She moved as though swimming through treacle. Voices exploded in her mind — Delenn's voice, the Vorlon voices, Valen's words…. she could hear them all. But she knew what had to be done.

Somehow Lyta Alexander managed to reach the bridge of the Parmenion, although she could remember nothing of the journey. She was aware only of Delenn's plea for help, and then the solemn orders of the Vorlon that shared her soul.

"Miss Alexander!" started Captain Sheridan. "What is…?"

Everyone on the bridge was looking at her. Captain Sheridan, Commander Corwin, the third-in-command, Major Krantz, the tech ops. She tried to speak, but could not frame the words. The light was shining so brightly in her mind.

She wanted to scream.

And she did.

Her eyes became reflections of the Vorlon within her. Her mouth was wide open and light and beauty poured from it, from her, illuminating the room.

<Choose your destiny now. The avalanche has begun.>

"What is this?" asked Krantz, from seemingly a whole universe away. "Captain, what…?"

<Choose. The past depends on you.>

The light faded and Lyta, her scream voiced at last, fell to the floor. Sheridan was beside her instantly. "What's happened?" he asked.

"Delenn…. she…. got through to me…. somehow…. She's in trouble…. big trouble…."

"David, try and send a message to Babylon Four. See if you can find out what's going on there."

"Yes, Captain," came the reply. Corwin began barking orders to the technicians.

"Captain Sheridan, we have a duty to be at Sanctuary as soon as possible, do you remember?" Major Krantz again. Lyta found his surface thoughts screaming at her. He was worried about…. something. A conflict of interests. He was…. going to betray them.

"This might be important, Major."

Corwin turned around from the commpanels. "We can't get through to the station. Something's jamming all signals."

Sheridan rose to his feet. "Right, that's it. We're turning about and heading back to the station."

"Captain, you have your orders."

"Yes, I do, Major, and I'm ignoring them. David, how long is it likely to take us to get back?"

"Several hours. We're going to have to reset the navigation and reattach ourselves to the old jump gate beacon. We've still got it in memory, so it shouldn't be too hard."

"Good. Lyta, I'll call for the medics. You look like you need something."

"Nothing they can do for me." Her voice sounded dry, as if it were coming from a stranger. "The Vorlons are playing with me again. I'll…. stay here."

"If you think you can."

"Captain Sheridan! You have been ordered to make for Sanctuary."

"Yes, Major Krantz, and I told you I'm ignoring that order. Babylon Four is in trouble, and they need our help."

"You work for Bester, not G'Kar. Remember that!" Sheridan ignored him. In a fury, Krantz activated his link.

"Do you think we should inform Ben Zayn about this?" asked Corwin. "He might be able to help."

"He's more likely to try to fire on us. Something stinks here, David. This whole…. sudden order to leave was just too…. convenient. No, Bester knew about this, I'd bet anything on it."

"It does seem likely."

"Captain!" Lyta cried, falling to her knees in pain. "Sec…. security are…. They're…." The door to the bridge opened and a squad of Narn security officers entered.

"Ko'Dath," ordered Major Krantz. "Captain Sheridan and Commander Corwin are relieved of duty as of this moment. You are to escort them to the brig."

Ko'Dath made a gesture of feigned surprise, and looked at Sheridan. "Captain?"

Sheridan smiled. "Major Krantz isn't feeling too well, Ko'Dath. I think he needs a lie down in one of the holding cells. Take him there, will you?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Oh, and after that, ready your people as much as you can. I think we might need you when we get to Babylon Four."

"We're always ready, Captain."

"You can't do this, Sheridan! You…."

"I've already done it, Major." Sheridan turned his back as the Narn Bat Squad dragged the protesting Major Krantz away from the bridge. None of the technicians stirred as they did so.

"Well, we've done it now," said Corwin.

"Ah, I've been wanting to do that for a long time."

Lyta smiled through her pain.

"You know how to stop his pain, G'Kar. Just tell me."

The Narn coughed, laughter spluttering through his breath. "You…. still…. do not…. understand. The Machine can never be yours…. You…. do…. not…. are not…. ready…."

Donne looked at Ta'Lon. He was unconscious, blood staining his face and the front of his clothing. "Tu'Pari, you idiot! I told you to be careful with him. I don't want him dead."

"He isn't. At a rough guess, he made himself fall unconscious."

Donne was surprised. "You can do that?"

"It was an old trick taught amongst the Thenta Ma'Kur. A trick to protect us from awkward questions if we should be captured. These…. Rangers must have found out about it somehow."

"Ah. Annoying. Wake him up." Tu'Pari nodded.

"I will do what I can."

"And please put that thing away."

"Thing? Oh, this." He held up a red orb, thick blood dripping from it. Behind him, Garibaldi's friend was being very sick. "A trophy of conquest. And please…. lower your tone. I am not your slave, lady."

You will be whatever I tell you to be, came the thought, but she did not give voice to it. She needed Tu'Pari for the moment, and the humans were growing less and less willing to be here. Sooner or later she would have to kill them, but not until she had figured out how to access all the secrets of this Machine. With all its knowledge at her disposal, she would be able to hold off anything. Without it…. Ta'Lon had nearly defeated her just by himself. What if more like him came?

"This thing has some offensive capability. I know it does. But…." She smiled, alien thoughts buzzing through her mind. The Machine was responding to her. Words, thoughts…. images…. all there.

Weaponry, enough to protect this planet for a million years.

She laughed. "Well, G'Kar. You didn't tell me about all those long-range missiles this thing has hidden around. Who knows just how vast this Machine is?"

"I did…. but you do not…. you are not…." He coughed again. "You…. can…. not…."

"Oh yes, I can." She started, and then laughed again. "There's a jump point opening. A ship's arriving. I think I have some target practice. Tell me what I need to know, G'Kar, or I'll start filling the skies with as many of these missiles as I can. And I'll turn that precious station of yours into so much scrap metal.

"Well?"

Alone, off to the side, still comatose, thoughts began to race through Susan Ivanova's mind — guiding her, directing her, pushing her. The Keeper's soft words touched her, and sent thoughts into Donne's mind, manipulating her to the desired end.

Ivanova's eyes opened.

Londo looked out through the window of his transport, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sea beneath him. Unfortunately it was too dark, but he could imagine it there, proud and majestic, knowing nothing of his concerns or his problems.

Timov's angry words still sounded in his memory. He had hated to leave her like that, but if the Gods were willing, then they would meet again.