1945 lines
66 KiB
HTML
1945 lines
66 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
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<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
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<head>
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<meta charset="utf-8" />
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<meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge" />
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<title>A Contrast of Enlightenment - ToothpasteCheesecake - Babylon 5 (TV 1993)</title>
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<style type="text/css">
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p.message { text-align: center; }
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.meta h1 { font-size: 1.5em; text-align: center; }
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.meta h2 { font-size: 1.25em; text-align: center; }
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.meta h2 { page-break-before: always; }
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.meta .byline { text-align: center; }
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.meta dl.tags { border: 1px solid; padding: 1em; }
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.meta dd { margin: -1em 0 0 10em; }
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.meta .endnote-link { font-size: .8em; }
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/* List child related works under the labeling dt */
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#afterword .meta dd { margin: 1em 0 0 1em; }
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#chapters { font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L", "Times New Roman", serif; padding: 1em; }
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.userstuff { font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L", "Times New Roman", serif; padding: 1em; }
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/* Invisible headings to help Calibre make a Table of Contents */
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.toc-heading { display: none; }
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</style>
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</head>
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<body>
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<div id="preface">
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<h2 class="toc-heading">Preface</h2>
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<p class="message">
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<b>A Contrast of Enlightenment</b><br/>
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Posted originally on the <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/">Archive of Our Own</a> at <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/works/40543173">http://archiveofourown.org/works/40543173</a>.
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</p>
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<div class="meta">
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<dl class="tags">
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<dt>Rating:</dt>
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<dd><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Teen%20And%20Up%20Audiences">Teen And Up Audiences</a></dd>
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<dt>Archive Warning:</dt>
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<dd><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/No%20Archive%20Warnings%20Apply">No Archive Warnings Apply</a></dd>
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<dt>Category:</dt>
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<dd><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Other">Other</a></dd>
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<dt>Fandom:</dt>
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<dd><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Babylon%205%20(TV%201993)">Babylon 5 (TV 1993)</a></dd>
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<dt>Characters:</dt>
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<dd><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/John%20Sheridan">John Sheridan</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Susan%20Ivanova">Susan Ivanova</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Stephen%20Franklin">Stephen Franklin</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Londo%20Mollari">Londo Mollari</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Delenn%20(Babylon%205)">Delenn (Babylon 5)</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Lennier%20(Babylon%205)">Lennier (Babylon 5)</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Kosh%20(Babylon%205)">Kosh (Babylon 5)</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/G'Kar%20(Babylon%205)">G'Kar (Babylon 5)</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Michael%20Garibaldi">Michael Garibaldi</a></dd>
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<dt>Additional Tags:</dt>
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<dd><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Screenplay*s*Script%20Format">Screenplay/Script Format</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/it's%20a%20whole%20ass%20episode%20because%20yeah">it's a whole ass episode because yeah</a>, <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/tags/Species%20Swap">Species Swap</a></dd>
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<dt>Language:</dt>
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<dd>English</dd>
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<dt>Stats:</dt>
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<dd>
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Published: 2022-07-25
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Words: 5,384
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Chapters: 1/1
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</dd>
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</dl>
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<h1>A Contrast of Enlightenment</h1>
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<div class="byline">by <a rel="author" href="http://archiveofourown.org/users/ToothpasteCheesecake/pseuds/ToothpasteCheesecake">ToothpasteCheesecake</a></div>
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<p>Summary</p>
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<blockquote class="userstuff"><p>A strange cloud envelops Babylon 5, and changes the species of every alien on board. They have to figure out how to get things back to normal, but in order for the spell to be lifted, they must each experience a personal revelation.</p></blockquote>
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<p>Notes</p>
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<blockquote class="userstuff"><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uWjwuhUXM_7oVEjvTHd5CTpJR6_-bEew/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">here's a pdf version of the script, properly formatted</a><br />i set every scene at night because it's always night in space lol<br />"Where is this set in the timeline??" Who knows! I sure don't!</p><p>i wrote most of this while stoned so if it has any typos/inconsistencies let me know. this is also the longest script i've ever written. babylon 5 has consumed my brain. enjoy.</p></blockquote>
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<div class="endnote-link">
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See the end of the work for more <a href="#endnotes">notes</a>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<div id="chapters" class="userstuff">
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<h2 class="toc-heading">A Contrast of Enlightenment</h2>
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<div class="userstuff">
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<p> </p><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Commander Ivanova stands at her station. Her eyes flutter shut momentarily; she’s exhausted, it’s too late for this. When she realizes she’s drifting off, she puts her hand over her mouth, and yawns.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>She’s about to leave for the night - to finally get that precious, treasured sleep - when–</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>COMPUTER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Jumpgate activated.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>And her head snaps back, her eyes roll. She approaches the console. The jumpgate certainly has activated, but there’s nothing there. It closes just as fast as it opened, and Babylon 5 space is very much empty.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>IVANOVA</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Computer, scan for nearby ships.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>COMPUTER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Commencing…</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(pause)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>No ships found.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>IVANOVA</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Are you sure? Then why did the jumpgate open?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>COMPUTER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Unknown.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>IVANOVA</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Scan for any life sign in the area not currently on Babylon 5.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>COMPUTER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>No life signs detected.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Ivanova pauses. Stares off into the distance, her expression pure concern, until it hits her again - she’s tired.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>IVANOVA</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Computer, check for any malfunction in the jumpgate.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>COMPUTER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Estimated time for requested scan… 1.5 hours.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>IVANOVA</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Are you kidding me?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(to herself)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Fine. I’ll set my alarm for two hours from now. Two hours. At least I get two hours. It’s probably just a glitch, anyway. Probably.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>He can’t sleep. Sheridan sits, watching the screen ramble on and on, news updates and horrific events drilling into his mind. He sighs. Forlorn. Something’s haunting his thoughts.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>And then the screen turns to mere static. The station begins to rumble, wall decorations falling, glasses diving from his cupboards and shattering on the floor.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>EXT. BABYLON 5 SPACE - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>The station vibrating and rattling as a PINK CLOUD OF ENERGY envelops the entirety of Babylon 5. </p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - LONDO’S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Londo awakens to the sound of glass breaking and trinkets crashing. It takes him a few moments to realize exactly what the sounds are, and the fact that the station is shaking.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>LONDO</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>What–</p>
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</div><div>
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<p>He runs out into the front of his quarters; all of his belongings have toppled over.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>LONDO (CONT'D)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Seriously?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - DELENN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Delenn does not seem to notice the trembling as she meditates. She closes her eyes and keeps them closed. At peace.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Until her door chimes, and her eyes open. She takes in the sight of her surroundings, and brings her hand over her mouth briefly.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>DELENN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Enter, enter, quickly.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Lennier enters.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>LENNIER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Delenn, are you alright?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>DELENN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>You should be somewhere safe. You shouldn’t have come.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>LENNIER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>My… personal safety is secondary.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Delenn smiles. </p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>And the shaking stops.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>And they fall to the ground, like angels, unconscious.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Sheridan taps on his link.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>SHERIDAN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Sheridan to C&C. What the hell was that?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>C&C OFFICER (V.O)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>We’re not entirely sure. For a moment, when the shaking started, everything turned… pink.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>SHERIDAN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Pink?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>C&C OFFICER (V.O)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Yes, sir. Like we were in a cloud.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>SHERIDAN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>What do the scanners say?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>C&C OFFICER</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>They haven’t found anything. Except…</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(pause)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>We’re reading a foreign energy field surrounding the entire station. We’re…</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(pause)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>We’re in a force field, sir.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>SHERIDAN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Are you sure?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>C&C OFFICER (V.O)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Positive. It’s the only thing these readings could mean. We can send a maintenance bot out to test how big the field is and what happens if you try to get out of it.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>SHERIDAN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(over link)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Good, get it done as soon as possible.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - MEDLAB - NIGHT</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Franklin hard at work on patients injured in the quake. Other medical officers are cleaning up the aftermath.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Delenn enters, Lennier, clutching his side, in tow.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>DELENN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Dr. Franklin?</p>
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</div><div>
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<p>He looks up, transfers care to a nearby doctor, and approaches them.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>FRANKLIN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>What can I do for you, Ambassador?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="left">
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<p>This is when he notices the tears in Delenn’s eyes. </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Lennier slowly removes his hand from his right side, and in doing so, reveals a large shard of glass embedded in his abdomen.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>FRANKLIN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Oh, jesus christ. Hey, I need help over here! Come on!</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>(to Delenn)</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>We’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>DELENN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>It’s strange, doctor. Before this happened, we… lost consciousness for a moment. That is how the glass got there; he fell on top of it.</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>FRANKLIN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>Are <u>you</u> okay?</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>DELENN</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p>No. But I hope to be–</p>
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</div><div align="center">
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>She’s interrupted by the lights flickering into darkness, sudden and fast. They’re completely drenched in the dark. No light, no light to be found. No light left.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>And then the darkness lifts, the room bright again.</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>Franklin looks up—</p>
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</div><div>
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<p> </p>
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</div><div>
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<p>and then he looks at Delenn. She’s floating, now. Enclosed in a beam of light. Her light the absence of any darkness, any pain. His mouth opens, dropping in surprise. She looks ethereal. </p>
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</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Oh, my god…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Doctor?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What is wrong?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I can’t believe it.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="left">
|
||
<p>Delenn looks down at her arms, notices the light.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What is this?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t know. But I have an awful feeling that whatever that thing was, whatever shook the station… is behind this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Franklin hands her a nearby mirror. She looks into it, gazes at herself, the way she shines.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I am… Vorlon?</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - LONDO'S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Londo - Narn now - who has fallen face-first onto the floor, rises back to consciousness slowly.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He pushes himself up. And then he looks at his hand.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Great maker…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He opens his eyes, rubs them, blinks repeatedly. Maybe he’s hallucinating this. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He’s not.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I am dead. I have to be. And maybe I deserve it, but I never thought evil could be cruel enough to do <em>this.</em></p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - G’KAR’S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>G’Kar - Centauri now - has passed out over his desk, and jolts awake into a fighting stance. He glances around, studies the room to ensure its safety, and then stands up, slow and strained. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He looks at the mirror behind him once, and he doesn’t parse it until his eyes dart back and his heart burns in his chest as he witnesses this new version of him. This version that is the enemy.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>This cannot be…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He runs over to the mirror, stretches out the skin of his face, feels his hair. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(frustrated)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Oh, come on…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - MEDLAB - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Delenn rests on an exam table as Franklin scans her.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Well?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>As far as I can tell, from the limited knowledge we have of Vorlon biology, you’re a perfectly healthy Vorlon. And somehow, you <em>are</em> reading as purely Vorlon, and I have absolutely no idea what is going on.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Nor do I. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>A woman pokes her head out of Lennier’s operation.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">MEDLAB DOCTOR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Dr. Franklin?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>MEDLAB DOCTOR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I think you should see this.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="left">BABYLON 5 - ISOLAB - NIGHT </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Franklin enters, and sees Lennier on the operating table, but he’s different now; the bones of his head are gone, and he has wavy brown hair.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He’s human.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
<p align="center">(gesturing to Delenn)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Ambassador…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Delenn rushes behind him. She looks into the room, and her shock is obvious when she sees him. Human. Human. Human. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">MEDLAB DOCTOR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We got the glass out, and he collapsed… and then he turned human, and he was fine. He went from an injured Minbari one second to a perfectly healthy human the next.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">How is this possible?</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>She shrugs.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Ivanova, Garibaldi, and Sheridan sit at Sheridan’s desk.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>So all of the aliens just… swapped species?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It seems so. Every scan Dr. Franklin has done, they read as not their actual race, but the one they’ve turned into. It’s real. And I don’t like it.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>GARIBALDI</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t either. Do you think it has something to do with this force field thing?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Probably. But we need to know more. Status of the maintenance bot?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It reached the edge of the force field about ten minutes ago, sir. The good news is that we have quite a bit of room. The bad news is that when the bot reached the edge of the field, it was incinerated.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Cancel all incoming and outgoing transports <u>now</u>. Lock down the station. Nobody gets in or out. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Already done. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>GARIBALDI</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Once the alien population realizes what’s going on, it’s gonna get real nasty out there.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p align="left">His link beeps.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>GARIBALDI</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Garibaldi.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SECURITY OFFICER</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">There’s a massive fight going on down here. We need you, we need more–</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>The link goes silent.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">GARIBALDI</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I gotta go. Keep me informed.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He leaves.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan looks at Ivanova.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Is it true that Ambassador Delenn is a Vorlon?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>From what I’ve heard, yes.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">And if she’s a Vorlon… then… keep an eye on things for a bit. There’s something I have to do.</p>
|
||
<p align="center"> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - DELENN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Delenn helps Lennier into her quarters, helps him lie down.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LENNIER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m well, Delenn. I promise.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">You should still rest. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Lennier gazes up at her, witnesses her vastness and beauty.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Lennier?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LENNIER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I apologize. It’s just… I’ve never seen a Vorlon before. You look… truly celestial.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It’s very different. If we can ever return things to normal… I will never forget this…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(a pause, a smile)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>How do you feel about being human?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LENNIER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>To be honest… I am not sure.. how to feel. I look at my reflection and it seems empty. Unrecognizable. And when I reach out to touch the glass… the person that touches me back is cold and foreign.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Oh, Lennier. Get some rest. We’ll find a way out of this. I know we will.</p>
|
||
<p align="center"> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - LONDO'S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Londo, on a com call with Sheridan.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why didn’t you come see me directly?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Come on. You know I can’t be seen like this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It’s happened to every alien on the station. No one would recognize you, and if they did, they’d be too busy panicking to care.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Still.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What did you need, Ambassador?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I know exactly who is behind this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Let me guess. The Narn?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Of course it’s the Narn. They’re… trying to torture us. To punish us. Humiliate us! I won’t have it, Captain. I will not allow this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why would the Narn do something that would also affect their own people? There’s a chance you would turn into Narn, they would have to know the Centauri might attempt to use their new appearances to cause problems among the Narn population here.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>To point the suspicion elsewhere. They’re very sly, Captain. They would resort to anything.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Sure. Well. I’m very busy, Ambassador. I have to figure this out, and fast.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>But–</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(on screen)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Goodbye. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - KOSH’S QUARTERS - Night</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan puts the mask on, and rings for Kosh. And rings, and rings - no answer.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Kosh, you there?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH (O.S)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You may not enter.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Is everything okay? </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH (O.S)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>No.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(then)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m not sure. It’s happened to everyone on the station. We don’t have much to go on yet besides a weird pink cloud and a force field that’s been set up around the station.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH (O.S)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It is.. intolerably uncomfortable.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m sorry. We’re working on it as quickly as we can. Someone’s doing an analysis of the station to see if they can identify the - the cloud - as we speak.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH (O.S)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Good.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p align="left">Sheridan turns to leave, but something remains in his mind - a curiosity.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Can I ask you something?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH (O.S)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Delenn turned into a Vorlon. Londo into a Narn… and so on. What did you become?</p>
|
||
<p align="center"> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>There’s an uncomfortably long silence until the door opens.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">KOSH (O.S)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">…Enter.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan obeys.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>When he walks through, he sees an impossible sight before him: Kosh, human. Kosh, in a white robe. Kosh, without his light. Kosh, human. Human. It is breathtaking.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Ivanova opens communications to the scanning vessel.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Any results on the scan yet?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>PILOT (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over com)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Negative. So far, everything is normal. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You're sure?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>PILOT (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over com)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes. There’s no remaining debri or particles out here.. There’s nothing.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Okay. Head back, I’ll inform the Captain.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="left">An officer next to her stands up.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">C&C OFFICER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Commander, we’re picking up a signal—someone’s trying to contact us.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Show me.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>The screen flickers on, revealing - an alien unlike anything known. This is a first contact situation. The alien is humanoid, but also mothlike, complete with antennae and wings. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Ivanova to Sheridan. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Sheridan.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We need you here now.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">On my way.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - G’KAR’S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>G’Kar gets a com call.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Answer, hold video. Yes?</p>
|
||
<p align="center"> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>It’s a member of the resistance back home. G’Kar barely recognizes him.</p>
|
||
<p align="center"> </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>NARN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’Kar, we’re having a problem with some shipments—why do I not see you?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Not feeling very well today. I look rather unpleasant, best not to see me like this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>NARN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Are you alright?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(whispering)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Has something happened to you?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>No. I assure you, I am fine.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>NARN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’Kar, I worry. If anything-</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Nonsense, I should be worried about you. Please, continue. How are things?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>NARN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m sorry, G’Kar. I don’t know who could be with you right now. Since I can’t see you, I have no way of knowing if this is a trap. For all I know, some Centauri could be forcing you to say this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What? It’s not a trap. No one’s forcing me to say anything!</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>NARN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">We can talk later.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>The call ends. G’Kar slams his head into his palms.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan enters, and takes in the call on screen.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(to Ivanova)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Can they understand us?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t know. They haven’t said anything. They’re just sitting there.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Alright, this has to be a first contact situation. Let’s find out what’s going on.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He approaches the call.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Hello. I’m Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5. Welcome. Do you mind sharing with us your species name?</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>The alien’s eyes blink, eyelids closing vertically.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We are the Xels’Av’Ox. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It’s nice to meet you. And your name is?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Irrelevant.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Okay…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">You may have noticed some things on your station shifting and changing.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan melts into a more serious tone.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Are you the ones responsible for this?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why? Why do this? Do you just like the chaos?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We feed on enlightenment. We have the tools to bring it to those who need it, and we go to any length to obtain it. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Right. So, what do you want? What do I have to do for you to undo this?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Nothing.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I don’t understand.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We will reverse our shift once you have reached collective epiphany.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Collective epiphany? What does that mean?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over call)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">That is for you to discover. Good luck, Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>The alien disappears off screen, the call flickering out.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Do you know what just happened?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">No, sir.</p>
|
||
<p align="center"> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan, at his desk again, this time alone.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Computer, search for any known files on a species called the Xels’Av’Ox.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Commencing.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(then)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>One match found.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Display.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Xels’Av’Ox. A mythological figure in the folklore of several extinct species. These creatures find nourishment by draining the psychological realizations of other species directly from their minds.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Any weaknesses, wars, ways to outsmart them?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Not found.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What is their technology level? How advanced are they?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Data insufficient.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Come on. Anything? Anything at all?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Continuing file narration. While highly feared, the Xels’Av’Ox are essentially harmless. The fear surrounding the Xels’Av’Ox is due to a fear surrounding their main method of feeding. To feed, these creatures force their victims to confront things they do not want to acknowledge, over and over until an epiphany has been made. Then the creatures remove the epiphany telepathically and consume it. In historical accounts of this species, several have described the process as torturous and intolerable. They-</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Computer, end narration.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>His door signals him.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Come.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>In walks G’Kar, but Sheridan doesn’t recognize him in his Centauri appearance.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Can I help you?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It’s me. G’Kar.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Sorry.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(then)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>How are you taking it?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>This is a traumatizing experience. But I’m positive I know the cause.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Oh?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">The Centauri have done this, they have turned us into them, to confuse and divide us! In turn, they have become Narn to infiltrate us. No one will know who is who until it’s too late.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes, but not every Narn has turned into Centauri and vice versa. Medical says that it seems to be a random selection.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Part of their plan as well! Avoid suspicion.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’ll look into it.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Thank you, Captain.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He leaves.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - RESTAURANT - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Ivanova, Sheridan, Franklin, and Garibaldi sitting in a very empty restaurant.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>They seem to be harmless. It’s just what they do to you.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What do they do?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Well, it seems like they put you through tough situations, trying to make you confront your demons until you finally overcome them. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>And then?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>And then, I don’t know. I just know that they feed on these revelations.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>GARIBALDI</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Great, so we’ve got some moth guys who don’t seem to be anywhere we can detect in Babylon 5 space, who are going to force us to face our demons, essentially torturing us psychologically, just so they can eat our bravery. I just want one boring day.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Hey, wait, I just remembered something.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I forgot because I was tired, and at the time I thought it was nothing, but the jumpgate opened when there was no scheduled incoming ships. And Captain… there was nothing. Not a single ship came through. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Not a single ship that we know about. Remember, we’ve never met these guys before. They wouldn’t show up on our scanners because we wouldn’t know what to scan for.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Do you think they’re using some kind of cloaking device, then?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I don’t know yet.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - HALLWAY - NIGHT</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Londo wears a cloak over his head as he attempts to sneak into the transport tube without being seen.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>But when he commands it to open - G’Kar is inside.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(to himself)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Okay, maybe he won’t recognize me.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Londo enters the transport tube, and when G’Kar’s eyes find him, Londo is recognized instantly. So much for that. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Mollari.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>-and the transport tube slams shut.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - TRANSPORT TUBE - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>G’Kar and Londo leaning away from each other. Sizing each other up.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Emergency stop. Well, I must admit, you make a fine Centauri, G’Kar.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>And you make a pitiful Narn.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Stop it. Why did you do it, hm? Revenge? You want to torture us? You want us to suffer as you believe you have suffered?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m not stupid. I know you did this. You want to break us, to strip us of our confidence, to… to slowly drain the life out of our people. It’s not enough to torture us, to murder us by the millions, to destroy our cities. You have to break us, too. You have to suck any remaining hope we have out of us like it’s venomous. But you will not succeed.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You are insane.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m not the insane one here. I would never do such a thing. How would I? Where would we get the resources, the power, when you have your hands around our throat?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You always find a way.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Computer, open doors before I end up doing something I will regret. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Unable to comply.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">What?</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>And the lights go out.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - DELENN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Delenn, in her quarters. Unable to rest. Unable to meditate. Her eyes open, unblinking. Just floating there. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>There’s an ARRAY OF GARBLED VOICES.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">VOICE #1</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We didn’t understand what we were seeing. We acted as all humans do, we were so human.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #2</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We destroy everything we don’t understand.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #1</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You destroy everything too. It is a contrast of enlightenment.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #2</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We are so different, and yet, we all find similarity in destruction.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #1</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It is, perhaps, our only uniting trait.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>No. No. I do not seek to destroy.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #1</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>But you chose to. You made your decision. The pain rests on your shoulders.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #2</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What have you done?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #1</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Oh god, please, don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #2</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Please, have mercy, please don’t-</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #1</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(now childlike)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t understand what’s going on, mommy. When is dad coming home?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>VOICE #1 & VOICE #2</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What have you done? What have you done? What have you done? What have you done? It’s your fault. You know that. You did this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">No!</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - Night</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>The door rings.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Enter.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He’s speechless when he sees Kosh move into his quarters. Kosh, in sort-of his true form. Kosh, so cryptic, now so revealed.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Kosh? What are you doing here?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Observing.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I thought being seen was a strain for you.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>This is necessary.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Do you… understand any of this? What’s going on, I mean. They say things will go back to normal once we reach ‘collective epiphany’, but I have no idea what that means.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>They seek understanding. We all seek understanding.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I just wish I knew how to fix this. How do you create epiphanies? And who has to have them? I just don’t like it. We could be here forever.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(pause)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Epiphanies are created by love.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Love?</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Kosh turns to leave.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Wait.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You have a question.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yeah, I was wondering… what is being human like for you? Does this help you understand us better? Hell, will this help me understand you better?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I have always been human, perhaps. The experience is subjective.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>And he’s gone.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Love…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="left">His eyes widen. An idea.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - TRANSPORT TUBE - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Londo and G’Kar, still in the dark.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You know what will happen if you kill me.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Kill you? Yes, I do.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You understand the repercussions.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes, I do.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I will be found and avenged.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I am not going to kill you.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m vulnerable in this darkness. Why wouldn’t you?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>The consequences, as you said. Mostly that. But death is the easy way out. You deserve to be held accountable for what you’ve done. May we give to you what you have given us, one day.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Is this a threat?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G’KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">It is the truth.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan, unkempt now, worn down from the stress. He presses on his link.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Sheridan to security.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>GARIBALDI (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Security. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Any updates?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>GARIBALDI (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Not much. A transport tube is down so we’re looking into that now. Meanwhile, Earthforce wants to know why we’re not letting any transports in, and they’re not the only ones. There’s been dozens of complaints, and they’re turning into violence real fast. We’re doing what we can.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Good. Update me if anything happens. Sheridan out.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Commander Ivanova approaches him from her console.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You’re stressed.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t know what to do. Soon, people other than Earthforce are going to find out about this, and I won’t know how to explain it to them.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why don’t you get some sleep? I can take care of things for a while.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t want to sleep until I know this is over.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Captain, with all due respect, you’re no use to us if you’re not functioning at your best. You need sleep. We’re perfectly capable.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I know, but… fine. If we hear anything, any new contact from the Xels’Av’Ox, any change at all, I want to know the minute it happens.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Understood.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>int. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - Night</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan enters his quarters to find a terrified Delenn, waiting for him. She’s making sobbing noises, but in her current state, no tears can escape her, for her kind has evolved past the need for them.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Delenn?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I’m sorry for disturbing you at this hour, John. This is… becoming a problem for me.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He moves to stand next to her, to comfort her.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Are you alright?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I am not. Whatever this is… it’s using my past against me. Reminding me of things… I would rather not remember. Haunting me for its own entertainment. I fear it will destroy me.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I won’t let that happen.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He stares at her, just as Lennier had, and smiles. He tries to hide his awe, but he’s very bad at it.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I appreciate it. Some things… are better left behind.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Whatever it was, I know who you are. You’re a good person, Delenn. I believe that.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Thank you.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>They have a moment. Sheridan takes in the sight of her, remembers the beauty Kosh had when he had revealed himself. She holds a similar beauty, but it’s different, something he can’t quite discern. She’s just beautiful. An utter blessing.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(to himself)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Epiphanies are created by love…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">John?</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>He doesn’t respond. He simply presses his hand against her cheek as if he was wiping away her tears. Her frame tingles against his touch, like he’s touching something truly divine. She looks over at his hand, smiles. They move closer…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>and closer…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>and closer..</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>their faces almost touching…</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>And Sheridan’s link goes off.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I should…</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>DELENN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Of course. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Sheridan.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We’re receiving a recorded message from the Xels’Av’Ox.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Patching it through.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>XELS'AV'OX ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(through link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Well done. You’re getting closer. When all has been revealed, we will release you.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA (V.O)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(over link)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Should I send a response?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Not yet. I want to see how this plays out.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - TRANSPORT TUBE - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Still dark.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Computer, open doors.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>No response.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(firmly)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Computer, open doors. Open them now.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>It’s not going to work.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>And what are you doing, hm? Nothing. We’re trapped in here and you’re doing absolutely nothing to get us out.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>That is correct. I’m enjoying seeing you squirm.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LODNO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I could kill <em>you</em>, you know. And I should.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Then do so. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I should, but I won’t. Not today. Not yet. That’s not how it’s supposed to go.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Well, if that’s the case, can you be quiet, then? Surely someone will find us sooner or later. Stop panicking.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m not panicking.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Look at this. The true cowardice of the Centauri.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">You’re not helping. Mind you, this is the second time we’ve been stuck in a transport tube together.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes, and unfortunately, we survived the first encounter, so unfortunately, we shall survive the second.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>And you know this how?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Through belief.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Belief. Belief! Faith, G’Kar, is a very fickle thing. The universe will eventually disappoint you. It has already, has it not?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I’m very familiar with the universe’s disappointments, thank you. But I keep going because I must. Because there is nowhere to go but forward. And for you, there is nowhere to go but backwards.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>There’s a protesting sound from Londo–</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>and then a sawing noise at the ceiling. A piece of the top of the transport tube falls through, revealing light, and hits Londo over the head, knocking him to the ground. Garibaldi peers in.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Thank you, Mr. Garibaldi. Truly, thank you.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - MEDLAB - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Londo sits on the medlab bed, holding a pack of ice to his neck, as Franklin scans G’Kar.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I promise you, doctor, I am fine.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Sure, but it’s my job to check.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(looking at Londo)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Oh, trust me, Mollari in pain, I’m better than ever.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>FRANKLIN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Right. Well, everything about you seems fine, for the current situation, at least. You can go, but the Captain wants to see both of you. And try to stay safe, it’s a mess out there.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan sits at his desk, fidgeting.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
<p align="center">(to himself)</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Get some sleep. Get some sleep, she says. </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>G’Kar and Londo enter.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">G’KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why have you called us here?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>The transport tube you were in was down, but during an analysis we found no apparent cause. No malfunction, no glitch. I think they did it.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>They?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>This.. swap was caused by an alien race called the Xels’Av’Ox. They feed on psychological epiphanies.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>LONDO</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Oh, how wonderful. Can you make them stop? Drive them away, shoot them away, change me back to Centauri? </p>
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t know yet, but I have some thoughts. They haunted Delenn with memories from her past. They stick you together… probably because you’re enemies. They want you all to come to some sort of understanding.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>G'KAR</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>That is impossible.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">I know. I think I’m ready to send them a message.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan storms through the room.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>(to Ivanova)</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Commander, can we contact them?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We can try. Sending signal… sending… we’ve got them.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>On screen.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>XELS'AV'OX ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Why have you disturbed us?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I’m here to tell you, no deal. You will release us or we will open fire.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>XELS'AV'OX ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You cannot detect our ship.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>We’ve done our research on you. We’ve learned. You don’t know what we’re capable of.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>XELS'AV'OX ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I don’t have time for this.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You take us hostage, change us, all for what? To torture us for our sins? To force us into an epiphany? Well, I have news for you. You cannot heal from trauma that easily. You cannot fix one hundred years of oppression and violence that easily. You can’t just wave a wand and make everything okay. No conversation, no threat or force field, and certainly no torture is going to make this better. We have to make it better for ourselves. You don’t know anything about humans, I get that. But I’m here to tell you to back off. Let us go. This has gone on long enough. No one should be forced into healing; that isn’t healing at all. That’s not an epiphany. That’s just torture.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>The alien pauses, considers this, and then it smiles wide, revealing sharp, sharp teeth.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>XELS'AV'OX ALIEN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">You have passed. Goodbye, John Sheridan.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">What–</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Another blinding pink cloud envelops the station, but this time, nothing shakes. When the light melts away, Sheridan looks confused.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What… is going on?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Last thing I remember, I was about to leave for bed. Now, I feel an odd amount of tension in my body.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Computer, what’s the time?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>1100 hours.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>IVANOVA</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>That’s not possible. A few seconds ago it was 0400. </p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Computer, check time again. Are you sure?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Current time 1100 hours.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Has anything abnormal happened on the station in the last seven hours?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>COMPUTER</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Negative. Nothing recorded during given time period.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan and Ivanova exchange a worried glance.</p>
|
||
<p> </p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>INT. BABYLON 5 - KOSH’S QUARTERS - NIGHT</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>Sheridan enters Kosh’s quarters. Kosh has returned to his encounter suit - Vorlon again.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>You wanted to see me?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>Yes.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>I just found out the entire station is missing seven hours from their memory. Do you know what happened during that time?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>During that time… I realized.</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>SHERIDAN</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>What did you realize?</p>
|
||
</div><div align="center">
|
||
<p>KOSH</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p align="center">Everything.</p>
|
||
</div><div>
|
||
<p>CUT TO BLACK.</p>
|
||
</div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div id="afterword">
|
||
<h2 class="toc-heading">Afterword</h2>
|
||
|
||
<div class="meta">
|
||
<div id="endnotes">
|
||
<p>End Notes</p>
|
||
<blockquote class="userstuff"><p>what did kosh realize? up to your imagination. for now i am going to bed</p></blockquote>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<p class="message">Please <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/works/40543173/comments/new">drop by the Archive and comment</a> to let the creator know if you enjoyed their work!</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|