers passed by, Terann reached out with a hand to stop him.

“Where is Caelem? I wished to speak with him regarding repairs.”

“He was injured during the attack, Alyt,” came the reply. “They took him to the infirmary.”

Terann felt panic, clear and sharp, shoot through her. “Was he badly hurt?”

“I am not certain, Alyt. I was not present but I do know that the blast killed several crewmembers instantly.”

Terann was hurrying to the infirmary before the Worker had finished explaining what little he knew. It was enough that Neroon had suffered injury during the attack by the Shadows, the thought of the two people she cared about most on the Ingata coming to harm by her enemy sent Terann’s blood to boiling. The moment she reached the infirmary, her eyes scanned the area for sign of Caelem. Though she instantly found Neroon and her heart begged to go to him, she continued her search until she found Caelem, lying in a bed across the room. Calmly she moved toward him, though in her heart she already knew what her head was refusing to acknowledge. The Healers moved around him quietly, taking ever care to make certain that he was comfortable but as she neared, Terann knew that there would never be anything they could truly do to help. Whatever had happened, Caelem’s crest appeared cracked from the top all of the way down to his neck, his skull most certainly split open beneath it.

Terann reached out to stop one of the Healers as he passed. “Is Caelem…is he…?” She stopped, unable to forge the words.

The Healer shook his head. “There is nothing we can do. The injuries are too extensive. He does not have much longer now.”

Terann nodded, moving away from the Healer to stop at Caelem’s bedside. She reached out and touched his shoulder gently.

The Minbari slowly opened his eyes. They were red-rimmed and already fading in their gaze. It took him a moment before recognition flashed through him. “Terann…they said you were responsible for saving us from the Shadows.”

She swallowed against the pain in her throat and nodded. “Yes. You rest now. You will be healed soon.”

He patted her hand gently. “You…are a terrible liar, Terann. No, it is all right. I know that the Warriors believe they alone… hold the… the right to die in their hands… but we Workers are no more fearful than they… we… we have pride, too.”

“Of course you do!” Terann forced a smile, touching his cheek gently. “All Minbari, be they Worker, Warrior or Religious are born with an innate strength that allows them to sacrifice all for the good of their people.”

“I am glad… you see that… Terann.” He smiled though it pained him. “You are the one…”

Terann frowned. “I do not understand.”

“If you… if you can not bring our people together… Terann… then who can?”

He gasped for his next breath and Terann’s heart wrenched. If only Aelora were here now, she could save him, this one who so very much deserved to continue to live. But then, Aelora had given up those gifts that were not hers to give. Did she not realize that it was for moments like this that she existed? Silently Terann cursed her Human friend and cursed the fates that had made so it someone who did not know how to properly use such gifts had been blessed with them.

“You… are not… one of them,” Caelem whispered softly. “You are one… of us.”

“I am Warrior Caste, Caelem. Not Worker,” Terann replied.

“No… ” He shook his head. “You are… Minbari. Do not forget… ” He sucked in a deep breath then, shuddered and died.

“We will meet again, my friend, beyond the veil,” Terann whispered to him, placing her hand to his chest and saying a small prayer to Valen. She stepped back and turned to go to Neroon, not once looking back.

When Terann neared his bed, she quickly discovered that Neroon was not alone. Eitann glanced up at her approach and forced a smile. “Ah. Alyt Terann. We were just speaking of you.”

Terann only looked at Eitann briefly then turned her attention to Neroon. She laid a hand on his shoulder and leaned over him. “How are you?”

“Fine, of course,” Neroon replied gruffly. “Just a slight injury, nothing more. I should be up and about at this moment but these damned Healers seem to think I need my rest.”

“As well you should,” Terann commented, fixing him with a steely gaze. “Eitann and I have enough to worry about with you stumbling about injuring yourself all over again.”

“Yes, Eitann just gave me a full report of the battle,” Neroon replied, regarding Terann thoughtfully. “You did well. Both of you.”

“Thank you, Shai Alyt,” they replied simultaneously.

“What is our status, Terann?”

“There was quite a bit of damage, unfortunately,” Terann told them. “We lost many Workers in the Engineering section, including our Chief Engineer, Caelem.” She paused at this, forcing down the need to grieve over the loss of a friend and continued, “The hyper drive engines were disabled beyond our ability to repair them at the moment. We can only be thankful that we are now in Minbari space. Our weapons systems are down to 30% capacity and our shields at 23%. Had we not destroyed the Shadow ship when we did, we would not have survived another hit.”

Neroon nodded, watching the telepath a moment longer, and then turning his head to Eitann. “When we reach Minbar I want you to stay with the Ingata until she reaches full capacity and then report to me. Also, send out a general transmission to the other war cruisers letting the rest of the Caste know about the telepaths ability to beat back the Shadows, just in case any more attacks occur.”

“Yes, Shai Alyt.” Eitann bowed to his commanding officer and turned to leave. He hesitated a moment then turned back, his gaze catching that of Terann’s. “Alyt Terann… I wanted to say… that is, had it not been for you, the Ingata would have been destroyed. I should have listened to you from the onset and… and I want to apologize for having questioned your loyalty to the Minbari. I was wrong.”

Terann accepted the apology humbly. “I do not hold it against you, Eitann. Your behavior has only shown your loyalty to your people. Nothing more.”

Eitann nodded to them both once more and then turned and exited the infirmary.

“Did you tell him to do that?” Terann asked Neroon the moment the first officer was gone.

“Of course not,” Neroon denied. “Before you arrived, Eitann was heralding your bravery and intelligence. He told me that he believed he had been wrong about you and wanted me to know that it was you alone who was responsible for our victory against the Shadows.”

Terann accepted this news with a wide-eyed expression of surprise that brought a smile to Neroon’s face.

“I am proud of you, Terann.”

Terann blushed under his heated gaze. “I did nothing, Neroon.”

“No. You did nothing but be yourself and because of this, my crew has accepted you as one of them. You have fought so hard for something that was always within your grasp, Terann.”

Terann wanted to deny it; she wanted to tell him that they only accepted her because of what she could do. They had seen the scope of her abilities and whether it had scared them or caused them to reflect on what more she could do for the Minbari, she did not know. But one thing of which she was certain was that she knew this acceptance would not last. They had not accepted Terann; they had accepted the telepath who resembled them. There was no more to it than that. But Terann did not want to upset Neroon. If he believed that she had a place among them, she would allow him to continue to do so.

She reached out and caressed his cheek. “Whatever you say, Neroon. You must rest now. We are almost home and I would like, very much, for you to reacquaint me with my homeworld, Shai Alyt.”

Neroon took her hand and kissed her palm. “Whatever you say, Alyt Terann.”

Terann turned to go when Neroon called out to her. She looked back at him. “Yes, Shai Alyt.”

“I am sorry to hear about Caelem,” he told her softly. “I know that he was your friend.”

“Yes, he was,” Terann nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I only…I can only be glad that it was not you, Neroon, that I have been forced to say goodbye to.” With that she turned and hurried from the infirmary.

Once in the corridor, she stopped to slump against the bulkhead, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She had meant what she had said; Terann did not know what she would have done had it been Neroon and not Caelem who had died. She had been trying to deny it to herself for so long but she could no longer fight it, not after having seen Neroon lying there before her, the possibility of his death hovering so close. They had fought one another for so long that Terann could do no more than deny what had slowly been building within her. She had not wanted to get close for fear of expecting and wanting too much. She knew enough of her mother’s people to know that purity of the blood was so much more important to them than anything else and she was fearful of the truth ever getting out. And now, here she was, her heart lost to the one person in the galaxy who could hurt her above all others. If he ever learned the truth, would he be able to accept it? Could she win his love so that no matter what happened he would remain by her side? Or would the truth, in the end, be what would destroy every bit of happiness she had fought so long to have?

“Alyt Terann?”

The telepath straightened and turned to the Warrior who had appeared beside her. “Yes, what is it?”

“Alyt Eitann wished to inform you that we have reached Minbar. We can arrange to have a shuttle take you to Tuzanor if you desire.”

“Thank you.” She nodded. “I will take care of it.”

Terann watched silently as the Warrior disappeared down the corridor.

Minbar. Home. Only it wasn’t, not really. Minbar was more the dream of home and home was… Terann shook her head. That was the question to which she had no answer. She did not know where home was and she did not know where she belonged. But here she was, back at Minbar, trying once again to seek the acceptance that had always eluded her. Here she was to seek a home where none beckoned, holding on to a fragile hope that she just might be given the chance to belong.

“I do not understand why you are insisting on staying here,” Neroon protested for the fifth time since Terann had informed him that she was going to reside at the Ranger Training Facility on Tuzanor. “I can only conclude that you are doing so out of pure obstinacy.”

Terann sighed as she punched at buttons on the control panel of the shuttle, bringing it to a gentle stop on the landing pad. She cast a glance at the Warrior beside her, taking note of the brow that was currently furrowed in confusion. She placed a hand on his, giving him quiet reassurance.

“I will simply feel more comfortable there, Neroon. You know that our caste has yet to fully accept me. Among the Anla’shok I feel a bit more welcomed. And, my good friend Turval is there. I will be fine.”

Neroon grunted. “Such comments indicate that the Religious caste is somehow better than Warrior.”

Terann hid her smile. “I never implicated such a thing.” She stood, placing a quick kiss on his cheek. “Now, are you going to continue to sit here and grumble, or are you going to see me to my quarters?”

“Grumbling has it’s charm,” Neroon replied as he got to his feet. An arm snaked out, wrapping around Terann and pulling her closely against him. “But accompanying you into your quarters wins by far,” he finished with a low growl before capturing her mouth with his.

The kiss was leisurely and filled with desire. Since there was no chance of being viewed by others, Neroon held nothing back, giving to Terann with a mixture of tenderness and ferocity that he showed only to her. Terann felt herself immediately relax into his embrace, the ever-surprising sensation of being needed and wanted washing over her. Giving herself over to the emotions that ran rampant between them, she allowed their minds and hearts to link, reveling in the passion she felt from Neroon and transmitting it back to him tenfold.

As Neroon’s mouth trailed away from hers to cross her cheek and move down her neck, Terann could not help but remind him that others will wonder why they have not yet disembarked from the shuttle.

“Let them wonder,” he replied, reaching out to lock the shuttle from the inside so that no one could open it from without.

Terann allowed a light laugh, laughing harder when Neroon’s fingers danced over a particularly sensitive area of her flesh. The Warrior looked into her face with an expression of exasperation to which Terann could only reply with a muffled, “Sorry…”

Neroon grunted in reply then went back to ravaging her neck. Terann let out a soft sigh, her hands moving over Neroon’s shoulders, wishing that he were divested of his bulky warrior’s uniform. The need in her to feel his skin against hers was almost overwhelming and Terann found herself pressing against him, silently indicating her need.

“We have little time,” Neroon warned her, his warm breath brushing across her ear.

“It is enough,” Terann told him, her hands moving to cup his face and bring his mouth back to hers.

Neroon fumbled with the skirts of her uniform, pushing them out of the way until his hands reached her bare skin. His fingers slid over her hips and thighs, caressing her softly, teasing until she moaned low in her throat with need. He dropped to his knees before her, pushing the fabric of her skirts up to her stomach, exposing her tender flesh to his hungered gaze. He kissed her abdomen, his hands running down her legs and back up again where he slowly parted her thighs and took her with his mouth. He laved her with his tongue vigorously, his hands holding her hips steadily against him as he felt her body tremble beneath the onslaught.

Terann’s knees shook and she grabbed hold of the edges of Neroon’s crest, half for support and half to pull him closer to her. Her head fell back against the shuttle bulkhead and she closed her eyes, losing herself to the sensations that Neroon’s ministrations were causing to roil through her. A fire began burning deeply within her; it’s flames tickling through her stomach and down into her very core where it threatened to rage out of control. She moaned his name, wanting to beg for more, knowing that only he could release the need that seared within her but unable to find her voice. Only when Neroon pulled away from her, leaving her bereft of the release she sought, was she able to cry out in denial but was quickly silenced as the big Warrior’s mouth closed over her own. The taste of her lingered when his tongue touched hers, plundering her mouth the same as he had just plundered the core of her. For a moment, his hands moved away from her to fumble with his own uniform, releasing his sex from it’s confines then grabbing her about the hips and pushing her back and up against the bulkhead. He lifted her into the air, then slowly, painstakingly lowered her onto his erect member.

Terann bit her lip to keep from crying out at the pleasure that rushed through her as he entered her. It would not do to have others hear her cries emitting from the shuttle. She wrapped her legs around his waist, forcing him more deeply within her, matching his thrusts as he moved against her. Their rhythm was frenzied, almost violent; Terann’s head slamming into the bulkhead with the ferocity of their coupling. Neroon’s teeth nipped lightly at first against her neck before biting down hard enough to elicit a small cry from her before licking the pain away tenderly.

Terann closed her eyes as she felt the tension building throughout her body and gave herself over to the sensations. Holding nothing back, she rode the waves of pleasure over the crest into the bliss that awaited her just as she heard Neroon cry out, his body trembling against hers as he poured himself into her.

For a long moment he continued to hold her there, suspended above him, his flesh buried deep within her. Terann listened to the sound of her heartbeat as it thumped wildly against the wall of her chest; her breath coming in short gasps. She stretched out with her mind to touch Neroon’s, noting that his heart was beating in time with her own, realizing that they were linked in a way she had never been with another living soul.

After they had both calmed, and their breathing had returned to normal, Neroon set Terann away from him, allowing her time to readjust her uniform while he straightened his own. They said nothing to one another until they had exited the shuttle, moving across the landing pad in the bright Minbari sunlight.

“I still do not agree with this decision of yours,” Neroon commented gruffly.

Terann shook her head. “You are only worried about the lack of free time we may have together.”

The tall Warrior beside her allowed the hint of a smile. “There is that.”

Terann’s laughter was cut short as they neared the entrance to the Training Facility. Standing at the threshold, waiting to greet them were none other than Turval and Durhann.

“Terann!” Turval stepped forward, nodding his head to her in greeting. “I was pleased when I learned of your arrival! Is Aelora with you?”

“Thankfully no,” Neroon commented caustically.

When Turval was about to question the Warrior, Terann quickly informed him, “She returned to her family on Centauri Prime.”

“Ah. Well, we all must attend to our families for it is with them that our true souls reside.”

Beside him, Durhann grunted. “Those of us who have families, that is.”

Terann could not retain the glare that crossed her face at the elder’s words and she felt Neroon bristle at her side. She reached out and placed her hand gently against his arm, assuring him without words that the comment had little affect.

“Neroon,” Durhann said, his gaze barely glancing over Terann. “I had hoped you had better taste in the company you choose to keep.”

Neroon felt the anger swell within him. Not so much at Durhann for his treatment of Terann but at himself for being unable to do or say anything about it. He respected Durhann, looked up to him, and learned from him. How was he to now confront his teacher, correct him, and berate him for the callousness he showed the one that Neroon had chosen to care for? He was caught between them, unable to choose a side between his heart and his soul. He was angry with both Durhann and Terann for putting him in such a situation to begin with. The anger was unfounded, especially towards Terann who could not be held responsible for the questions surrounding her birth. If anyone was to blame it was Kelann. Unfortunately, there were many like Durhann who did not see such as the case. There was a time when Neroon had been one of those people.

The telepath could not help but feel Neroon’s reluctance to refute his old teacher and, though she tried to ignore it, the knowledge still hurt. Would she ever come to mean more to him than tradition? Or had this relationship, if it could be called such, been doomed from the onset?

“How long will you be joining us?” Turval asked, pulling Terann from her reverie. He stepped aside, indicating that she should walk with him towards her quarters.

“I am… uncertain, for the moment,” she replied honestly.

“She can not decide if she should rejoin her people, here, where she belongs,” Neroon commented. “Or if she should run back to the Earther’s station and help in their little crusade against the Shadows.”

Terann let Neroon’s sarcasm slide past her, making a mental note to pick it up with him later. For now she simply flashed a smile small at the elder. “I should like to stay awhile, as Neroon has suggested.”

Durhann groaned behind them but Terann and Neroon ignored him while Turval sent him a silencing glare.

“Well I for one should encourage you to stay, Terann.” Turval smiled. “You need to rejoin your people, make a place for yourself among them. You have quite a bit to offer Minbar, you know.”

Terann smiled her thanks as they reached the quarters she had been assigned. They were small and sparse, exceedingly uninviting and exactly what Terann had hoped for. She knew she would use her time on Minbar to reflect, to reach inside herself and see what it was she truly wanted and longer for. Outside distractions would keep her from her main purpose, and she could not allow that to happen if she were to receive the answers she sought.

“You will join us for a few sessions?” Turval asked her as he turned to take his leave.

“I should enjoy that,” Terann replied with a nod of acceptance.

“Good. Good. Well, we shall take our leave then. Terann. Neroon.” Turval bowed to each while Durhann once more acknowledged only Neroon and the two elders disappeared down the long-reaching corridor.

“Are you certain you wish to remain here?” Neroon asked, his tone a mixture of concern and outrage.

“I will be fine.” She placed her hand against his chest, gazing up into his dark eyes. “Please do not worry so. I have thicker skin than you think. Unfortunately, I am used to this. I have you and Turval. That is all the kindness I require.”

The Warrior shook his head. “You are an enigma to me, Terann. And I hope that you will always remain as such.” He leaned down and kissed her lips warmly. “Now, I must return to the ship and make certain repairs are going smoothly. Between my injuries and the need to be at your side, pretending to be your protector, I am afraid that my crew may believe I have simply jumped ship.”

The telepath smiled. “They have more faith in you than that, Neroon.”

“Let us hope that you feel the same.”

He kissed her once more before leaving to return to the Ingata.

“No!” Terann cried out of her sleep. Quickly she pulled herself from her pallet, hoping to drive the images from her mind. But unlike other dreams, this one refused to leave her thoughts, always forcing itself to the forefront, telling her that it was more than a simple nightmare. Attempting to calm her mind she began to piece together the images in her mind.

She had been on the Earther’s station, surrounded by security personnel. But it wasn’t her that their attentions were focused on; instead they appeared to be waiting, their emotions betraying their confident appearances. Sheridan was there as well, and with him stood… Lorien. Terann started at the revelation, her mind full of reverence as she attempted to determine why he would be on Babylon 5, why he had returned after so very long. She was pulled from her musings as the Human telepath appeared, followed closely by Ulkesh. It appeared from the Human’s expression that the Vorlon was attempting to scan her and that she fought desperately to keep him from her thoughts. But why? The answer came to Terann quickly as she heard Sheridan call out to Lyta, who quickly ducked behind a crate. In that instant she heard the whine of an energy build up and the security team lashed out with their PPGs. She felt Ulkesh’s pain and rage tear through her, as she stood powerless to prevent what was happening around her. The Vorlon fought back, trying in vain to stop the Earther’s assault on him. Eventually his encounter suit cracked, freeing him from its confines. Terann heard his screams of outrage and pain as he struck out with his tendrils then a wave of elation washed over her as one pierced through the chest of the Starkiller. Silently she begged for him to die, as she was certain he had orchestrated this cowardly attack. She cared not for his reasons, she only wished him to die as the Vorlon soon would.

Her attention was then pulled to Lorien as she felt him summon something from the Human captain… something familiar. It was then that she saw Kosh, or rather what was left of him, as he emerged from his imprisonment in Sheridan’s body.

Together, Kosh and Ulkesh collided, fighting one another, swirling together until it was impossible to distinguish where one ended and the other began. Terann had felt the Vorlons, all of them, as the two swirled into oblivion leaving the imprint of their deaths on the souls of them all.

Terann’s knees buckled and she collapsed to the floor trying to force the images from her mind. Determined to learn the truth of her dreaming she once again tried to reach out to the Vorlons only to be met with more silence. She found herself at first stretching out to them, then finally begging, the feeling of isolation increasing with her mounting desperation.

Her attention was pulled towards the door as the sound of the chime worked its way into her thoughts. She reached out to touch on the presence, finding herself only slightly relieved that it was Neroon. She rose to her feet, taking a moment to quickly compose herself, before calling out for him to enter.

The Warrior stepped across the threshold, immediately noticing the upset on Terann’s face. “Another nightmare?” He asked, stepping over to her.

The telepath only nodded, then took a deep breath. “I will be fine.” She assured, turning her back to him.

Neroon however, was not going to let her dismiss him that easily. “Why will you not talk to me, Terann? Are you still so unwilling to trust me?”

Terann clenched her eyes shut, swallowing the tears that had formed. She felt so utterly alone, unable to tell Neroon the reasons for her recent dreams. She wanted nothing more than to tell him of the threats the Vorlons had made to her, how even despite these threats she still longed to go to them, to avenge the death of one of their… her own. But she knew to do so was impossible. That instead of the understanding and comfort she desired she would receive nothing but animosity. To admit to him the truth behind her dreams would mean alluding to the truth of her impurity, and that was something that could never happen. Slowly she opened her eyes, forcing back any signs of weakness then turned back to him.

“There is really nothing I can tell you, Neroon. I am probably just uncertain about being home.”

Neroon studied the young woman before him, not truly believing what she was telling him, but he decided to remain silent. He had come to know Terann, in the past few weeks that they had spent together, had come to realize that she could not be forced, that she would only open herself when she saw fit to. Still he couldn’t help but wonder. Aside from her reddened eyes, she appeared distracted; as if there was something he was preventing her from attending to.

Terann regarded Neroon for a moment, knowing that she had not appeased him, even though what she had told him was not entirely false. She was apprehensive about being on Minbar and he knew as well as she that her anxiety was justified. They had spent their first day on Minbar in Tuzanor, visiting the falls and the market place. For the most part it was a quiet day, spent talking and enjoying one another’s company.

Today, however, would be different. Late the previous night, when she had returned to her quarters, Turval had come to her to inform her that her mother’s father was near death and had asked to see her. She knew very little of her mother’s family and that which she did know she had pieced together from conversations with her mother; conversations that had taken place many years before. She had told Neroon about Deroni’s request and he had agreed to accompany her to Yedor. Terann found herself grateful to have him at her side, allowing her to draw off his strength. It still surprised her how close they had become in just a few short weeks. There had been a time when she had cringed at the very mention of his name, when she had avoided him at all cost. She remembered how they had fought and how Neroon had never passed on an opportunity to remind her of how far beneath him she was. And now, to see how close they had become, how easily she had allow him into her heart made her realize how much they had both truly misunderstood each other.

“You are early.” She finally said, hoping to shift his attention away from her. “I am not ready.”

Suddenly Neroon’s expression changed and it appeared to Terann that he was as confused by his presence, in her quarters, as she was. “I… I was worried about you. I had a… feeling that something was wrong.”

Terann smiled at him, moving to take his hands in hers, amazed at how he continued to surprise her. During their coupling on the Ingata, she had opened her soul to him in a way she never dreamed possible. The experience of doing so was something she had never imagined and didn’t fully understand. Despite her having hidden every part of her that was Vorlon, she began to wonder if perhaps somehow an inexplicable bond had been forged between them. She tilted her head back to kiss him gently before reassuring him again that his fears were unfounded.

Neroon placed his hand on her face, gently rubbing her cheek with his thumb as he regarded her, focusing on her eyes. Always her eyes, he thought. If there were anything about the young woman that betrayed her it was her eyes. Even when she smiled they continued to haunt him. It wasn’t anything he could put his finger on, just a feeling that refused to subside, something that insisted that she was special… different. He forced these feelings to the back of his mind, pressing his lips to hers once again, allowing the very essence of her to wash over him. Never had a female so completely fascinated him and more often than not he found that she occupied his thoughts.

Terann allowed Neroon’s emotions to permeate her blocks, hoping to find comfort in his embrace, desperate to force the knowledge of Ulkesh’s death to the farthest reaches of her mind. Yet the harder she tried the clearer the images became and the more she questioned the validity of them. Pulling her lips form his she moved away from him slightly. At his questioning look she offered an excuse. “I must prepare to leave for Yedor. It would not do for us to miss our transport.”

He continued to regard her from a moment, before nodding in acquiescence. He knew there was more to her mood than what she was telling him but decide not to press further. He then arranged to meet her in the gardens of the Training facility before taking his leave.

Terann stood silently, staring at the door as it slid shut behind Neroon. She hated hiding things from him and longed to open herself to him, to show him everything that made her who she was. But she knew such things were not possible. Sadly she knew that to continue her relationship with him meant forever hiding these important parts of her.

Her thoughts returning to the Vorlons, she moved over to the communication unit, to signal Sech Turval. Almost instantly the screen was filled by his smiling features, which quickly dissolved into concern as he noted the young telepath’s upset. “Is there something wrong, Terann?”

Ignoring his query she said. “I need a secure channel to Babylon 5.”

The elder Minbari’s brow furrowed at the urgency behind her request. “Of course Terann. Who is it you wish to contact.”

She paused briefly, knowing whom she needed to speak to, but dreading the conversation all the same. They had not exactly parted on the best of terms and the idea of being forced to go to her, to get information that should be readily given to her, was unthinkable. Swallowing back her pride she simply said, “Ambassador Delenn.”

Turval nodded. “This may take some time—“

“I will be here.” She told him before terminating the link. She then set about dressing and preparing for her journey to Yedor and though this helped to pass the time it did little to ease her mind. Finally she found herself pacing angrily, feeling much like a child being told nothing about affairs that quite clearly involved her.

She hurried over to the comm unit, as the signal from Babylon 5 came through. Checking to ensure that the channel was properly encrypted, Terann immediately demanded of the other woman:

“What in Valen’s name is going on?”

Delenn opened her mouth to speak but was effectively cut off by Captain Sheridan as he stepped into view. “We had hoped you could answer that very question.”

Even though his tone was calm, Terann felt herself bristle at the sight of the Human captain. “If I knew anything do you honestly believe I would bother contacting either of you?”

“No offense, Terann, but I find it difficult to believe that you know nothing of the Vorlons’ recent activities.”

“I care little what you believe. I have told you, I know nothing.”

The Human regarded her for a moment, then glanced at the Minbari beside him, seeking some reassurance as to whether or not he should trust Terann. Finally he spoke. “Then you know nothing of their fleet massing in hyperspace, nothing of the attacks on any world with alliances with the Shadows?”

Everything touched must die, the words echoed once again through her mind, a wave of dread crashing over her. The dreams she had been having, the visions, all of them were true. Suddenly her thoughts returned to Ulkesh. “Ul… The Vorlon…?”

“He’s dead,” Sheridan replied coldly.

Terann turned away from the screen, forcing down the anguish that welled up within her. In that instant she felt her world as it came crashing down around her. Now knowing what the Vorlons were doing, she knew she could not consciously return to them, could not allow herself to become a part of their slaughter. Still a part of her begged to believe in them, knew that what they were doing was truly for the good of all of them. Never before had she felt so torn, so uncertain about which path to choose.

“Terann,” Delenn’s voice broke into her thoughts, turning her attention back to the unit. “Is there anything you can tell us, anything that might help?”

Terann’s brow furrowed in confusion momentarily before the realization of what Delenn was truly asking of her. “You mean a weakness? Something you can use against them? Something to help you kill them?!”

“Quite frankly, Terann… Yes!” Sheridan spat at her.

Delenn placed a calming hand on his arm, then said, “Terann, you must understand what they are doing, how many lives have been lost already.”

“I will not betray them, Delenn!” Terann shouted, clenching her fists at her sides.

“Then you support what they are doing?”

“It is not my place to question them, Delenn.”

“So in your complacency you would allow millions to die?” Sheridan spat back at her.

Terann’s eyes narrowed in anger. “I would rather a billion of you than even one of them.” Mentally Terann started at her own response to the Human’s accusations. She found it difficult to believe, despite everything they had done to her, that her loyalty to them was still unwavering. The warrior began to consider if the Vorlons had in fact programmed her in some way, to ensure she remained loyal to them no matter the cost. It made sense that they would build in certain fail-safes, considering how easily it would be for her to turn on them, just as Sheridan and Delenn were now suggesting. No matter the reason for her inexplicable fealty to them, she knew that, regardless of what the Vorlons were doing, it was impossible for her to betray them. She affected an appearance of strength and decisiveness that match Sheridan’s; telling him that there was little point in his trying further to sway her.

Sheridan kept his eyes focused on that of telepath knowing he would not receive any assistance from her. He nodded, and then sighed before speaking. “Since you are unwilling to help us, then I suggest you do not attempt to return to Babylon 5. If you do, we will deal with you as we did the Ambassador.”

Any response Terann was going to offer was effectively cut off when Sheridan terminated the link. She continued to stare at the black screen for several minutes, her anger burning through her at Sheridan’s threat. She was only thankful that the Starkiller was several dozen light-years away, for fear of what she would have done to him otherwise. She had long ago become tired of Sheridan and his self-important delusions. How quickly he forgot that it was Kosh that had first told him of the Shadow threat, that it was the Vorlons that had aided the lesser races, helping them, guiding them. She only hoped that he survived long enough to fully understand the scope of his mistake.

She forced her anger aside as a wave of dread crashed over her. If the Vorlons had truly built her in such a way that her loyalty was assured, how could she ever resist them? Surely they would not allow her to remain on Minbar as she was now. She then remembered the dream she had while on board the Ingata, how the Vorlons had threatened to strip her of her abilities, to take from her any part that was Vorlon. To explain the loss of her gifts to Neroon would mean admitting that she was impure. Silently she cursed herself for allowing herself to become involved with him. She had always known she was different, meant for something greater, knew that she could not allow herself to become intimately involved with anyone. Yet here she now stood, willing to give up everything that made her what she was for someone who would only reject her in the end. Terann pushed her raging emotions to the back of her mind, deciding at that moment, that if the universe was going to come crashing down around her she may as well enjoy what it offered while she could.

Leaving her quarters she headed through the training facility towards the gardens. It was early morning and recruits hurried through the corridors, eager to begin the day’s training. She allowed herself to open her mind to them, allowing their anticipation and sense of belonging to wash over her in tides. Oddly she drew strength from them, giving her the drive to resist the urge to succumb to the madness that echoed in her thoughts. Rounding a corner, her attention was drawn to Durhann’s training room by the sound of metal colliding with metal. She slowed her pace in curiosity, casually glancing through the doorway not wanting to draw attention to herself. To her surprise, her gaze fell on Neroon as he and Durhann circled on another their weapons drawn. Keeping her eyes on him, she stepped silently through the doorway, taking note of the dozen students that lined the far wall of the room, studying the combatants intently.

It was clear to Terann that Neroon had quickly revert to the role of student, allowing Durhann to lead him in their sparring. As he passed on first one, then another, opportunity to advance on his opponent, Terann began to believe Neroon was holding himself back, fearing that he would harm the elder Minbari. Her suspicions proved correct when Durhann began to mock him, telling him that he believed Neroon had been trained better. Terann found herself smiling imperceptibly as Neroon reacted to Durhann’s taunts by attacking more boldly and violently.

Their weapons collided aggressively, the sounds echoing through out the chamber, yet while neither gained any ground it was clear that both were suffering from the prolonged fight. As Durhann raised his denn’bok, Neroon spun around, bringing his own weapon in low, striking the elder Minbari behind the knees sending him to the floor with an audible thud. It was at that moment that Neroon caught sight of Terann as she lurked just inside the doorway. Though he caught her gaze for a mere fraction of a second it was enough of a distraction for Durhann. He struck out confidently with his weapon, bringing Neroon to the floor beside him, allowing him time to jump to his feet. He then slammed his pike into the back of Neroon’s hand causing him to lose his grip on his own weapon and sending it several meters out of his reach. The older of the warriors then aimed the end of his denn’bok at the others once smug face, his expression silently demanding Neroon’s acquiescence. Hesitantly, Neroon nodded then rose to his feet. He bowed respectfully to Durhann, the moved to collect his lost pike.

“Neroon,” Durhann called out as Neroon moved toward the door. When the Warrior turned back to face him, he continued, first casting an almost hateful glance at Terann. “You should not allow such things to distract you. Doing so will only harm you.”

Neroon nodded once again then moved to exit the room. As he past her, Terann fell into step beside him, taking Durhann’s comment as a personal attack. The Warrior had never hidden his dislike of her, choosing most often to ignore her existence completely. He appeared to like it better that way, finding it easier to not deal with her at all. She then decided that no matter what she did, or how she proved herself, that it would never be enough for him and even attempting to sway his opinion was a wasted effort.

“You held back,” Terann reprimanded, though a playful smile on her face contradicted any harshness in her tone.

Neroon cast a glance at the woman beside him, noting that her sullen mood had effectively disappeared. He wondered silently if she truly was more at ease or if she was far better at hiding her emotions than he believed. Entering the gardens he finally responded to her accusation. “I did not wish to injure him severely.”

“So you prefer to insult him.”

Neroon came to a stop, taking Terann by the arm forcing her to face him. “He is no longer as strong as he once was. I trained under him, learned everything I know about hand-to-hand combat from him. I can tell his age is affecting him. Do you not see it as well, Terann?”

“No Neroon,” she told him shaking her head. “Durhann refused to train me. Regardless of my ability, he could not see past my being considered outcast.”

Neroon dropped his eyes from hers; not wanting to bring up what he knew to be a painful subject for her. Not wishing for Neroon to feel guilt for things that were clearly beyond his control, Terann reached and place her hand under his chin, pulling his gaze back to hers. “I no longer let it bother me, Neroon, nor should you. Things are the way they are and there is little more that I can do to change them. I have grown tired of always proving myself to those who quite honestly mean nothing to me.”

Neroon smiled at her wondering not for the first time where she garnered her strength. He then turned to resume their journey walking in silence then exiting the Ranger compound before speaking again. “So do you hold back?”

“What do you mean?” She asked in confusion.

“When we fought on Babylon 5 and again in Tuzanor, did you hold yourself back?”

“Of course not!”

“Are you sure?” This time the accusation was his. “Though I have seen little of your telepathic abilities first hand, I have heard rumors… rumors that would lead me to believe that you would have little difficulty beating anyone.”

“You are correct. Had I chosen to use my abilities you would have little opportunity to defend yourself. But to be honest with you, Neroon, I prefer to kick your ass in a more traditional manner.”

“Kick my--?”

“It is a human phrase.” Terann told him laughing. She then went on to explain it’s meaning unsure if he was amused or appalled by her explanation.

“This is something Aelora taught you?”

The telepath nodded.

“I will never understand what you see in her.”

“Actually Neroon, she has some very interesting opinions of you as well.” Then with an almost mischievous laugh Terann hurried off ahead of him, leaving him to contemplate what she had meant.

Arriving in Yedor by early afternoon, Terann and Neroon spent sometime exploring the capital together. Terann had only been to the city twice; once as a child learning to use her telepathic abilities and again just over a cycle ago when the Chosen One, Jenimer, had passed beyond the veil. She did not remember either period with fondness and was grateful for the opportunity this journey would allow her to become reacquainted with the city. Like Tuzanor, most of the architecture had been carved directly from the crystal formations but this is where the similarities ended. Where the City of Sorrows was a sanctuary for peaceful reflection, Yedor was a hub of activity, possessing a majesty that was rivaled only by the nearby Tchok’an Mountains. Even it’s many parks and waterfalls appeared extravagant, meant more to impress than to accentuate the surrounding landscape. It was a beautiful city by all rights, yet something about it always brought forth daunting memories in Terann, memories that she would rather forget.

“You seem uncomfortable,” Neroon noted as he cast a sideways glance to the telepath beside him.

She shook her head sadly. “I doubt I will ever feel comfortable here, Neroon.”

He furrowed his brow in confusion but did not ask her why. There was finality in her voice that told him that she was not eager to explain what she meant. So they continued on in silence, only speaking when the need arose. Neroon knew Terann was nervous about meeting her family and understood her need to prepare herself for it. Their journey took them through the heart of the city, where they boarded a land transport to take them to the outskirts. The suburban landscape varied little from the rest of Yedor. The beauty and splendor were all present with only the hurried atmosphere lacking. Oddly Terann found herself relaxing, coming to realize that if things were to go badly she would be no worse off than she was presently.

Arriving at the compound that housed her family’s estate, the young warrior felt her apprehension return. The main house was quite clearly a new design, meant to mimic the more ancient architecture of the rest of the city. It was larger than Terann imagined, its size clearly more for appearances than necessity, and the telepath found herself oddly thinking of Aelora and all she had shared with her about Centauri society. At the thought of the Human Ranger, Terann felt a strange wave of concern, as if something were telling her that Aelora was in some kind of danger. She pushed the feeling aside, knowing it was foolish to believe such things. Aelora was back with her family, people who loved her and would care for her.

“You will be alright?”

Neroon’s voice pulled Terann from her thoughts, and she nodded. “I will be fine, Neroon. You know where to meet me.”

He nodded, then placing a calming hand on her arm he turned to leave. Terann watch him as he rounded a corner, and then took a deep breath before opening the metal gate. Slowly she walked through the courtyard, taking little note of the well-kept gardens, searching for signs of life.

“You are Terann?”

She started at the voice behind her and silently chastised herself for not being more alert. She then turned to face, much to her surprise, a young religious acolyte. Immediately she found herself relaxing at the gentle features of the young woman before her. When the telepath nodded, the young woman gestured for her to follow, remaining silent from then on.

The young acolyte guided her into the main building, moving quickly, allowing Terann little time to take in her surroundings. What she did see spoke volumes of the pride her immediate family possessed and almost instantly she found herself eager to learn everything she could about them. When they came to the end of the corridor, the woman cast Terann a suspicious glare before passing through a nearby archway. Terann followed, entering into a relatively simple room. It was large and bright due to one wall comprised solely of windows stretching from the floor to the ceiling. It was a cold sterile room, which made Terann uncomfortable.

Catching sight of an elderly woman, whom she assumed was her grandmother, Terann straightened, remaining silent deciding it better to wait for acknowledgment.

“Thank you, Hedann,” Eirell said without turning.

The acolyte bowed respectfully before withdrawing from the room. As the silence lingered, Terann found herself shifting uneasily from one foot to the other. She hated to be surrounded with uncertainty, not knowing what to expect from a situation. She carefully lowered her guards allowing the other woman’s emotions to permeate her blocks. She wasn’t so bold as to scan her, she simply wished to know what to expect. To her surprise she felt nothing, leading Terann to believe that the other possessed at least some telepathic ability.

Several moments later and without turning, the elder Minbari addressed the younger. “So you are the one that has left my family in shame.”

Terann found herself amazed at the amount of venom Eirell was able to force into her voice. Immediately she found herself on the defensive, anger and hurt raging through her at a staggering rate. Inaudibly, she took a deep calming breath, swallowing back her upset, knowing she could not gain anything by allowing the other’s ire to spark her own.

At the young woman’s continued silence, Eirell finally turned to face her, taking several steps towards her. Terann noted the harshness behind her eyes, and immediately recognized it as being much like that of her mother. It never ceased to amaze the telepath how easily her people rejected her, never taking an opportunity to know or understand her. They saw here only as an outcast, someone they were told to eschew, never questioning the logic of such dictates. Terann knew she was different, had accepted that, but was her simple existence a reason enough for them to dismiss her so easily?

When Eirell finally spoke, her tone possessed the same acerbity as her green eyes. “Before I allow you to speak with Deroni, we will come to an understanding. You are here only because he wishes it. It is only out of my love and respect for him that I allow you here. Kelann was our only daughter and it is because of his adoration for her that he asked to see you. Do not believe this to be a joyous homecoming.” Then casting an almost hateful scowl at Terann, she brushed past her to exit the room.

Terann shut her eyes tightly, attempting desperately to calm her nerves. Not for the first time did she long to have Neroon at her side, if only to allow his strength to reinforce her own. But she knew to appear with Neroon would only enhance the appearance of weakness, telling others that she lacked the courage to face things alone.

Glancing once again around the immense room, her eyes fell upon a doorway, hidden where no light enveloped it. Terann strode confidently over to it, believing it impossible for this journey home to become any worse. The adjoining room was far smaller than the one she had just left, and was cluttered with various forms of medical equipment. Lying amidst it all was a very frail, very sick looking man. His skin was like parchment, almost translucent across his once proud face. Terann found herself wincing at the very thought that one who had once known such strength and honor had been resigned to merely awaiting death to claim him. For a Minbari, he was not exceedingly aged and it was quite clear that it was sickness that threatened him and not his years. He lay motionless, and Terann wondered if he was in fact sleeping, until finally he motioned to her with his hand. Assuming a posture of respect she moved to his bedside, remaining silent and keeping her features passive.

Once she was beside him, Deroni turned to regard her, his eyes the palest of blue and decidedly unfocused. His tongue darted between his parched lips, moistening them before he spoke.

“You look much like your mother,” he stated plainly, his strong confident tone lending contradiction to his weakened state.

Terann knew what he said was false but allowed him the delusion, knowing that to correct him would mean robbing him the comfort of his belief. It was clear from the way he looked at her, almost as if he saw her as his beloved daughter, that she had been summoned here only out of his need to bid farewell to Kelann, rather than a need to acquaint himself with his granddaughter. In that instant, a wave of resentment crashed over her despite her best efforts to fight against it. In that instant she realized they would never welcome her for the person she was, never as Terann, for they saw her as only the child of Kelann, the one who they blamed for her downfall. Clenching her fists at her side, Terann found herself grateful for his diminished senses, knowing it would not do for her anger to be seen.

“Did she speak of us?” He asked pulling Terann from her musings.

“Occasionally.” Came the stoic reply.

“She blamed us did she not? She never saw all that we tried to do for her, to prevent…” His voice trailed off in his apparent anguish.

A part of Terann urged her to attempt to comfort her grandfather, knew that he blamed himself for all that had happened to his only daughter. Yet a larger, more obstinate part of her told her to let him suffer, told her that he deserved every ounce of pain he was now feeling. How much simpler would her own life been had they not seen fit to ostracize Kelann. Not for the first time she found herself cursing the arrogance of her people and their stubborn adherence to outdated traditions.

“Were you with her… when she… died?” He asked finally, clearly forcing back the storm of emotions within him.

“No,” Terann said her tone cold and hard. “She was dead when I found her.”

The elder Minbari clenched his shut. “She did not deserve that… she did not deserve any of it.”

“No she did not.” Terann concurred, her voice not hiding any of her own hurt and anger.

“I wanted… I needed to tell her how sorry I am. And now it is too late… too late for any of us.”

She then waited for several moments to ensure that he had said everything he had wanted to. When it became clear that he was nearing sleep, Terann walked silently towards the door, not offering any gesture of parting. Upon reaching the archway, Terann’s attention was pulled back to him as he spoke her name almost inaudibly. Turning to face him, she was surprised by the clarity now present behind his pale eyes.

“You do not deserve this either, Terann, despite what the others may say.” He paused, gasping for another breath. “I am… I am proud of you.”

She regarded him silently as he closed his eyes then drifted off into sleep. She silently recalled his words to her, wondering if there was in fact a shred of truth present. Mentally she shook her head. She had felt his guilt for his family and clan’s treatment of Kelann and believed that his words reflected only this. Forcing back her anger and hurt she quickly exited the room.

After passing through the large antechamber, Terann quickly then followed the empty corridors out into the gardens. She paused only for a minute, taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm her mind, before heading towards the gate. However, as she did she felt something trace along the surface of her mind, and quickly she erected a block forcing out the intruder.

She spun around angrily, prepared to confront the one who had attempted to enter her thoughts, only to find herself face to face with Eirell once again.

“You have a strong mind,” Eirell commented coldly. “Very strong, for someone born of a non-telepath. Perhaps it is something you got from your father.”

Terann’s rage seethed within her, screaming to be set loose upon the Minbari before her. She clenched her hands into tight fists, knowing that her grandmother was only trying to provoke her. She forced a pleasant smile then stated calmly. “Perhaps it is something I received from you.”

Eirell snorted derisively then folded her arms across her chest running her eyes along Terann pensively. “Who are you trying to fool, Terann?” She asked, her brow furrowed in near disgust. “You don’t belong here, much less in that uniform, proclaiming to be one of us. Do you seriously believe that because Neroon is with you that you could possibly be accepted by us? Are you truly so naïve?”

“I…” Terann began in defense, but Eirell would hear nothing of it.

“Leave now, Terann. Return to the comforts of the Religious Caste for you do not belong amongst us, nor will you ever.”

Terann watched as her grandmother then spun on her heel and stalked back into the main house.

As he approached Terann, Neroon could sense that her meeting with her family had not gone well. It was nothing her appearance betrayed, merely a sensation that lingered in the back of his mind, something that alerted him to her anger and upset. Silently he cursed her clan and even their caste, for forcing her to struggle for every ounce of respect and acceptance. If only they could see her and know her as he did, surely then they would never again question the purity of her heart. He started at the thoughts that raced through his mind, stunned by how wrong he himself had once been about her, how reluctant he had been to open himself to her. Yet now, as he had come to know and care for her, he found that he was quickly losing both his heart and his soul to her, that if he were to lose her it would be much like losing a piece of himself. It was a thought that both saddened and alarmed him. More than once, since his return with her to Minbar, he had been chastised, reminded that she was an outcast, possibly even impure, and instructed to treat her as such. He knew that there were those that frowned upon his relationship with her as well as he knew the consequences he may face for opposing the dictates of his caste. Yet he found himself caring little. She had proven herself to him, shown him that she was truly Minbari, deserving to be of the Warrior Caste.

He came to a stop beside the telepath, where she stood atop a ledge overlooking an immense waterfall. For a moment he remained silent, regarding her, noting the rage that haunted her dark green eyes.

“Why am I here?”

Neroon furrowed his brow at her barely audible question. “What do you mean?”

“Why am I here?” She demanded of him again with barely held in check anger.

“You belong here, Terann,” he told her simply.

“Do I?” She asked, almost laughing at some perceived absurdity. “How is it you are so convinced?”

“Would I have asked you here--?”

“I do not know, Neroon. Everything around me, everything I hear and see and feel tells me that I am merely fooling myself, that I have no right to be here, pretending to belong.”

“You do belong here, Terann,” he reassured her. “Regardless of what the stubborn among us think, you are Minbari, born of the Warrior Caste. You are a benefit to us, someone we wrongly dismissed out of ignorance.”

She turned to face him, her eyes flashing. “So certain of this are you? Look around, Neroon. Have you become so blind, grown too close to see as I do? I know their hatred, I have seen it my entire life. I had thought I had become accustomed to it, believed that if only given the chance, they could accept me. But now I see how wrong I was, and now, how wrong you were.”

He grabbed her arm roughly, his ire sparked. “What are you saying? That you have given up? That you wish to run away again, is that it?”

“I am not running away, Neroon,” She defended. “This is not where I am meant to be, I am not wanted here and I never will be. Surely you must see that.”

“No, Terann, all I see is a strong and honorable young woman, one I have grown to care for more than I ever imagined possible, ready to turn her back on everything she has ever wanted. I never told you this would be easy Terann, for I know the enmity you have faced. But you are stronger than this, stronger than they are. You have proven this to me. Now prove it to yourself. “ He then placed his fingers under her chin, urging her eyes to his. “You are Minbari Terann, it is time for you to believe that and let what is left attend to itself.”

In her mind, Terann knew he was right. She knew that she could not expect others to accept her, if she was unwilling to do so first. But she knew the truth, knew that their distrust was justified and she could not find it within herself to blame them. Even Neroon, who had professed his feelings for her, would turn away if he knew the truth. She felt so alone, so torn between what her heart wanted and what her mind told her was impossible. And yet, in the farthest reaches of her mind there was a spark, a glimmer of hope, something that told her that she didn’t need to appease everyone, would be unable to even if she tried. But if only she could make only one understand… then maybe. Coming to her decision quickly she raised her eyes met to Neroon’s once more, allowing herself to touch his mind gently before smiling and instructing him to follow.

“Our transport will be leaving for Tuzanor soon,” Neroon protested as he watched her bound off towards the heart of the city.

She moved back to him, taking his hand in hers. “There will be another Neroon. I have something I need to show you.”

He tightened his hold on her hand as she once again tried to move away. “What?”

“Understanding,” she said simply, pulling her fingers from his grasp and once again moving away.

It was early evening and the pace of the city had slowed considerably. The people they passed did so at a leisurely pace, and Terann found comfort in the more subdued atmosphere. They came upon a small café, run by an elderly couple and after much encouragement, Terann convince Neroon to stop for something to eat. She knew he was eager to see what she wanted to share with him, but it was not time, and she assured him of such. She knew he did not understand but he accepted her word. They sat in a quiet, dimly lit corner, yet the fact that they were the only warriors in the establishment was clear by the uncomfortable looks they received from the other patrons. Most were Religious Caste and though he remained quiet, Terann knew Neroon was uncomfortable. The meal itself was simple, consisting of various local fruits and vegetables, a choice of freshly baked breads and some kind of cider that Terann could not identify. At first their conversation was quiet, but as each relaxed, the more vocal they became. Terann was grateful for this as it gave her the opportunity to force the memories of the afternoon from her thoughts.

When their meal was completed, they emerged into the night turning to head in the direction of one of the city’s larger temples. Neroon continued to question Terann, then finally demanding to know where she was leading him.

Terann finally stopped before turning to face him. “Dukhat told me that to understand our people means one must first learn three things; one from each caste. From our own caste we learn strength and greatness. We learn how to live and how to fight and how to die with honor. From the Worker Caste, I learned to serve our people, knowing not to expect any recognition, for more often than not our actions go unnoticed.”

When she paused, Neroon asked, “And from the Religious Caste?”

She sighed softly, knowing that her answer would only lead to more questions. “They showed me how small and insignificant I truly am.”

“I do not understand.”

Terann smiled. “You will.” She then resumed her journey to the temple, leaving Neroon in bewilderment. He finally caught up with her as she entered the temple’s grounds.

“I do not like being here, Terann,” he said barely above a whisper.

“Stop worrying, Neroon. No one will know.” She led him around the back, coming to an access door used only by the Workers who maintained the temple and its grounds. When she tried to open the door, she found much to her dismay, that it was locked. From behind her she heard Neroon sigh deeply in relief and she cast him an irritated glare. Then turning back to the door, she laid her hand gently upon it, focusing her thoughts on the mechanism. Almost instantly it emitted a soft click and the door slid open. Casting a satisfied smiling back at Neroon, she disappeared through the doorway.

Silently cursing the young woman, he reluctantly followed. Stepping through the archway, he was immersed for a moment in darkness. Once his eyes adjusted, he was able to discern a narrow stairway and assuming it was the way Terann had gone he started up it. After several moments he reached her side. “I do not like this Terann, if we are discovered—“

“If we are discovered, I will simply explain what we are doing.” She turned to face him, touching his cheek gently with her hand. “It would not be the first time, I have been found here, you have nothing to worry about Neroon.” When he sighed his disapproval once again, Terann leaned forward capturing his mouth with hers. She kissed him gently at first, and then pressed herself against him as he responded to her. She opened her mind to him, reassuring him, silently urging him to trust her. Once their lips parted, he nodded his acquiescence and they continued their assent.

After several minutes they emerged at the top of one of the temple’s crystal spires. The ledge they stood upon was narrow and led around to the front of the temple. Terann possessing a much smaller frame than Neroon made her way easily along the ledge but for Neroon, however, the path was a little more difficult to maneuver yet his pride forced him to not complain. When they came to a place where a wide formation of crystal jutted out from a secondary spire, Terann instructed Neroon to sit as she did.

For several minutes they remained silent, and Terann found herself gazing up to the heavens, wishing to lose herself in their stark simplicity. Her eyes fell upon a faint blue star and her heart and mind immediately recognizing it as being the Vorlon sun. It called to her, as it always did, urging her to return to them and the sanctuary that they offered her. But how could she? Returning to them would mean turning her back on everything she hoped to gain here on Minbar and that was not something she was prepared to do.

“Something wrong?”

Neroon’s voice pulled her attention back to the reality that surrounded her. “No,” she said quickly; too quickly, she chastised. When she sensed he was about to question her further, she began to explain what it was she wished to share with him. “I first came to Yedor when I was little more than six. I was sent to study under an aged Religious Caste telepath who lived in a small village several kilometers from here. Upon meeting her, I immediately hated her. She was cold, stubborn and utterly convinced of her own superiority.”

“Typical Religious Caste,” Neroon muttered, bringing a smile to Terann’s face.

“She was also one of the strongest telepaths I have ever met. She would choose only a handful of students every year, those who she deemed worthy of her instruction. She agreed to take me under her charge only at the request of Dukhat, as she believed me to be too headstrong and arrogant to benefit from her lessons. I stayed with her for over two months determined to prove myself to her and to Dukhat, doing everything I was told without question.

“One morning she sent me out into her gardens and instructed me to sit upon a large rock. Reluctantly I obeyed, though I did not understand. She then instructed me to lower the barriers I had so carefully built in my mind, to open my thoughts, as I had never done before. I was terrified but I did as I was instructed and almost immediately she hit me with a deep scan. I fell off the rock and passed out in the dirt.”

“Then why did she do it?”

“To show me that my abilities are a wonderful gift and a terrible weapon, and to show me that I must never lower my guards to anyone.”

Neroon furrowed his brow; not fully understanding what Terann was telling him had to do with their presence atop the temple. Terann sensing his confusion, offered in explanation:

“What I never told anyone is that in that instant, when all my barriers were gone and my mind was completely open, I felt everything around me; the rock, the trees, the sun, even the millions of voices far away in Yedor. I saw it all, Neroon. My entire life I believed that because I had these abilities that I was important and that despite being cast out, that I was somehow better, special. I was wrong, Neroon. In that moment, I understood how truly unimportant I am, how without the whole, without each of us, none of us are. I never shared this with anyone. Not even Dukhat. You see, Neroon, I am different, I do not see the world as others do. It is because of this that they will never truly understand me, they could not even if they tried.” She paused then, taking a moment to remove her glove from her left hand. “Take my hand, Neroon, but do not let go.”

His trust in her was implicit, and he took her hand despite any trepidation he was currently feeling. He felt her mind touch his, gently at first then becoming more demanding as her hold over him tightened. He did not fight, but instead allowed her to strip away his inhibitions opening his mind up to the city around them. At first he heard only a distant hum but it grew in intensity as he felt Terann reach out with her own mind, drawing the sensations into his thoughts. Suddenly he found himself almost overwhelmed by sights and sounds, tastes and smells. It was as if every nuance of the city, every delicate detail of it was being thrust upon him. He heard the songs of a choir in the temple below, felt the love of a mother as she rocked her infant to sleep, knew the frustration of a young warrior as he was beaten in a sparring match at the same instant he felt the elation of his opponent. It was as if the city itself were a living being, where each individual, regardless of caste, was a tiny yet integral part. Neroon felt the urge to lose himself in the sensations, eager to remember every aspect of the experience.

Gently Terann guided his mind back, forcing them both to face the reality around them. “Now do you understand?” She asked of him softly.

He nodded, unable to find his voice. So many thoughts raced through his mind, not the least of which was the awe he felt for the woman beside him. Never had he considered this part of her, always seeing her telepathic abilities for their potential destructiveness. He silently chastised himself for his previous ignorance, now eager to learn all that he could about the telepath beside him. He knew that what she had showed him only hinted at the true depth of her abilities and acknowledged that it was these things that made her different. Yet he found himself hoping that if she could only trust and believe in herself then perhaps others would as well. For he saw in her the potential to guide and teach their people in ways he had never before dreamed possible.

Terann stared out at the waterfalls, lost in her thoughts. They were a jumbled mass of confusion in her mind; some causing her to believe that she was happy back on Minbar, that the acceptance she had always longed for was hers for the asking. The other half mocked her for thinking such things. It reminded her of the reception she had received from her grandmother and Durhann, and countless others who did not care that Neroon was at her side, championing her return.

Neroon. Over the past few weeks, he had come to mean more to her than she had ever imagined possible. It was much like finding the other half to her whole. He was the missing piece of the puzzle that made her who she was. He seemed to understand her thoughts and emotions as no one ever had, felt her anger and pain and knew exactly what to say to calm her, to bring her back down from the heavens. It was almost terrifying to see herself in his eyes, to know that he had the very power in his hands to make her or break her. She hated the thought of another having that sort of control over her and yet there was nothing she wished to do to stop it. For once in her life, she knew someone truly cared about what happened to her, about her happiness, her welfare. The Vorlons had demanded that she choose.

Well, she had made her choice.

Turning from the falls, Terann made her way toward the marketplace. She recalled the last time she had been in this area, with Aelora by her side, teaching the newly gifted telepath how to properly use her skills. It struck her that if had she told Aelora then the truth about her father, perhaps much of the pain they had suffered would have been avoided. But who was to know? She could not have been certain that Aelora was ready to hear the truth, ready to face the legacy of her blood. Terann herself did not know what she would do if someone told her that her father had left her side to become the greatest Minbari to have ever existed. It was a daunting thought. Still, what gave her and Delenn the right to keep such an important fact from the Human? If nothing else, she had deserved the truth from the start, not to have it thrown in her face as punishment, especially punishment that she did not deserve. Terann shook her head. Aelora’s solution to protecting G’Kar had been foolish at best. Still, who was to say that had it been her and Neroon in the same position that she would not have done exactly as Aelora had? In the end, she supposed it was all for the best. As long the Human remained faithful to the Kyra’s and Centauri Prime, there would never be a future for her and the Narn.

Entering the Market Area, Terann scanned the shops until she found the candle maker. She stopped inside and purchased nine, ignoring the queer expression she received from the owner when he noticed her Warrior’s uniform. She thanked him, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips and exited back out into the warmth of the sun. Looking up at the blue sky above her, she considered how everything seemed brighter around her somehow, happier. She knew it would not continue, joy rarely did, but she promised herself she would enjoy it while she could. Moving to return to the Ranger Training Facility, she hesitated when she thought she heard her name called out:

“Terann? It is Terann, is it not?”

She turned and scanned the crowd, her senses alert for a presence she knew. Noticing a single alien presence amongst so many Minbari, she isolated it until she saw the Centauri moving out of the crowd toward her. Instantly he was familiar to her but Terann could not remember from where. She frowned, her mind focusing on the recent past until she remembered she had last seen him on Babylon 5. Rane Kyra, Aelora’s cousin. Terann immediately felt her ire rise, realizing that this was the one who had caused Aelora to sacrifice both G’Kar’s friendship and her position as a Ranger.

“You are Aelora’s friend, Terann,” the Centauri stated as he approached her. “I am Rane Kyra, her ----- “

“I know who you are,” Terann cut him off coolly. “May I ask why you are on Minbar?”

“Who does not wish to come to Minbar?” He replied, ignoring the question.

Terann flashed a glare at him. “Well, enjoy your stay. I hope it is a short one.” With that, she turned to leave.

But the Centauri was not so easily snubbed. He hurried after her, not speaking again until they were away from the crowd. “I – I was wondering if you had heard from Aelora lately?”

She glanced casually over her shoulder. “No. We did not part under…friendly terms.” Terann halted, turning to face him. “I believe that was due in part to your interference.”

Anger sparked in Rane’s eyes. “Do not try to blame me for Aelora’s mistakes! She had no right to befriend the last of the Kha’Ri. Not when our world is currently in the situation that it is.”

“She befriended no one,” Terann lied for her friend.

“Oh stop with the play-acting all ready. I was not born yesterday,” he snapped. “I know the truth. I saw it with my own eyes when that Narn showed up on Centauri Prime. She is lucky Cartagia did not see the same.”

Rane moved as if to leave but Terann reached out and grabbed his arm, holding him near. “What do you mean? G’Kar is on Centauri Prime?”

The Centauri snatched his arm from her grasp. “Yes. Apparently he left the sanctuary of the Earther’s station and our people caught up with him. Cartagia presented him as a gift to Aelora and Ambassador Mollari. Unfortunately, my cousin did not seem to look at it as such.”

“What happened?” Terann pressed, her heart filling with dread.

“I am not certain,” Rane replied, rubbing a hand across his eyes. “I mean, it is not as if Aelora has done anything outright, at least that I have seen. Though I did hear from one of the guards that she went to visit the prisoner the night he arrived. Still, the last time I saw her… well, there was definitely something wrong.”

“How do you mean?” The Minbari demanded.

“She was sick, that much was certain. She would not admit it to me but everyone in Court could see it. She was pale, thin, and lifeless. She was always locking herself in her quarters sleeping. Between that and the expression in her eyes every time she saw the Narn brought out in chains… Well, I doubt she will survive her imprisonment much longer.”

“I thought it was G’Kar who was imprisoned?”

Rane met Terann’s gaze for the first time since they began talking. “Do you believe that is the case?” He paused. “The Kyra House is walking a tight rope, Terann. Cartagia is… He is not well mentally, though this is not spoken of among the Centauri people. It is even rumored that He had his advisors beheaded and keeps their heads in a secret room where He talks to them. For what His amusements lack in taste, they make up for in originality. I was present for one of the Narn’s torture sessions that Aelora was forced to participate in. The Emperor was using the prisoner’s back as a dart board.” At Terann’s quizzical expression he supplied, “It is a Human game where they throw these sharp projectiles into a wooden board covered in numbers and circles. Only instead of wood, they used the Narn. Though she did not know it, everyone saw Aelora run from the room. At first, I believe the Emperor only believed her weak because of being Human, unable to stomach the torture of others. But, I fear that if she continues much longer, He will see that it is much more personal to her. I tried to get her to leave, but… “ He trailed off and shrugged.

“That is why you are here. You ran away.” It was not a question.

“What was I supposed to do?” Rane asked. “Lord and Lady Kyra can fight all that they want. It will not help. Tiro’s deception ruined our House and the worst part of it is I cannot say I am upset about it. The Centauri Court has changed. Everything there has changed. It is dark, foreboding. I fear for the whole planet.”

“So you left Aelora there though you knew she was sick?” Terann asked him angrily.

“What was I suppose to do? Bind and gag her? Though she would not admit it, I knew she would not leave the Narn. She tried to say it was simply because she had nowhere else to go but I do not believe it. Aelora was afraid to leave it behind.”

Terann’s hand reached out and slapped the Centauri hard. “Do not ever refer to another being with such contempt as long as you are on Minbar! G’Kar is worth a thousand Centauri! You stand here and criticize your people for how they have fallen from grace – well that attitude is exactly why they have done so. Perhaps if you would learn to stop hating so much and focus more on the affairs of the galaxy around you your people would see that the universe does not revolve around Centauri Prime!”

Rane rubbed at his cheek where her hand had left a dark welt. “Sure. I am certain that would solve all of our problems instantaneously.”

“You listen to me and listen good,” Terann told him, stepping closer so that their faces were mere inches away. “If Aelora dies, I will hold the blame on you. Not because you did not take her away with you but because it is people like you who forced her to become what she is, who forced her to make the choices she has made and lived the life she has lived. Inside of her is a kind and gentle being who could do no more than give love to those around her but that person was stifled, locked away, buried so that this other Aelora, this Centauri, could live. It is those same people, the ones just like you, who forced Aelora to push away anyone who has ever cared about her, those who have loved her simply for the person she is, not for who they wanted her to be. So mark my words, Rane Kyra, should any harm come to my friend, I will hold you personally responsible and I will find you and Aelora’s pain will equal nothing compared to yours!”

“Do not threaten me,” Rane muttered.

“Oh, it is not a threat,” she promised.

The Centauri looked away towards the falls for a moment before turning back to her. “Look, I do not want to see Aelora hurt, okay? That is in no way my intention. She… she does not belong there. Even I can see that. But… she would not listen.” He reached back to scratch behind his neck for a moment before meeting her gaze once more. “Look, if I hear anything else, I promise to contact you.”

“That would be… kind of you,” Terann nodded. “I am staying at the Ranger Training Facility. Do you know where that is?”

Rane nodded. “I have considered becoming one myself. Oh, do not look at me like that. Everyone is allowed to change.”

Terann nodded. “This is a fact.”

She remained silent as she watched him leave, wondering if it were possible for any Centauri to shed the mantle with which they were raised. Her thoughts immediately returned to Aelora and she found herself praying to Valen to watch over his child.

“Who was that?”

Terann started and turned to find Neroon standing beside her, his gaze on the departing Centauri. He looked down at her and smiled teasingly.

“They say there is a first time for anything but I doubted that would ever be the case when it came to sneaking up on you, Terann.”

“I was thinking.”

“Obviously.” A pause. Then again, “Who was that?”

“Rane Kyra, Aelora’s cousin. He… he told me that things on Centauri Prime are not well.”

“Have they ever been?” Neroon questioned honestly.

Terann shook her head. “It is not that. I worry for Aelora. I believe she may have jumped into something much larger than she can handle and… I am not there to help her. No one is. She is alone.”

“She is strong,” Neroon commented grudgingly. “And stubborn.”

“That is why I am afraid.” Terann smiled sadly. “It is her obstinacy that I fear. Not her strength.”

“Well, if there is one thing I have learned about Humans it is that they will do as they please no matter what the rest of the galaxy tells them. It is that trait that fascinates the rest of us,” he told her as he wrapped his arm around her waist possessively.

Terann smiled up at him. “I did not know that the Humans fascinated you.”

“Fascinate. Infuriate. What is the difference in the end, hmm?”

Terann laughed, her worries forgotten as she allowed Neroon to lead her back towards her apartments.

“Ah. Alyt Terann. Please, come in.”

Terann entered Shai Alyt Shakiri’s office hesitantly. When she had returned to her quarters that afternoon before, a message had been waiting for her stating that Shakiri wished to meet with her. She was wary, which was understandable. She had never before met the leader of the Warrior Caste and found herself wondering why he wished to make her acquaintance now. She bowed to him respectfully then stood silently, allowing him to lead the conversation.

The leader of the Warrior Caste stood and walked out from around his desk. He was large, even for a Warrior, towering more than a foot over Terann’s slight form. He wore facial hair, which was not a popular look with the Minbari and caused him to stand out among the others. Terann figured that was the reason he did it, to seem imposing and dangerous. She found herself standing taller and straighter before him, silently letting him know that he did not intimidate her.

“Alyt Neroon has told me a great deal about you, Terann,” Shakiri commented, regarding her thoughtfully. “He tells me that you saved the Ingata and her crew just outside Minbar.”

“I was not alone in the battle,” Terann replied casually. “Eitann was in charge and the crew fought bravely.”

“Spoken like a true Warrior.” Shakiri smiled, and then corrected, “A true Minbari.”

Terann shifted from one foot to the other, already growing uncomfortable with the conversation. She sensed deception from the leader but could not pinpoint if it were directed at her, or something more general. Whatever it was, he was hiding something and, there was more behind this meeting than simply wishing to get to know her.

“I am curious,” Terann spoke, hoping to move Shakiri into revealing his purpose. “I was surprised when I received your message. I do not see why the leader of the Warrior caste would wish to meet with me. Unless, of course, you have nothing better to do than make new friends. I hardly qualify as an important contact.”

Shakiri raised his brow in reply. “On the contrary, Terann, you are much more important than I suppose you would like others to know.”

An alarm sounded in Terann’s head and her defenses immediately rose. “Let us not waste anymore of our time, Shakiri. I suggest you tell me your reason behind my appearance here.”

“Neroon told me you were straight forward. I see that he was right. Very well.” Shakiri moved back around his desk, picking up a data crystal and holding it up for Terann to see. “It is amazing, is it not? That something as small as this crystal, here in my hand can make or destroy a life.”

“You are speaking in riddles,” Terann accused.

“Am I?” He closed his fist around it for a moment, staring at his hand pensively. Finally, he told her, “I received this from a crewmember on the Ingata, someone exceedingly loyal to the Warrior caste and the Minbari people, someone who keeps their eyes open, listens to what goes on around them and collects information when they feel it is necessary and prudent.”

“A spy.”

Shakiri shrugged. “I prefer to refer to them as loyal patriots. No matter. The point is, the information I hold here in my hand could be very important to the Minbari people… And even more important to you.”

Terann felt her nerves tighten. The apprehension must have been apparent in her eyes because Shakiri chuckled.

“I am going to believe that since you are a loyal and true Minbari that you would not scan me without permission so I will simply tell you. The information contained in this tiny crystal pertains to everything anyone has ever wished to know regarding your parentage.” He paused for effect. “The truth, Terann, about who and what you are.”

At her sharp intake of breath, Shakiri smiled.

“You did not expect this, did you?” He shook his head. “Not as alert as perhaps you should be considering if I were you I would do everything to keep such information buried.”

“What do you want?” Terann demanded, her heart racing. Briefly she considered simply killing him, cutting off a valve to his heart, snapping a brain synapse, anything that could not be traced back to her. Then she could take the crystal from him and leave. But unlike so many others, she still had a conscience. To purposely murder one of her own was beyond any act she could consciously perform. She would simply wait and see what Shakiri’s intentions were.

“Only your unwavering loyalty. It is not much to ask to keep everything contained in this crystal a secret.”

“My loyalty is already to the Warrior Caste.”

Shakiri shook his head. “No, Terann. Your loyalty is divided. You cannot tell me that you have broken all of your ties with the Vorlons. Then there is this involvement of yours with Delenn in this war against the Shadows --- a war that does not involve the Minbari people –- “

“How can you say that with a straight face?” Terann demanded, her ire taking over. “This war involves everyone in the galaxy. It is not limited!”

“You say that only because the Vorlons have instructed you to do so,” Shakiri spat. “You are just like those foolish Religious fanatics, allowing the Vorlons to manipulate and lead you around at their bidding.”

“How dare you speak of the Vorlons in such a way? They have saved the Minbari people in more ways than you can imagine!”

Shakiri’s eyes narrowed and he rounded the desk, moving to tower over Terann angrily. “Would you like to explain what you mean by that? Have they been meddling in Minbari affairs without our knowledge?”

Terann remained silent, realizing she had said too much as it was. At her continued reticence, Shakiri grunted, moving back and folding his arms across his wide chest.

“As I was saying, you will renounce any association with the Vorlons, the war, Delenn and the Religious and Worker castes. Your loyalty will be to myself and the Warrior caste and none other, or I will make the proof of your parentage known… beginning with Neroon.”

Fear shot through Terann at the mention of Neroon’s name and the full realization of what Shakiri was threatening her with hit her. If anyone were to learn of her true parentage, everything she had fought so hard to build among her people would be destroyed. She would never again be able to return to Minbar, never be allowed the chance to walk once more among the Minbari. She would really and truly be alone. The thought of it terrified her.

Still, there was quite a bit to Shakiri’s demands that she did not understand most of all being the simple question of why. Never before had she heard mention of any particular desire or need for her complete loyalty to the Warrior Caste. There had never been a point when her presence among her caste had ever been sought after. Therefore, Shakiri’s sudden interest was more than suspicious, and the more she thought about it, the more Terann felt something was wrong.

“Why are you making these demands of me?” Terann asked, unwilling to give in without all of the answers. “What do you gain from it?”

The Warrior shrugged. “Neroon has regaled me with stories of you amazing telepathic abilities and after reading through your file, I now understand why. Obviously, Neroon has yet to see your more impressive gifts.”

“No.” Terann shook her head. “That is not enough. It does not explain why you would possibly need my abilities so desperately that you would blackmail me to get my loyalty. There is more to this, Shakiri, and I demand you tell me what it is.”

“I have no idea what you are speaking of,” Shakiri denied. “You will simply be an asset to the Warrior caste.”

“You lie,” Terann spat back at him. “I warn you, Shakiri, tell me now or I will take it from you!”

“You would not dare!” Shakiri replied, plainly offended that she would even think of such an invasion of his mind. “To do so would immediately end this conversation, as well as your place among the Minbari.”

“Then I have nothing to lose, do I?” Terann commented her fists clenched at her sides. “And if the same goes for you, then you have nothing to hide, either.”

Shakiri took a menacing step towards her. “I will not take threats from you, half-breed.”

“I assure you, Shakiri, I do not threaten.”

The leader of the Warrior Caste’s eyes narrowed and he raised his hand as if to strike her. Terann reacted immediately, grabbing hold of his mind and pushing deeply into it. She heard him moan in distress from her assault but did not let up on the pain she was causing. He had pushed her too far and he would now learn from his mistake.

Centering her concentration, Terann narrowed her search, not wishing to learn Shakiri’s life history but only what his need for her entailed. Almost instantaneously she came upon visions that she knew she would carry with her forever. Images of dead Religious and Worker caste members, the cities of Minbar lying in ruin, flames licking the skies above her beloved homeworld. She saw the Warrior caste standing among them, Shakiri as the ultimate leader of the Minbari people, the other castes relegated to little more than slaves to their conquerors. The entire caste system would eventually be destroyed so that the Minbari evolved as Warriors only, all wisdom and beauty struck from their world by Shakiri’s deadly blow. The wheels to begin the destruction of Minbar had already been set in motion, the obstinacy of the Religious caste falling for the traps that Shakiri had made certain were set.

Terann broke her contact with Shakiri abruptly, watching dispassionately as he dropped to his knees from the staggering pain.

“How… dare… you!” He stuttered, his speech slurred.

“How dare you!” Terann shouted, grabbing him by the front of his uniform and using her hidden strength to drag him to his feet. “How dare you turn against your people! How dare you use your own hunger for power to destroy Minbar!”

“I… am saving… Minbar!”

She tossed him across the room, as if he weighed no more than any piece of rubbish, so that he slammed hard into the opposite wall. “Saving Minbar by destroying it’s heart and soul? You are demented as well as stupid!”

Shakiri struggled to stand, his face contorted in rage, though fear of the being before him was evident in his eyes. “You are finished here, Terann! You had best take your leave and quickly, for I will make it certain that the truth of your parentage shall spread all over Minbar by nightfall! You are not now, nor shall you ever be Minbari! Go back to the Vorlons, for not even the Religious and Worker castes will hesitate to kill you once I am through!”

Terann moved toward the door, pushing away the consideration of melting his brain in his head then and there, if only to stop the coming madness from occurring but she knew that it was already too late. If she were to dispose of this head, another would only grow in its place. The Minbari people would not learn from such a lesson; they had to be taught another way. Besides, were she to kill one of her own, she would never be able to look at herself again, never be able to call herself Minbari.

For whatever she was, Minbari or Vorlon, she was not a monster.

Terann paced back and forth in her room as she awaited the incoming call regarding the next transport from Minbar. Inside she was still silently fuming over everything she had learned from Shakiri, everything that he was planning and the audacity of him to threaten her, to attempt to coerce her into helping him. What had happened to the Warrior caste? What had happened to the Minbari people? That they had strayed so far from the teachings of Valen, reverting back over a thousand years to become no better than the Humans, was something Terann could not begin to understand. How had it happened? Where had they gone wrong?

It hurt to know that she was leaving Minbar once more, after she had come so far and fought so hard to finally become accepted. She knew that once Shakiri made the truth of her parentage known, she would never again have the chance to rejoin her people, never again be allowed among them. Rage and frustration had so consumed her that she had considered, for just a moment, killing Shakiri and be done with it. But no one would have believed her in the end; no one would have understood that his death would be a necessary thing, and both Shakiri and his beliefs would become martyred among the Warrior Caste.

The beep of the comm pulled Terann from her reverie and she moved over to the screen, switching it on. “Go ahead.”

“Alyt Terann.” The Worker on the screen nodded to her. “The next transport leaving Tuzanor is in two hours. Shall I book a seat for you?”

“Yes. Please.” She took a breath. “Is there a connecting transport to Babylon 5?”

“Yes, Alyt.”

“Secure a seat for me there as well.”

“Of course, Alyt.”

Terann turned off the comm and began moving around, preparing her things for departure. She was forever packing to take her leave, being forced to rebuild her life after she believed it was finally settled. She knew someone with less strength of will might simply give in, unable to continue on, depression consuming them. Terann believed herself to be made of stronger stuff than that, though. To give in now would mean to admit defeat and she was Minbari; such an action was unthinkable. No, she would move on to another place, where no one knew who or what she was and find a way to continue her work against the Shadows there. Sadly, she now understood that the Vorlons had been right all along. They were the only ones who ever truly understood.

“Going somewhere?”

Terann started, silently cursing to herself for being so lost in her thoughts as to not hear Neroon approach. She had wanted to be prepared to face him, now she was off-guard, uncertain of what to say or where to begin. She took a deep breath and turned slowly, fixing him with an unwavering gaze.

“I am leaving.”

“That much I assumed,” Neroon replied, casting a glance at her bags. “My question is to where?”

“I do not know yet.”

“Hmmm…” He moved around her, in an attempt to gauge her mood. If nothing else in the past few weeks they had spent together, Neroon had learned how to read Terann’s moods, able to ascertain as to when something was wrong, when she was lying and when she simply needed space. The Warrior folded his arms and turned to face her once more. “Why do I get the feeling that wherever it is you are going, you do not plan on returning here?”

Terann clenched her fists at her side, wondering to herself if Neroon knew of Shakiri’s plans for their people. She had never been so tempted to scan him, the need burning in her to learn everything he knew. She held herself back, if only for a moment and replied with her own question. “Do you know? Do you know what he is planning?”

Neroon frowned. “He?”

“Shakiri! Your…leader.”

“Ah. You met with him.” Neroon seemed unperturbed. “He had said he wished to speak with you. He is very interested in what you can do, Terann. In how you can help us.”

“Help you?” Terann spat. “So you do know? You know of his plan to destroy our people and you are in agreement?”

“Our people have already been destroyed, Terann,” Neroon replied heatedly. “The Religious cast has succeeded in making our people no more than a mockery, ever since we let them lead us through the war with the Earthers. By all rights we should have eliminated Earth when we had the chance. Now we bow and kneel before them and do their bidding like obedient children. The entire galaxy is laughing at us, Terann, when instead they should be fearing us, respecting us.”

“Is that what you want, Neroon?” Terann asked, her eyes narrowing. “The galaxy at your feet? Crushing the skulls of those who are inferior beneath your boots? How Centauri of you.”

Neroon stalked toward her, grabbing her roughly by the arms and shaking her once. “Do you not see the decline, Terann? I thought you of anyone would see what we have become. We can no longer allow them to dictate what we should do and say and how we should make nice with all of the other races because we all need each other. We are Minbari! We need no one. The downfall of our civilization began when we surrendered to the Earthers. We declined even further when we began allowing Earthers into the Anla’shok. Shakiri only seeks to rebuild what once was! To make us strong again, to --- “

“Put our people back at war with one another!” Terann shouted, pulling from his grasp. “Minbari killing Minbari once again! Valen taught us the error of our ways and now you seek not to evolve and move forward with the universe to but revert back to an age of barbarism and violence!”

“We are Warriors!”

“NO!” Terann slammed her fist into the wall angrily. “We are Minbari, Neroon! Worker, Warrior, Religious, it does not matter! Slaying one of us is no different than taking blood from all of us. Do you not see that? Are you so blind in your need to be revered and worshipped that you would make war on your own people?”

“I am doing this for our people!” Neroon retorted, moving from her and pacing angrily. “Shakiri seeks to make us strong again, to unite us once more!” He whirled around to her. “You are strong and brave, capable of leading others, making them look up to you. Both the Religious and Worker castes accept you; they see you as one of them. You could help us to keep the bloodshed to a minimum, help us to make them understand, to sway them to our reasoning. You could help us to end this before it escalates.”

Terann closed her eyes against the realization that Neroon truly did not understand. Not knowing what she was or of what she was capable, he would never completely understand what her capabilities were, her strengths. She opened her eyes and regarded him sadly. “That is not why Shakiri wishes for my assistance, Neroon.”

Neroon shrugged. “He knows of your abilities of course and should the need arise ----“

“No, Neroon. Not should. Shakiri will make certain the need arises, of that you can be assured.”

“There are other telepaths, Terann. You are not alone.”

“I am alone, Neroon. And therein lies the sorrow.”

Neroon shook his head. He could spend a hundred years with this female and he would never begin to understand her. Her she had the chance to be among her people again, just as he had promised, and she was running away from it, behaving as if she had never wanted it. But he had seen the need in her to be accepted firsthand. He knew the desire burned within her. Why was she turning away from it? The Warrior rubbed a hand across his eyes in frustration.

“Fine, Terann. If you do not wish to help us in restoring Minbar to it’s rightful place, then do not. But there is no reason for you to leave. I will not hold your reluctance against you. We will find a way to work through it.”

“No.” Terann shook her head. “I am afraid you do not understand. I cannot stay. Shakiri will make certain of that.” She quickly turned back to her packing, hoping that Neroon would not push further. He would learn the truth soon enough.

“What can he do?” The Warrior asked, frowning. “I will speak with him.”

Terann laughed without humor. “Yes, you will.”

“I do not understand you, Terann.”

She shook her head. “No. I am afraid you would never be able to, Neroon.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” He asked, his ire rising once more. “Are you now going to say that these past few weeks have meant nothing to you?”

Terann forced back the sudden pain that knifed through her heart. She had attempted to forget what it was she was truly being forced to leave behind, an emotion she had never expected to feel in her lifetime. “There are some things that cannot be,” she replied smoothly.

Neroon grabbed her arm, pulling her around and backhanding her hard across the face. “You have played me for a fool all along! Before I believed you hard and cold, unable to feel anything beyond your own superiority. I thought I was wrong but now I see that my first assumption had been correct. Do you do this for the Religious caste? I wonder. Did you deceive me to get close to Shakiri? To learn what he planned?”

“I would never deceive you, Neroon.”

He hit her again, harder. “You lie.”

“Do not hit me again,” Terann warned him quietly, her teeth clenched.

“Or what?” Neroon taunted, his grip digging into her arm. “You will drop to your knees and pray?”

The insult hit its mark. Terann’s anger swept over her as the music she had thought she would never again hear began reverberating through her mind.

We are with you, it sang.

“Do you truly want to know why Shakiri wants my help?” Terann snarled at Neroon, knowing that there was no longer any chance to turn back. She had started down a path from which there was no return. “Do you want the truth? All of it?”

Neroon pushed her away from him. “You have never spoken a word of truth in your life, Terann.”

As he turned to leave, the telepath closed her eyes, the need for retribution sweeping through her. She was angry that he believed such horrible things about her, angry that he believed she lied to him for the Religious caste, that she opened her heart to him only to get close to Shakiri. More than anything, she was in pain over the realization that she would never have the chance to prove him wrong. Without another thought, she lunged for Neroon, grabbing his hand in hers and holding him fast. Neroon spun around, ready to attack her when he suddenly froze, an unfamiliar and almost frightening sensation of “feeling” Terann enter his mind.

Do you want to know the truth? Her angry voice echoed through his mind.

Images began flashing through his mind then at a staggering pace. They began with Dukhat speaking with a Vorlon, and Terann’s mother entering Vorlon space. Kelann was then floating in some sort of liquid, with tubes and wires attached to her. Then she stood before the same Vorlon with Dukhat only now she was heavy with child and there was a look of fury buried deeply in her eyes, though she stood meekly with her head bowed. There was a small Minbari child whose eyes sometimes took on an alien expression, who had abilities and talents that frightened and angered her mother, who was unwanted because she was different and impure. Next an older Terann stood among the Vorlons, appearing as great and mysterious as they and she walked with them and spoke with them and looked on at the races of the galaxy as being so much beneath her, looking upon the Minbari as those who refused to accept her though she was greater and stronger than they. They were afraid of her, and they had the right to be.

I could destroy you now, Terann told him. I could destroy Shakiri at the same moment and then none of the pain and terror and hatred that you are looking to create could happen. I could destroy you at any moment. And it would take no more than a mere thought. Do you understand? I could destroy all of you.

You cannot control me. You could not stop me. I am something you will never understand, and yet always aspire to be. I am greater than you, more dangerous than you. You do not frighten me.

I was willing to share myself with you, only that was not enough. You had to have all of me and now you know; now you understand and you wish that all of this were simply some nightmare from which you could awaken. Only this is real. This is my nightmare.

She released her hold on him and Neroon stumbled back, his body shaking from the experience, his mind whirling her invasion. He stared at her in shock and horror as the realization of what he had seen swept over him. Terann was not Minbari, not as she claimed. She truly was a freak, an impurity, and a mockery of her people. The Vorlons had forced Kelann to give birth to an abomination. They had the audacity to force themselves onto the Minbari, placing a spy among their people and no one knew! Neroon’s eyes narrowed as he continued to stare at the female before him, a devastating rage rushing through him, the need to snap her neck between his hands consuming him.

“I would not suggest it,” Terann warned him.

For the first time in his life, Neroon found himself fearful. He knew that what she had told him was true; she would not hesitate to kill him and for her it would be no more than a mere thought, much like crushing an insect beneath one’s boot heel. Cautiously, he backed from the room, his eyes never leaving her.

“Never return to Minbar,” Neroon advised her. “Vorlon or not, I will find a way to kill you. I will make certain that the Minbari people do not allow an abomination such as you to walk amongst us again. You are not welcome here, Terann. Nor shall you ever be.”

With that, the Warrior disappeared from the room.

It was almost a full hour before Terann was able to pick herself up from the floor where she had collapsed after Neroon had left her. She had been unable to function, unable to think rationally for long minutes after he had disappeared. Everything she had struggled to obtain for years, everything she had longed for had suddenly come crashing down around her, her life shattered into tiny pieces that held no chance of being restored. Losing the peace and happiness that she had found through the unexpected relationship with Neroon caused Terann pain that she had never before considered possible. It was terrifying to know she was alone, terrifying to know that she no longer had anyone or anywhere to belong to.

A lethargic sensation settled over her. She came to the conclusion that she cared too much, had always allowed herself to become too involved, too personally wrapped up in the lives of those around her. If she had not cared, she would not be feeling this anguish. If she wished to grow stronger from her experiences, then she had to learn to detach herself. After all, Terann had only herself left, only herself to depend on and trust.

When the beeping of the communication unit sounded, Terann could do more than stare at it. She considered ignoring it, not wanting to take the chance that it could be Shakiri prepared to threaten her for still being on Minbar. As the signal continued, an impression of urgency washed over her. She tried to shake it off but it continued to nag at her until she finally accepted the call, if only to silence the noise.

“What is it?” She snapped her ire only rising as she realized the image of the person on the screen was that of Aelora’s cousin Rane.

“I am sorry to disturb you, Terann,” the Centauri apologized, somewhat hesitantly, apparently noting Terann’s current mood. “But I thought you would like to know.”

“I am leaving Minbar, Rane, and do not have time to chat with you ---“

“It is regarding Aelora,” he told her quickly, knowing that she was about to terminate the connection.

Terann’s eyes narrowed. “I warned you --- “

“She is on Narn.”

The Minbari sighed. Well, at least some things were going right. “Then she is safe. That is good to hear. Is G’Kar with her?”

Aelora’s cousin shook his head. “No. You do not understand. I am not certain of the details but I was told by my sources that Aelora apparently attempted to protect the Narn from further torture and, in so doing, angered the Emperor to the point that he was ready to order her execution. Instead, he gave her to the Narns, informing them of her family’s connection to the slave trade and telling them she was responsible for Citizen G’Kar’s capture and subsequent torture. According to my source, the Narns were told to punish her as they saw fit.” Rane paused, shaking his head. “A part of me says she gets what she deserves. Her actions destroyed the Kyra House once and for all. Lord and Lady Kyra were executed and all extended members of the Kyra House were deprived of their rank, forced into slavery.”

“My condolences,” Terann replied, her tone thick with sarcasm. “What about Aelora? How do I get to her?”

“It will be dangerous,” Rane warned. “There are many who feel Cartagia was too lenient with Aelora and will be unwilling to cooperate in any chance that will help her. She has shamed the Centauri people by admitting that she has…feelings for a Narn,” he almost spat the word and the expression on his face clearly showed his revulsion at the thought.

“I have no fear of opposition,” Terann replied quietly and firmly. “I have little patience for it. I already warned you what would happen should any harm come to Aelora. The same goes for any who should get in my way.”

“I had nothing to do with this!” Rane commented defensively. “It was all her own doing. Sacrificing herself for that ani – for a Narn. It is embarrassing.”

At the moment, it was all Terann could do from killing the Centauri on the screen but she knew she still needed him to assist smuggling her onto Narn. Apprehension filled her at what the Human would currently be going through if everything that Rane had told her were true. The Narns hatred for the Centauri, mixed with their need for revenge, would mean that Aelora would have little chancing of surviving long in their company, if she were indeed still alive now. At the thought, Terann asked:

“How long ago was she taken there?”

“It’s a three day trip from Centauri Prime, I just got the news… “ Rane shrugged. “She has probably been there two days at the most.”

Terann nodded. There was still a chance then. “How am I to get to her?”

“You really want to go through with this?” Rane questioned. “I doubt you will get there in time to do any good. If they have not killed her by now, they will soon. And if they do not plan on killing her… well, after so many days in the captivity of Narns, who would accept her? Narn anatomy is compatible to that of Humans, if you catch my meaning.”

“I warn you against the wisdom of making yourself any more clear,” Terann replied through gritted teeth. Her patience was quickly wearing thin. Why did everything happen at once? Could she not at least be allowed a moment to get hold of her bearings before being forced to face even more challenges? Had it been anyone but Aelora, she would allow the universe to take whatever course it may. But Terann owed Aelora, not only for saving her life after the fight with Neroon when they had not even known one another but also for Terann’s deception regarding the truth of Sinclair. Beyond that, Aelora was now suffering because of her own sacrifice. She had finally stepped out of the shadow of the person she had been forced to become and emerged as the person Terann had always known resided inside. Once Aelora became the Human she was meant to be, she had allowed herself to be guided by her very human, very irrational heart. It was not an action worthy of death.

“If you do not help me, Rane ---“

“I would not have contacted you,” he commented, cutting her off before she could throw out yet another warning. “As it is, I do have some people who are willing to help you out, at least as far as getting you on and then off of Narn. I am sending you the coordinates now. The ship you are to meet is the Ilaws, my brother’s old command. Your contact’s name is Bainter. You are boarding under the assumption that the Minbari are checking in on the condition of the Narn people. Bainter will take you down to the surface but once you are there, you are on your own. When Aelora was handed over to the Narns, she immediately disappeared. Obviously they feared it might be some trick or perhaps the Emperor changed his mind. Whatever it is, they are not talking so we know nothing of her whereabouts or condition.”

“It will not be a problem,” Terann assured him. If she had to scan the whole planet then she would do so.

“When should I tell them to expect you?”

“In two days. I will be in the company of a White Star. Should there be any problem --- “

“There will not be,” Rane assured her. “Look, I am doing this because it was a foolish move by Cartagia. It does not matter that Aelora was raised on Centauri Prime. If word of this gets out, all that will matter is that she is human, and the Centauri people had her tortured and subsequently murdered. My people are in over their heads as it is, to add this to the list of their transgressions against the other races of the galaxy would not be a good thing.”

“It is an interesting thing to see a Centauri with intelligence,” Terann commented blandly. “Once Aelora is safe, I will tell her that is was because of you that she was rescued.”

“That is unnecessary. Aelora and I were never close. This would make little difference in the end. Besides, I doubt that we shall ever cross paths again.”

“The galaxy is a smaller place than you may think,” Terann said softly, an unspeakable sorrow rushing through her at the truth of her words. In the end, she would never be able to outrun the Minbari, just as the Centauri would forever haunt Aelora.

After confirming the arrangements, Terann closed the connection with Rane and immediately contacted Turval. The moment the elder Minbari saw the expression on the telepath’s face, he knew that something was wrong.

“Terann, what is it?”

“Aelora is in trouble,” she informed him quickly. “I need the nearest White Star to pick me up as soon as possible. Are there any in the area?”

“There should be a few,” he replied. “What with the Shadows and Vorlons on the move. Do you need any assistance?”

Terann shook her head. “No. I would prefer to do this on my own.”

“Is Aelora all right?”

“I hope so,” she answered, fighting against the wave of hopelessness that threatened. “I hope so.”