Chapter 4

I WILL not allow harm to come to my little ones, not here in my great house.
More valuable to me.
Welcome to the world, Satai Delenn. Out of the Darkness and into the Light.
Thoughts, memories, feelings, words.... all just words, locked in the back of her mind, trapped there, perhaps forever.
She had emerged from the chrysalis too early. Her transformation had not been complete. The effect it had had on her was.... as yet unknown. Physically, she was a strange mix of human and Minbari. Genetically, she was unstable. Mentally, she was.... trapped.
Satai Delenn had said few words since she had been torn prematurely from her chrysalis. There were no hints even that the woman she had been existed any more. The only description Dr. Kyle aboard the Babylon had been able to put to her was, 'a child'.
Mr. Welles knew little about Valen, less about prophecy, and next to nothing about the Enemy, the Great War and Delenn's place in it. None of that mattered to him. All that did matter to him was serving humanity to the best of his not inconsiderable ability. He was an idealist and a pragmatist, a dreamer and a maker, a warmonger and a pacifist. Mr. Welles was a study in contradictions, almost as much as the woman before him, an irony that he did not suspect or even care about.
His duty was to serve humanity, and nothing else mattered.
Recent events were threatening to run away from all of them. Two security guards brutally murdered aboard the Babylon; Captain Sheridan and his XO, Commander Corwin, suspended on charges of negligence and possible treason; Satai Delenn mysteriously transformed; both Captain Sheridan and Lieutenant Ivanova throwing around accusations; and the Minbari fleet could be here at any time.
The only currency Welles recognised was information, but where it came to Satai Delenn, the bank was definitely closed.
The door opened and Cutter showed in Miss Lyta Alexander, licensed telepath P5. Welles noted Cutter's obvious ogling of Miss Alexander and even more obvious interest in Satai Delenn, but he let it pass. Cutter was a good man, dedicated and loyal. Welles knew no one with not one vice.
"Miss Alexander, thank you for coming. You are familiar with recent events, I trust."
"Yes," she said, and of course Welles knew it. She had in fact been on board the Babylon at the time of Satai Delenn's mysterious change and the two murders, all for no adequately explained reason.
"Of course you are. It is my task to find the gold of truth in the river of lies, Miss Alexander. Satai Delenn is being unco-operative, although whether from perversity or mental weakness, I cannot say. That is where you come in. You have scanned her before on a number of occasions. I would like you to do so now."
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
Another person might have erupted into violence, but Welles merely raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"I am entitled to refuse without giving a reason. I am not Earthforce personnel and you have no authority over me."
"Actually, under the terms of the Wartime Emergencies Act of twenty-two forty-seven, any ranking member of Earthforce or associated organisations has the right to demand any service from any member of the public as long as he or she believes it is in the best interests of Earth and humanity. That Act has never been repealed, Miss Alexander."
"I will not do this."
"You never had any problems before." Welles flicked a glance at Satai Delenn. She was responding to Miss Alexander's presence. She was looking up at the telepath, her mouth half open and her eyes fixed, as though she recognised her but did not know from where.
"This would be wrong. I cannot do it." Welles knew a great many things, but the fact that Miss Alexander had a Vorlon inside her mind - gained from Satai Delenn during a telepathic scan - and the fact that Miss Alexander and Satai Delenn had a unique telepathic and mental connection, were not among them. He could read people very skilfully, however, and spotting the look in both their expressions would have been possible for someone far worse at the task than he.
"I...." Miss Alexander whispered. There was silent pleading in Delenn's eyes. "I'll do it."
Again, Mr. Welles did not know that she had been guided to this change by the advice of the Vorlon within her, but he did know that more than just his urgings had been responsible for it. He stood, and offered his companion his seat. She took it cautiously, and looked across the table at Delenn. Slowly, Miss Alexander removed her gloves and took Delenn's hands.
"Chrysalis," Miss Alexander said slowly. "The chrysalis was a means of rebirth. A means of ending this war. She was to be a living connection between our peoples, but.... something went wrong."
"Did she kill those guards?" Welles asked.
"No. No, she didn't. She was inside the chrysalis when they died."
"Then who did kill them?"
"Lieutenant Ivanova."
"Is that what you read from her, or simply your opinion?"
"I...."
"I want the facts, Miss Alexander, not opinions."
"Yes.... I...." Miss Alexander blinked and threw her head back, almost in spasm. Her hands slipped from Delenn's and she sat back.
"What else did you find out?"
"I'm.... not sure. She entered the chrysalis in order to change. It was part of a prophecy of her people. She hoped to show the results of this prophecy to their leaders and convince them to end this war. But.... something went wrong. She emerged from the chrysalis too early."
Welles absorbed this information completely, not missing a word. Such was his gift. "Why? An accident?"
"No. Force. Lieutenant Ivanova broke her free. I.... don't know what effect the premature emergence has had on her, but this wasn't the intended result. Lieutenant Ivanova was going to kill her."
"And that is why Lieutenant Ivanova killed those two guards? To get to Satai Delenn?"
"Yes, although Ivanova probably intended to blame their deaths on Delenn as well. To set up these exact circumstances if she failed."
Welles' mind was processing all this information, evaluating theories, linking events together, piecing the puzzle. The whole thing sounded preposterous, but it had the faintest ring of truth. He elected to continue with the questioning. If this was an elaborate lie, then sooner or later the facts would betray it. If this was, against all odds, the truth....
"Why would Lieutenant Ivanova try to kill Satai Delenn?" he asked. "This all seems a little elaborate for simple revenge, especially when Lieutenant Ivanova knew that Delenn was slated for execution very soon."
"This is more than just revenge. Lieutenant Ivanova's friends, these.... Shadows we were told about...." Was he mistaken, or did he see Miss Alexander shiver slightly as she mentioned the name of humanity's allies? "They and the Minbari have fought before. A thousand years ago."
Welles knew this. Lieutenant - or perhaps Ambassador - Ivanova had told the Resistance Government as much. He had been thoroughly briefed by General Hague on humanity's new allies.
"I think Lieutenant Ivanova was afraid that Delenn might.... influence some of us...."
Welles raised a hand. "Let me continue. Perhaps the Shadows have a vendetta with the Minbari. As we are the Minbari's only even half powerful enemies at the moment, they could wish to ally with us out of mutual protection, but if they are as powerful as we have been led to believe, then why should they need our protection? Sympathy for one who has suffered as they have? Perhaps, but there must be more than that.
"Perhaps they are following their own agenda, one that has nothing to do with the Minbari, and everything to do with us. The exact circumstances of how Lieutenant Ivanova met up with Captain Sheridan have never been revealed. Perhaps they are trying to alter our philosophies, perhaps to bring us over - willingly - to their way of thinking, to their side. Perhaps the Minbari know of this.... perhaps Satai Delenn knows about this, and Lieutenant Ivanova is concerned that some.... such as Captain Sheridan.... may come to doubt her allies. Perhaps she wants to kill Satai Delenn before this happens, and do so in such a way as to completely ruin any of her credibility.
"Your argument has merit, Miss Alexander. Perhaps too much merit. It is often tempting to look for ten different answers when the simplest will often do.
"I will have to check with my men on the Babylon. Maybe they have found something. You meanwhile, are to remain in your quarters. I may need you again."
"Wait.... Mr. Welles! I have a question. Do you know where Marcus Cole is?"
"Your paramour?" Welles enjoyed seeing Miss Alexander blush. Sometimes it was good reminding others just how much power over them he had. "I do not, no. I did not see him with Lieutenant Ivanova during her meeting with the Resistance Government earlier. Perhaps she knows where he is. Or perhaps Captain Sheridan does. Either way, your personal matters will have to wait. Good day, Miss Alexander."
As Welles filed out, followed by Miss Alexander, his mind already awash with thoughts of plotting and counter-plotting, he handed the cell - and its occupant - over to the security guard on duty.
It was Cutter. He stepped inside, and closed the door after him. Welles was distracted, so much so that he missed Cutter's knowing leer at this magnificent opportunity fate had handed him.
Satai Delenn's eyes were so innocent as she looked at him. Sometimes the world is generous indeed.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"So, you are awake then?" Lord Refa's voice was filled with the sarcastic venom that was typical of the Centauri nobility these days. "And where have you been, pray? Somewhere important no doubt? Important enough to miss an important meeting?"
Vir began to stammer out a reply, desperately trying to think of something that would explain his disappearance. He certainly couldn't tell Lord Refa the truth - that he had been trying to contact Captain Sheridan and warn him about Refa's private agenda here.
Fortunately Vir knew his Ambassador very well. After a few moments of "I, well.... I sort of went to the.... you know, well not as such, but.... kind of.... you know what I mean, and, um...." Refa shut him off.
"Vir! It was a rhetorical question. I sometimes think you were sent here to try me." Vir mumbled agreement, not mentioning the real reason he was here - which was of course to spy on Refa and, indirectly, the Grey Council, all for, of all people, a Narn.
"Anyway," Refa continued. "We have more serious issues to concern ourselves with. You are familiar with recent events, I trust. No, of course you are not," Refa continued, not giving Vir a chance to reply. "Well, it appears that Captain Sheridan and his second have been arrested on some charges of.... well, treason at the moment. I'm not quite sure of the details, but then I doubt that anyone else is either. No, but more important, I have our proof."
"About Satai Delenn?"
"No, Vir! About a Jovian treeworm. Satai Delenn is the reason we are here, after all."
Vir looked around nervously. He could feel Refa's scornful gaze upon him. Of course this room would not be bugged or anything. Refa had spent several hours after his arrival checking the whole area, and if anyone was a master at recognising listening and recording devices it was Refa, probably because he used them so often himself.
"She is.... dead?"
"Better. She is.... well, see for yourself." Vir looked closely as Refa pulled a small item from his pocket. A classic Centauri recording device. Small enough to be hidden easily, and powerful enough to make instant holographic recordings of pretty much anything the user wanted.
Refa activated it, and Vir stared at the image before him.
He had never seen Satai Delenn before, but even if he had, he would never have recognised her from the image he was seeing. A woman who looked like a strange combination of Minbari and human was standing close beside a human who was definitely Captain Sheridan. Vir had never seen him before either, but the legendary Starkiller was hard to mistake for anyone else. They were holding each other gently, not as lovers, and not even quite as friends, but as.... more than allies.
"It is perfect for Sinoval's needs," Refa was enthusing. "We have evidence that Satai Delenn is alive, and it implies that she is here willingly, that she has even become partially human, and that she is involved with Captain Sheridan. Even Lord Jarno could use information like this to his advantage. I dread to think what someone like Sinoval will do with it."
"But.... what you said.... it's not true, is it?"
"Vir! Since when was the truth involved in politics? We know that Satai Delenn is here as a prisoner, yes, and the Grey Council doubtless suspects it, but the fact is that the evidence we have here suggests - no, proves - otherwise. Sinoval's ascension to Holy One is practically guaranteed, and he will remember the one who helped put him there. I doubt I will be exiled out on Minbar for much longer, and who knows? I may even be Emperor in a few years. Stranger things have happened, Vir."
Vir was suddenly very glad that it was Lord Refa here, rather than Sinoval himself. Refa needed to explain things, he needed to prove to somebody just how intelligent and devious he was, he needed to gloat over his brilliance, even if only in private. Someone like Sinoval would have said nothing, and taken his own course. Refa could not do that.
Vir was glad. It meant he now had time and knowledge to act on this.
Maybe he could save the day after all.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Captain Sheridan looked up as the door to his cell opened. There were, after all, only so many ways somebody could pace up and down a cell until he got bored. His link had been taken, and Corwin was in a different cell, so he was completely isolated.
He had been here for what seemed like at least an hour now. An hour with no word. No word from David. No word from Delenn. No word from Anna. No idea of what Ivanova was doing with this time.
He still did not know exactly what had happened. Delenn had emerged from her chrysalis, but days earlier than she should have done. He remembered the way she had looked at him, and the way she had pressed herself against him. He wasn't sure what intention she had had in mind for her emergence from the chrysalis, but he was fairly sure this was not it.
Ivanova was involved in this. David had said so, and he trusted his second much more than he trusted Ivanova. He had been silently cursing himself for being away from the Babylon on this night, but then a terrible thought struck him.
Was all this just a coincidence? Anna, choosing now of all times in the past two years to attempt a reconciliation, at the same time that Ivanova turned a cold war very hot with the murder of two of his guards and the attempted murder of Delenn.
He remembered his vision on board Babylon 4. His arm jerking upwards, his PPG firing, and Anna slumping and falling back. He seemed to remember Anna attacking him, although his vision had been so unclear. Had Anna become a Shadow agent? Had this whole affair been part of Ivanova's plotting? Had Ivanova made a mockery of his marriage and his happiness the same way she had made a mockery of his hopes?
Questions and no answers. At least, no answers that he wanted to believe.
General Hague entered. Sheridan faced him, standing precisely to attention. The general walked around him slowly, while Sheridan kept his eyes directed firmly forward. The general looked tired, however. Sheridan doubted he had been sleeping well. Few people seemed to these days.
"Well, Captain?" Hague asked.
"General?" Sheridan kept his tone neutral. He knew he had little to explain or to apologise for, whatever was happening to him.
"Don't put on that tone with me! I want to know just what you think you've been doing up there! Just because you've spent so long living above us, that does not mean you aren't answerable to us! What has been going on, Captain?"
Sheridan swallowed. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"That's never stopped you before."
"I have done nothing to explain away, General. Everything that I have done has been for the good of humanity."
"That's exactly what Ambassador Ivanova has said."
"She's lying, sir." Ambassador? He didn't like the sound of that.
"She isn't the one with a.... a freak on her spaceship. A freak in the presence of two dead bodies. What happened?"
"Satai Delenn entered the chrysalis with my express approval and consent, sir. I believed it represented the best future for our people. I also believe that Lieutenant Ivanova - " he was damned if he was going to call her Ambassador " - killed my guards in an attempt to kill Delenn."
"Why did you not explain this.... chrysalis transformation to the Resistance Government? Why did you not seek our approval and consent?"
"Freely, sir?" Hague nodded angrily. "I believe that Lieutenant Ivanova has suborned certain members on the Government, sir. I believe that she intends to use the Resistance Government and all of humanity to fulfill her own aims and those of her allies. Delenn is more aware of these Shadows than I am, and she believes that her transformation would counter any influence the Shadows might have, and that she may be able to sway members of the Grey Council to end this war and to abort any attack here, sir."
"Let me see if I've got this straight, Captain. You have taken a maximum security prisoner from our Detention Centre and up to your ship. You have denied us access to question her. You have opposed humanity's legitimate and recognised allies. You have given a prisoner a chance to undergo a transformation, the results of which you did not fully know at the time, all on her say-so.
"Why in hell's name do you believe a single word that Minbari bitch tells you? You more than anyone else should know how much they can be trusted, and that is not at all. After what they did to Earth, to Mars, at the Line, at Orion.... to your daughter! No, Captain, all your information on this comes from the word of one Minbari. I am hesitant to mention the word treason, Captain, but I cannot believe that you fell for her charms. You have always been too smart for that. What was it, Captain? What did she offer you?"
"General, I resent that accusation. Everything that I have done...."
"Has been on the word of one Minbari! Or is there more? Can any others confirm your story? Name them, and I shall seek them out. Is there anyone who will back you up?"
Sheridan remained silent. There was G'Kar, of course, but mentioning his name would risk exposing his entire operation, and the Great Machine. He did not entirely agree with G'Kar, but he would not betray the Narn. Besides, that would only call his own involvement into question. His report on the Epsilon 3 incident had been a masterpiece of misinformation and obfuscation. Revealing the full truth now would only harm him further.
"I see," Hague snapped. "At the moment, Mr. Welles is doing everything he can to break apart that Minbari bitch and get out anything he can. When he's finished, or when time runs out for us all, she'll be executed. Publicly, in as messy and unpleasant a fashion as can be found. If it weren't for oxygen problems, she'd probably be burned at the stake. And after that, if there's anything left of us after the Minbari have come, then you will be court-martialled and executed as a traitor to your race.
"I'm sorry to see it come to this, Captain, but you've left us no choice."
"Ivanova's left you no choice," Sheridan responded. "Don't listen to her, General. She's lying. She's been lying about everything, right from the beginning."
"I'm not listening to this. I'll be going, Captain, but try and think about this. What is Anna going to say when she discovers the truth?"
The General left, and Sheridan stared at the door. What was Anna going to say when she discovered the truth? What was he going to say when he discovered the truth about her?
Had she betrayed him? He didn't like to ask that question, because he didn't like the only answer he could find.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Mr. Welles had taken time to think, constantly running Miss Alexander's suggestions and accusations over and over in his mind. The more he thought about them, the more sense they made. He had been experiencing suspicions for some time about humanity's new allies, but he had put them down to his permanent sense of paranoia, and resolved merely to keep an eye on Miss Ivanova and learn as much about her as he could. Once he had learned about the Babylon 2 mission from General Hague and from General Franklin's records, he had put his suspicions aside. Miss Ivanova's story checked out, and he felt - along with everyone else - some sense of euphoria at the thought that humanity was no longer alone.
This recent incident had caused all his old suspicions to rise up again.
Miss Alexander had gone, pleading fatigue. He had been suspicious, but he wanted to put some of these ideas to Satai Delenn herself. If she and Miss Alexander were lying, then he would soon find out.
The first sign that something was wrong was when he arrived at her cell. There was no guard outside. There had always been someone on duty, either inside or outside. Usually there were both. He hesitated and drew his PPG slowly. He opened the door.
The sight of blood had never shocked him before - no one who had lived through the attack on Mars could ever be squeamish again - but what he saw on arrival shocked even him.
Cutter was laid out on the floor. Welles was unable to detect a cause of death from simple viewing, although it seemed likely that he had been strangled. There were deep scratches down his face, and his uniform was dishevelled.
Looking up, he saw Satai Delenn sitting calmly in her seat. She had evidently not tried to escape - she couldn't have opened the door anyway. There were scratches and marks on her face, and her clothes - a makeshift medical gown - had been torn. Her eyes were red, and as she looked at him he could see that the child-like innocence that had marked them was gone.
"You," he whispered, lost for words for the first time in his life. "You.... did this?"
"He tried to hurt me," she said. Had he been feeling normal, Welles would have identified every nuance and sign in her tone of voice, to see whether she was the child she had been before, or the dignified priestess he had known earlier. But he was not feeling normal, and he did not care.
"He tried to hurt me."
Welles had known about Cutter's somewhat.... undiscriminating sexual preferences, but he still trusted the man. Cutter had always done his job well, had always served Earth and humanity, had always been loyal and dutiful.
And here he was, one more victim of the Minbari.
"One more," he whispered. "One more." Never taking his eyes off Delenn, he bent down and closed Cutter's eyes. There were deep nail marks across one of them.
"How many more, then?" he said, speaking as much to himself as to the woman before him. "Just how many more?! In God's name, where will you stop?"
He had not realised he was still holding his PPG until he was pointing it at her, both hands trembling, the merest fraction of a second from shooting her down in cold blood, from killing her the way she had killed Cutter, and everyone on Earth, and all the dreams of humanity.
She looked at him, and this time there was innocence in her eyes, not the innocence of a child, but the innocence of one who was gone beyond dreams, but still dares to believe, the innocence of one who hopes for the future, the innocence of one who has dared to wonder, and has not experienced disappointment.
The innocence of one who is facing death in the knowledge that her life had meaning.
The innocence of one who knows that another will pick up where she has left off.
Welles looked into her eyes and saw none of this. For the first time in his life, his chosen skills had abandoned him. He was effectively blind.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

At first Refa thought it was Vir who had come into his quarters. He had been dozing, trying to regain some of the sleep he'd been unable to get last night. He stirred at the sound of a door opening - one of the reasons he was still alive was that he was a light sleeper - but he doubted he had anything to worry about here.
He was wrong, as he discovered when he felt the cold touch of metal at his throat.
"It's a Minbari fighting pike, Ambassador," said a female voice. "One twitch and it can crush your throat."
"I fear you have me mistaken for someone else," Refa said calmly. "I am no Ambassador, merely a humble diplomat."
"You're taking this very calmly, Ambassador."
"My lady, I have survived more assassination attempts than you have men. The difference is, I can tell mine apart in the dark." A deliberate insult. It would either make her angry - and sloppy - or it would rile her into a debate, prolonging this so that he could gain an advantage. At least, that was how it usually worked.
It didn't. She only laughed. "The figure isn't that high, Ambassador. What say we cut to the point?"
"I am, as you humans say, all ears."
"Your name is Antono Refa, head of your house. After a little.... power struggle in recent years, you were banished to a derogatory post of little importance on Minbar, where you were seen as little more than a joke. You are here at the behest - probably, anyway - of Satai Sinoval of the Grey Council. If I leave anything out, you'll be sure to tell me."
Refa was pondering the staple response in such a situation - outright denial - but he sensed that was not going to work. This lady was too well informed. He wondered if it was time to play a trump card.
"You are very well informed, Ambassador Ivanova," he said. "I wonder then, why you have not shared this information with your Government."
"That's Ivanova," she said, correcting his pronunciation. "And who's to say I haven't? Who's to say this isn't with their permission? This is a warning, Lord Refa. Tell the Grey Council whatever you like, but if their fleets come here, then they're all dead. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly, my lady." Refa was slightly disappointed. This was nothing more than a straightforward threat-cum-blackmail, then.
"Good." She lifted the weight from his neck, and vanished. He waited a few moments before rising and activating the lights. He then leapt from the bed and looked around. She was definitely gone, and Vir was nowhere in sight. He doubted she'd have killed him - not that he would have minded if she had, but if she had killed Vir, then she would have had to have killed him as well.
Fortunately, he had another - what had been Londo's phrase? - another trump card to play? Typical Londo. All he ever did was play cards and drink and eye up women. He had never had any ambition.
Refa then looked at his trump card. His recording device, deliberately left on, would have picked up every bit of their conversation. It could work in any degree of lighting and it recorded sound as easily as images. It had cost him a fortune, but it had been worth every ducat.
He wondered idly where Vir was, as he activated the device and played back the image.
He swore. "Great Maker!"

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Lyta Alexander was worried. Very worried. About Marcus.
She hadn't seen him in days. Mr. Welles didn't know where he was - and it was Welles' job to know everything about everything - and Ivanova had been appearing in public without him. She was afraid for him.
She had never been able to rationalise her feelings towards Marcus. She was hesitant to mention the L word - she had always resigned herself to the fact that love would never play a factor in her life. After all, Psi Corps would arrange her marriage based on genetic conformity. Emotional attachments did not come into it.
When Psi Corps was effectively ended with Earth, she felt oddly free. She wasn't bound by their rules, their codes of conduct any more. She had tried to turn her power - which she had always seen as a curse - into a blessing. She had tried to live life. Except for her involvement with Bester, she was now as free as she had ever been....
It had taken her a long time to realise that even freedom must have restrictions. She had lost more than one lover because of her incautious use of her powers and her new, fresher approach to life. She doubted that she had ever felt strong feelings for anyone before.
And now there was Marcus. It wasn't just physical attraction - although there was certainly that - and she wasn't sure it was true love. The trouble was she didn't know what it was, except that she wanted it to continue.
She knew that Marcus was wrapped into something serious, something that had Captain Sheridan's mark all over it. He wouldn't talk about it, and someone had been teaching him to shield his thoughts, so she couldn't find the information herself, at least not without hurting him. She wished he would stay away from Sheridan. Lyta did not know the Captain very well, but she did know he was the sort of person who would send a man to his death if it suited his purposes. Oh, he could reason it, and explain it and maybe even justify it, but the dead would stay dead, and no amount of justifications could bring them back.
She would not let that happen to Marcus. Not if she could do anything at all about it.
There was a knocking on the door. She started and rose from her bed. Knocking? As if the person didn't know how to use the bell properly. "Open," she said slowly.
In walked a Centauri. He was looking around nervously. Lyta tried a quick scan - reading aliens had always been something she had been good at - but all she picked up was a haze of concern and panic. He had learned techniques to block casual scans as well. Was no one fighting fair any more?
"Can I help you?" she asked politely.
"Um, well, I think. It's more that you can help other people, you see, but, well, we think we can trust you.... and I've had some, um, information about you and...."
Lyta blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"I really shouldn't be doing this. I don't have the.... authority, you see. But I can't get in touch with the others, and if I don't act fast, there's going to be, well.... whoo.... trouble, to say the least."
"You aren't making any sense."
"No, I suppose I'm not. That's the kind of life I'm having at the moment. My name's Vir. Vir Cotto. I'm.... a sort of diplomatic attaché, but I'm also something else.... I.... oh, I really shouldn't be doing this, but he thinks we can trust you. He thinks you can help us. We.... talked before I left to come here and well, I didn't listen. I never listen to much really, but he mentioned your name and...."
"Who?" she asked. She didn't know any Centauri.
"Ah, that's going to have to remain a.... ah, secret for the moment. I really can't.... tell you that, but there is.... something else. I'd better begin at the beginning, so to speak. That would make some sort of sense."
"I hope something does." She tried a second, deeper scan, but all she picked up was the image that he was telling the truth in whatever it was he was trying to say.
"Um, please stop doing that. I've had some.... bad experiences.... with telepaths, you see. They don't have many scruples.... at least not Centauri ones. I'm not saying you don't have any scruples or anything, but well...." Lyta withdrew. "Thank you. Now....
"There are, well.... beings in the universe billions of years older than.... ooh, anything. Well not anything, but.... they're pretty old. Very old. Now the oldest of these are called the Shadows....
"And well, basically, they aren't very nice...."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Subsequent events on Proxima 3 that day are very much open to interpretation. Some things are known. It is known that Anna Sheridan - concerned about the whereabouts of her husband - sought out her friend, Susan Ivanova, to discover if there was any truth in what she'd heard of recent events. Susan Ivanova, however, was nowhere in sight, and Anna went so far as to visit the Babylon to try and find her or John.
Lyta Alexander, licensed telepath, meanwhile spent the afternoon listening to millions of years of history conveyed slowly, haltingly and repetitively by Vir Cotto, diplomatic attaché.
Captain Sheridan, Commander Corwin, Marcus Cole and Satai Delenn all remained in prison. Mr. Welles was reporting to the Resistance Government the details he had found concerning the two murders aboard the Babylon. He kept his suspicions to himself, as well as how near he had come to murdering Satai Delenn.
The Babylon was nearly deserted now. Mr. Welles had pulled his Security officers away, having discovered everything he felt he could, and feeling the need to interrogate most of its senior staff. If anyone recognised the lunacy of rendering Proxima 3's flagship - and only surviving capital ship - leaderless, no one said so.
Ambassador Refa spent the day making transmissions to Centauri Prime, various Centauri colonies and Minbar. When he heard one particularly pleasing piece of information from Gorash 7, he broke out into laughter.
Susan Ivanova's whereabouts were unknown.
By mid afternoon, everything came to a head. It began, as so many things did, with Satai Delenn.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Dealing with the security guards was simple this time. Lyta simply changed their minds. Literally. She no longer felt guilty about doing so, especially in this case. She had no evidence that Marcus was involved in this, and she was not sure that she believed any of Vir's story, but she did know that Delenn was involved. Drawn by her strange link to Satai Delenn, she felt she had to help, especially when so much that was mystery had been cleared up - albeit very long-windedly - by Vir.
Vir was not with her. He was taking care of other situations, but although she doubted he would have been that much of an asset, it still grated that she was doing this alone. She trusted Vir - but only because her frequent scans had proved that he was telling the truth about the Shadows and about a Circle of Light being formed against them.
There were no guards outside Satai Delenn's cell, and no guards inside it either. Fortunately Lyta had obtained the security code by mind-scanning Welles earlier - just in case, and very gingerly. His was the sort of mind she did not want to stay in one minute longer than necessary. She had not, however, been in Welles' presence since she scanned Delenn this morning, or she might have seen a side to him that she didn't know existed.
She opened the door to the cell, stepped inside and came to a halt. Feelings.... of death, of lust, of pain hit her, all the force and strength of a brick wall. She recoiled and stumbled back against the wall. She rubbed at her eyes and blotted out tears, and then she saw Delenn's face looking at her.
"What happened?" she whispered. She could still see the blood on the floor. "What...?"
"He tried to hurt me," Delenn said softly. "He.... Who am I?"
Lyta started. "You are.... you are my friend. You are Delenn."
"Delenn?" She said the name slowly and hesitantly, as if she had never heard it before. "I.... don't...."
Welcome to the world, Satai Delenn. Out of the Darkness and into the Light.
Lyta stumbled again, and nearly fell. Those words.... it was as if they had been shouted into her ear. She looked at Delenn, and saw that she was in pain too. She knelt down beside Delenn's chair and took her hand. She knew that they didn't have long, but she had to do this.
"I'm going to help," she whispered.
Lyta didn't know exactly what she was doing. All she knew was that Kosh was giving her instructions. Unfortunately, Vorlon instructions were not exactly comprehensible. She had never tried this before, but somehow, something had passed between them when she had first scanned Delenn, so why couldn't something pass the other way?
"I hope this works," she said to herself. She closed her eyes and reached out into Delenn's mind. If they were caught doing this.... but no, she could probably justify it. They hadn't done anything irreversible yet.
And then, she was willingly.... lost.
I will not allow harm to come to my little ones, not here in my great house.
More valuable to me.
The third principle of sentient life.... the ability to sacrifice everything you are and everything you have for another, an ideal, a dream, a loved one....
I must follow the calling of my heart, Delenn. Forgive me.
Isil'zha veni. In Valen's name.
Thoughts, feelings, memories, voices, names, places, friends, loves lost, loves found, dreams forged, dreams broken, screams, cries, laughter, love, hatred, fear, life, death, destruction, chaos, order, good, evil, shadows.... always shadows....
Lyta could not scream. She could barely breathe as she and Delenn became connected on a level that she would never have thought possible. They were privy to each other's thoughts and feelings, they could put names to people only seen in the other's memories.
It was the most beautiful experience she had ever had.
She started, and her hand slipped from Delenn's. She fell backwards and collapsed on the floor, too exhausted even to breathe.
"How?" she asked the voice in her mind. "How did you know this would happen? Why did you do it?"
Connection, it said in reply. Together. Purpose. You will discover. When the time is right.
Lyta slowly scrambled to her feet and, leaning on the table, she looked at Delenn. "Are.... you...?"
"I think so," Delenn whispered. Her eyes were no longer those of a child, but she was.... unsettled. Lyta could read it in her. "I feel.... strange."
"I'm not surprised," Lyta replied. "If what I picked up from that.... connection.... was any guide, then you've just gone through several years of puberty in a few days. I'd feel strange, too. Are you.... you?"
"And who am I to make me me? I.... have my memories, and my.... thoughts are my own, but apart from that.... I do not know. This was early. Far too early. I should not even be alive."
"Yeah well, if word of this gets out none of us will be. You'll need to get off Proxima, and fast."
"Captain Sheridan!" Delenn started, as though she had only just remembered. "We must help him.... and Commander Corwin. We will need them."
"Are you crazy? The instant we leave this cell we're all on borrowed time. Getting you out is going to be hard enough, never mind...."
"Never mind what, exactly?" Lyta spun around, a cold terror gripping her heart. She hoped that she was wrong. She prayed that she was wrong, but she knew she wasn't.
Standing there in the doorway was Mr. Welles.
"I suppose you can explain why you are here?" he said calmly. "And how you got here?"
Lyta paused as she tried to evaluate an answer. There was something.... different about Welles. His icy demeanour was gone, and his stare.... he was renowned for having the most focussed, uncomfortable stare that anyone could wish to look at. But it was not focussed on her. He was staring at Delenn. And his gaze was one of fury.
"I'm waiting," he said slowly.
Lyta could feel his mind now, like soft clay running through her fingers. She could feel him near to breaking point. There was a hot flame burning through all his control, all his precious reserve was close to cracking. Grief and anger and long-restrained hatred were all burning within him.
And with grief and anger and hatred, there was inevitably pain.
She had never been able to master this trick before, but it had worked against Ivanova earlier, and she found herself thinking it would work now. She reached out, feeling the Vorlon guide her, and she touched Welles' mind.
Pain!
He gave a strangled cry and fell forward, knocking the table aside. His body spasmed on the floor. Lyta slowly helped Delenn to her feet, pulling her away from the convulsing man. Slowly, always looking at Welles, she opened the door.
"I think I remember how to do this," she muttered.
"Do what?" Delenn asked.
"Change the access code. You need it to get in or out. I am now so dead here, I might as well start digging a grave for myself. The more time we have before they come looking for us, the better."
"Thank you, Lyta," Delenn said simply. "You have risked a great deal for me."
"I think I was risking it as much for myself as well," Lyta said slowly. "I don't know why, but.... I don't know why."
Delenn smiled. "I thank you anyway."
"Do you still want to find Captain Sheridan?"
"I need to find him."
"There's an old saying," said a familiar voice at the other end of the corridor. "Be careful what you ask for. You might just get it."
Lyta saw Delenn smile, a warm, happy smile. She certainly did not begrudge her friend happiness but she could not share it, certainly not at the sight of Captain Sheridan, Commander Corwin and Susan Ivanova all together.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Londo Mollari was drunk. In fact, he was very drunk. He was also bad-tempered drunk. Normally he tended to become convivial, happy, cheery and very bad at gambling when he'd had too much to drink - which he hadn't, at least not recently. But this was a special occasion.
After all, it wasn't every day that you received reports of the death of your best friend.
He'd received the message earlier, and had proceeded to get incredibly drunk. He supposed he should notify G'Kar, or at least whichever of his agents happened to be nearest - Shaal Lennier, he supposed - but he simply didn't feel like it. What he felt like, at the moment, was breaking a lot of glasses - check, breaking a lot of items of furniture - check, and then breaking several necks - no check.
It was an accident, they'd said. Of course it was. Yes, that was right. Major Centauri warships went around having 'accidents' all the time. And the fact that First Minister Urza Jaddo happened to be on board when this 'accident' occurred was also accidental, right?
Londo was alone. Timov had fled, not used to her husband having a worse temper than she did. Daggair was off at one of her interminable parties, spending more of his money than he could afford. And Mariel, she was.... anywhere, but not here. He didn't care.
He raised a glass of brivare. "Here's to you, Scatura," he said. "Here's to you, Urza."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Lyta had seen a number of strange and unpleasant sights in her lifetime. The last year had seen a drastic increase in their number and frequency. But she doubted she would ever forget the sight of Susan Ivanova removing her head to reveal Vir Cotto with a Changeling Net.
Refraining from asking the obvious questions - like where he got it, and how he got it smuggled into Proxima - she concentrated instead on Captain Sheridan. He was holding Delenn tenderly. He was not smiling, but the frequent expression of anger on his face was gone. He looked strangely.... peaceful. She contemplated a quick scan, but decided against it. Sheridan had always been hard to read, and she did not want to make her actions obvious.
Delenn was smiling. She looked happier than Lyta had ever seen her. It was surprising how much her new human-like features improved when she smiled.
"I've, ah, arranged a shuttle to take you up to your spaceship," Vir was explaining. "This.... little device was very handy, and there are a few.... friends of friends here, if you know what I mean. You should get there uninterrupted, but you had best leave as soon as possible."
"And I suppose your.... friend.... with the Machine has some ideas about what we should do after that?" Sheridan said. "We'll have effectively exiled ourselves, and taken away Proxima's only heavy class ship."
"Hopefully our.... friend with the Machine.... will offer sanctuary. If you're ready to take it, Captain. And we both know that there are more powerful defenders here than the Babylon."
"I won't be going with you," Lyta said.
Delenn looked up. "Why not?" she asked.
Because I don't like Captain Sheridan. Because I think all this is crazy. Because I wish I couldn't believe any of this. Because I'm afraid of what the voice in my head in telling me.
"Because I have to find Marcus," she said.
"He's likely dead by now," Sheridan replied. "I asked him to watch over Susan for us."
"I have to find him," Lyta said firmly. "Goodbye, Delenn."
Delenn smiled. "Goodbye, Lyta."
Lyta noticed Sheridan's embrace tighten softly at Delenn's smile. She noticed a great many things about Captain Sheridan, things she wished she hadn't.
"If you need help finding Marcus, track down Zack Allan," Commander Corwin said. "I think he's still on the surface here, and he'll be able to help you."
"I will," she said slowly. And she meant it too.
"Walk with Valen," she whispered, and then paused, surprised. She hardly knew who Valen was.
"And you, my friend," Delenn said. "And you."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

The Babylon felt very.... empty. With most of its crew recalled to Proxima for questioning, and with all Mr. Welles' security patrols also recalled, there was only a skeleton crew running the ship. That suited Sheridan well enough. It made it easier for him to regain control. As he sat in his chair on the bridge and began taking the ship away from Proxima, he turned to Corwin.
"What are we doing here, David? We're abandoning our people. We're betraying them all."
"It's Vice President Clark and the others who have done that, sir," Corwin said slowly, after a moment's thought. "They betrayed humanity. I think we're the only ones who haven't."
Sheridan thought about this for a moment, and then nodded. "Take us away."
Lieutenant Franklin was one of the few members of the bridge crew who was still aboard. He looked a little bewildered by the whole affair, but, like Commander Corwin, he trusted his captain.
"We're leaving Proxima now, sir," he said. "Jump point formed. We're in hyperspace."
"Do you think they'll send anything out after us?" Corwin asked.
"What have they got to send? They won't risk a light cruiser or a medium sized warship against the Babylon."
"And what about one of these Shadow ships? The things that cut through two Minbari cruisers in a matter of seconds?"
"Then.... we will deal with that as it happens, David."
"You cannot," said a voice. It was Delenn. "None of us can stand up to the Shadows, not yet. But by working together, perhaps we can. I do not know what this.... G'Kar has done in preparation for the Shadows, but I do know that by working together, we have a far better chance than we do alone."
"I only hope you're right...." Sheridan blinked suddenly and looked around. Something about this felt.... familiar. He turned and saw the door to the bridge opening. He started and rose from his chair. No! This was impossible. Anna was on Proxima 3. She had to be.
But she was here. "John!" she said. "What's been happening?"
Sheridan drew his PPG and pointed it, across the length of the bridge, at her.
"John? What...?" Then she saw Delenn. "I see. What they were saying was true, then. I didn't want to believe them, but.... they were right. You did betray us all, John."
"You betrayed me, Anna. Why? I wondered why at the time. It was Susan, wasn't it? I should have realised. What did she tell you? What did she offer you?"
"John, you aren't making any sense. But.... I suppose that's not surprising. I never thought. I just.... never thought."
John glanced at Delenn, glanced away just long enough for Anna to draw her own PPG. He pointed his weapon back at her, silently cursing himself. He was the one who'd insisted she carry a weapon, never imagining she'd point it at him.
"This is a mistake," Delenn whispered. "This is a misunderstanding. John, please, listen!"
But he wasn't listening. Anna was. "Why are you doing this?" she pleaded. "Why? Doesn't.... doesn't Elizabeth's death mean anything to you? That.... that freak killed her. She killed Elizabeth, and your parents, and mine. She took everything from both of us. And now she's taken you as well. John, please!"
"What did Susan tell you? What did she...? Anna, no!"
Anna turned to point her PPG at Delenn. John's arm jerked upwards....
Corwin would never forget the expression on his Captain's face as he fired. Despair. The ultimate, most tragic, most heart-wrenching despair he could ever imagine. But it did no good. Once the weapon was fired, it could never be taken back.
Anna slumped and fell, her own weapon falling from her lifeless fingers. Sheridan just stood there, staring for a moment, then he dropped his own weapon.
"Anna," he whispered. Slowly, he walked across the bridge to her side and knelt down beside her. Corwin knew that she was dead. It was inconceivable that she could be otherwise, but still.... he could hope that she was alive. Not for her sake, but for her husband's.
Sheridan, on the other hand, seemed to know. As if he had been expecting this all along, but had never adjusted himself to its inevitability. He simply knelt beside her, touching her hair, whispering her name, over and over again.
Corwin's attention was so taken up by Sheridan that he didn't notice Delenn move. If he had, he might have stopped her, but he did not, and the first Sheridan knew of it was when she gently touched his shoulder, standing by his side.
He spun around, lashing out. He pulled his punch at the last minute, but it was still enough to floor her. She fell sprawling, and Corwin caught the look in her eyes as she fell.
Terror and tragedy.
"Get her out of here!" Sheridan snapped to anyone who was listening. "Throw her in the brig! Throw her out of an airlock! Just get her out of my sight!"
Delenn tried to rise, but he moved forward, fire and death blazing in his expression. Corwin ran forward, again for his sake, not for hers, and helped Delenn to her feet. She was leaning on him heavily, although probably more from shock than from pain. Corwin shared a long, sympathetic, empathetic look with his captain and led Delenn from the bridge, and down to the brig.
As a result, he missed what happened next.
"Captain," breathed Lieutenant Franklin. "This.... this is...."
"What?" Sheridan asked dully.
"Come and see."
Sheridan made his way down to Franklin's console, moving slowly, not caring, not thinking. He looked at the readouts.
His eyes widened. He had never seen a Shadow ship before, but he knew that that was what he was looking at.
Ivanova had sent the Shadows after them, after all.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

It had taken Lyta several minutes to regain her breath after leaving Sheridan, Corwin, Vir and Delenn outside the Detention Centre. Vir had put his Changeling Net back on again, and was planning on guiding the others to the shuttle he had arranged. She was still a trifle unclear about his motives, but her thoughts were far too enmired to worry about them for the moment.
The first thing she did was return to her room and collapse on the bed, drawing in great, gasping breaths. She knew that she had to find Marcus. That was her main concern here. For the first time since leaving the cell, the thought of what she had done to Mr. Welles nagged at her. What if she had killed him? What would he do when he got out?
None of that mattered. She had to find Marcus, and Corwin had told her how to do it.
Once she had recovered her breath, she left her room and headed in search of this Zack Allan. Tracking him down was not difficult - a whole ship-full of Security personnel tended to make an impact, and all it took was a few questions. She did not even have to use her powers to gain the information she needed, although she was nervous the whole time, wondering if each person she talked to knew about what she had done.
Was this how normals felt in the presence of telepaths? This whole, enveloping terror, always afraid of what they had done that they might be called to account for?
When she found Zack, she mentioned Sheridan's name, and he became attentive. He listened to what she had to say - which took a while, as her breathing was still laboured, and she was still afraid. Kosh's voice was trying to tell her something, but she hardly heard it.
And after she had finished, Zack had left to do a bit of checking. A few minutes later, he returned.
"Found him," he said. "He was slightly injured in a brief scuffle last night. Medlab are looking after him."
Lyta started, knowing that for a lie. She could feel Marcus when he was in pain. Zack was lying. She rose to her feet, but then the door to his room opened again.
In stepped Vice President Clark and Mr. Welles.
"Mr. Allan here tells us you have an interesting story to tell, Miss Alexander," Clark said. "I would very much like to hear it."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Is it taking any sort of hostile action?" Sheridan asked.
"I don't.... think so. I don't know what it's doing."
"Hah! Join the club, Lieutenant. Where's the nearest safe place we can get out of hyperspace?"
"I can get us out in Sector Thirty-seven in a few minutes."
"Do it."
Franklin was marvelling at the change in Sheridan. Mere moments after seeing his wife die and being nearly ready to attack Delenn, he had become calm, collected and poised. He only seemed to become alive in battle, these days.
If he spared a lingering look at the body of his wife, Franklin chose not to comment on it.
Franklin suddenly looked up. His readings were.... no, this was impossible. "Captain, it's.... gone...."
"Gone?"
"It just veered away. Like it was scared of.... We've got an incoming transmission."
Sheridan sat bolt upright. "The sort of ship that can tear apart two Minbari cruisers in a matter of minutes isn't going to be afraid of us. Put the message on, but audio only."
Sheridan turned to the communications panel by the side of his chair. He heard a stern, firm voice come over the channels.
"You would be Captain Sheridan?"
"Yes. And you are?"
"Colonel Ari Ben Zayn, formerly of Earthforce Special Intelligence. With me is my associate, Mr. Harriman Gray. We have a.... mutual acquaintance, Captain. He asked me to come and find you."
Sheridan knew the name. Ben Zayn was a decorated soldier, renowned in many battles and wars. He was said to be a talented, ambitious and very dangerous man. He was also supposed to be dead.
"And who is this.... mutual acquaintance?"
"Later, Captain. When the time is right. We offer you a place of sanctuary. In return for certain.... services, Captain."
"What kind of services?"
"When the time is right, Captain. When the time is right. Well, do you accept?"
Sheridan looked around at the nearly empty bridge. His gaze caught on Anna's body. He swallowed harshly. "I will not raise a hand against my people," he said.
"We won't ask you to."
"Fine. Then I accept."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Vir had been back on Minbar for three days now. His last day on Proxima had been tense. Miss Alexander had gone missing shortly after their last meeting, and she knew enough to have him arrested and executed. She also knew enough to tear apart the Circle of Light if such information ever slipped out. Vir had trusted her then, and he still did, but there were.... ways of gathering information. He hoped she had escaped the planet, but his hopes were thin.
Still, Captain Sheridan had escaped. That was something to be thankful for. Vir had sent a message to G'Kar detailing everything that had happened on Proxima immediately upon his return to Minbar. Events there were taking a turn for the worse.
And events on Minbar were becoming worse still. Refa had not noticed any sign of Vir's preoccupation, which was in itself a bad sign. He was pleased about something, very pleased. Vir knew the real reason for their mission here, and he knew that if Refa was pleased, then it could not be good news.
And it wasn't. Refa received news of Captain Sheridan's escape a few hours after the fact. He had feigned outrage at Proxima's 'inefficient security' and 'treasonous operatives'. He had managed to tear down completely the accord that Londo had been trying to build between Centauri Prime and Proxima 3. Even if the Resistance Government received word of Refa's true allegiances, the climate of mistrust and suspicion would take too long to allay.
The Grey Council was apparently still deliberating Refa's information, but Vir knew it would not be long now. Delenn had been completely discredited by the image of her and Sheridan Refa had provided to Sinoval. There was now only one choice for the position of Holy One.
Vir had come out to meet with Lennier, hoping that his companion had some better news. He hadn't. Solemnly, the two swapped tales of what had happened. Vir revealed events on Proxima 3, while Lennier told of the heightening tension among the noble Houses of Centauri Prime - culminating in the death of First Minister Urza Jaddo in an apparently unrelated 'accident'.
But there was one more piece of bad news to come for Vir. After meeting with Lennier, he returned to the diplomatic quarters he shared with Refa. The ambassador was in a very good mood. Vir asked what had happened.
"Ah, you have not heard? There was another minor skirmish between some of our ships and a Narn cruiser at Ragesh 3. The colony there has fallen to those it once belonged to - us. The Kha'Ri has responded with more threats against our colonies elsewhere, and the Centarum has, finally, taken decisive action.
"We are at war, Vir. And this time, the Narns will not get off so easily."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Sinoval looked out across the circle at the eight people who surrounded them. They had been debating for days, ever since Refa had presented his evidence to him. Hedronn had finally come around, accepting the information for what it was - genuine. Only Lennann and Rathenn still spoke out. As of course they would, but they were fighting a losing cause. Sinoval knew it, Hedronn knew it, and they knew it.
Refa had done exceptionally well. Not just with the image of what Delenn had become - the sight of her with Starkiller - but the other image as well. The sight of a human woman with a Shadow beside her. Sinoval had long suspected humanity of being in league with the Enemy. Refa had provided this proof, and, indirectly, the knowledge that Delenn was with the Enemy as well.
"Am I to believe that you doubt your own eyes?" he asked, confronting the two opposite him. "You have seen what we all have. That is Delenn. Do you deny that?"
"No," Rathenn said, "but...."
"And that is Starkiller Sheridan. We have all seen him. We all know what he looks like. Or do you deny that as well?"
"No," said Lennann.
"Then how can you stand there and dare to defend her? You have asked for evidence about Delenn, my fellow Satai. You have wondered whether she may still be alive, and is being held against her will. You have asked for proof and I have given you that proof. Now, now do you believe me?"
The words felt like ashes in his mouth, but he didn't care. Some must be sacrificed if all are to be saved. Delenn would have to fall so that he could save the rest of their people.
"Humanity is in league with the Enemy. That we have seen as well. Therefore, Delenn is in league with the Enemy."
"We do not know that...." Lennann began.
"What other explanation is there? We have stood here and debated for too long. We waited until the mourning for Dukhat was over. We waited to build the Rangers. We waited for proof about Delenn. The longer we wait, the easier we will fall. We must act now - together - or not at all! Shall we stand by as the Enemy advances? We formed the Rangers nearly eight cycles ago to oppose the Enemy that we all knew was coming. Now that Enemy is here, and we must be ready for it.
"We cannot afford the luxury of conflict. Delenn has betrayed us. I hold that she be named Zha'valen."
There were no mutters of protest, not even from Rathenn and Lennann, although their looks would have killed Sinoval if they could. "She has betrayed us all, and all of Minbar as well, to the Enemy. I hold that she be named Zha'valen," he repeated.
Zha'valen. A shadow upon Valen. Outcast from Minbari society. No Minbari could speak to her, speak her name, or even look at her. He did not want to do this, but if the only way he could guide the Minbari to their prophesied destiny was to sacrifice Delenn then so be it, and he would never look back.
"Zha'valen," said Kalain, now formally Satai. "Zha'valen," said another warrior. "Zha'valen," rasped Hedronn, his voice marked with bitter, angry disappointment. "Zha'valen." "Zha'valen." The word ran around the circle until only Rathenn and Lennann had not spoken. The two priests looked at each other, and finally, Rathenn said:
"Zha'valen."
Lennann repeated the word, his voice even angrier than Hedronn's.
"And now, my Satai, is there any more doubt left as to the position of Holy One?"
It began with Kalain, and with the other warriors, and it spread. Lennann and Rathenn did not speak, but they did not matter. Six of the Nine were with Sinoval, and that was enough. At last, he had achieved the beginnings of his dream, but the words were not spoken in dream this time, but in reality.
"Hail Sinoval! Hail Holy One!"