Original subtitles

[dramatic music]

(male #1 over radio) 'Shuttle Dyson, you're our last shuttle for today.'

'Logging off for now.'

'Please remind your passengers about'

'customs procedures prior to debarkation.'

(Dyson) 'Roger that, Babylon Control. Have a nice day.'

They're finally here, Jacque.

[intense music]

Okay, we all know what we're here for, right?

- Yeah! - Yeah! Yeah!

As of 6:30 tomorrow morning

Lieutenant J.G. David Corwin

is promoted to full lieutenant.

[all cheering]

Congratulations.

Thank you. Thank you.

Next round is on the house.

[all cheering]

Did you see the look on his face?

He hates being the center of attention.

Classic example of being caught between fight and flight.

Why does everything always have to come down to biology?

Because, no matter what you do everything you comes down

to one of two things, biology or math.

Please don't start him, we'll be here for days.

[chuckles] Hey, by the way, where's Marcus?

I thought you were gonna invite him.

I just didn't think it was appropriate.

Earhart's is for Earthforce personnel only.

Come on, David invited a bunch of civilians buddies

who came over for the big night who'd notice one more?

- Marcus is one of us now-- - 'Is he?'

I don't see an Earth Alliance symbol on his chest

or flight wings or..

Look, I said I didn't think it was appropriate

and it was my call, okay?

Does anybody at the table have a problem with this?

You know what, she's right.

Better off with Marcus keeping a low profile right now.

Well...here's to our new lieutenant.

And getting through another day in one piece.

May tomorrow be as quiet and ordinary as today.

Amen to that.

Aah!

[groaning]

It's alright. Don't worry. You'll be just fine.

It'll be over soon. Just try and relax.

[screaming]

[dramatic music]

(female narrator) The Babylon Project was our

last best hope for peace.

It failed.

[theme music]

But in the year of the Shadow War

it became something greater.

Our last best hope

for victory.

The year is 2260.

The place..

...Babylon 5.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

I don't understand. What went wrong?

- I don't know. - Security's coming.

They heard the screams. We have to go.

We can't just leave him.

We don't have any other choice.

We can't afford to be captured.

Susan.

Walk with me a minute.

Sure. It's all yours, lieutenant.

Aye, commander.

(Susan) Is there a problem?

That's what I want you to find out.

Now that Corwin's been promoted

sooner or later, he's gonna end up getting in our business.

You mean with Earth, the president

and the 10,000 ministries?

Oh, he's due the promotion. I don't begrudge him that.

But he could be a problem and I need to know

where he stands. If he can help us, great.

'But, if you don't think he's up for it'

'then we have to keep him out of the loop.'

I suggest a private meeting. Just talk to him.

See what you can find out without giving anything away.

Will do.

You know, this is the part of all this I really hate.

[indistinct chatter]

[snoring]

The gracious Duncan, asleep by the gate.

Me thinks I hear a voice cry, sleep no more!

Marcus does murder sleep.

You're a madman, you know.

Such has been said

but it was not I who gifted you

with so ominous a name as Duncan.

'Course, I doubt whether you've ever read the Scottish play

so the irony is lost. Typical.

You should watch your wares

otherwise someone might steal them out

from under your sleepy eyes.

Why? None of it's worth buying, much less stealing.

Don't know why I bother anymore.

The thrill of new encounters

the bargaining, the negotiations.

The chance to catch a little sleep until otherwise

interrupted by madmen who read too much.

I don't think I like the sound of that.

Can't say I like it myself.

Can't do much about it, either.

I understand there's a clinic--

I don't like to be poked by doctors.

I'll be fine.

How much for this one?

The same as the piece was yesterday

and the day before that, two credits.

- You're a thief, a highwayman. - Ha-ha-ha.

The least you could do is wear a mask and ride a horse.

See you tomorrow.

And Marcus...thanks.

(Stephen) And we expect fresh blood supplies by Friday.

Now, we're still having a hard time

getting Drazi blood for transfusions

so we're gonna have to stick to the synthetics for now.

Dr. Steinhoff, Dr. Lieberman in Medlab Three

is having some trouble with a Brakiri.

Now, you know their biology better than anyone down there.

Maybe you could give him a hand? Good.

Dr. Harrison, talk to me now.

What's our status?

We lost a Centauri patient in Medlab Five.

Chronic problems with bicardial separation.

There wasn't much we could do.

Latest report from security show the usual quota of injuries

fight stabbings, nothing major.

Good. Anything else?

Well, got a DOA last night

male human, no ID, mid 30s no sign of injury or illness

nothing to point to as a cause of death.

Dr. Morris wants you to take a look at the body

see if you can help him figure out what to put

on the death certificate.

Alright, tell him to bring the body by Medlab One

this afternoon. I'll take a look at it.

That's it. Let's go to work.

Are you ready?

[intense music]

[whispering]

What do you have for me?

Message from Ranger One on Minbar.

He recommends our people go on a heightened state of alert

and pull back from Earth space.

Word is something screwy's going on back home.

This is not exactly a revelation.

Anything else?

Shadow vessels.

They were sighted in Sector 800 two days ago.

Seems they're gathering, creating a border

on the edge of Centauri space.

Oh, and that package you've been asking about, just left Mars.

Should be here in about a week.

Alright.

On your next supply run I want you to make

a quick side trip through Sector 800

and drop a long range scanner and get out fast.

Let's see if we can find out what's going on out there.

Anyone else?

No. That was the last one.

Good.

Where's Samuel?

My sources are used to having him as my liaison

and they don't react well to change.

He said he had more important things to do.

Did he? Strange.

When I first enlisted him, he said there was nothing

more important than our work here.

I think I'll pay him a visit.

[intense music]

Computer, begin recording.

Deceased is a human male, age 35.

Identified as having lived in Downbelow since June of 2258.

Toxicology scans indicate the subject used a variety

of controlled substances, traces of dust, morphozine

and others, but none in sufficient quantities

to cause death.

No overt signs of physical trauma.

Scanners indicate heart, lungs and other internal organs

are all in fair condition.

There are fingernail marks in both palms.

It appears they were caused by the deceased clenching his fist.

From the lividity of the skin, I'd say they were made

at time of death

indicating the subject was under a great deal of stress

or fear.

Shock may have been a contributing factor.

Contributing factor to what, though?

(automated message) 'Disease scan, negative.'

'Blood tracking, negative on all counts.'

'Neural scan, one anomaly.'

- 'Cardiovascular--' - Wait a minute.

Show me the anomaly.

'What the hell is that?'

(automated message) 'Unknown.'

No sign of entry.

Nothing on his record.

'How did this end up wrapped around his spinal column?'

(automated message) 'Unknown.'

I'm going to open him up.

Stand by recording while I prep.

[dramatic music]

Hello, Samuel.

Marcus.

I haven't seen you in a few days.

I've been busy.

I can see you've made some new friends.

Good. Is everything alright?

Fine. I just can't work with you anymore.

I have things to do now.

Really? What kind of things?

[intense music]

Yes. Well, I can see you're busy, so I'll let you go.

If there's anything I can do.

Thanks.

I don't like it.

I don't know what but something's gotten into him.

[dramatic music]

Well, well..

...what the hell are you?

[man whimpering]

[groaning]

Closer examination confirms that the biomass

is 100 percent genetically neutral.

It can exist in any life form.

What it's doing here, I can't tell.

It doesn't conform to any known parasite.

I've initiated a background check to see

if this is something the deceased brought with him

to the station or if he was infested here.

If it happened here, we may have a problem.

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

Excuse me.

The fellow that normally works that table, Duncan

have you seen him?

Yeah, just a little while ago.

He took all his stuff out, said he was packing it in.

Told Mackie to go ahead and rent out his space.

That doesn't make sense.

He said he'd see me here this morning.

This is his, his place.

(female #1) 'Sorry. That's all I know.'

[sighs]

Quiet, isn't it, lieutenant?

Yeah, a little.

I like it when it's quiet.

It's a nice change of pace, that's for sure.

Listen, now that you've been promoted, I was thinking

we spend a lot of time up here together but..

...we never really get a chance to talk.

So, I was thinking maybe we could get together

and talk about what you see yourself doing down the road.

Just, you know, get to know each other a little bit better.

Well, uh, sure.

We could, I don't know..

...meet in the mess hall for breakfast.

You can't have a private conversation up there

with dishes clattering, people talking.

So, why don't you come by my quarters later in the day?

We can have a cup of coffee, real coffee.

Just don't ask how I got it.

And we can just talk about stuff outside work

you know, person to person.

Okay.

Uh, fine.

- I'll be there. - Good.

(Marcus) 'I think we may have a problem here.'

Well, I wish I could see it, but I don't.

See people here get flaky sometimes.

Babylon 5 is like that.

When you've been around longer, you'll understand.

I've been working with these people for months now

putting together my network of contacts

I know how they think.

They wouldn't just drop everything

and change their lives like this.

Samuel wouldn't drop out of sight without telling me an--

No crime's been committed here, Marcus.

I've got nothing to go on.

Nothing? Really? How odd.

All this time, I thought I'd been expressing a rational

and reasonable concern about the fact that

an increasingly large number of people in Downbelow

aren't acting normally.

If they were normal, they wouldn't be in Downbelow.

Well, thank you, Mr. Garibaldi

one of the leading minds of the 14th century.

Have we no workhouses? Have we no prisons?

Mr. Marley here would like a word with you.

He's the fellow in the chains.

Ignore the moans. It's just gas.

Don't you ever shut up?

Not until I get what I want.

Why? Do you think silent meditation would work better?

Ivanova's right, you are a pain in the ass.

All I'm asking is that you come with me and look into it.

- It'll take five minutes. - Five minutes I don't have.

Look, I'm sorry but until somebody does something

out of line, it's not my business.

Now, if your friends are acting a little weird

maybe they need to talk to a doctor.

But it's not my jurisdiction.

- Can I quote you? - Yeah, sure, whatever.

So, Mr. Garibaldi suggested that you come see me?

Yes, he was quite firm about it.

Said he's up to his ears and doesn't have five minutes

to spare but you'd be perfect for the job.

His interest in this situation is almost indescribable.

Well, I'm sort of in the middle of something right now.

Won't take more than an hour.

It'll take the computer at least that long

to finish the analysis. I guess I could pop out for a bit.

[instrumental music]

Hi. Something I can help you with?

I don't know. I was thinking...flowers?

Thinking flowers is good.

Giving flowers is better. What's the occasion?

I'm not sure but I think I have a date.

- She asked you out? - She asked me in. Her place.

- Moves fast. She aggressive? - You could say that.

- Ha-ha. Lucky guy. - Oh, it's not like that.

Well, it's not like that yet, I think.

You don't get out much, do you, son?

Well, I.. No, not really.

Artificial roses. Same smell. Same feel.

Works every time.

But what if it's not a date? I don't want to offend her.

Roses never offend a woman. Except by their absence.

That'll be 40 credits.

Duncan!

Duncan, if you're in there, open up.

You know, maybe he went out.

Look, are you sure this is a good--

He's an old man. He hasn't been well.

He could be sick or injured.

Well, in medical emergencies, I can open the door and look

but I can't just walk in, though.

Fine.

Alright.

- Hey, hey, I said-- - 'You said you couldn't go in.'

'I don't have that problem.'

'That's funny. There's a..'

Marcus? You alright?

(Marcus) 'I think you better come and see this.'

[intense music]

Lights.

(Marcus) 'They're out. Here.'

What the..

I told him. No one ever listens.

Hey! Hey, Marcus!

[intense music]

[groaning]

- Jeez! Franklin to secur-- - Don't.

(Franklin) 'That thing under his skin'

'I found another one just like it during an autopsy.'

'Now, my guess is that it's some kind of alien parasite'

that burrows into the spinal column

and takes control of the neural system.

Now, if there are enough of these things

they could take over the whole station

before anyone knows they're here.

Point of logic.

If that's true then why take over lurkers?

They're of no strategic value.

They're not in a position to take over the place

no authority.

I recognize the woman.

'Jacque Lee, a loner looking for a life.'

'Classic lost soul.'

Why them and not some of the crew?

For that matter, why not you or me?

Maybe they haven't had a chance to until now.

Maybe. I'm not so sure.

Well, we'd better try and find out.

Hey. That man is in pain.

'Well, look, you can't just leave him like that.'

'That thing on his back, did that happen to you too?'

Listen to me.

Whatever these creatures are, they're controlling you.

You've got to let us help you.

Can you even understand me?

[intense music]

I am...was Matthew Duffin.

I understand you.

You will remain here until we are finished.

When we turn up missing, people will come looking for us.

Now, you cooperate, we can try to work this out.

If not, I can't guarantee the safety

of you or any of your people.

And I cannot guarantee yours.

[music continues]

That went well.

At least I'm trying to do something.

We've got to get out of here

and tell the others what's happening.

- We will. - How? How are we gonna do that?

There are three of 'em with guns against two of us with nothing.

They'll cut us down before we get half way across the room.

All we need is for one of them to leave the room.

Then there'll be only one man with a gun.

[chuckles] Excuse me?

Where I come from, one man from three leaves two.

Where I come from is a far more interesting place.

Well, one good thing.

At least Garibaldi knows we're down here.

If we don't turn up soon, he'll know where to come look.

Mr. Garibaldi does know where we are, doesn't he?

Not...as such, no.

So no one knows that anything's wrong.

That would be essentially correct, yes.

Great. That's, that's great.

[instrumental music]

[beeping]

Come.

Where the hell did those come from?

- I, uh, I found them. - Where?

There. They were just, you know, just lying there.

Synthetic roses.

Good ones.

Whoever bought these must have paid a lot for them.

Yes, I imagine.

Spending that kind of money on high priced synthetics

must be a real dope.

Yes, I think so.

It's showy, excessive, not at all cost effective.

And terribly romantic.

Don't tell anybody but I've always had a weakness for roses.

This is a very sweet gesture.

I definitely have to find out who's responsible.

Hey, thank you, David., if you hadn't come along

somebody might have just walked off with them.

Right. Sure. You're welcome.

Hello, Marcus.

Duncan. You're looking well.

I am well. No pain, no cough.

First time in years.

They can do for you what they've done for me.

I'd feel better about the recommendation

if I knew which me I was talking with.

- Does it matter? - I think so, yes.

Who are they? Who are you?

I am...was Duncan.

The other part of me is Vindrizi.

The part of me that was Duncan remembers

that you were kind to me, Marcus.

'I don't want to hurt you.'

The part of me that is Vindrizi says that we will hurt you

if necessary.

We cannot allow you to interfere.

Interfere? In what?

It says you would not understand.

It says you've come at a good time.

We left this one for you to watch.

So that you can see how the process is supposed to work.

I've seen it.

I've got a dead body up in medlab

that tells me all I need to know.

He was killed when one these Vindrizi

tried to merge with him.

It says he was not ready for the merging.

His health was poor

and his blood tainted by strange chemicals.

It says... will you help us?

No.

It says if you do not help us

others not suited for the merging may die.

And our kind will die with them.

If you wish to save lives, this is the only way.

Oh, it's great, I haven't had real coffee

since...I can't remember.

It just costs too much to bring this stuff in.

I had the hydroponic guy set aside a little space for me.

I know, I know. Hydroponics' garden is to be used only

for fruit, vegetables, and oxygen reclamation

but sometimes you've got to bend the rules a little bit

in order to get what you want.

Does that idea bother you?

No, not really.

I don't think the ends always justify the means

but if no one's hurt and if it's good for Earth

I've got no complaints.

That means a lot to you, doesn't it? Serving Earth?

Well, sure. It's why we're all here, to follow orders

and do what's right for Earth.

But what do you do if there's a contradiction?

If doing what's right for Earth and following your orders

aren't the same thing?

I don't think that's a decision I can make on my own.

You can't just decide which orders to obey

and which to ignore.

We have to respect the chain of command

or everything falls apart.

So if you saw someone trying to get other officers

to speak out or even act against Earthdome

you'd report them?

Absolutely.

Why? Is there anyone you want me to keep my eye on?

No. No. It's just a hypothetical question.

With everything that's going on, it's, it's good to know

where we all stand with each other.

Well, it's getting late.

Thank you for stopping by, lieutenant.

I'm glad we had this time to talk.

Sure. Anytime.

[intense music]

So, any thoughts yet?

Just one.

What's your opinion of Ivanova?

Susan? Oh.

Well, I've-I've known her for about two years now.

She's a, she's a fine officer and a good friend

and-and why are we talking about her?

When I first came aboard, she seemed quite friendly.

Lately though, she's been a bit...distant.

I was thinking perhaps it was something I'd done.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

It just it takes her a while. That's all.

Back when you first showed up

you were just some guy passing through.

And now you're part of our little family here.

And I don't think that she's adjusted just yet.

I sense in her a key as yet unturned.

And what exactly does that mean?

[chuckles] Don't know.

But I sure think it would be fascinating to find out.

[chuckles]

- It wasn't that funny. - Oh, come on.

This is, I can't believe this.

We're sitting here guns pointed at our heads

walled up by alien parasites

neither of us likely to get out alive and you're thinking

about making a play for Ivanova. Is that right?

Can you think of a better time?

You're nuts, you know that? You are.

And-and I've got to be just as nuts

sitting here talking about it at a time like this.

Marcus..

'...you are so far from being her type'

that you're practically in different galaxies, okay?

Back up. Away from the door.

One of us is sick. You, outside now.

Where are you taking him?

If you have to take someone, take me.

Stephen!

He is dying. Save him.

The only way to save him is to take that thing

out of his system.

Unacceptable.

You will save them both.

We have the medical instruments. Use them.

If you do not cooperate, you will be directly responsible

for his death.

[instrumental music]

One from three leaves one.

Excuse me.

There's something I think you should know.

If you really want your friend to survive

you're gonna need more than the good doctor.

You're gonna need some of his instruments.

Not that I really care, one way or the other

but you know how doctors are

the right tool for the right job.

You see that tube on the corner of the table there?

That's a medical scanner.

The Copeland J-5000. Very advanced.

I was bringing it to him.

You need to get it to him immediately.

I know. I know.

Why should you believe me?

It could be a weapon or something.

Check it out yourself.

Just look into the open end.

Yeah that's it. Now, shake. Shake it twice firmly.

To activate the scanner.

Security! Hello? Is anyone there?

(automated message) 'Warning, biogenetic ID comparison'

'indicates you are not authorized'

'for operation of this link.'

'Please turn it in to security.'

I'm trying to contact security, you stupid machine.

(automated message) 'Warning, biogenetic ID comparison..'

Yeah, Ivanova, what is it?

We just picked up someone trying to use Dr. Franklin's link.

Did you get a fix on the location?

Brown 84. Recommend you get a team down there, stat.

You got it.

- Are you okay? - Yeah, I'm fine.

(Samuel) 'Doctor! Your patient is dying.'

'Does this mean nothing to you?'

You care too much to bluff your way out of this convincingly.

Let me try.

Oh, for the record, if they kill me

this was not a good idea on my part.

What, him? He means nothing to me.

Just another one of you I'll have to put down

to get out of here.

I say let nature take its course.

(Duncan) 'Marcus, please don't do this.'

Why not, Duncan?

Look what they've done to you.

If we save him, what kind of life is he gonna have

serving these creatures?

A life far better than the one he has here, Marcus.

All of us here, we weren't taken over.

We volunteered.

Alright, this is the last place we tracked the signal.

Split up. Search by quarters.

You see anything you let me know

before you move in. Let's go.

Under the circumstances, Duncan. I'm afraid, I don't believe you.

(Duncan) 'It says we knew you wouldn't understand, Marcus.'

That's why we tried to keep this quiet.

Once we have fulfilled our mission

we will go.

What mission?

It says, we were created

half a million years ago

bred to be living records of all those

we have seen and touched.

For all that time, we have traveled

through the galaxy in our host bodies.

We have seen double suns set

on worlds so far away

you have no name for them.

We remember music that was played

before your kind learned to speak.

Within us..

Is the living memory

of deeds and stories

civilizations and passions

wars and struggle, and great beauty.

But, in time, even we die

unless we find shelter within other living beings.

So we seek out those who have nothing to look forward to.

Those whose lives are at an end.

Those who know they will be never more

than they are now.

Those who will never know beauty or peace or purpose

and we give them that.

Through us, they are born into a new life.

Samuel, I thought I'd given you a purpose

to help me in our task ahead.

Your purpose comes from the outside

to fight someone else's battles.

Ours comes from within.

Why should we believe you?

You're controlling these people.

They'd say whatever you want.

Do you trust me, Marcus?

I trust the Duncan I knew

not the Duncan that stands in front of me.

[intense music]

[screaming]

Duncan?

It said there was no other way, Marcus.

Now it's over.

Don't you see, Marcus?

I was going to live and die here.

Never add up to any damn thing.

It's true, Marcus.

It's all true.

Everything they told you, it's true.

'When it was inside me I saw flame birds'

dying on Orion 7.

I saw cities floating in the air five miles high.

I knew everything.

Our mission is to preserve these memories.

All our experience against the day when all life

all knowledge falls into a new dark age.

'When the books have gone'

and the histories have been burned.

Every world will look back to learn what went before

and they will turn to us and we will be there

keepers of the past, the present

and the future.

[intense music]

Before I go along with this I want complete

and total verification.

I want to go over every inch of your biologies.

I want complete statements by everyone involved

and no more volunteers without my approval and supervision.

Otherwise, I'll have security take you in

and remove the Vindrizi by force. Is that clear?

Agreed.

- Franklin to Garibaldi. - 'Stephen. Are you okay?'

Yeah, I'm fine. I'm in Brown 87.

I need a medevac team in here, stat.

We have a patient that needs immediate treatment.

I'm sorry, Duncan.

I didn't know. Is there any way--

No, no, no, I can't take on another one.

They said it'd do permanent damage

to my neural system.

Everything I saw when we were joined.

The music. All of it.

It's going away.

By tomorrow... I shan't remember any of it.

Marcus.

If you could have seen with our eyes

you could have seen..

[exhales]

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter on PA]

Duncan.

I just heard you were leaving.

Please don't.

If you go, I'll miss you.

- And I hate that feeling. - And I have to, Marcus.

You see, for a while there

I knew what it was like to be special

and I can't go back to what I was.

When we were joined, I...I saw things out there.

Incredible things.

I want to try to find them

really see them

just once before I die.

Be special one more time.

I wish there were something I could do.

- I'm sorry. - No.

You did what you did because you cared.

Got nothing to do with you and everything

everything to do with me.

Maybe it was good.

Maybe we, we all need to wake up

become special before it's too late.

(male #2 over radio) 'Earth transport Dyson'

'is now boarding at Gate Seven.'

Duncan.

Got to go now, Marcus.

Take care of the old place for me, and..

Maybe when I've seen what I've been looking for

I'll come back.

Take care, Marcus.

[instrumental music]

(Stephen) 'I've been checking out their story'

'and so far, everything seems to fit.'

(Garibaldi) 'If they have this knowledge, why keep it a secret?'

Information is power.

If anyone ever wanted to eliminate that knowledge

they'd be the first ones up against the wall.

So, uh, how'd Marcus do?

It's the first time you've worked with him, right?

Fine. I mean the main thing though, under pressure

he's okay.

And I think that he would definitely appreciate

a second chance with you, Susan.

That's it. He must have sent them.

Him what? Sent what?

I'll be back.

[dramatic music]

Keep 'em.

Thank you. I will.

Well, I guess there's hope for us after all.

[theme music]

[music continues]