Babylon 5 s04e14 Episode Script

Oh, what the hell is it with this place? I can't get just one solid night's sleep.
Lights.
Yeah, what is it? Incoming message from Mars, sent by William Edgars.
Do you wish to receive? Yeah, put it through.
Good morning, Mr.
Garibaldi.
Mr.
Edgars, have I ever mentioned to you that there is a seven-hour time difference between Babylon 5 and Mars? Yes, you have, but I am on call 24 hours a day and I expect the same from everyone who works for me.
I should think the weekly retainer I'm currently paying you entitles me to some small eccentricities.
Yeah, yeah.
So, what's the job? Another package will be arriving on Babylon 5 later today.
You are to ensure that it goes through customs without incident and send it on to my people on Io.
What's inside? Nothing dangerous, explosive or illegal.
That was our agreement.
So why all the secrecy? The packages contain advanced compounds for my pharmaceutical research department.
I don't want the raw materials to fall into the wrong hands before I can patent them.
I don't trust the government, and I don't trust the couriers.
And I definitely don't trust my competitors.
But you trust me.
For now.
All right.
Upload the data, and I'll get on it.
By the way, you mentioned earlier that I'd be coming to Mars for a personal meeting so we could get to know one another.
Any idea when that's gonna happen? In the fullness of time, Mr.
Garibaldi.
Goodbye.
Sheridan to C & C.
This is C & C.
Go.
Yeah, any luck with my transmission to Minbar? Negative.
We're still unable to get through.
We've heard there's still fighting going on in the capital but so far, no details.
Have you received anything new from Ambassador Delenn since she landed? Negative, captain.
All right, keep trying.
Let me know when you get through.
I'm sure she's okay, sir.
I hope so.
How is it outside? Much the same as it is in here.
I should tell you, we received word from the leader of the Warrior caste.
His forces have surrounded the city.
He says if we don't surrender by tomorrow for the good of our people, he will end the war by destroying the city and everyone in it.
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.
And from 2247 to 2257 I was the commercial telepath for Xenocorp.
I monitored their negotiations with representatives from Centauri Prime, Narn and Pak'ma.
So scanning alien minds doesn't bother you? Well, it's not comfortable.
I don't think any of us enjoys it but you get used to it.
My employer needs to know if their client is lying and that client happens to be an alien and agrees to the scan, you just do it.
I see you interned with the Psi Cops.
One year? I was a field assistant.
Why'd you change to commercial work? It just wasn't right for me, and there was no room for advancement.
As a P-5, the best I could hope for was doing background interviews authorized witness scans.
I like working corporate.
Good.
Well, everything seems to be in order.
We've been looking for a freelance telepath for our Interstellar Contracts Division and you seem to have the right experience.
We'll run the usual background checks, get authorization from Psi Corps, but Well, that might be a problem.
I'm not with the Corps anymore.
How can you operate on Babylon 5? Well, I'm operating here under a kind of special dispensation from Capt.
Sheridan.
He could vouch for me.
Well, I'm sure he can but his word doesn't exactly carry a lot of weight back home right now.
This is very disappointing.
But you said I had the right background.
You do, but our insurance policy requires all telepaths engaged by our firm be current licensed members of Psi Corps.
That indemnifies us against any lawsuits on the grounds of mental distress or invasion of privacy.
I'm sure there's a way we can work this out.
No.
If it were up to me, I'd give you the job, but I'm answerable to our attorneys and the board.
They can't afford the liability.
- But - I'm sorry.
Perhaps in the future, when you rejoin Psi Corps, we can discuss this again.
Until then, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do.
Good day.
Neroon, good.
I'm pleased to see you made it here alive.
I understand the Religious caste is most upset with you.
That is to be expected.
They were hoping I would organize our caste against you but I could no sooner move against the leader of my caste than I could grow wings and fly across the moon.
They were always naive.
That has been their failing from the beginning.
Our people need leadership, not dogma.
Action, not meditation.
They assumed they were our equal in all things.
They have now learned otherwise.
Yes.
I do wonder, though, about the cost.
The cities can be rebuilt.
As far as those who died, I feel for them as much as you do.
But we all die, Neroon.
Only the timing varies.
They will be reborn into the next generation of Minbari perhaps even as Warrior caste.
There was no other way.
The loss of a few lives now will save us many more lives in the future.
Remember, it was the Religious caste that got us into the war with the humans.
Then, after many of our caste died fighting it it was they who just stopped.
If we go to war, it should be for practical gains not holy wars or wars of principle.
It's a hard lesson, but they have to learn it.
Delenn speaks for the Religious caste now.
She values life above all things.
As she sees her caste dying around her she will have no choice but to surrender.
Is it wrong to value life? I thought that is why we fought.
We fight because it is our nature.
It is the calling of our heart.
Life and death are simply two possible consequences, both equal neither valued nor feared above the other.
For a Warrior, death is simply the release from our obligation.
You should rest.
You've done well, Neroon.
Okay, everybody, please have your Identicards out and ready for inspection.
Just go on.
Move along.
He'll take care - Yeah, keep moving.
- Wait! - What? What is it? - I thought you should see this.
Well, back so soon, Mr.
Bester.
Seemed like forever.
To what do we owe the honor of this visit? Nothing.
My business isn't with you or the command staff.
I'm here strictly as a representative of the Psi Corps.
Doing what? Personnel matters that are none of your concern.
I'm not taking anyone with me or causing you the slightest difficulty.
As hard as it might be for you to grasp this I do have a life that doesn't involve Babylon 5, Sheridan, lvanova or anyone else on the command staff.
I can promise you, I won't go near them.
- I don't think - Mr.
Allan, I'd remind you that this is a free port.
At least that's what lvanova keeps saying on this so-called Voice of Resistance.
"Everyone is welcome here.
" Now, is that true, or is it a lie? If it's true, as long as I keep to myself, you've got no reason to hold me.
I have legitimate business here.
Let me get on with it or stop pretending this is not a military dictatorship.
Well, I can't make that decision on my own.
- I'll have to check with the captain.
- Please do.
I'll be waiting right here.
Mr.
Allan seems to be under a great deal of stress.
I don't think he's eating right.
Make sure he gets enough fiber.
That's always important.
Mind your own business.
"Humanity is my business.
" Marley to Scrooge.
Dickens.
A Christmas Carol.
Well, it's good to see they're continuing the fine tradition of hiring from the shallow end of the gene pool.
Garibaldi! Michael - Michael.
- I'm sorry, Zack.
- I can't stop to chat.
I've got a busy day.
- Where's the package? What package? Some guy handed you a package back in customs.
Where is it? I don't know what you're talking about.
By the way, I like the suit.
- It reminds me of the one I used to have.
- Okay, now, that's enough.
There's a rumor you're working for William Edgars helping him get stuff through without questions asked.
My client list is confidential.
My policy: I don't confirm or deny.
Michael, listen to me.
I checked this Edgars out.
He's one of the 10 richest guys in the Alliance, but there are no pictures of him.
A guy like him, he's gotta worry about getting hit by terrorists, kidnappers.
So what? So, what does a guy like him want with you? What's that supposed to mean? - I'm just saying - I know what you're saying.
I'm not good enough to work with the big guys.
I'm not saying I am, and I'm not saying I ain't.
But you ought to start giving me a little credit.
I work hard.
I'm honest.
Maybe you don't appreciate it, but others do.
And getting packages past customs? Is that honest, Michael? Yeah, it's about as honest and lawful as breaking away from Earth Alliance taking over military equipment, starting our own empire out here.
Zack, if you got a problem, take a peek in the mirror.
Don't bother me, okay? - You sent for me, Delenn? - Yes.
I have spoken with the others.
We have reached a decision.
Tell the Warrior caste that we are prepared to surrender at a time and place of their choosing.
- But - Tell them, Lennier.
Just tell them.
And news has reached us that a squadron of Starfury pilots sent to conduct raids against Proxima 3 in hopes of forcing them to accept President Clark's martial law decree have defected, joining the Proxima Resistance.
This makes the fourth major defection in the last two weeks.
Refugees from Sectors 400 through 600 are being taken in by the medical colonies at Beta Durani and the MacArthur Midrange Colony.
Ships wishing to defect should broadcast their intentions on a 9000 I said, I don't want to talk to you.
I heard you.
Came through loud and clear.
Extremely loud and clear, actually.
Amazing, all those channels and nothing worth watching.
If you've got something to say, say it and get out.
That's a very poor way to treat someone who's come all this way to do you a favor.
Oh, please.
I know you've been looking for work.
A couple of the corporations you approached called us about a reference.
Naturally, we couldn't provide one since you've gone rogue and the Corps frowns on that sort of thing.
I imagine you must be getting desperate for money by now or you wouldn't be doing this.
- I'm fine.
Of course you are.
It's just a little one-sided, isn't it? I mean, Sheridan and the others, they have this whole support mechanism.
They draw their salary from the docking fees paid by alien ships.
Their meals and clothing are all free.
But what about poor Lyta Alexander? How does she earn a living? I mean, being a freedom fighter, a force for good, it's a wonderful thing.
You get to make your own hours, looks good on a résumé but the pay sucks.
So I'm prepared to make a deal with you.
I won't go back.
I'm not asking you to.
This is what I was thinking.
I can slide your name off the rogue list.
We have a category for deep-cover agents.
Only a few of us have access to it.
I can add your name without too much trouble.
You'd be Corps in name only.
You can do as you want.
You'd be able to work again, make a living.
In exchange for what? Well, you'd have to wear the symbol, of course, and the gloves.
They're more than just part of the uniform.
They're part of the discipline.
It's who we are, and the usual 10 percent of your fees would go back to the Corps.
And? And Well, there is just no delicate way to say this.
I want your body.
What?! Are you out of your mind? That's a very funny question to ask a telepath since we spend so much of our time in other people's minds.
I don't want it now, Lyta.
Just when you're not using it anymore.
After your passing.
This is a power of attorney.
It gives me the right to your body after your death.
Now, in case you're worried that I might do something to speed that process up Clause 14 stipulates that this contract shall be null and void if you die from anything other than natural causes.
So you see, I'm certainly taking a risk.
This isn't exactly a safe neighborhood.
Why? Because without your permission, Sheridan would never give me custody.
Lyta, we both know you've been altered.
I don't know how, but I think I know by whom.
The Vorlons found some way to enhance your abilities, didn't they? That's something we can't deal with.
A P-5 is a P-5 forever.
We can train them to make the most of their talent, but that's all.
The Vorlons gave you more than just enhanced abilities.
They've given every telepath a chance to be more than what they are.
If that secret dies with you, it's a waste.
Surely, even you can see that.
I'm offering you a chance to put your life back together on your own terms.
It's not a bad deal.
I'd sooner put a bullet in my brain.
I'll be here a few days, just in case you change your mind.
The Religious caste has agreed to surrender.
I thought we would meet down on the planet.
The Grey Council floated among the stars, cut off from our people.
We need to show that we intend to do things differently.
I chose the Temple of Varenni for their surrender.
Why there? That's where disputes between castes were settled in the years before Valen and the Council where new leaders were selected during times of war.
It will show that we are returning to our traditions.
Also, it is equipped to send a record of their surrender throughout Minbar.
That will help to discourage any dissension.
I agree.
It will make for a powerful symbol.
- When does the surrender take place? - As soon as we arrive.
There is one last thing.
Once we've accepted their surrender, what shall we do about Delenn? I know how she thinks.
She'll go along with this for now, but in time, she will start working against us.
She is a threat to our authority.
Once we have restored peace, she will return to Babylon 5.
I believe we can guarantee that her ship will never reach its destination.
Yes? - Hi.
- Zack, hi.
Come on in.
I was just having some dinner if you'd care to join me.
I can't.
I gotta be in five places at the same time.
Smells great, though.
Besides, I got business here.
I figured, better I should do it than some stranger.
Station Resources want you to move to smaller quarters.
What? Why? I just got this place fixed up.
Until last month, this place was paid for by the Vorlon government.
Now they're gone, and you don't have any regular income.
Now, the station needs every credit we can get our hands on to bring in supplies by alternate routes.
- After everything I've done you're just gonna kick me out? - No.
They're not kicking you out.
It's just a move to F-size quarters.
I know the ones they're talking about.
They're nice, intimate.
Small! All right.
I guess I can work this out, somehow.
I'm sorry I bit your head off.
You're right.
I'd rather hear it from you than somebody else.
Good.
Good, I'm glad.
Because I've got a favor to ask you.
It might even help you out a little in return.
I'd like to hire you for a job.
I want you to scan Mr.
Garibaldi for me.
I assume this is with his permission.
- Well, not exactly.
- Zack! Since he got back, he has not been acting the same and I need to know if he's all right.
I can't do that.
It goes against everything I've been taught.
It's a complete invasion of privacy.
Can't you poke around a little bit by accident? No! I wish I could help, but I can't.
Maybe if it were somebody else, I don't know l'd at least think about it.
But Garibaldi he's the first person I met when I got here five years ago.
Oh, I need the money, but I can't do this.
Please don't ask me.
Okay, I guess I understand.
Look, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to upset you.
I had to at least try.
Let me get this straight.
You wanna hire me to find your dog? That's right.
My cat too.
Yeah, well, Mr.
Adams, this isn't the kind of thing that I usually I'll pay time and a half.
- Turn down.
Doggies, kitties, they all make the world go round, don't they? Anything else I should know about them? They're planning to take over the galaxy.
Yeah.
Man, they always find me.
I was wondering when you were gonna be getting around to coming to see me.
What can I do for you? I need a job.
Short, sweet, to the point.
I wish more of my clients were like you.
Please sit down.
I'm almost out of money, and they're about to kick me out of my quarters.
I can't keep taking handouts from the others but without the Psi Corps to back me up, people I wanna work for won't hire me, and the only people who might hire me - You don't trust.
- Exactly.
I don't have anywhere else left to turn.
Lyta, the way I work, I don't use telepaths.
I don't trust them.
I never have.
I know.
I just hoped that by now, I'd proven myself enough However if I hire you, I annoy Bester.
I like the thought of that.
What's your empathic range? Well, officially, 20, 25 meters.
Unofficially.
Further, much.
Interesting.
I'm working for this client who has me bringing him stuff in on the sly.
He doesn't wanna get noticed and neither do I.
When you don't have a lookout or someone to watch your back you get noticed.
What I need is someone who can see around the corners and, well, you're the next best thing.
It'll be a small retainer till we see how things work out.
It's coming out of what I get, so it won't be much.
Well, well, Mr.
Garibaldi.
I heard you'd retired, but I didn't believe it.
Not retired, just went independent, that's all.
Why? You looking to hire somebody to find out what happened to your personality? Always quick with the mot juste, Mr.
Garibaldi.
Sadly, you're no longer worth my attention.
Good day.
Ms.
Alexander.
Hey, what are you? - What? - He scanned you.
- Are you sure? - I'm positive.
- Hey, I told you to stay out of my head! - I don't know what you're talking about.
What are you after? Why are you doing this?! Talk to me! Come on, let me go! He scanned me! Come on.
Easy, easy.
Come on.
Come on, let's go.
Hi.
This is a terrible day, Delenn.
I never thought I'd see it come.
The day is not yet over, Lennier.
But we've already agreed to the surrender.
I know.
I want you to have this, Lennier.
Keep this with you until we are done.
All the instructions are inside.
Instructions? It's time.
Delenn, of the family Mir, I greet you in the name of the Warrior caste.
Shakiri, of the family Kort, I greet you in the name of the Religious caste.
I regret that we have been brought together here in this sacred place, by such unfortunate events.
But this day will mark a new beginning for our people.
The struggle between us was terrible, was hard was inevitable.
But now it is over.
Do you speak for the whole of the Religious caste, Delenn? I do.
And what message do you bring for us today? The Religious caste surrenders.
The Religious caste surrenders! You have all heard it.
The struggle between us is over.
Now we can begin to rebuild our great cities until they are even greater than before.
Now we step out into the light of a new day.
Now we rebuild the Grey Council into a Warrior's Council.
Excuse me.
Yes? I said that we surrendered.
I did not say that we gave up our sovereign rights to form a new government.
Dukhat said that in every battle one side or the other must surrender eventually.
It is the natural order of things.
There is no dishonor in that, no shame.
We recognize the superior forces of the Warrior caste.
We have, after all, spent several centuries arming you helping you learn the art of combat.
What threat are we against that? Then you acknowledge we are stronger.
Stronger, yes.
But wiser? For a thousand years, we have guided our people through wisdom, not arms.
Will we set that aside so quickly? You, who are watching here and across Minbar you know this place.
You know its history.
This is where we chose our leaders before Valen.
This is where many of us served and many of us died.
The Ancients understood that in war it is always the young and the powerless who are sent off to fight.
Sent by leaders and warriors and generals who are not themselves engaged in the battle who do not bleed on the frontlines who do not die alone in the cold and friendless night.
But here, in this place, that changed.
What are you playing at? If the Warrior caste has set aside the wisdom of Valen if they wish to return to the old ways then they must honor the laws set down by the Ancients.
The leaders of each warring caste would step into the circle.
The Starfire Wheel would open and its fire would begin to consume them.
Those who did not deserve to rule, who would not sacrifice themselves as they asked others to do on their behalf, would escape the fire.
The sacrifice of the one who remained who believed so much in his caste that he would lay down his life for them that would determine which caste would be dominant among us.
- This is a violation of - It is the tradition of our people! The Warrior caste began the war.
The Religious caste has ended it.
And now we say, we are willing to endure the Starfire Wheel for the good of our people.
If the Warrior caste will not do the same, then you are not fit to lead.
Valen said: "Will you follow me into fire?" Will you? Delenn, don't do this.
What's done is done.
I cannot leave the circle now.
You have my instructions.
Carry them out.
Shakiri, you do not follow.
Does the Warrior caste concede leadership? - This proves nothing.
- Our entire world is watching, Shakiri.
If you believe so much in your caste, step into the circle and die for them.
Or is it easier for you to kill my caste? Easier to send others out to die for you? This is madness! I refuse You said that a Warrior does not fear death, Shakiri.
- Neroon, what are you? - You said death was only one of two consequences, neither valued nor feared above the other.
Death is merely a release from our obligations.
Why, then, are you afraid, Shakiri? Have you put your own importance above our people? Do you take their side? I speak for my people.
Who do you speak for? And what are you willing to do? They are waiting for your answer.
Delenn, we can walk out together share the power.
- No one will speak against us.
- No! There are other ways.
Then you should have explored them before you tore our people apart! No! No! I do not understand.
When we were aboard your ship, when she proposed this Delenn told me she would leave the circle after he did.
Why does she not come out? She is making her point, for all our people for the world.
No! I was born Warrior caste.
But I see now the calling of my heart is Religious.
The war is over! Listen to her! Listen! That's enough.
Oh, what the frig? I am so tired of this damn Lights! What? - Message for you from William Edgars.
- Put him through! - Good morning, Mr.
Garibaldi.
- Mr.
Edgars, you gotta stop - I understand you've just hired a telepath.
- Yeah? And you're paying her out of the retainer I pay you? Yeah, that's right.
How? How is not important.
You're to fire her, effective immediately.
What? Why? I do not trust telepaths.
I will not have them near me or anyone who works for me at this level.
But this serum that you've been working on, it's supposed to help telepaths.
If you don't wanna help them, then why? I may develop a serum to help lab rats.
That does not mean I want to employ them, even secondhand.
Mr.
Garibaldi, I am paying you a lot of money.
If you cannot meet the terms of our employment I can always find someone else.
I have nothing against her personally but as long as you are working for me, she cannot work for you.
Tell me which way you want it.
Personal log, Bester, Al.
August 3, 2261.
By provoking Mr.
Garibaldi, I've put him even further at odds with his former associates and further on the path I need him to follow.
What I came here to get, I got.
Even her.
Guess you could call it a bank shot.
Yes, I've had a nice day.
I still think you should wait a while longer before doing this.
You're not yet fully healed.
The other castes are waiting to see what I do.
The longer we wait, the more questioning may turn to fear.
Is everything ready? Yes.
As soon as you enter, the record of this will be relayed all across Minbar.
Then let us get this over with.
Today, we rebuild what was broken.
Today, we restore the Grey Council.
I summon the Nine as Valen called them together long ago.
Dhaliri of the Religious caste.
Mazetsch of the Warrior caste.
Bhurlee of the Religious caste.
Shakat of the Warrior caste.
In the past, it has been our tradition to seek balance.
We have called three from each caste: Worker, Warrior, Religious.
But now, that changes.
I call forth Durlan, Katz, Zakat Nur and Varenn the Worker caste.
You had forgotten the Worker caste, hadn't you? When our two sides fight, they are the ones caught in the middle, forgotten until it is their time to serve, to build and to die.
They build the temples we pray in, the ships you fight in.
They look to us to guide their hands.
But prayers are fleeting and wars forgotten.
What is built endures.
They do not wish to conquer or convert, only to build the future.
And now they will have that chance.
The Religious caste and the Warrior caste will advise and counsel.
We will serve, as is proper.
Religion and war must act in the service of the people not the other way around.
And this place This place is reserved in memory of Neroon until the day it is taken by The One who is to come.
You are the heart, the hands and the voice of our people.
Judge wisely and well.
Just a second.
Come.
- Sorry, I was in - Bastards! - Those cold-hearted, rat bastards! - Susan? When I heard, I thought it was a rumor.
We get so many of them.
Oh, God, John, I just wanna grab them and just - This is it! This is it! - What? What is it? What? Here, this was recorded by a transport bringing relief supplies to Proxima 3.
As soon as this destroyer came through the gate the other ships identified themselves as commercial liners.
They were carrying the sick and wounded from where President Clark's been hitting them.
Women, children the sick, the infirm, 2000 civilians per ship, crammed in like sardines.
My God! Ten thousand civilians whose only crime was trying to get out of the damn killing zone! I am putting this on VOR as soon as I calm down.
This madness has gone on long enough.
I don't care if we're ready yet, if we're outnumbered or outgunned.
I don't care what ISN says about us.
This stops, and it stops now.
If Earth wants to declare war on us, then it is time that we took the war to Clark.
You tell the others.
Starting right now, we fight back, and we fight back hard.
Thought you were looking for a way other than firing at our own ships.
They were following orders.
Any crew that executes an order like that is guilty of war crimes.
And they deserve whatever they get.
Now, we're riding in, Susan.
Anybody who wants to defect and join us, fine.
If they get in our way, we'll knock them down.
If they kill one of our ships, we'll kill three of theirs, and we keep going.
We never slow down, and we won't stop.
We're going after the colonies, then Mars then Earth.
And God help anybody who gets in our way.