by Peter David
Rhys was at the far head of the table, and he was already standing and offering his chair to the emperor. Londo, with the omnipresent Dunseny at his side, nodded in acknowledgment of the gesture and took the preferred seat. He glanced around the table, bobbed his head in greeting once more, and then sat there with a slightly vacant smile. "Highness?" Durla said.
Londo still didn't respond until Dunseny nudged him slightly, then he seemed to come to himself. "Yes. Good to see me. And it is good to be seen. I felt that I had not been doing that sufficiently of late." He leaned forward, and said in a conspiratorial voice, "I raised quite a fuss on my way over, you know. People in the street pointed, whispered among themselves. 'Is that he?' they asked. 'is that the emperor? I thought he was dead!' "
Londo laughed at that rather heartily, until the laughter suddenly turned to a violent, racking cough. It took a full thirty seconds for it to subside, and during that time the ministers looked uncomfortably around the table at one another.
Finally Londo managed to compose himself. Dunseny solicitously dabbed at the edges of the emperor's mouth with a cloth.
Durla found it difficult to believe that the old retainer was still at Londo's side. Dunseny had managed to outlive every member of the House Mollari who had been there when he started with the family. He seemed thinner, greyer, but otherwise no less efficient in his duties and attentions. For a time Throk had replaced Dunseny, as a means of keeping a perpetual closer eye on Londo, but Throk had come to a bad end. At that point, Londo had firmly reinstated Dunseny, and Durla had decided to let the matter go rather than press it. Somehow it didn't seem worth the aggravation.
"My apologies, Ministers. Old age is not exactly a blessing."
"Then again, it's preferable to the alternative, Highness," Kuto said in his booming voice.
Londo shot a glance at him. "Is it?" he asked.
There didn't seem to be any ready response for this, and Kuto didn't try to make one.
Londo's gaze focused on Lione. "Minister ... where did you acquire that scar on your throat?"
Lione automatically reached up to touch it, but caught self. Without looking at Durla, he said, "A mishap, Emperor Nothing more."
"Yes. Most unfortunate. I hear tell from Dunseny that there seems to be a virtual epidemic of clumsiness going on in the palace these days. Your wife, I hear tell, suffered such a seizure," Londo said, swiveling his gaze to Durla. "Odd. When I was married to her, she was the most graceful and coordinated of all the women whom I called wife. Curious that she would become so accident-prone. Perhaps the process of aging has been no kinder to her than to me, eh?"
There was something in his look that Durla definitely did not like. So he cleared his throat a bit more loudly than was needed, and said, "Highness... you still have not graced us with the purpose for your visit..."
"The purpose. Ah, yes. It is my understanding, Durla, that this meeting was being held to discuss the current state of readiness for the Centaurum's reclamation of our great and illustrious heritage-presumably, over the dead bodies of those who would stand in our way."
"May 1 ask who told you that, Highness?"
"Certainly. General Rhys did."
Durla, stunned, looked to the general. Rhys returned the look blandly. "His Highness asked," he said by way of explanation. "He is my emperor, the supreme ruler and commander of this world. If he asks me a question about the status of military readiness, naturally it is my obligation to respond truthfully."
"Ah. Pardon my surprise, General..you had not informed me that the emperor had asked." "You did not ask, Minister."
Durla cursed to himself. That was typical of Rhys. He was a brilliant tactician and an utterly fearless fleet commander. But had a streak of individuality that he flashed every so often, apparently for Durla's benefit. Technically, he had done nothing wrong. He was indeed obligated, through oath and historical tradition of his rank, to answer first and foremost to the emperor, with no obligation whatsoever to report those discussions to others. even the prime minister. If Durla made too much of an issue of his actions, it would reflect poorly on him. "Highness," Durla said carefully, "these are matters of an extremely delicate and sensitive nature. In the future, I would appreciate if any inquiries you might wish to make on these subjects come through my office."
"Are you endeavoring to dictate terms to me, Durla?" Londo asked.
There was an undercurrent of danger in the tone that brought Durla up short. Suddenly he was beginning to regret that he had not taken steps to dispose of Londo ages ago. Granted, the military supported Durla. There was no question about that, and there was intense loyalty from those who remembered Durla from when he himself was part of the rank and file. They perceived him as one of their own. However, ranking and highly regarded officers -such as Rhys -continued to show respect for the position of emperor. Not even aberrations such as Cartagia had diminished the military compulsion to stand behind whoever held the highest rank in all of Centauri Prime. Durla had no desire to make Rhys and other higher-ranking officers, for whom Durla spoke, choose their allegiances. Because he had no real way of controlling how those choices would fall.
So he put forward his most ready smile, and said reassuringly, "Of course not, Highness. You are Centauri Prime. I would no sooner dictate terms to you than tell the sun which way to rise."
"Don't underestimate yourself, Prime Minister. I have little doubt that-if you thought you might succeed-you might easily decide that the sun should rise in the west so that you can sleep in."
This drew mild laughter from the others. Durla nodded amiably at the small joke made at his expense.
"We have quite a military industrial complex under way, Prime Minister," Londo continued. "Many papers are brought before me for my signature and seal. I have continued to sign off on them, as an indication of my support. For I believe, as do you-as do all of you-that Centauri Prime has a great destiny to pursue. Although I doubt I could put forth the matter so eloquently or enthusiastically as Minister Vallko."
"I am honored and flattered that you would think so, Highness," Vallko said. "I have always felt that our positions complemented each other. That you attended to the well-being of the bodies of our people... and I to their spirits."
"Well said, Minister, well said," Londo said, thumping the table with unexpected vigor. "And since the bodies of my people are involved in the work that you are doing, I wish to know" where we stand."
"It is somewhat... involved, Highness."
"Then involve me."
Durla started to offer another protest, but he saw the firm, unyielding look on the emperor's face and abruptly realized that-most unexpectedly-things had become uncertain. He had to remind himself that there was really no need to keep Londo Mollari out of the loop. It wasn't as if he could do anything to thwart their efforts. The people's taste for conquest had only been whetted by strikes Centauri Prime had made against worlds at the outer fringes of the damnable Alliance's influence. There was already momentum involved, and there was no way that anyone, even the emperor, could stem the tide.
And, of course, he had no intention of doing so. Durla was quite certain of that. This was merely an exercise in face-saving, that was all. When Centauri Prime achieved its destiny of conquest, Mollari wanted to be able to bask in the reflected glory.
Understandable. Who wouldn't want to? But the people would know the truth, and the military-despite Rhys' knee-jerk compulsion-likewise would know it was Durla's vision that fired the Centauri movement. In the long run, Mollari's endeavors to attach himself to Durla's greatness would backfire. Durla was sure of that. He would be revealed for the posturing poseur that he was.
In the meantime, why risk alienating allies such as Rhys and those he represented just
because he -Durla -was able to see through the emperor's pathetic maneuvering?
"Very well," Durla said simply.
And so he proceeded to lay out, in detail, all the up-to-date particulars of Centauri Prime's
military buildup. All the outposts, operating under varying degrees of secrecy, that were assembling the Centauri fleet that would sweep out among the Alliance worlds and spread the ultimate dominance of the Centaurum.
"So we are not rushing into this," Londo said slowly, once Durla was finished providing the specifics.
"Absolutely not, Emperor. The initial strikes that we have made served a twofold purpose. First, we were testing the will of the Alliance members, and frankly, we are less than impressed, They have grown complacent in their prosperity and their sense of peace. To them, our attack on Narn was an aberration, a distant memory at best. We have managed, through a carefully orchestrated campaign of publicity and information, planned by Minister Lione and well executed by Minister Kuto ..." and he gestured toward the pair, who nodded gratefully, "to associate those days-in the minds of the Alliance-with the reign of the mad emperor Cartagia. You, Highness, are seen as a very different animal."
"Certainly a less rabid one, I would hope," Londo said with a hint of irony. "So 1 am perceived as a comparatively benign, harmless ruler. An interesting epitaph, I suppose. 'Here lies Londo Mollari: a harmless enough fellow.' "
This drew a laugh from Kuto, who promptly silenced himself when he noticed that no one else was joining in.
Picking up after the momentary quiet, Durla continued, "We have further managed to pave the way, through backroom dealings, for key representatives of key governments to be ... accommodating ... to our attacks on assorted worlds. Furthermore, in launching the assaults, we have been testing the versatility and effectiveness of the vessels that we have assembled thus far. We are pleased to report that the tests of these prototypes have met with overwhelming success."
"Excellent." Londo nodded. Dunseny's head was likewise bobbing in agreement.
"There were a few places where ship performance could be improved." General Rhys spoke up. "Questions of maneuverability, and proper distribution of energy resources in weaponry. Problems that made no difference against small worlds that are relatively helpless ... but could loom large when it comes to battles against the more powerful members of the Interstellar Alliance."
"We are attending to that, Highness," Lione quickly assured him. "I have scientists, technicians, going over all the specifics cited by the general and his board of advisers. Nothing is being left to chance."
"I have found, Minister, that 'chance' usually has its own feelings as to just what is being left to it, and has a habit of inserting itself into matters at its whim." Londo scratched his chin thoughtfully. "And it will come to a direct challenge to the Alliance, yes? I understand the reasons for concentrating on smaller worlds ... but I cannot say I embrace it enthusiastically. It seems ... beneath us, no? Considering what it is we wish to accomplish."
"The hard fact, Highness, is that the Alliance's attacks and strictures reduced us, militarily and technically, to a state of in-fancy," Durla said. Rhys looked as if he was bristling slightly, but he said nothing. Durla continued, "To that end, we must relearn how to walk before we can run. There is really no choice in the matter."
"But it is merely a temporary condition, Highness." Vallko spoke up. "Nothing is more firmly written in the book of fate than that the great Centauri Republic will hold the stars in its palm."
The words, to Durla's surprise, seemed to jolt Londo slightly. "Is there a problem, Highness?"
"No. No problem," Londo assured him quickly. "Just... a reminder ... of an image I saw a long time ago. A vision... of just that. I think perhaps, Vallko, you are indeed correct."
"Of course he is correct, Highness," Durla said flatly. "Our timetable calls for, at most, another two years before a full fleet has been assembled. A fleet that will more than satisfy all the requirements put forward by General Rhys and his advisers. A fleet that will cover the known galaxy as comprehensively as grains of sand cover a beach." His voice began to rise as he became more and more taken with the impending realization of his vision. "When the time is right, we will launch a multistage assault on the Homeworlds of many of the Alliance governments, taking the war to them directly." He saw heads bobbing around the table, and Londo's gaze was fixed upon him in fascination. "If we strike hard enough, we can immobilize them, and pave the way for full-scale assaults on their holdings that will leave them powerless against further Centauri aggression."
"The only problem," Vallko said with a touch of caution, "remains Sheridan. This is a man who faced both Shadows and Vorlons, and caused them to back down. There are some who say he is more than Human."
"With all respect, Vallko, we are definitely more than Human," Durla reminded him. "That makes us more than a match."
But Vallko's worries were not so easily dissuaded. "It is said he cannot die. Or that he is already dead."
And from the end of the table came a whisper from Londo. " 'You must not kill the one who is already dead.' "
Confused looks were exchanged around the table. "Highness?" Dunseny prompted.
Londo looked up at Dunseny and forced a smile. "Just... remembering old voices, Dunseny. At my age, I am pleased I can remember anything. Then again, you are older than I am by far, and you never forget anything. Why is that?"
"Because, Highness, at my age, there are fewer things worth remembering."
The exchange drew an appreciative chuckle from the ministers.
"Sheridan is just one man," Durla reminded them, bringing the conversation back on track. "Let us not forget that he was involved with three great campaigns in his life: the Earth-Minbari War, the Shadow War, and his assault on his own Homeworld Let us also not forget how each of those disputes was ultimately settled," and he ticked them off on his fingers. "The Minbari surrendered; the Vorlons and Shadows voluntarily stood down and departed from known space; and his prime nemesis on Earth, the president, was considerate enough to commit suicide. Sheridan has never been in a position where he faced an enemy who would not back down. That is not the case here. Who here would back down from him? Which of you would tell me that-if faced with John Sheridan demanding your surrender-you would willingly do so?"
It was Rhys who spoke immediately. "Death first."
There were agreeing nods from around the table.
"He will be facing a very different creature when the full might of the Centauri Republic is unleashed upon him," Durla said.
"The people do not feel that way," Kuto said.
Durla turned and gaped at him. "The people? The people do not?"
"I am not saying they do not support you, Prime Minister," Kuto said quickly as the gazes of the others fell upon him. "But Minister Vallko is correct. The people rejoice in our achievements and call out their support publicly... but privately, my research says, they still fear Sheridan."
"We cannot have that!" Durla replied. "This is an alarming comment on the state of the Centauri mind ... and it must be addressed at once. At once! Kuto -arrange for a public speaking display. Immediately, do you hear me! Lione, Vallko, assist him!"
The other ministers were caught off guard by the sudden change of mood in the room, the abrupt way that Durla's attitude had shifted. But they hastened to obey his orders. Londo said nothing, and merely watched silently.
Within moments, Durla and Londo were standing at a balcony on one of the lower floors of the Tower of Power. There were no windows in the Tower, which added to the mystique of the place. There was, however, the one balcony, which Durla had insisted upon for just such an occasion. The Tower had been well placed, for there was always a crowd of people around the base, just going about their business.
When Durla spoke, his voice boomed throughout the entire city, thanks to a multitude of hidden speakers. Not only that, but his oversize holographic image appeared throughout Centauri Prime, carrying his word far and wide. People on the other side of the world were jolted from their sleep by the unexpected intrusion of Prime Minister Durla. Londo, although at his side, was mysteriously absent from the projection. Only Durla's image loomed large, which he felt
was as it should be.
"It has been brought to my attention," Durla's voice echoed throughout the assemblage, all eyes below turning up toward him, "that as Centauri Prime returns to glory, there are many of you who fear reprisals from John Sheridan. Many who think that this man, who formed the Alliance, presents a threat to our world! That our recent, successful endeavors to expand our holdings will be met with resistance, and that we-as many others have-will surrender to President Sheridan, simply because he will ask us to! And why not? The Minbari surrendered. The Vorlons surrendered. The Shadows surrendered. Why not we?"
And he received exactly the answer he was hoping for. Someone below shouted, "Because we are Centauri!" Immediately others took up the shout.
"Yes! We are Centauri!" Durla announced, receiving a resounding cheer in return. "And in those instances when we choose to exercise our might, we will achieve nothing less than victory! Victory at all costs! Victory in spite of all terror! Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival!"
"Victory!" the people in the street shouted.
"We shall not flag or fail!" Durla continued. "We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in the void; we shall fight on planets; we shall fight in hyperspace; we shall fight on the Rim. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in space; we shall defend our Homeworld, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight in the asteroid fields; we shall fight in the nebulae; we shall fight among the stars -we shall never surrender!"
The roar that went up was deafening, and seemed to go on forever. Durla drank it in, a virtual sponge for the adulation he was receiving. He stepped back in off the balcony to receive the congratulations from the other ministers.
"Well done! Very well done!" burbled Kuto, and the others echoed the sentiments.
Only Londo seemed to have any pause. "And tell me, Durla ... what do you think the reaction of Sheridan will be when he hears this speech of yours? How do you think he will react? Are you not concerned that he may be moved to strike first?"