Dancing politics

"There's a limit on this Hyachan power source! We can't go any faster than this, even though it's not yet running at full capacity!"
"Foul play or native behaviour?", Renati urged as she saw the Abbai ship approaching once again.
"I have no idea, but I can't fix it without your help!"
Renati did something she knew she would regret, abandoning her seat in the shooter's position, to help out. Varas continued flying the ship, while Renati hovered her fingers over the status controls in search for a solution.

Varas was usually the brain of hacking into complex systems and figuring them out, but in this situation Renati would have to make due. At least she had the basics covered, so with the occasional tip from Varas, she soon managed to access the computer console that was attached to the power source.
"Why didn't you take it off in the first place? It's Hyachan technology, they could overtake it at any time for all we know", Renati complained as she tried to get her head around the foreign system.
"I tried, but the source failed to work unless it was attached. Besides, the rules stated the delivered parts should remain unaltered", Varas explained moving around the sun's corona as the course required. The ship shook under the heat of the gigantic ball of energy, but there was never a threat of succumbing. The Anla'Shok had made sure armour-plating on the hull was sufficient.

"The system is incredibly limited", Renati concluded", "I can't imagine it being tampered with. There's barely anything you can customise, let alone hack.
I'm afraid we're going to have to override it with our own connectors.. did you bring any?"
"I originally intended to install it with our own connector until I found out about the rules, so they're still there, but I cannot guarantee they will work.
Do mind that if you take the Hyachan connectors off, we will lose power", Varas urged.
"Don't worry, I think I have an idea", she said and opened the compartment her partner assigned.
Varas held her breath. She has an idea...

"They're coming! They're coming!!", a little squeaky voice came from where Renati used to be seated. Lyna had placed herself at the gun, complaining about the approaching ships.
"We have no time for it now Lyna, we will catch them later, I think"
"But-"
"Not now Lyna, please. I'm trying to focus!", Varas passed over her request.
The child dashed back, disappointed her plead was not heard.

She turned to the controls and looked at the two approaching ships, one Abbai and one Cascor who had overtaken the Hyachans.
Her little eyes grappled on to the control system for the gun, which she had carefully observed Renati operate.

"But they are coming..", she sobbed. Left without a reply, her little hands hovered over the controls. First off, she got some strange error message on the crosshair, but with a reflexive swipe she — accidentally? — set off the firing mechanism.. twice.
Two Vorlon webs shot ahead and hit the Abbai ship dead on. It spun out of control, so far it was probably out of the legal racetrack.
"Vim're!(1)", she yelped.

Varas turned around in shock at her cousin at the controls, but before she could protest, Renati's scream killed all previous thoughts. "Got it!!"
The words were still warm on her lips when all the interior lights dimmed and the ship lost its power.
Varas' eyes pierced the bitten lip of Renati's, but quickly turned ahead to manoeuvre the ship around. They still had the momentum of their speed, regardless of the loss of power.

"What did you do?!", the female gnarled in frustration.
"You might want to try and slingshot us off the sun's gravity well, because this may take a while", she hid her face in shame behind a gasping hand. The power source now had three black scorch marks from connecting the Minbari power coupling to the Hyachan power source.

Renati didn't know that Varas had made two power circuits: one for the basic functions of the ship — engines, firepower, lights etc. but another for the more vital parts such as life support and gravity control. There was no way she was going to leave that to alien technology.

Figures..

Some quick thinking and speed calculations on the hull — in lack of a better canvas — lead the disciple of Chu'Domo to the dangerous conclusion: they needed to rely solely on the power of the Hyachan source.
"I need you to switch off our energy crystal", she stated.
"Are you mad?", Varas yelped from behind the 'wheel'.
"I know of the consequences, but the Hyachan power source can't handle the connection with ours. That's why it's only at half capacity. It knows something else is running on the system, it's holding back"
"Are you suggesting that thing is intelligent?", Varas scoffed.
"No, just better core programming than I thought.
The firmware — or whatever it is for the Hyachans — prohibits the source from exceeding the capacity on the power lines. However it miscalculates because of the interference from an outer source. I guess they never thought that would happen.

By disconnecting the console and connecting our power cables, I overloaded the source. It's damaged, but the damage is limited. The meters still read a fair amount of power.

If we let it loose on our system with the power crystal deactivated, it should run at full capacity and give us life support", Renati explained her theory.
"Should?"

Varas didn't like the odds of that. Of course, cutting life support would not have an immediate destructive effect. It takes a while for everything to cool down and air to run out, but for three beings in such a confined space, 'a while' is a matter of minutes. What if there are complications? What if the system doesn't reconnect?
They needed to properly research this solution before applying it in practice. It was not their way to jump to conclusions.

"We cannot risk it", Varas said.
"We're not risking much. If something goes wrong, we send our distress signal and they will come and pick us up", the determined Anla'Shok countered.
"The power for the emergency signal also runs from that crystal Renati, I didn't have the time to install another separate one"
"Then we'll just have to wave until they notice"

Just as Renati spoke her words, the Cascor ship passed them by at considerable speed. Bitten in the bone by shear pride, Renati lunged over to the control panel and switched off the power crystal. Before Varas could even think of initiating an override sequence, she had already confirmed and the ship now lost all power.
Numb-struck at her friend's nonchalance, Varas' jaw dropped. She was too baffled to speak. Renati was either very sure or very reckless.
In Valen's name, there was a child aboard the ship!

But Renati's confidence was not unfunded. She clicked the Hyachan console back onto the power system and restored the connection. Suddenly the ship took an enormous boost forward, shooting off in chase of the Cascorians.

Varas yelled something in Vik between excitement and utter fright no one really understood, but got the gist of it.
"How could you ever doubt me", Renati spoke with a sly grin.

Little Lyna greeted Renati with big excited eyes as she got back into her seat. To the child, this was all a wonderful adventure. She felt perfectly safe amongst her two protectors, though Renati may carry a little too much sensationalism for her good.

The ship moved at a considerable faster speed. Now they were catching up! Halfway through the nebula they had overtaken the Cascorians and were now head to head with the Centauri. The Brakiri and Humans were just up ahead, battling along.

The race was fun again! The threesome had forgotten about their unpleasant encounter with the power source, though the events in the asteroid field lingered in both Anla'Shok's minds.

Renati didn't show it though, she thoroughly enjoyed taunting the Centauri with the occasional shot. Unfortunately the little critters were inventive and had countered her Vorlon web with a precision blast of their own — twice. They probably had a locking computer activated, which Renati didn't — just for nostalgia's sake.

"He it comes", Varas warned her friend. Up ahead was the final obstacle: the distorted gravitational pull around the moon. In a strip scattered with orbital defence platforms of all major races. Many had gladly lent a specimen if only to see it blast an enemy ship out of the sky. Of course it was race-specific. The Centauri orbital platform did not fire at the Centauri. The Minbari hadn't supplied any — something for which Varas cursed the Warrior Caste.

None could be missed, my bone!

The Brakiri had shortly taken the lead in the race, though the Humans were tailing them closely. So close that they would fly straight onto them were the Brakiri to decelerate.
The race between the two frontals was getting more intense, forcing both to slow down and focus on their movements. Between trying to outmanoeuvre each other, they still had to dodge the incoming stunning assaults from the several defence platforms.

Both the Centuari and Minbari made good use of the situation to approach the lead. The foursome was now clustered together with such a lead the remaining players were obsolete.
Varas got caught up in the moment, pulling off some flying stunts Renati's stomach wished she hadn't.

Suddenly out of nowhere came a powerful blast, hitting the Brakiri ship dead-on. Varas made a reflexive evasive manoeuvre away from the suddenly-stopped-in-space ship. Its wings were burning, hull was blackened, but the sensors still picked up life forms.

What in the world had done that?

"Watch out!", Renati yelled noticing a power surge on her display. From up ahead came another powerful blast, but again they were quick enough to dodge it. As the approached, the source of the danger became apparent: a gigantic Human defence platform.
"Figures", Renati grunted. The stakes had just been upped.
"Just keep an eye on the next peak, I can get us out of here", Varas spoke in concentration, almost meditative.

The two hind ships held back in speed lightly, only the Humans remained at their top speed.
They must be insane or-
"It's rigged!", Renati yelped. Just before another large blast came from the station, she picked up a small one — just enough to be a message or warning signal — directed at the Human ship.
"They know when it's coming!"

Renati kept an eye on the warnings being sent to the Human ship as an advance to when to dodge. It was obvious that the blast did more than stun. They were probably just out of lethal range, but power enough to be seriously damaging. That way they wouldn't get disqualified, for the weapon still qualifies as non-destructive. And if an accident would occur: oops, something malfunctioned.
Malfunctions, the foundation of Human technology.

Just then, another blast was fired at the ships, the Humans naturally dodging, straight on collision course with the Centauri ship. The energy pike had been larger than the previous ones, providing a more destructive beam.

Varas acted on a decision she would regret only in the form of lacking revenge, but could not stand risking the life of another for some silly race — even if the others were not of her kind.
With sideways bloosters activated, she slammed her ship against that of the Centauri's, pushing them out of the way of the destructive beam's trajectory. It sheared passed them, cutting through the 'Nial vessel' wing, destroying any hope of catching up on the leaders.
It didn't matter, lives had been spared.

Lyna jumped under Renati's cloak again in fright and was as pale-faced as her protector.

Are you mad? What were you thinking? Have you completely lost it?

Renati held back from venting her fright on her friend, for she did the right thing. She did what was nobel, what was honourable. She did what Minbari do, even if it was for a Centauri.

"Miss Thorton?", Gladys called out through the steamy kitchen, "Ah there you are. Did you get all the ingredients specified?"
"Yes I did, madam. The corn, purebred without any genetic modifications, the true sea salt salvaged from the North sea and the fresh mushrooms", the woman with the long hair replied.
"The mushrooms, are they fresh? True parisiens?", Gladys snapped more than she asked.
"Of course!", the woman replied slightly offended.
"What is your guarantee?"
"Madam, I know the person who grows them in Avignon personally. I can assure you they are the freshest and best you will find around the galaxy", she protested. The pushy woman was getting on her nerves. It's not because she paid her well, she gets to boss her around. Where have the days gone when just a word sufficed?
Right, those were not hers but those of her uncle. The galaxy sure has changed.

"Alright, well they better be. We paid a steep price for them", Gladys commented.
"Quality. It's my specialty", Amelia bit back.
What was with this woman? So fussy about every little detail. She understood the responsibility of Human cooking in this event, but really, if there's something wrong with the dish, blame the cook. Amelia's good were fresh and of the best kind.

"We'll see then. If the ambassador likes it, we may request your services again for an event of this scale", Gladys sort of promised. She left the kitchen, her heart pounding. She was usually a lot cooler when doing jobs for Robert, but this time she carried so much responsibility.
Not only that, but the things she had done to get here! She had blackmailed one corporation CEO and outbid the other on the stock market to get the majority of shares in the catering company. When rumours started that the catering would be done by the Hyachans themselves, she had to motivate a diplomat to talk the Hyachans into letting the Humans take care of it. Because of their versatility and interest in peace around the galaxy…

Right. At least they bought it.

She was here now, everything was in place — nothing could go wrong. Still she had the knowing feeling something unexpected was about to happen.

Guess this is why Robert insisted on so many back-up plans

The first consisted of a dish served in the honour of the Human ambassador, Sinclair. One of his favourite foods were fresh mushrooms, which goes well together with an allergy of the minister of foreign affairs: salt.
The plan was to create a dish with fresh shrooms and corn, of which the taste was quite overwhelming for someone used to prefabricated foods, combined of course with the special ingredient salt. Because of the dominant flavour of the mushrooms, the addition of salt is a mere finesse, barely detectable.

The allergic reaction was plan A. There was still plan B and C, and if all else fails Gladys' plan D was a more spectacular malfunction of an electronic device in his quarters.
The dark skinned woman stopped when passing a mirror and pulled out her lipstick. She coloured the faded shade of red to a brighter version of itself, repositioned her curly hair and then stepped out into the large — no humongous — reception hall. The press tag on her uniform allowed her sure passage amongst the many distinguished guests.

Target: Rei Nagasaki, Minister of Foreign affairs.

Renati rubbed her hand across her thigh, smiling at the unusual feeling the ceremonial dress gave. It had been a while since she had worn anything of true Religious garments, let alone a Dumo'bran(2).
It felt.. light.
Hers differed slightly from Varas' dress, which was green and decorated with golden curls. Renati's had light pink decorations on a bordeaux soft and smooth fabric.

The evening gathering was pretty boring, very few familiar faces — or at least none they could talk to. They had heard rumours of Satai Delenn and Shai Alyt Hat Shakiri attending the event, but so far no visual confirmation.
Instead, Renati enjoyed herself looking at the many different species co-existing with one another in this room. Centauri were talking to Abbai, the Narn were pleading their case to the Brakiri — who showed very little sympathy of course — even Pak'ma'ra were mingling with the crowd.
All they were missing was a Vorlon.

The thought of that Babylon station crossed Renati's mind. Imagine a station having this situation twenty-four seven. Not just the security, but especially structural implications are gigantic. Not everyone sleeps, bathes or even breathes the same way. And what of communication? At times like these she was grateful for being Anla'Shok, understanding the majority of languages spoken.

She giggled at something the Pak'Ma'Ra said in broken English, but got a poke from Varas.
"It's not funny. They cheated but got away unpunished"

Varas and injustice.
She had real troubles accepting sometimes life isn't fair. The usually cool and calm Religious Caste could really gnaw into it when it comes to justice. She was right of course, but unfortunately the universe had other plans.

"They will get what they deserve, don't worry. Just give it time. Tomorrow is another day, another race", she comforted her friend somewhat.
"If we can fix the ship in time. The blast clipped off more than half the wing. We don't have enough spare parts to fix that. I didn't expect a wing to be missing after the first round", she spoke darkly.
"We'll just have to mingle and gather some support then", Renati said cynically, but Varas took it seriously.
They weren't getting anywhere standing on the sidelines like this. Time to make some new contacts.

"I did not think it would come to the Minbari asking us for aid. Have you no parts of your own then?", the prudish ambassador scoffed at Varas' request.
The general next to him however did not agree.
"Ambassador Maray, if I may. If it weren't for the bravery of these two pilots Virto and Vrzato would possibly not have made it to the end of the track unharmed"
"Possibly", the ambassador scoffed.
"Most certainly", the general insisted.
"Hmpf. Well General Varia, if you're so eager to burn your fingers on a pair of Minbari, be my guest", he said and turned his back exclaiming to his next victim, "Loretta, my dear, what's new on Earth?"

General Varia… where have I heard that before?

Renati's memory failed her, she would have to look it up later.
"We are grateful for your help general", Varas emphasised, "The damage to our ship grieves us greatly"
"The ambassador may not see it that way, but the wellbeing of my men outweigh the cost of any ship part. You have my gratitude", the general bowed and excused himself as well.

At least they had that covered.
"Va'malier! Va'malier! Another Minbari!!", Lyna tugged on Varas' dress.

Well there you have it, the rumours were true. In the distance they spotted Satai Delenn, with next to her… Shai Alyt Naroon!
Renati's heart skipped a beat, resulting in a shy chuckle.
"Oh that poor thing. Delenn duty", Varas exclaimed when noticing him.
"You don't know the half of it. He doesn't even like other species", Renati grunted.
"Which?"
"Any!"

"Isn't it proper to introduce ourselves to the Satai?", Varas gave her friend the excuse she was looking for. She better behave in front of the Satai. If she got wind of her and the Warrior.. Varas shook away the thoughts.

Renati, what have you gotten yourself into?

Regardless of her personal opinion, Varas still supported her friend, albeit in a mild matter. No harm could be done with a little conversation, and if it makes Renati happy, why not?

Satai Delenn was eyeing the crowd when a tugging at her gown grabbed her attention.
"May I help you dear?", she looked at the curious eyes of the child standing beside her.
"We were second Satai!", the little one stated proudly.
"In what my dear?"
"In the race!", the little one replied confused. "And I shot one. Twice"
Lyna moved her little chest forward into a proud pose with her last statement.
"Of course you did", Delenn replied.

"It's true!", the child wailed disappointed at her disbelief. "Ask Va'malier Varas!"
"Varas? "
"Of Mir", Varas' voice added.
The Satai's eyes moved away from the child and locked on the two Religious Castes now in front of her. Respectful bows introductions were exchanged.
"The Anla'Shok greet you, Satai Delenn", Renati spoke.
"I have come to this event as an ambassador of the Minbari people, you may refer to me as such", the Satai instructed.
"Does this enchanting child belong to you?"

"Yes, this is my niece Lyna. Lyna of Mir", Varas followed up on formalities.
"She's charming", Delenn stated.
"And talented", a male voice from beside her spoke.

It speaks!

Delenn lost het reason of how to react. Was it meant as a joke? Was he serious? Would it be insulting not to comment?
It was the first time Naroon had said anything since his company joined hers, aside from the mandatory introductions of course. During every conversation she had undergone with fellow ambassadors, other officials and what not, he had been as silent as a grave. It was almost as if she had a ghost standing next to her. Darned Warriors and their xenophobia. This was something Delenn was determined to change. She would open the eyes of the Minbari people to the people of the universe. Show them how similar we are in the end. We should embrace our differences, not scold one another's diversity.
Why was it so difficult?

"Thank you Shai Alyt", the little one shook Delenn out of her train of thought. She noticed some pride on the face of the Warrior when the young Religious Caste was able to read his rank. Acolytes this young have not been taught to do so yet, because their contact with the Warrior Caste is minimized until a certain age, however she must have picked it up somewhere else.
"Did you enjoy the race, Ambassador?", Varas tried getting the conversation going by favouring the Satai.
"A little too violent for my taste, but interesting nonetheless", she replied in truth.
"It was quite amusing actually", Renati blurted, but got jabbed into silence by Varas.
"I'm sure it's a whole different experience inside the cockpit", she tried not insulting the Anla'Shok she recognised as part of her entourage from the mission to Sol.

Her eyes flashed to Renati's side for an instant before she excused herself.
"I have some matters to take care of. After all, I am here on business", she explained, "I will take this one alone Shai Alyt"
She had decided for herself the surroundings were safe enough not to have a bodyguard by her side at all times. Not only was it unpleasant for the Shai Alyt, but she feared his presence interfered with her negotiations.

"Satai, I insist that-"
"No, Shai Alyt, you have been very kind and patient. I'm sure there are some guests here you wish to converse with yourself. I'm confident you're able to perform your duty at a distance"
"In that case", he grabbed her arm and slid up her sleeve, clipping on a small wristband before she got a chance to complain about it.
She looked baffled, but all she got was a determined look from Naroon.
"To ensure I can keep my honour at a distance", he explained. Before Delenn muffled the device away under her sleeve, Renati recognised the crystal inside as similar to the one she and Moran were bound by.

This is going to be interesting

Naroon activated something on his own armguard, while Delenn stepped away from the assembly.
"Do not leave the boundaries of this room Ambassador. That's an order", he enforced a rank he did not have.

"Bodyguard duty again?", Varas teased the Warrior.
"Yes, it seems the honour is bestowed upon me regularly", he answered rather dry.
"You must really embrace you rank", Renati added.
"Oh it gave me a good excuse to break a Narn's arm today", he grinned a little too satisfactory.

Lyna rubbed her belly, followed by a determined tugging of Varas' dress.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry. I'm starving as well. Let's go look for some food", she said and grabbed the child's hand. Turning around, she quickly whispered: "I will bring you something"
"Bye Shai Alyt!", the little one waved.
"Until later", Naroon smiled.
"Did you hear? He wants to see me again!", Lyna chattered on.

Naroon's eyes met with Renati's briefly, whose quickly descended to his shoes. Too public!
"You did well", the Warrior attempted to break the ice.
"Oh it was rigged from the start. Let's try not mentioning the race when Varas is around", Renati insisted. It was a very touchy subject.
"Better luck tomorrow then. At least you know what to prepare for", he added, but got nothing but a stare in the distance. When looking behind her, he noticed two Gaim eying them.

"What are they saying?", he smiled.
"Hello.. I think. I'm trying to say the same, what's they're reaction? They're awfully quiet", Renati winced.
"Hard to tell with the mask...", he commented wryly, but then had to hold back laughter.
"You need to work on your Gaim dialect Renati, one of them just fainted"
"Oh dear!", she exclaimed and headed over to them.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention", she apologised while helping the Gaim to his feet.
"Vrrrr... Forgiven! Didn't expect, our fault. Next time we greet in person!", the Gaim replied distorted.
"Told you", the other complained.
"But the queen..."
"Is always right. Suggestions will be made"

Renati smiled at their innocent bickering, but was affronted by a bright white light flashing in her face.
"What in Valen's name?"
Naroon was ready to interfere, but held back seeing the Human absolutely unaware of her wrongdoing.
"What are you doing?"
"I just took your holographic picture", the dark female replied, not caring about the Minbari's discomfort.
"Can you do that less violent?", Renati snapped.
"The light flash helps me get a better image"
"Improve your technology", she barked.

What Renati didn't realise was that the female reporter wasn't shooting her, but in the Human Ambassador standing somewhat further. Or shall we say his company, who was royally enjoying his pastry.

Renati and Naroon enjoyed some friendly conversation until Varas returned with something to nibble on. Nothing too obtrusive, the situation was far too exposed for that, thought the longing for a more private location was present.
"Here, these are safe", Varas spoke when presenting the edibles. Lyna had already stuffed her little face in an apparent Centauri delicacy: Rakki-tesh. A sweet combination of fruit and dough, lovely on the little one's lips.

Where was the harm in letting the child enjoy the night?

"Oh dear, look at that", Varas pointed at the Minbari presenter Lennier in the crowd. Apparently he had not yet been freed from the claws of Hallman. Too polite to just leave him there, it seemed Lennier was stuck in an infinite web of Human conversation.

"I'll go and put him out of his misery", Renati said flatly.
"The Human?", Naroon said surprised, ready to hold her back.
"No! Lennier!", she burst out into laughter.

Containing her giggles and walked over to Lennier, Varas and Lyna watching from a distance. Naroon wasn't confident in the situation ending well, so followed her there.
Bowing to him further than she needed, Renati asked in English: "Most honoured Lennier, may I borrow a moment of your time?"
Lennier looked surprised at first but played along.
"Of course you may", he said and approached her. The Human followed in his tail but was buzzed off by Renati. "Minbari business", she said bluntly hoping he'd get the message now.

Renati guided Lennier over to Naroon, safely away from that creep Hallman.
"Thank you. Two more minutes with that man and I would have personally thrown him off the dome!", he outed.
"How very Warrior of you", Naroon spoke. Lennier hung his head and sighed: "I will do penance later"

"At the moment he remains unaffected, but the next phase is already underway. They are planting it as we speak", Gladys paused for a moment after speaking into the device.
"No, no complications so far. Some very interesting guests, there's more to this meeting than meets the eye. I'm trying to find out as much as I can while not losing track of the main objective
...

Of course, I would not disappoint.

...

Yes I will see to it. You will hear from me when it is gone.

...
Alright. Out."

She eyed the room, scanning the curious display of race mixture. At the start of the evening, most races had kept to themselves, but now there was some interesting mingling.
A Narn and an Abbai conniving in a corner, the Humans going by every race as if obligatory to speak to all, the Hyachans finding out about the comfort of their guests, a Brakiri and Gaim in an unlikely conversation even a Centuari and Minbari general appeared to having a good time with one another.

None of my concern, let's get this over with

Gladys crossed through the bulk of the crowd to the other side of the room, avoiding the mass dance floor that had sprouted with many feety officials.
She left through one of the large double-doored exits, noticed by none.

Some commotion had arisen in the kitchen. The chef was complaining about missing this and missing that, yelling at everyone and thing coming in his path for he would not be able to handle the 'coup de feu'.

"Ou sont mes notes?!? Le petit papier que j'avais mis ici? Merde alors, ou est cette petite peste?!?", he demanded in French.

Ai, chefs and their notes. Probably some special order for some high placed john he wasn't supposed to forget about.
Amelia shook her head. Whether French, Dutch, Russian or American, chefs are all the same in the end: short fused miracle workers.
She admired their work from a professional attitude, but her admiration ended there. She had no aspirations of her own. No, rather travel around the universe delivering goods. You get to see new places, meet interesting people.

Entwined in her own thoughts, Amelia didn't notice the waiter headed her way carrying a new load of desserts for the guests.
A wild range of French swearwords flew her way when she fell higgledy-piggledy over him. The tray with the little masterpieces irreversibly hit the ground, destroying hours of work.
Amelia apologised, but could not temper the chef's wrath. Fortunately for her he didn't have much time and rushed away doing all he could do: putting others to work again.

Short fused miracle workers.

Feeling guilty nonetheless, she grabbed a dustpan and brush to helped clean up the mess she caused. She scooped up the broken shards of glass and stowed them away in some protective foil. After disposing of the package in the large waste bin, she noticed some more garbage next to it.

Might as well clean it up while I'm at it

Amelia bent over to the mess, but something caught her eye. Amidst the rubble lay a small ball of paper. Curiosity made her unfold and read it, but soon Amelia regretted she did so.

The chef's notes…. They were not some fancy request, but a list of allergies of the guests. Several of the ingredients she had delivered herself — you'd be surprised what some people are allergic to! — but if there was no available list, all the dishes would be the same…

Why would anyone throw this away?
She had to undertake action, even if it was too late for many of these. They were mostly ingredients served in the appetisers, they had already reached desert.

"Chef! J'ai quelque chose pour vous!"(3)

Shakiri had enjoyed stealing Delenn away from the Human company she was in. They were brothering her too much to his liking. What was this female's deal?

As announced, he had come. Not out of interest for the race of course, but just doing what he does best: sniffing around.
After some socialising, he had even persuaded her into a drink, albeit something safe.
"Shall we?", he broke the twenty minute long boring conversation.

Delenn looked confused at not just his sudden change of subject, but more so his proposition.
"If we are to follow the new tradition of mixing Castes in good fun", he extended his hand while smiling at his knowledge of rumours. He wasn't sure Delenn was aware of what was happening amongst her people, but if she didn't he had now given her enough incentive to find out.

Delenn did not react to his strange remark — it was not the first thing about him that struck her as odd — but did accept his hand in dance.
They moved according to tradition: one pair of hands is held together, away from the bodies, much like the human way, but instead of holding hands, the palms are placed against each other with fingers closed.
The female's left hand lies on the chest of the dance partner, relaxed with fingers closed. The male's complimentary hand needs to be more discreet. It is placed on the outside of the hand that is on his chest, holding it on the upper arm / shoulder depending on the size of the dancing couple.

Shakiri moved more smoothly than Delenn did; he was apparently more experienced. She would have to work on that.
This time it was the Satai who was not listening to what the Clan leader of the Night Walkers was talking about. She was carefully eying the crowd for possible political interests. The night was nigh, the drinks had richly filled many a glass, secrets were about to surface. Once in a while she gave a very general reply to Shakiri, keeping up appearances.

How she loved multitasking.

"But I don't want to sleep yet Va'malier", the little one complained while rubbing her eyes in fatigue.
"Lyna you are going to bed and that's final. Tomorrow is another day, it will come more quickly than you want it to", Varas hushed the child under the sheets.
"But -"
"One more word and we will do the full sun greeting tomorrow! To all suns in this solar system", she threatened.
The little one got the point. There usually wasn't much resistance in Minbari children for they had a good sense of discipline, but away from her natural habitat it was normal for the little one to try out rebellion.

Renati smirked at the reaction of the small child.
"She's got all it needs you know", she spoke when Varas returned into the living quarters. All official guests had been assigned living quarters aboard a giant orbital station, fitted to their needs as much as possible. The regular structure had been expanded with a new section, large enough to carry the extra capacity of the guests. Quite the trouble, considering they would only use it once a year, tearing it down again every time. How very unefficient.
Varas and Renati enjoyed a small quarters for two, with no more space than was needed to move around. Good thing they were used to these situations.

"It doesn't say anywhere you need to be rebellious to be Anla'Shok", Varas countered her friend's statement.
"Not rebellious, different", Renati grinned.
"Let it go Renati, her mother will never agree to it. Rhekis has tried and failed convincing his spouse since Lyna's birth"
Renati eye-browed her friend questionably. Did she really think that meagre argument would diminish her motivation?
"Give it time", she urged.
Varas smiled. "I wish"

To her surprise Renati didn't join her in the sofa with a book. She grabbed a scroll from her bag and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?", Varas complained.
"Reading", Renati smiled.
"Since when does my company not suffice?", Varas taunted playfully, knowing very well where she was going.
"Since I enjoy the poetic passion of a Warrior"

"Sha'al Leshath has not yet released his collection 'Shards of a Mirror', but I find it a very interesting excuse", Naroon welcomed her.
"Ah, that's where you're wrong", Renati entered the living quarters — just as small as theirs. "In situations like these it pays well to be Anla'Shok"
She stepped backwards in the direction of the sofa while looking at him tauntingly.
"I hold here... a first draft of 'Shards of a Mirror', hand copied notes from the first acolyte of Sha'al Leshath", she swayed the scroll left to right in a tease.
"You do not", he spoke in disbelief.
"Oh I do", she grinned while he approached.
"You lovely little-", his words were cut short by her lips on his. Eager, hungry lips.

Though he liked her reaction, he cut it short.
"We should do this properly", he smiled and walked over to the sofa. When he took of his shoes and gestured for her to join him, her heart warmed. It was perhaps one of the shortest, but deeply meaningful rituals Minbari have.

When a host takes off his shoes in front of a guest, he accepts them in his home. There are always welcome and safe there. A traditional ritual amongst family of course, but also the foundation of many friendships — or an indication of a serious relationship.

Renati smiled and cuddled up beside him, shoeless. Together they enjoyed carefully unwrapping the scroll and reading through the fresh words of the mind of Sha'al Leshath.
Silent with words, but filled with thought the couple devoured the scroll from beginning till end. It took a while after the last read words for the first spoken to follow, but it was clear they had the same taste.

"He has outdone himself again", Naroon uttered, "Wonderful use of suggestivity"
"Well you do notice it's still a draft", Renati playfully stated, needless to add she was actually in total awe of the piece.
"The only thing I regret after reading one of these it that it takes so long for another to come", Renati spoke on a serious note.
"Such is the case with great skill, it takes time", Naroon agreed.

Time. Never was there a more dubious concept. There is so much of it, yet in the perciever's eye there is always too little.
The thought passed his mind when looking at the female cuddled up to him. Would he get to spend more of this precious unit with her? Or would it suddenly be cut short?

They were evolving to a stage in their relationship where it was hard to ignore the obvious obstacles in their way. They cannot keep on sneaking around. How will they come forth with it? What method would have the least consequence? How could he protect his crew from the retribution for his actions?

Perhaps instead of worrying about getting more time, they should make better use of the time they have at their disposal. They have what is now, why not make use of it? Who is to stop them?

For a moment he had to control himself. Were it his previous thoughts, was it her smell or perhaps her figure so inviting in that dress? Perhaps the combination of all in a single cup? Regardless, Naroon fought hard to withstand the will to venture into the battlefield of urges and emotion.

It was quite ironic actually. When looking at it from an objective perpective Naroon had it all: widely skilled, highest rank, status, a ship of his own, loyal crew, respectable family and so on. He didn't even need to go through much trouble finding a feasible mate, were he interested. However for decades it had not interested him — barring the occasional spike of hormones of course. Not even the voluptuous Fara had been able to convince him to settle for some romance in his life.

But Renati... she made his bone tingle.

Renati was the impossible, the one he could not have. The Religious Caste who freed him from a Drahk jail — it took weeks for his Warrior ego to swallow that — the Religious Caste who had more field experience with exotic weapons than he could dream of, the Religious Caste who had played his game along — knowingly or not — and lured them both into an inescapable trap.

Perhaps that last bit is a bit too dramatic. After all, he did like the situation he was in. A true Warrior's challenge. Not only on the obvious level — getting society to agree with it and all — but still on a personal level as well.
Her Religious upbringing gave her very different ideas of important social concepts such as intimacy, making it difficult for him to court her properly.

He got enough signs from Varas that Renati had already well exceeded the Religious boundaries that were proper until some other ritual or formal acknowledgement should be performed, but he was interested in neither the ritual nor the wait.
But what was her point of view? Did she get a say in it or were the Religious rules law?

If Renati didn't want to follow the exact Religious procedure, was he stepping out of bounds or not?
Too much of a moral dilemma to be handled with a toothsome female in one's arms.

He both hated and loved the hormonal whirlwind she sent him through. But enough waiting, time for conquest.

"Are you alright? You're very quiet", Renati worried.
"Not worried, contained", he admitted. The female eyed him puzzled.
"We have different traditions", he mumbled but didn't give her the time to think about it. She would understand. His lips would make her understand.

Renati was overwhelmed by Naroon's sudden display of passion, but didn't pull back. She liked the feeling of him taking control, like he knew where they were going.
Instead of passively enjoying his kisses, Renati followed. She scooted up to him to be more comfortable, until she was sitting on top of him.
Not expecting this sudden positive reply, he broke off the kiss momentarily looking for confirmation.
"Then show me what yours are", she whispered.

There was nothing she feared. She was safe in the arms of her Warrior.

A Warrior with a mind set for conquest. He moved from Renati's lips to her ear, down her neck and carefully onto the exposed skin of her chest. He felt her fingers clamp onto his shoulders from this new feeling and slowed down. Moving back up, she found comfort with his lips on hers.

Following his earlier example, she treated him to the same. Unfortunately there was no more skin than his neck exposed, so the trail ended there. Feeling this was a part she was too unsettled with, Naroon unbuttoned his vest and the top of his shirt beneath.

Female fingers explored first before allowing her lips on the sensitive skin down his chest, with extra care around his scar.
Naroon shifted somewhat on the sofa to a position where he could lean back some more. Renati responded by climbing further onto him, ending up on top.

His hands explored her side through the fabric of her skirt as far down as his arms reached. She noticed a reaction, so wondered.
"It's in one piece", he admitted with a disappointed smile.
Renati couldn't hold back a chuckle.
"Yes it is, but yours isn't", she teased. She fully unbuttoned his shirt and stroke her fingers over his muscled body. It pleased him greatly to find her so adventurous.

Satisfied with her exploration of his upper body, but at a loss of what follows, she rested her body on his, slowing down the pace of the kisses.

"Naroon..", she moaned when he pressed his waist against hers in rolling to their side. His hand grabbed onto the skirt part of her dress, sliding it up gently. When uncovering the knee, he slowly slid his fingers under, stroking the outside of her thigh. He guided her leg around his waist for more comfort. She froze somewhat, but again he managed reassuring her all was well.
"I just want to feel you", he spoke in Adrenato.

His hands slid up from her thighs back onto the fabric, over her side to her chest. Cupping her breast softly in his hand, he paused. Hormones were ranging, lust was building, but he swallowed. He had to control himself, it was forbidden. There were plenty of other things they could do, equally enjoyable.
Why did his body keep longing for the impossible?

Suddenly a loud crackling noise followed by the entire room shaking broke away the magic. The 'quake' was short but very intense. Whatever decorations were on the walls fell off, several glasses broke and the reading candles on the table fell over.
Reflexively Naroon had used himself to protectively cover Renati.
"What was that?!?", she squeaked.
Still coming tohis senses, Naroon wanted to give a reasonable answer, but then the smell of fire reached his nostrils.

"Fire! Let's get out!", he warned.
"Fire? Where?", but then she smelled it too.
"It's not here, but not far off", he spoke while getting his gear together. His tunic was buttoned up more quickly than it had come off. He was already by the door, dragging her along.

The hallway was filled with a light puff of smoke, indicating something probably happened on another level.
"What happened Shai Alyt?", a confused Delenn appeared from around the corner, followed by Shakiri.
"I'm not sure yet. A fire of some sort, probably from an explosion given the tectonic reaction. The question is was it intentionally or not?" , Naroon replied.
"An explosion? Do you really believe so?"
Naroon patched through instructions via his armguard during the conversation, the Tiris was only a jump point away.
"I will go and investigate the matter and take care of an escort for you Satai", he urged.
"I'm sure it will be an interesting investigation, bare-footed", Shakiri couldn't help remark.

Finally he had him! Naroon had slipped up and he knew it. Finally, the road to the downfall of his adversary had begun! Both without footwear, it confirmed the intimacy between them.
Had she noticed? Did she comply?

Delenn's eyes switched from Naroon to Renati and back.

A Warrior and a Religious Caste?!

It was the time nor the place to worry about this. To his disappointment, Delenn ignored Shakiri's remark and move onwards.
"I entrust you with my safety as I have before Shai Alyt", and followed him down the hallway to the pick up point.

Amelia grabbed what she could of the goods and carried them to her cargo bay The whole station was in disarray because of the explosion. Apparently there was a malfunction in the cleaning filter of the Minister of Foreign affairs' quarters. For reasons yet unknown, fuel vents had found their way to that compariment and were set alight by the spark of switching on the light.
His and the adjacent quarters were blown away.

Amelia praised herself lucky she stayed on the employee level, three levels down.
Poor man.

When moving the last crate of food from the barren freezes, she screamed for help.
A man lay hidden behind the crates, covered in his own blood. From the looks of it, he was stabbed around the chest.
"Chef Montparieux!", she gasped.

Footsteps approached from the corridor leading to the freezer section. With some strange sense of self-preservation, Amelia hid herself crouching between some unopened boxes in a far corner, away from the public eye.
Two Hyachan employees yelped when noticing the man, leaving the room as quickly as they entered.

However, with that the commotion did not pass. Minutes later the dark-skinned woman Amelia recognised as her employer dashed in the room, anger on her face. The man tagging behind got a hard blow to the back of his head when the picture registered.
"You idiot! Is this what you call traceless? I will have your head for this!"

(1) - Vim're (Vik): Gotcha!

(2) - Dumo'bran (Adrenato): Literally translates into 'Evening robe', but signifies a special type of robe in this case, worn by the Religious Caste on official affairs. It is customary for anything less than Master rank to wear these, some exceptions allowed of course.
The dress is a simple one-piece clean cut dress, tight fitting and centred on the upper body, but widening from the waist down. The chest is mildly exposed. The colour and decorations depend per Family in the Caste and sometimes even differ regionally.
Viewers of the series have a good reference to the dress from the green dress Ambassador Delenn wears towards the middle/end of the series

(3) - French for "Chef I have something for you"

thank you for reading and commenting!