ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
The CAMERA pans along the row of our kneeling heroes and then pans backwards and up to behind the Hyach. Placing itself in a position where everyone in the room can be seen.
A few BEATS of silence pass before,
KAS'KAH
I run an operation here. That I was more pleased with when the authorities, namely our Security Friend Mr. Jenkins here, wasn't aware of -
JENKINS
(interrupting) - Hey, how did you know my...
Jenkins is cut off when the Hyach kicks him in the back, sending the kneeling man sprawling onto the floor.
KAS'KAH
This operation is not an illegal one gentlemen.
CORTANA
Seems pretty that way too me. Kidnapping Rangers and B5 security officers count as an offence here even if they wouldn't on your homeworld.
KAS'KAH
My homeworld, Isaaza, is a place you would not like to visit Captain. But I stray from the point, the operation, my followers, my religion is not of an illegal nature. I have been forced into this position by your "Rangers". I came here, to this Earth Force controlled station, to avoid you. Earth Force doesn't mind if a few slip through the cracks, if I set up my religious headquarters here aboard their station as long as I keep quiet and don't cause any trouble.
(beat)
But you Rangers never give up.
CORTANA
Wait a minute. Kas'Kah... Kas'Kah... you wouldn't happen to be a relation of Gha'kah, the notorious Isaahi drug smuggler, would you?
Kas'Kah becomes angered and rises from his throne and raises his hand as if he wanted to strike Cortana, but he reframes.
KAS'KAH
He was my brother. And it is because of you Rangers and your meddling that my people have destroyed their hyperspace beacon so I can't even return to Isaaza for his funeral!
CORTANA
It was also a Ranger ship that caught him. I know because I was the First Officer aboard that ship.
KAS'KAH (Points and becomes even angrier)
It was you!
MARTEL (leans across)
Might not be the best time to mention that Elvis.
Martel receives a kick in the back from the Hyach for his trouble.
KAS'KAH
I fathered my religion after his death. The Isaahi have no natural religion you know, for my brother. Me knowing he's gone to a better place is not enough. Other's should know it and truly believe it as well. I didn't want to break any laws, any rules... but you've forced me too and now too protect myself and my followers I cannot let you leave.
Now we hit into a slow motion pieces where each CAMERA change is met with the whooshing sound effect. We SEE Martel somehow unlocking his handcuffs, and Dulann and Cortana doing the same. We keep with the slow motion and the four Rangers leap to their feet before going back into real time as the Hyach Cult Member attacks.
The Hyach lunges at Martel, who dodges and drives a blow with both hands clasped together at the top of the Hyach's spine, sending him to the ground. Kas'Kah has retreated to his throne as the Human Cult Members return to the room and quickly encircle the four Rangers.
Dulann has helped Jenkins to his feet and out of his cuffs.
We return to the slow motion as the CAMERA pans all the way around the room showing every person from every angle. After the panning has done two full circuits it sweeps down to Martel's face which is one of "I am Ready".
The Human Cult Members make a made dash towards our heroes. A Large brawl ensues that sees the Rangers employ their Minbari fighting style to knock them several to the floor at once. This brawl continues until all the Human Cult Members have been knocked to the floor.
After they're all down the CAMERA does the exact same PAN as before, only now of course showing all the bodies. Jenkins has fallen to the floor also and is helped up by a hand from Troyern.
MARTEL
Where's Kas'Kah?
INT. B5 - DOWN BELOW GENERIC CORRIDOR
Kas'Kah is walking arrogantly. Not running, nor does he look concerned.
He turns a corner where a sign is hanging loosely above it "Walkway to Docking Bay Maintenance Shaft". Obviously he has a plan of escape.
He rounds a second corner and is stopped by an arm.
The arm belongs to,
LOCHLEY
Think you're going somewhere?
KAS'KAH
Out of my way woman.
Kas'Kah attempts feebly to push her aside and fails. Lochley stands her ground and pushes Kas'Kah back so she may come fully into the CAMERA from around the corner. She is accompanied by Zack Allen, his leg is bandaged totally, and three security officers.
LOCHLEY
Next time you run an evil cult it may be a good practice to search your prisoners for transmitters?
Lochley pulls out a copy of the transmitter placed on our heroes before heading into Down Below.
LOCHLEY (CONT'D)
Heard every word. Planted these on our people just incase they got their asses into trouble. Or they needed help capturing the one they'd come here for, you.
The Security officer move around Kas'Kah and put him in handcuffs.
Lochley turns to the hobbling Zack.
LOCHLEY
Looks like that was a good call Chief.
ZACK
Thank you Captain. It's good to finally find after three years you've finally started to listen to my judgment a bit more.
LOCHLEY
Zack, I've been listening to you since...
ZACK
Ah, look... I know. It wasn't your bad call that got all those people killed.
LOCHLEY
It was Zack -
The Security officer forces Kas'Kah against the wall and turns to Lochley.
SECURITY OFFICER #1
(interrupting) - What should we do with him ma'am?
LOCHLEY
Oh.. just take him to the brig. And inform the Rangers.
Lochley and Zack watch the Security officers lead the way and then they follow at a much slower pace.
LOCHLEY
It was my bad call Zack. If I'd listened to you -
ZACK
Look Captain. If you had listened to me things might not have turned out for the best anyway.
LOCHLEY
Maybe. But I know for certain all those telepaths wouldn't've died.
ZACK
Maybe. But if they hadn't they would've been here when the Earth Force inspectors arrived and you would've lost your Rank. As well as everyone else under your Command that was aware of it.
(beat)
And I wouldn't've gotten my cool battle scar.
LOCHLEY (Finally releases a solitary laugh)
Sorry about that Zack.
ZACK
Hay, I've been fine with it for the past year. I just wish those rioters hadn't stepped on it...
The conversation dries up for a moment as the two come to a stand still. They look at each other for a moment then,
ZACK (CONT'D)
Come on. Let's go see what these Rangers are gonna do with this Kas'Kah guy.
We watch Lochley help Zack along down the corridor and we cut,
Zack, Lochley, Martel, Troyern, Dulann and Cortana are stood in front of a B5 security cell. Inside we can SEE Kas'Kah sitting rather placidly on the floor.
MARTEL (Turning to Cortana)
Well that was a bust.
DULANN
We came here to find an Isaahi that could lead us to their homeworld. Or at least give us some sort of clue about the Hand.
CORTANA
There'll be other Isaahi out there gentlemen. I doubt this nutter is the only one who didn't return to their homeworld before they destroyed their own hyperspace beacon.
MARTEL
The Isaahi are our only tie to the Hand. We must find more of them.
LOCHLEY
You know
(everyone looks at Lochley)
We get a lot of travellers through here. How about we keep an eye out for any Isaahi... or anyone who might know of their whereabouts?
MARTEL
That'd be greatly appreciated. If we're going to stay on stop of the situation we're going to need all the help we can get.
The Ranger Captain now walks in accompanied by a Human Ranger, presumably her XO.
RANGER CAPTAIN
I see we missed all the excitement.
DULANN
If you can call being nearly killed excitement.
CORTANA (Slapping Dulann on the back)
Come now Dulann. I can't remember the last fun I had when my life wasn't on the line!
Everyone laughs,
CORTANA
Well Captain
(turning to Lochley)
I think it best time we leave your station. Thank you for all your help.
LOCHLEY
It is no problem. And part of the Alliance charter that I have to help you Rangers.
Cortana smiles before nodding to Troyern in the direct of the door. He, Troyern, the Ranger Captain and her XO all leave. Dulann begins to walk towards the door.
MARTEL (To Lochley)
So Captain.
LOCHLEY
Yes?
MARTEL
What are you going to do with our friend here?
ZACK
He'll be charged... give a trial.
MARTEL
Hmm, in the courts here on B5?
LOCHLEY
There a problem with that Captain?
MARTEL
No... no...
Martel seems vague and heads to join Dulann but turns back at the door.
MARTEL (CONT'D)
Just make sure he doesn't get away with it. We don't need an Isaahi we've already questioned showing up on our radar again.
LOCHLEY
Understood Captain. Good luck with your quest.
Martel leaves through the door and we cut to the docking bay where he and Dulann are headed to the parked Liandra.
MARTEL (Stopping in his tracks)
Go on ahead Dulann.
DULANN
David?
MARTEL
Go on. I'm fine. Just tell them not to leave without me.
Martel just wanders off in the opposite direction back into the main part of B5. We SEE him wandering the crowded Zocalo and other famous B5 places in silence. He stops just as he is returning to the docking bay and turns back around to take another look.
MARTEL
So this is where I spent all those years, huh? Looks a lot smaller now...
Martel turns again and we watch him walking back out to the waiting Liandra as we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR