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Transcript by Matthew Murray (mmurray@wsu.edu)
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_________________________________________________________________
ISN Network
"36 Hours"
September 16, 2259
_________________________________________________________________
Announcer
We interrupt your evening schedule to bring you the following
special program. September 16, 2259. The Interstellar Network
News presents "36 Hours on Babylon 5" with your host, Cynthia
Torqueman, reporting live from the ISN News Center, in Geneva.
Torqueman (at anchor desk)
[INLINE] Good evening, I'm Cynthia Torqueman. In the hundred or
so years since humanity went to the stars, we've established
outposts and colonies on over two dozen worlds in fourteen
solar systems. Out of all those far-flung outposts, only the
Mars Colony, plagued by scattered groups of separatists, who
have used acts of terror to intimidate the Earth-loyal
majority, has proven more controversial than the Earth Alliance
station, Babylon 5. Located in a sector of space near Epsilon
Iridani, designated neutral territory, Babylon 5 has defied the
odds and continued to operate as a free port, a center for
diplomacy, and a showpiece for the Earth Alliance Resources and
Technologies division. From its highly publicized debut three
years ago, recent polls indicate a growing dissatisfaction with
the time, money, and effort consumed by this space-borne
community. So, tonight, we take you to the center of the
controversy. An ISN crew and I recently spent 36 hours aboard
Babylon 5, asking hard questions and, on occasion, get in a
little over our heads. In the process of putting this report
together, it didn't take us long to learn the most important
rule of survival aboard Babylon 5: expect the unexpected.
_Video Footage_
_(The bridge of a ship. Babylon 5 is visible outside, with two
much smaller ships in front of it)_
Torqueman (voiceover)
This footage was shot from our position on the bridge of
the Earth transport Heyerdahl, on the final approach to
Babylon 5. The voices you are hearing are those of the
ship's captain and B5 Command and Control.
Ivanova
Confirmed Heyerdahl. We...Narn transport N'ton, return to
your holding position at once. I repeat, return to
your...
[INLINE] Narn ship
Shadraka.
Ivanova
Centauri vessel Malios, break off.
Narn
N'tok! N'tok!
_(The Narn ship fires on the Centauri ship several times,
destroying it.)_
Torqueman (at anchor desk)
A terrible explosion, conspiracy involving several of these
individuals _[pictures of Sheridan, Londo, and G'kar appear
over her shoulder],_ lies, deception, and the deaths of
hundreds of people. All this and more on "36 Hours Aboard
Babylon 5," here on the Interstellar Network News. We'll be
back with our story right after this break.
Announcer
"36 hours...," sponsored by Interplanetary Expeditions.
Exploring the past to create a better future.
_________________________________________________________________
_Commercial break_
_________________________________________________________________
Torqueman (from a chaotic docking bay)
Thirty minutes ago, a Narn vessel opened fire on a Centauri
transport without warning or explanation. The bodies of the
dead and wounded are being brought to this central docking area
for transfer to various MedLab facilities on Babylon 5, which
are already working beyond maximum capacity. Behind me is Dr.
Stephen Franklin, Chief of Staff. Doctor? Doctor Franklin?
Franklin (to medical assistants)
...for immediate surgery and full CAT scan. I need more regent
packs over here, people.
Torqueman
Dr. Franklin, Cynthia Torqueman, ISN news. What happened here?
Franklin
I don't know. Somebody said something about an ambush. (to
assistants) All right, keep his head elevated thirty degrees
minimum or he'll choke on his own blood.
Torqueman
Can you say what the reason was...
Franklin
I'm sorry...
Torqueman
Captain Sheridan! Cynthia Torqueman, ISN news. Do you have any
comment on what just happened here?
Sheridan
No, no comment at this time. (to Franklin) Doctor...
Torqueman
What about the Narn vessel that attacked the transport.
Sheridan
We dispatched a fighter wing to apprehend them. We won't know
anything more until they're in protective custody. If you will
excuse me please.
__________________________________________________________
_Ambassador Londo Mollari, Centauri Republic_
This is exactly the kind of behavior that endangers the very
purpose of Babylon 5. This place is dedicated to finding
peaceful solutions to our problems. For the Narn to carry their
vendetta against our people into neutral territory like this is
reckless and irresponsible. And though we mourn our own losses,
we have felt strongly about our friends from Earth, ever since
we first encountered your world a hundred years ago. To
endanger your people for no reason...
Torqueman
Then the attack on your transport was completely unprovoked?
Ambassador Mollari
Of course.
* * *
_Ambassador G'kar, Narn Regime_
He's lying.
Torqueman
Then can you tell us why your ship opened fire on the Centauri
transport?
G'kar
I'll issue a statement after I have consulted with my
government.
Torqueman
Are you saying your government sanctioned this attack?
G'kar
No.
Torqueman
Do you think attacks of this nature put everybody aboard
Babylon 5 in unnecessary jeopardy?
G'kar
We are already in far greater jeopardy than you can possibly
imagine.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
For all the apparent danger in this part of space, it seems to
have had little effect on travel. Nearly a quarter of a million
humans and aliens are here at any given moment. While most are
in transit to distant worlds, many others actually live and
work here. What does it take to call a place like this home?
* * *
_Eduardo Delvientos. Dock Supervisor. Guild dockworkers on B5: 1500._
Well, it's a...it's a job. I've been in a lot worse places, let
me tell you. It gets crazy around here sometimes, you got
fifty, sixty ships a day coming through here, loading and
unloading, and every last one of them is a priority job, at
least that's what they tell us. (to a worker) Hey, watch those
crates over there. Get 'em over to the side. No, no, the other
side. (to Torqueman) We had a couple of problems here last
year, try to hit us with some budget cuts. You know, same old
song. But that's the past. You gotta go along to get along, you
know what I mean?
__________________________________________________________
_Second Lieutenant David Corwin. Earthforce personnel on B5: 6500._
Overall, I've found this to be a good working environment, and
a valuable experience. I've learned a lot while I've been here.
Torqueman
And you've never felt that your safety has been compromised?
Corwin
No ma'am.
Torqueman
So this has been a positive experience for you?
(Corwin smiles and nods)
Torqueman
[INLINE] You enjoy working with everyone?
Corwin
(Glancing at Ivanova over left shoulder) Yes. It's a calm,
pleasant environment. I don't think I've ever seen anyone get
upset here.
__________________________________________________________
_Captain John J. Sheridan. Recipient, Earthforce Silver Star for Valor
in Minbari War._
I guess it's the old joke, "You don't have to be crazy to work
here, but it helps." I suppose there is a...certain attraction
to being out here on the edge like this. A new frontier...
Torqueman
New frontier is right. When Babylon 5 went online in 2257,
oddsmakers from New Vegas to Lloyds of London were predicting
it wouldn't last six months.
Sheridan
Hmm. Well, I've never been very much on gambling. Never quite
found the time for it.
Torqueman
You were originally a starship captain, correct?
Sheridan
Yeah. The Agamemnon. She was a real beauty. One of the first
Omega class destroyers to come off the assembly line after the
war. Our job was part military patrol, part diplomatic mission.
We went around to most of the Non- Aligned Worlds, put in an
appearance, kept the peace, that sort of thing.
Torqueman
Babylon 5 has been through some dramatic changes in
administration since it became operational. Would you attribute
these changes to...bad management, or, to quote former Senator
Hidoshi, "Is this horse just to big for anybody to ride?"
Sheridan
Changes are part of the military life. Everybody goes into this
knowing that tomorrow you could be someplace you hadn't even
heard of 24 hours ago. I've been stationed so many places over
the years I can't even remember most of them. But you're right.
Some days this is one hell of a big horse.
__________________________________________________________
_Dr. Stephen Franklin. Chief of Staff. Medlab facility. Speciality:
Xenobiology_
[INLINE] You know what the folks back home don't understand,
the ones who've never left Earth, is just how dangerous space
can be. Aside from incidents like this, just the everyday
reality of living your days and nights in a big tin can
surrounded by a vacuum. I remember my first time on a
transport, on the Moon-Mars run. I was just a kid, maybe
seventeen. A buddy of mine was messing around, and zipping
through the halls, and he hid in one of the airlocks. I don't
know, I guess he was gonna try to scare us or something, I
don't know...But just as I got close, he must have hit the
wrong button because the air doors slammed shut, the space
doors opened, and he just flew out into space. You know, the
one thing they never tell you is that you don't die instantly
in vacuum. Just hung there, against the black, like a puppet
with his strings all tangled up. Or one of those old cartoons
where you run off the edge of a cliff and your legs keep going.
You could see that he was trying to breathe, but there was
nothing. The one thing I remember, when they pulled in his
body, his eyes were frozen. A lot of people make jokes about
spacing somebody, about shoving somebody out an airlock. I
don't think it's funny. Never will.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
Although the airlocks on Babylon 5 are considerably safer, the
last three years have shown that the station itself is anything
but secure. In its first year of operation, there were half a
dozen murders, three acts of sabotage including a bomb that
blew out two levels, and a barely averted attack by the Vorlon
Empire. Since then, there have been fifty deaths by violence.
So the question remains, given its cost in lives and money, is
Babylon 5 serving any useful purpose, or, as we're about to
see, is the whole thing falling apart at the seams?
__________________________________________________________
G'kar
I've just been briefed by my government, and I'm prepared to
issue the following statement. The Centauri ship that was
attacked by one of our vessels was not simply a commercial
transport. It was secretly transferring weapons of mass
destruction to ships bound for the front lines where they were
to be used in the war against our people. They have turned
Babylon 5 into a weapons supply post, and we cannot allow this
to continue, even if it means shutting down Babylon 5
completely.
_________________________________________________________________
_commercial break_
_________________________________________________________________
Announcer
"36 Hours on Babylon 5" continues with Cynthia Torqueman.
Torqueman (at anchor desk)
According to figures released by the newly-formed office of
public morale, President William Clark has risen to dramatic
new levels of popularity, because of his administration's
emphasis on addressing the needs of Earth. As a result, recent
hearings in Earthdome have openly questioned how much time and
money should be invested in a project that seems perpetually
bogged down in non-human conflict. So, we took that question to
Senator Ronald Quantrell.
* * *
_Senator Ronald Quantrell. Chairman: Babylon 5 Senate Oversight
Committee._ (in his office)
Well, obviously, Babylon 5 is something President Santiago
believed in very strongly and I think we owe it to his memory
to try to make it work.
Torqueman
That doesn't exactly sound like a ringing endorsement.
[INLINE] Quantrell
Well, clearly we've taken a lot of heat, and the cost overruns
have been appropriately astronomical. But let's remember that
the Babylon Project was conceived right after the Earth-Minbari
war. At that time, the idea of a diplomatic station designed to
keep anything like that from happening again was very
appealing.
Torqueman
And now?
Quantrell
Now? Well...still too early to tell. Certainly we've rebuilt
our military forces to a point far in advance of where they
were fourteen years ago. If the Earth-Minbari war started
today, I think things might have gone a little differently. So,
while I'm not sure how much...concrete benefit we really derive
from Babylon 5 any longer, I suppose it still does keep us in a
highly visible position with other races, and of course it's
very important to interstellar commerce and trade.
* * *
Sheridan
Well, with all due respect to Senator Quantrell, speaking as
someone who did his part in the front lines, I'd have to say we
still haven't fully recovered from the Minbari war. And we
haven't anywhere near the level of technology we would need in
the event of another major conflict. And anybody who thinks
that we could hold our own with the Minbari, the Centauri, and,
God forbid, the Vorlons, is just plain kidding himself.
Torqueman
You sound angry about it.
Sheridan
No, I'm not. It just...it just sounds to me like...like
jingoism and self-deception and armchair quarterbacking. Any
time you lose a war, you just...you just wait a few years, and
you'll hear from everyone who thought that we could have won if
they'd have done the fighting.
Torqueman
Except, of course, Captain, we didn't lose the war. The Minbari
did surrender.
Sheridan
(Pause, then smile) Of course.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
Who are the people who run Babylon 5, and what do they do here?
What are their hopes and dreams? I'm standing in what's called
the Observation Dome, or C&C, short for Command and Control.
When the Captain is otherwise engaged with diplomatic or
business affairs, this place is under the watchful eye of its
perky and energetic commander, Susan Ivanova.
Commander Susan Ivanova (to a ship)
All right, make one more sweep pulling in whatever you got,
then head for the barn.
Torqueman
Commander Ivanova, would you mind telling us what it is you're
doing here?
Ivanova (showing her a control panel displaying the HAZMAT team)
We're investigating Ambassador G'kar's allegations that the
Centauri transport was carrying weapons, justifying his
government's attack. The HAZMAT team outside is checking the
debris for any unusual levels of radiation or trace elements
that could indicate the presence of unauthorized weapons.
Torqueman
While we wait for the analysis, would you mind telling us a
little about yourself, how you got here?
Ivanova
Well, there's really not much to tell. I was born in the
Russian Consortium, but spent most of my life at school abroad.
Graduated from OTC ten years ago.
Torqueman
How did you come to join Earthforce?
Ivanova
After my brother Ganya was killed in the war, I felt that I had
to try and finish what he started. Of course, as my luck runs,
the war was over before I saw any action.
Torqueman
Now, Commander, I'm sure there's more to your story than that.
Ivanova
Yes.
__________________________________________________________
_Security Chief Michael Garibaldi_
What do I hope for? I hope to get through this interview
without getting myself fired. How's that for a start? Hmm. I
don't know, it's one of those questions I don't think about in
words. Maybe because so many times it seems like, if I say what
I want, it never comes.
Torqueman
There must be something.
Garibaldi
Yeah. There are...little hopes I guess. Every day I get up and
I hope nothing will happen. I'd love to be just bored out of my
skull for twenty-four hours. And, uh, I guess I keep hoping
that someday, somewhere I'll make a difference. That at the end
of the day, everything we've gone through for the past few
years will, uh, mean something.
Ivanova (over communicator)
Garibaldi, we just got back the HASMAT report. We've got a
problem.
Garibaldi (getting up)
See what I mean? Always something.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
So far, we've spent most of our time here talking to the
humans, but aliens make up nearly forty-two percent of Babylon
5's population. Many of them live here in the so-called "Alien
Sector," which provides alternate atmospheres for fourteen
different species. Ironically, the "Alien Sector" is how the
aliens here refer to the human part of the station proving once
again that beauty... and the beast...are in the eye of the
beholder. Probably the most elusive of all the aliens is
Ambassador Kosh Naranek, a representative of the Vorlon Empire,
sent here roughly two years ago. Nothing is known of the
Vorlons, in fact three expeditions sent into Vorlon space over
the years have never returned. The Vorlon government said they
had met with accidents...and suggested no further expeditions.
Even their appearance is a mystery, compounded by the fact that
Ambassador Kosh can only leave his quarters in an encounter
suit, which contains his atmosphere and other life support
equipment. A few moments ago, while we were setting up this
shot, we got our first glimpse of the Vorlon as he was leaving
his quarters just behind me. This is an ISN exclusive,
presented here for the first time.
_Video Footage_
_(Cynthia Torqueman, wearing an oxygen mask, is speaking with
someone else also wearing a mask.)_
Man's Voice
It's Ambassador Kosh, over here!
Torqueman
Maxie, quick, the camera!
_(The camera pans to reveal Ambassador Kosh.)_
Torqueman
Ambassador Kosh! Ambassador! Cynthia Torqueman, ISN news.
Can we ask you a few questions?
_(The doors in front of Kosh close.)_
Torqueman
Ambassador Kosh! (to camera) Did we get that? Tell me we
got that. Did we get it?
* * *
Torqueman
Second in elusiveness to the Vorlon is Ambassador Delenn of the
Minbari Federation. After initially refusing several requests
for an interview, she finally agreed to talk to us.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
Since very few humans have ever been allowed on Minbar, perhaps
you could start by telling us a little about your world.
_Ambassador Delenn. Minbari Federation._
We are the seventh planet from our sun _[a graphic of Minbar
appears over her shoulder]._ Almost one quarter of Minbar is
covered by our north polar icecap. Because our world is rich
with crystalline deposits, many of our cities are cut directly
out of crystal formations. During the spring, the patterns of
color caused by the light are breathtaking. Let's see, what
else? We have three basic languages, Len'au, Feek, and
Audronado, which is the language of the Religious Caste.
Torqueman
Can you give us an example of Audronado?
Delenn
Neech sach schnek, slem-ba. I am your friend, in peace.
Torqueman
Your appearance, though, isn't typical of your people, is it?
Delenn
No.
Torqueman
According to station records, you looked quite different a year
ago. _[An image of Delenn's old appearance appears over
Delenn's shoulder.]_
Delenn
I volunteered for this change, in the hope that it would lead
to a better understanding between our peoples.
Torqueman
Over a quarter million humans were killed in the war with your
people. How do you think the families of those victims will
feel about your...change?
Delenn
I, uh...I don't know. I uh...I would hope...
Torqueman
I think they would feel hurt, betrayed. That by assuming a
human face, you're taking a part of us you're not entitled to.
What would you say to them? To all the husbands and wives and
children and brothers and sisters of the people who were killed
in the war with your people, and now see a Minbari...with a
human face?
[INLINE] Delenn
I'm uh...I'm sorry, I can't...can we...can we stop this?
Please?
Ivanova (over communicator)
Ambassador Delenn, you're needed in the council chambers.
Ambassador? Ambassador Delenn?
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
We've just been informed that there's been a new development in
the Narn attack. The Babylon 5 Advisory Council and the League
of Non-Aligned Worlds have been convened to hear this update.
We've been given permission to record these proceedings in the
council chambers.
G'kar
And now, thanks to Commander Ivanova's investigation, we have
proof of what we've been saying all along. An inspection of the
destroyed Centauri has found conclusive proof that she was
carrying fusion bombs and support equipment for ion cannons,
mass drivers, and heavy-energy weapons!
Sheridan (banging gavel)
Now we have already filed a complaint with the Centauri
government on the grounds that Babylon 5 is neutral territory,
and is not to be used as a staging ground or a munitions depot.
Londo
If I may make an observation...
Sheridan
It is this kind of irresponsible activity, Ambassador, that
endangers this station and everyone here. It will not be
tolerated!
Londo
Classified shipments and weapons are transferred outside the
station, from ship to ship. The risk to Babylon 5 is minimal.
Sheridan
Oh, we've already seen your minimal risk, Ambassador.
Londo
Caused by their attack on one of our vessels! Our ships have
the right to carry any cargo they choose. We will not surrender
our sovereign rights.
Delenn
The sovereign rights of any race end with the threat of
innocents.
G'kar
Enough! They're doing what they always do--using details to
distract us from doing what must be done! There are seven more
Centauri vessels berthed outside, and I have reason to believe
that they also carry weapons of mass destruction to be used
against our people. My government demands that these ships be
impounded and their weapons seized!
Londo
No, no, no! We will not allow this!
Sheridan (banging gavel)
This is Babylon 5's space. And here, we have sovereign rights.
Londo
Our ships will defend themselves against any who try to seize
them.
Delenn
Perhaps, if the transports return to Centauri space...
G'kar
We cannot allow those ships to leave here with their weapons.
They'll just turn right around and use them against us.
Sheridan
Then how do you intend to...[there is a loud sound, and the
lights in the room dim suddenly] What the hell?
Ivanova (over monitor)
Captain, we need you in C&C. We've got a shooting war going on
out here.
_Video Footage_
_(Securecam 15 shows several shots being exchanged before one
ship is destroyed. The blast causes debris from the ship to
strike the camera, and the image fades to static.)_
_________________________________________________________________
_commercial break_
_________________________________________________________________
Torqueman
The sounds you hear are heavy weapons on the Narn and Centauri
vessels doing battle just outside Babylon 5. The station is on
a priority one alert, and people are being evacuated to
shelters. We're en route to C&C to try and cover the battle. As
we speak, our vidsystems are being plugged into the station's
external cameras and communications systems, and we should be
seeing...
_Video Footage_
_(Securecam 02 shows an image of several ships firing at each
other.) _
Voice of starfury pilot
Coming in. Reading five, repeat five incoming hostiles.
No reply. Got the beacon targeting systems online.
[INLINE] _(The image shifts to a camera inside a starfury
cockpit.)_
Voice of pilot
Delta leader to hostile vessels. You are ordered to cease
fire at once. Do you copy? You are ordered to surrender
or we will open fire.
_(Securecam 08 shows a Centauri vessel destroyed by a Narn ship.
The image shifts to Securecam 23, which captures more
shooting before it is disabled by fire from a Narn ship.)_
__________________________________________________________
Sheridan (in C&C)
Damage report?
Ivanova
Levels brown ninety through ninety-two report damage. Hull
breach in blue seventy. Dropping pressure doors.
Sheridan
Get a repair crew down there, stat.
An Officer
Aye, sir.
Sheridan
Any reply yet?
Ivanova
Negative. Hostile forces continue to fire at each other.
They've started targeting our ships.
An Officer
Delta squadron requesting permission to fire.
Ivanova
Ambassadors Londo and G'kar on the link. They're saying that if
we open fire on their vessels, they'll consider it an act of
war.
Sheridan
Screw 'em. We have a quarter million people here to defend. If
they won't stop this, we will. (to ships) All fighters, open
fire. Fire at will.
Video Footage
_(In the cockpit of the delta leader.)_
Pilot
Roger, Babylon Control. Delta squad, open fire. Target
engines and navigation if possible, but if you have to
take them out, do it. (to himself) Come on. Come on.
Heaters lit. Come to papa. Got it. Bombs away.
[INLINE] _(He fires on a small Narn ship as he passes by the
observation dome.)_
Pilot
This is seven. Target splashed.
Ivanova
Two Narn vessels destroyed, two damaged and out of the fight.
Remaining Centauri vessels are offering to surrender.
Sheridan
All right. Pick 'em up, bring 'em in, and throw them in the
brig. And I want every one of those ships scanned for weapons.
And tell Ambassadors G'kar and Londo that I want to see them in
chambers now.
Ivanova
And what if they refuse?
Sheridan
Then you can throw them in the...
Ivanova (motioning toward camera)
Ahem.
Sheridan
Then invite them again, as firmly and politely as you can. This
nonsense has gone far enough.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
The "nonsense" Captain Sheridan referred to is the
Narn-Centauri war, which, over the past several months, has
grown into a conflict which threatens to spill into other
systems and lead to an escalation of hostilities. Prior to the
battle we just witnessed, ISN spoke with representatives from
both sides, in order to better understand the history of this
conflict.
__________________________________________________________
G'kar
Roughly one hundred and fifty of your years ago, the Centauri
came to our world. Narn was a green and fertile place then. We
greeted them in peace, and spent the next hundred years in
chains. But we never gave up hope. We formed a resistance,
learned their secrets, turned their own machines against them,
and finally drove them from our world.
Torqueman
How did you become involved with the resistance?
G'kar
My family lived in G'kamizad, one of the larger cities on Narn.
My father... served in a Centauri household during the last
years of the rebellion. I was barely a pouchling at the time.
My mother was ill, unable to escape through the underground, so
we all stayed. It was a difficult time--we were striking deep
into Centauri resources. Things were tense. One day, my father
spilled a cup of hot jala on the mistress of the house,
and...and she had him killed. They took him out, tied his hands
together, and hung him from a Jalwa tree for three days. I came
to him the last night against my mother's orders, and he looked
down at me. He said he was proud and to go and fight and...be
all the things he never was. Then he died. The next morning I
ran away and killed my first Centauri.
Torqueman
Why do you think they invaded back then?
G'kar
Why does any advanced civilization seek to destroy a
less-advanced one? Because the land is strategically valuable,
because there are resources that can be cultivated and
exploited, but most of all, simply because they can. You have
experienced much the same on your own world. There are humans
for whom the words "never again" carry special meaning, as they
do for us.
Torqueman
How do you respond to reports that your military has lost six
out of the last seven engagements with the Centauri forces, and
now the war consists mainly of holding actions and forced
retreats?
G'kar
Centauri propaganda. We will never fall back. We will never
surrender.
* * *
Londo
When we first met the Narn they were, what, a primitive people.
We gave them technology centuries ahead of their own, took them
with us to the stars, taught them laws, civilized them. They
repaid us with terror and death.
Torqueman
So you're saying that the Centauri originally came to help the
Narns?
Londo
Of course. And at considerable expense, I might add. Which is
why we finally left. We wished them well, but the cost, you've
seen.
Torqueman
Then you weren't driven off the Narn homeworld?
Londo
Please. The Narn have rewritten history enough, don't you
think? If they wanted us gone, we were hardly going to force
the issue. But ever since, they have grown more and more
irrational, have gone out of their way to harm us, to seize
Centauri territory. Finally, we had to take a stand. They were
the ones who declared war. Not us. We want only peace.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
"We want only peace." Both sides say the same thing. But as
we've just seen, the reality is anything but peaceful. With the
skirmish outside concluded, and the captured Centauri vessels
about to undergo a complete search, things seem to have calmed
down a bit.
Ivanova
What is it?
Officer
Jump point forming in sector seven.
Ivanova
Are they crazy? That's practically on top of us.
Officer
Reading one Centauri battle cruiser.
Torqueman
Maxie, do we still have a feed from the external monitors? Are
they on-li...
_Video Footage_
_(Securecam 27 shows an enormous Centauri cruiser appear
through a jump point.)_
Officer
We've got Ambassador Mollari on the link.
Ivanova
Put him through. Ambassador Mollari, what the hell is going on
here?
Londo
I'm sorry this has come as such of a surprise, Commander, but I
warned you not to interfere. You have no right to search or
detain our ships. If we don't act in our own defense, we invite
the same from others.
Officer
Centauri cruiser is arming weapons, opening her gun ports.
[INLINE] Londo
The cruiser will blockade Babylon 5 until our ships are
returned to Centauri custody intact and unopened. Any ship
attempting to enter or leave Babylon 5 will be fired upon,
boarded, and sent back. We will use the minimum possible level
of force, but if provoked, we are prepared to use deadly force.
Even against Babylon 5 itself.
__________________________________________________________
Announcer
ISN. The galaxy's most important network.
__________________________________________________________
_Commercial_
_(A young boy sits alone in a living room, dejected. His mother
comes in.) _
Mother
John, why aren't you outside playing with the other kids?
John
They hate me.
Mother
Now, John...
John
It's true. I'm just...I'm different, Mom. I can feel what
they think about me, and they know I can. I called one of
them a liar because I knew he wasn't telling the truth
somehow. And he just kept hitting me until I said I was
the liar. I just don't know what to do anymore.
_(A Psi Cop appears in the far corner of the room.)_
Psi Cop
Don't worry, Johnny. We'll take care of it from here.
John
Mom! Look! A Psi Cop!
[INLINE] Psi Cop
That's right, Johnny. You know, there a lot of other kids
who feel just the same way you do. They're confused and
afraid, but they don't have to be. The problem isn't that
other kids don't like you, it's that they don't
understand you. But we do. You're special. You're a
latent telepath about to come into full bloom.
Mother
My Johnny? A telepath?
Psi Cop
Probably. But to be sure, take him down to the Psi Corps
Testing Center first thing tomorrow.
Mother
How do I find one?
Psi Cop
We're everywhere...for your convenience. We have offices
in schools and children's hospitals. We even have mobile
testing centers that travel the country. And if he
qualifies, we'll give him an education, a job, a purpose.
And, we'll pay all his bills for life.
[INLINE] Mother
Oh my!
_(A large Psi Corps symbol appears on the screen, with the words
TWO WEEKS LATER below it.)_
Mother
Oh, John. I can't believe it. You've come so far. Just
look at you. We're all so proud.
John
[INLINE] And I'm proud to be part of the Psi Corps.
Psi Cop (to camera)
So remember. If you know someone who might be a telepath,
or think you might be one yourself, help them get the
help they need. Call the Corps!
[INLINE] Announcer
Call government information for more on a Psi Corps
center near you. This message has been brought to you by
the Ministry for Public Information and your local Psi
Corps recruitment office.
_(While the announcer is speaking, the words "THE PSI CORPS IS
YOUR FRIEND. TRUST THE CORPS." flash across the screen
for an instant.)_
_________________________________________________________________
_Other commercials_
_________________________________________________________________
Torqueman
As we enter our thirtieth hour aboard Babylon 5, the
Centauri-Narn crisis has not diminished. The various parties to
the dispute have gathered in council chambers behind me, in
closed session, to discuss the crisis. Meanwhile, all traffic,
in or out of Babylon 5 has come to a halt, due to the Centauri
blockade. _[Sheridan appears from the council chambers.]_
Captain, any progress in the negotiations?
Sheridan
All sides are still talking. That's all I can say for now.
Torqueman
Well, is it true that some of the senate have suggested that
you accomodate the Centauri by releasing their vessels without
further searches?
Sheridan
As the commander of record on Babylon 5, I doubt that the
senate would attempt to undermine my position in these
negotiations by armchair quarterbacking. _[He enters an
elevator, and G'kar appears from the council chambers.]_
Torqueman
Ambassador G'kar, do you have anything to say?
G'kar
Only that this should prove once and for all that the Centauri
are a menace to more than just our world. This kind of thing
cannot be allowed, and we will take whatever steps are
necessary to make that perfectly clear to them.
Torqueman
Well, what does that mean? Ambassador G'kar!
__________________________________________________________
Senator Quantrell (in his office)
Certainly the events on Babylon 5 which took place during your
recent visit are emblematic of what many of us at Earthdome
have been worried about for some time. By placing an Earth
installation between warring factions, we risk being drawn into
a conflict which has nothing to do with us, or Earth interests.
If we had not been in that place at that time, the terrible
loss of life might have been avoided.
Torqueman
On the other hand, senator, they are at war with one another.
People die in war.
Quantrell
Yes, but it wouldn't have happened in our backyard. What
happened next came with the reluctant support of Earthdome, but
hundreds of deaths...I don't see how we can support that sort
of thing. I'm only glad you made it out alive, Cynthia. We need
all the good reporters we can get.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
Ten minutes ago, Captain Sheridan received a coded transmission
from Earthdome on the current crisis. After considerable
negotiations, we've been allowed back into C&C...
Sheridan
Captain John Sheridan, Babylon 5, to Centauri cruiser. My
government has rejected your demand that we release your ships.
We will not consider any demand made under terrorist threat. We
have activated our defense grid, and are prepared to defend all
ships coming through here. Any hostile action taken by you
against ships entering or leaving this station will be
considered an attack on Babylon 5 itself, and we will respond
accordingly. If they send back a reply, don't acknowledge it.
An Officer
Aye, captain.
Sheridan
We'll let 'em sweat for a while.
Ivanova
I hope this works. I know that our defense grid can probably
hold them off, but the repurcussions...
Sheridan
Oh, they're bluffing. I can't believe they'd take on the whole
station. That'd bring Earth in on the side of the Narns, and
the last thing the Centauri want is a war on two fronts.
An Officer
Docking bay nine just linked in. The transport's ready to go.
Sheridan
Bring her up. Activate autopilot. We'll run the transport from
here, make sure no one gets hurt. Just in case they're not
bluffing.
Ivanova
Bring the maintenance bots around for a closer look.
_Video Footage_
_(Securecam 23 shows the transport leaving Babylon 5.) _
Voice
Move Securecam 23 to high overhead and Maintbot 9 through
14 at twelve-click intervals...
Ivanova
You realize that if they do attack the transport, they'll turn
right around and fire on us next, figuring we'll have to
retaliate.
Sheridan
I know.
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 12 shows the transport making its way toward the
Centauri cruiser.)_
Sheridan
All tracking stations. If you see their weapons targeting us,
open fire.
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 17 shows the transport nearing the Centauri
cruiser.)_
Sheridan
Any reply from the cruiser?
An Officer
Negative, sir. No response.
Ivanova
Their weapon system is still armed. I don't like this.
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 9 shows the transport begin to pass under the
cruiser. The image shifts to inside the transport, where it
continues under the cruiser with no problems. The image shifts
back to Maintbot 9, where the transport makes its way past the
cruiser.)_
Ivanova (as the officers at C&C clap)
Well, the transport's through. We called their bluff.
An Officer
Getting a signal from the Centauri cruiser. They want to talk.
Sheridan
Open a channel. Let's be gracious about this.
Torqueman
Captain, any thoughts on the...
An Officer
Second jump point forming in sector ten.
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 06 shows a Narn cruiser arrive through a jump
point.)_
Sheridan
Oh, hell. Babylon Control to Narn cruiser. We do not, repeat we
do not require assistance. Do not interfere. We have the
situation under control...
An Officer
Narn cruiser powering up weapon systems.
Sheridan
No! Listen to me, we do not need...
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 12 shows the Narn cruiser firing on the Centauri
cruiser several times, but hitting once. The image shifts to
Securecam 23 where the Narn ship continues to fire, but is hit
several times in return by the Centauri creature. There are
explosions on both ships.)_
Sheridan
All civilians to the shelters. Get me that cruiser, and I don't
care how you do it.
An Officer
Aye, sir.
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 02 shows the Narn ship attacking the Centauri ship,
which causes a piece of debris to fly directly toward the
observation dome.)_
Ivanova
Close blast doors, now! _[The doors close, and the Dome is
rocked as the debris strikes it.]_
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 12 shows the two ships exchanging more fire before
the Centauri cruiser is blown apart.)_
An Officer
Narns have destroyed the Centauri cruiser. They're trying to
open a jump point.
Ivanova
Can they make it?
An Officer
[INLINE] I don't think so. They're hit bad. Jump engines are
malfunctioning.
_Video Footage_
_(Maintbot 02 shows the Narn cruiser trying to generate a jump
point and enter hyperspace, but the jump point looks malformed.
The ship begins to explode. The view shifts to Securecam 15,
which shows the remainder of the explosion of the ship.)_
* * *
Torqueman (at anchor desk)
As journalists, we would be remiss in our responsibilities if
we suggested that events such as those you've just witnessed
were typical of the situation on Babylon 5. Like anyone else,
they have good days and bad days. But there can be no question
that it is a flash point that can only grow hotter as time
passes. And yet, growth only comes through pain and struggle,
so perhaps we should allow Babylon 5 time to realize, or one
day, even exceed the dreams we have invested in it. We'll be
back with some concluding thoughts right after this message.
__________________________________________________________
_Commercial break_
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
After the crisis was over, the debris cleared, and the bodies
counted, we asked each of the people involved in this story one
question: Given the danger, at the end of the day, as Mr.
Garibaldi said, is it worth it?
__________________________________________________________
Garibaldi
Absolutely. Sure, when things get tense out here, we have to be
careful. Our search of the Centauri vessels we captured proved
that they were bringing in weapons of mass destruction,
offloading them outside the station, and sending 'em on to the
front lines. Now that we know that, we can make sure it doesn't
happen anymore. We learn. That's what humans do.
* * *
Londo
Misunderstandings aside...yes, I definitely think it's worth
it. We must simply work harder to make sure we communicate with
each other to prevent this sort of tragic situation from ever
happening again. A violent attack by Narn forces is an
unacceptable response to a peaceful protest by my government.
And with the intervention of Earth, perhaps we can keep them
from making a similar mistake in the future.
* * *
G'kar
I don't know anymore. I used to think so, but now...
* * *
Ivanova
Yes.
* * *
Delenn
Of course it is. For the simple reason that no one else will
ever build a place like this. Humans share one unique quality:
they build communities. If the Narns or the Centauri or any
other race built a station like this, it would be used only by
their own people. But everywhere humans go, they create
communities out of diverse, and sometimes hostile, populations.
It is a great gift and a terrible responsibility--one that
cannot be abandoned.
* * *
Quantrell
Well...I guess we'll just have to see, won't we?
* * *
Franklin (to medics)
All right, med 2. Go. Go. (to Torqueman) Look, if we weren't
here right now, half the people in this room would be dead.
That should be a good enough answer for anyone.
* * *
Delvientos
Sure. What, are you kidding? I have a retirement pension to
make, you know?
* * *
Sheridan
Yes, but not for any of the reasons that you've probably been
told. The job of Babylon 5 is not to enforce the peace, it's to
create the peace. And this place was built on the assumption
that we could work out our problems and build a better future.
And that, to me, is the key issue. See, in the last few years,
we've stumbled. We've stumbled at the death of the president,
the war, and on and on. And when you stumble a lot, you...you
start looking at your feet. You know, we have to make people
lift their eyes back to the horizon and see the line of
ancestors behind us saying, "Make my life have meaning." And to
our inheritors before us saying, "Create the world we will live
in." We're not just...holding jobs and having dinner. We're in
the process of building the future. That's what Babylon 5 is
all about. Only by making people understand that can we hope to
create a better world for ourselves, and our posterity.
__________________________________________________________
Torqueman
I'm Cynthia Torqueman, ISN news. Good night.
[14][Next]
[15]Last update: November 29, 1995
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