DarkCrusade
The original outline from 1999-2001
by Van Allen Plexico
based on Crusade and Babylon 5 by J. Michael Straczynski
Greetings to newcomers who might have stumbled upon this site, and to any oldtimers who have been checking in from time to time to see if I have ever finished this story.
Since I have a professional publishing career now, and am devoting what little free time I have to writing and/or editing actual, original books with my own characters [ see my books on Amazon.com ], I know now that I will never be able to complete this project, no matter how near and dear to my heart is has been for a solid decade now. But I also know that there are a number of readers out there who would like at least a bit of closure on it. So I therefore present the original outline file that I created back in 1999-2001 that led to the DarkCrusade story and Web site.
This file contains two main parts: the backstory that sets up the alternate universe of the DarkCrusade story, and the "season outline" for DarkCrusade itself. Be warned: I no longer possess the later notes that fleshed out more of the last two seasons of DarkCrusade. They were on paper, not electronic files, and they were lost years ago. If I ever locate them, I will add them to the material below. In the meantime, I've made a few updated notes from what I still remember. Note that the first thing you encounter in the outline below is the "one thing that changed" and altered history into this new path.
I worry that we will never learn the real final story of Crusade. I met JMS at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC, in 2007, and as he was signing my Babylon 5 lithograph, I asked him if he had any plans to ever revisit the storyline or the characters of Crusade. He replied, "That was a story done for a television series, which no longer exists, so..." So I pressed him and asked if we would ever learn anything more about Gideon, or Galen, or Matheson, etc. And he snapped, "No."
So...!
I apologize for never completing this story but I hope you have enjoyed what I did manage to create of it, and I hope you will enjoy reading my original notes. And who knows-- maybe one day, JMS will change his mind...
--Van
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The Original Outline for DarkCrusade
Van Allen Plexico
DarkCrusade is the story of the Excalibur and its crew and associates.
The major theme is guilt and redemption. Each of the major characters either in the past or during this story has committed some act—or an act of omission—that has caused harm to come to others. Gideon was late arriving for the battle at Earth, and saw it destroyed. Galen could not save Earth, nor could he save his beloved Isabelle. Matheson served Psi Corps for years and inadvertently caused great harm. Because of his greed, Max does not help his ex-wife, who dies. Dureena could not help her people and saw them die at the hands of the Drakh. Neroon knows that he could have and should have listened to Delenn, and without her, his people have fallen into darkness. Ivanova and Lochley both feel guilt over their inability to find or help Sheridan.
All of them, and more, seek redemption and atonement as we begin the story.
Summary of Backstory
After the apparent death of Delenn at the hands of the Drakh in mid-2261 (see episode 411, "Lines of Communication"), the Minbari Civil War raged on, bloody and unabated-- until the Religious Caste won an unexpected victory, with the help of their new, secret allies. With Minbar in near-ruins, and its population an exhausted and beaten people, its new and secret masters were free to do their work-- quietly, quietly--just as they were doing on Centauri Prime.
Temporarily overcoming his grief at the death of Delenn, John Sheridan completed the liberation of Earth from Clark's tyranny. He then relinquished his EarthForce commission and retired from public life.
The command of Babylon 5 passed temporarily to Susan Ivanova, who then returned to EarthForce and accepted command of a new Warlock cruiser on deep-space duty. Captain Elizabeth Lochley then commanded Babylon 5, from 2262-2266.
With the Minbari and Centauri effectively (and inexplicably) removed from galactic diplomacy [though the Minbari are members long enough for the Rangers to have a connection with the ISA], the Narns and Humans joined with the former Non-Aligned Worlds to create a new Interstellar Alliance, and persuaded a reluctant G'Kar to assume the presidency. After Lochley’s reassignment in 2266, and at the insistence of G’Kar, the command of Babylon 5 passed to Captain Susan Ivanova, working in conjunction with the B5 liaison to the Rangers, Marcus Cole.
Angered over the Humans' role in the Shadow War, as well as smarting from the removal of their potential pawn, Morgan Clark, the Drakh resolved to destroy Earth with a Shadow death cloud. Unbeknownst to the Drakh, however, they were being carefully watched by the Techno-mages, who dispatched one of their number, Galen, to intercede.
Galen recruited EarthForce Captain Leonard Anderson, the alien thief Dureena Nafeel, a Drazi, and searched for the reclusive John Sheridan himself, to resist the Drakh attack. Sheridan could not be found, however, so Galen recruited his friend, Captain Matthew Gideon. Gideon and Anderson took command of the two new high-tech hybrid Vorlon-Minbari-Human ships being built by Michael Garibaldi, the Excalibur and the Victory.
In the ensuing battle, both ships were heavily damaged, and could not prevent the death cloud's activation. The Drakh were eventually driven away, but it was too late. Earth suffered the complete annihilation of its biosphere. The Excalibur had arrived late for the battle, much to the shame of Gideon, though they did manage to delay the Drakh long enough for a number of humans to evacuate.
With the Earth destroyed, the Human colony worlds joined with the Interstellar Alliance and the Rangers on a new, twofold mission, for which they dispatched the repaired Excalibur. Under the command of Captain Matthew Gideon, its orders were simple: Scour the galaxy for a new home for the Human race, and, whenever the opportunity presented itself, strike the Drakh hard, and avenge the Earth's dead billions.
SPECIFIC HISTORY SINCE MID-2261
2261:
("Revised" Babylon 5 episode number in parenthesis)
(411) Delenn and Lennier go to meet the Drakh at the request of Forrell. They never return.
(412-414) Neroon, Shakiri, and the Warrior Caste are winning the civil war.
(415) Sheridan persuaded to prosecute the war against Clark, though he is terribly distracted and worried about Delenn.
(416-419) same as before—Garibaldi, Edgars, and Bester. Sheridan captured and freed. Minbari civil war continues, devastating Minbar.
(420) Sheridan defeats Clark, who commits suicide. Ivanova and Marcus survive unharmed. Drakh angry at loss of Clark.
(421) Sheridan resigns his commission in EarthForce and goes off in search of Delenn. The Non-Aligned Worlds form the Interstellar Alliance and elect G’Kar as (reluctant) president. Londo returns to Centauri Prime to serve as Prime Minister. On the verge of a Warrior Caste victory on Minbar, the Religious Caste launches a violent, bloody strike, and seize complete power. Shakiri is killed. Neroon is forced to flee. He suspects that someone is helping—and controlling—the Religious Caste. Rathenn reforms the Grey Council, with five Religious, along with two from each of the other castes (essentially puppets).
2262:
(501) G’Kar installed as president of the ISA. Narn, Humans, Minbari and Centauri join with the former Non-Aligned Worlds. Londo is named next emperor of the Centauri. Ivanova takes command of Babylon 5. Marcus is named liason to Babylon 5 for the Rangers, working in conjunction with Michael Garibaldi, the covert intelligence head.
(502) Londo apologizes to President G’Kar.
(503-511) Telepath crisis.
(512-518) Drakh provoke war between Centauri and ISA. G’Kar goes to Centauri Prime with Londo, to figure out what’s going on. Regent holds G’Kar captive. ISA fleet goes to Centauri Prime, without Sheridan to restrain them. Battle. Rescue of G’Kar by Rangers, just as the ISA bombards Centauri Prime. Centauri Prime withdraws from the ISA. Londo becomes emperor.
(519-521) G’Kar keeps the ISA capital at Babylon 5. Lyta—strikes a deal with G’Kar? She becomes his “special secret agent/weapon” in exchange for eventual creation of Psi World?
2263-2267:
Telepath War. Drakh attempt to take control of Earth Alliance, but are stopped by ISA and Techno-mages. Retailiate with a Shadow Death Cloud. Galen summons Anderson, Dureena, and a Drazi, and tries to find John Sheridan, but cannot. Recruits Matthew Gideon instead. Gideon arrives too late to prevent activation of Death Cloud. Earth is destroyed, though a good number of humans evacuated in time, thanks to the delaying actions of the Excalibur and Victory.
ISA dispatches the Excalibur on a new mission: find a new homeworld for the remainder of the human race, and seek information about the Drakh/keep an eye on them. The human senators add a second, unofficial mission: wreak bloody vengenace upon the Drakh. Gideon agrees.
Gideon brings along his trusted second, John Matheson, a telepath; Dureena Nafeel, the alien thief whose homeworld was also destroyed by the Drakh; and Max Eilerson, from IPX, an expert in alien languages, technology, and extra-terrestrial archaeology. Accompanying them is Galen the Techno-mage.
IPX meanwhile has its own mission—to sow the seeds of Humanity. Terraforming proceeds apace, and some Explorer ships have been converted into colony ships.
MAJOR CHARACTERS OF DARKCRUSADE
CAPTAIN MATTHEW GIDEON:
The main protagonist. Captain of the ISA starship Excalibur. An unusual command structure exists here: Gideon is personally answerable to the EarthForce chain of command, and to the EA Senate. The Excalibur itself, however, is the property of the ISA and was loaned to the EA. This could (and will) cause major conflicts in the future. Gideon secretly possesses an Apocalypse Box. It lies. It also encourages Gideon to pursue bloody, violent revenge against the Drakh. Gideon begins the story with no family and no romantic connections—his duty and his job are his life. He is not, however, above using whatever sneaky means he must, to get the job done.
GALEN:
First dispatched by the Circle of Techno-mages to counter the Drakh, Galen has fallen into disfavor with the other Mages because of his constant involvement with humanity and his friendship with Gideon. Galen was only supposed to work behind the scenes to oppose the Drakh, but his open involvement in the resistance at the destruction of the Earth, and his continuing involvement with the Excalibur, bodes ill for him in relation to the other Mages in the future. His main concern is the destruction of Shadow tech, and preventing it from falling into the hands of the younger races. He is haunted by the question of why his love, Isabelle, had to die, and he thus does not believe in a god or a destiny—nothing happens for any higher reason, he believes—it just happens.
LT. JOHN MATHESON:
A telepath and former member of Psi Corps, who changed his allegiance at the end of the Telepath War, when he was shown the darker side of the Corps. He is Gideon’s trusted second, the only one (so far) Gideon shares his major secrets with—though Matheson knows even more than Gideon thinks he does. Matheson struggles to reconcile his telepathic powers with his desire to be a good officer in the EarthForce.
(Possible later romantic connection with Alisa Beldon—telepath living on Minbar.)
MAX EILERSON:
A leading figure within Interplanetary Expeditions (IPX), arrogant and egotistical, but often quite capable of backing it up. A gifted linguist, archaeologist, anthropologist, weapons expert, and more. Assigned to the Excalibur to help find weapons to use against the Drakh, and to evaluate planets for suitability for settlement by human survivors of the Drakh attack. He has an ex-wife who lives on Mars.
DUREENA NAFEEL:
An alien from a race whose world was destroyed by the Drakh, using a Shadow death cloud. Recruited by Galen, she has attached herself to the Excalibur and helps with their mission. She wishes to learn about Galen’s powers, though he thus far refuses to show her much of anything, saying she is not ready. Dureena must learn to pay the price for power-- to walk the Long Road-- "with great power comes great responsibility." Dureena finds a sword with techno-magical properties, left over from Genius Loci, when she recovers Galen’s staff. But Galen feels she got it too easily—she has not walked the Long Road yet.
NEROON:
Is considered a “war criminal” by the Minbari. Led the Rangers briefly, from mid-2261, after the disappearance of Delenn, to early 2262, at which point the Religious Caste stripped him of it and cast him out. Rumors hint that he discovered dark forces at work on Minbar, and that is why he was cast out. More rumors suggest that he is presently involved in gathering renegade Rangers to his side, in opposition to the “official” ones now loose in the galaxy, obedient to Forrell. (Possibly ends up leading a new Religious Caste later?) (or becoming a Techno-Mage himself?) or having to choose.
CAPTAIN SUSAN IVANOVA:
Briefly commanded Babylon 5 after the resignation of John Sheridan (late 2261-early 2262). Transferred to the new Warlock-class cruiser (?) for deep-space missions, 2262-2266. Selected by President G’Kar of the ISA to replace Elizabeth Lochley as commander of Babylon 5 in 2266.
MARCUS COLE:
Liaison to Babylon 5 for the Rangers, Marcus has in recent times grown more and more troubled by the orders he has been issued by that organization. He suspects that something has gone very wrong within the leadership of the Rangers, but does not know what. Popular, successful, and well known by so many, he could not be easily removed, so Forrell has chosen instead to keep him at extreme arms-length. Marcus aims to find out what exactly has happened to the Rangers, and to do something about it. If he lives that long.
Early on, Marcus is the secret contact with Sheridan—the only one JS is in touch with.
At first, Marcus is torn over who to follow, Neroon or Forrell. Forrell gives him a list of “traitors” to track down, and Marcus realizes who they are: Children of Valen. (Records had been sealed—see “Atonement.”) Marcus sees Delenn’s name on the list, and knows. He pretends to follow Forrell, but grows closer to Neroon.
From 2262-2267 Marcus is marginalized by Forrell—sent on deep patrol. Comes back when Ivanova takes command of Babylon 5, and brings some secrets back from the Rim with him.
Secondary Characters
DR. SARAH CHAMBERS:
Because the Earth has been destroyed, there is no urgent need for Dr. Chambers’ services at first. She becomes more important later on.
MICHAEL GARIBALDI:
Living on Mars since 2262, married to Lise Hampton Edgars Garibaldi. Mars, as of 2267, is now the main human outpost in Sol System. Garibaldi is trying to make it more self-sufficient, without Earth for resupply. Conflict: vs the Pro-Zeta Corporation, who are sending contaminated food to Mars. Same company that worked with dark elements of EA and EF and contaminated food with the Plague in “Patterns of the Soul.”
TALIA WINTERS:
Has been partially cured by Kosh’s recorded data, but not completely. Only Bester can fully cure her reprogramming. Talia visits Laurel Takashima, who is in a mental hospital—they tried lots of stuff on her, to cure her, but it failed, and she is deteriorating. Talia goes to Susan Ivanova (scene here) and Susan tells her to go to Garibaldi and let him help find Bester and cure her. Garibaldi meets with her—old feelings near the surface—and asks her, “Are you sure you want Bester banging around in your head?” “You didn’t see Laurel Takashima.” Once cured, Talia becomes important member of the good guys.
RATHENN:
Religious Caste; named Holy One of the Grey Council following its upheaval during the civil war of 2261. Secretly controlled and influenced by the Drakh. Councilor L’Shon (?) lurks in the shadows of the Council chambers and feeds instructions to Rathenn via his Keeper. Reorganized the Grey Council with five Religious Caste members, and two from each of the other two castes, mostly as observers only.
DHALIRI:
Religious Caste; a Satai of the Grey Council. Ally to Rathenn.
FORRELL:
Anlashok’na, or Ranger One, as of 2262, following the banishment of Neroon. A puppet of the Drakh. He has been reorganizing the Rangers into a darker force, capable of carrying out his/Rathenn’s/the Drakh’s orders. Some of the Rangers have rebelled against this and are now being hunted down as traitors. Forrell has secretly issued orders as well that the children of Valen should be wiped out—he issues these “special orders” only to his most trusted subordinates within the Anlashok.
LONDO MOLLARI:
Emperor of the Centauri. A pawn of the Drakh Shiv’kala, who controls him via a Keeper.
VIR KOTTO:
Ambassador to Babylon 5 and to the ISA. Kept there, out of harm’s way, by Londo. Working behind the scenes to free his people.
G’KAR:
President of the Interstellar Alliance. His HQ is located on Babylon 5.
ELIZABETH LOCHLEY:
Former commander of Babylon 5, from 2262-2266. Captain of the Earth Alliance Destroyer Orpheus. Searching for John Sheridan, as time allows, between duties? Vice-Presidential nominee (EA) in 2268, behind Jacob Redway. EA Election of 2268: Susanna Luchenko vs Jacob Redway and Lochley. [Show this as flashback, later: Just before running for prez, Redway goes to a secret meeting. Turns out to be with Samuel Drake. Drake has a Keeper placed on Redway. Don’t give this away too soon.] Redway wins. Lochley discovers the bad stuff going on in the EA, and finds out about the Keeper on Redway. At first, all we know is that Lochley has killed the president and is on the run—leave in doubt just how guilty she is, for a long time. Ivanova asks her, “So, what really happened?” “I killed him.”
JOHN SHERIDAN:
Former leader of the Army of Light. Upon the disappearance of Delenn, he completed his war against the Clark Regime, then resigned all titles and positions and vanished. First year, he has lots of Rangers looking for Delenn, but eventually he must let most of them go back to their duties. Turns the Rangers over to G’Kar’s use (this is how the ISA gets a connection to them), but they are still under the direct command of Rathenn, through Forrell. Some spy on B5 for Rathenn and Forrell.
DELENN:
Believed to have been killed during an ambush by Drakh ships midway through 2261. Rumors persist that she was betrayed by one of her own, but no proof has ever surfaced. It is worth noting that the Drakh have discovered the following: For biochemical reasons --possibly engineered 1000 years ago by the Vorlons-- no child of Valen may be fitted with a Keeper. She is in a coma the first several years—Rathenn keeps her alive in the face of Drakh desire to kill her, for several reasons. Could be useful, and doesn’t want to kill her.
SHIV’KALA (and other Drakh leaders—see cards): Stationed on Centauri Prime, controller of Emperor Mollari II.
COUNCILOR LA’SHAN: Stationed on Minbar, controller of Rathenn, who is Holy One of the Grey Council.
TRACE MILLER:
He dies somehow…!
LENNIER:
Believed to have been killed alongside Delenn, by the Drakh, in 2261.
ALISA BELDON:
Human telepath living on Minbar. Romantic link to John Matheson. He must rescue her as things on Minbar go from bad to worse. She gives us a nice inside view of things there as they decline and the baddies come to power.
PRES. LUCHENKO:
Completed the late Pres. Santiago’s five-year term (to her through Clark), in 2263, and was re-elected. Her second term expires in 2268. Loses to Redway in 2268.
MR. WELLES (and his assistant from “Appearances”)
SAMUEL DRAKE:
Working for the Drakh. Meets with Redway and has a Keeper placed on him.
JACOB REDWAY:
Fitted with Keeper in 2268. Elected president of the EA later in 2268, in part due to rigging of election by Drakh agents. Killed by Elizabeth Lochley after she discovers the truth.
APOCALYPSE BOX:
One of several such items. This one wants to be reunited with its other pieces (not necessarily all of them want this). Ties in to Pandora’s Box—only HOPE is left…
Need certain Minbari working against the Drakh; need the rest of the Grey Council.
THE STORY
2268: The Memory of War
1. The Memory of War
Gideon and the Excalibur arrive at a dead world where the buildings and infrastructure remain intact. Gideon feels enormous guilt that he arrived too late to save the Earth from the Drakh, and this drives him to take more chances than he normally would. It also causes him to listen to the Apocalypse Box in his possession. Galen is with them—he is likewise driven by a sense of guilt, in that he failed to save the Earth.
The Excalibur is confronted by both the Centauri and the Minbari, but both leave soon after.
Galen meets with a hooded figure on the surface, then destroys the Genius Loci spirit. He takes the hooded figure back to the Excalibur, and introduces him. It is Neroon, the fugitive former Ranger One.
The Apocalypse Box tells Gideon that he has learned more from all of this than he realizes.
At some point, Gideon turns over a captured “renegade Ranger” over to Forrell’s troops, and they brutally kill him. Gideon begins to question obeying the Rangers—sees that they are “darker.”
Dureena finds a sword while retrieving Galen’s staff. Genius Loci had killed the sword’s owner and taken it, but now that he’s a computer program, he cannot use it, so he has it stashed away. Dureena finds it, but cannot activate it at all. When Galen sees it, he’s angry and tries to take it, but it zaps at him. Dureena is startled—“I didn’t do it!” “That is why you must not have it.” But she keeps it anyway.
2. Ruling from the Tomb
We see Londo as Emperor, ruminating over all that has happened. This reveals a bit more about the situation overall. Vir arrives and the two have a very oblique conversation about what Vir should be doing.
We see Rathenn, Dhaliri, and Forrell in the Grey Council chambers, and learn more about this situation as well.
Dureena still trying to make the sword work for her, but it won’t.
Garibaldi is on Mars, where the Excalibur visits for a conference on finding a new homeworld.
Max visits his ex-wife.
Neroon departs on a secret mission.
3. The Well of Forever
Galen (would not have to) all but hijack the Excalibur to reach the Well of Forever, on behalf of his promise to Isabelle.
Gideon is much more sympathetic to Max, because they want to find weapons to use against the Drakh, but also makes sure Max is not thinking only of profit.
Max is called by his ex-wife, who needs his help, but he chooses not to go help her—he’s too anxious to get to the Well. He later discovers that she has been killed, and he is overcome with guilt.
Max finds some items, but Galen causes them to self-destruct.
Matheson is visited by a representative of whatever has replaced the Psi Corps in this Earth-less situation. Hints of involvement of Bester, somehow. He is a shadowy figure off somewhere, pulling the strings of a supposedly “reformed” Psi Corps – type organization.
Dureena wonders if perhaps the sword will only work for the TM who owned the sword. At the Well, she finds his tomb—the symbol on the sword is also on the tomb. She sneaks into it and touches the remains. (The Tech gets onto her and slowly begins to grow.) She wonders what has happened. Galen later can sense that something about her has changed, but doesn’t know what, at first, and she begins to avoid him—which is very noticeable, since before, she was pestering him.
4. The Path of Sorrows
The Excalibur encounters an alien which causes them to remember important events from their past. (Perhaps jazz this up a bit more, from the show’s version).
Gideon sees the Apocalypse Box, the destruction of the Cerberus, and meeting Galen, and then sees himself arriving too late to save the Earth from the Drakh.
Galen sees Isabelle, drawing from what we learned in the new book.
Matheson--?
Max?? Anyone else?
Minbari-Centauri Non-Aggression Pact announced.
5. Each Night I Dream of Home
The Excalibur visits Babylon 5. We see President G’Kar. Gideon meets Ivanova and Marcus. A spark of fire between Gideon and Ivanova—see Marcus slightly jealous, in his funny way.
Ivanova has been having nightmares ever since the destruction of the Earth. She talks about it with Gideon? Galen? Matheson???
Neroon returns to the Excalibur and describes a darkness that has consumed Minbar.
The Apocalypse Box hints at this as well, to Gideon.
Neroon on the path to becoming a TechnoMage?
Dark Rangers discover that Neroon is with the Excalibur, and have the EA order Gideon to turn him over to them.
Gideon dreams of the ship that destroyed the Cerberus, and wakes to find that it is nearby. Go after it.
2269: The Long Road
1. The Long Road
The “Circle” of the TechnoMages summons Galen to discuss his actions. They feel he has become much too involved in the affairs of the humans, and that he has allowed himself to become too violent, and too enmeshed in their seeking of revenge. He lectures them back—“Humanity is now walking the Long Road, and we must help them find their way.”
Neroon escapes the Dark Rangers. Becomes convinced that Delenn is still alive.
Neroon persuades Gideon to help search for Delenn.
2. Ghosts of Centauri Prime
The Drakh command Londo to send out agents to destroy the Excalibur. Londo in turn warns Vir of this, and Vir gets word to Gideon. Battle between the Excalibur and Centauri Vorchans. They self-destruct when damaged heavily. Centauri do manage to kidnap Dureena during all of this—she is on a planet nearby, exploring, and is captured. She sees Drakh with the Centauri, so they grab her. They want to interrogate her, but Galen rescues her (he’s remembering Isabelle as he does this). During this time, Dureena acquires a sword with certain unusual properties. Gideon passes the info about the Drakh and the Centauri on to the EA, but they ignore it. MUCH OF THIS HAS CHANGED!!
3. Appearances and Other Deceits
And now we find out why the EA ignored it: Dark agents of the Drakh have infiltrated Earthgov and are taking control of the leaders. The EarthForce orders the Excalibur to break off operations and return to base. Galen is suspicious and convinces Gideon to come up with some excuse why they can’t return immediately, and then goes off to investigate. Matheson meets Lyta Alexander and they discuss the Telepath War and so forth. Gideon and Neroon discuss the situation and begin to make long-range plans of their own, as Gideon begins to wonder if he can trust—or serve—EarthForce any longer. Guest appearance by Mr. Welles. Galen on Mars/Proxima.
4. Patterns of the Soul
Galen returns and warns that the darkness has now come to the humans as well. Introspective of each of the characters as each decides what to do, who to trust, who to serve. Galen goes to each of them and asks. Gideon calls a meeting and they decide to reject the EA orders, because the Excalibur is an ISA ship. He has spoken with G’Kar behind the scenes, and G’Kar has ordered the Excalibur to go on a mission for him, so it is “temporarily unavailable” for the EA for now. Max is upset and reluctant, and leaves, but later returns, having remembered his ex-wife and his guilt.
The Dark Rangers are now very much on the move.
On a deserted planet, a single human male searches for something… or someone.
5. Rage for Revenge
(Something must have happened previously to detach the Minbari from the Centauri, so that there is no fear of the Minbari coming to the Centauris’ aid.)
Along with Marcus and the “renegade Rangers,” the Excalibur crew decide to help liberate Centauri Prime. Preparations are made. Galen is working frantically behind the scenes on something. The Apocalypse Box encourages Gideon and gives him very secret info and suggestions. It also hints at a plague, but Gideon doesn’t understand. Then, the Shadow Hybrid that destroyed the Cerberus appears. Gideon is torn—what to do? The Rangers are waiting for him!
2270: Racing the Night
1. Racing the Night
Gideon has the Excalibur chase after the Shadow Hybrid for as long as he can get away with, then orders the ship to turn back to Centauri Prime. “I was late once, and an entire world paid the price. I won’t be late again.” The Rangers have launched the attack, but are failing. On the surface, Vir and his collaborators work to sabotage the Drakh.
2. The Liberation of Centauri Prime
All-out battle between the Drakh and the Rangers/Excalibur/Vir’s forces. They drive the Drakh away, but at huge cost—the surface of Centauri Prime is devastated. Londo is furious. Just before he flees, Shivkala reminds Londo that he will never be free. If Centauri Prime cannot be theirs, it will be no one’s. Release the plague over Centauri Prime. Gideon realizes the Box “knew.”
3. To the Ends of the Earth
Bester has a new base and is reorganizing telepaths behind the scenes.
Lyta is onto this, working in conjunction with Garibaldi.
EA destroyers arrive to seize control of the Excalibur.
Bester helps the Excalibur against the EA, and in return they allow him to go.
Lyta and Garibaldi go after him. Big showdown among them. Huge explosion. Appears Bester has been killed, but he actually gets away.
4. Seven Words
The Techno-mages face an internal crisis. Galen comes closer to resolving his feelings over Isabelle, and grows closer to Dureena; for the first time, he allows some small measure of affection towards her.
On a world once bright but now swallowed in darkness, a man breathes seven words. “I love you, Delenn. I’ll find you.”
5. And Not to Yield
Main plot with the Excalibur--?
Reveal John Sheridan on Minbar, looking for Delenn.
Reveal Delenn held captive on Minbar, by her own caste. They cannot implant a Keeper on her, because of her heritage and because of something the Vorlons did to her and the other children of Valen. But they still hope she can be of use to them. She has resisted them all this time.
2271: Legions of Fire [became War Zone]
1. The Needs of Earth
More on the growing darkness among the EA leaders.
2. The Rules of the Game
not outlined
3. Legions of Fire
not outlined
4. Midnight in the City of Sorrows
On Minbar. Free Delenn.
5. War Zone
Begin the campaign against the Dark Rangers and the Drakh on Minbar.
2272: Dark Victory
1. Shards of Crystal Doom (subject to change) [became Value Judgments]
On Minbar.
2. The Light Shines
The first major victory is achieved. Minbar is liberated and John and Delenn return in triumph to Babylon 5, where G’Kar embraces them. But things still look bad everywhere.
3. The Passing of the Techno-Mages
Resolve the Techno-Mage storyline for good. They pass away or go away. Galen remains for now, but it is clear that either Gideon or Neroon will become a Techno-mage, as well. Must choose.
4. End of the Line
The Excalibur finds a new homeworld for humanity, but still must free them from the Drakh. Major battles and actions. Drakh are defeated for good, and driven away for good. Bad guys in EA go after Gideon.
5. Dark Victory
The Victory has been rebuilt as the Dark Victory, using Shadow tech, by the people Gideon has been chasing all along. Huge battle between the Excalibur and the Dark Victory. Dark Victory is destroyed as it fires its main gun—they knock loose the upper support and the energy sprays down into the ship, destroying it, just as it has the Excalibur where it wants it.
Resolution to Gideon’s storyline, and to any others remaining.