Chapter 29: The Great Law
Months had passed, and as the Human calendar entered August of 2259, Marrain laid underneath a human ship, only partially damaged by the shelling of what remained of Vega 7. Sure, there had been no humans on the planet, but they had decided to reduce what remained to very little pieces of dust and rubble. As a wise man once said, "Leave nothing to chance."
But chances had to be taken. Marrain knew he was being hunted. For months he had evaded the hunter. He didn't know who was hunting him. He knew that if he saw whomever had been sent, it might be too late to escape. So, his flight had led him to the far side of the planet, past a mountain range that stretched for miles and miles in either direction. And, on the far side of the mountains, he had discovered a cavern. It appeared that someone had stashed a few weapons and their ship there, but the shelling had struck the mountains and had dislodged much of the above rock. The fallen rocks had caused considerable damage to the ship, and he wondered if it was even salvageable.
The shuttle was primitive, that was for sure. Marrain wondered to himself how humans ever managed to get into space with such unwieldy and faulty technology. The ship oddly resembled a Lemshanna Assault Craft from the days before Valen. It had been used by the Ramshan Clan of the Warrior Caste, of which he had been a part of. During those days, he had been Morann, which meant "Just Warrior". But, after he watched the ravaging and destruction of Earth, he had cast off that name and taken the name Marrain, "Unjust Warrior".
How had they ever been so blind? Why did they, who had ruled over the entire Minbari race bowed to the pressure of the people? Were they not the rulers and not the ruled? But...Codroni had been right. He had been religious Caste, and before the vote to start the war, he had spoken to Marrain confidentially. It was rumored that the Minbari people would take action against the Grey Council if they did not finish what they had started. They would in a popular uprising throw out the Rangers and Lennon and his followers would be outcast. They would have even moved against the Wise themselves. It had been a simple matter of self-preservation. Codroni had convinced Marrain to go along with it, even if he objected.
"As Panen the Cursed said as the Warrior Caste prepared to revolt against him," he muttered to himself, working on some fused wiring underneath what seemed to be the full cells, "What manner of men are we that follow the whims of those we should lead? Lost and fallen."
"I cannot agree more," a voice, deep and harsh said, "But what shall I do with you? Kalain and Shakiri tells me you have betrayed us. That I should kill you."
Marrain stopped and looked around, and saw boots by his feet. This was not good.
"Come out," he said, "It will not be said of Neroon he murdered a man lying down. And besides, I think I'd like to hear your side of the story. It should be very interesting. Who knows, I might even believe you."
It had taken much doing, but he had finally managed to convince the Government to tell him where they had relocated him. It was a small apartment, in a rundown part of Nova Quebec. Children played in the filthy streets, oblivious to what dirty environment they were in. Some threw him curious glances, not overly hostile towards this stranger in their neighborhood. But, they weren't going out of their way to be friendly either.
He went up to the door and knocked on it. Never before had he felt so...territorial before. Or nervous. Not to mention curious. These three clashed against each other, hoping to win out over the other. But no...he had to make a point. There was no turning back now.
The door opened, and a face, not entirely human, but certainly not a typical Minbari looked out. He blinked at the man standing at his door and they stared at each other.
"May I help you?" he asked.
"I am Byron Gordon," he introduced himself, "I think we need to talk."
"About what?" Zack Allen asked, frowning slightly.
"About a certain woman."
"Oh..." Zack's eyes widened in comprehension, "Lyta?"
Byron simply nodded his head. Zack opened the door wider and with a wave of his hand allowed him access. Byron stepped through, scanning Zack. He felt a wall thrown up almost immediately, but what he did pick up was that the man meant him no harm. But he was also not happy to see him at all. No...not at all.
The apartment was pathetic even by most standards of pathetic. The Government had done nothing to help Zack, and he was struggling. This studio apartment had only a mattress in the corner, no vidscreen, a small table, and a sink that looked like it might fall apart at any moment. A tub was in the corner, no shower head, so no showers for him of any kind. A small fridge that was making a terrible sound. Might die out at any moment.
"Let me be blunt, Mr. Allen," he said, not waiting to be offered a seat, not that he'd want to sit here, "Lyta is my wife. She's mine. Your relationship with her is over. End of story."
"That might be all well and good for you," Zack retorted, "But I still have feelings for her."
"You do not love her," Byron said, turning to glare at Zack, "You had your two years with her. It's been over ten years since you last saw her. She has moved on."
"No, she hasn't."
"What?"
"I might be rusty, Byron," Zack folded his arms, "But I can still tell when someone is lying. I learned a lot during my time with the Minbari. And you know what? They don't lie. And believe me when I tell you I can see it your eyes. Has she moaned my name in her sleep? Has she screamed my name as you bedded her? Yes...she has...hasn't she?"
Zack stumbled back as his face whipped around, the telepathic slap hitting him hard. Byron's nostrils flared at the insolence of this mundane dog. How dare he say these things? He was nothing. A freak of two worlds.
"You are nothing, Mr. Allen," Byron replied, "And believe me, if you come near her, ever, I will kill you."
"I've already died," Zack shot back, as another telepathic shove sent him against the wall, "On Mars. I lost everyone there. I saw the blood leave me and I stuck my hand inside my own body. I was changed into a Minbari. I lived a lie. You know what I learned from my mentor Delenn? That this body is merely a shell, and you cannot harm me. You know what you are?"
"And what am I?" Byron sneered, feeling a joy at seeing this pathetic freak whelp on the floor now.
"You are lost," Zack smiled, "Lost because my ghost forever haunted you. Lost because I am alive. You are a small man, trying to make a big noise by being a bully. You are lost. And I have won, and will always win."
"We shall see about that," Byron snarled, and stormed from the apartment.
"So it was Kalain that betrayed you and not the other way around?" Neroon snorted, "I find that hard to believe. Yes...he is a passionate man to be sure. But...he would not do this. Why would he?"
"He learned we were transforming humans using the Chrysalis chambers," Marrain explained, knowing that the moment of choice was soon coming.
"That's not possible," Neroon shook his head, tapping his denn'bok on his leg, "The only way for the transformation to take place is if the person is Minbari."
"Or..." Marrain held up a finger, "Has a Minbari soul."
Neroon frowned. This was not possible. What was being suggested was preposterous. Humans were the enemy. They could not possibly be related. But...why did it ring true then? Why did his soul speak the confirmation of such things?
"We have been killing Minbari souls for over thirteen years," Marrain insisted, "We as a people have lost our way. Only by overthrowing Kalain can we hope to restore order."
"And why should I believe you?" Neroon asked, "What makes you think I'd believe anything you've said. You could be lying. How am I to trust you?"
There was a rustling as leaves over the ground. Neroon and Marrain turned their heads towards the sound. And standing at the entrance of the cavern was a Vorlon, in purple, elongated environmental suit.
- You have heard the song. The truth points to itself.-
