"We are cold, the cold of stone, the cold of winter. A hard people and a harsh land.
"We were feared because we knew no fear. We would use the bodies of our brothers as weapons if we had to, and know that they would use our bodies as weapons should we fall.
"They called our armies the coming of the cold, and they feared us, because we feared nothing.
"No loss, no grief, no sorrow, no pain could deflect us from our task.
"The coming of the cold."
A pause.
A long pause.
Longer.
"I am Sinoval."
He was holding her cold hand in his. The bier on which he had placed her body was cold. Her body was cold.
"My lady," he whispered softly.
He slumped to the floor against the bier, still holding her hand. He pressed the cold hand to the side of his face.
"My lady," he said again. "My lady, my lady, my lady."
No loss.
No pain.
No grief.
No sorrow.
Could deflect them from their task.
My lady....
"It's done."
"Was it worth it?"
"I don't know. No, I do. Yes, it was. It was worth it."
"Is there anything else we should stick around for? Anything else that's so important that I can't know about it?"
"No. I'm sorry. I should have told you."
"All right. So what was it?"
"I went to see Mr. Edgars."
"What?"
"I convinced him to kill himself. It's amazing what you can do with the right choice of words."
"What? This.... Why? Do you have any idea what Security will be doing? They'll be out.... We'll never get offplanet."
"It was suicide. That's what they'll see, and if they see more, then.... fine."
"Oh, for the love of.... Why? Can you even tell me that?"
"He did me a good turn. Several."
"That's it? You know he never cared about you, or your cause."
"Any more than you do. No, that was unfair. I know he never cared, but I had to repay him anyway. I have to repay my debts. It proves I'm still a man."
"As opposed to a woodlouse?"
"As opposed to a corpse that just happens to be able to walk and talk."
"....
"I see."
"No, you don't."
"No, I don't. Come on, we'd better go."
"Yes.
"We should go."
Ah. There you are. I have been expecting you.
Disturbing words, Eldest. We.... do not understand.
No, you don't. That is the first piece of real wisdom I think I have ever heard from you.
You helped them against us. Why? All we have ever wanted is for them to be perfect. That was our purpose.
You still do not see. You are right. You do not understand. I doubt if you ever will.
You still defy us, Eldest.
I do what I must. If the Younger Races need help, then it is for us to provide that help. If it is necessary that we intervene directly, then so be it.
We do not see why you defy us, Eldest. We revere you. We venerate you. We worship you. Word of your betrayal will be received with great sorrow.
I would rather it was received with great thought.
Eldest, we will remember you always....
What do you mean?
When you are gone.
Once they had glimpsed another universe, but the doors had closed before they had had a real chance to see it.
They were patient.
They had all of eternity to wait.
As the walls between them and their prey grew thin.
And weak.
And malleable.
Гэрет Д. УильямсЧасть 6Огромная рука, протянувшаяся с неба. (История Парлэйна)
Это была мечта, созданная из надежды в темнейшие из дней, но теперь та надежда ушла, и мечта ушла с ней. Альянс далек от единства разделенный, распадающийся и пораженный горем. Синовал собирает совет среди руин Голгофы, где каждому придется взглянуть в лицо будущему и приготовиться к нему. На Минбаре, на Центаври Прайм, на Казоми-7 на "Вавилоне-5", и даже на самом За'ха'думе разгорается пламя войны. И гдето в ином месте, за этим наблюдают черные древние мертвые глаза, ожидая момента, когда они будут способны сделать большее, чем просто следить...Глава 1
...лежит Голгофа.
Место, столь давно мёртвое, полное мрачных предчувствий для тех немногих, кто узнает его название, и горьких знамений для ещё более немногих, кто ещё помнил то, что там случилось.
Странное место, чтобы воспользоваться им, как убежищем для беглецов, или пристанищем для скорбящих. Странное место
для того, чтобы использовать его, как базу для освободительной армии. Странное место, чтобы служить мемориалом убитым.
Но подходящее.
У Синовала всегда было отличное чутьё на уместность.
Она лежала на вершине костра, тело её было облачено в простое белое платье, её единственным украшением была простая цепочка. Её строгая простота контрастировала с пышностью похорон - но именно этого стоило ожидать.
Траур длился целую неделю. Серый Совет не собирался, и каждый входивший в него скрылся, чтобы медитировать в одиночестве. Каста мастеров возводила памятные знаки. В любой столице, городе или посёлке по всей планете теперь стояла статуя, стела или же какой-то ещё памятник в её честь. Воины отложили свои денн'бок и удалились для медитации, или же готовились стать почётной стражей на похоронах. Каста жрецов говорила о ней в своих молитвах, и в честь её было дано множество обетов и принято паломничеств. Всем на планете, от мала до велика, нашлась какое-то дело, у всех была своя работа.