Babylon 5 - Book #6 Betrayals
            Author - S M Stirling, Boxtree œ4.99

There are many forms of betrayal. That of one individual of
another. Of one planet of another. Of a government against its
people. Sometimes betrayal is very personal and direct, at other
times vague. Sometimes it is imagined. Sometimes it is done for a
supposed good outcome, at other times purely for financial gain.

When the Narn invaded the planet T'llin, they put into practice
what they had learned from the years when they were under the rule
of the Centauri. Now the T'llin want their revenge and a group of
them have found their way, in secret, to Babylon 5. It's the time
of the peace talks between Narn and the Centauri, but peace is the
last thing on the minds of the T'llin.

Meanwhile a beautiful woman called Serena is thinking more of
profit. With a priceless artifact in her possession, she contacts
both G'kar and Londo, trying to make a deal, playing one off
against the other. Both want it, neither has the money - yet. If
the artifact is what it seems, it will be worth them risking
everything to beat their opponent to the prize and gain the
respect of their respective governments. But can they trust Serena
any more than they can trust each other?

... And a new recruit causes problems for Susan Ivanova. Is he
incompetent or unlucky? Is he responsible for some data crystals
which purport to show members of her family engaged in treasonous
acts? Are the crystals real or fake? And who can she trust to help
her work out what is real and what is not?

While all these factions try to work out their own versions of
reality, the peace talks loom and Sheridan tries to keep order.
Will the talks succeed or end in disaster?

The T'llin are another fascinating new race to be introduced in
these spin-off novels. I found I had immense sympathy for their
cause, though not their methods. It's amazing how each side tries
to justify its actions in this book, but I suppose that our own
history shows how people can try to explain barbarous acts as
being ultimately for the greater good, in their opinion. It also
shows how important it is to stand up for what we believe, even at
the risk of being unpopular. One reasonable person can change how
we perceive history, but a violent group can destroy the future.
This book will certainly make you think about how it relates to
events and injustices with which we are more familiar.

                                                        Sue











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