Babylon 5 s04e01 Episode Script

Previously on Babylon 5: If you go to Z'Ha'Dum, you will die.
Each of these devices carries terrible destructive force.
In human terms, they can deliver a thermonuclear blast of 5 or 600 megatons.
I need you to take care of this for me.
No questions, no speculations hunches, or educated guesses.
- How many of those bombs do we have? - Two of the devices are missing.
By the time you get this message I will be at Z'Ha'Dum with Anna even though I know it's almost certainly a trap.
And I want you to know that I love you, Delenn.
What the hell? Jump.
Jump now.
Goodbye.
It is now seven days since we lost Capt.
Sheridan and Mr.
Garibaldi.
And in a way, I think we have also lost Ivanova.
It is as though her heart has been pierced and her spirit has poured out through the wound.
She blames herself.
It is foolish, it is destructive, it is human.
Ambassador Mollari has returned to Centauri Prime to take up his role as advisor on planetary security.
I suppose he is quite happy with his new position.
It's what he always wanted.
Power, title, responsibility.
But I think he is more alone than anyone else in the universe.
Delenn has refused to eat for seven days fasting, praying and waiting.
Delenn believes.
I think she is the only one who does.
The Shadows have paused in their pursuit of war and everywhere there is a sense of imminent change.
Whether it is a change for good or ill, no one can tell.
Because no one has yet answered two very important questions.
Where is Mr.
Garibaldi? And what happened to Capt.
Sheridan at Z'Ha'Dum? It was the year of fire.
The year of destruction.
The year we took back what was ours.
It was the year of rebirth.
The year of great sadness.
The year of pain.
- And a year of joy.
- It was a new age.
It was the end of history.
It was the year everything changed.
The year is 2261.
The place, Babylon 5.
Good morning.
The time is 0530, Earth standard time.
You have the following messages: Message from Ambassador Delenn.
Message from Vir Cotto.
Message from station security.
Message from dockers' guild.
Message from citizen G'Kar.
You have the following meetings: - We have already discussed this.
- Yes, but we haven't finished discussing it.
And when are we to be finished? As soon as you agree to my proposal.
I told you this a half an hour ago.
If you're having a problem with comprehension perhaps you should borrow the Gaim's translator.
- Yes.
- Stop that.
Please, please.
The issues before us are extremely important.
Your governments signed the Babylon Treaty promising to keep ships here as part of the ongoing defense of Babylon 5.
The treaty also stipulated that all of us would work together as a unit against the Shadows.
Why have your governments recalled nearly all of your ships? - The war is over.
- It isn't over.
There's a pause, yes, but that's all.
They'll regroup soon, and then All the more reason to take advantage of a lull in combat to address our wounds.
To tighten defenses around our Homeworlds.
By pulling our forces apart, you're destroying the chance we have of winning.
You cannot win this war, commander.
You can only survive it.
And we intend to survive it.
If the rumors are true They may not be.
We don't know what happened at Z'Ha'Dum.
There've been reports of a thermonuclear detonation, but that's all.
If they've been hurt, we have to press the advantage and hit them as hard as we can.
- You cannot attack Z'Ha'Dum.
- Yes, we can.
- The captain showed us how.
He - Capt.
Sheridan is dead.
You don't know that.
No one returns from Z'Ha'Dum.
If we go, we will not return.
That is real reason you wish us to go to Z'Ha'Dum.
You wish to find your captain.
You wish him to be alive.
If we go, we will be buried alongside him.
Our task is to serve our people.
This must come first.
Just a minute.
This meeting is not over.
I said Let them go, commander.
Sheridan was willing to risk his life for their benefit.
They're afraid to act as honorably as he did.
Shame is theirs.
I'm sorry, commander.
He did not come.
Again.
Yes, and I intend to find out why.
You should be most pleased.
Emperor Cartagia does not often grant a private audience.
But he has been most pleased by your work and wanted to personally welcome you to the royal court.
- Oh, it is a most great honor.
- Yes.
Most great.
Minister, I have met Cartagia three times before.
Twice when he was an infant.
He drooled most of the time.
I wonder if he has continued the habit.
And again when he was 15, trying to peek up the dresses of some young women.
I promise you, I will be just as impressed by him now as I was then, yes? - Mollari.
It's wonderful to see you again.
- And you, Majesty.
I could swear you have not changed since the last few times I saw you.
You are, of course, too generous.
- So, what do you think, Mollari? - It is short, Majesty.
Shorter than is traditional for someone of your position.
Yes, yes.
Decadent, isn't it? I find the shorter crest allows me to leave the palace.
Walk in places where the nobility would never think of being seen, for the scandal.
The things I have seen! As you can see, I've started quite the trend.
It's become all the fashion among the court.
I suppose there are those that might object but they remain silent because the emperor is always right.
- Is he not, Mollari? - That is our tradition.
I've called you home for two reasons, Mollari.
First, you have a great deal of experience with these off-worlders.
I have need of that.
Centauri Prime has become provincial, small-minded.
They don't see the, what was it that that charming human called it a few weeks ago? - "The big picture.
" - The big picture.
They don't see the big picture.
But you and I see the big picture.
Don't we, Mollari? We will change our world forever.
You will handle the arrangements.
What arrangements? Well, that will be explained to you later this evening.
You're doubtless tired from your long journey.
Go.
Go and rest and we'll speak again after.
Majesty, you said there were two reasons? Ah, yes! You were requested.
- By whom? - You'll see.
- I got your message, Vir.
I don't have a lot - I know what happened to Capt.
Sheridan.
- How? - Londo has sources close to the Shadows.
When he's not here, they leave their information with me.
Sheridan was taken to the largest underground city in Z'Ha'Dum.
Their capital, you might say.
While he was there he sent a message to the White Star which caused it to crash into their city carrying two 500 megaton thermonuclear devices, which exploded on impact.
And the captain? He was seen falling into a great chasm moments before the blast.
It's a two-mile drop.
It appears the rumors are true.
Captain Sheridan is dead.
But he took their biggest city with him.
Putting them into complete chaos.
Causing them to regroup and retreat.
I suppose, with any luck, we won't see Mr.
Morden's face around here anymore.
That's good.
Hello, Mollari.
- Mr.
Morden? - In the flesh.
What's left of it.
Sit.
We have much to discuss.
- Mr.
Morden, you are - Unwell.
My associates tell me I'll be better soon.
I wasn't as near the incident as others.
- And Sheridan? - Which one? You know what they say.
What goes up must come down.
Seen one Sheridan, seen them all.
Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.
Shouldn't you be someplace where they can take care of you? Your injuries? Flesh is transitory.
Flesh is a prison.
Flesh is an instrument.
Flesh can be replaced.
And flesh does as it's told.
Or they will become most annoyed.
What are you doing here? Cartagia told you to expect a visitor, did he not? - He meant you? - What's left of me.
I'm just a shadow of my former self.
The incident at Z'Ha'Dum has forced us to look for outside support sooner than we had intended.
My associates are planning to move some of their forces off Z'Ha'Dum to ensure their safety in case certain parties decide to take advantage of the situation.
They did it before a thousand years ago.
Planted their ships like seeds all around the galaxy.
In exchange for certain favors, Emperor Cartagia has agreed to loan us a small piece of Centauri Prime.
No, he wouldn't.
He couldn't.
The Centaurum wouldn't stand for it.
The resolution was passed quietly.
Fourteen opposed it.
- No one's seen them since.
- He's mad.
If there's a madman on the throne, it's because you and Refa put him there.
He's your responsibility, and you You are mine.
Based on our warm relations of the past my associates asked for you as our liaison to the royal court.
I don't care.
I won't do it.
Of course you will, Mollari.
Because you're drawn to power.
Because you're my friend.
Because you're afraid of what someone else might do in your place.
My associates will be arriving soon.
Make sure everything is ready.
I'm sorry we're late.
The ambassador was in discussion with the Vorlon Homeworld until late last night.
- About what? I'm afraid I can't tell you that.
After all I've done for you, am I now to be shut out like this? Was there anything in particular that you wanted, ambassador? Otherwise I need to speak with you.
Alone.
I'm afraid that's not possible.
I don't have any choice in this either, Delenn.
The League is breaking up again, returning to their own worlds.
The Alliance is fracturing.
One word from you, from the Vorlon empire could help keep it all together.
But you haven't come to our council meetings, haven't returned my calls.
Why? The stories we have heard about what happened at Z'Ha'Dum are they true? - Yes.
- What do you intend to do about them? Nothing.
But if Sheridan is still alive, if there's even a chance Irrelevant.
Irrelevant? How can you say that? You know how much depends on him.
He has opened an unexpected door.
We do now what must be done now.
His purpose has been fulfilled.
You have the power to send a force to investigate.
- Lf he's alive, he can be rescued.
- No one returns from Z'Ha'Dum.
That's what we thought about Anna Sheridan.
You were wrong then.
You could be wrong now.
Are you afraid to admit that you are capable of another mistake? He's bled for you, worked for you, for me, for everyone here.
If you turn away now, if you abandon him to die on Z'Ha'Dum I will have no more respect left for you.
Do you understand me? Respect is irrelevant.
I'm sorry, Delenn.
I'm sorry.
Zack to station house.
Someone's in the chief's quarters.
I'm going in to check it out.
Chief? No, I'm afraid not.
G'Kar.
What are you doing here? I saw him wearing this from time to time.
I thought it would help me.
In all the concern about Sheridan, it seems Mr.
Garibaldi has been forgotten.
No, not forgotten.
But I think he'd want Sheridan found first.
Then you think he's alive? I don't know.
When you come right down to it it doesn't matter what I think either way.
- Our thoughts form the universe.
They always matter.
I was studying this image.
Is it one of his household gods? No.
That's Daffy Yeah, well, in a way, I suppose it is.
It's sort of the Egyptian god of frustration.
Most appropriate.
Thank you.
I came here to remind myself of his soul his center, his Chad'rasha, we call it.
It will help me.
Help you what? It takes a rare kind of wisdom to accept change and redemption in another.
Many would refuse, seeing only what was, not what is.
Mr.
Garibaldi gave me that chance.
I must repay him.
So I'm going after him, Mr.
Allan.
I don't know where he is or where to start but if he is alive, I will find him and bring him back.
Good day, Mr.
Allan.
- Mollari.
Mollari, l - Damned, triple damned.
Where is it? - I'm sorry? - My coat.
I left it right here.
Oh, I sent that one out to be cleaned.
It had the air of having traveled long.
But for now, you are needed outside quickly.
- No, no, no, I can't.
- But Emperor Cartagia insists.
Besides, it is a most glorious day.
You won't want to miss it.
- We'll be in the sand garden.
- All right.
Yes, yes, what is it? No! Great Maker, no! - Magnificent, is it not? - Come away from the window.
- I've never seen anything so fantastic.
- I said, come away from the You forget yourself, Mollari.
It's an unhealthy mistake.
- What have you done? - What have I done? I've done nothing.
I've given them the island of Celini.
It's barely inhabited.
Perfectly suited for their purposes.
It's a temporary situation.
Shelter forces there until things calm down.
- Madness.
- They are guests of the Centauri Republic.
- What did they give you? - It is strategically wise to make alliances that might prove useful.
- What did they give you? The one thing I have ever wanted.
Read the old books, Mollari.
They speak of the ancient gods.
They speak about them.
- Power.
Power beyond description.
- Lf their power is so great why do they need to hide behind us? They are using us as shields.
When the war comes here our people will die first.
Some are always sacrificed for the greater good.
- What greater good? - Mine, of course.
Mollari, I thought you of all people understood.
The emperor is the soul of the people, the center of this republic.
This whole world may perish.
The emperor goes on, we go on.
The first emperors, the greatest of us were themselves proclaimed deities by the ancient gods.
In exchange for loyalty, they became immortal.
Their names revered for generations to come.
Prayers offered up to them even in the temples today.
And now, now these gods of old have returned.
Through them I will become a god myself.
That is my destiny.
I've known it all my life.
It is what I was born for.
And when the time comes, Mollari the people will gladly lay down their lives that I may be elevated to godhood.
What are a few million lives compared to the glory of becoming a living god? And when I become a god, I will forgive you your rudeness, Mollari.
Then my capacities will be infinite.
For now, I will simply try to forget it.
He is insane.
Great Maker, forgive us all, he is mad.
It is not wise to say such things aloud, Londo.
Others have said the same and disappeared.
They say there is a desk somewhere upon which he has their heads all arranged in a row.
They say he speaks to them late at night.
No, it is best to remain quiet, Londo.
It'll all work out in the end.
Was there anywhere else you needed me to carry you? No.
Go.
It doesn't feel the same as when I carried Kosh with me.
It's darker somehow.
Is everything all right? Yes.
You're planning something, aren't you? Something that you're not telling me.
You are free for a time.
Do not interfere.
We have your connection to Babylon 5, ambassador.
Yes, put him through.
And use personal security codes.
- Londo.
- Vir, I woke you, I'm sorry.
- I forgot the time difference there.
- It's all right.
I was just about to get up in about six hours, but - Good.
And while you're at it, start packing.
- I want you here as fast as possible.
- Is there something wrong? Something, no.
Everything, yes.
Conspiracies require more than one person and there is no one here I trust.
Come quickly, Vir.
We have much to do.
Good evening, my friends.
I thought you should know today has been a very good day.
- Yes? - It's Lyta Alexander.
May I speak with you? - Sorry to bother you, I know it's late.
- No, it's all right.
I wasn't sleeping.
I haven't slept since - Can I get you something? - No, thank you.
Then if you don't mind Have you ever heard of the hour of the wolf? - No.
- My father told me about it.
It's the time between 3 and 4 in the morning.
You can't sleep, and all you can see is the troubles and the problems and the ways that your life should've gone but didn't.
All you can hear is the sound of your own heart.
I've been living in the hour of the wolf for seven days, Lyta.
Seven days.
The wolf and I are now on a first-name basis.
Please.
In times like this my father used to take one large glass of vodka before bed.
To keep the wolf away, he said.
And then he would take three very small drinks of vodka just in case she had cubs while she was waiting outside.
- It doesn't work.
- Have you had any luck trying to convince the others to send a rescue ship to Z'Ha'Dum? No, they're sure he's dead.
Why rescue a dead man? - I just wish we knew one way or another.
- There may be a way.
The White Star can jump out of hyperspace near Z'Ha'Dum.
You can scan for any signals.
If he is alive, I know he'd find some way to try and contact you.
- The Shadows would be on us in a second.
- I can block ships in the area telepathically.
Not for long, just for a few minutes.
Enough to try and contact him.
But that's assuming that he was able to send a message within that window.
- Lf not - That's the other thing.
If he is alive, I may be able to sense him.
I thought that telepaths had to be in direct line of sight to do something like that.
Normally, yes, But Sheridan had let Kosh into his mind.
He was sensitive to Kosh and Kosh was sensitive to me.
It's a long shot, I won't be able to establish contact but it might be enough for me to sense if he's alive or not.
This link between you and the Vorlons.
There's more to it than you're telling me, isn't there? Typical.
But you know what? Right now I don't care.
Ivanova to C & C.
Patch me through to Ambassador Delenn's quarters.
Stand by.
I hope you're right about getting us in and out of there in one piece.
Because if we go down in Z'Ha'Dum, nobody's gonna come after us.
- They're ready to enter normal space.
- You set? I'll start jamming them as soon as we come out of hyperspace.
I don't know how long I can hold them off, but I'll do the best I can.
All right.
Take us in.
- Scanning all frequencies.
- Anything? Nothing that I can recognize.
Lyta, are they aware of us yet? Lyta? Are they aware of us? - Are you all right? - Hurry.
I can feel them.
Open up a channel.
Use the frequency for the captain's link.
- They might pick it up.
- We'll take that chance.
Ivanova to Sheridan.
This is lvanova to Sheridan.
Can you receive? Lvanova to Sheridan.
If you can receive this, please send us a signal.
Keep sending it.
Are you getting anything? Can you feel him? No.
John we're here.
Can you hear us? John, can you hear us? We've come to take you home.
Send us a word and we will hear it.
Think of me and we will feel it.
We will find you.
John are you there? Can you hear me? They heard us.
They know we're here.
The Eye is looking for us.
I've felt this before.
I've been here before.
Did you hear that? It knows our names.
Take us down.
Take us What, what happened? How did we? I was concerned that there might be a fight upon arrival.
In the event that something might happen to me, I programmed the computer to return home if I did not touch this control once every two standard minutes.
- Are you all right? - Yeah.
Tired.
I'll be all right in a minute.
- You heard it then too.
- Yes.
It knew everything about me.
It was calling to me.
I would've gone down there if we hadn't - What? What did it say to you? - Nothing I can put into words.
A voice of infinite sadness.
- It spoke in the voice of my father.
- And mine.
- Lennier, get us the hell out of here.
- Initiating "getting the hell out of here" maneuver.
- Did you monitor until the last possible minute? - Yes, I did.
There was no signal.
I'm sorry, Delenn.
Yes.
- You're late.
- I'm sorry.
They had a hard time finding me a place to stay on the grounds, so I had to go way Vir, Vir.
Oh, my.
Every time I find one listening device and remove it, they plant another.
- But we can talk for now.
- What's this all about? Emperor Cartagia is insane.
He has made a deal with these Shadows, allowing them a base here in the belief that they will grant him godhood, like the emperors of old.
He wants to be immortal, to be worshipped.
And he does not care who pays the price for his deification.
- Does anyone else know about this? Vir, when you are mad you say these things the same way that you and I talk about the weather.
Of course the others know.
But they are afraid to move against him.
Whoever does so will almost certainly be killed.
- That would be a drawback.
- These creatures must be driven away before it's too late.
We must stop Cartagia, no matter the cost.
The cost.
That would be the dying thing, right? Vir, it is a terrible truth but as one accumulates power, one loses friends.
One only has those who wish to use you, and those you wish to use.
And yet, in all of this, you have somehow managed to walk through the corridors of power and not be touched.
I can only assume you have not been paying attention.
And still, the hideous truth is you are the closest thing I have to a friend.
I am as shocked and dismayed by this as you are, but there it is.
I need a friend, Vir.
And I need a patriot.
And you are both.
Will you help me? Please? If you had any doubt what my answer would be would you have asked me to come this far? No, no, I wouldn't have.
And now we must do everything we can to save our world.
You and I, Vir must kill Emperor Cartagia.
Good morning.
The time is 0530, Earth standard time.
You have the following messages: Message from Ambassador Delenn.
Message from Marcus Cole.
Message from station security.
Message from dockers' guild.
You have the following meetings: Commander's personal log.
I wish it didn't have to be like this, but I can't keep on denying it.
The captain's dead and I have to accept that.
What matters now is finishing the work that he began.
I have some ideas how to do that, but I'm gonna need some help.
I think I know where to go to find it.
I have to let him go and just get on with the work.
I think I hope it's what he would've wanted.
- Who are you? - Who are you? - How did I get here? - You were born.
- Why am I alive? - Well that is the question, isn't it? Do you mind if I share your fire? No.