|
[Int. shot, Mordred Bridge.] |
Rick |
Well, how are we doing? |
Max |
We'll miss the station, if that's what you're worried about. We'll
even make it into orbit, but we won't be able to break out of it until
we get the main engines repaired. |
Rick |
What about the Invid? |
Max |
Good question. Linerva? |
Linerva |
They are also achieving orbit, about a quarter radii behind us. Looks
like they're also having trouble with their engines - they're all outside
pushing their ship. |
Max |
Why didn't we think of that? |
Rick |
The Qistra-Hesp blown up, the Dephinar right on our tail, and here
we are with our ship almost powerless. |
Max |
Still, it could be worse. |
Rick |
Oh yes? How? |
|
[Ext. shot, Jump gate. Freight ship appears, pursued by fighters.
The fighters are firing at the freighter.] |
|
[Opening sequence music.] |
Ivanova (VO) |
The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace. It failed. But,
in the Year of the Shadow War, it became something greater: our last, best
hope for... victory. The year is 2260. The place: Babylon 5. |
|
[Opening sequence.] |
|
[Int. shot, Babylon 5 C&C.] |
Title |
Shadow Dance. |
Sheridan |
What the hell...? |
Ivanova |
We have pirates on our hands! |
Sheridan |
Launch Zeta Wing! Move all other traffic out of the area! |
|
[Magiso's face appears on a vid-screen.] |
Magiso |
Is this how you honour your word? |
Sheridan |
Kalidar Magiso, I promise you we had nothing to do with this. Move
out of the area and we will take care of matters. |
Magiso |
We are Zentraedi. We do not run from a fight. |
|
[Ext. shot, Babylon-5 station. A wing of StarFuries is coming
out and heading towards the battered freighter. A squad of Quedlunn-rau
overtake them and engage the pirate ships, neatly destroying them in a
few seconds with concentrated burst of firepower.] |
|
[Int. shot, Babylon-5 C&C.] |
Magiso |
As you can see, commander, we are quite capable of taking care of ourselves.
Magiso out. |
Ivanova |
Now there's someone I'd hate to meet in an asteroid belt during an
eclipse. |
Sheridan |
The feeling's shared. How's the freighter? |
NBE |
Badly damaged, but still capable of maneouvering. We're bringing it
straight into the repair bays for docking. Commander? The ship's captain
requests to see you. He says he's got a package for you. |
Sheridan |
Does he now? Inform the captain that I will be with him as soon as
I can. Ivanova, what's the status on the other two ships? |
Ivanova |
The blue ship - the Mordred according to its markings - is achieving
final orbit around the planet. The red clamship is also in orbit, but on
the other side from the Mordred. I'd say our newcomers don't trust one
another. |
Sheridan |
The way things have been going on this station lately, I guess they'll
fit right in then. I want you to send out a ship to collect what's left
of those pirates. This is the first time in a long while we've had
pirate trouble, and I want to know who they are. If anybody wants me, I'll
be picking up that package from the freighter's captain. |
|
[Int. shot, Mordred Bridge.] |
Max |
Status? |
Bernard |
All sections report nominal. Repairs are under way. However, we have
virtually no reaction mass left for the thrusters. |
Max |
Weapons? |
Bernard |
65% operative. |
Srepde |
Most Veritechs will need repairs of one sort or another, but we have
76% of our forces operational at this time. |
Rick |
How about a way of getting us back home? |
Bron |
Well, the ship's fold-computer should still have the parameters of
this jump. We can only guess at what happened just before we folded, though.
It might take some time before we find a way of even knowing where home
is. |
Max |
Then get on it right now. O'Celc, open a line to the Invid commander.
I want to know where we stand here. |
O'Celc |
Invid commander on line. |
|
[Phsaq appears on a holobeam.] |
Phsaq |
You wished to converse, captain? |
Max |
Commander Phsaq, I trust your ship has not suffered too much from the
unexpected fold? |
Phsaq |
Captain, surely you do not expect me to answer such a question from
an enemy? |
Max |
Then let me lay the cards on the table. You're stuck here just as much
as we are. And as are the Zentraedi. What good can come out of our fighting
one another? |
Phsaq |
You speak the truth. It is useless for us to fight in our current predicament.
You are suggesting a truce? |
Max |
Until such a time as we get back to our own universe, yes. After that,
it's up to you. |
Phsaq |
And the Zentraedi Meltran? |
Max |
I will offer them the same deal as soon as we can contact them. |
Phsaq |
Then I agree, captain. A truce now exist between our ships. Phsaq out. |
Rick |
Well, he sure was in a hurry to go. |
|
[Int. shot, Dephinar bridge.] |
Phsaq |
Brain... |
Brain |
Yes, commander. |
Phsaq |
Access exo-sociological data banks - terran customs. Explain to me
what cards and tables have to do with our present situation. |
|
[int. shot, Ambassador Mollari's quarters. There is a knock on
the door.] |
Londo |
Enter! |
|
[Door opens, revealing Morden.] |
Morden |
You wished to speak to me? |
Londo |
Yes. There are three ships outside this station- |
Morden |
Two, ambassador. One of them self-destructed. |
Londo |
Did it indeed? How unfortunate. The other two ships will have achieved
orbit by now. |
Morden |
Almost certainly. |
Londo |
Those ships appeared without a jump-point. Did you know that? |
Morden |
I was not aware of this, no. And your interest in this? |
Londo |
Think about it - a new way of travelling long distance. The heights
the Centauri Republic would rise to if it were capable of getting its hands
on this technology. We'd be able to mount surprise attacks on any outpost
- maybe even worlds. But to do this, we'd need their ships to... disappear. |
Morden |
And the crew? |
Londo |
I'm sure the Centauri Republic would gladly extent to them the help
they extended to the Narn in their time of need. |
Morden |
An interesting proposition, ambassador. I will let you know our answer
before tomorrow. |
|
[Morden exits. Londo pours himself a drink.] |
Londo |
To the inevitable, and unstoppable, rise of the new Centauri Empire. |