After Londo ordered him to personally oversee the executive order banning aliens from Centauri Prime, one Vir Cotto, a.k.a. Abraham Lincolni, immediately got to work. He regularly visited the Ministry of Defense, personally observing the Ministry's plans for strikes on illicit aliens, and he asked for copies of each reported sighting of an alien to be sent to his office.
As a member of the diplomatic corps, Vir had contacts that he knew would be sympathetic to the cause, and he recruited them to quietly shield aliens he located before vigilantes or the Ministry of Defense could ruthlessly slaughter them. But many aliens had been unable to secure transportation before the execution order had been imposed, and his contacts were soon overwhelmed with people seeking sanctuary.
With his royal position, Vir Cotto found his lavish salary more than adequate for his meager needs, and he quietly searched the planet for a secluded estate to be purchased from his burgeoning funds. He kept the purchase a secret from his family and friends, and he spent the hours he was not busy at work or with his oversight duties at the Ministry of Defense by planning renovations to the existing property. Within a few months, his new estate, buried in densely forested mountains in the west of Centauri Prime's major continent, was finished. The estate had a gated and imposing fence line, access to fresh well water, fertile and productive farm animals, extensive agricultural land, and even boasted access to gaping caverns created by the mountains natural geologic processes. It was a fortress in the forest.
When construction was complete, Vir moved the aliens one-by-one to his new estate, promising them transport out of the system when it was safe.
Vir met the first group of aliens, a mix of Gaim, Drazi, and Abbai. After welcoming them to their new sanctuary, he handed each of them papers.
"What are these?" one of the Drazi asked suspiciously.
"They are . . ." Vir looked at the ground unhappily, "slave papers. They will ensure no one can harm you if you leave the sanctuary or it is compromised and raided by the Ministry."
The Drazi spat. "And what do you want in exchange for this . . . 'kindness.'"? He asked with a growl.
"No, no," Vir put up his hands. "They are to maintain an illusion only. You are free here, and you are will be free to leave when I can secure a ship. But this community must be self-sufficient or people will begin asking questions, and I can't risk hiring any servants. So you will have to govern yourselves, and ensure the resources here are managed properly."
One of the Abbai stepped forward and embraced Vir. "Thank you," the man said quietly, adjusting his glasses. "You are a brave man, Vir Cotto. I only wish there were more Centauri like you."
"They are just afraid," Vir said weakly. "They don't really feel this way. They're just . . . it has just been a tough time since the bombing."
"This seems like a pretty big place," the Drazi replied. "It should suffice."
Vir's eyes fell. "I fear there will be many more," he said quietly. "That's why you have to manage the resources well."
"We'll manage," the Abbai patted Vir on the shoulder.
Emperor Mollari had finally named his Prime Minister, perhaps seeing a bit of himself in the swaggering figure of Minister Wesa, who was only too glad to take the position, and the Emperor acquiesced to the strong recommendation by Minister Palazzo that Mollari's own Captain of the Guards, Durla, be promoted to the position of Minister of Defense, left vacant by Wesa.
After the Centaurum authorized broad martial law measures, Durla ordered the Ministry of Defense to implement increasingly stringent military measures designed to feed the ever-growing military forces and to ensure domestic support for the measured expansion authorized by the Emperor.
The Centauri Republic annexed several former colonial planets critical to the Centauri's need for natural resources following the IA's brutal sanctions. Though affected Alliance members were upset with the turn of events, there was little political support to take further military action against the Centauri beyond sanctions, especially in light of the relatively small and unimportant annexations.
Within a few months of his appointment as Prime Minister, Wesa approached the Emperor in the throne room, requesting a private audience.
"I'm afraid, Your Majesty, that my health had taken a turn for the worse, and I humbly submit my resignation," he handed Londo papers resigning his office.
Londo glanced at the papers with his brow furrowed. "What do you mean? What has happened?"
"Let us just say," Wesa smiled weakly, "that it would be bad for my health if I were to continue as Prime Minister."
Left again without a Prime Minister, Londo spent several sleepless nights considering his next steps, but at the next cabinet meeting, the newly appointed Defense Minister, Durla, nominated Minister Palazzo as Wesa's replacement. He had the full support of the cabinet behind him, and knowing the country needed an experienced hand at its helm, Londo reluctantly agreed to Palazzo's nomination as Prime Minister.
As soon as he was named as Prime Minister, Palazzo moved quickly to consolidate his newfound hold on power, using domestic surveillance on other ministers and members of the Centaurum to ensure his position.
Under Palazzo's direction, Durla expanded the military's reach by curtailing the private rights of citizens, and together, they used the mere whiff of treason to bring charges against potential rivals. Several noble houses were swept up in the allegations, and notable patriarchs took their own lives rather than disgrace or lose their House.
The expulsion of offworlders and the restriction of personal rights led to an increasing atmosphere of fear and resentment behind closed doors, but few dared speak against the government in light of the Ministry of Defense's growing presence on the streets and its growing power under ambitious ministers. Nevertheless, protests against the regime were beginning to build among Centauri in the restive South and elsewhere.
In a cabinet meeting, Defense Minister Durla presented a report detailing the Centauri's military weaknesses. Waving an electronic pad, he turned to the Emperor. "Majesty, I would like authorization to actively monitor, evaluate, and investigate any telepath who may prove a security risk to this administration."
Timov waited a moment, but her face paled when she saw Londo's face. She had known him long enough to recognize what no one else in the room could see - a veiled but unmistakable expression of anger as he locked eyes with Durla. "So it is you," Londo said quietly, so low that Timov almost missed it.
Durla put a hand to his chest, "I'm sorry, Majesty, did you say something?" he asked, a quizzical expression on his face.
"Majesty, if I might," Prime Minister Palazzo broke in. "We have been detaining telepaths, and they are using their skills to illicitly scan military facilities. Even when they are drafted, they make the soldiers uncomfortable. I suggest that it is time that we separate them from the rest of the population."
After a moment, the Emperor seemed to reign in his temper, "I will give it all due consideration," he spat before unceremoniously leaving the cabinet chambers.
After the meeting, Palazzo swiftly caught up with the Emperor as he returned to his office. "What do you want, Palazzo?" Londo growled as they strided down the palace's wide hallway. "Majesty, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about," he approached the subject with diplomatic gentleness. "It is about your aide, Ambassador Cotto."
The Emperor glanced back at Palazzo, laying aside the digital pads on his desk. "What is it?"
"Minister Durla has brought it to my attention that Mr. Cotto has made some rather heavy investments of late."
"Vir?" Londo snorted, "What would he be investing in?"
"I fear he may be using his position to amass a rather large fortune in slaves, Majesty. He's bought a secluded estate in one of the western provinces, and he has acquired a number of. . . ."
The Emperor froze. "Vir Cotto," he said sharply, cutting Palazzo off, "has earned the right to do whatever he likes with his fortune. I do not consider it an abuse of his position. Now," he looked intently at Palazzo and chose his words carefully, "I do not wish to know any more about his private activities, and you will not investigate my aides - just as I instructed your predecessor not to investigate my family."
Palazzo blinked but bowed respectfully before departing.
Timov watched the guards scanning her bedchamber for bugs. While the palace was swept twice a day, she had three pairs of guards perform the procedure this night under her close supervision.
There had been things, over the years, that had given her pause, but she still had not confronted Londo about her suspicions. Partially, she did not want to disrupt their newfound understanding. For the first time, her marriage might even be classified as enjoyable, rather than an unending trial of her patience. And partially, she knew she had no real proof of anything out of the ordinary. She had long suspected that a minister might have his thumb on Londo, though she had never been able to pinpoint which minister. Now, with Wesa's downfall and Palazzo rising to Prime Minister, she was positive she knew who was behind the machinations. But it was the telepath issue that had pushed her to finally confront him, as uncomfortable as it would be, and whatever repercussions it would bring.
After the guards departed, she clasped her hands in front of her, thinking of what she would say to him. She waited for him over two hours late into the night until she heard the door and his unsteady footsteps.
"You are still up?" he asked brightly, a slur mumbling his words as he sat down next to her, pouring her a drink to accompany his own. "I suppose you want to talk about the festivities for Senna's Ascension," he said as he handed it to her.
She fingered her drink for a moment without sipping it. "Everything is in place. It will be a lovely ceremony."
"It is strange to think that these years have passed so quickly, and our young Senna will be eligible to marry," Londo mused. "I have questioned her guards about whether she has been seeing any suitors, and they report she has been rather stoic on that point." He chuckled.
"Londo, there is something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Well?" Londo leaned back in his chair, throwing up an open hand.
Timov took a deep breath. "House Palazzo has a xenophobic reputation."
Londo merely grunted in response.
Timov went on, "House Mollari has not had that reputation – not yet."
Londo's intoxicated gaze snapped up at her. "You are angry I am taking the suggestion on telepaths under advisement," he said calmly.
A serious look descended over her features. "I have known you for decades, Londo Mollari, and I am constantly perplexed at your behavior since you became Emperor. First with the declaration against aliens and again now, that you would even give this absurd idea more than a moment's consideration. Telepaths, Londo, are one of our nation's great assets - an asset other countries, like the Narn - are lacking entirely. And now, you are going to round them up . . . ."
"I have not given my assent," Londo replied, his face drawn with tension.
"And yet, you heard them, Londo - they have already been doing it behind your back. Minister Palazzo is out of hand."
"The situation will be dealt with," he cut her off.
"Why don't you sack Palazzo? Everyone thinks he is behind Wesa's abrupt resignation. He's probably lucky he didn't end up with a dagger in the back. Anyway, you hardly liked Wesa, and Palazzo is worse." She saw the warm glow on Londo's face dissolve into a look of guarded concern, and she waited a moment before arching an eyebrow and adding, "The room is free from bugs. I had the guards scan it before you arrived, so you may speak freely."
"Timov," he repeated, a warning tone in his voice. "You don't know what you are talking about."
"How is it he is controlling your decisions, Londo?" Timov asked quietly. "Has he found evidence of your grandfather's crimes on Narn?" she continued. "Is that what he is using to get you to do these things? I didn't quite believe it when you allowed the order on alien executions – after you have served as a diplomat beside them. And the rationing for the military was barbaric, but even I could rationalize some sort of practical necessity. But our telepaths? They are our neighbors, our family. It is like selecting someone with brown eyes over someone with blue eyes. It is incomprehensible you would even consider such a thing." She noticed Londo's face had turned sheet white, and his eyes held a look of intensity she had never seen before.
"Timov . . . ." His voice was taunt.
"And what other things has he done? Is Palazzo preventing you from seeing the royal physician? I'm was sure Palazzo was waiting to become Prime Minister, and now he's done it, so he is the next likely emperor. That toad is waiting for you to keel over, I'm sure of it."
Londo stood up pointing at her, his chest heaving. "I am doing everything I can to keep our country from falling into complete destruction. You will not mention this fantasy to me again."
"Londo . . . ." Timov stood up to face him, placing her own drink back on the tray, as she felt determined to get some answers out of him, but suddenly, she felt ricochets of pain, and the floor suddenly swept toward her.
Londo dropped his glass of brivari, and it crashed to the floor, shattering. Londo reached out to catch Timov as she fell, easing her down onto the floor. Just as he prepared to call the guards, her eyes fluttered open again.
"I – I just forgot to take my injection," she said weakly. "I was distracted today," she continued.
"All right," he cut her off gently, "I will get it. Wait here."
Timov closed her eyes again; she couldn't get up if she had wanted to.
In a moment, Londo returned from Timov's medicine cabinet with her injection and administered it. Immediately, Timov felt the relief flowing through her veins, and she grasped his arms as he lifted her into a standing position.
"I'm fine, Londo, really," she protested, but he steered her to the bed. "You need to rest," he told her softly. "I'll have Palco clean up the shattered glass. I will tell him to be as quiet as a thrasio, or he will earn my wrath."
"Londo," she grasped his sleeve.
Squeezing her hand, he reassured her. "Do not worry about the ministers, Timov. Now get some sleep." And he disappeared before Timov could muster any further protests.
Shiv'kala loomed over Mollari.
"She knows nothing," Londo stared at the Drakh with intensity, his hands clasped together in front of him, pleading. "You heard what she thinks. Please."
Shiv'kala blinked slowly. "We are not interested in discussing the woman. She may believe whatever she likes about your ministers."
Londo let out a sigh in relief.
"But we cannot abide telepaths. You will submit to the request. There have been too many close calls already."
Londo closed his eyes before re-opening them with determination. "Timov was right about the telepaths – they are my own people. It is a line I must draw. I cannot simply let you murder every telepath on Centauri Prime because you are afraid they will sense your presence."
"I would advise you to reconsider," Shiv'kala sent spasms of pain through the keeper to Mollari's body, and this time, Shiv'kala coldly watched Mollari sink to knees, then to the floor, his eyes bulging as his jaw worked back and forth, his fingers scratching at the air. As Shiv'kala instructed the keeper to relax its tendrils wrapped around Mollari's nerves, Shiv'kala watched Londo roll over, coughing blood onto the tiles of the Royal Suite before he passed out from the pain.
After he awoke some time later, Mollari dragged himself across the floor. He crawled on his stomach through his blood, resting again before pulling himself to his feet, leaning heavily against the wall.
Shiv'kala watched Mollari's progress with cold indifference. He felt the Drakh's telepathic link calling, and he met the Drakh Collective within his mind.
"The insolent Centauri is putting our progress in jeopardy," the Drakh Collective said. "The Centauri telepaths must be exterminated so our people may safely expand in the caves below the planet."
Shiv'kala bowed his head. "I will see that his will is broken. This time, it will be for good."
The Drakh Collective nodded their approval. "Yes, for good," they responded.