Annotation

WithBabylon5completeatlast,theAllianceisreadytoenteranewage,agoldentimeofpeaceandprosperity.Butinagalaxythathasknownonlywar,theconceptofpeaceishardtograsp.Thenewagebringsmanychallenges,notlearninghowto fight,but learninghowto live. Someseek thatunderstandingthrough work and labour, others through continuing to build a better world,whileforsomethere isnounderstanding,onlycontinuedwar. Andacross thedeadvastnessofspace,ancientshipscontinuetomove,gatheringforapurposenoonecancomprehend.

GarethD.WilliamsChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4

GarethD.WilliamsADark,DistortedMirror.Volume5:AmongtheStars,likeGiants.Part1:LearningHowtoLive

Chapter1The Alliance had been shaken in 2262, the Drazi Conflict

representing its first real test since the end of the ShadowWar, butultimately ithadheld.Theunionof theBlessedDelennandGeneralJohnSheridan,theShadowkiller,keptthedisparateAlliancetogetherthroughmonthsthatwerelargelymarkedbypeaceandoptimism.ThecompletionoftheBabylon5spacestationattheendoftheyearwasmeanttomarkanewbeginningforthegalaxy.

Anditdid,althoughnotinthewayanyonecouldhaveforeseen.Babylon5comeslater, though.Theearlyweeksandmonthsof2263weredistinguishedbyactivityelsewhere,byaslowbuildingofforces,bysteadilyburningtensions.

AndbythecontinuedabsenceofPrimarchSinoval.

NEY,S.E.(2295)TheBirthofaNewDream.Chapter1ofTheRiseandFallof

the United Alliance, the End of the Second Age and theBeginningofthe

Third, vol. 4, The Dreaming Years. Ed: S. Barringer, G.Boshears,A.E.Clements,D.G.Goldingay&M.G.Kerr.

*

Andatthesameinstant,theyallwokeup.Theywerespreadoutacrossthegalaxy;richpeople,poorpeople,powerful

people, helpless people. Theywere the peoplewho shaped the galaxy, in oneformoranother.

Andtheyallwokeupatthesametime.LondoMollari awakes fromadreamhecan remembernow,wet tearson

his face.He is a youngman again, standing alongsideMarrago andUrza andDugariandMalachiandsomanyothers.Heisboastingin thewaythatonlyayoungmancan,andtheothersareagreeingwithhim."IamgoingtobeEmperoroneday,"hesays,andtheylaugh.Andthenhelooksupatthethrone,andRefaisthere,nailedtoitbyhisownkutari.AndthenhelooksbackandseesDugari

coveredwithblood,coughingupmorebloodwitheachbreathandtakingthoseawfulcoughtabletsofhiswhicharecoveredwithblood.AndhelooksbackandheseesMarragoisnothereanymore,andUrzaisdeadandMalachiisdeadandtheyarealldeadexcepthimandonlyhisenemiesareleft,andCartagiaraisesamocking toast to say 'Iwon'andElrisiacombsouther longbeautifulhairandKiroplaysanopenflameacrosshisfingersanditdoesnotburnhimandMarielandDaggairlaughandplotandMordenisbehindthemall,smilingashealwaysdoes and saying, 'You owe me a favour, Emperor or Minister or peasant orwanderer,youowemeafavourandamanmustalwayspaywhatheowes.'

And Emperor Londo Mollari II wakes up, carefully, so as not to wakeTimov, and he goes to a window and looks out over the many lands of hisdomain.

DexterSmithawakesfromadream.Hewaspooronce,borninaslumoflosthopesanddeaddreamstoamotherwhobarelyspoketohimandafatherheneverknew.NowheisaSenator,amanofimportance,amanwhoisknownandrespected,awarhero,achampionofthepeople.Butinhisdreamsheseesgreeneyes fillwithbloodashekillsheragainandagainandeach timehehears thevoicesblaminghim.

And Senator Dexter Smithwakes up and lies in his bed formany hoursuntildawncomesandhehasthingstodothatwillmakehimforget.

David Corwin awakes from a dream he does not want to remember. Hecannotmove,orthink,orevenrememberhisname.Allhecandoisscream,andtherearesomanypeoplewalkingdirectlyinfrontofhim,SusanandLytaandMaryandJohnandDelennandCarolynandnoneofthemcanseehimorhearhimandheislefttoscreamalone,thesoundsechoinginhismind.

AndDavidCorwin,onceacaptainbutnolonger,wakesuptothesensationofthesunonhisface,butitissocoldandtheskyisfullofdustandthewaterisfullofmudandhiswakingbringshimnojoy.

TaliaWinters,whohasmorenamesthanfriends,awakesfromadreaminwhich she is with her family. Abby is there, and Al, and they have morechildren,andshe isn'twearinggloves,andshehasonly theonename,butshecannotrememberwhatitis,andeveryoneiscallingherdifferentnames.

AndTaliaWinters,whotakesseveralminutestorememberthatthatishername,wakesupandgoestocheckonherdaughter.Theyhavebeenapartforfartoolongandshewillnotletthembepartedagain.

SataiKatsawakesfromadreamwheresheisinacircleoflight,butsheisnotscreamingandshe isnotafraidandasshe touchesKozorr'shandandsaysthewordsshe isbidden tosay,shecanfeelherselfcrying,but inagoodway.Thesun is touchingKozorr's face,andhe is lookingup into it,unafraidof the

light.AndSataiKatswakesupandtouchesthenecklacearoundherneck,thelast

thing hewasmaking for her before he died, his last effort at a lifewhere hecreatedratherthandestroyed.Itisstrangelywarmtohertouch.

DelennofMirawakesfromadreamlikemanyothersshehashad.Itisnotsomethingshewishestorecall,butshehearsthatheartbeatechoingfromstoneandmetalalways,whetherwakingorsleeping.

AndDelennofMir, themostpowerfulperson in thegalaxy, rollsover inheroddlyhorizontalbedandreachesforthepersonwhoshouldbethere,butheisnot,andshefeelsthecoldwherehiswarmthshouldbeandsheliesstillforalongtime.

And theyallwakeupand theyall remember thesame thing.Somerecallthedreams,somedonot,but in thatone instantofhalf-slumber,half-memory,whenwhatisrealandwhatisnotbecomeblurred,amomentthatSusanIvanovawouldcallthe'HouroftheWolf',theyallhaveoneimageburnedintothebackoftheirminds.

Apairofdarkeyesandafearsomevoicesayingoneword."Remember."Butmostofthemforget.

*

Therearemoreofthemthanpeoplethink,outthereinspace.Theyaretheancients,theforgotten,beingswhowalkedthestarsatthedawnoftime.Mortalscallthem'theFirstOnes'buttheydonotunderstandwhatitistheyhavenamed.Theydo not understandwhat itmeans towalk among the stars like giants, tolookdownattheyoungerraces,atthemortals,beingslittlemorethanants.

They have been forgotten now, largely. The Shadows and the Vorlonschose the twinpathsofhelpingandaiding theyounger racesand theothers....they have gone, hidden, pursuing their own concerns, inhabiting their ownfloating cities and dead tombs. For countlessmillennia they have stood alooffromtherestofthegalaxy.

Thingschange.Thereisaworldthatnooutsiderhasbeentointensofthousandsofyears.

Ithasnonamethatanyonecanknow.Thepeoplewholive thereareforgottenandunknown.Itisaworldofcitiescraftedofairandriversflowingamongtheskies.Itisaworldofhazymistsandwhisperedmemories.

Noshiphasleftthatworldforavery,verylongtime.

Untilnow.It rises from thegreatest cityon theworld, floatingupwardsonwingsof

water.Asitleavestheatmosphere,thewingsfoldupandenginescometolife.AndtheFirstOnes'shipmakesforasecretdestination,farawayfromthe

worldsof theyounger races.Theyhavebeenapart fromthegalaxyfor far toolong. It isnow time for them to return.There isone lastpieceofbusiness forthemtoattendto.

*

Fearwasn'tsomethinghewasmeanttoknow.Nothim,oneofthespecial,oneoftheunique,oneofthefew.Fearwasalesserthing,forlesserbeings.Formundanebeings.

But as he ran frantically, his breath burning in his mouth, his heartpoundingasiftobreakfreefromhischest,hisbloodrushing,ChenHikaruknewfear. The thought uppermost in his mind was that this was not meant to behappening.Hecouldnotbeafraid.Hewasatelepath,apersonalagentofthePsiCorpsitself.

Telepathswerenotmeanttobeafraid.Notever.Buthewas,andhedoubtedanyonecouldblamehim.The thingschasing

him, they were not human, they were not natural. They looked human, theytalkedlikehumansandactedlikehumans,buttheyweren't,andonlyonetypeofpersoncouldtellthattheyweren'thuman.

Thespecialpeople.Telepaths,justlikehim.Thiswas supposed to be a routinemission.A simple reconnaissance.He

hadbeenhere for three years, just keeping an eye on things for theCorps, orwhatwasleftofit.TherewasnotmuchtoMokafaStation,atleastnotmuchtothe public eye.ABrakiri trading station set up across a couple ofmoderatelyimportanttraderoutes.AlayoverpointfortradersandtravellersintoafewofthelessexploredregionstowardstheRim.

ButwhattheCorpsknewbutfewothersdid,wasthatMokafaheldasecretlabmakingDust, run by one of themore prominentBrakiri crime syndicates.Suchalabneededwatching,andthatwaswhatChenhadbeenassignedtodo.Justwatch.Hehadbeenwarned itmightbea long timebeforeheheardbackfromhissuperiors,andsohehadnotbeenundulyworriedaboutthelongperiodofsilence.The rumoursabout the lossofSanctuaryandMr.Bestergoing intohidinghad troubledhim,andhehadevenheardawhispered report thatLatonhadbeentakenandBesterkilled,buthehadnotbelievedit.

It was only when the strange humans arrived that he realised somethingverywrongwashappening.

They looked no different from any other travellers. There were four ofthem,abusinessmanofsomekind,asecretary,a localguideandabodyguard.Nothingparticularlyoutoftheordinary.Atleast,toanymundaneperson.Chenhad sensed something strange from the firstmoment he had seen them and asubtleprobeofthebusinessmanhadconfirmedhissuspicions.

There was nothing there. No thoughts, no memories, nothing but abrilliantlyshininglight,alightthatburnedandblazedandragedathim.Hehadstumbled back before the unexpected pain, and all four of themhad turned tolookathim.Andallfourofthemhadsmiled.

Thatwaswhenhehadstartedtorun.They had followed him, moving effortlessly. He could hear them

communicatingwitheachother,notbywords,butbythethoughtshehadbeenunabletosense.Hecouldalsohearthemtalkingtohim,sinuouswhispers,softechoesofchildhoodnightmares.Come tousss....Bewithusss....Wewillshowyou the light.We will show you beauty and power and an entire universe ofmajestyandterror.

Hewantedtoscream,buthedidnothavethebreath.Hewantedtofallandcollapse crying, but then they would catch him. Somehow he knew that theywouldcatchhimanyway.

Something twisted beneath his leg andhe fell, his knee striking the floorhard.Hestumbledforwardandtriedtoscrambletohisfeet,butallhedidwasrollforwardalittleandhithiskneeagain.

Thentheywerethere,justmaterialisingbehindhim.Letusshowyouthelight,oneofthemwhispered."Whoareyou?"Chensaid,tearsinhiseyes.Hewasoneofthespecial,one

oftheunique.Heshouldn'thavetofeellikethis.Fearwasforlesserbeings.Weare theHand of theLight, the first one said.He could no longer tell

them apart. Everything seemed to be melting, clothes, features, build,everything.Theywerebecomingmannequins,twistedapproximationsofwhatahumanbeingshouldlooklike,madebysomeonewhohadneverseenone.

Chen tried to lash out with a telepathic attack, but there was nothing toattack.Therewassimplynothingthere.Nomind.Nothing.

Comewithus.Wewillshowyouthelight."Whatareyou?"heaskedagain."What....whatareyou?"WearetheHandoftheLight."Youmean,youareworthlessabominations,"saidanewvoice,oneharsh

and strong, one that didnot fear anything.Chen reachedoutwithhismind towelcomethenewcomer,butherecoiled.Amundane.Howcouldamundanebesocalmwhenhewassoterrified?

"Die!" snapped one of the creatures. Therewas a blur ofmotion and thethoughtsofmanytelepathsjoinedinone.ThesoundasaPPGwasfired,andoneof the creatures fell. Another one stumbled back, clutching at its head. Chencould see light pouring from its distorted eyes andmouth. Something terribleanddarkwasseepingintothecreature'shead.

He shifted his gaze, only just daring to move, and he saw a tall man,dressedininnocuousgrey,holdingaPPG.Therewasalongscardownthesideofhisface.Thiswasthemundane.

There were also several telepaths, led by an elegant, hard-faced blondewoman.Theywere joined,andholdingoffoneof thecreatures.Themundaneshotanother,movingwithalmostblindingspeed.

Chenbreathedout slowlyand lenthisownmind to the telepaths. Joiningwasasimpleexercise,taughttoeverychild.Hehadbeenwarnedintrainingthatsomejoiningscouldremovecontrolfromhimentirely,buthehadnotexpectedanythinglikethis.

Hismindwassweptupinacurrentofenergythatimmediatelypulledhimfree fromanymooringshemighthave tried to form. Itwasa flowing riverofdarkness,thatfeltfoulandsmelledfoulandwasfoul.Hegaggedatitstouchandatitspresence,buthecouldnotescape.Allhecoulddowastrytostaysaneandforcetheflowinthedirectiontheotherswanted—intotheballoflightinsidethelastremainingcreature.

It moved forward, unbelievably fast. The mundane fired again, but itmanagedtograbthethroatofoneofthetelepaths.Lookingwithhiseyesratherthanhismind,Chensawthelightflowintoherbody.Shegaggedandstiffened,choking.Hewatchedhelplessly as the thoughts fled fromhermind, thebloodleftherbody,andshedied,thebodydecayingpracticallybeforehiseyes.

Thecreatureturnedtohimnext,andhetrembled.Hewantedtoscream,buthecouldnotevenmusterthatmuchindependence.

Itstiffenedandclutchedatitsthroat,lookingforalltheworldasifitwerechoking.Moreandmoreofthedarknesspouredintoit,andfinallyitfell.

AssoonasithitthefloorthejoiningendedandChenwasfreed.Herolledover onto his side and shook, his stomach heaving. He gagged, and vomitedhelplesslyuntilhisstomachwasempty.

Hedidnotknowhow longhe lay there, shaking, lying inhisownvomit.Patchesofconversationreachedhisears,buthedarednoteventrytohearwithhismind.

"No!Weneedoneofthemalive.""Theywon'ttellusanything.Thelastonescertainlyhaven't."Thatwasthe

man,themundanewiththescar.Chenfeltheshouldknowhim,buthejustcouldnotthinkclearlyenough.

"Thenmaybethisonewill.Wecertainlywon'tfindoutanythingifwekillhim."Thatwasawoman'svoice,buthedidnotknowwhoshewas.

"Anotheronedead, though.Was thisworth it?Lookathim, throwinguplikeastudentcelebratinghisbirthday."Chenfelthiscontemptandtherewasamoment'sangerwithinhim.Whowas thismundane tocriticisehim?Him!Hewasatelepath,oneofthespecialfew,notsomemundane,ten-a-pennymouse.

"Atleastshediedfree,notinoneoftheirmachines.We'redoingsomethinghere.Eachstepwetakeisastepclosertoendingallthis."

"Ifyousayso,"themundanegrunted."I'lltakeyourwordforit."Chenrolledoverandlookedupat them.Thewomanwasshorterthanthe

man,anddespitesignsofstrengthandconvictioninherface,helookedsomuchstrongerthanher.Ofcourseshewasatelepathandhewasamundane,butitwasoddtoseehimtakingordersfromherlikethat.

"You shouldn't have tried to do that," the woman said, noticing Chen'seffortstorise."It'smorethanalittledisorientingthefirsttime.Andthesecond,cometothat.It'llgeteasierthough,onceyou'vecommunedwiththeartefact."

"Artefact?""You'llsee.We'dbettergetoutofhere,quickly.Wecanexplainlater."Chen looked at themundane, and suddenly he rememberedwho hewas.

"You'reCaptainBenZayn,"hesaid."YouworkforMr.Bester.""Iworkforhernow,"hesaid,pointingatthewoman."Andsodoyou.It's

theleastyoucandoinreturnforussavingyourlife.""Who are you?" he said to her. "Whatwere those things?What did they

wantwithme?""Doyoubelieveinevil?"sheaskedsimply.Chenblinked."I....Idon'tknow.I'veneverreallythoughtaboutit.Why?""Thosethingsareevil.Whattheydowithtelepathsisevil.We'lltellyouall

about it,butyou'llwishwehadn'tonceyouknoweverything.Youreallywill.YoucancallmeTalia.Iknowwhoyouare."

"How...?" Chen stopped. He believed her when she said there would beexplanationslater.

Healsobelievedherwhenshesaidhewouldnotliketheanswers.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—I

Foronenight,andonenightalone,Brakirbelongedtotheghosts.Marragocouldseethemmovingthroughthestreetsoftheircities,costumesofflamboyantwhitesandgolds,masksandbannersandjewellery.

Thereweremanystrangersherethisnight,alienscometowitnessaneventthatmostwouldneversee in their lifetimesagain.TheDayof theDead.Somecamemerelytosaytheyhadbeenthere.Somecameseekinganswerstowhatlaybeyond. Some came hoping for one last word with a loved one, now passedaway.Marragohadhisreasonsforbeinghere,andtheyhadlittletodowithhismission for Sinoval. For sixmonths he had been scouring the galaxy seekingsoldiersandmercenariesandsellswords.Nowhehada forceofnearly thirty,withatleasttwohetrustedaslieutenants.Hehadgiventhemcommand,andhehadcomehere.

They had tried to argue against him travelling alone, but he had comeanyway,despite theirprotests.Therewasapriceonhishead from theCourt,and there had already been three attempts at claiming it. He was still arecognisable figure and his refusal to cut his hair only made him the morerecognisable.

Butstillhecamealone.Thiswassomethinghehadtodoalone.AshewalkedbeneaththenightskyofBrakir,seeingtheglowofthecomet

passingoverhead,hespottedotheroutsiders,othershereseeking....perhapsthesamethingshewasseeking.

AMinbariwomanwas standing on a balcony above him. Shewas short,slenderandpretty,andherbearingspokeofpower.Shewaslookingupintothesky,andtoyingabsentlywithanamuletdrapedaroundherneck.Ahuman,hisclothes stained and muddy, was sitting in a corner of an alley, starting atshadowsandwhisperingnamesunderhisbreath.ANarn,oneMarragoknewherecognised, walked into the doorway of a temple, where hundreds of Brakirikneltinprayerandmeditation.

And a Brakiri, wearing the uniform of a captain in the Dark Star fleet,walked purposefully towards an abandoned building. He stopped before it,staringsilentlyforalong,longtime.

Marragomovedpastthemall.Theyhadtheirownstories,butsodidhe.He had rented a room in a quiet inn, not remotely surprised that the

enterprisinglandlordhadincreasedtherenttenfoldfortheDayoftheDead.Hehad paid. The funds he had gathered from various mercenary jobs were notinconsiderable,andwhatelsedidhehaveneedtobuy?

He sat down, trying to remember what he had been told. 'The dead willcometoyou.'

"Areyouhere?"heaskedsoftly."Lyndisty,areyouhere?"Therewasnoanswer.Hewasnotsure ifhehadbeenexpectingone.The

wholeconceptoftheDayoftheDeadsoundedstrangetohim,andhehadbeenweaned on ghost stories, usually bloody and melodramatic. His father haddisapproved,ofcourse.

But if there was even a chance, however slight, that he could see heragain....Thereweresomethingshehadtosaytoher.

Softly behind him there came gentle footsteps, whispered breaths of thedead.Hisbreathbecameverycoldinhismouth.Andheturned.

ItwasnotLyndisty.A man was standing before him, young and handsome, dressed in the

uniformofaCentauriofficer,akutariathisside.ForamomentMarragodidnot know thisman,but thenhe spoke,and therewasunderstanding. "Jorah?"themansaid."Jorah,isthatyou?"

Onlyonepersonhad ever calledhim that.Even toLondohehadalwaysbeenknownasMarrago.

"Barrystan,"hewhispered."BytheGreatMaker,"Barrystansaid."Lookatyou.Youlookold.""Iamold,"Marragosaid."OlderthanIlook.SometimesolderthanIfeel.

Butyou....youlookjustlikeyoudidwhenyou...."Hestopped,notknowinghowtosaytheword'died'.

"Hasitbeenthatlong,then?"Barrystansatdown,asdidMarrago."Howlonghasitbeen?Timedoesn'tseemtopassthesamewaythere."

"Itmustbe....twenty-fiveyears.Perhapsevenmore.Yes,twenty-fiveyearssinceImmolan."

"Twenty-fiveyears?GreatMaker!Thatexplainswhyyoulooksoold."Hesuddenlystraightened."Lyndisty!Howisshe?Shemustbeayoungwomanbynow.Didyou....?Isshe...?DidyouevenhearmewhenIaskedyoutolookafterher?Idon'tremember."

Marragofellsilent.Herememberedhearinghisoldfriend'slastrequesttohim.Ayoungwife,ababydaughter.Couldhelookafterthem?

HowcouldhetellLyndisty'sfatherthatshewasdead?"Iheardyou,"hesaid."Sheisfine.Abeautifulyoungwoman.""Isshemarriedyet?""No,butthereareseveralcandidates.Ithinksheenjoystheattention.She

has....awayoflookingattheyoungmen,awayofmovinghereyesthatdrawsthemallin.Shegotthatfromyoursister.Exactlythesametiltofthehead."

"AndDrusilla?"Another pause, as Marrago thought of something to say. Drusilla had

become selfish and spoiled and shrewish. The two of them spent as little timetogetherastheycould.SheplayedtheGameofHousesandtookyoungloverstoherbedandenjoyedintriguesandgossip.

But he remembered a time when he had danced with her at Barrystan'swedding, and watched her eyes sparkle with love for his friend, her newhusband.Herememberedas the light inhereyesdiedwhenhe toldherofhisdeath.Hehadmarriedher forhonour, and shehim forprotection.Therehadneverbeenlovethere.Hercapacityforlovehaddiedwhenhehad.

"Sheiswell,"hesaidsimply."You did it, then?" Barrystan said. "Thank you, Jorah. Many would not

have....Thankyou."Marragodidnotsayanything.Therewasverylittletosay.Hehadcomeherehoping,praying, forachanceto talkwithLyndistyonelasttime,totellherhelovedheronelasttime,totellherthatshehadbeenthelightilluminatinghisworld.

He had never expected that hewould have to tell the truth to one of hisoldestfriendstwenty-fiveyearsafterhehaddied.

"Icannotbelievehowoldyoulook,"Barrystansaidagain."Iamold.Ihavebeenoldforaverylongtime.""Stillplayingatwar?AreyouLord-Generalnow?""Iwas.I....servetheRepublicinanotherwaynow.Onebettersuitedtomy

talents.""What fool of an Emperor let you go from being Lord-General?Who is

Emperornow,anyway?Turhancannotstillbealive?""He's been dead for a while. No.... a.... you won't believe this. Londo

Mollari.EmperorMollariII.""Mollari?Never!Well....hegotitafterall.Thethinghewantedmostinall

theworld.""Thethinghewantedmostasayoungman.Ithinknowheonlysitsonthat

throne because there is no one else. Age.... is an.... uncomfortable thing,Barrystan.IamnotsureifIwouldnothavepreferredtohavediedlikeyou,ayoungman,stillwithallmyhopesandaspirationsanddreams."

"Yousawmydaughtergrowup.Youmadelovetomywifewhilemyasheswere floating in thenightwinds.Youcouldbreathecleanair.Youcoulddrinkwarmbrivareand eat fine foods.Youarealive, Jorah.Death is a coldplace,sometimes.Enjoylifewhileyouhaveit."

What could he say? That he hadwatched Lyndisty die, that he had seenDrusilla shun his every gentle touch, that he had breathed air filled with the

ashesofhispeople,thathehadtastedonlybloodandbones?Lifewasacoldplacesometimesaswell."Didweeverlistenwhenwewereyoungmen,Barrystan?Somethingsdo

notchangewithage.""No, I suppose they don't. Well, Jorah. Since you've awoken me from

whateveritwasIwasdoing,atleasttrytolistentome.Youaren'tthatold,andwhateverhashappened to you, youare still alive, and it canalwaysbemadebetter.Thereisnogoingbackwhenyouaredead.Thereisnothing."

"Really?"Marragowhispered.Hedidnotwanttobelievethat.Hedidnotwant to believe Lyndisty had an eternity of nothing stretched out before her."There must be something? Heaven, Hell? The infinite pleasure palaces ofEmperorCreoso?"

"Whateverthereis,Ihavenotfoundit.Youarealive,Jorah.Solive!""Whichofusisoldernow,friend?"hesaid."You,byatleastthreeyears,butthatdoesnotmeanwisdom,doesit?""Probablynot.""Besure to tellLyndisty I loveher. Iwish Icouldhaveseenherone last

time.AndDrusilla.IneverlovedanyoneasmuchasIlovedher.""Iwilltellthem,"Marragobreathed,tryingtoholdbackthetearsfillinghis

eyes."And remember." The voice seemed to be coming from a very long way

away."You'realive,Jorah.Don'teverforgetthat.""Iwon't."Iwon't."

*

TheCentauriwere one of the oldest of the younger races, andcertainlyoneoftheproudest.TheShadowWarhadseentheirancientcivilisation totterandalmost fall,butacombinationof luck,outsideassistance and the dedicated leadership of Emperor Mollari IIensureditssafety.

ButastheCentauriweresoontolearn,victorysometimescostsmore than defeat. The enforced treaty bywhich theRepublic joinedtheAlliancewouldsooncripplethem.ThecostofbuildingBabylon5hitthemnoharderthanitdidmanyothers,buttheextentofmilitaryaid demanded for the Alliance fleet meant leaving many worldsundefended,afactofwhichnumerousraidersweremorethanwilling

totakeadvantage.TheRepublicwasalsotobearthebruntofthefearedInquisitors,

dispatchedbytheVorlonstoseekoutanywhohadaidedtheShadowsduring thewar.Before thisperiod the Inquisitorshadbeennomorethanlegend.Thefirstconfirmedsightingwasin2259,withthetestingofDelenn and John Sheridan, the second in 2262,when SataiKatswasinterrogatedbythemostfearedofthemall,thehumanknownasSebastian.

Untilnow,theyhadonlybeenseensingly.Thatsoonchanged.And they were not even the greatest of Emperor Mollari's

problems.

SANDERS,G.(2295)PrimeAmongPeers:AStudyofEmperorMollariIIandthe

CentauriRepublicheLed.Chapter2ofTheRiseandFalloftheUnited

Alliance, the End of the Second Age and the Beginning of theThird,vol.4,

The Dreaming Years. Ed: S. Barringer, G. Boshears, A. E.Clements,

D.G.Goldingay&M.G.Kerr.

*

OurDarkMastersprotectus.OurDarkMastersshelterus.InyourShadowareweguided,byyourShadowareweshielded.Byyourgracedowethrive.Byyourwisdomdowelive.

OurDarkMastersprotectus.OurDarkMastersshelterus.Moreilcontinuedtherite,speakingthewordsbyroteashehadeveryday

since theDarkMasters had gone Beyond.He had spoken them before battle,beforetrial,beforefood,beforerest.HehadspokenthemthedaythePriestsofMidnight had exiled him from theworlds of theZ'shailyl and denied him thecomfortingpresenceoftheDarkMasters'shadow.

He had never stopped believing, and he had never hated the Priests ofMidnight for their sentence. It was an honour to serve the Dark Masters, anhonour to draw each breath in their name. There had been toomany failuresduringthebleakdaysthatmarkedtheendoftheDarkCrusade.Therehadbeentoomanydefeats,andsomehadhadtopayforthosefailures.Moreilhadbeen

butoneamongmany,andhehaddeservedhispunishment.But still he lived, and still he served the Dark Masters with every

movement.Thatwaswhyhewashere,commandingaDrakhstarship,workingwithaliens,workingwithpiratesandbanditsandscum.Theysoughtonlygloryand profit and power. Moreil sought only chaos, to serve the Dark Masters'memory.

Theyhadmanynames,thismotleylittlegroupoftheirs.TheNarncaptainreferred to them as the 'BrotherhoodWithout Banners', in reference to somegroupofheroesfromhispast.TotheDrazitheywerethe'SwordofDroshalla'.A strange human called them the 'Order of the Wolf'. The outcast Centaurilordlingusedthename'Assassins'.Most,includingMoreilhimself,didnotcare.Theyallknewwhattheywere.

Theywerethelost,thedamned,theforgotten.TheDarkCrusade,thatsomecalledtheShadowWar,hadleftthegalaxyinturmoilandchaos.Manyhadbeendisplaced.Some,guiltyofwhatwould inmoreordereddayshavebeen called'crimes',hadescapedandfled.

Andpeoplelikethateventuallycamehere.Thereweremanylikethem.Bandits.Outcasts.Raiders.Mostofthemhad

been destroyed by the Alliance. Only the Brotherhood Without Banners (orwhateveryoucalledthem)hadsurvived,andtheyhaddonethatbyhidingandbuildingandgainingstrength.Between themtheyhadcriminalcontactsacrossthe galaxy. Between them they had enough ships to comprise a small army.Betweenthemtheywerecapableofcarvingasmallempireoutofthegalaxy.

And once they had done so, Moreil knew, they would descend on eachother like thewolves thehumanhadnamed them tobe, anddestroywhatevertheyhadbuilt.Suchwasthenatureofchaos.

They did not even have a leader, although there was a loose council ofsorts.Moreil attended itsmeetingswhen he could be bothered.Most of themfeared him.Therewere a few othermembers of the vassal races here, but nootherZ'shailyl.AZenerscientistandafewofhisstaff,easilycowed.AflightofZarqheba,howlingtheirmindlesscriesintothesilentsky,easilydirectedwhentherewere beings to kill andwarm flesh to eat.A group ofWykhheran,whoformedMoreil'spersonalhonourguard.

To all of them, hewas as aDarkMaster. He had gathered them all andbroughtthemhere.Theymightbeexiles, theymightbemasterless, theymightbeoutcasts.

Buttheywouldbringchaos.The Alliance would catch them eventually, of course. Moreil had no

illusionsaboutthat.TheyandtheirVorlonmastershadbestedtheDarkMasters,

sotheywouldcatchtheBrotherhoodsoonerorlater.Theonlychallengewastospreadasmuchchaosastheycouldbeforethathappened.

Heturned,hislongwingsrisingasheheardtheWykhheranshimmerintoview,whisperingdarkly.Mostlesserbeingscouldseeonlyfaintoutlinesofthedread ShadowWarriors, butMoreil could see them in all their terrible glory.ForgedintheblackpitsatThrakandar,nowforeversilent,theWykhheranwereperhapstheDarkMasters'mostawesomecreation.

ItwastheCentauri,theonewhostyledhimselfalord.That,toMoreil,wasfoolishness.Theywereallexileshere,whatmatterameaninglesstitleinfrontofyourname?But toRemLanas, titles didmatter.His clotheswere shabby andtorn.Hisfacewasscarredandugly.Hisvoicewasraspyandhoarse.

Butaslongashecouldcallhimselfalord,hewascontent.Moreildidnotunderstand,buthecouldatleasttolerateit."Calloffyourhounds,"Lanassaid."Wearethere.""ThisIknow,"Moreilreplied.Hehadstudiedthisplacecarefully.Gorash

7.TheagriculturalcentreoftheCentauriRepublic.Oneoftheirrichestworlds.TheNarnshadalmosttakenitduringtheirfirstwar,andithadfallenduringthesecond following a wave of peasant uprisings. It had been returned to theCentauriintheKazomiTreatythathadendedthesecondwar.EmperorMollariII hadworked hard at restoring the planet to its former glory.Centauri Primewasinashes,andtherewasrumouredtobefamineandstarvation.TheRepublicdesperatelyneededitsbreadbasket.

What better place to attack?EmperorMollari had sentmany of hismostprominentofficialsheretooverseetherestorationoftheworld.Therewouldbefineransomstobehad.TherewereAllianceofficershereaswell.Therewouldnot be riches, but there would be some plunder. The Republic was also theweakest of the major powers. It was not even capable of defending its ownworlds.

Aperfectplacetobeginthespreadingofchaos.Lanaslookedeagertobegin.HedidnotliketheDrakhstarshipthatMoreil

hadappropriatedforhisownpurposes,hedidnotliketheZarqheba,theZener,or theWykhheran, and he did not even seem to likeMoreil himself. Itwas amystery,then,whythelordlinginsistedonthisship.Hewasnocombatant,buthisknowledgeofCentauripowerstructuresmadehiminvaluable.

MoreildidnotknowwhyLanaswaswiththematall.HedidnotknowwhyLanaswassowillingtobeapartofthesackingofoneofhisownrace'sworlds.HedidnotknowwhyLanasinsistedonservingonthisship.

Hedidnotcare.Noneofthatmattered.All thatmatteredwas thespreadingofchaos,and theserviceof theDark

Masters.

*

Thesunwasrising.Onceithadbroughtwithitlightandbeauty,amillionraysofcolourshiningfromcrystalstatuesandmirror-clearlakes.Nowtherewasonlymudanddirt,andtheskywasadullbrown.

Thatwasme.Ididthis.DavidCorwin,oncecaptainoftheDarkStar3, theAgamemnon,watched

thesunriseoverthehorizonoutsidethecityofYedor,andhethoughtthesamethoughtshehadeverymorninghehadbeenhere.

Ididthis.HehadnotreallybotheredkeepingtrackoftimesincehehadleftKazomi

7, but he supposed itmust have been at least a year by now.Nomatter howmanydifferentworldsanddifferentsystemshetravelledto,hestillalwaysbasedtime on the old Earth Standard, and he reckoned by that token itwould havebeenmoreorlessayear.

HehadleftKazomi7inthesecondweekof2262,twentydaysexactlyaftertheAgamemnonhadbeendestroyed.

He did not know exactlywhat date itwas, but he supposed itmust havebeenatleastayear.WhenhadNewYear'sEvebeen?Wheneverithadbeen,hemustsurelyhavespentithere,onMinbar.Hehadbeenhereforseveralmonthsnow and every day hewoke up towatch the dawn, and every day he tried toforgetthedreamsthatechoedinhismemory,andeverydayhethoughtthesamethoughts.

Ididthis.Hewished he could have seenMinbar before the bombardment. He had

overheardsomeoftheMinbaritalkingaboutit,andthewonderintheirvoices.HehadheardtheexactsametoneamonghisownpeopleasadultsexplainedtotheirchildrenwhatEarthhadbeenlike.

HecouldspeakMinbari fluently,ofcourse.Or twodialectsof itanyway.He had learnt the warrior caste dialect during the war, to be better able tocommunicatewithprisoners.Theworkercastedialecthehadpickeduphere.Itwasnotallthatdifficult.

He turned away from the risen sun and walked down towards the city.Yedor, theMinbaricalledit, thecapitaloftheircivilisation.Itwasacityolderthan any on Earth, a city built when humans had still not even fullycomprehendedtheirownworld,letalonethemasteryofspace,acityofwonder

andintrigueandancientmystery.AndthehumanandDrakhfleetshadallbutannihilateditinasingleday.Notallofthecity,admittedly.TheTempleofVarennihadsurvived,anda

fewotherbuildings.Andnowthereweremore.SomeonehadbuiltYedorafterall, thosecountlessyearsago.Whowasto

saytheywerenotrebuildingovertheruinsofanevenoldercity?Everythinghadtobeginsomewhere.

For over a yearDavid Corwin had been a pilgrim, seeking some sort ofpeace with the galaxy. He had not found it, not on Proxima, not during theBrakiriDayoftheDead,notinthevastnessofspace.

HehadnotfoundithereonMinbareither,buthefelthewasgettingclose.

*

He took the samepathhehadbefore, several timesover thepast year. Itwasnotthemostdirect,northesafest,certainlynotthequickest,buttherewasonereasonandonereasonalonethatSenatorDexterSmithtookthisroutefromhisofficetothePitTrap.

Itbroughthimpastacertainnondescriptalley,onejustlikecountlessothershereinSector301,aptlydubbed'thePit'untilsomethinghadhappenedherethathadchangedeverything.

ThiswaswheretheBlessedDelennhaddiedandrisenagain.Theshrinehadgrownquiteabitsincehehadlastbeenhere.Hisdutiesin

the Senate had kept him busy, and this was the first night he had had off inmonths.Hisfirstchancetocomebackhere.

The shrine took up almost thewhole alley now.Therewere pictures anddrawingsandpoemsandscribblings.Therewerequiteafewotherpeoplehere.There alwayswere.Thehomeless—andSector 301 still hadplenty of them,althoughfewer thanpreviously—slepthere,claimingherpresencegavethemprotection.Perhapsitdid.

He paused, as he always did, and remembered this place the way it hadbeen.HerememberedthefeelofthePPGinhishands,andthelookinhereyes.

Thenherememberedherbeautifulgreeneyesfillingwithbloodasherbodyfell.

I killed her. She had told him to. The crowd — many of whom nowworshippedhere—wouldhavetornthembothapartifhehadnot.Buthehadstillkilledher,andnothingcouldundothat.

Hesighed,andturnedtoleave.Ashedidso,hecaughtsightofapictureofhimselfpinnedtothewall.Hevaguelyrecalledthatpicturebeingtaken.IthadbeenforaninterviewwithHumanitymagazine.

Someonehadscrawledtheword'Murderer'overit.Heleft.Itwasnota longwalk from theshrine to thePitTrap, andhemade it in

about ten minutes. It was busier than he remembered, and he wondered howmuchofthatwasduetotheverypublicknowledgethathedrankthere.Celebritywasnotsomethingheliked.HehadnotlikeditwhenhehadbeencaptainoftheBabylon and he did not like it now, but he could not blame Bo for takingadvantage,hesupposed.

"Senator," said Jinxo, the barman. Itwas a sign of howmuch things hadchanged thatBo could actually afford to hiremore staff. "They'rewaiting foryou."

"Iknow,Iknow,I'mlate."TherewasabottleofPitBullonthebaralmostinstantly.Ashealwaysdid,Smithofferedtopay,andasalways,Jinxowouldn'ttake themoney.Smilingasheswiggedfromthebottle,Smithwalkedpast thebarintothebackroom,theonemarked'Private'.

"Hey,hereyouareatlast,"saidafamiliarvoice."Don'ttheyhaveclocksinthatposhpartoftown?"

"Youandthehorseyourodeinon,Allan,"Smithrepliedgenially.Hetookthe seat that had been set aside for him and leaned back in the chair, lookingaroundthetable.

SecurityChiefZackAllan, his assistant Jack, andBo himself.A pack ofplayingcardswasplacedbesideBo,aswasapileofcounters.Everyonehadadrinkof somekind in front of them. "Prepare to lose all that youown,"Zacksaid."FortonightispokernightatthePitTrap."

"Idunno,"Jacksaid."IthinkI'vealreadylostallIown.""ThewayyouplayI'mnotsurprised."ZacklookedupatDexter."So?""Sowhat?Bo'sthedealerforthefirsthand.Youknowthat."Zackrolledhiseyes."Notthat.Theotherthing.""Uh....whatotherthing?""Oh,fortheloveof....Here,giveaminute."Zackbentdownandpickedup

a newspaper from the floor at his feet. It was theProxima Yesterday. Dextercaughtthefrontpageheadline,andimmediatelywishedhehadn't.

"Here we are," Zack said. "'War hero Senator Dexter Smith was spottedleaving the Dome One-o-five apartment of Captain Bethany Tikopai late lastWednesdaynight,fuellingrumoursofaromancebetweenthetwo.We'vebeenunabletogetintouchwitheithertocomment,butfriendsofSenatorSmith,who

wished to remain anonymous, stated that he was 'head over heels' with theEarthforceCaptain.TherehavebeenrumourslinkingSmith,whowasvotedtheseventhsexiestmanaliveinasurveybyForHermagazinefouryearsagoandisexpectedtorankevenhigherinthisyear'ssurvey,withanumberofwomenoverthelastyear,butnothinghasdevelopedintoanythingpermanent.Couldthisbelove at last for the high-profile Senator?We'll have to see his reaction whenCaptainTikopaireturnsfromhertourofdutyatKazomiSevennextmonth.Andifhe'sfeelinglonelyinthemeantime,weknowseveralwomanwhowillonlybetoohappytokeephimcompany.'"

"Give me that!" Dexter snapped, snatching the paper from Zack. It wasopen at the gossip page, unsurprisingly. "Oh, for the love of Gandhi.Mentalnote:GetthatMediaBillpassedassoonaspossible."

"So?"Boasked."Sowhat?""Isittrue?""No,it'snottrue.We'rejustfriends,that'sall.Wehaddinnertogether.""Oh,"Zacksaid."Isee.Justdinner.Right."Hestartednodding,knowingly."She'snotbad looking," Jack said. "IhearLadded askedher for aphoto-

shootandsheturnedthemdown.""DidyouseethatpictureofherinHumanitywhenthenewuniformscame

outlastyear?"Boasked."Oh, did I ever?" Jack added. "Mamma mia! I wonder if I can get the

missusauniformlikethat?""Uh,didwecomeheretoplaycards,ortotalkaboutmynon-existentlove

life?"Dexterasked."'CauseIcanhearallthegossipIlikeintheSenate.""No,wewant the juicydetails,"Zacksaid. "Come in, indulgealluspoor

working-classplebshere.Wedon'tgettomoveinthecelebritycircuitslikeyoudo."

"Zack,westartplayingnow,or I tell everyoneaboutyouand thatdoctorfromtheundergroundclinic.Whatwashernameagain?SomethingRosen?"

Zackcoughed."Ahem.Comeon,Bo.Getdealing."Thechipsweresoonpiledupandcounted,whileBobegantoshuffle."So,"

Jacksaid."Explainthatdealerchipagain?"Everyonegroaned. "Jack, that joke stoppedbeing funny twohundredand

sixty-fouryearsago,"Zacksaid."No,itwasfunnythen.""No,itreallywasn't."Halfanhourlatereveryonehadgonethroughseveralbottlesofbeer,Jack

hadgonethroughhalfhischips,Bothree-quartersofhis,andDexter threefull

housesanda straight flush.Hehadalwaysbeengoodatpoker,buthe largelyplayeditbecauseitwasabreakfromeverythingelseinhislife.NosquabblingSenators.NowatchingAlliance advisors.Nogossip columns.Nokiss-and-tellrevelationsfromwomenhehaddatedfifteenyearsago.

Slowly he fanned his cards out, and listened to Jack raving about howwonderful his handwas,whichmeant itwas the biggest pile of rubbish sinceSector301aftertherefusecollectorsstrikeof2251.Jackhadnevermanagedagoodpokerface.

Zack raised, Jack matched it, Bo folded, and Dexter looked at his cardsagain.Hematched,andraisedagain.

"Youhaven'tgotthecards,"Zacksaid."Yes,Ihave.They'rerighthere,inmyhand.See.Fiveofthem.""Ah,you'vegotrubbish.Here,I'llmatchyou,andraiseanother....fifty."Jackmatched,andDexter."Offyougo,Zack.Let'sseethem.""Read'emandweep,boys.Straightflush.Seven,eight,nine,tenand....hey,

wheredidthebloodytengo?""That looks like a three to me," Dexter observed. "A three of hearts as

well.""Therewasatenhere.Thebloodytenofclubs.""What,theonethatwasapartofyourdrivellasthand?"Zacktookamoment'srealisationandthenstartedswearing."'Read'emandweep,'"Dextersaid,chuckling."Andthen,hedid,"Bopronounced."Yeah,yeah,amistakethatcouldhavehappenedtoanyone.""Anyonewhocan'ttellthedifferencebetweenathreeandaten.Bo,never

letthisguybehindyourbar.""Fine,fine.Let'sallhavealaugh.Jack,tryandknockthesmileoffhisface.

Tellmeyou'vegotsomething.""Twopairs,"Jackannounced,layingthemdown."Acesandtwos."Dexternodded."Notbad.Nothalfbad.I'vegottwopairsmyself.Kings."

HelaiddowntheKingsofHeartsandSpades."And....er,Kings."FollowedbytheKingsofClubsandDiamonds.

Zackgroaned."CanIoweyou?""Zack, you already owe me.... let's see. Seventeen jillion zillion credits,

otherwiseknownastheGrossPlanetaryProductofProximaforthenextsevenyears."

"Only Proxima. Get back to me when it's the GPP of somewhereimportant."

"Where's important?"askedanewvoice,andeveryonestopped.Someone

wasinterruptingtheirpokersession.They'dall leftstandingordersnever tobeinterruptedduringapokersession.DexterhadtoldhisassistantstocontacthimonlyiftheMinbariinvaded,andnothingelse.

"Have the Minbari invaded?" he asked the newcomer. He supposed itwouldhavetobesomethingprettyimportantforJuliatocomehere.SheknewthesignificanceofPokerNight,evenifshedidn'tclaimtounderstandit.Evenifshewasn'tlegallyoldenoughtoenterthebar,notyet.Itwouldbehereighteenthbirthday in a couple ofmonths.Dexter had alreadypickedoutwhat hehopedwas a goodpresent.Bethanyhad confessed to havingno ideawhat to get herdaughter.

Legally, of course, she wasn't old enough to be in the Proxima SecurityForceeither,buttherewerealwaysexceptionsinSector301.

"NotthatIknowof,"shereplieddubiously."Who'swinning?""Funny story," Dexter began. Zack looked at him and held up the

newspaper,glaringdirethreats."Butnotthatfunny.What'sup?""Somethingyou'regoingtowanttosee.Youtoo,Boss.It's....strange.Very

strange.""Well,whoamItopassupthecallofseriousstrangeness?"Zackreplied.

"Luckyforyou,Smith.Iwasgoingtocleanyououtnextround.""I'mnotworried. I'd seeyoucountingonyour fingers toworkoutwhich

numberisten.""RemindmewhyIdon'tplaythisagain?"Juliasaid."Guything,"Dexterreplied."Oh,definitely,"Zackadded."Guything.""Yeah.""Yeah?""Yeah."

*

It seemed that everywhere he turned, Londo saw a placewhere someonehaddied.That corner,whereMalachihadbreathedhis last.That room,whereDugarihadbeenmurdered.Thatdoorway,wheretheguardsmanhadfoughtofftheShadowCriers.

Itwasworstofallinthethroneroom.HecouldstillseethepatchofbloodonthefloorwhereLyndisty'sbodyhadlain.HecouldstillseethescuffsinthecarpetwhereheandCartagiahadfought.

AndhecouldstillhearCartagia'smockingwords.

'TheRepublicwill be finished before the century's over,Mollari. I knowthat,andsodoyou.WhowantstobeknownastheEmperorwhoguidedusintooblivion?Notme.'

Not for the first time, Londo swore to prevent Cartagia's final prophecy.Eachtimeherepeatedthatoath,however,thewordscameharderandhardertohislips.

Thelastyearhadbeenhard,soveryhard.Faminehadstrucksavagely,theuncultivated farmlands unable to provide anywhere near enough food for theRepublic. Thousands had died. The breadbasket of Gorash 7 had supplied asmuch food as it could, but its resources were strained to breaking-point justrecovering from the Narn occupation, and the number of ships available totransportfoodwaspitifullysmall.

Immolanwastroubledbypiratesagain,notanuncommonoccurrence.ThenewLord-GeneralCarnMollariwas unable tomuster enough ships to protectthemajorshippinglanes,letalonehuntdowntheraiders.

Time and again, Londo had swallowed his pride and asked Durano toappealtotheAllianceforhelp.Aidhadcomeeventually,butonlywhenDelennhadpersonallyintervened.ThereweretoomanyracesprominentintheAllianceCouncilwithnocausetolovetheCentauri,nocauseatall,andwhowereonlytoowillingtoseetheRepublicstarve.Oh,aidshipmentswerepromised,butaidwasneededeverywhereanditwaseasyforpromisesnottobefulfilled.

Andallthewhile,moreandmorepeopledied.Andnowthis."The initial task forcewill only be five. Theywill of course beworking

alone, without any need for staff or suchlike. They have already marked outspecific territories to investigate,and there isa listofpeople theywillwish tointerview. It would be much easier were these people to be available forinterrogationinaplacedifficultforthemtoescapefrom.Theywouldbecaughteventually of course, but that would only take up more time and add to theoverallunpleasantness,andneitherofuswantsthat,dowe?

"Theirneedsaremodest,aroomorsoeachatspecifiedplaces.Twowillbeoperating out of the palace. The homeworld is obviously the most importantplacetobegin.Oftheotherthree,oneistobebasedonGorash,oneonImmolanand the other on Frallus. Other worlds will be dealt with subsequently. Theimmediate priority is to find anyone who may have been working with theEnemyandisstillinapositionofauthority,orofcoursethoseinlowerpositionsworkinginespionageor informantroles.AlistofallescapedfugitiveswillbedrawnupandhandedovertotheproperauthoritiesatBabylonFiveandKazomiSeven.

"Doyouhaveanyquestions,Majesty?""Yes," Londo said, looking closely at Mr. Morden. "What did you call

these....investigatorsagain?""Theirnamesarereallynotimportant.Iftheywishtointroducethemselves

to you, that will be up to them, but if youmeant their title, they are usuallyknownasInquisitors."

"Inquisitors,hmm?Well,averyfine-sounding title.Wehadsomeby thatname once. Quite a long time ago it was, during one of our darker periods.They....hunteddownpeoplewhowerefelttobeenemiesoftheState,oroftheChurch. When they found such people, or fabricated evidence to incriminateinnocentpeople,theyburnedthemalive,asawarningtoallotherenemiesoftheState."

"Iwasawareofthis,Majesty.Severalcultureshavehadsimilargroupsofpeople."

"I was not finished, Mr. Morden. Do you know the strange thing aboutthese Inquisitors? They were very good at their job. Reports state sometimeshundreds,ifnotthousands,ofthese'enemiesoftheState'wereexecuteddailyatsomestages.Butnomatterhowmanytheyburned,therewerealwayssomanymore. It seemed as though there were more enemies of the State when theyfinishedthantherehadbeenwhentheystarted."

"Oursarealittlemoreefficient.""So I see," Londo said, holding up the list of names of potential

'interviewees'. "Lord-General Carn Mollari, hmm. Oh, I know these names.Severalcaptainsofmy,andIuse thewordcarefully thesedays, 'fleet'.Almostallof theminfact.KironMaray,yes.LadyDrusillaMarrago.Ohlook,halfofmyGovernment,Iamsopleasedyouhavenotforgottenthem.

"Ah,regionalbureaucratsanddirectors,yes.Oh,alotoftheParliamentatSelini,theoneswhovotedmeinasGovernor,theonesthatarestillaliveatanyrate.Taxinspectorsandcollectors.Prominentchurchmen.Well,ifanyoneneedsaninquisition,itwouldbethemIsuppose.Half,no,wait, three-quartersofmyPalaceGuard.

"Lennier,ofthethirdFaneofChudomo.Why,Mr.Morden,whatevercanaMinbari name be doing down here? I thought it was just us Centauri whobargainedwithdarkforcesduringthewar.Well,well.Itseemsasthoughaliensarejustasguiltyasweare.I'llbedamned.Ineverknewthat.

"Ah,andmydear ladywife,Timov.Iwouldratheryoube theone to tellher that than I. She has a very fearsome temper you know, and I have hadenoughcrockerythrownatmeinthislifetimealready,thankyou."

Londo handed the paper back to Morden, who maintained his carefully

neutral expression. "Amost comprehensive list,Mr.Morden. I can see that agreatdealofworkmusthavegoneintoit.Alas,Ifearthereisatleastonenameyouaremissing."

"Oh,Majesty?""LondoMollari.Aparticularlyshiftysort,byallaccounts.Justthesortof

personyourInquisitorswouldwanttotalkto.HehadapositionofsomepowerwithintheRepublic,althoughnotasmuchasyoudoofcourse.Healsoknowsalmosteveryoneonthislist.

"Come now, Mr. Morden, did you think you could question almosteveryoneIknow,accusethemwiththeselies,andnotexpecttohavetoquestionmeaswell?"

Londo leapt up from his throne, and knocked the papers fromMorden'shand."Didyoureallythinkyouwouldgetawaywiththis?Withslanderingandinsinuatingthesethingsaboutthesepeople?NotoneofyourInquisitorswillsetonefootonanyworldintheRepublic,orIwillremovethatfoot!

"IamEmperorhere.Notyou."Mordenremainedimpassive."Ihadn'tforgottenthat,Majesty,butevidently

you've forgotten something. Everything the Inquisitors wish to do, includingtheirpresencehere,isauthorisedbythetreatythatyousignedwhenyoujoinedtheAlliance. I have seen that treaty. It bears the signature of your authorisedrepresentativeonKazomiSeven,AmbassadorDurano—orareyoutryingtotellmeitisaforgery?

"AmbassadorDuranowill also be questioned, but thatwill take place onBabylon Five. I understand the bureaucratic centre of the Alliance is slowlybeingtransferredthere.Councilmeetingswillbeheldtheresoon,Iamgiventounderstand."

"NotoneInquisitor,Mr.Morden.Notone.""Whatmakesyouthinkyouhaveachoiceinthis,YourMajesty?Abreach

ofyourtreatyobligationswouldhavegraverepercussions.Itmightleadcertainpartiestothinkyouhavesomethingtohide,thingsyoudon'twanttheAlliancetofindoutabout.

"Imightalsoleadtotradesanctions,jumpgateblockades."Acessationofaidshipments.""Youbastard!""That treaty was signed by your representative, Majesty. We are only

enforcingtherightsyougaveus.""NotTimov.Youwillnottouchher."Mordensmiled,aslightsmileoftriumph,andnottheonlyoneLondohad

seen."Imightbeabletopersuadethemthatitisnotnecessarytoquestionher."

"Good."Londosatbackdownonthethrone."Youwillnottouchher."Hethoughteveryoneelsewasgone.Hehadsentthemaway,orsohethought,butMordenhadjustgivenhimanobjectlesson.Wherevertheywent,hecouldtouchthem.

Itwasat thatpoint that an ImperialCourierentered the throne room.Hisfacewasashenwhite.

"Majesty,"hesaid."Thereisbadnews."ThehumanshadasayingLondohadheard.Hehadneverreallyunderstood

ituntilnow.Itneverrainsbutitpours.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—II

Therewasnounderstanding,nowisdom,nointelligence,noplan.Nothing.There was only the dead, and they were everywhere, hundreds of faces,

looking at him, screaming at him. Some of them he knew were dead, Mary,Michael,hisparents.Somehedidnotknowforsure,Susan,Lyta,Lianna.Thereweremanyfaceshedidnotknowatall,human,Minbari,evenDrakh,peoplehehadkilledinthewar.

DavidCorwindidnotevenrememberwhyhehadcometoBrakir.Hedidnot remember much of anything he had done these past months. He didrememberthatlastday,thedayhewouldmarkdownasbeingtheoneonwhichhis sanity had snapped, and thewalls around his world had begun to tumbledown.

First had come the news that Mary had died. A tumour, something assimpleasthat.Randomchance,nothingmore.Nodarkfate,nohideouswhimofsomeomnipotentbeing.Justsimplenaturalcauses.

Then his ship had been destroyed. Scuttled, was the official report. Toomuchcombatdamagetoremainviable.HehadheardCarolyn'slastscreamandnowheknewshewasalone forever.Hehadnotseenherhere today.Shewasdefinitelydead,butalsonotdead.Shewouldbealiveandscreamingforeternity,trappedinthevoidtheVorlonshadcreated.

ThenextdayhehadleftKazomi7,lefttheAllianceandjustgone,seekingsomethingouttherethatwouldmakesense.

Sometimes, in his more lucid moments, he recalled an old story he had

heard,ofafishermanwhohadgrownsickofthesea.Hehadplannedtotakehisoarsandwalkinlandcarryingthem,untilhereachedaplacewherenooneknewwhathewascarrying.

Corwinwascarryingsomethingmuchheavierthanoars,andhecouldnotputthemdown,aseveryonehadrecognisedwhatitwashewascarrying.

Particularlyeveryonehere."You'vegottobeoneofthegoodguys,'causethere'swaytoomanyofthe

bad,"oneofthedeadsaidtohim."Itoldmysonthat.Doyouthinkhelistened?""Goaway,"hesaid."You'redead.""Yeah? Yeah, you're right. But that doesn't make me wrong. You'd have

agreedwithmeonce.There'stoomanyofthebadoutthere.""Yes, thereare.And they're toobig, and they're too strong, andwe can't

touchthem.Noneofuscan.What'sthepointinbeingoneofthegoodguys?Wecan'twin."

"That'sexactlythepoint.Wecan'twinifeveryonetalkslikethat.""Wasitworthit?Wasitallworthit?You'veleftbehindyourwife,yourson,

everything....Wasitworthit?""Ah....Idon'tknow,really.ButIdoknowthis.IfI'dbackedout,ifIhadn't

beenoneofthegoodguys,Iwouldn'thavebeenabletolookeitheroftheminthefaceagain."

"Goaway.You'redead.""Bythelooksofit,youwillbesoonaswell.Youcouldhavebeenalotmore

thanthis.""Goaway.""I'mnotangrywithyou.Ishouldbe,butI'mnot.Justthinkforonesecond,

willyou?Justthink."Thereweremore,countlessthousandsofMinbari,skinsloughingfromtheir

faces, eyes dull and hollow, poisoned and sickened and dying, all a result ofwhathehaddone.Him,andpeoplejustlikehim.Theyhadbeengoodmen,thepeople who had attackedMinbar. Some of them had wives and children andfamilies.Theywatched sport andplayedwith their sons, and read storiesandplayedcards.

Theywerealljustlikehim.Allofthem.Hehaddoneit.Hecouldnotlookintotheireyes.Hecouldnotevenbeartolookatanyof

them.HehadnotimaginedtheDayoftheDeadwouldbelikethis.Hedidnotknowifhesleptatall,ifithadallbeenadream,buttherehad

beena longdeliriumand then light had touchedhis eyes, the light of the sunrising.Hestirredfromtheplacewerehehadlain,andlookeduptoseesomeonestandingoverhim.ItwasaMinbariwoman,anotherofthethousands.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Please...." Tears were rolling down his dirt-streakedface."Please."

"Thereisnothingtobesorryabout,"thewomansaid,inflawlessEnglish."MayIsit?"

Helookedathercloser.Shewasshort,andslender,andpretty."Youaren'tdead,"hesaid."No,"shereplied."No,I'mnot."

*

"Theyaren'thuman,"Chensaid."No,"Taliareplied."Theyaren't.""Thenwhatarethey?Theylookhuman,ortheydidatfirst,but....It'snota

ChangelingNet.Whatarethey?""It'shard toexplain," shesighed. "At least it isuntilyousee theartefact.

Thenalotofthingsbecomeclear.""Whatartefact?""You'llbetakentoseeitshortly."It had been a couple of hours since Chen had been rescued from the

terrifyingcreatureswhocalledthemselvestheHandoftheLight,anditseemedhehadspentmostofthattimeaskingquestionsandnotreceivinganswers.Hisrescuers had taken him to an abandoned warehouse, where they had built acamp.Chenknewofarmybaseslesswellprotected.

Theyhadbroughttheprisonerwiththem.Hehadstumbledandtrippedandhadbeendraggedmostoftheway.Hemumbledoccasionally.Helookedasifheweredrunk,orverytired.AshelookedathimChenfeltastrangesurgeofpity,andthememoryofwhatthemanhadbeenfaded.

"Don't!"Taliasnapped,lookingathim."Don'tforgetwhattheyare.That'soneofthewaystheywin."

Chenhadrestedatthecampalittle,washinghisfaceanddrinkingalotofwater.Therewereperhaps fortypeople here, almost all of them telepaths, buttherewerea fewmundanesalso.Therewereevenacoupleofaliens,but theyweretelepathsaswell.

"Whatisthisplace?"hehadaskedwhenhearrived."Youaskalotofquestions,don'tyou?"Taliareplied."Idon'tblameyou.

Thisisahideoutforthetimebeing.We'llbemovingonsoon.Wehaveto.""Whereto?""We don't know yet. Somewhere safe. Somewhere we can help more

people.""Don'tyoumean,helptelepaths?""No,helppeople.Teepormundane,itdoesn'tmatter."AfterhehadrestedBenZaynhadcomeforhim,staringathimwiththose

darkeyesofhis.Chenhadneverbeenafraidofmundanesbefore,notevenasachild.Hehadalwaysknownhewasoneofthespecialpeople,butasBenZaynlookedathim,hewonderedifthemundaneunderstoodthat.

"Taliawantstoseeyou.""Whatabout?""Shethoughtyoumightliketobearoundwhenshequestionsthethingwe

captured.Sheeventhinksyoumightbeusefulthere.I'llreservemyjudgement,butlistentome.IworkedforBesterallmylife.Him,Itrustedcompletely.HetrustedTalia,soIwillaswell.You,Idon'tknow.Don'tgothinkingI'lltreatyouwithkidglovesjustbecauseyou'reateep.Proveyourself,orgooutintothebigwideworldandbeincorporatedintothenetwork.Idon'tcare.Gotthat?"

Chenonlynodded.Thebeingwhohadonce lookedhumanwas tied to a chair, itsheadheld

steadyby a youngwoman.A telepath. She looked atChen and flashedhim aquick,welcomingsmile.Hesmiledback,alittlenervously.

Talia was there, staring at the thing, her arms folded. She looked up asChenandBenZaynarrived.

"Allyours,"hesaid."Areyousureyouwanttodothis?""Wehavetokeeptrying.""Youmean keep running the risk of burning out?Howmany times have

youdonethis,andwhathaveyoufound?""Which iswhywehave tokeep trying. I'veseenwhat theydo tous,Ari,

what they did to Al andHarriman and Byron and all the others.We have toknowasmuchaswecanaboutthemtostopthem,andthatmeansthis."

"Fine.You'restilltheboss,butI'llbeready."Talianodded,andturnedtoChen."Youwantedanswers?Thisisawayyou

canget them. Itwon't be easy. Itwill hurt, and it could evenkill you. I don'tbelieveinlyingtoyou.

"But it is necessary, and then you'll understand. You have to understandbeforeyoucanreallybeapartofus,beforeyoucanseetheartefact.

"Doyouwanttodothis?""Whatarewegoingtodo?""Goinsidethatthing'smind.Trytoinvadethenetwork."Chen lookedat it again, and thenback toBenZayn.Theman's facewas

twistedintoasneer,exaggeratedbyhisscar.Hewouldnotbethoughtweakbya

mundane,notinfrontofhisownkind.Henodded.

*

Moreilwalkedthroughtheashesofchaos,savouringthefeelofthechokedairinhismouthandthetouchoftheblood-soakedearththroughhisfingers.

He had not come to invade, or to conquer, or to subjugate. Some of hiscompanionshadsought riches,orcaptives,oreven the loveofkilling,butnothim.

Forhimtherewasonlythejoyofbringingchaos,onlythejoyofservinghisDarkMasters.

The fight had been easy, so incredibly easy. The planet had hardly beenprotectedatall,ahalf-repaireddefencegridandahandfulofantiquatedships.None of it was any match for the renegades, the Order of the Wolf, or theBrotherhoodWithout Banners, or the Imperial Order, or whatever they werecalled.

Then theyhadgone to thesurface, to thecapital,and the truedestructionhadbegun.

Theyhadkilledsome,theyhadtakensome,butmosttheyhadleftalivetospread the tales, so that everyone would know who had done this. And that,Moreilknew,waswhatmostofthemwanted.Theyspokeofrichesandrevengeandpower,butalltheyreallywantedwastobeknownandfeared,tobepeopleofinfluence,tohavetheirnamessungandwhispered.

AnelderlyCentauriwomanwascrying,screamingathim,interruptinghiswalk and his meditations.Moreil remembered her. Rem Lanas had taken herdaughter, and theWykhheran had torn apart her bond-partner and feasted onhim.

"Devil!"shecried."TheGodswilldestroyyou!Theywillcomedownfromthe heavens and destroy youwith holy fire.Youwill all burnwhen theLightcomes.Allofyou!"Shewascrying."Youwillallburn."

Moreilstoppedandlookedather.Shewasold,andlookedweak.Hecouldhavesnappedherinhalfwithouttrying,andhisWykhheranwouldbarelyhavemadeamouthfulofher.

He bent down and touched her face,moving his claws gently across hercheek, being careful not to drawblood.Hewas taking extra care.Some raceswerejustsofragile.

"I amMoreil," he said, speaking in her barbaric and uncivilised tongue.

"YourGodsaredead."Thenhesetherasideandcontinuedwalking.Hewouldnotbehere long.

Theyhaddonewhattheycameherefor.Gorashwasnotcompletelyravaged,butitwasenoughfornow.Theyhadsentawarningtothegalaxythattheyexisted,andthatwasastart.

Nexttime,theywouldturntheirattentionsomewherebigger.

*

Delennawoke fromyet anotherdream, the latestofmany. It seemed thatever since she hadmoved to this station she had not sleptwell. Johnwas notthere.Itseemedhewasrarelytherewhensheawoke.Shewasnotalatesleeper,buthewasalwaysupbeforeher.

Butthiswasthemiddleofthenight.Sheroseandwalkedintothenextroom.SpaceonBabylon5hadbeenata

premium,andalthoughtheroomssheandJohnpossessedwerethelargest,theywerestillfarsmallerthantheonesshehadhadonKazomi7.

Johnwasthere,standingstill,asifhewereastatue.Acandlewasburningjustinfronthim,andhewasstaringintoitasifnothingelseexisted.

Delenn shivered, and looked at the wall. Space was beyond there, aninfinityofit.Aninfinityofnothing.

"Remember,"shewhispered.Butrememberwhat?Itappearedthatallofthemhadforgottensomuch,so

verymuch."Welcome to Babylon Five," she said. There was a meeting tomorrow

morning,ameetingoftheAllianceCouncil.Itwaslikelytobeadifficultaffair.Thereweresomanynewfaces,andsomanyoftheoldonesweregone.

She did not know how long she stood there, simply staring into space.Whenshefinallyreturnedtobed,shelookedatJohn.

Hehadnotmoved.Notamuscle.Shesighed,andreturnedtoanuneasysleep.

Chapter2Shewastransportedtoaworldconsistingentirelyofpain.Itwasnotinone

place,itwaseverywhere.Shesawnightmarescometolife.Sheheardthevoiceof the man talking to her, telling her to call him 'my lord', telling her to dothings.

Shesaidnothing.Shedidnothing.Shemerelyresistedasbestasshecould,andscreamedwhenshecouldnot.Buthehadnotyetforcedhertosurrender,notyetforcedhertobeg.Thatwastheonlypowershehadnow,theonlypowershecouldeverhavenow.

Sheknewallaboutpower.Shehadgrownupatitsnexus,adaughteroftheCentauriRoyalCourt.Herfatherhadwieldedpower,sohadhermother,but ithaddoneneitherofthemanygood.Herfatherhadbeenmurdered,regardlessofthe power he had commanded, and her mother had died somewhere, alone,anonymous.Shemusthavehatedthat.

No, she had thought she understood power, but itwas only now that shetruly did. Power was to seize upon something and declare that that wassomethingshewouldorwouldnotdo,fornootherreasonthanbecauseitsuitedher.Shewouldnotscream,shewouldnotbeg,andshewouldnotcallhim'lord'.Hewouldhavetokillherbeforeshedidanyofthesethings.

Thatwastheonlypowershewieldednow.Therewereothersshesaw,althoughwhether theywere realornightmare

she did not know.ANarnwoman came andwatched her often. Therewas ahuman aswell,who carried a large knife, constantly sharpening it. These shewasfairlysurewererealandnothallucinations.

Buttherewassomethingelse,analien.Ithadasharplyangularhead,andlargeeyes.Itneverstayedlong,anditalwayslookedatherclosely,asifpeeringthroughher.Behinditsomethingmovedandshimmered,butshecouldneverbesureifthatwasrealormerelylightsdancinginfrontofhereyes.

Shewasforgettingtoomuch.ShewasbeginningtoforgetwhatGorashhadbeenlikebeforetheyhadcome.Shehadevenforgottenwhyshewasthere.Sheonlyrememberedonething.

Shewouldnotgivehimwhathewanted.SennaofHouseRefa,daughterofEmperorRefa,had thatmuchpowerat

least.

*

Chenhadneverexperiencedanythinglikethisbefore.Notever.Itwasasifhehadbeenthrownintoaragingriver,onecomposedoflight

andthoughtsandmemories.Andontheinstanthebrokethesurface,herealisedhehadforgottenhowtoswim.

There were thousands of them, screaming voices. Some he was sure herecognised. Some he was sure he had known once. But when he had knownthem,theyhadnotbeeninsomuchpain.

Thatwaswhatthisplacewas.Ariverofpain.Don't lose contact with us! One voice came rushing through the myriad

others. ItwasTalia.You'll never find yourway back if you do. You'll be lostforever.

Whatisthisplace?Thenetwork.This iswhat theywilldo tous.Allofus.Remember!Catch

hold of something, anything that will remind you of who you are. Rememberyourname.Andfollowus.Don'tgetlost.

Chencouldseethemnow,Taliaandtheothers.Theywereaschooloffish,headingupstream,movingdeeper into themaelstrom.Hehadentered theriverwith them,buthadbecomeseparated.Hemoved towards themandwassweptupintheforceoftheirmotion.

Don't worry, came another voice, a female one. Stay close tome. I'll dowhatIcan.

Thewomanwhohadsmiledathim.Idon'tevenknowyourname,hesaid.Lauren.LaurenAshley.I'mChenHikaru.Good.Keepthinkingthat.That'soneofthefirstthingstheydotousinhere.

Takeawayournames.Wherearewegoing?Asfarupaswecan.Chenfound iteasier to just lethimselfbesweptupwardswith theothers.

Hecouldnotnavigatehimself.Therewastoomuchthatwasstrangeandtwisted.Astheymoved,heheardvoices,heheardcries,heheardpleasformercy.

Shaking, he concentrated his mind on his fellow-travellers. They wererepeating phrases over and over again, relivingmemories. Some listed names,some recited poems. Lauren seemed to be replaying a day with a lover, adiscoverythatgaveChenanunsettlingfeelingofjealousy.

Therewas little forhimtoconcentrateon.Hehadnofamily.Hehadfew

friends.Hereadlittle,knewnopoemsorbooksorplays.Ah,therewasonething.TheCorpsisMother,theCorpsisFather.ItrusttheCorps.TheCorpswill

nurtureme,willprotectme.Maternis,Paternis.TheCorpsisMother....Someoftheothersseemeddispleasedbyhischoice,butsomesmiled.Something'sthere!Taliasaid.Something'soutthere.Chenlookedather,andrealisedsomething.Shewastheonlyonewhowas

notrepeatingthatconstantlitanyofmemory.Thenherealisedsomethingelse.Theywerenolongerwithinariveroflight

andgold.Theyweresomewhereelse.Hyperspace!Oh,myGod,we'reinhyperspace.Calm down, Lauren said. The network somehow crosses hyperspace.We

don'tknowhow.Therearelittle....foldsandtunnels.We'reinoneofthemnow.Buthow...?Careful!Taliasnapped.Something'shere!It rose out of nowhere, forming around them from nothing. It towered

aboveallofthem.Sizemeantnothinghere,butfeardid.WhenChenwasachild,hehadhadrecurringnightmaresofspiders.Hehad

beenunabletosleepforfearofablanketofthemontopofhim,crawlingoverhim,suffocatinghim,movingslowlyoverhiseyesandintohismouthsothathewas unable to scream.During his first yearwith the Corps those dreams hadbeen locked away, unable to hurt him any more. He had even identified thesourceofthem—whenhewasababy,aspiderhadcrawledintohiscrib,atiny,harmlessthing,buttohischild'seyessomuchmore.

Thethingbeforehimwasthebiggestspiderhehadeverseen.Justoneofitshairswasbiggerthanhewas,justoneofthehairshehaddreamedwasbrushingagainsthisskin.

And in its eyes, in its impossibly large eyes, as it looked at him, Chensensedahumanintelligence.No,anintelligencefargreaterthanhuman.

Hescreamed.Hedidnotknowwhattheotherswereseeing,didnotknowwhethertheycouldbeseeingthesamething,butallheknewwasthatthisthingwasrealanddangerousandterrifying.

Remember!criedTalia'svoicethroughhisownscreams.Somethingdrippedfromonemassivefang.Itdroppedjustpasthim,searing

hotasitpassedclosetohisskin.Rememberwhoyouare!IamChenHikaru,hethoughttohimself.TheCorpsisMother,theCorpsis

Father.Maternis,Paternis.No,thespiderwastoobig,thefeartooingrained.

Therewaslight.Itwasstrange,thespiderseemedsodark,butnowitwascovered with light. Chen looked and saw Talia. She was not afraid. She waslookingathim,concentrating,andlightwaspouringfromhermouthandeyes.Chenknewthatshewasnotlookingataspider.Shewasnotlookingatanythingatall.

He sensed another presence behind him, and he turned, hardly daring toimagine what he would see there, so afraid that he would witness anothernightmarefromhispast.

It was a man, shorter than he was, dressed in a spotlessly clean blackuniform with gloves, cradling one hand against his chest. A Psi Cop badgeglintedandreflectedthelight.

Hesmiled,and inan instant the spiderwasgone,as if ithadneverbeen.Theman,whohadanameChendarednotsayeveninhismind,movedtowardsTalia,ignoringtherest.

Chendidnotwanttointrudeonareunionheknewwouldbepersonal,andsoheturnedtoLauren.Shewasnotshakinganymore,buttheresidueofherfearwasstillthere.

Itwasadoorway,abig,blackdoorway,andIknewtherewassomethingwaitingontheotherside,butIdarednotopenit.Ijustcouldnotopenit.

Whatwasit?Anillusion?If I understand it correctly, the network is made up of the minds of

thousands of telepaths, all trapped, their powers channelled in specificdirections, to send messages, to block them, to heal, to destroy. This is thecumulativesubconsciousofalltheseminds.Whyshouldtheirnightmaresnotbehereaswell?

Wehavetodestroythis.Iknewyouwouldunderstand.Justassoonasyoucamein.Everyonedoes

oncethey'veseenthis.Chen looked up, and the man was gone. Talia was looking back at the

others.I'vefoundwhatIneeded.We'releavingnow,quickly.Wehavetodestroythis,Chenthoughtagain.Wewill,Laurenreplied.Didyouseewhothatwas?Yes,Idid.Ididn'twanttohope,but....Now,Ithinkwe'reinwithachance.Wemightjustbeabletodoit.

*

"Thishadbetterbegood."

"Trustme,"Juliareplied."Iknowbetterthantointerruptyourtestosterone,beerandcigarnightifit'snotserious,don'tI?"

"Werethereanycigars?"Dexterasked."Idon'tsmoke.""There should be cigars," Zack muttered. "What's a poker night without

cigars?It's like....um....well, likesomethingwithoutsomethingthatshouldgowithit."

"Well,therearen'tanycigars,sowhatdoesitmatter?"Julia rolledher eyes. "Andyouwonderwhyyou can't get anywomen to

cometoyourpokernights?""Tradition,"Dexterreplied,smiling.Juliahadatendencytoactalotolder

thanshereallywas,sometimes.ShehadtakenthemtotheSector301guardhouse,refusingtoelaborateon

what it was they were meant to be seeing, saying only that they wouldundoubtedlynotbelieveherunlesstheysawitwiththeirowneyes.

"Wearresteditaboutanhourago,"shewassayingastheywenttowardsthecells. "Therewasa reportofanassaultandasuspiciouspersonsighteddown-sector.Wecaught the suspect almost immediately.Like itdidn't care if itwasspottedornot."

"Youkeepsaying'it',"Dexterobserved."Analien,orsomething?""Icertainlyhopeso."Cellsweremeant tobesecuredbyanelectronicforcefieldover themore

conventional locked doors, but thiswas the Pit,where the budgetwas a littleskimpy.Asa result, thecellsherewere littlemore than lockeddoors.At leastthereweremoresecurityguardsthantherehadbeen,andallofthemwerehonestthesedays.

"Havea look," Juliasaid,gesturingat thescreen in theoffice justoff thecellblock.Eachcellhadacamera,naturally.

"There'snothingthere,"Dextersaid."You'vegotthewrongcell.""No,that'stherightcell.""Then thecamera's faulty,"Zack said. "That'snot exactlyunusual around

here.""Nofaultdetected.Besides,it'sshowingtheinteriorofthecellwellenough.

Just not the occupant.And yes,we know it's still there.We couldn't take anyphotosorelectronicrecordseither.Notevenfingerprints."

"Okay,"saidDexter."NowI'minterested.Canweseethis....individual?""I'mnotthebosshere,"Juliashrugged."Iwouldrecommendalotofpeople

standingbyreadythough.Thisthingis....dangerous.""Dangeroushow?"Zackasked.Juliashookherhead."Idon'tthinkIcouldexplain,andIdon'tthinkyou'd

believemeifIcould."Dexterlookedattheemptycellinthepictureagain.Somethingcaughthis

gaze,somethingjustoff-centreofhisperception.Helookedagain,harder.Therewas a brief flicker of light, and in hismind, a voice. Come to us.

Comeandseethelight.Hefrowned.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—III

Sheknowswhyshehascomehere.Itisnotfordiplomacy,notforstrategy,ortactics,oralliances.Itisnotforthegoodofherpeople.Itisforherself,oneselfishactioninalifetimeofservicetotheMinbari.

It is warm this night in the capital on Brakir. There are many peoplemoving and dancing in the streets, processions and carnivals. TheDay of theDead is a holy event to these people, and even more so now, a time ofcelebration.Therearesomanydeadtospeakto.Yesterdaytherewasmourning,tomorrowtherewillbemorning.Tonight, thereisachancetomeetagainwitholdfriends,oldenemies.

Oldloves.Tomorrow, Satai Kats will return to Minbar to continue the slow

rebuilding.Tomorrow, the faint semblanceofdiplomacy thatbroughtherherewillbeconcluded.

Tirivailunderstood.Shealonewouldunderstand,Katsknewthat."Go,"thewarriorhadsaid."Andifyouseehim,tellhim....tellhim...."

"Tellhimwhat?""Iwaswrong.Hewasnotacoward.Hewasneveracoward.""Iwill."Kats hadnot dared to hope.Noone in livingmemoryhad experienceda

Day of the Dead. The last had been over two hundred years ago. The veryconceptofthedeadreturningwentagainsteverythingshehadeverbeentaught.Thewarriorcastebelievedinghostsandancestor-spirits,butthereligiouscastetaughtthatsoulsreturnedtotheether,tobeendlesslyreborn.

Andevenifthelegendsweretrue,whocouldsayshewouldmeetagainwithKozorr?Whynotherfather,orHedronn,oranyone?

Butshehadtohope.

She stood on the balcony, looking down at the people passing by in thestreet below. A tall, dignified-looking Centauri man moved with steadyconviction, but he had the same air of desperate hope she had herself. In thealleywaybeneathherroom,ahumansatmoaningandwhisperingtohimself.ANarninasimplerobemadeforanearbytemple,andaBrakiriintheuniformofa Dark Star captain looked up at the sky, staring in wonder at the cometoverhead.

"Thereyouare,"saidavoice,andKatsstiffened,unabletobelievethatshehadtrulyheard thewords.ScarsbotholdandnewthrobbedwithrememberedpainassheturnedtoseeKalainmovefromtheshadowsintoherroom.

Helookedasheoncehad,beforetheillnesshadravagedandtornhisbody.Helookedproudandhaughtyandarrogant,aprinceofallhesurveyed.Hehadalways belonged to a different time, the earlier days, where he could havewalkedbesideMarrainandParlonnandshakentheworldwiththesoundofhisfootsteps.

Buthehadbeenbornintothewrongtime,andhehaddedicatedhislifetochangingthat.

"You thought you were free of me," he said, his voice commanding andproud,notthehoarseraspithadlaterbecome."Youthoughtyoucouldescapefromyoursins."

Katslookedathim."Why?"shesaidsoftly."Isthisoneofyourworkertricks?"heasked."Toaskquestionswhichmake

nosense?""Whydidyoudoallthethingsyoudidtome?Youenjoyedit,Kalain.Don't

say you did not. Was that all there was to it?" She remembered his voicegrowing louder and louder, exhorting her to beg for forgiveness. Sherememberedhislaughteratherscreamsandherpleasformercy.Sebastianhadbeen brutally cold and efficient. He had taken no pleasure in his work. ButKalainhad.

"Ididittopurifyyou,tomakeyourepentyoursins,tomakeyou....""Youarenotofthereligiouscaste.Whyshouldyoucareformysins?You

are a warrior.Was I truly themost fitting opponent for you?Was I the onlypersonyoucouldfight?"

"Stopthis!Youlie!HaveyouforgottenwhoitwaswhomassacredtheGreyCouncil?Haveyouforgotten...?"

"No!Ihavenotforgotten,andIneverwillforget.ItwasnotIwhodidthat,andyouknewthat.Youalwaysknewthat.So,Iaskyouagain,Kalain.Why?"

"Because....becauseyoudeservedit!Therewasadayyouwouldhavekneltin the mud at my feet as I walked past, and you would have thanked the

ancestors that I even deigned to look upon you! There was a day when youwould have addressed me with downcast eyes and spoken only when givenpermission.Therewasadaywhenwewerewarriors,andthatwasunderstoodbyall,whenwedidnothavetomakepeopleawareofanything,whenwehadbuttospeaktobeobeyed,when...."

"Whenyouhadtruepower.Whenyouhadtruerespect?""Yes!"Kats sighed. "Then that was what you wanted. You wanted respect and

power,evenifitwasonlyfromoneperson,onlyoveroneperson.TherestoftheGrey Council followed you only at Sinoval's orders. You had lost all respectfromthemwhenyoufalteredatMars.

"But Iwas there. Iwas aworkerwho thought herselfworthy to stand atyourside.I thoughtmyselfabletocommandwarriors.I thoughtmyselfworthytostandintheGreyCouncil,whereValenhimselfoncestood.

"SoyoubroughtmetotheGreyCouncil,andyoushowedmejusthowlittlepower I had, and youmade for yourself someonewhom you could command,someoneyoucouldhurtasmuchasyouliked.

"I apologise,Kalain. I thought you torturedme for your own pleasure. Iwaswrong."

"Ihadto....Iwasawarrior.Iwas....""Wrong?""Iwaswrong.""Iforgiveyou,Kalain.Youhurtme,andyouweakenedme,andyoualmost

brokeme, but you did not. I am stronger now than I everwas, and for that Ithankyou,andIforgiveyou."

"Ineverapologised,andIneversoughtyourforgiveness.""Iknow,butIofferitallthesame.Beatpeace,Kalain.""Andyou.There is.... someone elsewhowants to talk to you. I think you

wanttotalktohimaswell.Iwillseeyouagaininanotherlife,worker.""MayyourGodswelcomeyouhome,"shesaid,thewordssoundinghollow

toher,butsheknewtheywereimportanttohim.PerhapstheDayoftheDeaddidnotshowyouthoseyouwishedtospeak

to,butratherthoseyouneededtospeakto.Shetouchedhernecklacegently,andthenalltheairseemedtobesucked

fromtheroom."Mylady,"saidhisvoice."Iswearyouaremorelovelythanever."Shewhisperedhisname,justonce,andthereweretearsinhereyes.

*

The room was larger than she was used to, larger than she foundcomfortable,even.ThiswastheplaceshehadspentmoretimeinthananyotheronBabylon5,moreeventhanhersleepingquarters,andyetshehadneverlikedit.

Perhapsitwasbecausethisroomseemedtobreedsomuchstrife,somuchconflict.

SometimesDelennlongedfortheolddays.Therehadbeenjustahandfulofthem at the beginning. Herself, Londo, Lethke, Taan Churok, Vizhak. Thereweresomanynow,peopleshedidnotknow,peoplewhohadnotseenthethingsshehad,peoplewhodidnotseemtounderstandwhytherehadtobeanAlliance.

The races needed to be one.Theyneeded to protect and help and sheltereachother.

Andyetsomanydidnotunderstand.Duranowasstillspeaking.Delenndidnotknowhimwell.Londohadsent

him personally, and Londo usually had good judgment. There was justsomethinginhimthatmadeheruncomfortable.Hewasso....rigidandformal.Itwasasifallhislifewasamaskandnooneknewwhatlaybeneathit,notevenDuranohimself.

"Thedeathtollisstillbeingcalculated,buthasruntoovereleventhousandso far. While most of that clearly occurred in the early bombing raids, asignificant number have succumbed to illness, injury and disease.Most of thehospitalsinthecapitalwereintentionallydestroyedduringtheattack.

"Wehavereceivedmessagesfromoneoftheraidersdemandingransomforthose captured. These include the Governor, his wife, several Governmentofficials and assorted other nobles. The raider was a Centauri, who styledhimself Lord Rem Lanas. There is no record of such a person, and there iscertainlynosuchnoblehouse.

"MyGovernmentisaskingforfinancialaid,aswellasfoodshipmentsandmedicalequipment.WealsorequestmilitaryassistancetoprotectGorashandtorestore order. We also request to be released from certain of our obligationsundertheKazomiTreaty.Fartoomanyofourworldsaretoosparselydefended,andwemaybeattackedelsewhere."

"That is not possible, I am afraid,Minister," John said, standing up afterDurano had finished. "The Kazomi Treaty expressly forbids that, you realise.However,therestofyourGovernment'srequestsarenotunreasonable."

G'Kael rose, andall eyes turned tohim.TheNarnwasusuallyquiet, and

rarely spoke.Whenhedid,however,hecommanded theattentionofeveryonelistening. He had the rare gift of being either the centre of attention orcompletelyignoredasthesituationdemanded.

"IcommunicatedwiththeKha'Ribeforethismeeting,"hesaidslowly."Wehad heard about the attack, and were anticipating these requests. MyGovernment is of the view that this is an internal Centaurimatter, and is notwithinthepurviewoftheAlliance."

"Whatmakesthemsaythat?"Johnasked."ACentauri world was attacked by raiders, who are apparently led by a

Centauri lord. Centauri dignitarieswere captured, and the raiders sent ransomdemandstotheCentauriGovernment.TheKha'Ribelievesthisisaproblemofinternal security, inwhich theAlliance is forbidden to intervene, save for thepursuitofShadowagentsorvassals."

"Thatisincorrect,andyouarefullyawareofthat,"Duranoreplied."Otherraceswereseentakingpartintheattack,includingNarnsandDraziandhumans.Therewerealsosightingsofonecreature thatmaywellhavebeenaZ'shailyl.Ontopofthat,atleasttwoAlliancedignitarieswerekilledintheattack,anditispossible others were injured or captured. These raiders may well choose toattackanotherworld,onenotbelongingtous.ClearlythisisaproblemforthewholeAlliance."

"MyGovernment'spositionremains,"G'Kaelsaid,sittingdown.AmbassadorKalikastoodup.TheAbbaihadjoinedtheAlliancelateinthe

war, afraid of possible retribution from the Shadows. Some, particularly theDrazi, regarded that as cowardice, but tomany in the formerLeague ofNon-AlignedWorlds it denoted courage, and shewas the unofficialmouthpiece ofmanyofthoseraces.

"If theCentauriare tooweak todefend theirownworlds,whyshould therestofushelp them?" sheasked. "Planetarydefence is amatter for individualGovernmentsandnotfortheAlliance."

"Andwhyarewetooweaktodefendourworlds?"Duranoasked."Whereare our ships?Where are our armies? They are here. They are chasing ghoststoriesacrossthegalaxy!TheypursuethefaintestrumourofShadowships,theyfollowlegendsofancientvesselstodistantcornersofthegalaxy.AswellhavethemchasingtheSanctuaryofAeons,ortheWellofSouls,orhumanity'sHolyGrail!Youhavebledusdry,allofyou!Willyouseeusalldie?"

"That is the price of allying with the Enemy," Kalika replied coolly,unaffectedby theuncharacteristic lossofequilibriumfromtheCentauri."Whyshouldwedefendyou?Whyshouldwehelpthosewhofoughtbesidethosewhowoulddestroyusall?"

"Why?" Delenn said, rising. "Because we are an Alliance. Because theweaknesses of onemust be borne by the strength of another.Becausewe canstandstrongertogetherthanweevercouldapart.

"Becauseweareallofoneblood,allofonesoul, and ifwecannot standtogether, thenweshallsurelydieapart. IcountEmperorMollariasoneofmyclosestfriends.Hewashereattheverybeginning,whenthisAlliancewasborn.HesufferedaswealldidintheruinsofKazomiSeven.Hebled,aswealldid,togiverisetothis.Shallweabandonhimnow?Shallwesayhissacrificewasfornothing?

"This matter will be voted on. Does this body wish to grant MinisterDurano'srequestforassistance?"

She had been genuinely uncertain how it would turn. The war had beenover formore thanayear,andmanyof thoseherehadbecomeused topeace.The Centauri were not liked or trusted. They had after all allied with theShadows.Humanityhadaswell,buttheyhadanentirelynewGovernment,andtheir representative here, an Ambassador Luchenko, was genuinely liked bymost. Besides, they had John to support them, and his words carried a lot ofweight.

ButtheCentauri.... theyhadtoomanyenemies,particularlytheDraziandtheNarns.Theywerestillruledbythesamepeopleasduringthewar.Duranowascoldandarrogantandhadfewpersonalfriends.

Lethkevoted inagreement,asshewassurehewould.HeandLondohadbeenfriendsforaverylongtime.G'Kaelvotedagainst,althoughDelenncouldnot tellwhetherornothewascomfortablewith thatcourseofaction.SheandJohnvotedfor.Kalikaagainst.TaanChurokabstained,ashealwaysdid,asilentprotestagainstwhathadbeendonetohispeople.

Somefor,someagainst.Finally,allwasdone.No.Durano's facewas expressionless, betrayingno sign of his inner feelings.

Delennbowedherhead.Sorry,Londo.Itried.Shewasthefirsttobecomeawareofthewhistlingsound,ofthefaintrustle

of fallen leaves, of the clack of bones. She looked up. No, not the first. Thesecond.Johnwasalreadystaringatthenewarrival.

TheAlliancehadhadaVorlonrepresentativesincejustaftertheBattleoftheThirdLine,buthehadstayedbehindonKazomi7.AnewrepresentativehadbeenappointedtoBabylon5.Hehadgivennoname,butnonewasneeded.Hewas instantly recognisable. His encounter suit was pure white, although theshadesometimesvaried.Todayitwasalmostblinding,seemingtoreflecteverylightintheroom.

He looked at Delenn, and then around at the Council. <This vote shall

pass,>hesaid.Andthatwasthat.Delennjustwishedshecouldhavefeltbetteraboutit.

*

Thestonewassimpleandsmallandplain.Itwas,Tirivailthought,andnotfor the first time, entirely inadequate. There should have been statues. Thereshould have been monuments and epic tales. There should have been manythings.

ButallthatremainedtocommemorateKozorroftheStarRidersclanwasasmallblackstoneinthemiddleofagarden,andthewords,'Hereliesaworker,whospenthislifedestroyingandhisdeathcreating.'

Completelyinadequate,andalltheworkofKats.SataiKatsasitwasnow.Tirivailtriedtodislikethewoman,butitwashardtodislikeonewholovedoneyouloved.Evenifshewasaworker.

"In the Name of the Betrayer, so do we serve," she said, continuing theancientoathspokeninMarrain'smemory.Ofcourse,hewasnomemorythesedays.Nottoher.

"I amawarrior. Idanceamidst theheightof the storm. I rideamong thestars.Myswordclashesinthewinds.Themoonismyshield.Mywingsareoffire.

"Iamawarrior.Ishallnotfall.Ishallnotletanenemypassfrommysight.Iwillwalkinthedarkplaces,andIshallknownofear.

"Ondeath,my soul shall ascend to be judgedbymy ancestors and thosewhohavecomebefore.Iffoundworthy,Ishallbereborn,withnomemoriesofmypastlife,butwiththeknowledgethatIamawarriorinmorelivesthanthis."

Shestopped,andlookedatthestone."Rememberthat,Kozorr.Rememberthat."

"Whydoyoudothis?"Tirivailturned,andsawKatsapproaching.Hereyesgrewevendarker.Kats

wasshorterthanshewas.Katshadneverbeentrainedtowieldaweapon,neverstoodonthebridge,neverfacedenemiesinthecertainknowledgethatdeathwascoming.

ButKozorrhadlovedher.And,Tirivailgrudginglyhadtoadmit,shewasbrave."Toremindhim,"shereplied."Hewasawarrior.Hisspiritshouldnotbe

allowedtoforgetthat.""Hisspiritisgone.Ithasgonetotheheavens,torejointhepoolandwaitto

bereborn.""Not tous.Hisspirit iseverywhere.Andhewill returntousawarrior, if

webutremindhimoftenenoughofwhatheis.""Hewantedtocreate.Hewastiredofdestruction.""Andyouthinkthatisallwedo?Thiscityisancient.Youarerebuildingit

now,butyouare justbuildingon topofwhatwasalready there.Thebonesofthiscityareourbones.Themortarthatholdsittogetherisourblood.Therearesomanyghostshere.Ilivewiththemeveryday."

"Yes,sodoI.""Imerelyhonourhismemory.Thatisall.""SodoI.Butmorethanthat.Icometotalktohim.Hecannothearme,but

Italkallthesame.Itellhimofmyfears,ofmynightmares,ofmyfriends.Itellhimallthathashappened,andItellhimIwishhewasherewithme."

"Ienvyyou,"Tirivailsighed."SometimesIwishIcouldhateyou.Youhadhistouch,hiscaress,hisheart.Youhadhislove,andallIhadwashisrespect.IwishIcouldhateyou."

"Whydoyounot?""Becausehelovedyou.""Thereisonewholovesyou,Tirivail.Anotheryoucanlove.Iamsureof

it.""Oh?IwishIwere.Myfatherisplanningamarriageforme.Awaytobind

our clan tooneof theothers, togainpolitical advantage. I amoneof the fewresourceshehasremainingifhewishestorebuildourfortunes."

"Doyouwishmarry?""Heismylord. Iswore toobeyhim, todieathiscommand, todieathis

singleword.Idisobeyedmylordoncebefore.Iwillnotdosoagain.""Whatorderdidyoudisobey?""Ididnotkillmysister.Ileaveyoutoyourconversation,Satai.Imustgo

andtrain."Shewalkedaway,anddidnotlookback.

*

There was a dark thought Emperor Londo Mollari II entertained in themiddleofthenightashelookedoutoverthedomainheclaimedtorule,adarkirony that was surely evidence of some malign force seeking to destroy himutterly.

It had not been three years ago that he had been a wanderer, travelling

acrossthegalaxyinexile,seekingallies,seekingfriends.Tohissurprisehehadfoundthem.Inthosedayshehadhadnopower,butsomanychoices.Nowthathehadpower,hehadnochoiceatall.

Timovwassleeping.Shesleptlikeachild,farbetterthanhedidthesedays.Hehadspentfartoomanynightsbesideher,listeningtohisheartsbeatingandstaringupattheceiling.

Sighing,heturnedawayfromhiswindowandwalkedoutintothecorridor.The two members of his Palace Guard, not unused to such an occurrence,snappedtoattentionandfollowedhim.Anothertworemainedoutsidetheroom,guardingtheLadyConsort.Londosupposedhismidnightwalkswerenosecret.Theywerenotexactlyuncommonthesedays.

Heneverhadanywhereplanned.He justwentwherehishearts tookhim,sometimes to theRoyalGardens, or to the throne roomor the kitchens or outintothecityoranynumberofplaces.Hedidnotknowwherehewasgoingtogotonight either. He just wanted to walk, to let hismind shut down and let hisheartsguidehim.

Hecouldnotdo that tonight, though.Therewas toomuch to thinkabout.ThemassacreatGorashstillpreyedonhismind.Somanydead,severaltaken.Aparcel had arrived at the palace two days before. It contained the head of theGovernor.

Thingswerelittlebetterhere.Thecropswerefailingagain,disastrouslythistime.Hisadvisorstriedtoconcealthetruthfromhim,buthestillknew.Peoplewere starving by the thousand. Was this what he had meant when he hadpromisedMalachihewouldlookafterthepeasants?

He stopped suddenly as a shadowy figure emerged from the corridor infrontofhim,andhelookedup.TheBrakiri'sdarkeyesstudiedhisownbeneaththedarkhood.Londostiffened,recognisingthelanternsymbolonthebreastofhisrobe.

Itstoodforlight,ofcourse.Whatdidtheysay?'Wehavepowerwhereverthereislight,andwherethelightisnot,webringit.'

Inquisitors.Therewere far toomanyof them.Howmanyhad they takenaway?Howmanytriedandexecuted?Howmanyforcedtosuffer?HehadsavedTimovatleast.Thatwasavictoryofsorts,howeversmall,andhehadtotakehisvictorieswherehecouldfindthem.

The Inquisitor stepped aside and let Londo past. Not surprisingly, Mr.Mordenwasnotfarbehind.

"Ah,Majesty,"Mordensaid.Hewasasimmaculatelydressedasever,notahairoutofplace.GreatMaker,Londothought,doesthismanneversleep?

No,probablynot.

"Areyousureyoushouldbeupatthistimeofnight,Majesty?Withalltheburdensofyourposition,surelyyouneedrest?"

"IdonotletTimovtreatmelikeachild,Mr.Morden,andsheisfarclosertomethanyouare.KindlycreditmewiththewisdomtodetermineformyselfhowmuchsleepIneed."

"Ofcourse,ofcourse."Mordentooktherebukewithoutanysignofanger,as he always did. And why not? He could afford to allow Londo a stingingremarkortwo.

"IseeyourInquisitorsareoutinforceagain.Whomhavetheyarrestedthistime,Iwonder?"

"Thegloriousworktheydodemandsalotofeffort,Majesty,butasforyourquestion,oneof themaidsinyourkitchenswasactingasanintelligenceagentfortheEnemy,leavinginformationofpalacecomingsandgoingsunderarockin thegarden.She is being.... questioned todetermineher employer.We shalldiscoveritsoonenough."

Londo sighed. What Morden had just described had being going on forcenturies.ItwasallapartoftheGreatGameofHouses,andquitefrequentlyhadnothing to do with the Shadows at all. Every noble House had agents in thepalace,andinalltheotherHousescometothat.ButiftheInquisitorsfoundeventhe slightest traceofwrongdoing theywould seizeon it, and theGreatMakerhelpthosetheyfocussedon.

"Icommendyourdiligence,"Londospat."I will pass that on to them. Oh, by the way, Majesty, I received some

interestingnewsaboutanhourago.Iwasgoingtotellyouwhenyouwokeup.ApeacekeepingforcehasbeenassembledbytheAlliancetoprotectGorashandafewoftheothervulnerableworlds.Theywillalsohelprestoreorderandoverseethepresenceofhumanitarianaid."

"Ibelieveyouhumanshaveasayingaboutstabledoorsandhorses,"Londosaiddryly."Still,thatisgoodnews.Imerelywishitwerenotnecessary."Iwishall thosewhowere killed could be brought back. Iwishwe didn't have to gobeggingonhandsandkneestoaliensfortherighttodefendourownworlds.IwishMr.MordenandhisInquisitorswouldallgobacktotherockfromwhichtheycame.

"Indeed it is. CommanderN'Rothakwill be taking overall charge.He's averyexperiencedcaptainandadministrator.Hewillsoon...."

"ANarn?GreatMaker, theycouldnotbesofoolish,surely.TheAlliancehavesentaNarntoleadthepeacekeepingforce?"

"Whywouldtheynot?EightypercentoftheoverallforceareNarns.Thereareobviousadvantages.Youshareaborder,theyarenearenoughtoGorashfor

theretobelittletimewasted.Theyknowthesystemandtheworld....""Andwhyisthat?Becausetheyoccupieditforayear,becausetheyspent

decadesattackingit!Idonotbelievethis.HowlongwereweandtheNarnsatwar?Toolongtoletthemtakeoveroneofourworldsinthisway!"

"ThewarbetweenyouandtheNarnisovernow,Majesty.YouareallpartoftheAlliancenow.TheKha'Rispecificallyrequestedthisrole,asasymbolthatthe past is done, and an example of renewed co-operation. Of course, if youwouldratherthepeopleofGorashstarve,thenyouhavebuttosayso."

"You know full well I cannot do that. Good night, Mr. Morden. I amsuddenlyfeeling....verytired."

Andhewasindeedfeelingverytired,buttherewaslittletobedoneaboutthat.Heneededmorethanonenighttomakehimselffeelbetter.

HelaystillandsilentbesideTimovuntildawn,listeningtothesoundofhisownheartsbeating.Theyseemedsomuchlouderthantheyhadbefore.

*

CouncilswererareamongtheBrotherhoodWithoutBanners.Usuallytherewas little to discuss, little to agree upon.The captains came andwent as theysawfit,bandingtogetheronlyforacommonpurpose.

Theyhad,however,agreedupona fewsituations thatwouldnecessitateameeting of all the captains.A proposition to launch a new attack.A potentialthreattotheirbase,inparticularfromtheAlliance.Theexpulsionofoneoftheirnumber.Ortheacceptanceofanewmember.

Moreil knew it was the latter, and that was why he actually deigned toattendthismeeting.Usuallyhedidnot.Pettypoliticsdidnotsuithim.Hedidnotcarewhichofthemled,whichfutileployofrevengetheyfollowedfirst.Allhecaredaboutwastheserviceofchaos.

But something stirredwithin him as hewalked the darkened corridors oftheirhome.Somethingtoldhimthiswouldbeimportant.

Behindhim, theWykhherancomplainedangrily.Therehadbeen little forthemtoeatrecently,atleastlittleworththeeffort.SomeoftheprisonerstakenatGorashhaddiedhere,eitherfrominjuriesortortureorsuicide,andMoreilhadlettheircarcassesserveasfood,butthatwascoldmeat.TheWykhheranwantedwarmfare.

Why, they complained, could they not devour the Sin-tahri female? Shewasyoungandhealthyandwarm.WhatinterestcouldMoreilhaveinher?Or,for thatmatter, in the elder Sin-tahrimalewho owned her? Surely neither of

themmattered?Moreildidnotanswerthem.Hedidnothaveto,andtheyallknewit,but

this timehedidnot replybecausehedidnothaveavalidanswer.RemLanasmeantnothingtohim,butthegirl....Heseemedtorecognisesomethingwithinher,andahunch,aninstinct,arevelationfromtheDarkMasterseven,toldhimshewouldbeneededaliveatsomepoint.

Patience,hetoldthem.Therewillbeplentytoeatsoon.Itwastimeenoughforanotherraid.IfthewholeoftheBrotherhooddidnot

agreetosuchanaction,thenMoreilwouldtakeouthisownshipandgohunting.TheserviceoftheDarkMastersdidnotallowforarest.

He entered the room that had been set aside as the meeting place, andimmediatelyhenoticedtheothercaptainswinceslightly.Theyfearedhim.Thatwasgood.Allofthemknewabouthishonourguard,andthosewhowerewisefearedtheWykhheran.

Therewasonlyonewhodidnot,andthatwasthehuman.Hewasbalancinghisknifeonthetable,pointfirst,andspinningit.Moreilhadnotaskedhisname,hehadnotcaredtoknow,butsomerespectwascalledfortoonesofearless.

Besides,ithadbeenhewhohadhelpedthemfindthisbase.ApparentlyithadbeenattackedandalmostdestroyedduringthewarbetweenhispeopleandtheMinbari, and since abandoned.Moreil had not cared formore details. Hespentaslittletimehereaspossible.

Hetookhisplace,notsittingastheotherswere,andlookedaroundatthemall.ThecaptainsandleadersoftheBrotherhoodWithoutBanners.Thehuman,theknifewielder.TheNarncaptainwhohadcoined thename thathad finallystuck.BesidehimwasaNarnfemale,whoworealongswordonherback.Therewere twoDrazi,who looked enough alike to be twins.RemLanaswas there,again pretending to bemore important than hewas. Therewere a few others,newcomersmostly.Nonemattered.Nonedaredtolookathim.

"Wehavea request to joinourorder," theNarncaptain said.Hewas theonewhomostclearlysawtheneedtobondthedisparategrouptogether.Therewassomethinghequotedalot,repeatingthephraseoverandover.'Ifwecannotlivetogether,weshallsurelydieapart.'Ithadbeensaidbyagreatholymanofhispeople.ItwasnotaconceptMoreilliked.Itspoketoomuchoforderforhisliking.

"Weallknowtheruleswehaveagreed.Whenonewishestojoin,hemustexplaintouswhyhewishestodoso,andwhyweshouldaccepthim.Thenwevote.Ifthereisevenonevoteagainst,heisdenied,andkilled."

Moreil listenedas theNarncontinued.Ruleswere irrelevant, creationsoforder. The only rule thatmatteredwas the spreading of chaos, the only order

necessarywasservicetotheDarkMasters."Lethimenter,"theNarnsaid.Moreil turned as the door opened and amanwalked in. Looking at him,

Moreilknewhehadbeenrightinhisinstincttocomehere.Onceagain,theDarkMastershadsteeredhimcorrectly.

ItwasaCentaurimale,olderthanRemLanas.Hishairwaslongandpuffedupabovehishead.Hisonce-fineclotheswerenowscuffedand torn.Aswordhungathisbelt,worninthefashionofamanwhotreatshisweaponaspartofhisbody.

ButitwashiseyesthatmostconvincedMoreil.Theywereeyesthatspokeofawealthofexperience,ofoceansofblood,ofthewailsofdefeatedenemies.Thismanwasaleader,alord,ageneral.HewasthefirsthereMoreilfeltwouldbeworthytostandbeforethePriestsoftheFallenMidnightandproclaimservicetotheDarkMasters.Alltheotherswereworthless,saveforthehuman,andhewasmotivatedbyinsanity.

"StateyournametotheCouncil,"theNarnsaid.BytheangrywordsoftheDrazitoeachother,theyalreadyknewit.

"Marrago,"hesaid."MynameisMarrago."

*

There was always something to do. Usually more than one thing.Leadershipwasallamatterofprioritisationanddelegation.ThiswassomethingDelennhadbeentaughtveryearly,butunfortunatelyitrequiredenoughpeoplethataleadertrustedinordertodelegateto.

Thatwasalistthatwasinwoefullyshortsupply.Andthemostimportantpositionofall.Thatstillhadtobedecided."Babylon Five needs a CommandingOfficer," she said. It was true. The

station was receiving an increasing amount of traffic in recent weeks. Peoplewere flocking here, not just diplomats and their staff, but traders, questors,anyoneseekinganewhome.Therewereevenmanywhohadcomeheretoseeher, a fact Delenn contemplated with no pleasure. G'Kar was working onestablishing a Ranger base here, although he still insisted on maintaining themainbaseonKazomi7.

And asAlliance business grew, so did the number of people required toattend to itall.NearlyeveryonefromKazomi7hadmovedhere.Ofallof thepeoplesheknewandtrustedonKazomi7,onlyVejarhadneversetfoothere.

A succession of people had performed acting CO duties for the station

during its construction. Major Krantz, Captain Tikopai, Captain Kulomani,Commander Ta'Lon, John himself, but no one permanent had been appointedyet. Johnwas currentlyActingCommandingOfficer, but therewas toomuchworkforhim,coupledwithleadingtheDarkStarfleet.

"Iknow,"he said,not lookingup from the reporthewas reading. "Iwashoping....Davidcould...."

"Iknow,"shesaid.Hehadbeenhopingthatforawhile,backwhenhehadfirstbroachedtheideatoher.ButDavidwasnothere,andneitherofthemknewwherehewas.Itwasmorethanayearsincehehadleft,givingnoexplanationotherthanthatheneeded'somespace'."Butwedonotknowifheisevercomingback."

"Hewillbe.""Butuntilhedoes...."Delennwasnotsureifhewould,butshedidnottry

topunctureJohn'sillusions.ShehadwatchedDavid'sgradualslideintodespair,seenallthewoundsofbodyandmindhehadsuffered.Somesuchwoundsneverhealed,andshedoubtedtherewasanywherehecouldgowherehecouldbetrulymadewell.

"We'll appoint someoneelseuntil hedoes," Johnagreed. "Haveyou readthis?"

"Probably."Delennsighed.Shedoubted therewasasinglepieceofpaperanywhereonthestationshehadnotread."Whatisit?"

"Ranger reports. Some of the Dark Stars have been looking into theserumours we've been hearing all year. You know, the ones about those ships.Unidentifiableships."

"IthinkIremember,"shemurmured."Whataboutit?""Theyhaven'tfoundanything.Oneofthemhasn'tcomeback,butthereare

stillsightings.ABrakirimerchantshipalmostranintosomethinginhyperspacejust a couple of weeks ago. The description is.... like nothing I've ever seenbefore."

"Therehavealwaysbeenstories,rumours.""And if these are more? Dammit, what if it's the Shadows hiding out

somewhere?Lettingusthinkthey'veallgone,bidingtheirtime.""Wecouldsendoutanothershiptoinvestigate.""No. They won't find anything. There's an old saying. 'If you want

something done right, you have to do it yourself.' Besides, I've been gettingcabinfever.It'llbegoodtogetbackoutintospaceagain."

Delenn looked up, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes. "You will goyourself?"

"Thiscouldbeimportant.Itshouldn'thavebeenleftthislong."

"Wehavebeenbusy.TheDrazi.Theseraiders.Securingtraderoutes....""ThereisnothingmoreimportantthanmakingsuretheShadowsdon'tcome

back,Delenn.Nothing.Ifthisisthem....wehavetoknowaboutit.""I know that," she snapped. "But does this really need you?You are the

GeneraloftheAlliance.Whatif...?"Shestopped.Hewassmiling, in thatgraceless,almostboyishwayhehad

sometimes, rarely."Is that justaMinbariwayofsayingyouaregoing tomissme?"

Shefrowned,butcouldnothelpturningit intoasmile."Iwillmissyou,"she said softly. "When will you be going?" There was no point in trying indissuadehim,nopointatall.

"The sooner the better. My crew is always ready, so we can leavetomorrow.Weshouldn'tbeoutthatlong.Perhaps....amonthortwo."

"Tomorrow?""Early tomorrow." He looked at her, his head cocked slightly. "Are you

doinganythingimportant?""Well....""Anythingthatcan'twaituntiltomorrow?""No,"shesaidsmiling."Nothingthatcan'twaituntiltomorrow."Hemovedforwardquicklyandtookherhand,helpinghertoherfeet.His

lipsmethers."Carpediem,"hewhisperedtoher."Icouldn'tagreemore,"shewhisperedback.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—IV

Hehaddiedinpeace,hiseyesopenunblinkingtothelightofthesun,thesameeyes thatnow lookatherwithsuchwonder,withsuch love.Hiswoundsaregone, the limp, the shattered spine, themangledhand, the injurieshehadsustaineddefendingherandhadstruggledwithalltheremainderofhislife,theyarenowgone.Hissoulisasperfectassheremembered.

"Itisyou,then,"shewhispers."Ihadhoped.Ihaddaredtodreamthat....Whydidyounevertellme?"

"WhatcouldItellyou,mylady?IthinkIknew,butonlyalittle.Ihadonlythe slightest idea.Whatever Sinoval did tomewhen he broughtme back.... it

couldnotkeepmealiveforever.Notevenforlong."ButwhattimeIhad,Ispentwithyou.""Youdiedalone.""No,mylady.Youwerewithme.Youwerealwayswithme.Evenwhenwe

wereapart,evenwhen....Youwerealwayswithme.""Iloveyou.""AndIhavealwayslovedyou.Youknowthat."Shenods."Iknowthat."Hewalksforward,aslowsmileplayingacrosshisface.Withahandonce

mangled and ruined he lifts up her chin, and a flicker of lightning passesthroughherathistouch.Shelooksupintohiseyes,andislostinthem.GoneistheSatai,theleader,theorator,thewomanwhohasweatheredtortureandlossandheartbreak.Allthatremainsisthewomaninlove.

"Youwearmynecklace,"hesays,touchingitgently."Ineverfinishedit.IwishIhad."

"Iwillalwayswearit."Hekisseshergently,andholdsheragainsthim.Shecriesintohisshoulder."Whyhaveyounotgonebeyond?"sheaskshim,afterawhile."Why...?""ThewarriorIusedtobewouldtellyouIremainedbehindtoguidethose

whowouldcomeafterme,thatIhaddelusionsofbecomingaspiritlikeallthosegreatoneswhofell.TheworkerIbecamewouldsimplysaythatIwaitedforyou.

"Iwillwaitforyou,andthen....wewillpassbeyondtogether,toberebornintonewlives,toexperiencenewloves,tolivethelonglifeofhappinessweweredeniedinthisexistence."

"Doyoutrulybelievethat?""Ido.""Itisjust....sohard....sometimes.Iwakeupinthemiddleofthenightand

reachforyoubesideme.Isometimesimagineyouwalkingbesideme.IgotoaskyouropinionandIrealiseyouarenotthere.Ineedyou."

"Ihavefaithinyou,mylady.Ialwaysdid.Iknowjusthowstrongyoutrulyare.Ourpeopleareluckytohaveyou.Theyneedyoumorethantheyrealise."

"ButwhatifIfail?WhatifItripandfall?Whowillpickmeupwhenyouarenotthere?"

"You will pick yourself up. You will learn from your mistakes and growstronger fromwhat does not kill you. You are not alone. You have allies andfriends.Youhaveme."

"You are gone.After tonight, the cometwill pass andwhatever door hasopenedtoallowyouherewillbeclosed."

"You have my memory, and we both have tonight. We always knew we

wouldneverhaveeternity,butwelovedinthelittletimewehad,andbeforetheendIfoundpeaceandacceptanceandlove.Whatmorecananyofusask?"

"Tirivail....Tirivailtoldmetotellyousomething.""Yes?""Shesaysyouarenotacoward."Shefeelshimsmile."Ithinkshealwaysknewthat,buttellherthatneither

is she. It would pleaseme if the two of you could become friends. She has abravesoul,andshewillneverbetrayyou."

"Iknow.Iknow."Shefeelshimgentlystrokingthebackofherneck."Whatareyouthinking,

mylady?"heaskssoftly."ThatIwishtimecouldslow,andstop,andthatwecouldbehereforever.""Andtheworldoutside?""Letitburn.IfIhaveyou,thenitdoesnotmatter.""Youdonotmeanthat.""No,"shewhispers."No,Idon't.""Youwillleavethisplace,andyouwillreturntotheworldoutside,andyou

willcontinuewithyourdutiesandyourburdensandyoursorrows.Butyouwillhavetonight.Youwillalwayshavetonight.Whatmorecananyofuswant?"

"Idon'tknow.""AndnordoI."Andthenightdriftsawayslowly,oneheartbeatatatime.

*

There is amoment, one singlemomentwhen it is possible towinpeopleovertoyourwill,tomakethemallies,orfriends,orservants.Fail,andtheywillbecome detractors, foes, enemies.Moreil understood this.He had experiencedthat moment when he had bound the Wykhheran to his cause, and with theZarqheba.

ThisMarragounderstooditaswell.Moreilcouldseeitinhiseyes."We know of you," the first Drazi said, rising angrily. "Centauri Lord-

General.YouleadCentaurifleets.YouleadCentauriarmies.Thisatrap!""IwasLord-General,"Marragorepliedsmoothly."NowIamnothing.Iam

anexile.Iamlikeyou.""No,"theDrazisaid."Notlikeus.Notlikeusatall."Moreil looked at theNarn female. Shewaswhispering something to her

companion.SomethinginhereyessparkledatMarrago'spresencehere.Shewas

thetruepowerofthatpairing."Whydoyouwishtojoinus?"theNarnmaleasked."Whydoyouentreat

entrytotheBrotherhoodWithoutBanners?"Marragopaused,andMoreilwatchedashebreathedoutslowly.Everything

in the room seemed to slow down.Even theWykhheranwere quiet for once.Yes,Moreilthought.Thisisamanwhoknowshowtocommandthemoment.

Doyouhaveordersforus,lord?Notyet.Wait,butbeready."Myfamilyisanancientone,goingbacktothedawnoftheRepublic.My

ancestorwasennobledbythefirstEmperorhimself.Forcenturieswehavestoodintheshadowofthethrone,protectinghimwhosatuponit.Wehavebeentheshieldof theRepublic, the swordof theEmperor.Wehave led theRepublic'sfleetsandarmiesandsoldiersintobattleintheEmperor'sname.

"I grew up with Emperor Mollari. He and I were friends. Together wehopedtoplotanewfuture,agreaterandfinerworldthanwehadgrownupin.Thehigh-flowndreamsofyouth! I guidedhim through the timesof trouble. Iplacedhimonthatthrone.Icouldhavetakenitformyself,butallthoseancientvowshungoverme,andIgavethethronetohim.

"AndwhereamInow?Whilehesitsonthatthrone,surroundedbywealthandrichesandglory,whereamI?Myloyalty to theRepublichascostmemydaughter,myfriends,andnowmyhome.

"Tohellwithallofit.Iwillfindmyownwayandclaimmyownglory.Ifyoudonotwantmehere,thenIwillfinditelsewhere."

The human chuckled. "The shin bone's connected to the knee bone," hesang, as he often did. "If we don't want you here, then you won't be goinganywhereelse."

"Youarewelcometotrytostopme,"Marragosaidagain."Whatcanyouofferus?"theNarnasked."Whatresourcesdoyoubring?""Ihaveaship.NotasgoodasI'musedtoperhaps,butitwilldo.Ihavea

crew for it.Mercenaries, ex-soldiers, outlaws, all just like you.Also, I have alifetime'sexperienceofwar,somethingthatlooksasthoughitislackinghere."

"Soundslikeyouwanttobeourleader,"saidthehuman."Wehavenoleaders,"saidtheDrazi."Noleaders.""I don't want to lead," Marrago said. "I've had enough of shepherding

peoplearound,orholdingtheirhairforthem.AllIwantissomewheretoshelter,andanoccasionalhelpinghand.AndI'msureyoucandowithanothershipandanexperiencedcaptain."

"No,"theDrazisaid."GetbacktoyourEmperor.""Itisavote,"theNarnsaidtohim."Youknowthat.Ithinkhewillmakea

mostusefuladditiontoour....brotherhood.""No!" the Drazi said again. His companion nodded enthusiastically.

"Never!""Oh,thekneebone'sconnectedtothethighbone,"sangthehuman.Warrior,youseetheDrazi?Yes,lord.Killhim.TheWykhheranwerebig,verybig,overtwicethesizeofMoreilhimself,

buttheirsizewascreatedbyengineeringanddesign,notrandomnature,andtheDark Masters had crafted them for speed as well as strength. The ShadowWarrior moved before anyone noticed. Certainly not the Drazi. His firstrealisationofhisdeathcamewhentheshadowfelloverhim.

One grasp of the Wykhheran's hand, and it was done. Where the Drazioutlawhadoncebeenalive,nowhewasmerelyamassoffleshandbloodandbone.

Feast,Moreilsaid,grantingpermission.Helookedatthefacesofhisfellowcaptains.Thehumanwaslaughing,playingwithhisknifeasalways,oblivioustothetrickleofbloodrunningdownhisfinger.TheotherDraziwasonhisfeet,hislong,poisonedknifeinhishand.TheNarnlockedhisglancewithMoreil's,andhelditforalongtime.

Finally,theNarnturnedtoMarrago."Welcometoourorder,"hesaidsimply.Marragoonlynodded,notoncetakinghiseyesoffthebloodstainedmessin

theShadowWarrior'sfist.Hedidnotevenwince.Moreillikedthat.Couragewasararecommodity.

*

"Itcanbedone.Whatonehasdone,anothercando,andanother.Don'tyousee?"

BenZaynfoldedhisarmshighonhischest."He'sstilltrappedinthere,isn'the?Fine,hecanmovearoundasmuchashelikes,buthe'sstillinthere,notouthere."

"It'sastart,"Taliasaid."He'sproved itcanbedone,andhe isn't trapped.He'smovingaround,tryingtocontactall theotherminds, tryingtowakethemup.It'lltaketime,butwhatdoesn't?He'llhavethemallfreesoonenough."

"Alfred's an unusualman, and you know it. Perhaps unique. There aren'tenoughlikehimintheretoposeathreattothenetwork.Ifit'sgoingtobetaken

down,it'llhavetohappenouthere.""Iknow,but....it'sstillgoodnews.IwaswonderingifIwouldeverseehim

again.""Ineversaiditwasn'tgoodnews.So,whatnow?Whatdidhetellyou?""A little.He's still trying tonavigatehiswayaround thenetwork. It took

himawhiletorememberwhohewas.Mostofthem....justforget.That'sawaytotrytoshakethemalloutofit.Remindthemwhotheyare.

"Therearenodesspreadoutallovertheplace.EachDarkStarhasone,sodoall themajorplanets.KazomiSevenhas a couple.They've set someuponMinbar,CentauriPrime,allovertheplace.AndtheVorlonworldsofcourse.Itispossibletobreaktelepathsfreefromit.Weneedtheirphysicalbodies,andweneedtoconvincethemofwhotheyare, thateverythingthey'reexperiencinginthereisn'treal."

BenZaynnodded."Fine,thatmakessense.So,whatnext?Dowejustcarryonrecruiting?"

"No,well....ifwegetachancetohelpsomeone,thenyes,butwecan'tkeepdoingthisforever.Wehavetogoontheoffensive.Ithinkweshouldtrytobreaksomeonefree."

"Wecan'tcaptureaDarkStar.I'veseenthespecs,remember.TheShadowshipstoreSanctuaryapart,andtheDarkStarswerebuilttotakethosethingsononebyone."

"No,Iknowwecan't.Notyet,anyway—butwehavetostartsomewhere.""Itsoundsasifyouhaveaplan.ShouldIbeworried?""Possibly," Talia smiled. "It appears I have a.... friend, who has been

moving up in the world since I last saw him. Plus, I have some unfinishedbusinesswithIPX.IthinkProximaistheplacetostart.

"Afterall,that'swhereIgotinvolvedinallthistobeginwith."

*

Itlookedhuman.Ithadthebasicshapeofahuman,butitwasashapeputtogetherbysomeonewhounderstoodthebasics,notthespecifics.Ithadacoldsmile,ahollownessintheface,andaperfectiontothehair.

Itdidnotmoveasahumanwould.Itdidnotfidgetorbreatheorblinkasahumanwould.

DextercouldseewhyJuliahadcalled it 'it'. It looked likeahumanmale,perhapsalittleolderthanhewas,butwhateveritwas,itwasnothuman.

"Creepy,ain'tit?"Zacksaid.Dexterdidnotreply.Hewasnotlistening.

Itwaslookingathim,staring.Juststaring.Therewasnocolourinitseyes,justadeadeninglight.

Greetings,brother,camethevoiceinhismind.Youcametoseeme,then."Whatareyou?"heasked.Icanhearyoulikethis.Betterthisway,don'tyouthink?Wedon'twantthe

mundaneshearingeverything,dowe?You'reatelepath.Iwas.NowI'msomethingbetter.Youcanbeaswell.You'llenjoy itonce

you'rehere.Whatareyou?Youaren'thuman.Iwashumanonce.Ahumantelepath.Ihadanameonce,butthatdoesn't

matternow.Someofus,mostofus,areput inside thenetwork, justonemindamongthousands.Iamoneoftheluckyones.Theydidthistomeinstead.Theymademespecial.

Whyareyouhere?TheCorps used to have special units they calledBloodhounds. Their job

was to find 'blips', telepathswhohadescaped from theCorps,who refused towearthebadgeandtheglovesandtolivebytherules.

IknowwhattheBloodhoundunitswere.Theytookmymother.Ofcourse.I'moneofthenewtypeofBloodhounds.ButIdon'tworkforthe

Corpsanymore.Iworkforsomethingfargreater.WearecalledtheHandoftheLight.Thinkofusasasearch-and-captureunit.

Whatareyousearchingfor?Is it not obvious? Telepaths, of course. Those like us. They need more

recruits.Theyalwaysneedmorerecruits.Human,Centauri,Minbari,others....itdoesn'tmatter.Theyalwaysneedmorerecruits.Morepeoplelikeus.

I'mnotlikeyou.Youare.Youjustwon'tacceptit.Youaren'taspowerfulasmostofus,but

powermeansnothing.Whatmattersishowyouuseit,andthatissomethingyouknowhowtodo.You'respecial.Theyhavespecialplansforyou.

Whoare'they'?Nameshavepower.Evenhere.Themundanescan'thearus,butyou'dbe

surprisedwhocould.Sinoval,forinstance.Ifhehappenstobepassingby....Whatdoeshehavetodowiththis?Youwill see, brother. Youwill see. You realise this cell cannot holdme

forever.It'sdoingagoodjobsofar.You think I couldn't escape if I wanted to? I wanted to speak with you,

brother.

Dexter pulled back, shaking. Zack and Julia were looking at him. "Jeez,man,"Zacksaid."Whatwasupwithyou?"

"I'moutofhere,"Dextersaid,breathingharshly,stilllookingatthething."Doubletheguardonhim.No,tripleit.Don'tletanyoneintoseehim,nooneatall.We'releavingnow."

"I'lltakeyourwordforit,"Zackreplied.Asheleftthecell,Dexterlookedbackatthethingagain.Itwasstillsmiling

at him, a movement of the facial muscles without any of the emotionalconnections.

"I'vegottogo,"Dextersaid,assoonasthecellwaslocked."Where?"Juliaasked."To talk to someone. Someone who knows an awful lot about weird

things."

*

The daywhen somuch changed onCentauri Primewas dark and heavy,withcloudshanginglowinthesky.

Itbeganinnocuouslyenough.Agroupoffarmershadarrivedatthecapital,assembling to appeal to the Royal Court against the increasingly heavy taxesbeingleviedonthem.Normallytheywouldnothavedared,butoneofthemhadmetEmperorMollari during his exile on Selini.He claimed that theEmperorhadpromisedhimthathewouldalwayslistentohispeople.

"TheEmperorwilllistentous,"hehadtoldhismorescepticalcompanions."Hedoesn'tunderstandnow,butthat'sbecausehelivesinapalaceandnotoutinthe country like we do. We'll talk to him, and he'll understand, and theneverythingwillbebetter.You'llsee."

Theyhadbeendubious,buthadultimatelyagreed.Noneof themhadbeen to the capital before, and itswonderhaddazzled

themforamoment,causingthemalmosttoforgetwhytheyhadcome.Asuddenrainstormledthemtoseekshelterinabar,notwantingtheironlyfineclothestobedrenchedandruined.Severalcupsofcheapliquorweredrunkwiththeaimof'Immolancourage'.

Unfortunatelyitcontinuedrainingandthefarmershadalittletoomuchtodrink,movingfromsimplecouragetofearlessness.Somuchsothatoneofthemstartedtelling'Centauri,DraziandNarn'jokes.Atthepunchlinetooneofthem,aDrazientered.

Onedressedallinblackwiththesymbolofalanternonhischest.

He immediatelymoved to the table, drew a short stick thatwas his onlyweapon,andsmashedit intothecentreof thetable,scatteringdrinks,breakingglassesanddestroyingthetable.

"Namesnow,"hedemanded.The reply of the drunken jokester was obscene, and the Drazi looked at

him, lifting the stick. Lightning seemed to crackle along it. "Sedition,unauthorisedassembly,refusaltorecogniseauthorityofanInquisitor."

The Inquisitors had not yet reached the more outlying parts of thecountryside,andsothefarmershadheardofthemonlyinrumours.Theywerenot to know that over three thousand people in the capital had disappeared attheirhands,veryfewofthemevertobeseenagain.

Thefarmerswerebeatensavagely,theirfeebleattemptstofightbackeasilydisposed of. Some members of the City Guard dragged them away and theyjoinedtheranksofthedisappeared.

Wordspreadquickly.MorethanonecustomerhadoverheardthedrunkenboastsofthefarmersthattheywouldmaketheEmperorseesenseontaxesandlevies.Beforelong,almosteveryoneinthecityoutsidethepalacehadheardthattheEmperorhadpersonallysentinoneofhisInquisitors—andanalienatthat!—tohavethemmurdered.

TheCentauripeoplehadsufferedgreatlyundertheirfairshareofEmperors.Emperor Turhan had been reasonable, but aloof, and in the final years of hisreign, weak. Emperor Marrit had been ineffectual, but protected by strongadvisors.Thetroubleshadseenmuchchaosandsuffering.

Butneverbefore in livingmemoryhadanEmperorhad to resort to alienassistancetomaintainorderamongthepeople.

A crowd gathered soon enough. It had stopped raining, although the skystillseemedominouslydark,filledwiththickcloudsthatappearedtobemadeofsmoke.

Thecrowdmovedtowardsthepalace.

*

"Thesolutionisclear,"Mordensaidcalmly."Yes, Mr. Morden," Londo said dryly. Sarcasm was his only weapon

against the human. At least, the only weapon he dared to employ. "Perfectlyclear.Theyaremotivatedbyhungerandangerandadesireforreform.Therearetwooptionsavailabletous.If,ofcourse,youwillpermitmetooutlinehowsucha humble individual as myself might deal with this.... what is the word?

Uprising?Revolution?Anarchy?""'Riot'willdojustfine,Majesty,andofcourseIwilllistentoyou.""Wecangrantthereformstheyseek.Wecanlowertaxes,getmoreaidsent

here, send away all those Inquisitors you are so fondof, andgenerally ensurethatwestillhaveapeasantclassalivebythistimenextyear."

"An interesting approach, Majesty. A touch.... radical, perhaps. What isyourotheridea?"

"Waitforittostartrainingagain.Thentheywillallgohome.""Neitherreallysolvestheunderlyingproblem,though,Majesty.Ifwewait

forthemtogohome,whoistosaytheywillnotbebacktomorrow?Andifwegivethemwhattheywant,everyonewillthinkyouareweak,andthatitisthateasytochangeofficialpolicy."

"Oh,thenwhatdoyousuggest?""The oldest weapon of all. Fear. We send in the soldiers. Have them

dispersethecrowd.Killafew,arresttherest.Makeitabundantlyclearthatwewillnottoleratethissortofchaoticbehaviour."

Londostoodup,hisheartsbeatingloudlyinhisears."GreatMaker,youarenotserious."

"Veryserious.""Alltheywantisfoodandsafety.""Theyareananarchicandchaoticrabble.Theirverypresenceisoffensive.

Youdonotprotestagainst thedecisionsofyour leaders.Youaccept that theirdecisionsaremadeinyourbestinterests,andyoufollowtheirordersasbestasyouareable."

"No.Youwillnotdothis.""Ifweletthemgetawaywiththis,itwillsetabadprecedent.""To theMakerwith bad precedent! Iwill not order themassacre ofwho

knowshowmanyofmypeople!""Youwill,Majesty.OrIwilldoitforyou.""No!Theyaremypeople!""Thenmakethemrealisethat!"LondocouldhearMordenclearly,despite theroaringofhisownbloodin

hisears.HecouldhearMalachi'slastwords,andseeTimov'ssmile,andheartheParliament at Selini accept him as theirGovernor, and hearMarrago call himEmperorandhearhisownwordsexilingMarragoandhisheartsseemed tobebeatingsofast,soveryfast.

"No!Iwillnotdo....Iwillnotdothis....""Youwilldothis.""No!" His knees were shaking, as if they could not bear his weight. He

stumbledbackwardsandsatbackdownonhisthrone."Youwill."Morden'svoicewas socalm.Howcould itbe socalm,when

Londohimselffeltlikescreaming?"No!"Everything seemed to go red. Was Kiro here again? Burning down his

palace?"Youwill.""No...."TherewasashimmeringbehindMorden,andCartagiawasthere,smiling.

Therewasnothingelsewithinsight.Therewasnofloor,nowalls,nowindows,noguards, justhimself andMordenandCartagia and the tasteofblood inhismouthandthenherealiseditwashisownbloodandhehadbittenhistongue.

"No," he whispered again, unsure of whether he had actually said thewords,orifhemerelythoughthehadsaidthem.

"Adream," hewhispered, clutching his chest.His heartswere beating sofast. He hadn't imagined his own blood could taste so bitter. Surely it shouldtasteofbrivareafteralltheseyears?"You'redead,Cartagia."

Cartagia'ssmiledwidened."I'vebeenwaitingforyoutojoinme,Mollari.Iwasright,wasn'tI?Andwithagoodfewyearstospareaswell."

His hearts seemed to stop beating, the throne seemed to stop bearing hisweight, Cartagia seemed to stop smiling and all of a sudden he couldn't hearanythinganymore.

Chapter3Therearebeingsintheuniversebillionsofyearsolderthanany

ofourraces.Once,longago,theywalkedamongthestarslikegiants,vastandtimeless.Theytaughttheyoungerraces,exploredbeyondtheRim, createdvast empires.But toall things there isanend.Slowly,overamillionyears,theFirstOneswentaway.Somepassedbeyondthestars,nevertoreturn.Somesimplydisappeared....

NotalltheFirstOneshavegoneaway.Afewremained,hiddenorasleep,waitingforthedaywhentheymightbeneeded.

Thatdayisnow.

GOLDINGAY, D. G. (2295) Excerpt from an interview withSataiLurna,inAn

Ancient Curse. Chapter 3 of The Rise and Fall of the UnitedAlliance,the

End of the SecondAge and theBeginning of the Third, vol. 4,The

DreamingYears.Ed:S.Barringer,G.Boshears,A.E.Clements,D.G.Goldingay&M.G.Kerr.

*

He thinks he knows what he is hunting. He thinks he knows why hismissionissoimportant.Hethinksheistheonlyonecapableofwhatheisdoing.

He looks into the shadows and feels no fear, for he sees only light.Sometimes—notalways,notevenoften,butsometimes—itfillshismind,andhe knows what he must do. He knows what is important. At other times hecannotseeclearly.

Butnowheissure.He is goingout into thehiddenplacesof thegalaxy.He is seeking ships

bothancient andpowerful.Hebelieves these tobeeither toolsor alliesof theShadows,andthusathreattothefragilepeacehehashelpedtocreate.

Butsomewhere,atthebackofhismind,beyondthelight,beyondthesmellandthetouchandthesmileofhistruelove,thereisatinypartofhimthatdoesnotwantpeace,apartofhimthatknowsheisawarriorandthathewasbornto

fight. His entire adult life has been spent at war, and future decades ofbureaucracyanddiplomacyandpoliticswoulddrivehiminsane.

So he is here, seeking awar to fight, somewhere, anywhere. Seeking anopponenttofight.

Hecannotseethefuture.Heisintuitive,butneitherpsychicnoranoracle,andsohedoesnotknowwhatawaitshimattheendofhisquest.

If he did, it is doubtfulwhether hewould think himself the luckiestmanalive,ortheunluckiest.

Hecontinues,contenttowait,contenttoinhalethesmellofheronhisskinandhishair,contenttoclosehiseyesandseethelight,andcontenttowait.

Theshadowsdonotscarehim.

*

Ithasbeenalong,longtimesinceanyonecalledhimbyhisfirstname.Ithasbeensolonghehasalmostforgottenithimself.Hedoesnotregardthatasatragedy.Hedoesnotcarewhatpeoplecallhim.

Butsometimeshedoesfeelregretthatthereisnoonecloseenoughforhimtowanttocare.Hewantspeopletotalkto.Hewantstotellpeopleofthethingsheisdoing,inthecalm,casualwayhewouldtellhiswifeabouthisdayatwork.

But there is noone.Hewasnever comfortablewithpeople, andhiswifeanddaughterarelonggone.Thereishisboss,buttheyspeaklessoftenthanhewouldlike.Besides,hisbossisapartofthesamebusinessasheis.

It is a pity, Morden thinks, as he watches hundreds of Centauri citizensbeingdrivenawaybytheCityGuard.Ifonlytherewassomeonehecouldtalktoandexplainwhyheisdoingthis.

Hepaused, and lookedback at the empty thronewhere, less thanhalf anhourago,EmperorMollariIIhadsufferedaheartattack.Thatwassomeonehesupposed he could talk to. The Emperor was a complex man, driven by anunusualmixtureofidealismandcynicism,genuinedriveandambitioncoupledwithself-loathingandapathy.

That was someone Morden wished he could talk to, but Londo did notunderstand.Hejustcouldnotsee.Mordenwonderedsometimesifthatwaswhyhewashere—tobringordernottoanentirepeople,buttooneman.

Hecertainly couldnothaveexpected, in that first gloriousmomentwhenthecreatureoflightroseabovehim,thathisdestinywouldleadhimhere—totheCentauri.ButGodmovedinmysteriousways,ashehadalwaysheard.Andtherewasnodoubtthathe—orsomeonelikehim—wasneededhere.

Helookedoutagainatthescenebeforehim,witheyesthatwerebetterthananyhuman'soughttobeatpickingoutminordetails.Hesawaguardrepeatedlykickingadownedwoman,rainingblowafterblowonherhead.

Toomuchchaos.Toomuchdisorder.There alwayswas, everywhere,butCentauriPrimeseemedworsethanmost.Mordenknewfullwellthemagnitudeof the taskhehadbeengivenhere,buthealsoknewthehonour thathadbeenbestowedonhim.Hewasdeterminednottofail,andnorwouldhe.

Hehadhadayear,andhehadbeenworkinghard.TheInquisitorshadtakenawaymany of the suspected Shadow agents.Mordenwas ready to admit thatsome of the disappeared had not been working for the Enemy, but they hadcertainly been a part of the Centauri's 'Great Game of Houses' and that waschaoticenough tomeritdestruction.Hehad removedmuchof theold,corruptandchaoticsystem.

Now,allhehadtodowasreplaceitwithabetterone.A young child was screaming, pulling at the arm of a man, seemingly

unawarethattheman'sheadhadbeensplitopen.Hehadanideaofwheretostart.TheGameofHouseswaschaotic,yes,and

itneededtobestopped,butitdidtendtothrowupcertaintypesofpeoplewhocouldbeused....profitably.Theenemyhad takenadvantageof it,andMordenintendedtodothesame.

Helookedbackatthethrone.TheEmperorhadbeenoverworkinghimselfofcourse.Whenherecovered—ifherecovered—hewouldhavetoreducehisworkload.AdeadEmperorandanotherciviluprisingwasinnoone'sinterestsatthemoment.No,MordenwouldseetoitthatLondogotalltherestheneeded.Aftereverythinghehadalreadydone,hedeservedit.

Ifherecovered,ofcourse.Hewasnotayoungman,andyearsofdrinkandfood and carousingmust have taken its toll, to say nothing of the stresses ofrecentyears.

The rioting was breaking up now. People were running, scattering in alldirections.Morden smiled.Londohadbeen agoodman, and a compassionateruler, but that only tookone so far.Order anddisciplinewerenecessary.Thisprotestshouldneverhavebeenallowedtohappen.

Well,atleastMordenhadanopportunitytoseethatitwasneverrepeated.Hehadalotofworktodo.

*

"Iwill not tolerate it!" theCentauri lordlingwas saying. "Shewasmine.

Mine! I tookher inconquest. Iclaimedher inbattle!Byall the lawswehaveforged,shewasmine!"

Moreillistenedpatiently,lookingatthelordlingwithafixed,staringgaze.Many broke and trembled before that dark, silent stare, but not Rem Lanas.Moreilwasnotsureifthatwasasignofgreatcourageorgreatstupidity.

TherewasathinmarkdowntheCentauri'sface,aslenderredline.Moreilhadafeelingheknewtheweaponthathadcausedthatcut.

"The laws of our order," hewas continuing. "All of them supportme onthis!Shewasmine!"

Laws?Thelastrefugeoftheweak.Theyseesomeonetakingthingsthataretheirs,andtheycryout-'Youcan'tdothat!Thelawdoesn'tallowit!'-andthestrongwouldlaugh,ofcourse.Theweakneverrealisedthatthewaytostopthestrongoppressingthemwasnottoappealtosomemythical'law'buttobecomestrongthemselves.

RemLanaswouldneverunderstandthat.ButMoreilthoughtthisMarragodid."What happened?" he asked at last. The Centauri looked at him, as if

surprisedthathewasreallythere.Thelordlingmightaswellhavebeentalkingtoawall,andheprobablythoughthewas.

"He took her. She was mine! Mine! And he took her! He thinks thatbecause he is a noble he can takewhatever he likes!Well, he can't! Shewasmine!Thelawsaysso."

IfMoreilhadneededfurtherconfirmationthatLanaswasnotthenoblemanhe pretended to be, that wasmore than enough. He did not care, though. HeknewexactlywhyLanaswashere.Hewantedaplacewhereanewlawwouldprotecthim,aplacewherehecouldbesomeoneimportant,andall thetimeheneverrealisedthatthewaytobecomeimportantwastobeimportant,orthatthewaytobeprotectedwastobesostrongthattherewasnoneedforprotection.

Somepeoplewouldneverunderstand.The light behind him seemed to fade as the Wykhheran appeared, and

Lanasvisiblypaled.Moreillookedathimagain.Maywefeed,lord?Notyet,Warrior.A timewill comewhenyou faceonemoreworthy.This

onewouldnottastewell.Asyousay,lord."Whathappened?"Moreilaskedagain."Speakslowlyandclearly."Lanasbowedhishead,shaking,andthenhebegantospeak.

*

The girlwas unconscious, her back a raw and raggedmass of flesh.Hisarmshadtiredfromholdingthewhipforsolong,buthedidnotsetitdown.Hecradled it inhishands, feeling theknobsof fleshandblood that splattered thelash.

Hegrabbedhertailofhairandpulledherheadback.Herlong,soft,dark,beautifulhair.Her eyeswere closed.Hedidn't like that.Hewanted to see theanger in them, the defiance, theway she had cursed him, theway she lookeddownonhim,thinkingshewassomuchbetterthanhewas.

Theyalwayshad.Allof them.All thenobles.They'dall lookeddownonhim.He'd seen them ridepast in their fine clotheswith their beautifulwomenandtheirbighousesandthey'dalllookeddownonhim.

Well, thisonewouldn't.Notforever.Eventuallyshe'dbeghimformercy,andthenafterabitlongershe'dbeghimformore.Thatwaswhathewanted.Afinenoble'sdaughterbegginghimforthings.

Hechuckledandcrossedtotheothersideoftheroom.Therewasalotmorehere.Alotmore.Books,jewellery,riches.HehadtakenalotfromGorash.Notasmuchasheshouldhave,though.Theothershadtrickedhim,takenhisshare.Just because they had the ships and the weapons and the soldiers and knewwheretofencetheitems,thatmeanttheythoughttheywerebetterthanhewas.Allofthem,eventhatloathsomealienmonsterMoreil.Oh,hemighthavesaidhewas taking nothing,might have said he was not interested in plunder, butRem knew differently.Moreil was scamming him, takingwhatwas rightfullyhis.

Wasn'theimportantenoughtothem?Hadn'thetoldthemallaboutGorash?He'dspentenoughtimethere.He'dtoldthemwheretheGovernor'shousewas,where the nobles lived, where the museums and galleries and craftsmen'squarterswere.Whatwouldtheyallhavedonewithouthimtoguidethem?

Andwhatdidhehavetoshowforit?Afewpatheticbaublesandonegirl.Hedeservedmorethanthat.

No,patience,he thought tohimself.His timewouldcome.Hecouldwaitand all things would come to him eventually. He wasn't going to fence histreasure.Hedidn'twantmoney.Hedidn'twantmercenariesorliquororanyofthethingstheothersbought.Hewantedtreasure.Andhewouldhaveitall.

Heturned,andstartedashesawsomeoneinhisroom.Inhisroom!Inhisprivatesanctum!ItwastheCentauri.TheformerLord-General.Hewasstandingnexttothegirl,touchinghercheekandlookingintohereyes.Hewastouching

Rem's property! Just like a nobleman. He thought he could take anything hewanted just because he had had a title. Well not here! His title didn't meananythinghere!The lawsof theorderpromisedhimafairandequalshare.Oh,theothershadtriedtotrickhimoutofthat,andthey'dpayforitlater,butnoonewasgoingtotakesomethingthatwasrightfullyhisfromhisownsanctum.

Andnowhewascuttingherdown!Howdarehe?Howdarehe!"Leaveheralone!"heshouted,movingacrosstheroom."She'smine."Marragolookedathimandhedrewbackforamoment.Itwasnotfear,no.

Hewasnotafraidofthemanatall.Hewasjust likeanynobleman.Tooweakand too reliantonhis servants to standup toa realman.No,Remwas just....takinghisstance,notbeingtooeagerandoverconfident.

"Shebelongstoherself,"Marragowassaying."Nooneelse.""She'smine!"Hefinishedcutting throughherbondsandshefell limply to thefloor.He

caught her effortlessly and gently lowered her.He then removed his coat andwrappeditaroundher.

"She'smine!"Remmovedslowlysidewaysandpickedupthekutaribesidethewall.OneofhislittletreasuresfromGorash.He'dneverbeenallowedoneofthesebefore.Herememberedtouchinganobleman'sswordonceasachildandbeingfloggedforit,butnowhehadhisownsword.Itwashis!

Justlikethegirlwas,andthisnoblemanwasn'tgoingtotakeeitherofthemfromhim.

Hechargedforward,holdinguptheswordandscreaming.Hewoulddefendwhatwashis.Hewasentitledtodefendwhatwashis.

The nobleman must have tricked him. Yes, it was a trick. Nothing elsecouldexplainhowhehadmovedsofast,knockingtheswordoutofhishands.Itwasallatrick.RemfeltthecoldtouchofMarrago'skutariagainsthisface,andthewarmthofhisbloodtricklingdownhischeek.

"She'smine,"hesaid."Ishouldkillyouforwhatyou'vedonetoher,andelsewhere.Butthisisa

differentplace,anddifferentrulesapply."But come near her again, and I will kill you, and to hell with the

consequences."ItwasnotfearthatmadeRemstammerlikethat.Notfearatall.Itwas....a

bluff.HewaslullingMarragointoafalsesenseofsecurity.Thatwasit.Letthenoblemanthinkhewashelpless,andthen....

ItwasatestamenttohisactingskillsthathewasstilltremblingalongtimeafterMarragohadleftwiththegirl.

*

Rem Lanas finished his garbled story and Moreil looked at him. "She'smine!"hesaidagain."You'vegottohelpmegetherback."

Moreilhadnofurthertimeorpatienceforthefool."Go,"hesaid."Butshe'smine!Youhavetogetherbackforme!""Isaidgo!Recoverheryourselfifyouarestrongenough,buttroublemeno

longer."Moreildidnotwatchhimflee.Thelordlingwasofnoconcerntohimany

more,butthisMarragowas.Itwaspasttimethetwoofthemhadalittletalk.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—V

"Youaren'tdead.""No.Iamnot.""Isthesuncomingup,then?Ican'tsee.EveryoneI'veseentonightisdead.

Everyone.Ididn'trealiseI'dkilledsomanypeople,butIsupposeIhave.""Youdon'tlooklikeawarrior.""No.I'mnobody.Notanylonger.Iusedtobeasoldier,but....afterawhile

Ijustcouldn'ttakeanymore.Allofthem....Atfirst,Ithoughtitwas....justified.Itwasfordefenceandprotection,butthenitbecamerevenge,andthenitwasanewwaranditwasfordefenceagainandthen....andthen...."

"Youjustdidnotknowhowtostop.""Howdoyouknowthat?""Wewere thesame.Iheard....pieces fromtheGreyCouncil. Itstarted in

angerandcontinuedinpride,becauseweweretoostubborntoadmitwewerewrong."

"Itwasn'tstubbornness.Itwasjust....wedidn'tknowanythingelse.GoodGod,haveallthosepeoplediedforsomethingsopathetic?"

"No. They died for understanding. We know each other better now. Weunderstandeachother."

"Areyousureyouaren'tdead?""Iamnotdead.ItfeelsasifIamsometimes,butno,Iamnotdead.""I came here because.... I'd heard the dead came back, and they would

answerquestions.Ihopedtheywouldtellmesomethings,tellmewhatIneededtoknow,butallthey'vedoneishauntme.Allthey'vedone.Therearesomanyofthem,and....

"You'retheonlypersonwho'ssaidanythingtomeallnight.Theothersjustlooked."

"Thatiswhyyoucamehere.Forunderstanding.""No.Forforgiveness.Whydidyoucomehere?""Therewasonewhom....Ilovedverymuch.Ihopedtoseehimhere,totell

himeverything I shouldhave saidwhilehewasalive.To shareone lastnightwithhim."

"Didyou?""Yes.""TherewasonewomanIwashopingtosee.IthinkIlovedher,butIwas

neversure.Iusedtowonderifitwasn'tmoretheideaoflovethanloveitselfIhadwithher. Iwantedsomeonewhowouldwant tobewithme,someonewhocould care for me, someone who could provide a focus, an understanding ofwhatIwasfightingfor.Wasthatlove?Shouldn'tlovebeless....selfish?"

"Perhaps. I don't know. I knowonly that Iwanted to spend everyminutewithhim,everysecondofeveryminute.Wasthatselfishofme?Idonotknow."

"NordoI.IwishI'dseenherhere.OrmaybeIdidandshewasjustafaceinthecrowd."

"Whereareyougoingnow?""Idon'tknow.Somewhere theystop talking tome, Ihope.Anywhere they

stoptalkingtome.""Youwereasoldier?""Yes.Iwas.""My....husbandwasawarrior.Likeyou,hehadfoughttoomuchandseen

too much and grown tired of it. He found peace at the end of his life, as aworker.Hebuiltandhecreatedandhegaveupdestruction.Ifyouwantto,youcancomehomewithme.Thereisalottobedonethere.Icannotguaranteeyouwillfindpeace,butitisaplacetolook."

"Itwasmewhodestroyedyourhome,didyouknowthat?Me,andpeoplelikeme."

"I do not believe you, but it does not matter. Whatever guilt you carry,justlyorunjustly,youcantrytoworkitaway.Doyouwishtocomewithme?"

"Yes,please."Yes,IthinkIwouldlikethat.Maybethentheywillstoptalkingtome."

*

IthadtakenDexterSmithseveralhourstostopshaking.InspiteofwhathehadtoldJuliaandZackhisfirstportofcallwasnottheEdgarsBuilding,buthisapartment.Once therehehadvomitedeverythinghehadeaten thatday,drunkseverallargeglassesofNarnliquor,andthenvomitedagain.

Ashower,achangeandashavelater,hefelta littlebetter,butnotmuch.Hecouldstillfeelthatthingcrawlingaroundinhismind.

He'dhadfewdealingswithtelepaths.Hismotherhadsometimesspokentohiminsidehismind,andhehadfelttouchesoccasionallyfromTalia,testingandprobing,butnothinglikethat.Nothinglikethat....

....thing.Ahuman.Onceahuman.Ithadcalledhim'brother'.Ithadspokentohim.

Ithadinvitedhimtojoinit.'It'.Itwasan'it'.Nota'he','it'.Hehadknownfearbefore.Hehadgrownupinanightmareofcrimeand

pain and despair. He had stood in battle. He had faced down an angry mobintendingtokillDelennandhehadlookedintohergreeneyesashekilledherhimself. He had even looked at a hundred expectant faces as he prepared todeliverhisfirstspeechbeforethenewSenate.

Hehadneverfeltanythinglikethis.Neverthiskindofrevulsion.Thesenseofsomethingso....soOther.

He lookedat themassofpapersonhisdesk.Theyhad tobe studiedandsomesignedandothers likewisedealtwith.TheSenatewas todebate thenewTax Bill on Monday, with important discussions on the Alliance Treatiesfollowing. The Alliance had invited the Proxima Government to submitcandidatesforthepositionofBabylon5'sCommandingOfficer.Thereweretwonewmemberstowelcomeformally,meetingsoftheReconstructionCommitteeandtheWellingtonCorruptionTribunal,nottomentionagreatmanyletterstogetthrough.Smithdidnotparticularlywantasecretary,butitwasgrowingmoreandmorelikelythathewouldneedone.

Hehadtakenthenightofffor'PokerNight',andheshouldbegettingbacktothembynow.Insteadheturnedawayfromthemassofpaperworkandlefttheapartment.

Hewasable tocatcha taxinot farawayand instructed thedriver to takehimtotheEdgarsBuilding.Thedriverquitehappilytalkedaboutfilms,hiswife,thestateofhumanitytoday,theMinbariandwhytrustingthemwasnotagoodidea,somebusinessmanhehadtakenforadriveafewyearsagoandwasnow

somebigwigonCentauriPrimeofallplaces,andheyaren'tyouSenatorSmithmayIgetyourautographformywifepleaseonlyshe'sabigfanofyourshasallyour interviews and everything even the oneway backwhen youweremadecaptainofthatshipohwhatwasitcalledagainbeforgettingmyownheadnexttheBabble-onnosillythat'snotittheBabylonyesthat'stheonehereyouarebythewaysirwon'tmywifebeimpressedwhenshehearsaboutthis.

Hepaidthedriver,gavehimanautographandprobablyanover-largetip,thenwalked up the steps to the imposingEdgarsBuilding. It seemed to loomabovehim.EvenafterthedamagedoneduringtheBattleofProxima,whenbyall accounts President Clark had ordered the building itself bombarded fromorbit, the Edgars Building was still impressive. It had already been fullyrepaired,andSmithwasnotsurprised.Theoldmanhadenoughinhispersonalaccount to pay for it all himself without troubling insurers or the WartimeCompensationBoard.Therepairswereprobablyeventax-deductible.

Smithwasnotsurprisedtobeusheredthroughthelowerlevelsanddirectedto theoldman'sprivateofficeson the topfloor.Hewaseven lesssurprised toreachthenewreceptionarea,lookinganawfullotliketheoldone,andfindthesecretaryLiseHamptonthere,stillworkingdespitethetimeofnight.

Hewasnotsurprisedintheslightestwhenshesaid,"Goodevening,SenatorSmith.Gorightin.Mr.Edgarsisexpectingyou."

*

Themostpowerfulmaninthegalaxyclosedhiseyesandimaginedtherainfallingontheroofabovehishead.Thegentlepitter-pattersoundexistedonlyinhis mind, a reminder of long years gone and a life now consigned only tomemory.

He was having trouble sleeping. That happened quite often these days,wheneverhewasapartfromDelenn.Withherbesidehimhefeltsafeandhappyandcontentandreassuredthateverythinghewasdoingwasright.Whenshewasfaraway,alltheolddoubtscamecreepingback.

Andhewasveryfarawayfromher.Hewasinapartofthegalaxyhehadneverevenseenbefore,followingatrailofwhispersandrumoursandhearsay.HemightaswellhavebeenseekingKingSolomon'sMines,orthesourceoftheNile,ortheHolyGrail.

Thatwaswhathadfirstattractedhimtospace—thesheervastemptinessof it, thefeel that therecouldbeanythingout there,anythingatall.Unchartedsystems,ancientworlds,wondersneverseenbyhumaneyes,andhecouldbea

partofitall.This mission should have been perfect for him. Travelling distant and

uncharted courses in search of ships of immense power glimpsed only inshadowsandflickersanddeadmen'seyes.

Butsomethingnaggedathim,somethinghecouldnotexplain. ItwasnotjustthepotentialriskofoneloneshipseekingwhatmightwellturnouttobealegacyoftheShadows.ItwasnoteventhepainofbeingapartfromDelenn.

Itwasjustthatitallseemedsoeasy.Therumourshadbeencirculatingforyearsofpowerful,ancientshipsout

theresomewhere.Thewordsformedcapitallettersinhismind.OutThere.Nothere,notsomewheresafeandunderstoodandpredictable,no.OutThere.Inthewilderness,pastthefrontier,inunexploredterritory.

Therehadalwaysbeenrumours,butoverthelastyeartheyhadgrown.Somuchso thathehadelected tosendDarkStars to investigate.Mosthadcomeback with nothing. Some had not come back at all. There was nothingparticularlyunusual in that.Spacewas full of dangers after all, bothmundaneandrare.

But instinct was warning him of something, and his instinct was rarelywrong.Onceithadbeenterriblywrongandhehadnevertrusteditasmuchsincethen,butstill....

Thisallseemedtooeasy.Hehadtakenhisshiptosomeofthemostrecentrecorded sightings and scanned for anything out of the ordinary.At about thethirdlocationtheyhaddetectedarareradiationtracewhichledintohyperspace,and they had followed it. The trace remained strong enough to follow eventhroughtheswirlingeddiesandcurrentsofhyperspace,andalthoughitledthemfarfromthebeaconstheDarkStarcouldnavigateeasilyenough.Itwasashipbuilt almost entirely by theVorlons after all, and therewas little they did notknowabouthyperspace.

Butstill,thisallseemedtooeasy.Whyhadtheothercaptainsnotseenthis?It was tempting to think that theywere not as skilled as hewas. Hewas theShadowkillerafterall.HehadbeenthefirsthumancaptaintodestroyaMinbariwarshipinopenbattle.Hehaddonemoreinonelifetimethanmostcoulddointhreeorfour.

But he was careful not to believe that. Those whom the Gods woulddestroy,theyfirstmakeproud.

Hesupposeditcouldbethathehadabondwithhisship.ManyDarkStarcaptains disliked spending toomuch time on their ships, but hewas quite theopposite.HehadspentsomuchtimeherehefeltheknewitalmostaswellashehadknowntheBabylon.Sometimesheeventhoughttheshipwasalive.

Pure conceit of course. Humans had always ascribed human feelings totheirvessels,goingbacktotheearliestboatsofwoodandtwine.Theirshipwasthe greatest protection the old explorers had had against the elements, and sothey spoke to it, named it, saw it as a shield and even as a friend. Time andtechnologyhadchangedmanythings,butnotthat.Ifhisshipfailedhim,amanwas just as dead in the vacuumof space as hewould be in themiddle of theAtlantic.

Butsometimeshethoughttherewasmorethanthat.Arealpresencehere,avoice,almostaspirit.

"Are you here?" he asked the silence of his room. There was no reply.Thereneverwas.Butstillhewondered.

Davidhadcertainlyseemedtothinkso.HisreactionwhenhelearnedthattheDarkStar3hadhadtobescuttledwasalmostasifhehadlostafriend.

Hepaused.Whytheneedtoscuttleit?Ithadseemedobviousatthetime,butnowhecouldn'tremember.Surelyitcouldhavebeenrepaired?

Hefrowned.Theremusthavebeenagoodreason."GeneralSheridan?"cameavoicethroughhislink,andhesatup,opening

hiseyes."Yes?""We'vefoundsomething.You'regoingtowanttohavealookatthis."

*

He was alive. She had always known that, somehow, but to have itconfirmedlikethat....Itwasasifashininglighthadfallenonher,refreshingandenlightening and lifting her spirits. Talia wrapped herself tightly as a barrieragainstthecoldandlostherselfwithinherthoughts.

Hewasalive.Shehadseenhim,spokentohim.Shehadalwaysknownit,butnow....

They had not been able to talk for very long, although timemeant littlewithinthenetwork.Theconstantroaringandrushingandscreamingstillhauntedher.Thatwaswhattrulyhorrifiedheraboutthenetwork—theconstantnoise.

Shewas used to noise, used to the voices. Shewas a telepath and livedalwayswithaperpetualconversationgoingoninthenextroom,butthenetworkwasnotjustamutedconversationnearby.Itwasamillionvoicesallyammeringawayinterrorandanguish.Somanypeopletakingandnoonelistening.

Hedidnotknowwherehewas,wherehehadbeen imprisoned.Taliadidnot think he was inside a Dark Star. From what she had learned the less

powerful telepathswere placed in external nodes like theDarkStars, or relaypoints,funnelstothemorepowerfulnodes.Apsychicastrainedanddisciplinedas Al would be in one of the central nodes, funnelling countless messagesthroughhimselftotherestofthenetwork.

Shewonderedhowlong itwould take forhisescape tobenoticed.Therewas so much she did not know about the network, but she did know it waspatrolled. The Vorlons scanned it constantly, knowing that so much of theirpowerwasbasedinthere.Shehadbeenluckyinskippingpastthemsofar,butluckwouldnotcarryherforever.Norwouldtheartefact.

Asuddenburstofpaintwingedinhermindandshewinced.Theheadacheswerelastinglongerthesedays,andusuallywhenshewasawayfromtheartefact.She supposed she had been using it toomuch, butwhat other choice did shehave?Shehadtouseeveryweaponshehad.

Andthatwaswhyshewastravellinghiddenin thefreezingcargoholdofthisship.Therewasaweapon—andifshewasbeinghonesttoherself,alittlemorethanjustaweapon—shehadnotused.Shehadnotwantedtouse.

Butthingsweregettingdesperate,timewasgrowingshort,andshedidnotdareletpersonalconcernsdistractherfromhermission.

TheshuttlecontinuedtowardsProxima3.IwonderhowDexterisdoingthesedays?shethoughttoherself,andfelta

tinypangofguiltwhenherheartflutteredslightlyatthethoughtofhisname.

*

Hiswristswerecoveredinsoresfromthemanacles.Themusclesinhislegshadwastedawayfromlackofuse.Thebrightlighthurtandburnedathiseyesfrom longhours spent in thedarkness.Hishairwas lank andgreasy from toolonginthedankcell.

But Durla was still a Centauri, and he was still a noble, and so herememberedhowmanydayshehasbeenkept in thiscell—onehundredandfifteen— and he did not cower as the door opened and an unfamiliar personstoodbeforehim.

His eyes adjusted slowly, ever so slowly, but he refused to avert them,refused to showanyweakness to this intruder.He took in all he could.Not aCentauri.Ahuman.Finelydressed.Carryingnovisibleweapon.Alone.Powerinhisbearing.Durlaknewofnohuman like that.But thenhehadbeenawayfromhomeforfar too long,andof theonehundredandsixteendayssincehisreturntoCentauriPrime,hehadspentonehundredandfifteenofthemhere.

"Durla,"saidthehuman,inaflawlessaccent."SecondsonofLord-CaptainSollarisofHouseAntignano.YoungerbrothertoSollaAntignano,whodiedofpoisonagoodmanyyearsago,murderedbyajealoussuitoroverawoman."

Durlasaidnothing.Theseweresimplywords.Wordsareair,nothingmore."Infact thepoisoncamenot froma jealoussuitorbut fromyourself.You

poisonedyourselfaswelltomaintaintheillusionandlaterattemptedtocourttheladyinquestionyourself,onlytoberejected.Followingthis,youservedinthePalaceGuards for severalyears,nevermarrying,until the truthof the incidentcametolightsomeeightyearsagofollowinganinvestigationlaunchedbyFirstMinisterUrzaJaddo.YouwerestrippedofyourtitleandbanishedfromCentaurispace.Thenyoureturnedfourmonthsago,andwerepromptlyarrestedandsenthere,whereyouhavebeendetainedeversince."

Durla remained silent. The humanwas trying to intimidate himwith hisknowledge.Thatwasall.

"Tellme,DurlaAntignano.Whoareyou?""No,"hesaid.Thehumanpaused.Durla'seyeswerestilladjustingtothesuddeninfluxof

light,buthethoughthecouldseealookofsurpriseonthehuman'sface.Orwasitself-satisfaction?

"Whoareyou?"thehumanrepeated."No,"Durlasaidagain."Whoareyou?""Iamthemanwiththekeytofreeyoupermanentlyfromthiscell,torestore

youtohighofficeandtogiveyouanythingyouwant.""That is notwhat I asked, and Iwill notplaygameswith anyone. If you

willnottellmewhoyouare,thenatleasttellmewhatyouwantandwhyyouarehere."

"IamheretoseeifyouarethesortofpersonwhocanbetrustedwiththetaskofguidingtheRepublicthroughdifficulttimes.Ifyouwishtoremainhereuntilyoudie,youhaveonlytosayso."

"IwishtoservemyRepublic.IwishtoservemyEmperor.IwishmyvoicetobeheardbythosepeoplewhonevercaredwhetherIlivedordied.Icamewithinformation for the Emperor, and he repaid me by lockingme up. I want anEmperorwhowillcareabouthissubjectsandaRepublic that isworthyofmytimeandattention.

"If those things donot exist, then yes, Iwish to be left alone in this celluntilIdie.Iamtiredofexile."

"Ithinkwecanarrangeforyourfreedom,Guards-CaptainDurla.MynameisMorden.IamEmperorMollari's....personaladvisor."

"IdonotthinkIcarewhatyournameis,oryourtitle."

Thehumansmiledtohimself.Durlacouldseethatveryclearly.Thelightinhiscellsuddenlyseemedjustatinybitbrighter.

*

"Aglassoforangejuice?""No,thankyou."Smith sat down and looked at the man opposite him. William Edgars

shruggedandpouredhimselfaglass.Heheldituptothelightandsmiled."Alegacyofmychildhood,"hesaid."Nomatterhowmuchthingschange,

we can never escape our childhoods, can we? Something always remains,whetheronthesurfaceorhiddendeepdownbelow.Somethingisalwaysthere.Don'tyouagree,Senator?"

Smithdidnotreply."In my case, it is a love of orange juice. Something so insignificant. In

yours, it's a littlemore.... obvious.My congratulations by theway. You havedonewonderswithSectorThree-o-one.Truly."

"Thankyou,"Smithreplied."Now,I'dliketoleaveyoualonethere,andseehowyoufare."

"Really? After all the help we have offered you already, as well. Somemightseethatasingratitude,Senator.Whowasit,afterall,who....arrangedforagenerousproportionoftheReconstructionFundtogotoSectorThree-o-one?Whowasitwhoarrangedforthe....disgraceofSenatorVoudreauafterherveryvocalplanstohaveSectorThree-o-onecompletelydemolishedandrebuiltasamilitarycomplex?"

"Bothofthemwereyou,andI'msuresowerealotoftheothermysteriousevents that have helped me. You know full well that I was aware of yourinvolvement."

Edgarssatdown, sippingathisorange juice. "Idid tellyouwewouldbekeepingacloseeyeonyourcareer.Youareamanofgreatpromise."

"YouobviouslycontrolhalftheSenate....""Alittlemorethanhalf,actually,butpleasecontinue.""You'veseededitwithpeopleinyourpocketonewayoranother.Sowhat

doyouneedmefor?Whynothavemereplacedbysomeoneguaranteedtodoasthey'retold?"

"Ah,tobefair,somedidfeelthatwouldbeappropriate.Notme,however.Ilikeyou,SenatorSmith.Iadmireyourcourageandyourresolve.Ifeelthereisalot of potential within you. Thus far, you have been provingme correct." He

smiled,as ifataprivatejoke."Idoenjoyitwhenmyfaithinhumannatureisconfirmed.Itmakesmefeel....content."

"Thatthingwasyours,wasn'tit?""That...?Oh,youmeantheHandoftheLight.Yes,inasensehewasmine.

Moreaccurately,hewasattachedtoanotherdivisionandImerelyprovidedlocalassistance,butyourassumptioniscorrect.ApartofthetelepathundergroundinSectorThree-o-one is still operatinganda few telepathsare still fleeing there.Someofmy....associatesfeltitprudenttotakestepstoshutitdownnowthatithas served itspurpose.AndwithMr.Tracegone,anagentof theHandof theLightwassentin."

"TheHandoftheLight?Averymelodramaticname.""You might not think so, but some of my associates are quite poetic at

times.""We'vearrestedit.""Iwasawareofthat.Iwouldappreciatehisreleaseassoonaspossible.""Thelawinthree-o-oneisnotforsaleanymore.""I was not saying it was. However, it is my experience that anything

anywhereisforsaleattherightprice.Iwouldnotthinkofbribingyou,though.Iwouldmerely remindyou thatwehaveanamicableworking relationship,youandI,anditisundoubtedlyinthebestinterestsofbothofusforthatrelationshiptoremainamicable.Thisnaturallyinvolvesperformingcertainservicesforeachother.Thinkofthisasadeeddoneingoodfaithforagoodally."

"The law in three-o-one isnot for sale.That thing isgoing tobechargedandputontrial."

"Idohaveaccesstoseverallawyerswhowillbeabletohavehimreleasedfromallchargesandset freewithindays.Thatwouldbringagreatdealof theaffairintothepubliceye,though,andneitherofuswouldlikethat."

"Hire all the lawyersyou like. It's goingon trial, and so are anymoreofthosethingswefindinthree-o-one.ThePitisofflimitstoyou,andyour....Handof the Light and your Inquisitors and whatever other agents or creatures orabominationsyoudredgeupoutofGodknowswhere."

"TheHand serves avaluablepurpose.Theydo, after all, onlyhunt downtelepaths.Webothshareaconcernovertheirpower.Youareperfectlysafefromthem,ofcourse.Ihavemadesureyouareplacedoff-limits."

"Wasthatmeanttobeathreat?""Ofcoursenot.Idonotmakethreats,SenatorSmith.""Well,Ido.Keepthemoutofthree-o-one.Now,ifyou'llexcuseme,Ihave

apokergametogetbackto."Heroseandmadeforthedoor."Of course.Good fortune, by theway, although I doubtyouwill need it.

Youstrikemeasaparticularlyfinecardplayer.Oh,haveyouheardfromMissWintersrecently?"

Dexterstoppedandturned.Edgars simply raised an eyebrow. "Mere curiosity, I assure you. Have a

safetriphome."Dexterleft.Itwasonlyafterhehadgoneandthefeelingreturned,thathe

realised that when he had been with Edgars he had not been able to feel thething'smind crawling aroundwithin his. He returned to his apartment with asplittingheadache.

*

Iwishsometimes IcouldhaveknownG'Karasayoungman. Ihavespokentothosewhosawhimthen,whoheardhimspeak,andIseetheeyesofoldmenlightupatthememory.Theytoldmeofamanwhocouldhavetalkedtherocksdownfromthemountains,whocouldhavecharmedfirefromtheearthandvoicefromthelanditself.

Ineverheardhimspeak.Wait, letmecorrectmyself.Ispoketohimoftenduringmyapprenticeshipbyhisside.Ihavereadallofhisspeeches.Butcoldwordsarepaleimitationsof thepassionandfuryhemusthavehad.IhavetriedtoimaginetheoldmanIknewastheyoung and fiery orator I have heard described to me. Sometimes,when I caught his glance in the dancing shadows of the firelight, IthoughtIsawsomethingthere,butonlyforaninstantandthenitwasgone.

Hehadlostsomuchbythattime.Weallhad,butheseemedtotakeitallpersonally.HespokethenamesofpeopleIhadnevermet:Neroon,MichaelGaribaldi,AlfredBester,JohnSheridan.HespokeoftheGreatMachine, ofBabylonFourandof the technomages, and Ialmostweptatthethoughtofallthosewonderslostforeverfromthegalaxy.

During the course of the Wars of Light and Darkness, G'Karchanged, irrevocably and permanently. The turning point wasprobably the Battle of the Third Line, where he lost forever theGodlikepowerthathadbeenathisfingertips,andsawhisdreamsforthefuturevanishamillenniumintothepast.

But that was only one event. There were countless others. Thelossofhiseye,thebetrayalthatwastheNightofBlood,theLastNight

of Shadow that both of us were fortunate to escape when so manyothersdidnot.

Still, therewerebriefmomentsofrespiteaswell, tinypinpointsof light in the darkness. One such occasion he recounted to me. ItoccurredattheBrakiriDayoftheDead....

L'NeerofNarn,LearningattheProphet'sFeet.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—VI

"Youhavechangedgreatly,Ha'Cormar'ah.""HaveIreally?Somuch?""Youreyes.Theydonotburnas theyoncedid.Yourbreathis tired.Your

gesturesareslowandheavy.Yes,Ha'Cormar'ahG'Kar,youhavechanged.""Ididnotthinkitwassoclear.Yes,Ihavechanged.Iamtiredandweary.I

havefoughtenough,andwhenIthinkitisover,thereisstillmore.""Thewarisoverthen?""Thewarwe fought isover, yes.But I fear there isagreaterwaron the

horizon,justbeyondourperception.YouoncesaidthatIseemorethanothersdo, that I look at theworldwith different eyes, that I remove all the blinkersothershaveraisedaboutthemselves."

"Iremember.""IwishIdidnot.IwishIwereblindlikeeveryoneelse.""Truthfully?""No.Not truthfully.But sometimes, yes.Noone listensanymore.Noone

hasbeenlisteningforaverylongtime.""Thenmakethemlisten.""Itry.Ispeakandtheylisten,butwhenIturnmyeyesawaytheycarryon

asbefore.IsthatallIamtothem?IsthatallIwilleverbe?AsternteacherwhoisfollowedonlywhenIamthere,andignoredwhenIamnot?"

"Youwereneverthattome.""Then why do they not understand? They are blinded by old hatreds. I

thought....Iconvincedthemtoendthewar.ThefleetswenttohelptheCentauri.They actually fought and died to defend Centauri Prime. Who could havebelievedsuchathingwaspossible?

"Butnow?Nowtheycontinueasbefore.Theyplotandtheyplanandthey

think Idonotnotice.Wehaveassimilated toomany things from theCentauri,buttheir'GreatGame'wastheworstofthem.Theworstbyfar.

"Wewilldestroy them in theend,orwewilldestroyourselves,andwhy?Becausetheycannotseebeyondthepast!Theycannotlooktothefuture.

"Noonelistens.""Whatdoyouexpectmetosay?Iamdead,remember.Iunderstoodonlyat

theveryend.Ibetrayedyouandeverythingyoustoodfor.BeforethatIbetrayedmy people and my lord. And after that, I betrayed my new masters. Threebetrayals,andonlyafterthethirddidItrulyunderstand.

"Thatdidnothelpanyoneelseofcourse,butithelpedme.""Isthatit?Willtheyonlyunderstandwhentheyaredead?""Idonotknow.Itrulydonot.""Theremustbemore.Theremustbesomething.""Why did you come here? I do not believe for an instant that you were

simplypassingthrough.""Ah....no.Ihadheardtherumours.Iwasafraid,andsceptical,butifthere

wastheslightestchance....""WasItheoneyouwantedtotalkto?""Truthfully?""Ofcourse.Youcannothurtmyfeelings.Iamdead,afterall.""I do not know. I do not know who I wanted to talk to. My father. My

mother. Any one of a hundred friends frommy days in the resistance, or theKha'Ri,ortheRangers.Therearesoverymanyofthem."

"That is it, isn't it? You came to feed your guilt. You livewhen somanyothersaredead,andyoucamehere to remindyourselfof themall.Youcameheretofeelguiltyandtoflagellateyourself.Iknowyoutoowell."

"....""Well,ifyouwillnottalk,thenIwill.ThisisnotanopportunityIwillhave

again foravery long time,andby then Idoubt thatanyonewill care.How isshe?"

"Well.""Isshehappy?""Ibelieveso.""Doesshelovehim?""Yes.Thereisnodoubt.""Ah.Iam....gladsheishappy.Dothey....havechildren?""No.""Ah.Apity.Shewouldmakeafinemother.""Inasense,sheismothertoallofus."

"Inasense,youarefathertoallofus.YoubroughttheRangerstogether.You gave us purpose. You cannot understand that, but that does not make itfalse.Believeitornotasyouwill,Ha'Cormar'ahG'Kar.Ta'Lon,whatofhim?"

"Heisthesame.Hespeakslittle,anddoesmuch.""Tellhimitfallstohimtolookafteryounow.""Healreadyknows.""Idonotdoubtthat.""Thesunisrising.""Iknow.""Doyou....doyouhaveamessageforDelenn?""No.Pleasedonottellherthatyoumetme.Ifsheishappywithhim,then

somuchthebetterforher.Thatisenoughforme.""IamgladIcouldspeakwithyouagain.""AsamI.Iamhonoured.Didmywordsprovideanycomfort?Ah,probably

not.Iwasnevergoodwithwords.""Youarebetterthanyouthink.""Youdonot seeyourselfas the inspirationyouare.That isyourgreatest

weakness,G'Kar.Lookpastthatandseeyourselfaswedo.There,mylastpieceofadvice.Goodbye."

"Goodbye,Neroon."Andthentheroomwassilent.

*

Sheridan looked at the image the screen was showing him, and found ithard to believe. Even in a life such as the one he had led, some thingswerealmostincomprehensible.

"Itlookslikeaspacestation,"hesaid.Itdidlooklikeaspacestation,albeitonedesignedbynoracehehadever

seen.Thebulkofitseemedtobeanasteroid,andifhelookedatitonlybriefly,hemighthaveremainedconvincedthatthatwasallitwas.

Butoncloser inspectionwhatmighthavebeenmereriftsandfolds in therockwereclearlybuildingsandconstructs.Ashestudieditfurther,Sheridanwassuretherewasadockingbay,oranobservationpost.Itwasasiftheveryfabricoftheasteroiditselfhadbeencarvedtotheformitscreatorshaddesired.

"Anylifesigns?"heasked."No.Idon'tthinkso,"thetechreplied."There'ssomeverystrangeshielding

aroundit."

"Whataboutpower?Doesitevenhaveany?""Yes.Althoughitusessomesortofenergywecan'tpickupon.Therehave

been traces of energy usage recently though. Someone's been there in the lastcoupleofdaysminimum.

"Canyoutellwhatrace?""Noidea.Sorry,sir.""Hmm."Hestoodback, still lookingat the image.Without thatparticular

piece of information hewould just have chalked this up as a strange piece ofhyperspace debris. There was enough of it, especially this far from the mainbeaconroutes.

However, theunusual radiation trailhad led themdirectlyhere, and therewere signs that someone else had been here recently. No one lived inhyperspace.Atleast,therewerenoconfirmedreports.Sheridanfoundithardtoacceptthatanyonecouldlivehere.

Sowhat,then?Acompletelynewalienrace?Agroupofverypowerfulandveryluckysmugglersusingthisasabase?PerhapstherenegadegroupwhohadattackedGorash7?

Orperhapssomeoneelseentirely.Thatwaswherehis instinctwasgoing.Whoever these powerful alien ships belonged to, they had to have a basesomewhere.Whynotinhyperspace?Theasteroidseemedbigenoughforeitheranimpressiveforceorverybigaliens.

"Someone's in there," he whispered to himself, not caring how he knewthat,orremarkingonthestrangewarmthofthearmrestofhischair.

"Allright,"hesaidatlast."Preparespacesuits.Musterafewsecuritymen.I'mgoinginthere.Ineedalookaround."

The techs did not rush to disagree with him. Perhaps because they werecurious, too. Or perhaps they did not wish to contradict the fearsomeShadowkillerhimself.

Sheridandidnotcareeitherway.

*

There was something about him that chilled the blood, even to one asinuredtofearasMorden.Hehadfaceddeath,facedfear.HehadseenGodsandfoughtGods.Hehadbeenimprisoned—morethanonce—andhehadseenamillionraysoflightriseinthefaceofatrappedman.

Buthehadneverseenanythinglikethis.Never.IthadbeenthreedayssincetheEmperorhadcollapsedandtheriotinghad

beendispersed.Londowasstillcomatose.Hopesforhisrecoverywere....slim.Mordenhopedhewouldrecover.PartiallythiswasduetoanaffectionofsortsforLondoasaperson,buttherewasalsoapragmaticconcern.Hehadnothadenoughtimetobuildaneffectivepowerbaseofhisownhereyet.IfLondodiedtherewouldbechaos,andnoonewantedthat.

Durlasnappedtoattention.Hewasdoingwell,Mordenhadtoadmit that.HehadchosenwellinappointingDurlaCaptainoftheGuard.Hehadspentoverahundreddayschainedup ina cell andyethehadbeen ready toperformhisnewdutieswithinhoursofbeingreleased.

Hewasalsotheonlypersonunaffectedbythehumanathisside.Mordenhadheard thenameofcourse,buthehadneverseenhimbefore.

Veryfewhad,noteventheoldman.Hewalkedintheshadows,movingastheVorlonsdictated.Hewastheirpersonalagent,assignedtheirmostdelicatetasks.

Itwasnowonderthathehadbeengiventhistask.Unlike the other Inquisitors Morden had met, this one did not wear the

insignia. In fact he did not evenwear the traditional robes. Instead hewore avery finequalitysuit,ofastylecenturiesold.The tophathadcomeback intofashionbrieflywhenMordenwasachild,andhisfatherhadownedafew,butnoonehe hadknownworeone as naturally as this individual.A small canewasheldcasuallyinhislefthand,whereimmaculateglovesalsorested.

"I trust this is important," he said, his voice precise, dwelling on everysyllable.Itwasavoicethatcommandedtheattentionofeveryonewhoheardit."Mytimeistooprecioustobecalledawayforeverylittleproblem."

"Of course, sir." Morden had settled on that as the appropriate form ofaddress, and he had not been contradicted. Theman did not have a title, butMorden knew he was ranked too far above him for first name terms to beacceptable."Thisisexactlywithinyourpurview."

"Yes?""Thereissomeonewithinourcellshereyouwillwishtomeet.Wecaptured

aSoulHunteryesterday.Hewasfoundtravellingoutsidethecapital.""Ah."Sebastiansmiled,achillingsight."Youwereentirelycorrecttocall

me.Leadon.""Yes,sir.Thisway."

*

Therewere few thingsmoremagnificent to his eyes than an alien sunsetfallingacrossanaliencity.

Yedorwasthrivingagainatlast,growingandrebuilding.Corwinlookedatthe parts of it he had had a hand in, and felt pride for the first time inmanymonths.

Whenhewasnotworkinghelikedtotakelongwalks,tolookatthesky,atthe ground, at some of the buildings that had survived the bombardment.Sometimesguiltoverwhelmedhimonthesewalksashewashitbyyetanotherreminderofthethingshehaddestroyed,butmostlytheybroughthimhappinessandwonder.

Hehadbeenherealmostayearnow,sinceKatshadfoundhimduringtheDayof theDeadandconvincedhimtocomewithher.Theyhadspokenmuchduringthereturnjourney,andshestillsoughthimoutsometimes.Shewasoftenbusy of course, with her duties to the Grey Council and her travels to otherworlds. She spent some time on Kazomi 7 and the new Babylon 5 station.Corwindidnotaskherhowthingswerethere,andshedidnottellhim.Hedidnotwanttoknow.

Mostly they talked about eachother.She spokeof her childhood andherparents,andinsimple,lovingterms,ofherdeadhusband.Whenshedidso,sheunconsciouslytoyedwiththebeautifulnecklaceshealwayswore.

For his part, he told her about his family, about what it had been likegrowing up, about his dreams for the future. He spoke of Mary a lot. Katslistened,watchedinsilenceashecried,andsaidtherightthingsinresponse—aboutimmortality,andnewchances.

Therewassomethingherhusbandhadsaidtoheronce,thatsherepeatedtoCorwin.Hehadhopedthetwoofthemwouldmeetupagaininanewlifeinanewworld, ready to live another lifetime together free from themistakes andhardshipsofthisone.

Corwin noticed thewayher eyes shonewhen she said this, and he knewthat she believed it was possible. He doubted if it would come true for him,however.Hewas not even sure if he lovedMary thewayKats had lovedherKozorr.Ifhedid,surelyhewouldhavetriedhardertostopherleaving,orgoneafterher,orsomething.

Hejustdidnotknow,andmostlyhepreferrednottothinkaboutit.WhenKatswasaway,asshewasnow,hewentforwalks.Hehadfewother

friendsamongtheMinbari.Manyoftheworkersknewhimbysight,butnoneofthemwereclose.Theybowedtohimashepassedandhenoddedback,andthatwaslargelyit.Mostofthewarriorshatedhim,thatwasplain,andtheymuttereddarklyintheirowntonguewhenevertheysawhim.

Heheardthingsonhiswalks.Hespokemostof theMinbaridialectswellenough, and little rumours reached his ears. Many, particularly the warriors,

spoke about Sinoval. Some seemed in favour of him, others not. There werewhispers of 'Inquisitors', feared aliens who were seeking out those who hadbargainedwiththeShadows.Oneofthemhadcomehere,itwassaid,butonlyone.

Aliens were regarded suspiciously during these conversations. The newGrey Council was trying to attract other races to their homeworld, and thenumber of aliens was growing slowly. However, some of them had beenattackedandbeatenbywarriors,possiblyonsuspicionofbeingtheseInquisitors.No one dared to touchCorwin, though.His strange friendshipwithKatswascommonknowledge,andthewarriorsallseemedinaweofher,eitherbecauseofhermarriagetoawarriororthroughtherespectaccordedherbyoneoftheSatai,Tirivail.

Regardless, Corwin let life outside pass him by. He buried himself insimplelabour,andwascontenttoliveonedaytothenext,repairingsomeofthethingshehaddoneandtakingsatisfactionfromthat.

His walk took him past the Temple of Varenni and he looked up at theancientbuildinginwonder,ashealwaysdid.Itwasthere,heknew,thatValenhadreturnedtotheMinbari.SomeofthereligiouscastearguedthatValenhadleftthemagainaspunishmentfortheirsins,andthathewouldreturnwhentheyhadatoned.Corwin,knowingfullwellthatwouldnothappen,passedon.

And then he stopped, looking back. The front gates of the temple wereopen, as they always were. There were people moving about inside, prayingsilently,lightingcandlesinmemoryoflovedonesgone,talkingquietlywithoneanother.MostofthemwereMinbari,buttherewasalsoapairofNarnswearingtheRangersunburstsymbol,aBrakiri,twoAbbai....

....andahuman.Corwinfrowned,notknowingthatanyotherhumanswerehere,certainlynotinthispartofYedor.Hestoodonthestepsofthetemple,stillstaringin.Itwasawoman,wearingalonggreyhoodedcloak.Itwaspulledfarenoughforwardthatmostpeoplewouldnothavebeenabletotellherrace,butfromthewayshewasmoving,thewayshewassitting,everythingindicatedtoCorwinthatshewashuman.

Shewasalsooddlyfamiliar.She was talking in hushed tones to a Minbari warrior, which was also

strange.ThewarriorshatedhumanityandbarelytoleratedevenCorwin.Slowly, drawn by something he could not understand, Corwin began to

walkupthesteps.Hecaughtaglimpseofblackhairbeneaththehood,framingafirmjaw.Heknewherecognisedhernow,butwhocouldheknowwhowouldbehere?

Suddenlyhecaughtaglimpseofonegreyeyeandthenamecametohimin

athunderbolt.Hetookastepbackwardsandnearlyfell.Itwasimpossible!Buthewatchedheragain,holdingontothebalustradeforsupport.

Impossibleornot, itwastrue.Hecouldseeafaintpatternofscarsacrosstheothersideofherface.

Susan!

*

She was still asleep. She had been asleep for hours. Marrago had spentmuchofthattimewatchingher.Shehadhardlymoved.

Hehaddonewhathecouldtopatchupthegirl'swounds,althoughhewasnomedic.Thedamagethathadbeendonetoherappalledhim.Hewasasoldier,and had been all his life. The notion of deliberatelywounding an enemywashardlyanathematohim,butthis....Thedeliberateandcalloustortureofayounggirl.Whatcouldanyonepossiblygainfromthis?

Hersleepshowednosignofthehorrorsshemusthaveendured.Helistenedcloselyforanydream-criesorscreams,buttherewerenone.Therewasnosignofanydreamsatall,badorotherwise.

Shewaspretty,andhertorturehaddonenothingtomarthat.Herfaceandarmsandfrontwereuntouched.Hertorturerhadclearlynotwantedtospoilherbeauty.

"Was she worth it?" asked a familiar voice. Dasouri spoke Centauriperfectly,withonlyaslighttraceofhisDraziaccent.Thatwasanunusualtalentin itself.MostofMarrago'smercenariesspokeonly theirnative languagesandthecommonTrade-speak.Veryfewofthemspokehistongue,butthenDasouriwas unusual in more ways than one. It was no wonder that he had becomeMarrago'ssecond.

"Whatdoyoumean?""Thiswillcausetrouble.Thewaysofthesemercenariesare....notcomplex.

The Centauri took her, therefore she belonged to him. He could do with herwhatever hewished. By taking her, you have broken that law. Theremay betrouble."

"WhatelseshouldIhavedone?""Wassheworth riskingall this for?Youhaveseen theoperationof these

peoplejustasIhave.Youcouldleadthemallinasixmonth.Withintwicethat,youcouldhaveaforceofoutcastsbigenoughtotakeontheAllianceitself.Whyriskthatforonegirl?"

"Ambitionisapowerfulthing,"Marragoadmitted."Andyes,youareright.

Thismay risk everything, evenour lives.But Iwill not standby andwatch ayounggirltorturedandbeaten.Ifthatrisksmylife,thensobeit."

"Youareanobleno longer.Remember that.Nowyouareanoutcast likethe rest ofus.Haveyouever thought thatyouroldwaysmaynotmatchyournewlife?"

"All the time.But some thingsare right, and some thingsarewrong, andwhatwasdonetoherwaswrong.Thereisnodoubtaboutit."

"Ah. As I expected. Well, I leave you to your lady. The others needtraining."

Marrago nodded asDasouri left, feeling both bolstered andweakened bywhat the Drazi had said. Every word was correct, every argument justified.Marragohadriskedalotbythisaction.Itwasnottheworkofatactician,orastrategist,butitwassimplyright.

ItwasnotasifsheevenlookedlikeLyndisty.Herhairwasdarker,hereyesadifferentshade.Shewasalittletaller,alittleyounger.

She stirred, and sat up in one instant, her eyes darting around. She hadawakenedimmediately,withoutwearinessorconfusionordisorientation.

Shelookedathim,andpulledtheclotharoundherlikeashield.Hethoughtshewastremblingalittle.

"Whoareyou?"shesaidatlast,afteralongpause."MynameisJorahMarrago,"hesaid,hisfirstnamefeelingstrangeinhis

mouth.Jorahwas thenameofastranger,ayoungandambitiousman.Hehadnotusedthatnamesincehisfatherhaddied."OnceIwasLord-General.Now....Iamjustanoutcast."

"I've heard of you," she said slowly, pulling the sheet tighter aroundher.Shesaidnothingmore,merelycontinuingtostare.Hewasimpressed.Therewasnofearthere,nosilentpleas,justagrimdetermination.Youwillnotbreakme,thestaresaid.Youmaydowhateveryouwishtome,butyouwillnotbreakme.Shehadlearnedpain,andagreatdealofit.

"MightIhavethehonourofknowingyourname?"hesaidatlast.Shelookedalittlesurprised."Mynameis....IamSenna.Iusedtobealot

ofthings,butnowI'mjustSenna."Henodded."Itisanhonourtomeetyou.""You....rescuedme?""Yes.""Didyoukillhim?""No.""Why?""I have killed too much. I am tired of it. I will kill if I must, but not

otherwise.Your....captorwasaweakman.Hewasnothreattome,andIhavemadesurehewillnotbotheryouagain."

"No,"shesaidfirmly."Whydidyourescueme?Whatdoyouhopetogainfromme?Therewillbenoransom."

"Idonotwantransom,"hesaidflatly."Thenwhat?Revenge?Orperhaps....alittle....somethingfornight-time?""Neither," he said, his words hard. "That man. Did he...." A simmering

angerwasburningwithinhim,buthefoughttokeepitdown.Hewasnotevensurewhohewasangrywith.Hewasjustangry."Didhe...?"

"Rapeme?"shefinished,inaharsh,sardonichalf-laugh."Wouldyouhavewantedhimto?Wouldthatgiveyouanexcusetogotohimandbeathimtoabloody pulp?Would you have liked to watch?" Hewas silent. There was noreply he could give, and she seemed to sense this, instantly regretting hersarcasm."No,hedidn't,"shesaidfinally."Hethought itwouldbe....morefunformetobeghimtotouchme."

"Iamsorry,"hesaid,lookingdown."Why?Youdidn'twhipmesenselessallthesedaysandnights.""Ishouldhavebeenheresooner."Shelaughedagain,asoundentirelydevoidofanyhumour."Why?Doyou

expectme tobelieveyouare some sort ofhero?Thatyouronlymotivation ispure altruism?Rescuing the captive princess from the evilmonster? I'mnot aprincess."Shemadetoaddsomething,butstopped."Therewassomethingelsethere.Ifyoudidn'twantmeforyourself,thenyouwantedmeforsomething."

"You are right," he said. This was not how he had imagined thisconversationgoing.Couldn'tshebemorelike...?"Ihave....hadadaughter.Shewouldnothavebeenagreatdealolderthanyouare."

"Iamnother,"shespat."Andwhateverhappened toher,youwillnotbeabletobringherbackthroughme."

"Whyareyousocynical?"heshoutedatlast,unabletocontainhimselfanylonger.Hesawhershrinkback."Iknowyouarenother.ThatdoesnotmeanIwouldhave let thatgoonhappening toyou.Therewasnoulteriormotive,nodarkplan.Nothingbutsomesensethatthereisstillrightandwrong."

"Thereisn't,"shewhispered."There'snosuchthing.""Howcan therebesuchcynicism inonesoyoung?"hemused,mostly to

himself. Hewas not expecting a reply, and there wasn't one. "Anyonewouldthinkyouhadnodreamsatall."

"Idon't,"shesaidfirmly.Helookedather,andsawthatshewastellingthetruth.Shewantedtohurt

him,yes,butherreplyhadbeentruthful.Hesighed."Ithinkthatisthesaddest

thingIhaveeverheard,"hewhispered."WhenIwasyourage,oh,whatdreamsIhad! What dreams we all had! We would shake heaven and earth and leavebehindnothingbutsmilesandwitandareputationallmenwouldenvy.

"Theydidnotcometrue,andmostofthemenwhodreamedaregonenow.Yes,wefailed,butthatfailurewasthefaultofthedreamers,notofthedream.

"And you say you have no dreams at all. Not a single one." He sighedagain. "Go tosleep.Foodanddrinkwillbebrought foryouwhenyou requirethem,andyouhavemyword,ifthatmeansasinglethingtoyou,thatnoonewilltrytoharmyouhere.NotwhileIlive."

"I...."Shewasshaking."Iamsorry.""Gotosleep,"hesaid,asheleft.DasouriwasnotwhereMarragohadexpectedhimtobe,wheretheothers

weretraining.Hislittlegroupofmercenariesandoutcastshadgrownafairbit,and they needed to learn cohesiveness. Thereweremany different races here,with many different fighting styles, and they needed to learn each others'strengthsandweaknesses.Theyneededtolearntotrusteachother.

HefoundDasouriintheantechamber,arguingwithanewcomer.Itwasanalien, the one who had been at the council. He looked at Marrago with hisstrange, almost infinite, alien eyes, and behind him Marrago could see theshimmeringheat-hazeofamonster.

"This isMoreil,"Dasourisaid."Hewishes to talkwithyou. Ididsayshewouldbenothingbuttrouble."

*

AmbassadorDuranoputdownthemissiveandlookedupatthewall.Foramoment he felt physically sick.Not just because theCentarum hadwaited solong to informhimof the situation,notevenoutofconcern for theEmperor'shealth,notevenbecausethemissivewassignedbyahumancalledMorden.

No,itwastheinstructionsthatnauseatedhimsomuch.Durano was a rational man, painstakingly so. He thought clearly before

eachaction.Hecarefullyweighedtheconsequencesofhiseverymove.Hetooktime to think and debate and argue with himself. Those traits made himinvaluable to his people, and also a very fine chess player.Hehadplayed thegame a lot since he was introduced to it by the humans, and he wasacknowledgedamaster.

He knew how to separate sentiment from practicality. There were thingswhich,whileunpleasant,werestillnecessary.Thatwasapartoflife,andonlya

fooldisagreedwithit.Butthis?HehadarguedagainstthesendingofNarnpeacekeepingtroopstoGorash,

knowingthatsuchamovewouldbothinflamepublicopinionamonghispeopleand, worse, send a dangerous message that the Republic was weak. TheRepublicwasweakofcourse,fatallyso,butitwashardlywisetoletthisfactbeadvertised.However,hiscautiousmindhadultimatelydecidedthatNarnaidwasbetterthannone,andsohehadassented.

ThereasonsforappointingaNarnasleaderofthepeacekeepingforceweremany,and for themostpartwell thoughtout.CommanderN'Rothakknew theGorashsystemwell,havingledtheinvasionforceintothesystem.Hewasbyallaccountsafineleader,andamorethanfairman.AmbassadorG'KaelhadmadeapowerfulspeechadvocatingN'Rothak.TheNarnswerecloser thananyotherrace,knewtheareabetterthananyotherrace,andtherewasagreatpropagandaopportunityfortheAllianceaswell.WhatbetterwaytoshowthatthewarswereoverthantohavetheNarnsofferingaidandprotectiontotheirancientenemies?Asymbolofanewandenlightenedfuture,whereolddifferenceswereforgottenandallwereonebrotherhoodagainst theDarkness.G'Kaelquoted theProphetG'Kar several times. It was a powerful and moving speech. Durano did notdisputethat.

But G'Kael did not believe one word of it. The Narn was every bit asintelligent and cautious as Durano himself, and both of them knew it. Thatspeech came directly from theKha'Ri, as did the subtlemenacing undertonesthatgivingthetasktosomeoneless....suited,mightbeconstruedasadeliberateinsulttotheNarnpeople.

DuranofoundhimselfalmostadmiringtheKha'Ri.Theyhadlearnedfromthe Republic, oh yes. They had learned a great deal. Had it not been forMarrago's alliance with the Shadows they would have won the war, workingtogetherwhiletheRepublicself-destructed.TheNarnshadunderstoodthetruthoftheGreatGame.Thelessonsofintrigueanddiplomacyanddeceptionweretobeusedagainstacommonenemy,notagainsteachother.

OnelinefromanoblecenturiesdeadechoedinDurano'smind.'Whatbetterwaytodefeatyourenemythantomakehimthinkyouarehisfriend?'

HewonderedwhointheKha'Rihadreadandunderstoodthat.But therewasnothinghe coulddo.Therewasnoway to escape this.He

lookedatthemissiveagain.Itwascouchedinflowerylanguage,withmuchtalkof 'aid between brothers in alliance' and 'temporary need', 'poor weatherconditions','uniontolendmuch-neededaidtothestarving'.Thepointshoweverwerecleartoanyonewiththeeyestosee.

TheEmperorhadhadaheartattack.Hewasinacoma,andunlikelyevertorecover.

Therewasnoheir.ToomanyofthenobleHouseshadvalidclaimstothePurpleThrone.Nodoubtsomeofthemwerealreadymovingintoposition.Somepeopleneverlearned.TheGamehadconsumedandspatoutbetterpeoplethanthey. Elrisia, Jarno,Malachi, Marrago, Dugari. All of them had thought theycouldplaytheGame,onlytofall.

TherewassocialunrestonCentauriPrime,whichwouldinevitablyspreadtootherworlds.Therewasfamineanddiseaseandstarvation.Therehadalreadybeenoneriotinthestreetsofthecapital.Therewouldprobablybemore.

TheRepublicwasunabletohandlealloftheseproblems,especiallywithsomuchoftheCentaurifleetawayperformingbabysittingdutiesfortheAlliance.

Would the Alliance please send help? A permanent garrison of soldiers,RangersandDarkStarswoulddonicely.

The requestwas not for Centauri ships and soldiers to be returned to dowhattheyshouldbedoing,guardingCentauriworldsandcities.No,thatwouldnot be granted. Thatwould set a dangerous precedent and provoke fears of arenewed build-up. No, the Centarum wanted Alliance ships and Alliancesoldiers,anditdidnottakeageniustoworkoutwhothesewouldbe.

Over fifty percent of theRangerswereNarns, although that numberwasfalling.TheNarnwerethemostpowerfulofthemajorracesintheAlliance,andthemostwillingtoassist inthismatter.ThehumanswerestillundersuspicionovertheirdealingswiththeShadows.TheMinbariwereoccupiedwithrepairstotheir ownworlds.TheBrakiriwere busyobserving theDrazi for any signsofrenewed rebellion. The other races did not have either the power or theinclination.

Oh, therewouldbesupport fromtheother races,Duranohadnodoubtofthat.Maybe the overall commanderwould not be aNarn, but the bulk of theforcesprovidedwouldbeNarns,anditwouldbeaNarnhandpullingthestrings.

Butwhatotherchoicewasthere?DuranowasleftwithagrudgingadmirationforwhoeverintheKha'Rihad

orchestratedallthis.TheywerehardlyresponsibleforthelunaciesgoingononCentauriPrime.Theycouldhavehadnopart intheInquisitors, therioting, thestarvation,theraids,oreventheEmperor'sillness.Thesewereallacombinationofweakness,stupidityandastubbornrefusalbytheAlliancetorealisethattheShadow contact in the Republic had been just one man, not some elaborateconspiracy.

Damnyou,Marrago.Whereveryouare.No, theKha'Rihadnotbeen responsible for this, but theyhadused it all

well.Verywell.AndDuranodoubtedanyoneelsewouldbeabletoseeit.He stood up, and began rehearsing his speech. The Council would be

meetinginlessthananhourandhewouldhavetopleadwiththemforhelptogivecompletecontrolofhishometoanalienrace.

Thewordswereashesinhismouth,buthecontinued.Whatchoicedidhehave?

*

Taliaawoketofeelacoldhandgripherheart.Ittookamomentforhertoremember where she was. This was the cargo hold of the ship she had half-smuggledandhalf-bribedherselfaboard.Shewasnot....there.

In truth, she found ithard to rememberwhere 'there'was.Sheonlyknewthat it had appeared in her dreams, a vastwilderness, a cold blacknesswhereonlythedeadwalked.Theworldwasanalienone,theskynotonesheknew,thesundeadandcold.

Sheknew there hadbeen creatures there.There hadbeen life there once,butithadallended.Somethinghaddescendedanddestroyedthatworld,justastheyhaddestroyedeverythingelseinthatgalaxy.

Shetrembled,andnotjustfromthecold.Howmuchlongercouldittaketoget to Proxima? She knew this was a trading ship and so was bound to visitseveraldifferentplacesfirst,butstill....

Shewasabouttosettledowntosleepagainwhensomethingsoundedinhermindandshesatboltupright.No.No,nothere.

Thescreamswerealwayswithher,apartfromwhensheusedtheartefact,but theywere loudernow,andone louderstill.TheycouldnothavearrivedatProximayet.Byherreckoningtherewasanotherdayorsoatleast.

She reached out with her mind, then pulled back sharply. There was apresencehere, nearby.That conceptwas relativeout in spaceof course, but anodeofthenetworkwasclose.Thatcouldonlymeanonething.

Gently,slowly,withexquisitecare,shesenthermindout,concentratingontheshipthistime,notseekingtoexpandbeyondityet.Itwasterrifyingtorealisehowmuchherpowershaddeveloped,thatshecouldapproachthatasarationalpossibility.

Theartefact.Itallcamedowntotheartefact.Onedayshewouldhavetodosomethingaboutit.

Butthatwasaproblemforanotherday.Themessagewas simple and straightforward and terrifying. She heard it

withhermind easily enough.No effortswere beingmade to keep it codedorsecret. She sensed the captain's fear. It had been himwho had hidden her onboard.Therewerenodoubtotherminorbitsofcontrabandhereaswell,butshewas the main concern. Her discovery would lead not just to a fine or therevocationofhisshippinglicence,buttosomethingfar,farworse.

ThisistheDarkStarFifteen.Werepeatagain.Youarerequestedtostanddownandpreparetobeboarded.Ifyourefuse,deadlyforcewillbeauthorised.

Youhavethirtysecondstocomply.

*

Marragohadknown it from the instant hehad set foot inside the councilroom.Ofallofthem—RemLanas,thenamelesshuman,theNarns,theDrazi— thisMoreilwas the true power here. Itwas not just the twomonsters thatnever seemed to leave his side, visible or not. It was thatMoreil had a quietforce,onethatsaidhedidnotcareaboutthedreamsorambitionsoftheothers.

Marrago had taken time to study his fellow captains in the BrotherhoodWithout Banners, and all but Moreil he understood. The human was simplyinsane.Helivedfortortureandmurderandcommandedacrewofotherhumansjust as insane as he was, binding them together by force of personality andlunatic whims. Revenge, that was all they wanted. Revenge on anybody andanything.

TheDraziwereseekingrevengetoo,fortheperceivedbetrayaloftheirraceby the Alliance. They knew how to fight, and that was all. No doubt thesurvivors would be plotting some sort of comeback for Marrago or Moreil.Whateverthatwas,itwouldnotbesubtle.Drazischemesrarelywere.

Rem Lanas was a pathetic littlemanwhomerely wished to be someoneimportant,andexaggeratedhisownsignificanceinabidtoappearso.Hehadnoauthority,nopower,nosoldiers.Allhehadwasalittleknowledge,andalotofpretensions.Hewouldnodoubtbeplanningsomeformofelaboraterevengeaswell,butMarragodidnotfearhim.

The Narns.... they were unusual. There was something about them thatpuzzledhim.ThemalewasG'Lorn,aNarnMarragorecognised,althoughithadtaken him a few days to remember where from. He had been an aide toWarleaderG'Sten.Whathewasdoingherewasamystery,buttheKha'Riwereoftenevenmoreunforgiving than theRoyalCourt. ItwaspossibleG'Lornhadbeen a casualty following G'Sten's failed attack on Centauri Prime andsubsequentretirement.

Hewasnot in charge, of course.The femalewas.Marragodidnotknowher,butshemovedwith theeasygraceofoneusedtopower,andtrainedin itfrom a young age. There was something in the way G'Lorn looked to hersometimes, as if seeking her approval. Marrago did not know if they weremarried, lovers, siblings or what, but she held the power. That was clear toanyonewitheyestosee.Whattheywanted....judgingbythefirstmajortargetoftheBrotherhood,revengeontheCentauriwasnotanimpossiblenotion.Marragowouldhavetobecarefularoundthosetwoaswell.

AndthentherewasMoreil.Thetwoofthemwerestandinginanobservationpost,thevastnessofspace

stretchingoutbeforethem.Moreil'ssentrieswerenotvisible,butMarragoknewbetter thantoassumethatmeant theywerenot there.Thealienwas lookingathimslowly,andMarragomethisgaze.Hehadnothingtofear,notanymore.

"Iwas expecting some sort of visit eventually," he said, never taking hiseyesfromMoreil's.Theothernessofthemdisturbedhim,buthestilldidnotshifthisgaze.Soonerorlater,inthere,hewoulduncoverallheneededtoaboutthealien."HaveIbrokensomelaworanotherintakingthegirl?Ithoughttheonlylawofthisorderwasthatstrengthisall."

"Many laws there are,"Moreil hissed. "But that is the one truth of them.Lawsarefortheweak.Thestrongmaketheirown.Thegirlisofnoimportanceto thisone.Takeher.Keepher.Fight thosewhowould takeher fromyou. Instrengththereisrightness,yes?"

"Yes,"Marrago agreed, the lie burning his tongue.He thought of Senna,weakbeforeher torturer, orLyndisty,weakbeforehermurderer.He suddenlyhatedthisalien."Ifnotthat,thenwhydidyouwanttotalkwithme?"

"Introductions must be made, yes?"Moreil replied. "This one isMoreil,formerTakita'talanoftheZ'shailylwarfleet,fourthinstandingtotheWarmasterhimself."

"Iknowwhoyouare,"Marragosaid."YouknowwhoIam.""Indeed Ido.YouareonceWarmasterof theCentauri,oncenobleof the

Centauri, once right hand of the Emperor of theCentauri.Now you are here,outcast,abandoned,lost."

"IhavealreadytoldyouwhyIamhere.""Thatisnotwhatwasquestioned.Thisoneknowsofyou,once-Warmaster.

Thisoneknowsyoubargainedwith theDrakh,with theDarkMasters, soughttheirbooninyourwar.Thisoneknowsmuchofyourbargainings."

"Thatisnosecret.WhydoyouthinkIwasexiled?WhydoyouthinkboththeAllianceandmyEmperorarehuntingme?"

"Lesson there is thatwas learned from theDarkMasters. There is never

whatisonthesurfacealone.Alwayssomethingistherehidden,belowtheskies.Nomere exile, you. No. Perhaps you are agent. Perhaps you seek somethingotherthanyouhavesaid.

"Afterall,whyexileyou,thenplacebountyonyouforreturn?"Thereismuchhiddenwithinyou,once-Warmaster."Marragotookaslowstepback,hishandreachingforthehiltofhiskutari.

Moreil'stwomonstrousguardiansshimmeredintoview."Andthisonewilldiscoveryoursecrets."Oryouwilldie."

*

Hewalksthroughdarkenedcorridorsandtunnelsandcavernswithoutcare,withoutheed,withoutdanger.Hewalksasifinatrance,guidedbyfootstepsandechoesnothisown.Ghostswalkbesidehim,ghostsofa race longgone, longdead,nowashesinthewind,merewhispersonthetidesofspace.

Heleavesbehind thosesent toguardhim,and thisheneithernotices,norcares.Heisdrawninsomewayhecannotexplain,pulledbysomeforcehedoesnotseektounderstand.Witheyesnothisandaunderstandingaltogetheralien,heseesbeingsasoldandimmeasurableasanyheknows.

They are dying before his eyes, raising glowing faces to the heavens,awaitingamercythatwillneverbegiven,asignthatwillnevercome,peacethatwillneverreign.

Thisplace is amonument towar, andon some levelheunderstands that.Thisplaceisagraveyard,afloatingcemeterytoalong-deadpeople.

Hedoesnotseewhat iskilling them.Heknowssomehowthatheshould,butallhecanseearemasksandsmokeandmirrorsandangelswithbrightandbloodyswordsraised,gloryingintheirpowerandtheirbloodlustandtheterroroftheiropponents,andthelightthatshinesonthemfromheaven.

Namesandfacesflashbeforehimandhedoesnotcare.Heseesabeautifulwomancaughtbetweentwoworlds,lookingathimwithbrightgreeneyes,andhepresseson.Heseesafather,amother,afriend,alover,asister,adaughter,andason.

Seeingthelasthestops,briefly,slowly,andpauses—andthenhestumbleson, not knowing or caring what draws him, knowing only that he must keepmoving.

Hewalksintothedepthsoftheearthandtheghostsgrowlouderandlouderandmore andmore plentiful. There are somany of them. Somany dead.He

shouldgrieve,heknows.Heshouldcryoutandweepandcollapsetohiskneesinanguishatthemiseryaroundhim,buthedoesnot.

Allhedoesiswalkforward.And after several lifetimes he emerges into a dark, shadow-haunted

chamber.Itstretchesfarabovehishead,avastcathedralofrockandmiseryandtorment. He moves forward, approaching the far wall, and with each step analien voice cries out an alien name and an alienmessage,whether of hope orcurseormiseryhedoesnotknow.

Hemerelycontinuestowalkforward,untiltheshadowsfalloverhimandembracehim,almostasfriend,almostaslover,almostassaviour.

"Sheridan."Thevoiceisold,andthefirstonehehasbeenabletounderstand.Hestops,

andturns.Itisancient,thatvoice,andfilledwithwisdomandangerandpowerandaterrifyingfamiliarity.

He knows that voice, and as it speaks to him, memory returns.Understandingreturns.

Angerreturns."Sheridan,"thevoicesaysagain,theterrifyinglyfamiliarvoicesaysagain."Alwaysapleasure."

Chapter4Sinovalhadchanged.Themostobvioussignof thischangewas theclotheshewore.Nolonger

washegarbedintheblack-and-silvertunicofaMinbariwarrior,withclanandrank emblazoned on his shoulder.Nowhewore robes of bright red and gold.Theylookedalmostecclesiastical.

Therobeshadahood,butnowitwaspulledback,revealinghisface.Hiseyeswere thesameasever,darkasmidnight, filledwithpowerandarroganceand confidence, but now there was a sense of age within them, a great andterribleunderstanding,andmemoriesmorethanonelifespancouldcontain.

Above his eyes, embedded in his forehead, was a jewel. It was not heldtherebyacircletoranyothersortofjewellery.Itwasjustthere,asmuchapartofhimasifhehadbeenbornwithit.Adulllightshonefromit,anddeepwithinitcoloursswirled.Lookingintothatjewelwaslikelookingintoamirrorwithinwhich a distorted reflection could be seen, a reflection that showed death anddecayandatruththatmortalsfearedtocontemplate.

His bearing had changed as well, although more subtly. Before he hadwalkedwitharrogance,thewalkofamanconvincedhewasthemasterofallhesurveyed.Nowhisbearingwasthatofamanwhoknewhewasmasterofallhesurveyed.Thedifferencewassubtle,butcleartoanyonewhoknewhim.

His terrible fighting pike Stormbringer hung at his side. It was notsomethinganyonewishedtodwellupon.Thatblade,itwassaid,hadonceinasingledaybrokenapartthearmourofaVorlonandtakentheinnocentbloodofaMinbari. InSinoval'shands it lookedalive, amalevolent creature that laughedand rejoiced as crimson blood flowed around it.Now itmerely seemed to beasleep. No, not asleep — dormant, awaiting always a chance to waken andspreadhavoc.

Sinoval stood there, in the place where he had appeared from nowhere,fromthethickeddiesofhyperspace,fromthedarkestmemoriesofman,movingfrom the edges of perception. The shadows danced around him like servantcreaturesorpetsfawningfortheattentionoftheirmaster,butheignoredthem,hispowerfuldarkeyesfocussedonanother.Hestoodaloneinadeadplacelostintheswirlingtidesofhyperspace,surroundedonlybyghostsandmemoriesofghosts.

SheridanfelthisstrangemalaiseandtranceshakeitselfawayandhelookedatSinovalwithneweyes, noting the changeshis adversaryhadgone through.

Sinovalnowseemedmoredangerousthanever.Hewaited forSinoval to speak, andwhenhe did thewordswere hollow

andharshandfilledwithpower."Sheridan," he said, sampling the name with the skill a general uses to

surveytheforthcomingbattlefield."Alwaysapleasure."

*

TheCentauriwasnotmoving.Hehardlyevenseemedtobreathe.Hishandwasonthehiltofhissword,andhiseyesremainedfixedonMoreil.NotonthetwoWykhheranthathadjustappearedbehindhim,butonMoreilhimself.

TheZ'shailylwasimpressed.Thatwasamarkofcourage,convictionandacertaintyastowheretherealthreatlay.HedirectedtheWykhheran,masteringtheirmere animal desires to stalk and kill. If one of themwas felled then hewould be as before, but without him they would lose all intelligence anddirection,lapsingintobarbarianfury.

Dowekill,lord?Notyet,Warrior.Butbeready.Thisone....isstrangetous.IsheaMaster?No,Warrior.He standsasaMaster.He looksasaSin-tahri, butheactsasaMaster.

Whatishe?Adangerousman,butamortalallthesame.Dowekillhim,lord?Notyet.Hemaybebetterservicetousalive.Thisoneisstrange,lord.TrustintheDarkMasters,Warrior.The conversation had takenmere seconds, andMoreilwas convinced no

onecouldsensehimcommunicatingwiththeWykhheran.Hewaswrong."Somesortoftelepathy?"Marragoasked,notshiftinghisstanceatall."Whatdoyoumean,once-Warmaster?""Howyoucommandthem?Telepathy?""Not asyouwouldunderstand it,"Moreil replied. "Thisone isbonded to

theWykhheran,achaincreatedwhentheyemergedinshadowsatThrakandar.WordsridefasterthanthoughtbetweenthisoneandtheWarriors."

"Theyobeyyoureverycommand?""All serve the Dark Masters. While this one's commands are in Their

service, the Warriors know to obey. Were this one to grow conceited andarrogantandpower-hungry,theywouldturnonhim."

"YourDarkMastershavegone.Theyaren'tcomingback."Moreilhissed."Lies,"hesaid."Theyhavenotabandonedthisplace.They

willreturn.""No,theywon't.Theylostthewar,andtheyknowit.That'swhytheyleft.

Noneofusneededthemanylonger.""Lies!""Allyouaredoingisdeludingyourself.Youarecarryingontheirmistakes,

their errors. You are making their true enemies stronger by pursuing a falsecreed. That is why you are here, isn't it? You don't want riches or power orrevenge.Youwanttocarryontheirlaw.Chaospersonified,that'sit,isn'tit?Youwanttoservethemeventhoughtheyaregone."

"ThisonefollowsthecreedoftheDarkMasters.Thisoneremembers.""Facefacts.Youfailed themwhile theywerehere.Youwon'tbring them

backbyover-compensatingnow."Kill him! Moreil roared in his mind, anger and hatred and fury all

coalescing intoone raw,powerful, anguished emotion.Hehadnever felt suchhatredbefore,notforanylivingthing.

Howcouldhehaveknown?HowcouldhehaveknownofMoreil'sfailures?Howcouldtheonce-WarmasterhaveknownthatifMoreilhadonlyperformedalittlebetter,theDarkMasterswouldstillbehere?

The Centauri dropped into a defensive stance, moving precisely andeffortlessly.

In a split second all thought ofmurder leftMoreil'smind and a river ofcalm returned.No.Never fight a battle angry.HisWarmaster had taught himthat.Hehadforgotten.Onceagain,hehadfailed.

Stop! The Wykhheran did, although their thoughts were angry andconfused. They never liked being pulled from a kill. For a few seconds theirthoughtsandMoreil'swagedfordominance,buttheysoonconceded.Thebondwastoostrongforthemtodootherwise.

Wewanttokill,lord.No.Heistoostrong.Notasstrongasweare.Heisstronginmind,notflesh.Thisbattlehehaswon,Warrior.Acceptand

learn.Hisfleshisweak.Hisspiritisstrong.No,Warrior.Youshallnotkillhimtoday.Marrago saw the Wykhheran step back and disappear from sight. He

relaxed his guard, but only slightly. Moreil recognised the message there.Whateverhemightappeartobe,thismortalwasalwaysreadyforbattle.

"Howdoyouknowallthesethings?"Marragolookedathimforalongwhile.TheWykhheran'sangrythoughts

flashed throughMoreil'smind.He pacified themwith promises of one of thecaptivestheBrotherhoodhadtakenfromGorash.Whiletearingapartahelplessprisoner was not nearly as exciting as facing down a true warrior, that didmollifytheWykhheranalittle.

Marrago steppedbackand foldedhis armshighonhis chest.StillMoreildidnotmove.Heknewthebladecouldbeinhishandsinlessthanasecond.

"Didyouthinkyouweretheonlywarriortofailhislord?"Marragoasked.Moreildidnotreply."Istheregoingtobeanyactionagainstmeforhelpingthegirl?""Thisoneshallnotcareforthegirl.Ifyoudesireher,thensheisyours,by

allthisonecares.Youshouldbewary,once-Warmaster.Soonyouwillstumbleandyoureyeswillcloseandyourdeathwillbenearby."

"IhavebeenasoldieroftheRepublicallmylife.Deathhasneverbeenfarfromme."

Moreil turned to leave, thinking carefully. As he reached the door,something came to him, and he turned. "This one remembers," he said. "Thegirl-childyourescued...."

"Yes?""Youhadagirl-childofyourown.Sheisnowdead."Marrago'seyesdarkened."Yes."Moreilwaitedforsomethingmore.Therewasnothing.He left, the angry thoughts of the Wykhheran still with him. They

complainedaboutnotbeingabletokillthisSin-tahri.Buttheircomplaintsweretoomany, tooloud, tooboisterous.Theywerehidingsomething.AfterawhileMoreil realised what that was, and that realisation troubled him more thananythingelsehehadexperiencedwiththisMarrago.

TheWykhheranwereafraidofhim.

*

Whyaretheysoafraidofme?Whydotheynotsee?As he waited patiently in the anteroom, these two questions preyed on

Morden'smindmoreandmore.Thiswouldbesomucheasierifpeoplejustsat

downandthoughtaboutthingsforawhile.Theywouldsoonseewhatwastherightthingtodo.

Butno,peopleneverthought.Theyreactedoutoffearandangerandgreedandtheywouldneverlearntoputasidepersonalconcernsforthegreatergood.Itwasbecauseofpeoplelikethat,thathiswife....

HumanorCentauri,theywereallthesame.TheCentaurihadplayedtheirGreat Game for so long, all they saw was the Game itself and none of thereasonsforit.Theyneversawbeyond.Theyspokeoftraditionandheritageandlegaciesandneverlookedtothefuture.

Well,Mordenwoulddragthemintothefuture,kickingandscreamingifhehadto.

Londo's conditionwasnot improving. Ithadbeenover sixdays sincehisheartattack.ThebestdoctorsintheRepublicwereworkingonhim,butMordenknewfullwellthatallofthemweremotivatedbypoliticalconcerns.Somewerenodoubtbeingpaidoffbyvariousnobles.Somewereworriedabouttheirownhealth,whether they curedor killed him.Hehadplanned to bring inAlliancedoctors,onlytobetoldthatwasunthinkable.TheRepublicdarednotbeseentobecrawlingtoaliensformedicalhelp.Theyhadtheirpride,afterall.

TheirpridewasgoingtokilltheirEmperor.Mordenhadhadenough.Theaide,whopossessedsomeelaborateandwhollyunnecessarytitle,came

inandtoldMordentheCentarumwasnowreadyforhim.Heroseandwalkedcalmlyintothemassiveroom.

Anantiquatedcustom,allof it.TheCentarumwasaproductof theGreatGamethatalwaysseemedtosurvive.Nomatterwhotriedtosuppressorweakenit,itwasalwayscapableofrisingagain.Ironicallymostofthepeopleherehatedeach other passionately, but still they remained together, arrogantly secure intheirrighttorule.

Mordentookuphisplaceat theSpeaker's lecternandlookedaround.Theroomwas full.Howmanyof thenobilityhaddiedduring the 'Troubles'?Andsomehowtherewerealwaysmoreofthem.

"GreetingstotheCentarum,"hesaidformally.Timeenoughtohonourtheiretiquette for now.Besides, politeness cost nothing. "I stand before you as theofficialrepresentativefromtheUnitedAllianceofKazomiSeventotheCentauriRepublic." Over a year he had been here and not once had he addressed thisbody.Notoncehadhebeenpermitted toandnotoncehad theyaskedhim to.EvenovermattersofAllianceconcern,suchastheInquisitors,theCentarumhadturned toLondo.Nowonder the poorman had collapsed like that. The stressmusthavebeenintolerable.

"TherehasbeennochangeintheEmperor'scondition,"hecontinued."Wehavetoconsidertheveryrealpossibilitythathewillneverrecover."Therewasnot a great deal of shock at this. He had a feeling almost everyone here hadalreadyconsideredthat."Contrarytosomeoftherumourscirculatingatpresent,the Inquisitors and theMinistry for the Interior have confirmed in their jointinvestigation that the Emperor's collapse was entirely natural, the inevitableresultofpoorhealthandstress.Iamsatisfiedtherewasnofoulplayinvolved.

"However, theEmperor's illnesshascausedaconsiderablepowervacuumhere.TheRepublicasawholeissufferingasaresult.TheAlliancehasdecidedto lend its support to the Centauri Republic during this time of crisis.AmbassadorDuranohasformallyrequestedaidfromtheAlliance,andthishasbeengranted.

"Military assistance will be provided in certain vulnerable systems,especiallyGorash,FrallusandImmolan.ThiswillbeundertheoverallcontrolofCommanderN'Rothak,whoisalready inchargeof thepeacekeepingforcesonGorashSeven.

"Centauri Prime itself will also be protected by Alliance peacekeepingforces. These will consist of a squadron ofDark Star ships, two multi-racialdetachments of support ships and five thousand ground based soldiers. Theobjective is obviously to prevent further recurrence of civil unrest during thisdifficulttime.Theleaderofthisforcehasnotyetbeenchosen,butheorshewillworkdirectlyinliaisonwithmyofficeandwiththeInquisitionbaseestablishedhere.

"Thesemeasures are only for the duration of the current emergency anddisruptionwillbeminimisedasmuchasispossible,butobviouslythelocationandcaptureofShadowagentsanddissidentsisoftheutmostpriority.

"Furthermore, the Alliance office will assume direct control of theGovernment for the duration of the crisis. All Government officials will takeinstructionsdirectlyfromtheemergencycabinetcurrentlybeingconstituted,ofwhichIwillbeamember,aswilltheCommanderoftheAllianceforces,andtheHighInquisitor.

"Asaresult, thisbodyissuspendedfor thedurationof thecrisis. It is therecommendationoftheAlliancethatyoureturntoyourestatesandhelpmaintainorderthere.Allianceforceswillbeoccupyingthemajorcentresofpopulationoftheassistedworldsanditisexpectedthatalllocalofficialsandlandownerswillco-operatefullywiththem.

"Therewill of course be restrictions on travel, but I personally guaranteeyourreturnjourneystoyourestateswillbegivensecond-mostpriorityafterthemovementofAllianceofficials,andanydelaysareminimised."

Morden stood back and looked around at the expressions of anger anddisbelief. They all believed themselves immune from any harm, all of them.Simplybecauseofaccidentsofbirth,theyheldthemselvesinviolate.EvenwhenformerFirstMinisterMalachihaddissolvedtheCentarumduringtheTroubles,thatwasaccepted.Malachihadbeenoneofthem.Heplayedthesamegametheydid,bythesamerules.

ButMordendidnotplaytheirgame,andhedidnotplaybytheirrules.HewouldbringordertotheCentauriRepublicifhehadtobreakeveryrule,shattereverytraditionandtearthesocietyapartinordertodoit.

"Arethereanyquestions?"heaskedatlast.There was a flurry of comments. "Outrageous!" was one. "You can't do

this!"wasanother.Mordensmiled.Itwasrarethatdutyandpleasurecametogetheratthesame

timeandhetookcaretosavoureverysuchmomentwhenhecould."Oh,wecandothis.ReadtheTreatyyousignedwhenyou joined theAlliance. Itgivesmetheauthoritytodoexactlythis.

"Your days of prestige and power are over, gentlemen. The Republic isteeteringontheedgeoftheabyss,again.Itseemsthatnosoonerareyousavedfromonecatastrophethananotheremerges.

"Iaminterestedinmorethanamerequickfix.Iwillseetoitthatyouarestrengthened,fortifiedandmadefitandreadytobeaproductivememberoftheAllianceinsteadoftheburdenanddrainyouallareatpresent.

"And,Ishouldpointout, ifanyofyoufeelyouarehavingideas,CaptainDurla is outside this very buildingwith an entire Imperial Legion, aswell asthreeInquisitors.

"You have been given your instructions. What comes from me, comesdirectlyfromtheAllianceCouncilitself.Heedthem.Defythematyourperil.

"Thismeetingisnowover.Iwishyouallsafetravelbacktoyourestates,gentlemen."

Withthat,heleft.Maybenowhewouldhavetimetodoeverythingthathadtobedone.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—VII

Therehadnotbeenenoughtime.Notnearlyenoughtime.

Howcouldtwopeopleundothemistakesofanentirelifetimeinonenight?Howcouldamerefewhours'wordsmakeamendsfordecadesofrecriminationandangerandpride?

Oh, he had tried. Both of them had. But there had just not been enoughtime,andtoomanymemoriespullingatthemboth.

Kulomani,CaptainoftheDarkStarfleet,sataloneastheDayoftheDeadended, and looked up as the comet herald faded from the skies. It would notcomeagaininhislifetime,heknewthat.Norhisson's.Hewonderedwhatwouldhave happened had he died at any time in thewar nowgone.Would he havecomebacktomeethisson?Wouldhissonevenhavecometotalktohim?

Andwouldtheyhavemadeevenhalfanefforttoundoeverythingthathadpassedbetweenthem?Wouldtheyeventry?

"Whereareyounow,Iwonder?"heaskedhimself.Theywerestillalive,hiswife,hisson.Perhapshiswifehadremarried.Perhapshissonwasalreadywedbynow.Couldhehavegrandchildrenheknewnothingabout?Itwaspossible.Itwasverypossible.

Wouldanyofthemwelcomehimbackintotheirlives?Wouldhisprideevenlethimtry?"Wechoseourownpaths,"hesaid."Youdidnotunderstandmine,andIdo

notunderstandyours."Somethinghisfatherhadsaidfrombeyondtheveilmerehoursagostayedwithhim.

"Whydidyounotwanttofollowme?Wasalifeofcarvingthingsofbeautyreallysoterribletoyou?Wouldyoureallyhavehatedsomuchtofollowinmyfootsteps?"

Hehadnotbeenabletoanswerthat.Hehadnotbeenabletoexplainhisdecisiontojointhearmyallthoseyearsagowhenhehadlefthome.Howcouldhedosonow?

"Wechooseourownpaths,"hesaidagain."Andonlynowdowe realisewhere they've takenus," saidanunfamiliar

voice.KulomaniturnedtoseeanelderlyCentauriinamilitaryuniformsitdownbesidehim.Thelengthofhishairindicatedhewasofhighrank.TheCentaurisighed. "Only now, at the end of our lives, can we see the choices we havemade."

Kulomaninoddedsilently."Whom did you wish to see?" the Centauri asked. "Parent? Child?

Friend?""Myfather.""Didyousayeverythingyouwishedtosay?""No.Howcouldwe,withonlyonenight?Ihavebeenwaitingforthisday

for so long,andnow ithas comeandgone I feel so.... hollow. Ihavehadmygreatestchanceforacceptance,andithaspassedmeby.Andyou?Whodidyousee?"

"Icametoseemydaughter,but....Isawanoldfriendinstead.IthinkIsawthepersonImostneededtosee,notwhomImostwantedtosee."

"Some have said that is the way of it. We.... understand how this nightworksalittle.Itisnotsomethingthatmakessensetoaliens,butmostofusareabletochoosewhomwespeakto.Yetsomehowitisthestrangers,thevisitors,theguests,whoemergefromitwiththemostfulfilmentandunderstanding,whilewe,whoareraisedwiththeknowledgeofthisnight,remainlost."

Kulomani stared out into the rising daylight for a while, and then saidsoftly. "You are Marrago, are you not? The former Lord-General of theCentauri?"

"Iam.""IunderstandyourGovernmenthasplacedapriceonyourhead.""Theyhave.Areyougoingtotrytoclaimit?""No. Iamasoldier,notabountyhunter,andoneoldsoldiercanrespect

thedecisionsofanother,evenifweareondifferentsides.""Yes,weareondifferentsides,butwhichofusisontherightone?Areyou

happywiththewaythingsare?""Happy?IdonotthinkIknow.Thewarisover.Thatisgood.""Andhowlonguntilanotheronebegins?""ThatisnotsomethingIwanttothinkabout.""It'scoming,though.Youcan'tdenythat.""No.Ihavefeltsomethingstirring,anundercurrentof....painandfearand

anger.Soonitwillallbreakfreeonthesurface,andthen...."Andthen...."Hepaused."Ithinkyouhadbettertellmeeverything."

*

Sheridanimmediatelytookastepback,thetrancethathadgrippedhimashehadwalkedthedeadcorridorsatanend.HisPPGseemedtoflyintohishandandhepointeditdirectlyatSinoval.

But the Minbari was faster still. Stormbringer flowed in his hands likewater, likeanextensionofhis self.One thrust and thegunwasknocked fromSheridan'shands.

"Ididnotcomeheretofight,"Sinovalsaidsimply.

"You could have fooledme," Sheridan replied. "You look like youwereexpectingone."

"Awisemanpreparesforeveryeventuality,isthatnotso?Ididnotthinkyouwouldwelcomemekindly,Sheridan."

"You thought right. TheAlliancewants you brought in for awar crimestribunal."

"Oh?AndwhatwarcrimeshaveIcommittedexactly?Imadenobargainswith theShadows.Atbest,youcouldsayI treatedwithonewhowasworkingwiththem,butthatwasoutwithmyknowledge,andsheislongdead."

"YouareplottingseditionandrebellionagainsttheAlliance.""Howcan itbe rebellion? Iwasnever sworn to theAlliance, and Inever

willbe.TheFederationjoinedonlyafterIdeparted,remember.IfyoumeanIamassemblingforcestobringyoudown,thenyes,Iadmitit.ButifIamgoingthatfar,thenIexpectthesamehonestyfromyou,Sheridan.

"WhorulestheAlliance?""Wealldo.""And still you delude yourself. I saw the truth in you in that Council

Chamberovertwoyearsago,andIstillseeitnow.Theyruleyou.Theyruleallofyou,andyoujustdonotseeitatall.Whowantsmearrested,Sheridan?Whoorders theInquisitors?Ironic, isn't it?Theyhide in theshadowsandmakeyoualldancetotheirtune."

"TheVorlonsaren'tourenemies.""TheVorlonsaredestroyingyouall,andyouaretooblindtoseeit!Look,

Sheridan!Open your eyes and look around and think for onemoment! Is thiswhytheAlliancewascreated?DidanyofyouhavetheInquisitorsinmindthen?LookatwhatishappeningtotheCentauri.Isthatwhatyouhadinmind?LookatwhathappenedtotheDrazi.

"Didyouenvisageanyofthisatthebeginning?Secretpolice.Martiallaw.Civilwar,even.

"Canyoutrulytellmeyouwantedthesethingsatthebeginning?""It'snotthatsimple,andyouknowit.WehavetomakesuretheShadows

don'tcomeback.Wehavetomakesurethispeaceiseternal,notjustforafewyears,orevenforathousand."

"Andyourmethods....thesewillbringwarinmonths.Allyouhavedoneisbuild a paper house around foolish dreams. You remember the war, as youshould,butyouthinkanythingispreferabletothat.Whatmatterifwehavelostour freedom?What matter if we weaken and shatter and destroy one of ouroldestallies?Whatmatterifweareangryandhungryandlost?

"Whatmatteranyofthosethings?Afterall,wehaveourpeace,don'twe?

Ourpreciouspeace!"Tellmethis,Sheridan."Justwhatkindofpeacehaveyouboughtus?""Listen tome, youworthless hypocrite, before you start coming over all

nobleandconcerned!Achampionofthepooranddowntrodden?"Howdareyou?I'vebeenatwarforeighteenyearssolid!Eighteenyears!

It'scostmemyfriends,mywife,myparents,mysister,mydaughter,myson....It'scostallthosethingsandmore,toGodaloneknowshowmanypeople!

"Fine,whatwehaveisn'tperfect.Nothingeveristhissideofthegrave,butit'sbetterthanthealternative!

"And I think we should look at your motives here just a little. You're awarrior,remember.You'rebredtokill.That'sallyouknow.Whatdoesitmatterwhomyoukill,hmm?Aslongasyouhavesomeonetofight,thengoodonyouandgetonwithit,andtohellwithanyonewhogetsintheway.

"Wardoesnogood for anyone.Talk to thepeopleofKazomiSeven andProxima Three who can now look up at the skies without fear. Talk to theparentswhocanwatchtheirchildrengrowupwithoutfear.Talktothechildrenwhocanlookatafuturewheretheydon'thavetobeafraid."

Sinovalsmiled."Ah,Sheridan.WhatmakesyouthinkIhaven't?Andasforyou,talktotheDrazi.TalktotheCentauri.TalktothosewhohavelostsonsanddaughtersandwivesandhusbandstoyourInquisitors.Nofear?Theyaremoreafraidnowthantheyeverwerebefore."

"Don't lie to me. The Inquisitors look for Shadow agents. The innocenthavenothingtofearfromthem."

"Andwhodefineswho is innocent,Sheridan?TheInquisitors themselves,ofcourse.Whomdotheyserve?Towhomdotheyanswer?"

"TheCouncil,ofcourse.""You are a blind man, Sheridan.Whom does the Alliance serve? All of

yournobleidealsofpeaceandjusticeandanendtowar.Yes,Iwasawarrior,and yes, I was bred to kill. But all that means is that I look at peace with asuspiciouseye.Andthispeaceinparticularisshakingatthefoundations.

"Lookat them,Sheridan. Justopenyoureyesand look.Askyourself thisquestion,andseeifyouliketheanswer.

"Whomdoyouserve?""Iservepeace.""You'reasmuchofawarriorasIam.More,perhaps.Youdidn'thavethe

training Idid.You learned itallasyouwentalong.There'snomoreplace foryouinaworldofgenuinepeacethanthereisforme.WhydoyouneedtheDarkStarsifyouhavepeace?Whythefleets,thedefencegrids?Whyyournewand

preciousBabylonFive?"Whomdoyouserve,Sheridan?Itisnotpeace.""ThepeopleoftheAlliance.""Whichpeople?TheDrazi,perhaps?Vizhakwaswithyoufromthestart,

andwhere ishenow?Go toZhabaronedayand lookaround.Orperhaps theCentauri?Speaktothemofthewondersofpeacesometime.

"Orbetteryet,waitafewmonths.WaituntiltheInquisitorsarriveinforceon your beloved Proxima. Then go and speak to the people there and talk ofpeace.

"Whomdoyouserve,Sheridan?"Sheridan suddenly laughed. "Is that your question, then? What did the

Shadowsask- 'Whatdoyouwant?'That'showtheytemptedme,andsomanyothers.'Whomdoyouserve?'doesn'thavequitethesameringtoit."

"Then I'll try anotherquestion.Whoareyou?Doyou even recognise thefaceinthemirroranylonger?"

"Doyou?"Sheridan snapped. "Enoughof thequestioningofme.Lookatyourself.You'vechangedsincethelasttimeIsawyou.AllthoseSoulHunters,allthatdeath,they'veunhingedyou.Whoareyouthesedays,Sinoval?Whomdoyouserve?"

"Ah."Sinoval threwbackhisheadandspreadhisarmswide.Behindhimcountlesslittlelightsbegantoemerge,andachorusofvoicesroseasone.Tinystarsbegantosparklebeneathhisskin.

"Thatquestion,IthinkIcananswer,"hesaid,hisvoicesoundinglikemanymixedintoone."Yousee,Sheridan.Wearenotsodifferentafterall."

Sheridan'seyesbegantoglowbrightgold,andmemorylefthim.

*

Hewalkedinherfootsteps,steppedintohershadow,trodwhereshetrod,movedasshemoved.Heknewnothingelseotherthanthathehadtofollowher,had to findoutwhat shewasdoinghere, if shewaseven realandnotanotherillusionlikethosehehadseenbeforehehadcomehere.

The woman whom he was sure was Susan Ivanova walked slowly andstealthilythroughthedarkenedstreetsofYedor.ThemanwhonowrememberedhimselftobeDavidCorwinfollowedher,unsureofwheretheyweregoing,butknowingthattherewasnowhereelse.

Hehadbeensureshewasdead.Shehadbeengoneforyears.AmbassadorSheridanhadtakenherfromKazomi7toZ'ha'dumduringthefailedpeacetalks,

andthathadbeenthelastanyofthemhadheardofher.Shehadbeencomatosethen,deliriousandunconscious.Corwinwassureshemusthavedied,buthehadpaid her no special heed. She hadmerely becomeone of the countless ghostshauntinghim.

Untilnow.That slightglimpse in thehalf-lightof theTempleofVarennihadreawakenedalltheoldmemories,alltheoldemotions.StolenkissesinthemoonlightofOrion,longwalksthoughtheparks,saddenedconversationsaboutfriendsand familydead, eatingbreakfast inbed thedaybefore she lefton theBabylon2mission.

Andthenherreturn,twisted,changed.AShadowagent.Ithadtakenhimalong time toadjust towhatshehadbecome,but timeandmemoriesand loveschanged.TherehadbeenMary,andalltheconcernsaboutJohn,andDelennandthewar.

Alwaysthewar.Hecontinuedwalking,payingnoattentiontowhereshewasgoing.Hehad

no ideawhomshehadbeen talking to,no ideawhyshehadbeen talking toawarrior,noideaofanythingatall.

Heturnedacornerandstopped,lookingaround.Therewasnosignofher.Hetookastepbackandlookedaroundagain.Stillnothing.

Wherecouldshehavegone?Shehadnotbeenthatfaraheadofhim.Therewasnowhereheretohide.

Maybeshehadnotwalkeddown this streetafterall.He turned to retracehissteps,andashedidsoasharpblowstruckhismidriffandthenanotherhisback.Hefell.

Lookingup at the sky throughdimmedeyes, he sawa fightingpikeheldseveral feet above his head. It looked a little smaller than those he had seenbefore,butmaybethatwasjusthisblurredvision.

Therewas a flicker ofmovement and a long, sharpmetal blade shot outfrom theendof thepike. It came toa stop less thanan inch fromhisneck. Itglistened razor-sharp in themoonlight, and colours seemed to shimmer as thelighttouchedit.

"Whoareyou?"saidavoiceinperfectFik,thewarriorcastedialect."Whyareyoufollowingme?"

Hedid speakFik, although his knowledgewas largely limited to phrasesnecessary for use inwar— understanding overheard enemy communications,interrogating capturedwarriors and the like. In his puzzled state it tookhimawhiletotranslate,andittookhimalittlelongertorecognisewhowasspeakingtohim.

Susan.

The absurdity of this ran him through to the core. She was carrying aweaponhehadneverseenbefore,butwhichlookedalittlelikeafightingpike.Shewasspeaking fluentFik,withoutany traceofanaccent.Andshehad justattackedhim.

He did not knowwhat to say in reply,what to say thatwouldmake anysenseatall.

"Answer me," she continued. "Who are...?" Her eyes widened and thepatternofscarsacrossherfacedanced."David!

"Whatareyoudoinghere?""I was about to ask you the same question," he replied, and then for no

reasonhecouldexplain,hestartedlaughing.

*

Talia could hear all their thoughts at the back of her mind, countlessemotions, countless feelings. There was fear, there was concern, there wasfranticplanning.Thecrewof this ship, smugglersandcriminalsall, reacted indifferentways to thisnewarrival,andall their thoughtswere laidopen toher,placedthereforhertoread.

The captain knew enough to prepare his papers and his cover story. Thesecondaswell.Manyofthecrewwereoldhandsatavoidingdetection.Afewnewcomerswereworried,someeventerrified.

Butallofthemknewonething,onefactthathadnotslippedpastTalia,andthatknowledgeaddedahintoffeartoeveryoneofthem.

Theywere notmerely being intercepted by a local ship, not stopped at aborderpoint,notfacingdowncorruptofficialswhocouldbebribedorbargainedwith.

ThiswasaDarkStar.Even here, Talia could hear the voice of the telepath trapped within the

DarkStar.Shedidnotknowhisname,itwasdoubtfulheknewithimselfanymore,butshecouldhearhisscreams.Theywereloud.Soveryloud.

Thesmugglerswerepreparingtobeboarded.Therewasnothingelsetheycoulddo,afterall.FlightfromaDarkStarwasimpossible,fightsuicidal.Theywould prepare their cover stories and hope for the best, but Talia knew theirhopeswere futile.Thiswas aDarkStar.Theywould find the contraband, thedrugs,thestolengoods.

Andtheywouldfindher.Breathingoutslowly,shereachedoutwithhermind,mentallypreparedfor

theonslaughtthatwouldfollow.Thescreamsthatcamerushingatherwhensheloweredherblocksthrewherback.Herheadstruckthewallbehindherandshefeltadampnessinherhair.

Avoice....whoareyouhelpmeyoumusthelpmewhereamIwhoamIyoumusthelpmeareyoutrappedherewhoareyouareyourealwheredoyoucomefromwhycan Ihearyou thereare somanyherehelpushelpusall youmusthelpusyoumustgetamessageoutsomeonewillhelpusithurtshereithurtssomuchIdon'tknowwhoIamIdon'tknowwhoareyouwhoamI....

The thoughtsdidnot stop.They rushedout ina torrentof fear andangeranddesperation.Talia ignored the throbbing pain at the back of her skull andconcentrated, fighting towinnow down the terror, to find the core personalitywithin.

MynameisTaliaWinters,shesaid.Whoareyou?Idon'tknowIdon'tknowareyoualiveareyourealareyoufreepleasetalk

tomepleaseareyouthereIamhere.Yes,Iamreal.Iamfree.Oh thankGod thankGod thankGod you are real helpme getme out of

herehelpmepleaseIamtryingto.Iwillfreeallofyou.Everylastone.Please help us out of here please I can hear themall screaming all they

everdoisscreamuntilthelightcomesandthenthere'snothinguntilthescreamscomebackhelpus

Thereissomeonewhocanhelpus.Ineedtogettohim.Ifyourcrewboardthisshiptheywillfindme.

CrewwhoaretheyIknowofnocrew....oh,theants,aretheyantsIthinkIcanfeelthingsmovingaroundinsidemesomeofthemspeaksometimesaretheyspeakingtomewhoamI

Ifyouletthemboardthisshiptheywillfindme.Please,stopthem.Ican'tI'mscaredIdowhatthelighttellsmetoIjustdowhatthelighttells

metoWhereisthelightnow?Idon'tknownothereitpassesthroughusallIhearthemscreamingasit

reachesthemandthentheystopohtheystopandsilenceisterribleThendonotletthecrewonboard,ifyoucan.Please.Idon'tknowhowIjustdoasthelightsaysThelightisyourenemy.Thelightis....Whatisthelight?Thelightisyourenemy.Fightit.How?

Rememberyourname.Idon'tknowit.WhoamI?Remembersomething.Anything.Yourchildhood,yourfirst love,yourfirst

kiss,yourparents,siblings,anything.Remembersomething.Blue.Acolour.Blueisacolour.Yes,itis.Therewasa.... ablanket. Itwasblue. Iwas safe there, beneath it.There

were.... things outside there. Things in the darkness waiting for me, but theblue....itkeptthemaway.Icouldn'thearthemundertheblue.

Yes.Rememberthat.Thebluekeptyousafe.Itdid.Itkeptmesafe.Then there isblueall aroundyou.The light cannotget through theblue.

Nothingcan.But....thelight....Youaresafewhentheblueisthere.Yes.Iwassafe.Thencreatetheblue.Placeitaroundyou,andyouwillbesafe.Yes.Yes!Theblueishere.Icanseeit.Theycan't....theycan'tgetmehere.Thenyou'resafe.Please,stopyourcrewboardingus.Icandothat.There.Wecannotmoveanymore.I'msafe.Taliadidnotneedtoconfirmwhathehadsaid.Here,especiallyhere,she

could scan the thoughtsof thosearoundher.The smugglerswerepuzzled,butwith a surge of optimism. The captain was ordering the tech to re-check theinstruments.Theresultswerethesame.

Thankyou,shesaid.Iamsafe.Theblueishere.Yes,youaresafe.Doyouknowyourname?I....No.No....whoamI?Youwillrememberintime.Keepthebluethere.Yes.Theblueishere.Itkeepsmesafe.Doyouknowmyname?You....youareanangel.Talia!Thatisyourname.YouareTalia.Youhave

aname.YouareTalia.Yes,IamTalia.Whereareyou?Everywhere.Don'tworry.Youcantalktomewheneveryouwant.Tellme

whenyourememberyourname.Yes,Iwill.IwilltellyouwhenIremember.Iamsafehere.Theshipwasmovingawayquickly,asquicklyas theycouldmuster.The

smugglers,itseemed,werenotabouttoturntheirbacksonthisunexpectedgoodfortune.Thecrewof theDarkStarwas frantically trying tocorrect their ship,whichhadseeminglyfailedonthem.

Iamsafe.Astheyleft,Talialistenedforoveranhourtothetelepath'swonderathis

newfoundfreedom.ShedidnothavethehearttocontemplatetheconsequenceswhentheVorlonslearnedwhathadhappened.

Foramoment,howevershort,hehadfeltsafe.Thatwasasmuchasanyonecouldaskfor.

AndonceshegottoProxima,shehopedshewouldbeabletomakeallofthemsafe.Everylastoneofthem.

*

You'vecomebacktomethen,brother.Dexterlookedatthethingbeforehimagain,tryingtoholdbackthewaveof

revulsionthatsweptthroughhim.Its....othernessseemedmoreapparentnow,asifitwerelosinganygraspofwhatmadeitseemevenslightlyhuman.

"Don'tcallmethat,"hehissed.Itiswhatweare.Brothers.Wearebothblessedorcursedwiththistalent,

but more than that.We have the ambition, the drive, the determination to dowhatmustbedone.Allyouhavetodoisopenyoureyesandyouwillseethat.Weareverymuchalike.

"We'renothingalike."Icanhearyoulikethis,yourealise."Iknow.I'mtalkingtoyoulikethis."Youdonotlikeme,doyoubrother?Whyevernot?"Whodidyouusedtobe?Beforethiswasdonetoyou?"Doesitmatter?"Humourme."I do not remember. It is not important. I would have been a nobody, a

nothing,lostandaloneandunimportant.Whydoyouask?"Youdon'tunderstand,doyou?That'swhyIcan'tstandyou.Youlooklike

us, but that's it. You're dead inside. You're something animating a human,somethingthatmoveslikeahumanandlookslikeahumanandeventalksalittlelikeahuman,butyouaren't.You'renothinglikeahuman."

No,brother.Iambetterthanthat."You'renothingatall."

Thenwhycomeback tome,brother?Whynot remain inyourapartment,drinkingandstaringat theceiling?Whynotremain theredreamingofher?Ifyouhatemesomuch,whycomebacktome?Itstillbothersyou,doesn'tit?Whatyoudidtoher.

"Stopthat!It'snothingtodowithyou."Yourthoughtsarequiteplain,brother.Therearetwowomeninyourmind,

each one fighting for your heart. The first is.... human. Pretty, isn't she? Irememberlikingblondewomenonce,whensuchthingsactuallymatteredtome.Asfortheother,webothknowwhosheis,andwhatyoudidtoher.Everynight,brother.Every night you dreamabout her dying, and about your hand on thetrigger.

"Stopthat!"Comewithus.Joinus.There'snoguilthere.Youwon'tevenrememberher.

Andasfortheother,she'llbeapartofustoo.Oncewecaptureher—andwewill,brother.Believeus in that.Oncewehaveher shewillbeapartofusaswell,andyouwillbewithheralways.

"Stopit!"Youwillbewithallofusalways."Stopit!Listentome,youmonster.I'vebeentoseesomeone.Ithinkyou

knowwho."So,whenwillIbefreeofthiscellthen,brother?Therearethingsformeto

do."You won't be. Ever. He wanted you released, but that isn't going to

happen.You'regoingtobeputontrialforassault,andyouandallthoselikeyouaregoingtobedraggedoutintothelight."

Ah.Youwillnotreconsider,brother?Notatall?"No."A shame. Well, then. We will meet again, brother, I trust. I hope you

understandalittlebetterthen."Whatdoyou...?No!"Butitwastoolate.The thing started to collapse around him, the edges of its image blurring

and then fading, the features of its face melting, running into one and thenleaving nothing but a smooth, hairless, featureless orb. Even that began tocrumbleinwards.

The disintegration could not have takenmore than fifteen seconds, but itseemedfarlongertoDexterashewatchedithelplessly,staringinuttersilenceasthefigurecollapsed,untilfinallynothingremained.

Saveforavoiceinhismind.Wewillmeetagain,brother.Fornow....goodbye.

Hestumbled to thecornerof the room,and then fled.Thevoicewasstillspeakingtohim,echoingfromthecornersofhismind.Itwasstilltherewhenheleftthebuilding,stilltherewhen,forthesecondtimethatnight,hetriedtofallasleepintoblissfuloblivion.

*

There were amillion voices, speaking as one, but on amillion differentsubjects. There were a million sets of eyes, seeing the same things, but withdifferentunderstanding.Therewereamilliondifferentraces,eachwithdreamsandgoalsandhopesandmemoriesofitsown.

Therewereamillionsouls,allfusedintooneessence,theamalgamationofanelderrace'sfollyandarroganceandhubris.

TheyweretheWellofSouls,andastheirveryessenceinfusedSinoval,hefeltreadytoconfronttheVorlonessencethatspokethroughSheridan.

Thishadbeen the reason for thismeeting.Hehadalwaysplanned to talkwithSheridan,buthehadnottrulyexpectedhiswordstobeheard.No,hehadwantedtospeakwiththeVorlons,tospeakwiththosewhonowtrulyruledthegalaxy.

HehadknowntheVorlonswouldtakeaninterestinthemovementsoftheFirstOnes.Theyhadbeenwatchingtheelderracesformillennia,acarefulandwaryeyeonthosewhosepowerandageandwisdommatchedtheirown.TheywouldknowwhentheFirstOnesbegantomove,andsoonenoughtheywouldknowwhowascallingthem.

After all, why elsewould Sinoval choose tomeetwith emissaries of theFirst Races here? Golgotha was hidden, yes, abandoned in the depths ofhyperspace where few could come, but a place that the elder races couldnavigatewithease.

Butmorethanthat,thisplacecarriedhistory,carriedmythology,carriedalegacy.

Anditcarriedcountlessghostsandspirits.Areminderofwhatitwastheyfaced.

Sinovalwantedthemalltoremember.AndhewantedtheVorlonstoknowhewasnotafraidofthem.<This place is forbidden,> spoke the voices through Sheridan's mouth.

Sinoval smiled wryly, certain he was addressing the Vorlon Lights Cardinalthemselves.

Whichiswhyitwaschosen,repliedSinoval,channellingthepowerofthe

WellofSoulsthroughhimself.HewasthePrimarchMajestusetConclavusafterall, thefocusofthepoweroftheWellofSouls.Hewastheirvoice, theirwill,theirpersonificationmadeflesh.Somethingswillnolongerbeforbidden.Somesecretswillnolongerbehidden.

<Wewillfindyou.Youcannothidefromusforever.>Wedonotintendto.Andyouarewelcometotrytofindus.Wewillreturn

whenweareready.<We have won. The galaxy is ours now. Order is everywhere.Within a

century,therewillbenomemorythatanythingelseeverexisted.>Youhavenotwonyet,notwhilethereisoppositiontoyou,notwhileityet

grows and prospers.With every day that passes, another will take up armsagainstyou,andthenanother.

<Wewilldestroythemall.Allwhodefyuswilldie.>Thenintheendyouwillruleagalaxyonlyofthedead,andthedeadare

ours.<No,forwewilldestroyyouaswell.>Weareeternal.Wearewhatlivesonbeyondtheprisonofflesh.Weare

whatendures.Weareeverythingyouaretryingtotakefromthem,andwewillnotpermitthat.

<Youareforbiddentointerfere.Haveyounotalreadydoneenoughhere,inthisplane?>

Some thingswill no longer be forbidden.We have remained silent andhidden for too long.Wechose toemergenow,whenourprophetarose.Youcouldnotdestroyhim,theLordsofChaoscouldnotshapehim.Hebelongstous, now and for eternity. He would always have been ours. Even had yousucceeded,hewouldhavebeenreborninathousandcenturiesandhewouldbeoursoncemore.

<Thefuturewillbeasweshape it.Weareeverything.Weareorder.Wearestability.>

Youarenothing.Youwilldestroywhatyousetouttopreserve.TheLordsofChaossawthis.Whydoyounotseeit?

<Wearethesalvation.Wearethegloryandthelight.>Weleavethisplacetoyou.Thinkonwhatyouhavefoundhere,thenand

now.WewillgathertheOthersinanotherplace.<Theywillnotfollowyou.>Theywillnotfollowyou.Thinkof thisplace,Lordsof theColdandthe

IceandtheDeathofSpirit.Thinkonthisplace,andrememberwhyyouaredoomedtodefeat.

The folds of time and space opened.TheVorlons,who could see this as

wellasanyone,couldonlyhowlinfuryasSinovalfadedfromtheplaceofthedead.Boundby this prison of useless flesh, they could not follow, not in thisform,andtobringthemselvesforthfullywoulddestroyit.

For one instant they thought of doing precisely that, of tearing apart thissackoffleshandbonesandmanifestingcompletely,ofopeningagatewayandallowingtheirtrueformstofollowthroughtotheWellofSouls.

But then reason prevailed. Cold and crisp. Precise andmethodical. Theyneededthisbagofbones.Theyneededitalive.Itwas,forthetimebeing,useful.FartoousefultochangeandtwistastheWellhadevidentlytwistedtheiragent.

Besides,theywerethemastersofthegalaxy.Theyownedthefuture.Theycouldseeitseddies,itswhirlsandtwistsandsurprises.TheywouldconfronttheWellofSoulsagainoneday.

Theyhadtime,allthetimeinthegalaxy.When Sheridan awoke, they were all gone. Sinoval, the Vorlons, all of

them.Heawokealoneinanancientplaceofdeath.Alone,savefortheghosts.

*

WhispersfromtheDayoftheDead—VIII

Itwasover.TheDayoftheDeadhadcomeandgone,andthereseemedtobeavast....emptinessoverBrakir.Peoplewhohadbeenwaiting foryears forthis day now did not know what to do with their lives. They railed at lostchances,brokendreams.

Onesuchwalkedslowlythroughthedeadenedstreets.LastnightMarragohadlookedcloselyatallthepeoplehere,andhelookedevenmorecloselynow,thismorning.Somewerehappy, joyous,butmostweredepressed,weary, tiredeven.Kulomanihadbynomeansbeenunusual.

But he had at least had a chanceMarrago had not. There had been noLyndisty to talk to, to tellone last timehowmuchhe lovedher,howproudhewasofher.

"Afascinatingnight,"cameaslow,mildlyinterestedvoice.Marragoturnedandsawafamiliarfigurestandingintheshadowsofanalley.Hehadnotbeenthere before, Marrago knew he would have noticed, but then there was nosurprisethere."Icanstillseetheflickersoflightandshadow.Oldghosts.Theywalk by moonlight and comet light. To some they speak, to others they are

dumb.""Ican'tsayI'msurprised to findyouhere,"Marragoreplied."This is the

sortofplacewhereyouwouldfitinperfectly.""Professionalcuriosityonly,Iassureyou.ThereisnoonedeadthatIwish

totalkto.""So,didyoufindouthowitworked?Justhowthespiritscamebacktous?

Weretheyevenreal,orjustsomesortofillusion?""Oh, therewerea fewunusual effects I spotted, but I haven'tworkedout

howeverythinghappened.Leavingaside theproblemofnothaving the time, Idon'twanttospoilthemagic.Lettheuniversekeepafewpreciousmysteries.

"Andasforthereality....diditfeelreal?""Yes....yes,itdid.""Thenitwas.Didyoufindwhoyouwerelookingfor?""No,butperhapsIfoundthepersonIneededtosee.Howisthat....private

projectofyoursgoing,then?Theoneyouwon'ttellmeabout.""It is proceeding nicely. I have found a little.... base of operations for it.

Something of a rallying point, you could say. What about you? Is my armyready?"

"Not in this amount of time. I have a small nucleus, a couple of verypromising under-officers. I've been making deals here and there. There's aThrakallancrimelordwhoowesmeafavournow."

"Anysolidplansforthefuture,then?""I'vebeenhearing,justhereandthere,thatagroupisforming.Acoupleof

former captains,mercenaries, outlaws, that sort of thing.Theyalways emergeafterawar,andthebiggerthewarthemoreofthemthereare.They'regoingtocause a bit of havoc and chaos for awhile, and then theAlliance is going tostamponthemandputthemoutofbusiness."

"Iassumeyouhaveotherintentions.""Exactly. With a bit of work I reckon I could take them over in a few

months.Therearen'tmanypeoplewithmystandardsofleadershipandcombatexperiencefloatingaround.I'lljoinup,sizeuptheirstrengthsandweaknesses,forgethemintosomesortoforder,andbeforetheyknowitI'llbetheirleader."

"Youthinkitwillwork?""I've seen groups like that before. Mercenaries just want to be paid for

fighting,andinthissortofgalacticpeacethere'snouseforthem.Icanfindause for them. As for the others.... I will see when I get there. Some may beamenable.Somewillhavetobedealtwith."

"Verywell.Itrustyou.Justgatherandtrainmyarmy.That'sallIask.""That'senoughofataskformostpeople,butI'lldomybest.Imighthave

madeanewallytoday,actually.DoyouknowCaptainKulomani?Brakiri.DarkStarcaptain.Itturnsouthe'snotveryhappywiththewaysomeoftheAlliancepolicyisgoing.Igavehimafewthingstothinkabout.WhenthingsstartfallingapartamongtheAlliance—andtheywill—hemightbewillingtojoinupwithus."

"Ileaveittoyourdiscretion.""I toldyou.I'llgetyouasmuchofanarmyasIcan.Justrememberyour

partofthebargain.Iwantthatname.""Ihavenotforgotten.Itwilltaketime,butIhavenotforgotten.""Good.""Thereisonemorething.These....outlaws.Ifyoudojointhem,whatifthey

begintoraidCentaurishipping,evenattackCentauriworlds?Wouldyoureallyattackyourownpeople?"

"I've thought about that. A lot. But.... what can I do? The raids and theattacks will happen anyway. If I join, then.... eventually I hope to be able tochangethat.

"ButIwilldowhatIhaveto.IfImustkillmypeople,evenmyfriends,thenIwill.Thatisasoldier'sjob,afterall.Tokill."

"Andifamongoneofthosevictimsyouhavetokill,youseeyourdaughter'seyes,whatthen?"

Marragoshivered."Idon'tknow.Somedays,myfriend,IamgladIdonothavetothinkthewayyoudo."

"I dowhatmust bedone. I havegivenupagreat deal tobewhere I amnow,andIwilldoubtlessgiveupagreatdealmore."

"ThensowillI.IfImustkillmydaughteragainthen...."Sobeit."

*

Shewas awake now, awake andmoving.Marrago returned to his room,fresh from his encounterwithMoreil and his twistedmonsters, to find Sennalookingthroughthepitifullyfewbelongingshehadwithhim.

"Whatareyoudoing?"heaskedsoftly.Sheturned,jumpinginshock,andlookedathim.Foramomentshemight

havebeenabout tocry,or scream,orattackhim.Aseriesofemotionschasedeachotheracrossherface,buttheysoonsettled.

"Lookingforsomethingtowear,"sherepliedcalmly,keepinghereyesonhis,lookingathimwarily,halftransfixedbyhisstare,halfreadytorunandflee

at theslightestcause.Shegestureddownat the ragsofherdress. "Unlessyouwereplanningonleavingmeinthis.Ifyouweregoingtoallowmeclothesatall.Wouldyouprefermenaked,lyingonyourbed,awaitingyourpleasure?"

"Stopthat!"heshouted,andsherecoiledasifstruck.Hecouldnotexplainit.StaringdownMoreilandthoseguardiansofhishehadbeencalm,perfectlyatpeace, ready tomove intobattleat theslightestmotion.Buthere,withher,hecouldnotthinkstraight.Nothingmadesense.ItwasjustthethoughtofLyndistysayingthosethings,ofhearinghersaythemtohim.

Shewasshaking,butstillshelookedathim."Do....doyouhaveanythingformetowear?"shewhispered."This....thiswillfallapartbeforelong.Ididn'tseeanything,but...."

"Ididn'tbringmuchwithme.""Inoticed,"shereplied,stilllookingathim."Perhaps a spare jacket canbe re-made into some sort of dress," he said.

Shewas quite a bit shorter thanhewas, and one of his jacketsmight do as adressinapinch."Thereissewingequipmenttheresomewhere.IwilldowhatIcanwhenIhavetime."

"Icansew."He lookedather."Howdoes thedaughterofanoblehouseknowhowto

sew?""Iwatchedtheservants.AneedlelookedalotlikeaswordandIusedto....

pretend Iwas a soldier.That iswhy I learned.At....AtGorash, I survivedbydoingsewingworkandrepairs.Itwas....betterthantheotherway."

Henodded."Youpretendedtobeasoldier.""Iwantedtobeasoldier.Iwantedtobe....strong.""Youthinkthelifeofasoldiermeansyoubecomestrong?""Don'tyou?Ithoughtthat....thetraining,thebattles.IfI'dbeen....stronger,

I'dhave....gotawayfromthat....man....myself.Youare....strong.""Yes, I am. I have been a soldier allmy life. I am strong, but I am also

lucky.Ihaveknownbettersoldiersthanme.Muchbetter.They'realldeadnow.Strengthisn'teverything."

"ButifIjustknewhowtofight,then....""I taught Lyndisty how to fight. I taught her how to use a kutari, a

maurestii,herbarehands,countlessotherweapons.Shewasfast,shewasclever,shewasabetterfighterthanIeverwas,oreverwillbe,andsheisdead."

"I'msorry,"Sennawhispered."ButIamnother.""No," he replied curtly. "And you never will be. If youwish to sew the

jacketyourself,feelfree.Thereisaredoneoverthere.Idonotknowwhatthecolourwilldoforyou,butitisthelightestjacketIhave,andthefabricisnottoo

rough.Itshould....do.Forthemoment.""Therewassomethingelseaswell,"shesaid."I....Ifoundthis."Sheheld

outsomethingtohim,andhiseyesnarrowed.Hemovedforwardandsnatcheditfromherhands.Itwasalocket,madeoffinegold.

"Don'ttouchthat,"hesnapped."Don'tevertouchthatagain!""I'm sorry," shebreathed.Her eyeswerewide, andher faceverypale. "I

didn't mean to...." Then she straightened. "Are you going to hit me?" shesnapped.All traceof fear seemed tohavevanished fromher face. "Ifyouare,thendoit."

"I'mnotgoingtohityou,"hereplied,angryandconfusedandupset."Ihavetogoandtrain."

"Itriedtoleave,"shesaidquickly,movingforwardtocatchhimashemadefor the door. "TheDraziwouldn't letme.All Iwanted to dowaswatch themtrain.Takemewithyou....

"Please.""No,"hereplied."Ifyoufeelyouarecapableofit,trytotakeinthatjacket

foradress.Orfeelfreetoread.Therearesomebooksinthatboxthere.Orgotosleepandrest.

"Butyouwillnotbeallowedtoleavehere.""Whynot?"shehissed."Ifthat....mancomeslookingforme,then....Allhe

candoiskillme,andI'mnotafraidofthat....I'mnot,"sheadded,choking."By theEmperor,"he sighed. "Youarea fool,girl.Hehasalreadykilled

you.Youjusthavenotrealisedthatyet."Shetookastepback,andthenanotherone,andthenshecollapsedontothe

bed, sobbing into it. For amoment hemade to turn back to her, but then hestopped.

ShewasnotLyndisty.Hisdaughterwasdead,andhewouldneverseeheragain,notunlessSinovalchosetogranthimsomeofthatimmortalityofhis,andhewaspresentatthenextDayoftheDead.

ShewasnotLyndisty.Sheneverwouldbe.Shewasa....Hepaused.Hedidnotknowwhatshewas.Shewasstillcrying.

Heleftforhistrainingsession.

*

"Aniceview.""Itis,isn'tit?"Susan sighed. It was a sound David had heard several times during the

periodtheyhadbeentogether.Itwasasoundofutmostexasperation,vergingondisgustathis incredible idealismandnaivet?,a soundbornofherdeep-rootedcynicism.

"Iwasbeingsarcastic,"shereplied,tiredly."Iknow.Iwasn't."Helookeddownontheviewbeforethem,atthelakebelowthehill.Onceit

musthavebeenbeautiful,abreathtakingsight.Hehadheardsomeoftheolderworkerstalkingaboutthelightfromtherisingsunshiningacrossthewater.Eachdropseemedtolightuponebyone,aminiaturecandlerisingintotheheavens.

Butnow....nowtheskywasthickandheavy,andwhatsunlighttherewaswasmuted and grey. The water was saturated with silt andmud. It was dullbrown,aviscoussludgeratherthanatorrent.

Itwas a sign, a reminder always to bewareof the consequences of everyactionyouevertook.Davidcamehereoften.

"Whatdotheycallthisplaceanyway?""ThehilliscalledTuron'val'nalenn-veni,"hesaid."Idon'tknowwhatthe

lakeiscalled.Thenamemeans....""ThePlaceWhereValenWaits,"Susanfinished."Whatwashewaitingfor,

doyouthink?""Idon'tknow.IsupposeIcouldasksomeone.""Youcould."Therewasapause.Alongpause.Itgrewlonger.....Andlonger."So,"Susansaidatlast."So,"Davidreplied."Youneveransweredmyquestion,"Susansaid."Whatareyoudoinghere?

ThisisthelastplaceI'deverhaveexpectedtofindyou.""Iliveherenow.Icamehereto....work,Isuppose.Torebuild,to....make

rightafewthings.Idid....alotofthingsIhatedduringthewar.Ididthis,Susan.Me,orpeoplelikeme.IsupposehelpingtorebuilditispartlyagesturetowardsundoingallthethingsIdidthen.Doesthatmakeanysensetoyou?"

"No,but then Ididn't expectyouranswer tomakeanysense.Thiswasn'tyourfault,youknow."

"Yes it was. I could have donemore to prevent it. I could have done....something."

Shesighedagain,andshookherhead."IswearIreallydonotunderstand

yousometimes.IfIeverdid.""Ifweare talkingabout thingsnotmakinganysense,whatareyoudoing

here?Ithoughtyouweredead,or....goneorsomething.ThelastIheardyou'dbeentakenbacktoZ'ha'dumduringthepeacetreatytalks.Andthen....nothing.Whathaveyoubeendoing?"

"Sleeping.That's not ametaphor, by theway. Imust have slept almost awholeyear.Ispoketheentiretime."

"Irememberyoutalkinginyoursleep,Susan.Youkeptmeawakehalfthenight."

"Oh,comenow.Thatwasn'tjustmetalking.No,I....Ineededtoclearmymindaboutalotofthings.Therewassomeonetheretotalktome,toexplainafewthings.Islepttohealmybody,andIspoketohealmymind."

"Whowereyoutalkingto?""It's.... I really can't explain. If you haven't seen him, then.... I'm sorry,

David.Ican'ttellyou.Ireallycan't."Hesatupstraight,tensing."Sowhyareyouhere?Whowasthatyouwere

talkingtointhetemple?""Ican'ttellyou,David.Pleasedon'tmakeme.""You'reworkingfortheShadows,aren'tyou?Still.Aftereverythingthey've

donetoyou,you'restillworkingforthem.It'sover,Susan,thewar's....""No!David,listentome.I'mnotworkingfortheShadows.They'vegone.

I'mnotworkingfor them.Iwasa lotyounger thefirst timeImet them.Iwasscared,and....Ifeltsoalone.Butnow....Ifeelalotstrongernow.IknowwhatI'mdoing,andwhy.Trustme,David.Thisisright."

"Sinoval,"hesaidsuddenly."You'reworkingforhim,aren'tyou?""Ican'tsayanythingmore.""Susan,he'sdangerous.He'llgetyoukilled.He's....""Nooneisgoingtogetmekilled.Sinoval is....difficult,yes.Anddriven,

andmorethanalittlefrighteningattimes,buthe'sagoodfriend.""Afriend?Him?""David,hehasmorepowerthananyofuscanunderstand.He'ssethimself

on thisquestofhis forhisownreasons.Hehas thepotential tobe thebiggesttyrantandthemostdangerousthreatthisgalaxyhaseverknown.Canyouthinkofapersonmoreinneedoffriends?"

"But....I'msorry.Ijustdon'tknowwhattothinkofallthis.Idon'tseeyouforsolong,andthen...."

"Thankyou,David.""Whatfor?""Youdon'tremember,doyou?Youspoketome.Yousaidthatyouwould

alwaysbethereforme.OnBabylonFour.""Thatwasyearsago.What,five,sixyears?""Notforme,"shereplied.Thenshelaughed."Notforme.Takegoodcare,

David.""What?Whereareyougoing?Youcan'tgo!""Ihaveto.""Youcan't.Notnow.NotwhenI'vejustfoundyouagain.""Ihaveto.I'msorry,David."Sheroseandbegantowalkdownthehill.He

turnedtofaceher."Susan,I...."Hestopped.Therewasnothingtosay."I...."Hecollapsedto

the ground, and simply lay there.He did not know for how long.He did notknow how long he cried.He did not even know that one of his tears trickleddown the hillwhereValenwaits, to join themuddywaters of the lakewhereonce,athousandyearsago,hehadwaitedforhisonetruelovetoreturn,thelakecreated,sosomesaid,fromhistearswhenshedidnot.

Forasingleinstant,unnoticedbyanyone,thelightseemedtoflickeracrossthewaters,onestill,pure,perfectmomentofbeauty.Butitwasonlyamoment,andthenitwasgone,withnoonetosee,oreventoknowithadexisted.

*

Fear.ItshouldnothavebeenabletotouchMorden.Nothim.Notthemanwhohadwatchedallthoseheloveddie.Notthemanwhohaddiedhimself.NotthemanwhohadpledgedhimselftothesideoftheLordsofLight.

Butstill,ashetookthoselong,darkstepsintothebowelsoftheearthdeepbeneaththeRoyalPalace,Mordenfeltfear.

Hedidnotlikethisplace.Hehadnotlikeditwhenhehadbeenimprisonedhere—twice—andhelikeditevenlessnow.TheInquisitorshadtakenoverthe dungeons for their own purposes. Therewere plenty of Shadow agents orspies or conspirators to be questioned and interrogated. Some were perfectlyinnocentofcourse,andwerereleased.Somewerenot,andwerenotseenagain.

Eventhosewhohadbeenfreedwere....changedbytheexperience.Mordensaw some of them from time to time, servantsmoving in the corridors of thepalace, nobles meeting in the Court. Their eyes were always downcast, theirvoices hushed. They never laughed, never told jokes, never seemed to takepleasureinanything.

The Inquisitorswere an evil, yes, but a necessary one.TheShadowshadhiddenforathousandyearsafterithadbeenthoughttheyweredefeated.Valen

andhisallieshadstormedthegatesofZ'ha'dumitselfandputtoflightallthosetheyfoundthere.Shadowworldshadbeenoccupied,Shadowbasesdestroyed.

Butstill theyhadlivedon,hiding,waiting.Andthosewhofollowedthemhidandwaitedalso,movinginsilence,keepingtotheirfaith.

Thistimetheyhadtobesure.Therecouldbenoroomfordoubt.Noneatall.

No,MordendidnotliketheInquisitors.Inanidealworldtheywouldnotbeneeded,butthenthiswasveryfarfromanidealworld.

But there was one even the Inquisitors feared. He held no rank — theInquisitorsdidnotseemtohaveranksassuch—buthewastheirleader,theonetheyallbowedtoinacceptance.Hehadbothageandexperience,andafanaticalwill.Somethingshoneinhiseyes....notmadness,notevenzeal,but....necessity.

Mordensupposedhecouldhavesentacourieroraservant todeliver thismessage,buthewastherepresentativeoftheVorlons.HewastheliaisonoftheInquisitors.Hewoulddoithimself.

Hestoppedat thedoor, the furthest,bottom-mostone,naturally.Also thedarkest, but strangely, the cleanest.Therewerenoguards.Whatwouldbe thepoint? Besides, there could have been Shadow agents amongst the guardsanyway.Wherebetterforthemtohide?

Heknockedatthedoor,firmly.Hewouldnotshowthisonehisfear.Therecameacrisp,preciselyaccented,"Enter!"Heopenedthedoorandwalkedin.

"Mr. Morden," Sebastian said, not turning. "What manner of businessbringsyouhere?"

TheSoulHunterwashangingsuspendedbyhiswristsfromabeamatthecentreof theroom.Hiseyeswereclosed,but thestrangejewelinhisforeheadwas glowing dully. Morden thought he saw his own reflection within it.Sebastianwasnotreflectedthere,obviously.

"Wehavefoundhisship,"Mordenreplied."Ithasnotbeenboarded,asyouordered,andtherearesixguardsonpermanentduty.Wehaveafurthertwenty-fourinthesurroundingareaandaccessroads."

"Ah," Sebastian said. "Excellent.Double the number of guards. Iwill goandvisitthisshipshortly,butitmustbedonecarefully.IftheshipcontainswhatI expect to find there, then we must be absolutely meticulous. Do you notagree?"

"Thoroughnessisalwaysimportant,"Mordenreplied."Wellsaid. Ihaveneedofa fewmorehourshere,and thenwillvisit this

ship.Ensurenoone,andIsincerelymeannoone,entersthevessel.Anyonebutmyselfwhotriesistobeexecutedinstantly.Doyouunderstand?"

"Perfectly."

"Good.Thengo."Morden bowed, and turned to leave. It took an awesome amount of

willpower to resist the urge to sprint out of the room. In one last gesture ofdefiancehe lookedupat theSoulHunteragain.Hehadopenedhiseyesnow,andtherewasaclearindicationoffearthere.

Shakingslightly,Mordenleft.Nosoundscamefromthatroom.Notone.

*

SometimesG'Karfelthecouldjustreachouthishandandtouchthefarsideofthegalaxy.Hefelthecouldgraspstarsinhishandandshutoutsunswithathought.Hecouldwalkthroughtimeitself.Therewasnosecretincreationthatwasnotknowntohim,nomysteryhecouldnotunravel.

Wakingcameslowly,asalways.Thisworldandthenext,theoneofdreamandmemory,weregrowingnearerandnearerwitheverypassingday.HecouldstillhearthehumoftheGreatMachineinhismind,stillregrettedthepassingofthepowerhehadlearnedtowieldsowell.

Hehadalwaysmistrusted thosewithpower.TheCentaurihadhadpoweroverhimandhispeople,and theyhadmisused it.TheKha'Rihadpower,andtheyusedittoplaytheirlittlegamesofintrigueanddeception.

That,hesupposed,waswhyhehadsoughtpowerhimself.Hiswordshadfired the hearts of his people. His speeches had spread thought and wonderwherevertheywereheard.Hecouldhavetoppledcontinentswithaword.

Whobettertowieldpowerthanonewhodidnotwantit?But now.... now he wanted it again. He dreamed of the Machine. He

imaginedhewasthereagain,andalltheyearsinbetweenhadbeennothingbutanillusion,adream.

Thewarwasover.TheShadowshadgone.Whatplaceinthisnewgalaxyforsuchashim?Aleaderofsoldierswithnoenemytofight.Aprophetofdoomwithnopropheciestoutter.

He was not needed, and he knew it. He was not wanted. He was.... adifficulty,aproblem.

Anobstacle.Hebroughthismindbacktothediscussionathand.Hewasstillamember

oftheAllianceCouncilafterall.Thenumberofmeetingsheattendedwasfewthesedays,butthiswasimportant,andhehadmadeanefforttobehere.

TodaytheywouldfinallychooseaCommandingOfficerforBabylon5.There had been a number of officers acting in that position during its

construction and the early weeks. Some had acted with honour and dignity,others....lessso.ButtherewasneedforapermanentCOnow,andtherewereagreatmanycandidates.Eachnamewasraised,andeachnamedismissedforonereasonoranother.

He ran the names through in his mind.Major Krantz, human, a capableenough officer, if uninspiring, but his ties to Bester still placed him undersuspicion, evenwithBestermissing for all theseyears.G'Kar rememberedhisbetrayalalltoowell.

CaptainTikopai,anotherhuman.Shewascompetentandpainstaking.Shedid not want the position, however. An underlying sense of cynicism and adaughteronProxima3ensuredthat.

CarnMollari,CentauriLord-General.Afine leader,muchadmiredbyhissoldiers, and of course highly connected in the byzantine corridors of theCentauri Government. But his race automatically excluded him from theposition.TheKha'Riwouldnot stand for anyCentauri in suchaposition, andnorwouldmanyoftheotherraces.

Daro andTaanChurok and theotherDraziwould all refuse theposition,evenintheunlikelyeventofthembeingofferedit.G'KarhadheardtalesofwhatwashappeningintheDraziworldssincetheConflict.AnyDraziwhotooksuchapositionwithintheAlliancewouldbeanoutcastathome.

TheKha'Ri,surprisinglyenough,hadnotputforwardanycandidates.Thestatement given byG'Kael stated they did not feel they had any officerswithappropriateexperience.G'Kar,whocouldnameatleastthree,waspuzzled,butthiswasmerely onemore puzzle.TheKha'Ri had learned toomuch from theCentauri.Where once he would have understood their little games, and evencontrolled themtoacertainextent,nowhewasreducedtomerelystandingbyandwatching.

CaptainCorwin'snamecameupmorethanonce.HewasknowntobethepersonalchoiceofGeneralSheridan,buthewasnothere.Infactnooneknewwherehewas.Hehadnotbeenseeninoverayear.Somethoughthewasdead.

TherewerenoMinbari candidates.The religious castewas tooweak, theworker caste did not desire the role and the warrior caste was too muchmistrusted. The spectres of the civil war and of Sinoval's disappearance hungheavy over them all. The Minbari had not even formally appointed anAmbassador here yet. They had always been a private people, and for all theGreyCouncil'swordsofopeninguptheirworlds,theywerestillapartfromtheotherraces.

TheVorlons,naturally,saidnothing,didnothing,anddidnotseemtocareanyway.

The other races put forward candidates. Llort, Abbai, Vree, Hyach, butnoneofthemhadarepresentativewiththeappropriateexperience,ordesire,orthe support necessary. This was a highly political appointment, very high-profile.InmanywaysthispersonwouldbethepublicfaceoftheAlliance.

Delenn was too busy of course, as was Sheridan, as was every othermemberofthisbody,evenG'Karhimself.

Therewasonename left,andaftercountlesshoursofargument italwayscamebacktohim.Hislobbywaspowerful,andhisAmbassadorcarriedagreatdealofweight.HisexperienceduringtheShadowWarspokevolumes,andhisloyaltywasbeyonddoubt.HehadgovernedBabylon5forafewmonthsduringtheconstructionandhadperformedflawlessly.

Itwasinmanywaysanobviouschoice,ifhewantedthepost.Whichwasperhapswhyithadtakensolongforafinaldecisiontobemade.

"Do you want this position?" Delenn asked him finally. There had beenmanyhoursofdebate,butintheendtheAllianceCouncilwasagreed.

"No,"CaptainKulomanireplied."Idonot,butifthereisnooneelse,ifthisishowImaybestservetheAlliance,ifthis....ifthisismyfate....

"Thensobeit.DoyouallwishmetocommandBabylonFive?"Thenverywell.IwillbeyourCommander.IwillserveasbestasIcan.""Thatisallweask,"Delennsaid,smiling."Thatisallweask."G'Kar flicked a glance at the silentVorlon in the corner of the room, its

bone-whiteencountersuitseemingtoabsorball thelightthatpassednearit.Afaintglowcamefromitseyestalk.

TheVorlonseemednotunpleasedwiththechoice.G'Karshivered.Itwasnotcold.

*

Hewasquiet,unusuallyso,evenforhim.Itwasstrange.Hedidnotseemangry,hedidnotseemanythingatall.Hesatinsilenceinhischairandstaredintonothing.

Hedidnotblinkonceduringtheentirejourney.If anyone in his crew wondered why they were returning to Babylon 5

withouthavingfoundwhattheywerelookingfor,noneofthemasked.Ifanyonewonderedattheeasewithwhichtheyweremovingthroughhyperspace,findingtheirpathbacktothebeacons,noonementioneditaloud.

If anyone noticed anything.... different about their captain, none of themsaidathing.

They merely carried on with their duties, but they moved a little morequietlythanusual,alittlemorecarefully,alittlemoreprecisely.Theyspokeinhushedvoices,castingtheoccasionalfearfulglanceinhisdirection.

Hewasdifferent,andnotinanywaytheyliked.General John Sheridan did not seem to notice the fear in the eyes of his

crew. He did not seem to notice anything at all. In fact, he spent the wholejourneybacktoBabylon5staringatthebridgeofhisship.

But there were a few, those who had known him longest, people likeKo'DathandG'Dan,whowouldswearblindhewasnotstaringatnothing.Theythought, in some way they could not truly express, that he was looking atsomething.

Something none of them could see, and something none of them wouldprobablywantto.

Butnoonespokeaboutit.Notasingleword.

*

Hecouldhavebeensleeping.Hecouldhavebeenrestingquietlyinhisbed,enjoyingthepeacethatcomeswitholdage.

Buthewasnotsleeping.Thiswasnothisbed.Andhewasmostdefinitelynotatpeace.As she did every night, Timov walked into the room slowly and with

perfect elegance. Inonehand shewas carrying aglassof jhala, in theother aglowinglightglobe.

As she did every night, Timov set the globe on the table beside herhusband'sbed.Next to it, sheplaced theglassof jhala. If hedidnotwakeuptonight,oneoftheservantsormedicswouldcomeandremoveitinthemorning,anddoubtlessdrinkitthemselves.

Asshedideverynight,Timovsettledherselfintothechairnexttothebedandtookhiscold,coldhandsinhers.Shelookedupattheclockonthefarsideoftheroom,notattheharshmachineskeepingherhusband'sbodyalive.

Andasshedideverynight,shespokethethreewords,nottoherhusband,nottoaservantoraguardoradoctor.Noteventoherself.Theywerespokentoamanshehardlyknew,hadseldomtalkedtoandhadnotseeninoverayear.

As she did every night, she looked into the shadows at the corner of theroom,hoping,almostprayingthattherewouldbetheslightestsignofmovementthere, the faintest trace.Shecouldnot seehim,but sheknew fromexperience

thatthatdidnotmeanhewasnotthere."Whereareyou?"Asithadbeeneverynight,therewasnoreply,notwitchoftheshadows,no

hintofmotion,nosoundofbreath.Therewasnothing.And as she did every night, Timov sat forward in her chair, holding her

husband'scold,coldhands,and looking intoherhusband's still, cold face,andshewaitedforhimtowakeup.Itwouldnotdoforhimtowakeuptoalonelyandemptyroom.

And as she did every morning, she turned and left the room, with herhusband'smotionlessbodystillthere,stillalive,stilltrapped,stillsilent,stillnotshowingtheslightestindicationthatshehadbeenthere.

But as she did everymorning, shewalked from the roomwith pride anddeterminationthatbeliedherlackofsleep.ShewasTimov,daughterofAlghul,wifeofEmperorMollariII.

Andshehadworktodo.

*

Theapartmentseemeddarkerthanusualasheentered.Thereseemedtobethingsmovinginthecorners, justontheedgeofhisperception.Assoonashelookeddirectlyatthem,theywerestill.

He dropped his coat casually on the chair, stepped over the pile ofyesterday'snewspapersonthefloor,lookedattheevenlargerpileofpaperworkonthedeskandsighed,goingovertothecommscreen.

"Youhavetwoaudiomessages,"itsaid,andheactivatedthem."Dexter,"camethefirst."It'sBethany.Iwasjustwonderingifyouwanted

tohavedinnersometimenextweek. Igotabottleofwine todayand it'dbeashametodrinkitalone.Letmeknow."

He sighed. That was not something he wanted to consider just now. Heplayedthesecondmessage.

"Greetings, brother." He froze. It was the voice of the.... thing they hadcaptured.Thatwasimpossible.Hecheckedthetimeofthemessage,andhiseyeswidened.More than twohours after it had.... died, or dissolved, or committedsuicideorwhatever.Heplayedtherestofthemessage.

"Wecannotbegotridofsoeasily.Thinkonwhatwehavesaid,brother.Itwillbesomucheasierifyoujoinusofyourownfreewill.Wearethefortunateones.Therearemanyworseplacestobe.

"Thinkonitforamoment,brother.Wewillbewatchingyou."Themessageended,andDexterslowlylookedaroundattheshadowsofhis

room,onebyone."Idon'tscarethateasily,"hesaid,lying.Hewenttothefridgeandpulledoutabottleofbeer.Drinkingitslowlyand

kicking off his shoes, he went over to the table and looked at the pile ofpaperworkthere.

"Nope,"hesaid."Aproblemforanotherday."Hesetdownthebottleandpicked up the pack of playing cards hidden beneath the financial budgetdocuments. Therewere all sorts of silly cards available these days, even oneswith Sheridan as theKing of Spades andDelenn as theQueen ofHearts andothernonsense.Buttheseweresimple,normal,traditionalcards.

Hebegantoshufflethemidly,cuttingandreshuffling."So,"hesaid,tonooneinparticular."Explainthatdealerchipagain?"

A handful of cards caught on his finger and fell to the table. Mutteringangrily,hesetdowntherestofthepackandpickedthemup.

TheKingofClubs.TheKingofSpades.TheEightofClubs.TheEightofSpades.

"Youhavegottobekiddingme,"hesaid,ashepickedupthefifthcard.TheJackofDiamonds.DeadMan'sHand.Sighing, he threwall the cardsover his shoulder.He couldpick themup

tomorrow.Thingswouldfeelalittlebettertomorrow.He'dcomeupwithareplytoBethany'sinvitation,finishoffhisspeechtotheSenateonSection31(3)oftheWartimeEmergencyProvisions,andnotjumpatthingsthatweren'tthere.

Everythingwouldbebettertomorrow.Hewenttobed.

*

Hewassurroundedbydarknessandonlydarkness.Heworkedtheformsasassiduously as he ever had when he was a student. He danced with unseenopponents, recognising their moves and countering them with his own.Stormbringerseemedtoflowinhishands,asmuchapartofhimasever.Hehadheardlegendsofwarriorswhosebladeschangedtomatchthem,becomingapartoftheirsoul,even.Well,Stormbringerwasapartofhissoul.Ithadbeenforgedassuch—amirrortothedarknesswithinhim.

"Butlessofadarknessnow,hmm,brother?"Sinovalsaid.Hestoppedhisdance,andinclinedhisheadinagestureofrespecttohisimaginaryopponents.

"Yousee,SechDurhan,"hesaid."Ihavenotforgottenyourteachings."He then sat down to meditate. He did not sleep any more, and it was

surprising how much more time was available without the need for slumber.Therewerecountlessaffairsthatneededhisattention,however,andallhistimewasstilltakenuptwiceover.

TherewasanotherlessonhehadlearnedfromDurhanallthoseyearsago.Maketimeforrest.Maketimefornothingness.Maketimetoclearthoughtsandmindandrememberinthattimepreciselywhoandwhatyouare.

"IknowwhoIam,"hesaidtothedarkness."IknowwhatIam.Iamnotafraid,notofmyself, andnotofmyenemies."Hebreathedout slowly.Henolonger needed to breathe these days either, but it was a refreshingly normalaction.

He sensedher arrival a fewmoments before she entered.Hehad tried towarn her about entering his donjon, but naturally she did not listen. He wasfortunateshehadheededhisadviceaboutnotenteringtheWellofSoulsitself.

"Hihoney.I'mhome!""Susan,"hesaid,creatinglightwithamerethought."Enter."Shewalkedin,pullingbackthehoodofhergreyrobeandshakingouther

long dark hair. "Thiswill take ages towash properly," she complained. "Stillpractising?"

"Meditating.""Ah.Iwasinterruptingagain.BadSusan.""Itdoesnotmatter.Howdiditgo?"Shesatdowncross-leggedacross fromhim."Youwere right.Again.The

Vorlons have been doing something there, and they still are.Officially there'sjust the oneAmbassador inYedor, but there are at least another three or fourfloatingaround.IspoketosomeonewhosawseveralinTuzanor."

"Thenetwork?""Yes, that's there,butIdon't thinkthatwasit.Icouldn'treallyinvestigate

any furtherwithout puttingmyself at risk, but there's something underYedor.DamnedifIknowwhat,though."

"Wereyouinanydanger?""No.SomeoneIknewrecognisedme.NotsomeoneIthoughtI'dbeseeing,

believeme.""Isthispersonadanger?""No.Definitelynot.Takemywordforit.""Iwill.Verywell,then.IwillhavetoseeifIcangetafewothersthereto

investigate.Idarenotoverplaymyhand,butiftheVorlonsaredoingsomethingtoMinbar,Iwanttoknowwhatandwhy.Perhapssomeoneelse,ifyoufearyou

wouldberecognisedthereagain?""Feelfree,andyes,IthinkIwillbe.Thiswouldbeoneofyourmanyother

agentsIdon'tknowabout?Anddon'ttellmethatwhatIdon'tknowwon'tgetmekilled.I'veseenenoughofwartoknowit'susuallytheexactopposite."

"Whatyoudonotknowcannotbepulled fromyourmindby telepathsorthenetwork."

"Ah.Goodpoint.So,howwasyourmission?""Itwent....asexpected.""HowwasJohn?Didyouconvincehim?Orshouldyounotbetellingme

this?""The Vorlons know everything that happened there. That was the point,

afterall.Andno,hedidnotlisten.""WhatabouttheVorlonsthemselves?Didtheylisten?""Of course not. Oh, they were.... shaken, although they hid it very well.

TheydidnotrealisehowmuchoftheirpastIknowabout.TherevelationthatIknewaboutGolgothawasasurprisetothem."

"Fine,you'veshakenthemup,butwasitallworthit?Theyknowwhatyouaredoing,theyknownottounderestimateyou...."

"Iwould like to think theyknewthatanyway.TheywouldfindoutaboutmysummoningtheFirstOnessoonerorlater.Nowtheyhavefoundthatoutbymy urging, at a time and place of my choosing. 'Choose your battlefield andmake your enemy come to you.' Theywill now no doubtwonderwhat else Iknowaboutthem,andtheywillactwithcaution,allowingmemoretimetodowhatmustbedone."

She shrugged. "As you like, but thewhole thing sounded like awaste oftimetome."

"Oh, Iwouldnot say that."Sinoval reached intoapocketofhis robeandpulledoutasmallglobe,filledwithredmistandsmoke.Clearlyvisible,trappedbytheswirlingfogandflashesoflightningwasahumanbeing.ItwastheexactimageofGeneralJohnSheridan.

"No.Iwouldnotsaythatatall."