lurkers-guide/synops/036

<h3>Synopsis by Matthew Murray (mmurray@wsu.edu)</h3>

<p>
Ivanova is furious at news Sheridan brings: in order
to help Babylon 5 become more self-sufficient, Babylon 5 is going to be
merchandised.  Sheridan explains that the Zocalo is opening a gift shop
so that anyone who wants a present for someone, or themselves, can buy
it and help out the station.  Ivanova is quite angry at this.  "This is
demeaning.  I mean, we're not some...some deep space franchise!  This station
is about something!"  Sheridan explains that her anger will make her the
ideal person to oversee the efforts of the gift shop to make sure that no
one on the station is demeaned.  Sheridan explains that he has to meet
with Ambassador Kosh for another lesson in understanding.  He doesn't
understand what he will be taught, but realizes that he probably won't
after he has been taught either.  Before he goes, he requests Ivanova
pick up a Babylon 5 baseball cap... for his sister.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/me.gif">
"<em>Me?</em>"

<p>
On his way to the Zocalo, Sheridan runs into someone walking down the
corridor.  Though everything seems fine at first, Sheridan soon realizes
that his link has been stolen.  He sees the man running on a catwalk
above him, and he gives chase.  While doing so, he is intercepted by a
Minbari who attacks him and throws him to the ground, just near a PPG.
He picks up the PPG and warns the Minbari to stay away.  "Death first!"
is the Minbari's response as he reaches for something.  Sheridan fires.
The force of the blast knocks the Minbari down some stairs.
Sheridan gets to his feet and, as he surveys the situation, he sees
another Minbari standing there, watching the proceedings.  The Minbari
quickly leaves.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/fight.gif">
Sheridan is attacked.

<p>
Sheridan explains to Ambassador Delenn and Garibaldi what happened,
though they both find the situation strange, as no weapon was found on
the body.  Garibaldi explains that it was only self-defense, but Delenn
tells them that the Minbari, Levell, comes from a very esteemed family,
and that her government wants answers.  Sheridan apologizes, but Delenn
is not satisfied.  "These are perilous times.  We must do all we can to
avoid another conflict between our people over a misunderstanding."
Garibaldi tells Delenn that he has begun an investigation in order to
discover what happened, but Delenn tells him that she has been ordered to
begin an investigation of her own.  Garibaldi protests, but Delenn will
not listen, claiming it is the only way to decide whether or not Sheridan
should be charged with murder.  Sheridan orders Garibaldi to find the
Minbari, which will prove to be a difficult task, given that Sheridan
cannot give a detailed description.

<p>
Vir receives a transmission from Centauri Prime on Londo's behalf.

<p>
Garibaldi is talking to one of the Minbari on the station, who says that
he was not present at the attack, which Garibaldi believes, since, as the
Minbari explains, Minbari do not lie.  Garibaldi asks if the Minbari knew
who did it, and the Minbari accuses him of being threatening.  Before it can go
any further, Lennier arrives and asks to speak to the Minbari privately,
which Garibaldi reluctantly allows.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/minbari.gif">
"If you're finished, Mr. Garibaldi?"

<p>
Garibaldi and Sheridan walk down the hall, talking about the situation.
Garibaldi explains that Lennier always seems to be a step ahead of his
investigation, though they both hope that Lennier is not orchestrating a
cover-up.  Sheridan asks about his link, but Garibaldi says that it
hadn't been used, and had probably been destroyed.  Sheridan asks why
someone would take his link, and Garibaldi explained that it was
definitely something that Sheridan would want back, which would make
sense if the man wanted to be chased.

<p>
They go into MedLab, where Dr. Franklin explains the result of the autopsy.
He says that it was indeed a PPG that killed the Minbari, but that there is
nothing that proves Sheridan innocent of an unprovoked attack.  Garibaldi
asks Sheridan where he found the PPG, and Sheridan tells him, though
Garibaldi finds this suspicious as well.  Garibaldi suggests that the PPG
was planted, because no member of the Minbari warrior caste would carry
one, and that the whole plot was merely to set Sheridan up.

<p>
Walking through the corridor near the newly established Babylon Emporium,
Talia literally runs into Vir.  He is holding a drink and seems quite
shaken up.  Talia asks him if he is okay, but Vir cannot come up with an
answer.  He says that he can't stay, and seems to find a great deal of
humor in that remark.  He vanishes into the crowd before she can say
anything else.

<p>
Delenn and Lennier are talking to the Minbari, Ashan, who witnessed
Sheridan's killing of Levell.  Despite his being in the same clan as
Lennier, he is being quite uncooperative, and will not answer any of
Delenn's questions.  "I answer to other Minbari," he tells her.  "Not
freaks."  Hurt by this, she quickly exits, leaving Lennier to deal with
Ashan.  "You have insulted her," Lennier says.  "Her presence insulted me,"
replies Ashan.  Despite his feelings, he does offer to answer any questions
Lennier might have.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/freaks.gif">
"Not <em>freaks.</em>"

<p>
Sheridan tells Delenn and Lennier that, despite whatever the feelings of the
Minbari government are, he wants to see Ashan immediately.  After
they leave, Garibaldi suggests that, because of the Minbari's feelings,
that might not be a good idea.  Sheridan tells Garibaldi that he has to try
to reason with Ashan, so that he can figure out why Ashan is lying about the
incident, and that he doesn't want to disrupt life on the station any
more than necessary.

<p>
Ivanova is looking around the Babylon 5 Emporium, inspecting the wide
variety of T-shirts, dolls, models, and even teddy bears.  She is also
surprised by a human wearing a mask which makes him look exactly like an
alien.  She turns around, only to find an alien wearing a human mask.
Somewhat startled and surprised, she makes a hasty exit.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/store.gif">
Ivanova inspects the merchandise.

<p>
A well-dressed woman, with a brief case, enters the docking bay, and
meets up with Zack Allan.  She tells him that she wants to meet with
Captain Sheridan.  Allan asks her if she is expected.  "No," she says.
"Dreaded."

<p>
Sheridan asks Ashan why he would attack Levell, who merely answers
Sheridan by calling him Starkiller.  Sheridan tries to explain to him
that what happened should remain in the past, but Ashan does not agree.
"Was it not an Earth man who said that those who do not listen to history
will repeat it?  The Minbari listen.  Very carefully."  Delenn and
Lennier ask Ashan if it is possible that he could be making a mistake in
what he claims he say, but Ashan insists that he did not, and asks on
what side their loyalties lie.  Lennier responds that they want only
to reveal the truth.  Zack Allan and the woman enter, and the woman
introduces herself as Guinevere Corey, Sheridan's lawyer.  When she
asks what they are discussing, Sheridan responds that they are
discussing the truth, which she calls "the favorite song of the
legally ignorant."  Delenn asks if they are finished with their discussion,
but Guinevere answers affirmatively for Sheridan.  Delenn, Lennier, and
Ashan leave.

<p>
As they leave the office, Lennier and Ashan bid each other goodbye, and
Lennier comments that the situation does not look good for Captain
Sheridan.  Delenn says that the situation should not exist at all, and
that Sheridan's personality isn't consistent with Ashan's statement,
which she labels "dubious."

<p>
Sheridan tells Guinevere that he doesn't appreciate her calling him
ignorant in front of other people, and she changes her choice of words to
"naive."  He claims that he doesn't need a lawyer, but she tells him that
she was rerouted here because EarthDome has decided to proceed with an
indictment against him.  Sheridan is taken aback, and doesn't understand
why they decided to do that.  She says that the only solution that is
good for Earth is if they go to trial and take the judgment he is given,
but that she doesn't believe they can convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sheridan thinks she is hiding something, and she is.  She explains that,
because of the trouble this will cause, Sheridan will have to step down
as the Commander of Babylon 5 in any event.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/lawyer.gif">
Sheridan confronts Guinevere Corey.

<p>
Sheridan returns to his quarters and expresses his frustration and his
doubts to Ivanova, who offers her support and leaves him to rest.
Sheridan is about to relax when the
door chimes.  This time, it is Ambassador Kosh, who has come for
the lesson.  Sheridan says that he isn't in the correct frame of mind for
the lesson, which was interrupted earlier.  "Precisely the correct time,"
Kosh tells him.  "Come."  Sheridan tries to protest, but ends up going
with Ambassador Kosh to the lesson.

<p>
Zack Allan enters Garibaldi's office, and Garibaldi gives Allan the file on
Ashan, telling him to keep an eye on him, but not provoke him, just so
they can find out what he is up to, and if he is hiding anything.

<p>
Sheridan and Kosh appear together, walking through one of the most
inhospitable parts of Downbelow.  Sheridan tells Kosh that he doesn't
understand why he is there.  "Good," responds Kosh.  After a brief walk,
they reach their destination, an access panel in a dead end.  Kosh
instructs Sheridan to go inside.  Sheridan asks why, and asks
what is inside.  "One moment of perfect beauty," explains Kosh. Sheridan
goes through the access panel.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/downbelow.gif">
"You want me to go in <em>there?</em>"

<p>
The area is very cluttered, and the ceiling low, but he eventually finds
what Kosh sent him to look for: a strange, hunched-over figure wearing a
robe.  Sheridan explains that he was sent to find this place, but the
being only pushes forward a small dish.  Sheridan explains that he
doesn't carry money, but cannot convince the figure.  He removes his stat
bar, which shows his position in Earth Force, and places it in the dish,
which the being quickly removes.  The area is then filled with many
strange and beautiful patterns of orange light playing off the cloaks
of other figures who Sheridan hadn't noticed.  The area comes
alive with the sound of a Gregorian chant, which Sheridan drinks in.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/beauty.gif">
Beauty in the dark.

<p>
Vir is sitting alone with a drink at the bar, when Londo comes up to
him.  Though it is only Vir's second drink, it is obvious he is upset,
and Londo asks why he is acting that way.  Vir doesn't understand how
Londo can criticize, after all the things he has done.  Vir explains that
he is having a difficult time doing his job, which consists mostly of
keeping Londo's secrets.  Londo offers to send Vir home, but Vir knows
he can't return to his family.  "Do you think that if they wanted me
around that I'd even be here?  They just wanted be anywhere--anywhere
away.  They had me sent here two years ago because, frankly, there wasn't
much competition for the job.  This was a joke to them.  Before I left,
my uncle said to me, 'You and I deserve each other.'"  Londo tells him
that is no longer true, which Vir knows only too well.  He tells Londo
that Centauri Prime is sending someone new for his position, which has
become "too important," and that they are sending someone better prepared
for the task.  Vir says that he doesn't know what to do, because he feels
as if he isn't wanted anywhere, and that he has no way to escape from his
problems.  He apologizes to Londo for getting him involved, and quickly
stands up and walks away.  Londo begins after him, but is distracted by a
group of women, mostly Centauri, at a table nearby, laughing at a doll of
Londo.  Intrigued, he snatches it away.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/bar.gif">
Londo comforts Vir.

<p>
Sheridan and Kosh are in the elevator, returning from the lesson.
Sheridan thanks Kosh for the lesson, and Kosh exits the elevator.
Ivanova enters, and Sheridan explains what he learned.  "Beauty...in
the dark."  Ivanova comments that the lessons must be working, because he
is beginning to talk just like a Vorlon.

<p>
Delenn enters her chambers and finds Lennier there.  She tells him that
she was arranging to have Levell's body prepared due to the customs of
his clan, and that she thinks there is some information that Lennier
needs to see.  She plays it on a monitor, and Lennier reads it.

<p>
Meanwhile, Sheridan and Ivanova are walking down one of the station's
corridors when an elevator door opens, and Londo steps out, angrily
brandishing the doll in his likeness.  "Captain!  Commander!  Can we talk?"

<p>
Ashan is running through some corridors on the station, as if looking for
something.  He vanishes behind a corner, and Zack Allan, who had been
following him, steps out.  He tries to find out which way Ashan went, but
before he can give chase, two hands come down on him and knock him out.
Lennier has been following Ashan as well.

<p>
Lennier runs after Ashan, and comes across him, talking to the cloaked
man who stole Sheridan's link.  Ashan and Lennier prepare to attack each
other, and Lennier says that he wanted to prove Ashan's innocence, but
now sees that, since he was talking to the man who stole Sheridan's link,
his story was false after all, and that he would have been discovered by
station security had Lennier not intervened.  Ashan doesn't understand
why Lennier would believe the word of sation personnel over his word, and
Lennier explains it is because Delenn believes it, and she is honorable,
and he honors her words.  "What do you honor, Ashan?  The truth, or the
obligations of our clan?"  Before he can say another word, Ashan escapes.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/faceoff.gif">
Lennier and Ashan face off.

<p>
Londo says that the Centauri Government will not allow insults such as
the doll.  Ivanova says that it is just a doll, and that it wasn't even
constructed by station personnel.  Londo calls the doll a mockery, since
it doesn't have any...attributes.  It takes Ivanova and Sheridan a
minute, but they finally realize.  "You feel like you're being
symbolically cas...t in a bad light," Ivanova tells him.  Sheridan ordrs
Ivanova to go and have all the dolls removed from the Imporium, which she
does.

<p>
"I do not lie when I say this could have been a major embarassment to all
concerned," Londo says.

<p>
"Oh, I'm sure, Ambassador," Sheridan says.  "You don't lie, the Minbari
don't lie, no one around here..."

<p>
"Who said the Minbari don't lie?"  Londo suddenly realizes his mistake,
but it is too late, for Sheridan has noticed it as well and asks Londo
what he knows.  Londo explains.  "A certain Minbari once lied to save a
certain Centauri Ambassador from embarrassment.  Apparently, there is
honor in helping another save face."  Sheridan then realizes that they
would lie to protect someone's honor, but that he doesn't know who, or
what, is being protected.  Londo leaves, and Sheridan receives a message
from C&C, saying that a Minbari Embassy representative from Earth wants to
speak to him.  Sheridan has them put it through.

<p>
Delenn is sitting alone at the rock garden when Sheridan enters and sits
with her.  He explains to her that her government wants Ashan taken from
the station, and sent back to the Minbari homeworld.  With that important
witness gone, there can be no trial, which will be a relief to Earth,
though there will be much doubt left behind.  Sheridan's
credibility will be destroyed, which he believes some may have wanted from
the beginning.  Delenn moves away and doesn't face him.  He tells her
that he knows how it feels to be all alone, but she tells him that she is
truly alone, as she is completely isolated from her world and her
government.  He asks her why she said the Minbari don't lie, if they will
to save another's honor.  "You must understand, Captain, that there is no
greater honor among my people than to serve.  They work for generations
to create a legacy, a tradition.  In the service of their clan, they are
ready to sacrifice everything.  Their individuality, their blood, their
life."  Sheridan tells her that this is a common occurrence and that
larger ideals can't be preserved if small ones are sacrificed.
Delenn gets up and tells Sheridan to follow her.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/garden.gif">
"Come with me."

<p>
Ashan up with Lennier, who gives him parting instructions.  Lennier
says that he will go to the Captain and explain
his involvement with Levell's death.  Ashan says Lennier had nothing to do
with it, but Lennier tells him that, as a member of Ashan's clan, he is
equally responsible.  Ashan tells him that, if he does that, he will
dishonor himself and their clan, but Lennier says that he will retain
honor, by protecting Ashan, though their clan will dishonored.  Ashan
explains that it was their clan's leaders who decided to go ahead with
the plan without the blessing of the Minbari government, because they
were angered at the appointment of Sheridan as commander of Babylon 5.
He explains that Sheridan destroyed the Black Star by mining an asteriod
field, sending a fake distress signal, thus luring the ships in there.
He doesn't believe Sheridan has any honor.  Lennier explains that he lost
family on the Black Star as well, but asks if there is any more honor in this
betrayal.  Lennier asks why Ashan was talking to the human who stole
Sheridan's link, and Ashan explains that Levell paid him to lure Sheridan
away, and provided a weapon for Sheridan's use.  He says that Levell, as
a member of their clan, must be protected.  Delenn, Sheridan, Garibaldi,
and Guinevere Corey appear from behind a door and confront Ashan.

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/honor.gif">
Protecting the clan's honor.

<p>
Sheridan explains that Delenn received Levell's burial instructions, and
that saving the honor of their clan was the one thing that could cause
Ashan to lie.  Lennier reveals a small recording device he used during
the conversation.  The door to the room opens, and Zack Allan leds Ashan
away.  Guinevere asks Delenn if the Minbari government will contest their
action, but Delenn says that whomever is responsible will never take
responsibility for what happened.  Sheridan asks if a public confession
is really what they want; he tells
Delenn that he is willing to turn over all the information as long as
Ashan promises to make a statement about what he saw, with no attention
at all paid to the clan loyalty, or any other background, and that they
will leave Levell's motive as one more mystery.  "And around here, who'll
notice one more?"

<p>
Vir is in Londo's quarters, still drinking, and with a considerable
hangover.  Londo asks Vir how quickly he can pack, since his replacement
arrived a few hours earlier.  Vir begins to leave, but Londo stops him,
saying that he should pack Londo's things first.  Vir asks why Londo wants him
to pack his belongings, and Londo explains that he explained to the
Centauri homeworld that if Vir goes, he goes as well.  Londo told them he
considers Vir a good worker, and that he needed Vir to work with him,
which astonished Vir's family.  Londo tells Vir that he hasn't treated
him very well, but that he can change the way he acts.  He asks Vir to
stay, and says that if Vir leaves, he will have to as well, and, should
that happen, he will have to kill Vir.  "What are friends for?"  Londo
leaves, but not before Vir thanks him.  Londo also explains to Vir that
he invited Vir's entire family to stay with him for a once, knowing he
wouldn't mind.  Vir tries to protest, but Londo is already gone.  Vir
goes back to his drinking.

<p>
Sheridan and Ivanova meet together, and he asks her how the Babylon 5
store is going; he now believes it's a good idea to help defray operating
expenses.  She presents him with a teddy bear, dressed in a baseball
jersey and cap, which he admires, including the motto on the back:
Ba-bear-lon 5.  He notices the bear's monogram, which reads J. S., which
Ivanova tells him stands for John Sheridan.  When this hits Sheridan, his
cheery mood changes, and he orders Ivanova to have the store removed and
everything gone by the next morning.  She leaves to follow his orders,
but not before he takes the bear from her.

<p>
Warren Keffer, in one of the Zeta Squadron starfuries, flies away from
Babylon 5.  A communication comes in from the station.  "Have you traced
that unidentified object?"  Keffer is in the midst of responding, when
the starfury collides with a teddy bear.  "Have you encountered
unidentified object?  Can you describe it?"

<p>
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/036/teddy.gif">

<p>
"Negative, Babylon Control.  I don't think so.  Not on a bet.  Heading
back to the barn."  Keffer pilots the starfury back to the station, as
the teddy bear floats, suspended in space.