"What's all this about, Doctor?" he asked. "You said you had one final mission for me, before I went to Minbar, and yet you're not sending the Lohengrin to Babylon 5. Why?"
Magus turned to face Sinclair. He could tell from his face that he was hurt, hurt at not being able to see Babylon 5 before his reassignment.
"I can tell what you are thinking, Captain. You will see your mission, and you will play an equally important role in the forthcoming proceedings. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Magus continued on his way down the corridor, leaving Sinclair with only one choice: returning to the Lohengrin to pack his bags.
Sheridan paced up and down his office, considering what Delenn had just told him.
"You've been talking with Kosh, haven't you?" he said. "Babylon 5 isn't a planet, it's a station! How can we declare ourselves an independent state?"
"You wouldn't just be declaring Babylon 5 independent, but the entire sector also."
"And what about this?" said Sheridan, picking up a data-pad. "A communication from Magus, saying he wants to hold a conference here on the station."
Delenn took the pad and studied the information on it.
"He contacted me a couple of days ago," she said. "He asked me to represent the Minbari. I understand that there will be representatives from all over the quadrant."
"That's what worries me," said Sheridan. "Once Starfleet Command, or whatever it's called now, gets wind of this they'll send an entire fleet to stop them, or perhaps even the Death Star itself!"
"I've spoken with the Grey Council. They have voted on this. Although the Warrior caste were against it, the Religious and Worker castes have voted for the Free Federation. If need be, they will help you defend the station."
Sheridan sat down in his chair. Delenn could tell that he was wrestling with many thoughts and emotions at this time.
"I will leave you now," she said. "I have much to do."
G'Kar sat in his darkened quarters, the old book in his hand. Ever since the fall of his homeworld and the arrival of the Imperials, he had spent many hours studying the texts, trying to find something that could help him in the struggle he would soon become involved with. Then, the computer sounded.
"Incoming transmission on a secure channel."
G'Kar closed his book and walked over to the screen.
"Put it through."
The image of Phineas Magus soon appeared before him.
"It is good to see you again, G'Kar. I only wish it could have been under different circumstances."
"As do I. I take it you have called to complete our discussion. After all, you were very vague during your last call."
"For which I apologize. As you know, G'Kar, at the moment, the Free Federation is a name only. I intend to change that, but I need the help of others. I need your help."
"How can I help? I'm no longer an ambassador!"
"But you are regarded as the Narn leader on Babylon 5, and the leader to countless Narn warships all over the quadrant. You can rally them, pull them together for this common cause!"
"Our common cause is the liberation of our homeworld!"
"Which is occupied by the forces of our enemies as well, G'Kar. I believe it would be better if we combined our might, pooled our resources, made them whole, and more powerful!"
"But Doctor, you well know that this war is about a lot more than the Centauri Republic or the Galactic Federation!"
"Which is why we should join together, G'Kar! Which is why the Free Federation should become stronger. We need a voice on Babylon 5, and you can become that voice!"
"But I am no longer an ambassador here!"
"That will soon change. In a few days, Babylon 5 will host a conference of those who oppose the rule of the Galactic Federation. Delegates from the likes of Minbar, Altor, Vulcan, and Betazed will be attending. You, I hope, will represent the Narns. It is there I hope to announce that the Free Federation will be posting an ambassador to Babylon 5—you!"
G'Kar's jaw dropped.
"Me? Sheridan will not listen to you! The station is, after all, under the command of the Imperials!"
"Which will change, also. I'm not asking you to give me a decision now, G'Kar. You have a few days before I arrive there. Discuss it with your friends, think it over carefully. Do not be too hasty."
G'Kar nodded his head.
"You will have my decision when you arrive, Doctor."
The scruffy-looking man was bustled through the ornate corridor by two Imperial storm troopers, his long hair flowing behind him. He had spent the past few years in New Zealand, a guest of the United Federation of Planets. He had expected to spend a few more years there. Now he found himself in Paris, being hustled towards Servalan's office. He was soon standing in front of her, his hands shackled to his feet, the storm troopers only feet away. He was surprised to see Servalan smiling at him.
"So what do we have here?" she said, picking up a data pad. "Captain Timothy Gaal, commanding officer, U.S.S. Wagner, only survivor of the Wagner's destruction near planet G-889. Later found guilty for the murder of his crew, sentenced to life at the New Zealand Penal Colony."
Gaal smiled.
"So what is it to you?" he asked. "And what are you still doing in this office? I thought Damian Magus was the president now!"
"That is nothing of your concern, Captain Gaal. What does concern you is your reason for being here. It says here that you were found on G-889 four months after the destruction of the Wagner. The final logs from your first officer says you went mad and programmed the computer to release tecion gas through the vents, knocking out the crew so you could set the self-destruct and beam down to the planet. Tell me, Captain, how did you get the computer to complete the code, considering your first officer was unconscious?"
"Haven't you read the transcript of my trial, Servalan? I cut off his hand for his palm print! It's quite simple, actually!"
Servalan put the pad down on the desk and rose to her feet. She walked round to the other side of the desk, and stared Gaal in the face, directly into his eye.
"How would you like a chance to redeem yourself in the eyes of the law?"
"Who do you want me to kill?"
"What makes you think I want you to kill someone?"
"It's obvious, isn't it! I'm not that insane! Just tell me what you want me to do."
"I want you to go back to G-889, Captain. If my sources are right, one of the rebel ships should be going there within the next few weeks to find something. They will find you, and you will infiltrate their crew."
"But they'll know me. They'll know about my case."
"As of now, all files about your case no longer exist. My surgeons can alter your facial features, so no one will have a chance of recognizing you. All I need is for you to say yes, and once you complete this mission, you will be a free man."
Gaal smiled.
"Then if that's what it takes, that's what I'll do!"
Servalan smiled, and then motioned to the two troopers.
"Take him away, and prep him for surgery. I want him briefed and on his way to G-889 within the next seventy-two hours."
Gaal bowed his head as he was led away. As soon as he was gone, Darkmagus emerged from the shadows.
"Are you sure he's the one?" he asked.
"I checked the files. He knows the planet well. He should be able to make contact with the Terrians before that pilot does!"
"And what about his madness? You know it could affect him any time now!"
"You have showed no ill effects yet, Damian."
"I am different. I am of Istarian breeding."
"Time will tell, Damian. Time will tell."
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