Airdate: May 26, 1997
Episode # : 81
Production # : 415
Guest stars: Marcia Mitzman Gaven as Commander Levitt, Richard Gand as Captain MacDougan and Ken Jenkins as Captain Hall.
TEASER
Sheridan: "Captain's personal log: September 2, 2261. Enough is enough."
C & CMany White Star class ships enter B5 space through the jumpgate.
The ambassadors of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds meet. Captain Sheridan and Commander Ivanova inform them that Babylon 5 is about to defend Proxima 3 against the Earth Alliance.
Ivanova: "The White Stars patrolling your borders have reduced border skirmishes by 70 %. Can we assume you are happy with this arrangement?"
The League members all nod with approval.
Sheridan: "Good, because now there's a price tag attached. By now, most of you have heard of attacks by Earth on civilian targets. Most of your governments have mutual defense treaties with Earth. As of now, in exchange for our continued patrol along your borders, I am declaring those treaties null and void."
G'kar stands up and supports Sheridan's declaration. He tells everyone that when he sold weapons to the Earth Alliance during the E / M war, Earth promised to help Narn in their time of need. However, since Earth never helped Narn or anyone else during the Shadow War, Earth deserves nothing in return.
Sheridan thanks G'kar, and informs the League that Earth's anti-alien policy will hurt the League of Non-Aligned Worlds sooner or later. Ivanova asks each League member to donate 1 destroyer to the defense of Babylon 5, in order to help protect B5 should President Clark attack.
Sheridan: "Beyond that, don't get involved. Anyone who gets in between us and them won't live long enough to tell about it. From now on, you will not respond to any requests by President Clark or the Earth Alliance, except in the form of humanitarian aid. From now on, Earth stands alone."
Many members of the League appear frightened by Sheridan's frankness, but know it is the truth.
War Room
Marcus runs through the station. When he reaches the War Room, he presents Sheridan with up-to-date information regarding the EarthForce campaign on Proxima 3. Six Omega Class EarthForce destroyers are positioned around the planet in such a way that all escaping ships will be shot down before reaching the jumpgate, and no forces can enter through the jumpgate without being detected. Marcus reports that many Proxima residents try to escape because the colon is running out of food, medicine and supplies. They would rather be shot down than starve to death. Captain Sheridan says he knows one of the commanding officers of the EarthForce ships: Captain MacDougan of the EAS Vesta. He also asks if any EA ships have deliberately avoided shooting civilians. Next, Sheridan orders Dr. Franklin to cure the cryo-frozen telepaths soon.
Sheridan: "Either we commit ourselves to this completely or we don't do it. Once we're in, we're in. No surrender, no retreat."
Vir's quartersVir dozes off and has a nightmare. The door chimes and Vir wakes up, spilling water on himself. Garibaldi enters and asks to see Londo. Vir reports that Londo is not in, because he had a meeting. Through Vir, Garibaldi finds out about Sheridan's plan to retake Proxima 3. Garibaldi is obviously furious about Sheridan's plan.
Garibaldi: I'll fight for Earth, in my own way."
C & C
Corwin and Ivanova oversee the practice drills of the Starfury squadrons. She orders them to only accept orders from her or Corwin on certain coded frequencies.
Corwin: "I guess now the operating phrase is 'trust no one'"
Ivanova: "No. Trust Ivanova. Trust yourself. Anyone else, shoot 'em"
War Room
Sheridan enters the War Room, and Ivanova informs him that the White Star class ships are ready. He sends three White Stars to Earth, to give the impression that B5 is preparing a full scale attack on Earth, to scare Clark. Ivanova says that Clark should panic and scramble all of his forces, at the same time B5 attacks EarthForce at Proxima 3. That way, Clark won't be able to respond to B5's attack.
Ivanova: "I just hope some of them [EF destroyers] join us, otherwise, this is going to get really ugly."
Proxima 3
Several destroyers patrol the planet while a Thunderbolt class Starfury enters hyperspace to patrol the local beacon.
Hyperspace
Marcus is in contact with the Resistance on Proxima 3. He requests information regarding which EF ships haven't attacked civilian targets.The transmission weakens: Earth Force ground troops start attacking the colony.
G'kar's quarters
Londo enters. The two quickly begin arguing over trivial things. Londo then attempts to break the routine. He tells G'kar that Centauri Prime is officially supporting Sheridan's forces, and he wants the Narn government to do the same, in order to help Sheridan and to have the Centauri and the Narn agree on something. Londo thanks G'kar for doing what he did to help kill Cartagia, even though G'kar did it only to free Narn.
G'kar: " I have no interest in your thanks."
Londo: " I did not think that you would. But it's there, anyway."
Londo wants to issue a joint statement with G'kar, pledging the official support of both worlds to the defense of Babylon 5 and Captain SHeridan. Londo offers a drink to G'kar. Londo offers a toast to the humans, who offer the Centauri and Narn a chance to agree on something for the first time in a century. Londo lifts his glass for the toast. G'kar picks up his glass, and then pours the drink back into the bottle.
Londo: "I see."
Londo, quickly, leaves.
Fighter bay
Sheridan and Ivanova brief fighter pilots about the upcoming mission. Sheridan also offers words of advice.
Sheridan: The Heracles and the Pollux have fired on civilian vessels, so we consider them hostile. The Nemesis and the Vesta have gone to great lengths to avoid firing on civilians. The others, we don't know. We'll give them a chance to surrender, or stand down. But, we won't risk our forces to do it."
Ivanova: So, if a target vessel locks onto you, you have full authority to return fire and engage."
Sheridan: "To initiate combat against our own forces: that's a hard one. If there were any other way, we'd take it. There isn't one. We'll try to minimize casualties on the other side. The job of the soldier is to destroy the enemy and come home alive. To that end, do what you have to do. . ."
C & C
Corwin: "They're clear to leave. I was noticing the new paint job on the White Star. Won't they. . .I mean, won't they know it's him?"
Ivanova: "I think that's the general idea, Lieutenant."
Hyperspace
Three White Star class ships join the rest of the fleet. Marcus docks with Sheridan's flagship. Sheridan orders Marcus to open a channel to the rest of the fleet. Sheridan orders the mission to begin. Three White Star class ships jump into normal space on the far side of Proxima 3. Captain Hall, the EF commander for the destroyer group, orders the EAS Pollux and Nemesis to the area to investigate. Sheridan is annoyed that Heracles, the other hostile ship, does not accompany Pollux. Sheridan guesses that Pollux accompanies Nemesis in order to keep the non-hostile ships in line. Sheridan then orders the rest of the fleet to enter normal space.
Sheridan: "All units, remember, do not fire unless fired upon first. They may not fight for Clark but they will defend themselves, so don't back them into a corner."
EAS Heracles
The First Officer, Commander Levitt, reports that multiple warships are approaching. Captain Hall recognizes the White Stars as Sheridan's forces. Hall orders the fleet to intercept, but tells Nemesis and Pollux to stay behind, in order to avoid exposing their flanks to the "enemy." Sheridan's voice is then heard over the com system.
Sheridan: "This is Captain John Sheridan to Earth destroyer group. You are ordered to stand down or leave the Proxima system at once. You are in violation of the Proxima Treaty. Your attacks on civilian targets are illegal, under the Rules of Engagement, and the Articles of War. You can leave peacefully if that is your choice. But we are prepared to use deadly force if necessary."
The commanding officer of the Vesta, Captain Macdougan, contacts Captain Sheridan, argues that whether or not he likes it, Proxima can't secede or be governed by the Resistance.
Sheridan: "Mackie, Proxima broke away after Clark ordered the bombing of civilian targets. What's the rule about following illegal orders? Any action you take in support of illegal orders makes you an accomplice of that order. Come on Mackie, President Clark is out of control. He's got you out here on an illegal mission. What does your conscience tell you?"
Hall: (on the Heracles)"Damned MacDougan, I knew he didn't have what it takes. Fine, we'll force the issue. Open Fire!"
Sheridan: "All forces, engage any hostile target. Fire At Will."
Proxima System
The battle continues. The Vesta, MacDougan's ship, keeps out of combat. The Heracles is taking heavy fire as the White Stars attack. Captain Hall orders the Vesta to attack. When Mackie refuses, Hall promotes the Vesta's First Officer to Captain and orders him to assume command. Commander Philby holds a PPG to MacDougan's head.
Sheridan advances on the EAS Furious to find out if she is hostile. Sheridan hails the Furious and says he is approaching, but will not attack The Furious does not attack the White Star. Sheridan tells the fleet that Captain Ecklin and the Furious are non-hostile. The Vesta attacks Sheridan's ship. The Juno jumps out of the battle into hyperspace. Suddenly, the crew of the Vesta rushes the former First Officer and restores Captain MacDougan to command, who stands down the Vesta.
As the battle goes on, the Pollux destroys a White Star class ship, which crashes into the Pollux. The Pollux explodes before the crew can get to the lifepods. Marcus reports the the Pollux is destroyed and the Nemesis is damaged. The Nemesis surrenders. Sheridan contacts the Heracles.
Sheridan: "Sheridan to Heracles. You will return control of Proxima 3 to its lawful government, issue the recall order to all fighters, and surrender your vessel."
Hall refuses to surrender the ship. The First Officer, Commander Levitt, relieves Captain Hall of command and surrenders to Sheridan, returns Proxima to its local government and issues the recall order to its fighters.
Sheridan: "Have the captains of the remaining ships meet me here in one hour. Let's see if we have survivors, or allies."
White Star flagship
Sheridan meets with the other captains. He explains three options to the c/o's:
Sheridan: "Option one: you and your crews can return home. We won't stop you. . . Option two: stay here and help protect Proxima 3 from further retaliation by President Clark. Option three: Come with us, join the fight. . . "
Levitt explains that she relieved Hall of command because she didn't want to have the crew die defending Clark's policies, which she disagrees with. On the other hand, she also disagrees with Sheridan's actions. Sheridan explains that the role of the military is to defend Earth against all enemies, and Clark is that enemy. Their oath is to the citizens, not the government. He argues that the Alliance isn't the same Alliance that they signed up for: it's not a dictatorship. After all, what kind of Alliance fires on civilian ships? Sheridan explains to Levitt that he won't bring the League of Non-Aligned Worlds into the fight because he wants a clean fight. After kicking out Clark, Sheridan wants to ask the voters whether or not he did the right thing, since it is the voters for whom the military works for. Captain MacDougan says that he and the other captains need to talk matters over. . .
Babylon 5
G'kar approaches Londo in a bar and has a drink.
G'kar: "Issue the joint statement, Mollari. I will sign my name. But not on the same page, you understand."
Londo: "Yes, yes of course."
Londo picks up the glass G'kar just used. He is obviously quite relieved.
Proxima System: White Star flagship
Several ships are seen orbiting Proxima 3. Among them is the Alexander.
MacDougan enters the bridge of the White Star. He informs Sheridan that Levitt will retire from the field, take the Heracles to Beta 9 for repairs, and keep Captain Hall under arrest.
Sheridan: "And the rest?"
MacDougan: "Ecklin is going to stay behind and help with the defense of Proxima. Ogawa wants to sign on with you, and so do I."
Voice of the Resistance broadcast
Ivanova: "This is Commander Susan Ivanova bringing you the Voice of the Resistance. Today, elite forces dispatched from Babylon 5 engaged a destroyer group stationed at Proxima 3. Both sides endured heavy losses, but we can announce that Proxima 3 has been liberated from the forces occupying it. I repeat: Proxima 3 is free. Many of the ships enforcing the blockade on Proxima have joined forces with our ships. The campaign to retake Earth has begun."
Garibaldi enters the customs area, buys a ticket to Mars.
Customs officer: "When are you coming back?"
Garibaldi: "I'm not."
He takes a quick, last look at the station, and leaves.
Ivanova: "Also, Ambassadors Mollari and G'kar have signed a mutual defense treaty with Babylon 5. "