Темное, кривое зеркало. Том 3 : След на песке

Firmly: 'No.'

'Not at all?'

'I have nothing to say.'

'Oh, I doubt that. I doubt that very much. I think you have a great deal to say. Do your friends know about your…. ah…?' He stepped forward and gently tapped Lennier's shoulder. There was a brief surge of pain, and a hissing sound only he heard.

Lennier made no move to attack this person. There was really no point.

'I don't think they do, somehow. Although I am puzzled by just how you've managed to keep it under control this long. Some sort of Minbari meditation, perhaps. Hmm…. you'll have to teach me that.'

'Are you…?' He swallowed. 'Are you working for them?'

'I'm working for me, I think you'll find. Not the…. ah…. what's your name for them? The Shadows, that's it. Such a wonderful name. I've always liked the way Minbari describe things. Anyway, I'm…. fulfilling my own destiny, but it happens to be on a similar path to theirs at the moment. They do have someone here, you know. So do their opposition for that matter. I don't know who, and I really don't care. I'm just trying to clean up the mess.'

He paused, and seemed to be replaying that last line.

'Oh, sorry. I meant to say that I'm just trying to clean up from the mess.'

'What do you want?' Lennier asked.

'Ah. I think I'll leave that one for another day.'

'Who are you?'

'Both questions at once. And neither of them holds any power over me. I know exactly who I am, and what I want, and I'm in a very good position to get it at last. And you're going to help me, my bald friend.'

'I very much doubt that.'

'Ah…. but Shaal Lennier, you do not know what I want.'

There was a knock at the door, and the Centauri muttered various unpleasant-sounding things under his breath. Lennier was very glad he couldn't translate them. 'Yes?'

'Your Highness, you are called to the Court. Immediately.' The voice that came through the thick door was filled with respect, and a not-inconsiderable dose of fear.

'Who dares?'

'The Lady Elrisia, your Highness.'

'Elrisia? Oh well, that's different then. I'd better go. Open the door.' The door was pushed open and the Centauri stepped into the rectangle of light. He turned and looked at Lennier. 'I'm sorry this talk was cut short, but I have a feeling we'll see each other again.

'Guard?'

'Yes, your Highness?'

'You will tell no one that I was in this cell. In fact, I was not in this cell, and I was not talking to this prisoner.'

'I won't breathe a word, your Highness.'

'No. You won't.' There was a brief glint of metal, a swift motion, and a bloodied gurgling, followed by the sound of a body falling. 'The Minbari had a weapon, so he did. And the guards didn't search him properly. You really can't get the staff these days, can you?'

He tossed the bloodied knife into the cell and closed the door, not fully, but so that it was slightly ajar. 'I'll hide the body. Wait…. ooh, half an hour or so, and then make your way out. You can go and free Londo if you like. He's two floors down, in cell thirteen I believe. The guards will be on duty there, but a resourceful person like you will be able to think of something, I'm sure.

'Oh,' he said as an afterthought, over the sound of a body being dragged away. 'If you do see Londo, tell him his old friend Cartagia would like a word. Whenever he has a free moment, of course.'

* * *

They did not know where she was. That was good. She did not know where she was. That was bad. But then Susan Ivanova had known very little in the months since she had been changed for a purpose that had been denied her. Now that she was awake for the first time since Laurel had died, she could sense things she had never before known existed.

Whatever they had done to her, augmenting her telepathic powers had been included. She could sense their thoughts now. Everyone on the station, although that was not very many people at the moment. The Narns, the valiant defence force. She felt like laughing. Just what were they fighting for? What did they know? What could they know? She could sense their loyalty and their devotion, and it made her ill. Such emotions simply did not exist in her any more.

And she could feel him. The Minbari. Valen. They said she had to kill him. She knew why, as well. Not in words, exactly, but she could see Earth again, and she could see her brother. Do as we say, spoke the voice of her masters, and that will never have happened.

The station shook, and she almost fell. What was happening out there?

The nauseous feeling was stronger. Reeling against the wall, she began to swallow harshly. How long had it been since she had last eaten? Did she even need to eat any more?

There is no time for such things. We are here now. Trust in us and there will be nothing to fear.

'You! Halt!' cried an unfamiliar voice. She was sure she did not know the language, but somehow she understood the words.

Turning, she saw a Narn before her. He was dressed in a uniform she had seen a lot these last few days, but had only barely noticed. A golden sunburst badge indicated very clearly just whom he served, but there was something else, a strange metallic disc she did not recognise.

The Narn moved forward slowly, drawing a long sword. It was afraid of her. This…. this big, strong alien was afraid of her.

It is afraid of us. Do not worry. We are here now. Can you see us?

She could, and for one brief moment she saw her master shimmer into view just as it raised a limb and tore through the Narn's chest. A spray of dark blood came from his mouth and he fell. The sword made a very loud noise as it hit the floor.

The disc. Take it and attach it to your clothing.

For the first time she took notice of the clothes she was wearing. A casual mix of civilian and military. Wondering idly just who had chosen this for her, she bent down beside the dead Narn and removed the metal disc. She held it up and looked at it curiously. It was not an insignia, not a designation of rank. There seemed to be some machinery attached to it, but she could not work out what it was.

Attach it to your clothing.

Her master was angry this time, and she hastily did as she was ordered. The disc clipped easily on to her jacket.

Now. This is what you must do.

She listened attentively, and then made her way as she had been directed. She had not much time, and the fate of the entire human race depended on her.

* * *

'How do I look?' Lady Elrisia asked, pondering her reflection in the mirror. She knew perfectly well how she looked, but a little extra flattery made all the difference. Not that Cartagia would notice, but a lot of the other nobles would. Not all of them were like her husband, thank the Gods.

Elrisia was a creature of the Court, and she always had been. Trapped first by her father and then by her scheming, single-minded husband, she had learned a great deal about power and how to gain it. Oh, of course women could have no official power within the Court or the Centarum, but unofficially, that was another matter….

Now if only Cartagia would do as he was bid. He was enough to try the patience of a saint! She thought Refa had been bad enough, but Cartagia was almost exactly the opposite. Where Refa had been concerned only with power and glory and nothing else, Cartagia seemed…. hardly bothered about anything. He wrote poetry he would not let her see. He kept a diary no one else could read. And he talked to himself. Frequently. Loudly. In