lurkers-guide/synops/084

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

<p>
In the dark of an empty room, Sheridan is lying on the floor, asleep,
voices floating through his dreams, reminding him of how he got there.
Sheridan is rousted from his sleep when the single door to the room
flies open, and from the light outside steps a man with a briefcase.
He studies Sheridan as several of his associates bring in and set up a
chair and a desk.  "Do you have any allergies or illnesses I should be
aware of?  Are you currently taking any medication?  Have you had any
trouble with your heart?"  Sheridan doesn't respond.  "When I ask a
question, you will respond at once.  You will not hesitate, you will
not consider, you will not lie.  Cooperation will be rewarded,
resistance will be punished.  Do you understand?"

<p>
Sheridan doesn't
respond, but gets up and moves toward the man.  When he gets fairly
close, a device around Sheridan's neck causes him great pain, and he
crumples to the floor.  The man explains they are Narn paingivers,
purchased during the war.  The man explains that there is no reason to
harm him, since he is not the enemy--he has no personal stake in what
goes on.  He is there only to do his job.  He further explains that,
though he has no desire to inflict pain, he will do so if it is
required.  He is not there to negotiate or assist him, but is there to
ensure Sheridan's cooperation, and will use whatever means he feels are
appropriate.  He asks Sheridan if he understands, but Sheridan doesn't
respond.  The man pushes a button on his table, the door opens again,
and two guards come in, force Sheridan into the chair, and shackle him
down.  The man asks Sheridan again if he understands, and Sheridan
nods.  "Do you any allergies or ilnesses I should be aware of?  Are you
currently taking any medication?  Have you had any problems with your
heart?"

<p>
"No," Sheridan answers.

<p>
"Good," the man replies.  "Then we can begin."

<p>
Sheridan is sitting in the chair, a bright light shining on his face,
when the Interrogator returns, this time, with the outside shrouded in
darkness.  "Good morning," he tells Sheridan, but Sheridan believes
that, since it is dark outside, it can't be morning, as it was before.
The Interrogator walks to the door and demonstrates that it is he who
controls the lighting, not the time of day.  The Interrogator opens his
briefcase and begins removing his effects when he appears to have
forgotten something, and retrieves his glasses from the outside.  He
pushes a button on the table, causing Sheridan great pain.  "Never
contradict me," he says.  The Interrogator begins looking over
Sheridan's file, when he looks at his watch.  He opens a small package
in front of him, and removes a sandwich, which he begins to eat.  As he
eats, the Interrogator explains that he finds it interesting that
Sheridan had never previously shown interest in politics, and Sheridan
agrees--the Interrogator explains that, in that case, it is unlikely he
would try to overthrow his own government without outside influence.
Sheridan insists it's not true, but the Interrogator doesn't believe
him, and asks if he is that far removed from other people.  He says he
will write that down as Sheridan's "first fabrication."

<p>
The Interrogator asks Sheridan if he would like some of his sandwich;
since they haven't fed Sheridan, and it is lunchtime, he would probably
like some.  Sheridan says that, a few moments ago, the Interrogator
said it was morning, but the Interrogator insists that you can't have
cornbeef sandwiches for breakfast.  Sheridan concedes that it must be
lunchtime somewhere, and takes the sandwich.  The Interrogator promises
Sheridan that the sandwich will not kill him, and Sheridan begins
consuming the sandwich.  The Interrogator explains that this proves
that everything is a matter of perspective, the truth is fluid and
subjective.  "Out there, it doesn't matter what time it is.  In here,
it's lunchtime if you and I decide that it is.  The truth is sometimes
is what you believe it to be and sometimes what you decide it to be.
My task... is to make you... decide to believe...  differently.  And
when that happens, the world will remake itself before your very eyes."
Sheridan insists it's not true, but, the Interrogator disagrees,
explaining how the truth changed for Sheridan whenever there was a new
enemy for him to fight.  Sheridan denies this, but the Interrogator
knows that a solider must accept what is ordered to believe, unless he
is rejecting everything he claimed to stand for.

<p>
Sheridan finishes the
sandwich, and begins commenting on it, but the Interrogator claims he's
being evasive.  Sheridan says it's better than being dishonest.  The
Interrogator points out that, while Sheridan has changed the truth to
suit himself, he has never lied to Sheridan.  The Interrogator says
that it's for supper, and he begins to pack up his things.  As he does,
he explains that, if you eat a little poison every day, you will
gradually become used to it.  The contents of the sandwich won't kill
Sheridan, but the toxins will have their desired effects in a few
minutes.  "I'll be back when they've had a chance to clean up the
place," the Interrogator tells him as he leaves.

<p>
Sheridan is lying on the floor when the Interrogator returns, the next
"morning." The Interrogator asks how is feeling, but Sheridan is too
sick to respond.  The Interrogator apologizes for poisoning him, but it
is part of the process.  "We have to break you physically before we can
get to your mind."  The Interrogator explains that the room is
monitored throughout the day, and if Sheridan won't cooperate, he
cannot be held responsible for what might happen.  If Sheridan
cooperates, the Interrogator promises, they will let him go.  He
removes a small flask and pours a drink for Sheridan, to help him out
of his dehydration.  Sheridan is apprehensive, but the Interrogator
insists the drink is safe, and that, as Sheridan's only ally, he will
tell him only the absolute truth.  Sheridan begins to drink the
liquid.

<p>
The Interrogator explains that he needs to correct some
ommissions in Sheridan's files, and begins asking if Susan Ivanova is
still his second in command.  They just want to confirm her name for
the records, but Sheridan won't tell him, because the Interrogator
wants it.  The Interrogator insists he doesn't care, but his superiors
want complete information.  He asks Sheridan to sit in the chair, now
that his strength has returned, which he does.  As he sits, though, he
finds himself automatically shackled in again.  The Interrogator
explains it's for Sheridan's own good.  "Oh, by the way, I should
mention your father...  He sends his regards."  The Interrogator says
he's being held at another facility, and that he is alive and well.  He
suggests that Sheridan should thank him, which Sheridan does.  He
explains that he believes Sheridan's father will only be held as long
as Sheridan is, but that they won't let him go if Sheridan continues to
resist.  The Interrogator asks if Sheridan has been interrogated
before, but Sheridan says he would be surprised.  The Interrogator
finds this odd, as he seems to have forgotten the rules.  He holds up a
piece of paper.  "This is your confession.  It goes on at some length.
So, uh, allow me to summarize.  You plead guilty to charges of treason,
mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny, sedition, terrorism..."

<p>
"That's a lie!" Sheridan insists.

<p>
"...conspiracy to overthrow the government, illegal seizure of Earth
property, assault on fellow officers, sabotage..."

<p>
"Now just a minute!"

<p>
"...willful destruction of public property, disobeying direct orders of
superior officers, and the murder of 547 officers and crew onboard the
E.A.S. Roanoke!"

<p>
"I won't sign it!"

<p>
"You will sign it!  You will sign it and you will read it aloud in full
view of the public so they'll know we haven't forged your image or your
signature.  You will name your accomplices.  You will apologize to the
families and friends of those who have died fighting you.  And in the
end, you will beg for mercy on the grounds that you're under the
influence of aliens who are trying subvert the government and undermine
the authority of the President."

<p>
"I demand to see an attorney!  I demand the presence of a full military
tribunal.  You have no right..."

<p>
"No, YOU have no rights!  There's no courtroom here, Captain, no
tribunals, no attorneys, no justice, no mercy, no fairness, no hope, no
last-minute escape.  You will walk through that door when you confess
and not one second before!"  With that, the Interrogator leaves the
room.

<p>
The door flings open and the Interrogator returns.  "Good morning."
After a few moments, two guards bring in a Drazi and strap him to the
Interrogator's chair.  The guards leave the three of them alone.  The
Interrogator places a recording device in front of the Drazi, and asks
the Drazi to repeat what he previously told another interrogator.  "I
was one of those who was reponsible for manipulating Captain Sheridan
into turning against his own government." Sheridan begs him not to
continue, but the Drazi keeps talking.  "I confess to taking part in
the conspiracy to overturn your government."  Sheridan tells the Drazi
he's giving them exactly what they want, and the Interrogator
agrees--when he's finished, they will let him go.  The Drazi
continues.  "Those who worked with me in this conspiracy were Commander
Susan Ivanova, Minbari Ambassador Delenn, Senator Ross Fowler..."  The
Interrogator explains that, while the Senator isn't involved, he has
become a source of annoyance for the President.  "I can personally
verify all of the charges against him.  However, Captain Sheridan was
not responsible for his actions.  He was not, uh, mentally
competent..."

<p>
Sheridan tries to convince the Drazi that however much
they tortued him, he doesn't have to let them win, and begs him again
not to confess.  The Interrogator says he's Sheridan's alibi--the one
chance he has of avoiding the death penalty, but Sheridan thinks that
the Drazi are strong, and he shouldn't let them win.  The Drazi insists
there is nothing he can do, but Sheridan says that, if he resists, he
will eventually win.  The Drazi says he is afraid, and never has been
before, but Sheridan pleads with the Drazi not to give them what they
want.  The Drazi looks at Sheridan for a few moments, and then tells
the Interrogator he will not cooperate any further.  Sheridan smiles
smugly at the Interrogator.

<p>
"Are you sure?  You understand that this is your last chance?"

<p>
"What are you doing," Sheridan asks.

<p>
"Do you understand that this is your very... last... chance?"

<p>
"Yes," the Drazi replies.

<p>
The Interrogator touches a key on the table, and four guards enter with
a gurney, which they strap the Drazi to.  Sheridan protests, but they
will not let him go.  "Room 17," the Interrogator tells them as they
wheel the Drazi out.  The Interrogator returns to the subject of
Ivanova, and will not tell Sheridan what they will do with the Drazi,
despite Sheridan's demands that he do so.  The Interrogator explains
that, while the Drazi was expendable, Sheridan is not--his superiors
want Sheridan honestly and sincerely broken if someone scans him.  The
apology must be sincere, and that would save them all time and
trouble.  As he is speaking, there is a scream in the background, and
the lights of the room dim for a moment.  The Interrogator begins
packing up his things, and touches a button on the table.  A recording
of his own voice begins playing.  "You will cooperate with the State
for the good of the State and your own survival.  You will confess to
the crimes of which you have been accused.  You will be released and
returned to society a productive citizen if you cooperate.  Resistance
will be punished, cooperation will be rewarded."  The Interrogator
leaves for the "night," but his voice remains behind.  "You will
cooperate with the State for the good of the State and your own
survival.  You will confess to the crimes of which you have been
accused.  You will be released and returned to society a productive
citizen if you cooperate..."

<p>
The light of "day" streams in as the Interrogator returns.  "...You
will confess to the crimes of which you have been accused.  You will be
released and returned to society a productive citizen if you
cooperate.  Resistance will be punished, cooperation will be
rewarded."  The Interrogator shuts off the recording, and bids Sheridan
"good morning."  He tells Sheridan that, unless he starts cooperating,
he won't be receiving any more of the intervenous nutrition he had been
receiving since being taken off solid foods.  The Interrogator puts
Sheridan's "confession" down in front of him, telling him that that,
and a few recorded words, are all that prevent him from leaving the
cell.  The Interrogator asks Sheridan if he wants to leave, if he wants
to be free, and Sheridan admits he does.  All he has to do is sign the
confession.  The Interrogator says they don't want him dead, but rather
as a symbol.  They will not kill him, though, at least not right
away--they will wait until Sheridan has been forgotten.  But, until
that time, Sheridan will have his freedom--they will encourage him to
travel, to spread the message that "you cannot beat the system."  "Sign
and speak," the Interrogator says, "and you can leave here."  As
Sheridan looks at the Interrogator, he sees Delenn standing behind
him.  He smiles at her, as the Interrogator releases his arms from the
shackles.  Sheridan looks at Delenn for the answer, but she says
nothing to him--she then vanishes as quickly as she appeared.  Sheridan
stares at the confession for a few moments, then spits on it.  He turns
to the Interrogator and utters his response.

<p>
"No."

<p>
"I...  I really wish you hadn't done that, Captain.  I really...
sincerely wish...  you hadn't done that."  The Interrogator picks up
the confession and his briefcase, but cannot find words.  "I... I... I
have no control over what will happen next," he explains to Sheridan.
"It's out of my hands."  He walks out of the room, the door slamming
shut behind him.

<p>
The Interrogator bursts in and wakes Sheridan up.  He tells Sheridan
that they are doing this to him because he is a war hero, and he was
made such in the public eye.  People know him and recognize him, but
when war heroes start believing certain things, the public listens,
which threatens their credibility.  And Sheridan's credibility needs to
go--he says that the best way out for everyone is for Sheridan to
confess and lay the blame on the alien governments.  Whether it is
really true or not, they can make the public believe it.  They will let
him live.  But, it isn't the only way--they can forge Sheridan's image
and his voice, after he has died.  There will always be doubt that way,
but the Interrogator explains that it is now an acceptable option.  "I
can save your life," the Interrogator says.  "Right now.  If you'll let
me."

<p>
Sheridan explains that he has considered the Interrogator's words, that
you can't fight the system, but, if the truth is fluid and subjective,
maybe you can, as long as one person refuses to break, or bow down.

<p>
"But, can you win?" asks the Interrogator.

<p>
"Every time I say no," responds Sheridan.

<p>
The Interrogator moves away, back to his table.  "Captain John
Sheridan, will you, or will you not, sign a confession and endorse it
before a public hearing?"

<p>
"No."

<p>
The Interrogator hits a key on the table, and four guards enter with a
gurney, which they force Sheridan onto.  He struggles, but can't
escape.  "You understand that this is your last chance?" the
Interrogator asks as he bends over him.  "Do you understand this is
your very last chance?" Sheridan doesn't respond.  "Room seventeen,"
the Interrogator tells him.  The gurney is wheeled down the hall.

<p>
As Sheridan moves down the hall, a priest following him, reading him
his Last Rites, he looks toward his goal--the door at the end of the
hallway, through which light is streaming.  In the middle of the light,
Delenn is standing.  Sheridan is wheeled closer, and closer...

<p>
The gurney is placed in one half of the room, the other half obscured
in shadows.  Sheridan is unstrapped, and the guards leave.  Sheridan
sits up weakly, and looks into the other half of the room, where a
figure in a black mask, black robe, and black gloves is standing before
a large device, covered in a black cloth.  The figure adjusts his glove
and walks out.  Sheridan is alone for a brief moment when four guards
enter the room and remove him from the gurney.  One of the guards
removes the the cloth from the device in the corner, revealing it to
be... a chair.  An interrogation chair much like the one in the room he
was in a few moments ago.  He is forced into the chair and shackled
down.  The guards move the gurney closer to Sheridan, adjust it in a
few ways, and it becomes a table exactly like the one in the other
interrogation room.  The guards leave the room, with only Sheridan and
the shadowy figure remaining behind.

<p>
Someone else comes in the room.  "Good morning," the man says, placing
his briefcase on the table.  "Now, before we begin your interrogation,
I'll need some information." Sheridan turns his gaze to the figure
standing behind the new interrogator.  "Do you have any allergies or
illnesses that I should know about?  Are you currently taking any
medication?"  The figure in black steps forward and removes his hood,
revealing the Drazi that Sheridan had met in the other cell.  "Any
trouble with your heart?"  The Drazi bows his head, but Sheridan is too
stunned to respond to the interrogator's questions.  "You will answer
my questions when they are asked.  Resistance will be punished,
cooperation will be rewarded.  Do you have any illnesses or allergies
that I should know about?  Are you currently taking any medication?
Have you had any trouble with your heart?"  Sheridan doesn't respond,
but lowers his head and continues to listen.  "You will answer my
questions when they are asked.  Resistance will be punished,
cooperation will be rewarded.  Do you have any allergies or illnesses
that I should know about?  Are you currently taking any medication?
Have you had any trouble with your heart?  You will answer my questions
when they are asked.  Resistance will be punished.  Cooperation will be
rewarded."