Original subtitles

[dramatic music]

As reports continue to come in about the harsh conditions

aboard what was once the shining beacon of Earthforce, Babylon 5

messages smuggled out indicate that humans continue

to be subjected to cruel oppression

'by alien groups aboard the renegade outpost'

'and every day more people are asking'

'"When will Earth intervene?'

'"How much longer can we allow our citizens'

'to endure this mistreatment?"'

Why do you keep watching that garbage?

You know it just upsets you.

I'm gathering intelligence.

You're winding yourself up like a cheap watch.

It helps me focus.

You heard that part about intervention?

'They are laying a foundation for another assault'

only this time it will look like a, uh

a rescue mission instead of an unprovoked attack.

So how long until they move?

I don't know.

Not for a while yet.

They'll keep the war drums going as long as they can

whip everyone up back home, turn them against us.

- 'Commander.' - Thanks.

We're getting a signal from Dr. Franklin on Mars.

It's weak. It's barely even getting past the jammers.

Uh, put it through.

I repeat, this is lost lamb to big, bad wolf.

Do not respond. I repeat, do not respond.

We have arranged a meeting with the board

who send its regards.

We are continuing on schedule and hope to come home soon.

We will check in again at pre-arranged time

on second coded frequency.

on.

Well, that was good and cryptic.

Well, keeping the transmission short cuts down on the risk

of it being tracked back here

and as long as Babylon 5 doesn't respond

there's no way anyone can know who the message was meant for.

If Clark knew that someone from Babylon 5 was here..

- He'd go fusion. - Oh, big time.

The important thing is, the captain knows we're set

to meet with the rest of the Resistance

as soon as they arrive.

I hope it does some good.

Some of the others aren't as reasonable as I am.

In case you hadn't noticed, Earthforce

is closing the noose around us.

We estimate they'll capture the rest of Mars

by the end of the year, unless something is done.

I'm worried some of the others will start

getting more aggressive.

Stephen, there's been an explosion

at the Red Planet Hotel, took out a security force

from Earth.

'They say it's a terrorist attack'

by the Resistance.

Ten civilians were killed in the attack.

And also, there have been more attacks

against transport ships along our border, Delenn.

Not against our own ships, but the smaller world

we've been aligned for centuries.

The Norsai have been the hardest hit.

But we have always guaranteed their protection.

Why haven't our ships been sent to help them?

With the Grey Council no more

the three castes are mainly concerned

with protecting their own interests.

The Alliance Norsai was initiated

by the Religious Caste.

Now that the war is over..

...the Warrior Caste are refusing to help.

Do you know who's responsible for these attacks?

No. So we have sent for more information.

Perhaps the situation is not as bad as

the reports have indicated.

[intense music]

(Lennier) It was the year of fire.

(Zack) The year of destruction.

(G'Kar) The year we took back what was ours.

(Lyta) It was the year of rebirth.

(Vir) The year of great sadness.

(Marcus) The year of pain.

(Delenn) And the year of joy.

(Londo) It was a new age.

(Franklin) It was the end of history.

(Ivanova) It was the year everything changed.

(Garibaldi) The year is 2261.

The place..

(Sheridan) Babylon 5.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

John.

Delenn, I was just about to call you.

I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner tonight.

- I can't. - What?

Lately, there have been a number of attacks

against several worlds on the border of Minbari space.

Since the Warrior Caste will not act

I have to look into it.

Oh, that's interesting timing.

There have been similar attacks outside Pak'ma'ra space.

And I guess it was inevitable.

Everyone suffered heavy losses during the war.

It was only a matter of time before someone tried

to take advantage of that by sending out raiding parties.

But to attack without provocation.

The Norsai are a peaceful Agrarian people

who have relied on our protection for centuries.

So I'm going to take out the flight

of White Star ships to investigate.

Since it was a Religious Caste that promised them protection

I have an obligation.

Well, can't you send out Lennier?

It might be dangerous.

John, it pleases me that you care

for what I have become..

...but never forget who I was

what I am, and what I can do.

You're right.

Alright. Go ahead.

I'll see you when you get back.

[instrumental music]

(Phillipe) We have to let Donovan know everything

went according to plan, do you understand?

What have you done..

What? What did I do?

Out! This is private.

- 'What did I do?' - Out!

You know damn well what you did.

That bombing was unauthorized.

I checked with Donovan!

Donovan's Earthside!

Whatever he may think, he doesn't run the Resistance.

Mars is my territory, and you don't pull

this kind of crap without authorization.

I saw the security squad checkin' in.

There wasn't time!

A call takes ten seconds.

Do you know what I can do to you in ten seconds?

In ten seconds, I can cripple you for life.

In ten seconds, I can break your skull open

and scoop out your brains food!

civilians on the deck, Phillipe

and they're going to hold me responsible.

They'll be looking for me long after you go home to Earth.

I don't care what you do back home

but here, you answer to me, and you don't do anything.

You don't breathe, you don't move

and you don't blow things up unless you check with me first!

Clear?

Tell me, is this how you treat

all your former lovers?

As a matter of fact, yes.

Whatever you've got to say, it damn well better be worth it.

- Huh! - Looks upset.

- Think it's something we said? - Hope not.

I'd sooner face an entire shadow fleet

than what just walked past us.

[yawns]

Sorry.

Still can't get used to the time difference here.

Must be past midnight back at the station

everybody all asleep in their beds.

At which time, we hope to present a series

on Minbari War syndrome, and examine how it can affect

some of our war veterans.

They will explain how someone with as noted a reputation

as Captain Sheridan could go from war hero

to alien collaborator without realizing the damage

he's doing to his own world.

Up yours, you lying sack of..

..our continuing report, we will examine

in greater detail the mistreatment of humans

trapped on Babylon 5.

Our job, as always, is simply to state the facts

and let the truth attend to itself.

[doorbell beeps]

Leave me alone.

[doorbell beeping]

[sighs] Can't I get just one night

of uninterrupted sleep around here?

Aah!

[sighs] Lights.

Low.

- Yes? - 'Susan, it's me.'

Open.

I've got it. Dammit, Susan, I've got it!

What?

Look, if they wanna play games, well, fine.

We can play games too, only we can play 'em better

because we've got the truth on our side.

You can't kill the truth.

Actually, you can kill the truth

but it always comes back to haunt you later.

- Hello? - Come on. I'll show you.

I, I think we can make this work.

- Uh, John? - What?

Uh, don't you think I better change first?

Oh, yeah. Right. Uh, sorry.

I, I hadn't noticed.

Thanks, I'll just.. Wait a minute.

What do you mean you didn't notice?

I mean, what am I, chopped flarn?

I mean, okay, granted

I don't have any interest in you

you don't have any interest in me

but if you're gonna come barging in here

in the middle of the night, the least you could say

is, "Nice outfit, Ivanova"

and then go on a tear.

Yeah, uh, nice outfit, Ivanova.

You are such a..

[mumbling]

Yeah. Yeah, this will work.

John, I've been here before.

For this, you woke me up?

Why not? You gave me the idea.

Look, I'm, I'm just gonna sit over here until you tell me

what the hell you're talking about.

During the last phase of the war

you were on the BabCom system

updating everyone on evacuations, safe zones

rescues, which planets had fallen.

Yes, I know. I hated it.

You were great at it.

'You have a face people trust.'

I'd rather have a face people fear.

[sighs] Well, that too, but see

it occurred to me that if we could do that here

on a small scale, why not on a larger scale?

I mean, ever since we broke away from Earth

solid information has been rare as gold.

We had to rely on smuggled data crystals

rumors, stories.

'All they have to go on back home'

'is what ISN tells them.'

So, why not solve two problems at the same time?

Why not come up with a way that we can turn

the War Room into, I don't know, uh..

The voice of the Resistance.

Susan, during World War II, the French Resistance

used to go on the air for one hour a night

always from a different location

broadcasting the real news about the war

'providing intelligence for the resistance fighters'

encouraging the Germans to defect.

Well, why can't we do the same thing here?

Why do I get the ugly suspicion

that you're volunteering me for this job?

I accept your offer.

Now, you go get some sleep

and we will talk about this again tomorrow.

[sighs]

If he weren't my commanding officer

I swear I'd shoot him dead.

You've been up for some time, Delenn.

You should sleep.

I will.

I was thinking.

I'm very disturbed by what you told me

about the Warrior Caste.

Since the war, I haven't been paying

as much attention to the events back home

as I should have.

How is it?

The Grey Council was the force that held us together, Delenn.

That is why Valen created it.

Each caste had an equal voice.

Without it, it has become difficult

and there have been rumors.

It is said that the Warrior Caste

are trying to form a new council of its own.

I've heard in the cities of Sikar and Dronya

where once the three castes lived together peacefully.

The Warrior Caste have forced out our caste

driving them to the wastelands.

'At least, that is the rumor.'

Do you believe it?

Dukhat says, when there is good news

we always ask if it is true

because it is so difficult to believe.

But when there is bad news, we rarely inquire

because it is so easy to believe.

So, yes, Delenn, I do believe

'but I very much wish that I did not.'

Alright, I want to thank all of you for coming.

I know that getting here was difficult for most of you

considering the extent to which President Clark

has been restricting travel.

Captain Sheridan has asked me to convey several messages.

First, to express the outrage we all feel

about how Mars has been treated.

I guess so.

'Now, it was Clark's decision'

'to bomb civilian targets that prompted our decision'

to secede from the Alliance.

That and a small fleet of ships coming your way.

It's just a little easier to make the grand gesture

when someone is pointing a gun at your head. Yes?

Now, that's just not fair!

No one's forgotten that Sheridan helped put down

the food riots after the Minbari War.

A lot of people here still haven't forgotten that.

The point is the captain

is willing to set aside all differences

and focus on what needs to be done now.

And right now you need all the allies you can get.

He wants you to know that we have not forgotten

Mars or Proxima III.

We are putting together a coalition that will

move against Clark at the appropriate time

and he wants your support..

...provided that you do understand that this is directed

against the person, not the position.

I know, what are you taking us for? What are you selling?

Some of you want to overthrow EarthGov

as payment for what it's done to you.

Fair enough.

I was raised on Arisia colony

which was sucked dry by Earth taxes and ruined

by Earth corporations, so I sympathize

but if you go that way, you'll lose any support

you might have back home and jeopardize

the greater mission, getting rid of Clark.

Now, towards that end, the captain wants you to stop

bombing civilian targets.

It does no good, and it never has.

We have to send a message!

You are! You are, but it's the wrong message!

It makes everyone back home more sympathetic

to Clark's position.

You're driving people away be trying

to bring them around to our side.

You talk about our side, but we haven't seen much help

coming from Babylon 5 lately.

[indistinct chattering]

Sorry, been a trifle busy lately with a little war

that threatened to wipe out this entire sector

and before you think it's got nothing to do with you

the creature we found on one of your people

when we got here would seem to indicate

that the forces behind that war

are also responsible for some of the problems here.

Now, we need to know that we can rely on you

to carry out any instruction from Babylon 5

over the next several months without question

no matter how strange they may sound.

We need you to trust us, and we need you to be patient.

Hold off on the bombings for a while.

Is that all you have to say?

No.

Captain Sheridan gave me one last message.

He said, I know we are asking a great deal of you

but in exchange for your cooperation

you have my guarantee that when this is all over

Mars will finally be recognized as an independent state.

And we're supposed to believe one man saying this?

- Yes! If it's the right man. - Oh, yeah!

And what if I said I'd sprout wings

and fly to New York, huh?

In your case, I'd say you were crazy

but if Sheridan said it, I'd tell him to stop off

on the west side and pick me up some bagels!

This is what you have been fighting and dying for

and you are no closer to your goal now than before!

Clark's forces will keep closing in on you

whether you sign up with us or not

and in six months, dead!

Now, we're offering you a chance.

We'll give you support and a real target

which is a hell of a lot better than bombing civilian targets

on your way to the gallows.

This is the location where most of the attacks

have taken place.

Are you receiving anything, Lennier?

I'm picking up a distress signal.

Scanners indicate it's a Pak'ma'ra military transport.

Put us on course. Do we have visual?

Putting it through.

[indistinct chatter]

Translate.

(ailen) 'Winshakarr to any ships'

'are being attacked. Please help!'

All ships, attack formation!

[intense music]

Engines hit.

Life support no longer functioning.

Dark enemy.

This is Delenn of the Minbari. We are en route.

How many ships are attacking you?

Too many. Too many.

[static]

It's gone.

Are we close enough to pick up the ships that attacked it?

Yes.

On-screen.

[dramatic music]

Be careful, Delenn.

We don't know the reasons for the attack

and we've never seen any ships like those before.

I was there at the first contact with Dukhat, Lennier.

Do not make such mistakes twice.

Open a channel.

White Star fleet to attacking ships.

Identify yourselves.

[speaking in foreign language]

- Can you translate? - No.

I'm sending Interlac alphabet and language codes

on a clear channel. This may take a moment.

- Delenn-- - In a moment, Forell.

- 'White Star Minbari.' - Yes.

Who are you?

- 'Drakh.' - Drakh?

Is that your name or the name of your species?

'Yes.'

Delenn, there's a problem.

We are not translating that.

It's coming through in Minbari.

But you said you sent them our language codes.

No. I sent them Interlac. It's easier to translate.

They're using our language, but I didn't send it to them.

But how can that be..

...unless, unless they've had

some prior contact with our people.

Do not move, Delenn.

Forell, you would threaten me?

Only as necessary.

Minbari do not kill Minbari.

I do not need to kill you to cause you pain.

Why are you doing this?

To prevent you from acting against them

till you've heard what we have to say.

And then what?

That is up to you..

...and them.

Tell the other ships to follow us.

[dramatic music]

Well?

I'll give you this much.

You can be pretty convincing when you want to be.

They still have to check back with their own people

but for now you got their support.

And mine.

Because I think we can trust you

even if you are a liar.

I don't know what you're talking about.

[chuckles] Come on, Franklin.

Don't play me for stupid. I was there.

'You didn't know about the bombings'

'until you got here.'

'ISN isn't airing that information outside Earth.'

They don't want to encourage anyone else to do the same.

So if you didn't know about the bombings

how could you carry a message from Sheridan about it?

Well, I, uh..

[chuckles] Couldn't.

But I know the captain wouldn't like it

any more than you do, and since you were having

a hard time with the others, I thought--

You thought you'd give me a little outside support.

Yeah.

So, like I said, you're a liar

but you're my kind of liar.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

I was there too, you know. Didn't thank me.

Well, you were the one that always told me

that being a ranger is a thankless job.

Yeah, I know, but it wouldn't hurt once in a while

just for the sheer change of pace.

Ask me, I think she likes you.

Nah, come on. No, it's just business.

- That's all. - 'Stephen..'

Look, I was just, just helping her out

of a difficult situation, that's all.

Fifty credits says that's not all

she wants you to help her out of.

Oh, come on, Marcus, you are such a..

- 'Romantic?' - Yeah.

We're still in a war here, Stephen.

Only now, it's a different kind of war.

Maybe the worst of the two.

It's hard to know who to trust.

Situation like this makes you afraid.

Makes you want to reach out to someone

who may just feel the same way as you do

about things, who might be willing

to risk this much to help you

when the rest of the world couldn't give a damn.

Oh, Franklin, I almost forgot

since it was your hotel that was bombed this morning

you're on your own.

Maybe you'd like to join me for dinner tonight.

I can't promise much, but it'll be the best

we can pull together.

Sure.

We're a little short-handed on guard duty tonight

if you could help out..

Love to.

That'll be 50 credits.

Oh, no, no, don't you start with me, Marcus.

- Don't. - Come on, you cheap bastard.

- Marcus, look.. - Oh, sorry.

Got to go. Guard duty.

Touch passion when it comes your way, Stephen.

It's rare enough as it is.

Don't walk away when it calls you by name.

[instrumental music]

- How much further? - This is far enough.

We're here.

[dramatic music]

These Drakh. Who are they?

Friends.

Tell 'em to allow the life pod on board.

He will not be armed.

You have my word.

[intense music]

[dramatic music]

Who are you?

Are you a Drakh?

Emissary. Speak for Drakh.

I brought you another.

This one is important.

She can be of great help to us.

- Her name is-- - Unimportant.

Tell.

What I told you before was true.

The Warrior Caste has formed a council of its own.

With the Grey Council gone, there's nothing

to hold them in check except them.

(Lennier) 'You cannot use them to attack our own people.'

That is not my intent. Listen to me, please.

My family was at Sikar when the Warrior Caste

decided it no longer wished to share its resources.

They were driven out, their personal flyers destroyed

and forced to walk to the next city.

But Sikar is on the edge of the Southern Polar Region.

Most of them died from cold and exposure

before reaching Drogani.

My family did not survive.

Minbari do not kill Minbari

but when it is the elements, the night, the cold..

...well, is that truly murder?

I didn't know, Forell.

I'm sorry.

The word is now only spreading

but the others don't believe it could happen to us.

But it is just how it happened in the days before Valen.

Because they didn't believe, they will not act.

If we allow the Warrior Caste to take control of Minbari

it will be too late.

We must have allies..

...even if we do not use them, that they exist at all will make

the Warrior Caste reconsider.

So you have gone to outsiders.

(Forell) 'What other choice is there?'

'You have these ships, but you are still outnumbered.'

'The Drakh can help.'

They've offered us protection in exchange

for allowing them to move into several deserted worlds

along our borders.

We do not give shelter to thieves

who prey on innocent ships.

They only use force against military vessels

who threaten them first.

Their presence along the border will help keep us safe

in case we once again descend into the chaos

of Civil War.

The Drakh want peaceful relations.

They want only a place to have for their own because--

Because they have just lost their home.

Yes.

'There was an evacuation..'

'...some kind of natural disaster, they said.'

This homeworld of yours..

...did it have a name?

Yes.

What was it?

Home.

Home.

I'm sorry if I had to force you to come here

but there was no other way.

And if the others should hear of this

then you can tell them truthfully

that you were forced to come.

I could not have harmed you

but it was important that you see them for yourself.

We can be the salvation of our society.

'You belong to the Grey Council.'

'You can take their offer to the Religious Caste.'

They will respect you.

I will consider your offer.

Tell the others that we will meet here

again in seven days.

I will give you my answer then.

They know.

Thank you. You will not regret this, Delenn.

Delenn.

[intense music]

You didn't tell them who you were bringing?

No. There wasn't time.

Tell the other ships to stand by.

Let me know as soon as the emissary has left.

- Why are you-- - Don't you understand?

Sheridan and I defeated the Shadows

drove them and their allies from Z'ha'dum

which was then destroyed.

They worked for the Shadows, Forell

and now you brought me right into the middle of them.

No. You must have be mistaken.

- It's possible-- - No.

I felt it as soon as I saw him.

I have been to Z'ha'dum. I saw the evacuation.

We defeated their masters, and now they seek

to become masters themselves and destroy those

who defeated the Shadows.

Now that they know, who I am

they will attack as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Drakh shuttle is leaving.

[dramatic music]

Can we open a jump point, escape before they can attack?

No, they would detect the energy spike

and destroy us before we could enter hyperspace.

But we can outrun them. We're faster than they are.

Once we're moving, yes, but we have to fight inertia

to gain top speed, and that will take several seconds.

Several seconds is all they will need to destroy us.

What are they waiting for?

We've drifted closer to their mother ship.

If they attack at this range, they'll damage it.

Let us use that against them.

Lennier, have you ever seen the Warrior Caste training flights?

Yes.

Have you seen them skin dancing?

- I have. - Can you do the same thing?

Not without approximately five years of additional training.

That would be no then.

But I can program the parameters into the ship's

artificial intelligence matrix.

And what do you do then?

Touch that button and pray very, very fast.

Start working.

Move us away from the other ships slowly.

Let them think we are leaving as planned.

[dramatic music]

Enemy weapon systems are powering up.

- Have they locked on yet? - No.

They won't lock on until they're ready to fire.

Link all the other ships into our control system.

- They're locking on! - Now!

[music continues]

How long until maximum thrust?

Almost there.

[music continues]

Approaching optimum speed.

Activate jump engines.

Break off! Now!

[music continues]

[explosion]

Ugh!

[groans]

[men groaning]

[intense continues]

I'm sorry, Delenn.

I did not know.

I thought I was helping our people.

I thought..

No.

I am sorry, Forell.

I should never have been away this long.

What's our status?

Damage is substantial

but auto-repair systems are functional.

Setting a course for Babylon 5.

Who said we were leaving?

They destroyed ships from League Worlds

murdered their crews, destroyed White Star 16.

And now..

...they will pay the price.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

The Drakh mothership is heading for the jump gate.

- How fast? - Fast.

Be faster.

[music continues]

Hold on!

[music continues]

End this.

[explosion]

- The target is-- - Yes, Lennier.

I see.

Delenn, it would seem that we have a problem at home.

I know.

Call the other ships, Lennier.

Take us to Babylon 5.

[mellow music]

[instrumental music]

Curious thing about humans.

Minbari cities remain untouched

and unchanged for centuries.

I leave for three days..

...and you redecorate.

[chuckles]

Me and my bright ideas.

But once this place is on-line, we'll finally be able

to get our story out to the fleet, the colonies

even Earth, if we can slip past the jammers.

'I heard about what happened to you out there.'

While you were gone, we heard about more attacks.

Some of the ships were identical to the ones you ran into.

You still think it came from Z'ha'dum?

Positive, there's no way of knowing

how many other raiders are out there

but these Drakh worry me the most.

[sighs] Wild cards.

Just what we need.

It never seems to end, does it?

You know, my grandfather once told me

the duration's gonna be a lot longer than the war

[chuckles] Never quite understood that until now.

And it isn't just the other races.

John, there are problems waiting for me on Minbari.

The caste system is falling apart.

If we don't pull it back together again

there will be Civil War.

So I'm going home for a while until this is fixed.

It may take some time..

...but I think in some ways

the time apart will be good for us.

Good for you.

How so?

Before the war..

...Dukhat wanted to know more about your people

so I began studying your history.

I came to the conclusion that of all the races

we had encountered, humans were the most dangerous

'because humans form communities'

'and from that diversity comes a strength'

'no single race can withstand.'

That is your strength..

...and it is that which makes you dangerous.

Ever since you came back from Z'ha'dum

you've been trying to act as if nothing had changed

trying to put it all back the way it was.

I've tried to talk to you about what Lorien said

that you have only 20 years left

but you don't want to talk about that.

You've turned your attention back toward Earth

distracted yourself with this.

That is why you're so angry with Mr. Garibaldi

but as long as he's outside..

...things can never be the way they were.

While you were at Z'ha'dum..

...you were touched by destiny.

You cannot just simply walk away from that.

I know. I know.

It's just that I'm..

I'm tired, Delenn.

Sometimes I feel as if I've been carrying this station

on my back and crawling through broken glass for three years.

- We each have our obligations. - Yeah.

Mine, for now, is to return home.

I must rebuild the Grey Council

and you must finish the work that is ahead of you.

Fighting a war is easy.

Destroying is easy.

Building a new world out of what's left of the old

that is what's hard, but that is your strength.

So much has fallen apart out there.

You must help to put it back together.

And how will your leaving make this any easier for me?

You've been holding back..

...trying to protect all of us from the parts

of you that changed at Z'ha'dum.

You've tried to act as if nothing had changed.

But I know your heart, John.

You can fool the others, but you cannot fool me.

What is left..

...requires that you'd be dangerous

and I think you would be more comfortable

doing that if I were not here.

Would it make a difference if I asked you not to go?

Would you want it to make a difference?

No. I suppose not.

[sighs]

Well, how long before you have to leave?

Tomorrow morning.

Dinner?

Love to.

Have you heard from Marcus and Stephen?

Not since before you left, which is what I figured.

I'm sure Stephen has his hands full.

[both chuckle]

(Number One) 'Oh, Stephen!'

[swooshing]

[theme music]