Chapter 38

The Redemption of Londo Mollari


On board USS Wildstar NCC-1971

April 1, 2271

12 noon

Captain Stephen Ashcroft stood outside the sickbay where a sedated emperor of the Centauri Republic and Shiv'kala lie in their respective beds. Rounding the corner was Vir Cotto and General Rhys, who were with Lt. Commander Belinda Montgomery as they made their way from the transporter room to sick bay. "Captain, how's the emperor's condition," asked Cotto.

"Stable. We've tried a few times to remove the keeper, but each time we almost lost him. It seems to have a telepathic link with him, so we're trying to find a way to sedate the keeper so it'll stay under and still allow Mollari to be conscious."

Rhys looked down and said, "Is there some way to remove it without killing him? To see the leader of your world like this is...most disturbing."

Ashcroft nodded, "I agree. We're still trying to find some way, but it's going to take time. We'll hit the aperture in a couple of days, and if we haven't freed him by then, we'll take him to one of our starbases and see what we can do."

While this was going on, Mollari was dreaming. Dreaming of his world in flames. Dreaming of Shiv'kala.

"You thought you could stop us, didn't you? You were wrong! We will have our revenge upon your people, Mollari! You betrayed the Shadows, and you betrayed me! You will pay in time, but your people, Mollari...your people shall pay first!"

Londo, in his dream state, crawled on the floor, weeping as she shuffled through the ashes of those vaporized by the fusion bomb blasts. "No, please! Haven't you done enough? Haven't you killed enough?"

Shiv'kala smiled evilly and said, "Not nearly as much as you have! We expect to far exceed what you've ever done, and with the help of the Ragendora, we will conquer this galaxy, and this universe!"

Londo asked who they were and what they were up to, and Shiv'kala said, "Why should I tell you?"

"Because when I wake up, you will kill me anyway, then go on to kill my people!"

Shiv'kala grunted. "I would rather let you suffer, but the Entire wants you dead. And so I shall obey and kill you. Very well, since I'll kill you before you can do anything about it, I'll tell you everything I know!"

And he did.

A few days later, President Garrison Hollifield came into sickbay. It had been decided to delay Wildstar from leaving until they had some idea of how to treat Mollari. Ashcroft had asked Hollifield to use his telepathic powers to help, and he had agreed.

He touched the forehead of Mollari and entered his mind. In Mollari's dream state, he stood in front of the Drakh, and Mollari crawled into him. "Garrison? Garrison? What are you doing here," asked Mollari.

"To help save you.," replied Hollifield, "But you've got to tell me who controls your keeper."

Shiv'kala laughed and his confidence finally got the best of him. "Fool! You want to know who controls his keeper? The controller stands before you!"

Hollifield smiled and said, "Thank you.," then, to Mollari, "I'll be back soon!" Then he exited his mind.

Hollifield opened his eyes and said, "It's the Drakh, Shiv'kala. He's the one who controls the keeper."

Dr. Martinez asked, "So how to we get control away from him?"

Hollifield looked at Ashcroft and said, "You have to kill him."

Ashcroft nodded and tapped his comm badge. "Ashcroft to Montgomery."

"Montgomery here."

"Where are you at present?"

"On the bridge, sir? What's up?"

Ashcroft sighed, looked at the Drakh, and said, "I need you to beam the Drakh from sickbay into space, then destroy him with a blast from the phaser banks. We've found out that this Drakh is the one controlling the keeper on the emperor."

Montgomery went silent for a moment, and asked, "Are you sure, sir?"

Ashcroft looked to Dr. Martinez, and she looked and him and said, "It's the only way, Garrison. It sucks, but it's the only way."

"Yes, I'm sure. Do it now, Belinda."

Montgomery knew how hard it was for him, because he rarely referred to her given name unless it was a tough situation. She powered up the transporter, and the Drakh was beamed out into space.

In Mollari's dream state, Shiv'kala suddenly went down, clutching at his throat. Mollari got up and stood over him, and suddenly found a sword in his hand.

"Mollari! Don't do it! You'll pay! You'll ALL pay!"

With one swift stroke, Mollari beheaded the Drakh, and the room filled with light!

Mollari shot up in the bed, and the keeper fell onto the floor. He gasped and struggled for breath, as the medtechs got him to lay back down. He struggled for only a moment, then relaxed. He closed his eyes, found nothing there, and then asked, "Where am I?"

Ashcroft stood over him and said, "You're on the USS Wildstar. My name is Captain Stephen Ashcroft."

Londo nodded and turned to see Garrison Hollifield, and he told him, "Thank you. I am in your debt, and I think I know of a way to repay it."

Hollifield replied, "Don't worry about it, Your Highness. You are going to be all right."

"Well, if we're going to be so formal, Mr. President, then I will tell you this: what do you know of a race called the Ragendora?"

Hollifield and Ashcroft looked at each other, stunned. Mollari continued, "Ah, yes! He was so confident that he would prevail that he told me everything that they had planned. The fool! He doesn't know how much he's sold out his own kind, as well as those he works for!" Mollari laughed, then coughed. He turned to the doctor and asked, "Excuse me, my dear, but could you use that thing you used to knock me out before on me? I think I need to rest."

Dr. Martinez smiled and said, "Of course."

Ashcroft and Hollifield walked out of the sickbay, then Ashcroft looked at him and asked, "Do you think he's lying?"

Hollifield shook his head, "No, I don't think so. We'll see though, but, from what I picked up from him, he's being truthful."

"This could be a big break for us, you know?"

"Yeah, Captain, this could be big."