|
<h3>Synopsis by Matthew Murray (mmurray@wsu.edu)</h3>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/hands.gif" alt="">
|
|
On Centauri Prime, Londo meets with Lord Refa in the Emperor's throne
|
|
room. Refa explains to Londo that the war with the Narn is about to
|
|
end, much sooner than originally expected, and that Londo himself will
|
|
be the "architect" of the victory.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/draal1.gif" alt="">
|
|
Aboard Babylon 5, Delenn meditates in her quarters. While she is doing
|
|
so, she senses a presence. "Hello dear friend," she says, and a voice
|
|
chuckles all around her. C&C detects an energy surge coming from
|
|
Epsilon 3, and informs Ivanova, who in turn informs Sheridan, just out
|
|
of the shower. Ivanova's message is interrupted by a voice coming from
|
|
behind Sheridan. He turns around and sees Draal standing there. Draal
|
|
tells Sheridan that he has been watching, and introduces himself.
|
|
Sheridan tells Draal that he knows Draal took custody of Epsilon 3,
|
|
although Draal corrects him saying that the planet took custody of him
|
|
instead, returning to him his youth both in appearance and health.
|
|
Draal wants to invite Sheridan, and one other, down to the
|
|
surface for a visit at Sheridan's earliest convenience.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/narn.gif" alt="">
|
|
G'Sten, G'Kar's uncle, tells G'Kar that the war with the Centauri is
|
|
not going well, and that Narn defenses have been severely weakened,
|
|
rolling back thirty years of territorial gains. G'Sten explains
|
|
that the Kha'Ri is trying to make the Narn believe that they are
|
|
holding their own against the Centauri, though that is far from the
|
|
truth. G'Sten says that their one chance is to attack the Centauri
|
|
supply depot at Gorash 7, which will require the entire Narn fleet. G'Kar
|
|
points out that, if the forces are taken away from the homeworld, it
|
|
will make it vulnerable. G'Sten realizes the risk, but insists that
|
|
there will only be a very short
|
|
period when the homeworld won't be defended. G'Kar offers to go along,
|
|
but G'Sten declines, saying that G'Kar's work on Babylon 5 may be even more
|
|
important, and that, were G'Kar's father alive, he would be proud.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Delenn steps off the elevator and meets Sheridan to tell him that Draal
|
|
appeared to her as well. The two continue on together.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/treaty.gif" alt="">
|
|
Refa tells Londo that he strongly believes that the Narn are planning an
|
|
attack on Gorash 7. Londo asks
|
|
if Refa's forces will be waiting for the Narn there, and Refa
|
|
tells him that he needs Londo's forces there instead, because the
|
|
Centauri forces will be carrying out an all-out attack on the Narn
|
|
homeworld. This idea troubles Londo, who tries to convince Refa to
|
|
pursue another course of action, but Refa says it isn't necessary -- they
|
|
will be using mass drivers, powerful weapons outlawed by every species,
|
|
which will decimate the cities, and allow nearly effortless takeover of
|
|
the planet. Londo tells Refa that he is troubled by his allies and
|
|
their strength, but Refa doesn't understand his reluctance. Londo
|
|
tries to warn Refa that moving too quickly might cause things to spin
|
|
out of control, but Refa won't listen, telling him that numerous
|
|
Centauri battleships are waiting hyperspace for Londo's go-ahead, and
|
|
that this action will save thousands of Centauri lives. With
|
|
only a little more convincing, Londo agrees to use his allies, as long
|
|
as it is for the last time. Refa assures Londo that this is the last
|
|
time their assistance will be needed, as the Narn will be defeated, and
|
|
this time, the Centauri will not allow the Narn to be free again.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Garibaldi expresses great doubt about the message received from Draal,
|
|
but Delenn insists that Draal is who he claims. Even Sheridan is
|
|
somewhat troubled by his altered appearance, though Delenn assures them
|
|
that he looked that way when he was younger. Garibaldi suggests it may
|
|
be a trick, and that the message might be faked, but Delenn refuses to
|
|
believe him. Ivanova reports that tests run on the message determined
|
|
it was sent from below the planet's surface, verifying that Draal did
|
|
indeed send it. Despite this, Garibaldi still wants to send a security
|
|
team, but Sheridan says he is only allowed to bring one other, namely
|
|
Delenn.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Londo meets up with Refa again, and Refa tells him that it is time to
|
|
leave for the Narn homeworld--they will be on the first ship so they
|
|
can oversee the victory personally. "Come Londo," Refa tells him.
|
|
"Destiny awaits." Meanwhile, Sheridan and Delenn board a shuttle and
|
|
head down to Epsilon 3.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/medlab.gif" alt="">
|
|
G'Kar goes to MedLab, where Dr. Franklin is waiting for him. Franklin
|
|
tells him that one of the Narn refugees he treated was
|
|
captured and interrogated by the Centauri, and that the questions
|
|
involved the Narn homeworld's defense systems, and were particularly
|
|
urgent. The refugee transport got away easily because the Centauri
|
|
warships guarding the planet pulled out with little explanation. This
|
|
puzzles G'Kar, as he knows the Centauri to be very thorough.
|
|
Franklin explains to G'Kar that, during the
|
|
Earth-Minbari War, the Minbari did something very similar just before
|
|
they attacked Earth.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/bridge.gif" alt="">
|
|
Sheridan and Delenn arrive on Epsilon 3 and begin searching the tunnels
|
|
of the planet. They arrive at a large walkway
|
|
across a huge chasm, which strikes Sheridan speechless.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
G'Kar urgently tries to convince G'Sten that the Centauri are planning
|
|
to attack the Narn homeworld, but G'Sten won't listen, saying the
|
|
mission is too far along to stop it without proof.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Sheridan and Delenn arrive in Draal's chamber and see his body in the
|
|
depression, running the planet. An image of Draal appears and addreses
|
|
them, commending Sheridan for his work aboard Babylon 5. Draal
|
|
explains that he has explored the many secrets of Epsilon 3 and has
|
|
learned much about the galaxy, and Sheridan himself. He also knows
|
|
about Sheridan's conspiracy of light.
|
|
Sheridan tries to deny it, but Draal knows better,
|
|
and assures him the information is safe. Draal explains that he said a
|
|
year earlier that Epsilon 3 would remain dormant until such a time as
|
|
it was needed, and that this is such a time -- he's prepared to place
|
|
the planet at Sheridan's disposal, one of the first alliances
|
|
of the coming war. Draal tells Sheridan that he is not alone in the
|
|
struggle, and that, should they succeed, there is a great possibility
|
|
of hope.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=middle width=160 height=120 src="/lurk/gif/042/042-10.gif" alt="">
|
|
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/battle1.gif" alt="">
|
|
<img align=middle width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/battle2.gif" alt="">
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
As G'Kar prays fervently,
|
|
the Narn ships come out of hyperspace above Gorash 7 and prepare for
|
|
the attack. They don't detect any ships at first, but several
|
|
Shadow ships soon appear and begin moving toward them, ready for the
|
|
attack. G'Sten tries to activate the jump engines, but they must
|
|
recharge first. G'Sten orders an attack against the ships, and though
|
|
the Narn score several hits with their energy mines, the weapons of the
|
|
Shadows are much more powerful, easily able to cut through the Narn
|
|
ships. The Narn warships are destroyed one by one. Several warships
|
|
combine their firepower and manage to sever a spine from one of the
|
|
Shadow ships, but it's a futile victory. Defeat imminent, G'Sten orders
|
|
the remaining ships to
|
|
open jump points and flee, but the Shadows fire something into the
|
|
vortices, disrupting them and causing the remaining Narn cruisers
|
|
to be destroyed mid-jump. An undamaged Shadow ship connects to the
|
|
injured one, revitalizing it; then all the Shadow ships vanish.
|
|
G'Kar, sensing the outcome somehow, grimly ceases his prayer.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/draal2.gif" alt="">
|
|
Draal tells Sheridan that it probably isn't a good idea to tell the
|
|
Earth government of the new alliance. Delenn asks Draal if he is
|
|
able to handle living alone on the planet. Draal explains that he has
|
|
the stars to keep him company, in addition to the others who live on
|
|
the planet and help maintain the machine. "There is one, in particular,
|
|
who..." He touches his head. He tells Sheridan that he is hearing
|
|
distress calls and that Sheridan needs to leave immediately. Sheridan
|
|
rushes on ahead, and Delenn tells Draal that she hopes to see him more
|
|
often. They exchange a quick goodbye and she leaves. "So much to do,"
|
|
he says, "so little time. We must get to work. Zathras! Zathras!"
|
|
he calls, but no one arrives. "Never around when you need him."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Ivanova tells Garibaldi about the Centauri attack on the Narn
|
|
homeworld, and that she is worried what will happen when word about the
|
|
attack hits the station. He prepares for the coming riots, and says
|
|
she should send out a general alert as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"We interrupt this program with this late-breaking story," says an ISN
|
|
reporter, as the patrons of the Zocalo watch. "Officials in EarthDome
|
|
confirm that the Centauri Republic has begun a devestating frontal
|
|
assault on the Narn homeworld. Reports continue to come in, alleging
|
|
that the main Narn fleet has been neutralized and that Narn is
|
|
completely encircled by its enemies. Neither government has yet
|
|
confirmed nor denied these reports, though some messages relayed from
|
|
Narn seem to corroborate the stories of massive destruction and
|
|
death...." The tension becomes too much and a fight between the Narn
|
|
and Centauri patrons of the Zocalo breaks out.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
The general alert is sent out as Sheridan and Delenn arrive back on the
|
|
station. Sheridan asks Ivanova what the situation is, and she tells
|
|
him that Garibaldi is doing the best he can. Sheridan has a security officer
|
|
escort Delenn to her quarters. Ivanova explains to Sheridan that she
|
|
has heard little more than rumors, though she does know that the
|
|
Centauri have used mass drivers in their assault.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/bombard1.gif" alt="">
|
|
<img width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/bombard2.gif" alt="">
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
The war is not going well for Narn as the Centauri ships use mass
|
|
drivers to pummel Narn's cities with asteroids. As the destruction
|
|
continues, Londo watches, helplessly, at a window in the lead ship of
|
|
the fleet.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"With the planetary bombardment in its fourth day," the ISN reporter
|
|
reports as the C&C staff watches, "the Narn government continues in
|
|
its refusal to surrender.
|
|
Minbari, Vorlon, Earth, and other governments have filed official
|
|
protests with the Centauri Republic for their use of mass drivers
|
|
against the civilian population. But, so far, the protests have had no
|
|
effect. Although communication with the Narn homeworld is difficult at
|
|
best due to the continued attacks, word has reached ISN of cities
|
|
utterly destroyed, hundreds of thousands of casualties, the total
|
|
elimination of power and water over most of the Narn planetary
|
|
surface. Most of their major cities have fallen, food shipments have
|
|
stopped, the planetary economy has collapsed, and medical treatment is
|
|
virtually non-existent. Government analysists predict that, unless the
|
|
Narn government surrenders soon, their entire infrastructure will be
|
|
totally destroyed. To quote Senator Ronald Quantrell, 'They're being
|
|
bombed back into the stone age.'" Sheridan can take no more and orders
|
|
the feed shut off.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
G'Kar is barely able to maintain contact with the homeworld. The Narn
|
|
on the other end says that the only way to survive is to surrender.
|
|
G'Kar asks what will happen to the Narn on Babylon 5, but there is no
|
|
way to know what the terms of the surrender will be. G'Kar offers to
|
|
return, but as the only member of the Kha'Ri not on the homeworld,
|
|
his contact says, G'Kar should stay alive as long as possible. The Narn
|
|
delivers one
|
|
last message to G'Kar from the Kha'Ri, which he says is the hardest
|
|
thing he's ever had to ask of G'Kar.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/sanct.gif" alt="">
|
|
G'Kar slowly enters Sheridan's office. "Captain Sheridan, I... I've
|
|
been instructed by government to come to you and ask for... sanctuary."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Londo arrives at his quarters to find Garibaldi and a contingent of
|
|
security guards, placed for his protection, there. Londo tells
|
|
Garibaldi to inform Sheridan that he wishes to convene a meeting of the
|
|
advisory council
|
|
and the League of Non-Aligned Worlds.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"A little over five standard hours ago," Londo tells the Council
|
|
and the League, "the conflict which began with the Narn declaration of
|
|
war came to an end. The Narn Regime has offered complete and
|
|
unconditional surrender. The terms imposed by the Centauri Republic
|
|
are as follows. One, the ruling body, known as the Kha'Ri will be
|
|
disbanded and its members subject to arrest and trial for the
|
|
commission of war crimes against the Centauri."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Earth requests the right to send observers to these hearings,"
|
|
Sheridan says.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"That request is denied," Londo tells him. "Two. To prevent further
|
|
acts of terror by the Narn against our people, from this day on, the
|
|
penalty for the murder of any Centauri by any Narn will be the
|
|
execution of five hundred Narns, beginning with the perpetrator's own
|
|
family. Three. A provisional ruling council appointed by my
|
|
government will take up the responsibility of rebuilding a more
|
|
civilized Narn government as a colony of the greater Centauri
|
|
Republic."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Is there anything else?" Sheridan asks.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
"Yes," Londo replies. "Just one thing. Because the Narn homeworld is
|
|
now a protectorate of the Centauri Republic, we reserve the right to
|
|
determine who can speak for Narn. As a result, Ambassador G'Kar may no
|
|
longer represent the Narn in any official capacity whatsoever. His
|
|
appointment as ambassador to Babylon 5 is hereby withdrawn. As the
|
|
only member of the Kha'Ri still at large, Citizen G'Kar will return to
|
|
Narn for trial."<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/tyrant.gif" alt="">
|
|
Sheridan tells Londo that G'Kar has been granted
|
|
sanctuary. Londo tries to protest, saying that the agreement between
|
|
the Narn and Centauri had important stipulations about the Kha'Ri, but
|
|
Sheridan tells him that neither he nor Earth signed that agreement, so
|
|
they are not bound by it. Delenn stands up, informing Londo that the
|
|
Minbari government also stands behind Sheridan's decision, and
|
|
that G'Kar may remain for as long as he likes. Londo gives in, but
|
|
demands that G'Kar be removed
|
|
from the Council chambers immediately. G'Kar painfully
|
|
complies, but he has a few final words for Londo. "No dictator... no
|
|
invader... can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
|
|
There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
|
|
Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
|
|
The Centauri learned this lesson once. We will teach it to them
|
|
again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Londo watches ISN as the reporter tells of the post-surrender events.
|
|
"And dancing in the streets as Centauri Emperor Cartargia declared a
|
|
week-long public celebration to commemorate the recapture of the Narn
|
|
homeworld. In related news, the Centauri Republic today announced
|
|
plans to annex several smaller worlds adjacent to Narn space, declaring
|
|
them protectorates of the Republic. While government spokesmen insist
|
|
that the Centauri do not have any expansionist plans beyond retaking
|
|
the Narn homeworld, others in Earthdome are less sure."
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Sheridan tells G'Kar that he will miss G'Kar's imposing presence in the
|
|
Council chambers, and that he wants to help G'Kar in any way he can to
|
|
win back his planet. He offers his hand to G'Kar, who hesitates at
|
|
first: "The last time I
|
|
offered someone my hand, we were at war twenty-four hours later."
|
|
As Sheridan leaves,
|
|
he is contacted by Ivanova; Delenn wants to see
|
|
him in the conference center. He goes to meet her.<br clear=all>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<img align=right width=128 height=96 src="/lurk/gif/042/rangers.gif" alt="">
|
|
When he arrives, he finds that she and Garibaldi, and a large number of
|
|
other humans and Minbari, are in the room, waiting for him. Delenn
|
|
tells him that the people in the room have come to meet him and pledge
|
|
themselves to him -- they are the Rangers, Garibaldi explains, who have
|
|
been coming through the station to help fight the coming darkness.
|
|
Sheridan asks why Garibaldi didn't tell him; Garibaldi says
|
|
that he made a promise not to. Delenn explains to Sheridan that
|
|
Babylon 5 must be the fortress of Light to stand against the darkness,
|
|
and the Rangers are to help with that. The Rangers were under her
|
|
direct command, but she gives equal authority to Sheridan.
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Sheridan addresses them all. "I don't quite know what to say... For
|
|
the last year, things haven't exactly been going our way. I was
|
|
starting to wonder if it would ever get better. I think it just did.
|
|
Tell the other Rangers, the ambassadors, everyone in this army of Light
|
|
that Babylon 5 stands with you. Tell them... tell them that from this
|
|
place, we will deliver notice to the parliaments of conquerers that a
|
|
line has been drawn against the darkness, and we will hold that line,
|
|
no matter the cost."
|
|
|