Sheridan is asleep in Delenn's quarters when he wakes to find her not there. He shortly finds her in the living room sitting and staring at a candle. He tells her to come back to bed, they'll need to be well rested for the day. When he comes back from his shower in the morning he finds her still there and goes to get ready.
Londo and Vir come up to the council chambers but are stopped by security. Londo demands, as a member of the advisory Board, to be let in, to be given a chance to rebut whatever evidence is being presented to pin this on his people. That is what they're doing in there, is it not, Mr. Allan? Zack only asks him to leave without making a scene, it will only make things worse.
- Vir Worse, Mr Allan? Worse than what?
With extreme regret, Sheridan and Delenn begin presenting their evidence that the Centauri Republic is responsible for the attacks. Sheridan reminds him that he promised that once the culprit was found the Alliance would honor whatever actions the member worlds decided upon. He reaffirms that promise now, that he will see it through no matter the cost.
In Delenn's quarters, the candle burns itself out.
Evidence is now to be presented, first from Doctor Franklin. He drops a copy of his report off with Londo then goes to give testimony. His evidence concerns the characteristics of the weapons used; most warships are built in or around the various races home systems which means for logistics they tend to use locally produced materials. In energy weapons these can cause a unique signature with the wavelengths of the light they produce. Sheridan asks how these signatures are determined. Franklin requested the bodies of random victims be sent to him for examination. A complete autopsy was able to determine this "fingerprint", to which Delenn requests to hear about the process. This excessive light bleaches the skin where it is exposed, and the rods and cones that sense such things are also affected. Since the victims dies before they could be reset, it essentially becomes an imprint of what they were looking at as the moment of death. These methods allow him to determine the frequency of the weapon used in the attacks, which is consistent with those used by the Centarui. Furthermore, Centauri weapons act more like projectiles, and explode on contact with the target, which also matches damage found on the bodies.
In his quarters, Londo is reading the report with barely contained incredulity when Mr. Garibaldi comes to give them his report.
Before the council he confirms what Franklin said about explosive Centauri weaponry, stating it matches the damage patterns of the debris of the target ships. The ambush and destroy tactics are also consistent with Centauri military practice. Sheridan considers that a little too subjective and asks for something more concrete. Garibaldi pulls out the button of one of the attackers that ambushed him while trying to contact a witness of an attack, saying it has been identified as coming from a Centauri royal guard. Furthermore, this occurred after information on his mission leaked out, after they informed Ambassador Mollari. Following the incident they decided to keep him out of the loop, and there have been no further leaks. Delenn asks him to confirm that there has only been one attack on Centauri ships in the past three months. That is true, and the ship in question was an aging cargo vessel due to be scrapped, who insignificant cargo and seemingly automated. It was put there to throw them off by making it look like there had indeed been an attack on the Centauri.
G'Kar comes to see Londo next. Londo isn't surprised, he must be testifying next about what he saw while he was spying on them. G'Kar assures him he went as his bodyguard, a guest even a conscience, but not as a spy. But he does remind Londo about what they saw there, and how much it concerned him at the time. He knew something was going on, he just didn't know what until now. Londo gets irritated at the implication, but still thanks him for respecting his privacy. G'Kar came to say they're ready for him now.
In chambers, Londo takes the opportunity to tell them exactly what he thinks of the allegations that have been laid against his people; he takes the reports and tears them up.
- Londo: This is a joke! Cruel, yes. Insulting and destructive, of course, but a joke nonetheless. Circumstantial evidence! Half-truths! Distortions! And enough unfounded assumptions to wrap around the station three times and still leave room for a knot.
Delenn points out that they were Centauri weapons used, which Londo acknowledges before reminding them that the Centauri have supplied weapons to other worlds for years, including members of this very Alliance. And that's not even counting everything the Centauri left behind during their withdrawal from Narn, which they could use to frame the Centauri. He claims that this same evidence could be used to indict any one of the member races.
Sheridan asks if he is refuting the charges, but Londo says there's nothing to refute. He's about to walk out, but Delenn says there's one more item. They wanted him to see it along with everyone else. She has Lennier come in and tell them of his posting to Centauri space. He tells the council about the coded Centauri transmissions and how he followed them to their source. He then plays the recording of what he found.
He plays the video of Centauri warships, bearing unknown markings, jumping into hyperspace then participating in the attack he witnessed. Londo watches in silent dismay, as does the rest of the council. When it concludes, Sheridan asks if he has any reactions. Londo want to speak with his government first. Sheridan has a message for them when he does.
- Sheridan: The Centauri government has lashed out against its fellow members of the Alliance in acts of unjustified aggression. No, not aggression...terrorism. And there's only one proper response: effective immediately, we will isolate the Centauri Republic from the company of Alliance worlds.
Delenn: Goods and supplies heading to or from Centauri Prime will be blocked at every jumpgate and transfer point in the Alliance. Any Centauri vessel entering or leaving will be stopped, boarded and turned back. If they resist, they will be fired upon and seized.
Londo: A blockade?
Sheridan: (nods) Which will continue until such time as your government acknowledges and apologizes for these attacks. And provides reparations. As of right now, the Centauri Republic stands alone.
Later, Londo is waiting for a call from Centauri Prime, wondering what's taking them so long. The next council meeting is in less than an hour. Vir suggests they don't want to respond because it's true. Londo scoffs at the notion; the Centauri have never attacked civilian targets. Except for, you know, the Narns? Well, that was a war. In war this happens, but this is not a war, so there's no reason to do something like this. Vir asks how would he explain the recording?
Before Londo can respond, Minister Cholini appears on the comm unit, with the regent's official response, "the most clever fraud he'd ever seen". Cholini offers two possibilities, it's a deliberate fabrication, which Londo shoots down immediately, since Lennier would never go along with that. If he saw it, it happened. Then, Cholini argues, they took ships left behind, made casts of them and fitted them onto their own ships to make it appear like a hostile Centauri fleet. Lennier was simply lured to one of these show vessels and then taken around until he saw everything they wanted him to see at which point he would bring it back to Babylon 5, and since his character is above reproach, he would be the perfect messenger. Even assuming that, the council is still waiting for a reply, and regent has one ready.
As the council is called back to order, Londo stands with said response.
- Londo: Item one: The Centauri Republic categorically denies any involvement with these attacks. We are the victims—the victims of an elaborate hoax. We will identify those responsible when more information is at hand. Item two: The Centauri Republic will not be threatened or intimidated by anyone, including those we might once have considered friends. As a result, effective immediately, we are withdrawing from the Alliance.
As the Advisory Board look at each other, Londo continues.
- Londo: And finally item three: the Republic does not recognize the legality of this blockade and thus will not be limited by it. From now on, all Centauri transports entering into Alliance space will be accompanied by one of out finest warships. Anyone firing on one of our ships will be considered committing an act of war, and we will respond appropriately.
With that Londo concludes his remarks. Sheridan tries to comment, but Londo has no time for anything further. He intends to return to Centauri Prime on the first ship available. Sheridan insist that the Council is satisfied that the evidence implicates the Centauri, and if Londo leaves now he won't be allowed back until the crisis is over, and maybe not even then. Londo just comments that it looks like he won't be coming back, and reminds them that any attack on their ships will be considered an act of war.
He and Vir leave, Londo ordering passage on the first transport back home. Vir suggests it might not be the best course of action, they're serious about this. Londo is serious too, which means he needs to find proof they're not responsible, and for that he needs to be on Centauri Prime. In that case, Vir insists on coming along. Londo won't have that either, he needs Vir here as the Centauri's representative while he's gone. Someone will need to present the evidence when he finds it.
G'Kar is in his quarters when Delenn drops by. He intends to accompany Londo back to Centauri Prime. He figures if factions of his own government are truly behind the attacks but Londo himself is not privy to it, he will need to be guarded more than ever. Especially if he's going home looking for answers.
- G'Kar: Say what you want about him, and I can say quite a bit, he is relentless. Sooner or later he will find out what's going on and I believe he will try to stop it. In the long run he may be our only hope of ending this. He must be protected at all costs.
He hasn't told Londo about this yet, he wants to make it a surprise. He's already booked the seat right next to Londo's. It will give him someone to talk to.
- Delenn: Londo once told me he hates it when people talk to him on long flights. He prefers to sleep.
G'Kar: (chuckles) I know.
With that, G'Kar needs to pack, but Delenn reminds him that there could very well be a war and if it does break out, he will be essentially trapped behind enemy lines. They will not be able to help him. He is quite aware of that, and gives her the latest chapters of his book, trying to counter some of the things he wrote earlier when he was an angrier person. He asks her to see that they reach Narn if he does not return.
- Delenn: G'Kar, have I ever told you that your are one of the finest writers I have ever met and that it has been an honor to work beside you in the Alliance?
G'Kar: Not in words, but the thing about losing one eye is that it makes you look deeply into the eyes of another. I found in yours all the thanks I will ever require in this life or in any other.
He gives her a Narn salute and she places her hand over his heart in a Minbari gesture of affection then leaves.
Sheridan is walking the corridors when Zack finds him. They've been trying to get ahold of Garibaldi, but he's not answering his link for some reason. He tells Zack to get him to his quarters immediately.
Garibaldi is out like a light when the door chime goes off. He groggily wakes up, and hastily cleans his room and himself up then lets Zack in. He relays the message from Sheridan and that it's important, which gets an unusually sarcastic response. "When is it ever not important." Not that sarcasm from Garibaldi is unusual, but usually not when things are serious, and Zack gets suspicious. He tosses Michael a grapefruit, which he misses entirely. He tosses another one and Michael fumbles and drops it. Zack is now convinced he's drunk. Michael insists he isn't, but then he shouldn't have a problem coming closer so Zack can smell his breath. Michael blows it off, he doesn't have to prove anything.
Zack starts to chide him a bit, but Michael just throws it back in his face, reminding him that he had a lot of problems himself before he got here and, Michael knows, a few even after, but he let him alone to work it out. And he always did. But why is he even bothering to justify himself to Zack of all people?
Zack, looking rather hurt, puts his gun on the table and tells him to use it if he really wants to hurt him. Maybe even use it on himself if he's looking to self-destruct. Again.
- Zack: You're an alcoholic, Michael. You can't just have a few drinks and get over it. You can't justify it or explain it, you can't play the "Feel Sorry For Me" game or "You're no Better" game. And if I'm pissed at you, it's because I'm your friend, and I know what you've been through to get here, I've been through the same thing myself, and I don't want to see you throw it all away.
Michael asks if he's going to turn him in, but Zack hasn't decided yet. Michael asks for just a little time to turn himself around, and Zack reluctantly agrees. They'll drop by Security to get some oxy-pills then go see what Sheridan wants.
In hyperspace, a small fleet of Centauri warships is escorting a transport as a lone White Star tails them. This is what Sheridan wanted to talk about; when they jump out, they'll meet the lines of cruisers that the Alliance worlds have positioned on their sides of the jumpgates. All they need is one incident to spark an all-out war. To counter this, Sheridan has Rangers watching the Centauri, who will relay information to Garibaldi to coordinate. Once they know where the Centauri will be, he informs Sheridan and they pull in as many White Stars as they can into the area. Hopefully the Centauri will back down rather than risk an engagement they might not be able to win. This will enforce the blockade and, with the White Stars between the Centauri and member races, keep anyone on their side from shooting first. It's not ideal by any means, but Sheridan's just trying to drag everyone back from the brink. Garibaldi assures him he'll get it done.
Londo and G'Kar have arrived on Centauri Prime, Londo finding the warships cruising the skies to be quite disturbing. They enter the palace and are met by Minister Cholini. Londo expresses the wish to end this before shooting starts and G'Kar is still there as a bodyguard. He will go wherever Londo does.
- Cholini: My condolences.
G'Kar: Thank you. It's a burden, but I've come to accept it.
Londo asks to see the regent as soon as possible, but Cholini says he's currently busy with other matters. Londo tries to insist, but is rebuffed and Cholini suggests taking some time in his quarters to rest and freshen up. Londo notes the presence of more guards than usual, only natural considering the current state of things. Oh, and along that line, G'Kar will be tolerated as long as he is with Londo but if he is caught anywhere in the palace alone he will be shot on sight. Londo protests that that isn't necessary. They wouldn't want to give the impression that they treat their guests like this as a matter of course.
- G'Kar: Yes you do.
londo: Shut up.
G'Kar: Just trying to help.
The White Star monitoring the Centauri fleet sends a message to Garibaldi on their movements. Michael, however, is passed out in front of the comm unit, a partially emptied glass of liquor in front of him. The Centauri emerge from hyperspace to find a line of Drazi warships waiting for them. The Drazi order them to turn around or be boarded, but the Centauri continue on. The White Star jumps in to try and intervene, but the Centauri ships open fire and the battle is engaged.
Sheridan and Delenn are having a sleepless night when the door goes off. Sheridan answers it to find Zack there. After a moment he comes back to tell Delenn it's started. Vir is in Londo's quarters desperately trying to get through to him, but Minister Cholini on the other end is being obstinate. He assures Vir they are aware of the situation and promises to inform the prime minister at the first opportunity, then cuts the line. Franklin arrives soon after. He's under orders from the president to move Vir out of his usual quarters and into some incognito ones so the other races don't decide to take out their anger on him. They need to move fast and without drawing attention.
They get as far as Blue Sector before they're accosted by a group of Brakiri ruffians. They tell Franklin to walk away, they will have revenge on Vir for the deaths of their people. Franklin declares that if they want Vir, they will have to go through him...unless they want Mollari, who is, after all, the one really responsible. One comes closer, and Franklin knocks him to the floor, then makes quick work of the others. He must have picked up a thing or two from Marcus on that long road trip.
In the council chamber, Sheridan is demanding to know how this happened. Garibaldi says one of the Centauri fleets somehow got past them and ran into the Drazi. Information is pretty sketchy, but it seems they did fire first. Lennier expresses the hope they can still talk with them, but Zack thinks they're a little beyond that.
Further discussion is cut off by the representatives flooding in demanding answers. Where is the White Star fleet? They should be doing something! Why haven't they been ordered to engage? Zack tries to get them to back off, but this only makes them angrier and a shouting free-for-all is soon engulfing the room. Sheridan watches from behind his desk, anger and frustration mounting until it reaches critical mass.
- Sheridan: (listening to arguing) That's enough. (arguing continues) I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH! We gave you a promise, and we are bound by that promise. And damn you for asking for it! And damn me for agreeing to it! And damn us all to hell, because that is exactly where we are going! We talked about peace. You didn't want peace! We talked about cooperation. You didn't want cooperation! You want war! Is that it? You want a war? Well, you have a war!
Back on Centauri Prime, Londo and G'Kar are sleeping when there's a knock on the door. Cholini has come with news that fighting has broken out. They are now at war with the Interstellar Alliance. Londo insists he can still stop this, but all communication with Babylon 5 has been cut off for security reasons. That's also why they intend to take G'Kar down to the cells, one of the better ones, mind you, but his presence represents a security risk. Cholini orders the guards to take him, but Londo counters that, saying that if they are going to throw G'Kar in a dungeon, they will have to throw him in as well.
- Londo: Don't worry, even one as arrogant as this would not take it upon himself to imprison his own Prime Minister.Londo: Shut up!G'Kar: I didn't say anything...
Londo looks out the cell window at the sky.
- Londo: Great Maker, sometimes I feel I don't understand anythin anymore.
In her quarters, Delenn is staring at a candle again, when Sheridan comes out and joins her. He asks what the candle represents, and she says it represents life, all life.
- Delenn: We are all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars, molecules that do not understand politics, policies or differences. Over a billion years, we foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from. In desperate acts of ego, we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps and pretend that our light is better than everyone else's. The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that lives on inside us, the spark that tells us, "You should know better". The flame also reminds us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When it goes out, it's gone forever, and there will never be another quite like it. So many candles will go out tonight, I wonder some days if we can see anything at all.
Sheridan puts his arm around her and they huddle close together.
This episode contains examples of:
- Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene: Quite a few, with the meeting between G'kar and Delenn and her and Sheridan at the end as she laments the inevitable loss of life now upon them.
- Book Ends: The episode begins with Delenn staring at a candle. At the end she is back staring at another one with Sheridan joining her.
- Call-Back:
- Garibaldi recounts what he found on the Drazi homeworld to the council.
- G'Kar reminds Londo of the strange things that were occurring while they were at the Centauri royal palace.
- The Determinator: Part of Londo's character, that G'Kar believes will allow him to uncover what's going on at the Centauri palace.
- Drinking on Duty: Garibaldi is passed out drunk when a crucial message comes from a White Star monitoring a potential confrontation with the Centauri and losing what might have been the last chance to prevent fighting.
- Dying Candle: As the episode begins Delenn is found staring at a lit candle. She and Sheridan then go to present the evidence to the Alliance, and as they call the meeting to order, we cut back to her quarters where the candle burns itself out.
- Gilligan Cut: When the war between the Centauri and the Alliance begins, the Centauri minister comes to escort G'Kar to a prison cell. Londo protests and declares that they'll have to arrest him too, confidently assuring G'Kar that they would never dare to arrest their own Prime Minister. Cue the cell door shutting on them both.
- "It" Is Dehumanizing: When he first sees G'Kar, Cholini deliberately refers to him as "it".
- Locked Out of the Loop: Poor Londo gets it from both sides, the Alliance does it to keep him from unwittingly spilling anything important, and the Centauri attackers do it because he'd never go along with them.
- Naval Blockade: In retaliation for the attacks, Sheridan imposes a blockade on the Centauri Republic.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business:
- Garibaldi is sarcastic by nature, but usually not about work or when things are serious. This helps clue Zack in.
- Sheridan is not usually prone to loud outbursts like that.
- Rage Breaking Point: Sheridan's is hit as he listens to the Alliance members all shouting and arguing in chambers.
- Rash Promise: When Captain Sheridan promises the new Interstellar Alliance he's creating that the White Star fleet (a Badass Army and navy loyal to Sheridan's wife Delenn) will only be used at the discretion of the Alliance, it allays a lot of fears about Sheridan looking to set himself up as a dictator. Later however, the Alliance chooses to use the fleet in a way Sheridan knows will be counterproductive, and he's bound by his word to go through on his agreement. He curses the Alliance for invoking his promise, and himself for having given it in the first place.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Sheridan unloads on...everyone after a shouting match breaks out in chambers.
- Red Herring: Invoked by the attackers to try and make it seem like the Centauri were being targeted as well.
- Rudely Hanging Up: Cholini does this to Vir after assuring him he'll tell Londo what he needs to know.
- Shouting Free-for-All: After war breaks out between the Alliance and the Centauri, the member representatives file into Sheridan's office to demand why he hasn't yet ordered the White Star fleet into action. When Zack tries to get them to calm down, they all start yelling. Sheridan watches the ruckus from his desk, silently getting more and more frustrated and angry until he finally explodes.
- Suddenly Shouting: When trying to quiet down the room, Sheridan says "That's enough" in his normal tone then bursts out with it, taking even Delenn by surprise.
- Tantrum Throwing: A frustrated Vir, after Cholini cuts him off, looks like he's about to throw one of Londo's tea pots, but Franklin interrupts him.
- Translator Microbes: When Garibaldi gets the message from the White Star, a small note indicates Translation Mode is active.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Zack starts giving this to Michael after realizing he's drunk.
- Woken Up at an Ungodly Hour: After fighting breaks out, Zack comes to get Sheridan and Delenn out of bed. Downplayed in that they seemed to be unable to sleep anyway.
