lurkers-guide/synops/072

<h3>Synopsis by Matthew Murray (n9641343@cc.wwu.edu)</h3>

<p>
"Commander's Personal Log.  We're still searching for First Ones to use
in our war with the Vorlons and the Shadows.  There's less than
twenty-four hours left before everything hits the fan.  We can't afford
to waste any more time.  We have to get back to Babylon 5 and catch up
with the fleet."

<p>
Ivanova tells Lorien that they need to move on--the five First Ones
they have found are enough, and she doesn't believe there are any
others.  Lorien disagrees, saying that they need to have all six, and
that all they have to do is wait for a response to their signal.
Ivanova says she'll give him ten more minutes, but then they'll have to
go back.  She says she hopes Sheridan's plan of attacking Vorlon
targets to force out their troops is working.  Lorien admits it is an
interesting tactic--possibly futile, but very human.  Suddenly, a large
ship appears outside, one Lorien apparently recognizes.  He tells
Ivanova that this race is nearly as old as the Vorlons, and hasn't
spoken to any outside their race for centuries.  Ivanova asks if
they'll remember him, but he knows they will.

<p>
Sheridan and Delenn, in command of the White Star fleet, manage to
destroy a Vorlon observation post without too much trouble, and head
off to the rendevous point.  After they enter hyperspace, Sheridan
looks at the fleet he has assembled--thousands of ships, dozens of
races, working together for the first time.  "We've put together a hell
of a team, Delenn," he tells her.  "You should be proud.  Win or lose,
we'll go down fighting.  Pour it on, Mr. Lennier.  Take us into the
fire."

<p>
As the fleet travels to Coriana 6, Lyta tells Marcus that she heard the
Vorlons are planning to move against Centauri Prime about the same time
they will arrive at Coriana, and she wonders why the fleet isn't making
its stand there.  Marcus explains that Coriana was the logical choice
for the fleet to defend, since its population is twice as large.
Marcus hopes, though, that they pulled enough of the Vorlon ships away
to give the Centauri enough time to remove all Shadow influence.

<p>
Londo and Vir make their way to the throne room, followed by the
Regent, who begs for further instructions.  Londo tells him that, with
the Vorlons less than 12 hours away, he wants the Shadows off the
planet.  He tells the Regent to bring the ministers of War,
Intelligence, Transportation, and Security, and to clear the palace of
everyone who worked for Emperor Cartagia.  The Regent leaves to follow
Londo's orders, and after he's gone, Londo tells Vir that they have
very little time left, but that they need to find Morden to tell him
the news.

<p>
Delenn arrives on the bridge of the fleet's flagship, where Sheridan is
waiting, and tells him that Ivanova and Lorien have found all the
remaining First Ones.  She tries to convince Sheridan that Ivanova's
ship won't help turn the tide of battle, but Sheridan explains that he
promised Ivanova she would be there at the end, no matter what.  He
tells Delenn to radio Ivanova to arrive at the rendezvous point as
quickly as possible.

<p>
Ivanova, after arriving back on the station, is preparing to leave for
the battle when Lorien comes in.  He says that he was told she was
ready to leave, but she isn't quite--she says he seems quite impatient
for an immortal.  He explains that he isn't immortal, and could die if
he fell ill or was injured.  He was the first of the First Ones and the
last of his race.  Ivanova doesn't believe he can be as old as he
claims, since no one could discover the technology necessary to develop
an immortality serum in one lifetime.  Lorien explains, however, that
all of his kind were born naturally immortal.  Ivanova can't accept
this; she is positive that everything dies.  Lorien explains that
things are that way--now--but they weren't always.  The generations of
beings that followed his own were mortal, and could eventually die, but
those of his time were immortal.  He explains that his race discovered
the Vorlons and Shadows as infant races and guided them, and the other
First Ones, along the evolutionary path.  Most of the others eventually
died or passed beyond the Rim to what lay beyond.  He explains that to
live forever means to give up everything else--love, companionship,
friendship--since those will come and go.  Only races with a much
shorter life span can truly appreciate these things and experience them
for all they are worth.  "You should embrace that remarkable illusion,"
he tells her.  "It may be the greatest gift your race has ever
received."

<p>
As the Vorlon fleet makes its way through hyperspace, the minister of
Intelligence arrives in Londo's quarters and asks to speak with him.
The minister tells him that the death of Lady Adira was preceded by
rumors that Londo had attempted to poison Lord Refa, and the minister
was asked, by Cartagia, to look into the matter.  The minister
discovered these two matters were connected, and continued his
investigation even after Refa's death.  The report he presented to
Cartagia was to be kept secret until after Cartagia's death.  Londo
says that Refa was responsible for her death: the liner Adira was on
when she died came from Centauri Prime, and the poison that killed her
was of Centauri origin.  The minister explains that it was not Refa who
ordered Adira's murder, but Morden.  He says he suspects Morden wanted
to secure his position by making it appear as if Refa had killed
Adira.  Londo dismisses the minister.  Londo, alone, finally realizing
what he has done, loses control and starts tearing the room apart in
rage.  Crying, finally understanding how Morden manipulated him, he
falls to the floor in tears.

<p>
Ivanova and Lorien are trying to get the rendezvous as fast as they
can.  Lorien tells her to be patient--patience and logic will win the
war, not weapons and firepower.  He says that Sheridan knows this, but
he doesn't know if Sheridan knows he knows it.

<p>
Sheridan looks out the window of the flagship, commenting that the
fleet, while not bad, is still not big enough to win.  Marcus asks why
they are there, and Sheridan says, "Hoping the truth will set us
free... Before it kills us."  He asks if the nuclear weapons are ready,
and Marcus says they are camouflaged by asteroids.  Sheridan tells Lyta
to keep her mind open, and be ready for anything from the Shadows or
the Vorlons.  They need her--she is their only advantage.

<p>
Two guards bring Morden into the throne room, where Londo is waiting.
Morden demands to know what is going on, and Londo tells him about the
Vorlon fleet that is now headed to Centauri Prime.  Londo tells him
that, now that Cartagia is dead, he wants the Shadow fleet removed from
the island of Selini.  Morden declines, believing that the Vorlons
would never attack a world with 3 billion people.  Londo realizes that
Morden and the Shadows are afraid.  He says he must make sure that he
and Morden may speak privately.  Two of Londo's guards fire their
weapons to the left and right of Morden, killing two Shadows, who
flicker into sight only briefly as they die.  Morden tells Londo he's
insane, and Londo admits that--today--that's true.  He gives Morden one
more chance to move the ships, but Morden refuses again.  Londo says
that while the ships are impressive flying, at the moment, they are on
the ground.  Morden notes that they can sense an approaching ship miles
away, so Londo doesn't have much choice.  "What are you going to do,
Mollari?  Blow up the island?"

<p>
"Actually," Londo says, producing a small device from his pocket, "now
that you mention it..." As the island explodes, Morden reels as if in
pain.  Londo tells him that most of the Centauri were evacuated from
Selini during the night, but that some stayed to maintain the
illusion.  Londo orders Morden to be imprisoned, and the guards drag
him away.  But, as he goes, Morden promises that, even if the Shadows
lose, their allies will make sure Centauri Prime pays for destroying
the Shadow fleet.

<p>
Ivanova meets up with the rest of the fleet and tells Sheridan that
Lorien wants to come over to Sheridan's ship right away.  Almost as
soon as Sheridan approves, though, Lyta realizes that both of the
fleets have just arrived in the Coriana system.  As soon as they
appear, they begin moving toward each other.  To get their attention,
Sheridan detonates some of the nuclear devices, which do damage to both
sides.  This substantially angers both the Vorlons and the Shadows, and
the battle begins.

<p>
Sheridan opens up communication with the Vorlon fleet, and implores
them to not destroy Coriana 6--its residents were forced by the Shadows
to allow a fleet to be based on their world, and don't deserve to be
destroyed for that reason.  The Vorlons, however, don't respond, and
Lennier suggests they might not even be listening.  Delenn asks Lyta to
send the Vorlons a telepathic signal to get their attention.

<p>
As the battle rages on, Vir arrives in the throne room, where Londo is
waiting.  Londo tells him that, despite the Vorlon fleet on its way to
Centauri Prime, they are no longer a threat, as he has removed the last
Shadow influence from the planet.  Londo tells Vir to go into the
garden, where "a gift" is waiting.  Vir does so.  The gift is Morden's
head on a pike.  Recalling the promise he made long ago, Vir looks into
Morden's eyes and waves.

<p>
Sheridan asks Lyta if she's had any luck, but she hasn't been able to
open communication.  Lennier informs Sheridan that the Vorlon
planetkiller is almost in range of Coriana 6.  Delenn is reluctant to
call in the First Ones so soon, but Sheridan is not willing to let the
planet die.  Sheridan orders Lennier to send the signal.  Lennier does,
and the First Ones' ships instantly appear.  Wasting no time, they
concentrate their fire on the Vorlon planetkiller, which is destroyed
easily.  They turn their fire on the other Vorlon ships and on the
Shadows.

<p>
Londo arrives in the Garden and joyfully explains to Vir that he has
sent a message to the Vorlons informing them that all Shadow influence
has been removed from Centauri Prime.  Londo is sure they will turn
back, but Vir does not share his enthusiasm.  Vir tells Londo that he's
wrong, that there is still one thing left that has been touched by the
Shadows.  He points to the sky, where the sun is being eclipsed by
another Vorlon planetkiller.  Londo realizes that they have come for
him, and since he sent the message, they knew exactly where he can be
found.

<p>
The Vorlons still refuse to communicate with Sheridan and his army, but
Lennier does detect that they are sending a message to their other
ships, for reinforcements.

<p>
Londo pleads with Vir to kill him so that Centauri Prime will be safe,
but Vir refuses.  Londo's pleas are interrupted by the planetkiller
moving away to join the Vorlon fleet at Coriana.

<p>
Lorien arrives on the bridge of the flagship of Sheridan's fleet.
Delenn begs him to talk to the Vorlons and the Shadows.  She is
interrupted, however, by the voice of Lyta, now distant and ghostly.
"There is nothing to tell," she says as she turns around, her eyes
glowing bright blue.  "You thought we could not touch you," she tells
him.  "You were wrong."  She focuses on him and Sheridan is paralyzed
in an energy field.  Delenn moves to help him, but is warned by Lorien
not to do so, as it will kill him instead.  "And you they have left..."
Lyta says, her eyes now glazed over with black, "...for us."  She
glares at Delenn, who is paralyzed as well.

<p>
Lennier runs to help Delenn, but Lorien warns him that, should he
interfere, they will lose the one chance they have to end the war.
Lorien explains that Sheridan hoped both sides could be provoked into
doing this.  Lorien says that Sheridan wants everyone to know the
truth, what they may be asked to die for.  Lorien puts one hand in the
air next to Delenn and Sheridan, and Lennier and everyone else can see
what Sheridan and Delenn see...

<p>
Sheridan is wandering around in darkness, shouting, "Where are you?
Show yourselves!"

<p>
Suddenly, a large block of ice is highlighted, with a woman frozen
inside, a glowing amulet around her neck.  Without moving her mouth,
she speaks to him.  "We are here.  We do not understand you.  We have
wished only the best for you.  We only want to help you."

<p>
"You're destroying whole worlds!"

<p>
"The others are a disease.  You have given us the opportunity to
eliminate it.  We are grateful.  Why do you oppose us?"

<p>
"Because I don't like being used... or lied to."

<p>
"We have not lied.  Our goal is the same as yours--to destroy the
darkness."

<p>
Sheridan asks why, in that case, they haven't struck at the Shadows
directly, since they had the technology to destroy Z'ha'dum all along.
The response he receives is, "You do not understand." But Sheridan does
understand, and he says that's what has the Vorlons worried.  "The Vorlons
have a saying: understanding is a three-edged sword.  Your side, their
side, and the truth." Sheridan believes the truth is that the younger races
no longer need either race to guide them.

<p>
Delenn, too, stands in the darkness, when Ivanova's voice begins
speaking.  Ivanova appears and walks toward her.  "The Vorlons stand
for Order above anything else.  No passion, no dreams...  just
discipline.  Obedience.  They're frozen in place, an evolutionary dead
end!  Why side with the old?  Embrace the new.  Growth through pain and
struggle, conflict and war.  You of all people should understand this."

<p>
"Your race came out of the last war stronger, better." Franklin says,
appearing from the darkness as Ivanova vanishes.  "How much better, how
much stronger will they be after this war?  You will rise from the
ashes with a strength and power beyond your imagination!"

<p>
"Until you do it to us again!"  Delenn tells him.

<p>
"It is the cycle," Lennier explains to her.  "It is the force of
history itself.  You cannot win against that.  We have embraced it.
We've helped it along, by creating conflict.  Weak races die.  Strong
races are made even stronger.  Evolution must be served.  There is no
other way."

<p>
"No, that's what you want us to believe," Delenn says.

<p>
Sheridan tells the Vorlon figure that he knows why they are doing it
the way they are--they don't want to destroy the Shadows, they just
want to destroy their message, their way of doing things, so everyone
will have to follow the Vorlons.  Delenn knows the Shadows feel the
same way, wanting to leave the Vorlons alive so they can see the
Shadows were right.  "It's about ideology," Delenn says.

<p>
"Of course," Marcus says to her.  "What isn't?  Order versus Chaos.
Choose one."

<p>
But Delenn says they shouldn't have to choose, because they aren't
given all the choices available.  They are only given two.  The battle
between the Vorlons and the Shadows is no longer about guiding or
helping the younger races, it's just about whether the Vorlon or Shadow
philosophy is the correct one.  Sheridan knows this, too, saying they
are acting like arguing parents, manipulating their children, getting
them to take sides.  "But what if the right choice is not to choose at
all," he asks.

<p>
"What if we reject the idea that we must decide which of you is
right?"  Delenn asks.  "What if we simply walk away?"

<p>
"You cannot do that," says another Delenn, coming of the shadows and
facing the first.

<p>
"Then the war will never end!"

<p>
"That is correct."

<p>
"Then there is no hope."

<p>
"There is only Chaos and evolution."

<p>
"There is only Order and obedience," the figure in the ice says.  "You
will do as you are told."

<p>
"You will fight because we tell you to fight," the other Delenn says.

<p>
"You will die for us when we tell you to die for us," the woman in the
ice says, "because the others know no other way."

<p>
"That's where you're wrong," Sheridan tells her.

<p>
A stray asteroid hits the flagship, and Lorien stumbles, accidentally
touching Delenn.

<p>
"You've let them see," the other Delenn says.  "You've let them
know..."

<p>
But she cannot finish.  Lorien removes both Delenn and Sheridan from
their paralyzed state, and that world shatters around them.  The image,
and the illusion, is broken, but it is too late--the Shadow
planetkiller has engulfed the fleet.  Ivanova calls to confirm that she
saw what Sheridan and Delenn saw, but the cloud is making the ships so
cold, it is affecting the engines and preventing them from escaping.
The temperature is dropping so low, it will kill them all in ten
minutes.  Sheridan can't believe the Vorlons and the Shadows would let
the younger races die instead of ending their war, but Lorien knows
they aren't finished yet.  Two figures appear on the bridge--one Shadow
and one Vorlon.  Lorien explains they are giving Sheridan a second
chance to change his mind and ask forgiveness, to choose.  Lorien says
that Sheridan's next words will decide the outcome.

<p>
"The Vorlons ask only one question, over and over," Sheridan tells the
two figures.  'Who are you?'"  He turns to the Shadow.  "You... for
you, the question is, 'What do you want?'  I have never heard you
answer that question.  Who are you?  What do you want?"

<p>
"You don't know, do you?" asks Delenn.  "You've been fighting each
other so long, you've forgotten.  You've lost your way.  So how can you
guide us?  How can we learn who we are and what we want if you don't
even know it any more?"

<p>
Sheridan tells them that, no matter who wins, in a thousand years, the
battle will start again.  They are all a part of the cycle, but
Sheridan doesn't want to be a part of it.  The younger races have
learned to stand on their own, and are prepared to make the mistakes
they will make as they find their own way.  Delenn tells the Vorlon and
the Shadow that their secret is out, and asks them what they plan to do
next.

<p>
"You do not speak for the rest," the Vorlon figure intones.

<p>
"They will not follow you if you are dead," says the Shadow figure.

<p>
Lennier detects a missile from the Shadow planetkiller being launched
at the flagship.  With only ten seconds until impact, one of the Drazi
cruisers moves in front of the ship, and is destroyed by the missile's
impact.  The other ships in the fleet follow suit, and another missile
strikes a Minbari ship, which moves in front just in time.

<p>
Delenn tells the figures that the other races as well have begun to
reject them, and demands to know how they can have a war with no one to
fight it.  Sheridan tells them they refuse to take sides in the war,
and refuse to let either race turn them against one another--they will
find their own way.

<p>
"You can kill us one by one," Delenn continues, "and those who follow
us, and those who follow them, on and on, every race, every planet.
Until there's no one left to kill.  You will have failed as guardians.
And you will be alone."

<p>
"It's over because we've decided it's over," Sheridan says angrily.
"Now get the hell out of our galaxy!  Both of you!"

<p>
When neither the Vorlon nor the Shadow move, Lorien steps in.  "As I
taught you and stepped aside, now you must do the same.  Our age is
past.  This... belongs to the younger races now.  They have learned to
stand on their own.  They have learned... to understand.  Time to let
them go."

<p>
"Will you... come... with us?" asks the Shadow figure meekly.

<p>
"I have been here since the beginning.  I will not leave you now.  I
will go with you beyond the Rim, and we will see again all those who
went ahead of us, all those who we have missed for so long."

<p>
"Then... we will not be alone?" asks the Vorlon figure.

<p>
"No," Lorien tells them.  "Never alone."

<p>
The two figures vanish, and the Vorlon and Shadow fleets quickly leave
the system.  As the power returns to the White Star flagship, the other
First Ones leave as well, all at the same time, leaving only Lorien
behind.  "I waited a long time for someone to find me," he says.  "Now,
like the others, I find I hate to leave.  But none of us can stay
behind this time.  That was why it was necessary to find all the
remaining First Ones.  This... is yours now.  And you have an
obligation... to do as we have done.  To teach the races that will
follow you and, when your time comes, as ours has, to step aside and
allow them to grow into their own destiny.  If your races survive, if
you do not kill yourselves, I look forward to the day when your people
join us beyond the Rim."  Lorien begins dissolving, changing into a
tiny ball of light.  "We will wait for you..." And then he too is
gone.

<p>
Londo tells Vir that he can't quite accept that the war is over, that
he doesn't know what to feel.  Vir says that, given all they
accomplished, happy would be appropriate.  Londo says that, every time
he has felt happy, something bad has happened to him.  Vir says that he
thinks Londo should enjoy one single night of happiness while he can
get it.  Vir is planning to return to Babylon 5, but Londo needs to
stay behind for a while and tidy up political matters, perhaps
returning to Babylon 5 himself, away from whatever repurcussions he may
have to face.  Vir leaves, and Londo begins to enjoy his evening.

<p>
The fleet comes through the Babylon 5 jumpgate, and as the flagship
approaches Babylon 5, Delenn and Sheridan sit, looking out a window as
the station grows nearer.  He tells her the younger races have entered
a third age.  First, they were too primitive to make their own
decisions.  Then, they were helped along by the Vorlons and the
Shadows.  Now, finally, they stand on their own.  Sheridan says that
Lorien was right, that it is a great responsibility.  Delenn says that
the galaxy seems smaller with the First Ones gone.

<p>
"Feels like the magic's gone," Sheridan comments.

<p>
"No," Delenn tells him.  "Not gone.  Now we make our own magic.  Now we
create our own legends.  Now we build the future.  Now we stop..."

<p>
"...being afraid of shadows," Sheridan finishes.  Delenn smiles, and
the two of them hold each other, looking out the window at Babylon 5,
and the future they must begin to build.