Темное, кривое зеркало. Том 3 : След на песке.

And the voices were louder than usual. Something was happening. Something that the…. others regarded as being very important. It was possible that that related to Centauri Prime in some way, but he did not think so.

The instructions being relayed to him were becoming harder to ignore, but Zicree had been true to her word. He could control it, with enough effort and enough meditation. He was beginning to wonder if the price of that control was truly worth it.

And then the door had opened. A dull lantern shone in the room, hurting his eyes. A figure stood there, just beside the now-closed door. He did not know who this figure was, save that he was definitely Centauri, and his hair was very short. Lennier thought that indicated he was not a noble, but he seemed just too self-confident to be otherwise.

"Well," he continued. "Nothing to say? I know you've been alone in this cell for a bit too long, while all the attention has been on dear Londo, but I didn't think we should neglect you altogether." A pause. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Firmly: "No."

"Not at all?"

"I have nothing to say."

"Oh, I doubt that. I doubt that very much. I think you have a great deal to say. Do your friends know about your…. ah…?" He stepped forward and gently tapped Lennier's shoulder. There was a brief surge of pain, and a hissing sound only he heard.

Lennier made no move to attack this person. There was really no point.

"I don't think they do, somehow. Although I am puzzled by just how you've managed to keep it under control this long. Some sort of Minbari meditation, perhaps. Hmm…. you'll have to teach me that."

"Are you…?" He swallowed. "Are you working for them?"

"I'm working for me, I think you'll find. Not the…. ah…. what's your name for them? The Shadows, that's it. Such a wonderful name. I've always liked the way Minbari describe things. Anyway, I'm…. fulfilling my own destiny, but it happens to be on a similar path to theirs at the moment. They do have someone here, you know. So do their opposition for that matter. I don't know who, and I really don't care. I'm just trying to clean up the mess."

He paused, and seemed to be replaying that last line.

"Oh, sorry. I meant to say that I'm just trying to clean up from the mess."

"What do you want?" Lennier asked.

"Ah. I think I'll leave that one for another day."

"Who are you?"

"Both questions at once. And neither of them holds any power over me. I know exactly who I am, and what I want, and I'm in a very good position to get it at last. And you're going to help me, my bald friend."

"I very much doubt that."

"Ah…. but Shaal Lennier, you do not know what I want."

There was a knock at the door, and the Centauri muttered various unpleasant-sounding things under his breath. Lennier was very glad he couldn't translate them. "Yes?"

"Your Highness, you are called to the Court. Immediately." The voice that came through the thick door was filled with respect, and a not-inconsiderable dose of fear.

"Who dares?"

"The Lady Elrisia, your Highness."

"Elrisia? Oh well, that's different then. I'd better go. Open the door." The door was pushed open and the Centauri stepped into the rectangle of light. He turned and looked at Lennier. "I'm sorry this talk was cut short, but I have a feeling we'll see each other again.

"Guard?"

"Yes, your Highness?"

"You will tell no one that I was in this cell. In fact, I was not in this cell, and I was not talking to this prisoner."

"I won't breathe a word, your Highness."

"No. You won't." There was a brief glint of metal, a swift motion, and a bloodied gurgling, followed by the sound of a body falling. "The Minbari had a weapon, so he did. And the guards didn't search him properly. You really can't get the staff these days, can you?"

He tossed the bloodied knife into the cell and closed the door, not fully, but so that it was slightly ajar. "I'll hide the body. Wait…. ooh, half an hour or so, and then make your way out. You can go and free Londo if you like. He's two floors down, in cell thirteen I believe. The guards will be on duty there, but a resourceful person like you will be able to think of something, I'm sure.

"Oh," he said as an afterthought, over the sound of a body being dragged away. "If you do see Londo, tell him his old friend Cartagia would like a word. Whenever he has a free moment, of course."

* * *

They did not know where she was. That was good. She did not know where she was. That was bad. But then Susan Ivanova had known very little in the months since she had been changed for a purpose that had been denied her. Now that she was awake for the first time since Laurel had died, she could sense things she had never before known existed.

Whatever they had done to her, augmenting her telepathic powers had been included. She could sense their thoughts now. Everyone on the station, although that was not very many people at the moment. The Narns, the valiant defence force. She felt like laughing. Just what were they fighting for? What did they know? What couldthey know? She could sense their loyalty and their devotion, and it made her ill. Such emotions simply did not exist in her any more.

And she could feel him. The Minbari. Valen. They said she had to kill him. She knew why, as well. Not in words, exactly, but she could see Earth again, and she could see her brother. D o as we say,spoke the voice of her masters, and that will never have happened.

The station shook, and she almost fell. What was happening out there?

The nauseous feeling was stronger. Reeling against the wall, she began to swallow harshly. How long had it been since she had last eaten? Did she even need to eat any more?

There is no time for such things. We are here now. Trust in us and there will be nothing to fear.

"You! Halt!" cried an unfamiliar voice. She was sure she did not know the language, but somehow she understood the words.

Turning, she saw a Narn before her. He was dressed in a uniform she had seen a lot these last few days, but had only barely noticed. A golden sunburst badge indicated very clearly just whom he served, but there was something else, a strange metallic disc she did not recognise.

The Narn moved forward slowly, drawing a long sword. It was afraid of her. This…. this big, strong alien was afraid of her.

It is afraid of us. Do not worry. We are here now. Can you see us?

She could, and for one brief moment she saw her master shimmer into view just as it raised a limb and tore through the Narn's chest. A spray of dark blood came from his mouth and he fell. The sword made a very loud noise as it hit the floor.

The disc. Take it and attach it to your clothing.

For the first time she took notice of the clothes she was wearing. A casual mix of civilian and military. Wondering idly just who had chosen this for her, she bent down beside the dead Narn and removed the metal disc. She held it up and looked at it curiously. It was not an insignia, not a designation of rank. There seemed to be some machinery attached to it, but she could not work out what it was.