BABYLON 5: DILGAR WAR

First Stage

„Hello there. My name is Rhea and i am the last of my people still living in this galaxy. This document is collection of events that happened decades ago, conflict that young races call Dilgar war.

I belong to species that was called first one by younger races. We were older then Vorlons and Shadows but younger than some others, including species that Lorien belongs.

Where Vorlons represent peace and order, Shadows represent chaos and war. Each side believes its way is the best, each trying to get as much followers. Bulk of first ones leaves beyond the rim, but few including I and the Lorien the first of all first ones remains.

You could call me historian, because I collected events of all that happened for last several thousand years. But this story is not about what happened long time ago, it is about event, a conflict that happened roughly forty five human years ago.

Every war is cruel and tragic but this could be one of cruelest in modern history of species involved. It is also tragic war as one species get extinct.

I will start with Humans, a species that was mostly unknown to the most of species in known space. Humans were newcomers, having first contact with Centauri Republic only around eighty or so years before the Dilgar war started. It was Centauri who introduce Humans to jump technology allowing mankind to spread across the stars and establish unified Earth Alliance. Centauri naturally try to manipulate Humans into believe that Humans are their long lost sub species, but Humans didn't buy it, to say even with "help" Centauri provided and introduction of jump technology, Humans didn't really trust Centauri and there was lots of good reasons not to.

To say at least, Humans never really trust Centauri, they believed that because Centauri were expansionist, day will come when Centauri may even invade Earth. This led Earth Alliance to build up its force. By the 2228, nobody whom Earth Alliance had trade really know the real power of Earth Alliance military. Humans were aware of Dilgars but because of Dilgar aggressive nature avoid direct contact with them. At the eve of war with League of non-Aligned words, Dilgar make a non-aggression pact with Earth Alliance, at that moment Earth Alliance realized Dilgars are on the move but decide to do nothing.

Dilgars were quite opposite to Humans. They were aggressive, selfish and proud species that expand through conquest similar to Centauri but far aggressive. It was unknown to young species at the time that Dilgars were been manipulated, by Drakh, servants to the Shadows. Drakhs wanted to see if Dilgars were new soldiers for upcoming Shadow war. Drakhs used advanced technology given to them by Shadows to manipulate Dilgars but not only high Dilgar leadership but also to destabilize star in its home system. Dilgars faced extinction, and been already aggressive this was a sign to move, to conquer and survive. It was exactly what Drakh wanted, push them into war.

In 2228 Centauri and Dilgars made a deal, which result in Narn colony of Hylak VII occupied by Dilgar forces, its population exterminated. This was to be staging ground for attack on League. Two years later in 2230, Dilgars launched all-out war against the League. Even with combined force of all League members, League didn't stand a chance and was battling a losing war.

League had no options, they could not ask Centauri for help, as they dislike Centauri. Narn were to weak, enigmatic species that live on edge of known space known as Minbari, were oldest of younger species and would not aid League, leaving only one last species to help, Humans, but Humans were not interested in joining the war. Humans were cautious and were not ready to show its force, not yet. War started in 2230 and immediately news of Dilgar atrocities came to EA, but again EA would reject any League plea to help, constantly showing neutrality.

A PLEA TO DEFF EARS

Natui Agari, Abbai ambassador to Earth. Her role in Dilgar war was of great importance as she was the one who was catalyst for Earth Alliance to join the League against the Dilgars, she and the Vanguard incident that follows shortly after her presentation on Earth.

Natui's aid Gous was neverous, this was first time Natui will speak in front of Earth government. Abbai send several pleas of help to Earth Alliance before but this is first time Abbai representative came directly to Earth. Every plea so far was quickly rejected, thus Natui decide to try personally. She studied Human history. It was surprise to her as many others in League that long time ago, Humans were similar to Dilgars, especially during Great War that Humans called World War II.

There was Human guard who gestured toward Naturi to follow him. She did as told and follows him toward the podium, it was surrounded by very large round table, multiple Humans that represent the most powerful nations on Earth and Earth Alliance itself sat there, as well military officers.

"Ambassador Natui. I am President of Earth Alliance Tony Evans. You may speak now. Your plea will be considered after you finish."

Natui thank the president and without any delays start. "My government sends several pleas of help as well envoys; you refuse and reject every time. We understand that you do not wish to enter this war and as sovereign nation that is your right but please hear me. I came not only as representative of Abbai, I came here representing every species in League of non-Aligned words. I came to ask for your help against Dilgars. We the League lived and trade for many decades and even centuries in peace. We support each other in the time of need but now, we cannot. We stand no chance against Dilgars. We ask Narns but Narns are not in any shape to fight as their homeworld occupied by Centauri. We do not trust Centauri. They are not people to trust to. You are the only other species that we could turn for help. Despite your status as newcomers there were rumors around that you have large and powerful military, one capable to go against the Dilgars. With your help we may stand a chance."

Natui was to start again when President Evans stops her with hand and say "Ambassador, we understand the situation you and other members of League are, but why would we enter war that does not concern us. We saw the evidences of Dilgar atrocities; we saw what they doing, despite them trying to hide it. But why would we help? Why would we place our self in danger, sending our troops into war that is not theirs to fight? "

Natui didn't say anything for moment but she decided when she travels to Earth she won't surrender, she will fight for help if she must. She will use every card she could even Humans past.

"You ask why mister president? There are several reasons. First, once Dilgars finish League, next target is Narn, no doubt Centauri will step in and they will share Narn Regime in half but once Narn are done for, who do you think will be next target? You! Right now Dilgars do not know you. They do not know anything about Earth Alliance, your power. But once they finish with this war, how long will need them to find that out and then invade you. No matter how powerful you are if they gather more territories, resources you will be outnumbered. Dilgars are vicious and aggressive. They would not dare to challenge Centauri but you, yes."

"I doubt Dilgars can fight us? if they do that would end to their doom." This came from one man in brownish uniform. "Typical military arrogance" Natui thought.

"Maybe, maybe right now you think you can go against them. But you saw their military war machine. They are not to threat lightly; nothing about Dilgars is to take lightly." Natui respond and continue "Second, your own species was once like Dilgars. Brutal, aggressive, you history is full of wars and some quite bloody ones. Your people also did experiment, on your own, using terrible ways to kill others. Am I wrong?"

"That era is long behind us." President said

"Perhaps, but it was less than three hundred of yours that you did what Dilgars doing today. You claim to change, but would you really be aside and watch innocent people be butchered, experimented, whole planets whipped from life. You know I am right. You know that Dilgars won't stop. But if you help us, you will gain respect and reputation. League will be in your debt."

Natui presentation last for at least an hour before it was over. Alliance civilian and military leadership debate for over two hours should Earth Alliance broke non-aggression pact with Dilgars and help League or not. It was ultimately decided to reject Abbai plea request.

Natui was disappointed, she saw Humans last hope but Humans simply were not interested, sure they protect their own ideals and their own first but how long will they be safe. Only before Dilgars get even stronger and attack them.

That night President Evans calls his two military advisers, Generals Edgar Lefcourt and Benjamin Trovs.

"Gentlemen, you were present when ambassador Natui asked for help. We refused again but I want your opinions. What are our chances against Dilgars? Could we win?"

General Lefcourt was first to answer "Those are hard questions sir. We did send special forces into Dilgar occupied territories, they did encounter everything that ambassador told us, torture, experiments are every days in the camps. Many prisoners basically yell to be killed rather to spend another day alive. You saw the footages our teams taken. It really is madness. They are brutal species, and most of League troops are not match for them, only Drazi could stand against them, for short period.

Dilgars do not use much of tactics they simply bomb everything to crisp and everyone that survive where whipped by large ground forces. They do not use much of strategy at least not on the ground, our forces could defeat them, not without casualties but we could do it from smaller to larger ground battleground, about navy, that may be tricky. They have quite large navy, waste majority of it consists of corvette and frigate sized ships but they are always in tight packs and well-armed. Could our ships go against them? Yes, their ships are strong but none of them at least those we know so far are capable against our Nova class dreadnoughts. If we utilizing our Novas in dreadnought walls and concentrating the firepower in one direction like a line battle we could eliminate any opposition quickly. But again in sheer numbers it is two to one for Dilgars."

"So we could get upper hand against them?" President asks again?

"I will not say yes, that would be arrogant of me, but we could sir, but all operations would need to be well executed."

"General Trovs, what about our construction capabilities, could we increase warship production?"

Other General, Benjamin Trovs was head of military Research and development center as well shipbuilding.

"Our current warship production is in war production. Our shipyards are working 100%. We are focusing on three standard types: Nova class as heavy class, Hyperion as medium class and Artemis as light anti-air/missile class. Other classes of starships are under construction but at slower paces. Since we do not know real size of Dilgar fleet I cannot give you our own capabilities to counter them, and also I cannot say how many losses we can replace."

President Evans asked few more questions before dismissing two officers. He wants to avoid war with Dilgars. But again, Natui words did strike the point. Humans were new to the Galactic affairs. Helping League against Dilgars and if there is luck defeat Dilgars would place humans on new level, League would see Earth Alliance as major power and will be in debt if Earth Alliance ever need help.

"But that is selfish reason. Sacrificing our own people, our own military might. Is it worth it?"

OMELOS

Four months since Dilgar started their war against the League. Their war machine moved swiftly and mercilessly. High warmaster Lha'Dar watched the skies of Omelios, the sun, although not seen from surface was changing, dying.

One of his officer's warmaster Dha'Dur approached.

Lha'Dar turns around seeing the young warmaster. Only year ago he was a battlemaster now he is one of his top warmasters.

"I hear quite a lot of your victories Dha'Dur. Your combat against League fleets was quite fascinating. Your sister also had lots of achievements of her own."

"Sire, I found my sisters work disturbing not worth of praise."

"Is that so Dha'Dur?"

"Real battle is on the battlefield, either that been on the ground or in space. Experimenting on prisoners, captives, is something I do not see worthy."

"Torture came with war Dha'Dur. We need to see what makes our enemies ticking. Jha'Dur is quite capable and I dare to say innovative."

"Is that really necessary? League is no match for us? Nobody is helping them. It won't be long before they are finished. We don't really need to massacre whole planets. That goes against our beliefs." Dha'Dur said.

"Those beliefs were no more. Dha'Dur. Look around you." Lha'Dar shows with his hand toward city and mountains behind the city. "All this will be gone soon. Once we establish ourself in League space we chose whatever planet we want to be new Omelos. If our sun is dying we will find new home that suit us."

"And what about population of planet we chose?"

"What about them, we whip them out, keep some for slaves but rest eliminate. You may ask if it's necessary. It is. If not, one day they would rebel against us and we don't want that."

Dha'Dur didn't like Lha'Dar, he didn't trust him. There were rumors about how he came to power. Dha'Dur knew that his species was always aggressive, he itself loved combat. But he likes fighting fair and square. He enjoy Killing his opponent without using tricks, torture and experimentation that his sister and many other warmasters doing, there was simply something wrong in it and it all started three decades earlier when their sun start to show signs of change, possibility of going super nova was high but that was not possible, their sun was too young to go super now, so why. Why would it starting to act like an old star? It was also question why expanding? Even if Omelos star is going super nova, Dilgar Empire had more colonies, they could move their entire population to some of other systems. Why invading League?

Dha'Dur ask himself many times this questions, he even ask Lha'Dar, but Lha,Dar would not give answer he wanted, it was "For future of Dilgars".

"Tell me Dha'Dur, what do you think of Earth Alliance? We hear many things about them from our captives. We itself have very limited contact with them. It seems they ignore us mostly. We offered them non-aggression pact shortly before we start attacking League and they accept it. Why do you think is that?

"I, I don't know sire." Dha'Dur answer. He really didn't know. He hears for Humans but he didn't have any ideas about them, nor he care really.

"I believe there are two reasons. First either they are weak or do not want to get caught in war with us so they accept non-aggression pact. Or they are stronger then League and they hiding it, acting to be small when they are actually much stronger.

And there is another curiosity about the pact. When they decide to accept it, they didn't wish to meet, only trough audio and video. They also warn that any of our ship entering their space will be met with deadly force. Now you don't go and say such think to someone who offers you hand of friendship if you do not hide something."

"Offer of friendship, is non-aggression pact from our side really an offer of friendship pff." Dha'Dur think, to him there was no sense sending to species you just meet for first time non-aggression pact and call it offer of friendship.

"Maybe they simply don't want be in our way." Dha'Dur said,

"Perhaps, but do you think they could be threat to us?" Lha'Dar asks.

"I don't see how they can be threat to us. From what we hear from our captives from League, they are newcomers, they had only meet Centauri some eighty or so of their years ago. I doubt they are big or powerful. Maybe they are just cautious and they don't want attention. Especially now after we invaded League."

"You may be right. But somehow I sense threat from them. I believe once we end League we may take on them to, just in case. What you think about that Dha'Dur?"

I believe that to be unwise. We know a lot about League even Narns and Centauri but we do not know anything about Humans. They are enigma to us like Minbari. If I am on your place sire, I would do things slowly."

Lha'Dar noded and nod with his arm for Dha'Dur to leave.

"We would see, Dha'Dur, all in good times." Lha'Dar said to himself and again looks toward the sun, covering his face with arm. "But we are almost out of time."

CENTAURI PRIME – ROYAL PALACE

Emperor Turhan sat in his throne; next to him two concubines lay on soft pillows.

His adviser Nahan came with news of Narn insurgency.

Narn was under Centauri rule for over a hundred years now and yet Narns still have few planets not directly taken by Centauri and also ships. It is believed by Centauri intelligence that Narn have few shipyards capable of building smaller frigates and cruisers, but those ships were no match really for Centauri navy.

Recent trade with Dilgars cost Centauri one Narn colony. However what Dilgars did to populace shocked the Emperor Turhan. It was deal that his adviser Nahan did.

"It is for keeping peace with Dilgars your highness". "Dilgars were not advanced as we are but still they poses great navy and it would not be smart to go to war with them."

Emperor knew those are only excuses. There must be something there, but what.

"Your highness, I bring news about Narn insurgency." Nahan started as soon as he enters the room and bowed.

"By your tone I guess things are not good?" Emperor Turhan responds, he enjoys seeing Nahan angry and his tone and face show that Nahan is enraged.

"Your highness, we believe they store weapon caches all around Narn, not only Narn but other planets as well. We believe they plan full scale rebellion. Not only that but they manage to destroy two of our ships in last twelve hours. They get bolder. It seems that trade between us and Dilgar and Dilgar whipping population of their colony only enraged them."

"And whose fault was that Nahan?"

"Mine your highness. I should know that Dilgar didn't plan to leave Narn population alive."

Turhan closed his eyes and massage sides of his head. "My family is directly responsible for occupation and stripping of Narn. I can't and I won't go the same way. And what I did, I allow Nahan to ruin everything I tried to fix. This was not the first mistake Nahan make. Last time fifteen thousand Narns died because his aggressive punishment. I am not my family, my ancestors."

Turhan nod to the guards and two guards standing in room came and apprehend Nahan.

"Your highness, what is the meaning of this?"

"You made so many mistakes Nahan. So many mistakes, and you did them. And every you did you did with your plans behind my back. All which failed miserable. He nod again and guards holding the Nahan exit the room.

"I need to start again. I need to give Narns their freedom or this full scale rebellion will weaken Centauri Republic, I cannot allow that. Not now!"