CRUSADE
THE DRAGON'S LAIR
Written by Martin A. Stihec TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME
We SEE the Excalibur in orbit.
EXT. CENTAURI ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
GIDEON (V.O.) This is ludicrous!
INT. ROYAL PALACE - THRONE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Londo and Gideon standing in front of each other five feet away from Londo's throne. By the Irritated look on both of their faces, we can tell they're in the middle of a heated argument. Standing a few feet away from them are several EA marines. There are also two Centauri guards present.
GIDEON (CONT'D) Emperor Mollari, we have less than four years to find a cure to the Drakh plague, we don't have time to negotiate passage through every part of non-EarthAlliance territory we need to get through to find that cure! That's why we got all this stuff over with before we started. All Alliance member worlds agreed to sign the Excalibur's free-movement charter a year ago -
LONDO (overlapping) Captain, unless you've been held in a Narn internment camp for the last five years, then you would know that the Centaurum is no longer a member of the Alliance!
GIDEON (overlapping; losing his temper) Then why does our copy of the fraggin' charter include a form from the Centauri government- personally signed by you!?!
Londo straightens himself and moves confrontationally closer to Gideon with an enraged look on his face; either he's ready to kill him right there and then, or he's a damn good actor.
LONDO I'd be very careful about raising your voice at me, captain. With one word I can have you cut open and gutted where you stand.
ANGLE - TWO CENTAURI GUARDS
As they start to reach for their weapons.
ANGLE - EA MARINES
As the react to the Centauri guards' actions and ready their own weapons.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND LONDO
LONDO (CONT'D) Your people come to our world, accuse us - wrongfully, I might add - of attacking Alliance ships, barricade us in on ourselves, and initiate an unprovoked attack our world, killing thousands of our people, women and children among them! (beat) Then, four years later - our world still recovering from your brutal assault, an Earth senator waves a piece of paper in front of me and wants us to allow one of their ships to violate our space! The only reason I signed was because they blackmailed me; offering us much needed medical supplies for our injured in return for our cooperation!
GIDEON Be that as it may, you still signed the charter. You have to let us into your space.
LONDO I don't like be told what I can and cannot do, Captain Gideon. (beat) I do not recognise the legality of your charter. Now, if I were you then I'd be leaving Centauri Prime before our defence grid accidentally blows your ship out of the sky, yes?
Gideon is far from ready to give this up, but he realizes any further debate between them would only make him angrier and achieve nothing. Gideon gives a 'come-on-lets-go' gesture to his marines and they leave the palace.
LONDO (two beats, to Centauri guards) Leave me.
The Centauri guards follow his order and leave the room.
LONDO (seemingly to no one) I beg of you. please do not do this. What are the chances they'll even come close to finding a cure in time?
Londo's Drakh overseer, Shiv'kala emerges from the shadows.
SHIV'KALA Too late. It is already done.
Off Londo's worried expression, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - MINUTES LATER
We SEE a shuttle launch from the planet. CAMERA follows the shuttle until it reaches the Excalibur. We SEE the Excalibur form a jump-point and slowly move towards it.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EXCALIBUR'S FLIGHT DECK - CGI
As the mechanical door closes - blocking our view into the ship, CAMERA PANS UP slightly and we SEE a Drakh warrior, wearing a Drakh environmental suit standing vertically above the flight deck.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON DRAKH WARRIOR
As he bends down and attaches a small piece of technology (shadowtech) on the section of the ship around him.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EXCALIBUR'S FLIGHT DECK - CGI
As the Drakh warrior uses his thrusters to fly off the ship and OS.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
As it ENTERS the jump-point. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
[pic] Matthew Gideon. Captain. Attached to the
Earth Alliance Starship Excalibur.
[pic]
To find a cure to the Drakh plague before
it wipes out all life on Earth.
[pic]
Anywhere I have to.
[pic]
No one.
CRUSADE
Starring
[pic]
[pic]
[pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic]
CREATED BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
THE DRAGON'S LAIR
Written by
Martin A. Stihec
Special Guest Stars
PETER JURASIK as Londo Mollari
Guest Starring
BRENT SPINER as Durla WAYNE ALEXANDER as Shiv'Kala DAVID HUDDLESTON as Drakh Commander TINY RON as Julikt JOEY DENTE as Engineer #1 JULIE OW as Med Tech #1 RICHARD POE as Drakh First DONOVAN BROWN as Pak'Ma'Ra KIM STRAUSS as Navigation
Co-Starring JEAN-LUC MARTIN as Drakh Warrior #2 WARREN TABATA as Drakh Warrior #1 GARY COLE as Apocalypse Box
[pic]
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON entrance
As Gideon walks through it.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - RESUME
As Gideon makes his way to the command chair. Matheson is standing a few feet away from the command chair.
GIDEON (to Matheson) Well, its official; I hate the Centauri.
MATHESON You and ninety percent of people in the Alliance.
Gideon sits in his chair.
GIDEON Damn them anyway. (beat) What's next on the list?
MATHESON We're not going to push the issue? They did sign the charter; they have no legitimate legal ground to stand on.
GIDEON No, they haven't. And no, we're not. What would be the point? They're not gonna change their minds.
A short beat of silence passes.
MATHESON The Rangers have suggested a planet in Pak'Ma'Ra space, Eniba. The planet itself is pretty ordinary. But the third orbiting moon was once a construction sight for a Vorlon fleet during one of the shadow wars. The reason the Pak'Ma'Ra haven't investigated further is that they don't have the right -
GIDEON (interrupting) Didn't Mr. Eilerson think we should continue our search through those old Senatian ruins on Xagior Prime?
MATHESON Yes, but since Mr. Eilerson is our head archaeologist I thought you would want him to oversee the search personally.
GIDEON Why can't he?
MATHESON (confused) Because he's on leave.
GIDEON On leave? Where?
MATHESON Centauri Prime. (off Gideon's bewildered look) I thought you knew. He told me he was going with your consent. (realizing he'd been fooled) He even showed me his IPX authorization form before he left.
GIDEON Centauri Prime - is he fraggin' crazy! The most hostile planet on the charts, short of the Vorlon homeworld, and he decides take a damned vacation on it! Did he say how long he was going to be on this. vacation?
MATHESON He said we should pick him up in four days. Should we go back and get him?
GIDEON No. To hell with him. He wants to spend four days in the heart of Centauri space - let him. Hopefully when we get back he'll still be in one piece.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
EXT. CENTAURI CAPITAL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
EXT. CENTAURI STREET - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a crowded street with Centauri walking through it - all in a hurry. CAMERA PANS AROUND to find Eilerson talking to a Centauri male in his forties, Julikt. Eilerson is wearing a hooded cloak in an attempt to hide the fact that he is human.
ANGLE - EILERSON AND JULIKT
Eilerson hands Julikt a pad. Julikt looks down at it.
ANGLE - JULIKT'S P.O.V.
We SEE that the pad has several still images of the bracelet Eilerson bought in "Realization."
ANGLE - EILERSON AND JULIKT
JULIKT (seeming only marginally impressed with the bracelet) Where did you get this?
EILERSON A Drazi colony on Siatac II. Now can I speak with the Emperor?
JULIKT I'm afraid not. The Emperor is far too busy to meet with you. I may, however, be able to set an appointment with the Prime Minister; I believe he has no plans for tomorrow evening.
EILERSON Alright, Julikt, how much is this going to cost me?
JULIKT (pretends to be insulted) You offend me Mr. Eilerson, what makes you think I'm only interested in money?
EILERON Eight {CENTAURI CURRENCY}?
JULIKT Well. if you insist on making a donation to the Royal Court.
Eilerson hands Julikt a credit-chit pad.
JULIKT The Prime Minister will be expecting you outside of the Royal Marketplace by six-thirty. Don't be late; Prime Minister Durla is a very busy man.
Julikt walks away from Eilerson.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - ENGINE ROOM (CGI) - CONTINUOUS
As in "To the Ends of the Earth" we SEE the long shaft that powers the immense ship. CAMERA PANS to the right to find Gideon and Engineer #1 walking through the engine room.
GIDEON How can the engines still be malfunctioning five months after they were overloaded?
ENGINEER #1 Maybe because the organic elements in the ship were also affected and haven't fully heeled yet. I have no fraggin' idea. Anyway, given the engines' current state I don't think we should be jumping into Hyperspace anytime soon.
GIDEON How long?
ENGINEER #1 Few days, maybe a week.
GIDEON That's impossible. We need to pick up Mr. Eilerson in 93 hours, as well as search for a cure on a planet in Pak'Ma'Ra space.
ENGINEER #1 What can I tell ya? That's how long the repairs are gonna take.
GIDEON Are we physically capable of jumping back into Hyperspace - regardless of what the safety regs suggest?
ENGINEER #1 Yes. But there's no way of telling what effects -
GIDEON (overlapping) Then. we jump.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
We SEE the Excalibur form a jump-point and ENTER through it.
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We HEAR a screeching from the ship's engines as it moves through Hyperspace.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson standing behind him.
MATHESON Sir, engineering reports extreme stress on the engines. Recommends we jump back out of Hyperspace for immediate repairs.
GIDEON Tell them that unless the engines are about to explode, we keep going.
MATHESON Yes, sir.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
EXT. ROYAL MARKETPLACE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson waiting outside the marketplace - as told to by Julikt, looking rather nervous. Eilerson twitches at the sound of a shoe walking on pavement.
EILERSON Hello. Anybody there?
A beat passes. We SEE several Centauri guardsmen EMERGE - seemingly from nowhere, and hold Eilerson down against the wall. Durla (The Centauri Prime Minister from the Babylon 5 novel trilogy "Legions of Fire") and Julikt walk out from behind a building and move towards Eilerson.
DURLA What are you doing on Centauri Prime, Human?
Eilerson struggles futilely to escape the guards.
EILERSON Keep all your appointments this way?
DURLA More or less.
EILERSON Something tells me you wouldn't have the Emperor greeted this way.
DURLA The Emperor? Huh. Mollari is merely a pawn on my chessboard. He holds no real power in court.
JULIKT (to Eilerson) Show him the bracelet.
Eilerson reluctantly opens his left fist, revealing.
ANGLE - THE BRACELET
Sparking in the moonlight.
EXT. ROYAL MARKETPLACE - RESUME
Durla is examining the bracelet from a distance - clearly impressed with it.
DURLA Mr. Julikt tells me you acquired this in a primitive Drazi colony. However, you and I both know that to be a lie. Where did you really find it?
EILERSON On a Drazi colony.
Durla moves forward and hits Eilerson in the face with the back of his hand, hard.
DURLA Next time I'll have one of the guards to hit you; they're fists are much harder than mine.
EILERSON I already told you where I got it.
DURLA (losing his temper) And you're not fooling anyone! Now tell me where found it!
Out of nowhere, Dureena appears and charges towards Durla. As she jumps on him the guards instinctively move to their Prime Minister's rescue - letting go of Eilerson. Eilerson freezes for a moment, shocked to see Dureena.
DURLA (panicking) Get her off of me!
Eilerson attacks Julikt and knocks him out. He bends down and picks up Julikt's weapon - a Centauri phase-pistol. Eilerson shoots each guard down before they could raise their own weapons.
EILERSON (gestures for her to get off of Durla) Dureena.
Dureena jumps back off of Durla and moves over to Eilerson. Durla is about to advance on them but sees Eilerson's weapon.
EILERSON I hope for sake that this thing isn't set to kill.
DURLA You can't do this to me. Don't you know who I am? I'm -
Eilerson shoots Durla in the hip and knocks him down.
EILERSON Dureena, what are you doing here??
DUREENA Heard you were going down to Centauri Prime, and, I just knew you would get into some kind of trouble - like you do everywhere you go. So, in a moment of stupidity, I decided to come along and make sure you didn't get yourself killed. A moment that I'm starting to regret with each passing second.
EILERSON Sorry to a burden.
DUREENA (doubtful) I bet you are. (beat) We'd better get moving; it won't be long until someone finds the bodies.
EILERSON Yeah. I know somewhere we can hang low until the Excalibur comes back for us.
DUREENA What were you doing here anyway?
EILERSON It's a long story. I'll fill you in when get there.
They both start running away from the scene.
EXT. SPACE - PLANET ENIBA - LATER
We SEE a jump-point form and the Excalibur exit it. As the Excalibur moves closer to the planet and drops probes into the atmosphere, we SEE a fleet of Drakh ships and mother-ships jump out of hyperspace and launch their fighters, which attack the Excalibur. We ZOOM OUT to find ourselves in.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - DARK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a Drakh Commander standing over a holographic simulation table, watching as the Drakh fighters attack the Excalibur.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON DRAKH COMMANDER'S FACE
Reflected on his face from the sim table, we SEE and HEAR a large explosion. Off the Drakh Commander's pleased expression, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson standing nearby.
NAVIGATION Captain, a strong gravity pool in hyperspace is blocking our current course. Should I plot another one?
GIDEON Sure. (off Matheson's yawn) Lieutenant?
MATHESON Yes.
GIDEON Go to bed.
MATHESON But, sir, I -
GIDEON That's an order, John.
MATHESON (beat, off Gideon's look, reluctantly) Aye, sir.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT - LATER
Just to establish.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CENTAURI BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
The building is at least ten levels high and its architecture matches that of a typical Centauri structure.
DUREENA (V.O.) This is it? This is the place we're supposed to be "hanging low?"
INT. CENTAURI BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena standing in the middle of a large hotel suite.
EILERSON You sound disappointed.
DUREENA We're on the run and you rent a damn hotel suite! And, as if that wasn't stupid enough, you ask for the biggest and most expensive one they have! I'm more than disappointed, I'm terrified.
EILERSON First; this is the last they would expect to finds us, thus the last place they look. Second; this building has a direct line of sight with every major landing bay on this side of the city - one of which the Excalibur will send a shuttle to for us. And third; I like to pamper myself on vacations.
DUREENA Now that we're safe; why did you come here? And what's that thing in your hand?
Eilerson sits down in one of their overstuffed chairs.
EILERSON (revealing the bracelet to Dureena) Over a month ago, while we were in that Drazi colony on Siatac II, I spotted this on the stand of a Drazi merchant. I immediately recognised its value and we negotiated a price. Once I got back to the Excalibur I began to run some tests and a preliminary examination. (beat, looks at bracelet) It's made of a substance I've never seen before. So smooth. So cold. Too cold. (beat) After a few more tests I discovered a connecting between the substance the bracelet is constructed of. and shadow technology.
DUREENA (in disbelief) Shadow tech?
EILERSON I also found this. (hands Dureena the pad he had shown Julikt)
ANGLE - CLOSE ON PAD
We SEE a small silver mark on one of the magnified images.
EILERSON (OS) (CONT'D) The symbol of the Centauri republic.
ANGLE - EILERSON AND DUREENA
DUREENA So you came here. Why?
EILERSON I was curious. (off Dureena's look of disbelief) And, as much as something shadow tech related would earn me by commission for IPX, I felt there'd be a somewhat more substantial reward from the Centauri government.
DUREENA What would the Centauri be doing with shadow tech?
EILERSON
Research, most likely. They wanna know what makes it tick. (looks at bracelet again) As do most races.
ANGLE - CLOSE ON BRACELET
On this, we CUT TO.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CHAMBERS' QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Chambers reading a novel and lying down on her couch. The novel's title "Tandara's love songs" clearly indicates it is a romantic novel. We HEAR the door BEEP. Chambers puts her book down and walks to the door. She opens the door to find Matheson standing behind it.
CHAMBERS John? What are you doing here? I thought you said you had a double shift on the bridge.
MATHESON I did. Things were getting kinda slow, and the engines were running reasonably smooth again, so the Captain let me off early. Ordered me off actually.
CHAMBERS Please, come in.
Matheson ENTERS Chambers' quarters and moves into the living room.
CHAMBERS I was just catching up on some reading.
MATHERSON Really? What were you reading?
CHAMBERS Oh, nothing you'd be interested in I'm sure.
Matheson SEES the cover of the novel she was reading.
MATHESON Tandara's love songs? Think I'll stick to ship's systems reports and mystery novels.
CHAMBERS Told you you wouldn't like it.
Matheson casually lies down on her couch.
MATHESON Oh, I don't know; I could go for a little romance every now and then.
Chambers smiles at him and casually slides in on top of him.
CHAMBERS (playfully) Me too.
Chambers kisses Matheson. (NOTE: the way they interact with each other during this scene tells us that this little relationship of theirs has been going on for quite a while).
MATHESON (playfully) Doctor, I think I'm getting a fever.
CHAMBERS Call me in the morning; I'm busy.
The two begin to kiss again. On this, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CENTAURI HOTEL - DAWN - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
INT. CENTAURI HOTEL - DAWN - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson lying on the couch eating berries from a large clay bowl on the table next to him. Dureena is sitting on a chair, staring out the large window in the center of the room, and keeping an eye on the door.
EILERSON Oh, just relax a little will ya; put your feet up. It'll be hours, maybe even days before we have to move on - if ever.
DUREENA I'm not so sure about that.
EILERSON Why?
DUREENA The guards are getting closer. And if that bracelet is what you say it is, they're not going to leave any stone unturned, no matter how unlikely it is we'll be under it.
EILERSON We can't move closer to any of the landing bays, they'll have too many guards there waiting for us. But the further we go from them the less likely it is we can reach the shuttle when it comes for us.
DUREENA Well, at this rate they'll be here in less than an hour. We really can't stay here much longer.
EILERSON (beat, thinking) Alright. (getting up) We'll head for the Towers of Commerce a few kilometres north from here. I doubt they'll find us there.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CAPITAL CITY - STREET - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena walking down the streets, hoods covering their faces. We can also SEE in the background a Centauri civilian in front of four Centauri guards, pointing at Eilerson and Dureena. The guards start following them.
DUREENA How much further?
EILERSON At this pace. three, four hours.
DUREENA The reason I ask is that there are four Centauri guards following, and gaining on us.
Eilerson almost pauses, then starts walking faster.
STREET - WIDER ANGLE
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena continue to increase speed until the guards are forced to match their speed. As they approach a turning point, two more Centauri guards come around the corner and stop Eilerson and Dureena. They turn to go back the way they came, but find the original four guards waiting for them. They're cornered.
EXT. CENTAURI ROYAL PALACE - DAY - LATER
Just to establish.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - CELL - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena standing inside the cell, in front of Durla and two of his guards on the other side. Eilerson and Dureena both have restraints on their arms and legs.
DURLA Where is it? The guards have searched you both from head to toe and found nothing. So. where is it?
EILERSON (uncooperative) Where's what?
DURLA Do not test my patience, Human. (beat, after no response) I'll give you one hour to change your mind. Then I'll start removing certain body parts.
On this, Durla and the guards walk away.
EILERSON (sarcastically) Great idea: "We need to move on. They're going to find us."
DUREENA If you had it your way we'd still be in that hotel room eating grapes until last possible second, when it'd be too late to do anything about it.
EILERSON (correcting) Berries.
DUREENA Whatever.
EILERSON (three beats) Where did you hide it anyway?
DUREENA You don't want to know.
EILERSON Supposing we live through this, I'll want that thing washed before you return it.
DUREENA Depends what kind of mood I'm in.
EILERSON (two beats) I don't suppose you can find a way to get out of these restraints.
DUREENA What restraints?
Dureena slips off her hand restraints.
EILERSON You've got to show me how to do that someday.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - HALLWAY - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena moving through the hallway, carefully, trying not to get caught. Dureena hears something and stops, as does Eilerson.
DUREENA (whispering; re: tall statues to the left of them) Hide.
They make their way to the statues and hide behind them. We start to HEAR the sound of footsteps, which get louder and louder until we SEE Two guards come around from the behind the corner, continue down the hallway and move OS. We HEAR their footsteps get softer as they walk away.
EILERSON Thought there'd be more people in here at this time of day.
DUREENA We're in a restricted area.
EILERSON How do you know that?
DUREENA Three times as many guards, no politicians, and the sign we passed ten minutes ago saying "Restricted Area". Do the math.
Dureena gives the "all clear" sign and they continue through the hall way. CAMERA follows as they turn the corner and nearly bump into Londo Mollari. There are a few moments of shock before something happens.
LONDO (intoxicated but under control) You. You are the ones from the Excalibur, yes? I was just coming to get you. (beat) Come with me. If anyone asks, you are my prisoners.
Londo continues back the way he came. Eilerson and Dureena exchange a look of confusion, then follow him.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - THRONE ROOM - LATER
We SEE Londo, Eilerson, and Dureena ENTER the room. There are no guards here. Londo turns to Eilerson and Dureena
LONDO Quickly, give me the object you came here with.
DUREENA Why should we trust you?
LONDO Because if you don't the pair of you will be corpses by sunset. And not whole corpses either. Small pieces scattered across the room. An arm here, a leg there.
EILERSON Why are you helping us? Given your republic's recent stance against multiculturalism -
LONDO There's no time to explain. Give it to me, Now.
Eilerson gives Dureena a signal to give the bracelet to him. Dureena hands it over. Londo examines it briefly, then drops it to the floor, pulls out a small Centauri energy weapon and aims it at the bracelet. Eilerson realizes what he's about to do.
EILERSON (moving forward) What are you doing?!
Londo fires his weapon, destroying the bracelet.
EILERSON (angry) Why the hell did you do that? That wasn't yours to blow up.
LONDO Believe me; I've done you both a favour. (beat) Now, I assume the Excalibur will be arriving shortly to pick you up. (points to a section of the wall) There is a secret passageway behind that wall. Just press on the center and it'll reveal itself. Follow that passageway to the palace entrance. There is a small building next to the landing bay in front of the palace. Go inside and show the guard this. (gives Eilerson a golden emblem) It signifies that you were sent there by me personally. You can stay there until the Excalibur arrives. Now go. Quickly.
Eilerson and Dureena move towards the wall Londo pointed to and start pushing on it. The wall changes to reveal a dark passageway leading through the palace. They look back at Londo for a beat before entering the passageway. Londo moves over to his throne and stands in front of his it, deep in thought.
LONDO (to himself, solemnly) Humpty dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses, and the king's men. couldn't put humpty together again.
On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. EXCALIBUR - CHAMBERS' QUARTERS - BEDROOM
We SEE Chambers and Matheson lying underneath the bed's covers, awake but resting. Matheson has his eyes closed and Chambers is leaning on her side facing him with her eyes open.
CHAMBERS Sleep well?
MATHESON Mm hmm. (smiling) Although I didn't really get much. (beat) I could stay right here all day.
CHAMBERS Same here. But, unfortunately I have a meeting with my medical staff in twenty minutes.
MATHESON (opening eyes, remembering) Wait a minute. What time is it?
CHAMBERS 0900 hours.
MATHESON (sits up, panicking) Damn.
Matheson quickly gets out of bed. He's wearing boxers. He picks up his uniform pants from the floor and starts to put them on.
MATHESON My shift on the bridge started half an hour ago.
CHAMBERS I'm sure the Captain won't be too upset.
MATHESON (finishes putting on pants and starts putting on his shoes) You don't understand; I'm never late. As the only telepath to serve in EarthForce as an officer I have to set an example for others. I have to be better than the rest. I have to prove that telepaths can abide by the rules. That we can do anything normals can do.
CHAMBERS Don't you think you're overacting a little? EarthGov won't pull the plug on their new policies towards telepaths and found another Psi Corps just because you're half an hour late for a duty shift.
MATHESON (joking) You never know.
Matheson starts to walk out of the bedroom without his shirt on.
CHAMBERS (re: uniform shirt) John.
Matheson leaves the bedroom. After a beat he comes back and takes his uniform tops.
MATHESON See-ya.
Matheson leaves the bedroom again. Chambers sighs.
EXT - SPACE - PLANET ENIBA - LATER
The planet we SEE is the same one from the Drakh Commander's simulation in Act One. After a beat a jump-point is formed near the planet and the Excalibur comes out of it TOWARDS CAMERA. The atmosphere in this scene should be one of impending doom.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon standing over the Navigations officer at his post.
GIDEON Move us around the planet's orbit.
NAVIGATION Aye, sir.
The bridge doors slide open and Matheson rushes through towards one of his consoles to the left of the captain's command chair - still adjusting his uniform. Gideon speaks to Matheson without turning to face him.
GIDEON 'Bout time, Lieutenant. I was begging to think you'd never show up.
MATHESON (explaining) I'm sorry, Captain. Doctor Chambers and I were up late going over her latest findings on Xagior Prime, and I guess I lost track of time.
GIDEON It's alright. Just don't let it happen again, huh.
MATHESON I won't, sir.
Matheson reaches his console. A beat passes.
NAVIGATION Now in orbit of the planet, sir.
GIDEON Prepare to drop probes. (beat) Drop probes.
MATHESON Probes away.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE thousands of small circular probes dumped into space - as seen in "Memory of War."
ANGLE - ENIBA
As the probes descend on it - spreading out over the planet's surface. CAMERA follows one of the probes as it passes through the atmosphere, burns and crumbles to the ground. CAMERA holds close on the probe's ashes as a boot treads on them. CAMERA PANS up the boot to find the helmet of a Drakh Warrior. We ZOOM OUT to find a squadron of well over a thousand other Drakh Warriors positioning themselves around the area.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander from Act One sitting in his uniquely designed command chair. There are about a dozen other officers on the bridge at various stations - one of which is the commander's First. The bridge design itself is very Drakh-like in appearance.
DRAKH COMMANDER Status.
DRAKH FIRST The Excalibur is in position. Ground troops are ready to man the Excalibur and kill the remaining crew, and the fleet are awaiting your orders, Vekh'shivalht.
DRAKH COMMANDER Good. Simulations predict a ninety-seven percent chance of success. Signal the fleet. to begin the assault.
DRAKH FIRST Yes, Vekh'shivalht.
We SEE a fleet of Drakh ships and mother-ships jump out of hyperspace and launch their fighters.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON (urgently) Sir, a fleet of Drakh warships have jumped out of hyperspace. They're releasing fighters.
GIDEON (quickly) Ready all weapons, prepare to launch fighters.
MATHESON Aye, sir.
The bridge is rocked with energy blasts.
GIDEON Fire all weapons.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS
We SEE a battle ensue between the Excalibur and the MANY Drakh fighters - a battle that isn't so dissimilar to the simulated battle in Act One. We stay with this fire-fight for a while, SEEING Drakh fighters inflict a fair bit of damage to the Excalibur.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson at one of his stations.
GIDEON Those damn fighters ready yet?
MATHESON Yes, sir, the last pilot is in the flight deck.
The bridge is rocked violently by another volley of Drakh fighters. One of the bridge's back stations explodes, sending two crewmen flying through the room.
GIDEON Then by all means, Lieutenant, launch fighters, now!
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
DRAKH FIRST Enemy launching fighters.
CAMERA ZOOMS IN on the Drakh Commander's face.
DRAKH COMMANDER (excited, but composed) Detonate.
EXT. EXCALIBUR - FLIGHT DECK - CGI - CONTINUOUS
We SEE dozens of thunderbolts exit the ship two or three at a time.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As Before.
DRAKH COMMANDER (CONT'D) Now!
EXT. EXCALIBUR - FLIGHT DECK - CGI - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the device the Drakh warrior had planted on top of the flight deck explode in a tremendous ball of fire - taking the whole flight deck and most of the fighters with it.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We feel a tremendous explosion and the bridge starts rocking out of control. Gideon is thrown out of his command chair, Matheson from his console, and various other background crewmen from theirs.
GIDEON (getting up) Lieutenant, what the hell was that?!
MATHESON (getting up and working controls) Sir, the. (in shock) Oh my god.
GIDEON What is it? (beat, to no response) Damn it, Lieutenant, what is it?
MATHESON The Drakh have somehow destroyed the flight deck. completely. And most of our fighters along with it.
GIDEON How many have we got left?
MATHESON Three.
GIDEON (two beats) Send a distress call, get reinforcements.
MATHESON (working controls) I can't. Something's blocking the signal.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large gap where the flight deck used to be in the Excalibur, as Drakh fighters continue their merciless assault.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - SECRET PASSAGEWAY - DARK - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena walking through. We HEAR voices in the background. The voices aren't speaking in English. Eilerson stops, as if recognising one of the voices.
EILERSON Do you hear that?
DUREENA Yeah. Which means we'll have company very soon if we don't keep moving.
EILERSON Something in the dialect. seems familiar. I know I've heard it somewhere before. It's definitely not Centauri; I know all four variations. Which means they're non-Centauri. Unless they are Centauri and just speaking in another language - which seems highly unlikely, doesn't it.
DUREENA Come on, they're getting closer.
EILERSON Where have I heard it before.? The comparative composition seems to indicate a -
DUREENA (pushes Eilerson forward) Let's go.
The two continue down the passageway. CAMERA turns back the way they came. We SEE two Drakh turn a corner and walk towards CAMERA, talking to each other in their native language.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Drakh fighters continue their merciless assault on the Excalibur. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Drakh fighters continue their merciless assault on the Excalibur. As before.
INT. EXCALIBUR - MEDLAB - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Chambers and several Med Techs frantically wheeling a crewman on a bio-bed into the surgical area. All around them are injured crewmen and Doctors attending to them.
CHAMBERS (urgently, frantic) Come on, people, we've gotta get this man on the operating table before he starts bleeding internally. Let's move it.
We SEE Chambers and the Med Techs wheel the patient into the surgical area. Chambers stops at the door while the others keep going.
CHAMBERS (to Med Techs) Get him prepped for surgery.
Another Med Tech approaches Chambers from behind.
MED TECH #1 Doctor.
CHAMBERS (turning around) Yes.
MED TECH #1 We have more survivors coming in from the flight deck. Too many for the staff to tend to.
CHAMBERS Set up a second facility on the next deck.
MED TECH #1 Doctor, we can't. It's not a matter of space, it's a matter of equipment and man power. We're spread too thin as it is already.
CHAMBERS How bad are they?
MED TECH #1 If they don't get medical care soon they'll die. Hell half of 'em'll die anyway.
CHAMBERS Then don't bring them in.
MED TECH #1 Doctor?
CHAMBERS Only bring in the ones we can save; the ones that have the best hope for recovery.
MED TECH #1 (reluctantly) Yes, Doctor.
The Med Tech walks away. Chambers stays immobile for a beat, thinking about her last order before entering the surgical area to work on her patient. On this, we CUT TO.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The place is a real mess. We SEE Gideon in his command chair, cut on his cheek, and Matheson at one of his consoles. Through this whole scene the ship is rocked with energy blasts on and off.
MATHESON More casualties coming in on all decks.
GIDEON What about the main guns? Haven't we been trying to shorten the time we'd be defenceless after we use them?
MATHESON Yes, sir. But we've only gotten it down to thirty-two seconds. We couldn't last that long totally defenceless under this kind of fire.
GIDEON Well dammit, Lieutenant, we've gotta something! (beat) What if we land the Excalibur on the planet's surface?
MATHESON Sir, the Excalibur can't land. She just wasn't designed for it.
GIDEON If you have any other suggestions I'd be happy to hear them, Lieutenant.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the battle continue, the Excalibur is losing desperately.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander in his command chair and the Drakh First at his station.
DRAKH FIRST The fight goes well. Fighters have destroyed almost all of the Excalibur's defences.
DRAKH COMMANDER Prepare to launch breaching pods.
DRAKH FIRST Breaching pods ready.
DRAKH COMMANDER Launch pods.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh mother-ships launch a dozen breaching pods towards the Excalibur.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON Sir, the Drakh have launched breaching pods.
GIDEON Focus all weapons on them; the last thing we need is to fight this battle on two fronts.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Excalibur shoot down half of the breaching pods.
ANGLE - CLOSE ON A SECTION OF THE EXCALIBUR
We SEE two Drakh breaching pods attach themselves to the Excalibur.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON Five Drakh breaching pods have attached themselves to the ship.
GIDEON Send marines to the sections they've breached.
MATHESON Already done.
GIDEON (to Navigation) Set a course for the planet's surface. We're gonna land this bird.
NAVIGATION Yes, sir.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Excalibur move closer to the planet. The Drakh ships and fighters pursue.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a group of armed Drakh Warriors moving through the corridor. A group of EA marines turn around the corner and a fire-fight ensues.
INT. EXCALIBUR - MEDLAB - SURGICAL AREA - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Doctor Chambers operating on her patient, while several Med Techs wheel another patient in.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Excalibur moving closer to the planet, pursued by Drakh.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE the Excalibur approaching CAMERA through a red screen - a targeting device. We SEE the Excalibur highlighted on the screen and the following info posted next to it: "Syluvic: Vorlon" and more text in an alien language bellow it.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
As before.
EXT. ENIBA - MOUNTAINOUS REGION - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large square, cannon-like device emerge from the surface. The Technology is clearly Vorlon. The device's sides expand out, forming four walls across the sky.
ANGLE - WIDER
As we SEE the walls continue to expand across the sky.
EXT. ENIBA - CONTINENT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the walls expand further, circling around the planet.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON (re: console readings) What the hell.
GIDEON What is it, Lieutenant?
MATHESON The planet. its. erecting some kind of. structure around the planet. (beat, shocked) Its Vorlon.
GIDEON Vorlon? How can that be?
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the walls continue to form along the planet until they meet on the other side.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander in his command chair and the Drakh First at his station.
DRAKH FIRST (re: console readings) Vekh'shivalht, something has been activated on the planet.
DRAKH COMMANDER What?
DRAKH FIRST Undetermined.
DRAKH COMMANDER On viewer.
The screen in front of them activates and shows Eniba and the Vorlon device around it.
DRAKH COMMANDER Enhance image.
The image on the viewer magnifies, revealing a close shot of the Vorlon device. We SEE small weapon ports form on the device's walls.
DRAKH COMMANDER Vorlon.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Vorlon device power up as the Excalibur nears, and fires multiple energy blasts at the pursuing Drakh ships through its weapon ports.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson at his console.
MATHESON (re: console, pleasantly surprised) Sir, the Vorlon structure is firing at the Drakh ships.
GIDEON (standing) Put it on screen.
The image of the Vorlon device on Eniba shooting down Drakh ships appears on the main viewer.
GIDEON Well I'll be damned. The Vorlons must have left one of their defence grids behind when they passed beyond the Rim.
MATHESON But why did it activate itself now?
GIDEON Maybe they're programmed to when they see the Drakh.
NAVIGATION More likely it recognised we're made outta Vorlon technology, saw we were being attacked and instinctively activated to help us. (sheepishly) Sir.
GIDEON (beat, to Matheson) Keep working on getting a signal out to EarthGov. We'll need help if we're gonna get outta here in one piece. There's still no guarantee that thing won't fire on us when they're finished with the Drakh.
MATHESON Aye, sir.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander in his command chair and the Drakh First at his station. The bridge is getting pretty shaken up.
DRAKH FIRST Half the fleet has been destroyed, Vekh'shivalht. We have to retreat.
DRAKH COMMANDER Retreat? Never! Fire all weapons, launch more fighters, and prepare breaching pods!
DRAKH FIRST If we regroup in the Regul sector we can save the rest of the fleet.
DRAKH COMMANDER No! I've worked too hard on this to give it up without a fight.
DRAKH FIRST We've already lost. What is there to be gained in continuing this fool's assault?
DRAKH COMMANDER (two beats, reluctantly) Signal the retreat.
DRAKH FIRST Yes, Vekh'shivalht.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh mother-ships open jump-points and enter hyperspace. The remaining Drakh fighters and ships follow them in. Eniba's Vorlon defence grid deactivates its weapons and begins to disassemble itself.
On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
EXT. CENTAURI ROYAL PALACE
Just to establish.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - HIDDEN DRAKH SECTION - CONTINUOUS
We can SEE Shiv'Kala standing in front of a Centauri computer console. A Drakh Warrior approaches him.
DRAKH WARRIOR #2 Pak'Ma'Ra on communications channel three. Demands payment.
SHIV'KALA Put him on my console.
The Drakh Warrior acknowledges the order and moves OS. We HEAR a beep, then.
PAK'MA'RA We demand what was promised to us.
SHIV'KALA We did not succeed in taking over the Excalibur. The planet was still protected by a Vorlon defence grid - forced us to retreat.
PAK'MA'RA Impossible. We have sent many vessels there. None of them were attacked.
SHIV'KALA (an accusation) Or so you say.
PAK'MA'RA This changes nothing. We supplied use of one of our planets, blocked communications from system with transmitter blockers, and fulfilled our part of the deal. Now you must fulfill yours, Drakh.
SHIV'KALA Very well. The files will be sent to your world within the hour. (beat) Curious. what do you want with all this information? It is of no importance to your race.
PAK'MA'RA To learn. To achieve greatness. through knowledge.
The Pak'Ma'Ra's image disappears.
LONDO (OS) (smugly) Didn't you say your plan was foolproof, hmm?
Shiv'Kala turns around - as does CAMERA, to SEE Londo Mollari standing behind him.
SHIV'KALA There were unforeseen complications.
LONDO (mocking) Like the planet coming alive and shooting down all your ships, yes?
SHIV'KALA If you wish to keep your hour free from us, you had better watch your tongue.
LONDO Maybe I don't want to watch my tongue. Maybe I don't want be your puppet anymore.
SHIV'KALA You have no choice.
Londo is silent again - he knows Shiv'Kala is right. No one can put him back together again either.
EXT. HYPERSPACE - LATER
We SEE the Excalibur being "towed" by two Destroyer class EarthAlliance vessels.
GIDEON (V.O.) Captain's personal journal, March 13th 2268; Seems as the new Alliance construction lines are still being rebuild and are currently not set up to handle our situation, the Excalibur is being towed to the nearest EarthAlliance station equipped to conduct repairs to the severe damage we've sustained. Which just happens to be Babylon 5.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS
Over Gideon's lines, we SEE Doctor Chambers and her Med Techs lining the ground with dozens of full body-bags. Chambers finishes and stands in the middle of the room, surrounded by death. Matheson approaches and holds her in his arms, comforting her.
GIDEON (V.O.) We lost nearly a sixth of the crew today; 311 officers and crew. Equivalent to almost the entire crew of the Cerberus when it was destroyed twelve years ago. As if I didn't have enough deaths on my conscience.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting at his desk in front of his Apocalypse Box.
GIDEON And I thought you said we would find something of value on Xagior Prime. All we found were the ancient ruins of a race that died off before they even reached the Bronze Age level of evolution.
APOCALYPSE BOX The value has yet to be found.
GIDEON You may be right. We're going back as soon as Mr. Eilerson's onboard and The Excalibur's repaired - which won't be for awhile.
APOCALYPSE BOX Something is troubling you.
GIDEON You never answered my question. (beat) "Who are you?"
APOCALYPSE BOX Some questions are best left unanswered. (beat) When you tell me who you are, then I will tell you who I am.
GIDEON I don't understand.
APOCALYPSE BOX There are four great questions that define every possible purpose of life: Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here? And where are you going? You have not revealed any of these to me.
GIDEON Maybe I don't know the answers myself anymore. (beat) Everything's changed.
The Apocalypse Box seems to glow brighter at hearing this.
EXT. SPACE - GALEN'S FLYER - CONTINUOUS
As it glides past CAMERA. Solemn and mysterious music should be playing in the background - exactly like the music from the end of "The Memory of War" right after the Apocalypse Box tells Gideon not to trust Galen.
INT. GALEN'S FLYER - CONTINUOUS
Galen is inside. As usual we cannot see much of his ship's interior. Galen has a glimmer of something we wouldn't expect to see reflected off his face. fear.
GALEN (V.O.) (solemnly) It is done. The wheels have been set in motion. There is no turning back now. No turning back. I failed in my mission, failed to find a suitable replacement in time. And now, because of that failure, I've damned us all.
EXT. SPACE - GALEN'S FLYER - CONTINUOUS
On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF SHOW
THE DRAGON'S LAIR
Written by Martin A. Stihec TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME
We SEE the Excalibur in orbit.
EXT. CENTAURI ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
GIDEON (V.O.) This is ludicrous!
INT. ROYAL PALACE - THRONE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Londo and Gideon standing in front of each other five feet away from Londo's throne. By the Irritated look on both of their faces, we can tell they're in the middle of a heated argument. Standing a few feet away from them are several EA marines. There are also two Centauri guards present.
GIDEON (CONT'D) Emperor Mollari, we have less than four years to find a cure to the Drakh plague, we don't have time to negotiate passage through every part of non-EarthAlliance territory we need to get through to find that cure! That's why we got all this stuff over with before we started. All Alliance member worlds agreed to sign the Excalibur's free-movement charter a year ago -
LONDO (overlapping) Captain, unless you've been held in a Narn internment camp for the last five years, then you would know that the Centaurum is no longer a member of the Alliance!
GIDEON (overlapping; losing his temper) Then why does our copy of the fraggin' charter include a form from the Centauri government- personally signed by you!?!
Londo straightens himself and moves confrontationally closer to Gideon with an enraged look on his face; either he's ready to kill him right there and then, or he's a damn good actor.
LONDO I'd be very careful about raising your voice at me, captain. With one word I can have you cut open and gutted where you stand.
ANGLE - TWO CENTAURI GUARDS
As they start to reach for their weapons.
ANGLE - EA MARINES
As the react to the Centauri guards' actions and ready their own weapons.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND LONDO
LONDO (CONT'D) Your people come to our world, accuse us - wrongfully, I might add - of attacking Alliance ships, barricade us in on ourselves, and initiate an unprovoked attack our world, killing thousands of our people, women and children among them! (beat) Then, four years later - our world still recovering from your brutal assault, an Earth senator waves a piece of paper in front of me and wants us to allow one of their ships to violate our space! The only reason I signed was because they blackmailed me; offering us much needed medical supplies for our injured in return for our cooperation!
GIDEON Be that as it may, you still signed the charter. You have to let us into your space.
LONDO I don't like be told what I can and cannot do, Captain Gideon. (beat) I do not recognise the legality of your charter. Now, if I were you then I'd be leaving Centauri Prime before our defence grid accidentally blows your ship out of the sky, yes?
Gideon is far from ready to give this up, but he realizes any further debate between them would only make him angrier and achieve nothing. Gideon gives a 'come-on-lets-go' gesture to his marines and they leave the palace.
LONDO (two beats, to Centauri guards) Leave me.
The Centauri guards follow his order and leave the room.
LONDO (seemingly to no one) I beg of you. please do not do this. What are the chances they'll even come close to finding a cure in time?
Londo's Drakh overseer, Shiv'kala emerges from the shadows.
SHIV'KALA Too late. It is already done.
Off Londo's worried expression, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - MINUTES LATER
We SEE a shuttle launch from the planet. CAMERA follows the shuttle until it reaches the Excalibur. We SEE the Excalibur form a jump-point and slowly move towards it.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EXCALIBUR'S FLIGHT DECK - CGI
As the mechanical door closes - blocking our view into the ship, CAMERA PANS UP slightly and we SEE a Drakh warrior, wearing a Drakh environmental suit standing vertically above the flight deck.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON DRAKH WARRIOR
As he bends down and attaches a small piece of technology (shadowtech) on the section of the ship around him.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EXCALIBUR'S FLIGHT DECK - CGI
As the Drakh warrior uses his thrusters to fly off the ship and OS.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
As it ENTERS the jump-point. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
[pic] Matthew Gideon. Captain. Attached to the
Earth Alliance Starship Excalibur.
[pic]
To find a cure to the Drakh plague before
it wipes out all life on Earth.
[pic]
Anywhere I have to.
[pic]
No one.
CRUSADE
Starring
[pic]
[pic]
[pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic]
CREATED BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
THE DRAGON'S LAIR
Written by
Martin A. Stihec
Special Guest Stars
PETER JURASIK as Londo Mollari
Guest Starring
BRENT SPINER as Durla WAYNE ALEXANDER as Shiv'Kala DAVID HUDDLESTON as Drakh Commander TINY RON as Julikt JOEY DENTE as Engineer #1 JULIE OW as Med Tech #1 RICHARD POE as Drakh First DONOVAN BROWN as Pak'Ma'Ra KIM STRAUSS as Navigation
Co-Starring JEAN-LUC MARTIN as Drakh Warrior #2 WARREN TABATA as Drakh Warrior #1 GARY COLE as Apocalypse Box
[pic]
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON entrance
As Gideon walks through it.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - RESUME
As Gideon makes his way to the command chair. Matheson is standing a few feet away from the command chair.
GIDEON (to Matheson) Well, its official; I hate the Centauri.
MATHESON You and ninety percent of people in the Alliance.
Gideon sits in his chair.
GIDEON Damn them anyway. (beat) What's next on the list?
MATHESON We're not going to push the issue? They did sign the charter; they have no legitimate legal ground to stand on.
GIDEON No, they haven't. And no, we're not. What would be the point? They're not gonna change their minds.
A short beat of silence passes.
MATHESON The Rangers have suggested a planet in Pak'Ma'Ra space, Eniba. The planet itself is pretty ordinary. But the third orbiting moon was once a construction sight for a Vorlon fleet during one of the shadow wars. The reason the Pak'Ma'Ra haven't investigated further is that they don't have the right -
GIDEON (interrupting) Didn't Mr. Eilerson think we should continue our search through those old Senatian ruins on Xagior Prime?
MATHESON Yes, but since Mr. Eilerson is our head archaeologist I thought you would want him to oversee the search personally.
GIDEON Why can't he?
MATHESON (confused) Because he's on leave.
GIDEON On leave? Where?
MATHESON Centauri Prime. (off Gideon's bewildered look) I thought you knew. He told me he was going with your consent. (realizing he'd been fooled) He even showed me his IPX authorization form before he left.
GIDEON Centauri Prime - is he fraggin' crazy! The most hostile planet on the charts, short of the Vorlon homeworld, and he decides take a damned vacation on it! Did he say how long he was going to be on this. vacation?
MATHESON He said we should pick him up in four days. Should we go back and get him?
GIDEON No. To hell with him. He wants to spend four days in the heart of Centauri space - let him. Hopefully when we get back he'll still be in one piece.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
EXT. CENTAURI CAPITAL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
EXT. CENTAURI STREET - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a crowded street with Centauri walking through it - all in a hurry. CAMERA PANS AROUND to find Eilerson talking to a Centauri male in his forties, Julikt. Eilerson is wearing a hooded cloak in an attempt to hide the fact that he is human.
ANGLE - EILERSON AND JULIKT
Eilerson hands Julikt a pad. Julikt looks down at it.
ANGLE - JULIKT'S P.O.V.
We SEE that the pad has several still images of the bracelet Eilerson bought in "Realization."
ANGLE - EILERSON AND JULIKT
JULIKT (seeming only marginally impressed with the bracelet) Where did you get this?
EILERSON A Drazi colony on Siatac II. Now can I speak with the Emperor?
JULIKT I'm afraid not. The Emperor is far too busy to meet with you. I may, however, be able to set an appointment with the Prime Minister; I believe he has no plans for tomorrow evening.
EILERSON Alright, Julikt, how much is this going to cost me?
JULIKT (pretends to be insulted) You offend me Mr. Eilerson, what makes you think I'm only interested in money?
EILERON Eight {CENTAURI CURRENCY}?
JULIKT Well. if you insist on making a donation to the Royal Court.
Eilerson hands Julikt a credit-chit pad.
JULIKT The Prime Minister will be expecting you outside of the Royal Marketplace by six-thirty. Don't be late; Prime Minister Durla is a very busy man.
Julikt walks away from Eilerson.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - ENGINE ROOM (CGI) - CONTINUOUS
As in "To the Ends of the Earth" we SEE the long shaft that powers the immense ship. CAMERA PANS to the right to find Gideon and Engineer #1 walking through the engine room.
GIDEON How can the engines still be malfunctioning five months after they were overloaded?
ENGINEER #1 Maybe because the organic elements in the ship were also affected and haven't fully heeled yet. I have no fraggin' idea. Anyway, given the engines' current state I don't think we should be jumping into Hyperspace anytime soon.
GIDEON How long?
ENGINEER #1 Few days, maybe a week.
GIDEON That's impossible. We need to pick up Mr. Eilerson in 93 hours, as well as search for a cure on a planet in Pak'Ma'Ra space.
ENGINEER #1 What can I tell ya? That's how long the repairs are gonna take.
GIDEON Are we physically capable of jumping back into Hyperspace - regardless of what the safety regs suggest?
ENGINEER #1 Yes. But there's no way of telling what effects -
GIDEON (overlapping) Then. we jump.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
We SEE the Excalibur form a jump-point and ENTER through it.
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We HEAR a screeching from the ship's engines as it moves through Hyperspace.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson standing behind him.
MATHESON Sir, engineering reports extreme stress on the engines. Recommends we jump back out of Hyperspace for immediate repairs.
GIDEON Tell them that unless the engines are about to explode, we keep going.
MATHESON Yes, sir.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
EXT. ROYAL MARKETPLACE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson waiting outside the marketplace - as told to by Julikt, looking rather nervous. Eilerson twitches at the sound of a shoe walking on pavement.
EILERSON Hello. Anybody there?
A beat passes. We SEE several Centauri guardsmen EMERGE - seemingly from nowhere, and hold Eilerson down against the wall. Durla (The Centauri Prime Minister from the Babylon 5 novel trilogy "Legions of Fire") and Julikt walk out from behind a building and move towards Eilerson.
DURLA What are you doing on Centauri Prime, Human?
Eilerson struggles futilely to escape the guards.
EILERSON Keep all your appointments this way?
DURLA More or less.
EILERSON Something tells me you wouldn't have the Emperor greeted this way.
DURLA The Emperor? Huh. Mollari is merely a pawn on my chessboard. He holds no real power in court.
JULIKT (to Eilerson) Show him the bracelet.
Eilerson reluctantly opens his left fist, revealing.
ANGLE - THE BRACELET
Sparking in the moonlight.
EXT. ROYAL MARKETPLACE - RESUME
Durla is examining the bracelet from a distance - clearly impressed with it.
DURLA Mr. Julikt tells me you acquired this in a primitive Drazi colony. However, you and I both know that to be a lie. Where did you really find it?
EILERSON On a Drazi colony.
Durla moves forward and hits Eilerson in the face with the back of his hand, hard.
DURLA Next time I'll have one of the guards to hit you; they're fists are much harder than mine.
EILERSON I already told you where I got it.
DURLA (losing his temper) And you're not fooling anyone! Now tell me where found it!
Out of nowhere, Dureena appears and charges towards Durla. As she jumps on him the guards instinctively move to their Prime Minister's rescue - letting go of Eilerson. Eilerson freezes for a moment, shocked to see Dureena.
DURLA (panicking) Get her off of me!
Eilerson attacks Julikt and knocks him out. He bends down and picks up Julikt's weapon - a Centauri phase-pistol. Eilerson shoots each guard down before they could raise their own weapons.
EILERSON (gestures for her to get off of Durla) Dureena.
Dureena jumps back off of Durla and moves over to Eilerson. Durla is about to advance on them but sees Eilerson's weapon.
EILERSON I hope for sake that this thing isn't set to kill.
DURLA You can't do this to me. Don't you know who I am? I'm -
Eilerson shoots Durla in the hip and knocks him down.
EILERSON Dureena, what are you doing here??
DUREENA Heard you were going down to Centauri Prime, and, I just knew you would get into some kind of trouble - like you do everywhere you go. So, in a moment of stupidity, I decided to come along and make sure you didn't get yourself killed. A moment that I'm starting to regret with each passing second.
EILERSON Sorry to a burden.
DUREENA (doubtful) I bet you are. (beat) We'd better get moving; it won't be long until someone finds the bodies.
EILERSON Yeah. I know somewhere we can hang low until the Excalibur comes back for us.
DUREENA What were you doing here anyway?
EILERSON It's a long story. I'll fill you in when get there.
They both start running away from the scene.
EXT. SPACE - PLANET ENIBA - LATER
We SEE a jump-point form and the Excalibur exit it. As the Excalibur moves closer to the planet and drops probes into the atmosphere, we SEE a fleet of Drakh ships and mother-ships jump out of hyperspace and launch their fighters, which attack the Excalibur. We ZOOM OUT to find ourselves in.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - DARK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a Drakh Commander standing over a holographic simulation table, watching as the Drakh fighters attack the Excalibur.
ANGLE - CLOSE UP ON DRAKH COMMANDER'S FACE
Reflected on his face from the sim table, we SEE and HEAR a large explosion. Off the Drakh Commander's pleased expression, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson standing nearby.
NAVIGATION Captain, a strong gravity pool in hyperspace is blocking our current course. Should I plot another one?
GIDEON Sure. (off Matheson's yawn) Lieutenant?
MATHESON Yes.
GIDEON Go to bed.
MATHESON But, sir, I -
GIDEON That's an order, John.
MATHESON (beat, off Gideon's look, reluctantly) Aye, sir.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT - LATER
Just to establish.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CENTAURI BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
The building is at least ten levels high and its architecture matches that of a typical Centauri structure.
DUREENA (V.O.) This is it? This is the place we're supposed to be "hanging low?"
INT. CENTAURI BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena standing in the middle of a large hotel suite.
EILERSON You sound disappointed.
DUREENA We're on the run and you rent a damn hotel suite! And, as if that wasn't stupid enough, you ask for the biggest and most expensive one they have! I'm more than disappointed, I'm terrified.
EILERSON First; this is the last they would expect to finds us, thus the last place they look. Second; this building has a direct line of sight with every major landing bay on this side of the city - one of which the Excalibur will send a shuttle to for us. And third; I like to pamper myself on vacations.
DUREENA Now that we're safe; why did you come here? And what's that thing in your hand?
Eilerson sits down in one of their overstuffed chairs.
EILERSON (revealing the bracelet to Dureena) Over a month ago, while we were in that Drazi colony on Siatac II, I spotted this on the stand of a Drazi merchant. I immediately recognised its value and we negotiated a price. Once I got back to the Excalibur I began to run some tests and a preliminary examination. (beat, looks at bracelet) It's made of a substance I've never seen before. So smooth. So cold. Too cold. (beat) After a few more tests I discovered a connecting between the substance the bracelet is constructed of. and shadow technology.
DUREENA (in disbelief) Shadow tech?
EILERSON I also found this. (hands Dureena the pad he had shown Julikt)
ANGLE - CLOSE ON PAD
We SEE a small silver mark on one of the magnified images.
EILERSON (OS) (CONT'D) The symbol of the Centauri republic.
ANGLE - EILERSON AND DUREENA
DUREENA So you came here. Why?
EILERSON I was curious. (off Dureena's look of disbelief) And, as much as something shadow tech related would earn me by commission for IPX, I felt there'd be a somewhat more substantial reward from the Centauri government.
DUREENA What would the Centauri be doing with shadow tech?
EILERSON
Research, most likely. They wanna know what makes it tick. (looks at bracelet again) As do most races.
ANGLE - CLOSE ON BRACELET
On this, we CUT TO.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CHAMBERS' QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Chambers reading a novel and lying down on her couch. The novel's title "Tandara's love songs" clearly indicates it is a romantic novel. We HEAR the door BEEP. Chambers puts her book down and walks to the door. She opens the door to find Matheson standing behind it.
CHAMBERS John? What are you doing here? I thought you said you had a double shift on the bridge.
MATHESON I did. Things were getting kinda slow, and the engines were running reasonably smooth again, so the Captain let me off early. Ordered me off actually.
CHAMBERS Please, come in.
Matheson ENTERS Chambers' quarters and moves into the living room.
CHAMBERS I was just catching up on some reading.
MATHERSON Really? What were you reading?
CHAMBERS Oh, nothing you'd be interested in I'm sure.
Matheson SEES the cover of the novel she was reading.
MATHESON Tandara's love songs? Think I'll stick to ship's systems reports and mystery novels.
CHAMBERS Told you you wouldn't like it.
Matheson casually lies down on her couch.
MATHESON Oh, I don't know; I could go for a little romance every now and then.
Chambers smiles at him and casually slides in on top of him.
CHAMBERS (playfully) Me too.
Chambers kisses Matheson. (NOTE: the way they interact with each other during this scene tells us that this little relationship of theirs has been going on for quite a while).
MATHESON (playfully) Doctor, I think I'm getting a fever.
CHAMBERS Call me in the morning; I'm busy.
The two begin to kiss again. On this, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CENTAURI HOTEL - DAWN - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
INT. CENTAURI HOTEL - DAWN - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson lying on the couch eating berries from a large clay bowl on the table next to him. Dureena is sitting on a chair, staring out the large window in the center of the room, and keeping an eye on the door.
EILERSON Oh, just relax a little will ya; put your feet up. It'll be hours, maybe even days before we have to move on - if ever.
DUREENA I'm not so sure about that.
EILERSON Why?
DUREENA The guards are getting closer. And if that bracelet is what you say it is, they're not going to leave any stone unturned, no matter how unlikely it is we'll be under it.
EILERSON We can't move closer to any of the landing bays, they'll have too many guards there waiting for us. But the further we go from them the less likely it is we can reach the shuttle when it comes for us.
DUREENA Well, at this rate they'll be here in less than an hour. We really can't stay here much longer.
EILERSON (beat, thinking) Alright. (getting up) We'll head for the Towers of Commerce a few kilometres north from here. I doubt they'll find us there.
EXT. CENTAURI PRIME - CAPITAL CITY - STREET - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena walking down the streets, hoods covering their faces. We can also SEE in the background a Centauri civilian in front of four Centauri guards, pointing at Eilerson and Dureena. The guards start following them.
DUREENA How much further?
EILERSON At this pace. three, four hours.
DUREENA The reason I ask is that there are four Centauri guards following, and gaining on us.
Eilerson almost pauses, then starts walking faster.
STREET - WIDER ANGLE
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena continue to increase speed until the guards are forced to match their speed. As they approach a turning point, two more Centauri guards come around the corner and stop Eilerson and Dureena. They turn to go back the way they came, but find the original four guards waiting for them. They're cornered.
EXT. CENTAURI ROYAL PALACE - DAY - LATER
Just to establish.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - CELL - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena standing inside the cell, in front of Durla and two of his guards on the other side. Eilerson and Dureena both have restraints on their arms and legs.
DURLA Where is it? The guards have searched you both from head to toe and found nothing. So. where is it?
EILERSON (uncooperative) Where's what?
DURLA Do not test my patience, Human. (beat, after no response) I'll give you one hour to change your mind. Then I'll start removing certain body parts.
On this, Durla and the guards walk away.
EILERSON (sarcastically) Great idea: "We need to move on. They're going to find us."
DUREENA If you had it your way we'd still be in that hotel room eating grapes until last possible second, when it'd be too late to do anything about it.
EILERSON (correcting) Berries.
DUREENA Whatever.
EILERSON (three beats) Where did you hide it anyway?
DUREENA You don't want to know.
EILERSON Supposing we live through this, I'll want that thing washed before you return it.
DUREENA Depends what kind of mood I'm in.
EILERSON (two beats) I don't suppose you can find a way to get out of these restraints.
DUREENA What restraints?
Dureena slips off her hand restraints.
EILERSON You've got to show me how to do that someday.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - HALLWAY - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena moving through the hallway, carefully, trying not to get caught. Dureena hears something and stops, as does Eilerson.
DUREENA (whispering; re: tall statues to the left of them) Hide.
They make their way to the statues and hide behind them. We start to HEAR the sound of footsteps, which get louder and louder until we SEE Two guards come around from the behind the corner, continue down the hallway and move OS. We HEAR their footsteps get softer as they walk away.
EILERSON Thought there'd be more people in here at this time of day.
DUREENA We're in a restricted area.
EILERSON How do you know that?
DUREENA Three times as many guards, no politicians, and the sign we passed ten minutes ago saying "Restricted Area". Do the math.
Dureena gives the "all clear" sign and they continue through the hall way. CAMERA follows as they turn the corner and nearly bump into Londo Mollari. There are a few moments of shock before something happens.
LONDO (intoxicated but under control) You. You are the ones from the Excalibur, yes? I was just coming to get you. (beat) Come with me. If anyone asks, you are my prisoners.
Londo continues back the way he came. Eilerson and Dureena exchange a look of confusion, then follow him.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - THRONE ROOM - LATER
We SEE Londo, Eilerson, and Dureena ENTER the room. There are no guards here. Londo turns to Eilerson and Dureena
LONDO Quickly, give me the object you came here with.
DUREENA Why should we trust you?
LONDO Because if you don't the pair of you will be corpses by sunset. And not whole corpses either. Small pieces scattered across the room. An arm here, a leg there.
EILERSON Why are you helping us? Given your republic's recent stance against multiculturalism -
LONDO There's no time to explain. Give it to me, Now.
Eilerson gives Dureena a signal to give the bracelet to him. Dureena hands it over. Londo examines it briefly, then drops it to the floor, pulls out a small Centauri energy weapon and aims it at the bracelet. Eilerson realizes what he's about to do.
EILERSON (moving forward) What are you doing?!
Londo fires his weapon, destroying the bracelet.
EILERSON (angry) Why the hell did you do that? That wasn't yours to blow up.
LONDO Believe me; I've done you both a favour. (beat) Now, I assume the Excalibur will be arriving shortly to pick you up. (points to a section of the wall) There is a secret passageway behind that wall. Just press on the center and it'll reveal itself. Follow that passageway to the palace entrance. There is a small building next to the landing bay in front of the palace. Go inside and show the guard this. (gives Eilerson a golden emblem) It signifies that you were sent there by me personally. You can stay there until the Excalibur arrives. Now go. Quickly.
Eilerson and Dureena move towards the wall Londo pointed to and start pushing on it. The wall changes to reveal a dark passageway leading through the palace. They look back at Londo for a beat before entering the passageway. Londo moves over to his throne and stands in front of his it, deep in thought.
LONDO (to himself, solemnly) Humpty dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses, and the king's men. couldn't put humpty together again.
On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. EXCALIBUR - CHAMBERS' QUARTERS - BEDROOM
We SEE Chambers and Matheson lying underneath the bed's covers, awake but resting. Matheson has his eyes closed and Chambers is leaning on her side facing him with her eyes open.
CHAMBERS Sleep well?
MATHESON Mm hmm. (smiling) Although I didn't really get much. (beat) I could stay right here all day.
CHAMBERS Same here. But, unfortunately I have a meeting with my medical staff in twenty minutes.
MATHESON (opening eyes, remembering) Wait a minute. What time is it?
CHAMBERS 0900 hours.
MATHESON (sits up, panicking) Damn.
Matheson quickly gets out of bed. He's wearing boxers. He picks up his uniform pants from the floor and starts to put them on.
MATHESON My shift on the bridge started half an hour ago.
CHAMBERS I'm sure the Captain won't be too upset.
MATHESON (finishes putting on pants and starts putting on his shoes) You don't understand; I'm never late. As the only telepath to serve in EarthForce as an officer I have to set an example for others. I have to be better than the rest. I have to prove that telepaths can abide by the rules. That we can do anything normals can do.
CHAMBERS Don't you think you're overacting a little? EarthGov won't pull the plug on their new policies towards telepaths and found another Psi Corps just because you're half an hour late for a duty shift.
MATHESON (joking) You never know.
Matheson starts to walk out of the bedroom without his shirt on.
CHAMBERS (re: uniform shirt) John.
Matheson leaves the bedroom. After a beat he comes back and takes his uniform tops.
MATHESON See-ya.
Matheson leaves the bedroom again. Chambers sighs.
EXT - SPACE - PLANET ENIBA - LATER
The planet we SEE is the same one from the Drakh Commander's simulation in Act One. After a beat a jump-point is formed near the planet and the Excalibur comes out of it TOWARDS CAMERA. The atmosphere in this scene should be one of impending doom.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon standing over the Navigations officer at his post.
GIDEON Move us around the planet's orbit.
NAVIGATION Aye, sir.
The bridge doors slide open and Matheson rushes through towards one of his consoles to the left of the captain's command chair - still adjusting his uniform. Gideon speaks to Matheson without turning to face him.
GIDEON 'Bout time, Lieutenant. I was begging to think you'd never show up.
MATHESON (explaining) I'm sorry, Captain. Doctor Chambers and I were up late going over her latest findings on Xagior Prime, and I guess I lost track of time.
GIDEON It's alright. Just don't let it happen again, huh.
MATHESON I won't, sir.
Matheson reaches his console. A beat passes.
NAVIGATION Now in orbit of the planet, sir.
GIDEON Prepare to drop probes. (beat) Drop probes.
MATHESON Probes away.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE thousands of small circular probes dumped into space - as seen in "Memory of War."
ANGLE - ENIBA
As the probes descend on it - spreading out over the planet's surface. CAMERA follows one of the probes as it passes through the atmosphere, burns and crumbles to the ground. CAMERA holds close on the probe's ashes as a boot treads on them. CAMERA PANS up the boot to find the helmet of a Drakh Warrior. We ZOOM OUT to find a squadron of well over a thousand other Drakh Warriors positioning themselves around the area.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander from Act One sitting in his uniquely designed command chair. There are about a dozen other officers on the bridge at various stations - one of which is the commander's First. The bridge design itself is very Drakh-like in appearance.
DRAKH COMMANDER Status.
DRAKH FIRST The Excalibur is in position. Ground troops are ready to man the Excalibur and kill the remaining crew, and the fleet are awaiting your orders, Vekh'shivalht.
DRAKH COMMANDER Good. Simulations predict a ninety-seven percent chance of success. Signal the fleet. to begin the assault.
DRAKH FIRST Yes, Vekh'shivalht.
We SEE a fleet of Drakh ships and mother-ships jump out of hyperspace and launch their fighters.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON (urgently) Sir, a fleet of Drakh warships have jumped out of hyperspace. They're releasing fighters.
GIDEON (quickly) Ready all weapons, prepare to launch fighters.
MATHESON Aye, sir.
The bridge is rocked with energy blasts.
GIDEON Fire all weapons.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS
We SEE a battle ensue between the Excalibur and the MANY Drakh fighters - a battle that isn't so dissimilar to the simulated battle in Act One. We stay with this fire-fight for a while, SEEING Drakh fighters inflict a fair bit of damage to the Excalibur.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson at one of his stations.
GIDEON Those damn fighters ready yet?
MATHESON Yes, sir, the last pilot is in the flight deck.
The bridge is rocked violently by another volley of Drakh fighters. One of the bridge's back stations explodes, sending two crewmen flying through the room.
GIDEON Then by all means, Lieutenant, launch fighters, now!
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
DRAKH FIRST Enemy launching fighters.
CAMERA ZOOMS IN on the Drakh Commander's face.
DRAKH COMMANDER (excited, but composed) Detonate.
EXT. EXCALIBUR - FLIGHT DECK - CGI - CONTINUOUS
We SEE dozens of thunderbolts exit the ship two or three at a time.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As Before.
DRAKH COMMANDER (CONT'D) Now!
EXT. EXCALIBUR - FLIGHT DECK - CGI - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the device the Drakh warrior had planted on top of the flight deck explode in a tremendous ball of fire - taking the whole flight deck and most of the fighters with it.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We feel a tremendous explosion and the bridge starts rocking out of control. Gideon is thrown out of his command chair, Matheson from his console, and various other background crewmen from theirs.
GIDEON (getting up) Lieutenant, what the hell was that?!
MATHESON (getting up and working controls) Sir, the. (in shock) Oh my god.
GIDEON What is it? (beat, to no response) Damn it, Lieutenant, what is it?
MATHESON The Drakh have somehow destroyed the flight deck. completely. And most of our fighters along with it.
GIDEON How many have we got left?
MATHESON Three.
GIDEON (two beats) Send a distress call, get reinforcements.
MATHESON (working controls) I can't. Something's blocking the signal.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large gap where the flight deck used to be in the Excalibur, as Drakh fighters continue their merciless assault.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - SECRET PASSAGEWAY - DARK - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and Dureena walking through. We HEAR voices in the background. The voices aren't speaking in English. Eilerson stops, as if recognising one of the voices.
EILERSON Do you hear that?
DUREENA Yeah. Which means we'll have company very soon if we don't keep moving.
EILERSON Something in the dialect. seems familiar. I know I've heard it somewhere before. It's definitely not Centauri; I know all four variations. Which means they're non-Centauri. Unless they are Centauri and just speaking in another language - which seems highly unlikely, doesn't it.
DUREENA Come on, they're getting closer.
EILERSON Where have I heard it before.? The comparative composition seems to indicate a -
DUREENA (pushes Eilerson forward) Let's go.
The two continue down the passageway. CAMERA turns back the way they came. We SEE two Drakh turn a corner and walk towards CAMERA, talking to each other in their native language.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Drakh fighters continue their merciless assault on the Excalibur. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Drakh fighters continue their merciless assault on the Excalibur. As before.
INT. EXCALIBUR - MEDLAB - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Chambers and several Med Techs frantically wheeling a crewman on a bio-bed into the surgical area. All around them are injured crewmen and Doctors attending to them.
CHAMBERS (urgently, frantic) Come on, people, we've gotta get this man on the operating table before he starts bleeding internally. Let's move it.
We SEE Chambers and the Med Techs wheel the patient into the surgical area. Chambers stops at the door while the others keep going.
CHAMBERS (to Med Techs) Get him prepped for surgery.
Another Med Tech approaches Chambers from behind.
MED TECH #1 Doctor.
CHAMBERS (turning around) Yes.
MED TECH #1 We have more survivors coming in from the flight deck. Too many for the staff to tend to.
CHAMBERS Set up a second facility on the next deck.
MED TECH #1 Doctor, we can't. It's not a matter of space, it's a matter of equipment and man power. We're spread too thin as it is already.
CHAMBERS How bad are they?
MED TECH #1 If they don't get medical care soon they'll die. Hell half of 'em'll die anyway.
CHAMBERS Then don't bring them in.
MED TECH #1 Doctor?
CHAMBERS Only bring in the ones we can save; the ones that have the best hope for recovery.
MED TECH #1 (reluctantly) Yes, Doctor.
The Med Tech walks away. Chambers stays immobile for a beat, thinking about her last order before entering the surgical area to work on her patient. On this, we CUT TO.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The place is a real mess. We SEE Gideon in his command chair, cut on his cheek, and Matheson at one of his consoles. Through this whole scene the ship is rocked with energy blasts on and off.
MATHESON More casualties coming in on all decks.
GIDEON What about the main guns? Haven't we been trying to shorten the time we'd be defenceless after we use them?
MATHESON Yes, sir. But we've only gotten it down to thirty-two seconds. We couldn't last that long totally defenceless under this kind of fire.
GIDEON Well dammit, Lieutenant, we've gotta something! (beat) What if we land the Excalibur on the planet's surface?
MATHESON Sir, the Excalibur can't land. She just wasn't designed for it.
GIDEON If you have any other suggestions I'd be happy to hear them, Lieutenant.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the battle continue, the Excalibur is losing desperately.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander in his command chair and the Drakh First at his station.
DRAKH FIRST The fight goes well. Fighters have destroyed almost all of the Excalibur's defences.
DRAKH COMMANDER Prepare to launch breaching pods.
DRAKH FIRST Breaching pods ready.
DRAKH COMMANDER Launch pods.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh mother-ships launch a dozen breaching pods towards the Excalibur.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON Sir, the Drakh have launched breaching pods.
GIDEON Focus all weapons on them; the last thing we need is to fight this battle on two fronts.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Excalibur shoot down half of the breaching pods.
ANGLE - CLOSE ON A SECTION OF THE EXCALIBUR
We SEE two Drakh breaching pods attach themselves to the Excalibur.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON Five Drakh breaching pods have attached themselves to the ship.
GIDEON Send marines to the sections they've breached.
MATHESON Already done.
GIDEON (to Navigation) Set a course for the planet's surface. We're gonna land this bird.
NAVIGATION Yes, sir.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Excalibur move closer to the planet. The Drakh ships and fighters pursue.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a group of armed Drakh Warriors moving through the corridor. A group of EA marines turn around the corner and a fire-fight ensues.
INT. EXCALIBUR - MEDLAB - SURGICAL AREA - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Doctor Chambers operating on her patient, while several Med Techs wheel another patient in.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Excalibur moving closer to the planet, pursued by Drakh.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE the Excalibur approaching CAMERA through a red screen - a targeting device. We SEE the Excalibur highlighted on the screen and the following info posted next to it: "Syluvic: Vorlon" and more text in an alien language bellow it.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
As before.
EXT. ENIBA - MOUNTAINOUS REGION - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large square, cannon-like device emerge from the surface. The Technology is clearly Vorlon. The device's sides expand out, forming four walls across the sky.
ANGLE - WIDER
As we SEE the walls continue to expand across the sky.
EXT. ENIBA - CONTINENT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the walls expand further, circling around the planet.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
As before.
MATHESON (re: console readings) What the hell.
GIDEON What is it, Lieutenant?
MATHESON The planet. its. erecting some kind of. structure around the planet. (beat, shocked) Its Vorlon.
GIDEON Vorlon? How can that be?
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the walls continue to form along the planet until they meet on the other side.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander in his command chair and the Drakh First at his station.
DRAKH FIRST (re: console readings) Vekh'shivalht, something has been activated on the planet.
DRAKH COMMANDER What?
DRAKH FIRST Undetermined.
DRAKH COMMANDER On viewer.
The screen in front of them activates and shows Eniba and the Vorlon device around it.
DRAKH COMMANDER Enhance image.
The image on the viewer magnifies, revealing a close shot of the Vorlon device. We SEE small weapon ports form on the device's walls.
DRAKH COMMANDER Vorlon.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Vorlon device power up as the Excalibur nears, and fires multiple energy blasts at the pursuing Drakh ships through its weapon ports.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon in his command chair and Matheson at his console.
MATHESON (re: console, pleasantly surprised) Sir, the Vorlon structure is firing at the Drakh ships.
GIDEON (standing) Put it on screen.
The image of the Vorlon device on Eniba shooting down Drakh ships appears on the main viewer.
GIDEON Well I'll be damned. The Vorlons must have left one of their defence grids behind when they passed beyond the Rim.
MATHESON But why did it activate itself now?
GIDEON Maybe they're programmed to when they see the Drakh.
NAVIGATION More likely it recognised we're made outta Vorlon technology, saw we were being attacked and instinctively activated to help us. (sheepishly) Sir.
GIDEON (beat, to Matheson) Keep working on getting a signal out to EarthGov. We'll need help if we're gonna get outta here in one piece. There's still no guarantee that thing won't fire on us when they're finished with the Drakh.
MATHESON Aye, sir.
INT. DRAKH VESSEL - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh Commander in his command chair and the Drakh First at his station. The bridge is getting pretty shaken up.
DRAKH FIRST Half the fleet has been destroyed, Vekh'shivalht. We have to retreat.
DRAKH COMMANDER Retreat? Never! Fire all weapons, launch more fighters, and prepare breaching pods!
DRAKH FIRST If we regroup in the Regul sector we can save the rest of the fleet.
DRAKH COMMANDER No! I've worked too hard on this to give it up without a fight.
DRAKH FIRST We've already lost. What is there to be gained in continuing this fool's assault?
DRAKH COMMANDER (two beats, reluctantly) Signal the retreat.
DRAKH FIRST Yes, Vekh'shivalht.
EXT. SPACE - ENIBA - EXCALIBUR AND DRAKH SHIPS/FIGHTERS - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Drakh mother-ships open jump-points and enter hyperspace. The remaining Drakh fighters and ships follow them in. Eniba's Vorlon defence grid deactivates its weapons and begins to disassemble itself.
On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
EXT. CENTAURI ROYAL PALACE
Just to establish.
INT. ROYAL PALACE - HIDDEN DRAKH SECTION - CONTINUOUS
We can SEE Shiv'Kala standing in front of a Centauri computer console. A Drakh Warrior approaches him.
DRAKH WARRIOR #2 Pak'Ma'Ra on communications channel three. Demands payment.
SHIV'KALA Put him on my console.
The Drakh Warrior acknowledges the order and moves OS. We HEAR a beep, then.
PAK'MA'RA We demand what was promised to us.
SHIV'KALA We did not succeed in taking over the Excalibur. The planet was still protected by a Vorlon defence grid - forced us to retreat.
PAK'MA'RA Impossible. We have sent many vessels there. None of them were attacked.
SHIV'KALA (an accusation) Or so you say.
PAK'MA'RA This changes nothing. We supplied use of one of our planets, blocked communications from system with transmitter blockers, and fulfilled our part of the deal. Now you must fulfill yours, Drakh.
SHIV'KALA Very well. The files will be sent to your world within the hour. (beat) Curious. what do you want with all this information? It is of no importance to your race.
PAK'MA'RA To learn. To achieve greatness. through knowledge.
The Pak'Ma'Ra's image disappears.
LONDO (OS) (smugly) Didn't you say your plan was foolproof, hmm?
Shiv'Kala turns around - as does CAMERA, to SEE Londo Mollari standing behind him.
SHIV'KALA There were unforeseen complications.
LONDO (mocking) Like the planet coming alive and shooting down all your ships, yes?
SHIV'KALA If you wish to keep your hour free from us, you had better watch your tongue.
LONDO Maybe I don't want to watch my tongue. Maybe I don't want be your puppet anymore.
SHIV'KALA You have no choice.
Londo is silent again - he knows Shiv'Kala is right. No one can put him back together again either.
EXT. HYPERSPACE - LATER
We SEE the Excalibur being "towed" by two Destroyer class EarthAlliance vessels.
GIDEON (V.O.) Captain's personal journal, March 13th 2268; Seems as the new Alliance construction lines are still being rebuild and are currently not set up to handle our situation, the Excalibur is being towed to the nearest EarthAlliance station equipped to conduct repairs to the severe damage we've sustained. Which just happens to be Babylon 5.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS
Over Gideon's lines, we SEE Doctor Chambers and her Med Techs lining the ground with dozens of full body-bags. Chambers finishes and stands in the middle of the room, surrounded by death. Matheson approaches and holds her in his arms, comforting her.
GIDEON (V.O.) We lost nearly a sixth of the crew today; 311 officers and crew. Equivalent to almost the entire crew of the Cerberus when it was destroyed twelve years ago. As if I didn't have enough deaths on my conscience.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting at his desk in front of his Apocalypse Box.
GIDEON And I thought you said we would find something of value on Xagior Prime. All we found were the ancient ruins of a race that died off before they even reached the Bronze Age level of evolution.
APOCALYPSE BOX The value has yet to be found.
GIDEON You may be right. We're going back as soon as Mr. Eilerson's onboard and The Excalibur's repaired - which won't be for awhile.
APOCALYPSE BOX Something is troubling you.
GIDEON You never answered my question. (beat) "Who are you?"
APOCALYPSE BOX Some questions are best left unanswered. (beat) When you tell me who you are, then I will tell you who I am.
GIDEON I don't understand.
APOCALYPSE BOX There are four great questions that define every possible purpose of life: Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here? And where are you going? You have not revealed any of these to me.
GIDEON Maybe I don't know the answers myself anymore. (beat) Everything's changed.
The Apocalypse Box seems to glow brighter at hearing this.
EXT. SPACE - GALEN'S FLYER - CONTINUOUS
As it glides past CAMERA. Solemn and mysterious music should be playing in the background - exactly like the music from the end of "The Memory of War" right after the Apocalypse Box tells Gideon not to trust Galen.
INT. GALEN'S FLYER - CONTINUOUS
Galen is inside. As usual we cannot see much of his ship's interior. Galen has a glimmer of something we wouldn't expect to see reflected off his face. fear.
GALEN (V.O.) (solemnly) It is done. The wheels have been set in motion. There is no turning back now. No turning back. I failed in my mission, failed to find a suitable replacement in time. And now, because of that failure, I've damned us all.
EXT. SPACE - GALEN'S FLYER - CONTINUOUS
On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF SHOW