ACT TWO

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

Martel looks at Bester, who just stares strait forward. Martel then turns to Kitaro.

MARTEL

Kit. Scan the surface.

KITARO

What for captain?

MARTEL

Anything and everything. But most importantly... a place to land.

Kitaro taps the controls at his workstation.

BESTER

Err. Captain. Landing might not be your smartest move ever.

MARTEL

And, Mister Bester, why is that?

BESTER

Judging by your earlier threats I assume you want this question answered?

Martel doesn't answer and just continues to glare at Bester.

BESTER (CONT'D)

Very well Captain. But I'm answering because I like you, not because of your earlier threats.

MARTEL

Are you going to answer my question?

BESTER
I most certainly am Captain. I suggest you do not land your ship on that planet for two reasons, the primary reason being it will not take off again.

NA'FEEL

And why exactly is that? Saying this ship can't carry it's own wait off the surface?

BESTER

Hmmm, you Narns always were confrontational. It's a shame I didn't get to work with your people more.

(beat)

The reason being the inhabitants of this planet aren't exactly the friendly sort... and would most likely jump at any chance to rip anything to pieces for no better reason than to have... something to do.

MARTEL (Moving towards Sarah)

Fine. Sarah prep a shuttle.

BESTER

I wouldn't suggest that either Captain.

Marte comes back towards Bester.

MARTEL

Then, Mister Bester, how do you suggest we get to the surface?

BESTER

I couldn't in good conscience advise anyone to go to the surface of this world Captain.

SARAH

Then why have you brought us here?

BESTER

I heard you Rangers were looking for members of the Isaahi race. I knew of one living here, and with the President being an old friend of mine I thought I'd stop by and help out.

KITARO

But it's useless information if we can't get down to the planet.

BESTER
I didn't say you couldn't. I'm merely stating I couldn't advise it.

MARTEL

Advise it or not Mister Bester, if there's an Isaahi down there. We need to contact him or her.

BESTER

I can assure you my information is correct and up-to-date.

(beat)

There is an Isaahi down there.

SARAH
How can you be a hundred percent certain of that?

BESTER

Because she was planetside when I first heard about her. And nobody leaves New Haven.

As the CAMERA focuses on Bester's expression we cut,

EXT. LIANDRA - NEW HAVEN ORBIT

The Liandra is stationery.

KITARO (V.O.)

Sir. I've detected a suitable landing point only a klick north of a large settlement on the north continent.

BESTER (V.O.)

The north continent is the only continent still habitable Captain.

MARTEL (V.O.)

Take us down Kit.

The Liandra begins moving down towards the planet, the CAMERA PANS right to attach itself to the back of the Liandra as for a few BEATS it follows the Liandra's descent.

The CAMERA then begins to move faster than the Liandra and makes it's own descent down towards the planet ahead of the ship. It dives down and slows when it reaches a row of mountains... the CAMERA PANS over them to reveal a settlement behind them. At this distance we cannot tell what type of settlement. All we can make out is the gray sprall of it and smoke coming from various places. Though a towering Roman-like (Centauri built) half destroyed small colosseum can be made out.

The CAMERA swings around as the Liandra comes in slowly over the settlement and heads past it. We then cut,

NEW HAVEN - FOREST CLEARING (LIANDRA LANDING SITE)

The Liandra's landing hatch is down. Martel leads the way down. Tirk and Malcolm are bringing out a plastic box by it's handles. Sarah and Dulann follow Martel out as he heads away from the Liandra and pears into the deep forest that surrounds them.

Martel looks at the floor and the CAMERA follows his view. Underneath what appears to be grass he can make out something concrete and gray. He uses his foot to remove some of the greenary that has grown to reveal that it is infact concrete and a line of yellow paint can be seen also.

Dulann and Sarah come over and see it.

MARTEL

That would explain why the trees haven't grown across this area.

DULANN

Well that definately shows there was civilization here once.

MARTEL

I wouldn't go as far to call the Centauri that.

The three laugh as Tirk and Malcolm set their box down with a heavy clunk.

The three look over towards where Tirk and Malcolm have set the box down just as Tirk removes the lid with great force. Martel takes a walk over and reaches inside the box to withdraw a rifle-like Minbariesque gun.

The CAMERA is set looking at the group of five around the box with the Liandra in the background.

DULANN

David?

MARTEL

Precautions need to be taken.

We SEE Bester coming down the Liandra's landing ramp in the background.

BESTER

Precautions definately Captain. I'd advise you to take as many guns as you'd like. Of course if you'd remove this -

Bester taps he small piece of machinery attached to the side of his head.

BESTER (CONT'D)

Then you would have nothing to fear from this planet's inhabitants.

SARAH

We'd have plenty to fear from you though Mister Bester -

MARTEL

- Which is why no matter what that stays on.

BESTER
Very well. But I will be aboard your ship if you need me.

Bester turns to return to the ship.

MARTEL

Oh no. You're coming to the settlement with us.

BESTER (Giving a disregarding laugh)

Please Captain. What use would risking my life do?

SARAH

Plenty I can think of.

MARTEL

You said there's an Isaahi here. If there's isn't... I'll need someone to take out my frustration on wont' I?

BESTER (Giving a similar laugh to before)

You wouldn't Captain.

MARTEL

You aren't the first person to stay that too me Mister Bester.

(beat)

The others are dead.

BESTER

I suppose I could accompany you.

SARAH

Besides, you'll be able to show us around.

BESTER

And how could I do that Miss Cantrell?

(beat)

I've never been here before.

DULANN

Then how are you certain an Isaahi is living here?

BESTER (Giving a laugh)

I pick up these things in my line of work.

SARAH

And what work is that exactly?

BESTER

That is none of your concern. What is your concern though is the three people that are approaching our camp.

Everybody goes visibly on edge as three figures can just be made out moving through the trees.

MARTEL (Calling out to the figures)(Gun raised)

Come on out!

A BEAT passes but there is no response.

MARTEL

Don't force us to fire!

The three figures suddenly stop. The rustling noises they were making stops and the entire scene goes quiet for a BEAT.

The rustling then begins again and the three figures emerge from the greenery. Martel has his gun raised, as does Sarah and Malcolm.

The first of the three figures to become visible is a Centauri. His hair, however, is flatened. His clothes, like the others, is totally ragged and torn.

The other two, who follow this Centauri (MAARN)... one is a Warrior Caste Minbari and the other is another Centauri.

MAARN

Please. We are not river dwellers. We mean you no harm.

Martel lowers his weapon slightly and allows the three to come into the clearing with them.

BESTER
My god. Does this planet have somesort of virus that eats clothes is that simply the local fashion?

MAARN

Us Forest dwellers rarely get the chances to trade with the river dwellers.

MARTEL

River Dwellers?

MAARN

No... I cannot believe it.

(beat)

You... you don't make your home here on this planet do you?

MARTEL

No. We aren't exactly from around here.

MAARN

My god. Has the quarantine finally been lifted?

MARTEL

Quarantine?

MAARN

You... You have not been sent by the Centaurum to recover us?

SARAH

Do we look Centauri?

MAARN

No... but those badges you wear on your tunics are a sign of the Rangers. Is the Republic not under their protection?

MARTEL

The Centauri are no longer a part of the Interstellar Alliance no.

MAARN

A lot has apparently changed in the years since the quarantines erection.

SARAH
How long have you been here?

MAARN

Years -

CENTAURI M. DWELLER #1

(Interupting) - Maarn, We've been stranded here for just over 3 years.

DULANN (Pointing to the Minbari)

And you...

(beat)

You are Minbari. How have you come to reside here? On this Centauri colony?

HADANN

I am Hadann. Formerly of the Warrior Caste. I arrived here in the years of our war with the ones who walk in Darkness.

SARAH

Since the Shadow War? Why haven't you left?

HADANN

I was nursed back to health by Maarn (Gesturing to the Centauri) and his people and when it came to the time my health was well enough for me to leave this world a total quarantine had been enforced. The Southern Continent, Janara, where the Centauri built this colony's major space port was bombed from orbit -

MALCOLM

(interupting) - That would explain why only this northern continent showed any sign of life.

MAARN

No-one survived the bombing of Janara. Only those on Tonara at the time are still alive. And with our spaceport gone we had no way to leave this planet... and the quarantine has been successfully enforced.

CENTAURI M. DWELLER #1

Occasionally Centauri Warships will appear in orbit and make a few sweeping scans before retreating back into hyperspace.

MAARN

We can only detect this because of the Communications Array we have made our home in the mountains. It can detect the communications of their ships.

MARTEL

Why has this quarantine been enforced?

HADANN

We were never told. Our screens were simply barraded with messages telling us the quarantine was being introduced by personal order of the Emporer and that all communications would be blocked from orbit.

MARTEL

Communications are being blocked?

(turning to Sarah)

Go check that out with Kit. If we're going to be cut off from communications I'll want the Liandra ready to go at a minute's notice. We'll be stranded without it.

Sarah nods and heads off back into the Liandra.

HADANN

You still have not explained why you are here. If you have not been sent here by the Centaurum to recover us, why have you come? And how do you even know of this colony...

MARTEL

We've been lead here by our "friend" here (Gesturing to Bester), in the understanding a member of the Isaahi race is living here.

MAARN

You've come all this way to chase up Mosh'koka?

(beat)

He musta done something helluva bad for you -

MARTEL

(interupting) - You know the Isaahi on this world?

CENTAURI M. DWELLER #1

Of course. He's -

MAARN

(interupting) - What do you want with ol' Mosh?

MALCOLM

His people are -

MARTEL

(interupting) - That's confidential I'm afraid. We can speak only about it with Mosh'Koka.

HADANN

How can you have a message for someone that before we said it you did even know the name of.

There is an awkward silence for a few BEATS until we HEAR Martel's Comlink go off.

SARAH

David. Yes our transmissions are being blocked... the interference is definately Centauri.

MARTEL

How can you tell?

SARAH

The interference also carries a video stream. It's a lovely shot of Emporer Mollari being crowned.

BESTER

How delightful. Now I remember why I always disliked the Centauri.

MALCOLM

I thought you disliked everyone?

BESTER

That may be the case. But particularly the Centauri.

We cut,

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

Kitaro is at the main console. As is Sarah and Na'Feel. The Video of Mollari is being run on the holographic displayer. Tirk is working mending something in thebackground.

SARAH

Exactly why haven't we turned this off yet?

KITARO

When we did our scan for interference after we found we couldn't send transmission this vid stream got into our system and we can't get rid of it unless we do a total computer reboot. Which shouldn't be done away from Minbar.

NA'FEEL

I don't think I care about protocal anymore. I've been sitting here watching this... this... abomination being crowded the leader of the most evil, despotic and corrupt regime ever known for the last hour and a half!

SARAH

Calm down Na'Feel. Martel and the others should be back soon, the natives have just taken them to their village to meet the Isaahi. They're going to grab him, bring him back aboard and we'll be off this rock. Then once we're back on Minbar we can reboot the Liandra's systems.

Firell just as Sarah begins to speak.

FIRELL

Aren't any of you concerned as too why the Centauri erected this quarantine?

(beat)

Even as illogical race as the Centauri doesn't do such a cruel thing without reason.

NA'FEEL (Yelling)

I wouldn't put it past them!

Na'Feel then storms from the bridge.

Tirk is now paying attention... It remains quiet for a few BEATS before,

SARAH

Good point Firell. But we'll worry about that when we get back to Minbar.

FIRELL

It may be too late by then.

SARAH (Standing)

Firell?

FIRELL

When I heard about this planet having being under a quarantine I began research... taking air sample.. tissues samples from those who'd been outside.

TIRK

Oh so that is why you were using all those needles on me. I thought you were still offended over the Milk incident...

SARAH

Firell?!

FIRELL

I have reason to believe we may be infected with something.

We ZOOM on Sarah's reaction as we,

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO