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								   Garibaldi is in MedLab, having the wounds incurred from his former

								   aide's attack on him examined. Garibaldi tries lying to Franklin about

								   his condition, claiming that he is suffering less pain than he

								   actually is. Franklin doesn't like this, but tells Garibaldi that he

								   is improving and should be able to return to work soon. Garibaldi

								   isn't sure he wants to return to work, though, since he doesn't seem

								   very sure about Sheridan's appointment and isn't sure Sheridan can be

								   trusted.


								   As Garibaldi leaves, Franklin offers to talk to him about his

								   problems, but Garibaldi is less than eager. "I got shot in the back by

								   my own guy, my own second-in-command. He was right there all the time,

								   a snake in the garden, and I didn't even see it. What the hell kind of

								   a security chief am I supposed to be if I can't see something like

								   that?" He says that he should have known about Jack's deception, and

								   that he may not be qualified to be in charge. "I keep asking myself

								   what qualifies me to take back my job, and I haven't got an answer. I

								   wish to hell I did." He leaves.


								   Londo and Vir are in Londo's quarters, talking to an acquaintance of

								   Londo's, a noble named Refa. Refa tells Londo that monitoring stations

								   had been set up in quadrant 37 to watch the Narn buildup, and when

								   they heard that Londo would take care of the problem, they thought he

								   was crazy. But they were very surprised when the stations reported

								   that the outpost had been destroyed. Refa asks how it happened, but

								   Londo won't tell him. Refa accepts this and says that Londo has saved

								   the Centauri from another one of their emperor's mistakes.


								   [INLINE] Londo and Vir listen to Refa.


								   Refa says that Londo was very clever in the way he took care of the

								   outpost, and that the Centauri need more people like Londo. Refa says

								   that, with the recent death of the emperor's son, there is no clear

								   line of succession, but that he and his associates plan to take over

								   the job of ruling when the emperor dies. Refa says that there will be

								   resistance to this, and that force will be required. He asks Londo if

								   he will be willing to help when the time comes. Londo has

								   reservations, but eventually agrees to do so.


								   Elsewhere on the station, two groups of Drazi, one wearing purple

								   sashes, and the other wearing green sashes meet. As they walk past

								   each other, one Drazi "accidentally" bumps into another one wearing a

								   different color, and a brawl between the two groups begins.


								   As Refa prepares to leave Babylon 5, Londo says goodbye to him. Refa

								   thanks Londo for his help, and tells him that he will attempt to

								   convince his associates and followers that Londo is the sign that his

								   group of the Centauri may rise to great power again. As Refa leaves,

								   Londo notices someone else standing nearby, a tall human in a long

								   black cloak. "Great Maker!" Londo says to Vir. "A Technomage!" Vir

								   doesn't know what a Technomage is, so Londo tells him that "they use

								   science to achieve the affect of magic." Londo says that he hasn't

								   seen one in a long time, and it is unusual to see them outside of

								   their places of power. It is even more unusual, and a bad omen, to see

								   more than one at a time. The Technomage, followed by two others, walks

								   by Londo and leaves the area.


								   Sheridan and Ivanova are in Sheridan's office, talking about the

								   incident between the two groups of Drazi. Sheridan asks about the

								   conflict, so Ivanova explains what she knows to him. "It's a cultural

								   thing. Once every five years, all the Drazi, here and at home, divide

								   up into two camps, and fight it out." But it isn't a fight to the

								   death-- the battles are used to determine what the dominant group for

								   the next five years will be. Sheridan says that he believes this

								   conflict came at a good time, because he thinks that Ivanova should

								   learn more about diplomacy, so that she can settle the more minor

								   conflicts, while Sheridan deals with the station's major problems.

								   "Besides, added responsibility comes with any promotion. Don't you

								   agree... Commander?"


								   [INLINE] Ivanova is promoted.


								   As they share a toast of orange juice, Sheridan tells her that he

								   arranged her promotion after his first day on the station. He tells

								   her that her first responsibility is to solve the Drazi problem. As he

								   leaves, Commander Ivanova watches the Drazi over the monitor, in their

								   detention cell, fighting, and sighs as she realizes the job before her

								   will not be easy.


								   Vir finds Londo drinking at a bar. He informs Londo that the Abai

								   delegation have an appointment and are waiting to see him. Ignoring

								   this, Londo asks Vir if he believes in fate, to which Vir responds

								   that he sees fate as a series of currents, eddies and tides, that pull

								   one in certain directions. Londo tells Vir that, before their first

								   emperor took the throne, he met with three Technomages. Londo says

								   that this is a powerful image to those that follow the old ways. Londo

								   explains that, if he had the endorsement of the Technomages, it would

								   have considerable influence on those back on the Centauri homeworld.

								   He tells Vir to arrange it with the Technomages, a task which Vir

								   doesn't want to perform. Vir tries some of Londo's drink, hoping it

								   will prepare him for the task, but it only makes him faint.


								   Garibaldi is in his quarters, utterly dejected, playing with his PPG

								   while staring at the floor. Sheridan enters, and asks why Garibaldi

								   hadn't been around to talk to him. He says that Dr. Franklin diagnosed

								   him fit to return to work, and wants to know what Garibaldi thinks.

								   Garibaldi says it might be easier for everyone if he moved on.

								   Sheridan puts Garibaldi's weapon in its holster and replies, "The

								   universe doesn't give you any points for doing things that are easy."

								   Sheridan tries to convince Garibaldi to stay, saying that he is a

								   valuable resource he would like to have at his disposal. Sheridan

								   wants Garibaldi in the position, but leaves the decision up to

								   Garibaldi. Sheridan leaves.


								   Ivanova is in the council chamber, addressing the green and purple

								   Drazi. She tells them that, although most of the species on Babylon 5

								   don't care about the conflict, they would prefer it were settled

								   quietly. She wants to help them find a peaceful solution to their

								   problem. She asks them what the nature of the conflict is, and they

								   respond by saying that it is the colors of the sashes they wear. She

								   doesn't understand, and they again respond by saying it is the colors

								   of the sashes. She still doesn't understand the situation, especially

								   regarding the distribution of the sashes, so the leader of the green

								   Drazi explains further. "We put green and purple in great barrel,

								   equal to numbers of Drazi. Then we reach in, we take. Where there was

								   one Drazi people, now there are two. The two fight until there are

								   one."


								   [INLINE] The Drazi leaders.


								   They further explain that leadership is determined by who takes the

								   leader's cloth. Ivanova finds it outrageous that so much fighting

								   could come from something so arbitrary, so she removes the purple sash

								   from one of the Drazi wanting to be certain it is only the color of

								   the cloth, and nothing else, that determines alignment. She places it

								   on another Drazi, who is already wearing a green sash. Upon doing

								   this, the Drazi suddenly erupt into violent conflict, with Ivanova

								   trapped in the middle. During the battle, several Drazi fall on her,

								   and she screams in pain.


								   Vir arrives at the area on Babylon 5 where the Technomages are

								   staying. He introduces himself, but there is no response. He says that

								   he needs to speak with someone in charge. As if in reply, a large

								   beast with fiery eyes and long fangs appears before him, growling

								   menacingly. Vir stands his ground, though, and after a moment, a voice

								   rings out, "Stop program," and the beast disappears.


								   [INLINE] The beast threatens Vir.


								   A Technomage appears from the shadows and comments on how difficult it

								   was to frighten him, but Vir says that's a requirement if you work

								   with Londo. The Technomage asks why Vir is there, and Vir responds

								   that Londo wants an audience. The Technomage declines, saying that the

								   Technomages don't do that sort of thing. Vir tells the Technomage that

								   Londo is willing to pay, but the Technomage is not swayed. Vir tries

								   to appeal to the Technomage by saying that if he returns without

								   completing the task, his personal situation will become unfortunate,

								   but the Technomage counters, saying that if he does not leave, Vir's

								   situation will become even more unfortunate. Not wishing to return

								   empty-handed, Vir asks the Technomage his name. "Elric," the

								   Technomage answers, and warns Vir not to return.


								   Dr. Franklin examines Ivanova, telling her that her foot is broken in

								   three places. He also tells her that, though he can help her, it will

								   take three weeks to heal, if he speeds up the process, in addition to

								   her having to wear a cast. He offers her something for the pain, but

								   she declines. Sheridan enters and asks to speak with Ivanova

								   privately. He asks her what her next move is, but she isn't sure. He

								   offers to postpone the assignment, but she again refuses. She says

								   that this is particularly difficult because the Drazi have no

								   differences that must be resolved. She believes she needs to come at

								   the problem from another angle, possibly finding a less-violent way to

								   structure the conflicts. Sheridan says he thinks that's a good idea,

								   and leaves. Ivanova calls security, telling the Drazi to meet in

								   chambers, so they can try the resolution again.


								   Vir reports to Londo the experience he had with the Technomage, but

								   Londo finds the situation unacceptable, telling Vir he must return.

								   Vir tells him that it won't work, and that the Technomages aren't

								   interested in money or power. Londo tells Vir that it is very

								   important that he be seen with them, as it would act as a powerful

								   symbol. Londo surmises that if he, as an ambassador, has failed, he

								   needs to find someone more powerful, someone to whom they will listen.

								   Londo leaves abruptly.


								   Garibaldi is walking around outside the Zocalo when he meets up with

								   Lou Welch, the security officer. After some small talk, Lou asks how

								   Garibaldi is. Garibaldi says he's all right, and Lou asks when he will

								   be returning to duty. Garibaldi doesn't say anything, but Lou asks

								   again. Garibaldi still isn't sure, but does say that he will be

								   returning soon. Lou receives a call from security, saying that there

								   are more difficulties with the Drazi. He has to leave, but tells

								   Garibaldi he will see him later.


								   [INLINE] Garibaldi and Lou Welch.


								   Londo is talking to Sheridan about the Technomages. Sheridan tells

								   Londo that he was doubtful about their existence. Londo says that the

								   Centauri have had many experiences with them, and that they can be

								   troublemakers unless one knows how to deal with them. Londo says that

								   he does know how to deal with them, and he offers his assistance to

								   Sheridan with the Technomages. Sheridan explains to Londo that the

								   Technomages are emigrating, and that Earth wants information about

								   their situation. Sheridan asks for Londo's help, and Londo eagerly

								   agrees.


								   Meanwhile, Ivanova receives news from security that, on the Drazi

								   homeworld, the violence has escalated from beating to killing. She

								   asks if the local Drazi know about it, and asks for a full tactical

								   squad to back her up. When she arrives at the council chambers, she

								   finds the room littered with the bodies of purple Drazi.


								   Elric is upset that Sheridan doesn't believe that the Technomages are

								   there peacefully. Sheridan tries to explain that, because of the great

								   numbers of Technomages present -- over a hundred -- and the secrecy

								   behind their activities, he needs some information to ensure the

								   safety of the station. Elric says the Technomages have the right to do

								   whatever they want. Sheridan says he just wants answers. Londo enters,

								   claiming he was detained. He sets down the glass he was holding, and

								   sets something else down behind it. Elric is upset that Londo is

								   involved, and tells Sheridan that Londo had been asking for an

								   audience ever since he arrived. Londo denies this, but Elric responds

								   by showing Londo and Sheridan a recording he made of Vir, requesting

								   an audience. Londo comments that recording a conversation is a very

								   low thing to do, but offers forgiveness to Elric. Elric says he

								   doesn't want Londo to misrepresent the gesture of friendship as some

								   sort of endorsement. When Londo answers negatively, Elric glances at

								   the small recording device Londo had placed behind the glass; it

								   explodes. Elric tells Londo he wants respect. Sheridan threatens Londo

								   with expulsion from the station for this action. Londo apologizes, and

								   leaves quickly.


								   [INLINE] Elric plays back Vir's message.


								   Sheridan accompanies Elric back to his quarters, but says that there

								   are still questions he needs answered. Elric asks Sheridan if he

								   believes in magic. "When I was twelve, I used to sit in my dad's

								   garden, the air full of the smell of orange blossoms, watching the

								   sky, dreaming of far away places... Back then, I think I believed in

								   just about everything." Sheridan says that he thinks there are some

								   things people don't understand, and that things which people do not

								   understand might be considered magic; for example, Babylon 5 would be

								   considered magic by humans of a thousand years earlier.


								   Elric says that, in a way, it is magic. "Magic of the human heart,

								   focused and made manifest by technology. Every day you here create

								   greater miracles than the burning bush."


								   "But God was there first," says Sheridan, "and He didn't need plasma

								   coils or solar collectors."


								   "Perhaps. Perhaps not. It is within that ambiguity that we exist. We

								   are dreamers, shapers, singers, and makers. We study the mysteries of

								   laser and circuit, crystal and scanner, holographic demons and

								   invocations of equations. These are the tools we employ, and we know

								   many things." Sheridan asks what, and Elric answers that they know the

								   important things -- the answers to some questions that people have

								   asked since time began. "Fourteen words to make someone fall in love

								   with you forever, seven words to make them go without pain, how to say

								   goodbye to a friend who is dying, how to be poor, how to be rich, how

								   to rediscover dreams when the world has stolen them from you. That is

								   why we are going away -- to preserve that knowledge." Sheridan asks

								   what the knowledge must be preserved from, and Elric answers. "There

								   is a storm coming, a black and terrible storm. We would not have our

								   knowledge lost, or used to ill purpose. From this place, we will

								   launch ourselves into the stars. With luck, you will never see our

								   kind again in your lifetime. I know you have your orders, Captain.

								   Detain us if you wish, but I cannot tell you where we're going. I can

								   only ask you to trust us." Elric takes Sheridan's hand, and closes it.

								   He walks away, leaving Sheridan holding an orange blossom.


								   Ivanova, on crutches, goes to the quarters of the green Drazi, asking

								   to see their leader regarding the death of the purples. At first, the

								   Drazi outside is reluctant to let her in, but, after some further

								   coaxing from Ivanova, he relents and lets her inside. She goes to the

								   leader, who asks for her help. He tells her that he has a way to solve

								   the problem without any fighting, but it will require her help.


								   [INLINE] Ivanova listens to the plan.


								   He asks her to tell the purple Drazi to gather at brown 29, an

								   isolated section of the station where they won't disturb anyone else.

								   Once the purple Drazi are all there, they will be ejected into space,

								   thereby causing the greens to win. Ivanova tries to get him to

								   reconsider, claiming that they are still Drazi, but the green leader

								   will not listen, saying only that they are purple, and therefore not

								   important. She refuses to go along, but he tells her that they already

								   sent a message, in her name, to the purples, to move the plan forward.

								   She tries to use her link to call for help, but she is prevented from

								   this when it is taken from her.


								   Garibaldi is wandering through the corridors of Babylon 5, when he

								   runs into Lou, who tells him that they received an uplink from

								   Ivanova, saying that all the purple Drazi should meet in brown 29.

								   Garibaldi accepts this for a moment, but quickly changes his mind. He

								   asks Lou if it was really an uplink, and not a personal message. Lou

								   answers affirmatively, saying that the message said she would be

								   offline for a while. Garibaldi asks the source of the uplink, and runs

								   off.


								   Ivanova tries to get the greens to relent, but they are admant in

								   their refusal to listen to her attempts at helping them. There is a

								   pounding outside, and the Drazi at the door opens it, admitting

								   Garibaldi, who is holding a small black box. Garibaldi claims he is a

								   salesman, who wants to sell the Drazi an Acme Handy-Dandy Micro

								   Helper. He offers to demonstrate, but is met with resistance. He says

								   that it is just his way of helping, but the Drazi continue to refuse.

								   "If there's anybody in here who needs a little help," he announces to

								   the room, "just say the word, and I'm here." Ivanova elbows a nearby

								   Drazi and shouts out, "Garibaldi!" The two of them begin to fight the

								   green Drazi.


								   Londo is in his quarters, having considerable difficulty, when Vir

								   enters. Londo explains that a holodemon has possessed his data system.

								   It is eating up files, records, and buying stocks he would never

								   purchase for himself, in addition to playing painful Narn opera

								   continually.


								   [INLINE] Narn opera.


								   Vir suggests that Londo apologize. Londo refuses at first, but when

								   his computer suddenly reports that he is the new owner of 500,000

								   shares of Fireflies Incorporated, then blacks out the entire room,

								   Londo agrees.


								   Garibaldi meets up with a large delegation of green Drazi, who have

								   been marching through the halls, going to brown 29. Garibaldi says

								   that the purple drazi accepted their story, and are waiting in there,

								   but he refuses to let them go in. Garibaldi says that he plans to

								   leave the purples in there until the end of the Drazi week. The green

								   leader laughs, saying that the Drazi cycle, the length of the

								   conflict, is not a week, but a year. A Drazi year is equal to 1.2

								   Earth years.


								   Ivanova and Garibaldi realize they can't keep them in there that long.

								   She again tries to convince them that their conflict is absurd, as

								   they are fighting over nothing more than pieces of cloth. The green

								   Drazi leader asks why it is different than fighting over a flag. She

								   says it is different because flags represent the country of origin,

								   and stand for something important about the countries over which they

								   fly.


								   Ivanova rips the green sash from the leader of the green Drazi, who,

								   with the rest of his troops, immediately stands at attention. He says

								   that whoever takes the cloth of the green leader becomes the green

								   leader, and the greens must follow whoever that is. She doesn't

								   believe that could possibly to her, but the former green leader

								   explains that the rules of battle go back long before contact with

								   other races, and the proposed rule change was lost in bureaucracy.


								   Using her new position, Ivanova orders the green Drazi to follow her

								   to the quartermaster's office, where she will either lock them in the

								   brig for assaulting her, or change the colors of their sashes from

								   green to purple.


								   Londo cautiously approaches the section of the station where the

								   Technomages are residing. He tries to avoid apologizing for as long as

								   he can, but the strange lights and gutteral noises, as though coming

								   from a large animal, prompt him to continue. When the noise reaches

								   its climax, he finally apologizes for any way in which he might have

								   offended them. He offers to help them, should they ever return. He

								   walks steadily out of the area without noticing the three small

								   gremlins hanging onto the back of his coat.


								   At a party celebrating Garibaldi's return to duty, Ivanova asks what

								   made Garibaldi return. He explains that, as Sheridan pointed out, he

								   does know the station and the people on it better than anyone else. He

								   explains that it was because of this he knew Ivanova was in danger--he

								   knew she would never communicate via an uplink, but would always use

								   her own link. He also says that he is perfect for the job because he

								   doesn't trust anyone, or anything. Sheridan receives a message saying

								   that the Technomages are leaving. Before he leaves, however, he tells

								   Garibaldi that he is glad he is remaining on the station.


								   Londo approaches Elric, thanking him sarcastically for the gift, which

								   caused considerable damage to his quarters. Londo asks Elric if the

								   torment ends after he leaves, or if he will have to pay for it for the

								   rest of his life. "I'm afraid you're going to have to spend the rest

								   of your life paying for your mistakes. Not this one, of course. It's

								   trivial -- I have withdrawn the spell. But there will be others."


								   [INLINE] Londo catches up with Elric.


								   Londo asks Elric to explain, which he does. "You are touched by

								   darkness, Ambassador. I see it as a blemish that will grow with time.

								   I could warn you, of course, but you would not listen. I could kill

								   you, but someone would take your place. So, I do the only thing I can.

								   I go. Oh, I believe it was an endorsement you wanted. A word or two, a

								   picture, to send to the folks back home, confirming that you have a

								   destiny before you." Elric provides this. "Well, take this, for what

								   little it will profit you. As I look at you, Ambassador Mollari, I see

								   a great hand reaching out of the stars. The hand is your hand. And I

								   hear sounds--the sounds of billions of people calling your name."


								   "My followers?"


								   "Your victims." With that, Elric leaves.


								   When told that the Technomage ship is ready to leave, Sheridan

								   authorizes it to do so. Looking at the orange blossom given him by

								   Elric, he ponders its meaning, and the destinies of the Technomages

								   who just left through the jumpgate to begin their journey. "What was

								   it he said? 'Dreamers, shapers, singers, makers...' Part of me says

								   we'll not see their like again. But the part of me that still believes

								   in magic says, 'Don't be so sure.'"


								  Synopsis by Matthew Murray (i9717029@unicorn.it.wsu.edu)


								   [14][Next]


								      [15]Last update: October 11, 1995


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