ACT TWO
INT. BABYLON 5 – CUSTOMS
Pick up right where we left off.
ALLEN
(Putting her identicard through)
(Obviously nervous)
So, Ms. Winters? Was brings you back to Babylon 5?
WINTERS
(Taking her card back)
Oh Zack. You always were a sweetheart. But that doesn't mean you'll have any chance at getting information you can relay to Sinclair, Sheridan, or Garibaldi or whoever is running this place these days.
ALLEN
You sure have been out of the loop a while. Captain Lochley is in command of Babylon 5, has been since Earth Force were given control after the conclusion of the War.
WINTERS
Given? HA! Zack, when the history books are written they won't make any mention of the benevolence of Sheridan giving the station back to Earth. They will only speak of his defiance of EarthGov rulings, laws, and orders and endangering the entire population of Earth with his foolish crusade.
(beat)
The history books Mr. Allen, will be written by people like me.
(beat)
I'm here to conduct business. I'd like to simply continue with it.
Zack looks into her eyes, (is there any of the old Talia in there at all?)
ALLEN
Sure. You know what, I'll even escort you myself. For old time's sake, and to make sure you get where you're going safely. Those uniforms of yours aren't exactly going to make you very popular around here.
WINTERS
I'm not here to win any popularity contests. I'm here to do what I'm here to do. After I'm done I'll be back on my transport and safely away from this hellhole.
ALLEN (Smiling insincerely)
Please – This way.
Another security guard takes over Zack's job, whilst Zack leads Winters and her pilot along.
The trio begin to walk deeper into Babylon 5 through the crowds.
WINTERS (To Pilot)
Look. I won't need you for the time being. Why don't you find something to do. I'll contact you when I'm ready to depart.
PILOT
Finding something to do? What the heck could entertain a member of Psi Corps in a dive like this?
ALLEN
Do you like to drink?
PILOT
Of course. I'm a pilot!
ALLEN (Pointing to a sign and a passage that reads "Dark Star Bar open ALL Cycles)
That's the best drinking spot on B5. I suggest you try there.
The pilot nods a farewell to Talia, ignores Zack and heads off.
The remaining pair then continue:
ALLEN
So – What have you been up to since leaving Babylon 5?
WINTERS
You mean, what has the Corps found for one of it's most powerful telepaths to do since her high risk, high profile, high importance assignment was concluded prematurely here on Babylon 5 by that rogue Lyta Alexander?
ALLEN
Err – Yeah. I guess so.
WINTERS
Most of it IS top secret of course.
ALLEN
Of course.
They've arrived at a lift. Zack gestures Talia to go first, as a Drazi couple exit.
INT. BABYLON 5 – LIFT
ALLEN (CONT'D)
Where to?
WINTERS
My old quarters please.
ALLEN (To the lift)
Blue three.
WINTERS
Although my piloting skills aren't up to much, I must admit I enjoyed my time with the Black Omegas. Their sense of humour is – how shall I put it? Refreshingly true.
(A single evil laugh)
The lift comes to a stop and the doors open. Zack leads Talia out and they make a right.
INT. BABYLON 5 – BLUE SECTOR CORRIDOR
ALLEN
Well you've missed an awful lot going on here –
WINTERS
I know. Thank you Zack, but even WE follow ISN. Unlike my activities. YOUR activities are headline news.
ALLEN
Yeah – Right.
They walk on in silence, and around the corner there's a young Narn fighting with a young Centauri. They are only 16/17 years old. It's a small scuffle and there is a security guard already there breaking the fight up.
NARN CHILD
In the name of G'Quon and G'Kar I will take back what's mine!
CENTAURI CHILD
It's not yours. It's mine! It was mine first!
Allen and Winters make their way past. Allen nods to the security guard.
ALLEN
Sorry about that.
WINTERS
It looks as if some things never change.
ALLEN
Some things do. Others don't.
They come to a stop outside Talia's old quarters.
ALLEN
Here we are.
WINTERS
I'm flattered you still remember where my quarters were Zack. I wasn't sure even I'd remember. It HAS been nearly four years.
ALLEN
Yeah. Well.
(beat)
I only remember it because just after you left we had to seal up the place.
WINTERS
Seal
it up?
ALLEN
Yeah, you know – The doors have been locked by an executive order. Me and the Chief came and did it the day after you left.
WINTERS
Who gave the order?
(beat)
Wait, don't tell me. I think I know who –
ALLEN
Well I hope you do because only their password can open this damn thing.
We have a B&W flashback here, from Season 2 Episode ??: "?????" showing the argument between Ivanova an Talia after Talia's personality swap as she's packing her bags. (Can we use shots that doesn't show Claudia??)
WINTERS
INSERT TBC: The last thing ivanova ever sed 2 her
The door swings open.
Zack and Talia enter. The room is exactly how we SAW it in B5-Season Two.
INT. BABYLON 5 – TALIA'S QUARTERS
ALLEN
Wow. Who did sign the order anyway? The Chief never did tell me.
WINTERS
Ivanova. Commander Susan Ivanova sealed my quarters Zack. Now please, I'm here to conduct my personal business.
ALLEN
Yeah – Of course. Shall I wait outside to escort you back to your transport Talia?
WINTERS
No thank you Mister Allen. A member of the Corps is perfectly capable of taking her of themselves. Please leave, do not speak of my presence here and please never call me by my first name ever again.
Allen is like (Okay… time to make an exit). Zack nods and exits, the door slides shut, leaving Talia alone in her quarters. With the door closing we CUT,
EXT. BABYLON 5
Establisher.
INT. BABYLON 5 – DOWN BELOW – ANNOYMOUS CORRIDOR
Smith and Delaney are walking together. Their destination arbitrary.
Smith is a young Caucasian male, Delaney is an elderly African female. Delaney has the experience of having lived on Babylon 5 since Doctor Franklin's underground railroad began and is considered one of the Free Telepaths elders and leaders. John Smith is reasonably new aboard Babylon 5, and is a little head strong. As we'll find out…
SMITH
She does not understand.
DELANEY
Our sister is wise John, but perhaps her thoughts are clouded about this matter. She does afterall have a story she has not yet told us.
SMITH
Of her time spent with THEM?
DELANEY
That yes, but I refer to her journey to this place recently. She was among the founders of our way, most trusted by Byron and for this we must trust her judgement. Even if we do not understand it.
SMITH
You speak almost theologically Delaney.
DELANEY
I have become an philosophical old woman! Is that what you are saying Young John Smith?
SMITH
Of course not! But your words, just seem: foreign to my ears.
DELANEY
Perhaps, but we are all foreign to one another. Never forget that.
SMITH
What do you mean?
DELANEY
You will find out eventually. It's one of those lessons you can only learn through experience.
SMITH
Do you not wish to stand with me in defiance of her wishes to tackle Talia Winters immediately?
DELANEY
No.
SMITH
But – She watched my brother die Dorothy! She stood their with the others like her and watched him spaced. He wasn't even a telepath! The things she has done are unforgivable!
DELANEY
Agree. But you have heard the stories have you not? Those who have been here for a long time know of her past. Her status as a Corps plant. She is nothing more than their puppet my friend. A pawn in Bester and his allies' games.
SMITH
I don't believe that excuse her from justice – or her deserved punishment.
DELANEY
Deserved? Have you assigned yourself, John Smith of Proxima colony, as judge, jury and executioner?
SMITH
I wouldn't be so presumptuous, but I –
DELANEY
Have faith in our martyr's ideals and we have prevail.
(beat)
They reach the end of their walk, they are about to go separate ways.
DELANEY (CONT'D)
Good day.
Smith nods his head slightly in parting and watching the older female telepath go.
SMITH (To a previously hidden figure)
She doesn't support us.
A man, middle aged steps out of the shadows.
The man's name will become relevant during the Telepath War, and inspire the "Mr. Jones'" in the age of Crusade.
JONES
It won't matter. There's to many of us who think like we do. Who know what we know. Who want action based on Byron's teachings, not talk… not sitting around, hoping: just hoping, Psi Corps doesn't catch up to us.
(beat)
Those that have been here to long have become stagnant. They forget that this place, this Babylon 5, is a Earth Force military installation: not a renegade Freeport anymore. It isn't run by Sheridan anymore, it has an Earth Force loyal in the centre chair: one that WAS on Clark's side during the Civil War and one that would turn us in to the Corps whenever she catches us.
(beat)
The time for talk and sitting around is over. Now is our time, the time for us to act: time for us to make a statement that us free telepaths are more than just dreamers following the ideas of a death man. But armed, dangerous, free fighters with a martyr's will to enforce.
SMITH
What do you need me to do?
JONES
All in good time my friend. First of all we must find out where this Talia Winters is. Where she is staying, what sort of security she has.
(beat)
Then when the time is right and our people are ready to stand together we will attack. Taking revenge for, among other things, your brother.
SMITH (The memory of his dead brother foremost)
Tell me when.
We can have a CLOSE UP of both Smith and Jones here, before cutting to,
INT. BABYLON 5 – TALIA'S QUARTERS
Talia is where we left her.
She wanders around her quarters, looking it up and down and around. There are floors in a vase nearby that have long since died and begun to decay. (What DO four year old flowers look like?) She runs her gloved hand over little things like the cabinets, the walls.
She goes into the second part of her quarters, where her bed is located. Instead of continuing to reminisce she stops.
The CAMERA turns around after a BEAT on her expression of wonder and discovery to show a small nondescript brown box sat on her bed.
She approaches the box cautiously.
WINTERS
So this is why you called me here. You traitor! I wonder how you knew Ivanova's password.
Talia goes to the box and lifts off the lid. Inside, packaged neatly in cellophane (Or 23rd Century equivalent) is a orb and a data crystal.
The orb's construction looks much like glass. The surface reflects a little light, enough to see Talia face in it. Inside the orb is swirling black and yellow mist (Like lemonade once you've shaken it up a little).
Talia peers in, the CAMERA focusing on her expression as she reaching in and picks up the data crystal.
She looks at the crystal closely, then looks at the orb.
WINTERS
I don't even want to guess what you are. A bomb of some kind perhaps?
(beat)
No. Your people don't have the capability or the will to construct such a device, especially not if it were to damage this station, your precious haven.
(beat)
I think I'll try this crystal first. See what you have to say for yourself. See why you've brought me all the way out here if not to attempt to kill me.
Talia crosses to the Babcom terminal, she inputs the data crystal.
The black screen suddenly disappears, displaying instead the same Babcom logo used in "RIVER OF SOULS" with the words PROCESSING PLEASE WAIT over and underneath.
The CAMERA cuts to behind Talia, so we cannot see clearly the face on the screen.
LYTA (On RECORDING)
If you're playing this, then you must be Talia Winters. I doubt anyone else could've known the password Ivanova put on your quarters. I only knew of course because – well, because she told me.
Story with telepaths doing sumet, disagreeing whatever. These are characters that can be used in telepath war stories or sumet, so give 'em names.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO