"No. It's just knowing what's right. You're abusing these people. You're a coward and a sadist who lives off other people's misery, and I won't rest until you're finished."
"Oh, I was right the first time. A social crusader. Listen up, Superman, nobody cares! Sector Three-o-one is a dumping ground. It's where Main Dome throws everyone they can't be bothered sorting out. The Government's got enough problems up there without having to worry about a mass of gormless morons. I know these people, and they can be split into two groups: the people at the top, and the people at the bottom. It'll always be that way, and I'm damned if I'm going to be at the bottom. It's that simple.
"Now, people like you don't understand that, and you never will. Boys, take him outside and get rid of him. Don't do it in here, I don't want blood on the carpet. As for the body.... no lakes around here. Damn! Call me old-fashioned, but there's nothing like a good lake to dump a body into. Oh well, go for the second best. Find a construction site and lay him in the foundations or something.
"As for me...." He looked at Talia. "I've an appointment with a pretty lady."
Delenn's breath burned her throat, her blood seemed to have thickened in her veins, her mind was fogged, her vision unclear.
The whole planet seemed wrong to her, especially as they moved deeper and deeper into it, as if they were making for the very centre of Z'ha'dum itself. Ivanova seemed convinced this was the way to go, even when Neroon had to admit he had never been this far into the depths of the Shadow cities. Not even they liked going this far down.
There were no alarms, no klaxons blazing, no sounds of running feet chasing or cries of 'Hey, you!' Still, Delenn knew they were being chased. She could feel it, hear the whispered cries of the Shadows in her mind, feel the wrath of the ancient Enemies at her escape.
"He's this way," Ivanova kept saying. "I can.... I can hear him. He's been waiting for us. Damn, he couldn't have been a bit clearer with the directions, could he? How about arranging a taxi for us?"
Delenn did not stop to wonder at the wisdom of trusting someone who had tried to kill her so many times. Ivanova had her own personal demons to fight, and they had conquered her. It seemed that only now was she beginning to find some surcease from her private pains.
Neroon was silent, his face dark. The third betrayal. The completion of his doom. He would not leave this world alive, he knew that. So did Delenn, although she did not want to admit it even to herself. He had made his decision, but it hurt.... Oh, Valen, it hurt....
The tunnels they were in seemed to be growing narrower, and hotter. The downward slant had become less pronounced now, and the path was more level. They might even have been ascending slightly. There was a faint light, but barely enough for Delenn to see by. Neroon seemed to be managing better, although she did not have time to wonder about that.
There was a scuffling noise from above them, and a muttered curse from Ivanova. "Tripped over something," she explained, as Neroon helped her to rise. Delenn could feel a strange sense of.... of holiness. Something she had only experienced before in the shrines at Yedor and Tuzanor. She walked forward slowly, and knelt down.
There was a stone slab there, with a candle raised above it. There was something engraved on the slab, in a bold hand, but an ancient style. It was her own tongue! It was an ancient dialect of the warrior caste. She strained to make out the words.
"'Here was slain Parlonn, of the First Fane of the warrior caste of the Minbari peoples, at the hand of Marrain, now of no fane, no caste and no people. May Parlonn's soul ascend to the old Gods of his fane, to join his brethren there. May they forgive him his choices, just as they will surely never forgive mine.'" Neroon's voice grew still, as he looked at the last sentence.
"'Thus he was saved from his third betrayal, and thus his doom is averted, and taken upon my shoulders instead.'"
"This is where Marrain killed Parlonn," whispered Delenn. "A thousand years ago."
Neroon bent down over the candle. It was untouched, having never once been lit. "Marrain knew he was not worthy to light this," he said softly. "He set it here for someone to come and light for him." He raised his hand, and the candle burst into flame.
"Ascend, Parlonn," he said. "Find some peace at last."
"Very pretty," said Ivanova. "They're coming for us. We don't have much time."
Delenn turned and closed her eyes. She could feel the pursuit nearing. "She's right. There is nothing more either of us can do here, Neroon. How much further is it?"
"Not much, I think. Just around that corridor and through that archway." Ivanova ran forward with Delenn and Neroon chasing after her. "Here we...." There was a sudden, startled cry, and as Delenn reached the archway she understood why.
There was a small balcony overlooking a vast chasm. Ivanova was perched precariously, trying to regain her balance. Slowly Delenn stepped out onto the balcony, very much aware that there was no parapet. She glanced down into the chasm and could see no bottom. Looking up, she saw faint glints of light a vast distance above their heads. A dome leading to the sky.
The sounds of pursuit neared, and Neroon stepped out to meet them. "They are here," he said in a hollow voice.
Corwin was limping and clutching at his arm as he arrived back on the Babylon, muttering angry epithets under his breath. That had been one journey he never wanted to repeat. The Captain had not been hurt, which would be a good thing if Corwin wasn't so unsure about just what exactly had happened.
"Captain," said Ko'Dath on their return to the shuttle bay. "We got your message." She did not make any reference to just how unclear the message had been. "We will provide an escort for you and Commander Corwin to Medlab...."
"No!" snapped the Captain. "I'm fine. I need to get to the bridge as soon as possible. Have they readied the jump engines?"
"They are warming up now. The Chief Engineer estimated a few more minutes before they're ready."
"Damn! The Shadows will be on our tails any minute now. Get David to Medlab. I'm going to the bridge."
"I'm going with you, Captain," Corwin said. The Captain looked at him for a minute, then nodded.
"Can't this thing go any faster?" he snapped at the transport tube. "Come on!"
"It's going as fast as it can. We'll be at the bridge any minute, and they've got your instructions. Captain.... what happened down there?"
"We got ambushed by about a million Drakh and a couple of the Shadows, and we managed to punch our way out and get to the shuttle."
"No, I mean.... before that. About.... Delenn?"
"They killed her, David," he said softly. "I just.... I just knew it somehow. They killed her. I could hear her screaming, begging for mercy, and I.... I just couldn't do anything to save her. They probably killed her the instant they got her there."
"You're sure she's dead?"
"Yes! Dammit, David, stop questioning me!" He reached up to rub at his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I'm just.... I wish I could have saved her. The least I can do is avenge her."
"First things first," Corwin said, trying to disguise his shock. "We won't be able to avenge anyone unless we get out of here. You think they'll try to stop us?"
"I know they will. Don't worry, David. We've cut our way out of worse than this." The transport tube came to a halt and the Captain charged through the doors and rushed on to the bridge. Corwin followed as fast as his injuries would let him.
The first thing he saw was Lyta, just standing patiently next to the Captain's chair. Of course, the Captain's hurried message from the shuttle would have led to her being hastily called to the bridge, but she looked perfectly composed, almost.... almost as if she'd been expecting all of this.