“Everyone’s luck runs out sooner or later,” Cartagia said.

Elrisia thought about this, and smiled. “Do you know, that’s the first intelligent thing you’ve said all day. Congratulations.”

Suddenly, her personal communicator activated. A fascinating little device, used by Ministers and high ranking military officers to keep in touch. She had managed to appropriate one for her own use. She listened to the message, and then smiled widely.

“How prophetic of you, Cartagia,” she said. “It appears that Minister Mollari has just met with an… unfortunate accident. His personal carriage – a replacement for the last one, I suppose – exploded on his way back to his estates. A problem with the engine, I suppose. The manufacturers really should get these things looked at better, don’t you think?”

Cartagia smiled. He actually looked halfway intelligent when he did.

“When I was twenty-one, I went on a journey to Tibet to see the new Dalai Lama. It made sense at the time. A lot of things do when you’re twenty-one. We had a simple meal… I forget what it was. And afterwards, he looked at me and he said:

“‘Do you understand?’

“And I said, ‘No.’ He simply smiled and said, ‘Good. You will be even wiser when you know what it is that you do not understand.’

“The Dalai Lama may be gone. Tibet, the Himalayas, Earth… they may all be gone, but they live on in our minds and hearts and souls, and in our memories. Someone… very dear to me once told me something. ‘Love holds no borders.’ If love does hold no borders, then neither should memories, neither should hopes or dreams or aspirations. We have all lost a great deal, and we have all suffered.

“It is likely that we will suffer more and lose more. It is likely that we may not return one day. It is likely that our enemies are stronger than we are.

“I don’t really know any of you, and none of you knows me, but this I can promise you. I have spent the whole of my life serving Earth. Just because Earth is gone, that does not mean that we have to stop believing in what it meant for us as a people. Earth survives in each and every one of us, and I will serve Earth – and of all you – in the same way I always have.

“I can make no guarantee that I will be able to keep you alive, and anyone who says they can is lying. This galaxy doesn’t allow for guarantees. I can promise you, however, that I will do all that is in my power in the name of Earth, and of humanity.

“It was an early Earth president who said… who said… damn! What did he say?”

Sheridan floundered, and was greeted with chuckles of laughter from the bridge. “All right,” he said, holding up his hands. “So I’ve forgotten what he said. It just goes to show how much I will be relying on all of you, and how much we will all be relying on each other. Myself and Commander Corwin are new to this ship and to you, but we are ready and willing to do our best by you, by Earth and by humanity.”

Sheridan finished and was met with enthusiastic, if reserved applause. He looked around at the bridge and smiled, one of the first, warmest smiles Corwin had seen on him in a long while. Corwin smiled too.

“I wouldn’t be too happy,” the Captain whispered to him. “It’s your turn now.”

Sinoval was in the strange mood that always gripped him in the buildup to a major campaign. Impatient, energetic and excited. Almost like a child on his way to temple for the first time. He was aware that he was now spiritual, political and emotional centre of the Minbari people and that such emotions were… unbecoming to one of his rank, and so he spent much of his time in the Hall of the Council, staring at the sight of the fleet he was gathering all around him.

The fleet numbered in the hundreds. Capital ships, the new White Star class ships, flyers… There were some who spoke out – in places where they didn’t think he could hear them, of course – against committing such a fleet to this battle. After all, there were only humans to deal with. What defences did Proxima 3 have? One heavy class starship, a number of medium and smaller class ships, and possibly a few Narn allies. Oh, yes. And the Starkiller.

But there were a few people on Minbar who knew the truth. Sinoval, the Grey Council, Ambassador Refa and his aide, and a handful of Sinoval’s most trusted Rangers.

Proxima 3 had a handful more defences than just that. They had the Enemy as well.

Ambassador Refa had provided evidence that the humans had made a deal with the Enemy. The exact details of this deal were unknown, but that did not matter. For the past eight cycles, ever since the sight of that first Shadow ship under the sands of the red planet, the Grey Council had known that this day would come. The enemy was returning, and the Great War spoken of by Valen was about to start.

The Minbari were ready. Whereas they might have fallen into apathy and endless waiting for signs that never came, Sinoval had brought them around. Action would be taken. The warrior caste would lead the Great War, the Holy War, as was right, and Sinoval… he would be at their forefront. His name would sound out with the greatest Minbari of history. He would stand alongside Valen, and Varmain, and Dukhat in history…

Sinoval slowly left the Hall of the Council. He no longer even noticed the breach of tradition, and cared not at all.

He found the person he was looking for in a private meeting with Kalain, the warrior raised to Satai after Delenn’s disappearance and disgrace. Kalain greeted him with a bow, as did his companion.

“Shai Alyt Tryfan,” Sinoval said.

“Holy One. This is an honour…”

Kalain bowed again, and then left. He knew that two of the oldest of friends would want to be alone.

Tryfan hesitated for a moment, but then Sinoval made the gesture of affection and greeting, an extension of the arm, a bowing of the head. Tryfan smiled and responded.

“Everything is ready, Tryfan?” Sinoval asked. “No, what am I saying? Of course it is.”

“My ship is in perfect order, Holy One. We are more than ready.”

“What is your opinion of these new White Stars? There has been little time for testing.”

“They are fine ships, Holy One. Fast, and yet powerful. With just three of these, I could cleave a path through the Earthers’ last base.”

“But it will not just be the Earthers we must deal with, old friend.”

Tryfan bowed his head. “No.”

Sinoval regarded his old friend. Tryfan had been one of the greatest warriors of his generation. As a young, promising warrior, he had served on the Trigati when Sinoval had captained it during the assault on Earth. He had seen the warrior’s conviction and dedication and had recommended his name to Branmer when the Rangers were formed. Tryfan had joined, and had soon advanced to the heights of the Rangers. Durhan had trained him well, but had made a disturbing recommendation. Tryfan’s skills with pike and sword were exemplary, but he was touched by a pride and a darkness that ran deep to his core. Sinoval had seen this as well, but still believed that Tryfan’s darkness could be excised. Durhan’s words had effectively removed Tryfan from the running when it came to choosing a replacement for Branmer as Entil’zha – the position now held by Sinoval himself. Sinoval had never ceased to believe in his friend, though, and had named Tryfan Shai Alyt, giving him a unit of White Stars to command.

“Which ship is yours?” Sinoval asked.

“White Star Nine. The Valen.”

“Nine? A good omen.”

“Perhaps. Will you be with us, Holy One?”

“Of course, Tryfan. I have always led from the front.”

“Forgive me, but… is that wise? You cannot risk jeopardising yourself. We cannot lose you as we did Dukhat.”

“I have no intention of being lost, Tryfan. Valen’s hand is upon me. I have nothing to fear.