by Peter David
"What is it?" Adi said, looking at it wonderingly.
"That," Vir told him, "is a Drakh. One of the creatures I told you about. Told all of you about," he said, raising his voice. Not that anyone was having trouble hearing him, his voice echoing there in the tunnels. "The creatures who brought a plague to humanity. The ones who are operating behind the scenes here on Centauri Prime. And, I believe, the ones who are truly responsible for the 'visions' that our beloved prime minister is always talking about."
"What's it doing down here?" Renegar demanded.
"We are not sure," Gwynn said evenly, "but he may or may not have followed you, Renegar."
Renegar turned deathly pale. "Impossible," he spat out. "He couldn't have known to follow me ..."
"Perhaps not," Finian agreed. "He may have simply stumbled upon the catacombs on his own, and heard people talking. But I don't think so. I think the Drakh observe everyone, all the time ... and something about Renegar's actions caught this one's attention."
The others looked accusingly at Renegar. He stepped back defensively. "I didn't know!"
Voices began to be raised in anger, but Vir shouted them down. "No one is blaming you, Renegar," he assured his fellow rebel.
"Then maybe someone should be," Gwynn responded. "This is not a game, Vir."
"Don't you think I know that!" Vir shot back at her. "I had one of these damned things in my head, Gwynn! I know what they're capable of!"
"Then know that you were most fortunate that we intercepted this one," Finian said. "We believe that although they have the ability to communicate telepathically with one another, it doesn't happen instantaneously. There is a procedure involved in which they sort of 'agree' to commune en masse. It takes some effort and preparation, and I doubt this one had the time to engage in it. As far as the Drakh are concerned, this fellow will simply have dropped off the face of the planet. They will keep an eye out for him, put their feelers out, and try to locate him. We will make certain that they do not succeed."
"We cannot keep covering for you, however," Gwynn said.
"We haven't been asking you to," Vir pointed out. "It's not as if we've been needing you to hold our hands. We've been doing fairly well on our own. We've managed to impede Durla's war machine.. ."
"Not enough." Again, it was Dunseny who spoke up. In quick, broad strokes he described all that he had heard at the briefing in the Tower of Power.
Vir was pacing by the time Dunseny was finished. "It's obvious that nothing short of total domination is going to satisfy Durla."
"Durla and the Drakh who support him," Finian said.
There were nods from all around. "It's clear what we have to do," Renegar said. "What we've been doing up to now is fine, as far as it goes. But we have to go further. We have to take on the Drakh, head-to-head. We have to drive these creatures off the face of Centauri Prime!"
There were shouts of agreement, but then Vir's voice carried over theirs once more. "If we take on the Drakh head-to-head, we'll be wiped out."
"You took them on," Renegar said. "You told me yourself. You blew up that death station that the Shadows left behind."
"Yes. I did," Vir confirmed. "And I got lucky. The majority of the Drakh weren't around when it happened; if they had been, the station would have been left intact. The problem is, the Drakh are always around on Centauri Prime. They're watching Londo, they're watching Durla, and they're watching me. Their agents and influence are everywhere."
"Plus, we still don't completely know what their influence over Londo is. There are too many pieces we don't have, too many things that aren't ready."
"We're ready for freedom!" Renegar asserted.
"But we're not ready for suicide," Adi said.
"Coward!"
"I'm no coward." Adi wasn't so easily riled as to react to insults. "I'm just not an idiot, either."
"He's right," Finian said, "as is Vir. You still don't have enough raw power backing you up, and you dare not confront the Drakh directly without it. You will have only one chance to do so, and if you are not fully prepared, they will annihilate you."
"So what do we do?" Renegar demanded.
"We do," Vir told him, "exactly what we've been doing. We prepare things slowly, methodically."
"And get killed?" Renegar replied. "The way Rem did?"
There was dead silence at that. The loss of Rem Lanas was still a gaping wound.
"Maybe," Vir finally said. "Or maybe we're ready when the time is right."
"The more time passes, the more ships Durla gets into place, the more the odds skew in his favor," Renegar said.
"Not necessarily," Finian said. "Your attacks on the construction efforts slow them ... while you continue to convert individuals or groups over to your cause. At the very least, you sow seeds of suspicion, so that when the full Drakh influence is revealed, the people will come flocking to your cause."
"Also, the Drakh will become overconfident," Gwynn said. "The closer the fleet comes to completion, the more sure they will be in their conduct. You see ... they have no glory of their own. They bask purely in the evil of the Shadows. The Shadows were far greater than their servants, but if the Drakh believe they are attaining the Shadows' purpose, they will assume an air of invincibility."
"And that will be a mistake," Vir said. "Besides ... we need their resources."
"What resources?" Adi asked.
"Don't you see?" Vir smiled in grim amusement. "The Drakh on this world . .. they aren't the only ones. The entire foul race has contaminated everything good and noble there ever was about Centauri Prime. We don't just want to stop them. We want to obliterate them. We want them to pay for Rem Lanas ... for corrupting every office and every official of importance in our world, up to and including the emperor.
"They, through puppets such as Durla, are constructing engines of destruction. We impede the creation of those engines because we need time to build up our own assets. But ultimately, the fleet will be completed. It's inevitable ... but it's also desirable..."
"Of course," Adi said, understanding. "Because once it's completed, we can use it against the Drakh themselves."
"Yes," said Dunseny. "They think that the fleet will go up against the Alliance .. . when in fact they're aiding in the creation of the very fleet that's going to be used to assault the Drakh."
"Exactly." There wasn't much light in the cavern, but what there was danced with almost hellish glee in Vir's eyes. "If we are patient. . . and thorough . .. and build up our forces ... we will be triumphant. It is possible to take the long view. Once I met a servant of the Shadows. I told him that I longed to see his head on a pole and that, if it happened, I would wave to him like this." And he demonstrated, waggling his fingers in a manner that almost seemed comical. "It took several years . .. but that was exactly what happened."
"But how long can we sustain this?" Renegar asked. "Because if we are not careful, it'll be our heads up on poles, just as happened with poor Lanas."
"We will sustain it as long as is necessary," Vir told him firmly.
"Remember, there are more, many more in our little movement. And we will get the job done. We have our connections. We will continue to get information, and use it well. But if we rush into anything, we'll be carried along in the tidal wave of events... and get swamped. We have to ride the crest of it and, in that way, stay above it."
"But we have techno-mages on our side," Renegar pointed out. "The two of you have stayed mostly in the background. Your disposing of this," and he nudged a toe into the body of the Drakh, "is something of a departure. Either you stay away or, when you do show up, you utter a few cryptic comments. But otherwise, for the most part, you keep to yourselves."
"That is because you are not our pawns," Finian told them. "You do as you wish, when and where you wish. We are, however, not averse to watching your backs every now and again." He indicated the fallen Drakh. "Case in point."
"Do not presume that we always will, though," Gwynn warned. "Your bo
undless enthusiasm is a disincentive. Plus, we have our own affairs to consider. So I suggest you do not try our patience..."
"For you are subtle and quick to anger?" Vir asked. When Gwynn nodded, looking a bit surprised, Vir explained, "Londo once told me that a techno-mage said that to him, many years ago."
"It has not changed," Finian said.
Clearly deciding that the conversation needed to head off in another direction, Vir said firmly, "All right ... here's what we'll do, then. All of you know people at different levels in the Houses. Talk to them. Feel them out. Get eyes and ears into any of the Houses where we don't have contacts. Durla is going to come down on them even more harshly than he has before. He's going to feel the need to either beat them down or eliminate them completely. We have to let them know that there is an alternative. That they do not simply have to roll over.
"In addition, our strikes at key construction points will continue. Siphoning the materials through deliveries at Babylon 5 has been an exercise in caution, but I've been using the station as a clearinghouse for the individual components of the explosives, so no one has been associating it with the completed devices."
The conversation went on for some time, Vir laying out the groundwork for how their resistance movement was going to continue to survive. The techno-mages stopped talking, simply listening and-remarkably-even nodding on occasion. Finally Vir said, "All right... are there any questions?"
"Yes. I have a question," Renegar said.
Vir looked at him expectantly.
"Are we going to win?" he asked.
Without a moment's hesitation, Vir replied, "Yes. And not only are we going to win ... but the Drakh are going to lose. You've seen the face of the enemy," and he pointed at the fallen creature. "It's nothing unbeatable. They can be hurt. They can die. And if that's the case, then we can injure them and we can kill them. And we will. However many it takes in order to rid Centauri Prime of this. . . this cancer that's eating away our soul. That's what we'll do with our underground movement."
"Considering where we're meeting," Adi said, looking around, "I'd say 'underground' is definitely the right word for it."
This resulted in something very unusual for one of their clandestine meetings: a roar of laughter. For just one moment, they had a feeling of what it would be like to meet, not as co-conspirators or desperate freedom fighters, but simply as men enjoying each other's company. Renegar wondered whether they ever would have that opportunity, to live relatively normal and unassuming lives. And he said as much.
Vir looked at Renegar skeptically and responded. "Renegar... if you had a normal and unassuming life ... you wouldn't know what to do with it."
Renegar thought about that, then nodded. "You are very likely correct. But..." he added, "would it not be nice ... to have the opportunity to find out?"
To that notion, Vir had no response.
EXCERPTED FROM
THE CHRONICLES OF LONDO MOLLARI.
Excerpt dated (approximate Earth date)
September 24,2276.
Note to historians: Although naturally the Centauri year is different from an Earth year, we have taken the liberty of adjusting the date and having it reflect a parallel passing of time, vis-a-vis Earth time, due to Londo's passing reference to his anniversary with G'Kar, so as to avoid confusion for our Earth readers. We at the Centauri Historical Society are aware of the late emperor's fondness for inhabitants of Earth, and feel that he would approve of our efforts to minimize anything that might leave those readers in a quandary. For chronological purists among you, we thank you for your indulgence.
G'Kar stood at the door, in the same way that he always did. Straight, tall, looking directly ahead. And I, seated on the other side of the table, gestured for him to enter just as I always did. "One would think," I told him as he walked across the room, "that after all this time, you would see no need to stand on ceremony."
"Ceremony, Highness, is all we have. Without it, you are merely an oddly dressed Centauri in clothing that picks up dirt all too easily."
"You know what I like about you, G'Kar? You make me laugh."
"You did not laugh just now."
"So I didn't like you as much. Sit, sit." He never sits until I tell him to. I think he considers it a sort of odd game. "So... how was your day today, G'Kar?"
"The same as it was yesterday, Londo, and very much-I suspect-the way it will be tomorrow. Unless, of course, you decide to have me executed today."
"Why today?" I asked. I signaled for the wine steward to bring me a new bottle, and he went off to fetch it.
"Why not today?" he countered. "Sooner or later, my amusement value will reach its end, and then..." He shrugged and made a throat-cutting gesture.
"Is that how you think I see you, G'Kar? As only having 'amusement value'?" I shook my head, discouraged. "How very tragic."
"Of all the tragedies in your life, Londo, I truly think that my opinion in this instance rates fairly low on the scale."
"True. True." There was a silence then, the comfortable silence of two old acquaintances. I do not know if, even now, I dare use the word "friend." The new bottle was brought, glasses were placed in front of us, and the wine was poured. G'Kar raised his glass and sniffed its contents with a delicacy that provided an amusing contrast to his rough-hewn exterior. "This," he announced, "is actually a good vintage." "Is not all my wine of good vintage?" "Not of this caliber," he said. "To what do I owe the honor?" "If has been a year," I told him. "A year since you saved my life and came under my protection. A year since we began our weekly dinners together. I am surprised. I would have thought the date would be seared into your memory."
"There is a great deal occupying my mind at the moment, Londo," he said. "My apologies. This significant date must have been squeezed out of its proper place of importance. So if we are to celebrate this anniversary, does that mean you will be "letting me go?"
"Why would I want to do that?" I asked. "Allow my most excellent friend, G'Kar, to simply depart? No, no... I am afraid I cannot, if for no other reason than that it would reflect poorly in the eyes of those who watch me most carefully."
"Because I am a potential tool that might be used in the event that the current situation deteriorates."
I hated to admit that he was right but, of course, he was. True enough," I said slowly. "My prime minister and his associates have made it clear to me that you will be allowed to live only if you do so here, under my protection. If I permit you to leave, it will seem as if I am granting you permission to violate the laws of Centauri Prime. Laws that ban visitors, that ban changeling devices. I cannot be seen as being lenient on criminals." G'Kar had finished his wine. The steward moved toward him to refill the glass, but G'Kar as usual, placed a hand over it to indicate that he wanted no more. "Why can you not?" he asked. "Be lenient, I mean. Certainly a quality such as mercy would be highly valued. Particularly when one considers the brutal actions taken by some of your predecessors. The people of Centauri Prime would likely regard it as a pleasant change of pace."
I laughed curtly at that. "It is a nice theory, G'Kar. But people do not want a change of pace, pleasant or otherwise. They want no more and no less than what they are accustomed to. Believe it or not, there are still those who believe Cartagia was the best emperor we ever had. That he harkened to a day when billions feared the Centauri because we were unpredictable. There are many who believe that I will indeed let you go, and they will eagerly use such a decision to undermine my authority . . . to undermine me. As fond as I am of you, G'Kar, I consider your freedom too high a price to pay for a crisis of confidence that could cost me my throne . . .and of greater significance, my life.
"But you know, G'Kar . . . all of this is very much beside the point. We should ponder other matters. A new topic!" I announced, and I tapped my spoon repeatedly on my goblet as if I were addressing a crowded room of revellers.
While we had talked, food had been laid out for us, and it smelled excellent. I started t
o eat hungrily, having had very little over the course of the day. G'Kar, as always, ate little to nothing. It was completely beyond me how he managed to maintain the energy to function, considering the small quantities he consumed.
"What new topic would that be, Londo?" he inquired.
I allowed a moment to finish chewing my food. It would hardly have been dignified to send vegetables spewing out of my mouth like a multicolored fountain "I think you should choose this time, G'Kar. I have done so the last few times, they have been stimulating chats, to be sure, but I think it time that you seize bull by the reins."
"The what?"
I waved dismissively. "An Earth saying. It is of no importance."
"No, that might be an interesting topic," G'Kar said. "Your fascination with all things pertaining to Earth. I have never quite understood it. You research them, you quote from them. Their achievements pale compared to those-laudable or otherwise-of the Centauri Republic. They are a relatively minor species. At least they started out that way.
"Yet the Centauri saw something in them. Some spark, some potential must have. If not for the Centauri, after all, the Humans would not have acquired the jumpgate technology. Or at the very least, they would have lagged far behind in acquiring it. It might have taken them decades, even centuries more, to become a true power in the galaxy." Interest glittered in his one normal eye. "What was it about them, Londo? I have to admit, I didn't see it, nor did any of my people. What was the fascination?"
I chuckled. "It was a little before my time... a hundred years or so, you understand. So I cannot exactly tell you firsthand. But... I have been doing reading. Comments, letters, correspondence from the emperor and the ministers the time, that sort of thing."
"And what have you discovered?"
I leaned forward and gestured to G'Kar that he should do likewise, as if I was concerned that someone would overhear. He leaned closer.