And Now For A Word
The episode "And Now For A Word" comprises a series of interviews and reports conducted by ISN's subtly invasive anchorwoman, Cynthia Torqueman. As an interview with docker Alberto Delvientos concludes, the camera moves to C&C, and an understandably nervous, but not at this stage excessively uncomfortable Corwin.
Lt. Corwin -(In response to some unheard question): Overall, I've found this to be a good working environment, and a valuable experience. I've learned a lot while I've been here.
(A caption reading "Second Lieutenant David Corwin" appears during the course of the opening line, and subsequently changes to "Earthforce Personnel on B5: 6500")
Cynthia Torqueman -(From off camera)And you've never felt that your safety has been compromised?
Lt. Corwin - (with increasing unease): No Ma'am
Cynthia Torqueman - So this has been a positive experience for you?
Lt. Corwin - (nods with an awkward smile)
Cynthia Torqueman - So you enjoy working with everyone?
Lt. Corwin - (casts a terrified glance in the direction of Ivanova, who has hovered menacingly in the background throughout the interview, shooting less than comforting looks at her subordinate. A smile that's both agonized and completely unconvincing appears briefly on his face): Yes. It's a calm, pleasant environment - I don't think I've ever seen anyone get upset here.
(At this point Corwin's eyes widen to an impossible degree, and his entire demeanour screams, "please, please believe me even though it's abundantly obvious that I'm lying through my teeth!")
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The following extracts of dialogue are taken from a single scene, but for reasons of brevity and to limit spoilers, only those sections involving Corwin have been included.
C&C Ivanova is seen anxiously operating a number of panels on the command console, as Sheridan approaches with obvious urgency. Intermittent bursts of red pulse fire are just visible through the main viewport.
Sheridan: Damage report.
Ivanova: (Without removing her eyes from the command console) Levels Brown 90 through 92 report damage. Hull breach in Blue 70. (With the air of a more general announcement) Dropping pressure doors.
Sheridan: (Glancing at some unseen Tech in the Pit) Get a repair team down there stat!
Tech: Aye sir!
Sheridan: (Turning to face Ivanova again) Any reply yet?
Ivanova: Negative. Hostile forces continue to fire at eachother - they've started targeting our ships.
Corwin: (From off camera) Delta Squadron requesting permission to fire.
Ivanova: (Turning to Sheridan and speaking with appropriate haste) Ambassadors Londo and G'Kar are on the link. They say that if we open fire on their vessels, they'll consider it an act of war.
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C&C: Shot of Cynthia Torqueman entering C&C, and moving slowly towards the front of the Dome as she speaks to camera.
Torqueman: "We want only peace." Both sides say the same thing, but as we have just seen, the reality can be anything but peaceful. With the skirmish outside concluded, and the captured Centauri vessels about to undergo a complete search, things seem to have calmed down a bit.
(Torqueman and her camera crew have by this stage reached the front of C&C, and Ivanova, in her usual position before the command console, is plainly visible in the background. As the dull bleat of an emergency signal fills the air, she whirls round to confront the ranks of Techs seated in the Pit below her.)
Ivanova: What is it!?
Corwin: Jump point forming in Sector 7.
Ivanova: Are they crazy!? That's practically on top of us!
(Through the main viewport, the front of C&C is briefly illuminated by the bluish glare of an incoming jump point)
Corwin: Reading one Centauri battle cruiser.
Torqueman: (Darting swiftly in front of the camera) Mackie - do we still have a feed from the external monitors? Are they online?
(The screen erupts into static, and the camera moves to an external shot of the broad, flat expanse of a Centauri war cruiser emerging from the jump point, before returning to C&C once more)
Corwin: (From his customary location in the Pit) I've got Ambassador Mollari on the link.
Ivanova: Put him through. (Immediately turns to face a wall monitor on which is displayed an image of the Centauri Ambassador, Londo Mollari.) Ambassador Mollari - what the hell is going on?
Mollari:( Despite the preposterous fan-like crest of hair adorning his otherwise bald and faintly pitted head, Mollari exudes a certain air of degenerate dignity, and speaks with all the unpleasant, intractable hauteur of an imperialist.) I'm sorry this has come as such a surprise, Commander, but I warned you not to interfere. You had no right to search or detain our ships. If we don't act in our own defence, we invite the same from others.
Corwin: Centauri cruiser is arming weapons and opening her gun ports.
(The camera moves from Corwin to Ivanova, who's face bears a suitably dark expression, before finally returning to the image of Mollari.)
Mollari: The cruiser will blockade Babylon 5 until our ships are returned to Centauri custody, in tact, and un-opened. Any ship attempting to enter or leave Babylon 5 will be fired upon, boarded, and sent back. We will use the minimum possible level of force, but if provoked, we are prepared to use deadly force - even against Babylon 5 itself.
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(By this point, Torqueman and the ISN crew have repositioned themselves at the rear of the Dome. As she quietly delivers her piece to camera, murmured orders and hushed exchanges between the staff of C&C are audible in the background.)
Torqueman: About 10 minutes ago, Captain Sheridan received a coded transmission from EarthDome on the current crisis. After considerable negotiation we have been allowed to allowed back onto C&C to (The rest of this line is lost in the growing swell of background noise, through which Corwin can be heard announcing " Channel open, Captain." At this point, the camera moves to Sheridan)
Sheridan: (Standing at the Captain's Station - an elevated console in a large, monitor lined alcove at the rear of the Dome, and speaking in an uncompromising tone) Captain John Sheridan, Babylon 5 to Centauri cruiser. My government has rejected your demand that we release your ships. We will not consider any demand made under terrorist threat. We have activated our defense grid, and are prepared to defend all ships coming through here. Any hostile action taken by you against any ships entering or leaving this station will be considered an attack upon Babylon 5 itself, and we will respond accordingly. (Abruptly severs communication with the Centauri vessel, and looks grimly in the direction of the unseen Corwin) If they send a reply, *don't* acknowledge it.
Corwin: (From off camera) Aye sir.
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Corwin: (Still from off camera) Docking bay 9 just linked in. The transport is ready to go.
Sheridan: Bring her up........activate auto pilot. We'll run the transport from here, make sure no-one gets hurt. (Glancing darkly at Ivanova) Just in case they're not bluffing.
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Sheridan: (Still at the Captain's Station, and by now visibly anxious. After a momentary hesitation, he leans across his console, opening a communications channel) All tracking stations. If you see their weapons targeting us.....open fire.
(We then see an external CGI sequence of a tiny box-like transport craft hurtling towards the dark expanse of the Centauri war vessel. Action returns to C&C.)
Sheridan: Any reply from the cruiser?
Corwin: Negative sir - no response.
Ivanova: Their weapons system is still armed. I don't like this.
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C&C: An abundantly relieved Sheridan leans across is console, looking towards the front of C&C, with Cynthia Torqueman standing on the gallery below him.
Corwin: Getting a signal from the Centauri cruiser. They want to talk.
Sheridan: (With a broad smile of satisfaction and relief) Open a channel - let's be gracious about this.
Torqueman: Captain - any thoughts on the.... (This sentence is interrupted by the rapid, high pitched beeping of the Jump-Gate signal)
Corwin: Second jump point forming in Sector 10.
(An external CGI sequence shows the blue, dappled vortex of an incoming jump point forming behind the solar fins at the rear of the station. Eventually, the slim, angular form of a Narn heavy cruiser is disgorged, and the view returns to C&C once more)
Sheridan: (In sheer exasperation) Aww... hell! (Activating the communications panel on his console.) Babylon control to Narn Cruiser. We do not, repeat we do *not* require assistance. Do not interfere - we have the situation under control.
Corwin: Narn cruiser is powering up weapons systems.
Sheridan: No! Listen to me - we do not need......
(His plea is interrupted by the unmistakable red glare and rumbling vibration of heavy weapons fire.)
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Sheridan: (Relaying a general broadcast) All civilians to the shelters. (To Corwin) Get me that cruiser - I don't care how you do it!
Corwin: Aye sir.
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Corwin: (Working assiduously at his station in the Pit) Narns have destroyed the heavy cruiser. They're trying to open a jump point.
Ivanova: (From off camera) Can they make it?
Corwin: I don't think so. They're hit bad - their jump engines are malfunctioning.
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