02x14 - There All the Honor Lies

[bunniefuu]

Merchandising?

We're being merchandised?

You can't be serious, sir.

I heard this was in the works a few weeks ago.

I fought against it and lost.

The B5 Senate Oversight Committee was asked to study ways to help us become more self

-sufficient.

Their studies indicate that the sale of merchandise relating to Babylon 5 system

-wide, could generate a projected 2 million credits over the next year, earmarked for our operating budget.

Why don't they open up a gift shop?

That's what they're doing in the Zocalo right now.

It will sell to residents, tourists, visiting VIPs anyone who wants a gift for themselves or for the folks back home.

You know, dolls, jackets, toys.

Welcome to Babylon 5, the last, best hope for a quick buck.

- Commander

- This is demeaning.

I mean, we're not some deep

-space franchise.

This station is about something.

That's why I'm putting you in charge to oversee this gift shop which, I might add, is only a test at this point.

Why me?

I hate this whole idea.

Exactly.

I'm counting on you to focus that hostility with your typical diligence to make sure that this station and its inhabitants are in no way, as you so correctly put it, demeaned.



- Yes, sir.



- Good.

Now, if you'll excuse me I have to meet with Ambassador Kosh down in the Zocalo for another one of his lessons that should help us understand each other better.



- What is he teaching you today?



- I'm not exactly sure.

And I probably won't know any better even after the lesson.



- Commander.



- Yes, sir.

While you're handling this whole store situation could you see if they have any baseball caps.

For my sister.



- Excuse me.



- Sorry.

No, no, no problem.

My link.

Hey! Hey, you! Come back here! Son of a! Sorry.

All right.

Now, that's enough.

Get back! Death first.

The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace.

A self

-contained world, five miles long, located in neutral territory.

A place of commerce and diplomacy for a quarter of a million humans and aliens.

A shining beacon in space, all alone in the night.

It was the dawn of the Third Age of mankind.

The year the Great w*r came upon us all.

This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations.

The year is 2259.

The name of the place is Babylon 5.

There was nothing I could do.

He jumped me.

He was reaching for a w*apon.

No w*apon was found.

When somebody makes a move if you wait long enough to find out if he's carrying, you're dead.

Lavell, the deceased, came from a highly

-respected family.

This is a shocking incident.

My government will want answers.

Look, maybe he thought I was attacking him.

I don't know.

One minute he was in my way, and the next I'm sorry.

I had no choice.

These are perilous times.

We must do all we can to avoid another conflict between our people over a misunderstanding.

He was trying to k*ll me.

I think I understood that pretty clearly.



- But why?



- For what it's worth my people are already investigating.

I have been asked by my government to conduct my own investigation as well.

Independently of yours.

Well, I won't stop you, of course.

That would be a duplication of effort.

We could get in each other's way.

Yes, but it is the only way for my government to decide whether or not to insist that you be charged with m*rder.

You find that Minbari witness I mentioned in my report.

He will back me up.

I am absolutely sure.

All right.

Description?

Bald with a bone on his head.

We're gonna need a real big lineup room.

Ambassador Mollari, please.

Sorry, the ambassador is in meetings all day today.



- Is there something I can help you with?



- Well, as a matter of fact, there is.

Please stand by for a transmission.

I believe you weren't there.

That is fortunate, since Minbari do not lie.

So if I ask you if you might know who did see the incident with Capt.

Sheridan you'd have to answer truthfully.



- Or not at all.

Unless it is your intention to b*at it out of me.

That is how your race operates, is it not?

I received your message.

Is there a problem, Mr.

Garibaldi?



- Yes.



- No.

Mr.

Garibaldi, not to intrude, but if you are done I would like some time to speak with him alone.

Minbari to Minbari.

As you say.

It's like he's everywhere.

Every Minbari I question, Lennier is either just leaving or just arriving.

Maybe he's simply being thorough.

Or maybe he's organizing a cover

-up.

I have a suspicious mind, but even I don't want to think that.



- I like the guy.



- Granted.

But he's still Minbari with all the baggage that brings.

Have any luck finding my stolen link?

No trace.

It hasn't been used.

The computer would pick it up.

Chances are it's probably been destroyed.

Why would he want my link.

It's useless once it's reported stolen.

It's hot.

He must know he'd have to get rid of it.

Maybe it's because it's the one thing he knew you'd want back.

And maybe he wanted you to chase him down the hall.

You do have a suspicious mind.

I like that.

Disruptive burns are consistent with close

-range discharge of a PPG.

Death was instantaneous.

Any sign of offensive wounds, bruising around the knuckles to show he att*cked the captain?

None.

But he was wearing gloves at the time and they would diminish any trace.

Also, he d*ed seconds after the att*ck so there wouldn't be enough time for the cells to bruise in any event.

The good news is, there's nothing that proves he was att*cked without cause.

But the bad news is, there's nothing to corroborate your side of the story either.

Great.

All right, so where'd you get the PPG?

I found it during the fight.

I assumed it was dropped by the guy who grabbed my link.

Or maybe someone wanted you to find it.

I said the Minbari was going for a w*apon.

Maybe he dropped it, and that's the one I found.

No, it doesn't track.

Why would a member of the Minbari warrior caste have an Earth

-made PPG?

It'd be an affront to his pride.

Any prosecution would blow a hole in that one in two seconds.

All right, you have any luck tracing the serial number on that PPG?

Not yet.

Still waiting to hear back from Earth Central.

You know, even in a vacuum, this smells of a setup.

I don't like it.

I'm sorry.

I just Vir, are you all right?

Oh, yes.

Yes.

No, I'm not.

I can't stay.

I can't stay! Now that's comedy! Bye

-bye.

You are certain that this is the one who witnessed the att*ck, Lennier?

Reasonably so, from things I've heard.

Ashan, you are of the Third Fane of Chudomo, yes?

I am.

You carry with you a noble and honorable tradition.

Lennier is also of the Third Fane of Chudomo.

He has brought you great honor.

So can you tell me what you know of this incident?

Ashan.

I answer to other Minbari, not freaks.

Your words insulted her.

Her presence insulted me.

Because we are the same, you may ask your questions if you can tolerate the answers.

The witness states that Lavell, the victim was assaulted by you without provocation.

That he offered to surrender and that you sh*t him.

He shouted, "Death first!" The witness stated that what Lavell actually said was "Deh Fers 't" which, in our language, roughly translates as "I yield to your authority.

"

- No.

No way.

I know what I heard, and that isn't it.

Now I want to talk with your witness.

He is lying.

For your sake, I did not hear that, nor did you, Lennier.

What are you talking about?

Minbari do not lie, captain.

It would be a stain upon honor and soul.

For someone of another species to make such an accusation it would require an immediate and fatal response from the accused.

Then he is in error where the truth is involved and I want to speak with him now.

Captain, I don't know if that's smart.

They want you charged.

I have to see him.

Maybe I can reason with him at least find out why he's lying.

What about Ivanova?

You want her there too?

No, I don't want this insanity disrupting the station any more than it has to.

We'll handle this.

Welcome to Babylon 5 Emporium.

Today we are offering a 20 percent discount on all Narn figurines and paraphernalia.

Remember, Babylon 5 Emporium is your place to shop.

Welcome.

Feel free to look around.

We offer a 20 percent discount to station personnel.

Be still my heart.

It all seems tasteful enough.

It makes you wonder if there's anything the Earth Senate won't do to make money.

I'm sorry, what?

Did you want to try this on?

This place is nuts.

Excuse me.

How much is this?

Miss?

Miss, do you gift

-wrap?

Excuse me, officer.

Allan, ma'am.

Zack Allan.

Take me to Capt.

Sheridan.



- Are you expected?



- No.

Dreaded.

Why would I, out of the blue, att*ck your man, Lavell?

He was not a man, though, was he?

He was Minbari, StarKiller.

We're not talking about history.

We're discussing the here and now.

Wasn't it an Earthman who said that those who do not listen to history will repeat it?

The Minbari listen very carefully.

Ashan, is there the slightest possibility that you misheard or did not see?

Did not see?



- It happened very quickly.



- Whose side are you on?

We are on the side of the truth.

Is there another?

Captain, this is The one friend you have in this room.

Guinevere Corey, captain.

I'm your lawyer.

What?

May I ask what you were discussing here?

The only thing that matters, the truth.

Yes, the favorite song of the legally ignorant.

Captain, are we finished here?

Yes.

We'll continue this later.

This entire situation does not look good for the captain.

This situation cannot be, Lennier.

I've studied Sheridan at great length.

This is not in his character which makes Ashan's statement dubious.

I don't appreciate being called ignorant in front of others.

I'm sorry.

Is naive better?

And I don't need a lawyer.

Now we're back to ignorant.

May I?

Captain, I didn't stop over here for my health.

I was en route to Earth when I received a message to come here.

Why?

I'm authorized to give you a heads

-up.

Earth Dome reviewed the facts and they have decided to proceed with an indictment against you.

I don't believe it.

That's what all my clients say.

You'll believe it soon enough.

Why would they go along with this?

Regardless of the facts of the case, we won't cop a guilty plea.

We know the mess that would create.

If we sweep it under the rug, Earth is open to charges of cover

-up.

They decided it is best to go to trial, let both sides be heard show the evidence and take the judgment.

Actually, I've reviewed all of the facts of the case and I don't think they have the evidence to convict beyond a reasonable doubt.

You're holding something back.

All right.

Straight up.

Whether you're found guilty or innocent, if this goes to trial you'll have to step down as commanding officer of Babylon 5, permanently.

I keep running it through my head, over and over.

It all happened so fast.

What if I did do it?

I did fire while he was trying to surrender?

Are you asking about the possibility or if I'll respect you if that's what happened?

The former.

I don't want to know the latter.

I'll answer that part first.

Any danger of losing respect for you was eliminated when you asked that question.

As to the former, I'll never forget you once said to me: "Never fear answers.

Only fear running out of questions.

" Ivanova, I never said that.



- You didn't?



- No.

Well, I'll let you know who did.

Yes, what is it, commander?

What did you forget?

Ambassador Kosh.

I'm sorry.

What can I do for you?

The lesson.

I know.

I sort of forgot.

Look, it's been kind of a bad day and I'm not really in the best frame of mind for any lessons just now.

Precisely the correct time.

Come.

No, you don't understand.

I don't really have time for this.

Come.

Chief, you wanted to see me?

Yeah.

Listen, here's the file on a Minbari named Ashan.

This the guy that got the captain in hot water?

The same.

Listen, I want him followed.

Don't do anything to cause a problem and don't provoke him.

Keep an eye on him.

Will do.

I'm not quite sure I understand what we're doing down here.

Good.

What is this place?

It's pretty much the worst part of Downbelow.

If Garibaldi knew we were down here alone, he'd go right up the flue.

There.

What?

You want me to go inside, is that it?

Why?

What's inside there?

One moment of perfect beauty.

I was Well, I was sent.

I'm sorry, I don't carry any kind of hard currency.

It's all done with a credit chit for bookkeeping, that sort of thing.

I really don't have anything to give you.

Look It's a stat bar.

I've got about a dozen of them.

They show what part of the service you're in.

Gold for command, red for medical, green for security.

Well, it's not worth very much.

Well, well.

How many drinks does that make for you now?

Two.

Vir, drowning your problems Two?

In all this time?

I like nursing my drinks.

Vir, this isn't you.

You're gonna lecture me on what is or isn't like someone?

Everything you've done?

Your voice, Vir.

We're in public.

Yes, voices.

The voices that keep me awake.

The voices I have to keep bottled up inside me so I can do my job.

And you're doing it, excellently.

Yes, I'm keeping your secrets.

I feel like I'm falling in a pit, and there's no way of climbing out.

Do you want to leave?

Is that it?

I can arrange it.

You can go back home to To what?

To my family?

Do you think that if they wanted me around that I'd even be here?

They just wanted me anywhere.

Anywhere away.

They had me sent here two years ago because, frankly there wasn't much competition for the job.

This was a joke to them.

Before I left, my uncle said to me you and I deserve each other.

Well, Vir, you must know that is changing.

Don't I know that.

This came this morning.

Centauri Prime is sending a replacement for my position.

It seems the job has become too important.

They're sending in someone that they groomed for the role.

Everywhere I go I don't fit in, or I'm asked to leave.

All right, I'll talk to them.

They can't make you leave if I wish you to stay.

What you wish.

What they wish.

I don't even know what I wish.

Back home I'm swallowed in silence, and here I'm swallowed up by secrets.

I'm caught between fire and flood, and if there's a way out, I sure don't see it.

I'm sorry.

I've said too much.

It's more than you want to hear.



- No.



- This is my problem.

It's my problem.

It's not yours.

And I'm sorry.

L I just I'm sorry.

I had no idea, no idea at all.

Yes.

Thank you.

Another lesson?

What this time?

Beauty in the dark.

Must be working.

You're beginning to talk just like a Vorlon.

Yes, Delenn?

I have just received some information on Lavell.

I was arranging to have his body prepared according to the ceremonies of whichever clan he belonged to and You may want to look at this.

The Non

-Aligned Worlds canceled that meeting without explanation.

Word's gotten out, hasn't it?

Pressure to get me out will increase the longer this hangs over my head.

Well, one crisis at a time.

Captain! Commander! Can we talk?

I have acted shamefully to buy you the time to end this matter in some honorable way.

Only because we are both of Chudomo do I take this step to try and convince you to act properly.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I saw you with the human thief the captain is looking for.

Another moment and you would have been discovered by security.

You're not good at this, Ashan.

You can redeem yourself by telling the truth now or shame our entire clan when the truth is discovered.

You would believe the humans over one of your own?



- Yes.



- Why?



- Because she does.



- Delenn?

She is nothing! Delenn is honorable, and I honor the word of Delenn.

What do you honor, Ashan?

The truth or the obligations of our clan?

And the Centauri government will not tolerate such insults! Well, it's just a doll.

It wasn't even made by us.

Look at the tag.

It's made by somebody in the bazaar.

It's a mockery.

It doesn't even have any attributes.

Attributes?

Do I have to spell it out for you?

I see.

So you feel like you're being symbolically cast In a bad light.



- Well put.



- Now look here.



- Lf I have to go back to my government

- Have all of these dolls removed at once.

Yes, sir.

Thank you for the sensitivity, captain.

I do not lie when I say this could have been an embarrassment for all concerned.

I'm sure, ambassador.

You don't lie.

The Minbari don't lie.



- No one around here

- Who said the Minbari don't lie?

Never mind.

Good day, captain.



- Are you saying they do lie?



- It's nothing important.

Londo, I have a critical situation hinging on Minbari honesty.

Now, if you know something A certain Minbari once lied to save a certain Centauri ambassador from embarrassment.

Apparently there is honor in helping another save face.

If they'd lie to protect someone's honor the question becomes who or what is being protected?

Good day, captain.



- Yeah.



- Captain, we've got a rep from the Minbari Embassy on Earth asking to speak to you.

Shall I put it through?

By all means.

I just got a call.

Your government wants Ashan to leave for your Homeworld on the next shuttle.

With the primary witness against me gone by your government's request there can't be a trial, which will relieve Earth no end.

Without a trial, without some definitive answers it will leave doubt in the mind of everyone here about what really happened.

It will more or less destroy my credibility which is maybe what some people wanted from the start.

Once, during the w*r, my fighter was disabled.

I sat there, radio out, power out for eight hours, which seemed like eight years.

I didn't think I'd ever see another living being.

Well, I was rescued obviously but I'll never forget that feeling of helplessness.

I never thought there could be anything worse than being all alone in the night.

But there is.

Being all alone in a crowd.

You feel cut off from your people, from your government.

You even begin to doubt yourself.

I understand it so well that it cuts to my heart.

You said the Minbari never lie.

But that's not entirely true, is it?

You must understand, captain that there is no greater honor among my people than to serve.

They work for generations to create a legacy, a tradition.

In the service of their clan, they're ready to sacrifice everything: Their individuality, their blood, their life.

Their honor?

Well, we've had plenty of that ourselves.

Conspiracies of silence because the larger ideals have to be protected.

But you can't have larger ideals if the smaller ones get compromised.

It's like building a house without a foundation, Delenn.

It can't stand! You know that as well as I do.

Come with me.

I was to report here for parting instructions.

Yes.

Your ship leaves within the hour.

Here's all the information you will need upon arrival.

Thank you.

Is there anything else?

No.

After you have gone I will go to the captain and announce my complicity in Lavell's death.

What?

You're insane.

You had nothing to do with it.

That is correct.

Individually, I did not.

But I bear the responsibility for all acts committed by my clan.

In that way, I am as responsible as you are.

If you do that, you will dishonor yourself and the Third Fane of Chudomo.

No, you have already done that.

I will retain honor by saving face for you.

Our clan, however, will never recover from this disgrace.



- Don't do it.



- Don't do it.

Listen to me, Lennier.

We are not responsible.

It was the leaders of our clan who decided to act without asking the council or anyone else in the government, not us.

Yes, it was foolish.

No, not foolish.

It was tragic.

They resent that the humans picked Sheridan StarKiller to run this place.

And rightly so.

When he destroyed the Black Star during the w*r, he did not face it with honor.

He mined an asteroid field sent a fake distress signal and lured our ships into a trap.

Many of our clan were aboard the Black Star that day.

I know.

I lost family, as well, on the Black Star.

But tell me, is there any more honor in this?

I don't know.

I didn't know.

Why did you talk with the human who stole Sheridan's link?

I was trying to find out what happened.

Lavell paid him to draw Sheridan down that hall provoked him and made sure a w*apon was there to be used against him.

Lavell is a martyr.

He sacrificed himself to remove Sheridan.

He was one of us, a clan brother.

We have to protect our own, Lennier, or what is left?

There is nothing left, Ashan.

Lavell threw away his life for nothing and dishonored our entire people.

What is this?

How did you?

When Delenn received Lavell's burial instructions she learned that you and he were both of the same clan.

Now, saving the honor of your clan is the one thing that could compel you to lie.

But we knew we couldn't prove it without help.

You recorded it all.

You bet.

Let's go.

Lock him up until we decide what to do with him.

Check.

Question, ambassador.

Will the Minbari government contest this?

No.

Whatever factions may have sponsored this will not pursue the matter with a public confession.

The question is, do we want a public confession?

Captain, what are you talking about?

Look what we did to get this.

You're not gonna use it?

I agree.

As your attorney, I think this is very ill

-advised.

So noted.

Lennier, if we reveal this it will disgrace your clan, won't it?

And you.

Ambassador, I'm willing to cut a deal with you.

I'll turn over all this material if you'll get Ashan to issue a statement about what he really saw.

None of the background.

Leave his clan out of it.

We'll leave Lavell's motives in the att*ck one more mystery.

And around here, who'll notice one more?

Feeling better, are we?

I don't know.

I can't seem to count past 14.

Your first hangover.

Enjoy it.

I remember my first hangover.

That's not true.

If I remembered it it wouldn't be a real hangover.

May I ask you a question?

Anything, anything.

Just don't do that again.

How quickly can you pack?

Your replacement arrived a few hours ago.

Just in time, I might add.

I see.

Where are you going?

To my quarters to pack.

Why is it that you can never follow instructions?

Start with this stuff first.

This is yours.

Good, Vir, you're sobering up.

I can see the synapses beginning to fire behind your eyes.

A frightening sight, I might add.

I informed Homeworld that if you were leaving then I was leaving with you.



- What?



- Yes.

I gave them an extensive report of your work here to date.

I told them that you were absolutely invaluable to me.

That in all my years of service I have never had a more skilled or capable assistant.

I'm told your family was quite astonished.

I spoke to your uncle personally.

You spoke to my uncle?

Yes, Vir.

By the time I finished with him he was ready to nominate you for godhood.

I was quite magnificent, actually.

You should have seen it.

Would have, had you been conscious at the time.

I imagine they'll be talking about it for some time.

Vir, I have perhaps not treated you as well as I should have.

I cannot change the past, but the present, yes.

Vir, stay.

If you go, as a matter of honor, I will have to go with you.

And if I am forced to leave this place with all its marvelous opportunities I will have to k*ll you.

What are friends for?

Londo.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Oh, by the way, when I was speaking with your uncle I invited your entire family to come and stay with you for a month.

I knew you wouldn't mind.

I do.

Londo.

No! A whole month.

Commander, how goes the Babylon 5 store?

Most interesting.

I was thinking this might work out after all.

We could use the extra money to defray operating expenses.

What is that?

Take a look.

"Bab

-Bearlon 5.

"

- He's a cutie, isn't he?



- Yeah.

"J.

S.

"?

John Sheridan.



- This is supposed to be me?



- Yeah.

I want it off my station.

I want them all off my station.

I want the whole store yanked out, boxed up and shipped out by 0800 tomorrow.

- Is that clear?

- I'll get right on it.

Babylon Control to Zeta One.

Any trace of that unidentified object?

Negative, Babylon Control.

I don't see a Zeta One, have you encountered unidentified object?

Can you describe it?

Negative, Babylon Control.

I don't think so.

Not on a bet.

Heading back to the barn.