Темное, кривое зеркало. Том 3 : След на песке.(ЛП)

"Good. Yes…. very good."

* * *

John Sheridan opened his eyes and found himself looking directly into the face of the woman he loved. He had no idea how much time had passed, but the candle had burned down quite a lot. He….

He remembered being inside Delenn's soul. He had seen…. everything. Had she seen the same things within him that he had seen within her?

Her eyes were closed, and a soft tear was running down her cheek. "John," she whispered.

"I'm here. I…." He hesitated. He had been going to say, "I'll always be here," but he knew that was not the case.

"Death is not the end," she whispered. "Whatever happens, the circle goes on. It continues into another life, another soul, but it does continue."

"I know. And…. and I'll be waiting for you. I won't start the next journey without you."

She smiled, and opened her beautiful green eyes. They seemed to light up through her sadness. "We shall begin the next journey together, my love."

"Always."

He entwined his fingers around hers, and they remained there as the candles burned down and finally extinguished themselves, leaving the two lovers in darkness.

* * *

There had not been much in the way of interstellar travel from Proxima 3 these last few years. Very few races welcomed humans to their worlds, at least not in any substantial numbers, and the other human colonies had been little better than slave holdings.

Since President Clark had pulled off his diplomatic coup with the Narn Government, however, that had changed. The former human colonies were now freed from the Narns and interstellar travel had started up again. Many alien worlds now welcomed humanity and numerous businesses saw potential for cashing in on the rising economy.

Some worlds were still very much off-limits, but by no means all.

"Destination, please?"

Catherine Sakai looked around her with eyes which seemed far older than the face they were set in.

"A long way away," she whispered. "A long way away."

* * *

Elsewhere, many light years distant, the suns rose over Kazomi 7, and Valen, the former Jeffrey Sinclair, still standing in the position he had been in all night, looked up, and smiled.

He then turned and began to walk out into the city.

* * *

And elsewhere still, Alfred Bester sent a heavily-encoded message right into the heart of the darkness, his mind working faster than ever before. He knew what to do now. He knew how he had to do it. Playing three factions off against each other was not easy, but neither was it impossible, especially when none of the other factions had his…. advantages.

A face appeared in the viewscreen.

"Ambassador Sheridan," Bester said, smiling. "Is it too early? Did I wake you?"

"I do not sleep, Mr. Bester. What can I do for you?"

"I've been considering your offer since the last time we met. I'd like you to know that I've reached a decision…."

Гэрет Д. Уильямс Часть 3. Стратегия завоевателей

На Проксиме бурно расширяющиеся планы Правительства Сопротивления наконец затронули и Г'Кара, однако, судьба, которую ему уготовили — не смерть… но нечто гораздо худшее. Уэллс идёт по узкой дорожке, но получает помощь из совершенно неожиданного источника. Тем временем на Приме Центавра Лондо демонстрирует, как работает настоящий политик…

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