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


								   Garibaldi arrives at C&C, and asks an officer on duty where Captain

								   Sheridan and Commander Ivanova are. The officer tells him that they

								   are in bay 13. Garibaldi goes down there, more than a little puzzled

								   by their reasons for being there.


								   Sheridan and Ivanova stand in awe of the sight before them in the bay:

								   Ambassador Kosh's ship. Sheridan finds its construction amazing and

								   unbelievable and asks Ivanova about it. She tells him that for the

								   past two years, they haven't been able to determine much about it;

								   their scans barely penetrate the ship's skin. Sheridan reaches out to

								   touch the ship when part of the ship pulls away and a strange-looking

								   device fires a beam straight at Sheridan's chest. Ivanova tells him to

								   back away slowly, which he does. The device melts back into the ship.

								   After Ivanova tells Sheridan a story about a maintenance crew that was

								   frightened away by the ship, Sheridan's interest is piqued. Sheridan

								   tells her that it is time they learned something about the Vorlons,

								   and that he intends to begin doing just that. Garibaldi arrives and

								   tells them that he needs to talk to them, but would rather not do it

								   in front of Kosh's ship. The three of them leave. Kosh steps out from

								   behind a corner and "speaks" to his ship. It replies with a few lines

								   of strange symbols, to which Kosh nods, and then leaves.


								   [INLINE] Visiting Kosh's ship.


								   When Sheridan, Ivanova, and Garibaldi arrive in Sheridan's office,

								   Garibaldi explains that he just received a message from EarthForce

								   that there is a fugitive alert out for Dr. Everett Jacobs, President

								   Clark's former physician. Garibaldi tells them that Jacobs has enough

								   stolen information to bring down the entire Earth Alliance, unless he

								   is stopped. They think that he is already aboard Babylon 5, and want

								   him taken dead or alive. Sheridan asks what Jacobs knows that makes

								   him such a threat. Garibaldi wasn't told that, but says that, if

								   Jacobs resists, they are ordered to shoot to kill.


								   Later, Agent Derek Cranston, from Earth Special Intelligence, arrives

								   on the station. Sheridan asks him why Dr. Jacobs is such a threat.

								   Cranston explains that Dr. Jacobs misused his security clearance to

								   get information about covert missions and extremely important data,

								   which could throw the government into chaos and ruin their alliance

								   with many of the non-aligned worlds. Cranston says that Jacobs is on

								   Babylon 5 to either sell the information or to find travel out of

								   Earth-controlled space. Sheridan agrees to have security help, and

								   orders Ivanova to carefully investigate all outgoing ships. Cranston

								   thanks Sheridan for his cooperation and leaves. Garibaldi tells

								   Sheridan that he doesn't think Cranston is telling them everything.

								   Sheridan agrees, but says that Cranston is worried about something,

								   which makes him want to go along with the manhunt. Garibaldi says he

								   thinks he knows where to begin.


								   [INLINE] Sheridan agrees to help.


								   Dr. Franklin resents the line of questioning altogether, saying that

								   Dr. Jacobs was a professor of his at Harvard and helped him a lot

								   while learning about xenobiogenics. He tells Garibaldi that Jacobs was

								   a humanitarian and could not be responsible, but Garibaldi reminds him

								   of a time when he vouched for another doctor and the station was

								   almost destroyed by a biological weapon. Dr. Franklin insists that

								   there has been a mistake and that Jacobs would never have sold out

								   Earth. "Maybe he's not the same Dr. Jacobs you knew any more,"

								   Garibaldi suggests.


								   An old man wanders through a marketplace on Babylon 5, stopping at one

								   kiosk. The old man tells the merchant that he heard he could obtain

								   "special" things from him. The old man says he needs an identicard,

								   but when he tells the merchant that price is not an issue, the

								   merchant refuses to sell him one; the only reasons someone would be so

								   desperate are that they're working for security, or are being chased

								   by some very powerful people. The merchant closes his shop, and the

								   man wanders away, but he has already been noticed by a tall figure,

								   watching from the shadows.


								   Sheridan is walking through the corridor to an elevator, when he hears

								   an unusual sound behind him. He turns to see Ambassador Kosh walking

								   away. He catches up to him, and reminds Kosh of a council meeting. He

								   also tells Kosh that he was in bay 13, and because of how much

								   everyone still doesn't know about the Vorlons, he and Kosh should try

								   to understand each other.


								   Kosh looks at him. "Why?"


								   "You tell me. You're the one who popped into my dream when I was in

								   that alien ship a few weeks ago. It felt like...I don't know, like you

								   called to me."


								   "I sought understanding. I listened to the song. Your thoughts became

								   the song."


								   [INLINE]


								   "Has this ever happened before?"


								   "Once," Kosh intones, and walks away.


								   Agent Cranston is briefing the security troops on how to best search

								   for Dr. Jacobs. Though his plan is efficient, because of the size of

								   Babylon 5, as Zack Allen points out, it could take a long time. Dr.

								   Cranston explains that, as an anti-kidnapping measure, all EarthDome

								   personnel are injected with an identification crystal, which can be

								   scanned for easily.


								   Sheridan asks Garibaldi if he is having any problems with the security

								   crew. Garibaldi tells him that he isn't, and that, because of their

								   efficiency, he would not like having to go up against them. As they

								   walk, Sheridan notices a red ribbon tied to a nearby wall. Sheridan

								   tells Garibaldi to continue to check up on them, and that he will

								   check in with him later to check his progress. Sheridan exits hastily.


								   Sheridan, in a dark corridor, shines a strange patterns of lights into

								   the area ahead. He walks forward and meets with a woman. "The general

								   sent me," she tells him. "I have a message. You're in great danger,

								   Captain. We know what you've been told. But Dr. Jacobs is not a

								   traitor." As she sets up a device to prevent their conversation being

								   eavesdropped upon, Sheridan asks why there is such an intensive search

								   out for him, and the woman explains that Earth Special Intelligence is

								   directly under President Clark's control, and that Jacobs represents a

								   threat Clark wants stopped at any cost. Sheridan asks what the

								   situation is, and the woman explains what happened at the beginning of

								   the year.


								   "Before President Santiago was killed aboard EarthForce One, Clark got

								   off the ship, claiming he had some kind of virus. Twenty-four hours

								   later, EarthForce One is destroyed in an...accident, and Clark assumes

								   the presidency. As Clark's personal physician, Jacobs knew it wasn't

								   true. If he would ever testify to that effect, it would help prove

								   that Clark knew what was going to happen. But, they couldn't allow

								   that. If they killed him right away, it would look suspicious, so they

								   kept an eye on him until they figured it was safe for the good doctor

								   to have an accident. We heard about it, and we helped him escape."


								   [INLINE] The secret meeting.


								   She tells him that their plans were changed because Jacobs wasn't able

								   to meet with his contact elsewhere, so he came to Babylon 5. Sheridan

								   tells her that he can't pull his security officers off because it

								   would mean revealing himself, destroying everything they've tried to

								   build. She says he needs to do whatever he can, because it must be

								   done. They need to accumulate as much evidence as possible, and

								   Jacobs' testimony would be a good place to start. She tells him to

								   make sure he gets the statement and gets Jacobs off the station alive.

								   He tells her that he is angry things have gotten so far out of hand,

								   and that he will have to circumvent his own security officers. She

								   advises him to work quickly, and leaves. Sheridan calls Garibaldi,

								   telling him to meet with him in ten minutes.


								   Dr. Franklin is instructing a small group of physicians in MedLab when

								   he gets a call from Garibaldi. "Hi Doc. Just wanted to say, 'Happy

								   birthday,' that's all. Catch you later." Franklin tries to protest,

								   and doesn't understand the message, since it isn't his birthday, but

								   gets the point when he sees security officers scanning nearby.

								   Franklin orders the message to replayed frame by frame, looking for

								   anything unusual. Several frames in, he sees two voice balloons

								   sketched on top of the image which read, "Meet me at my place ASAP.

								   Come alone. Wear something comfortable."


								   [INLINE] Garibaldi's message.


								   Jacobs, the old man, now in a deserted area of Downbelow, prepares an

								   injection which he gives to himself. He speaks into a small recording

								   device, and says, "I'm...uh, I'm nearly out of stims. I have to keep

								   moving. If I fall asleep, they'll get me. And, uh, if they get me, I

								   uh...I don't know if this will get to you Mary, but I'm tired. I'm

								   just desperately tired. I don't know who to turn to, who I can trust."

								   He is interrupted when several security officers appear nearby,

								   searching some drunken lurkers. Jacobs quickly fumbles at opening a

								   nearby cargo elevator, and when he does, he steps inside closes the

								   door. The security offciers notice something on the scanners for just

								   a minute, and then it vanishes. They decide to report it anyway.


								   [INLINE] Jacobs makes his recording.


								   Garibaldi prepares to search for Jacobs by taking two PPG weapons and

								   dressing in extremely casual clothes. He says that his security crew

								   is good, but that he has one advantage: Dr. Franklin, who knows a lot

								   about Dr. Jacobs, and is someone whom Dr. Jacobs knows as well.

								   Franklin is afraid Garibaldi will be recognized, but Garibaldi says

								   that, because of his position, they rarely look at his face. He also

								   puts on his disguise, a hat, and the two of them leave to begin their

								   mission.


								   Jacobs steps out of the elevator, and is immediately met by the tall

								   man who saw him talking to the merchant earlier. He tries to move

								   away, but is met by another gentleman. The tall man tells him that he

								   looks as if he doesn't belong in Downbelow, and asks him what he is

								   buying or selling, or if he is running away. Jacobs says he doesn't

								   want any trouble and will pay whatever he wants. "Yeah, you will," the

								   tall man tells him.


								   Jacobs is taken to another section of Downbelow, and has his

								   belongings taken by the two lurkers. They search through them,

								   searching for something they might be able to sell. Jacobs tries to

								   convince them he has nothing of value, but they soon discover

								   otherwise when they rip open his jacket to find a data crystal and an

								   antique pocketwatch, which attracts the large lurker immediately. Its

								   inscription reads, "Office of the President of the Earth Alliance."

								   The large lurker leaves to examine the data crystal, leaving the other

								   behind to guard Jacobs.


								   [INLINE] Taken hostage.


								   Cranston explains to Sheridan and Ivanova that they have searched most

								   of the station and have deduced that Jacobs must be hiding in

								   Downbelow. Sheridan says that the sooner they get him off of Babylon

								   5, the better, and that Cranston is right about him being in

								   Downbelow. When Ivanova protests, Sheridan tells her that it is the

								   only logical choice, unless she seriously believes he might also be

								   Downtown. Cranston asks where this place is, and Sheridan tells him it

								   is the unofficial name for the area between the hull and the water

								   reclamation system, one of the most unpleasant parts of the station,

								   full of heavy machinery, pipes, and lead. Cranston decides that Jacobs

								   would use lead to defeat the scanners, and calls security to have them

								   search Downtown instead. Cranston leaves, and Ivanova asks him what he

								   was talking about, telling him that the entire area was sealed off

								   after Babylon 5 was made operational. Sheridan says that he hopes

								   trying to burn through the walls and doors in that area will buy

								   Garibaldi a few hours. He then receives a call saying that one of the

								   ambassadors wants to see him. He begins to say no, but decides

								   otherwise when he learns it is Ambassador Kosh. He goes off to the

								   meeting.


								   Garibaldi and Franklin are questioning some of the people in a bazaar

								   in Downbelow, but can't find any information. They comment on how

								   there are no guards down there, but Garibaldi decides it must be

								   Captain Sheridan's doing. They stop to rest and to have something to

								   eat. While they are chatting about Dr. Jacobs and the past, when they

								   notice a merchant trying to sell Jacobs' pocketwatch, which Franklin

								   recognizes. Garibaldi strongarms the merchant into revealing where he

								   got the watch.


								   [INLINE] Garibaldi and Franklin downbelow.


								   An officer goes to Cranston and tells him that they have someone on

								   the line who has seen Jacobs. Cranston answers the call and talks to

								   the man on the other end, the same one who kidnapped Jacobs from

								   Downbelow. The man says he will turn over Jacobs for 10,000 credits,

								   to which Cranston agrees. The man says he will call again when he is

								   ready to exchange.


								   Sheridan arrives in Ambassador Kosh's quarters, and asks the purpose

								   of the meeting. "You wanted to see me?" he asks Kosh.


								   "You wanted to see me."


								   "Well, I guess everybody does. To see what you really are inside that

								   encounter suit."


								   "They are not ready. They would not understand."


								   "Am I ready?"


								   "No. You do not even understand yourself."


								   "Could you help me to understand you?"


								   "Can you help me to understand you?"


								   "Well, I can try. Is that what you want? An exchange of information? I

								   tell you something about me, and you tell me something about you?"


								   "No. You do not understand. Go." Kosh turns away.


								   [INLINE]


								   "Damn it, what do you want? What do you want from me? You know, ever

								   since I got here, I've had the feeling that...that you've been

								   watching me. The record shows you hardly ever went to council meetings

								   until I showed up. When I was captured, it was you who reached out and

								   touched my mind. And now you call me here? Why? Just to throw me out?

								   Are we just toys to you? Huh? What do you want?"


								   Kosh spins around and intones angrily, "Never ask that question."


								   "At least I got a response out of you. So, what'll it be, Ambassador?"


								   "I will teach you."


								   "About yourself?"


								   "About you. Until you are ready."


								   "For what?"


								   "To fight legends."


								   The lurker guarding Dr. Jacobs hears a pounding at the door which he

								   thinks is his companion, Max, returning. He opens the door, but finds

								   Garibaldi instead. Garibaldi knocks the lurker out, but not before he

								   is stabbed in the arm. Franklin tries to help Garibaldi up, and then

								   unties Dr. Jacobs. Though they try to usher him out of there, Dr.

								   Jacobs insists that they have to have the data crystal, which Max

								   took. Garibaldi tells Franklin and Dr. Jacobs to wait for him nearby.


								   Max arrives back in the room to find the other lurker tied up. He

								   removes the gag from his mouth, but before the other can warn Max,

								   Garibaldi steps from the shadows, PPG drawn, and demands the data

								   crystal. He begins shooting at Max, missing deliberately, but coming

								   closer and closer each time. By the time Garibaldi shoots only an inch

								   away from his head, Max agrees and hands over the data crystal.


								   [INLINE] "I'm in a bad mood."


								   Cranston talks to Sheridan, reminding him that, in the past, internal

								   scanners have been used to locate radiation sources inside Babylon 5.

								   Sheridan tells him it required a lot of difficult rewiring, but

								   Cranston only wants to know why he was not informed about it. Ivanova

								   comes in and tells Sheridan that Dr. Franklin needs to seem him

								   immediately. Sheridan leaves, and Cranston turns to Ivanova. He asks

								   her about the internal scanners and how long it will take him to wire

								   his scanners up to Babylon 5's. She replies coldly, obviously

								   resenting his attitude toward her. She tells him that he didn't ask

								   for the information and that there is no way to know if the systems

								   are compatible or if it will work.


								   Dr. Jacobs gives the data crystal to Sheridan and explains that it

								   contains the information obtained from his scans of Clark which proved

								   he did not suffer from a viral infection and that he has given

								   Garibaldi the necessary codes to unlock the data. Garibaldi, while

								   being treated for his arm injury by Franklin, reminds them that they

								   will need a statement as well. Sheridan says that they have another

								   problem now that Cranston knows they can patch their scanners into the

								   station's internal sensors, which would make it very easy to find Dr.

								   Jacobs. Franklin asks if it is possible to get him off the station,

								   but Garibaldi says it isn't likely, considering they have all the

								   docking bays covered. "Not entirely correct, Mr. Garibaldi," Sheridan

								   says.


								   The configuration between the sensors and the scanners is complete.

								   Ambassador Kosh asks for permission to depart, but Sheridan won't

								   allow him to leave until after they scan the station. The station is

								   scanned, but they don't find Dr. Jacobs. Sheridan tells Cranston that

								   he is angry his station has been torn apart for no reason. Kosh asks

								   permission to depart again, which Ivanova grants. Cranston says he

								   doesn't understand since someone (Max) told him Jacobs was on the

								   station. Sheridan tells Cransgon that he can't be too sure of any

								   information he obtains aboard the station. Ivanova begins to tell Kosh

								   that he can open the jump gate, but Cranston protests, saying that he

								   wants the ship scanned. Sheridan tells him that it is an ambassadorial

								   vessel, but Cranston isn't satisfied. Sheridan reluctantly agrees to

								   scan the ship, and the scan find one life form, but it isn't human.

								   Sheridan offers sarcastically to return the ship to the station to

								   search it thoroughly, but warns Cranston that, if they find nothing,

								   it could cause a major diplomatic incident. Cranston gives his

								   permission for the ship to enter the jumpgate, which it does. Sheridan

								   orders Ivanova to help Cranston find out where Dr. Jacobs really went,

								   and help him in any way possible. He also tells Cranston that, as soon

								   as Ivanova is finished, he hopes Cranston will leave. Cranston says

								   nothing, but leaves C&C.


								   [INLINE] "Give him your _full_ cooperation."


								   Sheridan, Ivanova, Garibaldi, and Franklin arrive in bay 13, where the

								   Vorlon ship has redocked. Sheridan tells them that they are supposed

								   to wait until the ship recognizes them, which it soon does. Sheridan

								   explains that it knows them because it is alive. Kosh wasn't on the

								   ship when they scanned it from C&C, and since the scan only registered

								   one life form, it must be the ship. The ship opens up, and

								   tentacle-like protusions extract a large pod from it. When the pod

								   touches the ground, it opens to reveal Dr. Jacobs inside. Dr. Franklin

								   quickly revives him from an artificial coma, which Kosh insisted on as

								   a condition for the use of the ship. Dr. Jacobs revives. "While I was

								   asleep," he says, "the uh...the ship...It sang to me."


								   [INLINE] The ship gives Dr. Jacobs back.


								   Sheridan returns to the woman sent by General Hague and hands her a

								   data crystal, which he says contains all of Dr. Jacobs' information.

								   She accepts it willingly. "Good. It's not enough to go public with

								   yet, but it's a start. We'll get Jacobs onto one of our ships as soon

								   as possible. Thank you again for your help. You've just scored a major

								   victory for the good guys. You should be proud. Until next time,

								   Captain."


								   "There's always a next time, isn't there?" Captain Sheridan asks.


								   "You'd better pray it stays that way, Captain. Because as long as

								   there is a next time, at least there's a chance we'll win." She turns

								   to leave, but offers him one final thought before she goes. "Because

								   in this war, Captain, we need all the chances we can get."


								   [14][Next]


								      [15]Last update: October 11, 1995


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