Chapter Four: G'Kar and Mollari
KyTeth was preparing himself for his first diplomatic function. His father had said nothing about his earlier desertion after KyTeth had left him to deal with G'Kar on his own. He had not heard about what G'Kar's reaction had been, and he did not want to ask his father how the meeting had transpired. KyTeth had secretly worried about his father. Had G'Kar threatened him? Even if he had, Tan Kari the stoic Tal Quithian would never tell. Tan Kari had belonged most of his life to a group of G'Quanists who also followed the reasoned teachings of Tal Quith, the most famous student of G'Quan. Tal Quith also preached, in addition to G'Quan's spiritual teachings, a message of "reason over passion"—that is, the control of unbridled passion through the bridle of reason. Tal Quith was a Black-Eyed missionary who had taken his family into the mountains to live among a fierce tribe of Red-Eyes, gain their trust, and preach to them the teachings of G'Quan. Tal Quith finally ended up learning more from the Red-Eyes than they did from him, as he conceded in his essay, 'In Praise of Humility". "Tal Quith the Proud" had finally realized that the Red-Eyes had actually been following G'Quan's teachings for centuries; they simply expressed these teachings in a different cultural way than the Black-Eyes did.
KyTeth's father had always been tremendously affected by the teachings of Tal Quith and had attempted to pattern his life after the example of this great philosopher. He had always tried to convey these teachings to his son, who was more interested in skateboarding and listening to "ancient rock music".
KyTeth thought of how hard Tan Kari had tried to understand Earth culture in order to determine why his son felt so connected to it. He felt guilty about having left so abruptly. Now what would happen? If only he could keep his passions as well under control as his father did! But KyTeth was more like his late mother—brash, angry, unwilling to accept injustice. KyTeth knew that if push came to shove, he might end up dying the same way his pouch-mother did. Nonetheless, he could not avoid this meeting with G'Kar any longer. When his father had ordered him to go to the diplomatic do, he knew he could not hide.
The pair walked into the artificially created parkland area where the wine and cheese party was to be held. Ambassadors from all over the station would be in attendance, including Ambassador G'Kar. His dubious actions in the past did not stop him from enjoying the delicacies that a social function had to offer.
When they arrived, Tan Kari in his Tal Quithian-Order robe and KyTeth dressed in an Earth-style suit (with a few Narnish accouterments thrown in to please his father), they were warmly greeted by the Commander of the station, Jeffrey Sinclair.
"Professor Tan Kari," Sinclair said to him, "thank you for coming. And this is your son?"
KyTeth grinned, shaking Sinclair's hand as was the Earth custom when meeting someone for the first time. He was eager to please the Human Commander, for Sinclair might be a valuable ally in his bid to stay on Earth. Indeed, KyTeth had not yet given up his hope of returning to the Human world and culture to which he had become so accustomed. A half-way-between-cultures space station was fine, but it simply didn't compare to the thrill of horse-back riding through a beautiful forest bridle path or surfing the majestic salt-water waves of the Pacific Ocean.
"Hey, Commander," KyTeth greeted him, ready to be as charming as he needed to be in order to gain support, "the name's KyTeth...Kyte for short."
"Narns do not shorten their names unless they are very young pouchlings," Tan Kari said disapprovingly.
"Hello, KyTeth," Sinclair responded. "Welcome to Babylon 5. Have you been enjoying your time here on the station?"
"Let's put it this way," KyTeth whispered conspiratorially, "it would be great if it weren't for the Narns."
Sinclair looked at him askance, yet he still maintained his warm, almost shy smile.
"But...you are a Narn," he replied.
"Nah!" KyTeth shot back. "I'm Human. An Earther."
"KyTeth, please," Tan Kari interrupted in an exasperated fashion, "do not insult the Commander's intelligence."
"Narns!" KyTeth continued, sarcasm lining his every word. "Don't you hate 'em?"
Garibaldi joined the trio as Sinclair frowned slightly in puzzlement.
"I see you've met our friend the Earth/Narn teenager," Garibaldi said as an aside to Sinclair.
"Sure he has," KyTeth interjected wickedly, "while you've been slouching, Mr. Garibaldi. I bet you haven't harassed a Narn all day—some Chief of Security!"
"I hope none of you are going to be too upset if I toss this kid's ass out an airlock," Garibaldi stated.
KyTeth took the Chief's comment as a challenge. It was time to treat the Humans to one of his comical diatribes concerning Narns. He'd show them that he was just as Human as they were—and even better at telling "snake-head" jokes.
"Sure," KyTeth returned, "airlocks are great for that. Except you should paint in big, gold letters on 'em: "Narn Exit". That'd cut down on tourism from the Regime, eh? 'Calling all Hot-Spots—this is the spot for you! Just step right out the door, courtesy of Earthforce. No, we don't accept tips..."
KyTeth could see that Sinclair was uncomfortable with his humor. His brow was now furrowed with concern as he looked into Tan Kari's eyes. Tan Kari hung his head, shaking it sadly. Sinclair was obviously not amused, and Garibaldi did not look overly impressed, either. His father had brought his head up in order to glance nervously towards a group of Narns, who were staring at the pair curiously.
KyTeth felt a renewal of the fear that had been driving his sarcastic remarks all evening.
"KyTeth," Tan Kari told him firmly, his tone suggesting that he would tolerate no more nonsense, "it is time to cease your disgraceful barbs at our people. Perhaps, as was the case with our attack on the Centauri colony at Ragesh 3, your rage leads you to cowardice. As the Humans say, 'it is time to take the bull by its horns' and go to join our people. Do you have the courage for this, my son?"
"No, Dad," KyTeth responded flatly. "There. Does that finish me as a Narn? I hope?"
KyTeth knew he was being unreasonable again, in spite of his earlier desire to make amends to his father. He felt badly, but he did not seem to be able to stop himself. His painful memories of Narn continued to fuel his desire to run away from it.
Tan Kari sighed. "Perhaps a few more minutes with the Humans," he said, his voice taut with tension.
Addressing Sinclair, Tan Kari continued, "KyTeth has been a long time away from his world. He will need to learn a new set of social standards if he is to survive in Narn society."
Sinclair did not respond verbally, but he was listening with great care. His face showed concern, and he nodded at the Narn refugee's remarks. He was obviously sympathetic to their plight, KyTeth noted gratefully. That would definitely prove useful.
"Hey," KyTeth told his father, "I hate to disappoint you, Dad, but I've really decided I'm not cut out for Narn society. Sorry. I'm staying with the good guys."
"Don't look now," Garibaldi interjected, "but here comes trouble."
KyTeth's self-assured smile, which he had carefully cultivated in order to please the Human officers, faded as he turned to see Ambassador G'Kar approach. He was a huge Red-Eye in full military garb, one whose step echoed supreme confidence.
"Ambassador," Sinclair greeted him warily. "You've met KyTeth, I assume?"
KyTeth looked up at G'Kar, afraid now. He was bigger in person than he was on screen.
"No," G'Kar responded in a deep voice, keeping his eyes fixed on the boy. "I have not yet had the pleasure. Good day, KyTeth. I have been looking forward to meeting you."
G'Kar extended his gloved hand, and KyTeth took it, surprised. He had expected anger, or at least arrogance, but G'Kar appeared calm, polite, reconciliatory...one might even say, gentle. Was this an act, or did KyTeth have an exaggerated impression of "the angry diplomat"? After all, Humans did tend to paint facts according to their own biases when reporting the news. Nonetheless, he decided to say nothing in return but continued to stare at him coldly. He did not want to give in to the Ambassador's apparent warmth. He reminded himself that it was this same gracious G'Kar who was the representative of the bloody, oppressive Narn Regime, the very government responsible for LaTeth's death. G'Kar was accountable for what had happened.
"KyTeth," Tan Kari nudged his son, "will you not gesture your respect to the Ambassador?"
KyTeth was silent for a few minutes. Sinclair and Garibaldi were watching in a somewhat worried fashion. Obviously, they expected a strong reaction from G'Kar if KyTeth came out with a "smart comment" about Narns. He would have to tread carefully.
"No," KyTeth said finally, glaring at G'Kar. "I'm sorry, Ambassador, but I can't gesture my respect to the rep of the government that shot my mother."
KyTeth was surprised by the strength of his own words. G'Kar pursed his lips in what seemed to be a sympathetic expression.
"You have every right to be angry, young one," G'Kar replied, his tone rich with empathy. "Every Narn should have stood in solidarity with the Mother-class females on the day that they demonstrated their just cause in G'kamazad. I include myself in this, although I did speak against the crime of what happened to them at the time. On behalf of the Narn government, I offer you my deepest apologies, KyTeth and Tan Kari. The killings were wrong, and they should not have occurred...they were the result of a few over-zealous law enforcement officers. I ask that you especially, KyTeth, reconsider your desire to keep yourself from your people as result of your great rage towards us."
As G'Kar spoke, KyTeth's jaw dropped in amazement. G'Kar, the camera-puncher, was apologizing to him—admitting the wrong done to his mother! KyTeth could not believe it. He did not, however, wish to kowtow to G'Kar too quickly. He nodded, but said no more.
"I thank you, Ambassador," Tan Kari replied softly, "on behalf of my son. This is a difficult time for KyTeth, and it will take him a while to adjust to the...clash of cultures."
G'Kar regarded KyTeth with an expression that appeared to be one of compassion.
"It must have been terrible for you, Professor," he commented, "raising a young pouchling alone, amongst nobody but Humans."
KyTeth suddenly felt a surge of protectiveness towards his adopted world's people.
"Nobody but Humans?" KyTeth reiterated angrily. "Just a minute now..."
"Uh...Kyte!" Garibaldi interjected in a jovial tone of voice. "Why don't you and I go over to the yummies-table and check out that great Gouda the chef's got going?"
He put his arm around the boy's shoulders and guided him away from his elders.
"Do not be concerned, Mr. Garibaldi," G'Kar called after them. "This boy is of my people. And you know I give my life for my people."
Garibaldi did not reply but instead served KyTeth a large slice of gouda. KyTeth took the cheese and eagerly poured himself a glass of wine.
"I am allowed to drink here, aren't I?" KyTeth asked.
Garibaldi nodded, munching on a cracker. At the cheese table was a rather portly man with the peculiar "swept-up" Centauri hairstyle that made him look something like a broomstick. KyTeth decided that this must be Ambassador Londo Mollari, the Centauri representative.
"Ah, Mr. Garibaldi!" he said with obvious enthusiasm for the Security Chief. "Taken the poor young refugee under your wing, I see! G'Kar will not like that. It will interfere with his plans to de-civilize the youngster."
KyTeth drew himself up in order to interject himself into the conversation. He did not like the way this "Broomie" was patronizing him, speaking about him in the third person. Before he could open his mouth to retort, however, the Narn Ambassador had flown over to Mollari, the "camera-punching" element of his personality coming to the forefront in full swing.
"I warn you, Mollari," he growled. "Stay away from this boy."
Mollari snorted. "Please, G'Kar! I will not be the one to do harm to him. That you will accomplish—by feeding him lies and propaganda about my people, by washing away the civilized behavior the Earthers have so graciously taught to him..."
"Brainwashed him into hating himself, you mean!" G'Kar snarled. "But no one does that quite as well as the Centauris, do they? That, I experienced first hand, as a boy myself...during the long and brutal occupation of our world."
Mollari chortled. "You, G'Kar? A child? Were you once so small and weak?"
"Boys, boys," Garibaldi soothed them, putting himself between the two and placing a calming hand on each of their shoulders. "Remember what Papa Garibaldi used to say: 'if you can't be nice to each other, then shut up and eat your pasta'."
G'Kar sighed, shaking his head slightly. "We would not wish to disrespect the wisdom of your father, Mr. Garibaldi."
"No, indeed!" Londo agreed, taking a sip of a green drink. "He sounds marvelous—I should like to have met him. Very well, Mr. Garibaldi! In honor of your father, G'Kar and I will remain civil towards each other for the remainder of this function. Will we not, my precious colleague?"
G'Kar clutched his large head. "I feel my head beginning to ache," he muttered between clenched teeth.
Mollari chuckled softly. "I love doing that to him," he said, to no one in particular.
KyTeth looked at Sinclair, who had, along with Tan Kari, once again joined the group.
"I don't believe it," KyTeth remarked. "These guys are worse than kids! And they're here to represent whole races of people? Scary! I think I could do a better job. Me, and maybe some beautiful Centauri girl?"
G'Kar and Mollari both stared at him, taken aback. Mollari suddenly broke into a jovial guffaw.
"You know, Commander—I could almost come close to actually liking a Narn if this young brat stays here much longer! That would never do. Tell him to pack his bags, and then kick his rear back to the Earth!"
Garibaldi tried to lead the tittering Mollari away from the group.
"Londo, you've just got to try the cheddar—imported here especially for the occasion!" Garibaldi told him as he yanked the Centauri by his coat sleeve.
"KyTeth," G'Kar spoke to him gently, "I hope that miserable barbarian did not annoy you too much. He is...taxing, for anyone to have to endure."
"Hey, if he's telling Sinclair to send me back to Earth, then I like him!" KyTeth replied rebelliously.
G'Kar's eyes narrowed, and he looked curiously at Tan Kari.
"Have you not made him aware of his history, Professor?" he asked suddenly. "He seems rather...ignorant, at least regarding the terrible damage that was done to our world as a result of the Centauri occupation. I trust you, whom I know to have obtained a Master Teacher's degree, would not have shirked your responsibilities in this area."
Tan Kari met G'Kar's gaze evenly. "KyTeth has been made aware of his world's history, Ambassador—all of it, not just the relatively small one hundred and thirty year occupation period."
"Yeah," KyTeth broke in, "and let's not forget about the things our people have done to some of the other worlds during the post-occupation time period—we've been just as bad as the Centauris, Ambassador. So, the way I see it, we don't really have a right to complain about what they did. Besides, they're off our—that is, your world right now. Why not just forget about them and leave colonies like Ragesh 3 alone?"
G'Kar drew in his breath, shocked. It was a moment before he was able to regain his speech. When he did, his voice barely restrained the fury that KyTeth could feel emanating from his spirit.
"Young one," G'Kar said to him, "under ordinary circumstances...were we on Narn instead of on this Human space station...I would have had you whipped for uttering such a statement. Because you are inexperienced in our ways, I will show patience and mercy towards you. But do not push my compassion past its breaking point. I assure you, you do not wish to be on the other end of my wrath. And as for you, Tan Kari, I am deeply disturbed that you have not instilled within him more pride in his heritage. I know the ill-advised orders of a few government officials cost you the life of your mate, but surely you will not take your displeasure at them out on your own son? If you have not explained to him who the Centauri are and what they have done to our people, than you are far worse than I."
"Ambassador G'Kar," Tan Kari replied calmly, "I know that you are my superior, and I give you the respect that your position demands. But I warn you, do not lecture me on my responsibilities as a parent. You are not aware of the challenges involved in raising a child in an alien culture. I have tried my best to instill in KyTeth the knowledge of what it is to be a Narn. I know that many of my people who are present at this function today will look at my son and say that I have failed. But they do not know the stubborn and fierce pride that inhabits my son as it did his mother before him. As for my failure to instill within him poisonous propaganda, I do plead guilty to that particular negligence."
G'Kar's eyes narrowed once more. "You, like your son, have been swayed by Human influence," he said. "I am shocked at your use of the word 'propaganda'. You, who witnessed the slaughter of your entire family at the hands of the Centauri butchers when you were but a pouchling!"
KyTeth, along with Sinclair, was silently witnessing his elders' conversation as if watching a tennis match between two equally gifted players. When he heard this last piece of information, however, he stared at his father in shock. Tan Kari had told KyTeth stories about his paternal grandparents, aunts and uncles, but he had never mentioned them having died in such a violent fashion!
"Is...that true, Dad?" KyTeth asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Tan Kari nodded, as he glared at G'Kar.
"You had no right to share that information with my son," he told the diplomat in a quiet but firm manner. "I was to tell him when I felt the time was right."
"And when would that have been, Professor?" G'Kar replied sardonically. "When our world was in ruins because we did not have the courage to fight for our freedom in the Universe?"
"No," Tan Kari retorted. "it would have been when there was some hope of our future survival—when our people had shown the courage to fight the hatred which has enslaved our own souls."
G'Kar was about to make another heated reply. The other people in the room were staring at them, KyTeth noted with discomfort, and the buzz of conversation had stopped. He could feel in particular the glare of the other Narns. He was grateful when Sinclair stepped in between the two of them.
"Gentlemen," he commanded simply, "enough said."
G'Kar looked imperiously at the Human Commander, as if trying to convince Sinclair that he was merely a minor annoyance. However, the mixture of authority and compassion in Sinclair's manner had the effect of causing the big Narn to stand down slightly. He was aware that the majority of representatives on the Babylon 5 Advisory Council supported Sinclair's moral stance on the Narns' recent and unsuccessful attempt to conquer the Centauri colony, Ragesh 3. In the diplomatic aftermath of this disaster, G'Kar would not want to be seen as bullying even other Narns who were in disagreement with the military action—particularly two refugees to whom he had publicly admitted his government's atrocity. G'Kar obviously knew that he was treading on thin ice, for his expression gentled considerably.
"Indeed, Commander, I believe we have said too much."
He put his gloved hand on Tan Kari's shoulder in a reconciliatory manner.
"Tan Kari of G'kamazad, let us not fight each other. We are of the same people, you and I. Bring your son, and come have supper with me tonight. We will discuss more in private."
The Ambassador gestured his respect to the pair. Tan Kari returned the gesture, but he said nothing as G'Kar walked away from them.
