Babylon 5 s05e16 Episode Script

Delenn, are you all right? You should sleep.
It'll be morning soon.
You'll need all your strength for what's ahead.
It's It's all yours.
There comes a moment in everyone's life when you have to do something you'd rather not do when you know something you'd rather not know.
This is one such moment.
I understand there is a Council meeting in progress.
That's correct, but I can't let you in, ambassador.
It's a closed session.
I would remind you that I am on the advisory board for the Alliance.
I have every right to be in there.
Well, that's not my decision to make.
When they're ready to see you, they'll send for you.
Every right in the world to be in there! Londo.
Are they selling me out? Selling out my people, Mr.
Allan without giving me a chance to defend myself, to rebut the evidence? This is wrong.
This is unfair.
And I should be in there.
Londo, don't do this.
You'll only make things worse.
Worse, Mr.
Allan? Worse than what? So it is with great difficulty and tremendous personal pain that we stand before you now.
For the last six months all of you have suffered devastating attacks on your shipping lines.
Lives have been lost, ships and cargo destroyed at a cost of hundreds of millions of credits.
The cost in pain to those who lost family and friends in those attacks can never be measured.
Shortly after these attacks started, we began an investigation to find out who was responsible.
Now, in exchange for your patience and cooperation we gave you our word that as soon as we found conclusive evidence we would bring it before you and pursue it fully no matter where it led.
In a moment, we will show you proof that the Centauri Republic is responsible for these attacks.
We promised that the Alliance would support any action that you, the member worlds decided should be taken against those responsible.
Now that we know that it is the Centauri that promise weighs heavily on us.
But we have an obligation to honor that promise.
And we will no matter the cost.
And so it begins.
- There's a hole in your mind.
- What do you want? No one here is exactly what he appears.
Nothing's the same anymore.
Commander Sinclair is being reassigned.
Why don't you eliminate the entire Narn Homeworld? I see a great hand reaching out of the stars.
Who are you? President Clark signed a decree declaring martial law.
These orders have forced us to declare independence.
Unless your people get off their encounter-suited butts and do something - You're The One who was.
- lf you go to Z'Ha'Dum, you will die.
Why are you here? Do you have anything worth living for? I think of my beautiful city in flames.
- Giants in the playground.
- Get out of our galaxy! We are here to place President Clark under arrest.
We will begin our testimonies with Dr.
Stephen Franklin.
All high-energy weapons used by the members of the Alliance share certain characteristics, due to the physics involved.
But they also have certain differences as well.
For instance most of your fleets are built on your Homeworlds, for reasons of security.
Now, these shipyards use locally produced material to build a focusing lens a central part of any energy weapon.
The unique characteristics of this material can subtly alter the spectrum of light used in the beams making them individual to each world.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you identify these unique differences these energy fingerprints? Well, we arranged to have one or two random bodies sent to us after each attack.
A full autopsy was conducted on those bodies in order to determine what kind of weapons were used.
Can you explain the process? Excessive light bleaches out the skin where it comes in contact with it.
It does the same to the rods and cones in the eyes used to sense light, dark, colors.
It takes a moment for these rods and cones to recover from these bright colors.
That's why you'll see a green dot when you blink after looking at a red light or a yellow dot after looking at a bright blue object.
It's always the exact opposite of the original spectrum and it is surprisingly precise.
Because the subject dies within seconds of being hit by a high-energy weapon the rods and cones never recover.
By analyzing them and the state of the bleached skin we can determine the frequency of spectrum used in the weapons.
And is that spectrum consistent with Centauri weaponry? It is.
In addition, the Centauri use their weapons almost like projectiles exploding, rather than slicing or disrupting their targets.
All the bodies had explosive tissue burns consistent to Centauri energy weapons.
Our next statement is from Mr.
Michael Garibaldi head of intelligence for the Alliance.
As Dr.
Franklin mentioned earlier Centauri weapons are designed to be used in an explosive, not slicing, mode.
Analysis of debris confirms that the energy weapons were used in that way.
In addition, tactics used to ambush the cargo ships are consistent with Centauri training maneuvers.
That last part can be considered subjective.
Do you have anything more objective that points to the Centauri? I do.
This came from an individual on the Drazi Homeworld who ambushed me and killed the only surviving witness to one of these attacks.
It has been identified as belonging to the uniform of the Centauri palace guards.
I must also mention that my ambush was a direct result of a leak of information about my mission to the Drazi Homeworld.
This came shortly after Ambassador Mollari was informed of our plans at a briefing.
After my return, we decided to keep Mollari out of the loop and since then, there have been no further leaks.
Is it true that in the last three months only one Centauri vessel has been attacked? That's correct.
It was an aging cargo ship due to be scrapped and sold for parts.
We found no cargo of any significance, and we did not find any bodies.
We can only conclude that it was put there to throw us off the track and make us think there was an attack against the Centauri shipping lines.
Open.
- Hello, G'Kar.
- Mollari.
Have you come here to drop off your evidence as well on your way to tell them all the things you saw and heard while you were pretending to be my bodyguard on Centauri Prime? I was not pretending.
I went to Centauri Prime as your guest your protector, perhaps even your conscience but not as anyone's eyes and ears.
So, no, I will not be testifying before the Council.
But I was there, Mollari.
I saw you concerned about the increase in preparations for war.
Concerned that the information about the location and activities of your warships once available to you and other ministers, was suddenly classified.
You knew something was going on.
But I believe you never knew the shape of it until now.
Don't tell me what you think I know.
Still I suppose I should thank you for respecting my privacy.
So if you're not here to drop off your evidence, why are you here? To tell you that they are ready to see you now.
I have had the opportunity to review the evidence that has been brought before you.
At first, I was offended, angry.
And then, I did the only thing that I could do.
This is a joke! Cruel, yes insulting and destructive, of course, but a joke nonetheless.
Circumstantial evidence! Half-truths! Distortions! And enough unfounded assumptions to wrap around the station three times and still leave room for a knot.
You cannot deny that the weapons are of Centauri design.
Yes, there are similarities but for years we have supplied weapons to other worlds, including some of you! Not only that.
After we left Narn, many of our weapons and ships were left behind.
The Narn government could use these resources to throw blame on us.
You could take this information and twist it to indict any one of you.
There is not one shred of conclusive proof anywhere here.
Then you refute the charges made against your government? As far as I am concerned, there is nothing to refute.
And I have nothing more to say to any of you.
Ambassador, there is one last piece of evidence to consider.
We wanted you to see it at the same time we showed it to the rest of the Council.
Lennier.
As part of the continuing investigation I was assigned to a White Star, patrolling the border of Centauri space.
During my assignment, I intercepted several coded signals of Centauri origin.
I took out a fighter, and I tracked the signal to its location.
This is what I found.
The identification marks on those warships do not correspond with any records on file.
My fighter was attached to one of those warships when it jumped.
This is what I encountered when we jumped back into normal space.
We surrender! Please, we've done nothing! Take whatever you want, but please, we've got children onboard! Don't you understand? We've got children onboard! We Any reactions, ambassador? No.
Not until I speak with my government.
Well, when you do relay the following message to them.
The Centauri government has lashed out at its fellow members of the Alliance in acts of unjustified aggression.
No, not aggression.
Terrorism.
And there is only one proper response.
Effective immediately we will isolate the Centauri Republic from the company of Alliance worlds.
Goods and supplies heading to or from Centauri Prime will be blocked at every jumpgate and transfer point in the Alliance.
Any Centauri vessel entering or leaving will be stopped, boarded and turned back.
If they resist, they will be fired upon and seized.
A blockade? Which will continue until such time as your government acknowledges and apologizes for these attacks and provides reparations.
As of right now, the Centauri Republic stands alone.
What is taking them so long? They said they'd get back to me hours ago.
- Did you get them copies of the evidence? - Yes.
And they understood there was another Council meeting in less than an hour? - Yes.
- Then what is taking them so long? I don't know.
Maybe they didn't respond because they know the allegations are true.
What are you talking about? If something like this were going on, I would know about it.
Besides, in 500 years the Centauri Republic has never attacked a civilian target.
Yes, but there were the Narns.
Those were wars of aggression and occupation.
In war, these things happen.
We are not at war.
We do not strike first, and we do not blow up cargo transports like pirates or barbarians.
How do you explain the records then? Prime Minister Mollari.
Ah, minister, good.
Did you see the regent? I did.
He has finished going over the material you sent along.
He pronounced it the most clever fraud he'd ever seen.
I must concur.
We believe there are two possible explanations.
One: The material is a deliberate forgery.
No, no, no, no, I can't accept that.
I know Lennier.
If he says he was there, that he saw these things then he saw them.
Which leaves option number two: That the entire incident was staged for his benefit using materials and ships we left behind on the Narn Homeworld.
We checked the inventory of resources and But there are so many ships in the records.
The Narns couldn't have that many of our ships.
It's a very simple matter to take our cast-off hulls or ships damaged during the war and retrofit them onto Narn vessels.
Minister, the attack we saw could not have been faked.
We agree.
It was a genuine attack on a civilian transport.
But the Narns have always been willing to sacrifice innocent lives as long as we get blamed for it.
Clearly, they sent a signal they knew would lure Lennier to a predetermined location then picked him up and ferried him around showing him what they wanted him to see knowing he would bring it back to Babylon 5.
Because his character's above reproach he is the perfect vessel for their misinformation.
Assuming you are correct, what do we tell the Council? They are waiting for a reply.
The regent has drafted a response.
Item one: The Centauri Republic categorically denies any involvement with these attacks.
We are the victims, victims of an elaborate hoax.
We will identify those responsible when more information is at hand.
Item two: The Centauri Republic will not be threatened or intimidated by anyone including those we might once have considered friends.
As a result, effective immediately we are withdrawing from the Alliance.
And finally, item three: The Republic does not recognize the legality of this blockade and thus will not be limited by it.
From now on all Centauri transports entering into Alliance space will be accompanied by one of our finest warships.
Anyone firing on one of our ships will be considered committing an act of war and we will respond appropriately.
- Ambassador - That is all I came to say.
As for myself, I will be taking the first transport back to Centauri Prime for further consultations with my government concerning the situation.
Londo the Council is satisfied that your government is behind these attacks.
You cannot just walk away from this one.
Strange.
I thought I was doing just that.
If you leave Babylon 5, you won't be allowed back on again until this crisis is resolved.
Perhaps not even then.
Well, then, if that is what you want I guess I won't be coming back.
Meanwhile, remember what I said.
Any attack on our ships, any attack will be considered an act of war.
Vir.
Book me on the first ship out of here.
I must get back home as soon as possible.
Maybe you shouldn't.
You heard him.
They're serious.
Of course they're serious, and so are we.
And when we show them we are not responsible they will back down, even apologize.
But I can't do that here.
I have to go home.
- All right, but I'm gonna go with you.
- No.
Vir it is important that you stay here.
We need someone close at hand to show them the truth when it comes to represent the Centauri while I am locked out.
Don't worry, I won't be gone long.
Just get me on that ship.
Enter.
G'Kar, Lennier told me you wanted to speak with me.
Please.
I wanted you to know that when Mollari leaves Babylon 5 I will be going with him to the Centauri Homeworld.
What? Why? You said he needed a bodyguard the last time he went home, and you were right.
If our assumption is correct and he truly does not know that his government is behind these attacks if they deliberately kept him out of it They have, they must have.
Londo would never approve of random attacks on civilian targets.
Which is why he may be in even greater danger once he returns home.
Say what you want about him, and I can say quite a bit, he is relentless.
Sooner or later, he will find out what's going on and I believe he will try to stop it.
In the long run, he may be our only hope of ending this.
He must be protected at all costs.
Have you told him this? No.
I was thinking of making it a surprise.
I even booked the seat right next to his.
It will give me someone to talk to during the flight.
Londo once told me he hates it when people talk to him on long flights.
He prefers to sleep.
I know.
Well, I should pack.
Thank you for coming, Delenn.
G'Kar, realize that if this does come to war you will be alone on the Centauri Homeworld.
There is nothing we can do to help you if things go badly.
I know.
These are the latest chapters of my book.
I tried to set right a few of the things at the beginning of the book written when I was a much angrier person than I am now.
If things should, as you say, go badly will you see to it that these reach Narn? - I will.
- Thank you.
Goodbye, Delenn.
G'Kar.
Have I ever told you that you are one of the finest writers I have ever met and that it has been an honor to work beside you on the Alliance? Not in words.
But the thing about losing one eye is that it makes you look deeply into the eyes of another.
I found in yours all the thanks I will ever require in this life or in any other.
- Zack.
- Yes, sir? - You able to get ahold of Garibaldi? - No, I've been trying for the last hour.
- He isn't even answering his link.
- Find him.
Get him to my quarters ASAP.
- This is important.
- Yes, sir.
Yeah, yeah.
Who is it? Michael, it's me.
Come on, open up the door.
Just Just a second.
Just one second.
Open.
Where the hell you been? Sheridan's been trying to get ahold of you for over an hour.
I fell asleep.
I was tired.
I work hard.
I'm entitled.
Yeah, well, he said it's important.
Tell me when it is ever not important.
All right? Please, just tell me.
When is it ever not important? Go ahead, go ahead.
Take your time.
I can wait.
Oh, no, that's right.
I can't wait because it's important.
You're being awfully cranky, Michael.
You been taking your vitamins? Oh, will you give it a rest? I just figured maybe you could use a little more vitamin C in your diet.
Here, catch.
Sorry, that was my fastball.
Try this one.
Your hand-eye coordination sucks.
- I told you, I was asleep.
- You're drunk.
- Ah, bull.
- Oh, yeah? Come over here where I can smell your breath and say that.
I don't have to prove anything to you, all right? You picked a great time for this, Michael.
No.
Don't.
Don't you dare get self-righteous on me.
You are the last person on this station to get self-righteous with anybody.
You had a lot of problems before you came here, and I know you had some problems after you got here but did I say anything to you about it? No.
You wanna know why? Because I knew you would work it out, and you always did.
You have no idea what I go through here every day.
The hassles, the problems, the pressures, the things that people do to me.
And why the hell am I justifying myself to you? To you! No, as far as I'm concerned, Zack you got no basis for taking the moral high ground with me, no basis at all.
Oh, what the hell is that? If you wanna hurt me, there's a cleaner and faster way of doing it.
Hell, you might even think about it for yourself.
It's more efficient than the road you're on and you'll take fewer people with you when you go.
Being a little melodramatic, aren't you? You're an alcoholic, Michael.
You can't just have a few drinks and get over it.
You can't justify it or explain it.
You can't play the "feel sorry for me" game or "you're no better" game and if I'm pissed at you, it's because I'm your friend.
I know what you've been through to get here.
I've been through the same thing myself, and I don't wanna see you throw it away.
You gonna turn me in? I don't know.
If you don't know, then I just Just Just give me a little bit more time, Zack.
If you turn me in, they'll drop kick my butt and I can kiss my career goodbye before I have a chance to fix anything.
I just need a little bit more time, that's all.
Just to work some things out.
All right.
Get your stuff, we'll stop by security and pick up some oxy pills and get you into shape.
Go on.
We're in a critical situation here, Michael.
Virtually all the Centauri deep-range transports are accompanied by warships.
On our side, Alliance worlds have stationed cruisers at their local jump points ready to open fire the second the Centauri come through.
It's a powder keg just waiting to go off.
I know.
This is bad, John.
What are we gonna do about it? The Centauri have an ego about as big as the galactic core, but they're not stupid.
Now, if they come out of hyperspace and see several Drazi or Brakiri warships waiting for them they'll open fire.
They think they can handle it.
They're probably right, they got solid armaments on their side.
Exactly.
But even the Centauri will hesitate with half a dozen White Stars waiting for them and that is where you come in.
See, I've got the rangers keeping tabs on the Centauri.
They will relay that information to you you will coordinate it so that we know where they are at all times.
It's not a problem.
Then what? Well, as soon as you know when they're going to jump into Alliance space you let me know, and we'll get as many White Stars as we can into the area.
We'll create a buffer zone between the two sides enforcing the blockade and turning the Centauri around while making sure that our guys don't open fire first.
It sounds unbelievably ugly.
I know.
Hey, I'm just trying to pull this situation back from the brink.
Delenn is on the line to the Grey Council right now to see if the Minbari government can talk some sense into them but I'm not holding out any hope.
No.
Michael, this may be our only chance to avoid a shooting war.
That's why it is so important you get that information to us as fast as you can so that we have time to get the White Stars in position.
You can rely on me.
I'll get it done.
I don't like the looks of this at all, G'Kar.
Now you know what it feels like.
I have seen this view of your warships many times.
I didn't like it then, and I like it even less now.
Prime minister, welcome back.
I was hoping you'd return home, get out of the line of fire.
Thank you, but I'd rather there wasn't a line of fire.
Is that why you brought it along, to hear our terms? No, he is still here as my bodyguard, that's all.
Where I go, he goes.
My condolences.
Thank you.
It's a burden, but I've come to accept it.
I would like to see the regent as soon as possible.
I'm afraid the regent is otherwise engaged and will be for some time.
- Minister, you cannot deny me access to - No one is denying you anything.
But there is a time and a place and a way of doing things.
When the time is right, you will see the regent.
Meanwhile, I suggest you retire to your quarters.
It's late.
I'm sure you'd like to freshen up.
Both of you.
It's a natural musk.
I rather enjoy it.
I noticed there are a few more guards around here than normal.
Yes.
We've increased security in the palace for obvious reasons.
While we're willing to tolerate the presence of your companion for your sake understand that if he's seen walking in the palace by himself he will be shot on sight.
- Careful, minister.
We don't want my companion to get the wrong idea.
We don't normally treat our guests so badly.
- Yes, you do.
- Shut up.
- Just trying to help.
- Come on.
This is White Star 43 to Michael Garibaldi.
We have an urgent message on Centauri movements.
Please respond.
I repeat, this is White Star 43.
We have an urgent message concerning the movements of Centauri warships.
Please respond.
We're going in after them.
Alone, if we have to.
Uploading data to your system.
When you get this message, please inform President Sheridan as fast as you can.
White Star 43 out.
Drazi blockade squadron to Centauri transports and warships.
You are ordered to turn back or prepare to be boarded.
This is your last warning.
You will surrender your ships and prepare to be boarded.
This is White Star 43 to Drazi and Centauri vessels.
Hold your fire! I repeat, hold your fire! Yes? It was Zack.
He You should get dressed.
It's started.
What do you mean, I can't speak with the prime minister? I'm sorry, but he's unavailable.
You'll have to try back later.
Wait a second! This is important.
I think he would want to know about this.
We are aware of the situation.
There is no need for overreaction.
We'll inform Prime Minister Mollari of all the details when he is available.
Good day.
Yes, but do Oh! - Yes? Who is it? - Dr.
Franklin.
Open.
I've been looking all over for you.
You weren't in your quarters.
The codes for the royal com system are here.
It doesn't matter.
The president sent me.
He wants you out of here and into new quarters ASAP.
- Why? - The Council is up in arms over the fighting.
Centauri cruisers have taken out several ships.
They'll come for you if we don't go quietly.
That's why he didn't send security.
The less we draw attention, the more we avoid trouble.
Wait a second.
Londo, he may call.
I need to be here.
We will route all your calls to the new quarters.
Now, come on.
Walk away, doctor.
I'm afraid I can't do that.
Walk away, and we will not hurt you.
But this one his kind killed over a hundred of our people and ran like the cowards they are.
If we can't take our revenge on them then we'll take it out on him.
But this man speaks for the Centauri.
He has diplomatic immunity.
We're not diplomats.
All right, fine.
You want him, you gotta go through me.
- A fair deal.
- Unless, of course, you want Mollari.
I mean, you know, he's far more responsible, after all, and Come on, let's go.
Come on.
What the hell went wrong? - I don't know.
- What do you mean, you don't know? We did all we could to keep track of the Centauri.
Apparently, one got past us, hit the blockade, fired on the Drazi.
Are we sure they fired first? There's so many rumors, I can't be sure of anything.
From what we can tell, yeah, they fired first.
Perhaps we can speak with them.
We I think they're tired of listening, Lennier.
Did you hear? Did you hear what they did to us? - Yes, we heard.
- Then where is the White Star fleet? You said you would support our actions.
You said you would aid in fighting but the White Star fleet is just sitting there, refusing to engage! We have not yet ordered them to do so.
- Then give the order.
- Back away, ambassador.
- Get out of my way.
- He's right.
Where's the fleet? All right, everybody just back off! - Back off? - Back off! That's enough.
I said that's enough! Now, we gave you a promise and we are bound by that promise, and damn you for asking for it! And damn me for agreeing to it.
And damn all of us to hell, because that is exactly where we're going! We talked about peace.
You didn't want peace! We talked about cooperation.
You didn't want cooperation! You want war.
Is that it? You want a war? Well, you've got a war! No, no, wait.
- Who is it? - Open the door, prime minister! Just a minute.
Yes? What is this? The regent sent me to tell you fighting has broken out between us and the Interstellar Alliance.
I'm also told that they have followed our declaration of hostilities with their own.
We are now officially at war with the Alliance.
No, no, this can still be stopped.
I will call them.
All communication with Babylon 5 has been cut off for reasons of security.
For similar reasons, I'm afraid we must place your companion under arrest.
You may have resigned but he is still on the advisory board of the Alliance.
His very presence represents a threat to our ability to conduct the war freely without having our plans compromised.
No.
This is most inappropriate.
He will be placed in one of our better cells until the war is over however long that may take.
- Guards.
- I said no.
He is here as my guest.
These orders come directly from the regent.
To refuse a direct order carries with it the penalty of death.
It's all right, Mollari.
I have already seen the inside of your cells.
I doubt I will see anything now that I haven't seen before.
You are not going anywhere.
I told you before, where I go, he goes.
And where he goes, I go.
- Mollari.
- Don't worry.
Even one as arrogant as this would not take it upon himself to imprison his own prime minister.
- Shut up.
- I didn't say anything.
Great Maker sometimes I feel like I don't understand anything anymore.
Praying? Not in the sense you mean it, but yes.
You mind if I join you? What does the candle represent? Life.
Whose life? All life.
Every life.
We are all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars molecules that do not understand politics or policies or differences.
Over a billion years we foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from.
In desperate acts of ego we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps and pretend that our light is better than everyone else's.
The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that lives on inside us.
The spark that tells us: "You should know better.
" The flame also reminds us that life is precious as each flame is unique.
When it goes out it's gone forever.
And there will never be another quite like it.
So many candles will go out tonight.
I wonder some days if we can see anything at all.