From jbenson@valsmtp.riag.com Tue Dec 24 18:57:17 1996 Date: Mon, 14 Oct 96 12:22:33 -0400 From: Jon Benson Subject: (no subject) HI, I submitted a story to you last week or the week before. But I think I may have left it in wp60 format, and if your machine is anything like mine you probably couldn't read it. Anyway, on the off chance that you weren't able to read it, (and assuming that it wasn't so awful that you >could< read it and wished you hadn't) I'm re-submitting it as a generic ascii file. Called The Light of Dawn, it is almost entirely dialog, written as a script. If ther is a problem with the attachment please let me know. (And if you want me to stop sending this stuff, let me know that too.) sincerely jon benson [ Part 2: "Attached Text" ] Babylon-5. Title--"The Light of Dawn" Uncle Ray--Ray Walston Tommy Badell--Ernie Hudson (The guide from "Congo"--I loved him in that. Hare/Arthur--Generic Blond Haired white guy (Arthur), and Generic dark haired white guy (Hare) Arrivals area. Garibaldi (G) is loitering, waiting, his eyes casually roving, hands in pockets, relaxed, he checks his watch, (or whatever passes for a watch on B-5) Sheridan (S) appears, a casual passerby. S. Mr. Garibaldi, inspecting new arrivals? Scouting for saboteurs? G. Captain. No, just waiting for someone. My Uncle Ray. (UR) >From my mother's side. S. A relative. Good. We could all use a little more pleasure and a little less business. Are the two of you close? G. Yeah. Uncle Ray's my favorite. He was my Dad's best friend. He introduces him to my mom. After mom died, Uncle Ray kinda took her place for me. Helped Dad raise me. Told me all the stories about Mom when she was growing up. Sort of kept her alive a little for me and Dad. S. Sounds like a good man to have around. G. Yeah, Uncle Ray's the best. S. I'd love to meet him. Be sure to bring him around while he's here. G. I'll do that , Captain. They part. G. is scanning the crowd again when a hand grabs his shoulder. Spinning around he sees and older man grinning at him. G. Uncle Ray! Where'd you come from? UR. You mean originally? Or just now? C'mon Mikey. Don't keep an old man standing on his feet. Let's go somewhere and have a drink. Or at least I'll have a drink. You can watch me and suffer. G. Thanks Uncle Ray. I don't miss it much anymore. C'mon. Let's go. [Garibaldi turns, and for a second, a man in the crowd catches his eye.] Uncle Ray. I just remembered. I have to check up on something back at the office. I don't want to drag you all over the station; not yet anyway--There's a pub here at arrivals. Do you mind waiting ten or fifteen minutes for me? UR. [Somewhat distracted, as though listening to someone else] Huh? Oh, sure Mikey, sure. Just point the way. Cut to Garibaldi walking down a dimly lit corridor. A man steps out of the shadows. Mr. Garibaldi. Good to see you. G. Hare.(H) How's the Ranger business going? H. I'm looking for someone. G. That sort of goes with the territory. You want to narrow it down a little for me? H. My sources said that you would know who I was looking for. G. Your sources were wrong. At least until I have a name and description. H. I was given neither. I was told only that you would know. G. Looks like they let you down this time Hare. I haven't a clue to what you're talking about. H. Hmm. Maybe I should get back to you? G. Good idea. Cut back to pub. Uncle Ray is nursing a beer. He's watching the other patrons. At a nearby table is Lyta Alexander (LA) and two men, one alien, one human. Lyta, in deep conversation, suddenly stops, looks around, looks at Uncle Ray. Uncle Ray, smiling, lifts his glass to her. She continues to stare for a moment, and then, reluctantly, is drawn back into the conversation. Garibaldi enters. G. Uncle Ray. UR. Mikey. You have some pretty women working on this station. How about introducing me to that brunette at the table over there. G. Lyta? UR. She's got a name. That's a good start. G. Lyta Alexander. She's a telepath. She works for Ambassador Kosh, our resident Vorlon. UR. For the Vorlon? Since when do they need humans? Or even want them for that matter. Still...that just kind of adds to her mystique. So, you gonna introduce me? G. Uncle Ray. You've been like a mother and a father, and sometimes even an uncle to me. In fact, it was you who taught me and Dad most of what we know about romance. If it hadn't been for you, Dad would never have met Mom and we wouldn't even be having this conversation. And now you want me to help you pick up girls? A hand on Garibaldi's shoulder. Yet again. He starts to turn. Lyta Alexander (LA) Mister Garibaldi. Even though I'm not with Psi Corps anymore, I still respect the unspoken thoughts of non- telepaths. However I do have ears and I'm sure I heard my name mentioned. Are you going to introduce me to this gentleman or not? G. [Somewhat overwhelmed] Yeah, yeah, uh, Uncle Ray, this is Lyta Alexander. Lyta, this is my Uncle Ray. LA. Should I call you Uncle Ray too? UR. Hell no, lady! I don't wanna be your uncle. Call me Ray. Mikey, how about some more drinks? Miss Alexander, what will you have? LA. A raincheck just now, I'm afraid. I have some urgent business that won't keep. But here's me Com Code. Leave me a message and let me know when you're settled in and I'll call you when I'm free... and call me Lyta. UR. My pleasure, Lyta. Mikey and I have some catching up to do anyway. LA. Bye Ray. Bye, "Mikey." G. [Grimacing and standing] Goodbye Miss Alexander. LA leaves smiling. G. [Turns back to Uncle Ray, looking quizzical.] So, Uncle Ray, What really brings you all the way out to Babylon-5? You like Mars too much and hate jumpgates too much to make me think it's just me you came to see. UR. Mikey, I'm hurt. You're family. If I ever had a son I'd want him to be just like you... a suspicious SOB. G. Thanks, Uncle Ray. Now give. What's going on? UR. You're a good security man, Mikey. But let's not talk here. He gets up. Garibaldi follows. G. OK. We can go to me office. I know it's safe there. And we can check back and see if your luggage has gotten through scanning yet. Scene changes to C&C. S. Commander Ivanova. Wasn't your shift over an hour ago? Why are you still here? Ivanova (I) Captain. Yessir, my shift is over. I was just taking care of a few loose ends. S. Loose ends? I. Yessir. We received a message that the Dawntreader might be headed for B-5. S. The Dawntreader? The Dawntreader's a pirate vessel. Why should she head for Babylon 5? I. Captain, the Dawntreader is, or was, a privateer. S. Privateer. Pirate. What's the difference. They attack and rob spacecraft. If they do come here we'll have to throw them all in the brig. That is if they don't force us to blast them down to their component atoms. And that would be a damned shame. I. Yes captain. They attacked and robbed ships. But they did it while in the employ of Earthforce, or the Narns, or the Drazi or a dozen others. That was how they contracted. They agreed to patrol an area, and anyone there without authorization was boarded and their good seized. That was how they earned a living. Then everyone on board was loaded into life pods and ejected and the ship destroyed. I was following the story for awhile until the Dawntreader just disappeared. S. Too bad it wasn't for good. I still don't want them on my station. I. Captain. There's one other thing I haven't mentioned. S. Yeah? What's that? The Dawntreader's crew all joined the Boyscouts? I. Something like that. S. Huh? I. [Looking uncomfortable] Captain...The message I received about the Dawntreader [Sheridan waits expectantly] I didn't tell you where it came from. S. So tell me. I. It came from Vorlon space, Captain. The Dawntreader and her crew are in the employ of the Vorlon. They are inbound from the Vorlon homeworld, coming here, I think, to meet Ambassador Kosh. Sheridan is dumbfounded. I. Oh. And just to make things more interesting-- S. You mean there's more? S. Yes. One of your favorite people is coming here again-- S. No. Don't tell me... not him. I. Yep. Bester. Permission to arm the weapons array, Captain. S. Steady, Susan. We'll get through this. What's he want this time. I. He wouldn't say. He would only talk to you. He also said he didn't want Security notified about his coming, that he had orders for you from Earthdome, specifying that no one, especially security, was to know he was here. S. How in hell does he expect me to keep that a secret? I. He didn't say. Only that he would be in touch with you at 18:00 hours on the gold channel. S. [Sighs] Well, it's just 14:00 now. That gives me a little breathing time. I. Yessir. Oh, and Captain? Permission to arm the weapons array? S. [Rolls his eyes. Slight tic on one side of his face. Starts to speak, holding up one finger, halts. Takes deep breath and walks away.] I. Captain?... you didn't answer my question...Captain? Sheridan exits I. [Aloud to herself] Funny. I thought he'd want it to be ready for the Dawntreader? Scene is Garibaldi's office. UR. Nice place, Mikey. Sort of early paranoia. Who's your decorator? Psi Corps? G. That's not funny, Uncle Ray. Those Psi Corps guys are a pain in my-- UR. Relax, Mikey, relax. Just Kidding. You don't like Psi Corps, do you? G. Like 'em? What's not to like? They lie, they murder, they mess with people's minds. You know. Just your average jackbooted psychopaths. UR. Ha ha ha. Mikey, Mikey. You should know by now that seventy- five percent of warfare is psychological. Psi Corps, the psicops especially want you to hate them, or at least fear them. Hate works better though. G. Yeah? Why's that? UR. Well, a man in fear can shut down if they're scared enough. And trying to keep them from crossing that line is tricky. If they do cross it they fall down a hole and pull the hole in after themselves. It's very hard, no, it's impossible for even the best telepath to go that deep. Dangerous too. Go too deep onto another man's psyche, and you may not get back out. G. Uncle Ray. When did you get to be such an expert on telepaths... And why do I get this sick feeling that I'm gonna hate the answer. UR. [Looking suddenly very serious and very tired, sits down.] Mikey... you asked me why I came here... I came here to meet somebody. G. Somebody from Psi Corps? Please just tell me it's not a bastard named Bester? UR. No, no. Not Psi Corps. Mikey, do you remember somebody named Tommy Badell? G. Tommy Badell! You mean from the old neighborhood? THE Tommy Badell? Do you know who he is now? Do you know what he is now? And you want me to help you find him? You came here to meet him? UR. No. Listen. This is sort of a long roundabout story. There's this group of people. They call themselves "Rangers." [Suspenseful music!!! Garibaldi stares at Uncle Ray, mouth open, totally stunned, but still quizzical] Scene is Sheridan's office. Sheridan is at his desk. Lennier enters. S. Thank you for coming, Mr. Lennier. Lennier (L) You are welcome< Captain. In Ambassador Delenn's absence she asked me to cooperate fully with you. S. Yes. Thank you, again. L. What was it you wished to see me about. S. Well, we, that is, our little conspiracy, may be in danger... again. [tic] L. You seem upset, Captain. I mean beyond the danger of which you speak. S. It's nothing. Anyway. There is a psicop by the name of Bester... L. Ah, yes, the SOB. S. What?!! L. Ambassador Delenn has been teaching me some of your Earth expressions. Did I use it correctly? S. [tic] Yeah. Yes. I mean, well, did she brief you on our last encounter with him? L. Yes. A thoroughly unctuous person beside whom Ambassador Molari is, what you'd call, a "creampuff." S. That's the guy. L. May I assume he is returning? And that you are worried that he will surreptitiously use his telepathic abilities on one of you and thus discover "our little conspiracy?" S. Yes. L. And further, that you hope to use the same method you used last time, a group of Minbari telepaths, to keep his mind under control? S. That about covers it, yes. Can you help? L. I don't know, Captain. You see, it is Laveth Rahh. S. Laveth Rahh? L. Yes. The season for meditation and self-control. Minbari telepaths are more strict about their ethics than your Earth telepaths. Once, every two years, they enter a time of deep meditation and self examination. It increases both their telepathic powers and their moral restraint. A Minbari telepath will not enter an unwilling mind, either voluntarily or inadvertently, nor will they allow their own mind to be entered without permission. S. And so all the Minbari telepaths on Babylon-5 are meditating and can't be disturbed? L. No Captain. The telepaths alternate. Laveth Rahh comes every year, but the telepaths are only required to practice every two years, but they may, if they want, practice every year. The upshot is that a little over half of the Minbari telepaths on Babylon-5 are indisposed. The others are available, but, they may not be enough to do what you want done. S. Great. Just great. L. Captain. [Sheridan looks at Lennier] "Faith manages." S. [tic] Arrivals area. A group of men and aliens, rough looking, dangerous looking, but not evil looking, are checked through customs. The leader, a tall bearded Earthman, of African-American origins saunters across the room. He is dressed in Errol Flynn type buccaneer clothes [sans sword] He stops and buys a small flower from a Lurker vendor, sniffs it, overpays for it, tucks it in his lapel and continues. His "crew", follow along. There is a Minbari warrior caste, a Drazi, a Narn and a Centauri. The people stare after them. [especially Narns and Centauri] They seem not to notice. They pass by the same pub Garibaldi and Uncle Ray were in earlier. The leader nods to his men, and they go in. He continues on. Break to Garibaldi and Uncle Ray. G. Uncle Ray, please, start from the beginning. What the hell happened? Why are you really here? What do you know about the Rangers, and what does Tommy Badell have to do with all this? UR. Ok, Mikey, Ok. This all started a long time ago. How much do you remember about your mother? G. [shrugs] Not alot. I was only 5 or 6 when she died. Why? What's she got to do with this? UR. This may not be a good time to tell you this, but your mother was a latent telepath. G. What? Do you know what you're saying? UR. Yes,yes, I know, I know. But the honest truth is that the vast majority of human beings are latent telepaths. You're a latent telepath. Your father was a latent telepath, though your mother's gift was the strongest. G. Great. Then who needs Psi Corps? UR. Good point. Who needs them? Should have been dismantled years ago. Do more damage these days than good. Anyway... where was I? G. Latent telepaths... and my paranoia just went into overdrive. UR. Oh, right, right. Anyway, your mother, my sister, knew she was a latent telepath. We were on Mars at the time, Psi Corps wasn't very strong there then and the locals were trying their best to be independent so they kept Psi Corps out as much as possible on general principles. Your mother, rest her soul, was a biochemist. You probably didn't know that either. But she was. She decided to tackle the problem of latent telepathy, that is, the latent telepathy that most humans have. Mikey, you and your father were both security men. Men who survived because of their instincts, their innate abilities to recognize good hunches when they had them. That alone should be enough to confirm latent telepathy. And in you more than your father. Some of your emotional problems, and you're drinking problem, may stem directly from your subconscious being unwilling to let your conscious mind deal with the idea that you might have telepathic abilities. G. Why should that give me nightmares? Just because I'd have to work with the likes of Bester on a regular basis? Piece of cake! UR. Just the same, your mother was having some success when she died. Psi Corps had invented and was experimenting with a telepathy booster that came to be called "dust." G. Wait a minute. You say Psi Corps invented Dust? UR. That's right. Of course, they don't want that generally known. G. I'll bet. Is that why they're after you? Because you know about the Dust? UR. Amongst other things. But the Dust thing is a fairly minor point. G. [rolls his eyes] Great, just great. UR. As I said, your mother had some success. She discovered that chemicals alone weren't enough. She developed the theory that a virus, a normally innocuous virus, could be used to distribute, and even manufacture telepathic boosting chemicals in the brain, and maintain the levels without the overdose and burnout effects that Dust has. G. So... what happened? Was Mom a full telepath when she died? Has the technique been used on anybody? UR. Slow down, slow down. Yes. The technique has been used. But no, neither your mother nor anyone else was made a full telepath by the technique. The biochemical method can boost and maintain the levels of _____________ in the brain without damage to the neurons or any part of the brain for that matter. It will even cure a headache! And it does increase the ability, especially at close range, and even more so between people biologically or emotionally close to one another, that is to say, between a husband and wife, or between siblings or a parent and a child. But nothing really beyond that. It seems that the real reason human telepathic abilities are latent is that the particular section of the brain that allows the conscious mind to be aware of a telepathic signal, is not developed enough in most human beings. Now, if the section were functioning at full telepathic levels, and there was a lack of _____________ , the effect of your mother's invention would be to bring that person up to full psychic power. But that sort of thing is extremely rare. In fact, there's a chemical that can be used to induce a lack of __________ in order to disable a working telepath for a short period of time. G. OK, but that still doesn't seem the kind of thing to bring Psi Corps down so hard on your neck. UR. Quite right, quite right. About two years ago some extra- Terran archaeologist brought a bunch of alien artifacts to Earth. Or rather, had them confiscated be Earthdome when it was discovered that they were bio-mechanical in nature. G. Yeah. I think I know who you're talking about. He passed through B-5. Some kind of alien giz-whiz attached itself to a guy and turned into a human dreadnaught. If the Commander hadn't been able to stop him he'd have destroyed the station. Our weapons couldn't touch him. UR. Yes. That's about the way I heard it too. Anyway. The bits and pieces of the alien tech passed through Mars on the way to Earth and several bits and pieces were, uh, "liberated," by a Free Mars cell. I don't think they were ever missed because they were too small. But if they were, well, that's just one more knot in the noose at this point. The point is that some of those pieces wound up with me. G. Oh, God. UR. Yeah. After some analysis I discovered that the bio-tech could be manipulated by stimulating them with cellular matter. It was just a kind of curiosity, at first. But it occurred to me one day to stimulate the bio-tech with some cells from the telepathic centers of the brain. The growth seem to quadruple, and the bio- tech material increased in size. Even then it was still a curiosity. Even then it hadn't hit me. G. Uncle Ray, you're scarin' me. UR. And scared you should be, Mikey. Because I took a microscopic bit of the biotech material and had it injected into the telepathic center in my own brain. Then I injected a serum based on your mother's formula. G. You're a telepath now?!! UR. Not yet. It takes time for the biotech material to grow. And I think I have to sort of direct it somewhat. Sort of like meditation. But I do have some abilities already. That was how I sneaked up on you in the arrivals area. One of the earliest abilities I developed was the power to be "unnoticeable;" what the textbooks call the "Niven Effect," from the name of the man who first theorized the possibility of such an effect. I can't make myself invisible, but I can make a person's attention kind of slide off me. G. God. What are you going to do now? UR. Hide! Until the biotech cells have matured, and until I learn to use my power fully. Sheridan's office. He's seated at his desk sifting through reports. The pirate captain is escorted in by Zack Allen, who nods to Sheridan and leaves. Badell (Bad) I was told to check in with you Captain Sheridan, upon my arrival. Ambassador Kosh wished as little friction as possible. S. Mister Badell. Or should I call you "captain" Badell? Call me Tommy, if you wish. Or Thomas. It matters little to me. The Minbari call me Iarwain Ben-adar. S. Mr. Badell. I don't like you. I don't like pirates no matter how shiny their credentials. Bad. Fair enough, Captain. I'm a reasonable man. I have no wish to draw attention to myself in any case, so you'll have no trouble from me, piratical or otherwise. S. Huhh! You're not going to try and sell me that "I'm not a pirate" routine? That you and your crew aren't a bunch of cutthroats? Bad. [Pausing. Looks at his hands for a second. Holds one of them up as if inspecting his fingernails. Puts his hand down and looks Sheridan in the eye.] My crew are dangerous, Captain Sheridan, as am I, only more so. If we ever chance to be on opposite sides you may discover this for yourself. [Laughs and becomes merrier.] But come ,Captain. You are a dangerous man. I've heard so on Minbar. Ha ha. You should hear the names they have for you there. I feel it an honor to be in such dangerous company. If you ever tire of this sedentary life on Babylon 5, perhaps you would like to join us as we "pillage" the galaxy? ha ha ha... S. I suppose you think that's funny? Bad. My apologies, Captain. But one does grow tired of trying to live up to the image. I'm never quite so large or black-hearted as people hope I'll be. And then they take everything I say so seriously, when I take very little seriously, least of all myself. [Pause. Tension eases, ever so slightly.] S. Well, Mr. Badell, perhaps you can tell me why you are here? Bad. Good, good. Just the right amount of banter, and then to the point. I like you Sheridan, no matter what the Minbari say [tic] and my offer still stands... but, to the point.[Hands Sheridan a memory crystal.] That crystal, you don't have to wade through it all now, is the documentation of my dealings with a group you call "Rangers." [Sheridan looks sharply at Badell.] Relax. I carry my own devices to foil eavesdroppers. And I am here by Kosh's request. I hope you trust him at least. [Sheridan, looking at the crystal in his hand, clutches it and nods briefly.] S. Go on. Bad. Well, anyway, I was told that I was being sought after. By the Vorlon. I was doing some work for them, and the party seeking me had somehow gotten involved with your Ranger friends, and, well, word eventually got to me. And, since what was needed was someone dangerous, the Vorlon and I, and the Minbari too, by the way, thought it a swell idea that I take on the mission. S. And, again, just what is this mission? Bad. I'm here to kill a man. Pause. Sheridan smoulders. S. You expect me to stand by and let you kill someone? On my station? I don't think so, Badell. Not even for the Vorlon. And, by the way, assuming it's not me, and you'll never leave here alive if you kill me, just who is this man you're supposed to kill? Bad. He's just a harmless, doddering old fool I knew back on Mars who has meddles in things better left alone. His full name is Raymond E. Howard. I believe he is related to your Security Chief, Michael Garibaldi. Sheridan, stunned expression, again and tic. C&C. Ivanova, observing the final approach of Bester's shuttle. I. Lieutenant. Take over. I have a meeting that won't wait. It is very important and I cannot be disturbed. Do not try to call me over the link until further notice. Lieu. Aye, Commander. How long will you be gone? I. Until--Further--Notice! Lieu. Aye, Commander. [Ivanova leaves. enters elevator] I. Docking levels. [Lift moves several floors. Stops. Lyta enters.] LA. Commander. I. Miss Alexander. [Pause] LA. You know, this might work on you, but I don't know about Garibaldi, Sheridan and Franklin. Franklin can probably avoid Bester, but not Mike---Garibaldi and Sheridan. Anybody else that's involved is either an alien or off station. Bester won't bother with aliens, especially the Minbari. I think he's a little frightened of them, though he hides it well. I. Yeah, well. They should have let me blow him up. Problem solved. LA. Don't worry. If we can get through this one, the next one, I think, will be easier. I. You know something I don't? LA. [Smiling.] Maybe. It's still in the experimental stage, that's all. [Lift stops. They exit.] Garibaldi's quarters. Sheridan and Badell signal then enter. S. Michael. I think you know Mr. Badell. At least he says you do. G. Yeah. Tommy and I go way back. Hey, Tommy, how's the pirate business? Hijacked anybody interesting lately? What kind of dirty work you down our way for? Bad. Mikey, Mikey. So cynical! So suspicious! Still, that's why I've always liked you. Best damned security man I know. Wanna be a pirate? [Sheridan is obviously nervous, tic, mutters to himself "Mikey?"] G. C'mon Tommy. Give. What's going on? Bad. Ok, Mikey, OK. Nothing splashy. A simple expediency. G. An Expediency? You're here to kill somebody? Captain? You don't expect me to cooperate with this ghoul, do you? S. Struggles for words, shrugging, hands out etc. G. And just who the hell are you here to kill? Bad. Why, Uncle Ray, of course. G. Face tenses up. Hand moves slowly to PPG as he comes within an inch or two of Badell. Nose to nose they glare at one another for about five seconds. Then Garibaldi starts to smile slightly around the corners of his mouth. Badell smiles, a big grin. Garibaldi starts to shudder with laughter. Sheridan is staring, astonished, tic going wild. Badell and Garibaldi both break up, clinging to each other, practically in tears. Hey, Uncle Ray. Got a guy out here wants to kill you. UR. [Seemingly materializing. Kind of "just there." Tommy. Glad you could make it. Mikey! Mind your manners. Get him a drink. S. [Exploding] Would somebody tell me just what the hell is going on? I don't find this stuff amusing anymore. Bad. I am sorry, Captain Sheridan... UR. [to Sheridan] You got a first name sonny? I'm not much for formality. S. Wha, huh? Yeah, John. And WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? [Garibaldi and Badell are still laughing.] UR. Tommy! Mikey! Get a grip. We have to bring Johnny here up to speed, and let's be quick about it. S. [Muttering.] Johnny? UR. Listen, Johnny, this is mostly my fault, so I'll try to explain it all. S. Great. Just great. [tic] UR. OK. Like I explained to Mikey. I came up with a way to artificially boost human, and maybe even alien, telepathic abilities. G. Alien? You never said anything to me about alien? UR. Shut up, Mikey. I got no time now. Bad. [Smiles.] UR. Wipe that smile off your face, Tommy. You hadn't heard it yet either. I know. Anyway, Johnny, as you may have guessed, this has made me real popular with Psi Corps, given that (A) they've been trying to accomplish the same thing for years using Dust [Surprised look from Sheridan and Badell. Garibaldi already knows.] and (B) given their involvement with the Shadows...[All three are astonished. Badell recovers first] ... and the fact that telepaths can see a Shadow better than a normal can. Bad. [softly] Uncle Ray, ... just what do you know about the Shadows? UR. Tommy, even without what I have now, I knew there was something going on. Half the population on Mars knows there's something, they just don't know what. The whole rebellion thing a couple of years ago... they blamed it on Free Mars, but really it was stirred up by Psi Corps in order to be able to eliminate people under cover of the rebellion. People fight, people die. As for knowing about the Shadows, I picked a few things from the Rangers, a little here, a little there, and from some guy me and Mikey have tied up in the corner. Badell and Sheridan look at one another, then at Uncle Ray and Garibaldi. G. Yeah. We have another problem. A guy I took to be a Ranger was really a Psicop plant wearing a changeling web. He first told me that someone was coming and that I was to meet them and help the Rangers spirit him away. Said he couldn't tell me who it was, that I should know. As it happens, he did know., but once he realized that I didn't know what Uncle Ray was up to yet, he decided to hold back. Don't know why. Maybe he thought he could bag Uncle Ray without involving me. Fewer loose ends that way. But Uncle Ray already knew the score. So... we, or I, set up a meeting with him, and Uncle Ray took him out. S. You took out a Psicop? How? He's not dead, is he? And if he's not, what do we do with him? G. We were just working on that when you showed up. BREAK I. [at arrivals. Meets Bester.]--Mr. Bester. How unpleasant to see you again. Best. Commander Ivanova. I was hoping to see my friend Mr. Garibaldi again. Is he well? I. Better than you'll ever be. Best. [pause] You don't like me, do you? I. Who does? Best. Quite a few. Unless I'm reading them wrong. I. Maybe you're just hanging around with the wrong crowd. Best. Perhaps. In any case, I have some urgent business with your Captain. Could you kindly escort me to him? I. Escort you? Yes. Kindly? No. The Captain is out briefly. He asked me to escort you to his office, to wait there. And.. if that's not to your liking, I could offer you a... brief... tour of one of our airlocks. No extra charge. Best. [tight smile] The Captain's office will be fine. Thank you. I. I tried. They enter lift. BREAK Brief scene. Sheridan with Lyta. In the bar. Badell is seated at a table with two of his crew, a Narn and a Centauri. Bad. Ok. It's going to be close. I want to be ready to lift on a moments notice. C&C will clear us, I've seen to that. We have to be out the gate and gone before we're missed. Sptun,[the Narn] (sorry, I couldn't help myself.) I want you to help Borzo [the Centauri](ditto) get started, and then come find me. [Sptun nods] And Borzo, you make sure the rest of the crew are on board. Borzo. We started sending them to the ship about half an hour ago. One or two at a time so no one would pay much attention. Bad. Yeah, right. Except for you two. Look. I know you're friends, but you're a Narn and a Centauri. You're supposed to hate each other and here you are having a friendly drink at the bar together. Nothing suspicious about that, is there? Sptun. Tommy, when they are watching us, they are ignoring everything else. Including you. Bad. OK, OK. I get the point. Just be ready. [Both smile] we will. Badell leaves. Sptun and Borzo finish their drinks and get up to leave too. A drunken Centauri approaches them and gets abusive. Centauri. Hey--You lizard-faced Narn. You Centauri traitor scum. Why don't you and your cowardly pirate captain attack a Centauri Vessel. We'll blow you to atoms. To hell. We'll teach you how to act. Sptun. Tell us what ship you're on, and maybe we'll oblige. Maybe then you can teach us how to breathe vacuum. Centauri. Narn filth. I wasn't talking to you. In the background, a seated Narn starts to rise, groping for some kind of weapon. Another Narn seated with him, but hidden in the shadows puts a restraining hand on his arm and he sits back down. We get a shaded glimpses of the other Narn--G'Kar. He smiles and sits back into the shadows. The other Narn relaxes. By now the drunken Centauri has been joined by one or two others. Borzo. I believe he must be addressing me. Sptun. I thought as much, I merely thought to divert him. Centauri. Idiots! Borzo. [Grabbing the Centauri by the collar. Sptun looks menacing and the other Centauri hold back. Borzo speaks.] The Narn and Centauri fight one another, like shadow boxers---feinting and dodging and striking at imaginary enemies. [Lets Centauri back down. Straightens his collar and smiles at him.] But then--we fight Shadows, too. They turn and leave. There is a brief shot of G'kar again, smiling. As the camera follow them out of the bar, there is a quick shot of Londo who has witnessed the confrontation. His face is ghostly white and confused. Some hallway. Sheridan meets Ivanova. S. Where's Bester? I. In your office, just like you wanted. None to happy, I'm sure. S. Good. Sheridan and Ivanova enter his office. MiSTer BeSTer. You are a thorn in my side. Just exactly what mischief are you here for this time. Best. Captain Sheridan. Everyone seems so hostile. [Gives Sheridan a sharp look. Glances at Ivanova, who glares back. Squints, shrugs slightly and continues.] I'm just a soldier, like you. Just doing my job. I go where I'm sent... I S. Awright, awright. Spare me the theatrics. Who or what are you after? And how many people are going to get hurt? I'd like to notify Medlab. Oh, and Ivanova, perhaps you should call Mr. Garibaldi. I'm sure Mr. Bester will want the full cooperation of Security. Best. Perhaps... Captain.. it would be better if we left Mr. Garibaldi out of the loop just now. S. Oh? Best. Well, this is rather a delicate situation. You see, I am here to, how shall we say, escort a man back to Earth. Well, that man happens to be one Raymond E. Howard, a maternal uncle of Mr. Garibaldi's, and I wouldn't want Mr. Garibaldi to have a ... bad reaction... especially not after he and I were so close to becoming good friends. S. [tic] Yeah, right. [Looks at Ivanova. Ivanova rolls her eyes.] Let me get this straight. You're here to arrest me security chief's uncle? Best. Arrest, arrest. No, no. I am here to escort him, back to Earth. He is in great danger out here. S. C'mon, Bester. What's he got? What are you after? Psi Corps doesn't send people halfway across the galaxy just to "escort" someone. Best. [closes his eyes for a second. Takes a deep breath, sighs.] Captain, I was hoping to keep this all friendly. Such a nuisance otherwise. [Puts a hand in his jacket. Ivanova and Sheridan tense up. He pulls out a sheaf of papers and hands them to Sheridan.] Captain, I have here authorization to "collect and escort" one Raymond E. Howard back to Earth. I was given this authority by Earthdome, as is fully explained in the documents. Mr. Howard is a danger to both himself and Earth Alliance and you are required to assist me in capturing him and returning him to Earth to face the proper authorities. S. [angry.] You mean lock him up where he'll never see the light of day again. And that if he's lucky. Best. I am merely here to escort him to Earth. The authorities there will decide his fate. I. [who has been scanning the documents.] Captain. He has all the proper signatures. He has the right. S. You think I should hand over anybody to this guy? I. No sir. But I don't see where we have a choice. Best. [looks from Sheridan to Ivanova and back to Sheridan. Smiles.] Shall we go? S. Go where? Best. Why to Mr. Garibaldi's quarters of course. I'm sure that's where we'll find his uncle. BREAK Open on door outside Garibaldi's quarters. Sheridan is about to "ring the bell." Best. I don't think it would be prudent for us to announce ourselves. Override the lock. S. Wait a second, Bester, if you think... Best. [Angrily] Override the lock, Captain Sheridan. S. [Grits his teeth and orders override command. door swings open] G. [looks surprised and angry.] Somebody mind telling me what the hell is going on? [Sees Bester] Bester! I should have known. When did you crawl in, and what do you want? S. Michael, I'm sorry... Best. I'll handle this Captain. Mr. Garibaldi, I'm here to escort your uncle back to Earth. G. Listen ____________. What do you want with Uncle Ray? Best. Your uncle has stolen technology and secrets from Earth, now he must return them. G. Uncle Ray would never steal anything... Best. The courts will decide that, Mr. Garibaldi. Now you will tell me where he is. G. Why you ... [starts towards Bester.] UR. [Comes into the room.] What's all the noise out here? Can't a man use the bathroom in peace? G. Uncle Ray! Best. Captain Sheridan, please order your security chief to hand over this man. G. [Rushes Bester] You get the hell out of here you mind-reading bastard! [Grapples with Bester. Sheridan and Ivanova try to break them up. Uncle Ray backs up, stumbles over a chair.] Best. "PAIN" [Garibaldi cries out and loses consciousness] S. What the hell did you do to him?!! Best. He's only stunned. He's lucky. Bring the prisoner. S. Bring him yourself. [Bends over Garibaldi] Bester glares at Sheridan. He starts into the room. Uncle Ray has fallen back into a chair and is staring blankly at Bester, and then past Bester, over Bester's shoulder. From behind Bester we see an arm, hand and PPG. It fires two rounds at Uncle Ray, point blank. Uncle Ray slumps in the chair. Sheridan recovers first. S. Medlab. Medical emergency. Blue 12. (whatever) Garibaldi's quarters. Security get down here on the double. NOW. BESTER, I'll have your hide for this. Bester, Already turned when shots were fired. Doesn't even hear Sheridan. He was already screaming when Sheridan started talking. Ivanova is examining Uncle Ray. Bester screaming insanely. Best. What have you done? You'll pay for this. I'll have you spaced. Bad. You have no jurisdiction over me. [Bester glares at him. He glares back] NO JURISDICTION! You wanted him. There he is. Best. He's no good to me dead. You might as well shove him out an airlock. Ba. [grinning evilly.] There's one just down the hall. Let me show you how it works. Best. Captain Sheridan. I want this man arrested. Bad. I'm afraid the Captain has no jurisdiction over me either. S. He's got diplomatic immunity, Bester. Believe me, if I could arrest him , I would. I thought he was working with you. Though what he did was probably kinder than what Psi Corps would have put him through. Just what did he have, Bester, that was worth so damned much? Bester glares at Badell. Badell, smiling, stares him down. S. You'd damned well better both be off this station before Garibaldi recovers. Because he will probably kill you both, and I promise you, I will be looking the other way when he does it. Hell, maybe I'll help him. Bester, defeated, raging, hangs his head and walks away. Badell looks sorrowfully at Uncle Ray and then at Garibaldi and he too walks away. For about ten seconds Ivanova and Sheridan stare at Uncle Ray and Garibaldi and each other. Franklin shows up. Franklin (F). What happened? My God, Garibaldi! S. Doc, Garibaldi's OK. Better look at the other guy first. Franklin begins to examine the body in the chair. After a brief exam, he looks up at Sheridan. Sheridan puts a finger to his lips, looks down the corridor, looks at Ivanova, she nods. He nods to Franklin. F. Tell Badell not to cut it so close next time. I know it was mostly fireworks, but it still almost cut through. He's OK, but he's got a bad burn. The web's damaged too. Lucky it didn't burn out. Where's Uncle Ray? UR. Right here, Sonny. ["appears"] How is he? He'll be all right, won't he? I don't like Psi Corps spies, but I didn't want him killed either. F. He'll be OK. What'd you do to him? I mean besides shoot him? UR. I'm afraid I treated him a little rough. I haven't got a firm hold on this telepathic stuff yet. If I did it right, I wiped his memory back to just before he arrived on B-5. He won't remember meeting Mikey or anyone else here. With luck he won't remember me at all. Although there's no knowing just how much Psi Corps can do with him these days. F. Well, somebody help me get him to Medlab. [Gets up, goes to Garibaldi who is still unconscious. Examines him. Gives him a shot. Uncle Ray comes over too.] UR. I knocked Mikey out too, not Bester. S. What? UR. Yeah. I was afraid Bester might hurt him. Mikey felt a little pain, but he was more angry than just acting. I was afraid he'd resist too much and get hurt. Or slip out of the loop that Lyta gave all of you and accidentally reveal some stray thought. I. I can't believe I let you guys talk me into that. S. Yeah, but it worked. I. So would atomizing his ship, and more permanently, too if you'd just let me... S. Enough of that already. Doc, did you call Lyta before you headed here? F. Yeah. She should be here any-- LA. --minute. Sorry. I wasn't really scanning. UR. Miss Alexander. You are lovely as usual. Could I impose on you to have a look at Mikey? Make sure I didn't do any permanent damage. LA> Sure. [Examines Garibaldi. Does a light scan. Garibaldi rolls his head and begins to come to. Groans.] I don't feel anything major. He has a headache... G. Ow. I didn't need a mind-reader to tell me that. If I ever get my hands on Bester... UR. Easy Mikey. I'm afraid the headache's mostly my fault. G. You? UR. Yes. I was afraid Bester might do too much damage, so I zapped you the same time he did. 'Fraid I overdid it. But I didn't want him to really hurt you if you resisted. I pinched some nerves, I'm pretty sure. Bester probably thinks he's a superman now. LA> If you'll hold still I might be able to relieve some of the pain. [Grabs the back of Garibaldi's neck and massages it.] G. Hey, that's great. Don't stop. Are you psycho-kinetic? LA. No, but telepathy helps me know when I've hit the right spot. G. Whatever it is, it's great. Ivanova? How come you never told me about this? I. Huh? [tic] LA. How is everyone else? The loop hold? S. Seems to have. Although I'm not sure I'd know if I'm being scanned. Ivanova? I. [Gives Garibaldi a furtive look.] I didn't feel anything either. I think we kept him too busy anyway. If he was going to scan anybody it would have been Badell, and he didn't seem to be able to. Lyta, did you give Badell a loop too? LA. No. In fact Badell was the one who first mentioned the loop as a possible option, now that I think of it. F. You've met Badell before? LA. Yes. He's been on the Vorlon homeworld. It was an idle conversation. At least I thought so at the time. But I'm beginning to wonder about Mr. Badell... Anyway, we talked about it and figured if we could create a sort of closed loop of odd thoughts and fragments of thoughts and get them to play just below the threshold of consciousness we could mimic the sort of random brain patterns normal human awareness. And if we could learn to turn it on and off it might be a way to foil casual scans. It obviously wouldn't keep a Psicop out if he really wanted in, but it would help mask thoughts you might want to keep hidden. Like keeping yourself from mentally blurting out embarrassing secrets. S. By the way, how do we turn it off? I can't really hear the thoughts, but I feel a little, I don't know, distracted, I guess. LA. Yes. That's about what you'd expect. I can "turn it off" now, unless you'd like to be absolutely sure Bester is gone first. And I can give you a couple of more loops and sublimate them to be called up if you need them, so it won't be quite the same pattern every time. I can also teach... [glances at Ivanova] someone else to turn them on and off for you, in case I'm not around. They wouldn't have to have a strong psi ability, especially if it is on a willing subject. F. Is there any way we can switch it on and off ourselves? Maybe. It would take a lot of control and discipline. If I see Badell again I'll ask. Maybe he already has it worked out. I wouldn't be surprised. G. Anyway, thanks for the massage [smiles]. And you [looks at Uncle Ray] had better get the hell off the station too. F. And I've got a patient to look after in Medlab. By the way, what do I do with him when he recovers? Let him go back to Psi Corps? S. [Grimaces, tic, face is shadowed] Badell said something about taking care of it. But I'm not sure I like the sound of that, Psi Corps plant or not. BREAK Back at Medlab, Franklin is examining Psi spy. Garibaldi and Ivanova walk in, watch for a minute. G. How is he, Doc? OK. The burn isn't as bad as I thought, though I'd have sworn... maybe he's just a fast healer. The rest of his signs are normal, though he hasn't regained consciousness yet. I. Should he? F. If you mean should I keep him drugged, I don't know. I'm not really sure how much your Uncle Ray did to him. I should probably get Lyta down here. I should have asked her earlier, but I didn't want him coming to outside Medlab. Does anyone know who he really is? Bad. [who has come into the room unnoticed] "Arthur." Arthur is his name. G. Tommy. You know this guy. Bad. Yes. Quite well. He's one of mine. Garibaldi, Ivanova, Franklin--together. "Yours!" Bad. [smiling] Yes. [strokes Arthur's head.] You've heard of artificial personalities? [All nod.] Yes. I believe I heard about the Talia Winters incident. Well, it works both ways. You can plant an AP in someone and have it take over at a later date by using a password pumped directly into the brain telepathically. But... you can also lay an AP over the original personality, and have the real identity come to the fore in the same way. I suppose it amounts to the same thing. Rather disgusting, using the same tactics as your enemy...[pause] F. So you're saying that he is/was a double agent? That he was one of your men pretending to be a Psicop spy pretending to be a Ranger? Bad. Yes, that's about the way it was, I guess. Arthur was a plant by us. He hadn't a specific assignment, but we had something of a premonition that we would need someone in place. We didn't know how long, or what exactly would come of it. Arthur's real, sublimated personality would still be able to guide him somewhat, providing it wasn't too overt. I'm sure it is what made him "volunteer" for the Ranger assignment. He must have sensed that Uncle Ray's discovery was too dangerous to fall into the hands of Psi Corps. G. So. What now? Will he be OK? Can you bring him back? Does he go back to Psi Corps? Bad. Doctor? F. Yes? Bad. You have the clothes and the changeling web he was wearing? F. I was about to turn them over to Security, that is Garibaldi here, but yes, I have them. Bad. Good. Have you examined him closely? In particular his right arm. F. I didn't get that far yet. Why, is there something wrong? Bad. Check it. F. [pulls out some instruments. Takes some readings. Looks at the arm. Seems surprised. Recalibrates his instruments, goes through the whole routine again. Looks closer at the arm Looks slowly at Badell.] The lower part of his arm isn't real. An incredible simulation. You could never detect it without instruments and even then... Where did he get this done? How... Bad. A... gift... from some... old friends. We also have some biological mass, cloned from the arm that was removed. It will be badly charred when it is found, if it is found, after we drop it out an airlock. But at least part of it must be intact and identifiable if it is to fool anyone. The clothing and the changeling web will go out with it, of course, but they would not be enough by themselves to fool anyone... This may not be either, but it is the best we could do, short of killing him. And that was not an option. He is too valuable to me. G. [somewhat snidely.] Guess he's got alot of intelligence in his head. I. [already sensing the truth interrupts Garibaldi.] Your men must be very loyal, to go so far for you. [Garibaldi glances at her.] F. I should say so. To cut off a man's arm just to fool Psi Corps. Bad. You will take good care of him Dr. He will be no trouble when he awakes. His own personality will be dominant again and he will know who he is and all that happened. The "password" has already been given. F. What? How? Bad. It wasn't telepathic. The other means of bringing it out, as you know, is self preservation. This was repressed somewhat so as not to let him come out prematurely. A risk. But one we both felt necessary. So there was a password, yes. But the other also, if need be. His instinct for self-preservation was psycho-coupled to a distinct act of trauma. That of being shot... by his own father. Franklin and Garibaldi stare, first from Badell to Arthur, then back to Badell. Ivanova is beginning so get mist, having already guessed the answer. Garibaldi recovers first. G. [softly] Tommy... he doesn't.. doesn't really look like you...[Arthur is quite obviously Caucasian] I never knew you had a son. Bad. [smiling.] Looks... can be deceiving. [takes a deep breath.] I will be back. There is one thing more I must attend to. Mikey, ha ha. Make sure Uncle Ray is ready to go. G. You got it Tommy. We'll be waiting. Bad. Just put him on board as soon as he's ready. I may not see you again before I leave, and I may be in a hurry then, so I say goodbye now. And when are you all going to come and join my "pirate" crew? Ha ha ha...[exits laughing.] G. Man, I hope we never have to go through that again. Well, let me go get Uncle Ray. F. I've got to get Arthur ready to go. Say goodbye to him for me. I. Me too. I've got to get back to C&C and make sure the Dawntreader gets cleared. G. Will do. Back at Garibaldi's room. G. OK Uncle Ray. You all packed and ready? UR. Sure, Mikey, sure. All set... Oh, before I go...in all the excitement I almost forgot. I guess it's the real reason I came here. Your father's ring. G. My father's what? UR. His ring. G. Dad never wore a ring. UR. Of course he didn't, you big lummox. If he wore it he'd have given it to you himself. But he didn't. I've had it all these years. It isn't much. He used to wear it, oh, I don't know, just because, I guess. Don't even know when he got it. But when he asked your mother to marry him, he took it off and gave it to me. Said he only wanted a wedding band. Anyway, I'm sure if he'd have thought of it he'd have kept it for you instead of giving it away. In any case it's mine now to do as I want with it. So, I want you to have it. G. Thanks, Uncle Ray. Are you sure? UR. Yeah, yeah. Besides, if anything happened to me, who knows where it might end up. On some stranger, no doubt. Put it on, Mikey. Don't take it off. It was your father's good luck charm. He was wearing it when he met your mother. Remember, don't take it off. G. OK, OK Uncle Ray. I still hear just fine. I won't take it off. Now, let's get going. UR. [grinning. just show me the way, Mikey. G. You know, Uncle Ray, you've always been my favorite Martian. UR. You say that to me again and I'll take the ring back. [they exit engaged in airy persiflage.] TAG IN the garden Morden is pacing, as though waiting for someone. A voice comes from the shadows---I'm glad you could make it--- Morden turns quickly. He didn't sense anyone coming. He is startled. Bad. [steps into the light.] I'd like to speak to you... alone if you don't mind. Morden. Cap--- Mr. Badell! BAd. Please... "Tommy." You know I've never held with formality in my crew. Morden. [recovering.] In any case we are alone. Bad. [looking around and past Morden. Waves his hands.] Scoot, scoot. Go on. We wish to be alone. Go on now...[pause. Morden is visibly shaken. He looks smaller and paler and frightened.] Bad. There. Now we can talk, Chris. Morden. Don't call me that! Bad. It's still your name, Christ. Christian Mordenale. There is still a part of you capable of answering to that name. You can still come out. Morden. I have a new name now... I.. Bad. Yes,yes, I know. I can hear them too. I know what they call you. Would you like to know what it means? Morden. I know what it means. It means "Herald." I am the Herald of the new order, I am... BAd. Ah, yes. THe title. But that is not their pet name for you, their familiar name...[pause] [Badell, in a commanding voice.] Christian Mordenale. You were once a part of us and we did not, do not, wish you to leave. You stand on the brink. You see both power and glory and defeat and hellfire. You walk the razor of Shadow and Light, and if you do not choose, it will cleave you in twain, and destruction shall be bitter. For make no mistake, you shall be destroyed. The Shadows are indeed of the Elder Race, but the Light is ageless and eternal. The Shadows could darken the entire universe, and still there would be the Light. Little man! But, we are all little men. We make our choices and we live, or die, by them. And we become shadows, or we become light. Choose now, whom you will serve, while there is yet even a little bit left. While there is still even an atom that can reflect the Light. "CHOOSE!" [A flash of light covers, runs over Badell. He turns and walks away. Morden sobs and collapses, and shadows seep in around him. But he is not yet completely engulfed.