The door alarm beeped innocently as Sheridan arrived at Delenn's quarters in the Green Sector.
"Enter," a calm, friendly voice spoke out.
Delenn turned toward the door and smiled as it opened to reveal Captain Sheridan.
"Captain Sheridan," she said with a slight smile. "This is a pleasant surprise."
"Hello, Ambassador," Sheridan said, trying to avoid staring at the odd image Delenn presented.
Since emerging from her cocoon, Delenn looked much different from any other Minbari that Sheridan had seen. Her long, brown hair hung down from her head. Her bone crest was also significantly different from that of other Minbari, being somewhat smaller and more subdued from what Sheridan could see.
"What brings you to my quarters?" she asked. "Is there an emergency of some sort?"
"Merely a matter of concern that we might want to discuss," Sheridan said. "Would you mind if I come in? This isn't something that should be discussed in an open hallway."
"This sounds serious," Delenn said. "Do come in."
Sheridan stepped in and looked around, expecting to see Lennier somewhere in the room.
"Lennier is attending to other matters," Delenn said, accurately identifying Sheridan's scanning look. "Now what is this 'matter of concern' you spoke of?"
"There's someone on the station that I think you need to know about," Sheridan said. "Now, I don't think there's anything to be immediately concerned about, but I'm afraid her presence may have already been misinterpreted by your government."
"Who is this person?" Delenn asked, frowning slightly.
"A woman named Rally Vincent," Sheridan said, taking a breath to explain further.
"Ahh, Lennier informed me that she was here," Delenn said. "I must admit, that I was indeed most concerned that your government would send such a person here. It speaks of a great deal of distrust."
"We're not sure they did," Sheridan said. "She is here with her family, last time I saw her, she was tearing security a new one for losing one of her daughters for a couple of hours."
"What is this 'tearing a new one'?" Delenn asked momentarily.
"Well, it means..." Sheridan paused. "It means she was extremely angry and being very loud about it."
"Yes, well, I can understand a mother being rightfully incensed when a child is lost," Delenn said, "but it still does not explain what new thing she was tearing for security."
"Uhh...that's probably not an appropriate discussion for...err, mixed company," Sheridan said.
"How is our company 'mixed'?" Delenn asked.
"You don't seem too concerned by this situation," Sheridan said, shifting the subject eagerly.
"Lennier has been keeping a casual watch on the individual in question," the Ambassador explained. "He's witnessed her engage in several business deals, I believe she sells weaponry?"
"She does," Sheridan said. "She has good references in the business. Law enforcement and sportsmen, mostly from the report we have on her. I must say that I'm a bit relieved to find you so reasonable in this matter. The last Minbari that I believe referenced her seemed to think we were setting her in position for a war or something."
"You've spoken to others on this matter?" Delenn asked, turning curious.
"Yes, someone who said he worked with the Ministry of Culture," Sheridan said. "I believe he said that his name was Hedronn."
Delenn flinched almost imperceptibly, though Sheridan noted it.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"I hope not, Captain Sheridan," Delenn said. "Your people's assassins killed many of us in the ground wars, and Ms Vincent has the misfortune to be the most easily identified of the group. Her signature of using...slugthrowers, as you call them, stands out."
"She is strange that way," Sheridan said. "Slugthrowers were found to be unreliable sometimes. Differing amounts of gravity made for extreme differences in accuracy from one planet to the next. It would take a genius to be able to adapt practically to the changes."
"And yet, she did not only adapt," Delenn said. "She seems to have used them to her advantage. Some among our Warrior Caste recognize her as a virtuoso of battle, but those are a minority. These weapons inflict brutal injuries, and Miss Vincent is well known to inflict crippling wounds on those she does not kill. What's more, as she is one of the few such people we've identified, she bears the burden for the crimes of many of her occupation."
She couldn't say that she remembered reading the files at the time due to her position as part of the Grey Counsel.
"But you don't think she is an active threat?" Sheridan asked.
"I have not yet met the woman to make a complete judgment," Delenn said. "I have only old files and reports and my aide's observations. The evidence is contradictory at best."
"You plan to meet her," Sheridan noted.
"And her children," Delenn said. "What were your impressions of them?"
"They're an odd bunch," Sheridan said with a laugh. "But very likeable."
"Then I don't suppose you'd mind accompanying me to meet them then?" Delenn said.
"Excuse me?" Sheridan asked.
"Well, I rather feel it inappropriate to interview an Earth citizen alone," Delenn noted. "Since you show such interest in the matter, then I'm sure you wouldn't mind being chaperon."
She finished with a slight, knowing smile.
"Uhhh, well, I suppose so," Sheridan said.
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(Posted Tue, 04 May 2010 04:31)
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