ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. EXCALIBUR sitting in Hyperspace
Cut to,
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
GIDEON
We still haven't got what we came for.
GALEN
We survived this encounter, I would not push our luck here.
GIDEON
You expect me to go back to Earth Command without having even sent a team to the surface of the planet?
GALEN
You have more powerful people backing you than you think Matthew.
Galen smiles knowing Gideon doesn't know Sheridan picked him personally to Captain the Excalibur.
GIDEON
I'm not even gonna ask how you know, or who it is.
GALEN
Sometimes you worry me Matthew.
GIDEON
Why? Because I'm starting to know as much about you as you know about me?
GALEN
Exactly.
Matheson enters.
MATHESON
Captain, I think you should take a look at this.
Cut to,
INT. EILERSON'S QUARTERS
Max is sitting at his desk talking to Dureena, who stands just inside the door.
DUREENA
And where have you been throughout this ordeal Max?
EILERSON
I've been doing valuable research, it's not my fault that my IPX database produced nothing important.
DUREENA
Because you've spent the last few hours doing that? Of course…
EILERSON
You speak as though I'm not totally committed to this mission!
DUREENA
You weren't Max.
EILERSON
That was before.
DUREENA
What's changed?
Eilerson reaches into a drawer on the desk and gets a picture of his god-daughter.
He hands the picture to Dureena, who has entered the quarters further.
EILERSON
My god daughter. I just learnt see was on Earth when…
DUREENA
I'm sorry Max.
EILERSON
I know I'm not the only one with family back on Earth, but my best friend from college – her father, died during a skirmish with Raiders. And her mother died later during President Clark's bombing of Mars after Martial Law was declared. Since she's been like a niece to me… I try and pick her up something nice every time I went on a dig…
DUREENA
She must mean a lot to you.
EILERSON
More than anything.
Dureena pats Max lightly on the shoulder and gives an "cheer up, it'll be alright" smile. Then leaves.
INT. BRIDGE
Gideon and Matheson are just coming from the Conference room. Galen follows.
CAMERA follows Gideon around rear computers and onto the main bridge, zoom on his reaction to viewscreen.
CAMERA then turns to show a Drakh vessel similar to the one shot down in "War Zone"
Gideon looks to Matheson for explanation.
MATHESON
It's just been sitting there Captain. We didn't detect it at first, we were running a diagnostic on the scanners to make sure the interference field didn't have any lingering effect. But when we finished the diagnostic we detected this ship…
GIDEON
This is the first Drakh ship we've seen since the one we found on Ceti 4. What is it doing here?
GALEN
My guess is it has the same idea Earth Command had.
MATHESON
It's a solid tactic sir. If they could secure Vorlon space then they would control any technology that we could use to cure the plague.
GIDEON
So why it is sitting there?
Matheson shrugs.
GIDEON
Has it opened it's gun ports?
MATHESON
No, it's done nothing hostile at all.
GIDEON
Move us to battle readiness.
GALEN
Are you sure that's wise Matthew? They're docile now, but if we start arming they may attack.
GIDEON
Galen, a Drakh vessel that size was taken out by an Omega Class Destroyer. I think we'll be able to handle it.
GALEN
They say some of the most dangerous things come in small packages.
Dureena enters.
DUREENA
Isn't that supposed to be the best presents come in small packages?
GALEN
Dangerous things, presents… one in the same, no?
DUREENA
They are to me at least.
Gideon ignores the new arrival and turns to Matheson.
GIDEON
Get us battle ready John.
Matheson gives a quick look at Galen as the technomage looks at Gideon disapprovingly.
MATHESON
Understood sir.
Matheson steps off CAMERA and is heard beginning to order the officers.
GALEN
Again you don't not heed my warnings Matthew?
GIDEON
We kids have to learn to think for ourselves sometime Galen.
Galen begins to smile, seeding to Gideon's victory.
DUREENA
Why are we…
She looks at the view screen.
DUREENA (Angered)
The Drakh!
GALEN
Calm yourself Dureena.
GIDEON
I know they destroyed your world, but remember they're going to do the same thing to mine if we don't handle this situation, and every situation the correct way.
GALEN
You do speak wisely this evening Matthew.
EXT. EXCALIBUR – Still Hyperspace,
We see the Excalibur guns charge and ready.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE
CAMERA at the front looking back.
MATHESON
Weapons are at a ready.
GIDEON
Continue to monitor the Drakh ship, if it does ANYTHING fire.
MATHESON
Understood.
Matheson turns to face the viewscreen.
GALEN
They won't attack.
GIDEON
Ok, I'm going to ask… how the hell do you know that?
GALEN
Well if there's half a brain amongst them they aren't going to attack a ship such as this.
GIDEON
Then why are they just sitting out there?
GALEN
Sometimes you are too rash Matthew.
GIDEON
No riddles Galen.
GALEN
It's most likely that they launched a shuttle or Drakh equivalent before taking up a position near us.
GIDEON
If they wanted to launch a shuttle secretly to investigate Vorlon Prime… they could have done that without even coming close to us.
GALEN
You must remember Matthew, the Drakh are not much more advanced than the Minbari, they must still use the hyperspace beacons.
GIDEON
And we're sitting right on top of this one.
DUREENA
But how did they know our scanners were down?
GIDEON
Good question. Care to answer that one Galen?
GALEN
I said not MUCH more advanced.
GIDEON
Meaning they have scanners that can tell whether ours were operative or not.
GALEN
Precisely.
GIDEON
And that shuttle could create it's own point into normal space?
GALEN
My vessel is the size of a shuttle and can create it's own jump point.
Gideon shakes his head.
GIDEON
Fine, you've reasoned your way into the right. As usual.
GALEN
I do not reason Matthew, I merely keep repeating the truth enough times for you to form it within your mind.
Matheson returns onto the scene.
MATHESON
Sir… there's a hyperspace point opening… we're detecting a shuttle sized ship matching standardized Drakh silhouette.
Gideon looks at Galen, who's got a self satisfied smirk across his face.
MATHESON
Orders, Captain?
Gideon pauses, he is unsure really how to advance.
Zoom on Gideon's concerned face as we cut to,
EXT. HYPERSPACE
CAMERA above the ships. The Excalibur to the right, and showing the Drakh shuttle dock with the Drakh ship.
Then the same Vorlon ship Galen saw earlier appears.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE
CAMERA behind command chair, showing the Vorlon ships as it appears near the Drakh ship on the viewscreen.
GIDEON
What the hell!
DUREENA
Where the hell did that come from?!
Matheson rushes to the Helm officers to get feedback about the ship.
MATHESON
We don't know where it came from. One minute it wasn't, the next it was.
GALEN
Do not fear.
Gideon turns to Galen, zoom on Gideon's puzzled face.
GALEN (CONT'D)
The Drakh will be dealt with. Come Matthew, there is nothing more for us here.
GIDEON
Just wait a minute Galen, you know what's going on?
GALEN
I don't know what's going on, on Mars.
GIDEON
You know what I mean.
Galen opens his mouth to talk but it cut off by Matheson.
MATHESON
The Drakh ship and the Vorlons have disappeared from scanners!
GIDEON
Check the scanners again, confirm that!
Matheson turns back to the computer, rechecks then returns his gaze to Gideon.
MATHESON
They're definitely gone sir.
Gideon looks to Galen.
GALEN
I told you they would be dealt with.
GIDEON
You did that?
GALEN (slight laugh)
No, you over estimate my power Matthew. It was the Vorlons… just not them in person.
Zoom on Gideon's puzzled face as we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. EXCALIBUR sitting in Hyperspace
Cut to,
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM
GIDEON
We still haven't got what we came for.
GALEN
We survived this encounter, I would not push our luck here.
GIDEON
You expect me to go back to Earth Command without having even sent a team to the surface of the planet?
GALEN
You have more powerful people backing you than you think Matthew.
Galen smiles knowing Gideon doesn't know Sheridan picked him personally to Captain the Excalibur.
GIDEON
I'm not even gonna ask how you know, or who it is.
GALEN
Sometimes you worry me Matthew.
GIDEON
Why? Because I'm starting to know as much about you as you know about me?
GALEN
Exactly.
Matheson enters.
MATHESON
Captain, I think you should take a look at this.
Cut to,
INT. EILERSON'S QUARTERS
Max is sitting at his desk talking to Dureena, who stands just inside the door.
DUREENA
And where have you been throughout this ordeal Max?
EILERSON
I've been doing valuable research, it's not my fault that my IPX database produced nothing important.
DUREENA
Because you've spent the last few hours doing that? Of course…
EILERSON
You speak as though I'm not totally committed to this mission!
DUREENA
You weren't Max.
EILERSON
That was before.
DUREENA
What's changed?
Eilerson reaches into a drawer on the desk and gets a picture of his god-daughter.
He hands the picture to Dureena, who has entered the quarters further.
EILERSON
My god daughter. I just learnt see was on Earth when…
DUREENA
I'm sorry Max.
EILERSON
I know I'm not the only one with family back on Earth, but my best friend from college – her father, died during a skirmish with Raiders. And her mother died later during President Clark's bombing of Mars after Martial Law was declared. Since she's been like a niece to me… I try and pick her up something nice every time I went on a dig…
DUREENA
She must mean a lot to you.
EILERSON
More than anything.
Dureena pats Max lightly on the shoulder and gives an "cheer up, it'll be alright" smile. Then leaves.
INT. BRIDGE
Gideon and Matheson are just coming from the Conference room. Galen follows.
CAMERA follows Gideon around rear computers and onto the main bridge, zoom on his reaction to viewscreen.
CAMERA then turns to show a Drakh vessel similar to the one shot down in "War Zone"
Gideon looks to Matheson for explanation.
MATHESON
It's just been sitting there Captain. We didn't detect it at first, we were running a diagnostic on the scanners to make sure the interference field didn't have any lingering effect. But when we finished the diagnostic we detected this ship…
GIDEON
This is the first Drakh ship we've seen since the one we found on Ceti 4. What is it doing here?
GALEN
My guess is it has the same idea Earth Command had.
MATHESON
It's a solid tactic sir. If they could secure Vorlon space then they would control any technology that we could use to cure the plague.
GIDEON
So why it is sitting there?
Matheson shrugs.
GIDEON
Has it opened it's gun ports?
MATHESON
No, it's done nothing hostile at all.
GIDEON
Move us to battle readiness.
GALEN
Are you sure that's wise Matthew? They're docile now, but if we start arming they may attack.
GIDEON
Galen, a Drakh vessel that size was taken out by an Omega Class Destroyer. I think we'll be able to handle it.
GALEN
They say some of the most dangerous things come in small packages.
Dureena enters.
DUREENA
Isn't that supposed to be the best presents come in small packages?
GALEN
Dangerous things, presents… one in the same, no?
DUREENA
They are to me at least.
Gideon ignores the new arrival and turns to Matheson.
GIDEON
Get us battle ready John.
Matheson gives a quick look at Galen as the technomage looks at Gideon disapprovingly.
MATHESON
Understood sir.
Matheson steps off CAMERA and is heard beginning to order the officers.
GALEN
Again you don't not heed my warnings Matthew?
GIDEON
We kids have to learn to think for ourselves sometime Galen.
Galen begins to smile, seeding to Gideon's victory.
DUREENA
Why are we…
She looks at the view screen.
DUREENA (Angered)
The Drakh!
GALEN
Calm yourself Dureena.
GIDEON
I know they destroyed your world, but remember they're going to do the same thing to mine if we don't handle this situation, and every situation the correct way.
GALEN
You do speak wisely this evening Matthew.
EXT. EXCALIBUR – Still Hyperspace,
We see the Excalibur guns charge and ready.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE
CAMERA at the front looking back.
MATHESON
Weapons are at a ready.
GIDEON
Continue to monitor the Drakh ship, if it does ANYTHING fire.
MATHESON
Understood.
Matheson turns to face the viewscreen.
GALEN
They won't attack.
GIDEON
Ok, I'm going to ask… how the hell do you know that?
GALEN
Well if there's half a brain amongst them they aren't going to attack a ship such as this.
GIDEON
Then why are they just sitting out there?
GALEN
Sometimes you are too rash Matthew.
GIDEON
No riddles Galen.
GALEN
It's most likely that they launched a shuttle or Drakh equivalent before taking up a position near us.
GIDEON
If they wanted to launch a shuttle secretly to investigate Vorlon Prime… they could have done that without even coming close to us.
GALEN
You must remember Matthew, the Drakh are not much more advanced than the Minbari, they must still use the hyperspace beacons.
GIDEON
And we're sitting right on top of this one.
DUREENA
But how did they know our scanners were down?
GIDEON
Good question. Care to answer that one Galen?
GALEN
I said not MUCH more advanced.
GIDEON
Meaning they have scanners that can tell whether ours were operative or not.
GALEN
Precisely.
GIDEON
And that shuttle could create it's own point into normal space?
GALEN
My vessel is the size of a shuttle and can create it's own jump point.
Gideon shakes his head.
GIDEON
Fine, you've reasoned your way into the right. As usual.
GALEN
I do not reason Matthew, I merely keep repeating the truth enough times for you to form it within your mind.
Matheson returns onto the scene.
MATHESON
Sir… there's a hyperspace point opening… we're detecting a shuttle sized ship matching standardized Drakh silhouette.
Gideon looks at Galen, who's got a self satisfied smirk across his face.
MATHESON
Orders, Captain?
Gideon pauses, he is unsure really how to advance.
Zoom on Gideon's concerned face as we cut to,
EXT. HYPERSPACE
CAMERA above the ships. The Excalibur to the right, and showing the Drakh shuttle dock with the Drakh ship.
Then the same Vorlon ship Galen saw earlier appears.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE
CAMERA behind command chair, showing the Vorlon ships as it appears near the Drakh ship on the viewscreen.
GIDEON
What the hell!
DUREENA
Where the hell did that come from?!
Matheson rushes to the Helm officers to get feedback about the ship.
MATHESON
We don't know where it came from. One minute it wasn't, the next it was.
GALEN
Do not fear.
Gideon turns to Galen, zoom on Gideon's puzzled face.
GALEN (CONT'D)
The Drakh will be dealt with. Come Matthew, there is nothing more for us here.
GIDEON
Just wait a minute Galen, you know what's going on?
GALEN
I don't know what's going on, on Mars.
GIDEON
You know what I mean.
Galen opens his mouth to talk but it cut off by Matheson.
MATHESON
The Drakh ship and the Vorlons have disappeared from scanners!
GIDEON
Check the scanners again, confirm that!
Matheson turns back to the computer, rechecks then returns his gaze to Gideon.
MATHESON
They're definitely gone sir.
Gideon looks to Galen.
GALEN
I told you they would be dealt with.
GIDEON
You did that?
GALEN (slight laugh)
No, you over estimate my power Matthew. It was the Vorlons… just not them in person.
Zoom on Gideon's puzzled face as we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR