Want to sit in the other room?
Yeah.
Morning, Captain.
Top of he morning, Captain.
Morning.
So, Captain,
Ivanova tells me you convinced Londo
and G'Kar to go along with your idea
about putting White Star ships
along their borders as a peacekeeping force.
Maybe we shouldn't.
I agree.
Well, anyway, it's good news.
But it's going to be tough
to get the other aligned worlds to go along with it.
Got any salt over there?
Yeah, here. Yeah, I know.
Every time you try to get them to do something
for their own good, they figure
that you've got some sort of a hidden agenda.
And getting legal authority from each of them
to make arrests? Not a chance.
Such a pain in the ass. It's, like, every 4 months,
we got to start all over again.
[Chuckling]
Oh, sorry. Nothing.
No, you're right, Zack.
I mean, getting them all on board
is gonna be a hard sell.
You know, for most of them,
the raiders and the drakh
are just potential problems.
I mean, they really haven't hid
that many places so far.
They don't see the trouble until it's right up on top of them.
Then they run around like they're crazy.
Is there something you'd like to share
with the rest of the group?
Huh?
Uh, no. No, no, no.
Anyway, I hate to have to go through this again,
but I think we're stuck with it.
That's it!
I got it!
Ha! It'll work.
If we try to talk the other races
into letting our ships operate
along their borders,
it's gonna be nothing but grief.
Hell, it took months
to pull 'em together the last time,
and that was with the Shadows breathing
down their necks.
I don't want to go through that again
any more than you.
I am tired of doing things
the hard way.
There's an easier way to convince them.
And how do we do that?
By not convincing them!
Ha ha ha. Listen, Marcus,
after you've finished your breakfast,
I want you to take 3 White Stars
out to sector 87... And wait for orders.
What do you want me to do?
I don't know yet-- heh heh heh--
but trust me,
this is going to be great!
[Laughing]
Just checking.
If this is the way he is after Delenn's been gone for 3 days,
I don't even want to know what he's going to be like
after another week.
Lennier, have you been able to get through to home yet?
It's been difficult.
It seems the primary beacon is no longer transmitting.
I've had to use the orbital relay station
to pick up on local broadcasts.
Delenn, fighting has broken out in the capital.
They fear it may spread to the outer cities.
Civil war.
Yes.
It's started.
It was the year of fire,
the year of destruction,
the year we took back what was ours.
It was the year of rebirth.
The year of great sadness.
The year of pain...
And the year of joy.
It was a new age.
It was the end of history.
It was the year everything changed.
The year is 2261.
The place...
When I was a child...
My father used to carry me through the city
on his shoulders.
I had never seen such beauty.
The city was eternal.
Its beauty is eternal.
We heard of the Grey Council,
but the name was always spoken with awe and reverence.
They held our world together.
They were the peace promised by valen.
A thousand years of peace
among the 3 castes.
I think of my beautiful city in flames, Lennier.
The streets where I walked...
The temples.
The great crystal spires...
That sighed music
whenever the wind touched them.
I think of it...
And I cry, Lennier.
And I wonder,
"did I do this...
When I broke the Grey Council?"
Valen always said
the council will be broken
in the great Shadow War.
Lennier...
You know the truth as well as I do.
Valen only knew what Sinclair knew.
He couldn't see beyond that.
Once he left us, the future became fluid.
I had assumed
that things would continue on
like some great clockwork mechanism.
As long as the war was won, we would be all right.
I was wrong.
Delenn...
It was inevitable.
The council imposed balance
between the castes
by suppressing the old resentments,
the fears,
the imagined slights,
but it could not erase them.
Take that away,
and all the old problems come right back
to the surface again.
Perhaps.
We have to stop this, Lennier.
If the fighting spreads beyond the capital,
a thousand years of peace
will become a thousand years of war.
I came here to tell you
the takari has received our signal.
They're waiting for us at the rendezvous point.
We'll be there within the hour.
Did you contact Neroon?
Yes, I did.
Whether or not he will be there
when we arrive, I do not know.
It was a--
a beautiful city,
wasn't it?
Captain, I'm not entirely sure I understand.
When you asked me to allow your ships
to operate on the border of Centauri space,
you said you were going to use it
to inspire the rest of the league
to do the same, hmm?
That's right.
And now you don't--
you don't want me to even talk about it?
That's right.
And if anyone brings it up,
I want you to deny it.
Deny it?
That's right.
But you--you want to keep the patrols in place, yes?
Absolutely.
I've told G'Kar the same thing.
Well, Captain, you will forgive me
if I appear a bit slow.
I have studied your race quite a bit,
and there are still several aspects of your psychology
I don't understand:
A place called Winchester mansion
with stairs that go nowhere,
something called country and western,
and the less said about the comedy team
of rebo and zooty the better. However--
you don't like rebo and zooty?
They're hysterical.
Are they?
I'm sorry.
I apparently mistook you for a human
with some taste. And sensibility.
After their last broadcast,
everywhere I went on the station
someone was going, "zooty, zoot, zoot."
That was a great routine.
I didn't get it.
Not my problem.
My point,
if you will allow me to make it,
is that there's much about the human mind
that I don't understand.
So, perhaps you will explain to me
how allowing your ships
to patrol the border of Centauri space
will inspire the rest of the league to do the same
if I can't even tell them that we are doing it?!
Londo! Trust me.
Zooty, zoot, zoot.
I love that.
Hello, Neroon.
Delenn, I was surprised to receive your message.
I considered not responding,
but then I enjoy a mystery as much as anyone.
I am, however, very disappointed
in the welcome I received
from your fellow religious caste.
For a moment, I thought they might actually fire
on our ship.
You are under my protection.
They will not harm you,
except in their own defense.
I need to speak with you...
Alone.
Given the fighting that's going on back home,
I should think you would be very worried
to be alone with one of the warrior caste.
I would...
If it were anyone else but you.
And why is that?
Come with me
and find out.
Treating them like honored guests
after all they've done to us.
What are they doing here?
Why were they invited?
It is not for me to say.
There are rumors all over homeworld
that the religious caste will give in
to the demands of the warriors,
that they will rule, and we will follow.
Delenn--
will speak for herself
when she feels it is correct to speak.
All right, Delenn.
What is it?
I need your help, Neroon.
My help?
I remind you that not very long ago
I fought to keep you
from taking control of the Rangers.
We have not exactly been friends.
No. But your actions have always been motivated
by one desire:
To do what is right for our people.
The warrior caste
cannot be allowed to win this war.
The religious caste cannot be allowed to win.
You know as well as I
that if either side achieves dominance,
the delicate balance of our civilization
will be destroyed.
You should have thought of that
before you broke the Grey Council.
What is done is done, Neroon.
What matters now is the future.
Yes, we have disagreed, even fought,
but I would rather have someone who opposed me
out of an honest belief
in the rightness of his cause
than someone who was always on my side
because it was expected, required.
I've questioned your judgment and wisdom,
your temperament, but never your loyalty.
Was that a compliment?
After a fashion.
Then you trust me?
After a fashion.
Well, it's a beginning.
I only wish
it could have happened months ago.
We might have avoided all this grief now,
but it's too late.
No, it's not.
This has been building ever since the war.
The fire cannot be stopped.
It will have to burn itself out
before the 2 sides will listen to reason.
And how many cities will be burned to the ground by then?
How many lives will be lost?
Delenn, I am as horrified
by what is happening back home as you are,
but we are two
against a world gone mad.
What can we do against that?
Nothing...
Until we get their attention.
For that I need your help.
Will you give it?
If I do,
I risk alienating my entire caste.
They may turn against me.
That is true.
And I risk the same by working with you.
Well...
It's a challenge,
and I have always liked challenges.
You have my support for now.
Captain, I must speak to you.
I'm in kind of a hurry, Ambassador.
Some of our ships returning from a training expedition
to Centauri Prime
have reported seeing several of your White Star ships
patrolling the borders of Centauri space.
Have they?
Well, did you put them there,
or did the Centauri ask for them?
I don't really think it's my place to comment.
Captain!
All I can say is
we certainly wouldn't be there
if we weren't wanted.
Then they asked for the ships?
I can't confirm that.
But you're not denying it either.
But not denying it doesn't make it true
any more than not confirming it
makes it false.
Are you with me so far?
I am not sure.
Ambassador, there are so many things
in the universe that are
and so many things that aren't.
If I were to take the time
to deny all the things that aren't,
we'd be here for centuries,
wouldn't we, huh?
Well, I gotta go.
Captain!
The Centauri are a prideful people.
They wouldn't ask for help
unless they were afraid of something.
If that's true,
we deserve to know what it is.
I'm sorry. I can't say any more.
Now, if you would please excuse me.
Captain, we've got Marcus standing by on channel 4.
Put him through.
Marcus, you're in position.
Got here a little while ago.
We scanned the area, but there's nothing here,
just a bunch of asteroids.
Good.
I want you to target several of the asteroids
and destroy them.
I see. And then?
Then come back. That's it?
Yes.
Shoot a bunch of rocks and then leave.
Correct.
Marcus: Hmm...
Captain, may I ask--
you may not.
You have your orders,
and I have neither the desire
nor the inclination
to explain them to you.
Now, if you're incapable of carrying them out,
let me know.
Otherwise, I'll expect to see you
when you've completed your mission.
Understood.
Uh, Captain, is everything all right?
Uh, fine. Excellent.
Couldn't be finer. Why?
Well, that was just kind of an unusual order.
Yes, yes, it is, isn't it?
Oh, uh, which reminds me.
When does the voice of resistance make
her next broadcast?
8:00. Why?
Oh, nothing, nothing.
Um, I was just planning on coming by
and see how things were going.
Uh, everything else here all right?
Fine. Fine.
Good. Well, I'll leave you to it.
I have to stop by med lab,
talk to Stephen.
There's something I have for him
to do as well.
Good day, Commander.
Captain.
I told you I have no idea
what you are talking about.
These White Star ships
were seen on your orders, Ambassador.
Our pilots--
your pilots.
Your pilots should have their eyes examined.
I don't know how they see out of them anyway.
Tiny, beady, squinty little things, aren't they?
Ambassador!
No, the maker has not been kind to you.
Must be terrible trying to fly at night
without running into entire planets.
Are you saying the Centauri do not know
what ships are patrolling their borders?
Of course we know.
The maker has gifted us with great big eyes
and great big scanners and great big, uh...
Well, that is no concern of yours.
Look, isn't there someone else you can go and harass?
My life is already so full of joy as it is.
Then you flatly deny that you asked Sheridan
to use the White Star fleet
to support your government and protect Centauri space?
Absolutely. Anything else?
No.
That will do. Thank you.
Open!
This may be more serious than we thought.
There's no question
they're hiding something from us.
Oh, there you are.
I was gonna track you down one at a time,
but since you're all in one place--
I'm sorry, doctor.
We're in the middle of something here.
Yes, I can see that, but this won't take
but a moment. I was wondering
if your governments can send us
some additional blood supplies
for each of your races.
Blood supplies?
Yes.
How much?
As much as you can spare.
Why?
Oh, no particular reason.
I just thought it would be a good idea
in case we needed it for, well...
In the event
of a crisis or an attack.
What kind of attack?
I'm in a hurry, I'm in the middle of something,
but I will send your governments
some formal requests later on today.
I just wanted to let you know
that it was coming.
I'll see you later...
Probably.
This is very bad.
Come!
I cannot believe that Delenn would allow this.
It confirms everything we have been hearing.
Why else would Delenn come this far
and want Neroon to be here?
Why else would she return to Minbar
with a warrior at her side?
You saw how she deferred to him,
spoke gently to him.
So many of our caste have suffered at the hands
of the warrior caste.
Why else would she behave this way
unless she intended for us to surrender?
I saw Delenn when Dukhat was alive.
I know her heart.
She would never do what you describe.
That was a long time ago.
Many things have changed since then.
I heard her say it as I passed by her quarters.
"The religious caste cannot be allowed to win this war."
We must do something.
Ever since the war, the warrior caste
have had nothing but disdain for us.
"If you need to surrender something,
"ask the religious caste to do it for you.
That's their area of expertise."
And now this.
Only Delenn
can authorize a surrender.
She's the only one whom all the clans will honor.
But we cannot move against her.
To fight against the warrior caste,
that is one thing,
but to strike down one of our own,
one who led the Grey Council,
the chosen of Dukhat,
it would tear our caste apart
and guarantee our loss to the warriors.
There is another way,
but it will mean sacrificing all we have
and all we will ever be.
We will lay down our lives for our caste.
Oh, history will not even remember us.
They will only wonder what happened to the ship
and why it never reached home,
but it must be done.
For the good of everyone,
this ship cannot be allowed to reach home.
Did you get it?
Yes.
Is this enough?
Enough for 2 ships of this size.
I siphoned it directly from the fuel system.
Once released into the air processing system,
it will poison the atmosphere
within minutes.
After we are... No more,
the ship will continue to drift further
into hyperspace until we cannot be found.
The ship will become a monument to our caste
and to our willingness to do all that we can
to protect our people.
I will put this into position and await your signal.
To think that one of our own
should turn against us.
I think I will welcome the great sleep
that I might never again have such thoughts.
Captain.
I see you're just about to go on.
Yeah, I'm just checking over some reports.
We go live in 2 minutes.
What's that about?
Well, ever since we started broadcasting,
we've been getting reports back
from half of the outer colonies
that are still aligned with Earth.
We've got some great stuff on President Clark.
Did you know that 3/4 of his cabinet
resigned in protest over his martial law decree?
You don't hear that on I.S.N.
Ah, that's great.
Tech: One minute, 30 seconds, Commander.
Um, sir, are you going to stay or...
No, no, no, no. I--i just stopped by
to ask you to plant a story for me.
Excuse me?
Plant a story for me.
Something I just want you to drop into the broadcast.
Captain, with all due respect,
we just can't start planting stories now.
We've made a big deal out of the fact
that unlike I.S.N., we're putting out the truth.
If we become a propaganda machine...
That's the last thing I want.
I just want you to mention
that nothing happened today in sector 83
by 9 by 12.
8-3-9-1-2?
That's the one.
Tech: 30 seconds.
But, sir, I just got a status report
from c&c a little while ago,
and that sector's been absolutely quiet.
Exactly.
So, uh, just relax because what you're saying
is absolutely true.
That nothing happened there today?
Yes.
Just casually mention that nothing's going on.
That's right.
Make a big deal out of it,
as much as you can, given nothing happened.
Sir, I...
Tech: 10 seconds.
I better get out of the way.
You're just about to go on.
I'll talk to you later.
But--
tech: Go!
This is Commander Susan Ivanova of Babylon 5
bringing you the voice of the resistance.
In the next 20 minutes, we'll have updated information
about President Clark's continued illegal attacks
against civilian targets on Mars
and more information
about the struggle for Proxima 3.
Our best wishes go to our brothers and sisters there
who are fighting for their freedom
against overwhelming odds.
We'll also have stunning news
about the mass resignations of cabinet-level advisers
and the joint chiefs over his campaign of terror.
Our regards to those onboard Earth Alliance starships
who risk being arrested and court-martialed
for watching these telecasts.
Your loyalty to Earth and to freedom is appreciated,
and we hope to have some news for you soon.
First, one brief announcement.
I just wanted to mention for those who have asked
that absolutely nothing whatsoever happened today
in sector 83 by 9 by 12.
I repeat, nothing happened.
Please remain calm.
Did you hear?
Yes. And I just learned of an attack
by 3 White Star ships.
What did they attack?
We do not know.
Our scanners could not pick up anything in the area,
only asteroids, debris.
White Stars do not attack asteroids.
I know, but we saw nothing.
Then the enemy must be invisible.
Some new cloaking system.
Yes. No wonder the Centauri asked for help.
The White Star fleet
is partly based on Vorlon technology.
Perhaps they are advanced enough
to see this invisible enemy.
They're keeping this technology
to themselves.
With the Vorlon gone,
they're the only ones who have it.
To leave us unprotected,
left to fend for ourselves.
But we have a right to the same protection
as the Centauri.
We cannot tolerate this kind of discrimination
in the face of grave danger!
Invisible enemies.
Strange things happening in sector 83.
They could be anywhere.
They could be all around us.
Ah, good, there you are.
We're almost home.
Just a little longer
and we will see if Delenn knows
what she is doing.
End.
Bring her to me.
I have questions which require answers.
[Alarm]
The alarm. Do you think they know?
No, I don't think so. Is everything in place?
I set the timer as soon as the alarm sounded.
In a matter of moments, it all will be over.
Neroon.
You sure you're all right?
I'm fine, Delenn.
It was a glancing blow.
Take him below. Have his wounds treated.
Then he should rest.
If he doesn't choose to rest, make him.
Delenn.
This one will go into the cells.
Leave him a copy of the sacred scrolls to read.
Perhaps he will understand
there are other ways
to solve disagreements than violence.
I'm glad you're here.
I need you to keep an eye on the other warriors
that are aboard.
Neroon was attacked because some of them believe
that the warrior caste is going to surrender to us.
They would do anything necessary to prevent that.
Then we're--they're not going to surrender?
No. Don't be foolish.
If either side surrenders to the other,
there will be chaos.
Our entire culture would fall apart.
There are other ways, more reasonable ways,
but the extremists among us never see that.
They would rather be martyrs
to misinformation and old ways.
But we thought--
thought what?
Nothing. Uh, nothing.
Well, again, keep an eye on them.
If you suspect anything,
do not act directly.
Tell, me, and I'll tell Neroon.
Incredible. Only the warrior caste
would actually turn on one of their own.
They have always been erratic.
And you--
you are the steady rock beneath my feet.
Thank you.
The poison.
It's too late.
[Hissing]
[Coughing]
It's starting right now.
Have we fallen so far...
That we cannot even trust ourselves?
How is he?
Not well.
I've asked my personal physician to tend to Lennier.
They are both in isolation
to protect Lennier from contamination
until the doctor is finished.
Do they know what happened?
He appears to have been exposed
to some residue from the fuel system.
How he came upon it, I do not know.
Only he can tell us... Should he survive.
He means a great deal to you, doesn't he?
I have been training him...
As Dukhat trained me.
He's been...A light for my footsteps,
never asking, only giving.
Without him...
I would stumble and fall.
And never get up again.
Thank you for looking after him, Neroon.
I fear we may be healing him
only to see him and the rest of us
killed before we are finished.
But it was the least I could do in return
for your gracious hospitality.
I know the others are not happy with my presence here.
They will understand, eventually.
But only because you will teach them.
In the time that we have known each other, Delenn,
I have not always spoken well of you.
I assumed your behavior was prompted by a sense
of your own superiority,
your ego-- the usual fanaticism
we have come to expect from the religious caste.
In the last year,
I've begun to realize that I was wrong.
Dukhat chose you above all to follow him.
Slowly, dimly,
I begin to understand why.
I do not know what lies ahead of us, Delenn.
But I do know it is right that we are here together.
Was that a compliment, Neroon?
After a fashion.
Where is Sheridan? He's late!
He will be here soon.
Then we will confront him with what we know.
No.
There is wisdom in silence.
Wisdom in knowing
more than they believe we know.
The gaim is right. By showing them what we know,
we may put ourselves at a disadvantage.
If we reveal our sources of information,
he may shut them down,
prevent us from finding out what is really going on.
Let Sheridan think
we do not know about this invisible enemy.
Let him continue to underestimate us.
As long as we get what we want.
What pretext do we use
to get these ships? How do we--
sorry to be late, gentlemen.
It's been a hectic day.
Anything in particular, Captain?
No, just the usual.
Of course.
Now, what is it
you wanted to see me about?
Lately we've been hearing about attacks by, uh--
raiding parties.
And drakh.
Yes, raiding parties
against some of the smaller league worlds.
We feel it is only a matter of time
before they turn their attention
to our own civilizations.
Well, I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors.
I'm sure you can handle whatever comes your way.
We lost many of our ships fighting the Shadows.
You have an obligation
to help us protect our borders
until we can rebuild our fleets.
You're talking about the White Star fleet?
We are.
Well, there's nothing I can do.
They're busy.
Doing what?
Ah...
I can't tell you.
If you cannot tell us,
then it must not be very important.
Captain, we insist!
You must put as many of the White Star fleet
as you can around our borders.
Just hold on a minute.
We speak for the entire league.
[Shouts of agreement]
It doesn't matter.
I can't put them on your borders
without the proper authorization to intercept raiders
and other ships entering or leaving the area.
And, since you're not likely to give me the authorization,
that, as they say, gentlemen...Is that.
Incorrect.
We will provide them with full authority.
You cannot hide behind that, Captain.
I see.
But what if I need them for a...
Larger mission?
Then we will accompany them,
so that we may show our own support for...
Whatever it is you choose to do.
You have no choice in this, Sheridan.
The league has spoken.
You will bring the White Star fleet
into the league of non-aligned worlds.
In return, the league will support any action taken
by the fleet.
I can't possibly talk you out of this?
We're afraid not.
All right.
I guess you're right.
I don't have a whole lot of choice in this.
I'll have the diplomatic papers
and treaties drawn up this afternoon
and delivered to each of you
by the end of the day.
Good. Thank you, Captain.
You may go now.
Captain: Yes!
Lennier.
This is the second time
I have seen you near death.
You are starting to acquire bad habits.
It was much safer in temple.
Also far less interesting.
The doctor tells me
that they had to remove part of your lung.
I'm sorry.
Can you tell me what happened?
I was passing a maintenance tube
on my way to see you,
when i--i smelled a discharge
from the fuel system.
There was no time to call for help, so...
I crawled into the tube and I shut the valve.
There was no other choice. If I had waited,
it would have been drawn into the air recycling system.
You sure it wasn't sabotage?
I have been wondering
if some of the warrior caste
might have been involved.
No, I think we can be fairly certain
the warrior caste was not involved.
Well...
There's at least that much good news.
You did a very brave thing, Lennier.
Everyone here is in your debt.
Now rest.
We will be at Minbar
by this time tomorrow.
See to it that he's made comfortable.
His actions have honored all of us.
Why?
I should sleep now. I'm very tired.
Please, we need to know.
You could have told her the whole truth.
No one here would have blamed you.
But you didn't. Why?
If I had told her the whole truth,
it would have destroyed her belief
in the strength and the wisdom of our caste.
Delenn does not walk
in the same world that you and I walk in.
She does not see
the same world that you and I see.
In her world, we are better than we are.
We care more than we care.
We act towards each other with compassion.
I much prefer her world to that of my own,
and I will not allow anything
to threaten that.
I understand. Thank you, Lennier.
Do not thank me. I did it for her.
I did not do it for you.
In future, I would suggest you try to see the world
through her eyes sometime.
It might lead you to make fewer fatal mistakes.
Now go away. We'll be home soon,
and I'll need all my strength to deal with the new problems,
without dwelling on the old ones.
This is Commander Susan Ivanova of Babylon 5,
bringing you the voice of the resistance.
In a show of solidarity,
the league of non-aligned worlds announced today
the formation of an authorized patrol force
to curb the activities of raiders and others
who have been preying upon civilian transports.
Later in this stellarcast,
we'll have news from the resistance
at Proxima 3 and other safe havens.
Rumors have reached us concerning fighting
going on in the capital city of Minbar.
We ask that anyone
with solid news of events going on there,
please contact us with that information.
On the chance that anyone on Minbar
might be monitoring this stellarcast,
we send them our best wishes
and hope they come through this safely.
Oh...
Oh.
Oh...ah.
Delenn?
Lennier. What is it?
Neroon. He's gone.
Message from Alit Neroon
to Shakiri, Shai Alit of the warrior caste.
The mission has been successful.
I have access to their plans
to counterattack our forces in the capital city.
They can be stopped and stopped easily.
The religious caste is divided,
and their support is weak.
It is as you said, Shakiri,
they do not have the stomach for a prolonged conflict.
Tell our ships to stand by.
Victory will be ours within the week.