"Then what do you wish to be? What else is there, if not a hero?"
"Husband," he said, smiling. "Father, even. I have done too much in my life I am not proud of, but this.... this is right. I know it."
She shook her head. "I do not understand."
"You will," he said, smiling. Confusion rose in her eyes, and then she turned, making for the door. "Tirivail," he called after her. "Return safely."
She made to say something, but fell silent. She left.
Captain David Corwin was a rarity in many ways, and he knew it. One of the few human captains in the entire Dark Star fleet, he also had the greatest experience of battle relative to his age of anyone, whether Drazi, Brakiri or Narn. He was in command of the third ship of the fleet, a powerful and prestigious position. He had been instrumental in many of the key engagements of the wars.
He was also one of the few captains to sleep on his ship.
Few people liked the Dark Stars. The crews spoke of dark dreams, of strange visions, of hearing screams of pain just echoing through the walls. Not many lasted long on them, despite necessity and prestige. Those who did became either dour and uncommunicative, or fearful and haunted. Of either type, few spent any longer on their ships than they had to.
All except David Corwin.
Oh, there were as many strange happenings on his ship - one of the few Dark Stars with a name, the Agamemnon, another rarity - as on any other. There were voices, strange sightings. The Captain frequently spoke when no one was there, addressing someone called 'Carolyn', a human name that belonged to none of the crew. During the epic battle with the Fist of Darkness to save Kazomi 7 he had spoken to two people, neither of whom were there, one was this Carolyn, the other was unknown.
Some speculated that he was insane, some that he was farsighted, and could see things others could not. Still others believed that he was supernaturally lucky. A few, with perhaps more wisdom, suggested that all three could be true, and indeed, all three were true.
But everyone flocked to his ship, and the Agamemnon was considered the finest post in the fleet, even more so than the Dark Star 1, ship of the fabled Shadowkiller, General Sheridan himself. Captains Daro and Kulomani, of Dark Stars 2 and 4 respectively, recognised Corwin as at least their equal, if not their superior.
Many things were said about Captain David Corwin, but one acknowledged fact was that he spent more time on his ship than any other captain, save only Sheridan himself. His crew had fewer instances of insanity or breakdown. For some reason, whatever curse afflicted the Dark Star fleet, the Agamemnon was largely immune to it.
So, when David Corwin left his ship and came down to the surface, it was for a good reason.
In this particular case, it was for the very best of reasons.
"I'd heard you were here," he said, smiling. "I wanted to come and see you earlier."
"Oh, David," said Lyta, smiling in her turn. She looked around, and for a single moment her eyes became black. She looked back at him and her smile returned, more relieved this time. She did not say the words, with either voice or mind, but her meaning was clear. We are safe now. We can talk now. "How are you?"
"Well.... I guess. Still alive, anyway. I meant to come and see you straight after the battle, but we had to return to Krindar pretty quickly. I wasn't sure if you'd be here."
"Oh, yes.... we were here. Whatever you said to him, it got the General riled up. He was determined to come and do what he could. And of course.... where he goes, I'm not far behind. The Vorlons don't want him hurt. Too much is riding on him."
"Are they still.... influencing him?"
"I don't know. I don't even know exactly what it was they did to him in the first place. But I can't sense any telepathic influence. I think they're just.... making him see what he wants to see. Half of what he's doing, he's doing himself."
"Good. Well, maybe not good. I don't know. I'd like to think this is easier to deal with.... if there isn't any.... you know."
"I think so. And rather you than me. How is Carolyn?"
"The same, I think. I'm talking to her a lot, like you said. I call her by name as often as possible, to remind her of who she was.... is. Half the crew think I'm insane, I've no doubt, but.... Will we be able to free her?"
"I don't know. I think that will involve bringing down the whole network, and whether that will free them or kill them all I don't know."
"Surely death's better than that."
"I think so. David.... if that ever happens to me, I'd prefer to die. Do you understand?"
He paused, and swallowed harshly. Then he nodded. "I understand. You can count on me." There was a painful lump in his throat.
She smiled. "It isn't going to happen though. This is almost over. Once the war is done.... there'll be a few years. A time to consolidate, to rebuild. I'll have time."
"To do what?"
"To get away. To find Sinoval. He's gone into hiding now, or so I can.... gather. But I can find him. He'll let me find him. He's the one who can do this, if anyone can. I think that's his whole purpose. They're afraid of him."
"Sinoval. You'll go and.... work for him?"
"Not work for. Help him. But not until all this is done. As soon as this is over, as soon as I get the chance, then.... I'll be gone. You probably won't even see me leave."
"Good luck, then," he whispered. "I think I'll miss you."
Lyta smiled. "You could come along. I'd like to have you with me." She paused. "I can't believe I just said that," she added.
"I.... I...."
"No," she said quickly. "It doesn't matter. I've.... got to go. Good luck, David. Stay alive."
"Uh.... yeah. You, too."
Stay alive. He intended to. After all, what else was there?
Durano read the document carefully, keeping his mind calm. Precision was everything. There was a human saying he had picked up over the years, one he had liked the sound of very much.
God is in the details.
It was called the Kazomi Treaty, that would formally end the war between the Narn Regime and the Centauri Republic, with provisions allowing both entry into the United Alliance. Ordinarily such a complex and involved piece of legislation would be the result of months of intensive negotiation, constant references to various Governments, meetings, give–and–take and numerous draftings.
The Kazomi Treaty had taken less than two weeks, and most of it had been drafted beforehand. It had been made very clear there was little room for re–writing.
Durano skimmed past the territorial provisions. They were unchanged, and were more than reasonable. All borders were to be reset to the period immediately before the conflict. Worlds captured by either side were to be returned to their original jurisdictions. All invading or occupying forces were to return to sovereign soil.
More than reasonable, given that the Narns had had by far the advantage in that area. They had taken several more worlds than the Centauri.
The military provisions were awkward, but Durano was an experienced negotiator and he recognised them as inevitable. Certain sensitive systems were to be classified as Demilitarised Zones, with no armed presence from either side. Certain other systems were to have limited military presences. Some stations and satellites were to be removed.
Also, and this would be the hardest to push through what was left of the Centarum.... there were strict limits on the Centauri Republic's military capacity. There was a similar provision regarding the Narns, but their limits were much.... less confining.