Marrago had had the bodies removed, but he could do nothing about the smell. He was a soldier. Death was a constant companion.
He was thinking about death as well as responsibility. Londo's death and his responsibility to him. Marrago had had to tell a great many people that those they loved would never be coming home, but it would be so much harder this time. How to tell Timov?
A beeping sound came from his coat, and he started. With a soft sigh he realised what it was: Londo's personal communicator. Londo had given it to him before leaving for the capital, knowing that it could conceivably be used to trace important conversations.
Marrago pulled it out and activated it. A face he knew showed up on the screen. Carn Mollari, Londo's nephew and one of their most trusted agents in the capital.
'Lord-General,' he said. 'Where…. where is our leader?' No names. Names could be very dangerous if anyone were to overhear.
'He is…. unavailable at present. What do you have to report?'
'Events here are moving faster than I'd expected. The city has calmed down, but the tensions in the Court are on the verge of exploding again. My…. friend is going to attack the Court openly within a few days. You have to get here soon, or there won't be anyone left to rule over.'
'We don't have the time, or the resources. We're spread thinly as it is, just trying to secure our hold on the territory we control now. You have to delay things.'
'I can't! He's moving too fast. I never thought he'd be this ready for it. He really believes he can make himself Emperor.'
'There is nothing we can do. Our original plans didn't envisage a march on the capital for months. Even allowing for the acceleration, we won't be able to reach you for weeks at least. Do whatever you can…. whatever you must, but save the Court.'
'I'll do what I can, but get here quickly, or there'll be nothing left to save. Out.'
The viewscreen went blank and Marrago sat back. Responsibilities…. duties…. loyalty. All the hallmarks of a good soldier, and he was a good soldier. He knew he was, and he would save his people.
He rose to his feet and began a number of very important communications.
She had sat alone since he had left, thinking. At first she had believed this was a simple power struggle between a dissatisfied warrior and the leader of the Minbari, but now she was beginning to suspect something more. Forell's corruption, his words to her, Sonovar's evident madness….
Kats was not afraid to die, but she was afraid of being so helpless again before she did. She was afraid of being trapped in a column of light and suffering humiliation, degradation and pain while warriors watched and did nothing.
Without ceremony, without warning, the door opened and Sonovar walked in again, his bearing proud and arrogant. His two guards waited just outside.
'You are to come with me now, my lady. My last reason for remaining here has just been accomplished. There are two little details I must attend to, and then I will leave. Your 'Primarch' Sinoval will be here soon. I would rather not still be here when he arrives. Follow!' He left the cell and began to walk down the corridor.
In trepidation, Kats followed Sonovar along the twisted corridors of his warship, the guards by her side. She found herself thinking of Sinoval, and wishing he were here. Forell had said she was stronger now than she had been, but she did not feel stronger. She felt…. useless. Unable to fight, not born a warrior. She had never regretted her allotted role in life, until now.
They passed into a darkened room, with just one column of light in the centre. Trembling slightly, she stepped inside it, but only after seeing that Sonovar stood within it as well.
'You swore fealty to Sinoval,' he said, his voice harsh. 'You chose willingly to ally yourself with one who has violated some of the most sacred laws of our people, who deliberately rejected the return of the True Valen, who betrayed those who wished only to serve him, and who has thrown down the rightful Government of our people, choosing instead to claim all power for himself.'
'He's not like tha….' she began, but he stopped her.
'Silence! These facts are undeniable, and your guilt is plain. Your punishment will be decided here, but I will not be the one to decide it. Rather…. another will.'
He made a gesture, and another column of light became visible. There was someone within it. Someone she knew. Someone she had hoped to see here, but not like this, not forced on his knees, arms and legs bound, head bowed.
'Kozorr!' she cried, and he looked up. His face was heavily marked with wounds and scars. He closed his eyes when he saw her, and whispered her name softly.
'He was captured by the Tak'cha recently. Apparently he had learned that you were in my custody and was seeking a way to free you. He sent many of them to their ancestors before he was subdued.' In a puzzled tone, he continued. 'They regard him with great respect actually, for his prowess in battle and evident strength.'
'Free her, Sonovar!' Kozorr cried. 'Let her go, now.'
'That is not my decision to make. Both of you have committed crimes against our people and against our religion, and both of you must be punished. This is the judgment of your fate.'
He paused, and looked intently at them both. His expression when he looked at Kozorr was one of almost anguished despair. There was only pity in his eyes as he looked at Kats.
'One of you will be permitted to return to Sinoval, to tell him what has happened here, and to deliver my message. The other will die here, now. The choice is yours.'
Kats tried to speak, but the words would not come. She knew with a terrible sense of horror that Kozorr would speak first, and she knew what he would say. She would forever after curse herself for not speaking sooner, although she never knew what she should have said.
'Kill me!' Kozorr cried. 'Let her go.'
'Very well,' Sonovar proclaimed. 'So shall it be.' He shook his head. 'I am not surprised, although I wish I were.'
'No!' Kats cried. 'You can't do this! You….'
'Please,' Kozorr said, addressing Sonovar. 'Let her come over here. I want…. I want to speak to her.' Sonovar nodded once, and, not ungently, pushed her down before Kozorr.
She touched his heart lightly, feeling his breath on her face. 'You can't do this,' she whispered to him. 'There's another way. There must be another way. Please….' She was beginning to cry.
'No, there isn't. Go, my lady. Never look back, and take your future. Tell the Primarch that…. tell him my soul waits to serve him in the next life.' Then he reached forward ever so slightly, and gently touched his lips to her own.
'I love you.' He bowed his head. 'Take her away, Sonovar. I don't want her to see this.'
'Neither do I,' he replied, as one of his guards pulled her away. 'You have my word, by the way. I will do as I said.'
'I never doubted it. Farewell, my lady.'
'No! Kozorr, you….' She was dragged away by the guard. As soon as Kozorr was out of sight she went limp. She was still crying.
Sonovar then gestured to his other guard, who freed Kozorr from his bonds. Puzzled, the warrior rose to his feet, rubbing at his wrists. Sonovar pulled an object from his belt and showed it to Kozorr, whose eyes widened. It was his fighting pike.
Sonovar extended it, and then threw it to the floor at Kozorr's feet. He smiled.
Time passed in a flurry of activity. Ships came from Kazomi 7 within hours of Delenn sending the message. Warships from the Drazi, the Llort, the Vree, others…. They had been convinced of the importance of this, of protecting the place that was so vital to all their futures. Few of them understood the details, but with a Vorlon and their Blessed Delenn on their side, victory could only be certain.
Messages were also sent surreptitiously to Councillor Na'Toth on the Narn homeworld. Despite a waning of her power in recent months she was able to contact a few captains loyal to G'Kar, and two Narn heavy cruisers arrived at Epsilon 3 eight hours after the Alliance fleet.
