ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. EXCALIBUR IN ORBIT OF VORLON HOMEWORLD
INT. BRIDGE
CAMERA is set just behind and to the left of Gideon, allowing a good shot on the viewscreen, Gideon, the officers and Matheson.
GIDEON
Set a course for Grid 54.
HELM OFFICER #1
Course laid into computer, at maximum non-hyperspace speeds we will reach destination in approximately 30 minutes.
As HELM OFFICER#1 speaks the CAMERA gradually swings round so that when,
GIDEON
Very well, proceed.
the CAMERA is facing Gideon.
EXT. Excalibur begins to move away from the planet.
INT. HALLWAY
Galen, Eilerson and Dureena are headed to the bridge.
EILERSON
I can't believe the Captain is leaving without informing me.
DUREENA
He brought you here without informing you Max.
GALEN
Something is wrong. VERY wrong.
DUREENA
What IS wrong Galen?
GALEN
I'm not absolutely sure, but I believe we or the Rangers may have awoken something.
DUREENA
What are Rangers doing out here?
GALEN
They were supposed to meet us in orbit of the planet.
EILERSON
Does Captain Gideon know you monitor all traffic in and out of this ship?
GALEN
Matthew is both aware and in the dark about what I do.
EILERSON
What kind of answer is…
Eilerson is cut off when the three reach the bridge.
INT. BRIDGE
The CAMERA is set up at the front, giving a good view of Gideon in his command chair reading a comp pad and Galen, Dureena and Eilerson entering. Matheson is just inside the shot of the left.
GALEN
Matthew.
GIDEON
Galen, I don't want to hear any I told you so's.
GALEN
Who was correct is not an important issue at the moment –
DUREENA
But it will be later Captain.
Galen glares at Dureena, it is not the time for her humour.
GALEN (CONT'D)
What is important is the survival of this vessel, it's crew and ourselves.
GIDEON
What are you talking about?
GALEN
Captain I am aware of the fragment you have received from the Whitestar. I am also aware that we have set a course to investigate.
GIDEON
Both those statements are correct, yes..
GALEN
Though I am glad to leave the accursed orbit of the Vorlon's homeworld I am distressed by the fact that we are headed to the same place that was probably the death site of the entire crew of that Whitestar.
GIDEON
We don't know that the ship has been destroy…
CAMERA pans slightly left to include Matheson fully, who has turned to face the Captain.
MATHESON
Captain.
Gideon turns to Matheson and stops mid-sentence
GIDEON
Yes Lieutenant?
MATHESON
Now we are a little closer to grid 54 we are able to use the short range scanners, which are much more accurate.
GIDEON
And?
MATHESON
Galen's correct.
Matheson turns back to the computers and produces a comp pad, he hands it to the Captain.
MATHESON
Those scans indicate what Galen fears. There is the right amount of debris in grid 54 to indicate the destruction of a Whitestar.
GIDEON
But we don't know for sure? It could be a ship of a similar size to the Whitestar?
Matheson pulls a grim face and shakes his head.
MATHESON
Unless there's any other class of ship in this galaxy made of Minbari and Vorlon technologies.
Gideon's face noticeably drops. The CAMERA moves closer on Gideon, cutting Matheson off but still showing Galen and Dureena, who are both now focused on the Captain.
GALEN
Matthew, I must insist…
GIDEON (Rising)
We are obligated to investigate the debris further… ascertain whether their were any survivors.
CAMERA cuts to Matheson.
MATHESON
Now matter what we do now, we're involved. –PAUSE- We just entered grid 54…
CAMERA shifts back between Matheson and the shot of Gideon, Galen, Dureena and Eilerson.
GALEN
We must retreat to hyperspace Matthew.
GIDEON
Galen I've never seen you like this. I didn't think anything could give you the willies like this.
GALEN
I and my order have become accustomed to being powerful Matthew. When we are not it is of great concern. You have trusted my instincts before, please have enough trust to do so again. Something is terribly wrong with this place, we must leave at once.
Close up on Gideon's face as he takes a moment to weigh the factors.
GIDEON (Turning in his chair to face the front)
Helm.
The CAMERA swings around to include Gideon, Matheson (Who moves in slightly into CAMERA shot), Dureena, Galen and Eilerson.
GIDEON (CONT'D)
Take us…
Gideon looks to Galen, who is looking back in his usual philosophical way.
GIDEON (CONT'D 2)
Take us into hyperspace.
The CAMERA cuts to behind the stars and allows us to see the Helm Officer working.
HELM OFFICER#1
Jump engines engaged.
EXT. EXCALIBUR jump point opened in front of the ship.
The Excalibur begins to move slowly towards the open jump point. But a split second before the ship enters the hyperspace horizon begins to de-stabilize, cue lightening effect within the jump point.
Immediate cut to,
INT. BRIDGE
CAMERA focused on Gideon.
The ship is shaking.
GIDEON
What the hell?!
HELM OFFICER#1
Our jump point is collapsing. There's some sort of inference.
GIDEON
Pull us back!
EXT. EXCALIBUR holds position just short of the unstable jump point. The Jump point eventually collapsed and the small shock wave sends the Excalibur backwards a little.
INT. BRIDGE
CAMERA zoomed back, looking towards the rear of the bridge.
GIDEON
John, explanation.
MATHESON
I don't have one sir, yet.
GALEN
I warned you, did I not Matthew?
Gideon looks to Galen, then looks away. (He has lost the psychological battle with Galen).
GIDEON
You did.
MATHESON
Sir, from what our scanners are recording. It seems there is some sort of encoded static field operating in this area.
EILERSON
Excuse me? A what?
GIDEON
Earth Force has been experimenting with encoded static fields for decades. It basically involved the deployment of transmitters that encompass a certain area. And within that area, with the transmitters functioning, it creates a field that blocks all traffic to and from hyperspace.
MATHESON
The field most likely became active half way through the Whitestar's transmission of their distress call…
DUREENA
Which is why we only got a fragment of it.
MATHESON
Precisely.
GALEN
What now Captain?
Close up on Gideon, as he realises Galen is off limits for advise.
GIDEON
This field might be localized to grid 54. Helm, take us back into orbit of the Vorlon world.
HELM OFFICER#1
Understood. Engines powered, course set.
EXT. EXCALIBUR moves forward, rather more sluggishly than usual.
Close up on Gideon's puzzled face.
GIDEON
What's the hold up?
HELM OFFICER#1
I don't understand it sir, the engines are engaged at full speed… yet we are moving as if they were on their lowest setting.
Gideon looks to Matheson.
MATHESON
It might be another side effect of the interference field. If it was the Vorlons that left behind this field then we must assume it is far more advanced than we have even theorized yet.
GIDEON
Keep us going Ensign, I don't want to be stuck in here. Give it all we've got.
HELM OFFICER#1
Understood sir.
Gideon looks at Galen.
GIDEON
You knew this was going to happen?
GALEN
As we shape our own futures, nothing is ever certain. But I did have my suspicions.
GIDEON
Why didn't you…
GALEN
I attempted on several occasions to warn you from this place. You failed to heed my warnings and now what I feared has come to be.
GIDEON
Do you know of a why out of here?
GALEN
If I did, we would not still be here Matthew. I care for this ship and her crew almost as much as you do.
EILERSON (Looking rather worried)
Galen… Captain… Matheson… there must be something you can do!
GALEN
I know not of a way, but I will retire to my ship for now. If I learn anything more, I will inform you immediately.
Galen turns and heads towards the exit.
DUREENA
Captain, I'm sure Galen will come through. He always does.
GIDEON
I'll hold you to that Dureena.
Dureena also turns and leaves.
Eilerson is left with Gideon's gaze upon him.
GIDEON
Is there a particular reason you're still on my bridge Mr. Eilerson?
EILERSON
I… I… - I suppose not Captain. I will return to my quarters, do a little reading. Maybe I can find something in the IPX database that references such fields.
GIDEON
Very well.
Gideon turns his head to face the viewscreen and does not pay attention to Eilerson's departure.
EXT. EXCALIBUR continuing to crawl along slowly and then stops.
INT. BRIDGE
HELM OFFICER#1
Sir.
GIDEON
Yes Ensign?
HELM OFFICER#1
The engines are on max… and we've come to a complete stop.
Gideon stands up and comes to the front where the helm computers and officers are, Matheson comes up and stands behind the Captain.
MATHESON
Have you tied in reserve power?
HELM OFFICER#1
Yes sir, five minutes ago.
MATHESON
Damn, Captain… we aren't going anywhere.
GIDEON
How far away from the boundary of Grid 54 are we?
Matheson leans over helm control and checks the scanners.
MATHESON
I can't tell anymore sir… the interference has become more intense. Not only is it effecting our jump engines and propulsion, it's gotten to our scanners too.
GIDEON
Alright, options Lieutenant?
MATHESON
At the moment sir? Short of praying? I'd say anything Galen can turn up because without standard propulsion, jump engines or scanners for all intensive purposes… we're dead in the water.
Close up on Gideon's reaction as we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. EXCALIBUR IN ORBIT OF VORLON HOMEWORLD
INT. BRIDGE
CAMERA is set just behind and to the left of Gideon, allowing a good shot on the viewscreen, Gideon, the officers and Matheson.
GIDEON
Set a course for Grid 54.
HELM OFFICER #1
Course laid into computer, at maximum non-hyperspace speeds we will reach destination in approximately 30 minutes.
As HELM OFFICER#1 speaks the CAMERA gradually swings round so that when,
GIDEON
Very well, proceed.
the CAMERA is facing Gideon.
EXT. Excalibur begins to move away from the planet.
INT. HALLWAY
Galen, Eilerson and Dureena are headed to the bridge.
EILERSON
I can't believe the Captain is leaving without informing me.
DUREENA
He brought you here without informing you Max.
GALEN
Something is wrong. VERY wrong.
DUREENA
What IS wrong Galen?
GALEN
I'm not absolutely sure, but I believe we or the Rangers may have awoken something.
DUREENA
What are Rangers doing out here?
GALEN
They were supposed to meet us in orbit of the planet.
EILERSON
Does Captain Gideon know you monitor all traffic in and out of this ship?
GALEN
Matthew is both aware and in the dark about what I do.
EILERSON
What kind of answer is…
Eilerson is cut off when the three reach the bridge.
INT. BRIDGE
The CAMERA is set up at the front, giving a good view of Gideon in his command chair reading a comp pad and Galen, Dureena and Eilerson entering. Matheson is just inside the shot of the left.
GALEN
Matthew.
GIDEON
Galen, I don't want to hear any I told you so's.
GALEN
Who was correct is not an important issue at the moment –
DUREENA
But it will be later Captain.
Galen glares at Dureena, it is not the time for her humour.
GALEN (CONT'D)
What is important is the survival of this vessel, it's crew and ourselves.
GIDEON
What are you talking about?
GALEN
Captain I am aware of the fragment you have received from the Whitestar. I am also aware that we have set a course to investigate.
GIDEON
Both those statements are correct, yes..
GALEN
Though I am glad to leave the accursed orbit of the Vorlon's homeworld I am distressed by the fact that we are headed to the same place that was probably the death site of the entire crew of that Whitestar.
GIDEON
We don't know that the ship has been destroy…
CAMERA pans slightly left to include Matheson fully, who has turned to face the Captain.
MATHESON
Captain.
Gideon turns to Matheson and stops mid-sentence
GIDEON
Yes Lieutenant?
MATHESON
Now we are a little closer to grid 54 we are able to use the short range scanners, which are much more accurate.
GIDEON
And?
MATHESON
Galen's correct.
Matheson turns back to the computers and produces a comp pad, he hands it to the Captain.
MATHESON
Those scans indicate what Galen fears. There is the right amount of debris in grid 54 to indicate the destruction of a Whitestar.
GIDEON
But we don't know for sure? It could be a ship of a similar size to the Whitestar?
Matheson pulls a grim face and shakes his head.
MATHESON
Unless there's any other class of ship in this galaxy made of Minbari and Vorlon technologies.
Gideon's face noticeably drops. The CAMERA moves closer on Gideon, cutting Matheson off but still showing Galen and Dureena, who are both now focused on the Captain.
GALEN
Matthew, I must insist…
GIDEON (Rising)
We are obligated to investigate the debris further… ascertain whether their were any survivors.
CAMERA cuts to Matheson.
MATHESON
Now matter what we do now, we're involved. –PAUSE- We just entered grid 54…
CAMERA shifts back between Matheson and the shot of Gideon, Galen, Dureena and Eilerson.
GALEN
We must retreat to hyperspace Matthew.
GIDEON
Galen I've never seen you like this. I didn't think anything could give you the willies like this.
GALEN
I and my order have become accustomed to being powerful Matthew. When we are not it is of great concern. You have trusted my instincts before, please have enough trust to do so again. Something is terribly wrong with this place, we must leave at once.
Close up on Gideon's face as he takes a moment to weigh the factors.
GIDEON (Turning in his chair to face the front)
Helm.
The CAMERA swings around to include Gideon, Matheson (Who moves in slightly into CAMERA shot), Dureena, Galen and Eilerson.
GIDEON (CONT'D)
Take us…
Gideon looks to Galen, who is looking back in his usual philosophical way.
GIDEON (CONT'D 2)
Take us into hyperspace.
The CAMERA cuts to behind the stars and allows us to see the Helm Officer working.
HELM OFFICER#1
Jump engines engaged.
EXT. EXCALIBUR jump point opened in front of the ship.
The Excalibur begins to move slowly towards the open jump point. But a split second before the ship enters the hyperspace horizon begins to de-stabilize, cue lightening effect within the jump point.
Immediate cut to,
INT. BRIDGE
CAMERA focused on Gideon.
The ship is shaking.
GIDEON
What the hell?!
HELM OFFICER#1
Our jump point is collapsing. There's some sort of inference.
GIDEON
Pull us back!
EXT. EXCALIBUR holds position just short of the unstable jump point. The Jump point eventually collapsed and the small shock wave sends the Excalibur backwards a little.
INT. BRIDGE
CAMERA zoomed back, looking towards the rear of the bridge.
GIDEON
John, explanation.
MATHESON
I don't have one sir, yet.
GALEN
I warned you, did I not Matthew?
Gideon looks to Galen, then looks away. (He has lost the psychological battle with Galen).
GIDEON
You did.
MATHESON
Sir, from what our scanners are recording. It seems there is some sort of encoded static field operating in this area.
EILERSON
Excuse me? A what?
GIDEON
Earth Force has been experimenting with encoded static fields for decades. It basically involved the deployment of transmitters that encompass a certain area. And within that area, with the transmitters functioning, it creates a field that blocks all traffic to and from hyperspace.
MATHESON
The field most likely became active half way through the Whitestar's transmission of their distress call…
DUREENA
Which is why we only got a fragment of it.
MATHESON
Precisely.
GALEN
What now Captain?
Close up on Gideon, as he realises Galen is off limits for advise.
GIDEON
This field might be localized to grid 54. Helm, take us back into orbit of the Vorlon world.
HELM OFFICER#1
Understood. Engines powered, course set.
EXT. EXCALIBUR moves forward, rather more sluggishly than usual.
Close up on Gideon's puzzled face.
GIDEON
What's the hold up?
HELM OFFICER#1
I don't understand it sir, the engines are engaged at full speed… yet we are moving as if they were on their lowest setting.
Gideon looks to Matheson.
MATHESON
It might be another side effect of the interference field. If it was the Vorlons that left behind this field then we must assume it is far more advanced than we have even theorized yet.
GIDEON
Keep us going Ensign, I don't want to be stuck in here. Give it all we've got.
HELM OFFICER#1
Understood sir.
Gideon looks at Galen.
GIDEON
You knew this was going to happen?
GALEN
As we shape our own futures, nothing is ever certain. But I did have my suspicions.
GIDEON
Why didn't you…
GALEN
I attempted on several occasions to warn you from this place. You failed to heed my warnings and now what I feared has come to be.
GIDEON
Do you know of a why out of here?
GALEN
If I did, we would not still be here Matthew. I care for this ship and her crew almost as much as you do.
EILERSON (Looking rather worried)
Galen… Captain… Matheson… there must be something you can do!
GALEN
I know not of a way, but I will retire to my ship for now. If I learn anything more, I will inform you immediately.
Galen turns and heads towards the exit.
DUREENA
Captain, I'm sure Galen will come through. He always does.
GIDEON
I'll hold you to that Dureena.
Dureena also turns and leaves.
Eilerson is left with Gideon's gaze upon him.
GIDEON
Is there a particular reason you're still on my bridge Mr. Eilerson?
EILERSON
I… I… - I suppose not Captain. I will return to my quarters, do a little reading. Maybe I can find something in the IPX database that references such fields.
GIDEON
Very well.
Gideon turns his head to face the viewscreen and does not pay attention to Eilerson's departure.
EXT. EXCALIBUR continuing to crawl along slowly and then stops.
INT. BRIDGE
HELM OFFICER#1
Sir.
GIDEON
Yes Ensign?
HELM OFFICER#1
The engines are on max… and we've come to a complete stop.
Gideon stands up and comes to the front where the helm computers and officers are, Matheson comes up and stands behind the Captain.
MATHESON
Have you tied in reserve power?
HELM OFFICER#1
Yes sir, five minutes ago.
MATHESON
Damn, Captain… we aren't going anywhere.
GIDEON
How far away from the boundary of Grid 54 are we?
Matheson leans over helm control and checks the scanners.
MATHESON
I can't tell anymore sir… the interference has become more intense. Not only is it effecting our jump engines and propulsion, it's gotten to our scanners too.
GIDEON
Alright, options Lieutenant?
MATHESON
At the moment sir? Short of praying? I'd say anything Galen can turn up because without standard propulsion, jump engines or scanners for all intensive purposes… we're dead in the water.
Close up on Gideon's reaction as we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO