G’Kar meant it when he told the Commander’s woman that no one aboard Babylon 5 was entirely what they appeared. They all had their secrets, their pretences. The side of themselves that they showed to others was often an act, sometimes what others expected of them, sometimes what they themselves wished to be, as if they could, given enough time and effort, make the act become the reality.

Outward appearances, he had long ago learned, were in most cases not to be trusted. The safest thing anyone could do was to hold a healthy distrust of all those around him. There was less chance of disappointment that way. Less chance of betrayal.

Unfortunately, G’kar had not always followed his own advice, and it had cost him dearly on several occasions. Diplomatic Courier Tu’Pari, for instance. Despite outward appearances, G’Kar had not yet completely recovered from the Thenta Makur operative’s use of the pain-givers, or, for that matter, Na’Toth’s innovative but painful method of disabling them.

Nevertheless, it would not do to show any outward sign of weakness as he made his way through the corridors of the space station, especially in light of the recent attacks on some of the alien residents.

Then again, it would take a fool, or even a gang of fools, to target a Narn, even one not at full fitness. Part of him hoped someone would try, if only so that he could prove to himself that he was not an easy victim. The other, more sensible, part of him hoped only to be left alone, still too sore to have any desire to fight.

He did not trust the humans to deal effectively with the situation, and yet Babylon 5 was theirs; the Narn presence aboard was by invitation, that could just as easily be revoked, and then what chance would his people have to gain allies against the Centauri threat?

As much as it galled him, there was nothing he or his people could do but wait and hope that the humans would fulfil their obligation to protect the non-humans aboard their station.


The End