In hyperspace a probe is destroyed by a group of unknown alien fighters. On Babylon 5, Captain Lochley is alseep when she is awoken by a call from C&C. She arrives on deck shortly after. Apparently this is a hostile invasion fleet that has been moving through the sector looking for soft targets. The advance wing is currently heading their way, and Lochley informs the crew that they are to make sure they come across as neither soft nor easy, and convince the invaders they're too much trouble. She orders them to prepare for battle then asks Corwin about arrangements for the president. She wants an escape pod reserved for him and Delenn, although she might have to throw them into it herself. She then orders fighters into space as around the station forces get ready for action.
Somewhere on the lower decks, a pair of maintenance workers watch the commotion as they finish a job. They're not sure what the problem is this time, but they're pretty sure they're going to be cleaning it up. Something the higher-ups never seem to think about.
Lochley is following Sheridan around trying to convince him to be ready for evacuation, but he's being obstinate, much to the captain's frustration. The two workers, Mack and Bo, are nearby, commenting on what they saw. They admire Sheridan for what he's done, and more because he doesn't put himself above everyone else. Bo remembers when Sheridan came through downbelow chasing someone who'd stabbed Delenn and put him down so hard he didn't get up for three days. Then there's the rumors that he was dead once...
And what exactly are those things they run back and forth over the floor? No idea, time for lunch.
For lunch it's hard salami and spoo. Which tastes like chicken, it's funny that way. Mack lets Bo try some of his spoo sandwich, which he thinks is terrible. Centauri love it though, and it's 10 credits an ounce. Just then a call comes that enemy ships are jumping in, and for maintenance in C&C and Medlab. Mack and Bo shrug and head off.
In Medlab Dr. Franklin is briefing his people as Bo shows up. Franklin explains that the atmospheric system is only giving standard options, but since they don't know what kind of gas the invaders breathe, he needs to be able to customize it as needed. Bo gets on it Franklin continues his brief. After he's done, Bo asks why. These aliens are coming for the express purpose of killing them, why bother saving them? Franklin tells how he decided to become a doctor, that his father's ship, the Ares, was shot down near an alien base shortly before the Dilgar War, but his father, along with two others from the Ares were kept alive, over the objections of the base commander, by the alien doctor, because he believed all life was sacred. Franklin recalls watching ISN two months later as Earthforce captured that base, and saw his father walk out, held up by the doctor. At that moment, he knew that's what he wanted to be.
- Franklin: So, when this is all over, I'll be out there looking for anybody I can save, on our side or theirs. Because that's what I do. Because that's what I would want them to do for me. Or for you.
Before getting back to work, Bo asks about the doctor that helped his father. Killed by his own men as a traitor.
In C&C Corwin shows Mack a malfunctioning panel, which is their secondary weapons control. Moments later a three ship scouting force jumps in. They shoot through the starfurys and make for the station, as Lochley orders the defense grid to target them. Mack continues working as the intruders attempt to access the station computers. Two of them are destroyed, but the third races for the jumpgate, outrunning the starfurys and getting out of range of the station's primary weapons. Just then, Mack gets the secondaries back up and Lochley orders it to open fire, destroying the ship before it can escape. Shortly after, Mack shows them what the problem was: a large insect. A bunch came on a transport about a year ago and have been getting into the wiring ever since.
Corwin reports the defense grid is fully operational, but Lochley is none too happy about their little hacking trick, mainly the fact that it caught them off guard. She decides to have a little chat with Mister Garibaldi about this.
Mack goes to find Bo, who asks what Mack thinks of the new captain. Mack's pretty impressed, but Bo isn't so sure. He's heard rumors that she was on the wrong side during the fight to oust President Clark. Mack tries to blow it off, saying you shouldn't listen to rumors. He's heard a bunch of things about why Ivanova left, wanted a promotion, was heartbroken over Marcus, wasn't getting paid enough, it never ends. Fine, but if they shouldn't listen to rumors, why did he ask in the first place?
They get in a tube for Brown Sector (which they're not looking forward to), and are soon joined by Lochley and Garibaldi, who are having a heated discussion about what they know and what they don't until she sends him back to the Gaim to find out everything he doesn't know and what he doesn't know he doesn't know. Because intelligence is supposed to ask the questions no one thinks of asking. Mack and Bo can only watch as they get off the lift.
The fleet continues on, and so do Mack and Bo. Right now they're fixing pipes that lurkers keep tapping for water. At the same time they have a discussion about jumpgates, why not just shut it down when there's an invasion? Because it's not like throwing a switch and it's off, it takes two days to power down and then nearly a week to power back on. And yes, it's their way in, but it's also your way out.
They finish with the pipes, but the boss doesn't waste any time and sends them to the observation deck to set up for some kind of religious ceremony.
- Mack: They never give us a break around here.
As they leave, Lochley comes on screen with an announcement that the first wave is coming through and for all non-combat personnel to remain in their quarters until it's over.
Mack and Bo finish and take a break, watching the battle. Mack seems to think it's beautiful in a way, far from the human level, where all you can really see is the light and color. Bo explains that red explosions are starfurys blowing up while the green one are the aliens. The red comes from the oxygen atmosphere while the others have a different gas which results in a different color. One of the pilots told him that.
Suddenly a jump point opens and a White Star comes charging in to battle. This one must have been closer than the main fleet.
- Bo: Sure looks pretty.
Mack: You think?
Bo: Hell, yeah. What do you think?
Mack: Eh, I always thought they looked like plucked chickens.
Bo: What?
Mack: Hey look, it's not my fault they were designed that way.
Then they notice a breaching pod heading towards the station. Shortly after an announcement comes to head for the shelters. Mack and Bob head off, but the tube they're in gets stuck. They override the doors to find a fierce firefight raging. They hide behind some crates until Zack notices them and orders them out. They crawl out of the way and find themselves where Byron's people have made their home. Byron invites them to stay until the fighting passes. The two awkwardly find a place to sit as Byron and his followers seem engrossed in studying one of the aliens' helmets.
Byron explains that this alien was killed just outside and his helmet rolled in here, and they they have been getting to know him. He tells them at the moment of death an explosion of consciousness occurs leaving a kind of personality imprint on everything in close proximity, mostly clothes, and they can feel who he was for a few minutes before the effect fades.
Bo realizes these are the telepaths Sheridan let stay here, and Mack asks why they aren't in a shelter. Just then one of the aliens rushes in ready to shoot. The telepaths all stare at him, and he just lowers his gun and slowly walks out.
Bo is clearly impressed, but Mack seems quite spooked and wants to leave as quickly as possible. Then the room shakes, from a hit, and Mack starts worrying that there's going to be a breach. Bo reassures him that their people will keep that from handling, they're the best pilots in the sector, and expresses the wish to be out there with them. Byron seems intrigued by that, and asks if he truly wishes it. Bo says he truly wishes it. Byron closes his eyes and suddenly Bo finds himself in the cockpit of a Starfury out in the middle of the action. Eventually, Mack shakes him out of it and they take their leave.
In the shelter, Londo is griping about the situation (and probably the fact that he can't blame the Narns this time), wondering why the Universe keeps picking on him. He notices G'Kar is rather calm about the whole thing, and G'Kar explains that when he was a child the Centauri decided that a rebellion had to be put down with a bombing campaign. Seven major cites, thirty-one hours a day for six straight days. Rather than submit, the Narns moved into shelters where they lived for that time, singing songs, praying and basically enduring. G'Kar says he spent a good portion of his life in one kind of shelter or another to the point that a shelter is practically home. He then asks where Londo was when he was a child.
Londo, somewhat regretfully, says he was never really a child, he's always had responsibilities to the Centauri, his family, etc.
- G'Kar: Ah, that explains a great deal.
Londo: Really? And what exactly does it explain, G'Kar?
G'Kar: I spent my years in one shelter after another, but sooner or later, I was able to leave the shelter and walk out into the daylight. You do not have that luxury. You carry your shelter with you. Every day. You did not grow up, you grew old.
Londo: (uncomfortably) I think I will see how things are going out there.
G'Kar: I'll go too. Good idea.
Londo: What, are you afraid I won't come back, G'Kar?
G'Kar: No, afraid you will.
(they walk off)
Mack: So, how long you figure they've been married?
Then an announcement comes that the second wave is coming through. One of the alien ships crashes into the side of the station, causing damage and fires spearing into the interior. Mack and Bo are called out to help deal with it.
On their way, they pass Sheridan and Delenn. Sheridan is trying to get Delenn to take an escape pod and drafts Mack and Bo as escorts. Delenn is still reluctant, but does go with them after bidding John farewell. As they walk she asks them their names and what they do? They just go around wherever they're needed, helping keep the place running. Delenn recognizes the type, Worker Caste. They can't disagree.
Before thye get to the pods she has a question, what would happen if the equipment were to be smashed from the inside..accidentally, of course. That would result in the pod crashing on Epsilon III...or exploding. Delenn says that if she is launched in a pod and forced to watch everything she's worked for destroyed without being able to do anything about it, that's exactly what will happen. Therefore, since it will happen, they can assume it has happened and the life pod is unsafe. Delenn gives them a parting smile before leaving. Bo says he understands Sheridan a lot better now.
- Bo: Dead or alive, I'd claw my way out of Hell and straight through ten miles of solid rock to see that smile again.
There's another rumble but there's something different about it this time. They go to a view port for a very welcome sight, the White Stars have arrived and the battle has turned into a turkey shoot.
As victory seems certain, Mack asks Bo if he ever wishes he could really be out there in the mix. Thinking back to what Byron showed him, Bo admits sometimes yes, other times no. And sometimes he wonders why any of them are our there, but he figures of people like Sheridan and Delenn can handle it, then he can as well.
- Mack: My mother used to me, "God know the age of every tree, and the color of every flower, and He know just how wide your shoulders are, and He'll never give you anything to carry that's bigger than you can handle".
Bo: Then maybe that's what this whole place is about. Maybe that's what you have to do to get by in a place like this.
Mack: And what's that?
Bo: Grow bigger shoulders.
The fighting is over by now, which means it's time to get back to work. In the shelter, they look over the mess left behind, talk about the damage to the hull, airlocks shot out and the hazmat disaster waiting outside.
- Mack: Eh, typical. They call all the shots, they get all the glory, we clean up all the mess.
They pause as they notice Dr. Franklin going down a line of bodies, checking each one, making notes and covering them with a sheet.
- Bo: Well, maybe not all the mess.
Some time later in C&C, Corwin is giving Lochley an update on repairs, and more importantly the invaders. None of the advance force survived to report back to their people, so they'll move on to their next target. Mack takes the opportunity to express his appreciation for her, and is rewarded with a warm smile.
Later, Mack and Bob are walking, passing Sheridan and Delenn, who remembers them from before, and even remembers their names! Well, Mack's in love, but for now it's time for lunch. Spoo?
- Mack: At fifteen credits an ounce, you're outta your...
This episode contains examples of:
- Big Damn Heroes / The Cavalry: The White Star fleet, which arrives just as it seems Babylon 5 is going to fall. Mack even calls out, "The cavalry's here!"
- Brick Joke: At one point, Mack and Bo are talking about spoo, 10 credits an ounce, and at the end, as they are going to get something to eat, Bo suggests spoo, to which Mack replies, "At 15 credits an ounce, are you out of your mind?"
- Call-Back: Several are mentioned:
- The White Stars are coming back from the Enphili homeworld.
- Bo recalls seeing Sheridan chasing Sniper through Downbelow after the latter stabbed Delenn.
- They also discuss Ivanova leaving and its potentially being connected to Marcus' death.
- Sheridan's comment to Delenn about meeting her in a place where no shadows fall is what she said to him in "Confessions and Lamentations."
- Which side Lochley was on in the Battle for Earth comes up again.
- Continuity Nod: The malfunction in the Defense Grid is caused by a bug similar to the one Londo had in his quarters.
- Contrived Coincidence: So two random techs going around a huge space station manage to cross paths with (practically) every major character?
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Once the White Stars arrive, the battle is over in minutes.
- Enclosed Extraterrestrials: The attacking aliens are all covered in a red armor.
- Fantastic Racism: Mack is genuinely terrified of being around telepaths.
- From Bad to Worse: What they're trying to keep from happening. If the main fleet had come through, they'd probably have to fall back on Draal for assistance.
- The Golden Rule: Franklin says he treats all species, friendly or hostile, the way he hopes they'd treat him.
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: Mack and Bo seem to have worked together for a while.
- Jedi Mind Trick: Byron's telepaths make one of the invaders leave their sanctuary without firing a shot using this.
- Cursed with Awesome: Byron's comment on the above:
Though cruel and capricious, bringing us into a world that fears us, and hates us, nature did not leave us entirely without protection. - Like an Old Married Couple: Londo and G'Kar. Mack even asks, "How long you think they've been married?"
- Which is apparently based on a remark by a film crew member that JMS overheard during the filming of a previous episode.
- Lower-Deck Episode: Extreme example, the regulars are reduced to extras while two "extras" make up most of the episode.
- Military Brat: Comes up again with Franklin and his father, who was himself a third-generation military brat.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: Mack is directly based on JMS' friend Harlan Ellison, who had been badgering him to do an episode like this since the beginning of the show.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: According to Bo, Sniper didn't get up for three days after Sheridan beat him up.
- Outside-Context Problem: The invaders seemingly come from beyond the Rim, the Alliance hardly knows a thing about them and after this they're never seen again.
- Scotty Time: After the battle Corwin says repairs to the docking bays will be done by 0900 hours, but there's a transport due at 0800 so Lochley wants it done by then.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: The doctor who kept Franklin's father alive, despite his commander's objections. Paid for it with his life.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Mack was willing to sit and talk to the telepaths for a while, but after their little demonstration, he wanted out of there now.
- Shrouded in Myth: Already starting to happen to Sheridan; Mack and Bo have heard he died once but don’t know anything beyond that.
- Take That!:
Word of God states
Ivanova-rumors scene was never meant as a shot at Claudia Christian, but rather at rumor-mongers. - Those Were Only Their Scouts: The objective is to defeat the scout force so the main force decides they're too much trouble to try and invade.
- Those Two Guys: The episode basically revolves around them.
- War Is Hell: Highlighted throughout the episode, and focused on in the end when we see Doctor Franklin tending to the bodies of those killed in the battle.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: The invaders are never seen or mentioned again, even though we're told the bulk of their fleet is still active.
- When She Smiles: Delenn, as explicitly discussed by Mack and Bo.
