lurkers-guide/synops/045

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

<p>
While the station is being repaired, both inside and out, Sheridan goes
to the rock garden, where he meets Ambassador Kosh.  He tells Kosh
that, ever since Kosh had saved his life the previous week, he hadn't
thanked him
properly, and that Kosh hadn't returned his calls.  Sheridan asks Kosh
if everything is all right.

<p>
"Being seen by so many at once was a great strain.  I returned to my
ship to rest.  You have a question?" Kosh asks.

<p>
"Nobody knows it was you.  Everyone saw something different, something
from the legends of their own world.  But it was still a terrible
risk.  After taking such...such care to hide what you really are, why
take that chance?"

<p>
"It was...necessary."

<p>
"Well, as answers go:  Short to the point, utterly useless, and totally
consistent. What I've come to expect from a Vorlon."

<p>
"Good."

<p>
"You know... I just had a thought.  You've been back and forth to your
homeworld so many times since you got here, how do I know you're the
same Vorlon?  Inside that encounter suit, you could be anyone."

<p>
"I have always been here."

<p>
"Oh yeah?  You said that about me too."

<p>
"Yes."

<p>
"I really hate it when you do that."

<p>
"Good," Kosh tells Sheridan as he leaves him alone in the garden.

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/marcus.jpeg" alt="">
A large ship, piloted by a Drazi, blasts off from a planet, under
constant fire from two orbiting stations.  The ship flies toward the
barrier around the planet, and manages to get through it, being
slightly damaged in the process.  After the ship breaks through the
barrier, the pilot launches a smaller ship from it, which flies away,
escaping just as the larger ship is destroyed.  The smaller ship is fired upon
and hit, but still able to make the jump to its pilot's destination:
Babylon 5.  In order to speed up the trip, the pilot orders all
non-necessary life support power to the engines.

<p>
Sheridan tells Ivanova, who is with him in the docking bay, that he is
tired of the unannounced visits of V.I.P's from Earth, since they are
never given enough information.  The man they are waiting for arrives
and introduces himself as David Endawi, who asks that they go somewhere
private, and that Ambassador Delenn join them.

<p>
Garibaldi brings the pilot of the small ship into the new Medlab
facilities, and Franklin tells Garibaldi that he will have Dr. Sanchez do an
examination, and inform him of the results.  Garibaldi leaves, and
Franklin examines the man, dressed in the uniform of a Ranger.  He
calls Sanchez to inform her he needs her help, but upon turning 
around, the Ranger is gone.

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/mordbar.jpeg" alt="">
Londo is sitting at a bar drinking when Morden arrives, per Londo's
request.  Londo tells Morden that he has been doing a great deal of
thinking and now, that the Narn War is over, they should reconsider
their relationship.  He feels that the Centauri no longer need the help
of Morden's associates.  Morden asks Londo if he is being premature in
his desire for them to disappear, since they might not know what lies
ahead, but Londo tells him he is sure, and wants Morden and his
associates to "go away."  Morden agrees, telling him that he will meet
Londo in his quarters later, after meeting with his associates, to
discuss the dissolving of their partnership.

<p>
Sheridan, Ivanova, Delenn, and Endawi are in Sheridan's office when
Endawi asks Delenn if, as a member of the older races, she has any
information about the mysterious ship that Lt. Keffer recorded shortly
before his death.  Endawi asks what Keffer knew about the ship, and
Sheridan and Ivanova insist they didn't know what he knew about it.
Endawi explains that the ship is obviously from a highly advanced
civilization, and that they are worried about the threat the ship might
represent, and it is his job to gather information about it.  Delenn
apologizes to Endawi, but tells him she has never seen a ship
of this type before.  Endawi asks her if she's sure, but she insists she is.
Endawi asks if
a ship like this had entered Babylon 5 space, and Sheridan says no.  Endawi
asks for
quarters to stay in until he has been able to talk to the
other ambassadors, and Ivanova escorts him out.  After they leave,
Sheridan asks if the ship belongs to the Shadows, who Delenn had told him
about several months earlier.  Delenn acknowledges this, saying that it
is important to convince the Shadows that they are unaware of the Shadow's but
that she didn't lie:  she had never actually seen on of their  ships before.
She says
that Shadow ships are relentless and nigh invincible, but Sheridan
doesn't believe it.  She tells him that he will only feel that way
until he sees what they can do.  "Take a good look, John.  That is the
face of our enemy."

<p>
Lennier meets Delenn and tells her that someone is looking
for her.  When she tries to brush him off, Lennier changes her mind by
presenting the 
badge of the man brought into Medlab, which Delenn recognizes immediately.

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/lonendaw.jpeg" alt="">
Endawi meets with Londo, and asks him what he knows about the ship from
Keffer's recording.  Londo tells Endawi that this is the ship he has seen in
a dream
where he is standing on Centauri Prime, with similar ships passing
overhead, until their numbers grow so great, they blot out the sun.  But,
Londo says that's all he knows about the ship, and apologizes that he
couldn't be of more help.  Endawi thanks Londo, and leaves.

<p>
Delenn and Lennier, in disguise, venture into Downbelow and enter a
tavern, where they sit down.  The ranger comes up to them and gives
them drinks, which they initially do not accept, but soon do in order
to avoid drawing attention.  Lennier tastes the drink and discovers it has no
alcohol in it.  The Ranger, who identifies himself as Marcus, says it
proves he was waiting for them, since very few know of alcohol's
effects on Minbari.  Marcus tells Delenn he needs her help, but would
prefer to discuss it in private.  They leave the tavern, but are
followed.  They soon run into a group of thugs, who insist they give
over their possessions.  Marcus pulls out a Mimbari staff, and begins fighting
the thugs.  Delenn and Lennier join in, and the thieves are soon
defeated.  The three of them quickly run away.

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/initiatv.jpeg" alt="">
Ivanova enters Sheridan's office, where he, Garibaldi, Delenn, Lennier,
and Marcus are already waiting for them.  Sheridan tries to explain the
Rangers to her, but she has already known about them for a long time.
Marcus tells all of them that the he came from Zagros VII, a Drazi
world, where there is a Ranger training camp, created partly for
safety, and partly because certain Minbari are uncomfortable with
the Rangers.  Marcus explains that the planet was blockaded two weeks
earlier by the Centauri and that he believes the Ranger camp is the target. 
He pleads for Sheridan to help the Rangers
evacuate.  Garibaldi says that they don't have the means for such an
attack, since it would require a powerful warship and crew, but Marcus
tells him they have the means, if Sheridan and the others have the will.
Ivanova reminds Sheridan of Endawi, and Sheridan tells Garibaldi to take
charge of him while the others prepare to go to Zagros VII.  They soon
board a shuttle, file a fake destination in the station's log, and
they, and an accompanying Minbari flyer, head out.

<p>
Morden tells Londo that he wants to make sure that the Centauri are
clear on the details of their separation.  He brings up a map of the
galaxy and draws a line on it, showing the quarter of it which the Centauri may
conquer at will.  As long as they don't trespass into the territory of
Morden's associates, 
there won't be any problems.  Londo asks how he can be sure that Morden's
associates won't attack him, and Morden says he can't, but
that they have what they want, and aren't concerned with the rest.
Londo quickly agrees to Morden's conditions, but Morden tells him there is one
more condition.  There is one world, on the edge of the Centauri
boundaries, that his associates want custody of, and he has already
convinced Lord Refa to secure it until his associates can arrive.  When
Londo asks if he might be able to see the ships of Morden's associates one day,
 Morden tells Londo ominously to ensure no Centauri remain near Zagros VII 
when his associates get there.

<p>
The shuttle and the flyer pull out of hyperspace and arrive near a
beautiful, strange, magnificent ship.  "Her name," Marcus tells them, "is the
White Star.  And she's yours, Captain."

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/know.jpeg" alt="">
Endawi protests to Garibaldi that he was assured Sheridan and Ivanova
were available, but with some quick double-talk, Garibaldi
convinces Endawi that he isn't allowed to let himself know where they
went.  He suggests that Endawi talk to G'Kar unofficially, since the 
Centauri-Earth treaty prohibits official contact with the Narn.<br clear=all>

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/engine.jpeg" alt="">
As they explore the ship, Delenn explains that the White Star is a new
type of Minbari warship--smaller and faster than normal, an amalgam of
Minbari and Vorlon technology.  It looks just different enough so that
it cannot be identified.  She takes them to the bridge, where the crew,
consisting of members of the religious caste, busily prepares the ship
for its mission.  Sheridan tries to order them to Zagros VII, but
Lennier says he must act as interpreter, since most of the crew isn't
familiar with English.  The ship blasts off toward Zagros VII.<br clear=all>

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/gquanshd.jpeg" alt="">
Endawi asks G'Kar if he knows anything about the mysterious ship.
With an exclamation of relief G'Kar turns an opened Book of G'Quan 
toward Endawi, where there is a picture which bears a striking resemblance
to the Shadow ship.  "They came to our world over a thousand of your years ago, 
long before we went to the stars ourselves.  They set up a base on one of our 
southern continents.  They took little interest in us.  G'Quan believed they
were engaged in a war, far outside our own world."

<p>
"G'Quan?"  Endawi asks.

<p>
"One of our greatest spiritual leaders.  The Book of G'Quan is copied
by hand from the original with every note and line precisely drawn.
This ship and your ship are the same.  I tried to warn the others that
the ancient enemy was returning.  But no one listened... Perhaps now
they will."

<p>
"But if this is correct, why would they just disappear for a thousand
years?"

<p>
"To all things, there is a time, Mr. Endawi.  Perhaps this is theirs."

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/bridge.jpeg" alt="">
While on their way to Zagros VII, Ivanova asks how Marcus became a
Ranger, and he explains it was because of his brother, who died trying
to warn him about a Shadow attack on the mining colony where he was working.  
Marcus promised his brother he would carry on the mission.  The White
Star comes out of hyperspace, near Zagros VII, and approaches the
planet.  They call the Rangers and tell them to be ready to escape.
The White Star destroys the mines and stations around the planet, but
too easily.  Sheridan can't believe there wouldn't be a
Centauri warship guarding it, and asks Lennier if the scanners are
working properly.  To prove they are, Lennier shows him, displaying
more of the White Star's unique abilities.  Ivanova detects a
disturbance, and they put it up on the screen.  It is the ship they all
saw from Lt. Keffer's flight recorder: A Shadow ship.

<p>
Sheridan declares that the Shadows must have come for the Rangers who he 
promises not to abandon.  Delenn insists they aren't yet ready to fight, but
they aren't given much of a choice when the Shadow ship attacks.  The White Star
manage to maneuver out of the way of its attack, which shocks Delenn,
since the Shadows never miss.  After they clear the last mine blockading
the Rangers, they tell the Rangers to clear out.  Sheridan tells Lennier
to proceed to the jumpgate since the Shadows won't suspect that the
White Star can open a jump point because of its small size, and he wants to
keep every advantage he can.  Delenn says the ship will follow them
wherever they go, and Sheridan says he's counting on it.  The White
Star enters the jumpgate, with the Shadow ship following close behind.

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/shadgate.jpeg" alt="">
Delenn pleads with Sheridan to call for help.  They don't have any
chance of destroying the ship alone, since it is so much bigger than they
are.  Alluding to the Black Star Sheridan tells her that he has heard that
before.  
As they continue through hyperspace, Sheridan asks Ivanova what would happen if
they were to open a jump point while inside a jumpgate, and Ivanova
explains that it would be suicide: the energy released would be too
great to escape from.  Sheridan asks Lennier if the White Star is
quick enough to escape, and Lennier says he doesn't know.  Sheridan says
that they are probably near sector 45, and that they should use that
gate to try the maneuver.  It is the jumpgate near the Markab
homeworld, which other races have been using the strip the planet
bare.  The White Star opens the jumpgate, while activating her jump engines.  
Just as the point forms, the White Star escapes the jumpgate which explodes
in a 
fierce burst of energy, which damages the White Star, but destroys the
tailing Shadow 
ship.

<p>
The original shuttle and Minbari flyer arrive back on Babylon 5 to be
met by Mr. Endawi, who demands to know why they lied about where they
were going and what they were doing.  Sheridan and Delenn say that they
had to tow a Minbari diplomatic shuttle to a nearby jumpgate.  They
apologize, but Endawi is on his way back to Earth.  He tells them he
has all the information he needs, and that he will send a copy of the report.

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/earthdom.jpeg" alt="">
Back on Earth, Endawi presents his information to a senator in Earth
Dome, telling her what he found, though he reached nothing conclusive.
She tells him that she will inform him of what they find.  Soon after
he leaves, two other men come into her office.  One of them is Morden,
and the other is a Psi Cop.  She tells them that there is
little information, and that the ship is a complete mystery to everyone
on Babylon 5 except legends.  Morden suggests that the Earth government 
dismiss it as an isolated incident, but the telepath disagrees, saying that a 
threat to planetary security could be useful in speeding up the program at
home.  Intrigued,  Morden asks him to explain.<br clear=all>

<p>
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/045/warroom.jpeg" alt="">
Sheridan, Ivanova, Garibaldi, Franklin, Delenn, and Marcus sit around a
large table while Sheridan outlines his plan for a War Council: Whatever anyone 
learns they will share every two weeks, in hopes that together they can achieve
more than they can working separately.  Sheridan tells them that they
can say anything they like during these meetings.

<p>
Franklin says, "Well, then, I have a question.  Granted, I am stuck in
Medlab most of the time, and granted, I'm usually the last to know
anything around here, and granted, we've all been pretty busy lately,
but could someone please tell me what the hell these Shadows are?"

<p>
Sheridan indicates to Delenn that she should explain, which she does.
"There are beings in the universe billions of years older than any of
our races.  They walked among the stars like giants, vast and
timeless.  They created great empires, taught the new races, explored
beyond the Rim... The oldest of the Ancients are the Shadows.  We have
no other name for them..."