No Surrender, No Retreat

Synopsis written by Richard Heider.
*Alternate synopsis written by Rosa L. Smothers can be read here.

TEASER
"Enough is enough."

SPACE

A swarm of White Star frigates comes out of hyperspace via the local jumpgate at Babylon 5, while Captain John Sheridan speaks in voiceover.

Sheridan (VO): Captain's personal log. September 2nd, 2261. Enough is enough!

THE WAR ROOM

The War Room, recently reconfigured as the Voice of the Resistance studio, has been redone once again. It's a War Room again. The Voice of the Resistance will just have to find another space.

BLUE SECTOR

Sheridan strides grimly toward the Council Chambers.

A COBRA BAY

Space-suited workers are making repairs on the storage-and-launch mechanisms for the station's Starfuries and Thunderbolts.

GREEN SECTOR

Vir Cotto hurries toward Londo's quarters, catching him just as he is going out. Other diplomats are hurrying along the corridor as well.

Vir [worried]: Londo, what do they want? What's going on?
Londo [out of sorts]: I don't know!

Together, they follow the crowd.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The two Centauri enter together. Finding G'Kar already sitting at his place at the table nearest the entrance, Londo takes his place at the far end of the table.

BLUE SECTOR

Commander Susan Ivanova meets Sheridan on her way to the meeting.

Ivanova: They're waiting.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The two humans enter to find the League ambassadors at their places in the gallery and the Narn and Centauri in their places. Everyone is there except Delenn and Lennier, not yet returned from Minbar.

Sheridan [stands near the door]: I'm sorry to call you together at this early hour, but we don't have a lot of time. [Nods to Ivanova.] Commander?
Ivanova [steps forward]: For the last month or so, ships from Babylon 5 have been patrolling the borders of your governments. Since we've been protecting you from raiders and border skirmishes, the number of incidents has decreased seventy percent. May we assume that you are all happy with this arrangement? [Murmurs and nods of agreement from the gallery.]
Sheridan: Good! Because now there's a price tag. By now, most of you have heard of the attacks against civilian targets by ships from Earth.
Ivanova: In the latest attack, authorized by President Clark, ten thousand civilians were killed as an example to others. We can no longer tolerate this behavior!

COMMAND & CONTROL

Lieutenant David Corwin is in command of the dome. He stands at the main console at the window.

Corwin: Alpha Squadron, status report!
Alpha 1 (voice): Alpha Squadron, ready for launch.
Corwin: Launch!

Six Thunderbolts drop from a cobra bay and ride fire.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Sheridan: Most of your governments have mutual defense treaties with Earth. As of right now, in exchange for our continued patrol along your borders, I'm declaring those treaties null and void!

The League ambassadors react to this bombshell, murmuring with one another. It looks as if they may not be receptive to this idea, but another voice speaks out.

G'Kar [rising]: I have no problem with this! [To Sheridan:] You have been here for us from the beginning! [To the gallery:] During their war with the Minbari, I supervised arms sales to Earth. They promised to help us when we needed them! [Londo shakes his head.] But where was Earth when our borders were being attacked? Where was Earth when the Shadows were rampaging across our territories? They did nothing! We owe them nothing in return.
Sheridan [nods, smiling]: Thank you, G'Kar. [To the gallery:] It's not only our people who are at risk here! Clark's propaganda machine is feeding the anti-alien hysteria back home! In time, all of you will be hurt if they're not stopped! Well, we intend to stop them!

COMMAND & CONTROL

Corwin continues putting the station's fighters into space.

Corwin: Delta Squadron, launch!

A cobra bay drops a squadron of Starfuries.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Ivanova: We ask that each of you contribute at least one destroyer-class ship to the defense of Babylon 5. Your people here will need to be protected in case Clark tries to retaliate.
Sheridan: Beyond that, don't get involved. Anyone gets in between us and them won't live long enough to regret it! [The League ambassadors are now nodding in agreement.] You will not respond to any requests for military assistance from President Clark or the Earth Alliance, except in the form of humanitarian aid. From now on, Earth stands alone! We're taking back Proxima 3, we're taking back Mars! Then, we're gonna take back our home --- or die trying!

ACT 1
Garibaldi's way.

SPACE

A shuttle flies from a White Star to the station's central docking ring.

CUSTOMS

Ranger Marcus Cole runs, yelling for everyone to get out of the way. Guards are on hand to help clear the way for him.

WAR ROOM

Sheridan paces impatiently, keeping an eye on the tube door.

Sheridan: Where the hell is he?
Ivanova: He said he's on his way.

The tube door opens and Marcus bursts out.

Marcus: I've got it!
Sheridan: Let's see!
Marcus [coming down the stairs]: Would've gotten here faster if I could have just sent it on.
Ivanova: Well, we couldn't risk anyone intercepting it.
Sheridan: Is it current?
Marcus [slips a data crystal into a console]: As current as we can make it. Here! [An image comes up on the console, showing a planet and the ships nearby.] Clark's stationed half a dozen Omega-class destroyers between Proxima 3 and the local jumpgate. There's also a series of planetary scanners that can detect any ship trying to leave.
Ivanova: It's good positioning. Anybody trying to take off gets shot down before escaping the blockade, and no one comes through the gate without being seen.
Marcus: The colony is very close to surrendering. They're running out of food, water, supplies. They're down to almost nothing! That's why they keep trying to escape. Better to be shot down than to starve to death!
Sheridan: Do you have an ID on those ships?
Marcus [moving to another board]: Yes. The Heracles, under Captain Trevor Hall; the Juno, under Captain James Mandala; the Pollux, Captain Elizabeth Morgenstern; the Nemesis, Captain Yoshi Kawagawa; the Vesta, Captain Edward MacDougan [Sheridan smiles as he hears this name]; and the Furies, Captain Stephanie Eckland.
Sheridan: Which of them destroyed the civilian transports?
Ivanova: The Heracles and the Pollux.
Franklin: Do you know either of the captains involved?
Sheridan: No. So they're new, which probably means they're loyal to Clark. Have any of them deliberately avoided shooting at civilian targets?
Marcus: I don't know. It'll take a little while to find out.
Sheridan: Well, get moving! We need to know how many destroyers are committed to the blockade and how many are holding back. [Marcus exits.] Stephen, how are you doing with the telepaths we rescued from the Shadows? [Ivanova steps away and begins studying the information Marcus brought.]
Franklin: Well, we wake them for brief periods, but they're still under the influence of the mind control devices. Haven't found a way to remove them with out causing damage.
Sheridan: I need them mobile, as many as you can, and as fast as you can. Not for this operation, but soon.
Franklin [doubtful]: I'll do my best. [He exits, and Sheridan joins Susan.]
Ivanova: They've got the place buttoned up tight. We're gonna have a hell of a time fighting our way in there!
Sheridan: Mm-hm. We'll hit them in waves, try to isolate the ships we need to destroy from the ones who won't fight unless they have to. Then we'll give them a chance to surrender or join up.
Ivanova: And if they don't?
Sheridan: We take them out. [Susan's face falls. She doesn't like the idea.] Hey, I don't like the idea any more than you do. But either we commit ourselves to this completely, or we don't do it. Once we pull the first trigger, we can't hesitate to pull the next one, because they sure won't! No, once we're in, we're in --- no surrender, and no retreat!

Sheridan's right, and Ivanova knows it. She puts her doubts aside. She's ready.

LONDO'S QUARTERS

Vir has nodded off over some pages of official-looking correspondence. His pen rolls out of his hand onto the document and his drink is just about to fall from his other hand. The door chime rings, rousing him from a bad dream. He jumps, spilling the drink all over his front.

Vir: Oof! I didn't do it! I didn't do it! [The chime rings again.] Oh! Thank the Great Maker, it was just a dream!

Frantically he sets down the papers, pen and cup. He rises, brushing his vest, and tries to push his mangled hair crest back into some semblance of order. It doesn't help.

Vir: Open!
Garibaldi [steps into the room]: Hello, Vir.
Vir: Mr. Garibaldi.
Garibaldi: Is Londo around? I've got some business in Centauri space. I figured he could help me cut through the red tape.
Vir [still fuzzy]: H - he's not here. He --- He had to set up a meeting with G'K ----- He, uh, had a meeting.
Garibaldi: Ah, I see. Well, it looks like you had a late night!
Vir: No, not actually. They just, uh, got us up very early to brief us on their new campaign.
Garibaldi: What new campaign?
Vir: To take back Earth and the outer colonies. I'm sorry, I --- I thought you knew.
Garibaldi [displeased]: No. No.
Vir: Well, now that you do, I --- I imagine that you'll want to sign on again.
Garibaldi [more displeased]: Not with Sheridan!
Vir [puzzled]: Doesn't your Homeworld matter to you?
Garibaldi [angry]: Of course it matters! But I don't like the way he's doing this!
Vir: But that's the way it is! I don't always like the way Londo does things, and --- well, me and most civilized worlds --- but you know, sometimes he's right! So I force myself to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Garibaldi: I can't do that anymore.
Vir: So you're not gonna fight for your world?
Garibaldi: Of course I'm gonna fight! I'm gonna fight in my own way! You just tell Londo that I came by, and I'll check in with him later.

SPACE

Corwin watches from C&C as a number of Starfuries practice some twist-and-dodge maneuvers right outside the window.

COMMAND & CONTROL

Corwin turns to Ivanova with a question.

Corwin: How much longer do you want them to continue running the drills, Commander?
Ivanova: Another hour. Then bring half of them in for refueling. After that, we'll alternate squadrons. I don't want anyone outside with less than half a tank of fuel. We'll rotate pilots in for rest periods. Other than that, I want every ship we have out there.
Corwin: Will they be going on the missions?
Ivanova: Some, yes. The rest we'll keep for flyby. I don't intend to get caught flat-footed in case Clark comes after us. [Opens a channel to the fighters.] Ivanova to all fighter squadrons.

SPACE

The fighters continue maneuvering as they listen to Ivanova's orders.

Ivanova (voice): Adjust friend-or-foe systems to new frequencies every 24 hours. You'll check in with Lieutenant Corwin or myself for the code of the day. Once we're in combat situations, you will not accept any order that does not use the proper codes, even if it seems to come from Captain Sheridan or myself.

C&C

Ivanova: Earthforce has our voice records on file and could simulate false or misleading orders. C&C out. [Gets up from the console.]
Corwin: So from now on, I guess the operational phrase is "Trust no one."
Ivanova: No. Trust Ivanova, trust yourself. Anybody else --- shoot 'em!

A tech shares a look with Corwin as Ivanova strides out.

ACT 2
Briefing.

SHERIDAN'S OFFICE

Sheridan enters the darkened room, grabs a sheaf of papers from his desk, and walks out a door on the other side of the room right into the...

WAR ROOM

...where Ivanova is standing by with a report.

Ivanova: White Star squadrons are standing by ready to go. As per your request, White Stars 7, 12, and 18 are in hyperspace en route to Earth space. They should be arriving in about ten to twelve hours.
Sheridan: Have them jump into normal space as soon as they arrive. Two by Mars, another as close to Earth as possible without being shot down.
Ivanova: But they'll set off the early warning systems, and Clark'll scramble everything he's got!
Sheridan: I want them to think we're flying reconnaissance flights, preparing for a strike to liberate Mars or Earth. [Grins.] That should be enough to make them panic, call in all the ships that he can...
Ivanova: While we hit Proxima 3!
Sheridan: Exactly! By the time they get turned around, we'll have secured Proxima! Then all we have to do is hold on to it while we move on to the next target! Have you heard from Marcus yet? He should be almost to Proxima by now.
Ivanova: He's standing by in hyperspace with the first White Star squadron. The rest of them will be arriving in groups of twos and threes, staying just far enough off the beacon to avoid detection.
Sheridan: Good! Good, that should give us a jump on those destroyers!
Ivanova: I just hope some of them join us! Otherwise, this is gonna get really ugly!

SPACE --- PROXIMA 3

The destroyer EAS Furies holds station above the rebel planet; her sister ship, EAS Heracles, launches a single Thunderbolt.

Thunderbolt pilot (voice): Scout 17 to Heracles, beginning patrol.
Bridge officer (voice): Roger that. Take your time. We're not going anywhere.
Thunderbolt pilot (voice): Affirmative.

The pilot takes her fighter through the local jumpgate into hyperspace.

HYPERSPACE

Scout 17 zooms by. Unseen in the red murk, some distance off her track, a cluster of nine White Stars lies in wait. Three more White Stars arrive to join the group. The leader of the incoming ships calls ahead to the flotilla.

Ranger (voice): White Star 14 to White Star Prime, we're in position.

WHITE STAR PRIME

Ranger Marcus Cole, sitting in the captain's chair, acknowledges the new arrivals.

Marcus: Good. Maintain radio silence until notified. I'm on with the Resistance. We don't want too many signals attracting attention.
Ranger (voice): Confirmed.
Marcus [hits a button on his arm-rest console]: You still there?
Resistance (voice): Still here! Don't know how much longer we can hold out!
Marcus: We're moving as fast as we can. Do you have any information about which destroyers have avoided firing at civilian targets?
Resistance: Yeah. Uploading now.
Marcus: Good! [Looks over to the Minbari religious manning the comm station. She nods --- she's got it.] We'll contact you again in five hours on the alternate frequency. Stand by to... [sounds of explosions come through from the other end] --- What's that? Are you all right?
Resistance: Laser cannons. They sent in more ground forces a few days ago. We're gonna have to tear down the transmitter, fall back to our secondary base. [The signal starts to fuzz out.] Whatever you people are gonna do, you better do it soon!

Marcus sits back, worried. Will help arrive in time?

HYPERSPACE

More White Stars arrive and take their places in the growing fleet.

BABYLON 5 --- G'KAR'S QUARTERS

G'Kar sits at his desk, working. The door chime rings, and the Narn stops what he is doing. But he does not answer until after the fourth ring. It seems he knows who is calling.

G'Kar: Enter!

The door opens on Londo Mollari, who comes into the room with an uncharacteristically tentative manner, as if he doesn't really want to do this.

Londo: Hello, G'Kar. [The Narn sits back in his chair, almost grinning, certainly silent.] I don't believe I have ever been in your quarters before.
G'Kar: Unless you count a cell on Centauri Prime. I apologize for the lack of chains. The cleaning service must have removed them.
Londo [deals with the insult by ignoring it]: It has much the same feeling as your world --- dry, red, and depressing. I --------- Isn't it amazing? How quickly we fall into familiar patterns as soon as we come into one another's orbit? [G'Kar glares silently.] Like comets that flare when they get too near the sun. I did not come here to spar with you, G'Kar. I came --- [sits opposite the Narn] --- to talk to you. [Points at G'Kar.] How is the eye?
G'Kar [bitter]: It sees.
Londo [more and more nervous]: Good. Good. [Breathes heavily.] These last few years ------ have been very difficult for both of us, G'Kar. [The Narn snorts.] Harder on you, perhaps. But as the humans say, it has not exactly been a picnic for me, either. I have no illusions that you did what you did --- endured what you endured --- for the good of my people. You sacrificed your dignity, your pride, your eye --- to help free Narn! But still, in the process, you did help my own world! And I never thanked you for that.
G'Kar: I have no interest in your thanks.
Londo: I did not think that you would. But it is there, anyway. [G'Kar only glares back at Londo, who lowers his eyes.] As I said, a hard year!
G'Kar: Yes. A hard year.
Londo [drags his chair closer to the desk]: What you said before --- about the chains --- that was unkind, G'Kar! When I saw you in that cell, beaten, chained ------ As I said, we have never been friends. We will never be friends! There is too much blood between us, too much history! But I did feel for you, as much as I did not want to! In the beginning, it was little more than the sympathy one might feel for any trapped animal! But in time, I came to respect you!
G'Kar: Your respect matters to me even less than your thanks!
Londo [angry]: You are not going to give me even an inch, are you? [G'Kar picks up his pen and goes back to work, as if Londo weren't even there.] I promised to free Narn if you cooperated! I could have easily changed my mind, but I kept my promise! [Snatches the paper out of G'Kar's grasp.] Surely that entitles me to something!
G'Kar [calm]: Was there something else you wanted to say?
Londo [throws the paper back at G'Kar, rises, and walks across the room]: You may not believe this, G'Kar, but all I ever wanted is what is right for my world! I am a patriot! As you are! [Walks back to the desk.] I have made some --- very poor decisions in the last two years! Because I did not think, those choices almost destroyed my world --- and yours! That is a humbling realization, G'Kar. If, with a single word, I can become the enemy, do I any longer really understand who the enemy is? I have spoken with my government. We will not remain neutral in the matter of Sheridan's war with Earth. [He has taken from his pocket a small liquor bottle and two glasses and is filling them.] I have convinced them to throw our official support to Sheridan. If the Narn were to do the same in a joint statement, it might help. If two forces recently at war with one another can agree on this, perhaps it might help to convince the others.
G'Kar [impassive]: Why?
Londo: Because, while I do not know who the enemy is any longer, I do know who my friends are, and that I have not done as well by them as I should. I hope to change that. I hope to do better. Before war broke out between our governments, you bought me a drink. [And G'Kar finds it a painful thing to remember (The Coming of Shadows).] I wish to return the favor. [Lifts his glass.] For the first time in a hundred years, we have something in common beyond hatred. I find that most extraordinary! And so, a drink to the humans, and to the bridge they created between us, in the hope for a better future for both our worlds.

Slowly, G'Kar puts down his pen. He reaches for the other glass and lifts it almost to his lips, his eyes fixed on Londo's. Londo lifts his glass a bit higher, hoping that G'Kar will drink. But the Narn reaches out for the bottle and pours the contents of his glass back into it. He then picks up his pen and resumes writing.

Sorely disappointed, Londo puts down his drink.

Londo: I see.

He picks up the bottle and shuffles out of the room.

CUSTOMS

A large number of Rangers and fighter pilots are gathered for a final mission briefing. Ivanova calls them to attention as Sheridan enters.

Sheridan: We've received the information we've been waiting for. We can proceed with the attack against the forces holding Proxima 3. We'll hit them in three waves, pull their forces apart, and surround them with superior firepower. The details have been linked to your ships. You will not discuss that information amongst yourselves or with anyone else until the mission is complete.
Ivanova: We'll be fighting in close quarters, so keep an eye out for each other. If the battle deteriorates into a furball, we could sustain losses from friendly fire.
Sheridan: The Heracles and the Pollux have fired on civilian targets, so we consider them a hostile vessel. The Nemesis and the Vesta have apparently gone to great lengths to avoid firing on civilians. The others --- we don't know. We'll give them a chance to surrender or stand down. But we won't risk our forces to do it.
Ivanova: So, if you are fired upon or a target vessel locks onto your ship, you have full authority to return fire and engage.
Sheridan: Of all the missions we've flown, this will be the most difficult. I mean, it's one thing to defend ourselves as we did last year. But to initiate combat against our own forces --- that's a hard one! I can only tell you that we take this action with the utmost reluctance. If there were any other way, we'd take it! There isn't one! Now, we'll do what we can to minimize casualties on the other side, but the job of a soldier is to destroy the enemy and come home alive! To that end, do what you have to do!

SPACE

A shuttle flies out from the station into the armada standing by outside. The station defense is augmented by warships from the Brakiri and the Minbari. The attack fleet consists of numerous White Stars and fighters.

COMMAND & CONTROL

Lieutenant Corwin stands at the window. Ivanova enters and joins him.

Corwin: They're clear to leave.
Ivanova: I know.

SPACE

We pull away from the window onto the nearest White Star.

Corwin: I was noticing the new paint job on the White Star 2. [The B5 rebel sword-and-shield emblem has been emblazoned brightly on the ship's nose and starboard wing --- and spotlighted to boot.] Won't they --- I mean, won't they know it's him?
Ivanova: I think that's the general idea, Lieutenant.

The remaining ships and fighters of the attack force enter the jumpgate.

ACT 3
Hostile targets.

HYPERSPACE

The attack fleet is finally gathered. A shuttle flies from White Star Prime to White Star 2, carrying Marcus Cole. Sheridan greets him as he enters the bridge.

Sheridan: Marcus, good! Open up a channel to the rest of the ships.

Marcus politely takes the comm station from the Minbari who has been manning it. He opens the channel.

Marcus: You're on.
Sheridan: Assault base to Unit 1, take position!

Three White Stars detach from the main body. Sheridan waits while they get into position.

Sheridan: Stand by to initiate jump! [A jump point opens.] Jump!

SPACE --- THE HERACLES

Captain Trevor Hall, a dyspeptic soul, strides onto the bridge spitting venom at his executive officer, Commander Sandra Levitt.

Hall: What the hell's going on?
Levitt [at a plotting board]: Jump point forming on the other side of the planet. Picking up three silhouettes.
Hall: Are they advancing on our position?
Levitt: Negative. Taking up geostationary orbit on the other side of the planet.
Hall: Probably hoping we haven't noticed them yet. Good! Send the Pollux and the Nemesis to investigate!
Levitt: Yes, sir!

Two destroyers fire their engines and move away from the others.

HYPERSPACE --- WHITE STAR 2

Marcus reports the enemy movements.

Marcus: Nemesis and Pollux moving to intercept!
Sheridan: Not the Heracles?
Marcus: No. Curious, that, you'd think they'd send the ones we know are liable to shoot.
Sheridan: The hostiles might be splitting up so they can be with both groups, to keep them in line.
Marcus: Unless they're all hostile, and some are just more hostile than others!
Sheridan: Well, thank you for that ray of sunshine, Marcus! Next time I feel the need to be depressed, I'll remember to give you a call! [Hits a button on his armrest console.] Second unit, take position! Stand by to jump!

A somewhat larger detachment splits off from the fleet.

SPACE

Nemesis and Pollux continue their advance toward the first unit.

WHITE STAR 2

Marcus reports the destroyers' movements.

Sheridan: Now it gets interesting. All units, remember, do not fire unless fired upon first. They may not fight for Clark, but they will defend themselves, so don't back 'em into a corner! Second unit, launch!

SPACE

About half a dozen White Stars pour out of a jump point.

HERACLES

Commander Levitt reports the new threat.

Levitt: We've got multiple warships on approach vector! Silhouette unknown. [A silhouette of a White Star rotates round and round on a monitor.]
Hall [somewhat surprised]: Those are Sheridan's forces! I've heard about them, never seen them before!
Levitt: Captain Sheridan? What's he doing here?
Hall: Making a terminal error! [Opens a channel on his armrest.] This is fleet command! We've got hostiles on attack vector! Vesta and Juno, launch fighters and assume point!

A double swarm of Thunderbolts flies out the mouths of the two destroyers.

Levitt: Second enemy wing is advancing on our position. Nemesis and Pollux are aware of our situation and are asking for instructions. Do we issue the recall order?
Hall: Negative! If they turn around, they'll expose their flank to the enemy! And we'll be caught between two groups of hostiles!
Levitt: Ten thousand kilometers to optimum firing range! Pulse cannons standing by, ready to fire! Defense grid armed, ready to fire! [Puts her hand to her ear.] Signal coming in!
Hall: Let me hear it!
Sheridan (voice): ...repeat. This is Captain John Sheridan to Earth destroyer group!
Hall: Track the signal! Find out which ship he's in!
Levitt: Getting signal lock, sir. It's --- Sir, it's coming from behind us!

Sheridan's main body pours out of the now-unguarded local jump gate. Hall has been nicely mousetrapped. He listens to Sheridan's ultimatum with rising anger.

Sheridan (voice): You are ordered to stand down or leave the Proxima system at once! You are in violation of the Proxima Treaty! And your attacks on civilian transports are illegal under the rules of engagement and the Articles of War! You can leave peacefully, if that is your choice. But we are prepared to use deadly force if necessary!
Hall: Son of a...
Levitt: Eight thousand kilometers to optimum firing range! Enemy ships closing at the rear! Do we turn and engage or continue?
Hall: Continue toward primary target! Fleet command to Vesta and Furies, come about and engage rear targets!

A new voice comes over the comm, and Hall's fury ratchets upward.

MacDougan (voice): This is Captain Edward MacDougan of the Vesta to hostile vessel!
Hall: Mac! What the hell are you doing? Maintain radio silence!

WHITE STAR 2

If Captain Hall is unhappy to hear from MacDougan, Sheridan is all smiles.

Sheridan: Mackie, long time no see!
MacDougan (voice): John, get your tail out of here! This isn't going to work!

VESTA

MacDougan paces the bridge. His conscience is working on him.

MacDougan: Like it or not, Proxima 3 is under Earth jurisdiction! We can't allow them to secede, whoever's in office!

WHITE STAR 2

Sheridan [shakes his head]: They broke away after Clark started bombing civilian targets! What's the rule about following an illegal order?

VESTA

MacDougan: You don't! We're not involved! We haven't attacked anyone!
Sheridan (voice): But you're about to!

WHITE STAR 2

Sheridan: Any action you take in support of an illegal order makes you an accomplice of that order! Aw, come on, Mackie! President Clark is --- is out of control! He's got you out here on an illegal mission!

VESTA

MacDougan finds the tables turned --- the teacher is now the student.

Sheridan (voice): Back at the Academy, you used to pose moral conflicts for us as part of our training. You said that soldiers aren't machines. They have to think! They have to decide if an --- if an order is moral or not!

WHITE STAR 2

Sheridan: Well, what does your conscience tell you?

VESTA

MacDougan turns and looks his XO in the eyes. The XO looks back with a poker face.

HERACLES

Levitt walks up to her captain.

Levitt: We've reached optimum firing range.
Hall [infuriated]: That damned MacDougan! I told the others he didn't have what it takes! Fine! We'll force the issue! Open fire!

Heracles opens up with her pulse cannons. The White Stars in her forward sights take evasive action. The aft weapons fire into the Starfuries approaching from behind, splashing a few of them.

WHITE STAR 2

Marcus reports the action.

Marcus: Heracles has opened fire! Other ships moving to support! Fighters launching!

Sheridan watches the action out the front window. It would make a lovely fireworks show if not for the carnage.

Sheridan: Damn! All right! [Turns back and retakes his seat.] All forces, engage any hostile target! Fire at will! I repeat, fire at will!

The action heats up, White Star versus destroyer, Starfury versus Starfury. The fighters take the brunt of the early losses.

ACT 4
Mission accomplished.

SPACE

The fighter dogfight continues close to the destroyers. One White Star takes a big hit, while another rips a big one in Heracles' forward section.

HERACLES

The explosion knocks an officer off his feet. Hall jumps from his seat in a frenzy.

Hall: Where the hell is our support? What is the position of the Vesta?
Levitt: Hanging back, not engaging enemy!
Hall [sits back down, punching his comm savagely]: MacDougan, this is a direct order from fleet command! You will engage enemy ships at once! Do you copy?

VESTA

MacDougan listens calmly to Hall's order.

Hall (voice): Engage enemy forces at once!
MacDougan [calmly, deliberately pokes his comm]: Negative, fleet command. The Vesta will not engage in support of illegal orders!
Hall (voice): This is a court-martial offense, Mackie! You understand that? [MacDougan's XO begins to walk up behind his captain.] Commander Philby, under the authority of Earthforce Command, I am hereby promoting you to Captain and ordering you to relieve Captain MacDougan! You will bring the Vesta into the fight! Do you copy, Commander?

MacDougan isn't at all surprised to hear a PPG powering up right behind his head.

MacDougan: I always knew you wanted a promotion, Bob. Never knew how badly until now.

SPACE

A White Star scores a hit on a destroyer's engines. The Pollux fires its forward cannons, putting four bursts onto an oncoming White Star. The other two White Stars flying formation with it are rocked by the impacts.

WHITE STAR 2

Sheridan holds on as his ship bucks under him.

Marcus: Vesta is starting to come about! Pollux and Heracles are hit but continuing to fight! Juno, Nemesis, and the Furies are advancing but have not yet engaged!
Sheridan: We can't divide our forces. We need to know where to put our firepower! Put us on a course for the Furies. Tell the others to concentrate on the Pollux and Heracles! Let's find out where she stands!

White Star 2 breaks away from the fleet, heading directly at the Furies.

Sheridan: Sheridan to Captain Eckland, we are advancing on your position, but we are not preparing to fire! I say again, we are not preparing to fire! If you and your fighters do not lock your weapons systems onto our ships, we will assume you are not hostile and will not engage!

White Star 2 continues to approach the Furies. Nervously, Sheridan waits for a sign of Eckland's intentions.

Sheridan [to Marcus]: Are they locking?
Marcus: Negative. Might be waiting for us to get close and get a clean shot that way.
Sheridan: Well, we're about to find out.

Sheridan's frigate crosses Furies' bow at a leisurely pace --- a fat target. Nothing happens.

Sheridan: Sheridan to attack fleet. Do not target Furies. She's noncombatant. Repeat: Furies noncombatant.

White Star 2 takes a minor hit, but not from Furies.

Marcus: That was the Vesta! Forward guns have us in range! We've got fighters coming in!

Two of Vesta's Starfuries charge the frigate, firing.

Sheridan: No, I won't fire on her! Mackie's on board!
Marcus: We have no choice! They've locked on, ready to fire!
Sheridan: Damn! All right, prepare to...
MacDougan (voice): Vesta to Sheridan!
Sheridan: Stand by! Mackie, go!

VESTA

Philby is down on the deck, struggling futilely against several other officers.

MacDougan: Commander Philby's promotion has just been postponed by the crew! The Vesta is nonhostile! We are standing down!
Sheridan (voice): Confirmed, Mackie!

WHITE STAR 2

Sheridan: Two down!
Marcus: Three! Juno is withdrawing from battle!

SPACE

EAS Juno bugs out, exiting via the local jumpgate.

Pollux charges a group of oncoming White Stars, laying two heavy hits on one frigate. The stricken White Star tumbles end over end, finally slamming crosswise across Pollux' fighter bay, taking out the destroyer's entire front end.

WHITE STAR 2

At the sight of the burning wreck of the Pollux, Sheridan rises involuntarily and steps to the window.

Sheridan: God, the crew! Get to the lifepods, get to the lifepods!

The red light of a massive explosion plays across Sheridan's face, and he staggers backwards. Marcus' next report is totally unnecessary.

Marcus: Pollux is destroyed! Nemesis has taken severe damage and is offering to surrender!
Sheridan [going back to his seat]: Get me the Heracles. Attack fleet to Heracles!

HERACLES

Things are not going well on the bridge. Through the smoke, we see an officer helping an injured officer off the command deck. Hall looks like a trapped animal.

Sheridan (voice): You're outnumbered and outgunned! Your defenses are down, and your weapons disabled! You will return control of Proxima 3 to its lawful government, issue the recall order to all fighters, and surrender your vessel! You will comply with these orders or be destroyed!
Levitt [urging]: Captain!
Hall [desperate]: He won't do it! He knows we can't hurt him! He won't fire on us!
Levitt: You don't know that!
Hall [snarling]: I'm in command of this mission, Commander! I will not surrender Proxima or stand trial for following direct orders! I'm the one they'll hold responsible, not you! I'm dead either way!
Sheridan (voice): You have thirty seconds!
Levitt: I won't let you endanger this ship because you're afraid to face the consequences of your actions!
Hall: Are you questioning my orders, Commander?
Levitt: No, sir! I am relieving you of command! Remove Captain Hall from the bridge!

The officers on deck are paralyzed by the moral dilemma. Levitt needs to move them off top dead center --- quickly.

Levitt: Now!

One of the officers jumps into action. Another follows. Together they grab the Captain and hustle him off. Levitt hurries to the comm.

Levitt: Heracles to attack fleet, the Heracles surrenders! I say again, the Heracles surrenders! We are returning control of Proxima 3 to its local government! All fighters, return to base!

WHITE STAR 2

The hostilities suddenly over, Marcus ventures a comment.

Marcus: It looks as if we won!
Sheridan [not as sanguine]: No, we've achieved the mission objective. It is not a victory! [Steps again to the window. There's plenty of debris to stand witness to the death and destruction of the day.] Too many on both sides had to die for it. And this is just the start. We had surprise on our side this time. From now on, it gets a lot harder! Have the captains of the remaining ships meet me here in one hour! Let's see if we have survivors --- or allies!

SPACE

The remains of fighters, White Stars, and the Pollux drift among the remaining ships.

TAG
Allies.

WHITE STAR 2

It's an hour later, and four Earthforce officers sit down with Sheridan in a conference room. Present are MacDougan and Levitt, plus Kawagawa of the Nemesis and Eckland of the Furies. With one of the original six destroyers bugged out and another destroyed, that completes the roll call.

Sheridan: What happened here today was difficult for all of us, but it's over now. What we have to decide now is what we do next. Option 1: You and your crews can return home. We won't stop you. Sooner or later, the Heracles and her crew will have to answer for their actions before a military tribunal. [Levitt hangs her head.] But that's not our problem for now. Option 2: You can stay here and help protect Proxima 3 from further retaliation from President Clark. And Option 3: You can come with us, join the fight!

Eckland looks doubtful. But it's Levitt that speaks up.

Levitt: Captain, I wasn't about to let Captain Hall get the rest of my crew killed defending Clark's policies. I happen to disagree with those policies. But that doesn't mean I agree with your actions either. It's not the role of the military to make policy!
Sheridan: Our mandate is to defend Earth against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Now, Clark has become that enemy! Your oath is to the Alliance and to the people back home, not to any particular government!
MacDougan: You're splitting that hair mighty thin, John!
Sheridan: Am I? Night Watch, Ministry of Peace, Ministry of Truth? I mean, is this the same Alliance you joined, or has it become something else! The orders you've been getting, do they represent the ideal of the Alliance, or of a dictatorship? You've been ordered to open fire on civilian targets! Is this what you signed on for? [They all look like they're swallowing a bitter pill.] Now, we've made contact with other ships that have left Earthforce. They should be getting here in the next few hours. Now, some will stay and hold Proxima. The others will come with us.
Levitt: I thought you had all League worlds backing you up! Why do you need us?
Sheridan: Because I want this to be a clean fight. The other worlds won't fight for us, but they won't get in the way, either. It's your call. I'd like you to join us. We'll kick out Clark and the Night Watch and the rest of that bunch, and we'll turn it over to the voters, let them decide if what we did was right or wrong! Because on the final analysis ------ those are the people we work for!

The four captains look around at one another. They don't want to discuss it in front of Sheridan.

MacDougan [to Sheridan]: We need to talk it over.
Sheridan [nods]: Of course.

Sheridan walks out of the room.

BABYLON 5 --- A BAR

Londo sits at the bar nursing his wounded pride and, of course, a drink. He drains the drink. Another patron sits down on the next stool, and the bartender silently places an identical drink in front of him. Londo looks. It's G'Kar. The Narn picks up the drink and tosses it down. He does not look at Mollari.

G'Kar: Issue the joint statement. I will sign my name --- [turns now and looks Mollari in the eye] --- but not on the same page. Do you understand that?
Londo [dumbfounded]: Yes. Yes, of course!

G'Kar walks away without another word. Londo watches him go, and then notices G'Kar's empty glass. He picks it up and holds it as if it were a precious thing. Because it is.

SPACE

More ships have rendezvoused at Proxima. One of them is the Alexander, last seen at the Battle of Babylon 5 (Severed Dreams).

WHITE STAR 2

Sheridan looks on the growing fleet with quiet gratification. Then MacDougan enters the bridge.

MacDougan: The others have decided. Commander Levitt is going to retire from the field. She's gonna take the Heracles to Beta 9 for repairs. She's gonna keep Captain Hall under house arrest until this is over, one way or the other.
Sheridan: And the rest?
MacDougan: Eckland is gonna stay behind and help with the defense of Proxima. Kawagawa wants to sign on with you. [Smiles.] And so do I!

Mackie sticks out his hand. Sheridan grasps it and shakes it enthusiastically.

YOUR TELEVISION SET

There's that test pattern again. This might be a good time to describe it, since this is the first time we get to see it in its entirety (on DVD, that is). Based on the ancient black-and-white test pattern, it has several additions: a picture of Clark with the circle-and-slash symbol over it, located top center; a logo based on the B5 sword-and-shield, located dead center; a picture of Ivanova, located bottom left; the text "Voice of the Resistance", located bottom center; and a set of color bars in a circle, located bottom right.

Ivanova appears in her new VOR digs, a simple desk in front of a simple wall, perhaps a conference room.

Ivanova: This is Commander Susan Ivanova, bringing you the Voice of the Resistance. Today, elite forces dispatched from Babylon 5 engaged a destroyer group stationed at Proxima 3. Both sides endured heavy losses, but we can announce that Proxima 3 has been liberated from the forces holding it. I repeat, Proxima 3 is free. Many of the destroyers enforcing the blockade have now joined forces with our ships. The campaign to retake Earth has begun.

A DEPARTURE LOUNGE

The VOR broadcast continues on the monitors on the lounge walls, as people of all races come, go, or hang around, either watching or ignoring the broadcast.

Ivanova (on monitor): As a result, we send this plea to all cruisers and carrier groups that have chosen to stand down rather than execute the illegal orders of President Clark.

A carry-on bag slung over his shoulder, a grim-looking Garibaldi enters the lounge and makes his way to the gate.

Ivanova (on monitor): Join us! We will keep this channel open 24 hours a day. If you want to make a stand for Earth, now is the time!

Garibaldi hands his papers to the guard at the gate.

Guard: Destination?
Garibaldi: Mars.

Either the destination or the voice causes the guard to look up and see who he's got here.

Guard: That'll take a while.
Garibaldi: Nope. I got some people in high places taking care of things.
Guard: If you say so. When you coming back?
Garibaldi: I'm not.

The guard looks up again. That's the last thing he was expecting. He hands Garibaldi his papers. Garibaldi takes a last look back before heading off to his ship.

Ivanova (on monitor): In a related move, the Centauri and Narn governments issued a joint statement today recognizing the legitimacy of the liberation of Proxima, and throwing their support behind the new campaign. It is our hope that this unprecedented act of cooperation between two previously hostile governments will mark the beginning of a new age of cooperation and trust.

The End.