Journal of Antonio Refa

Resolution

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 05:56:17 GMT

The circumstances under which I would, might, have, or might have chosen to have an abortion are nobody's business but mine and those I choose to tell. They are not the business of any government. I do not accept the proposition that either the state or my sexual partner(s) should have any say over when and if I choose to bear a child. I do not accept any sovereignty over my body and my reproductive organs but my own. If faced with the situation, I will do everything feasible to help women and girls I know exercise their rights to safely terminate a pregnancy if they so choose. When a state treats women and girls as chattel, it is they who commit a crime.

What do you want on your Tombstone?

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 18:07:16 GMT

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Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 23:19:00 GMT

My bid for world domination
LiveJournal Username
Why you did it
Your lair
Your hideous secret weapon
Your favourite colour

Beautiful and exotic but deadly eastern lieutenant	countdooku
Henchperson who constantly plays with knifes	hobsonphile
Your perverted scientific genius	_garibaldi_
You cordon bleu chef	timov_of_algul
Lieutenant with serious moral qualms	hobsonphile
Number of countries subverted	66


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Freudian Test

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 02:38:08 GMT

Freudian Inventory Results

Oral (36%) you appear to be stubbornly and irrationally against receiving help even when it might be the more intelligent option.
Anal (90%) you appear to be overly self controlled, organized, and possibly subservient to authority, this effectively narrows your exposure to a wider set of options and ideas lowering the odds that you will make the best decisions in life.
Phallic (90%) you appear to have issues with controlling your sexual desires and possibly fidelity.
Latency (10%) you appear to be overly practical; don't undervalue abstract learning, abstract learning increases your ability to make good decisions (and predictions) in the real world so it would be 'impractical' to shun it.
Genital (90%) you appear to have a progressive and openminded outlook on life unbeholden to regressive forces like traditional authority and convention.

Take Free Freudian Inventory Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Bits

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 02:33:27 GMT

Antonio Refa's bits are best described as his "tenacious sword".

That's right women come marvel at my tenacious swords. Grrrrr!

Have you ever experienced something mysterious that you couldn't explain?

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 01:06:16 GMT

This event happens during Geometry of Shadows and if no one picks up on the significance of this scene, read the Shakespearan play, Macbeth. Act 1, Scene 3

Londo and Refa were walking through the Babylon 5 gardens toward the airlock. They had been talking for hours planning and scheming. Refa had outlined his plan and his recent actions to bring down Emperor Turhan's regime while Londo offered advice and support from his house.

Londo suggested cutting through the gardens maze. They would arrive at the airlock faster and Refa would avoid running into too many people. They were still talking about Centauri politics and gossip and almost oblivious to the strange mist that began to cover them. The mist soon became so thick that Mollari could not even find his way through the maze.

"I didn't know that these gardens produced mist like this," Refa said in awe.

Mollari responds cautiously, "They don't.....I can barely make out my way in this fog. Come we are almost at the exit to the maze."

The two turn a corner and stop....speechless before a mysterious site. Three hooded figures stand around a bubbling cauldron and slowly stir with long poles some kind of mixture. The odor of herbs and tree leaves eminate from the boiling pot.

Mollari asks in almost a whisper, "Excuse me....do you know the way to exit the maze?"

The witches raise their heads and they remove their hoods to reveal three Centauri women. Their faces full of warts and wrinkles are old and haggard. Refa and Londo find it difficult to look at the ugly hags, but the women pronounce one at a time.

The first woman pronounces, "All hail, Mollari....hail to thee Ambassador of the Centauri Republic!"

The second woman pronounces, "All hail, Mollari....hail to thee Prime Minister of the Centauri Republic!"

The third woman pronounces, "All hail, Mollari....thou shalt be Emperor thereafter!"

The announcement that he would be emperor shocks Mollari to the core and brings back images from his dream......Londo being crowned emperor, a decrepit Londo sitting on the throne, and G'Kar and Londo strangling each other to death. Mollari is speechless and lost in the remembrance of his visions.

Refa laughs heartily picturing Mollari as Prime Minister and Emperor. The man could barely function as an ambassador.....how would he become Emperor? Refa turns to Mollari, "Mollari why do you fear predictions that sound so good....don't tell me you have never dreamed of becoming Emperor."

Londo still lost in his thought only mutters, "Let's just say that I don't relish the prospect of holding either office anytime soon."

Refa laughs even more at Mollari's unease and turns to the old hags, "You greet my friend with great honor and predictions of having royal hope, but to me you speak not. If you can see into the future, than speak to me. I do not beg or fear your predictions!"

The three old women respond immediately to Refa's request much to the Lord's surprise. The three women say in chorus, "Hail!"

The first women pronounces, "Lesser than Mollari, and great!"

The second woman prounces, "Not so happy, yet much happier!"

The third woman pronounces, "Thou shalt get emperors, though thou be none....So all hail Mollari and Refa!"

The first women pronounces, "Refa and Mollari, all hail!"

The old women stop their stirring and make ready to leave. Mollari finally snaps out of his thoughts and slowly begins advancing towards the women. He asks desperately, "Don't go, you imperfect speakers, tell me more! By the Great Maker, I know that I am Ambassador of the Republic but how Prime Minister and Emperor? Either position is not even within my simple reach....tell me from where you gained this strange intelligence or why you stopped this way to deliever this prophetic greeting? Speak, I beg you!"

Before Mollari can reach the witches, they vanish into the foggy mist. In a flash, Refa and Mollari are standing at the exit of the garden maze. The gardens end here and corridor leading to the airlock is visible. It was almost as if the events of the past few minutes had never happened.

Mollari did a complete circle trying to discover where the women had disappeared, but they had vanished into thin air. Mollari turns to look at Refa and asked the question that both men were thinking, "Did you....?"

Refa nods in agreement and replies, "Perhaps it was a halucination caused by the fog?"

Mollari thought about it, but he shook his head, "Then where is the fog? No, there has to be another explanation."

But try as Mollari and Refa might neither could come up with any logical reason, they could only remember what the three women had said. Both men stare at each other for a minute that seems like an eternity. Both men thought how did this brood for their plans? Mollari spoke first, "You children shall be emperors."

Refa responds, "You shall be Emperor."

Mollari nods and said, "And Prime Minister too....were it not so?"

Refa nods too and replies, "The same words I heard too."

It started with a giggle from Refa and becomes a laugh riot. Soon both men are chuckling ranciously and doing bad imitations of the womens' predictions. Both clutch each other tightly to maintain their balance as they stagger gleefully to the airlock. The on-lookers only watch in curiosity at the two Centauri bellowing loudly and making loud pronouncements.

Unbeknownst to Mollari and Refa, three hooded figures watch from the exit of the garden maze. The second woman says to the first, "I don't think that they took our predictions very seriously."

The first responds in a knowledgeable voice, "Maybe not now, but one day they will remember and....understand."

As they slowly disappear into thin air, the first takes one last look at Mollari and Refa receeding into the distance and says, "Don't worry my sisters. We haven't seen the last of Antonio Refa and Londo Mollari."

Posted in Theatrical Muse

Harry Potter

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 00:56:43 GMT

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

Cute Kitty

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 00:45:11 GMT

You are a black cat, stubborn yet friendly, you
stick to your values and preferences, and no
one can convince you otherwise! You are the
legendary cat of mystery.

What color of cat are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Even though I am a bad guy.....I find myself thinking how cute this little animal would be to own.

Centauri Musical?

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 00:36:29 GMT

Your LiveJournal Musical
LiveJournal Username
What is your favorite musical?
Do you like to perform?
What did you think of the recent Phantom movie?
What gender are you?

The mask-wearing psycho who likes to murder people	centauri_lords
The dead guy in the wheelchair	vir_cotto_tm
The matchmaker	centauri_fire
The popular girl	centauri_lords
The fast-talking con man	fondued_jicama
The english teacher's wife	susie_ivanova
The nun	royal_guardsman
The amount of money your show makes	$104,031


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If you could take back one thing in anger, what would it be and why?

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 00:23:09 GMT

Embarassment that is what I feel at this very moment. I haven't felt humiliation or embarassment since I was a young child. It is a feeling that I thought no longer mattered anymore but right now it is flowing through me like the unending whining of a crazed dromo. No matter how hard I try to forget about the incident.....it still troubles me.

You see today was the first time that I struck my daughter Senna in anger. I remembered the one time my father struck me and promised that I would never do anything like that to my children, but like all my promises I broke that one too. I don't know which is worse the fact that I have become so much like my cold, heartless father or that my daughter fears me.

If she only knew what stress I was under.....why I am so on edge these past few days, she could understand and forgive me, but I could never tell her. If she knew the real reason for my distress, I know she would never be able to look at me again with any bit of pride or respect. She would only see a foolish idiot that was so easily outsmarted by a third-tier noble that could barely maintain his status at the Royal Court.

You see it has only been a few days since my one time ally Londo Mollari poisoned me. It was a two part poison with one part already in my system. If I don't follow Mollari's orders, he will see that one of his agents at the Royal Court administer the other half of the poison. I recently did some research on this poison and discovered the results of this combination would be a very unpleasant death.

Worse, Mollari told me to have no contact with Mr. Morden which was extremely difficult considering I gave Morden free access to almost all portions of Centauri Prime. He has been calling on me for several days and while I would like to inform him of my situation, I don't want to risk one of Mollari's agents catching me. I don't know who to trust now in my own entourage.

Anyone could be secretly working for Mollari and just waiting to whisper into Mollari's ear that I had broken our agreement. I haven't felt this alone in a long time.

With all this going on, I had to deal with my intelligent and loyal but obstinate daughter Senna. It was coming time for me to select a suitable mate for marriage. Already several lords had expressed their interest in making a match between one of their sons and my daughter. The business of negotiating marriages was a delicate art that could not be taken lightly. The fate of many a house has rested on an arranged marriage between two houses.

I had been able to keep the negotations secret for a time, but like all Centauri women she discovered the information through someone else. It had only been a week since I arrived back from Babylon 5 and already I was on edge. Morden had left several messages at my office and had paid a visit to my country estate. My servants told him that I was not here and that they had no idea where I was.

I only wish that Senna had not known where I was. I had retreated into my study racking my brain for some way to get out of this predicament. There had to be a way to overcome this situation....I was Prime Minister Antonio Refa! Mollari had to have a weakeness that I could take advantage of. What was it!?

Sure enough, Senna came storming into my study a scowl on her face. She was furious that I was deciding her future plans without asking her. What about my promise that she would have a say in her marriage plans?

I had drank a large amount of brivari to calm my nerves and was very intoxicated. I gave her my usual response that I was only looking out for her well being and that as the head of House Refa I was responsible for the continued vibrance of our house, but she wasn't buying it.

Again, she kept coming back to my promise that I had broken and what I had to say. Looking bck on it now. I realize that I was trying to avoid the truth that she was trying to get at....I had broken my word to her something that I had never done.

As the argument went on, my patience began to diminish. I was shouting at her and giving her angry looks trying to use my strength to make her submit. Despite all my tricks, she refused to yield and accept her fate. It was even more infuriating because she was doing what I could never do in my father's presence.....stand up to him.

It only took a few simple words to destroy all my restraint. In frustration, she screamed, "You're just like your father....."

BANG....it was so natural that I wasn't even thinking. For those few seconds, it was as if I was watching myself from afar unable to affect anything. This was what it was like to lose all control of yourself I only realized later.

I smacked her across the face and I grabbed her by both shoulders and brought her so close to my face. I could make out the small pupils of her eyes and see the absolute terror written on her face. I screamed at her in my coldest voice, "DON'T YOU EVER COMPARE ME TO THAT DECREPIT OLD MAN EVER AGAIN OR I WILL HAVE YOU THROWN INTO THE PALACE DUNGEON AND WHIPPED TO WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR LIFE. YOU WILL MARRY WHO I TELL YOU TO OR YOU WILL NEVER BE FREE AS LONG AS I LIVE THAT I CAN PROMISE YOU."

I flung her to the ground like piece of trash and went over to pour myself another glass of brivari. I felt remarkably good and downed a small glass of brivari to hold onto the feeling. Senna was lying on the floor covering her face with her arms and sobbing. I let this continue for a few minutes until I tired of the noise.

"I hope that you have learned from this incident....to better respect your father who provides and cares for you. One day you will thank me for this Senna," I responded still avoiding her gaze, "You can leave now."

She rose with as much dignity as possible and in a strong voice thanked me for teaching her this lesson. Her response struck a nerve in me. I suddenly remembered an incident where I had been smart enough for Yanosh's liking and had received a smack on the head for my stupidity. As usual after throughly humiliating me, he sent me to my room to think about his lesson. It was just like before except now I was the father and my daughter was.....me.

I just stood there like a statue for several seconds fully fathoming what has just happened. I looked up at my father's portrait hanging above the fireplace. Was it just my imagination or was the picture smiling a little wider than before....like all those times my father humiliated me and took great delight in knowing that I had failed at something.

I hurled my glass in anger at the picture and realized that it was a futile gesture. Yanosh had left this life long ago but his presence would always be with me until the day I died. I grabbed another glass and poured a large amount of brivari in it. I wanted to drown my troubles in alochol and hopefully forget just for a short time.

As I leaned back into my easy chair and quickly drained the glass, everything came at me all at once Beyon's betrayal, my father, my daughter, Mollari. Then, I did something that I had not done in a long time......cried tears of pain and regret.

Posted in Theatrical Muse

Taking a Break

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 06:57:22 GMT

I have come to conclusion that I spend way to much time on my computer, so I am taking a break for a week. I'll be back soon so don't do any serious roleplaying without me.

Cheers,
Antonio_Refa

A Life of Little Note

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:03:57 GMT

This unfinished memoir is one of the few surviving artifacts from House Refa. The estate was destroyed in the final days of the Centauri/Alliance War. This entry was made only weeks before the Narn/Drazi attack that would kill millions of Centauri and led to a negotiated ceasefire.

What am I doing here? The question has become a constant reminder in my brain these past few months. I am a member of one of the high noble houses on Centauri Prime. My family still has great influence in the Royal Court. I should be able to at least get some position in the government.

I have explored every inch of the estate, climbed several mountains, and sailed with my best friends, but this uneasilyness continues to remain inside. It is like an itch that I couldn't reach or find. I kept telling myself that I was doing something constructive: I was writing my memories on my time in the Centaurum, I was raising my daughter Senna, I was taking care of the family's business.......

Why am I here?

No, I am sitting on my family's estate doing nothing. It has been months since I attended a meeting of the Centaurum. I remember enjoying every session from beginning to final adjournment. While other Senators despised the backroom dealing and trench fighting, I was in my element wheeling and dealing in every way possible. During that time, I learned the way of politics and it was there that I first started to feel that I had a destiny. Not to just be a mere Senator or lord of my House but something greater

What am I doing here!?

My dream came to me after I had attended the Royal Court on day. I had attended several ceremonies at the Royal Court as a child, but this one was different. I saw this old man sitting on the throne of the Republic as the representative of the Centauri people......and I was disgusted. This was what we had sunk to! I would not rest until I was the one sitting on that throne and wearing that white robe.

Why am I here......my pride. I couldn't stand having to depend on someone else for help. When Mr. Morden offered me the help I arrogantly refused, I would never depend on anyone to achieve my goals. It would have been cheating to even consider taking the easy path. No, I would achieve my destiny by my own skills and no one else's!

He politely left my office and I never gave him a single thought......at the time.

Later, I would realize what a mistake that I had made. But at that time, it seemed that everything was going my way. Emperor Turhan still held the throne, but his support was waning. His policies of retreat and surrender were allowing the Narn to roll over the Republic. If Turhan had had his way, he would given up the entire empire just to appease the Narn!

I was slowly gathering allies to oppose the Emperor when the time was right. My spies told me that the Emperor's health was growing worse. The old man wasn't going to live forever and his son would have a hard time convincing the other nobles to continue the "glorious" legacy of his father. Several nobles were already whispering that the Republic would not survive another scion of House Turhan on the throne.

Ironically, fate intervened at the best possible moment. The Emperor's son had died in a boating accident leaving the Emperor with no clear heir to the throne. The Great Maker could not have done a better service. Now, the Emperor was even more vulnerable than before......I finally had the old man on the run. Even though his son and I had been friends at one time, I would not let this alter my course.

Then, the incident in Quadrant 37 was resolved effectively by Londo Mollari. Here was someone that had access to a powerful strike force that would be useful to my plans. I decided to approach him and offer an alliance against Turhan. He seemed eager to participate, but he informed me of another Centauri nobleman that had approached him already and Londo had agreed to work with him.....Lord Yanosh Varga.

Varga! He had been a part of my circle for some time, but I didn't know that he was building his own base of support. I would have to put a stop to this sillyness immediately. There would only be one leader of this faction and it would not be Varga.

I returned to Centauri Prime and discovered that Varga had been very busy. Somehow he had hobbled together a sizeable group of supporters......it was mystery how he could have developed such a large powerbase in such a short time. It had taken me over a year to build my own coalition. How could Varga have done it without drawing my attention?

Varga claimed that he was only helping me and had no desire to elevate himself as leader. His meeting with Mollari had been a natural step. He was going to inform me; he just had been busy. I heard the reasons, but I didn't buy them for a minute. Varga was trying supplant me, but I would not let this happen.

Unfortunately, as the weeks passed my supporters started leaning more towards Varga. More and more meetings were held at his estates and soon supporters were taking orders and advice from him not me! The situation was beginning to become intolerable when it was announced that Turhan would make a visit to Babylon 5. I knew that I had to be there and made sure that Varga wouldn't stop me.

Strangely, he didn't oppose my trip to Babylon 5. Did he somehow know in advance what would happen? Nonetheles, I went to the station giving Mollari the prepared speech that would be Turhan's undoing and culmination of my efforts; however, the Emperor collapsed and almost ruined my plans for seizing the Republic. Fortunately, Mollari's strike force proved the saving grace and gave us the military victory needed to cowl Turhan's allies and to seize the government.

I returned to the Centauri Prime believing that my forces were in charge only to discover the exact opposite. While my men had killed Mallachi and arrested other Turhan allies, it had been Varga pulling the strings all along. He had been in contact with Cartagia the whole time and it was Varga that would be the Emperor's new Prime Minister.

Furious doesn't even describe what I felt......I wanted to slice the man's head off and present it to Cartagia and Mollari as a warning never to cross me. I arrived at the Royal Palace ready to confront him when I ran into someone compeltely unexpectedly.....Mr. Morden! He was leaving the Prime Minister's office as I was arriving. He only took a second to just smile in amusement at me and walk away.

I stormed into Varga's office demanding to know what was going. He told me to calm myself that Mr. Morden was a close friend and that had provided assistance to Varga during the coup. I didn't hear the rest of Varga's explanation I was lost in my memories. The incident in my office and telling Morden that I didn't need him; I realized just how badly I had messed up. All because of my foolish pride!

The rest is a tale of a downward spiral. After the Narn victory, I was posted to the Narn homeworld as Governor. My allies had deserted me for Varga and Mollari did not return my calls. Emperor Cartagia wanted nothing to do with me.....after all he owed his position to Varga not me.

When I learned of a quarrel between Varga and Mollari, I saw my chance. I decided to side with Varga and help him capture the fugitive G'Kar. When Varga was found dead and his "connection" to the Narn resistance discovered, I knew that I had backed the wrong drome. I kept my profile low hoping to avoid the retribution from Mollari's circle, but amazingly Mollari didn't seem to care.

When Emperor Cartagia arrived for the execution of the Narn rebel G'Kar, I though fate had granted me another chance. I spent the entire three days preparing everything for his arrival wanting to ingratiate myself to the Emperor and hopefully regain my position within the Royal Court. When I finally met the Emperor, I realized that again I had backed the wrong drome. The man was stark raving mad! What in the name of the Great Maker had I done to deserve this!?

Despite all these problems, I attended the public execution of the Narn rebel when he remarkably broke free of his chains and started a riot. In the confusion, the Emperor died mysteriously although no one seemed very concerned since he was mad. Mollari became Prime Minister and "saved" the planet from the Vorlons, but he neglected to mention that he completely withdrew from our previous conquests.

After returning the Republic to its previous state before Turhan's death, he ran back to hide on his space station and left his lackey, Regent Verano in charge. I had hoped that Mollari had forgotten my previous involvment with Lord Varga, but it was a fool's hope. No contacts were returned and the Regent refused to see me probably on the orders of Mollari.

After the Narn withdraw, my governorship was effectively terminated. I still had my position in the Centaurum and head of House Refa, but that meant nothing to me now. I was excluded from the Royal Court and the other lords shunned me for previous decisions. In despair, I finally gave up and moved to our country estate on Xon.

Why am I here?

I have so many answers, but I cannot find one that pleases me or my ego. I had so many dreams and look what has become of them. I was to achieve greatness and make House Refa a great force in the Republic. What had I done to accomplish it? Turned everyone against me and become an outcast. I don't even have the ability to enter the Royal Palace anymore.

At least my wife and daughter Senna have stood by me. Despite all that has happened, they have never left my side. It is strange.....I never knew that my wife and daughter cared so much for me until I was no longer a part of the Centaurum or Royal Court. It was as if I was so focused on the one goal that I was blind to everything else. Maybe I had been pursuing the wrong goal for my life......maybe the best thing had been right in front of me.

NO! There is still so much left to do. The Republic is at war again and I will find a way to restore my fortunes. I managed to bring House Refa back from the brink once and I can do it again. My destiny will not keep me from achieving the reward that I deserve!

I have been waiting to hear from the Royal Court. Strangely, there has been no response from the Regent except for his annoying Minister of Protocol. I am the head of House Refa but I don't know what to do. The Regent doesn't want me, the Royal Court doesn't want me, Mollari doesn't want me, does the Great Maker even want me?

Sigh, the dinner bell is ringing. My chief has hopefully prepared a delicious meal. At least, he doesn't hate me. Maybe, a nice meal and some glasses.....no a few bottles of Brevari will clear my head and make me forget that horrible question that still plagues me.

Posted in Mirror Universe

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 03:00:49 GMT

Cary Grant
You scored 23% Tough, 9% Roguish, 19% Friendly, and 47% Charming!

You are the epitome of charm and style, the smooth operator who steals the show with your sophisticated wit and quiet confidence. You are able to catch any woman you want just by flashing that disarming smile. When you walk into a room, the women are instantly intrigued and even the men are impressed. When you find yourself in trouble, you are easily able to charm your way out of it, or convince others to help you. You're seen as dashing, suave and romantic. Your co-stars include Katharine Hepburn, Irene Dunne, and Joan Fontaine, stylish women who know a class act when they see it.

Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the Classic Dames Test.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 40% on Tough

You scored higher than 23% on Roguish

You scored higher than 22% on Friendly

You scored higher than 87% on Charming

Link: The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Shortest Test

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 04:42:30 GMT

You are sexy, powerful, and bold.
You're full of passion and energy...
Sometimes this passion has a dark side.

You feel most alive when you're seducing someone.
You never fail to get someone's attention.
Quick minded, you're also quick to lose your temper!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:15:16 GMT

Heinous Bastard
You are 80% of a bastard.

Children flee your coming. When you arrive at work, your co-workers seal the blockades that prevent you from leaving your cubicle. Honestly, you're probably a telemarketer. Your kids, should they exist, are terrified of you, and are probably too afraid to tell anyone about it. Your court appearance was both brief and memorable; the judge retired from practice afterwards, and none of the jurors ever served again.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 75% on bastardism

Link: The Am I Enough of a Bastard Test written by ThePastor on OkCupid Free Online Dating

I love it when I'm good.....I mean bad!

Structure of the Republic

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 15:52:48 GMT

I recently received your request, rick_mollari, about the political structure of the Centauri Republic. While I am very busy managing the affairs of the Republic as Prime Minister, I can give you a general idea of the makeup of the government. Also, since you are a member of House Mollari, I couldn't refuse not to help a fellow ally.

The government is divided into two branches, the Centaurum (legislative) and the Emperor (executive). The Centaurum deals with the day to day affairs of the Republic. Various committees from finance to agriculture deal with the more mundane issues that the Emperor has little time to deal with.

Being a member of nobility is the primary requirement for entry into the Centaurum as a Senator. The number of Senators tend to fluctuate according to scandal, alliances, war, and the interest of noble youth. Some members have been honored for their years of service by receiving the title of Senator-for-Life. This title is very rare and is only given to those Centauri that have demonstrated a fierce commitment to the Republic over several years and unofficially have bribed enough people to give the title to a particular person.

The Emperor is the final word on any law or decree in the Centauri Republic. His word is law and the Centaurum can only override his decisions by a three fourths majority. Getting the necessary super-majority is very difficult and has rarely happened in the entire history of the Republic.

The Emperor is surrounded by a group of advisors that are called the Royal Court. These officials serve in the various ministries that monitor all aspects of the Republic and ensure that the Emperor's decisions are being enforced. These ministers hold the power to appoint and fire anyone within their ministries.

While the list of ministries and govt. agencies are vast and would take several pages to report, I will give the major ministries reporting regularly to the Emperor and give explanations for the ministries that are not self-explanatory.

Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Religion
Ministry of Family and Youth
Ministry of Information and Communication
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Industry and Intergalatic Trade
Ministry of Arts (handles all decorations, festival preparations, and Imperial entertainment and makes the final decision on what is Centauri "art")
Ministry of Protocol
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Physicians
Regis Mentallum (Registration and monitoring of Centauri telepaths)
Ministry of Privilege (Deals with the brewing and distribution of Centauri alcohol especially brivari)
Ministry of the Commons (serves as liason between the commoners and the Royal Court and brings their concerns to Imperial attention)
Ministry of Intergalatic Affairs (collects and delievers all diplomatic information to the Grand Chancellor which is passed on to the Prime Minister and Emperor for approval)
Ministry of Intelligence
Miistry of the Republic (manages all information concerning the Centauri colonies and outposts throughout the Republic)
Ministry of Internal Security
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Customs
Ministry of Transportation
Ministry of Culture
Circle of Houses (a cabinet with representatives for the twelve high noble houses of the Republic and one representative for the interests of all the minor noble houses)

There exists four major posts within the Emperor's circle which provide him with valuable information and with counsel on all major decisions. These officials usually have the complete confidence of the Emperor and unlimited access to him. If someone wishes to make their wishes known to the Emperor, it is usually a good strategy to talk to one of these individuals.

Prime Minister - Chief Advisor to the Emperor. Those wishing to speak directly to the Emperor must talk with the PM first. He can speak as the Voice of the Emperor and fulfills his duties in times of illness or absence. He considered the second most powerful man in the Republic.

Grand Chancellor - an administrative aide with few legal powers but made up for by his access to large amounts of information. While he is a subordinate of the PM, the Chancellor answers only to Emperor and can bypass the PM and speak directly to him if needed.

Minister General - the Emperor's personal advisor on military matters and during major military conflicts. Fleet officers tend to be appointed to this position because of the fleet's increased prestige and status. The Minister General is considered the most powerful man within the Centauri military.

Minister Tempor - direct liason between the Royal Court and the House elders of the nobility. While the Circle of Houses represents the interests of each house, the minister can act as the Voice of the Houses and bypass the authority of these representatives.

I trust this information with be helpful to you, rick_mollari. For more detailed analysis of the Republic, consult the Imperial Archives or the Imperial Academy's Politics and Government department for more information. I trust that they will be able to give you a more detailed analysis of our government and its various institutions.

I hope that you will consider taking a more active part in Centauri politics once you are finished with your exchange program on Earth. We could always use another analyst in the Prime Minister's office. Contact me personally if you are interested.

Cheers,
Antonio Refa
Prime Minister of the Centauri Republic

Checkmate

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 05:35:30 GMT

I have him......I finally have that blubbering bastard in my claws. It has taken me several months to accomplish this task, but I finally have Londo Mollari by the tentacles and he doesn't even realize it.

Oh, the look on his face when the royal guards come to arrest him will be exquisite. In fact, I must insist that the emperor grant me the honor of leading the team that will arrest the "traitorous" ambassador.

I am on the PM's shuttle right now to the Narn homeworld and will be arriving within the hour. I've already informed Governor Drigo of my mission and the need for a squad of men loyal to House Refa to accompany me into the underground. I personally appointed him when we took over Narn for his loyalty to my house. I knew that one day he would come in handy and that day has come.

The brivari only makes my triumph even more enjoyable. I broke open my best bottle to celebrate this spectacular coup. I haven't been this giddy since the Narn surrender. When I think back to how the whole scheme started, it had to be fate.

I never expected Mollari to be smart or cunning enough to actually poison me......but he had done it. It was in retaliation for Morden supporting me. I always knew that it would come to this sooner or later, but I didn't expect that he would beat me to it. In no uncertain terms, Mollari told me to cut all ties with Morden and to protect Centauri Prime by ending the war of retribution or enjoy the two part poison partying in my cardiovascular system and suffer a painful, excruciating death. I did as he commanded, but I would never let him get away with him. I am no one's puppet!

I arrived back to the Royal Court very perturbed because I had to avoid Morden or else wait for one of Mollari's men to slip me the other part of the poison. While I ordered that all communications and actions between our two houses cease, I could not think of any solution to this problem. As I was sitting in my office going over my usual paperwork trying to forget Mollari, his name appeared on an intelligence report......G'Kar!

Of course, how could I have been so stupid? We had known for some time that G'Kar had been aiding the resistance on the Narn homeworld. Despite our best attempts, the Narn resistance continued to receive weapons and support from someone outside the Centauri protectorate. While our intelligence sources couldn't pin point who was organizing these shipments, they knew that they were coming out of Babylon 5. It didn't take a Ventura Kado to figure out who was behind them.

It was too perfect. G'Kar had been on the station for almost a year after the Narn surrender and Mollari had failed to get him extradicted. While it was not Mollari's fault that the Commander Sheridan had granted G'Kar asylum, none of that mattered to Emperor Cartagia and especially to me. He never wanted to hear what couldn't be done; only how it would be accomplished.

I slowly fed the Emperor intelligence reports on the Narn resistance and G'Kar hoping to undermine his faith in Mollari. At the same time, I spread rumors among the Royal Court that Mollari had grown too soft and that he had spent too much time away from home. This alien presence had affected his loyalties to the Republic and our Emperor.

These rumors was easy to spread considering the anamosity that had grown between both houses. The white gloves were finally coming off for both sides and everyone could sense that a coming confrontation between House Refa and Mollari was iminent. It was only a matter of time before blood would be spilled and heads would roll.

To my surprise and glee, Emperor Cartagia agreed that this situation was suspicious, but he felt that this had nothing to do with G'Kar. He had talked with Mr. Morden and had decided that it was another consequence of the infighting between House Mollari and Refa.

The Emperor wanted the conflict resolved and decided that Minister Virini would investigate Refa's allegations and decide whether they had any merit. At the same time, he would determine which House was responsible for this state of affairs and put an end to this conflict.

I was shocked that the Emperor was consulting with Mr. Morden without my knowledge but relieved that I would be present during Minister Virini's visit. I knew that my allegations would get back to Mollari and he would have to prove his loyalties or risk being branded a traitor by me. I would wait in the wings for his move and immediately squash it before he could respond.

I get all the credit and Mollari takes the fall. It was fool-proof and everything went according to plan. Mollari used his attache to lure G'Kar back to Narn on some fabricated excuse and had his forces waiting to arrest him. He could present the Narn rebel to the Emperor and use this coup to discredit me.

Fortunately, Mollari was careless and one of my agents overheard his conversation with his attache. It was a simple task to seize the hapless fool and bring to a private place where we could "talk." I had to admire the boy for his loyalty; he refused my generous bribe or didn't bargain for the information. You don't find that many Centauri still alive with that kind of attitude.

Since diplomacy failed, I played my trump card and used my House's telepath to extract the necessary information from the fool's little brain. I even learned about the recent death of one of Londo's mistresses, some slave girl named Adira Tyree. Never realized that Mollari had a thing for slave dancers especially ones from House Tyree.

Oh well, he will get to see her soon enough after I capture G'Kar and get the arrest warrant. I will take great delight in watching Mollari rotting in the Palace dungeons. When I am through with him, he will wish that he had never born!

After I get G'Kar, the Emperor will do whatever I ask. Cartagia is very generous to those people who give him presents and he has been dreaming about this present for some time. I'm sure that he will enjoy "playing" with the Narn before he ends his life. Also, I will be able re-establish contact with Mr. Morden whose allies are the key to eventual rise to the throne.

The shuttle will be arriving at Narn soon. I must end my journal for now. As I told that fool Londo before we left to witness the bombing of the Narn homeworld, destiny awaits! My destiny of ruling the Republic will come true and there is nothing that that pathetic fool Mollari can do about it.

Proclamation to the Republic - 2259

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 15:08:25 GMT

Speech given in 2259 upon the acension of Emperor Cartagia and the opening weeks of the Narn-Centauri War.

Greetings my fellow citizens of the Centauri Republic,

Today is the dawn of a new era for our great republic. I have just received confirmation that the Centaurum has approved my confirmation as Emperor Cartagia's prime minister. At this time of war, we are engaged in a conflict that we did not start and did not want.

All about us the warning signs of this eminent conflict were apparent. The Narn regime in the past and even now is making a powerful and insidious attack upon our dismayed and shattered nation. It seeks to poison and disrupt in order to hurl us into an epoch of chaos.

This negative, destroying spirit spared nothing of all that is highest and most valuable. Beginning with the family, it has undermined the very foundations of morality and faith and scoffs at culture and business, nation and state, justice and honor. One hundred years of Narn freedom have ruined the Centauri Republic.

Even the sufferings of the last decade and a half could not be compared to the misery of a universe in the heart of which the Narn flag of destruction had been hoisted. The thousands of wounded, the thousands of dead which this inner strife has already cost the republic should have been a warning of the storm which would come.

The inheritance which has fallen to us is a terrible one. The task with which we are faced is the hardest which has fallen to Centauri statesmen within our memory. But we are all filled with unbounded confidence for we believe in our people and their imperishable virtues. Every class and every individual must help us in building a new Centuari Republic.

The government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and co-operation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards gods as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.

Turbulent instincts must be replaced by a national discipline as the guiding principle of our national life. All those institutions which are the strongholds of the energy and vitality of our nation will be taken under the special care of the government.

The Cartagia government intends to solve the problem of the reorganization of trade and commerce with two four-year plans:

-The Centauri farmer must be rescued in order that the nation may be supplied with the necessities of life.

-A concerted and all-embracing attack must be made on the Narn in order that the republic may be saved from ruin. We will not stop until the Narn regime has been completely obliterated and the stain of our dishonor has been cleansed

-In fourteen years they have created an army of millions of unemployed. The National Government will, with iron determination and unshakable steadfastness of purpose, put through the following plan:

-Within four years the Centauri commoners must be rescued from the quagmire into which he has fallen.

-Within four years unemployment must be finally overcome. At the same time the conditions necessary for a revival in trade and commerce are provided.

-The government will couple with this tremendous task of reorganizing business life a reorganization of the administrative and fiscal systems of the republic, of the Imperial colonies, and the noble houses.

-Only when this has been done can the idea of a continued federal existence of the entire Centauri Republic be fully realized.

-Compulsory labor-service and the back-to-the-land policy are two of the basic principles of this program.

-The securing of the necessities of life will include the performance of social duties to the sick and aged.

-In economical administration, the promotion of employment, the preservation of the farmer, as well as in the exploitation of individual initiative, the government sees the best guarantee for the avoidance of any experiments which would endanger the currency.

-May the good will of all others assist in the fulfillment of this our earnest wish for the welfare of universe.

-Our Imperial Army and Navy as the bearer of our arms and the symbol of our great past, we should increase its numbers and armaments so that we will never have to fight another conflict like this again.

In those hours when our hearts were troubled about the life and the future of the republic, the aged Emperor Turhan with his dying breath appealed to us "Go...take my people back to the stars." He called to those of us in all parties and leagues to struggle once more, in unity and loyalty, for the salvation of the Centauri Republic.

This time the front lines are at home. The venerable Emperor has allied himself with us in this noble endeavor. And as leaders of the nation and the national Government we vow to the Great Maker, to our conscience, and to our people that we will faithfully and resolutely fulfill the task conferred upon us.

Now, Centuari, give us four years and then pass judgment upon us. In accordance with Emperor Cartagia's command we shall begin now. May the Great Maker give our work His blessing, strengthen our purpose, and endow us with wisdom and the trust of our people, for we are fighting not for ourselves but for the Centauri Republic.

Antonio Refa
Prime Minister of the Centauri Republic
Lord of House Refa

Dirty Deeds

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 04:20:21 GMT

At last, the deed has been done. I arrived back at my house in the dead of night. None of my servants were there to greet me; I had left special instructions for them to be in bed at this time. Plus they could not be witnesses to my arrival if anyone asked.

I crept silently through the courtyard hoping to arrive at my room undetected when a figure leaped from the bushes onto me. I cried out in terror and reached for the dagger in my pocket until I heard giggling in the shadows and recognized the sound of it.....my daugther Senna.

I let out a sigh of relief and forcefully pulled her face close to mine. "Never sneak up on me like that again......What have I told you about sneaking out of bed?" I said in an angry voice, my face had to be frightening to behold in the darkness.

Senna didn't expect me to be so angry and was speechless for several seconds. Then, I realized that she had no knowledge of the reason for my fear and I wisely changed from angry to a devious smile. I responded in half-conspiratorial and half sagely advice, "Just make sure you don't get caught."

Her frown turned to a smile and we hugged as father and daughter. I let out a sigh of relief; I didn't want her to know of my terror when she jumped out at me. I had assumed that it was the emperor's guard coming to arrest me for high treason and murder. Thank the Great Maker it was not so.

"Now what are you doing out of bed so late, my little one," I colely asked.

"I'm sorry father.....I just could not sleep. There was an incredible thunderstorm and I just couldn't go to sleep. It was like the Great Maker and all the other gods were having huge battle in the clouds......it was fantastic. When the storm ended, it was very late and I couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to go take a walk in the courtyard. That is when I saw you walking and I couldn't resist sneaking up on you......I didn't mean to frighten you," Senna said with her head bowed.

"No, I was just surprised that is all. I didn't know who you were and I had several things on my mind. Now, let us get inside before we catch a chill out here," I replied with a smile and took off my0 cloak to cover my daughter who was only dressed in a light gown.

Senna then noticed the terrible red stain on my blue cloak, "Father! What is that awful stain on your cloak!?"

Idiot, I wanted scream.....I should have remembered that I was wearing that cloak to hide the bloody business that had just happened. Morden had told me that it would be a simple task just get on the boat, kill the boy, and leave.....no problem. I didn't know that the boy would escape my clutches and jump into the river. I didn't have time to search for the body and had to sink the ship without discovering whether he was dead or not. No, he couldn't have survived the river's current.....not with his wounds.

"Oh, this stain.....it is nothing just a stupid wine stain. I was attending a party at Lord Piro's house. The lord was so intoxicated that he spilled a large container of Centauri Beta red wine all over my suit. You know how accident prone the lord gets after he consumes a large amount of alcohol," Refa lied quickly.

"Hehehe.....I remember the last Royal Court party that he attended . He was so intoxicated that he spilled wine all over Lord Corono's mistress and nearly caused a riot between the attendants of both houses. Luckily, the emperor was able to put a stop to it," Senna laughed remembering the incident, "I'm not surprised that something like that happened. But really father.....why must you always stay out late attending these silly parties when you could be at home with me and mother?"

At the mention of the emperor, Refa freezed for a moment remembering the dirty deeds that had just been performed but he recovered swiftly and responded in a lecturing tone, "I attend these parties because I am the head of House Refa, because our high status depends on the gratitude of other lords and houses, and because I happen to like spending endless hours at parties entertaining crotchedy, old men like Lord Piro."

Refa starts imitating the Lord's bow legged step and his sad habit of crashing into things and people. Senna can't stop giggling at her father's realistic imitation of Lord Piro. She always loved how her father could be charming and funny all at the same time. Refa smiled and gave his daughter a hug and a kiss on her forehead. "Now it is time for us to get some sleep and no excuses my dear.....otherwise I will inform your mother about your late night walk tonight," Refa says and extends his arm.

"You don't fight fair do you?" Senna grabs his arm. We walked through the courtyard into the house and we arrived at her room. I made sure that she was under the covers and told her good night. She easily closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

I stared at Senna asleep in her bed for a long time wondering about my actions today. What if someone committed the same deed against my daughter.....what if some assassin came in the middle of the night or when she was wandering the courtyard and? No, I would never leave my daughter unprotected! She would always be protected from everything; there would be no cost too high for her safety.

Just like there would be no cost too high to protect the honor of the Centauri Republic as that boy's father had not done. If the old man was stupid enough only leave one incompetent guard to protect his son, he deserved to have his son killed. He should have known that the survival of his reign and his future dynasty depended on that boy. Yes, it was his fault that the boy had to die and that his dynasty would come to swift end. I was merely following the law of natural designation: the strong would always overcome the weak.

The more I thought about this, the more my doubts about killing the old man's son disappeared. They were replaced by a sense of pride and almost gleefullness. I had finally taken my first step towards realizing my dream and it felt very good to take some revenge against a hated enemy. The Great Maker only knows what torment myself and the Republic had suffered because of that old man sitting on the throne.

I entered my room changing out of my blood stained clothes and donning my sleep robes. I moved towards my bed with my sleeping wife when I noticed the sun starting its ascent over the horizon. Feeling nostaligic, I went over to the window and stared in awe at the incredible scene.

As the sun rose over the horizon into my bedroom and signaled the start of a new day for the Centuari Republic and me, I stared at the view for a long time and then remembered what Beyon told me before he jumped overboard, "Damn you traitor.....The Great Maker will see that you pay." Yes, I may be damned but I am one step closer to seizing the throne. Maybe damnation is a small price to pay.....for immortality.

Villain

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 02:44:19 GMT

Which Villain Character Are You?

Who's your daddy, Londo? HEHEHEHE