Original subtitles

[instrumental music]

(Sheridan) Alright, what's wrong now?

This is my analysis of the latest batch of reports

from the rangers, we've had a major increase in attacks

against the shipping lines

of the alliance worlds in recent weeks.

[sighs] Hit and run attacks, very efficient.

No survivors, no warning.

So far, very typical raid..

I do not think these are raiders, John.

The ships were destroyed with the cargo still onboard?

Raiders strike quickly.

Knock out communications and navigational control.

Plunder the cargo bays then destroy the ships.

Whoever is behind these attacks

isn't interested in cargo or profit.

Therefore, they are not raiders.

John, these attacks are being carried out

with almost military-like precision.

Textbook search and destroy missions.

Do the rangers have any idea who's responsible for this?

Nope. No survivors, no witnesses and no evidence.

The transports were so completely overwhelmed

they didn't even have a chance to fight back.

And until now the other worlds probably figured

this is just a local problem.

When they find out it's this widespread..

When do the others get this report?

We are required to give the council a briefing

on matters affecting their planetary security

within 24 hours of reviewing them in-house.

Every member race ...has been hit equally.

And the attacks have been totally random.

So that rules out border skirmishes

or political disagreements.

There is no one obvious to blame.

Which means they'll blame each other, randomly.

Tell the rangers to deploy along the main shipping lines.

Monitor all frequencies for distress signals.

We have to find out who is responsible for this

or we're gonna have a real problem on our hands.

A highly trained but unknown military force

striking randomly against our allies.

I'd say we already have a real problem.

[explosion]

[dramatic music]

(Kosh) And so it begins..

- There is a hole in your mind. - What do you want?

(G'Kar) No one here is exactly what he appears.

(Sinclair) Nothing's the same anymore.

(Hague) Commander Sinclair is being reassigned.

(Londo) Why don't you eliminate the entire Narn...

(Elric) I see a great hand

reaching out of the stars...

(female #1) President Clark has signed

a decree today declaring martial law.

(Sheridan) These orders have forced us

to declare independence.

Unless your people get off

their encounter suited butts and do something.

(Zathras) You're the one who was.

(Kosh) If you go to Z'ha'dum you will die.

(Lorien) Why are you here?

Do you have anything worth living for?

(Delenn) I think of my beautiful city in flames.

(Sheridan) Giants in the playground.

Now get the hell out of our galaxy.

We are here to place President Clark under arrest.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chatter]

Ah, Prime Minister Mollari

so good to have you back.

I trust your journey was a pleasant one.

Not really. No.

And I see you've brought

your own entertainment with you.

An excellent idea.

And quite brave of you to let him so close

without keeping him in chains.

Perhaps we should change that.

Just a few chains to make the others more comfortable

before we put him in a cell.

He is my bodyguard.

Well, it's good to know that

your Excellency's sense of humor is still intact

after such a long voyage.

Well, now, perhaps if we could show you to your room..

Minister Vitari, I wasn't joking.

His name is G'Kar.

And he, uh ...he is my bodyguard.

And I can find my room very well

on my own, thank you.

What time is dinner here?

Sundown.

Good, I'm starved.

[gasps]

[music continues]

(Byron) Is that the last of them?

Good. Close it up.

Yesterday, something happened

that will change the lives of everyone.

Perhaps, even alter the course of the future.

Most of you know Lyta Alexander.

During the Shadow War, she served the Vorlons.

Acted as their go-between.

They adjusted her abilities, made her stronger.

And revealed the truth to her.

And last night ...she revealed it to us.

While some telepaths on other worlds evolved naturally

the majority were created by the Vorlons

through centuries of genetic manipulation.

They created us so we could be used by the other worlds

as weapons in their war against the shadows.

'That is all we are to them.'

'Things to be used and thrown away.'

All that was bad enough.

But to find that we would telepaths.

Would not be hunted down and caged and controlled

if the Vorlons had not interfered with our

genetic makeup, made us into what we are..

Byron, what is done is done.

We can't change what we are.

No, we can't.

But if we are what we are

because we were made this way

then I have to look at our makers and say

"You are responsible."

The Vorlons are gone, the Vorlons, the Shadows

they're all gone, there's no one left.

Yes..

But their legacy remains.

that legacy.

A legacy created with one purpose.

To serve the other worlds in a war that is now over.

Which leaves us where?

'Abandoned? Alone?'

No.

There is another way.

But it is dangerous.

[knock on door]

Yes!

Hello, prime minister.

Hello, Jano. Where have you been?

I've been asking for you all day.

I was away. I only just now learned of your return.

I-I hope this isn't a bad time.

No, no, I was just having a drink before bed.

- Here, sit, my old friend. - Thank you.

It's good to see you again.

- How are you? - Well..

Sheridan's new alliance is keeping me very busy.

I have come back just to see how things are doing here.

How is the regent?

Uh, not well, they say.

"They say?"

Haven't you seen him?

He remains in seclusion.

Officially... only his personal physician

and a few trusted aides

who's seen him for ...oh, almost two months.

Mmm. And unofficially?

Some of the staff have found him

wandering the palace late at night.

They say he talks to himself. Cries, wails, curses.

And then falls silent when somebody approaches.

Sometimes he says he has something important to tell 'em.

And then a cloud seems to pass over his face

and he walks away.

Once, before his aides could bring him back to his room

he told a guard to kill him that he was not himself.

Of course, he was ...quite drunk at the time.

Was he? I find that very strange.

I have known the regent since the first time

I came to the royal court. He doesn't drink.

He, he cultivated sobriety as his only vice.

A break with conventional accepted behavior.

- Perhaps he's changed. - Perhaps. Well..

Things do seem quieter than when Cartagia was in charge.

Oh, quieter, yes, yes.

But also stranger.

I was updating the status report on our fleet.

It is standard protocol.

When an aide to the regent told me to stop.

He said that information was for the regent only.

And other reports, too.

Grain production, food supplies, ore production

have all, all been reclassified as top secret.

- Why? - I don't know.

Nobody does.

It's a strange thing, Londo.

It's a...a feeling more than anything I can point to.

As if a darkness had fallen over the palace.

I've never felt anything quite like it before.

But I'm glad you're back, Londo.

If anybody can find out what is going on, it's you.

And, while the regent can refuse to see me

it would be very hard to avoid seeing his own prime minister.

Alright, Jano.

Keep an eye out for anything else you might consider strange.

Let me know what you find out.

And I will bring it to the regent myself.

Thank you.

Perhaps it's nothing, just whispers and rumors.

But just once I would like to find myself wrong

about these things ...for a change.

- Goodnight, Londo. - Goodnight, Jano.

- See you in the morning. - Oh, yes.

[instrumental music]

Lights.

Lights!

[intense music]

Who's there?

Regent...is that you?

Yes. Yes.

So they tell me.

Now, what are you doing here?

Why, I came to see you, Lord Jano.

[chuckles]

Why else?

Certainly not the decor.

Once I would have thought..

...pastels for the curtains.

But I think we're well beyond pastels now.

Um.. no bright colors anymore.

Just darkness.

[chuckling] I remember..

...when you were just a child

Emperor Turhan once picked you up

and carried you all around the palace.

[chuckling]

Do-do you remember?

Yes, regent, I remember.

But you shouldn't be here.

It's late. You should be asleep.

Yes.

I suppose I should.

But I wanted to see you.

I so wanted to see you again.

You do understand, Jano

that if it were my decision..

...I would never let anyone harm you.

'I would never let anyone hurt you..'

...if it were my decision.

But it's not my decision, you see.

[screams]

Not my decision at all.

[intense music]

(Sheridan) Then it's decided.

The Yolu government will not oppose the independence

of the colonies in sector 800

in exchange for an agreement by the alliance

to intercede in all border disputes there

for the next 20 years.

Are there any challenges?

Good. Then the motion is passed.

I think that concludes all our business today.

Thank you for coming.

Oh, and we have an updated report

on the security of your shipping lines.

It'll be uplinked to your systems tonight.

[indistinct chattering]

And now the screaming begins.

[indistinct chatter]

Good evening.

[beeping]

[intense music]

It's started. There's no turning back now.

I'll need you to stay here and coordinate things

while I go find Mr. Garibaldi.

In the next 24 hours, I'll need you more

than I've ever needed anyone.

Your strength, your wisdom...your warmth.

(Lyta) Byron...aren't you ever afraid?

(Byron) Constantly, Lyta.

Constantly.

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, Prime Minister Mollari. Good.

I'm so glad you've come.

I was telling the others

about your exquisitely ironic choice

of a Narn for a bodyguard

But anyone who wasn't there refused to believe me.

I could hardly believe it myself.

- But now that you're here-- here.

And I would like to see the regent.

I'm afraid that's not possible, prime minister.

The regent is not well.

But he did ask me to convey his best wishes

to you and your...whatever.

And to say that he will join us when his strength permits.

I see.

And where is Lord Jano?

He said he would meet me here.

I'm sorry, prime minister.

It is all I can do to keep my own itinerary straight

let alone that of Lord Jano's.

But I will inquire if that is what you want.

Yes, please.

[chuckling]

[gasps]

Mollari, this business has gone far enough.

The palace guard should be protection enough for anyone.

To bring one of those in here

is a slap in the face to every Centauri

who's given his life guarding the palace.

And it recklessly endangers everyone here.

Endangers? How?

Narns are barbarians, primitives.

Turn your back on them for a second

they'll stick a knife in it.

A Narn would never stab a Centauri in the back.

It has always been our tradition to go for the chest.

That way you can see the life go out of their eyes as they fall.

G'Kar.

Just doing my best in the interests of accuracy.

So you were in error, it happens.

Be assured that I do not carry a grudge.

No?

Interesting.

I brought someone with me.

- 'Do you recognize him?' - Yes.

This is the Centauri that whipped me, before Cartagia.

And do you recognize what he's holding?

Yes. That is the whip he used.

I put his fate in your hands.

In front of all these witnesses I say

that you will not be prosecuted or charged

for anything you might do.

Go on.

[gasps]

[intense music]

Tell me, minister if I were to strike you

which would you be angry at?

The hand that struck you

or the heart that commanded the hand to strike?

Well, the heart, of course.

The hand has no choice but to do as it is told.

It is the heart that carries the burden

and that heart is dead in both of us, minister.

It died with Cartagia.

And it died in me soon after.

[clatters]

Besides...everyone knows that the true source of pain

is neither the hand nor the heart.

It is the mouth.

Is it not, minister?

Mollari. I think that you should follow me at once.

[dramatic music]

I just came in to look for him

And I found Lord Jano... like that.

I shall summon the palace guard.

This is a terrible day, Mollari.

I looked in his eyes when I searched him.

This was not a man who would seek death.

Yes. Jano would never kill himself. Never.

He was murdered.

[music continues]

(Byron) 'And I appreciate your taking the time'

to see me, Mr. Garibaldi.

Not a problem. What can I do for you?

I'd like permission to address the council for the alliance.

- About what? - I'd rather not say.

- Then the answer is no. - It's rather important.

Well, then you're gonna have to tell me what it is.

Look, you've got Sheridan, Delenn.

All the ambassadors from all the member worlds.

That's a lot of people and they're very busy.

And if they're gonna give you five minutes of their time

they're gonna need to know why

so if you can't tell me..

...there's nothing I can do.

You've had a number of recent attacks

against alliance shipping lines.

By now the other races know all about it.

Yeah.

Yeah. They're pretty upset about it.

Exactly. My information could calm them down.

But...if I give it to any one person first

they'll think it's a trick.

It has to be done in front of all of them.

[instrumental music]

And I wanna thank the Brakiri

for their help in rescuing survivors

from a burning Drazi transport.

It is exactly that kind of cooperation

that the alliance stands for.

[all applauding]

Alright, if there is no other business..

...we have someone who wants to address the council.

Byron?

I'm afraid I'm going to divert

from my prepared comments.

But the matter at hand is no less important

than the one I was expected to address.

The reports Lyta is handing out

contain detailed information

on how the Vorlons created telepaths

on a hundred different worlds

through centuries of genetic manipulation.

'Human telepaths were among those created by the Vorlons.'

To serve their needs and yours during the Shadow War.

Now the war is over. And we are abandoned.

We belong to no one.

We are being caged, pursued

and forced into a kind of slave labor.

All for your benefit.

So now I turn back to you and say you must help us.

The alliance we were created to serve

must now help its creations

by giving us and all telepaths a homeworld of our own.

Byron, you are out of order. Now, what you are asking for--

Is small, compared to the sacrifices we have made.

There are many habitable worlds

on the edge of your territories

which have no real value to you--

I'm sorry. There is nothing we can do.

- What you are asking for-- - Will be given!

For a very long time now, we've hidden what we can do

all for your sake. That will now change.

'We do not believe in violence.'

That is not our way.

Our way is information.

Over the last two days

each of you has been followed by one of my people.

They have scanned every thought, every secret..

...every hidden thing you would not want known.

We now have all your secrets.

[indistinct chattering]

Give us a homeworld of our own

and you will never hear from us again.

Fail to do so

and all your secrets will be revealed.

[intense music]

Never, ever, ever trust a telepath.

I swear to you that I'm gonna have that tattooed

on the inside of my eyelids.

- Damn it, I'm sorry-- - It wasn't your fault.

Byron's telepaths have provided us

with solid information ever since you brought them

into the covert intelligence division.

You couldn't have known they were gonna pull this.

I should've known.

Don't they understand what they're doing here?

They might as well just have rolled in a grenade.

Look, they were very smart

in not saying exactly what they knew.

Now, unless they do a deep scan

a telepath can only pick up

what you're thinking at the moment.

But who the hell remembers

every passing thought they had for two days?

Leaving everyone to assume they know

the most damaging information possible.

Which begs the question.

What are we going to do about it?

Perhaps they are right.

It is true that the Vorlons guided their evolution

creating telepaths for their own purposes

to serve our needs in the war.

Perhaps we do have an obligation to them.

Fine. I'll set them up a trust fund.

But a homeworld of their own? Come on!

If you were hated by your own race

forced to join the Psi corps

or forced to take drugs to inhibit your talents

for the rest of your life.

If you had been hunted

and enslaved by the others.

Would you not want a place of your own?

A place where others like you could gather safely

without fear of persecution?

Okay, I grant you.

On a strictly idealistic level, it's understandable.

But they did it the wrong way, the inconvenient way.

I seem to recall the Earth President

saying the same thing to you

after your Civil War.

[instrumental music]

I hate it that she has a memory. Don't you?

Damned inconvenient.

Well...at least it's still a political problem.

So far it hasn't turned violent.

Yet.

Is there ever a time when you are not eating, G'Kar?

As bodyguard, I must keep up my strength.

I could be called upon to give my life to save yours

at a moment's notice.

It's bad luck to die on an empty stomach.

We believe that..

[knock on door]

Yes?

Prime minister, the regent will see you now.

I believe you know the way to his private bedchamber.

Yes.

[grunts]

[intense music]

- 'G'Kar?' - 'Yes?'

I'm glad you had something to eat.

- So am I. - When I move, run.

[grunting]

Run!

G'Kar!

G'Kar!

[music continues]

(Vole) Mollari.

You should never have come back to Centauri Prime.

You are an obstacle to my ambitions.

With one move, I remove you.

[gasps]

[groans]

[music continues]

[grunting]

[groaning]

Are you alright?

- Yes, I think so. - Good.

I suggest we leave the area before others come.

I gave very explicit orders

that no one was to leave the area

until we heard back from the council.

We needed supplies.

He said he'd come right back.

Don't you understand?

They're afraid of us right now.

We have to stay here quietly, peacefully.

They have to see we're not acting against them.

And if they come after us we'll need

all the supplies we can get.

(Byron) 'They won't.'

If we stay together and do nothing to break the laws

security will have to protect us.

If we split up, anything can happen.

- Then we'll go after them. - 'No.'

(Byron) 'That would only further complicate the situation.'

'We can only hope that..'

[grunting]

(male #1) One of your kind violated our ambassador.

Which was it?

[intense music]

[grunting]

- We have to help him. - No. Stay here.

We cannot return violence with violence. We have to wait.

I can't.

You said we had to look out for each other

protect each other.

We have to stop them.

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

[grunting]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

- Mr. President. - Zack.

I assume you heard.

We just finished ...debating the problem.

You know, I-I always wondered what it would take

to make all of these ambassadors act together.

Now I know.

It's the worst thing you can do to someone, Zack.

Threaten to reveal his secrets.

And on top of that, now the Drazi are claiming

that their people were attacked by telepaths.

That threats were made.

[scoffs] And with everyone already wired up

over the attacks on their shipping lines

it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

[sighs]

I assume Captain Lochley sent you.

- Yes, sir. - Mm-hmm.

And I assume she reminded you to remind me

that she thought this idea of a colony of telepaths

was a bad idea right from the start.

Yes, sir.

Yeah.

Well, maybe, she was right.

She wants me ...to pull them in.

But they came here under your protection.

She won't contravene that.

She needs your authorization

before she can take them out.

How many people are we talking about here?

Well, it's hard to say.

They don't have to register as telepaths

when they come in, they keep to themselves.

Reports are about 50 to 150 people living down there.

Ah, maybe, Delenn was right.

Maybe, we do owe them a lot more than we've given them.

But there's nothing we can do about it

until we have them in custody.

Then, maybe, we can calm things down.

As of now, I am withdrawing my protection.

You are authorized to move as soon as you are ready.

Do what you have to do, Zack.

[intense music]

(Byron) They'll be coming for us soon. We need to prepare.

Move all our food stores in here, get everyone together.

(Lyta) Byron, I can try talking to Sheridan.

- He'd listen to me. - I'm sure he would.

But, the situation is almost certainly

beyond his control.

The other ambassadors will insist on our arrest.

Then what do we do?

Go along like sheep when they come for us?

No. We will refuse to be arrested.

But we will do so peacefully.

We'll weld shut all the air doors.

Block all the transport tubes.

They'll have to dig us out inch by inch.

What do we do when the food runs out?

Then we will have nothing to eat.

And when the other worlds hear of our starving in here

for the dream of our own homeworld

it may soften their hearts towards us.

The longer it takes them to get to us

the more we may have a chance to negotiate.

In time, cooler heads may prevail.

No!

When I was first identified as a telepath

my family said to wait.

Perhaps they won't come for us.

Perhaps we can work this out in peace.

But they came for me ...and my sister.

And now they will come for all of us.

'We've spent years on the run'

'and in those years, we've been free'

'from the Psi corps, free from the hatred'

'and the oppression and the fear.'

How many of you want to go back to that?

Because that is exactly what will happen

if we sit here and wait.

Then what do you propose?

You had the right idea, Byron. You just didn't go far enough.

We have their secrets. We can fight back.

I say we leave here while we can

split up and strike back.

Make them understand

that if they give us what we want

we'll go in peace.

But if they don't, we fight.

- You'll fight? - Yes.

- And kill. - If necessary.

[intense music]

We took these from the Drazi. We can get more.

Have you learned ...so little?

Is there not one of you who understands?

[clanks]

I am staying here.

Whoever wishes to go, can go.

I have no hold over you.

- Byron. - Go...while you still can.

[music continues]

And I can't tell you how glad we are

that you escaped harm, prime minister.

How did you manage to escape?

Oh, I live a charmed life. Clean living.

Ah. Well...Vole was always trouble, you know.

Yes, even the regent has had difficulty

containing his ambitions.

Well, it won't be a problem anymore.

He has overreached himself.

- The regent-- - And where is the regent, hmm?

Pardon?

Earlier, you said the regent was ready to see me.

Was he...or wasn't he?

Or were you merely setting me up

for Vole's attempt on my life, hmm?

[laughing]

Oh, you almost had me going there, prime minister.

Where...is...the...regent?

Uh...uh...well, I don't actually know, you-you see.

Uh...he was there when I sent for you.

But then when I came back, he was gone.

But I assure you that every possible attempt will be made

to locate him just as soon as possible.

Yes, yes, please, please. Thank you. Thank you.

Yes.

Are you sure?

[giggling]

Regent.

Regent Virini.

Yeah. Hello, Mollari.

Beautiful night, isn't it?

As nights go. And they go so quickly now.

Are you alright?

Yes. Yes.

No.

I-I-I'm glad we got there in time to save you, Mollari.

You know ...you were the only one

who treated me fairly when Cartagia was here.

But he's still here, isn't he?

His legacy.

Then it was you who saved me?

No.

Not exactly.

It was them.

They like you, you know.

That's why they saved you.

They say you are just like them. They say..

They say you have much in common.

- They? Who are they? - Shh.

Quietly, Londo, ...quietly.

You will follow me.

You will be emperor soon.

Yes.

I'm sorry.

I'm so...so sorry.

They have a message for you.

They say, we know you have been asking

about our supplies and ships.

They say..

...let it go.

[intense music]

You will understand it all soon enough.

No, I want to understand it now.

No! No, you don't.

If you have ever believed me before, Londo, believe me now.

You still have time. Enjoy it.

Run in-in the sunlight.

Eat like..

...like a fool.

You have so little time.

[music continues]

You should go now.

- Quickly. - Regent..

We will speak..

...one more time before the end.

Go now.

Go on.

[music continues]

Well, what did you learn?

I don't know.

Come along.

[growls]

[choking] I-I didn't say anything.

[choking] I-I d-didn't say..

I-I didn't, I didn't..

[groans]

[instrumental music]

- G'Kar. - Yes?

Tomorrow morning we will arrange

for the first transport back to Babylon 5.

I thought you were staying for at least a month.

Yes, so did I.

[sighs]

G'Kar..

...I have been in the royal palace on and off

for most of my life.

Even when Cartagia was here

I never lost my affection for it.

But tonight for the first time..

...I think it frightens me.

you?

Well, I won't be getting any sleep tonight.

[sighs]

What could they be doing with our ships, I wonder?

(male #2) 'We beg you, do not fire. We're unarmed.'

'We've, we've done nothing to you.'

'We've done nothing.'

[explosion]

(Zack on speaker) 'Is this thing on? It is?'

[clears throat]

'This is Babylon 5 station security'

'to telepaths in brown sector.'

'We are aware that you have sabotaged the transport tubes'

'and welded the access hatches shut.'

'You are ordered to remove these obstructions'

'and surrender at once.'

'Failure to do so will result in direct confrontation'

'with our forces and I imagine'

'you don't want that any more than we do.'

'Lyta, if you're in there come on out now'

'and we may be able to intercede for you.'

'Anyone else who wants to come out...do so now.'

'If you stay, if any of you stay there'

'and resist the order of the president'

'that you surrender yourselves and this area'

'we cannot be held responsible for the consequences.'

You could go, Lyta.

I don't want to.

We can hold them off for a day.

Two days, maybe three. No more.

There will come a moment

when I will ask you to leave me behind.

When that moment comes you must do exactly as I say.

Promise me that, Lyta.

Promise me.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]