brennen
/
lurkers-guide



								<p>  Ivanova, on the Observation Dome, is faced with the

								less-than-pleasant job of scheduling half a dozen impatient ships for

								docking at B5.  To make her life more difficult, the captain of

								one of the waiting ships--a Narn transport--calls in and claims

								to be carrying a perishable cargo that he must deliver to

								Ambassador G'Kar.  The captain is unhappy at having to wait

								twenty-five minutes, and Ivanova tells him that she'll do her

								best to minimize the delay.

								<p>  Ivanova calls one of the maintenance crews in the docking

								bays and asks them if there's any way they can open up a bay and

								let the Narn transport in.  After telling Ivanova how difficult

								she's making things for the maintenance crew, the foreman of the

								crew tells Ivanova that she can send the Narn ship in.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/busy.gif">

								A busy day in the docking bay.

								<p>  Ivanova calls back the Narn transport and tells the captain

								that he may dock immediately; the captain only responds, "About

								time."  The Narn transport begins the docking procedure, but as

								the ship enters the docking bay, there is a sudden accident

								apparently caused by the bay computers.  Ivanova attempts to

								alter the Narn ship's docking course, and she warns the Narn

								captain not to try to pilot the ship himself.  The captain,

								however, panics and starts his engines--he crashes into the side

								of the docking bay, and his whole cargo load is lost.

								<p>  Meanwhile, two people from the maintenance crew have been

								trapped by the explosion caused when the Narn ship crashed into

								the docking bay.  The two trapped people are brought out, but one

								of them--the foreman's younger brother--has unfortunately been

								killed.

								<p>  In his quarters, meanwhile, G'Kar is observing the holy days

								of G'Quan--the particular Narn religious figure that G'Kar

								follows.  As he's solemnly chanting, Na'Toth interrupts him,

								bringing the news about the Narn transport.  She tells him about

								the accident and the destruction of the transport's entire cargo

								hold; she mentions that the "G'Quan Eth" (spelling correction

								pending) aboard the ship has been destroyed.  G'Kar seems

								extremely distraught.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/gquan.gif">

								G'Kar chants a prayer.

								<p>  A meeting has been called concerning the accident in the

								bay.  Neeoma Connally, a labor leader on B5, and Ambassador G'Kar

								attend the meeting with the usual B5 command staff.  Connally is

								quite adamant in her belief that the laborers should not be

								blamed for the accident.  When Sinclair suggests that the

								computer malfunction in the bay could have been caused by human

								error, Connally disagrees--but she claims that even if the

								accident *were* caused by human error, nothing else could be

								expected from an overwork and understaffed crew.  Ivanova

								mentions that the accident can really be considered the fault of

								the Narn captain, who panicked and started his engines against

								Ivanova's direct orders, but G'Kar claims that the Narns are the

								victims of this unfortunate accident -- and consequently should not

								be blamed.  Connally, however, is angered by what G'Kar says --

								though the Narn ship was damaged, and though all of the cargo was

								destroyed, she feels the most serious catastrophe is that one of

								the laborers died because the accident.  G'Kar offers perfunctory

								condolences, but he maintains that the Narn captain cannot be

								blamed--the captain's ship was placed in jeopardy and he reacted.

								After mentioning that he wants compensation for the damage, G'Kar

								abruptly leaves, claiming he must attend to a "pressing matter."

								<p>  As G'Kar leaves, Garibaldi arrives and reports to Sinclair

								that the accident was indeed caused by equipment failure--it

								appears that the contractors installed sub-standard parts

								throughout the computer system.  Garibaldi explains that it was

								probably by using these sub-standard microchips that the

								contractors could make such a low bid for the installation.  When

								Ivanova explains how they'll have to reroute traffic to the other

								docking bays until new microchips can be installed in the damaged

								bay, Connally notes, "The problems dockside run deeper than a few

								microchips, commander."  Sinclair tells Connally that he

								understands and that he's been trying to get the Senate to

								allocate a larger budget to B5.  The meeting ends, and after

								Connally leaves, Sinclair is notified that he has a Gold Channel

								transmission from Senator Hidoshi--about the new budget.

								<p>  Because all of the cargo on the Narn transport has been

								destroyed, G'Kar is desperately trying to find someone who can

								sell him a new "G'Quan Eth."  Unfortunately for him, nobody seems

								to have any.  Ambassador Mollari walks over to G'Kar and mentions

								that he's heard about the accident in the cargo bay.  "If there

								is anything I can do to be of assistance, you will let me know,

								yes?" asks Londo.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/taunt.gif">

								Londo taunts G'Kar.

								<p>  "No," replies G'Kar--and Londo walks away, laughing.  As

								Londo leaves, Na'Toth walks up to G'Kar and tells him that her

								research shows that nobody will be able to deliver a G'Quan Eth

								in time for G'Kar's impending religious ceremony.  "However,"

								Na'Toth continues, "according to import records, there is one

								being on the station who has it.... Ambassador Mollari."  Londo,

								from the other side of the room, laughs a loud, shrill laugh at

								G'Kar and exits abruptly.

								<p>  "Why does the universe hate me?" asks G'Kar.

								<p>  Meanwhile, Sinclair is speaking with Senator Hidoshi.

								Sinclair is disappointed that the budget was not increased--he

								claims that promises were made to him.

								<p>  "Political realities sometimes take precedence over good

								intentions," replies Hidoshi.  "If President Santiago can turn

								things around--at that time, you may receive *some* of the money

								you requested."  When Sinclair responds that there are certain

								safety concerns that won't wait for the government to turn things

								around, Hidoshi responds, "Our experts have assured us that your

								new budget is more than sufficient for safe and efficient running

								of Babylon 5.  Commander, I have every confidence that you will

								make it work."

								<p>  After Hidoshi closes the channel, Garibaldi tells Sinclair

								that the news about the budget has already become common

								knowledge on B5--the station's business channels are broadcasting

								it.  Sinclair calls for a meeting with Connally; Garibaldi points

								out that Connally will be quite upset because the dock workers

								didn't get any pay raises, money for new workers, or funds for

								upgrading equipment.  Sinclair isn't surprised, however; he knows

								that since the workers' contracts prohibit them from quitting or

								going on strike, the Senate has no incentive to give the workers

								anything.

								<p>  Ivanova, from the other end of the Observation Dome, calls

								Sinclair and Garibaldi over.  She explains that the dock workers

								are all calling in sick; when Sinclair asks how serious the

								problem is, Ivanova replies, "Well, as far as we can determine,

								none of them are actually ill.  They're just calling in sick."

								<p>  "In other words, we have an illegal strike on our hands,"

								points out Sinclair.

								<p>  The dock workers have gathered near the docking bay and are

								airing their grievances--rather loudly and vociferously.  "How

								much more of this do they expect us to take?" asks one worker.

								"I say strike," says another, and the whole crowd begins

								chanting, "Strike!  Strike!  Strike!"

								<p>  Connally interrupts them angrily:  "Stop it.... I don't want

								to hear the word 'strike' any more," she tells them.  She says

								that they'll listen to all of the complaints, but she tells the

								workers to "try to keep a cool head during the management

								negotiation."  Suddenly, Garibaldi arrives and walks over to

								Connally--he wants to escort her to Sinclair, who has already

								requested twice that she see him.  "I've been tied up.  I got a

								lot of sick workers here," Connally replies.

								<p>  When the workers start to pretend to cough, Garibaldi is

								annoyed.  "You think this is funny, huh?  Well, I don't."

								<p>  "We're as serious as a rip in a spacesuit," replies

								Connally, "and we want the Senate and Commander Sinclair to know

								it."

								<p>  "By staging an illegal strike?" asks Garibaldi.  "I thought

								you were smarter than that."

								<p>  "Sinclair and Ivanova are career military," replies

								Connally.  "I don't expect them to understand.  But I figure you

								for blue collar under all that Earthforce grey."

								<p>  Garibaldi explains that he understands their dilemma, but he

								feels that they're handling the problem incorrectly.  He explains

								to her that Sinclair wants to speak with her about other possible

								solutions, and she eventually allows herself to be escorted to

								Sinclair.  As they're leaving, Garibaldi tells Connally that

								Sinclair wants to help, but Connally is still skeptical.

								<p>  When Connally arrives, Sinclair urges her to send her people

								back to work--if she doesn't, Sinclair is afraid that the Senate

								might invoke the Rush Act, a law which might force Sinclair to

								use troops against the striking laborers.  Connally doesn't feel

								that the Senate has the "guts to do that" (because it would

								inflame public opinion), but Sinclair notes that "things are

								changing" on Earth and that Connally shouldn't discount the

								possibility of the Rush Act being invoked.  Sinclair tells

								Connally that by going this far, she's already made her point --

								and Earth Central will be made aware of the laborers' grievances.

								She replies that she can't send her people back to work without

								guarantees from Sinclair, but Sinclair tells her that he can't

								give her any guarantees unless her people return to work.

								Sinclair asks Connally to trust him, but Connally replies that

								the Senate controls the money--and she refuses to trust the

								Senate.  Garibaldi points out the possible uproar of violence

								that might result from a clash between the workers and the

								government--he mentions how angry the workers seemed when he was

								down near the bay, but Connally assures him that the workers

								won't be the first to use violence--they will only defend

								themselves.  When Sinclair tells her that he doesn't feel she

								fully understands the consequences of her actions, she only

								replies that she's quite aware of the consequences--her father

								was killed during a strike on Ganymede in 2237.  "I have spent my

								entire life defending workers' rights," she tells Sinclair, "and

								I'm not about to stop now."  She says that her people won't

								return to work until they are provided with better pay, higher

								wages, and more people.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/sinclair-connoly.gif">

								Sinclair appeals to Connoly.

								<p>  After Connally leaves, Ivanova calls Sinclair and tells him

								that there is another transmission for him from Senator Hidoshi.

								<p>  Meanwhile, as Londo is entering his quarters, he notices

								that G'Kar is already inside.  "You left your door unlocked,

								ambassador.  Careless of you.  I thought it best to sit here and

								guard your room until you returned," says G'Kar.  Londo taunts

								him, mentioning that the holy days of G'Quan will end very soon.

								G'Kar isn't in the mood for games, however:  "You know why I'm

								here," he says.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/interesting.gif">

								"You know why I'm here."

								<p>  "The G'Quan Eth plant, yes?" responds Londo.  "Difficult to

								grow, expensive to transport, very expensive to own, but so very

								important to you at this festive time."  G'Kar reluctantly tells

								Londo that he wants to buy the G'Quan Eth plant.  Londo replies

								that he's been saving the plant for a "special occasion"--he

								explains to G'Kar that when the G'Quan Eth's seeds are dropped

								into a mixture of alcohol, the results can be quite ...

								enjoyable.  G'Kar grimaces, but Londo continues, "It's a shame

								you Narns waste them, burning them as incense."  G'Kar angrily

								interrupts Londo and asks how much Londo is willing to sell the

								plant for; Londo replies, "You are asking for quite a sacrifice

								from me, but in the interstellar peace and friendship, ummm,

								fifty thousand commercial credits, in cash, in advance."  G'Kar

								is enraged, but when he tells Londo that that price is an

								outrage, Londo simply responds, "Of course it's an outrage.  The

								question is, how important is your religious ceremony to you?"

								G'Kar leaves quite angrily amid Londo's loud laughing.

								<p>  On the Gold Channel transmission, Hidoshi tells Sinclair

								that Earth has been hearing reports of an illegal strike on

								Babylon 5.  Sinclair claims that those reports are exaggerated,

								though he does admit that there's a problem.  Hidoshi replies

								that such a strike would endanger B5 and would set a bad

								precedent for all of Earth's off-world interests.  Hidoshi tells

								Sinclair that the Senate has sent Orin Zento ("our best labor

								negotiator," according to Hidoshi, "[who] has stopped this kind

								of thing before on many of our stations") to B5--he will be there

								within twelve hours.  "I expect you to give him your full

								cooperation, and that includes providing troops if he decides the

								Rush Act is necessary."  Sinclair responds that it would be

								dangerous to invoke the Rush Act on a station with more than one

								thousand dock workers; Hidoshi replies that the presence of so

								many dock workers is another "reason to end this thing decisively

								before it spreads."

								<p>  When Zento arrives on B5, Sinclair schedules him for a

								meeting with Connally.  Zento tells Sinclair that he wants to

								speak with Garibaldi; Zento wants to be ready in case he must

								invoke the Rush Act.

								<p>  Meanwhile, G'Kar calls Londo and tells him that he has

								arranged payment for the G'Quan Eth.  Londo, however, tells G'Kar

								that he has changed his mind--the G'Quan Eth is no longer for

								sale.  "Consider this a small--a very tiny--portion of revenge

								for what you did to our colony on Ragesh 3, and to my nephew.

								Did you think that I had forgotten that?"

								<p>  G'Kar, in his quarters, is enraged at Londo.  After Londo

								closes the communication channel, G'Kar yells, "I'll kill him

								with my bare hands.... Sinclair can only kick my off the station

								[because of diplomatic immunity].  He might even thank me!"

								After he calms down, he begins talking with Na'Toth.  He knows

								she's not a follower of G'Quan; she explains that her father

								followed a different religious figure than G'Quan, and her mother

								"didn't believe in much of anything."  She explains that she only

								believes in herself.  Eventually, G'Kar explains that there's

								still one thing he can do to get the G'Quan Eth; though he says

								that he hates having to use this plan, it's the only option

								remaining.  He tells Na'Toth that there's something she can do to

								help him, however, in case his plan fails.  Na'Toth agrees to

								help.

								<p>  Orin Zento arrives at a gathering of the dock workers, who

								don't take particularly well to Zento's assurances that he

								"understands" their situation.  When Zento tells the workers that

								if they abide by their contracts and return to work, Earth

								Central will look into the workers' problems; Connally, however,

								replies that the workers' "problems" have already killed a man,

								and as the elected representative of the workers, she can't allow

								that to happen again.  Zento claims that despite the recent

								accident, the government experts assure him that there are enough

								dock workers on B5 for the next few years and that the workers

								already have adequate equipment.  The workers react badly to this

								line of argument, however--the foreman, whose brother was killed,

								replies, "... you can damn well get your 'experts' to run [the]

								docks."  Just as tempers begin to get hot, Sinclair suggests that

								a recess be called and that the negotiations continue the

								following day.  Both parties agree.

								<p>  Sinclair, back in his quarters, suddenly gets a message from

								Zento.  Zento tells him that he's heard rumors that the workers

								have abandoned their pretense of being "sick" and have officially

								declared a strike.  Sinclair tells Zento that he's sure the

								rumors are no more than mere rumors, but Zento brusquely

								responds, "Don't play games with me, Sinclair.  I know all about

								you.  You've let this situation escalate out of all proportion,

								and you can bet the Senate's going to get a full report."  Zento

								warns that if Connally and the workers continue to strike, Zento

								will invoke the Rush Act.  Further, Zento warns that Sinclair's

								troops "had better be ready" to enforce the Act.

								<p>  Just as Zento closes the channel, the communicator beeps

								again.  This time, G'Kar is on the channel--he says that he must

								meet with Sinclair to discuss a very important matter.  Sinclair

								agrees, but only after G'Kar notes that he "wouldn't want to

								burden" Sinclair further by raising this matter before an entire

								assembly of the council.

								<p>  Sinclair arrives at the council chambers to meet with G'Kar.

								"Are you telling me this is about a flower?" asks Sinclair after

								G'Kar explains the situation.

								<p>  "Not just a flower, commander.  The very symbol of my

								faith," replies G'Kar.  He explains that all followers of G'Quan

								must perform a ritual using the G'Quan Eth plant at a particular

								time in the year ("when our sun rises precisely behind the G'Quan

								Mountain," says G'Kar, who also explains that people who aren't

								on the Narn homeworld must observe this ritual at the same time

								as those who *are* on the homeworld).  Each year, the people who

								celebrate must acquire a new G'Quan Eth plant for the ritual--and

								now, the only person on B5 with a G'Quan Eth is Ambassador

								Mollari.  Because this ritual is the most important of G'Kar's

								beliefs, because G'Kar is the highest ranking member of his faith

								aboard B5 (and must therefore provide the G'Quan Eth to followers

								of G'Quan on B5), and because G'Kar feels that it is sacrilege

								for Londo to possess a G'Quan Eth (for the plant rightfully

								belongs to the Narn, according to G'Kar, and was stolen from the

								Narn homeworld during the Centauri occupation), he asks Sinclair

								to help him.  Sinclair agrees to attempt to help G'Kar.

								<p>  To try to get the G'Quan Eth plant for G'Kar, Sinclair

								visits Londo.  Londo, however, refuses to give the plant to

								G'Kar:  "You know I would do anything for you, my good friend,

								Commander Sinclair--but not this.... This isn't about ...

								spiritual beliefs.  G'Kar is only worried about losing face.  The

								Narns--they're a barbaric people.  They're all pagans, still

								worshipping their sun.  No, I would rather burn the plant than

								give it to him."  Sinclair leaves, and tells G'Kar--who has been

								waiting outside--that he's sorry, but that Londo would not

								listen.  Sinclair, at that moment, is called to the briefing room

								by Ivanova.  As the commander walks away, G'Kar calls Na'Toth and

								tells her, "Proceed!"

								<p>  At the briefing room, Zento and Connally are again arguing.

								The talks are obviously getting nowhere; Zento says that he

								refuses to accommodate illegal strikers, and when he tells

								Connally that he strongly recommends that she send her people

								back to work, she simply replies, "Stuff it!"  Zento says that he

								refuses to "pander to these people anymore"--he says that after

								he receives confirmation from the Senate (which he claims he'll

								have within the hour), he will invoke the Rush Act.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/negotiation.gif">

								Zento and Connally argue.

								<p>  On the way to the docking bay, Sinclair urges Connally to

								try to end this matter peacefully by sending her people back to

								work.  She says she's sorry that this whole thing had to happen

								on B5, but she also maintains that it's too late for the workers

								to back down--they're tired of the abuses and they will finally

								stand up for their rights.

								<p>  On the Observation Dome, the reporter from ISN (cf:

								<a href="/lurk/synops/004.html">"Infection"</a>)

								is trying to get Sinclair to comment on the labor

								situation.  When Londo and G'Kar suddenly arrive, screaming at

								one another (Londo demands that Sinclair arrest G'Kar, for he

								claims G'Kar has stolen a statue of a Centauri deity; G'Kar

								responds that he has been in the presence of witnesses for the

								past few hours and has not stolen anything; Londo replies that

								G'Kar's "attack dog, Na'Toth," must have stolen it--but on

								G'Kar's orders), Sinclair gets rather annoyed at the

								disturbances.  He tells Londo, G'Kar, and the reporter to leave

								the observation dome immediately (and threatens that if they

								don't leave, he'll place them in the brig).  Londo claims that

								he's going to file an official protest, while G'Kar says that

								he's going to file *two* official protests.

								<p>  Just as everyone leaves, Garibaldi enters.  At that moment,

								Senator Hidoshi calls in.  Hidoshi tells Sinclair that--though

								Hidoshi would personally want Sinclair to handle the situation as

								Sinclair best sees fit--Zento has convinced a majority of the

								Senate to invoke the Rush Act.  When Sinclair replies that the

								only possible result of the Rush Act can be a violent

								confrontation, Hidoshi says that he knows that--and he fears that

								a violent confrontation is exactly what some people want.

								Sinclair reluctantly tells Garibaldi to mobilize his troops, and

								asks Ivanova to bring him the full text of the Senate order.

								<p>  Down in the docking bay, when the workers find out that the

								Senate has invoked the Rush Act, they are angered but are

								prepared to defend themselves.  When Garibaldi arrives with a few

								security officers, a fight breaks out.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/riot.gif">

								The workers riot.

								<p> Amid the fight, Connally

								is arrested and dragged away by Garibaldi.  As Garibaldi leaves

								the docking bay, he meets Sinclair and tells him that the

								security forces are ready to flood the bay with a somniferous gas

								and arrest the dock workers while they're asleep.  Both Sinclair

								and Connally are angered by the fight, and both claim that they

								wanted to avoid this confrontation.  Garibaldi, however, points

								out that the fight was started by the foreman whose brother was

								killed; the foreman, according to Garibaldi, threw the first

								punch.  Sinclair tells Garibaldi to have his men to pull out of

								the docking bay.  When Sinclair enters the docking bay, the

								workers temporarily calm down and let Sinclair speak.

								<p>  "Under the Rush Act," begins Sinclair, "the Senate has

								empowered me to end this strike.  I'm authorized to use any means

								necessary."  After confirming this fact with Zento, and after

								Sinclair is assured that he has Zento's full support, Sinclair

								explains what "necessary means" he's going to use to stop the

								strike:  First, Sinclair will reallocate 1.3 million credits from

								B5's military budget in order to begin necessary upgrades of

								docking equipment and to start hiring more workers.  Second,

								Sinclair will declare a complete amnesty for dock workers who

								have struck but who have committed no other crime.  Zento angrily

								protests, but Sinclair comments that it was Zento who allowed

								Sinclair to use these means by convincing the Senate to invoke

								the Rush Act:  "You should never hand someone a gun unless you're

								sure where they'll point it," says Sinclair.  Sinclair adds that

								no charges will be pressed against the workers who were involved

								in the fight against the security officers; on this point,

								Garibaldi and the foreman shake hands.  Sinclair finishes by

								saying that all of these actions are dependent upon the workers'

								returning to work immediately; Connally agrees, and the workers

								begin work again.  As the workers get back to work, Zento angrily

								tells Sinclair, "You know damn well you twisted the intent of

								that order, and you won't get away with it."

								<p>  "I think Ms. Connally said it best the other day--'stuff

								it!'" replies Sinclair.  Connally thanks Sinclair and apologizes

								for underestimating him.

								<p>  After Connally leaves, Garibaldi politely tells Sinclair,

								"You look like week-old bread.  Why don't you get some sleep?"

								<p>  Just then, however, Ivonova calls Sinclair and tells him

								that he'd better come quickly because--"G'Kar and Londo are

								approximately half an inch from killing each other," she says.

								<p>  When Sinclair arrives, he tells G'Kar to return Londo's

								statue.  G'Kar protests--he still claims he never stole the

								statue--but Sinclair isn't in the mood for games.  Next, he tells

								Londo that dangerous chemical composition of the G'Quan Eth plant

								makes it illegal to possess except for legitimate medical or

								religious purposes.  Londo laughs, saying that the plant is no

								more harmful than a bottle of Earth whiskey; Sinclair merely

								tells him to file an official protest if he wishes--but to turn

								over the plant anyway.  Sinclair mentions that Londo will be

								fully compensated for the plant, of course.  Londo, at length,

								agrees.  "I have already gotten my enjoyment from it anyway,"

								says Londo.  After Londo leaves, Sinclair tells G'Kar that once

								Londo's statue is returned, Sinclair will turn over the G'Quan

								Eth plant to G'Kar--of course, G'Kar will compensate Londo for

								it.

								<p>  "Why should I turn the statue over--assuming that I knew

								where it was--when it's already too late for the ceremony?

								Mollari knows that--that's why he gave in so easily."

								<p>  Sinclair tells G'Kar that light travels through space.

								Therefore, although the ritual must be performed in the sunlight

								that has touched the G'Quan mountain at a particular time, and

								although that particular time has already passed this year, the

								light that touched the G'Quan mountain ten years ago will reach

								the station in a few hours.  "[The light has] been on a long

								journey, but it's still the same sunlight.  Good enough for you

								to conduct your ceremony--wouldn't you agree?"

								<p>  "Yes, it might be.  Commander, you are a far more spiritual

								man than I gave you credit for," replies G'Kar.

								<p>

								<img align="middle"

								src="/lurk/gif/012/spiritual.gif">

								"You are a far more spiritual man..."

								<p>  "There are a couple of Jesuit teachers I know who might

								disagree with you," says Sinclair.  When Sinclair reminds G'Kar

								to return the Centauri statue, G'Kar replies that he's sure a

								careful search will turn it up.  As Sinclair leaves, smiling

								broadly, G'Kar thanks him.

								<p>  Sinclair returns to his quarters and instructs his computer

								to hold all transmissions; however, when the computer replies

								that there is one transmission holding, Sinclair tells the

								computer to send the message through.  The message is from

								Hidoshi, who tells Sinclair that he admires what Sinclair has

								done on B5 concerning the labor situation--however, the Senate

								doesn't.  In this instance, however, the Senate has allowed

								Sinclair's decision to stand without comment--because public

								opinion is on Sinclair's side.  Hidoshi tells Sinclair that he

								sympathizes with his decision--and is glad to see the discomfort

								it has caused some of his colleagues (for Hidoshi's grandfather

								was a dock worker himself).  He is calling just to warn Sinclair

								that Zento has powerful friends, and that by embarrassing Zento,

								Sinclair has made new enemies in the government.  "If I were you,

								commander, I would watch things very carefully.  You are not the

								most popular person in government circles right now."

								<p>  After Hidoshi closes the communication, Sinclair says to

								himself, "So, what else is new?" and finally goes to sleep.

								<p>  Meanwhile, G'Kar is successfully carrying out his religious

								ceremony.  "The gift of time, the gift of life, the gift of

								wisdom, the gift of light.  For these things, were are thankful.

								For these things, we pray," says G'Kar, solemnly, and the

								ceremony continues, thanks to Commander Sinclair.

								<p>

								Shawn Bayern

								<em>bayern@cshl.org</em>

								<hr>

								Copyright 1994, Shawn Bayern.  All rights reserved.  Permission is

								granted to distribute this synopsis <strong>noncommercially</strong> as long as

								the synopsis and this copyright notice remain intact.  Babylon 5 is

								a copyright of the PTN Consortium; no infringement of that

								copyright is intended by writing these synopses.