In the customs area, a Ms. Theresa Holloran is trying to get through, but the system isn't recognizing her Mars issued passport. As she tries to explain to Zack, she's an elected member of the Mars government, which is able to produce its own passports, identicards and currency, but Earth is running a kind of blackmail scheme, delaying putting Martian issued documents into their system, causing most Marses to just buy Earth documentation rather than go through the hassle. She, however, won't put up with it, and if Zack doesn't like it, he can take it up with someone who cares.
- Franklin: Uh, that would be me.
Franklin recognizes her from his time on Mars when she was leading the Resistance there, though at the time she was going by Number One, and never told him her real name. With Franklin vouching for her, and since she really helped them get rid of Clark, Zack backs down, though he advises her to get a copy of station regs.
With that out of the way, Franklin asks what brings her all the way out here? She's actually here for Mr. Garibaldi.
In his quarters, Lise is cleaning up while Michael is drying himself out.
- Michael: Damn, when is this gonna stop, Lise?
Lise: When you finish detoxing and get all that alcohol out of your system. You should know the routine, you've been through it enough.
- Michael: I feel like I have just thrown up everything I've eaten in the last twelve years.
Lise: (slightly embarrassed) He's here. Michael, company.
Michael comes over, a little surprised to see Ms. Holloran. She has some news that she wanted to deliver in person. There's a kill order out; someone has sent a hitman after Michael and Lise. Tessa explains a bit about the situation after Mars independence. Every major corp with Earth ties was scrambling to get anything the new government wouldn't like undercover or back home before they could be found.
- Tessa: It got so bad that in parts of Dome One you couldn't buy a paper shredder for love or money.
The Mars government began to develop contacts and make inroads into some of the major corporations still on Mars, including Edgars. Lise hasn't done anything wrong, but she does own one of the ten biggest medical research companies on Mars, one that had several black projects in the works for President Clark. The telepath virus was done independently, but there's no telling what else they were working on. Lise insists her husband never brought her in to that, but that's the problem. Now that she's in her current position, some might be worried that she'll shut it all down as soon as she finds out about it. Michael has to go too, because he's close to her, and the sort of person with the very skills to dig these secrets out of their dark corners. They don't know who has a hit order, they just have a time frame, sometime within the next 48 hours, likely before they leave for Mars.
That's a little surprising to Franklin. Michael's leaving for Mars too? He and Lise just exchange a look.
G'Kar is walking through the corridors where a crowd of Narns is waiting and begins shouting his name. One in particular tries to get his attention, but G'Kar marches on. He's on his way to meet with Lyta; he wants to talk for a bit.
- Lyta: You'll forgive the accommodations.
G'Kar: It's a cell. I've gotten used to them. Frankly, I've done some of my best writing in places like this. In here, you cannot run from yourself.
He's here to talk about his offer to take her with him out to the Rim. She thinks it makes sense; she can't go home and can't stay here, so might as well.
- Lyta: It's ironic. Heh. You have to leave because everybody wants you. They're fighting over you. And I have to leave because nobody wants me.G'Kar: And yet we are the same in many ways. We are all the sum of our tears. Too little and the ground is not fertile and nothing can grow there. Too much, the best of us is washed away. My rains have come and gone...for now. Yours are just beginning.
She asks if he knows where they're going, but he has no idea. That's what makes it exciting! Lyta's not entirely sold on that part, but still appreciates the offer. And no doubt he'll want to keep her close, to ensure he has her DNA on hand at all times.
- G'Kar: That's why you think I'm doing this? Just that, my own personal interest?
Lyta: Well...yeah.
G'Kar: Then my decision was even more correct than I had imagined.
He leaves to make arrangements to have her things brought along when they are ready to leave. For now, he tells her to consider the walls she will soon leave behind, and ask herself how many walls she intends to bring with her.
Sheridan is consulting with Zack and Franklin, then turns to Garibaldi. Since they don't know who the hitman is or where he is, their best option is to keep Michael and Lise off the map; they'll be moved to unregistered quarters and kept off the logs. That's only a temporary measure, sooner or later they have to come out. Sheridan has a plan to draw the attacker out. He's going to see if they can convince G'Kar to attend a kind of farewell ceremony, which will be attended by everyone, including Michael and Lise. This will ensure that there is only one opportunity for the hitman to have a shot at them, and guarantee he's present there where they can arrange things to their advantage. As soon as he makes a move, they'll take him down. Garibaldi is impressed. More so that Zack came up with all this on his own. Well, he did learn from the best. Garibaldi agrees; who'd have guessed?
Sheridan turns to Garibaldi's plans next. Yes, he's leaving and he's going to marry Lise. Sheridan is a little surprised at that part, but he doesn't know the whole years-long drama behind it. Michael thinks they can finally make it work this time. And he knows he's not getting his job back this time. Sheridan just urges him to go get settled and let them take care of him.
A security guard walks into a lift when a rather nondescript, balding, middle-aged guy dashes in, not wanting to be caught in what looks like a bad area. He tries to make some light humor, then shanks the guard. He apologizes, but the guard has something he needs, as he takes the dead man's link, putting a duplicate in its place.
Some time later, the body is found, and Franklin gives Zack his initial impressions. Clean wound, no sign of a fight, meaning it was over before he had a chance to react. It doesn't make sense to Zack, nothing was stolen, and the guy was new, no one had a grudge against him yet. Franklin floats the idea it was just random.
- Zack: I don't believe in random attacks. Maybe there's not an obvious reason, but there's always a reason. Besides, if you're gonna knock off somebody for fun, you're not gonna take on an armed peace officer. Whoever did this was a professional.
Ok, so why, then? Zack still needs to work that part out.
The killer has retreated to some rented quarters where he is attempting to hotwire the stolen link to grant him access to the security channels.
Sheridan is meeting with Ms. Holloran, the least he can do after her helping break him out of jail. He asks about Mars, and she begins telling him about the trouble they're having with Earth. If Mars wants to do anything, it has to go through Earth, so EarthDome is taking its dear, sweet time enabling such things just to keep the Marses down.
- Holloran: They couldn't kill us with bullets, so they're drowning us in red tape. Frankly, I preferred the bullets. At there I could shoot back.
Sheridan: That's the problem when you go from being a soldier to a politician; you have to sit and listen to people you would have shot six months earlier.
Holloran tells him that a lot of the differences that were put aside while they were fighting Earth are resurfacing, and bouts of violence have already occurred. Sheridan reminds her that wars of independence are quite often followed by civil wars, which she thinks is Earth's plan. They ramp up the pressure until Mars is on the verge of tearing itself apart, then they can come in and clean up the mess, putting their people in charge to restore order and ensure the public good. And Mars will be back to being a colony.
Sheridan asks what their options are. She's come out here to expand her contacts, try and develop sources that will let her know if something's about to happen before it does. Sheridan has an idea as well. They could open a diplomatic office on Minbar, which would establish Mars accounts that are not bound by Earth jurisdiction. Holloran is appreciative, but Sheridan has another idea as well. He has to think it over, but he asks her to stay a few more days until he makes a decision.
The hitman is continuing to work on the link and finally is able to access the security network. Now he can tell what Security will be doing and when.
In the Zocalo, preparations are being made for the farewell, when the Narn from earlier finds G'Kar. He doesn't think G'Kar should leave, he should either teach on Babylon 5 or lead the Narn. G'Kar does not feel he has an obligation to do anything other than what he feels is right. The Narn insists; he spent all his money to come here and learn. And now he demands that he get it. They made G'Kar into what he is, he owes them that much. Without them, he is nothing.
- G'Kar: Then, I am nothing. Good day.
The Narn still insists; he even made little statues to honor him. Wait, you're the one who's been making these? G'Kar takes the statue and breaks it in half, letting it drop to the floor, then tells the Narn to go home. He then stalks off as his would-be follower calls for him to come back.
In Medlab, Zack comes to take the guard's personal effects. He also takes the time to ask if Franklin has anything new on it? Nope, and Zack hasn't even had time to look into it properly because of the security arrangements for G'Kar's ceremony. He has people out in force, wearing plain clothes, but that's as much as he can do with what they...wait a minute, what's this? The link is sticking to the side of the drawer it's in. They use the gene-coded molecular bonding, but this has some kind of adhesive. Hmmm. If whoever took this was a pro, then by now, he'd probably have access to the exact information he'd need to pull off a hit, like the one on Garibaldi. Zack rushes off, as the hitman gets ready to move, attaching the link to an earpiece to listen in on.
As the ceremony approaches, Narns are crowding the Zocalo, chanting G'Kar's name. Zack moves through them, head pivoting back and forth. Representatives are gathered, Michael and Lise arrive, and right behind them, the man of the hour. Sheridan goes to the podium and begins speaking, singling out Garibaldi and G'Kar for their distinguished service on Babylon 5.
In the crowd, Zack sees something, and calls station house on a secure channel. He tells them to dial in the stolen link, then gives a countdown of five seconds. As he reaches zero, a loud, high-pitched sound fills the link, causing the hitman to cover his ears. Zack sees him, and Security is on him just as he attempts to take a shot. He's subdued, but the Narn from before declared G'Kar is not worthy of them and pulls a PPG of his own. The crowd attempts to grab him, as Zack pushes G'Kar out of the way, and the shot goes wild...hitting Lise.
Later, in Medlab, Lise is in surgery as G'Kar comes to see Michael. He apologizes for what happened, but Michael assures him it's not his fault. The hitman is the reason there were there in the first place. The Narn will be prosecuted, but that's little comfort right now. Franklin comes out, and says he's done all he can, the rest is up to her now. G'Kar says she's strong, and he knows Michael feels like there's nothing he can do...but he doesn't feel that way. There is something he can do. And he goes off to do it.
As he leaves Medlab, Zack comes up to talk about pressing charges against the Narn, but Michael wants to talk to the hitman. Zack can't do that...except he can. OR he can shoot Michael, because that's the only way he's not going to talk to the guy. Zack just sighs as he runs off.
Dragging the assassin by the scruff of his shirt, he brings him to Lyta's cell. It's not admissible in court, but Garibaldi's way past caring. He wants to know who sent him. And don't think about backing out now, Lyta, otherwise the deal's off, and you can say goodbye to your war against Psi Corps. The hitman tries to protest, but Lyta just looks at him, like she's the most frightening thing in the system (which, let's be honest, she is). She begins probing his mind, as Garibaldi demands to know who sent him. She's surprised, and slightly amused, that he's actually trying to counter her by keeping his mind busy. He lets his anger spike for a moment, which is all Lyta needs to slip in and start poking around. She renders him unconscious, and erases the last few minutes from his mind, before telling Garibaldi what she found. It was the board. Not just one, the entire Board of Directors of Edgars Industries. They all had to agree and back each other up in case things backfired. There's no proof, but that won't stop Garibaldi when he's in pursuit of righteous justice.
G'Kar is packing when Sheridan comes for a visit. He just wanted to say good-bye, and try to get him to stay at least long enough for Delenn to get back. She'd want to see him as well. G'Kar would too, but recent events make him think he needs to leave as soon as possible. Sheridan also wants to say that he meant everything he said. Despite all the disagreements they've had, he's always had the deepest respect for G'Kar and will miss him. G'Kar has some thoughts on that.
- G'Kar: I believe that when we leave a place, part of it goes with us and part of us remains. Go anywhere in the station, when it is quiet, and just listen. After a while, you will hear the echoes of all our conversations. Every thought and word we've exchanged. Long after we are gone, our voices will linger in these walls for as long as this place remains. But I will admit, that the part of me that is going will very much miss the part of you that is staying.
They shake hands and John expresses the hope that they'll meet up again somewhere. Perhaps, but good-bye for now.
Sheridan turns to leave, but pauses, realizing that's the first time G'Kar's ever called him John. No it isn't. Yes it is. No. Yes. They share a chuckle at that and Sheridan heads out while G'Kar goes to record a delayed message.
Michael is asleep at Lise's side when she comes around. She's in a lot of pain, but now that she's awake, she should be OK. And since she's hopped up on painkillers, she's less likely to say "no" to Michael's latest crazy idea. He's got a minister down the hall, ready to do the honors, he wanted to get married before anything else happened. Lise, impressed with his gumption, moved by his declaration, or just high, agrees to it. Garibaldi goes to get the minister, so just stay right there, ok Lise? As he leaves, he grabs a passing tech and kisses him on the cheek.
- Michael: I'm getting married!
In the docking bay, G'Kar is waiting for Lyta to arrive. She's brought in, manacled and escorted by two security officers. G'Kar asks that she be uncuffed, and she telekinetically breaks out of them. Their task done, the officers get out of there. G'Kar asked her why.
- Lyta: It made everybody feel safer. Besides, I think I kind of liked it after a while.
There's a slightly awkward moment before they board their ship, and G'Kar says he's actually looking forward to it.
- G'Kar: Perhaps we will find something extraordinary. Perhaps something extraordinary will find us. Either way, it's going to be quite an adventure.
Lyta: I smell another book coming.
G'Kar: What a wonderful idea.
They head toward the ship, while Zack appears from the side and watches them go, a wistful look on his face.
On Mars, the Board of Edgars Industries is waiting for a call from Garibaldi. They express their concern for her well-being, which Garibaldi has no time for since he already knows they were the ones who sent the killer, to keep her from finding their dirty little secrets. Well, fortunately, they've traced the whole affair to the company's head of security, who hanged himself in his home and took responsibility for it all in his suicide note. Fortunately fortunately, Garibaldi has already found a bunch of other dirty little secrets, like Mr. Paretti's daughter, the one his wife doesn't know about, Mr. Everson's hot blonde on the side, or that other woman who got spaced...Paretti interrupts him, Garibaldi's not the head of Alliance Intelligence anymore, how could he find out all this stuff. That was what they were really afraid of. Someone with Garibaldi's skills and experience with direct access to Lise Hampton-Edgars. And it doesn't end there; meet Ms. Tessa Holloran, the new head of Covert Intelligence. She is quite delighted to meet them, especially since she now knows who's been causing such trouble for Mars both before independence and since. If half of what she knows about them were to get out, they'd have the Martian masses beating down the doors for their heads.
Garibaldi thanks her and lets her go. Paretti tries to say they won't be blackmailed, but that's not the point. Garibaldi's just getting started. Now that he's a private citizen, he's got other options open to him, and fewer rules. Now some of the company's money will be used to repair the damage they've done, but there's one part of it...he takes out a 500,000 credit check and explains that it will be deposited in a secret account and if he and Lise die of anything, anything, but old age, it will be used to put contracts on each of their heads. 100,000 credits a head should have plenty of mercs out looking for them. He then demands their resignations by the time he arrives on Mars, if they want all that information to stay confidential. But leave the cigars.
Stephen and Tessa are having dinner to celebrate her new job. She completely surprised by this turn of events, but thinks she can actually help Mars better this way.
- Franklin: Well, when they built this place, I think irony was one of the primary materials used in construction.
They talk a little about their relationship, what exactly it is, what it could have been, and how she arrives just as he's leaving. In any case, they're both too caught up in their jobs for anything to happen right now. But he does have an hour before his next shift. Hour and ten minutes, actually. She sends him off while she gets the check.
Delenn comes back to the station and meets Sheridan in the docking bay. She reports that the new facilities should be ready in about another week or so. Sheridan is...not quite as enthused as might be expected, he's going to miss the station, but he'll adjust. She asks about Michael, who comes up just then with Lise. Their ship is just boarding, and Lise decides to leave him to say his good-byes.
Now Michael has to deal with something he's never been that good with, emotions, especially emotional good-byes. He talks about how he doesn't have any family left, and the people on this station, even Londo, were the closest thing he had. He's slightly surprised he survived it all, but he's glad he did and has the chance for a family of his own, and John and Delenn had a lot to do with that. The final boarding call is made, hugs are exchanged, tears are almost shed and John and Delenn watch him leave. Delenn asks if he'll be alright. John thinks he will, but it won't be the same without him.
As for themselves, they're the next to leave. It suddenly occurs to Delenn that she's never walked the length of the station from front to back. It's five miles long, but Delenn just starts walking and asks if he's coming. John joins her and they walk off.
This episode contains examples of:
- Apologetic Attacker: The hitman apologizes to the officer he kills for the link. He just happened to be convenient.
- Assassin Outclassin': Once they realize the hitman's tapped into their network, they are able to turn that against him.
- Blackmail: Garibaldi digs up a bunch of dirt on the Edgars Industries Board of Directors and uses it to force their resignations.
- Breaking the Bonds: When G'Kar asks security to remove Lyta's restraints, she breaks out of them easily with her telekinesis.
- Broken Pedestal: An interesting case, in that G'Kar's been desperately trying to break down the pedestal he's been forced onto.
- Call-Back:
- Number One (a.k.a. Tessa Halloran) makes her reappearance.
- Garibaldi gets Lyta's help by reminding her of their deal.
- G'Kar's done some of his best writing in a cell.
- Casual Kink: Lyta says she kind of likes the cuffs.
- Chekhov's Gunman: The Narn we first see trying to get G'kar's attention is the one that nearly kills Lise.
- Corrupt Corporate Executives: The board of Edgars Industries.
- Dead Man Switch: A metaphorical one. As a backup plan in case they decide to get revenge on him, Garibaldi has arranged to place large bounties on the heads of the Edgars Industry directors if he or Lise die of anything other than old age.
- Death Glare: An interesting example, in that Lyta isn't really angry with the assassin, she's amused.
- Deceased Fall-Guy Gambit: The board tries to pin the assassination attempt on the security chief who conveniently killed himself and confessed to the plot. They're about five steps behind Garibaldi, who ignores it for the obvious ruse it is.
- Didn't See That Coming: Unknown unknown; everyone was so focused on stopping the known assassin, that nobody gave a thought to an overly-zealous Narn fanboy.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Ok, your idol didn't say what you wanted him to say and broke your statue. Is that really cause to attempt murder?
- Earn Your Happy Ending: After losing job after job, losing his girl, and everything that happened on B5, not the least of which is getting his mind scrambled, Garibaldi finally marries the girl he'd left years ago, and gets her late husband's Fiction 500 company and fortune. Garibaldi wins. Or he will as soon as he finds a way around the Asimov blocks and beats Bester.
- Embarrassing Statue: G'Kar encounters the one who created the statuettes of himself and he is not happy about it at all.
- "Eureka!" Moment: When Zack finds the link with adhesive on it, he realizes the hit on Garibaldi and the dead guard are part of the same crime.
- Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": Averted with Tessa Holloran, though Franklin said he'd have kept an eye out for her name on incoming lists, but she never told him what it was.
- The Fellowship Has Ended: Londo's already gone, but here is where it really starts; G'Kar and Lyta have left, Garibaldi's heading back to Mars, and the rest of the cast will be going their separate ways shortly after.
- Irony:
- Lyta once expressed the hope that the imminent war between telepaths and mundanes wouldn't be in her lifetime. Now, it's pretty clear she's the one who will start it.
- She also notes the irony of G'Kar and herself basically being driven away for opposite reasons; everyone wants G'Kar to come home and everyone wants Lyta gone.
- Stephen and Tessa crossing paths just as he's about to leave. He lampshades it by suggesting B5 is made of it.
- "Not So Different" Remark: After Lyta points out the irony of their situation, G'Kar points out that they're more alike than she realizes.
- Play-Along Prisoner: Lyta allows herself to be escorted, cuffed, to the docking bay, even though she could get out at any point, but that would just cause more trouble.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: As Tessa Holloran (a.k.a. Number One) shows, declaring Martian independence and actually being independent are separate things, especially when dealing with forming a separate government (and with bureaucracy). This is evident as her passport isn't recognized by other governments, being recently administered.
- They Look Like Everyone Else: There is really nothing to be said of the hitman's appearance beyond "average in every way".
- Unresolved Sexual Tension: Stephen and Tessa; thankfully, he has an hour (hour and ten minutes) before his next shift or they'd probably explode.
