Ah, Londo.
Good to see you again.
And you, Refa.
You look well.
Exciting times, Mollari,
they fire the blood and the mind.
Leave us.
Refa...
The Emperor?
He is out among his people,
basking in their almost Sincere adulation.
He has left things here
in the hands of his court...
Which can function just as well without him,
sometimes better.
A point that I'm sure has not been lost on him.
I will only say
he appreciates his position
and ours...
And yours.
You've been much in our thoughts lately.
We know this has been a hard time for you.
Our work here--
has cost me the life of one friend already.
How many more do you have lined up?
What has happened in the past
is unfortunate, Londo,
but for the sake of our people,
we must learn from our mistakes
and move on.
Lord Refa,
I have come a long way, and I am tired.
Is there a reason
I have been summoned here now?
Indeed there is.
I have good news.
The war which began 6 months ago
is about to end
sooner than any of us could have hoped.
And you, Londo Mollari,
will be the architect of our victory.
Hello, dear friend.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
That's funny.
What?
I'm picking up an energy surge
from the planet below.
You sure?
Of course I'm sure. Take a look for yourself.
The Commander was afraid
something like this might happen again
one of these days.
Something like what?
Station 3 to Commander Ivanova.
[Shower running]
[Beeping]
Yes?
Captain, I just wanted to let you know
we're picking up some unusual signals
from the planet below.
Ivanova...
Ivanova?
Hello, Captain.
I do hope I'm not inconveniencing you,
but I think we should talk.
Sheridan: The Babylon project
was our last best hope for peace--
a self-contained world 5 miles long
located in neutral territory...
A place of commerce and diplomacy
for a 1/4 million humans and aliens...
A shining beacon in space, all alone in the night.
It was the dawn of the third age of mankind,
the year the great war came upon us all.
This is the story
of the last of the Babylon stations.
The year is 2259.
The name of the place is...
I've been watching you
for quite some time, Captain.
And I thought it was time
that I introduced myself.
My name is Draal.
How do you do?
Uh, I'm fine. Fine.
Good.
You don't have any idea who I am, do you?
Unless there's another Draal
who could do what you just did,
you're the Minbari who took custody
of the planet we're orbiting.
Ah, Captain,
you do not take custody of the planet,
the planet takes custody of you.
It chose me
when the one who lived
in the heart of the machine
lay dying.
Since then,
it has nourished me,
returned to me my youth
and appearance of 30 years ago.
I am but a steward, a guardian here
for a short while and then gone,
a humble-- I can come back
after you finish dressing.
No, no. It's fine.
I wouldn't wish to be an inconvenience.
You're not. I--
a humble guardian
of the great and terrible secrets
that have been entrusted to my care.
You were saying?
I've been wondering
if you would ever make contact.
I've read the reports about what happened,
and after a while,
I began to wonder if you were real or not.
Quite real, Captain.
I'm here to invite you down for a visit.
A visit?
Well, yes, of-- I suppose.
Uh, when?
Whenever is most convenient for you,
and whenever is most convenient for you
is as soon as possible. Trust me.
Uh, wait.
What about your planet's defenses?
How do I contact you?
Details.
Oh, and you can bring one other.
You'll know who.
The war does not go well for us, G'Kar.
Our outposts and colonies
at shi, dross, and zok
have all been conquered.
In the last 7 days, we have lost all contact
with our holdings in that sector.
So we must assume
that they have fallen as well.
Dear G'Quan.
The Centauri have pushed us back
further than we have ever been for 30 years.
Their forces are closing in on us
in every direction.
Warleader G'sten, I don't understand.
I'd heard none of this during my weekly briefings.
The kha'ri is trying to perpetuate the belief
that we are holding our own.
We're not.
Then there is no hope.
There's always hope.
Heh heh.
At least that's what I tell myself
when I awaken in the middle of the night
and the only sound I can hear
is the beating of my own desperate heart.
We have one chance.
We have located the supply world
for the Centauri main force...
Here at Gorash 7.
It's heavily guarded but open to attack
if we commit the bulk of our forces
for one all-out strike.
Many of our ships will not return,
but if we strike hard enough,
we can cut their supply line.
An attack like this should make them think
that we are launching a new offensive,
that perhaps they have underestimated our forces.
Their entire campaign has been cautious.
This should make them pull back
and reexamine their strategy.
And with luck, this will buy us time
to bolster our lines of defense.
Exactly.
If we make them pay
for every inch of space,
we can wear them down,
prolonging the war beyond
their capacity to fight it.
The Centauri want a quick victory.
They don't have the stomach
for prolonging the war.
There is a danger, G'sten.
Drawing off our forces like this
will leave homeworld with only a skeleton defense.
I know, but if we go on
fighting the way we have been,
sooner or later, homeworld will fall.
We must change our strategy quickly.
Even in our worst projections,
we will always have enough surviving ships
to effectively defend homeworld.
They will only be gone for a little while.
The window of vulnerability
is very small.
I pray you're right, G'sten.
I wish I were going with you.
Hmm.
Your place is here, G'Kar.
We will need alliances, support,
even sympathy.
In the final analysis, your work here
could be more important than a fleet of ships.
But how could I go off without saying goodbye
to my favorite nephew?
Your father...
Would be very proud of you, G'Kar.
Be well.
And you, G'sten.
[Beep]
Oh, Captain, here you are.
I was looking for you.
Uh, this isn't a good time, Ambassador.
I'm in kind of a hurry.
I know. He appeared to me as well.
Well, perhaps we should continue
if you're in such a terrible hurry.
Perhaps we should.
You are sure that your information is correct?
Of course.
We intercepted a coded transmission
from the Narn strategic command
to one of their flagships.
They intend to strike at Gorash 7.
Could be misinformation--
an attempt to draw off our main force
while they strike elsewhere.
Yes. I have heard this from others
in the Centaurum, but I don't think so.
It has just the right ring of desperation
to be true.
It took some doing, but I managed
to convince some of our generals
that the message is genuine--
enough for what is necessary.
Then you're going to be waiting for them
at Gorash 7, yes?
No.
What, are you mad?
They will destroy our supply lines.
Not if your forces are there waiting for them.
My forces?
Where will all your generals be
during this, hmm?
Launching a full assault
on the Narn homeworld itself.
Great maker!
You can't be serious.
Of course I'm serious.
Refa, any force attempting to invade Narn
would be up to its neck in blood--its own.
We have no intention of invading Narn.
Flattening it, yes,
but invading it?
We will be using mass drivers.
By the time we are done,
their cities will be in ruins.
We can move in at our leisure.
Mass drivers?
They have been outlawed by every civilized planet.
These are uncivilized times.
We have treaties.
Ink on a page.
This one move will end the war
in days instead of months
and save thousands of Centauri lives.
We only require your assistance
and that of your allies.
Listen to me, Refa,
my allies have begun to worry me.
Reports I have received--
their sheer strength!
Yes. They are very powerful,
which is what we need.
I don't understand your reluctance, Londo.
I am not reluctant.
I just feel that things are moving too quickly.
They threaten to spin out of control.
Nonsense.
We know exactly what we're doing,
and now is not the time for doubts.
Mollari, we're here because of you.
It's a little late to back out now.
Londo... Everything depends
on your cooperation.
At this very moment,
a dozen of our largest battle cruisers
are standing by in hyperspace
waiting for your decision.
If you wish to serve our people,
how better to do so
than to end this war quickly,
gloriously,
with a minimum of Centauri blood.
All right.
I will bring my associates into this,
but this is the last time.
We are Centauri.
If we are to seize our destiny,
we must do it ourselves.
After this...
No more.
After this there will no longer be a need.
Thank you, Londo.
Cheer up.
By the time you return to Babylon 5,
the war will be over,
and the Narns will be at our feet,
and this time...
We will keep them there.
We still have to be sure
this message is what it appears to be.
Of course it is. Do you think
I would not recognize my old teacher?
Well, to be fair, Delenn,
he didn't exactly look the same
as he does in the station records.
No. He looks stronger, more fit,
just as he did when he was my mentor.
There's always the chance
that someone might send a bogus message.
But why?
How about to get the both of you in a ship
headed for the planet? Which, if we remember
our last warning, would end up with you
being shot down, lasered, or otherwise scattered
all over the landscape.
Draal would never do that.
I know him too well.
That was before he went into that machine running the planet.
Who knows what he's like now?
And that's assuming he's the one who sent the message
in the first place.
Captain, we just finished
our scan of Epsilon 3. The message came from
3 miles inside the planet's surface.
It's genuine, all right.
Well, that settles it then.
He's made the invitation,
and I don't see how I can say no.
I mean, we're next-door neighbors,
and he's right-- it's about time
we got to know each other.
Well, I'd feel a lot more comfortable
about this situation if you'd let me
send a security team with you.
He told me I could only bring one other
and that I would know who he was referring to.
I'm ready to depart
whenever you are, Captain.
Ah, Mollari.
I was just about to send for you.
Go ahead, gentlemen.
It's time to go.
Go where?
To the Narn homeworld, of course.
I've reserved a place for us aboard the Valerius.
It leaves within the hour.
We will be at the head of the fleet
to personally oversee our victory.
Come, Londo.
Destiny awaits.
Sheridan: Beginning atmospheric insertion.
Confirmed, shuttle one. You're cleared for de-orbit.
Thanks, c&c.
Be back in a few hours.
[Indistinct chatter]
You're gonna come back here,
and we'll go over the tests with you.
You wanted to see me, doctor?
Yes. Excuse me.
Thank you.
We had another group of refugees
come in from the front lines
this morning...
From your colony on dross.
Agricultural specialists,
civilians, a few soldiers,
the usual mix.
Are they all right?
Mostly. There's something
that I thought you should know.
One of the refugees said
that he was captured and interrogated
by the Centauri, and they kept asking
the same questions over and over again.
Seems that they wanted to know
as much as possible about
your homeworld's defense system.
I'm not surprised. Eventually, they will
have to turn their eye toward Narn itself.
That's just it. He said
their questions seemed unusually urgent.
And one more thing-- the only reason
that this batch of refugees got out
is because the Centauri warships
pulled out before they finished
securing the planet.
Centauri don't work that way.
They're very thorough.
I know.
In the final days of our last war,
the Minbari bypassed several of our colonies.
They went right past our colonies
on Mars and io because
they were ready to hit Earth itself.
I would like to speak with this Narn.
I'm afraid that's not possible.
I don't want to panic anyone,
Ambassador,
but I thought you should know.
Yes.
Thank you, doctor.
You sure you know where you're going?
Of course.
I have an excellent memory.
Positive?
Abso-fragging-lutely, damn it.
Since our last discussion,
I've been studying your use of language.
Do you approve?
Uh, well, we'll talk about that later.
Uh, left or right?
Left...
I believe.
Good Lord.
I may not go home.
G'Kar, this is hardly enough information.
You know the Centauri! You know how they operate!
Attack, neutralize, secure,
and then move on to the next target.
Why would they withdraw from dross
before finishing the job?
I don't know. Perhaps
they encountered heavy resistance.
Well, they might regroup, but they wouldn't leave.
G'sten, listen to me.
If there's even a chance
they mean to attack homeworld--
the mission is too far along to stop it without proof.
Well, with a little more time--
there's no time.
We're about to launch.
G'sten!
I'm sorry, G'Kar.
I have to go.
I'll finish this conversation
when I return.
Draal? We're here.
Did you think I hadn't noticed, my old friend?
You've changed.
I like it.
Captain,
I have watched you since your arrival.
At first I wasn't sure about you...
But your decisions have been wise.
Your attitudes commendable,
and your Patience,
vaster than mine would have been
under similar circumstances.
Thank you.
I'm not finished yet.
Uh, sorry.
Since taking up residence in the heart of this machine,
I have explored its secrets,
learned and discovered
that I can look into distant worlds,
see and hear things
you cannot begin to imagine.
Along the way,
I've learned some things about you, Captain.
The loss of your wife...
I know Delenn has told you
about the coming darkness,
and lately I've learned about your role
in, shall we say, a conspiracy of light
aimed at your own government.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Yes, you do.
Please, Captain, don't worry.
Your secret is safe with me.
They would have to dig down 3 miles
into the surface of this planet
to learn what I know,
and no one who tried
would survive the attempt.
And now I have seen enough.
I said a year ago
that this place was to be left alone
until the time was right.
That time has arrived.
Now that I know
the full capabilities of this place,
I am prepared to place them
at your disposal.
Are you proposing an alliance?
One of the first.
There will be more to come.
This has been a hard and trying year for you,
Captain Sheridan.
It might be helpful for you to know
that you are not alone,
and that in the long twilight struggle
which lies ahead of us,
there is the possibility
of hope.
Warleader G'sten to fleet ships...
Stand by to attack.
Status?
No enemy ships detected.
We're--just a minute.
I'm picking up a disturbance.
Picking up 4, possibly 5 ships--
unknown configuration--
moving toward us on attack vector.
Can we initiate jump?
Not until the jump engines can recharge.
Then we have no choice. Alert all ships.
Prepare to attack.
Fire energy mines.
[Praying]
[Whispering prayer]
[Explosion]
A direct hit.
Damage to all sectors.
How much longer until we can jump?
Jump engines on-line.
Get us out of here. Alert the fleet.
We must escape while we can.
Initiating jump point.
Jump point's falling apart.
Energy field's collapsing.
Pull back.
Pull back!
It's too late!
Needless to say,
I think it would be unwise
to inform your government
of our alliance.
I'm inclined to agree.
Is it difficult to be alone here, Draal?
I'm never alone.
My thoughts are always among the stars,
and I've learned that there are
a few others living here
who maintain the great machine.
I speak with them from time to time.
They're quite... Interesting.
There is one in particular who--oh.
Draal, are you all right?
I am picking up distress calls.
I'm...
In valen's name.
What is it?
Captain, you must return at once.
They will need you. It's time
you introduced him to the others.
Please, Captain, go now, quickly.
I will be here if you need me.
I need a moment.
All right.
Now that you have come out of hiding,
I hope to see you more often, old friend.
That much seems certain.
Valen go with you, Delenn.
And with you, my friend.
So much to do, so little time.
We must get to work.
Zathras!
Grr.
Never around when he's needed.
Garibaldi, we got trouble.
So what else is new?
I mean major. We just got word
the Centauri have begun an all-out offensive
against the Narn homeworld.
Started about an hour ago.
Oh, no.
Is there any word on how it's going?
Not yet. We got an early relay
from an Earth listening post.
The word's going to be hitting the station
anytime now. When that happens,
it's gonna be riots and blood in the streets.
All right. I'll need authorization
to lock down the station.
You got it.
I'll have my people close off traffic between levels,
break up any group larger than 5.
Recommend you post a general alert
telling anybody without urgent business
to stay inside their quarters until this thing is over.
It's already recorded. It'll go out
on the station monitors as soon as the word hits.
This is it, Michael. The balloon's going up.
We interrupt this program
with this late-breaking story--
officials in Earthdome confirm
that the Centauri Republic
has begun a devastating frontal assault
on the Narn homeworld.
Reports continue to come in alleging
that the main Narn fleet has been neutralized
and that Narn is completely encircled by its enemies.
Neither government has yet confirmed
nor denied these reports,
though some messages relayed from Narn
seem to corroborate the stories
of massive destruction and death.
For the latest developments on this story...
Murderers!
[Siren]
What's the situation?
We've got mass riots all over the place.
Garibaldi's men are doing what they can.
We've closed off all sections.
Good. Escort Ambassador Delenn to her quarters.
See to it she arrives safely.
Captain--
it's all right. Now go on.
Any word about the attack?
Just rumors.
They say the Centauri are using mass drivers.
I can't believe they'd resort to planetary bombardment.
Right now, I'd believe just about anything.
TV reporter: With the planetary bombardment
in its fourth day, the Narn government
continues in its refusal to surrender.
Minbari, Vorlon, Earth, and other governments
have filed official protests
with the Centauri Republic
for their use of mass drivers
against the civilian population,
but so far, the protests have had no effect.
Although communication with the Narn homeworld
is difficult, at best,
due to the continued attacks,
word has reached I.S.N.
Of cities utterly destroyed,
hundreds of thousands of casualties,
the total elimination of power and water
over most of the Narn planetary surface.
Most of their major cities have fallen,
food shipments have stopped,
the planetary economy has collapsed,
and medical treatment is virtually nonexistent.
Government analysts predict that unless
the Narn government surrenders soon,
their entire infrastructure will be totally destroyed.
Quote senator Ronald quantrell,
"they're being bombed back into the stone age."
Off.
Then there's no other way?
If the bombardment continues,
in a few more days, we won't be unable
to keep them out anyway,
and hundreds of thousands more will die.
We have no choice but to surrender.
What about our people here?
I don't know.
It will depend on the terms of the surrender.
With luck, the Centauri will be feeling generous.
If not...
Either way,
I'll return home on the next shuttle.
I should be there.
No. If you come back here, you will only be killed.
You are the only one of the kha'ri
who is still safe.
I should be with my family.
I understand how you feel,
but if you want to save them,
you have to listen to me. I have to go soon.
I don't know how much longer we can keep this channel open.
The power keeps going out.
Before that happens,
I have a message for you from the kha'ri.
It is probably the last message
they will ever send
and the hardest thing I have ever asked you to do.
Ambassador?
Captain Sheridan, I...
I've been instructed by my government
to come to you
and ask for...
Sanctuary.
Mr. Garibaldi.
I've arranged for around-the-clock security
until this is over.
Thank you.
Could you tell Captain Sheridan
that I wish to convene a meeting
of the Babylon 5 advisory council
and the league of nonaligned worlds
as quickly as possible?
I have an announcement to make.
Fine.
A little over 5 standard hours ago,
the conflict, which began
with the Narn declaration of war,
came to an end.
The Narn regime has offered complete
and unconditional surrender.
[Murmuring]
The terms imposed by the Centauri Republic
are as follows...
1--the ruling body known as the kha'ri
will be disbanded
and its members subject to arrest and trial
for the commission of war crimes
against the Centauri.
Earth requests the right
to send observers to these hearings.
That request is denied.
2--
to prevent further acts of terror
by the Narn against our people,
from this day on,
the penalty for the murder
of any Centauri by any Narn
will by the execution of 500 Narns,
including the perpetrator's own family.
3--a provisional ruling council
appointed by my government
will take up the responsibility
of rebuilding a more civilized
Narn government as a colony
of the greater Centauri Republic.
[Coughs]
Is there anything else?
Yes.
Just one thing.
Because the Narn homeworld
is now a protectorate
of the Centauri Republic,
we reserve the right
to determine who can speak for Narn.
As a result, Ambassador G'Kar
may no longer represent the Narn
in any official capacity whatsoever.
His appointment as Ambassador to Babylon 5
is hereby withdrawn,
and as the only member
of the kha'ri still at large,
citizen G'Kar
will return to Narn for trial.
I'm afraid that's not possible.
Prior to this meeting, Ambassador G'Kar
asked for sanctuary on Babylon 5.
As it is within my province
to make such decisions, I agreed.
Surrender by all members of the kha'ri
is stipulated in
the Narn-Centauri agreement.
Oh, I'm sure it is,
but I didn't sign that agreement, Ambassador.
Neither did Earth.
As cosponsor of Babylon 5,
the Minbari government supports this decision.
The neutrality of this station
applies even to the wishes of the Centauri.
Citizen G'Kar may remain here
for as long as he chooses.
Face reality, Ambassador Mollari.
If your government is serious
about all these rules,
you're going to need someone here
whom all the other Narn will recognize as credible.
If this is your decision,
then I cannot stop you.
Nevertheless, at this moment,
G'Kar is no longer
an official representative of Narn
and must be removed from this council.
We will wait-- now!
No dictator...
No invader...
Can hold an imprisoned population
by force of arms forever.
There is no greater power in the universe
than the need for freedom.
Against that power,
government and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
The Centauri learned this lesson once.
We will teach it to them again.
Though it take a thousand years...
We will be free.
TV reporter: And dancing in the streets,
as Centauri Emperor Cartagia
declared a week-long public celebration
to commemorate the recapture
of the Narn homeworld.
In related news, the Centauri Republic today
announced plans to annex several smaller worlds
adjacent to Narn space,
declaring them protectorates of the Republic.
While government spokesmen insist
that the Centauri do not have any expansionist plans
beyond retaking the Narn homeworld,
others in Earthdome are less sure.
G'Kar, I know we've had our problems in the past...
But I can't imagine going into the council chambers
and not seeing you there--
straight, tall,
ready to argue with anyone about anything.
I don't know. I...
I don't think I want to go the next 10 years
without your insight...
Or your words.
For what it's worth...
Every resource that I have,
every...contact...
Any way that I can help you win back your planet...
It's yours.
Last time I offered someone my hand,
we were at war 24 hours later.
[Beep beep]
Sheridan.
Ivanova: Captain,
Ambassador Delenn has asked to see you.
She's in the conference center.
Be right there.
Is it someone's birthday
and I wasn't informed?
Most of these people
have come to meet you for the first time.
Some of the others, you already know.
They have come to pledge themselves to you.
Well, i--i don't understand.
They call themselves Rangers.
They've been coming through the station now
for some time,
carrying information on the war, other things.
They have sworn their lives,
their fortunes, and their blood
to help fight the coming darkness.
Have you known about these Rangers
all this time?
Most of it,
but I found out about it about 8, 9 months ago.
And you didn't tell me. Why?
Because I promised a friend.
Captain...John,
you see what is happening all around us.
The great war is nearly upon us.
Now that the Narn-Centauri conflict is finished,
the next wave will come soon,
even more deadly.
There must be one fortress of light
to stand against the darkness.
That place is this place.
It must be protected at any cost.
Until now, the Rangers assigned to this area
have been under my direct command.
I now transfer equal authority to you,
and like them,
I will stand by you in the days ahead.
Well, I don't quite know what to say.
For the last year,
things haven't exactly been going our way.
I started to wonder if it would ever get better.
But I think it just did.
Tell the other Rangers...
The Ambassadors...
Everyone in this army of light...
That Babylon 5 stands with you.
Tell them...
Tell them that from this place,
we will deliver notice
to the parliaments of conquerors
that a line has been drawn
against the darkness,
and we will hold that line...
No matter the cost.