Send in the Clowns

[Sheridan]

Throughout the Earth Alliance the news of Sheridan's reelection victory sweeps across the nation. Celebrations course through Babylon 5, Proxima Colony, and our other planet,.. the endangered Coriana.

At Proxima Prime, Senate Dome, the EA senators gathered to hear Sheridan's victory speech directly beamed from Babylon 5 Council Chambers.

At the Council,.. Sheridan enters and surveys the assembled ambassadors,.. as expected the ISC representative is absent,.. Narn and Lyran also. For once though the Mimbari ambassador is present, sitting in some sort of meditative trance at the table.

Sheridan steps to the podium,.. "It is the dawn of a new age for the Earth Alliance. All around us changes are occurring and dangers are lurking. A new direction for the Earth Alliance is coming.

In the past, my honorable opponent Vice President Ho Chi, and his neocon conservative assistants have decided the questions of war and peace for our nation. One man has decided the fate of the future of our great Alliance. Although his warlike stance, strong defense of our nation, and wise tactical decisions have served us well,... it is time for change! Change we can believe in!

As a greater war against a extragalactic threat looms before us all, the time for wars is over. It is a time now to bring nations together like we have never done before.

It is hereby announced that when I am sworn in for my second term (January?) the decisions for war and peace will be decided jointly by both of me,.... and the Vice President Ho Chi!"

Confused the crowd stumbles in it applause,..

At that moment,.. at the Earth Senate on Proxima, a second Sheridan steps before the assembled Senators,...



The Romulan ambassador starts to again scratch at his ear,.. Sheridan 1 notes this and chuckles as he has finally figured out what is going on,.. he has Romulan Fleas,..

Nearby,.. the whispered conversations can barely be heard amongst the gasps,.. "body double,.. incredulous,.. this cannot be"

Both Sheridan's smile and wave to the shocked crowds,..

Sheridan 2 ,.. "We will now share the decisions of war and peace with all of us having a veto power. No longer will one person decide if our nation will unleash its weapons of war upon another nation. The prior aggressive stance of the Earth Alliance will be tempered with the calm diplomatic hand of it's new Presidents! It is time to restore the Earth Alliance to its prior dignity, as a bringer of peace and unity. Our days as a harbinger of death and destruction are over!"



The rally eventually ends with the Theme song "Send in the Clowns" by Stephen Sondheim, from 1973,..




Later in Sheridan's ready room, The Vice President and Sheridan meet.

HC,.. "An impressive speech Mr. President,... was that a body double or really a clown,.. excuse me a clone?

Sheridan,.. "Some things are best left in the Shadows Ho Chi,.. Ho Chi, you have guided our nation with skill, some ruthlessness, and strength. It is time soon though for new war to be waged. One in which, we alone cannot win. It is time for a new strategy, a new start,.. it will be the Dawn of a New Age for the Earth Alliance! Together Ho Chi, we will forge a new weapon in the coming war against the Ancient Race."

Both looked out the window of the stateroom,.. In the distance another races vessels had dropped out of warp,.. Federation ships of war had arrived at Babylon 5,..

The call had been heard,..

The gathering had begun.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQDiKGRut80

[Gold Centurion]

LOFL!!!

[Ho Chi]

After the Presidents left, Ho Chi sat somber in his thoughts. Now all that has transpired in the past is becoming clearer. The apparent inability of the President to make one clear path forward has been due in fact to the sheer number of Sheridans.

This is why fleets were sent here and there only to be later recalled prior to reaching the assigned destination. It is why war is recommended, then days later desire for peace rises within the EA.

Ho Chi shakes his head and wonders...is Sheridan the EA's own worst enemy.

Turning towards the data link, Ho Chi enters a code. The screen flashes the word "INITIATED"...

One week later...

…Ho Chi entered his stateroom accompanied by the familiar automated voice “You have one message.” As Ho Chi sat down, the data link video transmitted an image, a man whose appearance was but an outline in a darkened room.

“What have you to report?”

“…we have located them…”

“How many?”

“Three. Three active, but many more…”

“Understood…I suspected as much...”

“What are your orders?”

“Initiate Ho Chi Alpha Charlie & Delta…do you understand…”

The image’s outline nods slightly, then the data link terminates. Ho Chi sits back, pours a nice hot cup of tea, Earl Grey, then slowly sips, as he enjoys the aroma and flavor…

[Sheridan]

Both of me are trying to imagine a mechanical cylon laugh,..

Now that is funny!

[Ho Chi]

new

[Pew Pew]

Newsflash: Dr. Dre announces a price on the heads of the Sheridan Clones!

[Sheridan]

Could it be that Sheridan is actually a Cylon

And there are many copies !!!!

[ISN War Reporter (Embedded)]

ISN BREAKING NEWS!!!

ISN has unconfirmed reports that Earth Alliance Presidents Sheridan 1, Sheridan 3, and Sheridan 3 have ties to the Cylons... It is surmised that they may, in fact, be agents planted by the Cylons to disrupt EA activities and confuse the Colonial Battlestar Olympia's crew into a stupor while the Cylons destroy them all. This is unconfirmed at this time and both Cylon Gold Centurion DCLXVI (666), and Presidents Sheridan 1, 2, and 3, as well as EA Vice-President Ho Chi are not answering our repeated requests for interviews.