Original subtitles

Am I going to die?

If it is written in the streams of time, Shon, it will be so.

[Franklin] I'll tell you what is written.

Soon you will breathe much easier.

You will grow to be strong, wise and bring honor...

...to your mother and father.

[M'ola] Please don't speak that way.

No one knows what is written until the waters surround him.

I am never wrong about these things.

Dr. Franklin.

My husband would like to speak with you candidly. May he do so?

Of course.

The doctors on our world say there's no treatment for his watery breathing.

They say that the boy is weak and he will die.

He's our only son, Dr. Franklin.

He is the last chance for our family's honor to fly on the winds of history.

You must love him very much.

On my world, it would be a sign of weakness...

...for me to acknowledge feelings to a stranger.

But he has brought such joy and happiness into our lives.

Can you save him?

Shon's condition is very serious, but it is treatable.

His upper air passages have a congestive blockage.

It's common in species with internal air bladders.

[Hernandez] We've seen this before.

Usually it happens as a result of an infection or a reaction to an injury.

It's a normal response. Usually it clears up by itself, but--

Sometimes the mass hardens, or grows.

It's not a weakness. It could happen to anyone.

A simple operation will correct the condition.

Operation?

Surgery.

You will cut him open?

That's usually what surgery entails, yes. There's nothing to worry about.

- Get Shon. We will find no help here. - Thank you.

Sorry to have taken your time.

Wait, wait. Look, it's a simple procedure.

He'll be stronger than ever.

You don't understand. Food animals are cut open.

They don't have a soul, so it's all right.

But the chosen of God may not be punctured.

[Hernandez] The blockage won't heal by itself.

If Shon doesn't have this surgery, he'll die, very painfully.

- No one wants that. - That's immaterial.

You must not cut into the child.

Now I know what is written.

[narrator] It was the dawn of the Third Age of mankind...

...10 years after the Earth-Minbari War.

The Babylon Project was a dream given form.

Its goal: to prevent another war by creating a place...

...where humans and aliens could work out their differences.

It's a port of call, home away from home...

...for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs and wanderers.

Humans and aliens, wrapped in 2,500,000 tons...

...of spinning metal, all alone in the night.

It can be a dangerous place.

But it's our last, best hope for peace.

This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations.

The year is 2258.

The name of the place is Babylon 5.

[Ivanova] Confirmed, Azimov. We'll be right there.

We received a distress call from the starliner Azimov.

- They had a fire in the control center. - How serious?

It's taken care of, but they lost navigation and communication.

They were en route, but now they're blind.

- Location? - Grid 471 by 18.

- That's Raider territory. - Exactly.

Recommend we send a fighter wing to escort the Azimov back here.

A potential combat situation requires a command officer.

Is Garibaldi available?

I suppose.

- What? - Nothing.

I have plenty of things to occupy myself here.

I think I'll just walk to and fro for a while. Maybe to my console.

After that, maybe I'll try pacing fro and to, just for the kick of it.

There's the view. Granted it's not quite the same as if you were outside.

For someone with over 100 hours of combat flying experience.

- If you'd rather-- - No, no, that's okay.

Don't worry about me. I'll just sit here and knit something.

Maybe a nice sweater, some socks.

Does the term "stir crazy" ring a bell?

I have an idea.

Why don't you take the fighter wing and escort the Azimov back to base?

Well, if you insist, sir.

So you see, removing the blockage is easy.

The fluid-transfer system will regain integrity immediately.

After that, it's a simple matter to reinflate the internal air sac.

He'll need to rest, but he's young and strong.

His recovery should be easy. It's a very simple procedure.

We understand all too well. That is why we won't allow it.

Our veterinarians perform this surgery on distressed food animals.

So you'll let him die? What kind of god do you worship?

We can't discuss this any longer. This is useless.

Wait, wait, wait. I think there might be another way.

It will take longer, be far more uncomfortable and will cost more.

The cost is not the issue. Nor is discomfort.

We're the Children of Time. We can't break our pact...

...like you can't cease to descend from egg-sucking mammals.

My husband intends no offense, doctor.

Of course. I think we can try something here that...

...might give Shon's natural defenses a chance to break up the blockage.

If we use a combination of emollients and microbeams...

...to provide a physical access for his internal fluids...

...we might help the body clear itself.

I'm not promising that this procedure will work as well.

It may not work at all. But you won't find a doctor with a better idea.

And you will lose valuable time if you go looking.

May we discuss this alone, please?

Of course.

- What are you doing? - I'll ask the same.

Never insult a patient's beliefs. Work with them.

Give them a reason to be on your side.

- You think lying will help? - I didn't lie.

Mineral oil and microbeams won't dislodge that mass. It's rooted!

That kid is going under the knife or into the freezer!

Sometimes you heal the family before the patient.

This isn't some silly superstition to them.

- They're not gonna just let it go. - It will kill their kid!

If we insist, they'll put him on the first cruiser out of here.

He won't survive the first jump. I am trying to find a way to save him!

They're terrified! They're not ready to cut to the chase.

So we do a little of this and that.

Torturing the patient with remedies that don't work.

Until they let us do what we should have done in the first place.

I don't like it either, but we don't get a vote.

Our son will not survive another space trip, will he?

No, I don't think so.

Then we either accept the fragile hope you offer...

...or we watch our son die in pain.

It is not much of a choice, is it?

[Ivanova] Alpha Wing ready to launch. [man] Roger.

[Ivanova] Launch.

We're going into a sector noted for Raider attacks.

Suggest minimal chatter. Don't attract attention. Just get in and get out.

Confirmed, Alpha Leader.

Prepare for jump.

You'll have to stay in bed.

The station has educational and entertainment channels you can--

No. We have seen some of that material.

Those channels demonstrate false belief systems.

We don't want him to see inappropriate information.

He can study the Scrolls if he gets bored.

The Scrolls can be calming when the mind is in turmoil.

In particular, the Parable of the 7th Declination in the Scroll of Herrel...

...where Herrel makes his final vow of commitment to family honor.

I've always found that to be a most inspiring lesson.

- I've got something for you. Look. - What is it?

[Franklin] Well, this...

...is a gloppit egg.

Now, the gloppit is a very rare creature from the planet...

Planet Placebo.

The egg has to be held just like this.

And petted just like this.

And talked to softly.

Just like this.

Since I'll be too busy treating you to care for it...

...you're gonna have to do that for me. Okay?

It is all right, isn't it? Please?

Moon ya? Dottya?

The gloppit. It is not a dangerous creature, is it?

Don't worry, it's safe.

Then you may speak to the egg, Shon.

But not of sacred things. Those are for us.

Yes, Dottya. Thank you.

Just like this.

[Hernandez] gloppit eggs? - He's terrified. He needs a friend.

So you gave him industrial goo?

I gave him something to believe in.

What?

You don't disapprove of superstition, if it's yours.

- What does that mean? - They worship the Great Egg.

Your god is medicine, and you can do no wrong. What's the difference?

I produce measurable results. What's your point?

Did you see their eyes?

They're terrified. You didn't solve anything, you postponed it.

I gave them a chance to think, to reconsider.

- You are so certain, aren't you? - All right, look.

If you can find a better way, go ahead.

Prove me wrong. You won't find anything.

- I'll bet a steak dinner on that. - Can't get steak here.

Then I'll import one.

One way or another, I'm gonna save that boy's life, whatever it costs.

Why do you want to import a steak?

Research.

- Who's paying for it? - Maya Hernandez. Or me.

- I'll let you know. - Did you see this?

The Shakespeare Corporation wants to trans-ship a load of fingle eggs.

They gotta be kidding. No way.

The presence of fingle eggs might present a serious hazard.

- Thanks. I owe you. - import another steak.

I don't owe you that much.

Anything new with the respiratory case?

Boy's gonna die.

Parents won't let me operate. What do I do?

The authority of Babylon 5 doesn't cover everything.

In this case, we're in a legal limbo.

You could order me to do anything to save that boy, including surgery.

If I do that, it establishes a precedent.

You already did when you told my predecessor to save Ambassador Kosh.

Yes, I was briefed.

[Garibaldi] He's right.

You established that the safety of an individual outweighs legal concerns.

But if you get involved, you give up all pretense at neutrality.

- It'll damage our authority. - An official request?

- Resolve this another way. - You don't care if he dies?

That's not the issue.

If it were, we wouldn't be talking. But it's not the only issue.

But this isn't going to go away. Neither will I.

[Ivanova] This was the Azimov's last known position.

Maintain radio silence until contact.

- You're doing fine. - No.

[breathes heavily]

I'm afraid. Maybe this gloppit egg will have to hatch without me.

No, no, no.

See? It's still glowing.

That means you're doing a good job.

You just keep holding it, just like that. Okay?

Your treatment isn't working. He's getting weaker.

We might have got him to Thailateen.

He never would have survived. He was too weak.

Because we trusted you, our son will die.

No. He will die because you won't trust me.

You wanted me to save him. Well, let me save him, please.

He needs that surgery, or he will choke to death on his own fluids.

There are more important things.

Without his spirit, he wouldn't be alive.

He is your son, damn it.

Do yourself a favor. No, do him a favor. Stop deluding yourselves.

All right, no more superstition.

We have the safety of the patient precedent.

You force me to ask for suspension of your parental authority.

- What does that mean? - I'll do what will save your son.

I will perform that surgery without your permission.

No! You can't do that. You mustn't do that.

Please, Dr. Franklin.

I'm sorry. I have to do what I feel is best for Shon.

Then so do we.

[Ivanova] There she is.

Babylon Escort Wing Alpha to starliner Azimov.

Fall into formation behind us. We'll escort you.

[man] Confirmed. Thanks for the save. - No problem.

I wish you had an ambassador. It would simplify my problem.

I would ask for guidance.

She would tell you the same thing. Please don't let Dr. Franklin operate.

Since you have no representative, I must be your advocate.

I have to consider the child's safety and the parents' rights.

- He is not your responsibility. - Unfortunately, he is.

Dr. Franklin has made an official request. And I have to rule on it.

Thank you for explaining your side of it.

- I'll make my decision within 24 hours. [Tharg] You'll rule against us?

You'll give our child to Dr. Franklin. Earth people stick together.

- I'm sorry you feel that way. - Feel sorry for your doctor.

If he harms my child, if he touches Shon, I will kill him.

[M'ola] That is why we are asking for Narn protection.

We have no ambassador to represent our interests.

If we don't get someone with strength to intercede for us...

...Sinclair will take our son and let the doctor violate his spirit.

I'd never heard of your world until two days ago...

...when my staff noted your arrival.

Interesting little place, but it has nothing to offer the Narn Regime.

You see, alliances are built on mutual advantage.

We're not asking you to negotiate a treaty.

We're asking you to help save our child.

But you're asking me to exercise my authority on your behalf.

What were you thinking?

That your dislike of the Earthers would be enough.

Enough for us, not for you.

We don't entangle ourselves in the affairs of others.

Please, he's our son. Have you no sympathy?

I sympathize entirely, my dear.

This is a difficult and distressing situation.

Could you help us?

I would have to go to the Council and request injunctive relief.

The Council could have Sinclair's decision set aside once he makes it...

...but I would have to get approval from my world.

And I am certain they would want me to justify the cost, yes?

- The cost? - The research, the committee hearings.

All the necessary paperwork involved.

Unfortunately, we are on a budget here.

We cannot justify such expenses for non-Centauri.

Excuse me?

How much justice can you afford?

[Tharg] The Vorlons are very powerful.

If you filed a protest...

...Sinclair would have to forbid Dr. Franklin to operate.

Will you consider one thing? Please.

If it were your child or even you yourself, how would you feel...

...if Babylon 5's doctor wanted to perform an unwelcome procedure on you?

[Kosh] The avalanche has already started.

It is too late for the pebbles to vote.

[Delenn] I understand your frustration.

It must be difficult for you to feel so powerless.

[M'ola] You cannot imagine. We cannot sleep, we cannot eat.

We cannot focus our thoughts for our meditations.

We are consumed by this.

And no one listens. No one hears.

I can't say how much it troubles me.

Then you will help us?

We have our own relationship with the larger domains of the universe.

Matters of the soul are very private, very personal to us.

We have suffered the interference of others in this area...

...and are thus ourselves forbidden to intervene in these matters.

You are refusing because of your beliefs?

We thought you were the most intelligent race.

We are only trying to save our child.

That is also what Dr. Franklin believes he is doing.

Whose belief is correct? And how do we prove it?

No. On this issue, the Minbari cannot take sides.

[man] Alpha One picking up long-range scan. Looks like a Raider ship.

- Has it seen us? - Don't think so.

Continue to run silent. With a civilian ship around, we'll avoid conflict.

Speed to maximum.

You'll need more firepower to take that out.

Though I'm fairly certain the blue stuff is dead.

- How you doing, Jeff? - Lousy.

Thinking about that kid?

Franklin wants my help. His folks want ambassadors to help.

They won't get involved. Why should they?

Why help yourself to the blame? Even Earth Central passed the buck to me.

- You spoke to Senator Gant? - For an advisory.

- I won't call Central for everything. - And?

He declined even to advise. Said it's my responsibility.

But it isn't your fault. This is a tough situation for everyone.

- That doesn't make me feel better. - Nothing will. It's a child's life.

But letting it eat at you won't help anyone.

I wish I could be sure.

Sure is for people with nothing on the line. We just get on with it.

I know how Pontius Pilate must have felt.

Hello, Shon. I'm Cmdr. Sinclair. Welcome to Babylon 5.

What do you think of my station?

I haven't seen much of it. Only the medlab.

What's this?

It's a gloppit egg. Dr. Franklin gave it to me.

A gloppit egg?

Actually, it's only a piece of...

[Shon breathes heavily]

...industrial goo.

But, please, don't tell Dr. Franklin I said so.

- He still believes it's an egg. - Ah.

Shon, I have to ask you a very difficult question.

- I know you've been thinking about it. - Do I wanna live?

Yes. Very much.

But I don't want the operation. I don't wanna lose my spirit.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

I had an operation once. A very serious operation, but I'm fine now.

But you are not one of the chosen. You are not born of the Egg.

No, I'm not.

Tell me about it.

- Smart kid. - Are you going to sign the order?

You believe you're doing the right thing, don't you?

[mutters softly] Yeah.

So do the parents. Who should I believe?

You, because we share the same beliefs? Or do we?

Those parents are willing to see their son die because of their religion.

You can't expect me to do nothing. May God save us from false religion.

What makes a religion false?

If any religion is right, maybe they all are.

Maybe God doesn't care how you pray.

- What if there's no God? - You believe that?

I believe in saving lives. Without life, it's meaningless.

But life has to be more than just a pulse beat.

What we hold sacred gives our lives meaning.

- What are we taking from this child? - We can worry after the operation.

Are you certain this is the only way to save the boy?

Yes.

That only makes the decision harder.

I have to refuse to sign the order.

I can't allow you to perform the operation.

What?

I thought I could depend on you.

How can you deny permission to operate?

If it were just me, I'd sign the order.

If a commander overrules individual beliefs that violate his own...

...we'll set a dangerous precedent.

It says other races' concerns will be set aside when convenient.

- That's not what you said about Kosh. - That was the camel's nose in the tent.

Operating on Shon will be the rest of the camel. I have to stop it somewhere.

Otherwise our charter will be compromised.

The station's role as a meeting place for different races will be destroyed.

- You're just gonna let him die. - Do you think I want to do this?

I have no more choice than anyone.

I have to be the advocate for the parents. No one else will.

[beeping]

- Franklin. [Hernandez] His life signs are dropping.

Call the parents.

When the egg hatched and you first crept out...

...you were such a tiny morsel of life.

I could hold you in my cradled hands.

I was so proud of you then.

As proud as I was of the day that you were born.

Today, I'm even prouder.

Because you're meeting your destiny, like the true Child of the Egg.

[M'ola] We love you so much.

I promise you...

...we will sing many songs for you...

...so that your journey will be fast and peaceful.

And when you get to the other side, my son...

...you must sing for us.

You must be our beacon home.

He needs his rest.

Shon, I...

I wish...

- I wish... - Dottya.

[inaudible]

I am glad you didn't get your way.

I am grateful for the commander's wisdom. This is better.

Sorry I can't agree with you. The child deserves a chance at life.

Yes.

But without a spirit, it isn't life at all. You know that.

I'll call if there's any change in his condition.

- You should go now. - You're doing it anyway, aren't you?

They have their beliefs and I have mine.

I took an oath. So did you.

If I stand by and do nothing...

Sinclair will have you thrown off the station.

I'm already packed.

That boy is gonna die in an hour if I don't operate.

And no one, not you, not Cmdr. Sinclair...

...not those poor, deluded parents, will stop me.

So, you'll need an assist.

[man] Alpha Leader, Raider ship detected at coordinates 400 by 20 by 15.

One ship, a scout. We've got an hour before the jumpgate.

Jam all channels. We can't let it contact the rest.

Jamming. Raider is breaking off. Your instructions?

It's trying to get outside jamming range.

Escort the Azimov. I'll take out the Raider.

Negative. Violation of orders.

If that ship brings back more Raiders, we'll be dead. Go, I'll catch up.

[Franklin] Pressure?

[Hernandez] We're equalized to his bladder. He won't have any trouble.

[Franklin] Might be a slight escape of air or moisture during the incision.

Here we go.

You can't help but wonder, can you?

You didn't find anything in your researches, did you?

- Oh, Lord, preserve this child. - Say again?

Nothing.

It was a prayer for his spirit.

My prayers are as good as theirs, right?

Besides, what could it hurt?

There she is.

Come on, come on. Come on!

Yes!

Good. Good.

Not good.

So, Shon, how do you feel? Here. Here.

There you go. That's it.

Better. I can breathe again. But I don't feel different inside.

Well, see, I told you.

I want my mother. And my father.

Well, they're on their way.

Shon.

Your spirit doesn't live inside your skin.

It's not something that can escape. You still have it.

You can see that now, don't you? Your parents will see that too.

[Tharg] You asked for us? - Dottya. Moon ya.

In the name of the Egg, you did it. You did it anyway.

It's me! I don't feel any different. Listen, I'll sing songs for you.

Moon ya, Dottya.

- Away, demon! - Please!

[speaking in alien language]

Please! Moon ya, Dottya!

- What unholiness spawned you? - No!

- What have you done? - Don't leave me. No!

- Don't leave me! - It's all right, Shon.

[sobs]

[Franklin] Shon, it's all right.

Come here. It's all right. It's okay.

It's okay.

In the name of the Egg and the nest in which it resides.

[speaks in alien language]

It's okay.

It's okay.

[Sinclair] I gave you an order. You disobeyed it.

- I should ask for your resignation. - It's yours.

Don't tempt me. Who asked you to play God?

Every patient who comes in that door. People want doctors to be gods.

They want us to make it better.

They come to me when their prayers aren't enough.

If I take the responsibility, I claim the authority too. I did good.

And we both know it, and no one is gonna take that away.

[beeping]

- Yes? - Sorry to bother you.

- I'm looking for Dr. Franklin. - What is it?

I think you should come to medlab. I think you both should come.

Out.

My husband asked me to tell you...

...he knows what you did, you did out of compassion.

You meant no harm. And if it were in his power to forgive you, he would.

I am not allowed to forgive either.

But if I could, I would.

My husband has brought the Iamuda.

The traveling robe for great journeys.

We will take the boy now.

He needs to rest.

He will.

I'm waiting.

For an apology.

You better check the temperature in hell first.

Goodbye, Dr. Franklin.

[Franklin] Vital signs stabilizing.

All indications point to a speedy recovery. End report.

[Hernandez] I owe you a steak dinner. - Why?

- You won the bet, remember? - Oh, yeah.

You dared me to prove you wrong.

I finished the research on their people, as we discussed.

It's all here. The Great Egg, the Great Journey, the Great Song.

There's a Iamuda. Traveling robe.

Oh, my God.

Move! Move!

Oh, my God.

You did it.

You did it.

[M'ola] Do not grieve.

This was not our son. This was only a shell.

There was nothing to do but end the pain of the shell.

[Franklin] You can have my resignation. [Sinclair] I've decided not to ask for it.

This time.

You should never have asked for a ruling.

- You wouldn't have had to disobey it. - I'll know better. Next time.

Would the child have died if you hadn't operated?

Sometimes the right thing doesn't change anything.

It can drive you crazy.

It's all words. Just words.

All right. I was arrogant.

Thought I knew what I was doing.

We'd be better off if there was no God.

If God had never been invented.

Then we wouldn't have to be anything.

We wouldn't have to care.

There's no way you could have known what they'd do.

Don't try to tell me it's not my fault.

I'm trying to tell you that what makes us human...

...is that we care.

And because we care...

...we never stop trying.

No.

What makes us human is that we have so many different ways to hurt.

Are you okay?

Fine.

[announcer] Passengers on spacecraft Azimov arriving Customs Department Area 10.

There you are. What happened out there?

- Nothing. - Nothing?

Your fighter will be in the shop for a week, minimum.

I hear you left formation and engaged in combat without backup.

It was an educated risk.

[woman] There he is!

[Ivanova] Sometimes it works out.

[Garibaldi] And sometimes it doesn't.