The Hard Choice
Harry stood back and watched the group of people who were speaking.
The dying Emperor, the tired Prime Minister, the overwhelmed Ambassador, and the earnest attaché were meeting with Ambassador Delenn, Ambassador Kosh, Ambassador G'Kar, as well as Captain Sheridan.
Malachi shook his head to the Captain's question. "For them to move against me, they must feel that they have nothing to lose … and everything to gain. It is likely that if I returned to Centauri Prime, I would be killed. Londo tried to reach homeworld, but it seems that all official channels are closed. They know the Emperor is dying. They are maneuvering their pawns."
Londo looked down for a moment and then back up. "And they are receiving help from outside."
Everyone looked at him. He sighed. "Last year. When I obtained the Eye for its return, Lord Kiro looked to claim it and the try to take the throne, though I tried to convince him that it was foolish. He flew from here, taking it. However, his ship was attacked – and the Eye was lost once again. I was looking at the very real loss of my position … and my family's destruction."
He sighed. "I am a patriot. All I ever wanted was to help my people." He looked at G'Kar. "The things I have done in the name of my people … I am not proud." He looked back at the rest. "When Mr. Morden came to me, having 'miraculously' retrieved the Eye, I looked at it as a miracle. He, however, used this. He used this to work his way into my good graces. He convinced me that his associates could help with the 'Problem' of Quadrant 37. And once I started on that road … I have been foolish." He turned to look at G'Kar. "You were right about the ancient enemy. This Mr. Morden is their agent. But I could say nothing. Because it would threaten me, and my people, if I reported it. But I felt I must tell you this."
G'Kar could barely contain his rage. "Why? Why, after all this, have you brought this up?"
Londo sighed. "Because I received word that Mr. Morden was seen leaving with Lord Refa. Lord Refa is likely the push behind the changes back home. He has offered to ensure that troubles occur with food shipments and such when it would help weaken the Emperor's position. I tried to stop him. I told him to do nothing. But if he allies himself with Mr. Morden and his … associates … I fear for my people. I fear for your people. I fear for all of our peoples. And G'Kar …" G'Kar looked interested finally, having gotten himself under control, "… I get the distinct feeling that his associates have a particular dislike for the Narn. You drove them from your world a thousand years ago. I believe they are looking for payback."
Soon, prompted by Londo's admission, Delenn and Kosh decided to tell the others about the shadows – and why they could not stop it. They were not ready. And if they took a stand it was likely that all of Narn would be destroyed when the Shadows moved openly in retaliation.
In the end it was decided that Prime Minister Malachi would secretly go into exile with the four telepaths that the Emperor normally took with him. Londo would report that he had "had an accident" and that "unfortunately, all records of the Emperor's Speech were mysteriously destroyed before they could be transmitted to Narn or to Centauri Prime."
No one in the room liked the necessity. But it would be required. G'Kar wept when he realized that his people would be attacked. And not only that … they would have to lose to the Centauri once again. Only this could shield them from total destruction. Needless to say, everyone in the room had many sleepless nights over this decision. Save Kosh – Vorlons had a much different view of things.
Vir would have to be the go between because as soon as there was an attack, Londo and G'Kar would have to be seen as enemies.
Harry stood as he felt the pull. "Good luck. I will be moving on. The universe calls me." He turned to Fawkes. "You coming with?"
Fawkes trilled and then flew over to the dying Emperor's bed. Harry chuckled. "Okay then. If I don't see you again, I hope you find great joy in this place." Harry turned and disappeared in his customary blue flash. Phoenix song wafted around the room, melancholy but determined. Fawkes started singing in counterpoint and the room was lifted of their burdens … if only for a moment.
Emperor Turhan of the Centauri Republic died with a smile on his face, listening to the song of the Chol.
Refa and Morden were getting to know one another. Suddenly there was a chime on the console within Refa's quarters.
Refa stood and walked over, "Yes?"
"Message from Londo Mollari."
Refa sneered. "Put it through."
Londo Mollari's face took up the small screen. "Refa. The Emperor is dead. Somehow, the Prime Minister arrived here with the Retinue of Four. The Captain of Babylon 5 gave over to him the records of the Emperor's … pain induced ravings." Londo's face took on a smirk. "The shuttle carrying the body of the Emperor as well as the Prime Minister and the Retinue somehow has met with an accident. The man in robes who stood behind the Emperor has … disappeared. The … bird who appeared with him has taken up with the humans on the station." Londo turned as though to see around where he was standing. Londo's voice became quieter. "Unfortunately, all evidence has been destroyed in a shuttle accident. The Emperor's body has been destroyed. Call me. We need to speak."
Refa was surprised. He looked over at Morden, who had a thoughtful look. Refa turned back to the console. "Lord Refa to the Royal Carrier."
A haggard Centauri ship's captain appeared on the screen. "Yes, Lord Refa?"
"I have heard that there was an accident."
The captain sighed. He knew his career was in ruins. "Yes, Lord Refa. The shuttle carrying the Emperor's body as well as the members of the Retinue of Four suddenly ran into its escort." The Captain almost gibbered. "Both were destroyed. And I was told there was an important Noble on board as well. We are trying to find out what happened. We have no idea how such a …."
Refa, who was suppressing a wide smirk, called out, "Captain! Captain! Calm down! It was obvious from your report that the incident was caused by whoever was piloting. With the destruction of the shuttle and its escort in foreign space, there isn't much you could do. Make every effort to retrieve the remains. I will put in a good word with the Centaurum and the Lord of the Fleet."
The Captain looked almost to be in tears. "Thank you, Lord Refa."
Refa looked back to Morden, who was smiling. Refa looked at Morden with thoughtful eyes. "What would you say if I told you that we could use a little help with … Quadrant 14?"
Morden, although outwardly thoughtful, was quite pleased by what he had seen. "Let me consult with my associates and see what we can do."
Refa nodded. "If you could, please expedite that. Somehow, whatever that creature was, it was painful to listen to. I would like to get away from this place as soon as possible."
It was then that Mr. Morden knew that he had found a kindred soul. His own presence on the station would have to be curtailed as well. But if Refa was willing to help him, Babylon 5 might not be as important to his associates plans as they had first thought. And he could stay away from that infernal bird as well. He would have to use dupes to get information … but his associates were always good at that – and he was a master.
In the end, very little changed over the next two years from what would have been. Fawkes the phoenix provided some comfort to those that were on the station. The one thing that had changed was that Londo used his considerable influence to reduce the suffering of Narn. He had, somehow, negotiated surrender from the Kah'ri, who fled.
G'Kar was known to have asked for sanctuary from the command staff at Babylon 5 rather than go along with the decision. He became a figure of great respect for his unwillingness to accept the surrender.
Cartegia, the Emperor's nephew, came to the throne. He was a despotic ruler who listened to the advice of his allies' representative, Mr. Morden.
Refa was lured to Narn and killed by those loyal to House Mollari a year after Narn fell. This was payback for Refa's work against Vocator Urza Jaddo and his house. They were only saved by Urza's sacrifice in the Murago. Urza died willingly after having learned exactly how Refa had obtained so much power and the knowledge that Prime Minister Malachi and Emperor Turhan had approved of the long plan. Londo claimed Urza's family. Londo arranged for Refa to look like a traitor upon his death. He, and his attaché Vir, were aided in this by Refa's own daughter, Senna, who hated what her father had become. She was a loyal Centauri and the darkness that her father brought upset her greatly.
The Narn public, upon the end of the conflict, learned exactly who had done what. Londo Mollari and Citizen G'Kar were seen in a new light when the full extent of what occurred behind the scenes was made known.
The Centauri under Lord Refa, had almost used mass drivers to wreak havoc upon Narn. The deal struck with the Kah'ri had prevented that. Instead of the 500,000 Narn that had died because of the war and occupation, the death toll could have been in the millions – or all of them.
That many of the Kha'ri had sacrificed their lives willingly, had let themselves be killed by the Centauri, humbled those Narn who were angry at the deception. The Kah'ri had done the best they could for their people, and the martyrs would be remembered.
Londo Mollari, Vir Cotto, and the former Prime Minister appearing on Centauri Prime after the death of Cartagia had cemented the rightness of their path when a Chol had appeared with them. The Centauri learned of the true extent of the deception when the speech by Turhan was played, as well as the record of the meeting where Citizen G'Kar, weeping, had acceded to the subjugation of his people to prevent the destruction of Narn, and the total subjugation of Centauri Prime.
Londo Mollari and Citizen G'Kar were soon revered by both the Centauri and the Narn.
The Shadow remnant upon Centauri Prime were destroyed or driven off. The mighty Centauri war machine that had been built up by Emperor Cartagia was now given over to Captain Sheridan of Babylon 5 for the last, final meeting of the Vorlons and Shadows at Coriana 6.
Early in the conflict between the Narn and the Centauri, the main Narn Fleet had been reported to have been destroyed.
When the fleet of Narn ships had come out from hiding in the presence of the Centauri, the other members of the League of Non-Aligned worlds had been completely astonished. When word was reached that they had come to fight with them, great hope was born.
Whatever else could be said of the Centauri, they were second only to the Mimbari in military strength among the younger races. Even Earthforce was no true match for the Centauri.
When the Drakh had tried to infiltrate the Palace on Centauri Prime, Fawkes had sensed the dark presence and had alerted the Prime Minister. The Drakh were forced to retreat. They had to flee into unknown space as the Centauri fleet harassed them in the chase.
When, five years after the inception of the Interstellar Alliance, the Drakh had appeared and tried to destroy Earth, the Centauri had arrived along with the Whitestars and all available Earthforce units to defend the humans' home world.
And, although the Drakh had succeeded in infecting the planet with their plague, their victory was a Pyrrhic one. The Drakh had come with all of their ships for the plan. And the entirety of the Drakh fleet had been destroyed to the last ship.
Without the controlling unit being monitored by Drakh from nearby hyperspace and actively modified to mutate quickly, the death toll from the plague was much smaller than it could have been before the cure was finally found by the Excalibur and its crew.
The course of the galaxy was changed by the arrival of one phoenix – at the right time.
Londo Mollari sighed as he tried to sleep. The meeting with the Emperor and the others was disturbing. They had a great struggle ahead and he would be forced to play, as the humans said, "the bad guy." He was not looking forward to it, but he was a loyal Centauri.
As he slept he dreamed. And he, as many Centauri did on occasion, dreamed of his death. He had been having this dream since he was a young Centauri.
But the dream was somehow changed. Instead of seeing himself in titanic struggle with G'Kar, their hands wrapped around each other's throats, each attempting to snuff the life out of each other, he saw himself in a bed, surrounded by his wife, his friends, as well as much of the Royal Court. The last sight before he closed his eyes in his dream was to his hands. One hand was held by his wife, Timov, and she was smiling even as she wept. His other was held by G'Kar, and the look of friendship he showed was astonishing in its depth.
His death dream, for the first time in thirty years, did not cause him to wake afraid and sweating, but gave him comfort. He slept well for the rest of the night. He never dreamed of his death again.