Babylon 5 (1994–1998): Season 4, Episode 15 - No Surrender, No Retreat - full transcript

After Clark's order causes the death of civilians, Sheridan decides it's time to attack Clark's forces directly. First mission is a colony that's being oppressed by some Earth Cruisers. Some in Earth force also distrust Clark, Sheridan might find some allies, amongst those he might be fighting.

Captain's personal log.
September 2, 2261.

Enough is enough.

Londo, what do they want?
What's going on?

I don't know.

They're waiting.

I'm sorry to call you together at this early
hour, but we don't have a lot of time.

Commander.

For the last month,
ships from Babylon 5...

...have patrolled the borders
of your governments.

Since we've been protecting you
from Raiders and border skirmishes...

...the number of incidents has decreased
70 percent.



May we assume that you are all happy
with this arrangement?

Good, because now there's a price tag.

Most of you have heard of the attacks
against civilian targets by ships from Earth.

In the latest attack,
authorized by President Clark...

...10,000 civilians were killed
as an example to others.

We can no longer tolerate
this behavior.

Alpha Squadron, status report.

- Alpha Squadron, ready for launch.
- Launch.

Most of your governments have
mutual defense treaties with Earth.

As of right now, in exchange for
our continued patrol along your borders...

...l'm declaring those treaties
null and void.

I have no problem with this!

You have been here for us
from the beginning.

During their war with the Minbari,
I supervised arms sales to Earth.



They promised...

...to help us
when we needed them.

But where was Earth when our borders
were being attacked?

Where was Earth when the Shadows
were rampaging across our territories?

They did nothing!

We owe them nothing in return.

Thank you, G'Kar.

It's not only our people
who are at risk here.

Clark's propaganda machine is feeding
the anti-alien hysteria back home.

In time, all of you will be hurt
if they're not stopped.

Well, we intend to stop them.

Delta Squadron, launch.

We ask that each of you contribute
one destroyer-class ship...

...to the defense of Babylon 5.

Your people here will need to be protected
in case Clark tries to retaliate.

Beyond that...

...don't get involved.

Anyone gets in between us and them
won't live long enough to regret it.

You will not respond to any requests for
military assistance from President Clark...

...or the Earth Alliance,
except in the form of humanitarian aid.

From now on, Earth stands alone.

We're taking back Proxima 3.
We're taking back Mars.

Then we're gonna take back our home...

...or die trying.

It was the year of fire.

The year of destruction.

This year we took back
what was ours.

It was the year of rebirth.

The year of great sadness.

The year of pain.

- And a year of joy.
- It was a new age.

It was the end of history.

It was the year everything changed.

The year is 2261.
The place, Babylon 5.

- Out of the way! Move!
- Excuse me.

Hey! What's your hurry?

- Step back!
- No need to push.

- Where the hell is he?
- He said he's on his way.

I've got it!

- Let's see.
- Would've gotten here faster...

...if I could've just sent it.
- We couldn't risk anyone intercepting it.

- Is it current?
- As current as we can make it.

Here.

Clark's stationed half a dozen Omega-class
destroyers between Proxima 3...

...and the local jumpgate.

There's also a series of planetary scanners
that can detect any ship trying to leave.

Good positioning. Anybody trying to take
off gets shot down before escaping...

...and no one comes through
without being seen.

The colony is very close
to surrendering.

They're running out of food,
water, supplies.

They're down to almost nothing.
That's why they keep trying to escape.

Better to be shot down
than to starve to death.

- Do you have an ID on those ships?
- Yes.

The Heracles, under Capt. Trevor Hall,
the Juno, under Capt. James Mandala...

...the Pollux, Capt. Elizabeth Morganstern,
the Nemesis, Capt. Yoshi Kawagawa...

...the Vesta, Capt. Edward MacDougan,
and the Furies, Capt. Stephanie Eckland.

Which of them destroyed
the civilian transports?

The Heracles and the Pollux.

- Do you know either of the captains?
- No, so they're new...

...which probably means they're loyal
to Clark.

Have any of them deliberately avoided
shooting at civilian targets?

I don't know.
It'll take a little while to find out.

We need to know how many destroyers
are committed to the blockade...

...and how many are holding back.

Stephen, how are you doing with the
telepaths we rescued from the Shadows?

We wake them for brief periods,
but they're still under the influence...

...of mind control devices. Haven't found
a way to remove them without damage.

I need them mobile, as many as you can,
and as fast as you can.

Not for this operation, but soon.

I'll do my best.

They got the place buttoned up tight.

We're gonna have a hell of a time
fighting our way in there.

We'll hit them in waves, try to isolate
the ships we need to destroy...

...from the ones who won't fight
unless they have to.

We'll give them a chance to surrender
or join up.

And if they don't?

We take them out.

Hey, I don't like the idea
any more than you do.

But either we commit ourselves to this
completely, or we don't do it.

Once we pull the first trigger,
we can't hesitate to pull the next...

...because they sure won't.

No, once we're in, we're in.
No surrender...

...and no retreat.

I didn't do it! I didn't do it!

Thank the Great Maker,
it was just a dream.

Open!

- Hello, Vir.
- Mr. Garibaldi.

Is Londo around? I've got some business
in Centauri space.

I figured he could help me
cut through the red tape.

He's not here. He had to go set up
a meeting with G'K...

He had a meeting.

I see.

- Well, it looks like you had a late night.
- No, not actually.

They just got us up very early to brief us
on their new campaign.

- What new campaign?
- To take back Earth and your outer colonies.

I'm sorry, I thought you knew.

No, no.

Well, now that you do, I imagine
you'll wanna sign on again.

- Not with Sheridan.
- Doesn't your Homeworld matter to you?

Of course it matters. But I don't like
the way he's doing this.

But that's the way it is. I don't always
like the way Londo does things...

...well, me and most civilized worlds...

...but, you know, sometimes he's right.

So I force myself to give him
the benefit of the doubt.

I can't do that anymore.

So you're not gonna fight
for your world?

Of course I'm gonna fight.
I'm gonna fight in my own way.

You just tell Londo I came by,
and I'll check in with him later.

How much longer do you want them
running the drills?

Another hour, then bring half of them in
for refueling.

After that, we'll alternate squadrons. I don't
want anyone with less than half a tank.

Rotate pilots in for rest periods. Other than
that, I want every ship we have out there.

- Will they be going on the missions?
- Some, yes.

The rest we'll keep for flyby.

I don't intend to get caught flat-footed
in case Clark comes after us.

Ivanova to all fighter squadrons.

Adjust friend-or-foe systems
to new frequencies every 24 hours.

Check in with Lt. Corwin or myself
for the code of the day.

Once we're in combat situations,
you will not accept any order...

...that does not use the codes, even if it
seems to come from Sheridan or myself.

Earthforce has our voice records on file and
could simulate false or misleading orders.

C & C out.

So from now on, I guess
the operational phrase is "trust no one."

No, trust lvanova, trust yourself.
Anybody else, shoot them.

White Star squadrons are standing by
ready to go.

Per your request, White Stars 7, 12 and 18
are in hyperspace en route to Earth space.

They should be arriving
in about 10 to 12 hours.

Have them jump into normal space
as soon as they arrive.

Two by Mars, another as close to Earth
as possible without being shot down.

They'll set off early-warning systems,
and Clark'll scramble everything he's got.

They'll think we're flying
reconnaissance flights...

...preparing for a strike
to liberate Mars or Earth.

That should be enough
to make them panic.

- Call in all the ships that he can...
- While we hit Proxima 3.

Exactly.

By the time they get turned around,
we'll have Proxima...

...then all we have to do is hold on to it
while we move on to the next target.

Have you heard from Marcus yet?
He should be almost to Proxima by now.

He's standing by
with the first White Star squadron.

The rest will be arriving
in groups of twos and threes...

...staying far enough off
to avoid detection.

Good, good. That should give us
a jump on those destroyers.

I just hope some of them join us.
Otherwise, this is gonna get really ugly.

Scout 17 to Heracles, beginning patrol.

Roger that. Take your time,
we're not going anywhere.

Affirmative.

White Star 14 to White Star Prime,
we're in position.

Good. Maintain radio silence
until notified.

I'm with the resistance. We don't want
too many signals attracting attention.

Confirmed.

- You still there?
- Still here.

Don't know how much longer
we can hold out.

We're moving as fast as we can.

Do you have any information
about which destroyers...

...have avoided firing
at civilian targets?

- Yeah. Uploading now.
- Good.

We'll contact you again in five hours
on the alternate frequency. Stand by to...

What's that?

Are you all right?

Laser cannons. They sent in
more ground forces a few days ago.

We're gonna have to tear down
the transmitter...

...fall back to our secondary base.

Whatever you people are gonna do,
you better do it soon.

Enter.

Hello, G'Kar.

I don't believe I have ever been
in your quarters before.

Unless you count a cell
on Centauri Prime.

I apologize for the lack of chains.

The cleaning service
must have removed them.

It has much the same feeling
as your world.

Dry, red and depressing.

Isn't it amazing how quickly we fall
into familiar patterns...

...as soon as we come
into one another's orbit?

Like comets that flare
when they get too near the sun.

I did not come here to spar
with you, G'Kar.

I came...

...to talk to you.

How is the eye?

It sees.

Good.

Good.

These last few years...

...have been very difficult
for both of us, G'Kar.

Harder on you, perhaps.

But as the humans say, it has not
exactly been a picnic for me either.

I have no illusions that you did
what you did...

...endured what you endured,
for the good of my people.

You sacrificed your dignity,
your pride...

...your eye to help free Narn.

But still, in the process...

...you did help my own world.

And I never thanked you for that.

I have no interest in your thanks.

I did not think that you would.

But it is there anyway.

As I said...

...a hard year.

Yes.

A hard year.

What you said before
about the chains...

...that was unkind, G'Kar.

When I saw you in that cell,
beaten, chained...

As I said, we have never been friends.
We will never be friends.

There is too much blood between us,
too much history.

But I did feel for you...

...as much as I did not want to.

In the beginning, it was little more
than the sympathy...

...one might feel
for any trapped animal.

But in time...

...I came to respect you.

Your respect matters to me
even less than your thanks.

You are not going to give me
even an inch, are you?

I promised to free Narn if you cooperated.
I could have easily changed my mind...

...but I kept my promise!
Surely that entitles me to something!

Was there something else
you wanted to say?

You may not believe this, G'Kar...

...but all I ever wanted
is what is right for my world!

I am a patriot!

As you are.

I have made some...

...very poor choices
in the last two years.

Because I did not think...

...those choices almost destroyed
my world and yours!

That is a humbling realization, G'Kar.

If with a single wrong word,
I can become the enemy...

...do I any longer really understand
who the enemy is?

I have spoken with my government.

We will not remain neutral in the matter
of Sheridan's war with Earth.

I have convinced them to throw
our official support to Sheridan.

If the Narn...

...were to do the same
in a joint statement...

...it might help.

If two forces recently at war
with one another can agree on this...

...perhaps it might help
to convince the others.

Why?

Because, while I do not know
who the enemy is any longer...

...I do know who my friends are...

...and that I have not done as well
by them as I should.

I hope to change that.

I hope to do better.

Before war broke out between
our governments, you bought me a drink.

I wish to return the favor.

For the first time in 100 years...

...we have something in common
beyond hatred.

I find that most extraordinary.

And so a drink to the humans...

...and to the bridge they created
between us...

...in the hope for a better future...

...for both our worlds.

I see.

Captain on deck!

As you were.

We've received the information
we've been waiting for.

We can proceed with the attack
against the forces holding Proxima 3.

We'll hit them in three waves,
pull their forces apart...

...then surround them
with superior firepower.

The details have been linked
to your ships.

You will not discuss that information
amongst yourselves or with anyone else...

...until the mission is complete.

We'll be fighting in close quarters,
so keep an eye out for each other.

If the battle deteriorates into a fur ball,
we could sustain losses from friendly fire.

The Heracles and the Pollux have fired
on civilian targets...

...so we consider them a hostile vessel.

The Nemesis and the Vesta have apparently
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.

So if you are fired upon
or a target vessel locks onto your ship...

...you have full authority to return fire
and engage.

Of all the missions we've flown...

...this will be the most difficult.

I mean, it's one thing to defend ourselves
as we did last year.

But to initiate combat against
our own forces...

...that's a hard one.

I can only tell you that we take this action
with the utmost reluctance.

If there were any other way...

...we'd take it.

There isn't one.

Now, we'll do what we can to minimize
casualties on the other side...

...but the job of a soldier is to destroy
the enemy and come home alive.

To that end...

...do what you have to do.

- They're clear to leave.
- I know.

I was noticing the new paint job
on the White Star 2. Won't they...

I mean, won't they know it's him?

I think that's the general idea,
lieutenant.

Marcus, good. Open up a channel
to the rest of the ships.

Opening channel.

You're on.

Assault base to Unit 1, take position.

Stand by to initiate jump.

Jump.

What the hell's going on?

Jump point forming on the other side
of the planet. Three silhouettes.

- Are they advancing on our position?
- Negative. Taking up geostationary orbit...

...on the other side of the planet.
- Probably hoping we haven't noticed them.

Good. Send the Pollux and the Nemesis
to investigate.

Yes, sir.

Nemesis and Pollux
moving to intercept.

- Not the Heracles?
- No.

Curious, you'd think they'd send
the ones we know are liable to shoot.

The hostiles might be splitting up
so they can be with both groups...

...to keep them in line.

Unless they're all hostile, and some
are just more hostile than others.

Thank you for that ray of sunshine.

Next time I need to be depressed,
I'll remember to give you a call.

Second unit, take position.
Stand by to jump.

Nemesis and Pollux on final approach
to Proxima.

Now it gets interesting.

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.

Second unit...

...launch!

We've got multiple warships
on approach vector.

Silhouette unknown.

Those are Sheridan's forces.

I've heard about them,
never seen them before.

Capt. Sheridan?
What's he doing here?

Making a terminal error.

This is fleet command.
We've got hostiles on attack vector.

Vesta and Juno, launch fighters
and assume point.

Second enemy wing is advancing
on our position.

Nemesis and Pollux are aware
of our situation and asking for instructions.

- Do we issue the recall order?
- Negative.

If they turn around, they'll expose
their flank to the enemy...

...and we'll be caught
between two groups of hostiles.

Ten thousand kilometers
to optimum firing range.

Pulse cannons standing by, ready to fire.
Defense grid armed, ready to fire.

- Signal coming in.
- Let me hear it.

Repeat. This is Capt. John Sheridan
to Earth destroyer group.

Track the signal,
find out which ship he's in.

Getting signal lock, sir.
It's...

Sir, it's coming from behind us.

You are ordered to stand down
or leave the Proxima system at once.

You are in violation
of the Proxima Treaty.

And your attacks on civilian transports
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.

- Son of a...
- Eight thousand kilometers...

...to optimum firing range.
Enemy ships closing at the rear.

Do we turn and engage or continue?

Continue toward primary target.

Fleet command to Vesta and Furies,
come about and engage rear targets.

This is Capt. Edward MacDougan
of the Vesta to hostile vessel.

Mac, what the hell are you doing?
Maintain radio silence!

Mackie, long time no see.

John, get your tail out of here.
This isn't gonna work!

Like it or not...

...Proxima 3 is under Earth jurisdiction.

We can't allow them to secede,
whoever's in office.

They broke away after Clark started
bombing civilian targets.

What's the rule about following
an illegal order?

You don't. We're not involved.

- We haven't attacked anyone.
- But you're about to.

Any action you take in support
of an illegal order makes you an accomplice.

Come on, Mackie!
President Clark is out of control.

He's got you out here
on an illegal mission.

Back at the academy, you used
to pose moral conflicts for us...

...as part of our training.
You said that soldiers aren't machines.

They have to think! They have to decide
if an order is moral or not.

Well, what does your conscience
tell you?

We've reached optimum firing range.

That damned MacDougan. I told the others
he didn't have what it takes.

Fine. We'll force the issue.
Open fire.

Heracles has opened fire.
Other ships moving to support.

- Fighters launching.
- Damn!

All right.

All forces, engage any hostile target.
Fire at will.

I repeat, fire at will.

- Move out, Alpha 7, move out!
- Alpha 4, overdrive failed!

Where the hell is our support?
What is the position of the Vesta?

Hanging back, not engaging enemy.

MacDougan, this is a direct order
from fleet command.

You will engage enemy ships at once.
Do you copy?

Engage enemy forces at once!

Negative, fleet command. The Vesta
will not engage in support of illegal orders.

This is a court martial offense, Mackie.
You understand that?

Cmdr. Philby, under the authority
of Earthforce Command...

...I am hereby promoting you to captain and
ordering you to relieve Capt. MacDougan.

You will bring the Vesta into the fight.
Do you copy, commander?

I always knew you wanted
a promotion, Bob.

Never knew how badly until now.

The Vesta is starting to come about.

Pollux and Heracles are hit
but continuing to fight.

Juno, Nemesis and the Furies are advancing
but have not yet engaged.

We can't divide our forces. We need
to know where to put our firepower.

Put us on a course for the Furies.

Tell the others to concentrate
on the Pollux and Heracles.

Let's find out where she stands.

Sheridan to Capt. Eckland,
we are advancing on your position...

...but we are not preparing to fire.
I say again, we are not preparing to fire.

If you and your fighters do not lock
your weapons systems onto our ships...

...we will assume you are not hostile
and will not engage.

Are they locking?

Negative.

Might be waiting for us to get close
and get a clean shot that way.

Well, we're about to find out.

Sheridan to attack fleet.

Do not target Furies. She's noncombatant.

Repeat: Furies noncombatant.

That was the Vesta.
Forward guns have us in range.

We've got fighters coming in.

No, I won't fire on her.
Mackie's on board.

We have no choice.
They've locked on, ready to fire.

Damn. All right, prepare to...

- Vesta to Sheridan.
- Stand by. Mackie, go.

Cmdr. Philby's promotion
has just been postponed by the crew.

The Vesta is nonhostile.
We are standing down.

Confirmed, Mackie.

- Two down.
- Three. Juno is withdrawing from battle.

God, the crew.

Get to the life pods,
get to the life pods.

The Pollux is destroyed.

Nemesis has taken severe damage
and is offering to surrender.

Get me the Heracles.

Attack fleet to Heracles.

You are outnumbered and outgunned.

Your defenses are down,
and your weapons disabled.

You will return control of Proxima 3
to its lawful government...

...issue the recall order to all fighters
and surrender your vessel.

You will comply with these orders
or be destroyed.

- Captain!
- He won't do it.

He knows we can't hurt him.
He won't fire on us.

- You don't know that!
- I'm in charge of this mission, commander!

I will not surrender Proxima or stand trial
for following direct orders.

I'm the one they'll hold responsible,
not you! I'm dead either way.

You have 30 seconds!

I won't let you endanger this ship because
you're afraid to face the consequences!

Are you questioning my orders,
commander?

No, sir. I am relieving you of command.

Remove Capt. Hall from the bridge.

Now!

Heracles to attack fleet,
the Heracles surrenders.

I say again, the Heracles surrenders.

We are returning control of Proxima 3
to its local government.

All fighters, return to base.

It looks as if we won.

No, we've achieved the mission objective.
It is not a victory.

Too many on both sides had to die
for it.

And this is just the start.
We had surprise on our side this time.

From now on, it gets a lot harder.

Have the captains of the remaining ships
meet me here in one hour.

Let's see if we have survivors...

...or allies.

Please be seated.

What happened here today was difficult
for all of us, but it's over now.

What we have to decide now
is what we do next.

Option one:

You and your crews can return home.
We won't stop you.

Sooner or later, the Heracles
and her crew will have to answer...

...for their actions
before a military tribunal.

But that's not our problem for now.

Option two:

You can stay here and help protect
Proxima 3...

...from further retaliation
by President Clark.

And option three:

You can come with us, join the fight.

Captain, I wasn't about to let Capt. Hall
get the rest of my crew...

...killed defending Clark's policies.

I happen to disagree
with those policies.

But that doesn't mean I agree
with your actions either.

It's not the role of the military
to make policy.

Our mandate is to defend Earth
against all enemies, foreign and domestic!

Now, Clark has become that enemy.

Your oath is to the Alliance
and to the people back home...

...not to any particular government.
- You're splitting that hair mighty thin, John.

Am I?

Nightwatch, Ministry of Peace,
Ministry of Truth?

I mean, is this the same Alliance you joined,
or has it become something else?

The orders you've been getting,
do they represent the ideal of the Alliance...

...or of a dictatorship?

You've been ordered to open fire
on civilian targets.

Is this what you signed on for?

Now, we've made contact with other ships
that have left Earthforce.

They should be getting here
in the next few hours.

Now, some will stay and hold Proxima.

- The others will come with us.
- I thought you had all League worlds...

...backing you up. Why do you need us?

Because I want this to be a clean fight.

The other worlds won't fight for us,
but they won't get in our way either.

It's your call.

I'd like you to join us.

We'll kick out Clark and the Nightwatch
and the rest and turn it over to the voters...

...let them decide if what we did
was right or wrong.

Because in the final analysis...

...those are the people we work for.

We need to talk it over.

Of course.

Issue the joint statement.

I will sign my name...

...but not on the same page.

- Do you understand that?
- Yes.

Yes, of course.

The others have decided.

Cmdr. Levitt is gonna retire
from the field.

She's gonna take the Heracles to Beta 9
for repairs.

She's gonna keep Capt. Hall under
house arrest until this is over.

- One way or the other.
- And the rest?

Eckland is gonna stay behind
and help with the defense of Proxima.

Kawagawa wants to sign on with you.

And so do I.

This is Cmdr. Susan lvanova 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 destroyers enforcing the
blockade have joined forces with our ships.

The campaign to retake Earth
has begun.

As a result, we send this plea
to cruisers and carrier groups...

...that have chosen to stand down rather
than execute the illegal orders of Clark.

Join us. We will keep this channel open
24 hours a day.

If you wanna make a stand for Earth,
now is the time.

Destination?

Mars.

It'll take a while.

Nope. I got some people in high places
taking care of things.

If you say so. When you coming back?

I'm not.

In a related move, the Centauri and Narn
governments issued a joint statement...

...recognizing the legitimacy
of the liberation of Proxima...

...and throwing their support
behind the new campaign.

It is our hope that this unprecedented act
of cooperation...

...between two previously
hostile governments...

...will mark the beginning of a new age
of cooperation and trust.