Chapter 2: Enemies Close
"All we need to do is place the explosives along the Ventre Bridge," Ex-Prime Minister Malachi said, "That bridge separates the main garrison from the rest of the city. Take it out and most of the Narns can't get across."
"At least until they find transports that can fly them over," the old Guardsman replied.
"But it will take them forever to get those transports," Malachi pointed out, "enough time to gain control of the city."
"But there always at least a couple hundred Narns in the city itself," the guardsman retorted, "Who knows if we'd be able to subdue them in time."
"It's a risk we'll have to take," Malachi replied, especially with news of MarMaster G'Kar's accident. We won't have an opportunity this golden again."
"I agree," Londo Mollari, de facto leader of the resistance said, "We need to use this opportunity while we still have it. See to it Captain."
The guardsman looked as if he wished to argue still, but he rolled his eyes and nodded his acceptance of the orders. He lumbered off and left the two older men by themselves. Yes, it was good to be leaders. They could order and see it carried out.
Londo waited until the Captain was far off then leaned in closer to Malachi, keeping his voice low. Some things were better let kept between confidants.
"What do you think happened to G'Kar?" he asked, "You think perhaps Vir might have had something to do with it?"
Malachi shrugged. "I don't know what resources he all has," he replied, "But I think he was killed by one of the other Narns."
Londo's mind flashed to ha dream. His death dream. Centauri had the ability to see their own deaths. And while he told no one, in his dream, he was an old man, perhaps ten or so years from now. And he was wearing Imperial White. He was in a death struggle with a one-eyed Narn. They were squeezing the life out of each other. And last night he had had the dream again.
"I think you'll find he's got more lives than those Earth animals with fur and tails..." he said, "What are they called?"
Malachi frowned. "Ducks?"
"Yes!" Londo snapped his fingers, "He's got more lives than a duck. I think we shall see him again. But, if it was another Narn, I hate to see what he'll do to Centauri Prime."
"That's why it's vital we regain control while whoever it is hasn't arrived yet," Malachi agreed, "If we can regain control, we won't have to worry about it."
The first thing that signaled something was wrong was the flash. And then the roll of thunder. The whole north wall collapsed and before they knew it, Narn riot control troopers were marching into the ruins of the building, heavy armor shrugging off hastily fired shots from the surprised resistance fighters. Mollari pulled at Malachi's coat to pull him up.
"We've got to flee," he said, but Malachi gasped as a plasma bolt connected with his spine and he collapsed, blood pouring from his death wound.
Londo didn't wait, but turned to flee, leaving the body of his old friend behind. But he'd barely gone two steps towards the backdoor when in burst a squad of Narn troopers, beating down the Centauri trying to escape. He turned to run for a window to jump out but a Narn suddenly appeared behind him, and clubbed him over the head. Stars exploded before he blacked out.
He awoke violently in the Throne Room, water dripping off his face. The Narn guard took a step back, and Cartagia smiled joyfully to see him awake. He flung his hands up in the air, and Vir Cotto stood next to him, doing a good job at pretending ignorance.
Good Vir, he thought to himself, We can't afford to lose you to, yes.
"Well Mollari," Cartagia called out, "Welcome back. You have been a very naught boy."
Mollari feigned ignorance. "I have been?" he said, raising an eyebrow, "I do not remember doing anything wrong."
Cartagia walked up to him, clicking his teeth and shaking a finger. "Tisk, tisk, Londo," he said, walking up and holding his chin, "I know you got bonked on the head hard, but not that hard. Why not tell me what sins have you committed lately."
"I've only upheld the law," Mollari said, looking into the crazed and demented eyes of the Emperor, "Including the first and most basic law."
"And what law is that?" Cartagia said with the same intone as one would use with a child, "Do tell me."
"A prisoner must escape."
"That would imply one was in captivity," Cartagia sniffed.
"We are enslaved," he replied bitterly, "To the Narn."
"You have caused more damage than the Narns have to this world," Cartagia said, letting go of Mollari's head and turning his back to him.
"Me?" Mollari demanded, feeling the old anger rising in him, "I have not hurt this world! The Narns bombed us, the Narns murder our citizens. The Narns sacrilege our sacred temples."
"You shot down transport carrying food!" Cartagia snapped, whirling on his heel, "You make people starve. You kill Narns and they slaughter five hundred of our people! You destroy public works!"
Mollari felt himself lose complete control over his temper. How dare he say that? He fought to liberate his people! He did not cower and do as ordered to be Narn puppeteers. And here before him soon the main puppet, acting as if he were the traitor!
"How dare you?!" he spat, "I fight for the people! Unlike you, who do nothing but lick the dust off their boots!"
The hand slapped him hard across the face. He had endured worse, but the slap had been across a bruised part of his face and it made him cringe. Cartagia stood above him in self-righteous wrath.
"You forget your place Mollari!" he snarled, "I am master here on Centauri Prime. Not you."
"No," he spat blood that had foamed in his mouth, "You're not. G'Kar and his overlords are in command here. You are as much a prisoner as the rest of us. I pity you though. You don't even realize you are a prisoner."
"Save your pity for yourself," Cartagia snarled, "Haul him off to the dungeons. We shall see how much he likes the prisons he's filled up with his own rivals and enemies."
The Narns grabbed him on both sides with an iron grip and he was dragged around, facing away from Cartagia. He saw Vir slink a little back, probably as a precaution of trying to run after him. At least he was playing it smart. As he was dragged from the Throne Room, he thought how odd it was. Vir was the last hope of Centauri Prime.
Commander David Corwin walked down the outer corridors of Zha'Valen'Venni, looking at the recent battle damage that had been inflicted upon the station. The Vorlons had given technology to the Alliance of Sheridan as it was called that allowed the outside of a breeched section of the ship a force field that held in the atmosphere and kept the hard vacuum of space on the other side of the field. But, it did nothing to shield his eyes from the jagged rents that were like claws through the hull of the ship. How many Rangers, Tak'cha and others had been sucked out into space from this one breech alone?
It was merely by luck that they hadn't been destroyed. Even with the arrival of Marrago's remnant fleet and the Vorlons task force, the Shadows could have destroyed this station. What had happened that had forced them to flee? He doubted it had been the arrival of so many forces that had trounced them.
"I see you have come to see the damage yourself," a Scottish voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see Marcus Cole step up beside him.
"It's amazing," Corwin said.
"Amazing?" Marcus frowned.
"The sheer destructive power," he waved his hand, "Even the Minbari couldn't have rent such a great gash into the station."
"The Shadows are of a different age," Marcus agreed with a nod, "Although, where you see only damage, I see hurt."
Corwin frowned. "Aren't they the same?" he asked.
"According to tradition," he said, "Valen died on this station. Whether that is true or not no one knows. But supposedly, his soul became one with the station. Being Entil'zha gives me certain power of...well, observation one could say. Or perhaps awareness is the better term. I can feel the ship physically hurt in a way I can't explain to you. Almost as if I were hurting, although I received no hurt myself."
Corwin raised an eyebrow. This Scot was an odd fellow. But he liked him all the same.
"It could also mean you are sleep deprived," he commented.
Marcus chuckled. "Perhaps," he said, "Anyhow, I thought you'd be interested. My Rangers say that the Shadows pulled back due to a massive nuclear explosion on Za'Ha'Dum. It's messed them all up."
"Any word on if the Captain is still alive?' he asked, hopeful.
Marcus shook his head. "No," he said, "There isn't. Although there is some talk that Sheridan set off the device himself. But no one is sure."
"But there is one way to find out," Corwin reasoned, not about to give up on his old commander and friend.
"My thoughts exactly," Marcus smiled with a glimmer in his eye.