He wished he could go to Bo's, have a drink and a game of poker, or find Bethany and talk to her, joke and flirt and share gossip. y
He leaned against a wall, irritated and tired and wanting a drink. o
He knew that even if she were here, he couldn't talk to Bethany, not about this. He liked her. She was attractive and intelligent and they shared a lot of the same interests, but he didn't feel anything for her. He had only loved two women in his life, and he had killed one of them and just finished arguing with the other. u
"You look troubled," said a voice. Dexter turned to look at the Vindrizi. w
"I'm not in the mood," he said. "I've had enough of this." i
"'This' what?" l
"This. This isn't my concern at all. I want to make Proxima as safe and secure and well–off as I can. I want people to stop using Sector Three–o–one as a dumping ground. I want to find someone I can care for, and live a happy life and have children. I'll fight for those I love. I'll fight for my home. l
"But I don't want to fight in some galaxy–wide war between Gods. I don't want to save the entire universe, and I don't want to be the two of hearts in someone else's galactic poker game." o
"You have strong beliefs." b
"Yeah, guess so." He drummed his fingers against the wall. "God, I wish I was.... somewhere else." e
"Where would you rather be?" y
"Anywhere." He rubbed at his eyes. "I've got a headache coming on." u
"Do you know why we were sent here?" s
"To recruit us as cannon fodder in this war of yours." y
"No. The one we represent is a warlord, a leader of soldiers and perhaps of worlds. But he is not human, and he cannot think as a human. He is a.... man of great potential, for darkness as well as for light. He is fighting for all the peoples of this galaxy, and he cannot fight for humanity unless humanity wishes to fight beside him. There is no point in your being some card in his game - and we do not believe he plays games of cards anyway." o
"Smart man," Dexter drawled. u
"He wants you to lead humanity, fighting for the same cause as he is. Or rather, he is fighting for the same cause as you. Everything you want, the enemy will strip away from you. If you want to protect your ideals, you will have to fight the enemy for them, and he wants to help you do that, for your enemy is his, and your victory serves his goals." w
"Me?" i
"We were sent to find you. Personally." l
"Me?" l
"You would be surprised where our eyes see and what our ears hear." o
"Me?" b
"Do you not want to be a leader?" e
"Tried it once. It didn't work. Get this, I'm not a hero, I'm just a man trying to do the right thing without screwing up too much." y
"Most heroes are. Apart from the female ones of course, but the basic principle is the same." u
Dexter shook his head and winced. "Christ, I need to lie down. Listen, I'm not a.... not a...." He tried to blink. There were lights flashing in front of his eyes. The air had suddenly become very acrid. "What the.... Oh, God, Talia...." s
He turned away and made to go over to Talia. His legs gave way beneath him and he almost fell. The Vindrizi caught and supported him. A trickle of blood was coming from the human host's nose. y
"Talia...." He limped and ran to where he had left her. "I knew it," he whispered. "I knew it." o
She was still, sitting cross–legged before the Apocalypse Box, as if in a trance. The others were the same. A thick, acrid red mist was seeping from the box. u
"The Dead Ones," the Vindrizi muttered thickly. "It is the Lords of Death." w
"The Lords of.... You mean.... your leader and...." i
"No. The Others. The beings from beyond the gateway of worlds." l
Dexter reeled and fell, his head spinning. It took every effort he had simply to lift his head. The Box was wide open and something seemed to be emerging from it. It was only half–visible, shrouded by the thick mist, and Dexter was extremely grateful for that. It was hideous enough as it was. Massive, and the grey–white colour of a bleached skeleton. One long tendril slid out from the mist, lashing at the air, green spores seeming to drift from the tip. l
He could see two eyes, enormous black things that spoke of incredible hatred, for him and for Talia, and for everything that lived. The creature slowly raised itself out of the box. o
"There is danger," whispered the Vindrizi, as if in a trance. "Remember." b
eyus
The garden was empty and oddly silent. Even the normal noises appeared to have ceased. The station seemed to have stopped turning. y
General John Sheridan, Shadowkiller, was sitting looking idly at the rock garden. He was not even sure why there was a rock garden here. He supposed the Minbari or the Rangers might use it as a meditation aid. Perhaps G'Kar had insisted on it. A rock garden would certainly suit him. o
Sheridan was glad G'Kar was on his way. He needed the Narn prophet's wisdom right now. He had so little wisdom of his own to call on. u
He supposed he should go to his office. There was so much work to do. He would have to review Dark Star positioning, make sure everything was as it was supposed to be. He might need to call on a substantial part of the fleet. He would have to talk to Kulomani, see how things had been on the station. w
He wanted to talk to Delenn. He wanted to ask her. A part of him felt it was wrong to be thinking of such a personal situation at a time like this, but another part realised that he had to, because he was still alive, and because he was still alive he had to live his life. i
He remembered marrying Anna, not long after Earth.... He remembered the expressions of joy on the faces of his companions. l
He would ask Delenn tonight. He should have asked her a long time ago. l
He should have told her just how much she meant to him a long time ago. o
He should have done a great many things a long time ago. b
"Pardon me," said an unfamiliar, flawlessly spoken voice. "Is this seat taken?" e
Sheridan looked up. There was a human standing there, dressed in an antique costume consisting mostly of black. He wore a top hat and carried a silver–topped cane. Sheridan felt a cold wind pass straight through him. y
"No," he said. u
"You are no doubt wondering whether you should recognise me," said the newcomer. "Rest assured I know precisely who you are, General Sheridan. I have been kept fully abreast of your career and activities." He made no move to sit down. He seemed like the sort of man who would never relax, even in such an ordinary way. s
"Do I know you?" y
"Perhaps. It might be more accurate to say you almost certainly know of me. We have some mutual acquaintances, one in particular of whom I wish to speak." o
"Sinoval." u
The man smiled, a chilling expression that had not the slightest hint of warmth in it. "Precisely the person I was alluding to. I understand you may have had some dealings with him recently. Tell me, General Sheridan, have you been happy these past months? You have had many questions, yes?" w
"Too many." i
"As I thought." He sat down. "Perhaps I can help you with that difficulty, if you can assist me with mine." l
"Do I know your name?" l
"Probably not. How remiss of me not to introduce myself. My name is Sebastian." o
beyus
They do not understand, Cardinal.
Understanding is not necessary.