ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. LIANDRA - GUEST QUARTERS

The CAMERA is set facing the only entrance in, the room is currently deserted. After a few BEATS the door slides open and Martel steps through, followed closely by Bester.

MARTEL

I know it's probably not as fancy as you're used to but -

BESTER (Pushing past Martel and taking off his gloves)

(interupting) - Trust me Captain. Some of the places I've been over the past year this is luxury I assure you.

MARTEL (Eyeballs Bester)

What did happen to you during recent "events" ?

BESTER

That is a story best left for my deathbed Captain.

MARTEL

If your reputation is true then my crew might want to arrange that.

BESTER

I assure you in reality I can be quite charming.

MARTEL

I'll have to take your word for it.

Bester sits down on the bed, which is nothing more than a metal beam. His face is one of discomfort.

MARTEL (CONT'D)

You still haven't given me any details about our destination Mister Bester.

BESTER

Ha. If I were too tell you of it in too much detail it may put you off going.

MARTEL

I've been to some pretty bad places myself.

BESTER

All you need to know for now is the coordinates and that it was once a Centauri colony...

Martel moves in closer to Bester and drags him to his feet by the scruff of his uniform.

MARTEL

Next time I ask a question I expect an answer.

Martel releases Bester and takes a few steps back.

BESTER (Smoothing his uniform)

Please, Captain. So much anger for such a young man can't be good.

Martel looks back at Bester once before heading out of the door. The CAMERA stays on Bester's face until we HEAR the door has slid shut behind Martel then we cut,

EXT. LIANDRA - HYPERSPACE

The CAMERA is set just above the back of the Liandra and follows it as it makes its way across the red void of hyperspace. We see flashing marks go past either side of the ship to indicate it's speed.

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

Kitaro is at the main console. Na'Feel is opposite. Some non-descript Human Rangers are about the bridge. After a BEAT Martel enters,

MARTEL

What's our eta?

KITARO

Should only be an hour Captain. Though this colony is out of the way, it's only so because of ever changing borders... not because it's particularly far away. It just lies in a no-man's land area of space between the Minbari Federation and the Centauri Republic.

MARTEL

Excellent. I want this mission over with.

KITARO

I haven't even met the guy and I feel uneasy.

NA'FEEL

Why do you fear telepaths so much Kitaro?

KITARO

It's not that. I've had telepath friends... Dulann for instance. But it's just Bester, something about him.

NA'FEEL

Must be one hell of a reputation if he can send shivers up your spine without even meeting you.

MARTEL

You haven't heard of Al Bester?

NA'FEEL

My people were completely neutral in the Telepath Crisis. Our government probably has a file on him, but me... I have never heard the name before today.

KITARO

He was one of the telepaths that supported President Clark's tyrannical reign of EarthGov. The tyrannical reign that saw my father killed...

We cut back to,

INT. LIANDRA - GUEST QUARTERS

Bester is sitting on his bed. His face is blank, but his eyes indicate his mind is working.

MARTEL (V.O.)

He is a ruthless man, out only for his own personal gain. We cannot trust him even for a second.

We cut back to,

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

NA'FEEL

If this man is so evil, ruthless and cunning. Then why have we allowed him aboard our ship?

MARTEL

We have no other choice. Apparently he has information about the whereabouts of an entire transport ship full of Isaahi.

KITARO

And Transport ships usually have veteran crews that'll probably know the 29 digit hyperspace coordinates for their homeworld off by heart.

NA'FEEL

Why has he come forward with this information though? And how does he even know the Alliance are looking for the Isaahi?

MARTEL

Those are among the questions he is yet to answer.

EXT. NORMAL SPACE

The scene is tranquil. Normal Space with a stary background, no planet insight. After a few BEATS a hyperspace exit opens in the middle of CAMERA shot and the Liandra comes bursting out. The Liandra quickly disappears off CAMERA shot, and the CAMERA pans to follow it after the hyperspace exit has sealed shut.

As the CAMERA pans to follow the Liandra a yellowish orange planet comes into view, a small moon can be seen in it's orbit.

As the Liandra begins to slow as it approaches the planet the CAMERA, as well as moving along with the ship, begins to ZOOM in. The CAMERA continues to ZOOM until it we can see the crew through the bridge windows. The CAMERA then goes through the windows and sets up in the normal bridge position.

EXT. CENTAURI OUTPOST 471

SUPER IMPOSE: "CENTAURI OUTPOST 471"

Establishing shot. The outpost is of standard Centauri design and is located outside of any orbit. A Primus Class Cruiser is docked with it's side and is roughly one half the size of the outpost.

INT. CENTAURI OUTPOST - CENTRAL CONTROL

The room is the size of an Omega Class bridge.

The room has two exits, which are at a highest level. A small platform with a fence along it's perimeters leads around the two exits and down into a lower part of the room. This is where many computer screens are located.

Two Centauri guards stand near the two exit/entrances. And a few Centauri are working the computers. The Centauri working the computers are wearing purple uniforms, except one who wears Red. The one wearing Red is the outpost Commander, Varn. The Commander is sat at a small desk behind the computers eating.

CENTAURI TECHNICAN #1

Commander Varn.

VARN (Looking up from his lunch)

What is it?

CENTAURI TECHNICAN #1

We're detecting a vessel. Of Minbari design within the vercinity of New Haven.

Varn leaps up, sending his table flying over and his lunch to the floor.

VARN

Aren't they aware of the quarantine?!

CENTAURI TECHNICAN #1

Nobody outside the Centauri military has been informed Commander. Orders from the Emporer himself.

VARN

Great Maker... send a ship! Send anything! Just don't let them go down to that planet!

The Centauri technican works feverishly for a moment and then one of them turns,

CENTAURI TECHNICAN #1

But what if they've already gone down there before our vessel arrives?

VARN

Then our vessel must stop them leaving.

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

Na'Feel and Kitaro are in the same positions as before. Martel is stood near the door with Bester. The remainder of the main crew are scattered about the bridge.

BESTER

This is the place Captain.

MARTEL

And what place is that Mister Bester?

BESTER

A world known to those who haven't visited it as, New Haven.

The CAMERA pans back through the bridge window and back outside and descends towards the planet as we,

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE