Severed Dreams
C&C: Despite being fully staffed, the Observation Dome lacks its customary atmosphere of quiet, but industrious efficiency. A climate of palpable apprehension prevails, most amply illustrated by the faces of Sheridan and Ivanova, who are sequestered in the Captain's station anxiously monitoring an ISN broadcast. As the report concludes, the pair exchange meaningful glances, and move towards the main body of the Dome. Sheridan takes up position before the entrance to chamber. Ivanova stands to his right, her expression the very picture of reluctant determination. In the background, Corwin can be seen stationed behind the main tracking and communications console, intent upon some undisclosed task.
Sheridan: (In a barely audible whisper) Is Garibaldi standing by?
Ivanova: (In a similar tone, and without moving her eyes in his direction) The cut-off switch is in place and ready to go.
(The prevailing silence is suddenly punctured by the rapid, high-pitched beeping of a Jump-Gate monitor)
Corwin: Jump-Gate signal on-line. We've got a ship coming through.
(A CGI sequence shows the ominous bulk of an Earthforce destroyer sweeping through the vortex of the open gate)
Sheridan: (Raising his link to his mouth) Sheridan to Garibaldi - kill it. (Adjusting his tone to address the room) May I.......have your attention. Your instruments are correct - that's the Alexander. She's been in combat for some time, and we will render *full* assistance.
(The camera immediately moves to Corwin's stricken countenance)
Corwin: (Hesitantly) But Captain......
Sheridan: (Abruptly and decisively) The Commander and I are aware of standing orders regarding the Alexander and her crew - we take full and personal responsibility. Now if anyone has a problem with this, they're free to leave the command deck.
(The camera immediately reverts to Corwin. Open-mouthed with shock, his face bears the expression of a man for whom recent events are beginning to fall into clear but inconceivable order.)
Sheridan: (Moving towards Ivanova, his tone switching from the imperative to an impassioned plea for cooperation) We have just been thrust into the middle of extraordinary circumstances, so we must approach this calmly and rationally. Those are *not* the enemy out there - we wear the same uniform, and we've both sworn to uphold the constitution. (With passionate emphasis) They're as loyal to Earth as you are, and we *will* render humanitarian aid to them. (After a brief pause) Because - as much as our humanity got us into this, our humanity's the only thing that's going to get us out again.
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The following passages are derived from a single scene, which takes place immediately after Sheridan makes a station-wide announcement that, in protest against President Clark's bombing of civilian targets on the Mars colony, Babylon 5 is severing it's ties with the Earth Alliance.
C&C: Sheridan stands alone before the entrance to the Observation Dome, making his announcement via Draal's holographic system. Having concluded his speech, he turns towards a suitably grim-faced Ivanova.
Sheridan: Well - we're in it now.
Ivanova: (After a brief pause) Should we ask Draal to help with the defense?
Sheridan: (Immediately) No - he's our ace in the hole. I want to keep him a secret for as long as we can. This is our fight - not his. (Glancing around the Dome, and raising his voice) All right - anyone who wants to leave, do so now - before you violate any regs.
(An excruciating silence descends. After a momentary pause, a youthful looking Tech behind Sheridan removes his headset and exits C&C, his eyes riveted to the floor. Ivanova exhales sharply in a combination of sorrow disappointment and resignation, before glancing in the direction of Corwin)
Ivanova: (In her usual crisp tone) You OK?
Corwin: I think so. (He looks absolutely staggered. Pale at the best of times, Corwin's face is now utterly devoid of colour, his expression an eloquent blend of terror, shock and fortitude) It's kind of a surprise (He hesitates, biting his lower lip for a second before adding) - but yeah. I'm OK.
Ivanova: (With a brief, business like nod) Good. (Turning back to Sheridan) Captain - request permission to join Starfury squadron.
Sheridan: (Emphatically, and with a pain expression) Request denied!
Ivanova: (Speaking rapidly and with some heat) Captain - you're asking those pilots to go against everything they've been trained for, and open fire on their own ships! One of us should be out there - one of us *has* to be. (Fixing her CO with her most implacable look) You know I'm right.
Sheridan: (Regarding her for a second, before dropping his eyes to the ground and quietly replying) Go.
(Ivanova turns to leave. She hesitates in the doorway for a moment, looking back at Sheridan before finally departing. Sheridan's eyes follow Ivanova's progress out of the room before he strides towards the captain's Station and settles uneasily into his chair. He seems to have aged visibly since making the cataclysmic announcement. He reaches towards his console, activating the communications panel.)
Sheridan: Major Ryan, Captain Hiroshi.
Ryan: Right here, Captain.
Hiroshi: On-line.
Sheridan: (Grimly) Stand by.
The Dome falls into absolute silence, with all eyes remaining focused on Sheridan. The camera pans slowly across C&C, taking in the tense and drawn faces of the Techs seated in the Pit, then moves up through the Gallery to Corwin, standing motionless behind the Communications Station. As the Jump-Gate signal tears through the expectant hush, his attention shifts immediately to his console.
Corwin: (In a voice that's admirably firm and steady given the circumstances) Jump Gate activated. Here they come.
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Babylon 5 space: In an external CGI sequence a fairly menacing looking fleet of Earthforce Destroyers, surrounded by a cloud of support vessels and fighters is seen emerging from the open Jump Gate. Over the shot, the pro-Clark Captain Dexter Smith can be heard issuing a very uncompromising stand down order to Sheridan, Ryan and Hiroshi.
Smith: This is Captain Dexter Smith of the Earth Alliance Destroyer Agrippa to Babylon 5 and renegade ships.
(The view then shifts to the bridge of the Alexander, and Major Ryan standing resolutely behind his communications officer, as the order continues.)
Smith: You are ordered to surrender your commands and prepare to be boarded.
Major Ryan: (As the camera moves in on his determined face) Launch fighters.
(In a CGI shot, Starfuries can be seen streaming from a large oblong aperture at the front of the vessel)
Smith: This is your only warning. If you do not surrender we will be forced to initiate deadly force.
(Action reverts to C&C. Sheridan - who remains seated at the Captain's Station, activates his communications panel and addresses his opponents in a hurried, but authoritative voice)
Sheridan: This is Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5. You are executing an illegal order in violation of the Earth Alliance constitution. These orders have forced us to declare independence in order to ensure the safety of this station. We don't want a fight, but if you attempt to carry out these orders then we *will* defend ourselves.
(As he delivers these lines the camera moves first, to the face of anonymous female officer, then to that of Corwin. The eyes of both remain on Sheridan, their faces bearing expressions of anxiety and near suspicion as it becomes apparent that their CO intends to execute his threats and open fire on Earthforce vessels.)
Sheridan: (His voice adopting a more personal tone) Come on Captain - you must see these orders are *wrong.* Leave while you still can.
Corwin: (Lifting his hand to his headset, and glancing sharply in Sheridan's direction) They've broken contact. (His brow creases slightly as he swiftly turns his attention to some unseen tactical display on his console) Enemy Starfuries moving on attack vector. (Returning his gaze to Sheridan) Orders?
Sheridan: Babylon Control to all Starfury squadrons - stand by to attack, but do not, repeat do *not* initiate combat. Let them fire first. (At this point an undercurrent of uncertainty enters his voice) We won't start this fight - but by God, we'll finish it.
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The following extracts are taken from a fairly monumental battle sequence. As transcribing the scene in it's entirety would be impossible, only sufficient dialogue to place Corwin's words in context have been included.
Babylon 5 Command and Control:
Corwin: (Maintaining his position behind the tracking and communications console) Forces closing. Entering firing range.
Sheridan: (From the Captain's Station) Close blast doors and activate defence grid.
(The camera then reverts to Corwin, his brows furrowing slightly in concentration as he carries out Sheridan's instructions)
Sheridan: (Hunched intensely over his console, and speaking more to himself than anyone else) Come on Smith - don't be a fool. You must see that these are illegal orders - don't make us do this.
Corwin: (Although his face remains determinedly calm, Corwin's voice betrays his tension) Enemy fighters have locked on....firing!
*********************************************
(All hell breaks loose)
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Corwin: Enemy fighters coming from the side, trying to out-flank us.
Sheridan: (Leaving the Captain's Station, and striding towards the Command console) Reset forward interceptors for long-range dispersion fire.
Corwin: Ready.
Sheridan: (After a brief examination of the tactical display) Fire!
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Corwin: (With well contained alarm) We've got a breaching pod coming in!
Sheridan: Aww hell! Where's it going?
Corwin: (Again consulting his monitor) Hull area - Brown 95.
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Corwin: (With definite urgency) 3 enemy 'Furies locking on!
Sheridan: (Blanching slightly, and taking a precautionary step back from the Command Console) Hang on!
In an external CGI sequence, 2 fighters are seen hurtling towards the front of the station. Babylon 5's defense grid erupts in a torrent of blinding white pulse fire, completely deflecting one craft, and partially destroying another. The fighter disintegrates after being subjected to a second burst of fire, but the ensuing debris crashes violently into the station's hull. Inside C&C,Sheridan, and most of the other staff are thrown to the ground by the impact. The Communications Console explodes in an impressively dangerous-looking shower of sparks, while electrical fires break out in several other pieces of equipment.)
Sheridan: (Hauling himself to his feet, blood issuing from an open wound on his forehead. Avoiding the sparks and flames as best he can, he glances back at Corwin) Give me a targeting solution on the Roanoke, and stand by to re-direct all forward defensive fire.
(Behind him, Corwin can be seen deftly extinguishing an electrical blaze, before returning his attention to what's left of the Communications Console)
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(As the last remaining enemy vessel is destroyed, apparently signalling an end to the conflict, Sheridan slumps over the gallery railings. His haggard face bears an ambivalent mix of relief and guilt)
Sheridan: (Without looking directly at Corwin) Damage report.
Corwin: Damage to all sectors. They're still fighting in Brown Sector.
Sheridan: Get some more troops down there. Hull integrity?
Corwin: (With some concern) Not good - EVA teams en-route. (Earnestly) It's a good thing this stopped when it did. We couldn't take much more.....(Suddenly, the Jump Gate signal bursts into life. Corwin's eyes dart towards his console, his already drawn face collapsing into an expression of outright horror) Oh no.....
(In an external CGI sequence, several more Earthforce destroyers sweep through the gate.)
Drake: This is Captain Drake to Babylon 5. You are ordered to surrender and prepare to be boarded by order of President Clark.
(Action returns to C&C)
Corwin: (As the Jump Gate signal activates yet again) Captain......jump points forming right on top of us.
Sheridan: (Closing his eyes, and obviously not wanting to know the answer) How many?
Corwin: (His face filled with anxiety) Four.
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