Endgame

Airdate: October 13, 1997

Episode # : 86

Production # : 420

Guest stars: J. Patrick McCormack as General Lefcourt, Marjorie Monaghan as Number One, David Purdham as Captain James, Carolyn Seymour as Senator Crosby, Julian Stone as Captain Mitchell and Gary McGurk as President Clark.

Episode Plot

The Resistance fleet, comprised of Earth, Minbari, Centauri, Narn, Drazi, Brakiri and other ships move through space.

Marcus watches over an unconscious Ivanova. Delenn approaches him and says that the ship to take her to Babylon 5 has arrived.

Delenn:"We have to send her back to Babylon 5. It's dangerous to keep her here."

Marcus: "She would want to be here for the battle. Conscious, or otherwise."

Marcus is reluctant, but finally leaves, but not before pausing momentarily at the door. Delenn sadly takes a last look at Ivanova before leaving.

Dr. Franklin records a personal log. The date is November 1, 2261. He reports that the Resistance is coordinating the final strike to free Earth and Mars. He is somewhat doubtful about the possibilty for success. Franklin and Lyta meet an EA defector and Number One. They want her to smuggle 30 telepaths onto the EA destroyers. The officer says that it will be tricky, but she can handle it. The teeps will be shuttled up to the ships during a supply run. Number One then informs Franklin that Garibaldi is scouting out another target.

On the cold, harsh Mars surface, Garibaldi and a small force scout out the EA defenses.

Garibaldi: "Piece of cake. This is Grumpy to Sleepy, Sneezy and Doc. We are in position, moving in on foot. Give us about 2 hours. . ."

Garibaldi and his team set out on foot towards the EA perimeter outposts.

Several shuttles take off. One breaks Mars orbit and heads towars the Earthforce fleet of destroyers.

Earthforce soldiers are in a remote outpost, discussing the upcoming battle.

Security Chief: "This will be the biggest gathering of Earth warships since the Battle of the Line. Sheridan doesn't stand a chance."

The security chief makes a routine check to contact the other security stations. He can't make contact, and asks what is wrong.

Another soldier, who quietly donned an oxygen mask, replies "Same thing that's wrong here."

She holds a PPG to his head, and the door bursts open. The room depressurizes as Garibaldi runs through. The Resistance fighters quickly take control of the base, and put oxygen masks over the Earthforce soldiers before taking them away.

Number One: "Did he get a chance to warn the base?"

Soldier: "Negative. Assuming your people were able to take the rest of the bases as efficiently as this one, you now control the perimeter."

A Resistance tech finishes resealing the airlock before making sure the rest of the building is secure. Dr. Franklin then begins to fit Lyta with a device that looks somewhat similar to the devices on the other telepaths.

Captain Sheridan addresses the crew.

Sheridan: "We're one jump away from more trouble than most of you have seen during your years in Earthforce. It is my supreme hope that in all the years after this, we may never see a day like this again."

Sheridan and Captain James discuss the tactical situation. Sheridan then addresses the entire fleet.

Sheridan: "You all know what we expect of you. We can't hit Earth until we have taken care of Mars first or we expose our flank to the enemy, and we are fighting a war on 2 fronts. The White Star fleet and the Earth destroyers that have joined us will lead the assault. The League ships will supply tactical support and defense. They will not engage unless fired upon. With luck, their presence may be enough to discourage the enemy. All ships will stand by until the final attack order is given."

Captain Mitchell and General Lefcourt discuss the situation. Mitchell reports that the hyperspace probes have picked up something, and both commanders believe it is Sheridan. However, because battle in hyperspace is always disastrous for both sides, Lefcourt opts to wait for Sheridan to come out. He orders Mitchell to open a channel to the fleet.

Mitchell: General, permission to speak frankly. "

He asks General Lefcourt why he is in command of the Apollo, even though Mitchell has lead the Apollo into half a dozen engagements.

Lefcourt: "It's nothing to do with you, Charlie. Your record's spotless. You're a good captain, and you'll make a good general someday. No, they picked me because I'm from the old school: a soldier doesn't take arms against his own government. "

Lefcourt also informs Mitchell that he was an instructor of Sheridan's at the academy. He knows how Sheridan thinks and acts, and he admires the Captain.

Lefcourt: "And now I'm gonna have to kill him, his ship and everyone around him."

Lefcourt addresses the fleet.

Lefcourt: "This is fleet command. General Robert Lefcourt, to destroyer group. We believe the enemy is standing by in hyperspace awaiting final orders to engage. Take position. You've been given a list of our ships that have defected to their side, and their friend or foe systems have been adjusted accordingly. If a ship is on that list, you are authorized to open fire on that ship, or any support vessel, alien or human. You are to forget that these people were once friends, associates and fellow officers. They are targets to be destroyed. Nothing more, nothing less. We are here to do a job, so let's do it. God help all of us."

Franklin finishes attaching the device to Lyta's head. Lyta readies to go outside. Number One opposes it, but Lyta says she must have a clear line of sight with no obstacles to contact the telepaths. Lyta goes outside, and Garibaldi contacts the fleet.

Garibaldi: "This is Grumpy to Snow White. I've got the coordinates for the Wicked Queen's castle. You can break the mirror any time you want. Stand by to receive."

Lennier and Marcus talk about Commander Ivanova. Marcus agrees that she is better off on Babylon 5. He believes that the medics on the station can save her. Lennier warns him not to get his hopes too high.

Marcus: "Why not? Captain Sheridan almost literally came back from the dead. We've been through six kinds of hell in the past few years."

Marcus believes they can save her, but Lennier says there is nothing "useful" on Babylon 5. Marcus is confused by Lennier's choice of words. Before Lennier can respond, the White Star receives Garibaldi's signal. Marcus orders the ship to leave the fleet and head towards Mars.

Garibaldi tells everyone to stay away from the windows and grab their breathers, because the pressure from a jump point opening in the atmosphere is dangerous. One of the EA defectors is stunned that they would attempt such a maneuver, but Garibaldi informs her that if location information is precise, a ship can jump into a planet's atmosphere.

The White Star opens a jump point directly over a Mars settlement. It immediately begins to attack Mars planetary defenses. The White Star misses one tower, which aims and fires at the White Star. However, Garibaldi and Number One quickly locate the tower and order the Resistance-controlled security posts to take out the last tower. With that, the Mars planetary defense system is destroyed or under Resistance control.

Captain Mitchell informs General Lefcourt that the Resistance has attacked Mars. The EA destroyers begin to head towards Mars, but Lefcourt orders them to stay in formation. He believes the attack is a diversion to catch the fleet off guard. He also believes that Sheridan wouldn't make such a move unless he had an "ace in the hole."

Lyta is outside the security bunker. Sheridan radios in and orders her to proceed. As she telepathically awakens the teeps on board the EA ships, Garibaldi explains to the Resistance members what is happening: The telepaths, programmed by the Shadows, will, upon awakening, look for "the machine." They will merge with the first open computer port and become one with it. The interface between the computer and the telepath will disable all systems on the destroyers, and allow Sheridan's fleet to continue towards Earth.

Officer: "My God. You're using them. You're using these people as if they were weapons."

Franklin aggressively agrees, saying that 30 telepaths will save the lives of 30,000 soldiers on board the EA ships. He says that it is an acceptable trade. Franklin is still upset about it, but Garibaldi reassures him that there is no other way.

Sheridan tells Captain James that Mars is under control. He orders the fleet to jump into Mars orbit.

Mitchell infomrs Lefcourt that Sheridan's fleet is coming into view. Immediately thereafter, ship's systems fail. Lefcourt is enraged to learn that most of the other ships are experiencing the same problems. He suspects sabotage.

Delenn tells Sheridan that 20 EA ships are disabled, with 5 more showing signs of losing power. Sheridan orders the fleet to target the operative ships' weapons arrays and engines. The White Star class ships attack.

Marcus heads back to the fleet, and orders Lennier to take the helm while he "checks on a few things." Marcus enters a control room and instructs the computer to contact Babylon 5, and search the medical database for information with key words "death" "terminal illness" and "extreme measures."

The battle continues. Sheridan orders the fleet to prepare to jump toward Earth and target an Earth beacon.

Marcus' search provides several results. He sees a few logs made by Franklin, regarding to Cailyn's (Franklin's former lover) death, Marcus' injury (after his battle with Neroon) and finally about how he and Sheridan saved Garibaldi's life by using the alien healing machine. Marcus orders the computer to display all information regarding the machine.

The ship is still out of control. General Lefcourt is enraged. Intraship communications work, but ship to ship is out. General Lefcourt contacts engineering.

Lefcourt: "This is Lefcourt. In case you didn't notice, the enemy just pulled our shorts up over our head and tied them in a knot. You will get the situation under control ASAP or I will come down there and skin the hide of every last one of you."

Lennier approaches Delenn in the control room. He asks why she sent for him. Delenn is confused. They both immediately know Marcus is behind it. They turn toward the viewer as Marcus' ship leaves formation.

While Sheridan is working, Delenn contacts him and informs her that Marcus is gone. She says he is heading toward B5. She wants to talk to him in private. He picks up a headset. Sheridan listens, and asks James if they can send a signal to the station. James reports negative. Once they were inside of Mars, the jammers cut off communication. They will be picked up by Earth probes momentarily. They must either act now or abort. Sheridan reluctantly orders the fleet on; they can't go after Marcus.

Sheridan orders the fleet to jump. Jump points open everywhere, and the Resistance fleet surrounds Earth. Captain Sheridan opens a channel to Earth.

Sheridan: "This is Captain John Sheridan. We are here on the authority of a multi-planetary force that can no longer stand by and watch one of their greatest allies falling into darkness and despair. We are here on behalf of the thousands of civilians murdered under orders from the current administration, who have no one else to speak for them, and, on behalf of the Earthforce units that have joined us to oppose the tyranny that has darkened Earth ever since President Santiago was assassinated, three years ago."

President Clark is sitting at his desk, writing.

Sheridan: "We're here to place President Clark under arrest, to disband Nightwatch, and return our government to the hands of the people."

Clark continues to write. In orbit, the planetary defense systems come online. On the Agamemnon, Captain James informs Sheridan that the systems are getting a location on the fleet.

Sheridan: "We know that many in the government have wanted to act, but have been intimidated by threats of retaliation against your families, your friends. You are not alone any more. We call upon you to rise up and do what's right. We have drawn their forces away from Earth and disabled them. The time to act is NOW!"

Security forces accompany a well-dressed woman down a hall.

Sheirdan: "This is not the voice of treason. These are your sones, your daughters, whose loytalties have never wavered, whose beliefs in this alliance have forced us to take extraordinary means for justice, for peace, for the future. We have come home!"

The security forces continue walking down the hall.

President activates several missile platforms from a control panel on his desk.

James reports that the missile platforms are firing. Sheridan launches starfuries and orders them to take out the missiles. He then orders the destroyer group to destroy the local defense platforms. In space, thousands of missiles approach the fleet.

Clark is finished writing. The security forces have reached Clark's office, but the door is locked. Before they can enter his office, Clark points a PPG at his head and fires.

The missile platforms continue firing, but the fleet is having difficulty shooting them all down.

The woman who was accompanied by the security forces approaches Clark's desk as the soldiers pull his body away. She picks up the paper he was writing on. All the way down the paper, the phrase THE ASCENSION OF THE ORDINARY MAN is repeated. On each line, one letter is darkened and circled. The darkened letters spell out the phrase SCORCHED EARTH.

The woman (a senator) contacts Sheridan. He puts her voice through to all the other ships. She informs him about Clark's suicide and the note.

Senator: "He's turned the defense grid towards Earth. We can't override the system from here. If you don't stop them, they'll fire in 10 minutes."

The senator tells Sheridan that the grids' particle beams can level 40% of Earth's surface. Sheridan orders all ships to fire at will upon all defense structures. He then contacts Delenn and requests her help.

Ships fire repeatedly. The screen is filled with lasers, missiles and particle beams. The Agamemnon is badly damaged, but continues firing. All platforms but one are destroyed. The remaining platform is targeting North America, the eastern seaboard. The Agamemnon is the closest ship, but all weapons are down. Sheridan and James know what has to be done.

Sheridan: "All power to engines. Give me ramming speed."

The Agamemnon accelerates toward the platform.

Just before the Agamemnon hits the platform, the EAS Apollo jumps out of hyperspace and fires on the platform. It explodes and engulfs the Agamemnon. For a moment, it looks as if the Agamemnon has been destroyed before it emerges from the explosion.

Lefcourt:"Sorry for the delay, Captain, but we had a little trouble on Mars. You might have heard something about it."

Sheridan: "My apologies, General, we're only doing our jobs."

Lefcourt: "You might end up in front of a board of inquiry over this one. But welcome home, John. Welcome home."

Sheridan is relieved.

Captain James tells Sheridan that he is wanted at Earthdome asap. James asks if Delenn and Franklin will join him Earthside. Sheridan says that Franklin is heading toward Babylon 5, to stop someone from making a terrible mistake.

The ISN anchor who was present when ISN was originally captured is at the desk. She reports of the imprisonment, interrogation and murder of ISN reporters. She reports that Sheridan's fleet disabled or destroyed the EA forces, and saved Earth by taking out the planetary defense grids. She informs the audience that ISN sends its prayers to the families and friends of soldiers on both sides.

Franklin and Lennier head toward B5 at maximum speed. Franklin reviews that log that Marcus viewed. He has a flashback of their original use of the alien healing machine. During his voice over, we see Medlab in a shambles. All the medtechs are unconscious, sprawled about the floor.

Franklin: "For one person to live, the other must die."

Marcus and Ivanova are hooked up to the machine. Marcus opens his eyes and looks at Ivanova.

Marcus: "I love you."

He closes his eyes.

Questions

• What will happen to the telepaths who were on the EA destroyers?
• Who will become the president of the alliance now that Clark is gone?
• Why couldn't Marcus simply ask several people to give a little life energy? Is he really dead? (since Sheridan "died" and came back, why can't he?)
• What will happen to Captain Sheridan?
• What will happen to the Earth Alliance?
• Where is Lise Edgars and David Sheridan?
• Will Franklin make it back to B5 in time to save Marcus and Ivanova?
• Sheridan promised to free Mars. Will this happen?

Notes / Analysis

• Earth's planetary defense systems are destroyed, Mars' defense systems are destroyed, and half of Earthforce is destroyed. Now is a good time for raiders, Drakh, etc., to attack Earth, unless the fleet stays to protect the planet. How will the alliance be rebuilt?
• Since Earth possesses Shadow technology, rebuilding the fleet may be a bit dangerous: the new Earthforce ships may well be more advanced than any other fleet in the known galaxy. If so, it would give Earthforce an advantage over the Minbari.
• How gullible is Lennier: This isn't the first time that Marcus has used a situation to his advantage at someone else's expense.

Predictions

• Sheridan and Garibaldi will find David and Lise. Most definiately. JMS PROMISED that Sheridand and Delenn will get married this season, so they'll get hitched in the next episode. The new President of the EA will free Mars and work out some form of situation in which both Earth and Sheridan will retain their honor. (She'll also let Sheridan live) Ivanova will recover. Clark will not recover. ISN will become trustworthy again. Nightwatch, MINIPAX and the Ministry of Truth will be disbanded. Psi-Corps will get nuked. Yeah.