Chapter 40
The End of Darkness, the Dawn of Light
Royal Palace Centauri Prime
April 8, 2271
12 noon
Emperor Mollari walked out onto the balcony and he was blown back by the rapturous applause he received from the masses of his fellow Centauri. He had not expected this kind of reaction, especially after all he'd done and all that had happened. Could he have been forgiven by the people he ruled for all he'd done?
No, of course not, because this was a celebration for the people, not for him. His redemption was a long way off anyway.
He began to speak, "My fellow Centauri! Today is the dawn of a new day for all of us! For so long, we were enslaved by the Drakh, and I, as your emperor, was forced to serve their evil ways. They threatened to annihilate us with fusion bombs if I did not capitulate, so, to save our people, I submitted. For so long, I thought I had condemned our people to destruction because of the military buildup that the late, unlamented Prime Minister Durla had commissioned at the unknowing behest of the Drakh!
"So it must have been a great bit of irony that, with the help from our friends in the Federation, that I was freed from their accursed keeper, and our planet freed by our new allies. When the Drakh and their allies came for vengeance, it was the brave crew of the Yamato, as well as the Gamilon fleet, who defeated those who sought to destroy our homeworld."
The applause was unbelievably loud as the crew from the Yamato, as well as Gamilon leader Deslok, came out onto the balcony with the emperor. They waved to the crowd, then stepped back and gave Mollari a chance to continue his speech.
"We have told you that it was the Drakh that framed us for the attacks on Alliance shipping years ago, and now that the Interstellar Alliance has seen the evidence of the Drakh duplicity, they have joined us in our fight to end the Drakh threat. They have also invited us to rejoin the Alliance, and I have accepted!"
The crowd roared again, but this time it was noticeably less loud, and ISA President John Sheridan raised an eyebrow to his colleague and friend, Earth Alliance President Garrison Hollifield. "They don't easily forget, do they," mused Sheridan.
"It'll take a while to smooth things over, but we'll get the job done. Right now, the brunt of their anger is focused on the Drakh, and, to a lesser extent, the Ragendora."
"That's what worries me. We've not seen much of the actual Ragendora lately.," Sheridan responded.
"I know, but the Legendora have kept us well informed. They know that the battle is only just beginning.," said Hollifield, who turned back to listen to the speech.
Mollari began to conclude his speech, "For a long time, we have been led astray by others. Our leaders, and, yes, including myself, have shamed you, but I can tell you know, from my own experience, that the man I have chosen to be my next prime minister, as well as my successor, will not lead you astray. I know many of you may not believe me, but look at his actions in the resistance to the Drakh. I introduce to you know, your new prime minister, Vir Cotto!" Mollari turned to clap, and the balcony doors opened, and Vir Cotto walked out.
The crowd had been loud before, but it was nothing compared to the noise it was making now. Cotto kept walking forward, but he clearly was taken aback by the response.
"I didn't think he had it in him.," commented Garibaldi.
"Just goes to show that you never know with some people. Let's just be glad he's on our side," replied Delenn.
Cotto took to the podium and began to speak. "My fellow Centauri! For too long, we have been in darkness, blinded to the light. As your new prime minister, I will work with our allies to defeat those forces of darkness that have plagued us for so long. Our fleet, thanks in part to my old friend Durla, is now more than ready to fight the forces of darkness. As my first act, I appoint General Rhys as my military chief of staff!"
The crowd roared again as the humble military leader rose and waved briefly, then sat back down again. Some had worried that Rhys might try to set up a military government, but Cotto has reassured the Alliance that Rhys, lowborn in class and proud of it, would never overthrow the government. Rhys had helped Cotto purge the rest of the government of those loyal to Durla, and helped him select ministers who were truly loyal to Cotto and the emperor.
From a distance, Galen, with his two apprentices, Gwynn and Finian, watched the rally. Alwyn approached them and stood beside Galen. "Good work, you two! Galen, you must be proud of their efforts here on Centauri Prime."
Galen scratched his chin, then said, after a moment, "Yes, but much lie ahead, as you well know. This is only the beginning. The hardest times lie ahead."
Isabelle came up to him and wrapped his arm around him. Galen added, with a smile, "But we should enjoy this moment, while it lasts!"