Between the Darknesss and the Light

Airdate: October 6, 1997

Episode # : 85

Production # : 419

Guest stars: Marjorie Monaghan as Number One, Bruce Gray as Interrogator

Episode Plot

Babylon 5

Dr. Franklin and Captain Sheridan discuss his escape from Mars. The Captain looks well and unharmed. The scene switches to the interrogation room on Mars. Sheridan is pathetic: tired, ragged and hooked up to all sorts of wires and a headpiece. On the "station," Dr. Franklin asks Sheridan how he escaped. Sheridan replies that he sent word to the Mars Resistance and arranged for a pickup.

Dr. Franklin: "Who'd you work through?"

Sheridan: "My contact."

Back on Mars.

Interrogator: "Yes, you're contact.

Sheridan: "We don't use names."

Interrogator: "Codes then?"

Sheridan: "Just . . . numbers."

Sheridan's sense of reality has obviously been tampered with. Back on the station, Franklin plays the "interrogator" while the same assistant is present. Franklin implies that the alien governments were responsible for the attacks on Earth. The assistant wants to kill Sheridan's father, but Franklin won't allow it because it would only strengthen Sheridan's resolve. The interrogator then talks about having to break Sheridan's mind, body and spirit. He breaks a capsule and pours the contents into a cup of coffee.

Franklin: More coffee? It'll make you feel better."

Sheridan: "Love to."

Sheridan drinks the coffee and falls unconscious.

Garibaldi waits in a room somewhere underground. A Resistance member approaches from behind. Garibaldi is startled and pulls a PPG, until he sees it is a friend.

Garibaldi: "What took you?"

Resistance agent: "The Resistance didn't stay alive this long by being sloppy."

Garibaldi:"Did you tell them it wasn't my fault?"

Resistance agent: "They didn't believe me."

Several Resistance members jump Garibaldi and overpower him. They put a hood over his head and KO him.

Resistance members continue beating Garibaldi, who still has a hood on. Number One, Franklin, Lyta and many Resistance agents walk in. Number One pulls a PPG and:

Number One: "Go on, it's your right. It was your guy he set up."

Franklin: "I can't."

Garibaldi: "Stephen?"

At this point, someone approaches Garibaldi and hits him. Number One expresses her annoyance to Franklin; she believes that Garibaldi will try to set the Resistance up the same way he set up Sheridan. Franklin, however, insists on hearing Garibaldi's side of the story. He removes Garibaldi's hood, and asks why he set up Sheridan.

Garibaldi: "It was Bester. It was him all along. He altered me when I was missing. He altered my mind, he made me turn against everyone I knew to find out about a conspiracy against the Psi-Corps."

Number One: "Yeah, and a dog ate your homework. Come on, let's get this overwith: we have work to do."

Franklin: "Do you have anything to back up your story?"

Garibaldi: "Yeah, I got a receipt from the Psi-Corps saying my brain's been dry cleaned, pressed and starched. This is Bester we're talking about here, they're not going to leave any evidence."

Garibaldi is desperate. He says he knows where Sheridan is, but they must move quickly before he is shipped Earthside. He begs Franklin to let him prove himself. He asks Lyta to scan him to prove that he's telling the truth. However, Lyta is Psi-Corps and she knows the Resistance won't believe her.

Number One: "So, you're saying you can verify his story?"

Franklin: "I have an obligation to him the same as you have an obligation to your people. What if it was one of your people? After all that's happened, wouldn't want to give them a chance to prove themself?"

Number One: ". . . NO"

Number One aims the PPG and fires, but not before Franklin is able to push her away. Lyta picks up a PPG rifle and fires into the air to get their attention. She gets the Resistance to calm down. Franklin exchanges guns with her, and Lyta performs a scan on Garibaldi. She detects level 12 blocks (only a Psi-Cop can implant or remove them) and is unable to break through.

Garibaldi: "Push."

Lyta says that a deep scan can hurt him, but Garibaldi insists. Lyta deeply scans him and discovers that everything Garibaldi has said is true. She sees images of his capture by the Shadows, Bester and the Psi-Cops operating on him.

Lyta: "It's true. What he told us, it's all true."

Number One is still skeptical, but Lyta telepathically communicates with Number One and shows her all of the images that she just saw. Number One finally believes Garibaldi and lets him go.

White Stars

Ivanova's fleet approaches the EAS Damocles and Orion. She orders them to surrender and face war trials, or encounter lethal force. Ivanova orders an approach, but to let the Earthforce ships attack first. They do, and the fleet disables both ships easily. The weapons and engines of both EA ships are destroyed, but life support is still operational. Ivanova orders the cleanup detail to help the survivors escape the ships and then deliver them to the proper authorities on Beta 9. Marcus reluctantly agrees, saying it will slow them down. Ivnova orders the fleet to continue to the next target.

Garibaldi: "I've still got some contacts from the old days. Besides, ISN's been having a field day making me the hero of the hour for turning him in. The local police aren't concerned with me knowing where he is."

Number One and Franklin discuss how to get in, and Number One says that Resistance resources are stretched thin, and she can only provide a skeleton crew. None of the B5 gang are happy with her decision, but they accept it anyway.

Delenn hurries by. Lennier catches up, glad that he caught her before she left the station. Lennier is upset; informs Delenn that the League of Non-Aligned Worlds has convened a meeting without her knowledge or consent. They rush to the League room to find out what is happening.

In the meeting room, Londo addresses League ambassadors.

Londo: "The situation has become intolerable. We must take swift, firm and decisive action. The Centauri will lead the way, as we have always done. Toward that end, we will mobilize every ship at our disposal. Now, I must call for a vote."

Delenn enters the council room.

Delenn: "A vote on what?"

Vir: "Delenn, you shouldn't be here."

Delenn: "The League cannot vote without the presence of a representative from either Earth or Minbar."

Londo: "Well, in that case, since you are here, we can vote. All in favor? [everyone raises their hand] Opposed? There, is it done Delenn."

Lennier: "What is done?"

Londo: "Sheridan has been captured by his own people! We know that he is being interrogated, possibly tortured. During the Shadow War, Sheridan risked his life and the lives of every human on the station to save our worlds. Would the Gaim have done this for the Pak'ma'rah? Would the Drazi have done this. . . for the Narn? NO!"

G'kar: "Since the war, we have begun working together as never before. In the past, we have had nothing in common. Now, the humans have become the glue that holds us together."

Vir: "If Sheridan's forces are defeated, Earth will turn in upon itself. They'll become isolated. OR, they'll turn against the rest of us."

Londo: "Politically, it is very wise."

G'kar: "Morally, it is even wiser.

Vir: "Politics, and morality. . . on the same side? That doesn't happen every day."

Delenn: "If someone doesn't begin making sence, I'm going to become most annoyed."

G'kar explains that the League of Non-Aligned Worlds has come to an agreement. They will provide was many warships as needed to supplement and support Commander Ivanova's fleet. They will use whatever force is necessary to free Sheridan. At this point, Delenn appears very pleased.

Londo explains that the meeting was held secretly because some people may accuse Delenn of organizing League warships because of her involvement with Sheridan. G'kar explains:

G'kar: "We wanted to send a message: the council speaks as one for the right reasons, NOT out of any personal agenda. Sheridan is not alone, and you are not alone. The League stands with you."

A Resistance agent guides Franklin, Garibaldi and Lyta through underground tunnels. Nobody is comfortable with the situation. The tunnel shakes; the agent explains that it is a Marsquake. Although it passes very quickly, the agent explains that Earth drilling construction has weakened the surface of Mars, and that many similar tunnels have recently collapses as a result of the Marsquakes.

The agent goes ahead to check on the stability of the tunnel. Garibaldi pulls out a canteen and passes it around. When he gets it back:

Garibaldi: "Alright, who gulped? Somebody gulped."

Franklin: "I didn't gulp."

Lyta: "I sipped."

Garibaldi (to Lyta): "You I believe."

Garibaldi goes on about how Lyta is a great liar. The agent returns and they continue on their way. The group approaches a grating, and the agent explains that they are directly under the main staging area. She gives them directions, and then leaves to return to the Resistance stronghold.

Marcus and another human Ranger escort and Earthforce officer, Lt. Eisensen, from the Damocles onto the White Star bridge. He makes a bargain with Ivanova. In exchange for lenient treatment, he informs her about President Clark's plans. He says that not everyone who defects really defects. Several EA officers have been "playing both sides against the middle" to find out what the fleet is up to. The officer informs Ivanova that an advanced fleet of elite EA destroyers is waiting for the fleet at the rendezvous point. He also tells her that the President knows their entire plan of attack. Finally, he says that the crews of the ships are completely loyal to Clark's "new order" and will not defect or give up. Marcus and Ivanova step into a hallway to discuss the situation. They determine that it would be wisest to meet the EA fleet with White Star class ships only, as the new EA destroyers would probably be able to easily defeat the older EA destroyers.

Earthforce security officers patrol the tunnel that Garibaldi and crew are in. Garibaldi jumps them from behind and knocks them both unconscious, but is stabbed in the process.

Dr. Franklin dresses and sews up Garibaldi's knife wound. Fortunately, even though he lost a signifigant amount of blood, it isn't too serious. Garibaldi picks up an Earthforce security uniform (identical to the one he wore before B5 seceded) and prepares to put it on.

Ivanova and the CO of the Agamemnon discuss the information she received from Lt. Eisensen. She explains that the White Stars will engage the elite forces, while the Earthforce ships remain in hyperspace. The Captain of the Agamemnon is upset, but Ivanova, the fleet commander, insists, and he finally agrees. He knows there's no way to convince her, but he promises to be ready to come in if needed.

Agamemnon C/O: "Good luck, Commander. See you on the flip side."

Ivanova: "Count on it."

Marcus, using his excellent tactics, forces Ivanova to rest. (He threatened to bother her about getting some rest until they arrive at the target zone: she opts to take a rest)

Garibaldi, Franklin and Lyta approach a security station. Franklin and Garibaldi are attired in their old EA uniforms. Garibaldi asks to see the prisoner, to "check on his condition." The guard is puzzled at first, but recognizes Garibaldi from ISN.

Guard: "Yeah, you're the one who turned in Sheridan. Good work. So, what's up?"

Garibaldi says that they are really here to give Sheridan a "walk around the block," but Dr. "Stephens" and Ms. "Alexander" are present to make sure that if Sheridan falls down a few times, that he doesn't fall too hard. The guard, (gullible, I might add) lets them through, but informs them that the cell guards are the final authority on the matter.

They walk through the doors and down a corridor. The corridor is identical to the one seen in "Intersections in Real Time." Garibaldi approaches the guards.

Garibaldi: "Afternoon. We understand you've got Sheridan in there. I'm the one who turned him in.Maybe you saw me on ISN."

Guard: "I don't watch T.V. It's a cultural wasteland filled with inappropriate metaphors in an unrealistic portrayal of life created by the liberal media elite."

Garibaldi: "I couldn't agree more. Dr. Stephens?"

Franklin: "Absolutely."

Garibaldi: "Good. Now that we've established some common ground, we need to see the prisoner."

Guard: "I'm gonna have to ask for your authorization."

Garibaldi and Franklin stall. Garibaldi makes a comment, directed at Lyta, that once they get the codes, they're in. Lyta scans the guard for the code. After that, she approaches the other guard and telepathically induces pain. Garibaldi KO's the other one. They enter the code and rush into Sheridan's cell.

They find Sheridan drugged and semi-conscious.

Sheridan: "Micheal! I was gonna kick your butt for. . . something. . . I don't remember."

Franklin provides emergency treatment to Sheridan to get him ready to travel. Garibaldi's knife wound reopens and bleeds through his uniform.

Marcus enters the crew quarters where Ivanova is sleeping. He runs his hand over her face. He then wakes her up and informs her that she slept for a whopping 4 hours. Before Ivanova leaves, she informs Marcus that she's been learning Minbari recently. She says, specifically, that she remembers the Minbari "greeting" that Marcus told her the last time they were on the White Star. (English translation: You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met)

Ivanova: "Thank you."

Marcus (after she leaves): You're welcome"

Franklin and Garibaldi assist Sheridan out of the cell block. They try to fool the guard into believing that Sheridan has signed a full confession, but the guard doesn't believe it. Another guard (3 total) notices Garibaldi's blood stain and points it to the ranking officer. All 3 pull a PPG. Garibaldi acts cool, approaches one guard and fires a PPG at point blank. Franklin and Garibaldi take the other 2 by surprise and shoot them. Sheridan picks up a fallen PPG and shoots one of the guards, who was not immediately killed, half a dozen times. After that, Sheridan glares angrily and Garibaldi.

The White Star fleet exits hyperspace. No ships around, but Marcus soon picks up many jump points. Points open up everywhere and dozens of Earthforce destroyers enter normal space. These destroyers have Shadow "tentacles" on them. (the legs that protrude from the center of a Shadow battle vessel.)

Captain Thompson: "This is Captain J. Thompson of the Advanced Destroyer Group to enemy vessels. You are ordered to surrender your vessels or be destroyed. I say again: surrender or be destroyed."

Ivanova (to Marcus: "Put me on with him, and give me firing control."

Ivanova: "This is the White Star fleet. Negative on surrender. We will NOT stand down."

Thompson: "Who is this? Identify yourself!"

Ivanova: "Who am I???? I am Susan Ivanova, commander. Daughter of Andre and Sophie Ivanov. I am the right hand of vengeance, and the boot that is going to kick your sorry ass all the way back to Earth!!! I am death incarnate. I am the last living thing you are EVER going to see!! GOD SENT ME!!!"

Ivanova, just a bit crazed, flips the firing switch and the White Star fleet opens fire. EA destroyers return fire and launch Thunderbolt fighters. The White Stars perform superb tactical maneuvers and successfully penetrate the destroyers defenses. Ships on all sides are hit. Ivanova orders the fleet to attack until every ship is destroyed.

As the final EA ship is destroyed, Ivanova tries to ascertain how much damage they suffered. As she and Marcus talk, Marcus notices a piece of an Earthforce destroyer accelerating toward the White Star. Marcus warns her, but too late. The White Star collides with the hull piece and is severely damaged.

The White Star command deck is nearly destroyed. Marcus pushes debris off of himself and locates Ivanova, terribly wounded and under a pile of heavy metal. He picks her up and escapes the White Star on a lifepod, seconds before it impacts with the remains of a destroyer and explodes.

A White Star class ship exits hyperspace and heads toward a Minbari fleet cruiser.

Captain Sheridan, still ragged, wanders the corridors of the cruiser. He sees Delenn at the end of a hall, speaking with a Minbari crew member. She turns to see him and calls his name. They approach each other and share a **passionate** kiss. After they finish, Sheridan asks to see Ivanova. Delenn protests; says Sheridan needs medical attention himself, but Sheridan says it can wait. Delenn takes Sheridan to the medical bay to see Ivanova.

Ivanova is immobilized and has several IV lines running into her body. She is obviously in a great deal of pain. Marcus is standing by her side. Ivanova wants to know the truth: she believes she will die, but the doctors won't admit that. Sheridan informs her that she will die soon. Delenn says that she has a week.

Sheridan: "I'm sorry."

Ivanova: "Don't be. John, you've carried around so much guilt in your life. Don't carry around any more for me, or I'm going to come back and kick your ass."

Ivanova makes a personal request: she asks Sheridan to command the final battle against earth from the EAS Agamemnon. Sheridan agrees.

Captain Sheridan, in better health and in uniform, assumes command of the Agamemnon and the fleet. He sets course for Mars.

Questions

• How was Earth able to develop and integrate Shadow technology into their destroyers?
• Does the Earth Alliance have any other Shadow technology?
• Who are the "double agents" Lt. Eisensen referred to? Are any on the Agamemnon?
• How many White Star vessels were destroyed/disabled? How many are left?
• Sheridan is back in space, but where are Garibaldi, Lyta and Franklin? Are they still on Mars?
• What "work" was Number One referring to? Was it just freeing Sheridan, or is there more?
• What awaits the fleet at Earth?
• How many resources does the Resistance really have? Number One complains, incessantly, about the limited resources, but she always seems to come up with something. How much is she exaggerating?
• Where is Lise?
• Will Ivanova really die?
• What will happen to David Sheridan? (the captain's father)

Notes / Analysis

• G'kar and Londo, in "No Surrender, No Retreat" agreed to support Sheridan, but it is surprising that they have actually gotten around to doing it.
• The League has voted to support Sheridan, but in "No Surrender, No Retreat," Sheridan told them to stay out of the fight. Now that they are in, will he be pleased to see them?
• First, Lyta blew up Z'Ha'Dum, not, she broke a Psi-Cop's blocks, so just how powerful is she?
• If Number One is so suspicious of Lyta, why did she believe Lyta's telepathic explanation of Garibaldi's innocence?
• Sheridan is, most likely, leading the final battle from the Agamemnon to make it harder for Clark to justify his "Aliens making trouble" explanation for the Earth/Sheridan war.

Predictions

• Here I go again. Okay: When Sheridan attacks Earth, the fleet will definitely win. He will probably get into some form of situation where he will have to sacrifice himself and the Agamemnon, before being saved at the last minute. What will happen to President Clark? Sheridan wants to arrest him, but that won't happen. One way or another, Clark will be dead before the episode ends. Ivanova will live (or else JMS will hear from me) Mars will be freed. (Sheridan promised this through Franklin in "Racing Mars") One last thing: Sheridan is gonna get down to Earth and kick someone's ass.