3. The Fruit Of Knowledge (Has A Bitter Taste)

After another talk with one of the ministers Londo felt the need to bang his head onto the wall 'till it made a hole straight into space, even if he knew for long now, that the universe hates him and with a very good reason to do so. The very idea of Sheridan wanting to blame Centauri for the attacks was ridiculous. As for Lennier it was downright crazy. But as it seemed someone else was indeed doing their best to point all traces and circumstantial evidences to Centauri people, innocent and victimized. It was all too easy after all to leave some incriminating objects at the crime scene, just like the minister suggested. Sheridan wouldn't, but other humans would. Lennier wouldn't, but other Minbari perhaps would. G'Kar wouldn't, couldn't ever do it, but other Narns? Why not? And Londo personally knew a whole lot of Centauri who, having proper gain in it, would.

Which again put doubts into his mind. Dark, cold doubts, sneaking suspicions and dream–born feelings that the worst possibility is always the correct one. What would hope be for if not for alleviating that cruel reality?

From what source did minister know that Sheridan might want to blame Centauri? Granted, everybody has their spies, but to know something like that? It was too specific to be pure guessing and drawing conclusions. And why humans, with their love for crime stories, didn't seem to take anything in consideration that wasn't, indeed, blaming Centauri?

Londo walked through corridors, silent and deep in his own thoughts. The corridors were relatively empty, which helped him concentrate. Too much perhaps. He didn't notice G'Kar, not until he heard an awfully loud crash and yell, and turned to see G'Kar sitting on some Drazi. Who the Drazi was and why G'Kar had him subdued was a mystery. But there was something in Drazi's eyes that reminded Londo of the Narn women from the nightmare.

He stood still and watched as security came, took the Drazi and talked with G'Kar. Then Zack Allan came to Londo.

'I haven't seen anything' said Londo helplessly, gesturing feebly with empty hands. 'Heard noise, turned around and seen G'Kar sitting on the Drazi.'

'And you didn't know what was going on, ambassador?' asked Mr Allan skeptically. 'Ambassador G'Kar is sure that the Drazi meant to attack you.'

'I said, I don't know anything.'

'Alright' sighed Mr Allan.' Just take care, ambassador.

'Of course...' Londo waved his hand, waiting for Mr Allan to go and G'Kar to come.

'That was a close call, Mollari' announced the Narn reproachfully. 'You've not been paying any attention at all. It seems that you need a bodyguard regardless where you are and for the full twenty four standard hours a day. Or a babysitter perhaps, though maybe Vir Cotto could do that part. Were I not hurrying to my quarters to talk to Ms Alexander, you would be either in Medlab on in the ornate, bombastic, Centauri coffin, decorated with the worst taste the universe had ever seen.'

'Thank you, G'Kar' said Londo simply. 'And thanks Great Maker that this is not a dream.'

'You talk stranger and stranger by days, Mollari. Perhaps you are already fitting yourself to be the properly mad emperor?'

G'Kar's words were light but the expression on his face wasn't. He was concerned. And Londo felt the need to laugh madly, just like the mad emperor in G'Kar's words.

'I had a similar dream' he explained instead. 'Similar, but substantially worse. You understand me, yes?'

'Well, it was just a dream. Unless it wasn't?'

The question ringed loudly and clearly in the quiet corridor, reminding Londo of the dreams during the heart failure.

'I am not sure anymore what is a dream and what isn't. Never wish to be able to see the future, G'Kar, it would make you even crazier than you already are.'

'Oh, but I truly appreciate being crazy. You on the other hand looks like man about to be hanged, and Mr Garibaldi explained hanging human-style to me the other day, so I know what I'm talking about doubly well.'

'Yeees, very messy and undignified death, indeed. Only proper' he added after a moment, half-realizing that he was doing so aloud.

'Proper, you say? Well, that's surely something coming from you.' G'Kar looked a little alarmed. During their trip to Centauri Prime, G'Kar witnessed quite a variety of Londo's nightmares and Londo found out that disclosing some of the details brought relief, at least for a moment. But direct remarks like that was not the words that Londo felt inclined to say loudly.

'I just wouldn't believe it if it ended happily' said Londo curtly to close the topic. 'Centauri feel such things.'

'Oh, yes. But as you said yourself, it can drive people crazy. And I certainly believe Vir Cotto's right about the whole matter, there's no point in being so fatalistic. Just have the courage to call it guilt, would you, Mollari?'

G'Kar left Londo in the relatively safe area near the Sheridan's office. The Narn hurried on to a meeting with Lyta Alexander, another one, observed Londo automatically, they must be striking a deal. Perhaps she agreed to provide the Vorlon-enhanced telepathic gene to the Narns for some fantastic fortune on her telepaths behalf. G'Kar didn't thus witnessed the strange, uncomfortable embrace Delenn pulled Londo in. It felt like something associated with that ornate Centauri coffin and wasn't comforting or warm at all. Now Londo felt like a marked target, a dead man, man about to be hanged. And to think he actually, against all odds, had a small hope for the better future after surviving that infernal heart attack.

The first blow came later that day, when Vir informed him of the council meeting scheduled for the next day. Then tomorrow, evidence after evidence, and then G'Kar coming to take him to the meeting. And the recording, all too real, sweeping away everything he managed to say to defend his people.

Regent's response only ensured Londo that whatever is going on is worse than he suspected. And so, soon after that, Londo was on board of the ship going to Centauri Prime, leaving an anguished, but determined Vir and accompanied by G'Kar. Now they had a long journey ahead, and if Narn's presence would be painful, annoying, comfortable or comforting was still remaining to be seen.

Meanwhile, Lyta Alexander wondered if she really stroked such a good deal with G'Kar. It was too late to negotiate and the payment was generous but still... the uncertainty nagged her quite heavily.

'I happen to have my own condition, however' said G'Kar after revealing that whole spying requisite was just a test of character.

'What is it?' sighed Lyta, beginning to feel tired of this conversation. G'Kar at his most philosophical could have strange effect on people and she had a suspicion that the condition will be less down-to-earth than other parts of the deal.

'Well, Lyta, as became common knowledge, the Vorlons not only expanded your abilities but also endowed you with broad knowledge of all things dangerous, dark, mostly linked with Shadows but not only, as was in case with the whole Thirdspace affair. '

'Yes, that is true' confirmed Lyta eying G'Kar suspiciously. 'But you can forget it if you want me to share that knowledge with you. I will do it only if the danger is imminent, the Vorlons put blockades on most of those things to prevent anyone from going on and finding them to use in the whole arrays of wrong ways. And even without blockades I'm not that naïve as to try and sell it.'

'No, that's quite alright and it proves me right that I can actually trust you. But, and that is my condition, if it so happens that you find out something linked to that matters, anything really that would speak of some Shadow–remnant or other dark influence regarding what is currently going on with the attacks and the Centauri... you will help. You will do everything your Vorlon–power enables you to do. You will go everywhere you may need, Centauri Prime or other worlds, and you will not withdraw until the threat is over.' G'Kar's voice become deeper, booming, even threatening although the threat wasn't directed at Lyta. Well, not only at her. 'This is only a precaution, as it may not be necessary at all. But since I know you have those abilities I want to make sure they can be used if needed.'

Lyta remained silent for a long moment.

'What will your government say if I refuse to your condition and your condition only?'

'I will tell them that you cannot be trusted. And they will listen to me.'

'Well, I don't doubt that, with you being such a religious icon' retorted Lyta sourly. 'But would you really do that? Would you bereave your race of such a chance? You were bend on acquiring those genes for so long.'

'You see, I really would doubt if you can be trusted. With great power comes great responsibility, Lyta. It's a human phrase after all.'

Lyta regarded him coldly. Everything in her protested loudly at that rebuke. With her great power came great exploit. By others. By everyone around actually.

'I will agree if you raise my payment.'

'Done' G'Kar shamelessly smiled. And so they stroke the deal as Lyta didn't really have the heart to negotiate said raise and the first sum of money mentioned was also the acceptable one.

But now she had a very ugly suspicion that G'Kar knew all too well that something is indeed afoot.

TBC