“You are a coward, Starkiller! Your victory was dishonourable… all your victories have been dishonourable. But what more could I expect from a human?”

“You are weak, Zha’valen. Like all of your people. Weak and petty and foolish. And dying. You are all doomed now. And whether I live or die… whether you live or die… none of it will matter.”

“No,” Sheridan said softly. “No. I won’t kill you. It may be the human way, but it isn’t my way. Not any more. Where is Delenn?”

“No,” Delenn said softly. “No. I will not kill you. You deserve death, yes, but you must be made to atone for what you have done… as I have.”

“I do not believe you, Starkiller, and I do not know that name.”

“I do not think you can kill me, Zha’valen. Prove me wrong.”

Sheridan grabbed the collar of Kalain’s robe and picked him up. “You will take me to Delenn! You will take me to the Grey Council! This has gone too far, and I swear by God, it will stop! Do you hear me? This will stop!”

Kalain blinked and spat back, “It has gone too far to stop, Starkiller. Far too far.”

“We’ll see,” he replied. “Now, take me to Delenn, or to the Grey Council. Now!”

Delenn gripped her pike tighter. Jha’dur was right. Delenn could not kill her. But, another could…

Deathwalker tried to rise, still smiling. She was still smiling when a burst of energy tore into her back and threw her forward, leaving her slumped over the bodies of those she had killed. Sinoval stepped into view, holding a human weapon. He looked at Delenn and met her gaze, and then he looked around at the bodies.

“Valen’s Name,” he whispered. “What… have I…?”

“You should not have killed her,” Delenn said softly.

“And what do you know? If I had killed her earlier, this… this would never have happened.” Sinoval raised his eyes and looked around at the display surrounding them. He could see the pitiful remains of the Minbari fleet, the Enemy that had destroyed them, and the Vorlons who had come to their rescue.

“Retreat!” Sinoval ordered. “All Minbari ships, retreat! White Star ships nine, fifteen and twenty-seven form a screen. All other ships, retreat! In Valen’s Name, retreat!”

But it was far too little, far too late.

Tryfan closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer to Valen. In the last few hours, he had witnessed the mightiest Minbari fleet ever assembled cut to ruins by the force of the encroaching Shadow vessels. At last the order to retreat had been given, but it would not be enough. Help had come in the form of the Vorlons, but it would take them time to get to the front of the line. Tryfan had to buy his people that time.

Behind him, the Minbari ships were vanishing into hyperspace. What was left of the Minbari fleet was departing. All they needed was a few minutes longer to get away. Then the Vorlons would be here and the Shadows would flee – unwilling to face their ancient foes just yet.

Tryfan would buy his people that time.

The White Star Nine – named the Valen – flew forward, directly into the heart of the Shadow forces. Raining fire upon the Enemy, Tryfan of the Star Riders clan brought the Valen and his crew to their destiny.

The ship was shot down eventually, but not before Tryfan had done enough. His last sight was of the Vorlons coming into view and the Shadows leaving. His last thought was that he had bought his people enough time after all.

And thus the Battle of the Second Line ended… the Shadows, having done what they came for, fled before the arrival of the Vorlon armada. What compelled the Vorlons to meet their enemies like this, no one was quite sure, but it had been enough to save the remnants of the Minbari fleet.

The Vorlons left a few moments after the Shadows did. They said nothing, gave no reason, left no footprints.

Sinoval, Holy One of the Minbari, stood alone in the Hall of the Grey Council. Delenn and the Starkiller were gone, having taken a flyer back to their ship. Sinoval had barely noticed their presence. Kalain had arrived with Starkiller, but then he left, horrified at the dead mounted around him.

Sinoval was alone, as he always would be, surrounded only by the dead and the memories of the living.

He closed his eyes.

Ex-Minister Londo Mollari considered himself lucky to be alive. If it hadn’t been for Na’Kal’s sacrifice and the arrival of the Vorlons, he might not be. As it was, he made his way to the bridge of the Valerius, where his nephew Carn was in command.

“Uncle Londo,” Carn said. “You are well?”

“Hungover,” Londo complained. “But I have been coping with that for years. Put me through to Captain Ben Zayn.” Carn obliged and Ben Zayn’s harsh, scarred face appeared on the viewscreen.

“Minister Mollari. Come with us to Sanctuary. I’ll transmit the relevant co-ordinates. Well done.”

The conversation, such as it was, ended there.

“Well, short and to the point,” Londo noted.

“Uncle, would you mind telling me why we are doing this?”

“I told you, Carn. A bet!”

“No, uncle. Really why.”

Londo bowed his head. “To win back our people. We are a dying people, Carn, consumed by our own petty interests. If we are to save the Centauri, then we must work with G’Kar and his associates. We must risk our lives… or give our lives, as Na’Kal did… for the sake of the Centauri.”

Carn looked at him for a moment, pensive. “Do you really believe that, uncle?”

“Of course not!” Londo joked.

Carn smiled. “Well, Sanctuary is as good a place as any, I suppose. Wherever it is.”

Sheridan and Delenn walked on to the Parmenion arm in arm. It seemed as if they had never been apart since their reunion in the Hall of the Grey Council. Sheridan had been startled by the number of bodies in the Hall, but he had focussed his gaze on the two living people there – Delenn and Sinoval. The Holy One could not meet his gaze, but Delenn could not lose it. Not a word spoken, the two had left, returning to the Parmenion, leaving Sinoval alone to the death he had lived with all his life.

“Captain!” Corwin said as the two of them arrived. “I… it’s good to see you, sir. Just in time too. Ko’Dath was on the verge of killing half her squad as punishment for letting the two of you get captured.”

Delenn shot Sheridan a nervous gaze, which he reciprocated. “Well, we’d… better not let that happen, I suppose. I trust you’ve been taking good care of my ship, Commander.”

“Of course! It’s still in fine order. Well… almost.”

“Have you heard from Ben Zayn?”

“Yes. He’s on his way back to Sanctuary. The Minbari got away, the Shadows are gone, and we thought it was a good idea to follow suit before the Resistance Government starts wondering just who we are and what we’re doing.”

Sheridan nodded. “That might be wise. What about the Babylon?”

“Staying here.”

“What? Clark’s bound to find out they were fighting against the Shadows and when he does…”

“I said the same, but Ben Zayn said something like it wasn’t my concern and who am I to question Bester’s decisions and so on. I don’t know why and I’m not up to arguing with Bester. I do not like Psi Cops.”

“They’re not meant to be liked,” Sheridan muttered. “But yes, I definitely want a word with Mr. Bester when we get back.”

“I wonder if I did something dreadful as a child,” Corwin muttered. “My mother warned me never to get involved with telepaths. Oh… speaking of telepaths, we’ve got someone in Medlab you’ll want to visit. Lyta Alexander.”

“What’s she doing here? I thought she was on Proxima trying to find Mar…” Sheridan paled. “Is Marcus here too?”

Corwin solemnly and sadly shook his head. “There’s a Narn here as well… Ta’Lon. He has something he says he has to tell you, Satai.”