Babylon 5 s01e11 Episode Script

Survivors

Rumors are spread in Earth Dome, as President Luis Santiago continues to Babylon 5.
The president will present a wing to the station.
Many think he is visiting to build support for his alien immigration and trade agreements, opposed by the senate.
This is a low-gravity area, please hold on to the handrails.
- Do we have the president's itinerary? - Safer if no one knows his schedule.
- So they blame us if things go wrong.
- Exactly.
If you ask me, this luau is a waste of time and money.
- We get a fighter wing out of this.
- Fighters we needed years ago.
Now we have to renovate old Cobra Bays.
With untrained crews and less time than they should have, at our expense.
Does something surprise you? Nothing the government does surprises me.
That's a very Russian attitude.
I commend you.
Cobra Bay zone.
Watch your step, please.
Blue zone, next stop.
What the hell? Cobra Bay 12 explosion! Drop pressure doors! Oh, my God! It was the dawn of the Third Age of mankind 10 years after the Earth-Minbari War.
The Babylon Project was a dream given form.
Its goal: to prevent another war by creating a place where humans and aliens could work out their differences.
It's a port of call, home away from home for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs and wanderers.
Humans and aliens, wrapped in 2,500,000 tons of spinning metal, all alone in the night.
It can be a dangerous place.
But it's our last, best hope for peace.
This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations.
The year is 2258.
The name of the place is Babylon 5.
He was blown out of the bay.
It's the reason he survived.
If you call this is survival.
- Did he say anything? - No.
In his condition, any procedure I might use to rouse him would kill him.
Here's the damage report.
Sealed the Bay.
- What's left fits in a glass.
- Know what caused the explosion? Equipment and controls were destroyed.
The blast cut off ship's sensors.
It may be an antiproton reaction.
The crew used cutters.
It's consistent with the injuries.
Some poor slob probably forgot to close the dampers.
- You're ruling out sabotage? - I never rule that out.
The crew was new and had been working a lot.
That invites an accident.
Until I can do better than a guess, that's Sinclair.
Commander, a Maj.
Lianna Kemmer is here.
She wants a briefing on the explosion.
Lianna? Security central, five minutes.
Let's go.
- You know Maj.
Kemmer? - Knew her 17 years ago.
Dad was a friend.
She was a real sweet kid.
Lianna? Michael.
Maj.
Kemmer.
- Cmdr.
Sinclair.
- Pleasure, commander.
Now, about the Cobra Bays? Garibaldi is heading the investigation.
He'll fill you in.
With all due respect, I prefer my team handle it.
- That's up to - Commander.
As chief of presidential security, I am able to take over without your permission.
I'd rather my report stated full cooperation on your part.
Let her have it.
I've got better things to do.
Garibaldi? - What's going on? - It's personal.
Not when it affects this station.
Cmdr.
Sinclair, have you seen the seating chart for the banquet? Not now.
But the entire Narn delegation has been seated next to the Vree! An intolerable situation.
Have you seen them eat? That's horror for you.
- Eight credits? - Yes, sir.
For these? I think it's a very good price for the best at Babylon 5.
- Keep an eye on your credits.
- Yes, sir.
Third time this month I caught you, Dagool! - What is it with you? - This is a slap in the face to the entire Narn regime! All that tattoo ink seeping into your brain.
Think I've nothing better to do than bust you so often? Excuse me.
- Answer me! - Garibaldi, that's enough! - The hell it is! - Get out! All right, Michael, talk to me.
I got mad, okay? Hull-rats like Dagool do that to me sometimes.
Man, I need a drink.
Water, straight up.
This isn't about Dagool.
Tell me what happened.
Years ago, I worked security in the Europa ice-mining operation.
A cesspool.
Murders, theft, dust peddling.
Half the Command was in on it.
The other half didn't care.
Except for me.
Ever try to uphold the law when nobody cares? After a few weeks I started drinking hard to get through the night.
Then I met Frank Kemmer.
He was a shuttle pilot on the Jovian moon run.
A real decent guy.
When the job got tough, I spent time with him and his family.
That's when I first met Lianna.
Uncle Mike, she used to call me.
With all the madness, it kept me sane and sober for a while.
What happened? I was making a dent in the rackets.
It got under somebody's skin.
Word came, they were going to take me out.
I thought I could handle it.
I was wrong.
Instead of coming at me head-on, they rigged the shuttle pad.
Frank was bringing in the last run of the day.
Just as he touched down it blew.
You could see the fireball for a mile in every direction.
- I'm sorry.
- They had it all figured.
Pinned it on my negligence.
The corps didn't want a scandal so they blackballed me through the system.
But none of that was as bad as telling Frank's family what had happened.
Lianna didn't even cry.
She just died inside.
And you? I crawled back into the bottle.
I didn't come out again for a long, long time.
Yes? Commander, it's Dr.
Franklin.
I need you in Medlab immediately.
Government agent or not, you have no right to do this.
He's my patient.
He's in critical condition.
I take my orders from Maj.
Kemmer.
Nolan, do you hear me? - What? Who? - I'm Major Lianna Kemmer.
Tell me about the explosion in Cobra Bay 12.
No accident.
Bomb.
Who was behind it, Nolan? - What's going on? - They're reviving Nolan.
He'll die! Get out of my way, or by God I'll shove you out the nearest air-lock.
Who was behind it, Nolan? Who was behind it? Maj.
Kemmer! Are you crazy? Stop this! No.
That accident was deliberate, and this man knows who's responsible.
Nolan, who planted the bomb? - Nolan, who did it? - We're losing him! Nolan, who planted the bomb? It was Garibaldi.
He's dead.
- Are you nuts? He was lying! - Why would a dying man lie? I busted him for trashing a shop.
He had it in for me.
- Our scans show no trace of a bomb.
- The explosion could have covered it.
- Maybe you didn't want to find it.
- I don't have to listen to this! Hold on, Michael.
With this information, I want Mr.
Garibaldi suspended.
Maj.
Kemmer, all you have is a name.
A name spoken by a dying man! A man whose death you caused! The medical log stated death was sure.
He was a witness involving security.
I am within my authority! Garibaldi has been implicated in sabotage.
Suspension is standard procedure! Due to the president's visit, I will command security.
Oh, give me a break, will you? Presidential authority gives me the right, commander.
I'm exercising it.
Don't do this, Jeff.
Mike.
I'll need your security authorization, your link and your sidearm.
Sorry, can't let you in.
- Gone space happy? It's my place.
- It's under seizure.
Let's cut through this.
We need to talk! - I don't think so.
- Wait a minute! - No! Chief, don't! This won't help.
- Cutter! - See what the scanning team has found.
- Next time, Garibaldi.
Welch.
All right, say what you have to say.
Lianna, I loved Frank like he was my own brother.
- When he died - Because you were protecting yourself.
I made a mistake, I know that.
I would never have let your father die to save myself.
You've got to believe that.
I might, if you had told me then, but you just got drunk and ran.
Like you always do.
And I never saw my father's face again.
Major, the scanning team just linked in.
It was a bomb.
The scan had traces of C-15 in the residues and Chang found schematics of the Cobra Bay and these, hidden in his quarters.
Since when do they pay Earthforce chiefs in Centauri ducats? What is this worth? One-hundred thousand credits? If I were guilty, why would I leave evidence in my room? Maybe it's another mistake, like 17 years ago! Take him into custody.
The charge is conspiracy to commit sabotage.
Stop! After him! Security is posting a station-wide fugitive alert.
It's for Mr.
Garibaldi.
What? Cancel that alert! I have hard evidence on him.
I want him found before the president comes.
He's many things, but not a saboteur.
Enough with your personal vendetta! - Kill that alert.
- Cancel fugitive alert immediately.
I have no choice but to invoke presidential authority And I'm sick of that too! This is my station.
Ivanova, escort Maj.
Kemmer off the Observation Dome.
With pleasure.
You are going to resist, I hope? - She's going to call Earth Central.
- It'll buy me time.
- To do what? - Find Garibaldi before Kemmer does.
Station One.
Commence check on off-station communications channels.
That'll tie up communications for hours.
Yes, I believe it will.
- Londo, don't turn around.
- Mr.
Garibaldi.
- Try not to draw any attention.
- You're out of uniform.
Very dapper.
When you steal, you don't have choices.
I thought of your things I'm not in the mood for any of your games right now.
Tough.
I need information.
Someone's trying to frame me for the explosion.
They put a schematic of the bay and Centauri ducats in my quarters.
Centauri? Mr.
Garibaldi, do you really think I would do such a thing to you my good and dear friend? In a minute.
You're right, but I didn't.
Though I may have an idea who did.
Lt.
Commander, why are all Com Channels to Earth offline? Maintenance check for the president.
- I demand you open a channel to Earth.
- I'm a It.
Commander in Earthforce I do not take demands.
I consider requests.
Very well, then.
I request that you open a channel to Earth Dome.
Request denied.
Have a nice day.
They're protecting Garibaldi.
According to our files they're his only friends.
- Them and the Centauri ambassador.
- Question the ambassador.
There might be a connection.
O'Connor, go to the ship and patch me through to Earthforce.
- They'll be able to pick it up.
- Yes, major.
How would G'Kar get a load of Centauri ducats? During the Narn occupation of Ragesh 3, some important scientific material was lost.
For the right amount it could be found again, yes? But the Narns insisted on hard currency.
You could ask him yourself, except getting in the Ambassadorial Wing requires high clearance which you no longer have.
I can handle that, if you could float me a loan.
Who would have thought it? You, borrowing money from me.
Luckily for you, llaros has smiled on me recently.
Ilaros? Goddess of luck.
Patron of gamblers.
She and I have had a long and rather dubious relationship.
Five hundred Centauri ducats.
That should buy you whatever you need.
You're being very generous.
Any particular reason? You're a very suspicious man.
But, yes, there is a reason.
We are alike, you and I.
We are both, as you say the odd man out.
I have been in your place.
I can feel how you are pinned.
And it would give me some small pleasure to know that things can work out, even for us.
Now, go, please.
Leave me in peace.
You're all right, Londo.
If they catch you, I will deny ever seeing you.
Good luck.
Yes, and you'll need good luck.
In here, Mr.
Garibaldi.
I heard you were coming this way.
I thought we might chat.
Don't take too long.
This whole wing is monitored.
Don't worry.
The monitors are malfunctioning.
I also took the liberty of telling the guard I'd seen you in the next level.
My, you look as if you could use a drink.
This taree is most potent.
No, thanks.
Tell me how you knew I was coming.
You talked to Mollari.
It was inevitable you would come to me.
- How? - My people watch him.
His people watch me.
We all watch one another here, Mr.
Garibaldi.
I assume Mollari blamed me for your current situation.
We've locked horns.
Maybe this is a way to even the score.
It's not a bad idea, but I didn't think of it.
And I didn't do it.
Every ducat that Mollari's people gave to the Narn government has been accounted for.
You can check the accounts if you like.
I'll take your word for it.
I have been following your plight with great interest, Mr.
Garibaldi.
- I didn't know you cared.
- Personally, I don't.
I have always had respect for your talents.
I'm too tired for dancing, G'Kar.
What if I told you a ship is ready to spirit you away to Narn space? I'd say, why? You could serve us in various ways.
Analyst, security, cryptographer.
If you grow homesick we could arrange for your return to Human Space with proper genetic alterations.
That too might serve our needs.
You want me to betray my own world? Stop seeing things in such absolute terms.
The universe is run by the interweaving of three elements.
Energy, matter and enlightened self-interest.
Unless you comprehend that fact and soon, you will be cornered and caged.
They will destroy you.
- I'd rather be dead.
- You won't get death.
They'll just take everything you value.
- No deal.
- As you wish, though you are a fool.
Without your job, this station is not safe.
You have enemies.
Call it a lifestyle.
We'll see.
Welcome, Zeta Wing, you're clear for entry.
We've cleared all traffic.
Babylon 5, this is Zeta Wing, we're awaiting your instructions.
Go to the docking hub.
Then to Cobra Arm 3 where they'll be permanently stationed, following the flyby.
N'Grath, you can fix about anything on this station.
I need access to restricted sectors to prove my innocence.
A security card shouldn't be a problem.
I fix nothing.
I do business.
- Legitimate business.
- You don't trust me, do you? - You are police.
- Not anymore.
I'm a fugitive.
- Don't tell me you haven't heard? - Have heard.
You are still police.
No sale.
Go.
Now! Get your hands off me.
I guess I'll be leaving now.
- Damn! - Halt! Where the hell did he go? Right.
Let's do it.
- What are you doing here? - Keeping you from frying your butt.
I monitored the security reports on where you were.
- You missed the fun.
- Lf I missed more, you'd be dead.
- You're going to Medlab.
- After I find out who framed me.
- You can't do it alone.
- Lf I have to, I'll die trying.
I can't let you do that! Sinclair.
Commander, you have a priority transmission from General Netter.
On my way.
Michael? Garibaldi? Earthforce One approaching vortex generator.
Prepare for jump.
You and your staff must give Major Kemmer full cooperation.
- Understood? - Yes, sir.
Everything's to be secure when the president's entourage comes out.
I trust our positions are now clear.
I want to find Garibaldi too.
The difference is, I haven't judged him.
- I resent that.
- That's up to you.
Garibaldi is as loyal as you are.
If you weren't so upset about your father you'd realize that.
It's not justice you're after, it's blood.
- Kemmer here.
- We've sighted Garibaldi.
Brown 5, level 3.
He's been paying with Centauri ducats.
What we found in his quarters was only part of his payoff.
Close in.
I'm on the way.
Commander.
Garibaldi's running out of luck.
Have all personnel prepare for the president.
Security, patch me through to Officer Lou Welch.
He may be in disguise.
If you see him, he's considered dangerous.
Call us.
Open the damn door.
- Thanks, pal.
- No want hat? Take bottle.
I go casino.
And then she said to me if I could do that, I wouldn't need an encounter suit.
Guess you had to be there.
Is there a back way out of here? Go easy, Michael.
You got a real nice place here.
Great ambience, terrific decor, friendly people! This place should be on all the charter tours.
See and experience the real Babylon 5.
Hell, in a couple of months, I could see a few of you people topside! Well, boys and girls, it's been a slice.
See you around.
Freeze! Drunk again, Uncle Mike? Drunk again, Uncle Mike? - You don't look so good, Garibaldi.
- Take him to my command center.
Kemmer to all units.
Blip is in custody.
Abandon search.
They're getting ready to launch the new fighters.
I should check the bays once more.
Do it! Welcome to Babylon 5, Mr.
President.
You're cleared for immediate docking.
You never change, do you, Michael? I thought I had until you showed up.
You're tired, Michael.
You're hurt.
Tell me the truth and you can rest.
We have evidence against you.
Don't make it harder.
Isn't that what you want? To tear my life down like I did yours? If I could have gone in Frank's place, I would have.
I didn't know, Lianna.
I didn't know.
Major Kemmer? - Chief.
- What is it, Welch? Commander Sinclair ordered me to search Nolan's quarters.
I found these.
Vibration detonators.
And the pamphlets are Home Guard stuff.
We had trouble with them a while back.
Mr.
Garibaldi cleared it up.
- Is there anything else? - No, major, nothing else.
That will be all.
I should have figured it.
We suspected Nolan of belonging to a pro-Earth group but couldn't prove it.
And this is Home Guard style.
Nolan was killed by a bomb he planted himself? Exactly.
He didn't know they'd use a plasma driver in the bay.
He created enough vibration to trigger the bomb prematurely.
That's a possibility.
What about motive? The president's announcing freer alien immigration and trade policies.
That would stick in Home Guard's craw.
How was it supposed to work? You got any breathers or oxy-pills? I'm not used to the booze anymore.
- Kemmer.
- Major? The president's coming on board for the presentation ceremony.
The general wants to know if it's secure.
Make sure all our people are in place.
Tell General Netter everything is okay.
- Lianna, until we figure this out - We? You're still a suspect, Garibaldi.
- Have you checked the bays? - Affirmative.
They're clean.
Guard bay access until the fighters are launched.
Keep alert.
I'd like to believe you, but your supposition doesn't explain that evidence.
Nobody knew Nolan had named you except you, me Dr.
Franklin and Commander Sinclair.
Cutter was there when the evidence against me was found.
Cutter's one of our best agents.
Maybe Home Guard was counting on that.
Look You should scan those bays yourself.
You're head of presidential security.
You should make a personal inspection.
Presidential shuttle launched.
Now on approach to docking bay one, vector 694.
With great pleasure, I present this new fighter wing to Babylon 5.
- The station's own fighters will now - Illuminate center section floods.
Cutter? - Major? Is something wrong? - I want to scan the bays again.
Hurry.
The fighters are about to launch.
- Watch him.
- My pleasure.
Come on, wise guy.
Do it! Prepare to drop fighters.
Be smart, Cutter.
You can't pull this off.
Oh, yes, I can.
- Begin countdown at T-minus 30 seconds.
- Commencing.
T- Minus 30, 29 28, 27, 26 Clear all Cobra Bays for drop.
- Abort the drop! - Garibaldi? - There's a bomb in the bay! - What? Abort the drop! - Ivanova? - You lose, wise guy! 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 - Abort the drop! - Where are you? - Just do it! - Freeze count! Holding at T-minus one.
Outside of numerous bruises and abrasions and a blood level that's close to 100 proof, you'll be all right.
- Lianna? - She's already back on the job.
- She's a tough customer.
- Yeah, I know.
- How you feeling? - Like I made love to a meteor shower.
Don't let him con you.
He may not look pretty but with rest, he'll be fit.
Thanks a lot, doc.
These bruises could have bought me a week's leave.
We found charges on all the bay doors.
If they'd opened, we would have lost the whole wing.
Someone deposited 100,000 credits into an account in Cutter's name an hour after Nolan named you.
He withdrew it here and Centauri ducats, which he planted in my quarters.
Very smooth.
But not smooth enough.
- You did good.
- Yeah.
- Sure.
- Is something wrong? I blew it, Jeff.
Just like I did on Europa, on Mars Colony, Orion 4, just like I always do.
When things get rough, I crawl back into the bottle.
It scares me that I enjoyed it.
But you crawled back out and did the job.
Yeah.
I got lucky.
But what happens next time? Hopefully there won't be a next time, but if there is promise me something.
You won't try and fight the battle alone.
You're trouble, but I couldn't run this station without you.
Commander, I sense a huge pay raise coming my way.
Dream on.
I've gotta attend the president's reception.
You get some rest, chief.
You've earned it.
And I think you might want these.
Hey, Jeff.
Thanks.
President Santiago concluded his address by inviting alien governments to work closely with Earth, a position certain to cause much controversy.
Lianna? - Everything all right with the visit? - Yes, thanks to you.
And thanks for that report of yours.
It was very creative.
The president's talking about citations for all concerned.
If you could nab me on my turf, you might have a career in this game.
And I owe you for Frank.
I screwed up, Michael.
- I'm sorry.
- Nothing to be sorry about.
- You did your job.
- No, Commander Sinclair was right.
I wasn't out for justice, I was out for blood.
It happens.
To all of us.
We're not machines, Lianna.
When we're hurt, we lash out.
That's no excuse for what I put you through.
It's not about excuses.
Seventeen years ago we both died inside but somehow we survived.
For better or worse, that's all we can do.
Survive and maybe one day, forget how much it can hurt to be human.
- Kemmer here.
- Major, we're cleared for departure.
Be right there.
We have to set up for the president's next stop.
You know, always on an assignment.
Yeah.
I know.
I'll see you the next time the president visits.
He's fond of Babylon 5, you know.
Then make sure nothing happens to him.
We need all the friends we can get.
I will.
Goodbye, Michael.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

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