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.but I cannot say I embrace it enthusiastically.It seems.beneath us, no? Considering what it is we wish to accomplish.""The hard fact, Highness, is that the Alliance's attacks and strictures reduced us, militarily and technically, to a state of in-fancy," Durla said.Rhys looked as if he was bristling slightly, but he said nothing.Durla continued, "To that end, we must relearn how to walk before we can run.There is really no choice in the matter.""But it is merely a temporary condition, Highness." Vallko spoke up."Nothing is more firmly written in the book of fate than that the great Centauri Republic will hold the stars in its palm."The words, to Durla's surprise, seemed to jolt Londo slightly."Is there a problem, Highness?""No.No problem," Londo assured him quickly."Just.a reminder.of an image I saw a long time ago.A vision.of just that.I think perhaps, Vallko, you are indeed correct.""Of course he is correct, Highness," Durla said flatly."Our timetable calls for, at most, another two years before a full fleet has been assembled.A fleet that will more than satisfy all the requirements put forward by General Rhys and his advisers.A fleet that will cover the known galaxy as comprehensively as grains of sand cover a beach." His voice began to rise as he became more and more taken with the impending realization of his vision."When the time is right, we will launch a multistage assault on the Homeworlds of many of the Alliance governments, taking the war to them directly." He saw heads bobbing around the table, and Londo's gaze was fixed upon him in fascination."If we strike hard enough, we can immobilize them, and pave the way for full-scale assaults on their holdings that will leave them powerless against further Centauri aggression.""The only problem," Vallko said with a touch of caution, "remains Sheridan.This is a man who faced both Shadows and Vorlons, and caused them to back down.There are some who say he is more than Human.""With all respect, Vallko, we are definitely more than Human," Durla reminded him."That makes us more than a match."But Vallko's worries were not so easily dissuaded."It is said he cannot die.Or that he is already dead."And from the end of the table came a whisper from Londo." 'You must not kill the one who is already dead.' "Confused looks were exchanged around the table."Highness?" Dunseny prompted.Londo looked up at Dunseny and forced a smile."Just.remembering old voices, Dunseny.At my age, I am pleased I can remember anything.Then again, you are older than I am by far, and you never forget anything.Why is that?""Because, Highness, at my age, there are fewer things worth remembering."The exchange drew an appreciative chuckle from the ministers."Sheridan is just one man," Durla reminded them, bringing the conversation back on track."Let us not forget that he was involved with three great campaigns in his life: the Earth-Minbari War, the Shadow War, and his assault on his own Homeworld Let us also not forget how each of those disputes was ultimately settled," and he ticked them off on his fingers."The Minbari surrendered; the Vorlons and Shadows voluntarily stood down and departed from known space; and his prime nemesis on Earth, the president, was considerate enough to commit suicide.Sheridan has never been in a position where he faced an enemy who would not back down.That is not the case here.Who here would back down from him? Which of you would tell me that-if faced with John Sheridan demanding your surrender-you would willingly do so?"It was Rhys who spoke immediately."Death first."There were agreeing nods from around the table."He will be facing a very different creature when the full might of the Centauri Republic is unleashed upon him," Durla said."The people do not feel that way," Kuto said.Durla turned and gaped at him."The people? The people do not?""I am not saying they do not support you, Prime Minister," Kuto said quickly as the gazes of the others fell upon him."But Minister Vallko is correct.The people rejoice in our achievements and call out their support publicly.but privately, my research says, they still fear Sheridan.""We cannot have that!" Durla replied."This is an alarming comment on the state of the Centauri mind.and it must be addressed at once.At once! Kuto -arrange for a public speaking display.Immediately, do you hear me! Lione, Vallko, assist him!"The other ministers were caught off guard by the sudden change of mood in the room, the abrupt way that Durla's attitude had shifted.But they hastened to obey his orders.Londo said nothing, and merely watched silently.Within moments, Durla and Londo were standing at a balcony on one of the lower floors of the Tower of Power.There were no windows in the Tower, which added to the mystique of the place.There was, however, the one balcony, which Durla had insisted upon for just such an occasion.The Tower had been well placed, for there was always a crowd of people around the base, just going about their business.When Durla spoke, his voice boomed throughout the entire city, thanks to a multitude of hidden speakers.Not only that, but his oversize holographic image appeared throughout Centauri Prime, carrying his word far and wide.People on the other side of the world were jolted from their sleep by the unexpected intrusion of Prime Minister Durla.Londo, although at his side, was mysteriously absent from the projection.Only Durla's image loomed large, which he felt was as it should be."It has been brought to my attention," Durla's voice echoed throughout the assemblage, all eyes below turning up toward him, "that as Centauri Prime returns to glory, there are many of you who fear reprisals from John Sheridan.Many who think that this man, who formed the Alliance, presents a threat to our world! That our recent, successful endeavors to expand our holdings will be met with resistance, and that we-as many others have-will surrender to President Sheridan, simply because he will ask us to! And why not? The Minbari surrendered.The Vorlons surrendered.The Shadows surrendered.Why not we?"And he received exactly the answer he was hoping for.Someone below shouted, "Because we are Centauri!" Immediately others took up the shout."Yes! We are Centauri!" Durla announced, receiving a resounding cheer in return."And in those instances when we choose to exercise our might, we will achieve nothing less than victory! Victory at all costs! Victory in spite of all terror! Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival!""Victory!" the people in the street shouted."We shall not flag or fail!" Durla continued."We shall go on to the end.We shall fight in the void; we shall fight on planets; we shall fight in hyperspace; we shall fight on the Rim [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]