Nexuses, Force Multipliers, and Wildcards
Sinclair looked at Marek with a little bit of shock. "You expect me to decide the fate of the galaxy? To decide who lives and dies?"
Marek looked at Sinclair with an unfathomable expression. "Yes. I do. Forces have put you in this place to be a fulcrum about which the universe is turned. The good news is: You are not the only fulcrum, or the more proper word: Nexus. The bad news is: You are a nexus. Some people make choices and nothing much happens around them. They get born, live, and die, and existence barely notices them. Others though … others exert a great influence on their environment. Some are nexuses who can decide the direction of those around them. They push left and the whole world leans left. They push right and the whole world leans right. This is true of people and this is true of places. Some are nexuses – and others are force multipliers."
He paused and looked around briefly. "This place. Babylon 5. This hovers between being a nexus and being a force multiplier. At times its very existence moves the galaxy in a certain way. At other times it acts as a multiplier for whatever nexuses are operating in the area. Those that oppose you were quite correct in attempting its destruction. If they had succeeded, their ultimate victory would have been all but assured."
He looked at Sinclair with an intense look. "Some of the people you know are more force multipliers. Susan Ivanova. Londo Mollari. G'Kar. These people are not the center – but they will bring great force to whatever side they agree to follow. You get them on your side of the fight, the other side becomes much weaker."
Marek sighed. "G'Kar was taken out of the equation because his people will follow him. It also distracts Mollari. This allows multipliers like the Centauri Refa and the wild card of the current Centauri Emperor Cartagia to be places freely on the other side of the fight without opposition."
Sinclair considered what he was just told. He was curious about one thing. "You called Cartagia a wild card. Isn't he a nexus or force multiplier?"
Marek chuckled darkly. "He isn't a nexus though he tries to be. He was placed as a force multiplier – but he truly is so mercurial that he disrupts the side he is on as much as strengthens it. With careful management a multiplier like Refa can keep him under control, but if he is allowed to operate freely he can be nudged into disrupting things. He isn't a force I would want on my side."
Sinclair chuckled in return – he knew people like that as well. He had long considered G'Kar a wildcard. But he guessed that wildcards sometimes settled into a groove and changed their natures to become force multipliers.
And so he considered the problem of what wildcards he could introduce to the Centauri to disrupt the other side. He suddenly struck on a thought. "You called Refa a force multiplier?"
Marek looked suddenly amused. "Yes. A minor one, comparatively. But still a multiplier."
"What would you say if I suggested using Refa's image to cause G'Kar to 'escape'. What would that do to the Centauri?"
Marek replied, "What are you asking of me?"
"I want to take out Refa as a multiplier, either to eliminate him or to force him to become a wildcard. Rather than using some random Centauri as the means that they lose G'Kar, I want Refa to be blamed. I want Refa to be removed as the stabilizer for Cartagia allowing him to be a huge disruption for anyone dealing with him."
Marek laughed a short laugh. "Okay. If that is your official decision, let me see what I can do." With that Marek stood and disappeared in a blue flash.
On Centauri Prime, Marek appeared very near to the Centauri Royal Palace. He needed to nudge a certain Centauri.
Shortly thereafter, Vir Cotto went to his boss and friend. "What is it, Vir?"
Vir was slowly becoming more confident – but he wasn't there yet. "Are we returning to Babylon 5 soon?"
Londo sighed. "I don't know. When I was ordered to return to Court for 'consultations' I was not given a time I was returning. With the attack against Babylon 5, there has been great confusion in the Court."
Vir nodded. "I would say that we need to get back to find out what happened – and how it might affect Centauri."
Londo gave Vir a long look. He then chuckled. "Vir? If I didn't know better I would say that you are learning to be a true Centauri. Instead of giving the real reason why you wish to do something you are giving the acceptable reason." Vir tried to look innocent but he was still unpracticed at being truly deceitful. But he was getting better at it. Londo considered Vir's argument and then said, "But that is a good reason. Get things prepared quietly."
Later that day, there was another meeting of the Court with Cartagia. When the subject of Babylon 5 was brought up, Londo saw his chance. "Majesty. We are receiving all of these reports second hand. As loathe as I am to return to that place, perhaps it is time to get the information more directly."
Cartagia took a long look at Londo. "But Londo, you are a vital part of what we are doing. If you return your counsel might be lost to me."
Londo nodded. "I understand, Majesty. But I am one of your loyal subjects. Is there anything more important that ensuring that we know of any threat to your august person and your authority? Through our agents we have heard of these Tau'ri which turned the tide of battle. I think we need to ensure that they are not a threat to us and to you."
Londo was very practiced in Court speak: Tie everything to ensuring the power and life of the Emperor and let that lead the Emperor in the direction he wanted him to go.
"You make a good point. If there is a threat against me, it needs to be found and rooted out." He paused and considered it. "Very well. You will return to Babylon 5 and learn all you can. Report everything you find to the Ministry of Intelligence. I will consider my orders once things become clearer."
Londo gave a respectful bow. "I serve at your pleasure, Majesty." It was obvious that Cartagia was waiting for him to move immediately and so Londo left the meeting. He was on his transport within two hours – no need to look like he was dallying in fulfilling the Emperor's decisions.
The next day, various functionaries saw Lord Refa (or whom they thought was Lord Refa) operating someone clandestinely. He seemed to be talking to people that he normally didn't talk to: Guards, minor officials, others.
Two days later, Cartagia was feeling bored. He decided that with Londo gone, someone needed to ensure the Narn in his cells was being properly dealt with. And so he ordered the Narn brought to his throne room.
He was waiting in anticipation when the Captain of the Royal Guard returned without the prisoner. "What's this? Where is the Narn?"
The Captain bowed. "Majesty. I went as you ordered to retrieve the Narn. When I arrived to the cells I was told that the Narn was no longer there. His transfer to another facility was ordered two days ago."
Cartagia sat much straighter on his throne. "What? I gave no such authorization! Where is this order?"
The Captain turned to another guard and accepted a piece of paper. He then turned and handed it to the Emperor.
Cartagia looked at the order and his eyes narrowed. While he knew that he owed Refa and his allies for his position, he was still Emperor. And he had had time to consolidate his powerbase since being put on the throne. He needed to show the Court that his authority could not be curtailed. "Order Lord Refa to attend me. Immediately!"
Refa, who had no clue as to what was coming, appeared before the fool he had placed on the throne. It was not a meeting that he enjoyed. It was the beginning of the end for him, even if it would take a little while.
Two days earlier …
G'Kar of the Third Circle of the Kha'ri was doing as he had begun to do during his capture: Meditating. When he had arrived, he had been treated with little concern, very little food, and much physical duress.
The new Emperor had gloated freely and, after having him whipped, had gifted him to Londo Mollari, his opposite at Babylon 5. In his original anger, he had ignored the signs on Mollari's face as he vindictively ordered him into a dank hole, far from the comfort of sunlight and fresh air. And so he was placed within a cell far deeper within the Imperial cells.
Curiously, however, his new cell was far more comfortable than the original cell he had been placed into. He was also fed more regularly. His cell, he learned from overhearing two guards, was one which was used in the past to hide away noble political enemies who were too important to be summarily tortured.
Another curious thing: The delivery of food included other comforts that had been sorely lacking during his initial incarceration. Additional clothing. Things to read. Carefully veiled storage places were shown to him as to where to store such things. And then there was the visit by the Imperial torturer (not a shock that the Centauri had one).
He had been sitting and contemplating when the lights within his cell had suddenly cut. At first startled, he had listened carefully for activity without his cell. He had heard the offer of the services of the Imperial torturer. The answer shocked him.
"Although House Mollari appreciates the offer, we have things in hand. Currently the prisoner is too busy bleeding to be disturbed. I hear that takes a lot of energy."
Thinking quickly, G'Kar moaned as though he was a suffering beast, too lacking in strength to protect itself.
"And suffering," the voice added without missing a beat. "I hear that suffering is also quite taxing."
He heard the conversation politely end and the visitor move off. The light turned back on fairly quickly.
After a check by the guard to ensure he was not actually suffering, G'Kar learned to mimic sounds of suffering and pain whenever the lights suddenly were cut at unexpected times. His guards seemed to find this satisfactory and would comment to whomever was visiting that listening to the suffering of a Narn was quite a pleasant diversion.
And so, after a long time to consider, he realized that Mollari was as unwillingly caught up in whatever was happening as he was himself. That didn't mean that he liked the man. But his enmity was left as the general dislike all Narns felt for all Centauri rather than the personal hatred he had long shown. That was sufficient hate for anyone, he decided.
Suddenly, his meditation was interrupted. The head guard moved quickly into the cell and threw his a bundle of cloth. "Put these on." He looked down and saw that these were the original rags that he had when he was put in this particular cell. Also included was a shroud to cover his head which curiously showed blood on it as though the person wearing it had been bleeding. The rags also had blood soaked into them.
Knowing that his current guards had avoided torturing him he listened to the instructions and did as he was told. And although he had been being fed regularly he still had lost weight – which meant that the rags were a little loose which, upon consideration, probably was for the best.
His head was summarily covered with the shroud and two guards moved him from the cell block and out a far exit. He suddenly felt the outside air before he was moved up a small ramp and placed on a seat. Even covered, he recognized the feel of a transport seat. The shroud was pulled from his head and he looked around. He was, as he surmised, in a small shuttle.
The two guards were speaking with another Centauri. The new Centauri handed them a packet of parchment such that the Centauri commonly used. The two guards nodded to him and withdrew. The new Centauri said, "Get ready." He then went to the pilot chair and messaged in with whomever he needed to get permission from.
Soon, they were in space and made their way to the jump gate. Once through the gate the pilot turned and said, "G'Kar of Narn. I have engineered your 'escape' because you are needed."
Cautious, G'Kar only said, "Oh?"
The Centauri snorted much like a human and replied, "Yes. Circumstances within the quadrant have changed much recently. Do you remember the warnings you gave of the Ancient Enemy? The warnings that were unheeded by the other races and your own people?"
"Yes. I believe they were behind much of what was happening between the races. The new Centauri Emperor. The death of the Earth President. The Fall of Narn." The last was said with much grief.
"And you would be correct. Less than a week ago, an attempt was made to invade and destroy Babylon 5. That invasion was thwarted. But it showed the galaxy that the threat of the Ancient Enemy is very, very real."
With some snarkiness G'Kar replied, "And how many Earth ships were lost in turning back this invasion?"
"A few dead. But no Earth ships. They were, curiously, too far away to assist the station. Babylon 5 was in the midst of evacuation when an ally unlooked for arrived."
"And what ally was this?"
The Centauri suddenly morphed into a human, dressed in leather and what the humans called denim. With a smirk he replied, "That would be me."
"You were under a changling net." He was impressed.
The man snorted. "No. No changling net. That was purely my own abilities. You'll learn about them when you reach Babylon 5."
"I left for a reason – it would endanger far too many Narns if I had stayed and had asked for asylum."
With a smirk the man said, "Circumstances have changed. You'll learn all about that when you arrive. Let's just say that Earth is much less concerned about treading on the toes of the Centauri and leave it at that."
G'Kar consdired that. "Very well." He paused and then added. "You said when I arrive. Are you not coming with me?"
"I would, but it will take you far too long to arrive and I have much that needs to be done. So I will be leaving you soon. You will find additional clothes and other things in the storage containers. Oh – and a certain book. You will need that when you return to the Station. Make certain you don't forget the book. Now, one very important thing."
G'Kar asked, "What is it?"
"If anyone asks, House Refa is the one that allowed you to escape. It's very important that Refa gets blamed for the screw up. I think that you will agree if I give you one relevant fact."
"And the relevant fact is ….?"
With perfect seriousness Marek replied, "I believe you have seen Holographic records. I have one for you." This was one area that this universe Marek felt that those he bad brought would ask for. He activated the holographic message. The image of Lord Refa appeared.
"I would like to remind his Excellency that it was I, not Londo, who organized the attack on the Narn home world. I, not Mollari, who removed Prime Minister Malachi and allowed Cartagia to ascend to the throne."
It was a small part of a larger conversation but it got the point across. G'Kar looked suddenly murderous. Marek took a moment to let him calm down. "And that is why Refa must be blamed for your escape. It will weaken him and leave him vulnerable. And I think that you might agree that Refa vulnerable is far preferable than leaving him stably influencing the other Centauri." He deactivated the recorder and threw the device to G'Kar who grasped it in his hand. With that, the man stood up and with a small wave he disappeared in a bright blue light.
G'Kar was taken aback for a long moment. He scarcely believed his senses. He finally stood up and quickly moved to the control panel. He verified that he was, in fact, on a course of Babylon 5. The autopilot would take care of much of the work and so he moved to the storage containers. First he found fresh clothes. He was astounded to find that they were near identical to his normal costume. There was no bandolier of office, but then again the Kha'ri had fallen.
Wanting to get out of the rags, he quickly changed. Once that was done, he moved to the other storage containers. There was food and drink sufficient for the trip. And then finally he found the storage cabinet with the book.
G'Kar was taken aback in shock. With tears falling from his eyes he reached in and lifted the book. He reverently inspected it. It was as it appeared to be: His copy of the Book of G'Quan. He had thought it lost when he was captured. He closed it and pulled it against his chest. He closed his eyes and sent a prayer of thanks toward G'Lan and any other beings that might have assisted in the book's recovery.
Marek, who had moved to the next thing he had to do, smiled for a moment before continuing on toward his destination.
Marek found himself in the chamber which housed Draal's body. He noted that the old Minbari had already seemed to have lost a few years and was looking much healthier. A moment later, the holographic system activated and Draal's avatar appeared.
"Marek Illumian. Greetings. And welcome to the Heart of the Machine."
"Thanks," Marek replied with a smile. "How are you doing?"
Draal looked around. "I have been learning much of this complex and what it contains. It is a marvel." He looked back at the Traveler. "And I have seen other worlds, other places. I have seen the things that you have done. I am much impressed."
Marek shrugged. "Just following my nature. Do you know why I am here?"
Draal nodded. "You wish to create a dimensional nexus which will allow you to connect to Universe 1A as you call it."
Marek replied, "Yes. And I wish to ask you to set aside a place for that to happen – and permission for the goblins to act as gatekeepers. This will allow those necessary to travel back and forth without my direct intercession in the future."
Draal considered that for a long moment. "At first I viewed the coming suggestion with trepidation. But the caretakers you have chosen are as incorruptible as I and so I think that I will allow it, as long as they are willing to add their protections to this place so that the threat of invasion is reduced."
"I will leave the negotiating to you. I am certain that you can come to an equitable agreement."
Draal smirked. "I am certain that I can. When should I expect a visit?"
Marek considered that. "Oh, within a couple of days."
Draal said, "I look forward to the visit. I have preparations to make. Good day." He turned and called out, "Oh, Zathrus. Zathrus!" He turned back to Marek who was himself smirking and said, "Sometimes I wonder about the help. Never around when you need them." He started walking and the holographic image disappeared mid-stride.
Marek nodded to himself. He needed to move back to Babylon 5 and make arrangements.
Marek appeared back on Babylon 5. He was in Blue Sector. He turned and moved toward the Commander's office. When he arrived, he paused at the door and knocked on the frame.
Sinclair, who was working on some paperwork, looked up. "Marek. You're back. How did it go?"
"Well, with Centauri Prime being twice as far from this place as Earth, you have a few days before Londo Mollari shows up. And then, a day later, G'kar shows up. Mollari has no clue that's coming. I'd recommend keeping them apart until you can talk to them both."
Sinclair nodded. Suddenly his link chirped. He raised his hand and activated it. "Yes?"
"Commander. The EAS Agamemnon is coming through the Gate. You said you wanted to be notified."
"Yes. Thank you. Invite Captain Sheridan to come over at his convenience."
"Understood, Commander. C&C Out." The link chirped.
Sinclair stood up and said, "Well, let's see what headaches Hague and Leftcourt have given me." He had not been notified of Sheridan's orders and he would be a bit surprised.