“I am afraid that we have become the very thing we set out to fight. The Minbari acted out of madness and grief, the same reasons we are acting now. Unless this war is stopped, then we will become them. And then, Vice President, we will be truly beyond hope.”
“We shall see, Mr. Sheridan. We shall see. Mr. Welles. Leave the investigation on the Babylon to the Head of Security there. Your immediate task is to interrogate Satai Delenn. Find out as much as you can from her. Use Miss Alexander’s talents, and every resource at your disposal. Do to Satai Delenn whatever you have to do to gain the information we need. Former Captain Sheridan and former Commander Corwin are to be incarcerated until you can verify from Satai Delenn the influence they played in this affair. Leave no stone unturned, Mr. Welles.”
“I never do,” he said icily.
“So this is what is happening here,” spoke up a sardonic voice. Lord Refa. He had clearly been hiding in the shadows, listening and learning. “Perhaps an alliance with your people is a misguided effort after all.”
“That is still hasty, Lord Refa,” Clark said quickly. “You must not let this… unfortunate incident… colour your view of our people.”
“We shall see,” he said. “We shall see.”
“Mr. Welles, take the three of them away.”
Corwin met Clark’s gaze firmly and then turned, walking solemnly from the room. He caught Sheridan’s gaze as he gently released Delenn and the two officers shared a meaning more important than any words could convey.
Humanity had just been damned.
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 nigh
t, 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?”
The Other Half of my Soul addm-1 Page 29
