Babylon 5 s03e10 Episode Script
Severed Dreams
This is absurd! Two hours I have been standing in line.
"Our staff are overwhelmed," they tell me.
"Too many people trying to get home or escape here.
Rumors of rebellion and war.
Even the diplomatic lanes are clogged.
" If you ask me, I know the real problem.
Ever since the Earthers put Narns on their security force everything here has gone to hell.
They're not very efficient, you know.
You have to keep an eye on them at all times.
Next.
ldenticard, please.
How strange.
I am not getting a confirmation on your ldenticard.
- Please.
You know who I am.
- Yes, I know who you are, ambassador.
But the computer, you see, does not.
And verification is required prior to entry.
Perhaps I have entered the data incorrectly.
We are, after all, very inefficient.
One must keep an eye on us at all times.
- All right.
Now you listen to me-- - In a moment.
Meanwhile, we have many others coming through.
Please step aside, ambassador.
This shouldn't take more than two or three standard hours.
Madness.
Total and complete madness! This never would have happened if the humans hadn't started fighting one another.
One more and we'll lose rotation and go Z- gravity.
We can't outrun them in normal space.
Major, we have to jump.
Leave our fighters stranded? We can't jump without them.
If we reel them in, we'll lose our screen.
- "Clarkstown" will burn us down.
- Damn it, haven't we lost enough? If you won't jump, let me open fire with the aft batteries.
- I don't want to kill any more of our ships! - We have no choice.
Forward interceptors on the "Clarkstown" are down.
We can punch through the hull.
Major, please, let me take the gloves off the firing team.
Tell the aft batteries to open fire.
Command to squadron.
Fire in the hole.
Repeat, fire in the hole! Aft batteries, fire! "Clarkstown" destroyed, major.
Reloading fighters as fast as we can.
As soon as they're aboard, make the jump to hyperspace.
Bill? Did you ever meet the captain of the "Clarkstown"? No, sir.
He and the general were at the academy together.
Hague introduced me to him last summer.
He has a wife back home three small children an Abyssinian cat named Max.
That's what makes this war different from anything we've gone through.
This time we know everyone we kill.
I'll try to find something to say to both of their wives.
God knows what.
Sir? Once we jump what's our course? We need time to make repairs, catch our breath.
There's only one place safe for us.
Set course for Babylon 5.
The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace.
It failed.
But in the year of the Shadow War, it became something greater our last, best hope for victory.
The year is 2260.
The place, Babylon 5.
Bad news, people.
We are five hours away from a crisis situation.
I just received a transmission from the "Alexander".
That's Gen.
Hague's ship.
They've suffered heavy damage, and they need a place to make repairs.
And they're coming here.
Well, we're screwed.
Every ship is hunting them down on charges of treason.
As soon as they come, somebody will send word back home.
- Once that happens-- - I know.
So I need you to put a cutoff switch in the com system.
The second they get here, shut everything down.
Just leave us a private channel, in case we need it, and the ISN feed.
It's our only lifeline to home.
We need to know what's happening.
We all knew we'd end up in the middle of this sooner or later.
How far this goes, we'll just have to see.
All I know right now is that Hague is arriving here in a few hours and hell is riding in with him.
- Why didn't you bring him to Medlab? - We can't let anyone see him.
We believe bounty hunters are here looking for him.
We must slip him into the station quietly.
- What happened? - He just spent six months among the League worlds gathering information.
He was on his way here when he was attacked.
Doctor, we cannot let him die.
That'll happen if we don't get him to Medlab right away.
Security is very tight, and the Narns are at all of the customs areas.
How do we know whom to trust? You don't, but I do.
I'll get him past the other Narn.
- Good.
If you'll give me a hand here-- - Unnecessary.
Ambassador.
Can you carry him very far? As far as you like.
With the latest news on the continuing crisis Xavier Montoya, head of the Mars Provisional Government announced that he will not implement the martial law order given five days ago by President Clark.
So far, Earth Dome has had no official response to this act of defiance by Mars except to say that they are considering all options.
Is Garibaldi standing by? The cutoff switch is in place and ready to go.
Jumpgate activated.
We've got a ship coming through.
Sheridan to Garibaldi.
Kill it.
Confirmed.
May I have your attention? Your instruments are correct.
That's the "Alexander".
She's been in combat for some time, and we will render full assistance.
- But, captain-- - The commander and I are aware of standing orders concerning the "Alexander" and her crew.
We take full and personal responsibility.
Now, if anyone has a problem with this you're free to leave the command deck.
We have just been thrust into the middle of extraordinary events.
So we must approach this calmly and rationally.
Those are not the enemy out there.
We wear the same uniforms, and we've both sworn to uphold the constitution.
They're as loyal to Earth as you are.
And we will render humanitarian aid to them.
Because as much as our humanity got us into this our humanity is the only thing that's going to get us out again.
- Delenn-- - Take it easy now.
You're safe.
No.
None of us is safe anymore.
The Shadows are moving.
They have made alliances with many in the Non- Aligned Worlds and urged them to go to war with their neighbors.
No.
Why would they go along with this? They listened to the Shadows out of fear afraid that if they did not ally themselves with a greater force they would be conquered by the Centauri.
But an alliance of defense has now grown into the dream of conquest.
They believe that as long as they are protected by the Shadows, they cannot be defeated.
And so they go to war with one another.
Has the Grey Council been informed? The Grey Council has said: "The problems of others are not our concern.
" - Captain.
- Maj.
Ryan.
Where's Gen.
Hague? Gen.
Hague was killed in our last firefight.
We were coming back from a meeting with some officials on Orion 7 when we were ambushed.
He was on his way to the command deck when we were hit by the "Clarkstown".
In his absence, I've tried to carry on as best I can.
Between this and what's been going on back home, the crew is just stunned.
What's the latest on the coup? A few senators have managed to escape Earth Dome.
Shock troops are out in force everywhere: Paris, London, New York, Moscow, New Delhi.
How are the folks back home dealing with all this? That's the irony.
Most of them have welcomed martial law.
It's cut crime down to nothing.
- On the surface, it's peaceful.
- Yeah, the peace of the gun.
Why haven't we seen this on ISN? ISN is walking a fine line.
They know if they push too far, they'll be shut down.
We have one chance.
Mars has rejected martial law.
If they stand up to Clark, they might rally support from other colony worlds and push him out.
- Unless he pushes back.
- He's overextended already.
His power base is back on Earth, where he has Nightwatch and the bulk of our forces.
I can't believe people in Earthforce would go along with this.
He spent the last year putting his people in key places.
Anyone who raises a voice is immediately arrested and charged with treason.
Under conditions like that it's easier to keep quiet.
Yes.
We've intercepted a coded message from Earthforce Command.
They've started bombing Mars.
I repeat, they're bombing Mars.
- "Standing by.
Weapons hot.
" - "Don't do it!" We've got women and children down here.
Don't do it! Omega One", you are cleared for drop.
" Lennier, I'm leaving you in charge in my absence.
I will support any action you take.
Thank you.
Delenn, please be careful.
The Grey Council is not what it was.
They may not receive you well if they will see you at all.
They will see me, whether they like it or not.
It's time someone made them face reality.
Your ship's ready to go.
We got you priority clearance.
Seems like everyone's trying to get out now that fighting's broken out.
- Thank you.
- Good luck.
G'Kar, thank you for your help.
You are no longer quite the same person I met when I came here four years ago.
Captain, take a look at this.
We've got another Earthforce destroyer.
ldentification code says it's the "Churchill".
Good.
Maj.
Ryan's been waiting for her.
She's hailing us.
"Repeat, this is the" Churchill "to" Babylon Control.
Do you copy? - Right here,"Churchill".
- "Capt.
Sandra Hiroshi here.
" - "Is Maj.
Ryan with you?" - He's coordinating repairs with our people.
- Do you want us to get him? - "Negative.
" I won't put this on an open channel.
Tell your people to stand by.
I'm coming in.
We've been unable to determine at this time how many have been killed in the recent attacks on Mars by Earthgov forces.
President Clark has announced that the attacks will continue until the Mars Provisional Government accedes to martial law.
There's been no reaction from any of the outer colonies concerning-- I'm sorry.
Jane, I'm sorry to jump in like this, but we have to-- The colonies at Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have just broken away from the Earth Alliance in protest over the bombing of Mars.
They're setting themselves up as independent states until such time as the president is impeached.
- Rick, don't do this-- - Clark doesn't want this released but we have to go with this now because I don't know how long we can stay on.
Armed troops have begun moving in on the ISN broadcast center here in Geneva.
We just saw them coming around the corner.
We're trying to get a camera down there to document what's going on.
I can hear gunfire now up here on the 14th floor.
Listen to me.
There's information you don't have.
What's been going on for the last year, we haven't been allowed to tell you.
Everyone, get down! Maj.
Ryan.
Captain.
We just jumped in from Orion 7.
They've declared independence.
We've heard.
What's the reaction? Clark's afraid of losing other colonies so he's sending elite forces to seize direct control of any colony that might move against him.
- If he finds out we're here-- - It's too late.
He already knows.
We intercepted attack orders relayed to the "Agrippa" and the "Roanoke".
They're hooking up with heavy reinforcements on the way in.
We better pull out before we jeopardize Babylon 5 further.
Major, the ships receiving the attack order were already on their way here.
He doesn't want to risk Babylon 5 breaking away.
So those ships are under orders to seize command of Babylon 5 arrest and detain its captain and the command staff and to put this station under authority of President Clark and the Nightwatch.
- The other governments won't stand for it.
- They won't intervene.
All the major powers are divided, distracted, busy with their own wars.
We're on our own.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, captain, but I thought you should know.
- How long until they get here? - Six hours, tops.
Maybe less.
I'd better get back to my ship.
I should be there when the others arrive.
If you think it would help, we could try to jump.
Draw fire away from Babylon 5, give you a chance to negotiate.
No.
Thank you, major.
If this is where we make our stand, then this is where we'll do it.
I know we were hoping to avoid a head- on confrontation with Earth that somehow we could stop this train before it went off track.
But this train is heading right for us and there is not a lot of time.
So we have only two options.
We fight or we surrender.
Now if it was just us, hey you pays your money, you takes your chances, but it's not just us.
There's a quarter million people here and billions more out there counting on us.
I promised Delenn that we would draw a line against the darkness no matter the cost.
Well, now we know the cost.
There's too much at stake to walk away now.
If we surrender, they'll court- martial us.
If we fight and lose they'll probably kill us.
They probably will at that.
So the choice is yours.
I say fight.
Fight.
Fight.
Fight.
They'll probably try to breach the hull, so we'll need everybody working security.
- Full weapons load.
- What about the Narns? Them too.
G'Kar's guaranteed their loyalty, and he has kept every promise he made.
I want two fighter squadrons on rotation, starting 30 seconds ago.
And put all backup squadrons on full alert.
If it can fly, I want it loaded and ready to drop 10 seconds after primary launches.
- Done.
- Doc.
If you have any patients that can be moved from Medlab, do so.
- We'll need the space.
- You'll have it in an hour.
I need to make a call.
Tell the staff to stand by and see if you can access Draal's holographic system on Epsilon 3.
I have an announcement to make.
I told you, Delenn, they will not speak to you.
Then they will listen to me.
I served the Council for 16 cycles.
I was the chosen of Dukhat to replace him.
I held him when he died.
His blood is on my hands, his spirit in my eyes his word on my lips.
You will step aside in his name and mine or in Valen's name, I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them.
Move aside.
Three years.
For three years, I warned you this day was coming.
But you would not listen.
Pride, you said.
Presumption.
And now the Shadows are on the move.
The Centauri and the younger worlds are at war.
The Narns have fallen.
Even the humans are fighting one another.
The pride was yours.
The presumption was yours.
For a thousand years, we have been awaiting the fulfillment of prophecy.
And when it finally happens, you scorn it.
You reject it because you no longer believe it yourselves.
We stand between the candle and the star between the darkness and the light.
You say the words, but your hearts are empty.
Your ears closed to the truth.
You stand for nothing but your own petty interests.
"The problems of others are not our concern.
" I do not blame you for standing silent in your shame.
You, who knew what was coming, but refused to take up the burden of this war.
If the warrior caste will not fight, then the rest of us will.
If the Council has lost its way If it will not lead if we have abandoned our covenant with Valen then the Council should be broken as was prophesied.
We must stand with the others.
Now, before it's too late! Between the worker caste and the religious caste, we control two- thirds of our forces.
And to you I say listen to the voice of your conscience.
Break the Council and come with me.
Our time of isolation is over.
We move now, together, or not at all.
Transmission sequence complete.
Stand by to receive.
Hi, Dad.
John.
Well, this is a surprise.
I thought I'd see how you were doing.
Fine.
Fine.
Having a few problems with the corn.
Been so damn hot lately, the water doesn't get a chance to sink in.
Your mother still thinks I make a better diplomat than a farmer.
Where is Mom? Oh, she had to go into town.
Errands to run.
Some days I don't know what she does with her time.
But if she's happy, I'm happy.
Listen, Dad I wanted to call because well, there's a lot going on right now.
I don't know when I'll be able to call again.
It may be a while.
- I can't explain on an open channel, but-- - "Son, I follow the news.
" Well, I did until ISN went black.
I see what's going on.
Your mother doesn't like to think about it.
You know how she is.
John, I can't imagine the kind of decisions that are going through your mind right now.
I'm sure they're not easy.
The important ones never are.
But when push comes to shove, you've always done the right thing.
What was the first lesson I ever taught you? "Never start a fight, but always finish it.
" You do what you have to do, son.
Don't worry about us.
Neighbors around here like us, and Lord knows why.
So anybody comes for us, they're gonna have quite a fight on their hands.
Now, I know you've probably got a million things to do.
So I'm gonna let you go and do them.
And I guess I'll talk to you when I talk to you.
Goodbye, Dad.
Love to you both.
Delta Squadron fueled up, ready to go.
Scramble! Scramble! All right, everyone.
Listen up.
Commander and I have prepared a response to the unconstitutional actions taken against us and the Mars Colony by President Clark.
Is Draal's holographic system online? Just finished.
Stand by for scan.
You're online.
Go ahead.
May I have your attention, please? In the last few hours, we have learned that warships are coming this way from Earth.
Their orders are to seize command of Babylon 5 by force.
As commanding officer and military governor of Babylon 5 I cannot allow this to happen.
President Clark has violated the Earth Alliance Constitution by dissolving the Senate declaring martial law and personally ordering the bombing of civilian targets on the Mars Colony.
He is personally responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people.
Following these attacks, Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have broken away from the Earth Alliance and declared independence.
Babylon 5 now joins with them.
As of this moment, Babylon 5 is seceding from the Earth Alliance.
We will remain an independent state until President Clark is removed from office.
At the end of this current crisis, anyone who wishes to leave for Earth is free to do so.
Meanwhile for your own safety, I urge everyone to stay in your quarters until this is over.
That is all.
Well, we're in it now.
Should we ask Draal to help with the defense? No.
No, he's our ace in the hole.
I want to keep him a secret as long as we can.
This is our fight, not his.
All right.
Anyone who wants to leave, do so now before you violate any regs.
- You okay? - I think so.
It's kind of a surprise, but yeah.
I'm okay.
Good.
Captain, request permission to join Starfury Squadron.
Request denied.
You're asking pilots to go against their training and open fire on our own ships.
One of us should be out there with them.
One of us has to be.
You know I'm right.
Go.
Maj.
Ryan.
Capt.
Hiroshi.
- "Right here, captain.
" - "Online.
" Stand by.
Jumpgate activated.
Here they come.
This is Capt.
Dexter Smith of the "Earth Alliance Destroyer" Agrippa to Babylon 5 and renegade ships.
You are ordered to surrender your commands and prepare to be boarded.
Launch fighters.
This is your only warning.
If you do not surrender, we will be forced to initiate deadly force.
This is Capt.
John Sheridan, Babylon 5.
You are executing an illegal order in violation of the Earth Alliance Constitution.
These orders have forced us to declare independence in order to ensure the safety of this station.
We don't want a fight.
But if you attempt to carry out these orders, we will defend ourselves.
Come on, captain.
You must see these orders are wrong.
Leave while you still can.
They've broken contact.
Enemy starfuries moving on attack vector.
Orders? Babylon Control to all Starfury Squadrons.
Stand by to attack, but do not, repeat, do not initiate combat.
Let them fire first.
We won't start this fight but, by God, we'll finish it.
Eight hundred kilometers, 700.
Forces closing.
Entering firing range.
Close blast doors and activate defense grid.
Stand by.
Don't be a fool, Smith.
You've got to see these are illegal orders.
Don't make us do this.
Enemy fighters have locked on.
Firing! Alpha Squadron, form up on my wing.
Delta Squadron, punch us a hole through there.
Confirmed.
Enemy fighters coming from the side to outflank us.
Reset forward interceptors for long- range dispersion fire.
Ready.
Fire! Maintain approach! Direct hit to decks 14 and 15.
- Hull integrity down 20*/.
- Bring us in closer to the enemy.
- How close? - Right down their throats.
A breaching pod coming in! Hell.
Where's it going? Hull area, Brown 95.
- Garibaldi? - I heard.
We're in the area.
On our way.
Come on, move! We gotta cut them off before they hit open ground.
Let's go! Take up position.
We'll cut them off right here.
Nuts! Let's go! Three enemy 'furies, locking on.
Hang on! Give me a targeting solution on the "Roanoke" and stand by to redirect all defensive fire.
Hang tight.
Coming around for another run.
"Commander, the" Churchill.
Hiroshi! Get out of there.
Get to the life pods! Too late to get out.
Our primary systems are hit.
We've got fire on all decks now.
"There's nothing we can do except"-- Hiroshi? Hiroshi! Collision alert.
Collision alert.
Ivanova! Eject! - I can handle it! - "Eject, damn it.
Eject!" - We're in range.
- Fire! Fire! Babylon Control to "Roanoke" your ship is out of control.
Surrender and let us take on prisoners.
We promise safe passage to-- Damage report.
Damage to all sectors.
They're still fighting in Brown Sector.
Get some more troops down there.
- Hull integrity? - Not good.
EVA teams en route.
It's a good thing it stopped when it did.
We couldn't take much more.
Oh, no.
This is Capt.
Drake to Babylon 5.
You are ordered to surrender and prepare to be boarded by order of President Clark.
Captain jump points forming right on top of us.
- How many? - Four.
This is Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari.
Babylon 5 is under our protection.
Withdraw or be destroyed.
Negative.
We have authority here.
Do not force us to engage your ship.
Why not? Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet.
He is behind me.
You are in front of me.
If you value your lives, be somewhere else.
All ships return to base.
All right, now.
Take it easy, chief.
Just take it easy.
Put your weight on me.
Now, all right.
Come on.
Give me this.
Come on.
Give me this.
Come on.
Come on.
All right.
All right.
Slow it down.
All right.
Just take it easy, chief.
You'll be all right.
How many fighters did you lose? Too many.
At least 30 percent of our starfuries are destroyed or disabled.
It's not likely we'll be getting any more from Earth for a long time.
Why? When the "Churchill" was destroyed, we took on as many of her pilots as we could.
The launch bays are damaged.
We can't hold many more.
Give them a home here and bring your fighter squadrons up to full strength.
I think Capt.
Hiroshi would've wanted that.
I didn't know her very well, but I'd be honored to take care of her crew.
Captain, you wanted to be notified when Ambassador Delenn came aboard.
Thank you.
I'll be right there.
- When do you have to jump? - As soon as I get back to the ship.
We're both targets now.
If we split up, it'll give them less incentive to concentrate their fire here.
And there's still some ships out there who've signed on with us.
We have to find them.
Your people performed superbly.
You should be proud.
I am.
Proud of what we did, but not the reason we had to do it.
Good luck to you, major.
I don't know how long we can hold the fort here, but as long as we can - you're welcome here.
- Thank you.
I think you're forgetting something.
No.
No, I'm not.
After what happened today, I don't think I can wear that for a while not with a clear conscience.
Now when this is all over I'll put it on again, but not before.
I didn't expect to see you here.
How's the leg? - Well, Doc says it'll heal eventually.
- Yeah.
He's checking out Ivanova, but she'll be out soon.
I figured I'd better be here to let you know.
We started shipping people out the ones that want to go and the ones we're getting rid of.
Nightwatch, mainly.
We got all the ones we know about, but that leaves all the ones we don't.
We're going to have a problem with sabotage for a while.
Almost certainly.
Hello, John.
Delenn.
Listen, I've been trying to think of some way to tell you how much what you did means to me, and well.
"Thank you" seems poor and inadequate.
I don't know how much this cost you personally, and I suspect I never will.
But I want you to know that seeing your face at that moment was probably the single finest moment in my life.
It seems that this is the only home we have left.
How could I abandon, as you say my partner? Oh, there you are.
So how is she, Doc? Well, we have a stubborn patient with multiple bruises, a fractured rib and a - bump on the back of the head-- - I'm fine.
I just thought there's something you should see.
"Our staff are overwhelmed," they tell me.
"Too many people trying to get home or escape here.
Rumors of rebellion and war.
Even the diplomatic lanes are clogged.
" If you ask me, I know the real problem.
Ever since the Earthers put Narns on their security force everything here has gone to hell.
They're not very efficient, you know.
You have to keep an eye on them at all times.
Next.
ldenticard, please.
How strange.
I am not getting a confirmation on your ldenticard.
- Please.
You know who I am.
- Yes, I know who you are, ambassador.
But the computer, you see, does not.
And verification is required prior to entry.
Perhaps I have entered the data incorrectly.
We are, after all, very inefficient.
One must keep an eye on us at all times.
- All right.
Now you listen to me-- - In a moment.
Meanwhile, we have many others coming through.
Please step aside, ambassador.
This shouldn't take more than two or three standard hours.
Madness.
Total and complete madness! This never would have happened if the humans hadn't started fighting one another.
One more and we'll lose rotation and go Z- gravity.
We can't outrun them in normal space.
Major, we have to jump.
Leave our fighters stranded? We can't jump without them.
If we reel them in, we'll lose our screen.
- "Clarkstown" will burn us down.
- Damn it, haven't we lost enough? If you won't jump, let me open fire with the aft batteries.
- I don't want to kill any more of our ships! - We have no choice.
Forward interceptors on the "Clarkstown" are down.
We can punch through the hull.
Major, please, let me take the gloves off the firing team.
Tell the aft batteries to open fire.
Command to squadron.
Fire in the hole.
Repeat, fire in the hole! Aft batteries, fire! "Clarkstown" destroyed, major.
Reloading fighters as fast as we can.
As soon as they're aboard, make the jump to hyperspace.
Bill? Did you ever meet the captain of the "Clarkstown"? No, sir.
He and the general were at the academy together.
Hague introduced me to him last summer.
He has a wife back home three small children an Abyssinian cat named Max.
That's what makes this war different from anything we've gone through.
This time we know everyone we kill.
I'll try to find something to say to both of their wives.
God knows what.
Sir? Once we jump what's our course? We need time to make repairs, catch our breath.
There's only one place safe for us.
Set course for Babylon 5.
The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace.
It failed.
But in the year of the Shadow War, it became something greater our last, best hope for victory.
The year is 2260.
The place, Babylon 5.
Bad news, people.
We are five hours away from a crisis situation.
I just received a transmission from the "Alexander".
That's Gen.
Hague's ship.
They've suffered heavy damage, and they need a place to make repairs.
And they're coming here.
Well, we're screwed.
Every ship is hunting them down on charges of treason.
As soon as they come, somebody will send word back home.
- Once that happens-- - I know.
So I need you to put a cutoff switch in the com system.
The second they get here, shut everything down.
Just leave us a private channel, in case we need it, and the ISN feed.
It's our only lifeline to home.
We need to know what's happening.
We all knew we'd end up in the middle of this sooner or later.
How far this goes, we'll just have to see.
All I know right now is that Hague is arriving here in a few hours and hell is riding in with him.
- Why didn't you bring him to Medlab? - We can't let anyone see him.
We believe bounty hunters are here looking for him.
We must slip him into the station quietly.
- What happened? - He just spent six months among the League worlds gathering information.
He was on his way here when he was attacked.
Doctor, we cannot let him die.
That'll happen if we don't get him to Medlab right away.
Security is very tight, and the Narns are at all of the customs areas.
How do we know whom to trust? You don't, but I do.
I'll get him past the other Narn.
- Good.
If you'll give me a hand here-- - Unnecessary.
Ambassador.
Can you carry him very far? As far as you like.
With the latest news on the continuing crisis Xavier Montoya, head of the Mars Provisional Government announced that he will not implement the martial law order given five days ago by President Clark.
So far, Earth Dome has had no official response to this act of defiance by Mars except to say that they are considering all options.
Is Garibaldi standing by? The cutoff switch is in place and ready to go.
Jumpgate activated.
We've got a ship coming through.
Sheridan to Garibaldi.
Kill it.
Confirmed.
May I have your attention? Your instruments are correct.
That's the "Alexander".
She's been in combat for some time, and we will render full assistance.
- But, captain-- - The commander and I are aware of standing orders concerning the "Alexander" and her crew.
We take full and personal responsibility.
Now, if anyone has a problem with this you're free to leave the command deck.
We have just been thrust into the middle of extraordinary events.
So we must approach this calmly and rationally.
Those are not the enemy out there.
We wear the same uniforms, and we've both sworn to uphold the constitution.
They're as loyal to Earth as you are.
And we will render humanitarian aid to them.
Because as much as our humanity got us into this our humanity is the only thing that's going to get us out again.
- Delenn-- - Take it easy now.
You're safe.
No.
None of us is safe anymore.
The Shadows are moving.
They have made alliances with many in the Non- Aligned Worlds and urged them to go to war with their neighbors.
No.
Why would they go along with this? They listened to the Shadows out of fear afraid that if they did not ally themselves with a greater force they would be conquered by the Centauri.
But an alliance of defense has now grown into the dream of conquest.
They believe that as long as they are protected by the Shadows, they cannot be defeated.
And so they go to war with one another.
Has the Grey Council been informed? The Grey Council has said: "The problems of others are not our concern.
" - Captain.
- Maj.
Ryan.
Where's Gen.
Hague? Gen.
Hague was killed in our last firefight.
We were coming back from a meeting with some officials on Orion 7 when we were ambushed.
He was on his way to the command deck when we were hit by the "Clarkstown".
In his absence, I've tried to carry on as best I can.
Between this and what's been going on back home, the crew is just stunned.
What's the latest on the coup? A few senators have managed to escape Earth Dome.
Shock troops are out in force everywhere: Paris, London, New York, Moscow, New Delhi.
How are the folks back home dealing with all this? That's the irony.
Most of them have welcomed martial law.
It's cut crime down to nothing.
- On the surface, it's peaceful.
- Yeah, the peace of the gun.
Why haven't we seen this on ISN? ISN is walking a fine line.
They know if they push too far, they'll be shut down.
We have one chance.
Mars has rejected martial law.
If they stand up to Clark, they might rally support from other colony worlds and push him out.
- Unless he pushes back.
- He's overextended already.
His power base is back on Earth, where he has Nightwatch and the bulk of our forces.
I can't believe people in Earthforce would go along with this.
He spent the last year putting his people in key places.
Anyone who raises a voice is immediately arrested and charged with treason.
Under conditions like that it's easier to keep quiet.
Yes.
We've intercepted a coded message from Earthforce Command.
They've started bombing Mars.
I repeat, they're bombing Mars.
- "Standing by.
Weapons hot.
" - "Don't do it!" We've got women and children down here.
Don't do it! Omega One", you are cleared for drop.
" Lennier, I'm leaving you in charge in my absence.
I will support any action you take.
Thank you.
Delenn, please be careful.
The Grey Council is not what it was.
They may not receive you well if they will see you at all.
They will see me, whether they like it or not.
It's time someone made them face reality.
Your ship's ready to go.
We got you priority clearance.
Seems like everyone's trying to get out now that fighting's broken out.
- Thank you.
- Good luck.
G'Kar, thank you for your help.
You are no longer quite the same person I met when I came here four years ago.
Captain, take a look at this.
We've got another Earthforce destroyer.
ldentification code says it's the "Churchill".
Good.
Maj.
Ryan's been waiting for her.
She's hailing us.
"Repeat, this is the" Churchill "to" Babylon Control.
Do you copy? - Right here,"Churchill".
- "Capt.
Sandra Hiroshi here.
" - "Is Maj.
Ryan with you?" - He's coordinating repairs with our people.
- Do you want us to get him? - "Negative.
" I won't put this on an open channel.
Tell your people to stand by.
I'm coming in.
We've been unable to determine at this time how many have been killed in the recent attacks on Mars by Earthgov forces.
President Clark has announced that the attacks will continue until the Mars Provisional Government accedes to martial law.
There's been no reaction from any of the outer colonies concerning-- I'm sorry.
Jane, I'm sorry to jump in like this, but we have to-- The colonies at Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have just broken away from the Earth Alliance in protest over the bombing of Mars.
They're setting themselves up as independent states until such time as the president is impeached.
- Rick, don't do this-- - Clark doesn't want this released but we have to go with this now because I don't know how long we can stay on.
Armed troops have begun moving in on the ISN broadcast center here in Geneva.
We just saw them coming around the corner.
We're trying to get a camera down there to document what's going on.
I can hear gunfire now up here on the 14th floor.
Listen to me.
There's information you don't have.
What's been going on for the last year, we haven't been allowed to tell you.
Everyone, get down! Maj.
Ryan.
Captain.
We just jumped in from Orion 7.
They've declared independence.
We've heard.
What's the reaction? Clark's afraid of losing other colonies so he's sending elite forces to seize direct control of any colony that might move against him.
- If he finds out we're here-- - It's too late.
He already knows.
We intercepted attack orders relayed to the "Agrippa" and the "Roanoke".
They're hooking up with heavy reinforcements on the way in.
We better pull out before we jeopardize Babylon 5 further.
Major, the ships receiving the attack order were already on their way here.
He doesn't want to risk Babylon 5 breaking away.
So those ships are under orders to seize command of Babylon 5 arrest and detain its captain and the command staff and to put this station under authority of President Clark and the Nightwatch.
- The other governments won't stand for it.
- They won't intervene.
All the major powers are divided, distracted, busy with their own wars.
We're on our own.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, captain, but I thought you should know.
- How long until they get here? - Six hours, tops.
Maybe less.
I'd better get back to my ship.
I should be there when the others arrive.
If you think it would help, we could try to jump.
Draw fire away from Babylon 5, give you a chance to negotiate.
No.
Thank you, major.
If this is where we make our stand, then this is where we'll do it.
I know we were hoping to avoid a head- on confrontation with Earth that somehow we could stop this train before it went off track.
But this train is heading right for us and there is not a lot of time.
So we have only two options.
We fight or we surrender.
Now if it was just us, hey you pays your money, you takes your chances, but it's not just us.
There's a quarter million people here and billions more out there counting on us.
I promised Delenn that we would draw a line against the darkness no matter the cost.
Well, now we know the cost.
There's too much at stake to walk away now.
If we surrender, they'll court- martial us.
If we fight and lose they'll probably kill us.
They probably will at that.
So the choice is yours.
I say fight.
Fight.
Fight.
Fight.
They'll probably try to breach the hull, so we'll need everybody working security.
- Full weapons load.
- What about the Narns? Them too.
G'Kar's guaranteed their loyalty, and he has kept every promise he made.
I want two fighter squadrons on rotation, starting 30 seconds ago.
And put all backup squadrons on full alert.
If it can fly, I want it loaded and ready to drop 10 seconds after primary launches.
- Done.
- Doc.
If you have any patients that can be moved from Medlab, do so.
- We'll need the space.
- You'll have it in an hour.
I need to make a call.
Tell the staff to stand by and see if you can access Draal's holographic system on Epsilon 3.
I have an announcement to make.
I told you, Delenn, they will not speak to you.
Then they will listen to me.
I served the Council for 16 cycles.
I was the chosen of Dukhat to replace him.
I held him when he died.
His blood is on my hands, his spirit in my eyes his word on my lips.
You will step aside in his name and mine or in Valen's name, I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them.
Move aside.
Three years.
For three years, I warned you this day was coming.
But you would not listen.
Pride, you said.
Presumption.
And now the Shadows are on the move.
The Centauri and the younger worlds are at war.
The Narns have fallen.
Even the humans are fighting one another.
The pride was yours.
The presumption was yours.
For a thousand years, we have been awaiting the fulfillment of prophecy.
And when it finally happens, you scorn it.
You reject it because you no longer believe it yourselves.
We stand between the candle and the star between the darkness and the light.
You say the words, but your hearts are empty.
Your ears closed to the truth.
You stand for nothing but your own petty interests.
"The problems of others are not our concern.
" I do not blame you for standing silent in your shame.
You, who knew what was coming, but refused to take up the burden of this war.
If the warrior caste will not fight, then the rest of us will.
If the Council has lost its way If it will not lead if we have abandoned our covenant with Valen then the Council should be broken as was prophesied.
We must stand with the others.
Now, before it's too late! Between the worker caste and the religious caste, we control two- thirds of our forces.
And to you I say listen to the voice of your conscience.
Break the Council and come with me.
Our time of isolation is over.
We move now, together, or not at all.
Transmission sequence complete.
Stand by to receive.
Hi, Dad.
John.
Well, this is a surprise.
I thought I'd see how you were doing.
Fine.
Fine.
Having a few problems with the corn.
Been so damn hot lately, the water doesn't get a chance to sink in.
Your mother still thinks I make a better diplomat than a farmer.
Where is Mom? Oh, she had to go into town.
Errands to run.
Some days I don't know what she does with her time.
But if she's happy, I'm happy.
Listen, Dad I wanted to call because well, there's a lot going on right now.
I don't know when I'll be able to call again.
It may be a while.
- I can't explain on an open channel, but-- - "Son, I follow the news.
" Well, I did until ISN went black.
I see what's going on.
Your mother doesn't like to think about it.
You know how she is.
John, I can't imagine the kind of decisions that are going through your mind right now.
I'm sure they're not easy.
The important ones never are.
But when push comes to shove, you've always done the right thing.
What was the first lesson I ever taught you? "Never start a fight, but always finish it.
" You do what you have to do, son.
Don't worry about us.
Neighbors around here like us, and Lord knows why.
So anybody comes for us, they're gonna have quite a fight on their hands.
Now, I know you've probably got a million things to do.
So I'm gonna let you go and do them.
And I guess I'll talk to you when I talk to you.
Goodbye, Dad.
Love to you both.
Delta Squadron fueled up, ready to go.
Scramble! Scramble! All right, everyone.
Listen up.
Commander and I have prepared a response to the unconstitutional actions taken against us and the Mars Colony by President Clark.
Is Draal's holographic system online? Just finished.
Stand by for scan.
You're online.
Go ahead.
May I have your attention, please? In the last few hours, we have learned that warships are coming this way from Earth.
Their orders are to seize command of Babylon 5 by force.
As commanding officer and military governor of Babylon 5 I cannot allow this to happen.
President Clark has violated the Earth Alliance Constitution by dissolving the Senate declaring martial law and personally ordering the bombing of civilian targets on the Mars Colony.
He is personally responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people.
Following these attacks, Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have broken away from the Earth Alliance and declared independence.
Babylon 5 now joins with them.
As of this moment, Babylon 5 is seceding from the Earth Alliance.
We will remain an independent state until President Clark is removed from office.
At the end of this current crisis, anyone who wishes to leave for Earth is free to do so.
Meanwhile for your own safety, I urge everyone to stay in your quarters until this is over.
That is all.
Well, we're in it now.
Should we ask Draal to help with the defense? No.
No, he's our ace in the hole.
I want to keep him a secret as long as we can.
This is our fight, not his.
All right.
Anyone who wants to leave, do so now before you violate any regs.
- You okay? - I think so.
It's kind of a surprise, but yeah.
I'm okay.
Good.
Captain, request permission to join Starfury Squadron.
Request denied.
You're asking pilots to go against their training and open fire on our own ships.
One of us should be out there with them.
One of us has to be.
You know I'm right.
Go.
Maj.
Ryan.
Capt.
Hiroshi.
- "Right here, captain.
" - "Online.
" Stand by.
Jumpgate activated.
Here they come.
This is Capt.
Dexter Smith of the "Earth Alliance Destroyer" Agrippa to Babylon 5 and renegade ships.
You are ordered to surrender your commands and prepare to be boarded.
Launch fighters.
This is your only warning.
If you do not surrender, we will be forced to initiate deadly force.
This is Capt.
John Sheridan, Babylon 5.
You are executing an illegal order in violation of the Earth Alliance Constitution.
These orders have forced us to declare independence in order to ensure the safety of this station.
We don't want a fight.
But if you attempt to carry out these orders, we will defend ourselves.
Come on, captain.
You must see these orders are wrong.
Leave while you still can.
They've broken contact.
Enemy starfuries moving on attack vector.
Orders? Babylon Control to all Starfury Squadrons.
Stand by to attack, but do not, repeat, do not initiate combat.
Let them fire first.
We won't start this fight but, by God, we'll finish it.
Eight hundred kilometers, 700.
Forces closing.
Entering firing range.
Close blast doors and activate defense grid.
Stand by.
Don't be a fool, Smith.
You've got to see these are illegal orders.
Don't make us do this.
Enemy fighters have locked on.
Firing! Alpha Squadron, form up on my wing.
Delta Squadron, punch us a hole through there.
Confirmed.
Enemy fighters coming from the side to outflank us.
Reset forward interceptors for long- range dispersion fire.
Ready.
Fire! Maintain approach! Direct hit to decks 14 and 15.
- Hull integrity down 20*/.
- Bring us in closer to the enemy.
- How close? - Right down their throats.
A breaching pod coming in! Hell.
Where's it going? Hull area, Brown 95.
- Garibaldi? - I heard.
We're in the area.
On our way.
Come on, move! We gotta cut them off before they hit open ground.
Let's go! Take up position.
We'll cut them off right here.
Nuts! Let's go! Three enemy 'furies, locking on.
Hang on! Give me a targeting solution on the "Roanoke" and stand by to redirect all defensive fire.
Hang tight.
Coming around for another run.
"Commander, the" Churchill.
Hiroshi! Get out of there.
Get to the life pods! Too late to get out.
Our primary systems are hit.
We've got fire on all decks now.
"There's nothing we can do except"-- Hiroshi? Hiroshi! Collision alert.
Collision alert.
Ivanova! Eject! - I can handle it! - "Eject, damn it.
Eject!" - We're in range.
- Fire! Fire! Babylon Control to "Roanoke" your ship is out of control.
Surrender and let us take on prisoners.
We promise safe passage to-- Damage report.
Damage to all sectors.
They're still fighting in Brown Sector.
Get some more troops down there.
- Hull integrity? - Not good.
EVA teams en route.
It's a good thing it stopped when it did.
We couldn't take much more.
Oh, no.
This is Capt.
Drake to Babylon 5.
You are ordered to surrender and prepare to be boarded by order of President Clark.
Captain jump points forming right on top of us.
- How many? - Four.
This is Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari.
Babylon 5 is under our protection.
Withdraw or be destroyed.
Negative.
We have authority here.
Do not force us to engage your ship.
Why not? Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet.
He is behind me.
You are in front of me.
If you value your lives, be somewhere else.
All ships return to base.
All right, now.
Take it easy, chief.
Just take it easy.
Put your weight on me.
Now, all right.
Come on.
Give me this.
Come on.
Give me this.
Come on.
Come on.
All right.
All right.
Slow it down.
All right.
Just take it easy, chief.
You'll be all right.
How many fighters did you lose? Too many.
At least 30 percent of our starfuries are destroyed or disabled.
It's not likely we'll be getting any more from Earth for a long time.
Why? When the "Churchill" was destroyed, we took on as many of her pilots as we could.
The launch bays are damaged.
We can't hold many more.
Give them a home here and bring your fighter squadrons up to full strength.
I think Capt.
Hiroshi would've wanted that.
I didn't know her very well, but I'd be honored to take care of her crew.
Captain, you wanted to be notified when Ambassador Delenn came aboard.
Thank you.
I'll be right there.
- When do you have to jump? - As soon as I get back to the ship.
We're both targets now.
If we split up, it'll give them less incentive to concentrate their fire here.
And there's still some ships out there who've signed on with us.
We have to find them.
Your people performed superbly.
You should be proud.
I am.
Proud of what we did, but not the reason we had to do it.
Good luck to you, major.
I don't know how long we can hold the fort here, but as long as we can - you're welcome here.
- Thank you.
I think you're forgetting something.
No.
No, I'm not.
After what happened today, I don't think I can wear that for a while not with a clear conscience.
Now when this is all over I'll put it on again, but not before.
I didn't expect to see you here.
How's the leg? - Well, Doc says it'll heal eventually.
- Yeah.
He's checking out Ivanova, but she'll be out soon.
I figured I'd better be here to let you know.
We started shipping people out the ones that want to go and the ones we're getting rid of.
Nightwatch, mainly.
We got all the ones we know about, but that leaves all the ones we don't.
We're going to have a problem with sabotage for a while.
Almost certainly.
Hello, John.
Delenn.
Listen, I've been trying to think of some way to tell you how much what you did means to me, and well.
"Thank you" seems poor and inadequate.
I don't know how much this cost you personally, and I suspect I never will.
But I want you to know that seeing your face at that moment was probably the single finest moment in my life.
It seems that this is the only home we have left.
How could I abandon, as you say my partner? Oh, there you are.
So how is she, Doc? Well, we have a stubborn patient with multiple bruises, a fractured rib and a - bump on the back of the head-- - I'm fine.
I just thought there's something you should see.