No Compromises
Babylon 5 - Docking Bay 4: From a gallery above the main docking area, Corwin watches a box-like Earthforce shuttle gliding gently into its berth on a motorized platform. Nervously he adjusts his collar, before venturing off to greet the expected passenger. A contained, erect looking woman, dressed in an Earthforce uniform descends the steps from the transport as Corwin approaches.
Corwin: (With a respectful salute) Captain Lochley? Lt David Corwin at your service.
Lochley: Lieutenant. (She returns his salute, and acknowledges Corwin with a brief, businesslike nod, then casts a glance round the deserted docking area) I thought I was going to be met by the entire command staff.
Corwin: (Gesturing to his new CO to follow him towards the main processing area) Yes Ma'am. But Mr Garibaldi just got back from Mars, and even though he's not technically on staff anymore - Zack Allen is our new Chief of Security these days - he's up to his neck helping Zack get ready for Sheridan's inauguration as President of the new alliance (He pauses just long enough to draw breath before continuing) and Dr Franklin had an emergency in Med Lab......
Lochley: (Interrupting him with a definite edge of disapproval in her voice) Lieutenant....Lieutenant - is it always like this around here?
Corwin: No.....no......(Then after a moment's consideration)... well, actually, yes. (His brow creases into an earnest frown) It's hectic Ma'am.
Lochley: (Firmly) A hectic station is the first sign of a poorly run station. I'll change that.
Corwin: (Ignoring the criticism with admirable professionalism) I've got everybody in C&C standing by waiting to meet you as soon as you're settled in.
Lochley: (Briskly) Good - good. I'll want to jump right in. It always takes a while when you have a change in CO. The sooner we get over the transition, the better.
Corwin: (With characteristic helpfulness) If there's anything you need to know about the station.....
Lochley: (Glancing around the crowded processing area, before once again cutting Corwin off in mid-sentence) Just personalities - any internal conflicts I need to be made aware of. Beyond that, I've thoroughly researched Babylon 5's operational procedures, personnel records - I'm pretty much up to speed on all the reports.
Corwin: (Holding up a cautionary hand to halt his CO. He speaks hesitantly, with a definite note of apprehension stealing into his voice) With all due respect - there's a lot that doesn't fit into a report.
Lochley: (Glaring at Corwin with open dissatisfaction) Then the report is incomplete. (She turns and marches off up a set of stairs, leaving a very uncomfortable looking Corwin standing at the foot of them)
Corwin: (Exhaling in quiet frustration before dashing after Lochley) Just trying to save you trouble, Captain.
Lochley: (Making her way briskly along a walkway, and speaking with the same blunt confidence as before) It's been my experience that as long as you run an efficient operation, and don't go looking for trouble, you'll do just fine.
Corwin: (Hurrying after her as she strides off) Well, that was one of the things I was trying to tell you - round here we don't have to look for trouble. On B5, trouble comes looking for us.
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Sheridan's Quarters: After attempting to explain to Delenn why he, the newly elected president of the Interstellar Alliance, leaves his shower festooned with wet socks on a daily basis, Sheridan is promptly recalled to the world of military business by the sound of his link activating.
Sheridan: Sheridan - go.
Corwin: Captain Lochley is aboard, Sir. We've just got her settled in.
Sheridan: (Awkwardly, his face clouded by discomfort) Um - good. Have her meet me in my office in 20 minutes.
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Sheridan's Office: Sheridan hovers before the desk he is about to relinquish permanently, while Lochley, seated in a chair to his left, bombards him with a series of forthright questions about his decision to appoint her as his successor, and potential overlaps in jurisdiction between the new alliance, and the traditional governance of Babylon 5. As their discussion concludes, the new Captain's link activates.
Lochley: (Lifting her link towards her mouth) Lochley - go ahead.
Corwin: (Sounding faintly disturbed) Captain - you'd better get down to Bay 3. There's something here you should see.
Lochley: On my way. (De-activating the link, and turning to Sheridan once again) I've got to..
Sheridan: (With an understanding smile) I know - believe me, I handled a few of those myself while I was Captain here. We'll talk again later.
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Bay 3: A small knot of B5 personnel stand clustered around a trolley, on which the familiar outline of a human corpse lies shrouded in a blanket. The figures look tiny in the long perspective of the shot, dwarfed by the huge, soullessly functional chamber in which they stand. Towards the left of the group, Corwin is seen engaged in an intense, but hushed conversation with a security guard, who as Lochley enters, takes up position next to the door of the room.
Corwin: (Turning to face Lochley, and speaking directly and with as much calm as the situation allows) We found him floating outside the station. He's definitely a Ranger - he was in a commercial stasis bubble when we picked him up, (his brow furrows slightly) but he didn't die from exposure to space.
Lochley: (Indicating the covered body on the trolley before her) Let me see.
Corwin: (Gently, placing his hand on Lochley's arm before she has a chance to draw back the blanket) You might not want to.
Lochley: (Sharply disregarding him) I said, let me see.
(As the cover is removed, Lochley gazes at the corpse with professional detachment. Corwin on the other hand, looks visibly distressed, his brows knitting for a moment before he beckons the security guard forward once again)
Corwin: (Taking an oblong of card inscribed with the words "Special Delivery for Babylon 5" from the guard, and handing it to Lochley) He had this around him when he was found.
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Med Lab: After checking for details of an autopsy conducted on the body by Dr Franklin, Lochley is yet again interrupted by the sound of her link.
Lochley: Lochley - go ahead.
Corwin: Captain - you said you wanted me to remind you about an appointment.
Lochley: On my way.
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(As this scene is impossible to describe in detail without more or less spoiling the entire episode, only sufficient dialogue to place Corwin's words in context has been included.)
Garibaldi: (From the interior of a Starfury) C&C, I can't hold him. If this cockpit breaches, I'm screwed.
Corwin: (As the forward guns of B5's defense grid slide out of their protective housing) Assailant's ship has been targeted.
Garibaldi: Are we clear?
Corwin: All clear.
Garibaldi: Here he comes.
Corwin: Fire at will.
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