Chapter 4


The meeting was called to order. The strident but confident leader confidently strode to the front of the room. "People", he began, "you only win wars one battle at a time. You only eat a bowl of fruit loops, one loop at a time. We may have lost our first battle, but President Clark wants us to continue, and we won't let baldy down!"

All of the others shouted "woo! Woo!" while shaking their black armband laden arms, in the air.

"Nightwatch is back in business, here on B5!".

Even though the crew thought they had rid themselves of Clark's henchmen, some hid out as janitors, mimes, executive producers, funerary cosmotololgists, and stand-up comedians waiting for the signal to come. And come it did. This day, Nightwatch decided that attempting to take over the ENTIRE station was too big of a task, so they decided that they could do it one department at a time.

"Ladies and gentlemen", the leader went on, "when today ends, the laundromat will be ours!""

Wild cheering went up from the crowd.

"Who knows, maybe by the end of the week we'll have the entire Textile Services .

My contacts inform me that Sheridan likes heavy starch in his shirts. If he wants starch! He'll have to deal with NIGHTWATCH!"

A squeaky high-pitched voice rose from the center of the crowd. "Nightwatch? I thought this was for 'Baywatch!'". And with that a "well rounded" bikini-clad sun-bleached blonde got up and left, jogging from the room in slow motion.

A voice from the back of the crowd shouted "on to the Laundromat!". The crazed man kicked open the door (which is tough to do when the doors are automatic and move to the side), and the entire mob fell out into the hallway of Mauvey shade of Pinkish Green level.

In the NightWatch (Sung to the tune of In the Navy)

Where can you wear armbands
Search space for contraband
Learn to spy on all your pals?

Where can you begin to make OUR dreams come true
In C&C or down below
Thump some bumpy heads 
and smash some funky skulls
And do it for a "nobel" cause?

Kidnap Vorlon freaks
And Bully simple shopkeeps
And get around those pesky laws

In the Nightwatch
Yes, you can sail the southern skies
In the Nightwatch
Yes, looking for traitors in disguise
In the Nightwatch
Come on now wackos, make a stand
In the Nightwatch
Can't you see we need a hand!!
In the Nightwatch
Come on protect your fine homeworld
In the Nightwatch
Come on and join your fellow spy
In the Nightwatch
Come on psychos take a stand
in the Nightwatch, in the Nightwatch, in the Nightwatch!

Garibaldi and his men rounded the corner near the Laundromat on Lime Green Level. Being tipped off by one of his spies, the security chief was well prepared. It was that sudden influx of black armbands to be cleaned that suggested that something was up..

In the EA

(Sung to the tune, of yup, you guessed it, In the Navy)

Where can you find pleasure
Search all space for treasure
Learn science and technology

Where can you begin to make your dreams come true
In this entire galaxy
Where can you fly Furies
Insult fat Centauries
Study from the book of G'Quan
Snort'n lots of dust
If you really must
As the galaxy decends to hell

In the EA
Yes, you can sail the Southern Skies
In the EA
Yes, you can space the nasty guys
In the EA
Come on now people, make a stand
In the EA
Can't you see we need a hand!!
In the EA
Come on protect your fine homeworld
In the EA
Come on and join your fellow being
In the EA
Come on people make a stand
in the EA, in the EA, in the EA!

Just as Garibaldi's men burst into the Laundromat, Nightwatch appeared.

"Mr. Garibaldi", the Nightwatch commander said. "I am here to inform you that under orders of President Clark, I place the Laundromat under Earth Alliance rule.We hereby liberate these washing machines.

Just at that time, two Drazi where emptying their dryers in unison. One pulled out a long friendly green scarf, and eyed the other as he pulled out a rather fetching taffeta, purple scarf. Like two angry tomcats, they immediately jumped at each others throats. The green Drazi pounded the purple one with a half full box of Tide, (Now with that Lemony fresh scent). The purple Drazi fought back with his plastic laundry basket.

At this precise moment, Commander Sheridan strolled on by, stuck his head through the door and said "I sure wish Anna was here to see this". Then vanished. With all of this commotion, no one had noticed that lone figure seated in the corner, reading the comics section of Universe Today, waiting for his load to be done. He was wearing a very ornate bathrobe, sparkling with the finest gold and silver brocade. However that triangular cycloptic helmet gave him quickly away. He threw down his newspaper jumped up shouting, hissing "impudent!! Can't an immortal get some peace around this joint? Er, I mean, . . . ", he said, clearing his throat,

"You are not ready for, ah, extra whitening!, or whatever. . ."

The Drazi fell back in terror. The Nightwatch stood there in slack-jawed amazement. Garibaldi seized their confusion stunned the traitors with his PPG, getting a few of his own guys in the process. "They'll sleep it off" he said, congratulating himself on another day's work done.

"You go ahead, I have some stuff to finish up" he told the remaining men as they lead the renegades away.

"Yo, Kosh!"

"Huh?"

"Hey, thanks big guy!"

"Bite me Garibaldi!" the Ambassador responded as he pulled his ornate golden boxer shorts from the dryer.

With that the security chief took off his Minbari-made uniform jacket, having noticed that it was looking just a bit soiled. He tossed it into the closest washing machine with some Tide borrowed from the still dizzy Drazi. However, the chief was in for a surprise. Since he was unable to read Minbari. he probably didn't notice that small tag inside the inner left lapel which when translated would have brought forth the ominous warning : Dry Clean Only.


Chapter 5