Original subtitles

[dramatic music]

(male #1) 'This is Earth Alliance Squadron Black Omega'

to stolen transport.

You're ordered to surrender your vessel

and prepare to be boarded.

'If you attempt escape you will be fired upon and destroyed.'

'Do you understand?'

'Repeat, surrender or..'

[buzzing]

[explosion]

(Catherine) 'There's a problem, commander.'

You missed a button.

You're bright and cheerful this morning.

Got an offer on the table from Universal Terraform

to do some surveying I'm seeing them in an hour to talk terms.

That's a big operation, sure you want to get involved

with a mega corp?

Jeff, I've been around the block a few times

I can handle myself.

- You worry too much. - You don't worry enough.

- Perfect combination. - Mmh.

Gotta hurry. See you at lunch?

Can't. I have a budget meeting

with the construction guild. Have to make some cuts.

Can't say I'm not looking forward to it.

I'm sure, It'll be fine.

It's been quiet for the last week

the whole place is on schedule.

What could go wrong?

(female #1) 'Confirm, Seven Tango Seven'

'you're clear to dock.'

Affirmative, Babylon Control.

I'm looking forward to my visit.

[intense music]

(male narrator) It was the dawn of the Third Age of mankind

ten 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 peacefully.

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.

[theme music]

[instrumental music]

I've often wondered what it's like to be a telepath.

It's like staying in a hotel room

where you can just hear the people talking next door.

You can try and shut it out, but it's always there.

The key is to not to listen unless unless you're invited.

So is it difficult to block out people's thoughts?

Depends on the thoughts.

- 'Destination? ' - Blue 14.

Casual thoughts are very easy to block

but strong emotions have a way of slipping through sometimes.

whether you want them to or not.

[instrumental music]

[thuds]

[automated] 'Blue 14.'

[groans] Oh, I think I'm in love.

[automated] 'Earth transport Spinoza is now embarking in Dock Area 9.'

Yes?

No, sir. I just never met a Psi Cop before.

Yes, sir. I'll bring you there myself.

This way.

Would you tell me more about the target?

It's a class-four world, designated Sigma 957.

Not much atmosphere, mostly nitrogen and oxygen.

And their fly-by sensor picked up traces of diridium.

Byproduct of Quantium-40.

Usually, we need that verified.

If so, we'll send out a live scientist probe, make sure

we're in accord with all the regs in

planetary exploitation.

But we can't afford that unless we're it's worth the effort.

How can it not be worth it?

There's a shortage of Q-40 on Earth.

They're backed up six months on jump-gate construction.

Which is why we need absolute confidentiality.

I need your word that you won't mention this to anyone

including the commander.

My personal life has nothing to do--

I know. I know, I was told to ask, so I'm asking.

We each have our marching orders, Ms. Sakai.

'So do I have your word?'

- She's telling the truth. - Well, then, we have a deal.

There is one other thing, the target is in a..

...contested sector of space.

So we'll need the approval of one other party

'before we can proceed with the survey.'

[instrumental music]

Commander? Some VIPs here to see you, sir.

Send them in.

No, it's a fine time, I..

Get out of my head.

You wanna talk to me, talk to me.

My apologies, commander.

- It saves considerable time. - I don't care.

I don't like people rummaging around in my head.

I thought the Psi Corps had rules about this sort of thing.

There are rules, and there are rules, commander.

When telepaths go rogue, someone has to take them down.

Only Psi Cops are qualified to do that.

Since we bear a greater responsibility

we're afforded latitude in the interest of efficiency.

- Yes, I'm sure, Mr-- - Bester.

This is my associate, Ms. Kelsey.

We're looking for a rogue telepath.

We have reason to believe he maybe on this station.

We need to set up a meeting as soon as possible

with your resident telepath as well as your security

and command personnel, then we'll proceed--

I am not turning this station upside down

because you're hunting down one rogue telepath.

Not just a rogue, commander.

This is a special and very dangerous individual

whose presence here threatens the entire Earth Alliance

military structure.

This is our basic guest quarters.

The vibe shower's in the back and through that door--

- Price? - 500 credits per week.

Based on Earth standard rotational cycles.

Fine. Fine.

If there's anything else you need--

No. No, thank you.

[intense music]

[automated] 'Welcome to Babylon 5. We are at your disposal'

'with a range of onboard facilities

'perfectly suited to human'

'and non-human travelers.'

'For your shopping convenience the Zocalo is..'

[electric humming]

[rumbling]

(Bester) His name is Jason Ironheart.

I believe you know him, Miss Winters.

Yes, he was my instructor at the Psi Corps training Academy.

His job is to work with telepaths

'level P-5 through P-10'

high level training, jamming long-range scanning

the development of fringe skills, that sort of thing.

- What's his Psi rating? - He's a ten.

All instructors at the academy are rated P-10.

And Psi Cops? What are you rated?

P-12.

Someone has to keep an eye on the rest.

Yes, but who watches the watchmen?

One year ago, Jason Ironheart was reassigned

to Earth Force military Intelligence

working on a covert operation.

What kind of covert operation?

That information is on a need-to-know basis, commander.

And you don't need to know.

Let's just say that what's in his brain

would compromise Earth Force defense

and lead to the death of many of our covert operatives

on other worlds.

We think he intends to sell

that information to other governments.

That's nonsense! Jason would never do anything like that.

Our job is to find him and bring him back. Alive if possible.

Dead if necessary.

Have you had any contact with Jason Ironheart

since you left the academy?

Just letters, the last one was about a year ago.

You understand we'll have to scan you to be sure.

Is that necessary? I'm telling you the truth.

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Look, if she doesn't want to be scanned--

She's required to submit.

If she's seen him or heard from him

'his mental fingerprints will be in her thoughts.'

(Kelsey) The process is not pleasant.

You may stay or leave as you choose.

[intense music]

[groaning]

That's enough.

I said that's enough!

[groaning]

She's telling the truth. She hasn't seen him.

(Kelsey) 'Surprising, given your prior involvement.'

If Ironheart hasn't shown up yet, he will.

We must be informed at once.

Do not attempt any contact with him.

Especially you, Miss Winters.

Do not approach him. Do not speak to him.

Is that clear?

Yes.

You can go now.

What level of physical threat does he represent?

That's something else you don't need to know.

Just find him. We'll do the rest.

[intense music]

Hello, Talia. I've been looking for you.

[intense music]

Talia. Talia, wait, please!

I can't see you. The Psi Cops are here.

I know. Listen, Talia..

What did you do? Why are they after you?

Do you know what they did to me?

Yes. Yes, I do.

That's why I waited until after they scanned you

to make contact.

But it's okay. We'll be safe for a while, at least.

I have to talk to you. I-I need a place.

A place where I can wait, just for a little while.

Why? What's going on, Jason?

All I can say now is that I can't let them find me.

If they do, then I'll have to kill them

or they'll have to kill me.

But it's not just us, Talia.

There are thousands, millions of lives are at stake.

Just give me five minutes to explain, that's all.

Then, if you want me to leave, I will.

Please.

If this is your way getting at the commander through me--

No, whether you believe it or not

I'm doing this for your own safety.

Sigma 957 is not a healthy place.

Strange things happen there.

It's uninhabited.

There's no sentient life to threaten anyone.

Nonetheless, it is not safe.

I have passed through that sector.

Take my word. Look elsewhere.

I think you want Sigma 957 for yourself.

The Narn government doesn't have the resources

to exploit a world that far away.

But you wanna hold on to it anyway out of sheer spite.

Considering what you were probably told about me

I'm sure you do believe that.

Despite your long acquaintance with Sinclair

you're new here, aren't you?

Let me pass on to you the one thing

I've learned about this place.

No one here is exactly what he appears.

Not Mollari, not Delenn..

...not Sinclair and not me.

My warning is sincere. Ignore it at your own peril.

Ambassador.

If I have to, I'll go over your head.

I have contacts of my own in the Narn Regime.

Then I fear the commander will miss you greatly

when you fail to return from Sigma 957.

A year ago, I volunteered for a Psi Corps experiment.

It was an attempt to make telepaths even stronger.

Turn a P-5 into a P-10, and a P-10 into..

Into God knows what.

Why?

Because in this business, whoever has

the strongest telepath wins.

The military wants to scan the enemy.

The enemy wants a telepath strong enough to block the scan.

And we want someone who can cut through the block.

They said it was necessary to help protect Earth.

Anyway, the experiments went on for months.

Genetic manipulation, mutated strains of serotonin

and acetylcholine to increase neural processing.

Five, ten, sometimes fifteen injections a day. The pain was..

Then one day, I woke up..

...and I could see everything.

It was as if my mind had been a seed for all of those years

and then suddenly it blossomed.

I could cut through any block without even trying.

All I had to do was to look at them

to see what was inside.

And that's when I discovered the truth.

Talia, do you remember the T-K tests

that you took just before you graduated from the academy?

Of course, I used an old penny I've had since I was a girl.

I tried it for days to make it move with my thoughts.

And I couldn't do it.

Only one in every 1000 humans has telepathic abilities.

Only one in every 10,000 telepaths

has telekinetic abilities

and half of them are clinically insane.

You see that was the real purpose behind the experiment.

To create a stable telekinetic. And it worked, Talia.

It worked beyond everyone's wildest dreams.

That is why I cannot go back.

Even if it means letting them kill me.

Commander, I just got a lead on Ironheart.

We ran a check on the incoming ships and it turns out

one of them was a stolen transport.

- Where's it from? - Sector 15.

That puts it two jumps away from the station.

I checked with Bester, that match is the last known

location for Ironheart.

Assuming he hasn't booked passage on another transport

he'll need a place to stay.

I'm already on it, 50 guest quarters were rented

in the last 24 hours, I'm having everyone checked.

I want that guy found and out of here as fast as possible.

I don't like Psi Cops nosing around up here.

There's just something creepy about them.

The way they look at you like you're some kind of bug.

Commander.

Just 50 quarters to search. Good.

That should help narrow it down.

Anatomically impossible, Mr. Garibaldi

but you're welcome to try. Anytime.

Anywhere.

[dramatic music]

[automated] 'Confirmed, Skydancer. You're clear for jump'.

Please log in jump-gate sequence.

Primary gate to gates 141, 27 and 15B.

[automated] 'Confirmed. Destination?'

Sigma 957.

[zapping]

Open private channel to Homeworld.

[automated] 'Channel open.'

Ambassador G'Kar third circle requesting

clear channel to Narn Military Headquarters.

I require a Frazi-class heavy fighter for a mission.

Destination Sigma 957.

Make sure it's well-armed.

I thought they wanted telekinetics for big jobs.

Heavy construction and zero gravity or defense.

I mean, imagine, a telekinetic shield as a defense

against beam weapons, for-for diplomats or presidents.

But they didn't want big.

No, they wanted mental control over small objects

the smaller the better.

Jason, that doesn't make any sense.

No? Think about it.

You want to assassinate someone, so you bring in a telekinetic.

He reaches into the person's throat, and then gently

quietly, with a thought..

...he pinches the carotid artery shut.

The blood stops, the brain starves..

...the target dies and then you just let go.

Murder without a trace. No fingerprints, no poisons.

Oh, my God.

But they didn't understand, Talia.

- The power, how far it.. - Jason.

- What is it? - Get out. Please, quickly.

I-I can't control this.

[rumbling]

Get out! While you can..

[groans]

What the hell?

Mind quake.

[rumbling]

[intense music]

Have you got a fix on the source of that disturbance?

Yeah, level 16, about three sections further down.

Just one problem. Only way there is to go through that.

[buzzing]

- What is it? - I don't know.

But it has got level 16 completely surrounded.

360 degrees. We can't get past it.

When we asked Bester what level of physical threat this guy

represents he said he was on a need-to-know basis.

You asked me right now, we need to know.

[music continues]

[zapping]

(Catherine) 'Computer. Projected ETA at Sigma 957?'

(computer) 'At maximum safe speed, project ETA at Sigma 957.'

'at two hours, five minutes'

'30 seconds, Earth Standard Time.'

Alright. Let's get this show on the road.

We had our orders.

Bester, I don't care if you had a personal message from God

complete with stone tablets.

You lied to me, you withheld information

and put this station at risk.

Call me crazy, but don't you think it might have helped

for us to know what we're facing?

We were doing what we thought was best.

You were wrong and because of that I've got

a half-dozen wounded men on a section of Blue 16

that's turned into a no mans land.

Every corridor and transport tube in to there

is blocked by some kind of curtain.

Now I want the truth, and I want it now.

Mr. Ironheart is no longer what you or I would consider..

...entirely human.

Then what is he?

We don't know.

[electric crackling]

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.

After the last phase of the experiment

Ironheart began showing signs of stress

paranoia, psychosis.

One night, he slipped out of his room

killed the head researcher, and escaped.

At each step of the way, his telekinetic abilities

have grown stronger, more violent.

In his enhanced state, he's valuable commodity.

If word got out other governments

might try to grab him first.

We couldn't take that chance. It was a calculated risk.

Good old Psi Corps. You guys never cease to amaze me.

All the more of fiber Jack The Ripper.

What do you do in your spare time?

Juggle babies over a fire pit?

Oops, there goes another calculated risk.

You're not helping the situation.

Lady, you are the situation.

(Jeff) 'We've seen how powerful he is.'

How did just the you two of you plan to stop him?

During the experiment Ironheart was programmed

with a fail-safe code that will shut him down, put him to sleep.

It has to be sent by a telepath directly into his brain.

He's got to have defenses.

Between the two of us, we are strong enough

to burrow past his defenses and take him down.

But we have to be in the line of sight to do it.

You have two choices.

'Let us take him down our way, or you'll have to kill him'

before he blows out this station and everyone on it.

[intense music]

[zapping]

[zaps]

Jason, if you can hear me, this won't work.

I need to talk to you, Jason.

Please.

[zapping]

[music continues]

[steam hissing]

Jason?

Jason.

[sighs]

I thought that seeing you

being with you again would be enough.

Help me hold it together, shut out the voices.

Just rest for a little while before the end.

Before..

I shouldn't have come. I-I put you at risk.. Everyone.

I never meant.. I-I never wanted..

I know. I know.

We all thought Psi Corps was controlled by the government

but that's changing.

The corps starting to pull the strings behind the scene.

They're more powerful than you can begin to imagine.

Telepaths make the ultimate blackmailers, Talia.

I-I have seen it all. And I see it all.

- Jason.. - There is no more Jason.

I am something else.

I am becoming..

- Becoming what? - Everything.

[sobbing]

(Catherine) 'Computer, assume parking orbit around Sigma 957.'

(computer) 'Confirmed.'

Begin preliminary atmospheric survey.

Launch environmental probe on my mark.

'Mark.'

(computer) 'Receiving planetary data.'

'Logging in.'

Good. "Sigma 957 is not a healthy place.

Strange things happen there." Right.

[zapping]

[automated] 'Level 16 is not accessible.'

Commander. I need to talk to you.

- I've seen Jason. - What? Where?

It's a long story and we don't have much time.

We need to talk privately and quickly.

Jason's changing, his telekinetic abilities

are growing faster than he anticipated.

It's almost beyond his control.

He doesn't want to endanger the station.

And doesn't wanna hurt anyone.

But what he's becoming doesn't leave him much choice.

He wants to see you, alone and unarmed.

He'll drop his defenses but only for you.

I know it's asking you to take a terrible chance

but it's only one we've got.

Alright. Where and when?

Blue 12 in one hour.

Talia, what's between you and Jason?

- Why did he come here? - To see me.

We were lovers.

He was everything to me.

The perfect model of what it meant to be in the Corps.

Do you know what it's like when telepaths make love, commander?

You drop every defense and it's all mirrors..

...reflecting each other's feelings

deeper and deeper..

...until, somewhere along the line..

...your souls mix.

And it's a feeling so profound

it makes you hurt.

It's the only moment in a telepath's life

when you no longer hear the voices.

He came to say goodbye, commander.

He came to say goodbye.

[dramatic music]

[zapping]

Computer, identify. What the hell was that?

(computer) 'Unknown.'

- Computer.. - 'Ninety percent power loss'.

- Emergency power. - 'Negative emergency power.'

'Orbit deteriorating.'

'Estimate impact with Sigma 957'

'in two hours.'

[beeping]

[dramatic music]

(Catherine) 'Computer, open emergency tachyon channel to Babylon 5.'

(computer) 'Insufficient energy reserves to establish communications.'

- Scan for any nearby ships. - 'Negative on scan.'

Adjust ship's orientation.

Maybe we can bounce off the atmosphere

instead of burning up when we hit.

(computer) 'Negative. Insufficient power.'

Damn it, there's gotta be something I can do.

- Time to impact? - '1.3 hours.'

(Jason) 'We need to speak.'

The Psi Corps is dedicated to one thing, commander.

Control.

Control over telepaths, the economy, the courts.

Over matter, over thought itself.

But there is something even more powerful.

Something they didn't even know existed

until I crossed the line.

Not mind over matter, mind over energy.

I was suddenly able to influence objects

that were smaller and smaller.

Molecules, atoms, neutrons.

I look at you, commander, and I see not a man

but a galaxy of subatomic particles

which I can pull apart and rearrange

with a casual thought.

This is a power we were never meant to have.

We're not ready for it.

If the Psi Cops take him back, they'll dissect him.

Taking him apart to find out what combination of drugs

release this power.

Can you imagine, commander, what they would do with it?

What anyone would do with it?

Which is exactly why they say you shouldn't be allowed

to leave here alive.

Why should I trust you to not misuse this?

I've already had six people hurt.

An accident. At each new level, it takes me a while to adjust.

I have to fight every minute to control

the forces in my head.

If I'm distracted for even a second--

What about the researcher you killed?

I didn't want to.

But he was the only one who could replicate the process.

There must never be any more like me.

I mean you no harm, commander.

If I did, I could vaporize you right now with a single thought.

Please, you must believe me.

Assuming I do, what is it you want from me?

Your help and your trust. I need to get away from here.

I need time to finish becoming

and then I'll be gone.

Please.

[sighs]

- Sinclair to C and C. - This is C and C.

- Are you alright, commander? - Condition green.

- Is Garibaldi there? - Right here.

(Jeff) 'Have your security team clear a path'

'from Blue 16 to the docking bay.

'I don't want to see anyone on the way and I don't want'

'anyone outside security to know what's going on.'

'Is that clear?'

Confirmed, commander. What's up?

(Jeff) 'We're coming out.'

[dramatic music]

(Catherine) 'Condition?'

(Computer) 'Hull temperature to 700 degrees'

'and climbing.'

'Entering atmosphere.'

'Two ships detected. Now entering local space.'

What? Where? Put it on the monitor.

This is an emergency request.

This is Catherine Sakai of the Earth survey ship Sky--

(Sh'Drog) 'Of the Earth ship Skydancer. Yes. We know.'

You what? Please identify yourself.

Captain Sh'Drog of the Narn Regime.

Outer sector, fighter unit, we were dispatched sometime ago

to assist you.

Dispatched by whom?

Ambassador G'Kar, Third Circle.

Please stand by for grapple.

We will link up and escort you back to Babylon 5. Sh'Drog out.

[dramatic music]

[automated] 'Attention, please. Will all nonessential personnel'

please, clear all corridors in sections Blue 16'

'through Red 4.'

- What's going on? - Just a drill, sir.

- Nothing to be concerned about. - You're sure?

- Yes, I'm.. - Good. Thank you.

[groaning]

[groans] No.

No, no, I refuse.

I am not going back with you.

This man is under my protection.

You don't know what you're doing!

Commander, we have to hurry. There's not much..

The fail-safe code. They're trying to shut him down.

Mindquakes. They're distracting him. He's losing control.

[rumbling]

Let him go.

Do you hear me? Let him go.

[groaning]

[grunting]

- I won't go. - Leave him alone.

You don't understand.

[screams]

I won't go back.

Please, no. Don't make me do this.

You cannot harm me.

You cannot harm one who has dreamed a dream like mine.

[dramatic music]

Talia! Look out!

[clanking]

[zaps]

[zapping]

- We'll get a doctor. - No. No time.

[groaning] Must get to the ship. Hurry. Hurry.

[dramatic music]

- What's he doing? - Nothing.

He's not moving to the jump-gate.

He's just sitting there.

(female #2) 'Picking up energy surge.'

- How big? - Off the scale.

[intense music]

(Jason) Talia?

Jason?

(Jason) I have become.

In memory of love, I give you a gift.

The only gift I have to give.

[instrumental music]

Goodbye, commander.

I will see you again... in a million years.

You realize of course my superiors

will believe none of this?

Yes, especially since, in about an hour

we'll have a small accident in data storage

that'll erase the file you just saw.

- So what do you suggest? - Something close to the truth.

That Ironheart's ship escaped Babylon 5

but exploded before it could enter the jump gate.

And if I refuse?

Then my report will mention how you lied to us

endangered the station

and through your interference caused

the death of your fellow Psi Cop.

Not much of a choice, is it?

It gets better, your report will indicate that

Talia Winters was not responsible

for her actions in helping Ironheart.

That she was under his mental control

and should not be penalized for her actions.

- That's a lie. - Yes, it is.

What's your point?

There's a transport leaving for Earth in 20 minutes, Mr. Bester.

Be on it.

Be seeing you, commander.

You figuring on telling the senator what Ironheart said

about Psi Corps trying to control everything inside?

I don't know. I'm not sure what it would accomplish.

He was feverish. Paranoid. Maybe it's true, maybe it isn't.

Without any evidence, without Ironheart

it's just his word against the Corps.

But I suggest we keep our eyes open just in case.

- Got that right. How's Talia? - Better. Resting.

Good, I wonder what Ironheart meant

when he said he gave her a gift?

If I asked, do you think she'd tell me?

No.

[instrumental music]

[intense music]

Ambassador! Ambassador G'Kar?

Ah, Ms. Sakai, I'm pleased to see

that you have returned safely from your expedition.

Yes, thanks to you. Just one question.

- Why? - Why not?

- It's not an answer. - Oh, yes, it is.

It's simply not an answer you like or the answer you expect.

There's a difference.

Narns, humans, Centauri, we all do what we do

for the same reason

because it seemed like a good idea at the time.

There was no profit, no advantage in letting you fall

to an untimely and most uncomfortable death.

It would distress the commander to no good effect.

So once again we return to, "Why not?"

I told you before you left

no one here is entirely what they appear.

If I surprised you, all the better.

Good day, Ms. Sakai.

Ambassador.

While I was out there, I saw something.

What was it?

What is this?

- An ant. - Ant?

So much gets shipped out from Earth on commercial transports

it's hard to keep them out.

Yeah, I have just picked it up on the tip of my glove.

If I put it down again and it asks another ant

"What was that?"

[chuckles] how would it explain?

There are things in the universe billions of years

older than either of our races.

They are vast, timeless

and if they're aware of us at all..

...it is as little more than ants.

And we have as much chance of communicating with them..

...as an ant has with us.

We know, we've tried.

And we've learned that we can either stay out

from underfoot or be stepped on.

That's it? That's all you know?

Yes. They are a mystery.

And I am both terrified and reassured

to know that there are still wonders in the universe

that we have not yet explained everything.

Whatever they are, Ms. Sakai, they walk near Sigma 957.

They must walk there alone.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]