Chapter 2

The cleanup after the war against the Shadows was beginning slowly. Ships needed repairing and fragile friendships needed securing. The Non-Allied Worlds suffered the most from both Shadow and Vorlon attacks. The Centauri had been saved from a Planet Killer at the last moment, and they were the lucky ones. It had been several weeks since the First Ones disappeared and already the effects were being felt. Relief that their enemies had gone, but suspicion that the peace wouldn't last.

Lyta Alexander stood on the observation deck, staring out at the stars. She had been to the Vorlon home world and ever since then her telepathic abilities had been changed. She no longer needed her physical alterations because there was no longer the need to breathe the Vorlon atmosphere. But some people on the station where aware of her connections to the Vorlons, either through her previous closeness to Ambassador Kosh or through her presence alongside the second Vorlon ambassador. Because of the current hatred towards the First Ones, she felt uneasy.

"You look thoughtful."

The voice was unexpected. Lyta jumped and turned around.

Susan Ivanova smirked. "Sorry to scare you."

"No, it's ok," Lyta replied.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes its fine, I was just thinking."

"About the Vorlons?"

Lyta sighed. "Yes."

"Well, we don't have to worry about them anymore."

"It's not so much that, more as the actions of other people. A lot of people here know of my connections to the Vorlons and because they were so afraid of them, contempt for them has turned on me."

"I'm sure it will all blow over soon."

"I hope so. I find it quite intimidating."

"Well, if anything happens, you can let me know."

"Thanks. I still think that it is a shame that the Vorlons had to be remembered in this way. Yes, the second ambassador was cold, but Ambassador Kosh was quite the opposite. He wouldn't want his kind to be remembered in this way. But I often wonder if things would have been different if he wasn't murdered."

"Most likely, but there's no point in thinking about it."

"Yes, you're right. What's done is done."

"Exactly. If only things would get easier."

Elsewhere, Delenn was sat alone her quarters, reflecting on what had happened during the war. Her main worry was that John Sheridan would only live for another 20 years after his contact with Lorien on Z'Ha'Dum. It would certainly shorten his life more than what she expected, but it was better than having no life at all. The second concern was the damage the war had caused to the Mimbari fleet. But Babylon 5 was seeing to all such repairs; the assistance they offered was more than adequate.

Her thought pattern was interrupted by the intercom on the door.

"Come."

It was Lennier who came in, looking as peaceful as ever.

Delenn smiled. "Always a pleasure Lennier."

"I felt you might need some company while John organises the repairs that need to be done," Lennier replied.

"Of course; please, sit down."

Lennier bowed his head and sat down opposite Delenn.

"How are the repairs to the White Star going?" she asked him.

"Very well," Lennier replied. "But hopefully she will not be needed again."

"We can only hope."

"Can you feel a difference in the atmosphere of the world now?"

"What kind of difference Lennier?"

"I'm not sure of how to describe it. A kind of emptiness."

"There will be changes now that the First Ones have left us."

"The galaxy feels somewhat bigger now."

"We have been left in charge now Lennier. No more Shadows to help us evolve through chaos and conflict. No more Vorlons to watch our backs and keep the order like watchful parents. No more First Ones hidden in the deep corners of space. Our actions now cannot be changed by masters; we must make our choices and stick to these paths in hope they are correct."

"But do you think the time was right for them to leave?"

"The First Ones decided it was time. Therefore it was time. And if it wasn't, then they would have most likely destroyed everything because both believed they were right. They had lost their way, and because of that, it was time for the Vorlons and the Shadows to leave us."

"Then indeed, it was a wise choice."

Delenn nodded. "But will it be forever, I do not know."

"Maybe it is not our place to know."

"Perhaps," she smiled. "We shall see."