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


								   It is a quiet evening on the station, and Commander Ivanova is

								   enjoying the peace when she receives word that the jump gate is

								   activating and six EarthForce ships are coming through.


								   A shuttle from the main ship docks, and Sheridan is there to meet the

								   commanding officer, who introduces himself as General Richard

								   Franklin, of the 356th infantry division. Sheridan apologizes for the

								   delay, but since they didn't know he was coming, there was little they

								   could do. General Franklin tells him that the mission is classified,

								   but that Sheridan will be briefed in the morning. General Franklin

								   also tells him that he needs lodging for all 25,000 of his troops.

								   Sheridan protests, saying that there isn't enough space, but General

								   Franklin orders him to find it, because he doesn't want his troops

								   aboard transports the whole time. Sheridan asks the general if he is

								   any relation to the station's head doctor, Dr. Stephen Franklin, and

								   the general answers that he is Dr. Franklin's father. Sheridan offers

								   to tell Dr. Franklin, but General Franklin says he will do so himself

								   as soon as his people are settled.


								   The troops arrive on the station, are identified, and then herded into

								   groups to be taken to their billets. Commander Ivanova is trying to

								   organize everyone together, but is having a difficult time of this.

								   Garibaldi is also not too pleased with the sight of so many ground

								   pounders on the station, but realizes there is little that can be

								   done. She orders him to seal off the area and only allow military

								   personnel inside the docking bay.


								   [INLINE] The troops come aboard.


								   Sheridan asks Ivanova what the status of the station is, and she tells

								   him that, even though they have put the ground pounders in quarters

								   with several other people, they are still very short on places to put

								   them. In addition, she is afraid their docking schedule will have to

								   be done away with. Garibaldi tells Sheridan that looking after the

								   recreational areas might be a good idea as well, and Sheridan tells

								   Garibaldi to seal off the more "colorful" areas of the station.

								   Garibaldi tells him he already did this, but is afraid it won't do

								   much good. The three arrive at the briefing.


								   General Franklin explains to them that the planet Akdor, in the

								   Shilassen Triumvirate, is currently engaged in a civil war, and the

								   Shilassen government has asked for aid, which the Earth Alliance wants

								   to provide. Sheridan is confused as, just a few days earlier, he was

								   told to refuse the request, and the general tells him that, until the

								   senate announces their decision to the public, Sheridan's orders are

								   the official story. Ivanova asks what the objective is, and General

								   Franklin says it is an attack against the rebel stronghold at Matok.

								   As soon as the senate announces their intention, General Franklin's

								   troops will go in and take the fort. Sheridan tells him that he knows,

								   from previous experienece, that Matok is a death-trap, to which

								   Franklin replies that Sheridan's knowledge was one reason Babylon 5

								   was chosen as a staging area. Garibaldi asks how they can keep the

								   operation a secret, and Franklin tells him that the soldiers believe

								   they are going to Io. General Franklin also tells them that his people

								   are going to leave new weapons for Babylon 5, so that they will have

								   the capacity to take on a warship. Franklin explains that, with the

								   Narn and Centauri at war, the other aliens may become more aggressive,

								   in which case Babylon 5 needs to be prepared. Franklin orders them to

								   return in the morning to discuss the battle plan, and for no one else

								   to be told of the situation. Sheridan, Ivanova, and Garibaldi leave,

								   unhappy about the situation before them.


								   Lieutenant Warren Keffer returns to his quarters to find two ground

								   pounders, Yang and "Large" there. Though they are cordial to him,

								   Keffer is upset about having to share his quarters. He tells them that

								   they should leave, but when "Large," threatens him, Keffer stands up

								   to him, which endears him to "Large" immediately.


								   [INLINE] Unexpected roommates.


								   Dr. Franklin is in his quarters, meeting with his father, catching up

								   on current events in their family. While they are talking, General

								   Franklin offers to have his son transferred to Bethesda Dome so that

								   he can be of more use to Earth Force during the Narn-Centauri war.

								   This outrages Stephen, who says his job as a doctor is to heal people.

								   His father tells him that he should heal humans instead, but Stephen

								   doesn't agree. "Life is life, whether it's wrapped in skin, scales, or

								   feathers. Now, if you respected these beings instead of constantly

								   trying to murder them, you'd appreciate that!" As soon as he says it,

								   Stephen realizes it was a mistake, but the general leaves too quickly

								   for him to say anything else.


								   [INLINE] "Life is life!"


								   In MedLab, Dr. Franklin is unhappy to see Ivanova arrive with a large

								   group of soldiers she wants to billet in the infirmary. He initially

								   objects, but after Ivanova quotes to him information from his medical

								   log, saying that the patients in the infirmary can be moved, he

								   reluctantly agrees. She can tell he's upset about something, and he

								   explains to her what he's feeling. "He always brings out this anger in

								   me I can't control. Now matter how I try, I always seem to want to

								   hurt him. You know, the funny thing is, I do love him, I just

								   can't...talk to him." Ivanova explains that she had similar feelings

								   toward her father. She receives a call from C&C saying that she has to

								   leave, but she offers to meet him later to talk. He agrees to do what

								   he can about the infirmary space.


								   At dinner, Dr. Franklin explains to Ivanova how difficult it was

								   growing up with his father, who always ran things as if the family

								   were in the military. He tells her that it was difficult living with

								   not knowing whether or not his father would come home, and that it

								   became difficult to bear the pain, so he left for the stars. His

								   father wasn't happy, but when Dr. Franklin joined Earth Force, the

								   general turned around. He says that they talk very little, and only

								   end up fighting when they do talk. He says he thinks he should give up

								   altogether, but Ivanova doesn't agree. "Talk to him, Stephen," she

								   says. "Tell him what you feel no matter how hard it is. I didn't and I

								   lost the chance. Don't make the same mistake." He doesn't understand,

								   and asks her if the troops are really bound for Io. She doesn't answer

								   him and leaves to go back on duty.


								   Garibaldi and Delenn walk through a corridor talking about the

								   Narn-Centauri war, Delenn expressing her wish that Babylon 5 remain

								   devoted to peace during the difficult times ahead. Garibaldi becomes

								   distracted and leaves her for a moment to check on some ground

								   pounders, when she meets up with several. They ask her what she is.

								   Though she tells them she is a Minbari, they persist, taunting her,

								   and advancing upon her forcefully. She tells them she did nothing to

								   them, but they say she needs to be taught a lesson because of what the

								   Minbari did to them on the Line. They are about to teach her that

								   lesson when a woman ground pounder jumps in between them and stands up

								   for Delenn, who rushes off while the woman fights her fellow soldiers.

								   Delenn finds Garibaldi and takes him to the conflict. The fight is

								   soon broken up by the Sergeant-Major in charge of the ground pounders,

								   who is about to take all them to the brig. Garibaldi intervenes,

								   convincing him not to do so. The woman calls after Garibaldi, and she

								   introduces herself to him as Dodger. He tells her that Ambassador

								   Delenn wanted him to maintain peace as much as possible, and that he

								   saved her because of that. He has a call, and has to leave. She tells

								   him that she might see him around.


								   [INLINE] Delenn is threatened.


								   General Franklin explains to Sheridan the tactics he plans to use on

								   the attack. He asks Sheridan about several options, but Sheridan tells

								   him that there is no way to get through without heavy casualities.

								   Sheridan suggests that they call the whole thing off, but General

								   Franklin disagrees, saying an important reason for the invasion is to

								   install their presence in Shilassen space, which is very close to the

								   Narn and Centauri. Dr. Franklin comes into the room and tells his

								   father he wants to talk, but his father wants no part of it. Dr.

								   Franklin says that he didn't mean the things he said, but this angers

								   his father even more. He tells him that he will talk to him later, but

								   Dr. Franklin is not pleased with this, either. General Franklin orders

								   his son to leave, which he does.


								   [INLINE] Discussing strategies.


								   After Dr. Franklin leaves, the general asks Sheridan if he feels like

								   being a soldier is being a murderer. Sheridan says that the only truth

								   about war is that people die. "Killing is part of a soldier's job. We

								   can't deny it--we can only live with it and hope the reasons for doing

								   it are justified." General Franklin says that he wishes his son could

								   understand that, and Sheridan tells him that he feels Dr. Franklin is

								   an excellent doctor, and that he will stand up for his principles if

								   they are challenged. General Franklin feels that is an admirable

								   trait, and Sheridan agrees, saying that, even though he and his father

								   had similar disagreements, and they never stopped arguing, they never

								   stopped loving each other either. General Franklin thanks Sheridan for

								   the talk, and concludes the briefing.


								   Garibaldi and Lou Welch keep an eye on all of the ground pounders when

								   Dodger walks up and asks Garibaldi for a tour. Welch offers to take

								   over for Garibaldi while he is gone. Garibaldi asks Dodger what she

								   wants to see. "A nice restaurant," she replies. "And your quarters."


								   Garibaldi takes Dodger to his quarters, where they are barely able to

								   keep their hands off of each other. They sit down on the bed, and

								   prepare to continue, but before they go any further, Garibaldi

								   explains the troubles he has had recently, with Lise and his

								   near-death after being shot by his aide. He tells her that, if she is

								   the one for him, he doesn't want to ruin it by going too fast. She

								   gets up and explains her situation to him. "You know, I didn't come

								   here expecting to set up housekeeping. I'm a ground pounder. I'm

								   cleaning latrines one day, the next I might be up to my hips in blood,

								   hoping that I don't hear the round that takes me out. You got it? In

								   between, I like to try to see what I can get, to remind myself that

								   I'm alive. Right, it's not romance, but it's all I got time for. I'm

								   so sorry it's not enough for you." He tries to call after her as she

								   leaves, but she won't speak to him.


								   [INLINE] The heat of the moment.


								   Ivanova and Sheridan go back to C&C, finally back on-shcedule at the

								   docking bays. Sheridan tells her to try to arrange a paid vacation for

								   the workers, to compensate for their recent troubles. Sheridan asks

								   about the new defense system they have, and Ivanova explains that

								   their new arsenal really is enough to take on a warship, complete with

								   pulse cannons, interceptors, mine launchers, and a much improved

								   tracking system. Sheridan tells her that he hopes they will never have

								   to use it.


								   Dr. Franklin is in his quarters when his father comes in. The general

								   apologizes for dismissing him the previous day, but also says that he

								   had every right to be angry about the way his son acted. He tells

								   Stephen that he has no right to call him a murderer, and he can't

								   believe that he would have so little respect. Stephen says that it

								   isn't about respect, but rather about the way they don't communicate

								   very well. Stephen explains to his father that it really hurts him to

								   have such a relationship with him when he isn't sure that he will ever

								   see him again. General Franklin apologizes, saying that he never

								   really meant to shut him out. Stephen says it might just be their

								   relationship, but he has always respected his father, and thanks him

								   for the things he taught him. He also says that he regrets the things

								   he did say to his father over the years, and takes the opportunity to

								   tell his father the one thing he never had a chance to -- that he

								   loves him. He says that he always has and that nothing could ever

								   change that. The two of them hug.


								   [INLINE] Reconciliation.


								   In a bar, Large is telling Yang and Keffer a war story. He leaves for

								   a moment, and Keffer asks Yang if Large ever tells anything besides

								   war stories. Keffer asks if Yang has seen any fighting, and Yang tells

								   him that he hasn't, but he says he's ready. Yang asks Keffer if he

								   has, and if he was scared. Keffer says that no matter what happens,

								   you're always scared. Large returns, and the three toast together to

								   their health.


								   Garibaldi approaches the bar, where Dodger is sitting. He starts to

								   talk to her, but she apologizes for her behavior, and says that,

								   sometimes, she wants things too much, and pushes unnecessarily for

								   them. She expresses her disbelief at the official talk that the ground

								   pounders are going to Io, since she doesn't think that General

								   Franklin would lead such a minor mission. She offers to buy him a

								   drink, and he selects water.


								   Keffer tells Large and Yang a war story of his own, and accidentally

								   nudges a soldier while gesturing. It turns out to be Private Kleist,

								   the ground pounder who earlier assaulted Delenn, and though Keffer

								   attempts to apologize, Kleist won't listen. Keffer suggests they

								   settle it outside, but Kleist doesn't want to wait. The two of them

								   begin to fight, and the skirmish escalates into a full-scale barroom

								   brawl, with nearly everyone in the bar getting in on the action. After

								   several minutes of fighting, the Sergeant-Major and General Franklin

								   appear and tell them that they are moving out right away, so they all

								   need to get their gear and leave immediately.


								   [INLINE] The bar brawl erupts.


								   Garibaldi and Dodger, who cooperated in the fight, say their goodbyes,

								   and Keffer, Large, and Yang do the same thing. Keffer wishes them both

								   luck, and comments that he hopes he'll see them again. General

								   Franklin, meanwhile, offers to punish the ground pounders involved in

								   the fight and make reparations. Sheridan accepts the reparations, and

								   says that he would rather have the ground pounders with General

								   Franklin. "Besides," he says, "I don't think we have the room."


								   As the 25,000 ground pounders prepare to leave, Sheridan tells General

								   Franklin that he hopes he was wrong about Matok's defenses. General

								   Franklin says his goodbyes to Garibaldi and Ivanova as well, and

								   finally sees his son. Before he leaves, General Franklin tells Stephen

								   that he is very proud of him, and will talk to him more when he gets

								   back. They hug again, and General Franklin ships out.


								   Garibaldi searches through the line of ground pounders for Dodger,

								   whom he eventually finds. He makes a date to see her when she returns,

								   and, despite the Sergeant-Major's urging, the two share a long,

								   passionate goodbye kiss. "You'll never know what you missed," she

								   tells him as she boards the ship, which soon departs and enters the

								   jump gate.


								   A large group of officers stands, watching a large monitor, which is

								   displaying an ISN news broadcast about the assault on Matok at Akdor.

								   The gruesome visuals show pictures of intense fighting and blasting

								   from many different kinds of units. A reporter talks to General

								   Franklin, whom Dr. Franklin is overjoyed to see. General Franklin

								   explains the situation. "Our troops have taken control of the fortress

								   at Matok. Most of the leaders of the rebellion have either been killed

								   or captured, and we expect a complete surrender of all the rebel

								   forces very shortly." The group watching the broadcast cheers, but

								   General Franklin is pulled away by another officer, for some other

								   reason. Lou Welch appears and hands Garibaldi the initial list of

								   casualities. Garibaldi looks over it for a moment, and silently hands

								   it to Keffer. Keffer looks at the report and learns that Large, Yang,

								   Dodger--and even the ground pounder who assaulted Delenn and began the

								   bar fight all were killed. He stands, alone, reflecting upon the

								   situation, and the reality of war.


								   [INLINE] [INLINE]


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								      [15]Last update: October 11, 1995


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