brennen
/
lurkers-guide



								                            [1][ISMAP]-[2][Home]


								    [3][Guide] [4][Background] ### SYNOPSIS ### [5][Credits] [6][Episode

								                       List] [7][Previous] [8][Next]


								  Synopsis by Matthew Murray (mmurray@wsu.edu)


								   Ivanova is furious at news Sheridan brings: in order to help Babylon 5

								   become more self-sufficient, Babylon 5 is going to be merchandised.

								   Sheridan explains that the Zocalo is opening a gift shop so that

								   anyone who wants a present for someone, or themselves, can buy it and

								   help out the station. Ivanova is quite angry at this. "This is

								   demeaning. I mean, we're not some...some deep space franchise! This

								   station is about something!" Sheridan explains that her anger will

								   make her the ideal person to oversee the efforts of the gift shop to

								   make sure that no one on the station is demeaned. Sheridan explains

								   that he has to meet with Ambassador Kosh for another lesson in

								   understanding. He doesn't understand what he will be taught, but

								   realizes that he probably won't after he has been taught either.

								   Before he goes, he requests Ivanova pick up a Babylon 5 baseball

								   cap... for his sister.


								   [INLINE] "_Me?_"


								   On his way to the Zocalo, Sheridan runs into someone walking down the

								   corridor. Though everything seems fine at first, Sheridan soon

								   realizes that his link has been stolen. He sees the man running on a

								   catwalk above him, and he gives chase. While doing so, he is

								   intercepted by a Minbari who attacks him and throws him to the ground,

								   just near a PPG. He picks up the PPG and warns the Minbari to stay

								   away. "Death first!" is the Minbari's response as he reaches for

								   something. Sheridan fires. The force of the blast knocks the Minbari

								   down some stairs. Sheridan gets to his feet and, as he surveys the

								   situation, he sees another Minbari standing there, watching the

								   proceedings. The Minbari quickly leaves.


								   [INLINE] Sheridan is attacked.


								   Sheridan explains to Ambassador Delenn and Garibaldi what happened,

								   though they both find the situation strange, as no weapon was found on

								   the body. Garibaldi explains that it was only self-defense, but Delenn

								   tells them that the Minbari, Levell, comes from a very esteemed

								   family, and that her government wants answers. Sheridan apologizes,

								   but Delenn is not satisfied. "These are perilous times. We must do all

								   we can to avoid another conflict between our people over a

								   misunderstanding." Garibaldi tells Delenn that he has begun an

								   investigation in order to discover what happened, but Delenn tells him

								   that she has been ordered to begin an investigation of her own.

								   Garibaldi protests, but Delenn will not listen, claiming it is the

								   only way to decide whether or not Sheridan should be charged with

								   murder. Sheridan orders Garibaldi to find the Minbari, which will

								   prove to be a difficult task, given that Sheridan cannot give a

								   detailed description.


								   Vir receives a transmission from Centauri Prime on Londo's behalf.


								   Garibaldi is talking to one of the Minbari on the station, who says

								   that he was not present at the attack, which Garibaldi believes,

								   since, as the Minbari explains, Minbari do not lie. Garibaldi asks if

								   the Minbari knew who did it, and the Minbari accuses him of being

								   threatening. Before it can go any further, Lennier arrives and asks to

								   speak to the Minbari privately, which Garibaldi reluctantly allows.


								   [INLINE] "If you're finished, Mr. Garibaldi?"


								   Garibaldi and Sheridan walk down the hall, talking about the

								   situation. Garibaldi explains that Lennier always seems to be a step

								   ahead of his investigation, though they both hope that Lennier is not

								   orchestrating a cover-up. Sheridan asks about his link, but Garibaldi

								   says that it hadn't been used, and had probably been destroyed.

								   Sheridan asks why someone would take his link, and Garibaldi explained

								   that it was definitely something that Sheridan would want back, which

								   would make sense if the man wanted to be chased.


								   They go into MedLab, where Dr. Franklin explains the result of the

								   autopsy. He says that it was indeed a PPG that killed the Minbari, but

								   that there is nothing that proves Sheridan innocent of an unprovoked

								   attack. Garibaldi asks Sheridan where he found the PPG, and Sheridan

								   tells him, though Garibaldi finds this suspicious as well. Garibaldi

								   suggests that the PPG was planted, because no member of the Minbari

								   warrior caste would carry one, and that the whole plot was merely to

								   set Sheridan up.


								   Walking through the corridor near the newly established Babylon

								   Emporium, Talia literally runs into Vir. He is holding a drink and

								   seems quite shaken up. Talia asks him if he is okay, but Vir cannot

								   come up with an answer. He says that he can't stay, and seems to find

								   a great deal of humor in that remark. He vanishes into the crowd

								   before she can say anything else.


								   Delenn and Lennier are talking to the Minbari, Ashan, who witnessed

								   Sheridan's killing of Levell. Despite his being in the same clan as

								   Lennier, he is being quite uncooperative, and will not answer any of

								   Delenn's questions. "I answer to other Minbari," he tells her. "Not

								   freaks." Hurt by this, she quickly exits, leaving Lennier to deal with

								   Ashan. "You have insulted her," Lennier says. "Her presence insulted

								   me," replies Ashan. Despite his feelings, he does offer to answer any

								   questions Lennier might have.


								   [INLINE] "Not _freaks._"


								   Sheridan tells Delenn and Lennier that, despite whatever the feelings

								   of the Minbari government are, he wants to see Ashan immediately.

								   After they leave, Garibaldi suggests that, because of the Minbari's

								   feelings, that might not be a good idea. Sheridan tells Garibaldi that

								   he has to try to reason with Ashan, so that he can figure out why

								   Ashan is lying about the incident, and that he doesn't want to disrupt

								   life on the station any more than necessary.


								   Ivanova is looking around the Babylon 5 Emporium, inspecting the wide

								   variety of T-shirts, dolls, models, and even teddy bears. She is also

								   surprised by a human wearing a mask which makes him look exactly like

								   an alien. She turns around, only to find an alien wearing a human

								   mask. Somewhat startled and surprised, she makes a hasty exit.


								   [INLINE] Ivanova inspects the merchandise.


								   A well-dressed woman, with a brief case, enters the docking bay, and

								   meets up with Zack Allan. She tells him that she wants to meet with

								   Captain Sheridan. Allan asks her if she is expected. "No," she says.

								   "Dreaded."


								   Sheridan asks Ashan why he would attack Levell, who merely answers

								   Sheridan by calling him Starkiller. Sheridan tries to explain to him

								   that what happened should remain in the past, but Ashan does not

								   agree. "Was it not an Earth man who said that those who do not listen

								   to history will repeat it? The Minbari listen. Very carefully." Delenn

								   and Lennier ask Ashan if it is possible that he could be making a

								   mistake in what he claims he say, but Ashan insists that he did not,

								   and asks on what side their loyalties lie. Lennier responds that they

								   want only to reveal the truth. Zack Allan and the woman enter, and the

								   woman introduces herself as Guinevere Corey, Sheridan's lawyer. When

								   she asks what they are discussing, Sheridan responds that they are

								   discussing the truth, which she calls "the favorite song of the

								   legally ignorant." Delenn asks if they are finished with their

								   discussion, but Guinevere answers affirmatively for Sheridan. Delenn,

								   Lennier, and Ashan leave.


								   As they leave the office, Lennier and Ashan bid each other goodbye,

								   and Lennier comments that the situation does not look good for Captain

								   Sheridan. Delenn says that the situation should not exist at all, and

								   that Sheridan's personality isn't consistent with Ashan's statement,

								   which she labels "dubious."


								   Sheridan tells Guinevere that he doesn't appreciate her calling him

								   ignorant in front of other people, and she changes her choice of words

								   to "naive." He claims that he doesn't need a lawyer, but she tells him

								   that she was rerouted here because EarthDome has decided to proceed

								   with an indictment against him. Sheridan is taken aback, and doesn't

								   understand why they decided to do that. She says that the only

								   solution that is good for Earth is if they go to trial and take the

								   judgment he is given, but that she doesn't believe they can convict

								   beyond a reasonable doubt. Sheridan thinks she is hiding something,

								   and she is. She explains that, because of the trouble this will cause,

								   Sheridan will have to step down as the Commander of Babylon 5 in any

								   event.


								   [INLINE] Sheridan confronts Guinevere Corey.


								   Sheridan returns to his quarters and expresses his frustration and his

								   doubts to Ivanova, who offers her support and leaves him to rest.

								   Sheridan is about to relax when the door chimes. This time, it is

								   Ambassador Kosh, who has come for the lesson. Sheridan says that he

								   isn't in the correct frame of mind for the lesson, which was

								   interrupted earlier. "Precisely the correct time," Kosh tells him.

								   "Come." Sheridan tries to protest, but ends up going with Ambassador

								   Kosh to the lesson.


								   Zack Allan enters Garibaldi's office, and Garibaldi gives Allan the

								   file on Ashan, telling him to keep an eye on him, but not provoke him,

								   just so they can find out what he is up to, and if he is hiding

								   anything.


								   Sheridan and Kosh appear together, walking through one of the most

								   inhospitable parts of Downbelow. Sheridan tells Kosh that he doesn't

								   understand why he is there. "Good," responds Kosh. After a brief walk,

								   they reach their destination, an access panel in a dead end. Kosh

								   instructs Sheridan to go inside. Sheridan asks why, and asks what is

								   inside. "One moment of perfect beauty," explains Kosh. Sheridan goes

								   through the access panel.


								   [INLINE] "You want me to go in _there?_"


								   The area is very cluttered, and the ceiling low, but he eventually

								   finds what Kosh sent him to look for: a strange, hunched-over figure

								   wearing a robe. Sheridan explains that he was sent to find this place,

								   but the being only pushes forward a small dish. Sheridan explains that

								   he doesn't carry money, but cannot convince the figure. He removes his

								   stat bar, which shows his position in Earth Force, and places it in

								   the dish, which the being quickly removes. The area is then filled

								   with many strange and beautiful patterns of orange light playing off

								   the cloaks of other figures who Sheridan hadn't noticed. The area

								   comes alive with the sound of a Gregorian chant, which Sheridan drinks

								   in.


								   [INLINE] Beauty in the dark.


								   Vir is sitting alone with a drink at the bar, when Londo comes up to

								   him. Though it is only Vir's second drink, it is obvious he is upset,

								   and Londo asks why he is acting that way. Vir doesn't understand how

								   Londo can criticize, after all the things he has done. Vir explains

								   that he is having a difficult time doing his job, which consists

								   mostly of keeping Londo's secrets. Londo offers to send Vir home, but

								   Vir knows he can't return to his family. "Do you think that if they

								   wanted me around that I'd even be here? They just wanted be

								   anywhere--anywhere away. They had me sent here two years ago because,

								   frankly, there wasn't much competition for the job. This was a joke to

								   them. Before I left, my uncle said to me, 'You and I deserve each

								   other.'" Londo tells him that is no longer true, which Vir knows only

								   too well. He tells Londo that Centauri Prime is sending someone new

								   for his position, which has become "too important," and that they are

								   sending someone better prepared for the task. Vir says that he doesn't

								   know what to do, because he feels as if he isn't wanted anywhere, and

								   that he has no way to escape from his problems. He apologizes to Londo

								   for getting him involved, and quickly stands up and walks away. Londo

								   begins after him, but is distracted by a group of women, mostly

								   Centauri, at a table nearby, laughing at a doll of Londo. Intrigued,

								   he snatches it away.


								   [INLINE] Londo comforts Vir.


								   Sheridan and Kosh are in the elevator, returning from the lesson.

								   Sheridan thanks Kosh for the lesson, and Kosh exits the elevator.

								   Ivanova enters, and Sheridan explains what he learned. "Beauty...in

								   the dark." Ivanova comments that the lessons must be working, because

								   he is beginning to talk just like a Vorlon.


								   Delenn enters her chambers and finds Lennier there. She tells him that

								   she was arranging to have Levell's body prepared due to the customs of

								   his clan, and that she thinks there is some information that Lennier

								   needs to see. She plays it on a monitor, and Lennier reads it.


								   Meanwhile, Sheridan and Ivanova are walking down one of the station's

								   corridors when an elevator door opens, and Londo steps out, angrily

								   brandishing the doll in his likeness. "Captain! Commander! Can we

								   talk?"


								   Ashan is running through some corridors on the station, as if looking

								   for something. He vanishes behind a corner, and Zack Allan, who had

								   been following him, steps out. He tries to find out which way Ashan

								   went, but before he can give chase, two hands come down on him and

								   knock him out. Lennier has been following Ashan as well.


								   Lennier runs after Ashan, and comes across him, talking to the cloaked

								   man who stole Sheridan's link. Ashan and Lennier prepare to attack

								   each other, and Lennier says that he wanted to prove Ashan's

								   innocence, but now sees that, since he was talking to the man who

								   stole Sheridan's link, his story was false after all, and that he

								   would have been discovered by station security had Lennier not

								   intervened. Ashan doesn't understand why Lennier would believe the

								   word of sation personnel over his word, and Lennier explains it is

								   because Delenn believes it, and she is honorable, and he honors her

								   words. "What do you honor, Ashan? The truth, or the obligations of our

								   clan?" Before he can say another word, Ashan escapes.


								   [INLINE] Lennier and Ashan face off.


								   Londo says that the Centauri Government will not allow insults such as

								   the doll. Ivanova says that it is just a doll, and that it wasn't even

								   constructed by station personnel. Londo calls the doll a mockery,

								   since it doesn't have any...attributes. It takes Ivanova and Sheridan

								   a minute, but they finally realize. "You feel like you're being

								   symbolically cas...t in a bad light," Ivanova tells him. Sheridan

								   ordrs Ivanova to go and have all the dolls removed from the Imporium,

								   which she does.


								   "I do not lie when I say this could have been a major embarassment to

								   all concerned," Londo says.


								   "Oh, I'm sure, Ambassador," Sheridan says. "You don't lie, the Minbari

								   don't lie, no one around here..."


								   "Who said the Minbari don't lie?" Londo suddenly realizes his mistake,

								   but it is too late, for Sheridan has noticed it as well and asks Londo

								   what he knows. Londo explains. "A certain Minbari once lied to save a

								   certain Centauri Ambassador from embarrassment. Apparently, there is

								   honor in helping another save face." Sheridan then realizes that they

								   would lie to protect someone's honor, but that he doesn't know who, or

								   what, is being protected. Londo leaves, and Sheridan receives a

								   message from C&C, saying that a Minbari Embassy representative from

								   Earth wants to speak to him. Sheridan has them put it through.


								   Delenn is sitting alone at the rock garden when Sheridan enters and

								   sits with her. He explains to her that her government wants Ashan

								   taken from the station, and sent back to the Minbari homeworld. With

								   that important witness gone, there can be no trial, which will be a

								   relief to Earth, though there will be much doubt left behind.

								   Sheridan's credibility will be destroyed, which he believes some may

								   have wanted from the beginning. Delenn moves away and doesn't face

								   him. He tells her that he knows how it feels to be all alone, but she

								   tells him that she is truly alone, as she is completely isolated from

								   her world and her government. He asks her why she said the Minbari

								   don't lie, if they will to save another's honor. "You must understand,

								   Captain, that there is no greater honor among my people than to serve.

								   They work for generations to create a legacy, a tradition. In the

								   service of their clan, they are ready to sacrifice everything. Their

								   individuality, their blood, their life." Sheridan tells her that this

								   is a common occurrence and that larger ideals can't be preserved if

								   small ones are sacrificed. Delenn gets up and tells Sheridan to follow

								   her.


								   [INLINE] "Come with me."


								   Ashan up with Lennier, who gives him parting instructions. Lennier

								   says that he will go to the Captain and explain his involvement with

								   Levell's death. Ashan says Lennier had nothing to do with it, but

								   Lennier tells him that, as a member of Ashan's clan, he is equally

								   responsible. Ashan tells him that, if he does that, he will dishonor

								   himself and their clan, but Lennier says that he will retain honor, by

								   protecting Ashan, though their clan will dishonored. Ashan explains

								   that it was their clan's leaders who decided to go ahead with the plan

								   without the blessing of the Minbari government, because they were

								   angered at the appointment of Sheridan as commander of Babylon 5. He

								   explains that Sheridan destroyed the Black Star by mining an asteriod

								   field, sending a fake distress signal, thus luring the ships in there.

								   He doesn't believe Sheridan has any honor. Lennier explains that he

								   lost family on the Black Star as well, but asks if there is any more

								   honor in this betrayal. Lennier asks why Ashan was talking to the

								   human who stole Sheridan's link, and Ashan explains that Levell paid

								   him to lure Sheridan away, and provided a weapon for Sheridan's use.

								   He says that Levell, as a member of their clan, must be protected.

								   Delenn, Sheridan, Garibaldi, and Guinevere Corey appear from behind a

								   door and confront Ashan.


								   [INLINE] Protecting the clan's honor.


								   Sheridan explains that Delenn received Levell's burial instructions,

								   and that saving the honor of their clan was the one thing that could

								   cause Ashan to lie. Lennier reveals a small recording device he used

								   during the conversation. The door to the room opens, and Zack Allan

								   leds Ashan away. Guinevere asks Delenn if the Minbari government will

								   contest their action, but Delenn says that whomever is responsible

								   will never take responsibility for what happened. Sheridan asks if a

								   public confession is really what they want; he tells Delenn that he is

								   willing to turn over all the information as long as Ashan promises to

								   make a statement about what he saw, with no attention at all paid to

								   the clan loyalty, or any other background, and that they will leave

								   Levell's motive as one more mystery. "And around here, who'll notice

								   one more?"


								   Vir is in Londo's quarters, still drinking, and with a considerable

								   hangover. Londo asks Vir how quickly he can pack, since his

								   replacement arrived a few hours earlier. Vir begins to leave, but

								   Londo stops him, saying that he should pack Londo's things first. Vir

								   asks why Londo wants him to pack his belongings, and Londo explains

								   that he explained to the Centauri homeworld that if Vir goes, he goes

								   as well. Londo told them he considers Vir a good worker, and that he

								   needed Vir to work with him, which astonished Vir's family. Londo

								   tells Vir that he hasn't treated him very well, but that he can change

								   the way he acts. He asks Vir to stay, and says that if Vir leaves, he

								   will have to as well, and, should that happen, he will have to kill

								   Vir. "What are friends for?" Londo leaves, but not before Vir thanks

								   him. Londo also explains to Vir that he invited Vir's entire family to

								   stay with him for a once, knowing he wouldn't mind. Vir tries to

								   protest, but Londo is already gone. Vir goes back to his drinking.


								   Sheridan and Ivanova meet together, and he asks her how the Babylon 5

								   store is going; he now believes it's a good idea to help defray

								   operating expenses. She presents him with a teddy bear, dressed in a

								   baseball jersey and cap, which he admires, including the motto on the

								   back: Ba-bear-lon 5. He notices the bear's monogram, which reads J.

								   S., which Ivanova tells him stands for John Sheridan. When this hits

								   Sheridan, his cheery mood changes, and he orders Ivanova to have the

								   store removed and everything gone by the next morning. She leaves to

								   follow his orders, but not before he takes the bear from her.


								   Warren Keffer, in one of the Zeta Squadron starfuries, flies away from

								   Babylon 5. A communication comes in from the station. "Have you traced

								   that unidentified object?" Keffer is in the midst of responding, when

								   the starfury collides with a teddy bear. "Have you encountered

								   unidentified object? Can you describe it?"


								   [INLINE]


								   "Negative, Babylon Control. I don't think so. Not on a bet. Heading

								   back to the barn." Keffer pilots the starfury back to the station, as

								   the teddy bear floats, suspended in space.


								   [14][Next]


								      [15]Last update: February 25, 1996


								References


								   1. file://localhost/cgi-bin/imagemap/titlebar

								   2. LYNXIMGMAP:file://localhost/lurk/maps/maps.html#titlebar

								   3. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/guide/036.html

								   4. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/background/036.shtml

								   5. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/credits/036.html

								   6. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/episodes.php

								   7. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/synops/035.html

								   8. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/synops/037.html

								   9. file://localhost/lurk/lurker.html

								  10. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/synops/036.html#TOP

								  11. file://localhost/cgi-bin/uncgi/lgmail

								  12. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/episodes.php

								  13. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/synops/035.html

								  14. file://localhost/home/woodstock/hyperion/docs/lurk/synops/037.html

								  15. file://localhost/lurk/lastmod.html