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590 lines
27 KiB
590 lines
27 KiB
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<h3>Synopsis by Matthew Murray (i9717029@unicorn.it.wsu.edu)</h3>
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<p>
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On Centauri Prime, the Centauri emperor prepares for his voyage off the
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homeworld. His prime minister plans to go with him -- citing the
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emperor's poor health -- but the emperor
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declines; the prime minister is next in line of authority and needs
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to remain behind in case of a crisis.
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"What I must do," the emperor explains, "cannot wait
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any longer." Before the emperor leaves, he tells the prime minister
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how much he appreciates him, and that he seldom shows the gratitude he
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should. Followed by four veiled Centauri women, the emperor leaves the
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throne room.
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<p>
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Ambassador G'Kar attempts to convince Captain Sheridan that inviting
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the Centauri emperor to Babylon 5 is unacceptable to the Narns, because
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of what his family did to them. Sheridan tries to tell G'Kar that
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this emperor has gone out of his way to be nice to the Narns, but G'kar
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dismisses it as a technicality. Sheridan tells G'Kar that the
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resentment the Narn have against the Centauri is not his problem, and
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that everyone is welcome aboard the station, including the emperor.
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Sheridan tells G'Kar that he should use the opportunity to open a
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dialogue with the emperor, but G'Kar refuses to listen. As he leaves,
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Sheridan tells him not to do something he will regret. "It's too late
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for that, Captain. Too late by far."
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<p>
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A group of Centauri ships come through the jump gate as a frequent
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visitor to Babylon 5 over the last several months arrives on the
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station. The guard asks him if there is anything he can do to assist,
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but as soon as the man sees Garibaldi, he replies that he's found what
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he's looking for, and leaves.
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<p>
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Londo meets with Refa, who details what Londo is to do when he meets
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with the Centauri emperor. Londo is to deliver a carefully planned
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speech, which discusses the decline of the Centauri government and the
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need for change, and contains several predictions about the economy and the
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military that Refa has already arranged to come to pass. Refa's plan
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is to make the emperor look weak and short-sighted. Though Londo
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realizes this will not endear him to the emperor and his court, Refa
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explains that the emperor's health is very poor, and he is not
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expected to live much longer. Refa tells Londo that, if they don't
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take the opportunity that now presents itself, they may not be in
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the proper position when the time comes. Refa leaves Londo to study
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the speech. Vir, who had been watching the proceedings, is made
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uncomfortable by the situation, and tells Londo so when he asks.
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"Then, for once," says Londo, "we have something in common."
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<p>
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The emperor's ship arrives and docks. The command crew of Babylon 5, in
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full dress, is in the docking bay to meet him. The emperor offers
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Sheridan the hands of friendship, which Sheridan accepts. After
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introductions are complete, the emperor tells him that he is very
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impressed with their choice to risk great dangers in order to achieve
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peace. Sheridan offers to begin the tour, but the emperor interrupts,
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asking Dr. Franklin about Ambassador Kosh, as he has never seen a
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Vorlon before. He is curious because the Centauri have sent many
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expeditions into Vorlon space, but none have returned, and he wants to
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know more about the stories he has heard.
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/emperor-arrive.gif"> The Emperor arrives.
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<p>
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G'Kar is communicating with Karmok, a Narn government official, who
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tells him that the Ka-Ri endorsed G'Kar's plans. G'Kar asks when the
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best time would be to perform the act, and Karmok tells him that he
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should do it at the reception. Karmok asks if G'Kar is sure he wants
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to do it, but G'Kar insists he is. "It is a strange feeling, Karmok,
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to know suddenly that all the decisions in your life have brought you
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to this place. There is no longer doubt or uncertainty. The future
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now consists of only three probablities." He opens a box sitting
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nearby, and removes a shiny dagger from within. "In the moment that I
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strike, the emperor and I will both die. Or, he will die and I will
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spend my life in prison. Or, I will fail and be killed. For the first
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time in my life, the path is clear."
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<p>
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Sheridan joins the emperor in an observation dome.
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The emperor asks why Sheridan decided to join
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EarthForce. Sheridan says that it was his choice, that he joined
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before war, when a draft was instated. Sheridan says that he
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wanted to make a difference, and asks why the emperor is so
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interested. The emperor responds by saying he never made a choice in
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his life because all of his actions had been predetermined, and that he
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never thought he had to choose otherwise. He wonders what may
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have happened had he done so.
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<p>
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Sheridan offers his perspective. "That's why my father taught me to live
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each second as though it were the last moment of my life. If you love,
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love without reservation. If you fight, fight without fear. He called
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it the way of the warrior." Sheridan admits that he has only a few
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regrets, but the emperor says he has many more, and that he has lost
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and forgotten most of his life. The emperor says, even though most of
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his life has slipped away, and most of his options are gone, there
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still is the opportunity to do something that can make a difference,
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and he will not let it slip by. Meanwhile, the man who arrived aboard
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Babylon 5 earlier is standing in the corridor, watching and listening
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as Garibaldi makes security plans for the emperor's reception.
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<p>
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As the reception for the emperor begins, G'Kar is in his quarters,
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preparing for the task which lies before him. "I take this action," he
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dictates into a machine, "without the knowledge or permission of my
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government. Neither should my aide, Na'Toth, be held accountable for
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my actions. The responsibility is mine alone. I ask that my remains
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and my personal property be sent back to Narn--to my family. My copy
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of the Book of G'Quan I leave to Na'Toth, with the hope of her eventual
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enlightenment."
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/gkar-will.gif"> G'Kar makes out his will.
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<p>
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At the reception, Sheridan asks Ivanova about the veiled Centauri women
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who follow the emperor around. Ivanova explains that they are
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telepaths, always linked to the emperor. Two go with him at all times,
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and two remain at home at all times. Since all four can see and hear
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what the others see and hear, the emperor can be kept apprised of what
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is going on at home, while his court can learn what he is doing
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abroad. Ivanova asks Sheridan if he knows what the emperor's important
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speech is about. Sheridan tells her that he doesn't know, and that he
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hoped it would bring Ambassador Kosh to the reception, but Kosh is not
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present. One visitor they did not expect to see, however, G'Kar,
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arrives and promises Sheridan that he will listen to the emperor.
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<p>
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Nearby, the man following Garibaldi is finally captured. Garibaldi
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demands to know why he has been following him. He says he needs to talk
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to Garibaldi, but before he has a
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chance to explain, several other security guards arrive. Though
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pressed to say something, the man remains silent and is taken away by
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the guards.
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/stranger.gif"> "I need to talk to you."
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<p>
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The emperor and his train proceed to the reception, and G'Kar prepares
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the dagger he has brought along. Delenn sees this, but G'Kar moves away
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as she walks toward him. In a corridor, as the emperor walks, his face suddenly
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contorts and he clutches his chest as he falls. The Centauri with him,
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including the telepaths, turn in alarm. Dr. Franklin rushes out of
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the reception to help. On the Centauri homeworld, the remaining two
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telepaths enter the throne room and approach the prime minister, who is
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talking with two Minbari, and another gentleman who appears to be
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human. The prime minister rises in alarm, as if he knows what has happened
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aboard Babylon 5.
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<p>
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In MedLab, Dr. Franklin is alone with the bedridden emperor, who gives him an
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important message to deliver, something that can't be entrusted to another
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Centauri.
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<p>
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Londo and Vir meet with Refa again. Refa tells Londo that their
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competitors are preparing to take power as soon as the emperor dies.
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But Refa wants to prevent that. He tells Londo that they need to do
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something extraordinary, something to assure their side gains power.
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Londo remembers something Morden told him long ago. "He said, 'Just
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pick a target...'" Refa asks Londo what he means, and Londo explains.
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"I believe there is a Narn colony on the border of Centauri space,
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quadrant 14." The very mention of this makes Vir uneasy, but Londo and
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Refa brush it off. Refa tells Londo that the colony is a listening
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post the Narns have used for many years to spy on them, but that the
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planet should be ours. "Well then," Londo says, "let us take it
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back!" Refa claims it would require a major assault, costing many
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lives, but Londo says that he will take care of it, and tells Refa
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to send some Centauri military vessels to quadrant 14. Refa doesn't
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see how that will help, but Londo says it will be enough. Refa, though
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still unconvinced, tells Londo that he will see to it, and leaves.
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Londo turns to Vir. "Find Mr. Morden. Bring him here." Vir begs
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Londo to reconsider his actions, and to just listen to him this once.
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He tries to tell Londo that once he does this, he cannot turn back.
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Londo claims that he has no choice, and then tells Vir that, if he does
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not find Morden, he will do so himself.
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/londo-refa.gif"> "Let us take it back!"
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<p>
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"No. No, I'll go," says Vir. "I'll go, and I'll bring him back. And some
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day I'm
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going to remind you of this conversation. And maybe then...then you'll
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understand."
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<p>
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"I understand... just fine," Londo says. "By this time tomorrow, we
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will be at war with the Narns. May the Great Maker forgive me."
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<p>
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G'Kar is in his quarters, again speaking with Karmok, telling him how
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upset he is that he didn't get a chance to assassinate the emperor.
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His door chimes; it's Dr. Franklin.
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G'Kar tells Karmok that he may soon have another opportunity, and
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quickly cuts off the communication. He lets Dr. Franklin in.
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Franklin tells
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him that he just saw the emperor. G'Kar asks how the emperor is, and tells
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Franklin he was anxious to meet him. Franklin tells him that the emperor had a
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message for him. At first, G'Kar doesn't want to hear the message, but
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he changes his mind when Franklin says, "He wanted to say
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he's sorry." Franklin continues. "He came all the way out here, risked
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his health, and endangered his life, so that he could stand beside a
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Narn in neutral territory and apologize for all the things the Centauri
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have done to your people. For all the things his family did. He said,
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'We were wrong. The hatred between our people can never end until
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someone is willing to say, I'm sorry, and try to find a way to make
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things right again, to atone for our actions.' He said it was the only
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choice he ever made in his life, and now that seems to have been taken
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away from him." This news strikes G'Kar deeply, and he says he had no
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idea that the emperor had come for that reason. "No, I'm sure you
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didn't," answers Franklin. "Maybe that's the biggest tragedy of the whole
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damn story."
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<p>
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Londo is asleep. As he is dreaming, he hears himself say, "Keep this
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up, G'Kar, and soon you won't have a planet to protect!" He sees a
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contigent of Narn fighters destroying the space station at Ragesh 3. Within
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seconds, that dissolves, and...
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<p>
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...He sees a great, fiery star with a hand emerging from it, reaching
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toward something...
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<p>
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...He sees Centauri Prime from orbit...
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<p>
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...He finds himself standing on the dusty or sandy surface of a planet,
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shielding his eyes from the
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sun as a group of Shadow ships fly overhead...
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/dream1.gif">
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/dream2.gif">
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<p>
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...He stands, dressed in ceremonial clothing, his head bowed, as a
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crown is placed upon his head...
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/dream3.gif">
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<p>
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...He sits on a large throne, dressed in elaborate white clothes. He
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is aged, decrepit, and ill. Surveying
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his surroundings, he sees a Narn, his face aged and wrinkled,
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wrapped in a dark cloth. It is G'Kar...
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/dream4.gif">
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/dream5.gif">
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<p>
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...Londo once again sees the great hand, stretching further and further
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from the star, grasping at something...
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<p>
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...He is back in the throne room, in a struggle with G'Kar. They are
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both trying to strangle
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each other. Londo begins losing the struggle, and he begins to fall
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back, as...
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<p>
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...he wakes up. He is quite disoriented, and picks up a small clock
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nearby, to check the
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time. "It has begun," he says.
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<p>
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At the Narn colony in quadrant 14, all is quiet as several Narn ships
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patrol the area. Without warning, three Shadow ships appear and begin
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firing at the Narn ships. The Narns put up a valiant fight, but can
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seemingly not even scratch the defenses of the enemy. The Shadow
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ships move toward the planet, destroying everything, and anything, in
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their way. The smaller Narn ships are all destroyed attempting to
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protect the planet. As the three Shadow ships arrive near the planet,
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a fourth appears and helps the others attack the colony on the planet,
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and the station orbiting it. After all has been destroyed, the four
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ships leave the vicinity, vanishing as they do so.
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=150 height=112
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src="/lurk/gif/031/attack3.gif">
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/attack4.gif">
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<a href="/lurk/ftp/Clips/2explos.avi"><img align=middle src="/lurk/gif/movie.xbm"
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alt="[Movie]"></a>
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<p>
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Refa and Londo are walking through Babylon 5. Londo tells Refa that
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the Narn will be learning of what happened soon enough, and that
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Centauri forces can move in at any time. Refa says that he will have
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to move quickly as well, as he has something to take care of at home.
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He tells Londo it is an obstacle that must be removed, but he refuses
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to elaborate when Londo asks what it is. Refa leaves as G'Kar appears
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and addresses Londo in a threatening tone. Londo tries to explain, but
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before he has a chance to explain or escape, G'Kar drops the gruff
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facade and pulls Londo over to a nearby bar, where he buys him a
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drink. "I've heard something that makes me think there is still hope
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for us after all," G'Kar tells him. "I believed your people capable of
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only murder and pain. But, apparently, there is still a spark of
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decency in your genetic code. It's not much of a foundation, I'll
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grant you that, but it's a start!" The drinks arrive and they toast.
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"I never thought I would be saying this Mollari, but, to the health of
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your emperor. And, perhaps, to your health as well." Londo painfully
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accepts the toast, and thanks G'Kar, visibly shaken. They both drink.
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<p>
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Several large Centauri warships create a jump point and emerge near
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the destroyed colony
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just as several smaller Narn ships arrive and see the damage
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that has been done. They do not know what happened, but they quickly
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see the Centauri ships there. The Narn communicate this to the
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homeworld and prepare to attack the Centauri warships. The fighting
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begins, and several of the Narn ships are destroyed.
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/battle.gif"> The battle is joined.
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<p>
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The Centauri prime minister stands quietly near the throne on Centauri
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Prime, thinking. He begins to walk away, but is stopped by four
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Centauri as he attempts to leave. They say nothing. The prime
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minister tries to call his guards, but before he can, one of the four
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thrusts a dagger deep into him, and he falls to the floor, dead.
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<p>
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Garibaldi is in his office, exhausted, when another security officer
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enters, telling him that the prisoner wants to speak with him.
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Garibaldi refuses at first, but the officer says the prisoner claims it's
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important. The prisoner enters. Garibaldi tells him that he has
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five minutes, and the man explains. "I was sent to find you. I have a
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message for you." He puts a data crystal on Garibaldi's desk. "I
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believe it will explain everything." Garibaldi is reluctant at first,
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but he puts the crystal into his player and starts it.
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<p>
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The screens light up, showing the face of Ambassador Jeffrey Sinclair.
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"Hello, old friend," Sinclair says. "It's been a while. I'm trusting
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this message to an associate of mine who is sworn to bring it to you at
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any cost--including his own life. My job on the Minbari homeworld is
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more than just representing Earth. The President doesn't know about
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that part yet, and...I don't think it would be wise of you to tell
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him. There's a great darkness coming, Michael. Some of the Minbari
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have been waiting for it a long time."
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<p>
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In C&C, Ivanova reports to Sheridan that they intercepted an open
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message sent from the Narn homeworld to G'Kar, reporting about the
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assault on the Narn colony in quadrant 14. This upsets and angers
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Sheridan greatly.
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<p>
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"The bearer of this message," Sinclair continues, "is one of my
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rangers. Some are Minbari. Most are humans. They have been drawn
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here to learn to work together and prepare for the fight ahead."
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Garibaldi pauses the message, and the ranger explains that they have
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been on Babylon 5 for nearly two months. He says they are an army, and
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that they are growing. Garibaldi asks if this army's weapons are coming
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through the station, and the ranger says no, but that they do have
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friends, and that he can say no more. Garibaldi continues the
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message. "Their job, for now, is to patrol the frontier, to listen, to
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watch, and to return with reports too sensitive to trust to regular
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channels. They are my eyes and ears. Where you see them, you see me."
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<p>
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<img align=middle width=128 height=96
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src="/lurk/gif/031/ranger.gif"> The ranger watches the message.
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<p>
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Karmok reports to G'Kar that the Narn ships they sent saw the Centauri
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warships lead the assault. G'Kar asks what happened to the inhabitants
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of the colony. Karmok tells him that most died within the first few
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minutes of the attack, but that, if there are survivors, they are
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probably going to be enslaved by the Centauri forever, now that they
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are in control. Karmok quickly breaks off the communication, wondering
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how the Centauri were able to so easily break through their defenses.
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G'Kar turns away slowly from the monitor, shaking his fist in rage. "I
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reached out my hand, and he betrayed me. He <em>knew! And he betrayed
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me!</em>" He flings his arm across a nearby table, throwing everything on
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the table onto the floor. His rage growing, he wrenches the table from
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its legs and the throws it to the ground, where it breaks in two.
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<p>
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"In the name of our friendship," Sinclair concludes, "I ask that you
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give them every courtesy and cooperation. I wish I could tell you
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more...I wish I could warn you. But the others don't think it's time
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yet. Stay close to the Vorlon, and watch out for shadows. They
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move when you're not looking." The message ends, and as
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Garibaldi turns to the ranger, he receives a call on his commlink
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telling him that help is needed in the ambassadorial wing. The
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communication suddenly breaks off.
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<p>
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G'Kar bursts down the hall, his eyes burning. He knocks to the ground
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everyone who gets in his way. His voice filled with anger, he
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shouts, "Mollari! <em>Mollari!</em>" Sheridan and several security guards
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intercept him. Sheridan tells him that, if he returns to his quarters,
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they will not press charges. G'Kar pleads. "They're doing it to us again.
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Step
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aside, Sheridan. I won't let this happen. <em>Not again!</em>"
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=middle width=150 height=112
|
|
src="/lurk/gif/031/again.gif"> "They're doing it to us again."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Sheridan
|
|
offers to help G'Kar, but warns him that, should he
|
|
attempt to attack Londo, he will either be killed or sent off the
|
|
station, and that he can't help the other Narns either way. G'Kar
|
|
shouts that the Centauri will kill everyone unless he does something.
|
|
Sheridan tells him to decide what is more important: getting revenge
|
|
against Londo, or saving the lives of many Narns. Making his decision,
|
|
G'Kar gathers up all his energy for one final strike. The security
|
|
guards prepare to fire if necessary, but G'Kar slams into a wall and
|
|
falls down beside it. Sheridan and the other security guards leave him
|
|
alone, in pain, to think.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=middle width=128 height=96
|
|
src="/lurk/gif/031/alone.gif"> Defeat.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
In MedLab, the Centauri emperor tries to speak to Franklin, but
|
|
Franklin tells him to take it easy and save his strength. Franklin
|
|
asks if there is anything he can do to help, and the emperor tells him
|
|
that he very much wanted to see a Vorlon. Dr. Franklin smiles and steps
|
|
aside. The emperor turns his head, but seconds later, his face is
|
|
covered by a shadow. He looks up to see Ambassador Kosh standing over
|
|
his bed. "How will this end?" the emperor asks.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"In fire," Kosh intones.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Garibaldi tells Sheridan and Ivanova what he learned, but does not
|
|
reveal the source. Ivanova asks him why he believes he can trust
|
|
whoever told him this, and Garibaldi says that the source comes
|
|
"highly recommended." Sheridan asks Garibaldi why he is holding
|
|
something back, and Garibaldi tells him that he made a
|
|
promise. Sheridan has a hard time accepting the information Garibaldi
|
|
presents, and threatens to order Garibaldi to talk, but Garibaldi
|
|
refuses, knowing that, if he did so, Sheridan would not be able to
|
|
trust him again, because someone higher in the chain of command than
|
|
Sheridan could order him to talk as well. Sheridan accepts this, and
|
|
Garibaldi continues. "Ever since New Years, we've been hearing about
|
|
some other major race on the prowl. My source tells me the rumors are
|
|
true, and there may be some link to the Centauri government. Now, who
|
|
or what that link is, I don't know, but they're definitely getting
|
|
support."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"And you think this other race was behind the assault on quadrant 14?"
|
|
asks Ivanova.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"It's possible," replies Garibaldi.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Sheridan tells them that, if that is true, their enemy wouldn't want
|
|
anyone else to know. Ivanova tells him that all they have is
|
|
supposition, but Sheridan says it is a good idea to make your opponent
|
|
think you know more than you actually do. "Now, if your source is
|
|
right, we may be able to play a bluff," Sheridan tells Garibaldi.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
In MedLab, Refa, Londo, and the emperor's entourage stand around the
|
|
emperor's bed. Refa tells the emperor that they retook the Narn colony
|
|
and that not one Centauri was hurt or killed in doing so. Their
|
|
homeworld is rejoicing, and the Centauri are powerful again, but he
|
|
wants the emperor's blessing. He leans in close, but the
|
|
emperor tells him nothing. The emperor points to Londo, who leans
|
|
in. The emperor whispers something to him, then
|
|
dies. Refa asks what the emperor said, and Londo tells him, "He said,
|
|
'Continue. Take my people back...to the stars.'" The two Centauri
|
|
telepaths, who had been watching, look at each other and then walk
|
|
away. Londo and Refa follow, but Refa stops Londo in the hall, asking
|
|
him what the emperor really said. "He said," Londo answers, with great
|
|
difficulty, "that we are both damned."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=middle width=128 height=96
|
|
src="/lurk/gif/031/dying.gif"> The Emperor lies dying.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Well," Refa tells him, "it's a small enough price to pay for
|
|
immortality." Laughing, he walks away, leaving Londo alone in the
|
|
hall.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
G'Kar is back in his quarters, facing the wall, when the door opens and
|
|
Sheridan enters. He tells G'Kar that he thinks he knows how Earth may
|
|
be able to help, and that he has called a council meeting to discuss recent
|
|
events. As Sheridan leaves, G'Kar tells him that he will attend the
|
|
meeting. "Thank you... for stopping me."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=middle width=128 height=96
|
|
src="/lurk/gif/031/thanks.gif"> "Thank you..."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
At the council meeting, Sheridan addresses Londo, asking what will
|
|
happen to the Narn civilians on the colony. Londo says the Centauri can't allow
|
|
them to return to the Narn homeworld, but says that he is sure his
|
|
government will find them something productive to do. Delenn tells him she
|
|
thinks he means forced slavery, but Londo claims they have no desire to
|
|
misuse anyone. G'Kar enters, and takes his seat at the council table.
|
|
Sheridan tells Londo that he has received permission from Earth to send
|
|
observers to the colony to check on the civilians, to make sure they
|
|
aren't mistreated. Londo tells Sheridan the observers are not welcome, but
|
|
Sheridan doesn't care. He tells Londo he shouldn't try shooting down
|
|
an EarthForce ship; though Earth isn't looking for another war,
|
|
it will shoot back if fired upon. Sheridan tells Londo that the observers
|
|
will check on the survivors and put together a full report, including
|
|
as much as they can learn about how the colony was so easily defeated.
|
|
This disturbs Londo, who tells the council that he thinks he can convince the
|
|
Centauri government to allow the civilians to return to the Narn
|
|
homeworld, as long as no observers are sent to the colony. Sheridan
|
|
agrees, and tells him, "I'm sure your gesture of goodwill will be
|
|
appreciated for what it is...Ambassador." Delenn asks G'Kar to
|
|
speak.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Before coming here," G'Kar says, "I received a communique from my
|
|
government. For a hundred years, the Centauri occupied our
|
|
world. Devestated it. We swore we would never let that happen again.
|
|
This attack on our largest civilian colony has inflicted terrible
|
|
damage and loss of life. They've crossed a line we cannot allow them
|
|
to cross. As a result, two hours ago my government officially declared
|
|
war against the Centauri Republic. Our hope for peace is over. We are
|
|
now at war...we are now at war."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Refa tells Londo and Vir that the death of the Centauri prime minister
|
|
changed the balance of power on the Centauri homeworld, neutralizing
|
|
the other powerful families, and leaving the emperor's nephew, who is
|
|
on the side of Londo and Refa, the successor to the throne. Refa
|
|
tries to give his cup to Vir, who just glares at him. Refa continues.
|
|
"For the first time in a
|
|
hundred years, Ambassador, our people are on the right track again, and
|
|
we have you to thank for it. You will find the emperor's
|
|
gratitude...most rewarding." Refa bids them farewell and leaves.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=middle width=128 height=96
|
|
src="/lurk/gif/031/success.gif"> "Our people are on the right track again."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"I'm surprised," Vir tells Londo after Refa leaves. "You could have
|
|
asked to be named to the royal court. It would have put you in a
|
|
position to become emperor yourself one day. That's what you want,
|
|
isn't it?"
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Londo thinks back, recalling his recent dream of being crowned and
|
|
then, many years later, being strangled by G'Kar. "No. I have no
|
|
desire to be emperor," he tells Vir. "I prefer to work behind the
|
|
scenes. The reward is nearly as great, and the risk far, far less."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Garibaldi thanks the ranger for his help in saving the lives of so
|
|
many Narns. When the ranger asks if Garibaldi will give the
|
|
cooperation he needs, Garibaldi agrees, as long as the ranger keeps him
|
|
informed of what the rangers learn, both here and abroad. The ranger
|
|
says he will, as long as their presence is kept a secret. Garibaldi
|
|
agrees to that, but asks one last question. "Aside from me, does
|
|
anybody else know you're here?"
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Just one other," the ranger says as he walks away.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Delenn, in her quarters, examines a message crystal in her hands
|
|
closely. She puts it into her player, and is greeted with a voice she,
|
|
too, hasn't heard in a long time. "Hello, old friend..."
|