The Great Burn Saga Story Index

I created this website in response to suggestions made by some of the readers of my earlier drafts of the story. This page will allow you to jump ahead to any part of the story you wish.

Book the First:

We Play With Fire, We Get Burned

Act I: You Know the Truth, Even If You Never Admit It – Adat'Oma and Sterling argue. The Rangers discuss the argument. Ranger Instructor speaks with Adam Thomas. Stephen Randall in the far future reveals what tonight's program is all about.

Act II: Too Late For the Pebbles to Vote – Derek Mitchell introduces a contemporary ISN program regarding the events depicted in the story. Cynthia Torqueman speaks of Galactic Politics and the Dilgar in general. E'p'h'raim of Ados pleads for the Brakiri President to help his family. Cynthia interviews Emperor Lenton, then discovers Dilgar Fighters fell into a skirmish in Rowgan Territory. An ISN Technician tries to assassinate Emperor Lenton. The Rowgan Ambassador speaks with the Vorlon Ambassador to try and rally up support.

Act III: A Theory is Better Than Nothing – The Rowgans prepare for the Dilgar Fleet. Adat'Oma speaks with Cairn Davargia and discover new mysteries they try to solve. Emperor Lenton consults with his Aides and Advisors.

Act IV: Against this Peril We Can Never Surrender – A small group of Techno-Mages decide to get involved in the War when they discover the First Ones are mobilizing their Planet Killers. The rest of Adat'Oma and Davargia's conversation is played out in full. The Brakiri begin their assault on the Deneth Home World. Cairn Davargia is gathering together many thousands of Vorlon Allied Ships for the planned assault on Z'Ha'Dum. Techno-Mages make contact with Davargia. Emperor Lenton manipulates and conducts the League of Darkness to launch a series of hit and run attacks. The Carnellian and Bremmaer Leaders try to pursuade Adat'Oma to accept their help. Emperor Lenton's childhood lightly touched upon.

Act V: Unto Thy Name the Praise Be Given – Davargia verifies the Techno-Mages' claims, and cements their relationship. The Vorlons' world devastating rampage begins. Emperor Lenton's Fleet arrives at Rowga, where Adat'Oma agrees to meet with him in person to negotiate a solution to the dangerous situation. The Rowgan World Choir sings, "Non Nobis, Domine."

Act VI: Would You Rather Ignite the Anger of the Almighty God? – The Brakiri begin the ground invasion on Deneth. The Brakiri President consults the Shadows' Human Emissary. Adat'Oma meets with Lenton, then tries to destroy the Ship with both of them in it. The Dilgar Flagship survives the attack. The Rowgan and Dilgar engage in combat. More of Lenton's childhood is revealed, including the tragedy of his parent's death.

Act VII: All to Get Revenge On Two Men? – The Techno-Mages and Davargia gather more intelligence before making their move. The Brakiri prevail over the Deneth Military, and capture Admiral Sterling. The Rowgan/Dilgar Battle is watched by those on the Dilgar Flagship, while the Rowgan World Choir sings. Adat'Oma tries to affect Lenton with his personal testimony of life. Adat'Oma's men come to his rescue, but ultimately fail despite their noble efforts. Adat'Oma is executed by spacing. A Rowgan Ship finds Adat'Oma's body, and unsuccessfully tries to resuscitate their Leader, but to no avail. The last important details of Lenton's past are revealed, including how he came to power on Dilgar in the first place.

Act VIII: I Think They Can Hear You, Sir – The Brakiri President gives an interview, but is interrupted when the Shadows' Human Emissary returns. Alwyn and Finian are hunted by the Shadows, but send a message to Davargia that the Shadows are coming for his World to destroy the growing Fleet. The Brakiri President continues the interview with Dan Randall, but pauses in order to watch Admiral Sterling placed before his firing squad. The Vorlons entered the Deneth System, prompting the the Brakiri Military to retreat, leaving Sterling unharmed. Sterling's arrogance is put to an end when he discovers the Vorlons know he was about to betray the Vorlon Alliance. President Mitchell rejoices, but faces the facts that the Vorlons are coming to destroy his own World, so he commits suicide. The Vorlon Planet Killer arrives at the Brakiri Home World.

Act IX: Am I in Heaven, or Did They Just Leave? – The Vorlon Allies desperately fight against the Shadows in orbit of Centauri Prime. Galen is sent with a detachment of Warships to destroy a Shadow Shipyard. The Centauri and Vorlon Allies win the battle because of Elric's sacrifice, but Davargia was assassinated. The Vorlon Planet Killer inexplicably leaves the Brakiri Home World alone.

Act X: I Thought You Were An Atheist? – Adam Thomas is sent to negotiate a deal on behalf of the Rangers with a Businessman on a Freighter. The Techno-Mage Gwynn's Flyer was in distress after a run in with the Vorlons. We discover Gwynn and Adam are married. Having honed in on Gwynn's distress signal, nearby Raiders try to take advantage of her injured situation, engaging in combat with the Freighter. Adam repairs the Jump Engines, facilitating the Freighter's escape. Unfortunately, Adam's face was burned badly once he finished repairs, and his wife Gwynn came to his rescue. Alwyn's apprentice, Carvin, sends a general distress call to the Mages to inform them the gathering place on Selic 4 was destroyed.

Act XI: The Great Destroyer of the Future is Apathy – The Rowgan Ambassador is interviewed on the Babylon Station in full view of the other Vorlon Allied Delegates. Ambassador Kosh interrupts the interview along with the most respected of the First Ones, Lorien. Lorien reveals to us a dangerous Species has been let loose on the Galaxy, which had only been heretofore encountered by the First Ones one million years ago. Two important Souls meet each other, but not the way they ever expected.

Book the Second:

His Divine Power

Act I: Traitors – Galen, Gwynn, and Carvin re-establish contact with the Ruling Circle of the Techno-Mages. Both groups of Mages confront the other for their behavior, but decide to help each other perform necessary missions.

Act II: Warriors – Adam is sent a dream about the past, present, and future of E'Phraim of Ados. Adam sees himself in trouble with an elevator full of Armed Dilgar in the future.

Act III: Pundits – The Markhab attack the Narn out of vengeful retaliation, but are surprisingly stopped by the Shadows. An ISN Roundtable discusses the political and military problems being faced by the Anti-Thirdspace Coalition. ISN Headquarters is destroyed.

Act IV: Scientists – A Spy infiltrates a Dilgar Bio-Weapons Laboratory and spirts away a deadly plague, which is unfortunately released into the Colony's populace.

Act V: Prophets – Emperor Lenton meets with E'Phraim of Ados, and tries to convince the probable Seer to join him in a quest to empower the Dilgar Race.

Act VI: Principalities – Political intrigue and confrontations abound on the Vorlon Constructed Babylon Station, which is now the Central Staging Area of the Coalition's Forces.

Book the Third:

Apocalypse From Babylon

Act I: And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. – The Earth Alliance White Star Class Destroyer is reassigned from protective duties at an Archaeological Dig to capture the Dilgar Magistrate of Quito Prime before she can possibly infect the Cthulin Home World with the Shadow Plague. The Carnellian and Bremmaer leaders become fugitives when they save Ambassador Jer'Doyl from a bum rap.

Act II: And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; – The Excalibur captures the Dilgar Magistrate, but find out she was traveling to the Cthulin Home World to release a possible cure to Thirdspace's Mind Control. Galen agrees to study the cure itself, while Matheson prepares for the paperwork to legally scan Ja'Dur's mind to see if she is lying. Ja'Dur tells him Alwyn is the one who helped the Dilgar develop such advanced technology.

Act III: but the Lord was not in the wind: – Galen lands on the Cthulin Home World, where he finds Alwyn has been stranded since the Shadow War.

Act IV: and after the wind, an earthquake; – Lt. Matheson scans Ja'Dur's mind, and finds more than he bargained for. Many traumas surface, as well as evidence incriminating Ja'Dur beyond what anyone on the Excalibur suspected her of doing.

Act V: but the Lord was not in the earthquake: – Galen is given the heads up that the cure is safe and legitimate, and he and Alwyn set forth to test the cure on the Cthulin. But as the two Mages try to escape the planet, they are hunted down by three squadrons of Cthulin Hovering Skimmercraft.

Act VI: And after the earthquake a fire; – Galen and Alwyn return to the Excalibur, and Alwyn is placed under temporary custody until his guilt or innocence in the Dilgar Technology story can be verified. Gideon and Galen figure out a way to investigate Alwyn's guilt or innocence after taking care of everything involving the Dilgar Magistrate.

Act VII: but the Lord was not in the fire: – Gideon, on the advice of the Apocalypse Box, opens a dialogue with the artifacts they discovered. Gideon is cut off in his conversation with them, though, and he is told to have his mind fixed by Lt. Matheson. Gideon and Galen discuss the dangers they may face if they investigate Alwyn's guilt or innocence. The Excalibur comes to the rescue of its attacked Site, only to find everyone killed. The Captain decides to cut their losses and leave.

Act VIII: and after the fire a still small voice. – Gideon privately meets with his Executive Officer, so Matheson can scan his mind and do what the artifacts told him to do. Some strange secrets come to light regarding the Captain's mental well being, as well as his relationship with the Apocalypse Box.

Book the Fourth:

Momentum

Act I: One is the Loneliest Number - ISN is once again operational on Epsilon III. Earth resents accusations of Telepathic Witness Tampering. Lenton doesn’t appreciate Earth’s humorous parody of him. The Shadows deny him permission to assassinate a League Member’s Leader.

Act II: It's Just No Good Anymore Since You Went Away (a) (b) - A Human Dance Troop performs on Centauri Prime for Renegar Davargia’s Coronation Festival. Renegar consults with the Slaani Leader, who is secretly in hiding after the Battle of Centauri Prime many months earlier. Mr. Morden makes an offer, but is refused. Renegar’s own men try to kill him, but he is saved by the Female Centauri Mage Carvin.

Act III: There's Nothing to Keep Them Together - A Resistance forming on the Capitol of the Dilgar Empire is beginning to cause problems, and worries the High Command. The Resistance recruits and prepares for the Civil War to come with the help of Ranger Thomas. Gwynn is currently back on Earth waiting for her Baby to arrive.

Act IV: Oh, For the Sake of Momentum I’ve Allowed My Fears to Get Larger than Life - Galen and Alwyn leave the Excalibur in order to get in contact with the The Bremmaer, Carnellians, and Rowgans are now hiding out on the Planet C-232. They are worried when several of their Patrols disappear. It turns out the Renegade Mages are also on C-232.

Act V: And It’s Brought Me to My Current Agendum, Whereupon I Deny Fulfillment has Yet to Arrive - A very controversial Lenton joins the Coalition’s Joint Fleet, and Ranger Cole tries to warn him away. The Shadows are angry with Lenton after he proceeds to assassinate the League Member’s Leader, anyway. They punish Lenton by refusing to cure his Son and the populace on Quito Prime of the Nano-Tech Plague. Lenton confronts E’Phraim of Ados, and tries everything he can to get the possible Dilgar Prophet to help Lenton’s Son. Renegar Davargia confronts Prime Minister Lione in front of all the Centauri Aristocrats back at his party. Renegar challenges Lione to the Murago, a duel to the death to settle all disputes in the Republic.

Act VI: And I Know Life is Getting Shorter. I Can’t Bring Myself to Set the Scene. - We discover the Dilgar High Command Bunker has the ability to virtually self destruct the planet it is on in order to make any invasion on Dilgar Planets to be deemed more costly than it’s worth. Eusebius and Adam take a brief moment to discuss things. Galen and Alwyn finally contact the Circle and eventually convince them to bring the Order out of hiding to help investigate the probable Renegade Faction operating outside their authority. The Bremmaer, Carnellians, and Rowgans go out on a large scale expedition to find out what happened to their lost patrols, but begin running into serious trouble. In between battles Lenton ponders the Shadows’ Technology and creates some theories to help fill in the holes of what he already knows of the Tech.

Act VII: Even When It’s Approaching Torture, I’ve Got My Routine - Renegar and Lione are still fighting the Murago, the sword duel. Renegar kills Lione, and narrowly escapes another assassination attempt when Human Dancers/Soldiers Jody Sawyer and Charlie Sims intervene. Michael Garibaldi accompanies a new shipment of special weapons being delivered to the Dilgar Resistance. The Resistance is able to Infiltrate Security Rooms in the High Command Bunker and Outpost. These Infiltrators took out the other Guards in a coordinated moment in order to help the Resistance in their forthcoming attack.

Act VIII: Oh, For the Sake of Momentum. Even Though I Agree with That Stuff About Seizing the Day - Galen recruits the Excalibur to help the Order engage the Renegade Mages. The Bremmaer, Carnellians, and Rowgans are defeated and their Leaders imprisoned by the Renegade Mages.

Act IX: But I Hate to Think of Effort Expended, All Those Minutes and Days and Hours I Have Frittered Away - Lenton contacts all the League Members and tries to create sympathy toward his cause so the Shadows will back down and cure his Son. The battle Lenton enters turns out to be a trap by the Thirdspace Aliens, and he barely escapes with his life.

Act X: But I Can’t Confront the Doubts I Have; I Can’t Admit That Maybe the Past was Bad - Renegar is finally officially made Emperor, and he and his friends soak in a singular moment of glory. The Resistance unleashes all their firepower and forces, beginning a tremendous battle for control of the High Command Bunker. The battle ends with the surface of Humdin being annihilated by the government planted fusion bombs.

Act XI: And So, For the Sake of Momentum, I’m Condemning the Future to Death So It Can Match the Past - The Renegade Techno-Mages prepare for the arrival of the Excalibur and the rest of the Order. Coriantumr agrees to save the Bremmaer, Carnellian, and Rowgan Leaders. The Renegade Mages are defeated, but not before the Exaclibur’s crew is killed.

Book the Fifth:

Coming Soon

All text copyrighted by Michael Warren Novemember 16, 2001 - January 27,2002. The text on this website is his express property, although he freely shares all images and sound files herein, because I didn't make any of them (aside from the picture links).