The Fall of Night
C&C : Shot of the Pit, seen from a slightly elevated angle. Most of the centre ground is occupied by Corwin, operating a keypad with agile fingers, and utterly absorbed in his work. As the jump gate signal is heard, he turns towards his commanding officer, his face bearing an expression of concern.
Corwin : Captain - picking up a jump point forming in Sector 39.
Sheridan : (Seated in the captain's station) That's on the other side of the planet where nobody but us can see it.
Corwin : Yes sir.
Sheridan : Whoever it is doesn't want to be noticed.
Corwin : (Examining his console with a frown) Opening now.
(In an external CGI sequence, a vivid point of light can be seen forming beside the dark mass of Epsilon 3. It draws back, opening into an oval blue vortex, through which a Narn warship emerges.)
Corwin : (His tone a blend of worry and astonishment) Reading 1 Narn Heavy cruiser....she's hailing us.
Sheridan : Put her through! (Turns to face a monitor in the alcove behind him, on which appears the sombre, somewhat exhausted face of a quietly spoken Narn commander)
Na'Kal : This is War Leader Na'Kal, of the Star Cruiser Ja'Dok. Are you Captan Sheridan?
Sheridan : Yes. If you'll forgive my saying so, I didn't know any Narn Heavy Cruisers had survived the war.
Na'Kal : We were on deep patrol, evaluating potential targets when the Centauri struck Homeworld. Since then we have been fighting for our lives. Alone, and without reinforcements, we will eventually be hunted down and destroyed. But with the support of others, we may some day help to liberate Homeworld. To achieve that end, we must remain free, and Babylon 5 is our only hope. We have expended the last of our energy in getting here. We request sanctuary
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C&C :By this stage, Sheridan has received intelligence that the presence of the Narn cruiser at Babylon 5 has been revealed to the Centauri government. Anticipating trouble, he strides urgently into the Observation Dome, accompanied by Ivanova.
Sheridan : (Glancing into the Pit on his way to the command console) Open up a channel to the Narn ship. We've got to get him out of here fast.
Corwin : On-line.
Sheridan : (Arriving at the command console, and activating a communication screen) Na'Kal, how long before your jump engines are repaired?
Na'Kal : Not for some time. Why?
Sheridan : The Centauri know you're here. Can you navigate at all?
Na'Kal : Yes but....
Ivanova : Jump point opening.
(Outside, the blue spiraling cone of an incoming jump point deposits a Centauri Battle cruiser into Babylon 5 space)
Corwin : Centauri Battle Cruiser is demanding that we had over the Narn ship to their custody.
Sheridan : Stand by. Keep this channel open.
Ivanova : They're taking up position between us and the jump gate, blocking the way out.
Corwin : I've got Ambassador Mollari on the link.
Sheridan : Stall him!
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Corwin : Centauri Battle Cruiser is changing position.....(In a CGI sequence, the cruiser's menacing bulk gradually swings to face some unseen target)...moving to intercept. The weapons system is active, and gun ports are open.
Sheridan : Are they targeting our fighters?
Corwin : They're targeting the Narn vessel, Zeta Squadron....(His eyes widen slightly as a targeting alert sounds in the background)...and us.
Sheridan : (Looking suitably determined) Return the favour - target their ship.
Ivanova : Targeting aye.
(CGI sequence of the dark, rounded oblong of the defence grid's main pulse cannon swivelling in the direction of the Centauri craft. Action reverts to C&C)
Sheridan : Zeta squadron stand by. Continue escorting her out. (In a resolute tone)If you are fired upon, return fire. Fire at will.
(View moves to the cramped interior of a Starfury)
Lt Keffer : Confirmed Babylon Control. Heat 'em up people.
(Scene returns to C&C)
Sheridan : Close blast doors.
(The command area falls into darkness, as protective doors slam shut over the main viewport. In the background the targeting signal from the Centauri cruiser begins to accelerate.)
Corwin : Centauri weapons system locking on.
Ivanova : They're trying to provoke us into making the first move.
Sheridan : (Apprehensively) I don't think so.
(The targeting signal continues to increase in frequency, eventually blending into a single note)
Corwin : We've got an energy spike!
(Outside, the Centauri weapons erupt in a hail of red pulse fire, and full scale battle ensues)
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Corwin : (With definite urgency) Interceptors running hot...(He licks his lips as he glances towards his monitor) 90% capacity and dropping.
Ivanova : They're getting through!
(Outside, a swarm of Starfuries, dwarfed by their target, bear down on the Centauri vessel, riddling the hull with blueish pulse fire. At the same time, the Centauri cruiser renews its assault on Babylon 5, severing one of the massive cargo stabilizers protruding from above C&C. As the structure gives way, a violent tremor sweeps through the command deck, almost knocking Sheridan, Ivanova and the other staff off their feet)
Sheridan : (Clinging to the command console in a bid to remain upright) Launch everything we've got! Time on target!
Ivanova : Time on target aye. Hold on!
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