CRUSADE      

Crusade is the sequel/spin-off to Babylon 5. Crusade was to be a five year story created by Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski.


THE MISSION

The Drakh's have released a plague into Earth's atmosphere. Within five years this advanced plague will adapt itself to Earth life, and kill everything. The planet has been quarantine. No one may leave Earth, no one may go to Earth.

To find a cure to this alien plague somewhere before it is too late. Captain Matthew Gideon is given command of the Excalibur. The Captain is given the best crew , the Earthforce has, to help in this adventure.  Gideon has help from some other sources a Techno-mage, a Thief and a representative to Interplanetary Expeditions (IPX)  and a few others to draw from. They will go anywhere to find the cure. They will do just about anything to find the cure.


THE SHIP

EXCALIBUR

Classification of craft: War Cruiser (Dreadnought / Aircraft Carrier)

VICTORY CLASS DESTROYER class: Victory

type: Heavy Destroyer

length: 2,990.31 meters

mass: 310 million metric tons

crew: 150 - 600 persons

troop: 2,000 [?]

fighter: 56 Starfury fighter craft

power: Quantum Gravimetric reactor

Fusion reactors

duration: 20 years [?]

weapon: 1 Super Quantum Discharge Cannon

8 Heavy Quantum Discharge Cannons

6 Heavy Neutron Cannon

12 Fusion Beam Cannons

Multiple Anti-Fighter pulse cannons along hull

Missiles [multiple launchers]

defense: 10-15 meters re-enforced hull with Plasteel / Crystalline Armor mesh Tractor Beams Gravitic Defense Fields Minbari Stealth Device The Victory class Destroyer was conceived by President John J. Sheridan of the Interstellar Alliance, to answer the new Alliance's need for a large, heavy assault capital ship with all the strengths of the Whitestar class Monitor and none of the weaknesses. This vessel was designed in cooperation between the Minbari Federation and Earth Alliance, and incorporates the very best of both race's technology as well as the advanced technology gained from both the Vorlons and the Shadows.

At 2,990.31 meters* (1.857 miles) in length, almost twice the size of a Minbari Sharlin class War-Cruiser, the Victory class Destroyer has significantly greater firepower, and comparable speed and maneuverability to any other ship of her class. Armor consists of a Plasteel/Poly-Crystalline armor mesh, again based on Minbari armor designs, capable of deflecting/refracting over 80% of all energy directed at the ship's hull *. In addition to having the toughest armor of any known starship, the Excalibur is also armed with the latest advances in defense grid technology that include a new countermeasures system that releases small metalic discs which can be fired from the ship. These discs break energy weapons down to their various frequencies*. In normal space, the Excalibur has a maximum safe velocity of 3,000,000 m/s, but can obtain higher velocities in hypespace.**

It had been the intention of the ISA to provide the Victory class vessels with Vorlon bio-armor and shields, which would make the Victory class Destroyers more than a match for any starship traveling the space ways today. Unfortunately, due to a recent Drakh attack on the planet Earth, the surviving prototype Destroyer "Excalibur", was forced to forgo her scheduled stop over on Minbar and was rushed right into service. This decision was based upon the Victory class Destroyer's impressive performance during the battle with the Drakh, and the fact that it would take months to grow and merge Vorlon bio-armor over the hull of the new Destroyer... time the ISA did not have if they were going to find a cure for the biogenic plague released on Earth*.

Victory class Destroyers are armed with newer, more powerful variants of the heavy Fusion beam cannons, Anti-Neutron particle weapons, phalanx plasma defense turrets and antimatter bolt cannons, as well a the infamous Quantum/Gravitic discharge cannon sported by the Whitestar fleet, with a LOW-END output of 2,000 Terawatts - 2.0*1015 watt . * This beam is probably more powerful, given that it vaporized a Drakh Raider occored in a fraction of a second and the beam continued on for hundreds of kilometers. If comprised of matterials much stronger than iron (our base matterial for determining the low-end figures) and if comprised of technology and armor superior to that of the Minbari, the output of this weapon would be on a scale of 1.6*1017 watt . It was also seen that the Victory is apparently armed with a heavy assault cannon, the most powerful energy beam weapon seen outfitted on a starship created by the younger races.

The main gun of the Victory class vessel is believed to comprise the total energy release of all power generated by the vessel's main reactor, and combines this massive energy discharge with a release of pure antimatter and the destructive force of the gravity based impact beam used to contain the antimatter stream, as well as several unknown principles unique to Vorlon based weapons. Given what was seen during the weapons test phase, the main gun of the Victory class Destroyer is estimated to have a LOW-END power output 5 Exawatts - 5.0*1018 watt**.

Given that this weapon drains the Victroy class vessel of all the power generated by her reactors for 60 seconds however, we can estimate that the maximum output of this weapons may be between 1.06*1021 and 7.07*1021 joule. This weapon can only be fired once however, as the power drain renders a Victory class vessel powerless for nearly 60 seconds, leaving the ship only her reserve fusion reactors to fall back upon **.

Information on this vessel is scarce at present, as the project is still in the testing stages and the base where the new Destroyers were being constructed were destroyed by the Drakh following the betrayal of the project's head Sam Drake. New fleet yards are being built and this new breed of Capital ship might be in service in as little as three standard Earth years. At present there are plans to build approximately 800 of this class vessel, with each Victory class Destroyer possessing enough firepower to stand toe to toe with three or more enemy ships in the largest capital ship classification.

Only one Victory class Destroyer is in service at this time - the Excalibur. The Victory herself, the namesake of this new class of warship, was destroyed when she rammed the bridge of a Shadow planet killer. Newer production line variants of the Victory class may include the bio-armor that the prototype currently lacks. More information to be posted at this terminal at a later date. <


THE CREW

Captain Matthew Gideon

(Gary Cole)

Matthew Gideon, a commanding officer who has total dedication to his crew, but will stop at nothing to complete a mission.

HISTORY:  He met Galen nine years previously after he was stranded in space when his ship, the Cerberus, was destroyed (War Zone), apparently by the Shadows (or Shadow agents) (The Path of Sorrows). He also won a mysterious object called the Apocalypse Box in a game of cards (The Path of Sorrows) - gambling being one of his favourite past-times. The Box provides him with pointers and information that helps influence his decisions regarding the Excalibur's mission (Racing the Night, The Memory of War).

 Lt.  John Matheson

(Daniel Dae Kim)

Lt. John Matheson is the Excalibur's First Officer and telepath. The first telepath to serve in Earth Alliance. He has a good sense of humor. Always in control, he continually monitors the Excalibur through his headset.

HISTORY:  John is the only one in the crew to have served with Gideon in the past. He is a telepath, but after the end of the telepath war, telepaths can again serve in the military under new rules.  Released back into society following the disbanding of Psi Corps after the Telepath War (in which he played a minor part in assisting the rogues (The Path of Sorrows).

Galen

(Peter Woodward)

Galen risked much to helping Matthew Gideon and as such was cast out from his order of Technomage's secret hiding place. Now he helps in the search for the cure.

HISTORY:

In 2259, as the Techno-mages flee the oncoming Shadow War, Galen saves Matthew Gideon after he was stranded in space following the destruction of his ship (War Zone, The Path of Sorrows), and is subsequently exiled by the mages for maintaining contact with outsiders, threatening their safety.

Galen knows Vir Coto.

Galen warned Sheridan about the return of the Drakh (A Call to Arms) before joining Gideon aboard the Excalibur to find a cure for the Drakh virus, in between helping Vir's resistance movement on Centauri Prime (Armies of Light and Dark).

Things to know about Galen: He does not wear a comlink. He speaking in riddles, and generally being cryptic is his normal.

"The implants on his back, what (if you know) are they connect to and what are they for? Who also knows about the implants besides the Doctor?" Those implants are connected to the rest of the Tech that has been implanted within him. I think they are his external sensors. The only person(s) who knows about the sensors are Galen, Dr. Sarah Chambers and the rest of the mages.

Galen's parents(both Techno-mages) died in a passenger transport accident (The Long Road), the young Galen was raised and trained by Elric (The Geometry of Shadows), a member of the Techno-mage Circle.

In preparation for his final training to become a mage, Galen discovers a destructive new spell, and is forbidden by the ruling Circle to cast it. When he disobeys, he is almost cast out of the Order, but instead given a mission - to uncover proof that the Shadows are indeed returning to wage war upon the galaxy. During this mission, he develops a relationship with fellow mage Isabelle - but she is killed, betrayed by their own kind (The Well of Forever, The Path of Sorrows, the novel Casting Shadows).

Doctor Sarah Chambers

(Marjean Holden)

Dr. Chambers is the Excalibur's science and medical officer. She is burdened with the evalutaing the search for a cure for the virus threatening humanity.

Member of the Earth Alliance Health Organization, and assigned as chief medical officer to the Excalibur. She is concerned for her sister who remains on the plagued Earth.

HISTORY:

Dureena Nafee

(Carrie Dobro)

Dureena Nafeel is the sole survivor of her race, which was wiped out by the Shadow and their servants. Dureena is a thief by trade but is currently seeking vengeance upon those allied with the Dark Servants. She also searches for any other possible survivors of her people. She belongs to the thiefs guild.

Dureena is from Zander Prime They're never specifically named, but as they come from Zander (or Xander) Prime, I've always thought of them as Zanderi, or Xanderi.

After her homeworld, Zander Prime, was destroyed by a Shadow Planet Killer at the tail end of the Shadow War, Dureena believed herself to be the only surviving member of her race, and blamed Sheridan for failing to save her people. Escaping the slave traders of Praxis 9 (The Memory of War), she joined the Thieves' Guild in order to survive, and was recruited by Galen to join Sheridan in fighting off the first of the Drakh attacks (A Call to Arms), before remaining aboard the Excalibur to help save Earth.

During her travels, she found a small colony of her people on a remote world, who are infected with the Drakh virus and are not expected to survive for longer than a year (Patterns of the Soul). our resident lock pick

HISTORY:

MAXAMILIAN (Max) Eilerson

(David Allen Brooks)

Max Eilerson is the representative to Interplanetary Expeditions (IPX) assigned to help in the search for the cure. Max was also sent by the IPX to acquire new technology from any of the worlds he and the Excalibur crew investigates.

Max is also a linguist and Zeno Archaeologist

He is a very different character than the others, a civilian with very different motivations than the rest. He is very good at what he does, and he makes sure others know it too..

Xenoarchaeologist, linguinst, and member of Interplanetary Expeditions. He represents IPX's ambition to "cash in" on any important technological discoveries made whilst in search of the virus cure.

HISTORY: While he is still fond of his ex-wife, Cynthia Allen, he is even more fond of their cat, Mr Kitty (The Rules of the Game).


Crusade eps

Title: War Zone

Episode Order Number: 101

Production Number: 108

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Janet Greek

First US Air Date: Wednesday 09th June 1999

As panic reigns in the wake of the Drakh attack, Earthforce ships - including the explorer class vessel under the command of Captain Matthew Gideon - desperately race home to aid Earth. Too late to help fend off the attack, Gideon finds himself re-assigned to the prototype ship, The Excalibur. No sooner does he set off with his new ship, when word comes of a Drakh ship from the attack that has crashed on a Ceti 4. Hoping to glean some early clues about the plague virus, the Excalibur races to plunder the wreckage.... but the Drakh are on the way too.

Within five years this advanced plague will adapt itself to Earth life, and kill everything.

several ships are sent out on a desperate mission - to find a cure to this alien plague somewhere before it is too late. One of these ships is the Excalibur, an advanced prototype starship, the only one of its kind. With a lot of alien encounter experience, Captain Matthew Gideon is given command of the Excalibur.

Guest star:Alex Mendozar[Trace Miller],Tim Thomerson [ Senator McQuate ], Chris Comés [ Aide ], Maggie Egan [ ISN Anchor ], Don Fischer [ Captain Henson ], Mark Hendrickson [ Drakh Captain ], Elijha Majar [ Crew #1 ], Rebecca Markham [ Sam ], Brook Parker [ Lieutenant Ross ], John Sanderford [ Mr. Ames ], Will Schaub [ Jenson ], Otto Stürcke [ Ensign ]

Title: The Long Road

Episode Order Number: 102

Production Number: 107

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Mike Vejar

First US Air Date: Wednesday 16th June 1999

Reports of an Earthforce ship having some unusual trouble with the local population of a planet containing a mineral that will slow the effect of the plague, sends the Excalibur in support. What they find, however, is not what they expected...how often is a dragon a problem anyway. This episode takes place about two months after "War Zone".

Guest Star: Alison Lohman [ Claire ], Scott Paetty [ Lieutenant Meyers ], Mik Scriba [ Barkeep ], Marshall Teague [ Captain Daniels ], Edward Woodward [ Alwyn ], Michael O'Connell [ Worker #2 ], Sophia Santi [ Worker #1 ], Rex Ryon [ First Man ]

Title: The Well of Forever

Episode Order Number: 103

Production Number: 106

Writer: Fiona Avery

Director: Janet Greek

First US Air Date: Wednesday 23rd June 1999

When the crew is left with no target for their next destination, Galen proposes a risky venture deep into hyperspace in search of the mysterious "Well of Forever". He promises it will provide answers to many questions, but his real motivation is not revealed until they arrive. .

Guest Star: Michael Beck [ Mr. Jones ], David A. Saunders [ Navigation ], Joe Wandell [ Communications Officer ]

Title: The Path of Sorrows

Episode Order Number: 104

Production Number: 109

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Mike Vejar

First US Air Date: Wednesday 30th June 1999

A planet that has a reputation as a 'place of healing' attracts the attention of the Excalibur crew, but all they find there is a mysterious alien in a bubble. As individual members of the crew interact with the alien, questions arise as to what exactly this alien wants of them.

Guest Star: Mark Blankfield [ Jenson ], Gary Graham [ Bruder ], Sophie Ward [ Isabelle ], Dawn Stern [ Alison ], Daniel Guzman [ XO ], Kevyn Major Howard [ Officer ], Matt O'Toole [ First Man ], Patrick St. Esprit [ Captain Ross ]

Title: Patterns of the Soul

Episode Order Number: 105

Production Number: 110

Writer: Fiona Avery

Director: Tony Dow

First US Air Date: Wednesday 07th July 1999

Sent to evacuate a colony of people who left Earth in the midst of the Drakh battle - who are therefore possibly contaminated, the crew of the Excalibur find instead a sinister hidden secret, as well as a bittersweet new hope for one of the crew.

Guest Star: Peter Deanda [ General Thompson ], Sharrise Baker [ IPX Official ], Brian Thompson [ Robert Black ], Eric Ware [ Tim ], Scott Carollo [ Colonist ], Nancy Linehan Charles [ Villager ], Curt Lowens [ Old One ]

Title: Ruling from the Tomb

Episode Order Number:106

Production Number:111

Writer:Peter David

Director: John Copeland

First US Air Date:30 June 1999

Excalibur is on hand at a Mars Conference on the Drakh virus. On the red planet, Gideon butts heads with Captain Elizabeth Lochley, fresh from Babylon 5 to provide additional security at the event. As the two Captains learn to co-operate in more ways than one, a group of religious zealots plot to take God's Judgment into their own hands. Meanwhile, the whole affair prompts some soul searching on the part of shuttle pilot Trace Miller.

gs: Alex Mendoza [ Trace Miller ], Juanita Jennings [ Lieutenant Carr ], John Novak [ Doctor Alain Lebecque ], Fred Estrada [ Cultist #1 ], Mario Roberts [ Passerby ], Jason Rodriguez [ Rivera ], Harley Zumbrum [ Bruiser ]

Title: The Rules of the Game

Episode Order Number:107

Production Number:112

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Jesús Trevińo

First US Air Date:14 July 1999

Captain Gideon comes to Babylon 5 to negotiate for the rights to land on the Lorkan home world. But the Lorkans consider themselves morally superior to their galactic neighbours and see Humans as an unwanted taint in the perfect picture they themselves present. When Gideon's determination persists, a pair of overly devout Lorkans seek a more permanent end to the debates. Meanwhile, Max Eilerson's ex-wife Cynthia Allen shows up with a request for help. Cynthia has borrowed money from the wrong people, and now it's up to Eilerson to fix things his own way.

gs: Tim Choate [ Polix ], Timothy Landfield [ Lorkan #3 ], Sal Landi [ Rolf Mueller ], Jamie Rose [ Cynthia Allen ], Joel Swetow [ Ris ], Jonathan Chapman [ Brakiri Ambassador ], Carl Reggiardo [ Drazi Vendor ], Kathe Weeks [ Diane ]

Title: Appearance and Other Deceits

Episode Order Number:108

Production Number:113

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Stephen Furst

First US Air Date:21 July 1999

While visiting political officers determine a new look for the Excalibur and its crew in order to improve morale back home, the sole survivor aboard an alien spaceship threatens the mission... Production Notes: This episode was written in such a way as to enable the screening of the first five episodes produced (101 - 105) which feature different uniforms and a more spartan Excalibur.

gs: Luanne Ponce [ Janey ], John Vickery [ Mr. Welles ], Wayne Wilderson [ Kevin Sprach ], Christopher Michael [ Earthforce Captain

Title: Racing the Night

Episode Order Number:109

Production Number:103

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Mike Vejar

First US Air Date:28 July 1999

While exploring a planet once devastated by a Drakh plague similar to one that threatens the Earth, an IPX technician is mysteriously killed. The man's body is neatly vivisected, sliced with the precision of a medical dissection. Other attacks follow, prompting Galen to send a holographic homunculus out as bait, and the techno-mage uncovers the desperate lengths one race went to to stave off death...

gs: Brenan Baird [ Kulan ], Madison Mason [ General Miller ], Neil Bradley [ Drazi Ambassador ], Roxana Brusso [ Crew Member #1 ], Jonathan Chapman [ Brakiri Ambassador ], Adam Clark [ Ranger ]

Title: The Memory of War

Episode Order Number:110

Production Number:102

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Tony Dow

First US Air Date:11 August 1999

Amid the vine-encrusted ruins of a vanished civilization, the Excalibur crew finds the remnants of a weapon of incredible destruction. But not everything dead remains dormant, and soon death stalks the planet just as it did before. Nor are the newcomers to this world completely innocent of its fate, as Galen discovers.

gs: Susie Park [ Sogayu ], James Parks [ Duncan ], John Saint Ryan [ Technomage ], Ron Campbell [ Belan ], Maggie Egan [ ISN Reporter ], Dustin MacDonald [ Guard ]

Title:The Needs of Earth

Episode Order Number:111

Production Number:101

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Mike Vejar

First US Air Date:4 August 1999

In response to a plea from an alien fugitive, Gideon risks a clandestine trip to Praxis Colony. There he finds Natchok Var. The refugee guards a storehouse of alien knowledge, and Gideon thinks that among the mass of data there just might be the information that Earth needs. But the knowledge the alien protects isn't going to be given up lightly, and not all treasure troves are what they first seem.

gs: Tony Amendola [ Natchok Var ], Bill Mondy [ Nix ], Mark Hendrickson [ Patron ], Peter Welkin [ Trulann ], Tom Wyner [ Apriori Flentak ]

Title: Visitors from Down the Street

Episode Order Number:112

Production Number:104

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Jerry Apoian

First US Air Date:1 September 1999

The truth is out there. In this case, way out there, as the crew of the Excalibur learns when it picks up two very peculiar guests, a pair of paranoia-ridden aliens named Durkani and Lyssa. The visitors are determined to uncover their government's secret extraterrestrial cover-up, and they insist that Humans have been meddling in their affairs for decades. But Captain Gideon is in no mood to play the little green man in someone else's paranoid conspiracy fantasy.

gs: Josh Clark [ Kendarr ], Francoise Robertson [ Lyssa ], Harry Van Gorkum [ Durkani ], Robert Caso [ Maintenance Man ], Sandra Gonzales [ Maintenance #2 ], Eric Whitmore [ Security #1 ], Camila Griggs [ Security #2 ]

Title: Each Night I Dream of Home

Episode Order Number:113

Production Number:105

Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Stephen Furst

First US Air Date:8 September 1999

Dr. Sarah Chambers gets a chance to unlock the secrets of the Drakh virus, aided by none other than Dr. Stephen Franklin, brought from Earth for a top secret, high priority mission. Drakh spies tip off the enemy, who launch an attack against the Excalibur in an attempt to stifle their work. But Gideon receives unexpected help in his battle - from Captain Elizabeth Lochley...

gs: Lance LeGault [ Senator Redway ], Timothy Williams [ David Williams ], Richard Biggs [ Dr. Stephen Franklin ], Liz Lavoie [ Carole Miles ], Carl Reggiardo [ Drakh ]


This is just the first of what I hope will be an on going  Crusade madness.  Yeah I know I came in late again.  It's my lot in life to be a day late and a dollar short.  OH WELL!

As long as I have gone Crusade crazy (OK I will admit it now and get it over with I am Galen Crazy and John Matheson crazy) I've been writing some Fan fiction.  Yes let's all hear that groan at one time! LOL!  I know I am a little insane but you have to love me, it's in the contract!

I have this running story going with a female Techon-mage who is sent to help with the cure.  I have a partner in crime on this one, Crusaderat2003.  (HEY RAT!!!!)

A Crusade story. I've recently gotten hooked on this old show. OK so I am a day late and a dollar short. What fun.

"First Encounter" Is my story of how a Techno-mage Acate come aboard Excalibur to help find a cure.

OK I have started a new adventure here with my friend Crusaderat2002. So we are going to see what kind of trouble we can make for Max. Let the games begin! I don't know how long this is going to be, but it will be many parts. We are planning on stretching it to April Fools Day. Can you wait that long for a payoff? A Tale of a Techno-mage and a Telepath

"Into the Mirror" is something that came to me one night. I hope someone enjoys it half as much as I loved to write.


OK well if you have gotten down this far, you are one strange being and a gutton for punishment (LOL). If you want to tell me how good the stories are you can reach me at: Email Me. Or you just want to tell me not to give up my day job well you can get me the same place. I should tell you all flames, they will be read and kept in File 13. (LOL)