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

Mariel's blood began to drip on to the flower, running towards the bulb in the centre. The thing there began to stir. Mariel did not scream as the knife cut deeper and deeper into her arm.

Kiro looked up at the emissary, and the Drakh nodded again, obviously pleased.

* * *

All wounds heal. With time. Some wounds take longer than others.

It soon became clear that Proxima's wounds would take longer to heal than anyone had foreseen. The news of Clark's betrayal and the Shadows' flight was badly received by the people, who decried the lies and propaganda of the invading aliens and the traitors. There were riots, which were savagely put down by the ground troops of the Alliance. General Ryan tried to plead for calm, but he was largely ignored. He was a coward after all, the one who had issued the order to surrender.

Captains Tikopai and Barns managed to repair enough of the damage to their ships to escape in the confusion following the battle. Sheridan ordered Dark Stars to hunt them down, but it was a low priority. They were only two ships. They were little threat.

Prominent politicians, scientists and diplomats accused of involvement with the Shadows were arrested and questioned. Many were released without charge. A few had known about and helped to arrange Clark's 'scorched Earth' plan, and were to be put on trial. The subtle hand of William Edgars behind this was not detected.

Welles was found and placed in a secure military hospital. He survived the first few weeks, and looked to be recovering some of his strength. He was not yet fit to be questioned, however.

A provisional Government was formed from a handful of politicians. The Earth Senate was restored, and democratic elections were promised. Few people believed they would happen. The Alliance remained, as always, above Proxima, above humanity, aliens come not to destroy, but to enslave.

Sector 301 was peaceful. A shrine appeared in a quiet corner, a place people went to pray, to seek guidance from the one who had died and lived again, the one who had spoken of peace and died for her words.

News of the miracle soon travelled, and not just within the Pit.

Corwin had wanted to wait until he was sure, and now he was. There was only one more thing that needed to be done, and while he could do that alone, it was hardly right that he did. Someone else should be there.

'The General will see you now.'

The General. So Sheridan was the General now. The Alliance Council had officially ratified his position as leader of the Dark Star fleet for the duration of the Shadow War, and as long after that as the fleet might be necessary. Corwin had not liked the sound of that.

He still dreamed about Carolyn, trapped in her globe of light. When he was on the ship he tried to speak to her as much as possible, with no idea whether she could hear him. He had not spoken to Lyta since their last meeting.

The Capt.... the General was sitting at a desk in an office that had clearly once been Ryan's. Ryan had been arrested, but then exonerated of any wrongdoing. He had resigned afterwards, and disappeared.

'Hmm? Oh, Captain,' said the General. He looked terrible, as if he had not slept in months. He probably hadn't. 'I'm sorry. I didn't hear you come in. I've just been.... reading the reports from some of Clark's former Ministers. I guess time ran away from me.'

'Aren't there people to do those sort of things?'

'Well.... yes. But you know me. I like to keep my hand in. So, what is your business, Captain? I was told it was urgent.'

'Yes, it is. Captain.... General....' A pause. 'John.... I've found Delenn.'

Something flared in the back of Sheridan's eyes and he looked down quickly at the notes. 'Captain Corwin, I'm very busy. I don't have time for wild goose chases or shaggy dog stories. Delenn is....'

'Alive.'

'Dead! Delenn is dead! Accept that, and stop chasing her down!'

'John, I am telling you....'

'You are dismissed, Captain.'

'I spoke to Welles. I've spoken to a few others. I've....'

'Mr. Welles is in secure confinement.'

'I managed to see him. He was very.... talkative. Listen, John.... I know how to find her. Welles had her broken out of prison here. His agents took her to Sector Three–o–one. He thinks he knows where. Now we can go in.... we can find her and get her out.'

'Delenn is dead! Now get out of here!'

Corwin sighed, and walked up to the desk. 'I'm sorry. I don't know you any more. I know you've been through a lot. I don't know how I'd cope in such circumstances, but this isn't just about you any more. Delenn needs you. I know she does. Who do you think should be there when she's found? Me - or you?'

'You are dismissed, Captain!' Sheridan leapt to his feet, eyes flashing. 'Now get out of here, or I'll have you court–martialled!'

Corwin shook his head. 'I didn't want to do this. I'm sorry.'

The punch took Sheridan completely by surprise, throwing him backwards across the desk. Corwin immediately followed up with another, which knocked the older man down. Grabbing the General's shirt, he pulled him up and slammed him hard against the wall.

'If this is the only way I can get you to see sense, then this is what I'll do,' he snapped, his face inches from Sheridan's own. 'So, go ahead. Court–martial me! Do whatever you damned well like, but for God's sake.... go and get Delenn!'

'You don't.... You don't....' Corwin let go of his friend. He had never heard so much despair in Sheridan's voice. The General sank to the floor, tears and blood streaming down his face. 'You don't understand,' he whispered, his voice hoarse and racked.

'She has to be dead. She has to be.... If she isn't.... if she's still alive, then I left her there.... I left her on Z'ha'dum.... with them. I was so sure they'd killed her. It was instinct.... I've acted on instinct a hundred times. A thousand. I was never wrong before.

'I was so sure. So sure.

'If she's not dead.... how could she bear to look at me, if I left her there? She has to be dead, because.... Oh God, she has to be dead.'

'She isn't,' Corwin said softly. 'She's alive, and she needs you. I know she is. You made a mistake. It's in the past.... and this is now.

'Come on.... let's go get her.'

The door opened and a security guard rushed in, weapon raised. He took in Sheridan's bleeding face and Corwin's bruised knuckles. 'General.... is everything all right?'

'Yes,' Sheridan whispered. He smiled. 'Everything's fine now. Everything's going to be fine....'

* * *

There were three words, short and simple. They were lit by a faint whisper of candlelight. It was not clear who had placed the candles there, or the flowers that covered the floor. It was not clear who had written the words.

The Blessed Delenn.

'What happened here?' Sheridan whispered. 'What happened...?'

'Some people realised a lot of things,' Corwin said. Smith's directions had been perfect. He should be here soon.

'She's dead. This is a.... shrine.'

'She's not dead. I've been telling you that for a while.'

'But this place?'

'If what I've been told is correct.... and I don't pretend to understand a word of it, you know.... she died here.... and then got better.'

'But....'

He fell silent and looked behind Corwin at the figure who came slowly into view, a mirage, an illusion, a creation of light and mirrors. She walked slowly, her eyes filled with life, a soft, gentle smile on her face. Sheridan swayed, and almost fell against the wall.

'Told you,' Corwin said, but his words were not heard.