Babylon 5 Book 8 Personal Agendas - Author Al Sarrantonio

        Based on the series by J Michael Straczynski
           A Channel Four Book - Paperback œ4.99

Sometimes allies can be found in the most unlikely places. This
book takes place after G'Kar has been taken to Centauri Prime. No
longer an ambassador, his world and his life have been shattered
by the war between the Centauri and the Narn, and he is now a
prisoner, albeit an important one.

The Emperor of the Centauri, Cartagia, is quite mad and is
determined to break G'Kar's spirit through torture. G'Kar's only
hope for survival comes from his old enemy Londo Mollari, now one
of the highest ranking Centauri. Between them G'Kar and Londo plan
to kill the Emperor. In return for his help, Londo has promised
G'Kar that he will end the Centauri occupation of the Narn
Homeworld. G'Kar will do anything to help his fellow Narn, so he
agrees, but that means he has to endure the torture.

Complications arise when five Narn soldiers are smuggled onto
Centauri amongst a group of slaves. Their aim is to free G'Kar or
die in the attempt. But G'Kar knows they mustn't succeed if Narn
is to be free.

The staff of Babylon 5 get wind of the plan, but not of G'Kar's
intention to stay a prisoner, and wish they could do something to
help. They can't intervene directly but Sheridan knows he can't
ignore the plight of someone he looks on as a friend. So an
unofficial mission is planned, with Garibaldi, Susan and Franklin
disguised as Centauri gem dealers also heading to Centauri Prime
to rescue G'Kar. Meanwhile, Sheridan and Delenn, unable to join
them, indulge in some cloak-and-dagger stuff back on Babylon 5 and
Vir Cotto prepares for an unwanted marriage alliance on Centauri
Prime.

This was a very enjoyable book, though I felt very sorry for
G'Kar.  The pace kept up steadily throughout and with several
different stories interwoven (G'Kar, the Narn soldiers, Vir, the
disguised Babylon 5 crew, and Sheridan and Delenn (as self-styled
agents X and Y)) there was always plenty going on. Unusually the
chapters are very short in length, but I liked this style. The
ending was excellent - I wondered how they were going to resolve
the G'Kar / Londo dilemma, but it was very well worked out.

                                               Sue













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