I respect your abilities, Bunny. But if he does not give us the information willingly, I fear we will not get it. Mages are trained in mental discipline and focus. Kell is the most adept of us all. He may have defenses we do not suspect.
No one can stand up to me, except another P12 telepath. Therere about a dozen of those on Earth. I went through Tilar fast enough for you, didnt I? Had him reliving his potty training. The poor thing is still scared of me. Bunny glanced toward Tilar, who sat across the chamber, watching them.
Tilar is a failed mage, Elizar said.
I could do the same to you, sweet cheeks, anytime, anywhere. There was a lightness to her tone that made Anna uncertain whether she meant the threat or not.
Elizar ran the head of his staff down the side of her face. But it would be the last thing you would ever do, sweet Bunny.
She twirled her long blond hair. Thats what makes our arrangement so perfect. Live and let live. Except for our enemies.
If I am forced to call upon you, that means all else has failed. Hell fight you. You may have to destroy his mind to find the truth.
I hope so. Theres a real rush in ripping through someones brain, through all those tired ideas and pathetic worries. It feels liketaking a bunch of poor old gerbils out of their rusty exercise wheels. And then blowing them up.
So long as you first find what we need, Elizar said.
Ill find it. The lightness had drained out of Bunnys voice. Dont start getting all repressive on me. Im not big on obedience. I wouldnt follow my parents rules, so they turned me in. I wouldnt follow Psi Corps rules, so they locked me up. I wouldnt follow the rules of the goddamn blips, so they volunteered me for the sleeper tube express. Why should I listen to a bunch of hypocrites and users?
Elizar lowered his voice. But wouldnt you want to make new rules of your own, eliminate the hypocrisy?
She laughed with a toss of her head. My rules would be the most hypocritical of all. Im all for chaos. Thats why I agreed to help you. Her ice blue eyes narrowed. I thought you felt the same.
I told you, Elizar said. We believe in the same things. We were both taken from our homes and forced into a mold we did not fit. We both found hypocrisy, secrets, and oppression. And we both rebelled.
Outside, a ship approached. Anna recognized it as the techno-mage ship they had been sent to meet. It was like the one who had first brought Elizar here. Like his staff, it carried some trace of life. Anna was interested in these techno-mage ships. They were not soulless, like the other ships she had encountered. Yet they were not like her sisters, either. In a way, they seemed similar to the Vorlon ships about which shed been warned. Their life seemed an extension of the being riding within, a being who might come and go independently. These ships werent truly alive, as she was. They were a sad echo of life. They had no will of their own; they had no freedom. They were forced to follow orders. A techno-mage and his ship were not one; she and the machine were one, working together toward common goals: chaos and destruction.
Anna informed her passengers of the ships arrival. She had learned little from their conversation.
Youre about to meet the biggest hypocrite of all, Elizar said.
Bunnys lips parted, the tip of her tongue pushing through. The fun begins. She turned to Razeel and Tilar, extending her hands. Come on! You guys dont laugh enough. Were going to kill the king of the techno-mages today! Can I get a smile out of you, at least?
Tilar stood. This is too easy. Ill laugh when its done, if theres something to laugh about. You underestimate Kell.
Bunny shrugged. I think you all overestimate yourselves. You may have some fancy machinery wired into you, but artificial power can never stand up to the real thing. She waved her hands down the length of her body. A machine, after all, can always be she snapped her fingers turned off.
That comment, Anna felt certain, had been directed at her. Perhaps Bunny needed to be reminded of her own weaknesses. A telepath, after all, could always be killed.
The small mage named Razeel said nothing, but stood with the others.
Elizar directed Anna to open herself to the techno-mage ship. She didnt want to accept the inferior ship within her. It was not worthy of her, and it could do much damage to her unprotected interior.
Yet admitting the ship was part of her duty. She must do it. At least she would hold the ship for only a short time.
Before proceeding, she scanned it carefully. Its weapons were inactive, and she found no explosive devices, though such things could be hidden. Reluctantly, she opened herself to the stranger. With crude, clumsy maneuvers, he entered her.
In her large chamber, Tilar removed the strange hat he wore, and Anna realized now that it was some living adjunct, like Elizars staff. He put the lumpy greyish organ into a liquid-filled canister, then fluffed the short crest of hair that crowned his head in the Centauri fashion. He wore a brilliant white shirt, an ornately decorated vest. He had something of Elizars authority in his posture, but somehow seemed anxious instead.
His ship could destroy us all once hes inside, Tilar said. I dont know why they didnt allow him to land.
They did not allow him to land, Elizar said, for that very reason. They would rather he destroy us than an entire city.
Im just saying it would be much simpler to do this on the planet.
Elizars jaw tightened. And by do this, I assume you mean interrogate and murder Kell.
Tilar stopped his fluffing. You say that as if its a bad thing. Youre not having second thoughts, are you? There was something menacing in Tilars voice.
Dont be a fool. Kell lied to us. He misled us. You have no idea my depth of hatred for the man. You wouldnt understand, because you never loved the mages, only yourself. What I find offensive is your imprecise speech. Did Regana teach you nothing?
So you have no feelings for him at all?
Just because I hate him, doesnt mean I want to be the one to do this.
I can do it.
No, you cant. He does not trust you.
Tilar said nothing more, though his gaze lingered on Elizar.
After Anna had closed and repressurized herself, the techno-mage newcomer left his ship, and what little life Anna sensed within it vanished. The mage himself looked weak and aged. He walked slowly, with the aid of an ivory staff, his shoulders hunched. He wore a black robe with a short white fur cape over it. His skin was lined and dark. Like a negative image of Elizar, white hair on his chin grew in an elaborate pattern. This must be Kell, one of the Circle of five that ruled the techno-mages. He seemed no one to be afraid of, despite what her passengers had said.
They met him.
So, Elizar said. You have found me.
And now I will die.
Yes, Elizar said. In time. His manner had changed, though Anna couldnt say exactly how. He seemed somehow younger, his tone bitter. You should have stayed away. I dont know what you hoped to accomplish.
To face my failure with my own eyes. Kells voice was rich, resonant.
A mirror would be more suited to that task.
You are my mirror, Kell said.
Annas attention was drawn to the small mage, Razeel. Short, thin hair drifted around her head. Her lips moved, though no words emerged. A darkness gathered in the air before her, casting her pale skin into shadow. Anna wasnt sure what was happening. She examined the area; energy was building. The darkness took on an undulating cylindrical shape. Then, at its top, the darkness seemed to unfold, revealing an even darker mouth. It shot at Kell. The black mouth swallowed his head and slid down his body, the cylinder encasing him. After a moment, it grew transparent, vanished. Anna couldnt tell if the darkness had moved inside of him or simply dispersed.
Kell moaned, and his knees buckled. Elizar and Tilar caught him. Tilar took his staff, and they dragged him into the small chamber that had been previously prepared. They thrust him into Annas chair.
Kells weight pressed against her, the heat of his body spreading into her. Anna extended long black
fingers around him, embracing him tightly so he could not escape. From those fingers she extended wire-thin tendrils, pierced his clothing to make direct contact with his skin. She sent the tendrils over his body to the areas where shed been told nerve endings gathered close to the surface: the inside of the ears, the nape of the neck, the spine, nipples, abdomen, genitals, the inside of the legs, the soles of the feet. His heart pounded against her.
Razeel remained in the doorway.
You know you cant be in here, Elizar said to her. Do you want your voice to go silent?
Razeel gave a single nod and left, and Anna sealed the opening. Elizar leaned his staff against the wall, sat cross-legged on the floor, and rested his head in his hands. Activate the device, Anna.
As Anna did, she also opened herself again to the vacuum of space, as they had planned. Kells ship could not be within her when he was killed, for it might be programmed to destroy itself. Eagerly, Anna expelled the inferior ship from her body. It fell toward the planet. She waited until it was a safe distance, then wheeled and shrieked out her war cry. Red ecstasy flooded her. Her beam impaled the hated ship, utterly destroying it.
She closed herself, feeling better. She and the machine were tireless, invulnerable. They could do anything. She would accomplish the duties the Eye had assigned her.
Within the small chamber, Elizar stood. Kells head hung to the side, and his eyes moved aimlessly. He was disoriented.
It doesnt take much to get the better of one of you, Bunny said.
He never intended to fight. Elizar turned to Kell. Did you. His words sounded like a challenge.
Kell lifted his head, squinted his eyes. I will tell you nothing.
Were reduced to crude, makeshift methods here, Elizar said, but I think youll find them extremely effective. Anna, begin.
As Elizar had previously directed, she started by sending through her tendrils only a moderate shock.
Though Kell said nothing, his muscles spasmed violently. His fingers dug into her skin; his heart hammered against her.
She gave him a few moments. She had to monitor him carefully so that he did not become unconscious or die before they wished it. When his heart had stabilized, she sent the next shock, slightly greater than the first.
Kells body bucked. Through clenched teeth, a low sound escaped him. His blood pressure dropped, and his heart raced. She waited carefully until they had returned to normal limits.
This activity did not come naturally to her. She had been taught to attack and never break off until the enemy was utterly destroyed. These timid torturings, as they were called, seemed frustratingly ineffective. She sent the next shock, at yet greater intensity.
Kells clenched teeth parted, and he released a cry. His chest bowed outward, pushing against her. Then it fell back, and his body convulsed violently, his breath coming in short, quick puffs.
Anna waited for him to stabilize. His sweat drenched her skin.
I will tell you nothing, Kell said, his voice breathy, weak. Where is the point to this, Elizar? Where is the good?
I find it very good, Elizar said.
Beg for mercy, Tilar said. That will make it even better.
Anna increased the intensity and sent the next shock.
Kells leg jerked against her as his body was racked with wave after wave of spasm. His muscles writhed, unable to coordinate themselves enough for him to scream, or even to breathe. His heart fluttered within her hand, and Annas heart jumped as well. She didnt want to fail. He must not die until they directed.
After a few moments, Kells heartbeat returned, though it was erratic. His breath came in rapid gasps.
Elizar must have noticed, for he raised a hand. Stop.
She discontinued the shocks.
Elizar approached Kell and stood over him. You see that were serious. We can go on like this for days. Tell us what the mages are planning. What action has the Circle decided?
I will tell you nothing, Kell said.
You will tell us everything. You have no choice. Elizar moved away. I realize I havent properly introduced you to everyone. You remember Tilar, of course. And earlier you saw your embarrassingly strange, constantly neglected student, Razeel. But I havent introduced you to our latest addition. Elizars hand extended with a flourish. This is Bunny. Bunny is a telepath. Ive promised her that if you dont tell us everything we want to know, she can tear your mind to shreds to get the information. Shes looking forward to it. Shes a bit unstable.
Bunny put her hands on her hips.
So you see, its foolish to suffer, Elizar continued. Either way, we will find what we want. Isnt it for the good to tell us now and die quickly?
I think you were right before, Kell whispered. The goodis for me to be tortured. And to die having revealed nothing.
Elizars dark blue gaze fixed on Kell. Leave us, he said.
Hey, its my turn, Bunny said.
Elizar turned on her and Tilar, and his voice rang with authority. Leave us. Now.
This wasnt part of the plan, Tilar said.
Yet it was. Bunny and Tilar were incorrect; the plan had been torture, then Elizar questioning Kell alone, and then, if necessary, telepathic interrogation. Bunny and Tilar knew this. They were lying, she realized.
Anna opened the door briefly so that the others could leave. Then Elizar and Kell were alone.
Anna, Elizar said, release him.
Anna withdrew her tendrils, her fingers, leaving only the conventional shape of a chair. Kell wiped the sweat from his eyes with a shaky hand. His dark gaze followed Elizar.
If you came with the intention of killing me, Elizar said, I am sorry to disappoint. I will not be killed.
That was not my intent, Kell said softly. His heartbeat was becoming more regular, his breath slowing.
Then why did you come?
I had to see whether it was true. Whether you had truly betrayed the mages.
I killed Isabelle. Was that not proof enough?
For one who loves you? No. Kell straightened. I knew the difficulty of your position. I put you in it.
What do you Elizar rested a hand against the wall, bowed his head. For a long moment he was silent. Then, haltingly, he continued. You incited me to break into your place of power. You allowed me to access your files. You wanted me to discover your secrets.
I acted alone. The others knew nothing.
Elizar shook his head. You sent me as your unknowing agent to gather information from the Shadows. And all the time I thought you had betrayed us, by hiding all you knew. How could you keep such secrets? The Shadows Elizars voice had a strange quality to it. Anna couldnt tell whether he was upset or angry.
It is the legacy of Wierden. I allowed you the knowledge when I thought you were ready. Secrecy was necessary. I believed you were the only onewho could save us. I still do.
Elizar turned his head away from Kell, and the hand resting against the wall tightened into a fist. Then why have you come here? Why do you force me to kill you?
Kell ran his index finger over the white hair on his chin. Because if Im wrong, and you have betrayed us, I want to die. And if Im right, and you are trying to save us, then I give my life as evidence beyond doubt for the Shadows that you have joined them. So they will give you the information you need to save us. To allow us to fight the Shadows and defeat them.
Elizar faced Kell again. I havent betrayed the mages. Im trying to save them. But I dont want to save them by killing you. Not now that I know the truth. How could you come here and lay your death upon me? And how will the mages survive without you?
I have already resigned the Circle. They must survive without me. Though Kell was the one tortured, he seemed calm, while Elizar grew more agitated.
Resigned?
My secrecy led to the deaths of Burell and Isabelle. I made a desperate gambit, and they paid the price. Does any chance remain of success? If not, there is a third alternative. Together, perhaps we can escape this ship of darkness, or die trying, so we cannot
be used for ill.
Elizars hand curled closed, and his thumb circled nervously about his fingertips. I believe there is a chance for success. They have trusted me more sinceIsabelles death. But I dont yet know all I need.
What have you learned?
Ive learned the workings of their ships, and some of their devices. I know a few of their secret alliances. But I need more time. He crouched before Kell. Tell me of the mages plans.
Of their plans I know nothing. I resigned upon Galens return and have not seen them since.
You must be watching them. You watch all.
No longer, Kell said.
You know them. You know what they will decide before they decide it. You have said as much in the past.
No one can be sure of anothers actions.
Elizar jerked to his feet, pacing in a small circle. Still you keep secrets from me! Do you think Im so foolish? You seek to learn what I know while giving nothing in return. You have no faith in me.
He stopped, and they stared at each other in silence, until at last Kell spoke. His voice had regained its resonance. You attempt to manipulate me like an outsider. Sending the others from the room so we can speak privately. I reveal that I have manipulated you, and you pretend no ill will, hoping to gain my confidence.
You taught me well. How should I trust you, after all the secrets youve kept and the lies youve told?
In a precise motion, Kell extended two fingers toward Elizar. And how should I trust you? You killed one of us.
You have the gall to say that to me! What incredible ego! Elizar brought his hand down sharply. You set me on my path. And you sent Galen and Isabelle into that path. Because of your manipulations, I have her blood on my hands! I had no choice. It was the only way to maintain the pretense. If only Isabelle had pretended to join them, as I did. I convinced them to spare Galen.
Kell took a tired breath. Your loyalty is not pretended when you kill for them. There comes a point when the pretense and the reality become indistinguishable. When you killed Isabelle, you passed that point.
But my way is the only way to save us. We must learn the Shadows secrets. You said so yourself.
Babylon 5 17 - Techno-Mages 02 - Summoning Light (Cavelos, Jeanne) Page 2
