With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Prince Charon · 2026-09-19T08:34:11+0100

BR549 said:
...the minor butterfly is that the B-plot may also be derailed, in which case Londo loses some character development.

I feel like he'll have many other opportunities, though I can't guarantee that he'll take them.

Darko · 2026-09-19T08:34:49+0100

BR549 said:
...the minor butterfly is that the B-plot may also be derailed, in which case Londo loses some character development

The two young Centauri may still be grateful that they won't be nearly killed by a bunch of bigots.

Tzeentch · 2026-09-19T08:38:47+0100

Mr Zoat said:
She blinks rapidly, drawing herself up slightly. "Being chosen by the First Ones is an honour. Perhaps they have such faith in you that they feel that further guidance is unnecessary?"

"I've spent a year reorganising my life, and the best idea I've been able to come up with for the long term is go back to being an administrative assistant, because at least I understood how that works."

She stares wide-eyed at me for a moment.

Uh, guys, did I just-?

"Hahahahaha!"

After the day she's had, having something to laugh about and share with her good friend Delenn is most welcome!

Chojin Patriarch · 2026-09-19T09:28:01+0100

Mr Zoat said:
3rd April 2258
17:23 GMT

I walk down the corridor in the station's green sector a little uncomfortably. Alright, there aren't many guards around-.

And back with Speaker Paul. AKA Matthew Underwood, a useful alias when you can't say your own name. So, it's been a year since the last look at him. Wonder what's changed, if anything? Any 'quests' completed, I wonder?

Those of you with military or policing experience, is it strange that there aren't guards around here?

Yes. / It's appalling. / Not necessarily.

Explain?

The joy of having lots of passengers with lots of different life experiences to draw upon.

There's a security station nearby. In the event of an incident, their response time would be under a minute. On a station like this, they most likely rely on preventing weapons from coming aboard rather than directly observing the entire interior. Allowing different hostile species to have significant armaments would be a major security risk, and undermine Earthforce control.

A minute is a long time in a fight, though, especially when someone is mortally wounded (as opposed to fatally wounded. The difference being how much damage they can still do before they croak...)

Huh. Counterpoints?

There should still be a checkpoint at the entrances to important sections. Diplomatic passes and day passes.

The question is whether there's enough security personnel aboard to maintain that kind of watch. And if not, why not.

I round a corner-. And then step back as a party of wide-haired centauri stroll past, taking up the entire width of the corridor. One takes the time to look at me as if I just farted in his face.

Surprisingly polite.

That's be his sole remaining Narn passenger, I bet.

Alright, I could write a recommendation to the Chief of Security if you like.

I'm not using my one request for something like that.

...So each passenger gets to make one request of him? And then they remain quiescent in storage?

No, no, that would actually help me.

I sigh as I approach the minbari section.

Are you sure we need to do this? It shouldn't take-.

Huh, a request from a Minbari engram? This is probably important, then.

Absolutely.

And is there a reason why I couldn't bring this up with the Ambassador's aide?

Something for the ambassador's ears only? Definitely important.

I will not speak with anyone from any Fane of Chudomo.

Can you tell me why?

I assume that's the assistant's caste or order or whatever the Minbari do? Minbari are odd like that, then.

Yes, but that would require me to educate you on four thousand years of minbari history. Minbari do not kill minbari, but we once did, and in more modern times we have other ways of expressing our displeasure.

She's only got the one aide, and I can't help but feel that-.

Then you'll have to be very persuasive about getting a meeting with her, then.

"Aah!"

I transition-. Some sort of internal garden. One minbari, bleeding from a knife wound in her abdomen. Two humans, faces covered, turning to me-.

Ooh, that could be an interesting security log to see.

A sonic stunner construct causes them to drop the knife and a… Cigar lighter? And then a hammer construct slams them into the wall. Scan. Concussion, nasal and auditory bleeding from the sonic energy, some cracked bones, nothing life threatening. Now the victim. Who is holding her wound with both hands while slumped against the wall, staring at me.

Oh, that's got to be a sight to see. Spectrum Constructs must look a lot like certain higher-order abilities, I bet.

"Ma'am." I walk up to her and crouch down. "Do I have your permission to heal you?"

She gasps, grunts, and manages to nod.

Putting a lot of trust in him, but given that he came in like the fist of god on her attackers, she can safely bet on him not injuring her further.

Orange light flows from my hands… Minbari physiology isn't that complicated. I can see what's supposed to go where, copy and paste…

And done. Ah-. No, I should leave the blood and the cut cloth. There needs to be some evidence-.

Could have left a trace of the blade wound on the surface, a little scab to show the injury. Too late now.

Darn it. I should have left a shallow cut-. Now when the crime scene people-. It's awkward, but-. Ah, never mind.

I cut off the orange glow and offer her my right hand. "Ma'am? Any other injuries?"

You'll have to fudge the details of the attack, then. Or claim you've got some useful talents...

And she's staring at me… Ah, Minbari passengers?

Religious awe. / Shock. / If she doesn't know the ambassador, then it doesn't matter.

Wow, that last one's kind of an ass. But this is probably looking like a distraction from to their request, so...

Right. I smile encouragingly.

Unless you find her attractive?

Depends on how you feel about baldness? And cranial carapaces.

Ah… She's okay? Definitely more appealing than the narn and brakiri-.

Don't even think it. / Revolting! Minbari do not mate with aliens! / This isn't getting us that meeting. Focus, human.

Oh, that middle one's going to be in for a surprise in a few years...

Ah. "Matthew Underwood to security."

The minbari woman finally decides to take my hand, and I help her upright. Her other hand is still feeling the site of her wound, her eyes switching from it to my face as she tries to formulate… A coherent thought.

Definitely shocked, for sure. A near-fatal belly wound erased in an instant? Not a common human talent.

"This is a secure line, pal."

"Demonstrably not."

Skip the dick-waving, let them know what happened.

"Listen-."

"A minbari woman has been assaulted in green…" I look at the wall. "Ten. Please send security.. and a medic."

Good, straight to business. Though I imagine Security staff will have lots of questions for him.

"En route. You see where the attackers went?"

I glance at them. They haven't moved.

"They haven't gone anywhere. I'm afraid that I was a little rough with them… That's covered by Defence Of Another, right?"

Good to check on that, since some cultures might not have such a concept.

"Sure. You just stay put."

"Thank you."

End.

I half-expect they'll consider arresting him just for hacking their comms... Until more important heads look in.

"What did you do to me?"

The minbari woman has her head tilted curiously, her eyes slightly narrowed.

It would be quite the sight...

I renew my smile. "Absolutely nothing. The knife caused a shallow cut. I got the jump on your attackers and was able to slam their heads into the wall before they could react."

"Minbari do not lie."

"Can you editorialise?"

Simply... Understating the harm done? Not for lack of skill on the attacker's part, of course.

She looks away, weighing things up. "I.. believe that I can."

"Thank you."

After all, there is a small debt between them to be paid.

"But… Between the two of us…"

"An elder race gave me a magic ring. Also, no guidance on what I'm supposed to do with it, and dropped me off on an uninhabited planet."

Not an inaccurate synopsis of Speaker Paul's affairs.

She blinks rapidly, drawing herself up slightly. "Being chosen by the First Ones is an honour. Perhaps they have such faith in you that they feel that further guidance is unnecessary?"

"I've spent a year reorganising my life, and the best idea I've been able to come up with for the long term is go back to being an administrative assistant, because at least I understood how that works."

I doubt he'll have a quiet life, especially if he remains based on Babylon 5.

She stares wide-eyed at me for a moment.

Uh, guys, did I just-?

"Hahahahaha!"

To be fair, it does sound like a joke. Gifted phenomenal power by some elder, and all he can think of is to do what he knows best?

And once again, the Speaker flutters the butterfly's wings over the greater plot of Babylon 5. Not a significant change, with the villains of the episode caught much faster than canon. At least at first sight, anyway. For instance, the fact a human intervened on behalf of an alien will be notable for some, not least the attacker's backers.

Darko · 2026-09-19T09:36:58+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"I've spent a year reorganising

Mr Zoat said:
3rd April 2258
17:23

Zoat, Matthew said that he's spent a year in this universe, but the first Psychoprompt chapter listed the year as 2258. He's only been here a few months.

Darko · 2026-09-19T09:45:46+0100

Chojin Patriarch said:
I assume that's the assistant's caste or order or whatever the Minbari do? Minbari are odd like that, then

It's basically a religious clan.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Depends on how you feel about baldness? And cranial carapaces.

Not to mention the fact that their ears are much lower than a humans.

Chojin Patriarch said:
For instance, the fact a human intervened on behalf of an alien will be notable for some, not least the attacker's backers.

A human did intervene on behalf of an alien in canon too.

Chaoswind · 2026-09-19T11:23:48+0100

Darko said:
Zoat, Matthew said that he's spent a year in this universe, but the first Psychoprompt chapter listed the year as 2258. He's only been here a few months.

In the first chapter he already had the soul hunter ship and reliquary of souls. So he may have spent some months familiarizing himself with both before making his way to Babylon 5.

Mr Zoat · 2026-09-19T11:28:21+0100

Darko said:
Zoat, Matthew said that he's spent a year in this universe, but the first Psychoprompt chapter listed the year as 2258. He's only been here a few months.

Ugh, I got the year right on the segment but got it wrong on the contents page. Thank you, corrected.

Cool10007 · 2026-09-19T13:31:10+0100

I don't know a damn thing about Babylon 5, but I'm having a grand old time with Psychoprompt. Last-request orange lanterning is a fun concept.

Vaermina · 2026-09-19T17:15:37+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Yes, but that would require me to educate you on four thousand years of minbari history. Minbari do not kill minbari, but we once did, and in more modern times we have other ways of expressing our displeasure.

There shouldn't have been any Minbari in the Soul Hunter's collection, the Minbari go to extreme lengths to keep the Soul Hunters away and have the technology to do it.

In fact, if you actually do have a Minbari soul in there, all Minbari would be honor bound to try and kill you to free it.

Mr Zoat said:
I transition-. Some sort of internal garden. One minbari, bleeding from a knife wound in her abdomen. Two humans, faces covered, turning to me-.

A sonic stunner construct causes them to drop the knife and a… Cigar lighter? And then a hammer construct slams them into the wall. Scan. Concussion, nasal and auditory bleeding from the sonic energy, some cracked bones, nothing life threatening. Now the victim. Who is holding her wound with both hands while slumped against the wall, staring at me.

So I guess he's not hiding anymore?

Mr Zoat said:
Revolting! Minbari do not mate with aliens!

Shockingly... Minbari do in fact mate with aliens...

BoML · 2026-09-19T18:27:12+0100

Mr Zoat said:
3rd April 2258
17:23 GMT

I walk down the corridor in the station's green sector a little uncomfortably. Alright, there aren't many guards around-.

Ah, we're back at Babylon 5. Not clear on the timeline where we are in Season 1, but I'll probably get it...

Mr Zoat said:
I sigh as I approach the minbari section.

Are you sure we need to do this? It shouldn't take-.

Absolutely.

...oh, boy. This is gonna be "spicy". The question is if Delenn is going to be willing to even listen to him.

Mr Zoat said:
And is there a reason why I couldn't bring this up with the Ambassador's aide?

I will not speak with anyone from any Fane of Chudomo.

Can you tell me why?

Yes, but that would require me to educate you on four thousand years of minbari history. Minbari do not kill minbari, but we once did, and in more modern times we have other ways of expressing our displeasure.

She's only got the one aide, and I can't help but feel that-.

Great, based on context, *this* particular soul must be from a Warrior Caste...and even if he's from before Earth-Minbari war, Warrior Caste doesn't really *like* the Religious Caste.

Mr Zoat said:
I transition-. Some sort of internal garden. One minbari, bleeding from a knife wound in her abdomen. Two humans, faces covered, turning to me-.

A sonic stunner construct causes them to drop the knife and a… Cigar lighter? And then a hammer construct slams them into the wall. Scan. Concussion, nasal and auditory bleeding from the sonic energy, some cracked bones, nothing life threatening. Now the victim. Who is holding her wound with both hands while slumped against the wall, staring at me.

"Ma'am." I walk up to her and crouch down. "Do I have your permission to heal you?"

She gasps, grunts, and manages to nod.

...well, this certainly opened up a slot for Delenn to listen to him, at least.

Mr Zoat said:
I cut off the orange glow and offer her my right hand. "Ma'am? Any other injuries?"

And she's staring at me… Ah, Minbari passengers?

Religious awe. / Shock. / If she doesn't know the ambassador, then it doesn't matter.

Right. I smile encouragingly.

Oh, he has 3 Minbari soulspheres with him. That'll be...fun...

Mr Zoat said:
Unless you find her attractive?

Ah… She's okay? Definitely more appealing than the narn and brakiri-.

Don't even think it. / Revolting! Minbari do not mate with aliens! / This isn't getting us that meeting. Focus, human.

...yeah, we'll steer clear of *that* particular landmine, shall we.

Mr Zoat said:
"This is a secure line, pal."

"Demonstrably not."

"Listen-."

"A minbari woman has been assaulted in green…" I look at the wall. "Ten. Please send security.. and a medic."

"En route. You see where the attackers went?"

Ah, Garibaldi. He's about to have an...interesting time...processing these *nice* gentlemen... At least I'm assuming that's Garibaldi.

Mr Zoat said:
I glance at them. They haven't moved.

"They haven't gone anywhere. I'm afraid that I was a little rough with them… That's covered by Defence Of Another, right?"

"Sure. You just stay put."

"Thank you."

End.

I get *why* people among humans might hate Minbari, but I have zero sympathy to these fanatics.

Mr Zoat said:
"What did you do to me?"

The minbari woman has her head tilted curiously, her eyes slightly narrowed.

I renew my smile. "Absolutely nothing. The knife caused a shallow cut. I got the jump on your attackers and was able to slam their heads into the wall before they could react."

...well, that works for a story.

Mr Zoat said:
"Minbari do not lie."

"Can you editorialise?"

She looks away, weighing things up. "I.. believe that I can."

*coughs* Bullshit *coughs* They very much *can*.

Mr Zoat said:
"An elder race gave me a magic ring. Also, no guidance on what I'm supposed to do with it, and dropped me off on an uninhabited planet."

She blinks rapidly, drawing herself up slightly. "Being chosen by the First Ones is an honour. Perhaps they have such faith in you that they feel that further guidance is unnecessary?"

...debatable. Very debatable.

Mr Zoat said:
"I've spent a year reorganising my life, and the best idea I've been able to come up with for the long term is go back to being an administrative assistant, because at least I understood how that works."

She stares wide-eyed at me for a moment.

Uh, guys, did I just-?

"Hahahahaha!"

Ah, yes. The Minbari Humor thing. Good that she's able to laugh so freely, though.

AmericanNumbers · 2026-09-19T18:42:00+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Oi! You can talk shit about 70s politics all you like, but current day Trump is modern politics, and that's banned on this site. Any discussion of Trump must be 2006 era or earlier. I don't want to have to move to another website because someone else couldn't follow the rules.

Lol. Don't look up which New York Landlord was sued by the DOJ in the 70s for discriminatory and racist practices.

Vaermina · 2026-09-19T18:56:45+0100

Also, I notice Mr Zoat has forgotten that the Minbari have Power Rings of their own.

Tzeentch · 2026-09-19T20:09:09+0100

Darko said:
There's that Minbari humor.

Once the story of Matthew Underwood becomes known far and wide, I'll welcome the running gag of the Minbari he encounters trying their best to not giggle while in his presence.

Jankl · 2026-09-19T20:17:18+0100

So can Paul Mute all those voices? Cause knowing potentially hundreds of people are listening to and watching everything you do would drive me insane. How is Paul managing it?

Darko · 2026-09-19T21:34:17+0100

Vaermina said:
There shouldn't have been any Minbari in the Soul Hunter's collection, the Minbari go to extreme lengths to keep the Soul Hunters away and have the technology to do it.

You do know that the Minbari aren't hypercompetent masters at everything they do?

They might be able to repel Soul Hunters if there aren't enough of them around, but if Soul Hunters outnumber them, or if the Minbati is separated from other Minbari, then that Minbari is going to become very curvy.

Vaermina said:
In fact, if you actually do have a Minbari soul in there, all Minbari would be honor bound to try and kill you to free it.

Except Minbari aren't exactly a monolith.

They also can break away from their traditions or customs, either completely or by just bending them.

Minbari don't kill Minbari.

Except they do.

During their civil war they either outright killed each other, or found creative loopholes.

One clan apparently banished another clan into a wasteland.

They didn't kill the banished clan with their own hands, so they technically didn't break their sacred law, but the banished ones died.

Heck, all Matthew would have to do is let the Minbari he has talk for him and explain what is happening.

Other Minbari may even respect Matthew, since he can qualify as a True Seeker.

True Seekers are basically people on spiritual journeys, and Matthew's current hobby of being a ghost whisperer is literally a spiritual journey.

Vaermina said:
Shockingly... Minbari do in fact mate with aliens...

Shockingly...racists are ignorant...

Vaermina said:
Also, I notice Mr Zoat has forgotten that the Minbari have Power Rings of their own.

You mean that little device Delenn used in The Gathering to torture G'Kar?

The only thing that was able to fo was slightly alter gravity.

You obviously forgot, but actual power rings basically make someone a god.

Delenn's power ring is basically a flashlight compared to Matthew's nuclear reactor of a ring ring.

Though I shouldn't be surprised that you'd say something like this.

A few pages ago you said that the animated movie showed the Shadows utilize constructs that rival a power ring.

I rewatched the movie and the only thing they could do was create a shield that protected the front of their body.

That's it.

I also saw that they're not immune to conventional weapons, since Lyta was able to kill one with an ordinary gun.

Darko · 2026-09-19T22:03:36+0100

Mr Zoat said:
How much importance do you think that people will place upon that distinction?

"You prefer

'distinction?" '

Add a " at the end.

Vaermina · 2026-09-19T22:21:31+0100

Darko said:
You do know that the Minbari aren't hypercompetent masters at everything they do?

They might be able to repel Soul Hunters if there aren't enough of them around, but if Soul Hunters outnumber them, or if the Minbati is separated from other Minbari, then that Minbari is going to become very curvy.

I'm guessing you forgot that the Soul Hunters only collect important Souls.

And that the largest Soul Hunter operation ever only involved a few dozen of them.

Darko said:
Except Minbari aren't exactly a monolith.

They also can break away from their traditions or customs, either completely or by just bending them.

Minbari don't kill Minbari.

Except they do.

During their civil war they either outright killed each other, or found creative loopholes.

One clan apparently banished another clan into a wasteland.

They didn't kill the banished clan with their own hands, so they technically didn't break their sacred law, but the banished ones died.

Heck, all Matthew would have to do is let the Minbari he has talk for him and explain what is happening.

Other Minbari may even respect Matthew, since he can qualify as a True Seeker.

True Seekers are basically people on spiritual journeys, and Matthew's current hobby of being a ghost whisperer is literally a spiritual journey.

Yeah no, this isn't a small thing, it involves one of the fundamental beliefs of all Minbari.

And Delenn isn't random Joe Minbari, she's one of the leaders of the Religious Caste. So the literal best case scenario is Delenn giving him a chance to release the souls he's holding. Which he won't do because without them his ring runs out of power.

Darko said:
You mean that little device Delenn used in The Gathering to torture G'Kar?

The only thing that was able to fo was slightly alter gravity.

You obviously forgot, but actual power rings basically make someone a god.

Delenn's power ring is basically a flashlight compared to Matthew's nuclear reactor of a ring ring.

Though I shouldn't be surprised that you'd say something like this.

A few pages ago you said that the animated movie showed the Shadows utilize constructs that rival a power ring.

I rewatched the movie and the only thing they could do was create a shield that protected the front of their body.

That's it.

I also saw that they're not immune to conventional weapons, since Lyta was able to kill one with an ordinary gun.

The rings aren't just limited to Gravity, they cover pretty much every energy/force type, that's why there were over a dozen different ones in Delenn's hidden cabinet.

And as a note, they're literally called "Power Rings" in universe.

Also as a point, you seem to be forgetting that Matthew "nuclear reactor" can very easily run out of power if he does anything too strenuous.

Darko · 2026-09-19T22:42:04+0100

Vaermina said:
I'm guessing you forgot that the Soul Hunters only collect important Souls

Nope, I remember that.

Vaermina said:
And that the largest Soul Hunter operation ever only involved a few dozen of them.

So the fact that their collection, and later retrieval of the stolen orb, of the Ralgan race seemed to involve hundreds of ships is just going to be overlooked.

Vaermina said:
And Delenn isn't random Joe Minbari, she's one of the leaders of the Religious Caste. So the literal best case scenario is Delenn giving him a chance to release the souls he's holding. Which he won't do because without them his ring runs out of power.

Delenn also respects spiritual beliefs and journeys, so if the souls Matthew is holding tell her that they don't want her to hurt him, she's not likely to hurt him.

Vaermina said:
The rings aren't just limited to Gravity, they cover pretty much every energy/force type, that's why there were over a dozen different ones in Delenn's hidden cabinet.

So...they're still basically inferior to a Maltusian ring, since a Maltusian ring can do all of that, and do it on a larger scale, and it all comes in a single ring instead of a dozen.

Vaermina said:
Also as a point, you seem to be forgetting that Matthew "nuclear reactor" can very easily run out of power if he doesn't anything to strenuous

And a bunch of people attacking him with long metal pipes is going to be strenuous?

Mr Zoat · 2026-09-19T22:51:08+0100

AmericanNumbers said:
Lol. Don't look up which New York Landlord was sued by the DOJ in the 70s for discriminatory and racist practices.

Getting sued doesn't matter. Anyone can be sued for anything. Getting convicted matters.

Jankl said:
So can Paul Mute all those voices?

No, but they can effectively mute each other. And he could dump one back in their Palsphere.

Cause knowing potentially hundreds of people are listening to and watching everything you do would drive me insane.

They've been stuck on a shelf for hundreds or thousands of years. They've grown accustomed to their state. Actively interacting takes more effort than not interacting.

How is Paul managing it?

Like a streamer, I suppose.

Darko said:
I also saw that they're not immune to conventional weapons, since Lyta was able to kill one with an ordinary gun.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZslQ8Snkg64

Darko said:
'distinction?" '

Add a " at the end.

Thank you, corrected.

Vaermina · 2026-09-19T23:30:32+0100

Darko said:
So the fact that their collection, and later retrieval of the stolen orb, of the Ralgan race seemed to involve hundreds of ships is just going to be overlooked.

That involved dozens of ships, not hundreds, and was the event I was talking about.

Darko said:
Delenn also respects spiritual beliefs and journeys, so if the souls Matthew is holding tell her that they don't want her to hurt him, she's not likely to hurt him.

The only way it would have even a small chance of working like that is if Matthew could prove it was real and he wasn't influencing the soul.

Something he can't do.

Darko said:
So...they're still basically inferior to a Maltusian ring, since a Maltusian ring can do all of that, and do it on a larger scale, and it all comes in a single ring instead of a dozen.

Actually they can't do all that.

Malthusian Rings can only manipulate a single facet of the light spectrum on their own.

Darko said:
And a bunch of people attacking him with long metal pipes is going to be strenuous?

Only if they paint them blue first.

Mr Zoat said:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZslQ8Snkg64

Ironically, Londo did not actually kill those Shadows.

Even more Ironically, that choice was Londo dooming himself and the Centaui people.

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

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