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

You always looked as if you were.... filling someone else's shoes, standing in until the star came back. You didn't belong there.'

'Ah, a regular psychiatrist. That just made it easier for you to trick me, right?'

'Well.... yes, but I didn't enjoy doing it. I actually liked you, believe it or not. I've seen many a worse officer than you.'

'Oo, praise. I'm flattered.'

'But you still didn't belong there. You belong here. Somebody has to fight the small battles after all.'

'So which are you fighting? The small battles, or the big ones?'

'I'm a.... small part in a big battle. The future of humanity could depend on finding out what's happening here.'

'Oh, great. The future of humanity resting on my shoulders. Again.'

'I knew I could depend on you. Besides, we're the future of humanity.'

'You telepaths?'

'We telepaths. You're one of us, remember.'

'Oh, how silly of me to forget.'

'Now, shush. You remember what we're looking for?'

'Yes.'

'And how to get in?'

'Yes.'

'Good. Let's go.'

* * *

It was Lyta who first noticed the emergence of the Shadow ships from hyperspace. It began with a dull buzzing at the back of her mind, as she heard the far distant echoes of their screams. Reaching up to rub her eyes, she blinked, and caught a flash of them surrounding the Babylon.

The ship seemed to move beneath her, crying out in yearning. Of course, part of it was Shadow technology. The Shadow ships were alive after all, in a sense. It was only reasonable that the living tech within the Babylon should call out to its elder siblings nearby.

The ship had come home.

Wait, hissed the voice in her mind. All is as was planned.

'They're coming,' she said, unsure whether she had spoken the words or merely thought them. 'They're here.'

There will not be a fight. The war is not destined to be fought here.... yet. The Vorlon's voice paused, and she could detect a sensation of immense smugness. And if it is, then you will be ready for it.

The buzzing grew louder, and she collapsed to her knees in pain just as the first Shadow ship came into view.

'Battle stations!' cried Commander Corwin. 'Lyta, are you ready...?' He turned. 'Lyta!'

'There won't be....' She coughed, harshly. 'There won't be a fight. I don't think.'

'She's right,' said Sheridan. He was still staring forward. 'They want to intimidate us, that's all. They're not ready for a fight.'

Corwin's confusion was plain on his face, but he nodded. 'Okay.... We all know this how?'

'Trust me, David.'

He shrugged. 'How many of them are there, anyway?'

The technician looked up from his control panel. He looked terrified, as well he might. 'Seventeen.... eighteen.... more coming through.... twenty-two.'

'Well,' muttered Corwin to himself. 'We'd better let them get up to fifty before we attack. We want them to have a fair chance after all.'

Sheridan suddenly rose to his feet, a mere moment before a signal came through on open channel.

--- This is Z'ha'dum to invading vessel. This is our airspace. Why have you come here? — --

A human voice, speaking in English. That creeped out a lot of people even more than they were already.

'This is Captain John Sheridan,' said the Captain. 'We are the former EAS Babylon. We have come on a mission of rescue. May I know who I am speaking to?'

--- John.... --- Even over the commsignal the voice sounded horrified. --- I was told you were.... Hah! This is David Sheridan, representative of the.... um.... the Shadows, and the Resistance Government of Proxima Three. I guess you don't remember our last conversation, hmm? ---

The Captain said nothing. Corwin closed his eyes. Delenn had told him that the Ambassador Sheridan who had come to Kazomi 7 on the peace initiative last year had been John's father, but that John was not to be told of this.

--- I think we need to discuss this in private. Do I have leave to come aboard your vessel? ---

'Yes,' said the Captain in a hollow voice. 'Come alone, and instruct your Shadow allies not to make any aggressive moves towards us. We do not want to start a fight.'

--- Of course not. I taught you never to do that. We will speak on board. Z'ha'dum out. ---

'Well,' Corwin said, partly to himself. 'We're still alive. That's good. Lyta, are you...?'

Lyta didn't hear him. She looked up at the Captain, and for just one, brief moment, she saw his eyes shine a bright gold. But it was only for a moment, and then the light was gone.

* * *

Vejar had been expecting him for some time. He had sensed the impending arrival of Cathedral before any of Kazomi 7's sensors picked it up. He had heard the whispers of the Well of Souls in his dreams for days now.

He had been on Kazomi 7 for almost two years, and he had rarely regretted his decision to relinquish his order and work here. He had been blessed to know some truly wonderful people, especially Delenn. His betrayal of her hurt him badly, but it was necessary. Elric and the One Above All had wondered at the end.... would this be the Blessed Delenn for whom they had all waited, or would she merely repeat the mistakes of the past?

He wished he knew.

He could see the darkness growing in Kazomi 7. The omens and portents had been building ever since Captain Sheridan had been injured. The false peace talks with the Shadows, the arrival of the new Vorlon Ambassador, and now Cathedral.... and Sinoval the Cursed.

'Open,' he said. The door did so, and in he walked.

Vejar turned to look at Sinoval. He looked not only with his eyes, but with his soul. He saw genuine goodness in the man, but buried deep beneath darkness and hatred and anger. He instantly saw Sinoval's greatest weakness, which was identical to his greatest virtue. He could never regret any action he took, and hence he could not learn from his mistakes.

He was incapable of love, and that would curse him. In time.

'Welcome to my abode, Primarch Sinoval the Cursed. I have been expecting you for some time.'

'I apologise if I kept you waiting, technomage.' To Vejar's silent thanks, the Primarch's Honour Guard was kept outside. 'I thought it wise to know more about you first. I have been in discussion with the Vindrizi.'

'Yes. I had heard they were now under your protection. There are ancient ties of blood and song between our order and their race. It is good that they are kept safe.'

'They told me something similar. They are a strange group, their visions and memories focussed on sights and wonders and nature, and not the banalities of politics or warfare. This makes their use.... limited, in the current situation, but they were very helpful in discussing the technomages.

'Tell me, magus, you have been conspicuous by your absence whenever the new Vorlon Ambassador makes a public appearance. As you were when his predecessor was here.'

'I could say the same about you, Primarch. You have been avoiding the Vorlons for a while.'

'I am waiting for the time to be right. I will not hide from the Vorlons forever. You know why Delenn has gone to Z'ha'dum, don't you?' Vejar nodded, unable to say anything. 'As do I. She sent me a message, in which she spoke of other messages that would be sent.... to people here. It seems however that you and I are the only persons on this world who know the truth. The common belief seems to be that she was abducted by agents of the