Uncovering a Conspiracy
Previously, on the Lone Traveler
Harry looked at the room where he had just arrived. An older looking man with a really weird haircut (all the hair was stuck out in a fan-shape) was looking at him in shock. A younger man was also present, looking less shocked and more awed.
Londo Mollari and Vir Cotto looked at the unexpected visitor and both wondered what it meant ….
Previously, on Babylon 5:
Londo watched Refa leave his quarters. He was making plans even as he ordered his attaché. "Find Mr. Morden. Bring him here."
Vir approached his boss. "Londo. Don't do this," he asked with real emotion.
"I have no CHOICE!" Londo replied.
"Yes you do! Londo, please … please … please, I know you don't listen to me. But I'm asking you just this one time: Don't DO this! There's no turning back once you turn down this road," Vir said imploringly.
Londo was about to interrupt when suddenly a blue light appeared in his quarters.
The two turned around and what appeared to be a blue flame coalesced near the door. The flame winked out and standing in front of the two was a human. The human was dressed in what could only be called casual wear.
What shocked them both, though, was the creature upon the man's shoulder. Both were learned enough in Centauri mythology to recognize it as a Chol.
Far back, Chols were revered as symbols of goodness and strength. It was said that the last Chol had disappeared with the death of the last Centauri mage. Mages were forces of great power and great change, but had been persecuted by those seeking to destroy their allies. When the last Chol disappeared, all of Centauri had mourned for its loss. It was why the first Emperor had sought approval from the technomages before taking the throne: With the loss of true magic, the blessing of the technomages was the only link left similar enough to be acceptable.
For a Chol to appear at this time was a sign that could not be ignored.
Harry looked at the two men curiously. "Hello. My name is Harry. How do you do?"
The older man looked to be in shock. The younger, however, had a joy upon seeing him and his companion. "Hello. Er. I'm Vir Cotto, and this is my employer, Ambassador Londo Mollari of the Centauri republic." The man, the alien man, paused for a moment and then asked nervously, "Are you a mage?"
Harry was surprised. "As a matter of fact, yes. How did you know?"
The older man, Londo Mollari, suddenly exclaimed, "Great Maker!"
Harry chuckled. The two men stared at him. The older one asked, "What is so funny? Why do you laugh?"
Harry thought about it for a moment and then shrugged. "I've met and worked for whom you call the Great Maker a time or two. He's quite interesting."
The older man grew pale and seemed to lose strength. The younger man asked, "Can you help our Emperor?"
Harry could only say, "Huh?"
Vir urgently explained. "Our Emperor was about to make a speech here at Babylon 5. On the way, he collapsed. He's very old, but he's a good man. He's dying, but maybe there is something you could do to help him?"
Harry considered that. "I make no promises but I can see what I can do."
"Thank you! Thank you! I'll show you the way." Vir started moving toward the door.
Londo numbly followed. Suddenly, he had a thought. "Give me a moment. I must leave a message quickly." The other two watched as Londo moved to the communications panel and called, "Lord Refa's quarters, I need to leave an urgent message!"
"Working: Begin Message."
"Refa! Do not send the message! There are …. changes happening. Wait until you hear from me before doing anything!"
Harry looked over at the younger man and was taken by how relieved the man looked at his boss's action.
Londo looked more alive as he moved. "We go!"
The Emperor's guards were watching the corridor outside of Medlab, ensuring only medical personnel were allowed in. However, they too were Centauri and they too knew the stories. Therefore, when Ambassador Mollari arrived at Medlab leading his attaché and another man with a Chol upon his shoulders they, as one, moved to allow them to pass.
The group arrived at the bed of the Emperor and Mollari bowed. "Majesty, I have brought a visitor."
The old man, already having lost much energy, could barely raise his head. "Come closer." He saw the Chol and his eyes lit up. "Who are you?"
Londo answered for him. "He is a human mage. He arrived in time to prevent me from making a misjudgment. He has agreed to see if he can help you. Will you allow it?"
The Emperor moved his hand in "come hither" motion.
Harry moved closer and pulled his wand. "Your Majesty, I am Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, Fury of the Light, and wizard. All of my spells are for humans, but I can see what I can see."
The Emperor nodded in agreement.
Harry cast a number of diagnostic spells. What he found made him sigh. "I'm afraid that, for the most part, there isn't much I can do. Before I say what I found, could you use a pain drought? I happen to have a few potions with me."
The Emperor was curious. "What kinds?"
Harry took the bag he happened to have brought from his last universe and looked inside. He pushed his hand in and it was obvious that the bag was much larger on the outside than it was on the inside. He pulled out a tray with several vials.
"Let's see. Pain drought, wound cleansing, ditanny – also for wounds, crushed bezoar for heavy poison, invigoration draught, dreamless sleep, Skel-gro and blood replenishment (only for humans though), antidote for common poisons, calming …." Harry stopped when he noticed the Emperor motioning to him.
"Pain and invigoration. I must deliver a message. How long would it last?" the Emperor asked.
Harry thought about it. "For a human, it would last maybe 6 or 8 hours. Non-human? I don't know. I think I was told it was a bit shorter for non-humans."
"I'll take those two."
Harry nodded and watched as the Emperor downed the two vials with Londo's help.
The three watched as the color came back to the Emperor's cheeks and he suddenly looked far more aware than he had been. "That is excellent! I must get ready. Call my guards," he said to Vir. "Thank you, Mage."
"Just call me Harry, Your Majesty." He paused. "I should warn you – you're not likely to survive for more than a few hours. Although there are no poisons in your system now – it looks as though you were poisoned in the past. It has caused what is killing you."
The Emperor looked grim. "How long ago?"
Harry shrugged. "With that much damage? It was likely over two years ago it started and it ended probably a year ago."
The guards and the two female telepaths came in following Vir. They were all shocked at how strong the Emperor looked.
"Get my clothes and help me dress. I must make my announcement. Let the station's captain know." One guard left. The females turned and looked the other way while the other guard helped him dress in the uniform he brought.
Londo and Vir looked horrified that the Emperor had been poisoned.
The Emperor laughed as he was dressed/dressed himself. "It is too bad you are not dressed as a mage. It would help me in my message."
Harry was curious. "What kind of dress would be proper?"
"Long robes. Green."
Harry transfigured his clothes into dress robes very much like what he wore to the Yule Ball except closer to his eye color.
The three Centauri were startled for a moment and then the Emperor chuckled. "A mage indeed."
As the group walked down the hall, the Emperor walked beside Harry. "Now, you say I was poisoned?"
Harry sighed. "It appears that way. It was over a period of time so that it wouldn't be obvious. But the damage is too great to repair now. At least it is beyond my skill. My new wife died from a more sudden dose of a similar poison."*
The Emperor nodded. He motioned to one guard, who moved closer, as well as to one of the female telepaths. "The food tasters from a year ago that were replaced after my son died: It must be investigated. If they live, they must be interrogated by whatever means. If they are not alive, those in charge must be interrogated. Inform the Prime Minister." The female telepath nodded, as did the guard.
The room where the diplomats had gathered earlier was full once again. The tone was more somber, more solemn. G'kar had come as he had been with Dr. Franklin when Stephen was called.
The Emperor moved to the dais that was set up. The station command staff were near the stage, except Stephen Franklin, who was at the back with Ambassador G'kar.
Harry murmured to the Emperor, "Would you like to be heard without the use of the microphone?"
The Emperor almost grinned. "You can do this?"
Harry nodded, a hidden smile apparent to the Emperor. Turhan nodded. "Please."
The Emperor stood upon the dais but not in front of the podium. Sheridan, noticing this, tried to subtly encourage the Emperor to move to the microphone. Instead, Turhan turned his head to Harry, who stood at the back of the dais, and nodded.
Having excellent wandless skills, Harry pointed at the Emperor, cast a Sonorous, and then bowed his head briefly.
The Emperor's voice came out much louder than the audience anticipated. "Hello, all. As Emperor of the Centauri Republic, I greet you all in peace. Especially one among you." Turhan looked directly at G'Kar and said, "Ambassador, if you would please join me."
G'Kar, still unbelieving regardless of what he had been told by Dr. Franklin, slowly moved until he stood facing the Emperor. Harry cast a wandless Sonorous on the Narn who faced the Emperor.
The Emperor stood in front of Ambassador G'Kar but addressed the crowd. "Earlier, I was coming to say what I am about to say, but collapsed. I have been ill for a long time – I am dying. Even now, as I stand before you, I am only here due to the intervention of the Mage who came with the Chol." The Emperor bowed his head to Harry, who once again bowed his head in return. Fawkes ruffled his wings and trilled. The sound wafted around the room and the audience was struck by the pure beauty of that sound.
"As a young man, I was impetuous. As I grew I acted as was expected. As I approached the end of my life, only then did I finally admit to myself what I had known for so many years."
He addressed G'Kar. "Ambassador G'Kar. My family, in the name of power, committed atrocities on your people. We have hated. And you have hated. And this hatred has continued on all of these years. Until now.
"This place." Turhan looked around. "This place was built to allow us all to come to understand each other. And to talk to each other. And work with each other. It is a noble goal and a noble mission. And it has inspired me.
"I made a decision. One of the only decisions of my life that truly matter to me at the end. I would come and I would find you and I would say: We were wrong. I apologize for the part played by my family and by my people."
G'Kar could barely keep from breaking out in tears. "And for my part," he almost lost it when he noticed his own voice grown to unbelievable amounts but he soldiered on, "for my part, personally, I accept your apology. It might not be enough for many of my people. It might take great effort to overcome the years of hatred. But I, who lost my father to your people, who fought your people for independence, who has worked against your people in revenge all these many years – I accept. And partly because you are dying, and partly it is because it is the right thing to do, I forgive you for your sake – and for my own."
In the back of the room, there were several people who reacted to this announcement.
Ambassador Kosh, who was hidden in the door, was astounded. He was astounded by the Bird of Fire. Astounded by the Emperor. And astounded by the changed circle.
Lord Refa of the Centaurum was disgusted. They were right on the cusp. Right on the cusp of bringing their people back to power and right on the cusp of positioning himself for a rise to the throne. And suddenly, it was all undone. He saw the mage who stood with the Emperor and he saw the Chol, the bird depicted on the Centauri State Seal worn by the Emperor. With the apparent blessing of this creature, manipulating the opinion of the Centaurum toward decrying this would be impossible. Refa listened. And Refa hated.
Mr. Morden, shadow agent, was greatly disappointed. Londo Mollari had held great promise. But this … this showed that he wasn't as promising a prospect as his associates had thought. They would have to look further. He noticed, however, Lord Refa. Refa looked to be a viable replacement. Even as he was contemplating this, something happened which made him lose all concentration.
Fawkes the phoenix, upon hearing the declaration of peace, and feeling the loosening of the hatred held between these two, started singing as only a phoenix can.
The joyful sounds of phoenix song moved out from the dais and encompassed everyone present. Those who were pure and true felt the enormous joy and lifting of all care as they heard the song envelop them. They were lifted up, emotionally, and their insecurities and regrets were almost erased, if only for a moment. Included within this group were the Emperor himself, Harry, the command staff of B5, Delenn, Kosh, Vir, and a few others from the League of non-aligned worlds were included within this.
Those that were neutral but who leaned toward the light were also uplifted. It caused them to think and to consider and, somewhat, to change. G'Kar was within this group. As was Londo – which would be surprising to many who knew and worked with him. Londo Mollari was a product of his upbringing and Centauri politics did not lend themself to altruism and compassion. Many more of the league were within this group as well. It would have surprised Kosh, who was an optimist, that many of his own people would have reacted as these did.
Those that were neutral but who leaned toward the dark were mildly uncomfortable. One of the shadows that traveled hidden with their agent was actually within this group. Some of the Shadows still were truly attempting to be caretakers. They were opportunistic and perfectly willing to use dark methods, but in the end, they were trying to do right as they were charged by Lorien and the other first ones long ago.
Those that were dark, though … these felt extreme pain and an extreme desire to get away. Mr. Morden, who was on the road to be bitter and soulless long before the shadows took him, was among this group. Mr. Mordon truly felt chaos was the right path. Oh, he would mouth the words which defined the supposed shadow mission, but he reveled in the despair of others. For him, and for the other shadow hidden with him, the song of the phoenix burned within their minds.
The telepaths that were part of the Emperor's retinue were showing the Prime Minister what was happening in real time. The Prime Minister was proud of his Emperor, his friend. The message about the poison had infuriated him. But this had released much of the tension he had long felt. Prime Minister Malachi was also a good and pure soul.
He also was steeped in the intrigues and corruption of Centauri politics, but had somehow kept himself pure. He was a realist. But he was not evil in the slightest.
When it was over, Malachi thanked the telepaths. Still distracted, he called for guards and explained what he had been ordered to do by the Emperor. Unfortunately, these guards were not the personal guard, but guards that had been placed by Lord Refa's allies. They knew that such orders would cause chaos and would leave their lords open to a charge of treason. They all looked at each other and the one in charge nodded.
Prime Minister Malachi and the two telepaths that were part of the Emperor's entourage looked in horror as they drew their weapons and approached them.
Harry was walking with the Emperor and the other Centauri with him when all felt the horror of the two women who were following. They all turned and the two women broadcast the happenings back within the palace on Centauri Prime.
Harry made an immediate decision. "Show me where they are!" The two women telepathically sent the location to him and Harry, as he had learned to do many universes ago, used his ability to shift in light to transport himself directly to the location.
The three were just resigning themselves to dying when suddenly a light formed in front on them in the shape of a man. The guards, seeing this paused in their purpose. Harry, decided that the distraction of the telepathic women might interfere at exactly the wrong time if he fought jumped at the Prime Minister and yelled, "Grab on!"
The women, knowing what their sisters knew, did so. The guards tried to stop them, but the group disappeared in a show of blue light.