Londo Mollari

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Londo Mollari
Londo Mollari
Name
Age
Gender Male
Race Centauri
Birth Place Centauri Prime
Birth Name
Birth Date {{{birthdate}}}
Callsign
alias
Nickname
Introduced Babylon 5: The Gathering
Death Strangled by G'Kar, 2278 (War Without End, Part II)
Parents
Siblings
Children None
Relatives Carn Mollari, nephew; Emperor Mollari I, ancestor
Marital Status Married to Timov; Divorced Daggair and Mariel
Role 2257-2261: Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5
2261-2262: Prime Minister of the Centauri Republic
2262: Centauri Ambassador to Interstellar Alliance
2262-2263: Centauri Emperor
Rank
Telepath
Portrayed by Peter Jurasik


For other instances of the name "Mollari", see Mollari (disambiguation)

Londo Mollari was the Centauri Ambassador to Baylon 5 until his rise to the position of Emperor of the Centauri Republic.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow. Affecting people who have not seen/read: All 5 TV seasons

Contents

[edit] Prior to 2257

Londo met the future Emperor Cartagia twice: once as an infant when he drooled most of the time, and again as an adolescent when he was trying to peak up some young ladies' dresses.

Mollari was inducted into the Couro Prido, a proud and ancient Centauri dueling society. He was given the fighting name Paso Leati within the society. He received this name from his comrades when they said, "He fought like a crazed leati."

One of Londo's wives was a dancer at a club, who comforted him when he was depressed. He married her that night, and regretted it the next morning and ever since. (S1E20)

"Actually, sadly, that was Londo's first wife, who he was forced to divorce later. Eventually I'll get into this." -- posted by JMS on GeNie Jul 29 1994

[edit] 2257-2261: Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5

Londo is assigned to represent the Centauri Republic as best he can, but the position is really considered to be little more than a bad joke.

The first four stations were destroyed or vanished, so it's not a very safe place to live, and safety is much valued. Frankly, it's a mess. (Dust to Dust)

[edit] The Incident at Ragesh 3

Early in 2258 the Narn Regime staged an invasion of the Centauri agricultural Colony at Ragesh 3 where Londo had arranged for his nephew, Carn Mollari, to be assigned as head researcher. The posting had been intended to keep Carn out of danger, and after the Narn attacked the colony, Londo was ready to kill the Narn ambassador, G'Kar. It was only the timely intervention of Talia Winters and Michael Garibaldi that stayed his hand.

[edit] Prophetic Dreams

Sometime before the Ragesh 3 incident, Londo had a dream about his own death. He explained to Commander Sinclair that his people always know how they will die.

It comes in a dream. In my dream, I am an old man. It's twenty years from now, and I am dying, my hands wrapped around someone's throat...and his around mine. We have squeezed the life out of each other. The first time I saw G'Kar, I recognized him as the one from the dream. It will happen. Twenty years from now, we will die with our hands around each other's throats. (Midnight on the Firing Line)

[edit] The Love of his Life

On one of his many excursions to a night club, he encounted Adira Tyree, a dancer with whom he fell madly in love. He later learned that she was a slave, owned by a man named Trakis. Her owner had ordered her to get close to Londo in order to gain access to his Purple Files. With the help of Commander Sinclair, Londo managed to have Trakis arrested and Adira freed. She left the station with the promise that she would return to Londo one day. In the meantime, Londo gave her the gift of a family heirloom, which he told her to wear proudly as a free woman - a decision he would one day come to regret.

[edit] A Fateful Question

During 2258, an unusual stranger visited all of the ambassadors on the station, asking them a simple - if unusual - question: "What do you want?"

"I want my people to reclaim their rightful place in the galaxy. I want to see the Centauri stretch forth their hand again, and command the stars. I want a rebirth of glory; a renaissance of power! I want to stop running through my life like a man late for an appointment, afraid to look back or look forward. I want us to be what we used to be! I want.. I want it all back the way that it was!" (Signs and Portents)

This same stranger recovered The Eye, the oldest symbol of the Centauri Republic, which had recently been stolen by raiders while it was in Londo's keeping. The miraculous return of this artifact probably saved Londo's career, as well as bringing him one step closer to meeting his destiny.

[edit] Reliving Old Glories

Late in 2258, Londo helped Ambassador Delenn, Draal, and Varn return to the Great Machine on Epsilon III. The rush of piloting a shuttle at break-neck speeds three miles beneath the planet's surface reminded him of the raid he led on Frallis 12 in his youth.

[edit] The Beginning of a Dubious Friendship

Near the end of 2258, The Narn Regime began a military buildup in Quadrant 37, which was considered neutral territory by a treaty signed by both the Narn and Centauri governments.

You keep this up G'Kar, and soon you won't have a planet to protect! (Chrysalis)

Mollari: Vir, how many gods are there in our pantheon?
Vir: ...fifty if you count Xu.
Mollari; Alright, let's say fifty. Now out of that fifty, how many gods do you think I must have offended to have ended up with G'Kar's teeth buried so deeply in my throat that I can barely breath?
Vir: All of them?
Mollari; Sounds Right...I think I will stick my head in the stations's fusion reactor. It would be quicker. And I suspect after a while I may even come to enjoy it...but this, this is like being nibbled to death by, uh...what are those earth creatures called? Feather, long bill, webbed feet, go "quack?"
Vir: Cats.
Mollari: Cats. Like being nibbled to death by cats. (Chrysalis)


Upon Mr. Morden's advice, Londo told his government that he would personally take care of the problem in Quadrent 37. After Mr. Morden's "Associates" destroy the outpost, killing 10,000 Narns doing so, Londo's name begins to be spoken at the highest levels of the Centauri Royal Court.

[edit] Seeking a Sign for the Future

Early in 2259, a number of technomages passed through the station on their way to the Rim. Londo sought an audience with their leader, Elric. It was his hope that being seen with a technomage would serve as a symbol for his people that he would be instrumental to the Centauri Republic's return to glory. However, he was rather over-zealous in his pursuit of this audience, and Elric used his abilities in an attempt to teach him some manners. Before the technomages left, Londo did get to speak briefly with Elric, though he did not recieve the ringing endorsement that he had hoped for.

Elric: I'm afraid you are going to have to spend the rest of your life paying for your mistakes...You are touched by Darkness, Ambassador. I see it as a blemish that will grow with time. I could warn you of course, but you would not listen. I could kill you, but someone would take your place. So, I do the only thing I can: I go...Take this for what little it will profit you: As I look at you, Ambassador Mollari, I see a great hand reaching out of the stars. The hand is your hand, and I hear a sound - the sound of billions of people calling your name.
Mollari: My followers?
Elric: Your victims. (The Geometry of Shadows)

[edit] The Emperor's Gift

During the year 2259, in honor of the anniversary of Londo's Day of Ascnsion, and because his star was on the rise, Emperor Turhan offered to grant him any one wish that he desired. He requested a divorce from the arranged marriages to his three wives, Timov, Dagair, and Mariel. The emperor requested that Londo keep one of his wives for the sake of appearances, who could be at his side for various state dinners and other public affairs. Ultimately, he chose to retain Timov as his spouse, since, although she never made any pretense of affection for him, he always knew where he stood with her.

[edit] Working with Shadows

Londo used Mr. Morden's Associates to simultaneously gain favor and influence in the Royal Court, while making his involvement in the destruction of the Narn base in Quadrant 37 impossible to trace.

Mollari: And you are absolutely certain that it cannot be traced back to me?
Morden: Beyond a Shadow of a doubt. The Narns will never be able to prove that it was done at your instigation, and based on your promise to take care of it, your government accepts your responsibility without question or hesitation. Perfect symetry. (Revelations)

Mr. Morden assured Londo that if another such "demonstration" was needed, all he had to do was pick a target. His Associates would take care of it for him. In return for their assistance, all that they asked was that Londo keep them informed if he heard about anything strange happening out on The Rim.
In keeping with Mr. Morden's request, when G'Kar returned from The Rim to warn everyone that the Ancient Enemy spoken of in the Book of G'Quan had returned to their places of power, Londo passed along the message to Mr. Morden. As a direct result of this, a Narn expedition to Z'ha'dum was ambushed and destroyed seconds after it exited hyperspace.

As Londo's favor in the Royal Court grew, he was approached by a number of individuals who wanted him to use his newfound resources to help them in their endeavors. Most notably among them was Lord Refa, a high-ranking member of the Centauri government who had designs on eventually rising to the throne himself.

Refa: The emperor: he is old, sick, and frightened. He's a pitiful figure. His health is failing rapidly. With the recent death of his son, there is no clear line of succession. When the time comes, my associates and I intend to fill that vacuum. It will not be easy; there will be resistnace from the Old Guard. Overcoming that resistance may require force. Can we count on your support, Ambassador?
Mollari: What you are asking could be considered treason.
Refa: Or the first step in restoring our people to their rightful place in the galaxy, depending on who writes the history books. I think it will be us. What do you think?
Mollari: I think...that we have a great deal of work ahead of us. (The Geometry of Shadows)


During 2259, Emperor Turhan visited Babylon 5 with the intention of trying to make amends for the atrocities done to the Narn by the Centauri people in general, and by his family in particular. However, his health did not permit him to complete his mission. Instead, as he lay dying in Medlab, Londo and Lord Refa saw the opportunity to sieze power for themselves. Londo contacted Mr. Morden and asked him to have his Associates eliminate a Narn colony in Quadrant 14. Afterwards, Lord Refa had the military send some ships in to secure the area. They arrived shortly before the Narn ships that had been sent to investigate the disturbance. When they got there and found a Centauri fleet next to their destroyed colony, they made the logical (though incorrect) conclusion that the Centauri had attacked them. The Narn ships opened fire on the Centauri immediately. At the same time, Lord Refa arranged to have Prime Minister Malachi killed so that someone more conducive to their plans would be appointed to the throne. In response to the sneak attack on their colony, the Narn Regime declared war on the Centauri Republic.

Refa: Majesty, we have wonderful news. We have retaken the Narn colony in Quadrant 14.It fell within a matter of hours, and not one of our people was hurt or killed in the process. All of Homeworld is rejoicing. We are again what we should be, all we lack is your blessing.
Emperor Turhan whispers something to Mollari, and then dies.
Refa: What did he say?
Mollari: He said, "Continue. Take my people back to the stars."
Refa: (Once they are alone) Mollari, what did he say, really?
Mollari: He said that we are both damned.
Refa: Well, it's a small enough price to pay for immortality. (The Coming of Shadows)


Late in 2259, Lord Refa's associates brought a resolution before the Centaurum to accuse Urza Jaddo, a close friend and dueling comrade of Londo's of being a traitor. To prevent his family from sharing his disgrace, Urza challenged Londo to a duel to the death, and then allowed Londo to kill him. This event caused Londo to have serious second thoughts about his alliance with both Lord Refa and Mr. Morden and his Associates.

Mollari: I have made many choices lately, Vir. And today, for the first time, I am not sure those choices were right.
Vir: Perhaps some good has come out of this tragedy. It's not too late to make some new choices.
Mollari: No, the blood is already on my hands. Right or wrong, I must follow the path to its end. (Knives)


Near the end of 2259, Lord Refa sent for Londo to meet him on Centauri Prime. When Londo arrived, Refa told him his plan for ending the war in one fell swoop. Refa wanted Londo to have his forces ambush a large Narn fleet that was on its way to attack the Centauri supply depot at Gorash VII. At the same time, a large Centauri force would pounce on the Narn Homeworld.

Mollari: You can't be serious!
Refa: Of course I'm serious.
Mollari: Refa, any force attempting to invade Narn will be up to its neck in blood - its own.
Refa: We have no intention of invading Narn...flattening it, yes, but invading it? We will be using mass drivers. By the time we are done, their cities will be in ruins, and we can move in at our leisure.
Mollari: Mass drivers have been outlawed by every civilized planet.
Refa: These are uncivilized times.
Mollari: We have treaties!
Refa: Ink on a page. This one move will end the war in days instead of months, and save thousands of Centauri lives. We only require your assistance and that of your allies!
Mollari: Listen to me Refa, my allies have begun to worry me. Reports I have recieved, their sheer strength-
Refa: Yes, they are very powerful, which is what we need. I don't understand your reluctance, Londo.
Mollari: I am not reluctant. I just feel that things are moving too quickly. They threaten to spin out of control.
Refa: Nonsense! We know exactly what we are doing, and now is not the time for doubts, Mollari. We are here because of you. It's a little late to back out now. Londo, everything depends on your cooperation! At this very moment, a dozen of our largest battle cruisers are standing by in hyperspace, waiting for your decision! If you wish to serve our people, how better to do so than to end this war quickly - gloriously - with a minimum of Cenauri blood?
Mollari: Alright, I will bring my associates into this, but this is the last time! We are Centauri. If we are to seize our destiny, we must do it ourselves. After this, no more!
Refa: After this there will no longer be a need. Thank you Londo. (The Long, Twilight Struggle)

Londo would later look on from his place on the Valerius as the Centauri fleet bombarded Narn with asteroids that they pulled out of near orbit and hurled at the surface of the planet. The bombardment continued non-stop for four days before the Narn government offered them an unconditional surrender. Upon his return to Babylon 5, Londo called a meeting of the Babylon 5 Advisory Council and the League of Non-Aligned Worlds to let everyone know that the war was officially over. Also, he outlined the conditions of surrender imposed on the Narns by the Centauri.

Mollari: One: The ruling body known as the Kha'Ri will be disbanded, and its members subject to arrest and trial for the commission of war crimes against the Centauri...Two: to prevent further acts of terror by the Narn against our people, from this day on, the penalty for the murder of any Centauri by any Narn will be the execution of 500 Narns, including the perpetrator's own family. Three: a provisional ruling council, appointed by my government, will take up the responsibility of rebuilding a more civilized Narn government as a colony of the greater Centauri Republic. (The Long, Twilight Struggle)

[edit] A Vision of the Future

About mid-way through the year 2260, Londo successfully arranged for Lady Morella, Emperor Turhan's third wife, to visit the station. Though it was not widely circulated, Londo knew that she was a prophetess, and asked for her to see for him.

Mollari: I believe, I have been touched, that I am...meant for something greater. A greater darkness, or a greater good, I can no longer say. All I have ever wanted is to serve our people...and I need to know what is before me, if I should escape it or embrace it...assuming there is any longer a choice. (Point of No Return)

Lady Morella granted his request, and told him what she could see of his future.

Lady Morella: You have a chance few others will ever have, Mollari. You still have three opportunities to avoid the fire that waits for you at the end of your journey. You have already wasted two others. You must save the eye that does not see. You must not kill the one who is already dead. And at the last, you must surrender yourself to your greatest fear, knowing that it will destroy you. If you have failed all the others, that is your final chance for redemption.
Mollari: I don't understand.
Lady Morella: The future reveals itself only reluctantly, Ambassador. Take the sign for what it is, and look for it when it appears...One thing...You will be Emperor. That part of your destiny cannot be avoided. (Point of No Return)

[edit] Agents of Chaos

Immediately after the recapture of the Narn Homeworld at the end of 2259, the Centuari Republic began annexing several smaller worlds adjacent to Narn space. Eventually, they even began encroaching on some worlds that belonged to certain members of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds, including the Drazi and Pak'ma'ra.

Sheridan: What the hell do you think you are doing?...Your forces are moving in on the Drazi and the Pak'ma'ra. You are destabilizing the whole area.
Mollari: We are trying to stabilize the region, captain. Putting a buffer zone around the Centauri Republic will lessen tensions, and decrease the risk of conflict.
Sheridan: You call it a buffer zone. The Drazi call it an invasion...Londo, everything is falling apart, and the Centauri are at the center of it all. Can't your people see that? Can't you see that? (The Fall of Night)


Indeed, Londo did recognize the truth of what Sheridan told him, although his pride would not let him admit it to the captain. Early in 2260, he broke off his relationship with Mr. Morden and his Associates. However, as the two of them worked out the terms of their separation - that is, which parts of the galaxy would be the territory of the Centauri and which parts belonged to Mr. Morden's Associates - Mr. Morden let "slip" that he had cultivated a relationship with Lord Refa, at least to the point of asking him to secure a small world on the edge of Centauri space that his Associates had a "vested interest in."

Morden: Since you feel strongly about going our separate ways, I wanted to be sure we understood the terms of our separation...This area [of the galaxy] is for the Centauri...You can take anything you want over here, and we'll take everything we want over there.
Mollari: Done. We go our separate ways, and we owe each other nothing.
Morden: Of course. Oh, one small exception, hardly worth mentioning. This world? It's on the border of your space, but we have a vested interest in it. I've taken the liberty of asking Lord Refa to secure it for us.
Mollari: Refa?
Morden: Well, you said you wanted nothing more to do with us, and he was quite open to my request. (Matters of Honor)

Not wanting to see his people manipulated into taking actions against the Centauri Republic's best interest, Londo took certain steps to make it difficult for Mr. Morden to affect Centauri governmental policies.

Mollari: I have been studying these reports from the frontlines. You'll note the plural form, "lines." Is there anyone along our border with whom we are not currently at war?...Only an idiot fights a war on two fronts. Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would fight a war on twelve fronts...Mr. Morden and his associates worry me. After the Narn were defeated, I took steps to put some distance between us. Refa, I have the feeling that he and his associates are carving a great, dark hole in the middle of the universe...I appreciate their strength, and that is why this unfocused aggression worries me. By drawing our forces into a dozen smaller wars, you have effectively weakened our main line of defense should they turn an eye to Centauri Prime.
Refa: They will not do that.
Mollari: No they will not because you are going to take steps to prevent it. And you will start by breaking off your relationship with Mr. Morden...because I have asked you [to do this]. And because your loyalty to our people whould be greater than your ambition. And because I have poisoned your drink...You have encouraged that fool Cartagia to attack worlds that have no value to us. You will now encourage him otherwise. You will bolster our lines of defense around Centauri Prime. And you will have nothing more to do with Mr. Morden. (Ceremonies of Light and Dark)

Unfortunately for Londo, by poisoning Lord Refa and forcing him to distance himself from Mr. Morden, he created a powerful enemy. As a result, this enemy would exact a very personal and painful retribution. A few months later, Londo recieved word that Adira Tyree would finally be returning to the station. At this same time, Mr. Morden returned to the station to pick a bone with Londo.

Morden: I'm disappointed in you, Mollari. I don't know how you did it. Lord Refa isn't returning my calls anymore. Somehow you convinced your government to pull back their campaign against several other worlds on the fringe of Centauri space...I thought we had a deal. We carved up the galaxy, you and I...We need your government to continue its campaign.
Mollari: Yes? And why is that? I don't think you have any interest in restoring the glory of the Centauri Republic. No, I think you are using us as, shall we say, agents of chaos. A convenient distraction making it easier for your associates to do whatever they wish to do. Yes?
Morden: My associates need a voice and an ear in the Centauri Royal Court. If you violate the terms of our agreement, my associates may turn their eye toward your Homeworld...If you put yourself between us and our objectives, you may come to regret it.
Mollari: There is nothing you can do to me, Mr. Morden, that has not already been done. (Interludes and Examinations)

In the meantime, Londo made preparations for Adira's visit.

Mollari: I have been looking forward to this for so long that I feel...Gods, Vir, I feel happy. I had almost forgotten what it was like. (Interludes and Examinations)

Sadly, he and Adira would not be reunited. She was poisoned while en route to Babylon 5. Considering what he had recently done to Lord Refa, Londo was convinced that he had arranged her murder. Shortly thereafter, Londo sent for Mr. Morden to discuss Adira's death, and what he planned to do about it.

Morden: The last thing I heard from Lord Refa was that he was very upset with you. Understandable, you did try to poison him, after all. He mentioned something about evening the score...I'm terribly sorry Londo. Is that why you called me here?
Mollari: I gave this [a family heirloom] to her. Told her to wear it proudly, as a free woman. I might as well have signed her death warrant. Everyone around me dies, Mr. Morden. Except the ones that most deserve it. That is about to change. You said that you would go away for as long as I wanted. I no longer want that. All I want now is revenge. They took from me the one thing that I have ever truly loved. And you will help me, Mr. Morden, to strike them down. Give me this and the safety of my people, and let the rest of the galaxy burn. I don't care anymore. (Interludes and Examinations)

Shortly thereafter, Londo took steps toward eliminating his enemies, beginning with his greatest enemy: Lord Refa. He began by sending Vir to tell G'Kar that Na'Toth was still alive and being held prisoner beneath the building which housed the Kha'Ri on Narn. He told Vir that when G'Kar returned to Narn to rescue her, he would have agents in place to capture him, thus elevating his position above Lord Refa's in the Royal Court. Meanwhile, Refa had recently arrived on Babylon 5 with Minister Virini to try to convince the minister that Londo had become too "provinsional" due to his over-exposure to aliens. Refa and Mollari both wanted Virini to throw his support behind them; however, the minister declared that he had no preference between the two. In order to find out what Londo was planning, Lord Refa had Vir abducted and scanned. He learned about Londo's plan to trap G'Kar, and set out for the Narn Homeworld himself in order to win the credit for G'Kar's capture. Unfortunately for Lord Refa, he was the one Londo was planning to trap. Londo lied to Vir so that Refa's telepath would not doubt Vir's story.

Londo: (In a holographic recording that G'Kar plays for Lord Refa) Hello, Refa. If you are seeing this message, it is because in a very few minutes, you will be dead. I have made sure the guards assigned to you are loyal to House Mollari. They will not obey you from this moment forward. You have taken from me that which I loved, Refa. You also took the life of Prime Minister Malachi, a good and dear friend. You have inconvenienced me and threatened my position in the Royal Court, and weakened our defenses by your constant warfare. None of which matters to G'Kar or his associates, but I think they do care about what you have done to them, Refa. Yes, I think they care about that a great deal. I have given G'Kar documents, which prove that you are the one who orchestrated the bombing of the Narn Homeworld against my advice, that you personally were involved in the creation of death camps and genetic cleansing programs, that you are personally responsible for the deaths of 5 or 6 million Narns. And I think they would like to thank you personally for your efforts...On the off-chance that G'Kar might not believe me, I have arranged for 2000 Narns now in custody to be freed. Half in advance, half pending his cooperation. More than sufficient inducement, I think. You see, it is not enough for me to simply kill you, Refa. I could do that at home or here. But through your death on Narn, I will discredit your House and all opposition in the Royal Court. Goodbye, Refa. (And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place)


Londo was true to his word. He had G'Kar plant a data crystal on Refa's body that indicated he had been working with the Narn Resistance. As far as anyone knew, Refa was a traitor, and Londo was the hero who exposed his treachery. Thus, he avenged himself (as he thought) on House Refa for the death of Adira Tyree.

[edit] Moving up in the World

Near the end of 2260, Londo was promoted to a position in the Royal Court as an advisor to Emperor Cartagia on matters of planetary security. Oddly enough, however, he was not pleased by his appointment.

Vir: This is great news. Why would you be upset?
Londo: Because! It should have come to me twenty years ago, when I could've appreciated it. And because it wasn't given to me because I earned it. They are, I think, afraid of me. Through our friend Mr. Morden, I have gained influence and money and power. They think I will move against Cartagia...it's a leash...They're reeling me in. They will watch me very carefully. And if I do anything suspicious, they will find me in the morning with my throat slit ear to ear. (Z'ha'dum)

[edit] Correcting His Mistakes

Shortly after Captain Sheridan fell at Z'ha'dum, Londo returned to Centauri Prime to take up his new role as advisor on planetary security. He soon discovered the real reason for his appointment when he found Mr. Morden waiting for him in his room. Morden explained to him that Emperor Cartagia had agreed to give the island of Celini to the Shadows as a base for some of their ships.

Londo: No, he wouldn't. He couldn't. The Centaurum wouldn't stand for it.
Morden: The resolution was passed quietly. Fourteen opposed it. No one's seen them since.
Londo: He's mad.
Morden: If there's a madman on the throne, it's because you and Refa put him there. (The Hour of the Wolf)


A short time later, Londo witnessed the shadow vessel flying over the Imperial Palace on their way to Celini. He realized then that the first part of his prophetic dream, which foretold his death, had come true. Londo ran to Cartagia to try to talk him out of his bargain with the Shadows, but the emperor would not be dissuaded.

Londo: What did they give you?
Cartagia: The one thing I have ever wanted...Power beyond description...The first emperors, the greatest of us, were themselves proclaimed deities by the ancient gods. In exchange for loyalty, they became immortal...And now, now these gods of old have returned. Through them I will become a god myself. That is my destiny. (The Hour of the Wolf)


Londo realized the emperor was truly insane after this interview. As he stumbled away from the throne room under the weight of this revelation, he resolved to stop the emperor from causing any more harm to come to his people. Upon returning to his room, he made a call to Vir on Babylon 5.

Londo: Start packing. I want you here as fast as possible.
Vir: Is there something wrong?
Londo: Something, no. Everything, yes. Conspiracies require more than one person, and there is no one here I trust...We have much to do.
Vir: (After he arrived on Centauri Prime) What's this all about?
Londo: Emperor Cartagia is insane. He has made a deal with these Shadows, allowing them a base here in the belief that they will grant him godhood, like the emperors of old. He wants to be immortal, to be worshipped. And he does not care who pays the price for his deification.
Vir: Does anyone else know about this?
Londo: Vir, when you are mad you say these things the same way that you and I talk about the weather. Of course the others know. But they are afraid to move against him. Whoever does so will almost certainly be killed.
Vir: That would be a drawback.
Londo: ...We must stop Cartagia, no matter the cost...Vir, it is a terrible truth, but as one accumulates power, one loses friends. One only has those who wish to use you, and those you wish to use. And yet, in all of this, you have somehow managed to walk through the corridors of power and not be touched. I can only assume you have not been paying attention. And still, the hideous truth is you are the closest thing I have to a friend. I am as shocked and dismayed by this as you are, but there it is. I need a friend, Vir. And I need a patriot. And you are both. Will you help me, please?
Vir: If you had any doubt what my answer would be would you have asked me to come this far?
Londo: No, no, I wouldn't have. And now we must do everything we can to save our world. You and I, Vir, must kill Emperor Cartagia. (The Hour of the Wolf)


Not long after this, Londo was presented with the instrument he would later use in his assassination plot by the emperor himself - in the form of Citizen G'Kar.

Londo: You have never been a friend to me, but what he would do to you, I would not wish for anyone. There is a monster on the throne, G'Kar. A well-protected monster. He must be removed. And you may be the means I have been waiting for. I believe I can save your life, but it will not be easy. And you will suffer greatly before this is over. I cannot help that. I wish I could. I have no desire to see you suffer. But I must watch, and you must endure, until the time is right. And then I will act, and you will help me.
G'Kar: You didn't ask the price for my cooperation.
Londo: You are not exactly in a position to bargain, G'Kar.
G'Kar: Neither are you. You want my help for the sake of your people. I will give it for the sake of my own. If I remove the monster from your throne, you will remove the monster from my world. Leave Narn. Set my world free. Promise me this, and I will do as you ask.
Londo: You have my word. (Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?)


In the following weeks, Londo endured having to watch as G'Kar was tortured by Emperor Cartagia. When Cartagia was displeased by G'Kar's refusal to cry out in pain, the emeperor told Londo that he would have to have G'Kar killed. Londo had to beseech G'Kar to give Cartagia the scream he wanted.

Londo: A little scream. Is that so much to ask for? I know what it is...you would rather stay silent than give him the satisfaction of seeing you cry out in pain...I need a live ally, not a dead martyr!
G'Kar: ...We do not oblige conquerors. If I give him what he wants; if I beg for mercy, cry out, I would no longer be a Narn.
Londo: And if you are dead, are you still a Narn then? No! You are food for Cartagia's pets, and your people are still prisoners! They, too, are no longer Narns. Only slaves, and then dead slaves...One little scream, and he will let you live! (The Summoning)

Londo's plea worked. When Cartagia called for Londo and G'Kar later that evening, he informed them that he was going to have G'Kar whipped with an electro-whip. The whip would give an increasing level of pain with every stroke. The fortieth stroke would kill G'Kar. Londo watched while G'Kar was whipped thirty-nine times, until he finally gave Cartagia his scream just before the fortieth stroke.


At about the same time that Cartagia was basking in G'Kar's agony, the Vorlons began attacking every world where the Shadows had influence. Londo then realized that time was running out for his plans if he was going to eliminate Cartagia before it was too late to save his people. When the emperor refused to either send the Shadow ships away or even to have the Centauri military make a stand to defend Centauri Prime, Londo contacted Captain Sheridan on Babylon 5 to find out how much time was left before the Vorlon attack fleet arrived. Sheridan told him that he had seven days before the Vorlons got there. Thus, Londo was forced to accelerate his own timetable if he were to have any hope of saving his homeworld. He met with Cartagia to suggest holding G'Kar's "trial" on Narn before the Vorlons arrived at Centauri Prime.

Londo: I was thinking about Your Majesty's coming godhood, which is possibly the single greatest event in the history of the Centauri Republic...I was thinking about all of this, and wishing that others could know you as our people know you. If only they could see your greatness as we do.
Cartagia: Why should we care what other people think?
Londo: Well, after the Vorlons have eliminated Centauri Prime - which we will be most happy to fall, you were correct about that, Majesty - who will be left to sing your praises? Who will know you for who you are? A god is a god, yes, but if no one knows his name, visits his temples, sings his songs...? Once we are gone, who will remember the living god Cartagia?
Cartagia: I find these thoughts of yours most disturbing...I was thinking about G'Kar.
Cartagia: The Narn? Why? He'll be dead in a few days. I don't think he'll be remembering very much after that.
Londo: True. And he deserves to die for his crimes against our people, and die he will. But what if we conducted his trial and execution on his Homeworld instead of here? The whole world would see Your Majesty's wisdom; see, with their own eyes, the brilliant center of the Centauri Republic. Can you imagine how it would move them? Once they see you sit in judgment over G'Kar, your name will spread like wildfire among them. And from there to a hundred planets beyond. Then, you can accept your imminent godhood secure that your name will be spoken and remembered throughout the known galaxy...It would be a great crime for one who will shortly walk among the stars, who will hold entire worlds in the palm of his hands, to be mistakenly preceived as being afraid of a few barbarians.
Cartagia: You have raised a good point, Mollari. Once again, I am in your debt. I am told the Vorlons will arrive in seven days. This is just enough time. Three days there, three days back, one day for trial and execution.
Londo: Of course, Majesty. You are, as always, quite right. And I will go with you to personally end the life of Citizen G'Kar. (Falling Toward Apotheosis)

While Londo was busily working to save his world by maneuvering Cartagia into leaving the Royal Palace, where he would be too well protected for any assassination attempt to succeed, he completely missed one of his three opportunities to "avoid the fire that awaits for you at the end of your journey," as Lady Morella had warned him. As preparations were being finished for the trip to Narn, Londo met with Cartagia in G'Kar's cell.

Cartagia: I was just thinking, I don't like the way he's looking at me. I'm trying to decide what to do about it. Would you care to make a suggestion?
Londo: Oh, no, I'm sure whatever Your Majesty decides will be appropriate.

Cartagia decided to have G'Kar's eye plucked out. (Falling Toward Apotheosis)


Once on the Narn homeworld, Londo learned what Cartagia had done to punish G'Kar when he met with the Narn. He reminded G'Kar that he must not touch the emperor. Rather, G'Kar's job was to distract Cartagia's personal guard, who could not be bribed, long enough for Londo to correct the mistake he made when he helped Cartagia ascend to the throne. At the trial, G'Kar broke the chains that bound him, and attacked the guards. His actions caused a riot, and Londo guided Cartagia out of the throne room. However, just as Londo is preparing to deliver the killing blow, Cartagia, in his rage, knocks the poisoned syringe out of his hand. As Cartagia rants about the incompetence of the people around him, Vir picks the syringe off of the floor, and stabs the emperor between his hearts.

Cartagia: (To Londo) I was to be a god, you understand? (The Long Night)

To keep up appearances, Londo called for a doctor, although he knew full well that Cartagia would be dead before the physicians arrived. Londo's next step was to keep his promise to G'Kar and find a way to remove the Shadow influence from Centauri Prime so the Vorlons would not destroy it.

Londo: (To the Royal Court) The emperor believed in heeding the wisdom of the gods. Well, twice, the emperor of the Centauri Republic has died while acting in relation to Narn. Emperor Turhan while trying to make peace, and now Cartagia. I believe Cartagia would say that this is a sign from the gods - a sign to leave this place forever...And there is much to be done back home. We have three days to correct the emperor's misjudgment about the Shadow vessels now based on Homeworld. (The Long Night)

Given Cartagia's lack of heir, and with no clear line of ascension, the Royal Court decided to appoint Londo Prime Minister in order to deal with the threat to planetary security that was the Vorlon attack fleet. However, before he could deal with the Vorlon problem, he first had to help a drunk, grieving Vir pull himself together.

Londo: You're drunk.
Vir: Well, absolu- Positi- Oh, you betcha. I figured it always worked for you, Londo. Look, let me- Let me ask you something. How much more before I can look in the mirror and not see myself? Because I keep looking, and I'm always there. And right now, I don't want to see me.
Londo: You're behaving like a fool. You did what was necessary. You've saved the lives of millions of our people. He had to be stopped. He-
Vir: Don't you understand it? I've never done anything like this before. I close my eyes, and I always see his face!...I never wanted to be here. I never wanted to know the things that I know, or to do- To do the things that I've done.
Londo: I know...I remember when you first arrived on Babylon 5. You were so full of life, innocent. I was not kind to you. I treated you poorly. I think that I did that because I was envious of you. Envious that you had come so far and were still innocent in your way. You still believed. I, on the other hand... I cannot tell you that your pain will ever go away. I cannot tell you that you will ever forget his face. I can only tell you that it was necessary. You may have helped to save our people. You did a hard thing. But you still have your heart, and your heart is a good one. You would not be in such great pain otherwise. That means there is still hope for you, and for that, I find I still envy you...I'm sure (freeing Narn) will cause me problems back home, but I gave G'Kar my word. Set them free in return for his help. I will keep my promises. My honor is all I have left. I still need you, Vir. There is much work to be done back home if we are to save Centauri Prime...
Vir: What was it all for, I wonder? What was any of it for? (The Long Night)


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[edit] See Also

People: Adira Tyree, Urza Jaddo, Vir Cotto, Emperor Cartagia, Lord Refa, G'Kar, Morden

Episodes:

Movies: The Gathering, In the Beginning

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