A Dark, Distorted Mirror. Volume 4. A Future, Born in Pain

lightning from the clouds of heaven. He saw himself fleeing from them, and his friends and colleagues dying in the cold vastness of space, a million miles from home.

'I will not fail again,' he had promised himself on taking command of the Saint– Germain.

And he had not.

He did not open his eyes.

* * *

The final satellite was destroyed. The entire defence grid was destroyed. Proxima lived a little longer.

* * *

Her eyes were green, an endless pool shining and whirling, countless stars burning within, the knowledge and memories of a lifetime enshrined there. In them Dexter Smith could see his own soul, his own deeds, the longing of the past, the promise of the future.

Delenn blinked, and the image was shattered, but the memory would stay with him always.

'You're alive,' he whispered. In a clearer mindset he would admit that was not the most profound observation he had ever made. Her eyes were open, she was breathing, she was moving, her soft skin was warm. Of course she was alive. He had never known anyone more alive.

'But I.... I saw you....'

She shook her head weakly, resting close to him. He gently took her hand and felt for a pulse, wondering belatedly if she even had a pulse any more. She did, strong and vital. The wound of the PPG blast had faded, as if it had never been there.

'I thought she was dead,' Allan said.

'She.... she was.'

Yes, said a voice, an alien voice, one filled with the wisdom of the ages. She was dead.

Still resting close to Smith, Delenn looked up, over his shoulder. He followed her gaze and saw the ghostly shadow of an alien, a member of a race he had never seen before. He was tall and aristocratic, great wisdom and understanding in his eyes.

'Lorien,' Delenn whispered. 'You.... said....'

I told you of the two paths before you. I told of the darkness through which you would walk, and the terrible sadness you would encounter.

'Yes, you did.'

And because of your sacrifice.... good has been done. A tiny feather on the scales at the moment, but it will grow until it weighs more than all the grief and loss in the galaxy.

'She was dead?' Smith said. 'I.... I killed her....'

She was dead, but her soul had not fully passed beyond. Something kept it here, grief and great loss. The Soul Hunters know the potential in such things. I cannot create life, that is the prerogative of the universe alone, but sometimes the universe rewards those who deserve it.

Your life is your own once more, Delenn of Mir. The struggle is not yet over, and none of us can see the ending of it.... but today there has been a small victory.

And for you, Dexter Smith, and you, Zack Allan, remember what you have seen this day. Remember, understand and learn. Your lives also begin anew this day.

The alien smiled and nodded once, briefly. Then he was gone, as if he had never been there.

'Was it just me,' Zack asked, 'or did no one understand a word of that?'

'I think we've been given a second chance,' said Smith slowly. 'We should go somewhere safe. Delenn, can you walk?' She nodded. Gently, tenderly, he helped her to her feet. 'Where can we go?'

'Well,' Zack said, 'there's a few places around here she might be safe. We've got Security patrolling the sector after all. I think I know somewhere. Come on.'

'Thank you,' Delenn said, looking at both of them. Once more Smith was lost in her eyes. He nodded once, smiling sadly. Then, unable to think of anything to say, he followed Zack towards the safe place. And it was the safer for them being there together.

* * *

This is General Edward Ryan, of the Resistance Government of Humanity.

President Clark is confirmed dead. Ambassador David Sheridan has fled. Security Chief Welles is injured and detained in hospital. For the moment, Proxima is under my control.

We surrender to the forces of the United Alliance of Kazomi Seven. We stand down all ships, all arms and all military forces. I have issued this order.

We surrender.

* * *

A victory of sorts. Sinoval stood around, staring out into the depths of space. He could see a million stars, and it brought home to him in considerable measure his own insignificance. He understood Valen had come here often, to this.... observation post. He could understand why.

'What do you see?' he asked his companion thoughtfully. She had been silent all this time.

'Stars,' Tirivail said. She sounded.... preoccupied, as if she had been deep in thought. 'A lot of stars.'

'Stars, yes. But there is something else. It is the entire universe. Everything is out there. Everything. We are nothing but a tiny part, a cosmic insignificance, all of us. We are nothing. We live, we die.... all unnoticed by the universe itself.'

'That is.... not exactly what the religious caste tell us.'

'I have been seeing things with a new perspective recently. Mortal lives are.... short. Cherish them while they are here. Make mistakes certainly, for that is a part of life.... but grasp every chance of redemption that comes your way. Some will have the courage to do so.... others will not.

'Which are you, daughter of Takier? Which do you think is Sonovar?'

'Kozorr.... he will live?'

'He will live.'

'Then surely death is not the end. You brought him back to life. You saved him. You can do that to everyone, over and over again, surely....'

'I never said death was the end. I also never said there would be no price for his return.... but that is not your concern for the moment. Do you often think about death?'

'I.... sometimes.'

'I used to think about it all the time. I used to dream of an honourable and glorious death.... last survivor on the battlefield, surrounded by my enemies, my blade held high, running, roaring to the path of my noble end.' He shook his head sadly. 'We rarely get that which we desire most.... which is why it should be grasped all the more tightly when the chance comes.'

'Does he love her?'

'Kats? I believe so. She certainly loves him.'

'How? How can he love a worker?'

'You have seen her for yourself. Maybe you can answer your own question. As for me.... I cannot. Love is beyond my knowledge, for it is beyond my experience. But I doubt that even he could answer you to your satisfaction. You do not understand him?'

'No.'

'How well can any of us understand another? You will be returning to Sonovar?'

'He is my lord. I swore to serve him. Something in my life must make sense. If not my duties, then what?'

'What, indeed? Tell him what I have told you.... and good fortune follow you. I think.... I think you are destined for great things. And if you are not.... then do great things anyway. Destiny can be rewritten.'

'I thought I would find you here.' Sinoval recognised the voice, and he turned, a soft smile on his face. Tirivail did not, and she reached for her pike. Her eyes darkened at the sight of the unfamiliar warrior. 'Valen came here often. He said he liked the....' He noticed Tirivail, and his eyes widened. 'Berevain,' he whispered. 'No....' he said a moment later. 'But the likeness.... you have her eyes.'

Tirivail looked shocked. 'How do you...? Who...?'