A/N - This is a short, plotless one-shot that I wrote inside of four minutes when the thought occurred to me. It's by no means a new long-term project like Broken Birds is... I'm trying to keep a policy of finishing my projects before starting anything new. If anybody wants to pick this up as a more fleshed out story, be my guest and send a link my way as I'd love to read how it pans out. Enjoy!

Morden sat at the table, seemingly the only occupant in the Spartan quarters he had rented in red sector aboard Babylon 5. Seemingly of course was the key word. Morden was never alone. Wherever he went, two of his... associateswere always with him, one to listen and record, the other to whisper advice and to direct.

Business had brought him to Babylon 5, business that didn't involve his... good friend Mollari, nor any of his contacts amongst the league of non-aligned worlds, nor was he here to confer with his counterparts working towards their mutual goals.

No, today's business was rather unusual. Or so his advisor-associate had whispered to him. Today he was dealing with another of the first ones... ancient rivals to the Vorlons and to what the small-minded and superstitious called the Shadows.

It slunk in through a loose air vent before leaping up and perching itself before him on the desk, sitting with a grace not at all fitting to its ferret-like appearance. With its bushy tail, soft white fur, red eyes and strange appendages flowing out of its ears one could easily disregard it as an alien pet of some sort, the equivalent of a cat or a puppy.

Even so, the hairs on Morden's neck stood at attention. Senses and instincts that the Shadows had ingrained in him since his... change of heart at Z'ha'dum sounded a clarion call of warning.

Agree to nothing, whispered the advisor tersely, trust nothing.

"Greetings Mr...?" asked Morden.

A small part of him, the part that was still human, felt foolish talking to the ferret-cat-like creature.

"Kyubei, and you?" the creature 'asked' him.

Though its lips never moved Morden heard the voice in his mind. It was little wonder why his associates didn't trust it. They trusted no telepath, least of all the ones from a species that could challenge them.

"Mr. Morden. My associates requested this meeting as per the ancient rules regarding contact and dialogue. We have one question and one question alone, I trust that you'll be able to answer us satisfactorily," said Morden.

The creature tilted its head inquisitively. Its red eyes disturbed him. Something about this creature made his skin crawl. For perhaps the first time since coming to Babylon 5, he had a slight insight into the reception he'd received from Ambassador Delenn. Even he would have thrown himself out of the room, given similar feelings.

"And what question would that be, Mr. Morden?" asked Kyubei.

Morden grinned. The ball was firmly in his territory now. He could relax.

"What do you want?"