ACT THREE

FADE IN:

NEW HAVEN - ORBIT

A Primus Class Centauri Cruiser is exiting hyperspace in orbit of New Haven. After the hyperspace exit closes we cut to,

INT. CENTAURI CRUISER - BRIDGE

The Centauri Bridge is laid out like an Omega Class bridge. Same desks etc. Except everything is much more emphasized and impressive, and of course Centauriesque.

Various Centauri Officer in classic seen before Centauri Uniforms are working various computers across the bridge.

VARN (Sat in Central Command Throne)

Lieutenant Stratos. Scan the surface for the Minbari vessel.

STRATOS (Sitting at the front console, turning)

Scanning now sir.

(BEAT)(BEAT)

Detecting the Minbari vessel on Tonara.

VARN

Can we tell if the crew have left their vessel?

STRATOS

That's the strange thing sir. I'm detecting only three Minbari life signs near the vessel. And 5 Human...

VARN

Minbari and Human? It must be a Ranger vessel.

STRATOS

Affirmative on them leaving the vessel sir.

VARN

Then we must make sure they do not leave. The plague cannot allowed to leave this world... the results could be disastrous.

PLANETSIDE - MOUNTAIN DWELLER VILLAGE

We start with a WIDE SHOT of the entire Village. It is obviously a former home of technology; buildings are of Centauri design and are flash and fancy. However nature is winning the battle and has overgrown into many places. Large ranges of mountains can be seen in front of and behind the Village.

We Cut,

INT. VILLAGE - CHIEF'S HOME

It is in the style of a Spanish Villa. The walls were once white but have since dulled. Greenery has ingrown through the glassless windows. A small set of stairs lead to the rest of the house are in the back wall. Martel, Dulann and Malcolm enter the room from a door opposite the stairs following Maarn, Hadann and Centauri Mountain Dweller #1. The room's only furniture is a small wooden table that looks homemade with a rusting computer panel.

MAARN

Welcome to my home.

Maarn leaves the others standing by the door and walks over to the console.

He touches the controls; it comes to life for just a moment before crashing out. He hits it on the side and it functions again.

MAARN (Gesturing Martel over)

Captain.

MARTEL (Coming over)

Your technology could use a refit.

MAARN

That may be. But unfortunately we're running of failing rechargeable batteries left here from before the quarantine.

Maarn taps the console.

MAARN

This world was being developed as a holiday resort for Centauri Soldiers. Hence it's original name New Haven.

MALCOLM

It has a new name?

MAARN (Looking over)

We natives have come to call it New Hell.

The room goes silent for a few BEATS.

MAARN (Looking back to the console)

Because of this all the arrivals were tagged with tracers. This computer can locate them. It'll help us locate Mosh'koka.

Maarn taps the controls the console and a blueprint like map of the entire village appears. With a red flashing dot in the top left corner,

Maarn then points at the screen.

MAARN (CONT'D)

We'll find Mosh'koka at the bath house.

INT. VILLAGE - BATH HOUSE

It is a Roman Like Bath House. It is deserted apart from an Isaahi relaxing in the bubbly warm water at the end of the bath. Maarn leads the party in through the only entrance.

MAARN

Mosh!

MOSH'KOKA

Maarn old buddy.

(beat) [Martel and the others walk in]

Who are these people you bring to me?

MAARN

This is Captain Martel and some of his crew. They've come from off world.

MOSH'KOKA

Then the curfew has been lifted?

MARTEL (Stepping forward)

Unfortunately, no. We've come here without the knowledge of the Centauri government that is imposing the apparently unrequited quarantine.

MOSH'KOKA

Surely Captain, even the Centauri would not impose a quarantine unless it was warranted?

MAARN

Are you saying there is something wrong with us Mosh?

MOSH'KOKA

(Playfully)Of course! I mean... have you looked in the mirror lately Maarn?

MARTEL

Gentlemen. Please. This is a serious matter. Mister Mosh'koka I would like a word.

(beat) [Martel turns to look at the others]

In private is possible.

MOSH'KOKA

Of course. Maarn... get out of my bath house.

Maarn nods and leads Dulann, Malcolm and Hadann out.

Martel walks over to the corner where Mosh'Koka is sat in the bath and crouches down.

MOSH'KOKA

What's this all about Captain?

EXT. LIANDRA - PLANETSIDE

Establishing shot. The CAMERA is placed on the ground looking up at the Liandra with the system's Sun shiny from behind it. Trees can be seen around the edges of the CAMERA and the ship's hatch is open and non-descript Rangers can be seen.

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

The are as before. Except Firell has taken a seat and Bester is now leant against the railing at the back.

SARAH (Looking to Bester)

Did you know there was a virus here on this planet?

BESTER

Of course not.

SARAH

You'd better not be lying!

BESTER

(Becoming slightly irritated)Of course I'm not. If there is something on this hellhole I would've been exposed to, correct?

Sarah looks to Firell.

FIRELL (Holding up a test tube)

His sample checks out. He's infected with the same virus that's inside the rest of us.

SARAH

Ok, I'll believe you. For now.

KITARO

Hate to break your concentration Sarah.

SARAH

No problem Kit. What's up?

KITARO

We've got a Centauri ship in orbit...

SARAH

Hail -

KITARO

Communications still being jammed. We'll have to ascend in order to contact it.

BESTER

Engaging the Centauri wouldn't be the best idea.

SARAH (Turning towards Bester)

What do you mean?

BESTER

Well... seeing how they've placed this quarantine here probably means no-one can get in

(beat)

Or out.

KITARO

You think they'll shoot at us?

FIRELL

They wouldn't dare fire on a Ranger vessel. They'd be risking war between the Centauri Republic and the Interstellar Alliance.

NA'FEEL

The Centauri cannot be trusted.

SARAH

Ok. Ok. I know all these things people, we are all aware of that. I think it's time we contacted the Captain.

(beat)[Turns to Kit]

KITARO

Channel open.

SARAH

Sarah to Captain.

We wait a few BEATS then we HEAR Martel's response.

MARTEL (Over Comm.)

David here, go ahead Sarah.

INT. BATH HOUSE

Martel is stood in one of the corners. The CAMERA is set on the wall in the corner and Mosh'Koka can be seen in the background.

SARAH (Over Comm.)

We've detected a Centauri ship in orbit. Probably here when they detected our landing.

MARTEL

Understood.

SARAH (Over Comm.)

How shall we proceed David? We can't send a transmission to them because of the interference.

MARTEL

We're still busy here Sarah. Launch immediately... contact the Centauri, explain our business. Keep them sweat, and then send down a shuttle for us.

SARAH (Over Comm.)

Bester seems to have the idea contacting the Centauri might not be the best idea.

MARTEL

Tell Mister Bester to keep his comments to himself. The Centauri can't attack a Ranger vessel.

BESTER (Over Comm.)

Even when that Ranger vessel is within their borders?

MARTEL

This territory is in on-one's territory anymore. It's changed hands so often. They won't fire. Contact me when you've made contact.

FIRELL (Over Comm.)

I'm afraid I have bad news.

(beat)

I believe the crew... and everyone on this planet may be infected with some sort of virus.

MARTEL

Virus? Explain...

FIRELL (Over Comm.)

Unfortunately at this time I cannot ascertain its effects and it seems to have no symptoms.

MARTEL

Keep me informed. But carry on with your mission. Martel out.

Martel deactivates his COM link and turns to Mosh'koka.

MOSH'KOKA

I still cannot believe my people are capable of affiliating themselves with such beings.

MARTEL

So I'm guessing you have no information on the Hand either?

MOSH'KOKA

Either?

MARTEL

You are the second member of your race we've found outside of your race's territory. He was less than helpful also.

MOSH'KOKA

I'm sorry I cannot be of more assistance, but what the Kanar does has long been no business of mine.

MARTEL

How so?

MOSH'KOKA

You see I was regarded as a political opponent to the Kanar when they forced their way to power. Many of my friends who thought similarly perished at their hands. I, however, was fortunate enough to escape Isaaza. But not as fortunate to wind up on this world.

MARTEL

That's something I do not understand about your people. Why do you refer to this world so badly? You do not seem to have it so bad.

MOSH'KOKA

In the end don't we all hate our prisons? No matter how beautiful and enriched they may be.

MARTEL

I think I could live the rest of my days sunning somewhere.

MOSH'KOKA

ha! You have not spent enough time here Captain. You haven't seen the wars between the River Dwellers, Forest Dwellers and Mountain Dwellers... or the furious attacks by packs of wild Cronaks. There are things here that would amaze and disturb you.

MARTEL

I'll take your word for it. My ship will have made contact with a Centauri ship that has just entered orbit. After its made peace contact myself and my colleagues will be leaving.

MOSH'KOKA

Leaving without us Captain?

MARTEL

I have no other choice.

MOSH'KOKA

And why is that Captain?

MARTEL

Does this world have doctors? Medical equipment?

At this point Maarn wanders back into the room.

MAARN

Ah, you have discovered the virus that has mysterious infected your people and done nothing?

MARTEL

You knew about this?

(beat)

Why didn't you tell us before now?

MAARN

It would not have made any difference. You and all your people were infected the second your sealed hatch opened. We have been aware of the virus for some time now.

MALCOLM

But you said you had no clue as too why the Centauri erected the quarantine.

HADANN

This virus we have apparently been infected with has never harmed anything. The virus seems to have no effects. No symptoms. What would be the point of quarantining an entire world against a virus that harms nothing?

MAARN

It would be as if they quarantined your homeworld because your people had a cold.

EXT. LIANDRA - UPPER ATMOSPHERE

The Liandra is headed up at high speed through the atmosphere. We see classic through atmosphere shots with fire burning from the hull etc.

The CAMERA stays with the Liandra until it breaks through the atmosphere and we are greeted by the blackness and stars of space. The CAMERA then stays stationary as the Liandra makes a turn and the Centauri ship comes into CAMERA shot.

INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE

SARAH

This is the Ranger ship Liandra to Centauri vessel please respond.

KITARO

They're responding.

Kitaro taps a few controls and Varn appears on the holographic viewer.

VARN

You are attempting to leave a Centauri quarantine zone. You are ordered to return to the planet.

SARAH

Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I -

VARN

You cannot be allowed to leave this world carrying the virus. You MUST return to the planet.

SARAH

Or else what?

The transmission is cut and Varn's holographic image fades away.

BESTER

Antagonizing someone with a bigger ship isn't a smart move.

SARAH
I still don't think they'll -

KITARO

(interrupting) - Centauri vessel coming about.

EXT. PLANETARY ORBIT

The Centauri Primus Class vessel comes aboard and starts moving menacingly towards the Liandra.

KITARO (V.O.)

She's charging weapons!

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE