6. Something Is Rotten In The Centauri Republic

Lyta Alexander was perpetually angry as of late. She stopped even thinking about it, just utilized it to further her goal, to get the telepaths' cause going. When Vir asked her and Franklin for help, she saw it primarily as an opportunity to build up her resources a little. Surely Centauri could pay as much as she wanted or go without her.

Now, however, she found that blasted Shadow devices. She was so angry that she just wanted to kill all and every damned Drazi on the planet. It meant that she would have to really help someone who didn't even deserve it in the first place. Help fight the war started by older races. Get used, that is, for whatever greater good might tag along. Again.

First thing they did was to notify Sheridan. They took one of the wretched things and returned on Babylon 5, as quick as they got.

'It makes no sense' Sheridan was repeating himself over and over. They assembled something of a war council again, oh how Lyta hated it already. Sheridan, Lochley, Garibaldi, Franklin and her. And she was just about to do everything to save the day. Again.

What made no sense was Centauri tactic or possible lack of thereof. Of course.

'If those devices are for controlling ships maybe there is not much Centauri officials who are in it' suggested Garibaldi.

'And maybe they're not Centauri at all, after all 'Lyta threw in, just because she was feeling it was kind of unjust to not mention that possibility. That was G'Kar's influence, no doubt. And she liked the confused look of everybody as well.

'Those devices aren't on the market just like that, available for anyone who pays' she explained. 'They must have come from the source close to Shadows. There were too many to assume otherwise, don't you think you would hear about them already, if they were circulating between younger races? I think the Shadows' servants have their hand in it. Vorlons left me some of their knowledge of them.'

Thought of Vorlons brought to her mind Kosh's words and feelings, his concern for welfare of younger races. Lyta didn't think much of Vorlons now, but Kosh she still loved.

'And what can you tell us about them?' Sheridan decided to play along. 'Vorlons left you their knowledge, so?'

'They are of many races. Streibs, Wurt, Soldiers of Darkness... And the Drakh, who are the most... intelligent ones. The ones with agenda. Others are more like servants or scientists, but the Drakh know politics. They are the most likely ones to organize others into some forces, devise the plan and act.'

'What would they want?' interrupted Garibaldi, getting to the matter of things and planning what to do himself.

Lyta smiled bitterly.

'What indeed? Home, of course. And revenge.'

'Delenn told me she had an encounter with them last year' remembered Sheridan. 'Indeed they seemed to look for home. But by far by no innocent means.'

But of course. What did they expect from the most important Shadows' servants?

'The Drakh are able to partially control others by some sort of symbionts. They have somewhat telepathic connection to them.'

'Symbionts?' Franklin looked at her, alert. 'Like the one on Mars, perhaps. Captain Jack had some symbiont attached to his shoulder. I was able to examine its part, it made Captain Jack betray us...'

Lyta just nodded.

'Shadows were helping president Clark, it's only expected their servants may have some influence there.' Sheridan sighed. 'But now, with Shadows gone and the Drakh on rampant, who else on Earth might be controlled?'

'I suggest we speak to president Luchenko, sir' said Lochley. 'She should be warned and she might give us some information.'

'Right. Lyta, is there something else you want to tell us?'

'No. '

'Then we'll try to contact Earth. I'll let you know when we have spoken with the president. Perhaps it's not too late to discover the Drakh's input in recent happenings and more.'

They dispersed. Lyta, sighing inwardly, but too tired to be seething angry, went straight to the docking bay, where she made some men give her a small ship, and coerced a pilot to get her to Centauri Prime. Poor man was quite frightened by her display of telekinesis and a promise as to what exactly would happen if he didn't take her where she wanted. With small ship it was even a longer trip than usual and she really needed to get there fast. She preferred to help G'Kar than those Interstellar Alliance buffoons. Damn G'Kar to be so perceptive and foreseeing in their agreement, damn Vorlons for giving her all that knowledge, damn Centauri for just going there and being stupid and not entirely innocent victims, and damn, really damn the Drakh for trying to play big bad ones and driving her off her goals. Though, when all was said and done, she supposed she felt somewhat sympathetic for them as her fellows in being dumped and homeless after trusting and serving the blasted older races.