03x21 - Shadow Dancing

[bunniefuu]

Please!

If I can just-- If I can just finish!

We have before us an opportunity to
strike at our mutual enemy, the Shadows.

If our information is correct, this could be
the biggest engagement of the w*r to date.

We don't know how many
of their ships will be involved...

...so our only chance is to have as many
as possible on our side.

We need all of you to cooperate.

If you wish cooperation, then why
do you not tell us what the mission is?

- Right.
- I agree with you.

If we discuss this openly, there is every
chance the enemy will learn of our plans.

- You must trust us.
- How can we, when you will not trust us?

Because so far we have kept
every promise we've made.

We told you that telepaths could
slow the advance of the Shadows.

We supplied you with telepaths
if you didn't have your own.

We have saved the lives
of many of your people.

If we haven't earned your trust
by now, then please go.

Nothing more will be required of you.

Ambassador Delenn, if we give
you all the ships you ask for...

...it will weaken our defenses
around Homeworld.

I know it's a risk, but it's necessary.

The ships will gather in a holding
area in hyperspace...

...approximately two hours
from their final destination.

They will stand by until
the signal is given.

Then, and only then, will their
destination be revealed.

And what will you bring
to this engagement?

As many Minbari cruisers
as can be spared.

And some additional forces
you have not yet seen.

Let us know when you've
finished your deliberations.

But do not take too long.
Our time is short and growing shorter.

So we don't have a lot of time.

The Shadows have been driving
refugees and support ships...

...into Sector 83 for two months now.

My guess is, when enough
of these ships are gathered...

...the enemy will hit them
and hit them hard.

- Which would demoralize all sides.
- Exactly.

The number of refugees escaping
into Sector 83...

...has dropped off considerably
for the past few days.

So they may strike any time now.

That could be today, tomorrow,
a few days from now.

If we wait until we hear about
an att*ck, it'll be too late.

They'll be long gone
by the time we get there.

Delenn is working out
that part right now.

We'll have as many ships as we can
standing by in hyperspace.

But for this to work, we have to know
the second the enemy shows up.

That means having an advance scout
on patrol in that area. One ship.

Any more would draw attention
and they might change their plans.

- And that ship, that would be us?
- Correct.

You are to enter Sector 83
and maintain radio silence...

...until the enemy comes
out of hyperspace.

Now, they may come out
all at once or in small groups.

Either way, as soon as you see them,
notify the fleet and get out of there.

You are not, repeat, not to engage
their forces unless fired upon first.

Now, if that should happen, do what
you have to do. But get out fast.

- Understood. Anything else?
- Yes.

We've all seen how fast
those ships can move.

If they see you before you can escape....

You'll take the "White Star". It's the
fastest ship we've got. You'll need it.

Even if everything goes right...

...our best guess is, you've only got
a 50/50 chance of getting back alive.

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

It failed.

But in the year of the Shadow w*r,
it became something greater...

...our last, best hope for victory.

The year is 2260.
The place, Babylon 5.

The others have gone to speak
with their governments.

They have authorized me
to speak in their place.

You will have all the ships
we can spare, Delenn.

I only hope that you are right, because
it will cost us greatly if you are wrong.

I've got Commander Ivanova
on channel four.

- Put her through.
- "We're ready to go, captain."

Any last- minute instructions?

Aside from an old Egyptian blessing,
I can't think of a thing.

Then we'll see you when we see you.

Full ahead.

An old Egyptian blessing?

"May God stand between you and harm in
all the empty places where you must walk."

Hey, chief, I'm going to get
some lunch. You want to come?

- No, I gotta get back to the office.
- You sure?

I can bring you back something.
A small sandwich--

- No, thanks. I'm fine.
- Is anything wrong, chief?

I don't know. Have you seen
or heard anything about Stephen lately?

Dr. Franklin? No, not in five, six days.
He's still on that, what do you call it?

- Walkabout.
- Oh, yeah, right.

He told one of the guys that he's gotta
keep walking until he meets himself.

Kind of weird, but around here,
what isn't?

Yeah. You know, I've been thinking,
he shouldn't be doing this.

He shouldn't have to be doing this.
I feel like I screwed up.

Hey, come on, chief. It's not your fault.

I heard what happened.
You offered to help, he walked away.

Yeah, but the thing is, sometimes people
walk away because they want to be alone.

Sometimes they walk
because they wanna see...

...if you care enough to follow them
into hell. I think I went the wrong way.

Look, he's gotta get his head screwed
on straight. You can't do that for him.

You're right. It's just,
you know, I've had my own problems.

I've been where he is. I've walked
away from a lot of things in my life.

I just hope he can find
his way back again.

Now, according to the station map,
this is Downbelow. Stay close, Jessie.

Well, I don't understand.
It says here this is a marketplace.

I don't see much I'd want in my house.
They could take better care of the place.

Don't stray, Jessie. It says this is the
kind of place to mind your purse and wallet.

Well, I heard all this is because
of their so- called revolution.

Breaking away from Earth,
what were they thinking?

Well, Barbara, we do have
homeless back home.

James Cooper, I've told you before not
to contradict me in front of Jessie.

It's not good for her.

President Clark says that people like
this are the result of social problems...

...not economic problems. They fixed the
economy and that's good enough for me.

Ever since you came back from your
mother's, it's been the same thing.

But she reads a lot and--

Oh, she reads trash,
just like you do sometimes.

Jessie!

I've told you to stay away from strange
people. You don't know where he's been.

Come on.

Marcus.

Marcus.

- Marcus!
- What?

- I'm awake.
- It's your watch.

Right. I knew that.
I was just resting my eyes.

- What was that?
- I told the computer to check weapons.

- Just to be sure they're ready.
- You seem pretty fluent in Minbari.

You can't finish your training until you
can speak and think in their language.

Really? I'm surprised.
When they were training the Rangers...

...I figured they'd emphasize infiltration
and combat techniques, not language.

For them it's all the same.
I could teach you, if you like.

No, I don't have the time.
It would take me a year.

And assuming we survive this,
how old will you be in a year...

...if you don't learn to speak Minbari?

- The same.
- Exactly.

What does that mean?

It's just a greeting.

It means,"My words are inadequate
to the burden of my heart."

Well, that's an unusual greeting.

Well, they're an unusual people.

- I'll wake you in four hours.
- Thanks. That's assuming I can sleep.

The captain warned me about these
things, but I had no idea.

They're very restful. Good for the back.

Someday I'd like to be stationed
somewhere with a big four- poster bed...

...a canopy and maybe a window
with a view of a garden.

I like gardens.

And big four- poster beds.

Right. See you in four hours.

That's better.

Come.

Delenn.

What's our status?

They're still holding back.

It will have to do.
Getting them was hard enough.

Keeping them as this drags on,
that's going to be really hard.

The "Dogato" is standing by,
waiting for us.

As soon as we are aboard,
they'll join the rest of the fleet.

I still think you should stay here.
Ivanova, Marcus and me gone, I mean....

Garibaldi's up to his ears,
Franklin's still on walkabout--

John, we've been over this. I should be
there, with you. And with the fleet.

We're in this together.

Afterward, when we've finished with
this, we will spend the night together.

Not like that.

You see, when Minbari become close
as we have become close...

...it is tradition that they spend
three nights together.

The male sleeps and
the female watches.

- Watches what?
- During the day...

...we all put on the face we think
will do us the most good.

But at a certain point in your sleep,
as you relax, your true face is revealed.

If the female approves of his true face...

...she will stay two more nights
and continue to observe.

- What if she doesn't like what she sees?
- Then they go their separate ways.

If he insists she stay one more night,
she can leave when he falls asleep...

...file a complaint with the Elders,
even cut off his....

His access to her family.

What if she does like what she sees?

Later.

History awaits.

You can leave him for me.
Leave him for me!

Get away. Get the hell away from me.
Get away from me!

Get the bag.

- Stop it. No, stop. Stop it!
- Man, he bit me!

Give me the bag or
I'm gonna cut your freaking--

Get away from me.

Give me the bag, damn it. Let it go
or I'm gonna cut your freaking throat.

Hey, hey, hey! Leave him alone!

Now, look, if there's a problem,
we can handle it some other way.

No. Wait. No.

No, wait, wait.

- What'd you do that for?
- You want him in our business?

You're nuts, man, you know that? Come
on, let's get out of here. Come on.

- Help me, help me, help--
- I can't.

- Help me.
- I can't. I was selling.

- They'd arrest me too.
- Please help me.

Oh, my God.

- I'm sorry, I can't.
- Help....

Help....

Help me! Help! Somebody!

Is anybody-- Can you hear me?
I need help!

Oh, man. Oh, God.

This is not good.

Finally.

Ivanova to the bridge.
Ivanova to the bridge.

- Are they here?
- Not exactly, but take a look.

We picked it up a few minutes ago.
It's composed of material similar...

- ...to the Shadow vessels, but smaller.
- A scout ship?

Our opposite number. Sent to make sure
the area's clear before the armada comes.

- It's close. Has it seen us yet?
- I don't think so.

- We're not picking up any transmissions.
- Good. Anything else?

Well, yes, you see, I spotted this just
as we were about to correct course...

- ...to stay in the shadow of that moon.
- Good, don't.

It can read the energy if we use the
engines. It's like sending up a flare.

Unfortunately, we're about
to move out of eclipse...

...and as soon as we're out in the light--

Oh, hell.

- It's seen us.
- Picking up a transmission.

- A warning signal.
- Jam it. Engines at maximum.

Stop it before it can warn the others.

The other "White Star" class ships have
been alerted. They'll meet us.

- Good. And the telepaths?
- Safe, below decks.

All the other cruisers have
at least one telepath...

...to help them slow down the enemy.
I'll go check to make sure.

- Anything yet from Ivanova?
- No.

It probably means the enemy
hasn't appeared yet, but--

They can take care of themselves.
They'll be fine.

What is this place?

Tactical center. From here
we can keep track of the battle.

How? I don't see any displays.

You will see when the time comes.

Hey....

Anybody!

Hey!

Somebody!

This is stupid.

- Grade A stupid.
- Yeah.

It was that, wasn't it?

Always trying to be the hero.

Never stopping to think first.
Now look where it's got you.

Must be going into shock.

You said you had to keep walking
until you met yourself.

Well, here I am.

So if we're gonna talk, let's talk.

Because I don't think
you have a lot of time.

- No damage.
- Keep on his tail.

If he gets out of range, we've had it.
Stand by weapons systems.

- What if he doesn't report in?
- I know what'll happen if he gets away.

Let's hope they were only supposed to
break radio silence if there was a problem.

Stand by.

Fire!

- It's gonna ram us!
- Hard to port. Fire!

- Damage report.
- Engines hit.

a*t*matic repair systems engaged.
It'll take a while-- Wait a minute.

I'm picking up an energy surge.
Distance, 5000 kilometers.

Show me.

- That's a lot of ships.
- That's a bloody awful lot of ships.

- Jump engines back online yet?
- No.

If I signal the fleet, this lot might pick
it up. If they do and we can't get away....

Well, who wants to live forever?

I do, actually. But what the hell?

Signal away.

- The signal.
- I heard. Tell the others to follow us in.

I just hope Ivanova got out in time.

- Engines?
- Not yet.

- They're getting closer.
- I know.

They're three hours from this system's
target, less than 20 minutes from us.

Do you know what your problem is?

All your life you've run
away from everything.

Home didn't work out, wouldn't talk to
your father, so you just walked away.

You didn't have the patience
for a long internship back home...

...so you just ran off and
started hitchhiking on starships.

You didn't want to turn over your precious
notes on Minbari biology during the w*r...

...so you just b*rned them instead
and walked away again.

You use work to run away
from your personal life...

...and stims to run away
from your work.

And right now you are running
away from everything.

Don't you die on me yet.
I'm not through with you.

You finally had it all, didn't you?

You had a good job, people who cared
about you and you messed it up.

"I have to leave before they fire me."
"I have to go find myself."

What a bunch of mealy- mouthed,
self- indulgent Foundationist crap.

Take responsibility for your actions,
for crying out loud.

You go in there and you fight
for what matters to you.

- Don't walk away because it's easier.
- I did--

What'd you say? Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot.

You're too busy dying, aren't you?

I guess that's a little bit more
important to you right now.

Well, fine, you do what you want...

...because you and I,
we parted ways a long time ago.

So you go ahead and you die,
because I really don't care anymore.

A little longer and we'll have
power to engines. We--

One has picked us up,
moving to intercept.

- This is it. Stand by to--
- Picking up an energy spike.

- They can hear me from here?
- Yes.

This is Captain John Sheridan
to att*ck fleet.

Have your telepaths start jamming
their capital ships.

Fighters, take point.

They've put escort ships in front between
our telepaths and their big ships.

Take them out any way you can
and clear the way.

Sunhawks "and other medium"- "class"
ships, provide escort for our big g*ns.

Everyone else, break and att*ck.

Blood pressure's dropping fast.

You should be getting real cold about
now. Yeah, that's shock and trauma.

And the rest will follow soon.
You know, so we can get this over with.

You weren't that happy with your life
in the first place, were you?

- I mean, this one's hardly been used.
- I want--

You want what? I mean, what do you
want? What could you possibly want?

- I wanna do it all again.
- Why? You'd just mess it up again.

And where do you think you're going?

I wanna do it again.

- I wanna do it again.
- Is that right?

Well, then get up off the damn floor.

I don't care how much it hurts.

Don't go passing out on me, because
that's just another kind of running away.

Now, you take responsibility.
Show me that you want it.

You get up off the damn floor.

That's it. Come on. Come on.
Get up on your own two feet.

You stand up. You stand up!

I wanna do it all over again.

Engines online.

- Damage report!
- Targeting system hit.

Go manual!

- They're trying to outflank us.
- Carrier groups, come about and engage.

Drazi ships are surrounded.

Minbari cruiser "Enfili",
pull back, protect the Drazi.

Help me. Help me.

Help me. Help.

I wanna do it again. Help me.

Guess I really screwed up.
Guess we're all entitled to one.

They need immediate treatment. Mostly
burns, but maybe some radiation scarring.

Take whatever space you need, we've got
four more shuttles with wounded coming.

- I'll accompany them.
- I heard about Franklin. How is he?

Serious but stable. He lost a lot of blood.
It's a miracle he could walk that far.

The Kn*fe cut pretty deep into
the muscle tissue on the way in.

- So how'd it go out there?
- We did okay. Not great, but okay.

We turned back their att*ck
but lost ships.

For every one of their ships k*lled,
two of ours were destroyed.

This time we had the advantage.
We knew where they'd att*ck.

- Next time we won't be so lucky.
- We managed...

...to bring all the League worlds together
into a force. That counts for a lot.

So here's the big question:

Now we've shown them we can hurt them,
how long till they're knocking at our door?

That's what worries me.

Well, it's about time you woke up.

We were taking bets on when
you were gonna come around.

I've lost 30 credits already. I guess
I'm just too much of an optimist.

So how do you feel?

Like I was stabbed in the back and left
to die. How the hell should I feel?

Well, he's back to normal.
As grouchy as ever.

With all this, I just hope you found
what you were looking for out there.

I don't know.

I guess I found what I needed,
not what I wanted.

- Which was?
- A short, sharp kick to the head.

I could have done that for you.
All you had to do was ask.

You would have enjoyed it too much.

So you didn't meet yourself?

Yeah, I did.

Found out I didn't like myself either.

Well, as revelations go,
I guess I've heard worse.

I better let you get some rest.
You need it.

Oh, one last thing.

I know you had to do this and
you learned a lot by doing it...

...but just don't ever do this to me again.

You were concerned. I'm touched.

Hell, no. I just can't afford
to lose another 30 credits.

I've been giving a lot of thought
to Garibaldi's question.

We have done all we can
to keep a low profile.

But the enemy has just taken a big loss.

And they've got to know
we're responsible.

It's only a matter of time
before they come after us.

- The only questions are how and when.
- Perhaps they're reluctant to try.

Draal has made the Great Machine on the
planet below available to our defense.

I suspect his weapons could stop
even a Shadow vessel.

Maybe. But that's the odd thing.

They could have hit us at
any time during the last year.

So, what are you saying?
They're deliberately leaving us alone?

It's possible. They haven't been
shy about hitting anybody else.

And if that's true,
the obvious question is, why?

Captain?

Do you know who I am?

You okay?

I'm not sure. Ever since Kosh d*ed,
I've been remembering a dream.

Last year, when I was hurt, he got inside
my head. He spoke to me, sent images.

One of them was you saying,
"Do you know who I am?"

A week later you tell me
you're a latent telepath...

...said you sometimes don't
know who you are.

- Is it possible he knew?
- I don't see how. But the image fits.

- Do you remember anything else?
- No, just fragments.

Oh, at one point I was wearing
the uniform of a Psi Cop.

Well, we're working with Bester now,
and that was unexpected. So that tracks.

Anything else?

- He sent an image of Garibaldi, saying--
- The man in between is searching for you.

The man in between,
he could've meant Sinclair.

Maybe, but I don't think so.
Somehow it doesn't feel right.

The last thing was you, dressed all
in black, as if for a funeral.

- You said--
- You are the hand.

"You are the hand?" What's that mean?
Why would I say anything so dopey?

I don't know. But if Kosh sent it,
it must've meant something.

Odd that he would use
that image, though.

- Why?
- Well, you have two hands, do you not?

Each equal and opposite.

So you're saying that the man in
between is your equal and opposite?

- Maybe.
- Well, if that's what it is...

...then the man in between knows you.
Now that we've kicked him hard--

Assuming it means anything.

Signs, portents, dreams. Next we'll be
reading tea leaves and chicken entrails.

All we do know is that
we are vulnerable now.

I want squadrons on flyby at all times.

We should expect something to be
coming our way sooner or later.

And the way our luck works,
it'll probably be sooner.

All right. We're still short on Minbari
blood, type R- negative.

Nadia, I want you to check
with Ambassador Delenn...

...see if you can organize more blood
donors. Synthetics aren't cutting it.

Now, the rest of you, we've got trauma
cases overloading Medlabs 2 and 5.

Get down there, see if you can
move noncritical patients...

...into other quarters
on a temporary basis.

Take over the rotunda and the
sanctuary if you have to. Now go on.

They told me you wouldn't be up
and about for a while.

Well, I'm not. Won't be for a few days.

Legs are still a little wobbly.

I can only stand for a few minutes
but I don't need to stand to talk...

...advise and generally make
a pain in the ass of myself.

They know it's unofficial, but they
can use all the help they can get.

That's why I came down
to see you, Stephen.

- Your job's waiting. If you want it.
- Sure you want to do this?

If you're sure you want to take it.

I want it.

I think now I can do better.
I mean, that was the problem.

The stims, they let me do more,
but what I needed was to do better.

I wish you'd come talk to me before
you made your decision to resign.

I was running away.

Same as I've always done.

I didn't want to face how I'd feel
if you fired me, so I just quit.

- You had to find your own way.
- I ran away.

I realized that I always defined myself
in terms of what I wasn't.

I wasn't a good soldier like my father.
I wasn't the job.

I wasn't a good prospect
for marriage or kids.

Always what I wasn't,
never what I was.

But when you do that,
you miss the moments.

And the moments are all we've got.

When I thought I was gonna die,
even after everything that's happened...

...I realized I didn't want to let go.

I was willing to do it all over again.
This time I could appreciate the moments.

I can't go back, but I can
appreciate what I have right now...

...and I can define myself by what
I am, instead of what I'm not.

And what are you?

Alive.

Everything else is negotiable.

- Sheridan, go.
- "I have a message from Ambassador Delenn."

She says she awaits your pleasure.

Tell her I'll be right there.

Well, it's getting late.
And you better get some rest.

- Don't worry, I intend to.
- It's good to have you back, Stephen.

Thank you. It's good to be back.

Good night.

Now, where on Earth did you learn
to hold a cauterizer like that?

Let me show you how to do this.
Watch carefully.

Commander.

Commander Ivanova?

Give me a break. Receive transmission,
audio only. Yes?

Just thought you ought to know
we just had somebody come onboard.

Zack, this is a space station.
We get 50 ships a day.

- There's always someone coming onboard.
- "Yeah, but this is major."

- "It concerns the captain."
- Well, who is it?

Hello. You must be Delenn.

I'm Anna Sheridan. John's wife.