Lochley: Personal journal,
Captain Elizabeth Lochley, addendum.
The Centauri war continues to spiral out of control.
The threat of retaliation
has already reached Babylon 5.
Over 1/2 dozen Centauri
have been murdered in just the last 3 days.
50 ccs of hydromorphazine. Medlab 2. Let's move. Go. Go.
Franklin. Go.
Man: Got another one in red 4.
Yeah, I'm right there.
In an attempt to reduce the number of casualties,
I've doubled security on every level.
Uh, excuse me. Pardon me.
It hasn't helped.
All right.
Send him to medlab 2, all right?
Everybody, clear on out.
Move on out of the way.
If this continues, we may have no choice
but to quarantine the Centauri.
We'll have to try and limit them
to parts of the station where they won't run
into anyone they're currently at war with.
Unfortunately, that seems to be
just about everyone right now,
so my options seem to be somewhat limited.
[Door chimes]
Yes?
Mr. President.
You're up late.
It's almost... 2:00 in the morning.
Yeah, I know.
I, uh, was just on my way to my quarters,
figured I'd stop by and bring you up to speed
on the latest from Mr. Garibaldi.
We've had reports...
Unconfirmed but reliable...
That the Centauri
have begun targeting enemy jumpgates.
But...
That's a violation
of every rule of civilized warfare.
Wars come and go,
but the jumpgates have to go on.
Otherwise, the entire hyperspace
beacon system falls apart.
If that happens...
It will hurt them as much as anyone else.
I know, but they're doing it anyway.
They're completely out of control,
which means...
They might even be willing to strike here.
I've considered that possibility.
We're on level 2 alert.
Uh, the defense grid
is on line 24 hours a day,
and I've stationed half our fighters
outside the station, the other half
are standing by in hyperspace.
I don't think
we're going to have to worry about it
for a while, though.
Even the Centauri have to realize
that Babylon 5 is--
is vital to the peace process.
No, I don't think
they're going to come after us
until the White Star fleet gets into it.
Exactly.
I gave the formal go order...
A few hours ago.
The White Stars are authorized to fire
at any Centauri warship
engaged in combat with alliance vessels.
Any hope of neutrality Babylon 5 had until now...
Just went up in smoke.
[Beep beep]
Lochley to c&c.
Man: C&c on line.
We've got a problem.
And so it begins...
There is a hole in your mind.
What do you want?
No one here is exactly what he appears.
Nothing's the same anymore.
Commander Sinclair is being reassigned.
Why don't you eliminate
the entire Narn homeworld?
I see a great hand reaching out of a star.
President Clark has signed a decree today declaring...
These orders have forced us to declare independence.
Weapons, surprise...
...get off their encounter-suited butts
and do something.
You're the one who was.
Why are you here?
I think of my beautiful city in flames.
Now, get the hell out of our galaxy!
We are here to place President Clark under arrest.
Something's bothering you.
What is it?
I need to ask you to do something
I don't want to ask you to do.
Well, um... If it's about
my wearing those little...
No-- I appreciate the gift,
and I didn't say I wouldn't wear them.
I just said that...
For me, from a Minbari perspective,
I thought it looked silly.
No. I-it's...
It doesn't have anything to do with that.
Business, then.
Since we got into this war,
I've been going over the files of our resources.
Ships.
We lost a lot of White Star ships
during the Shadow War, the battle for Earth...
And we're bound to lose more
now that we're into this thing with the Centauri.
Sooner or later, we are going to run out.
I know. The problem is
we've been using them against everything,
from medium-size cruisers
to full-blown destroyers.
So far...
They've been able to hold their own
against ships 5, 6 times their size,
and that's commendable, but...
We can't keep doing that.
Exactly.
We are going to need more ships, Delenn. Bigger ships.
That may be a problem.
The Grey Council approved construction
on the White Star fleet
for use during the Shadow War.
We were fortunate to inherit them afterward.
But the resources in going back
and building a whole new class of ship...
Can be spread around a little.
I just had a courier
deliver a message to President luchenko
suggesting...a joint Earth/Minbari project.
Now, we'll start with one or two prototypes.
You'll provide the design specs
and the material
for a destroyer-class White Star.
Earth handles the finances and the construction.
And her government benefits
from the new technologies involved.
Very tidy. Mm-hmm.
I assume she said yes.
Well, she said she'd say yes if...
The Minbari said yes first.
She's not going to stick her neck out
if it's not going to happen.
So you would like me to contact
the Grey Council and propose this.
[Softly] Yes.
Done.
Why were you so reluctant?
I need you to go there in person, Delenn.
This has to be done in secret
until the first prototype rolls off the assembly line.
But...
The hyperspace routes
from here to Minbar are not safe.
We've got Centauri all over the map,
we've got firefights every inch of the way...
If you run into trouble...
I'll walk out of it.
More dignified that way.
You don't have to do this.
I know.
I'll arrange to leave
at the first opportunity.
All right.
But don't take any unnecessary risks.
People always say that.
They want to find lives
in which risk is unnecessary.
There's only one problem with that.
It's impossible.
[Beep beep]
Sheridan. Go.
Mr. President, we've got more reports
from the front line coming in.
All right. My office, 20 minutes.
[Door chimes]
Oh. Yes?
Vir...you wanted to see us?
Yes, yes,
thank you for coming.
Please. Sit.
I'm...sorry about the accommodations.
The Captain had me moved here
because my other quarters weren't safe.
Too many people knew where they were.
That's fine, Vir.
So, what's up?
I have a favor to ask both of you.
As you know,
our ships have been in combat with...
Well, just about everyone, really.
Our biggest losses have been in the Drazi space.
They are real good fighters.
Not terrific conversationalists
and their table manners
can make you go blind in one eye, but, uh...
Really tough behind the weapons consoles.
But...on the occasion
that we've destroyed one of their ships,
we have always returned their bodies to them.
They have not done the same for us in return.
Well, the exchange of bodies
during hostilities is a key point
in the declaration of principles.
Now, the Drazi signed on,
same as everyone else.
I know. But they're still not returning the bodies.
Well, that's unfortunate, Vir,
and I feel for you,
but what are we supposed to do about it?
Well...it's the way
that they're refusing to return the bodies
that makes me think there's something else going on
behind the scenes.
You, as the chief medical officer of the alliance,
you could put pressure on them
into returning the bodies.
And a telepath, a good one,
could find out what they're hiding
and where and why.
Vir, this isn't exactly
my area of expertise.
Now, Mr. Garibaldi...
Would not know what to look for.
I mean, what if they're not releasing the bodies
because our people are still alive,
and they're just torturing them for information?
I mean, you could find out who died in space,
and who died elsewhere.
You know, this means
going to the Drazi homeworld.
I have a vree transport standing by.
And since they're declared neutral in the war,
they would have no problem landing on Drazi homeworld.
You're the only one who can do this.
Please say yes.
I'll have to clear it with the President.
I'll abide by his decision.
Thank you. Thank you both.
I haven't said yes, Vir.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I, uh...I assumed that you were...
Don't.
I'm willing to go along and help out Stephen.
We've worked well together in the past.
But...[sighs]
Considering the risk involved,
I'm going to have to ask
for a slightly higher fee than usual.
Well...
All right. I can--
500,000 credits.
Huh...
That's a lot of money, Lyta.
Depending on how the war goes,
that could be as cheap as one credit per body.
Uh...i could do 4, but--
it's 5, or I stay home.
This is the uplink address for the account.
The money goes into a general fund
to be used in helping other telepaths
escape the Psi-Corps
and eventually secure a homeworld of our own.
Consider this a... Charitable donation.
Hell, it might even be deductible.
I'll be in my quarters
when you've made up your mind. Good day.
Has she changed, or is it me?
Oh, she's changed.
Have you talked to Londo about this?
Maybe he could pull some strings.
The Prime Minister
is otherwise engaged just now.
I still think
you should leave, Mollari.
No. I said where you go, I go.
It's become a matter of principle.
You picked a terrible moment
in your social evolution
to develop principles.
Perhaps you could start
with something simpler,
the moral equivalent
of an opposable thumb, for instance.
Mollari, your people are at war.
I know.
And while it pains me to be in here,
I think that I may do more good in here
than out there.
G'Kar, the regent either ordered the war directly,
or allowed others to act on his behalf.
Either way,
the only way to stop this war
is to go up against the regent himself.
In order to do that,
without being executed,
I have to have supporters.
Now, when the word gets out
that the Prime Minister is being held without charge
in a cell in the royal palace,
the people will be outraged.
Even the centaurium will have to respond.
Demonstrating that the regent
is not acting responsibly
is the first step in countermanding
his orders to our ships.
The centaurium may even issue a cease-fire
over his objections.
I see. And how long do you plan to wait
for this popular uprising
to take place?
Just until morning.
That would make 3 days. More than enough.
Now, please...
Leave me alone.
I am tired...
And I need to get some sl--
[shrill whistle]
[Whispering]
[Shrill whistle]
Adira...
Who--who are you?
What do you want with me?
Yes...
He will be sufficient.
[Splash]
Oh!
You were having a nightmare.
Yes.
Terrible.
What--what time is it?
Morning.
I woke up when I thought I heard
the expected angry mob
coming to storm the palace on your behalf,
but it was just you.
Did you know that you snore?
I have to get out of here.
Yes, that's what I've been saying
for some time now.
No, I have to get out of here now.
I have this feeling...
Something is... Terribly wrong.
You're at war
with everyone in the known universe.
Perhaps you were thinking of that.
No, more than that.
I have to get out...
But I have to be sure I save face.
I said I would stay with you
until they released you...
So...
How can I?
Leave it to me.
[Gurgles]
What are you doing?
Shh! I have to concentrate.
Concentrate on what?
[Straining] Last night's supper.
No, no, no, wait, wait, wait--
there has to be another way! Wait!
Thank you!
[Coughing]
Who knew they could make such a...
Stench as that!
I don't even want to think about it!
I couldn't stay in there
a moment longer!
And the smell was not the worst of it.
It was the burning in my eyes!
I think my buttons are melting!
[Coughing]
Mr. President. As you requested,
Generals Na'tok, Daro, and Kulomani.
Thank you for coming, gentlemen.
I believe you all know Captain Lochley.
Since time is precious to us all,
I won't keep you.
I just wanted to get a personal report
on the progress of the Centauri conflict.
With the help of the White Star fleet,
we are holding our own, Mr. President.
Several incursions on Brakiri space
have been beaten back
in just the last 24 hours.
The Narn homeworld and territories
have experienced similar attacks.
With the depletion of our forces
after our last experience
with the Centauri,
we would've suffered
even greater casualties
without the assistance
of the White Star fleet.
Am I correct in that each of your governments
is primarily engaged
in defending your own borders?
Yes.
Why haven't you
consolidated your forces?
I mean, the Drazi have endured
fewer losses in recent months.
You could send some ships
to the Narn sector of space,
and the Brakiri--
Brakiri will not take orders from Drazi.
And the Drazi, I'm sorry to say,
will not take orders from us.
We can win this war on our own.
We do not need their...Guidance.
We have experience
with the Centauri
that might prove useful.
We know all we need to know.
I thought this was supposed to be
an alliance, all of you
working together in common cause.
We are, in our own individual and sovereign ways.
We can settle this later, Captain.
At the moment,
what I am trying to get from all of you
is a sense of their strategy.
We've, uh...Detected
2 different parts of their program.
One part of the fleet
is designed to protect their bases from attack,
while the other wing
engages primarily in offensive maneuvers
against everyone else.
Has there been any exchange
between the 2 sides?
Little or none.
It's like having a defensive and offensive
special team in football.
Is this typical of their strategy, General Na'tok?
No.
But perhaps they have changed.
Yeah, maybe.
It's strange, though.
Anyway, those are their tactics.
What is the overall strategy?
You can't just fight a war to fight a war
and honk off your neighbors.
There have to be definitive
and to their minds achievable goals.
Now, what are they?
What does it look like they might be?
Are they moving toward anything?
Their strategy
has not yet become clear.
And this doesn't seem strange to you?
[Beep beep]
Lochley. Go.
Corwin: We've got a situation
developing up here, Captain.
On my way.
If you'll excuse me.
What does seem strange to me
is that we are reacting
and not acting.
We have the resources
to be more aggressive,
to strike at their holdings
in a more meaningful way.
Why are we not doing so?
Our first goal should be to draw a line in space,
contain their forces and then--
we will win the war more quickly
by attacking the Centauri homeworld
as they have attacked ours!
No! I won't sanction that.
Military targets are one thing,
but if you hit Centauri Prime,
you are hitting civilian targets!
They have not hesitated to kill our civilians!
Now, I know that, but you can't--
Mr. President,
we must have our revenge.
This isn't about revenge, General.
This is about taking out their ability to make war.
We strike cleanly, surgically,
and we do not hit civilian targets.
Do I make myself absolutely crystal clear?
Ok, what do we got?
One of the long-range hyperspace probes
picked this up a few minutes ago.
It's definitely a Centauri cruiser.
Shall I go to red alert?
Not yet.
If they have people on the station,
they'll know we've seen them.
Any sign of support vessels?
Negative. Just one cruiser.
That doesn't make sense.
A war cruiser that size, it would never go out alone.
Is Alpha squadron still out there?
Standing by.
Getting some additional readings
from the probe.
Weapons systems currently not active.
Well, that's encouraging.
Getting some unusual readings
from the jump engines.
Could be an error in the scanners.
Life signs read...
Captain, life signs read negative.
There's no one aboard that cruiser.
She's on auto control.
Captain Lochley to Alpha squadron.
Break and attack!
I repeat, break and attack!
Squadron: Roger that. Alpha squadron heading in.
She's going to blow the jumpgate.
Jump engines at critical mass.
Approaching overload.
She'll probably open a jump point
in the middle of the gate,
come through, and blow the whole thing sky high!
30 seconds to jump.
Move the struts as far apart as we can.
If we minimize the damage when it explodes--
10 seconds!
Alpha squadron, I want that ship out of my sky!
Damage report. How bad was the gate hit?
Most of the energy
was deflected forward by the jump point
instead of spreading out to the sides.
Minimal damage to jumpgate struts
and control mechanisms.
Structural integrity?
It's holding together.
Get a repair crew out there asap.
All traffic will stand by during repairs.
That was too damn close.
If they had gotten all the way
into the jumpgate...
I want those long-range probes extended.
They're at maximum now.
Well, use the Starfuries to boost the signal.
I do not want another situation like this!
Very sloppy of them.
It's as I told you, Na'tok.
The humans do not have the stomach for this war.
We will end it as it should be ended,
by striking the Centauri homeworld.
If you are with us.
The Narn government
has no special love of the Centauri...
Or its citizens.
We are with you.
Delenn: Is everyone all right?
Inside the station, yes.
2 Starfury pilots
who were guarding the jumpgate
were wounded, one killed in the explosion.
Lochley's got the place buttoned up tight.
They won't get a second chance.
How badly was the gate damaged?
Well...it will be out of commission
at least 2 or 3 days.
That means the civilian traffic will be stranded.
Fortunately the White Stars
and most of the other warships
can jump in and out on their own.
It looks like...
I was worried about you
when I should've been worried about us.
How long until you get to Minbar?
48 hours your time.
I've already spoken with the Grey Council,
told them I'll need to talk to them,
though I haven't said why.
Good.
And let me know when they come to a decision.
I could use a little... Good news right about now.
Well...
I should be getting back into things, Delenn.
It--it's frantic around here,
and with you and Stephen gone--
Stephen is gone? Where?
I thought you knew.
Stephen and Lyta took off for the Drazi homeworld
about a day before you left. Um...
Some kind of mission of mercy.
Lyta: If you turn that
the other way, maybe it...
Stephen: Oh, yeah, you're right.
Why don't you just ask somebody?
No, no, I got a map. Come on.
What is this with you men?
Excuse me.
Wow.
All right, here we go.
We got to stop soon.
Are you sure
you know where we're going?
Yeah, it's the same hotel
that Michael stayed at.
He said the room service is good
and the food is cheap
and the staff is friendly.
Meaning the food stinks,
the rooms are small, and the staff
will knife you in the back
when you're not looking.
Exactly.
All right. I think it's, uh...
It's that way.
Oh... Now, now,
don't worry, all right?
We have a few hours
before our contact.
You got that? Let's go.
And there is no one
more fond of the regent than I am.
It was I who recommended him for the position
after the death of Emperor Cartagia,
and the centaurium agreed.
After having endured
so much pain and suffering,
he seemed... A safe choice.
Apparently we were wrong.
I disagree.
You disagree? On what basis?
Minister cholini,
as head of the defense ministry,
you know that our ships have been used to...
Defend the Centauri holdings
from enemy attack, that's all.
That's not true.
I have seen our ships
attack members of the alliance.
I'm not responsible for what you have
and haven't seen, Prime Minister.
All I can tell you is
that I'm in daily contact with our fleet Commanders,
and their orders,
are straight from the regent, have never altered.
We've been on a strictly defensive footing
from the beginning.
Anything else is propaganda.
Now, if you wish to move against the regent,
I'm afraid you must do it
without the backing of the ministry of defense.
Good day, Mollari.
[Door chimes]
[Chimes]
What?
Mr. President--
Michael, do you have to lean on the doorbell?
I'm sorry. I ran all the way over here.
You gotta see this.
This is the latest from the Rangers
on the disposition of our forces.
30% of the Narn and the Drazi fleet
have gone missing.
What?
They tried to hide it,
but we got the beacon I.D.S
on all the ships in the area
where fighting's going on.
They left just enough behind
to defend their assets. The rest took off.
John, I think they're headed
right for Centauri Prime.
No, I need proof.
No. We don't have time. No, no, no.
You are the only one who can stop them.
You gotta get between them and the target,
or we're gonna end up
with 1/4 million dead Centauri on our hands,
maybe more, and mainly civilians.
Damn it.
All right, get me a White Star, any of 'em.
I don't care, just so long as it's fast.
How much of a head start do they have?
That's unknown.
Their ships could have been en route
the whole time we were meeting with them.
If that's true, Michael, I'll skin 'em alive.
Come on.
[Knock on door]
Dr. Franklin? Yes.
Dr. Literana varda. We spoke.
Yes. Come on in.
I was hoping that was you.
This is my, uh, associate
Lyta Alexander.
This is Dr. Varda.
Honored.
I cannot stay.
We're very busy right now.
But I have checked as you asked.
We have no Centauri bodies here.
I see.
And do you know where the bodies are?
Out there.
I personally surveyed the damaged ships,
and the bodies were in such disarray
that you could not put any of them together
and make sense out of it,
just parts floating in space.
Why are you lying to us?
I'm not.
This is an outrage.
Lyta, down!
Lyta.
[Weapon fires]
Varda.
What are you hiding?!
What?!
[Gasping]
What? What is it?
Take me there. Now!
Any word from Na'tok?
Negative.
All right. Keep trying. We're heading out.
I just hope to god we get there in time.
Here we go again.
Hit it.
Gravimetric engines on-line.
Navigational thrusters--
standard ahead.
We're 2 jumps from home, Delenn.
Good.
Any further news from Babylon 5?
No, not since the--
[beeping]
What is it?
Trouble.
I read 4 Centauri warships,
too many to fight.
Evasive maneuvers.
They've seen us.
Jump to normal space.
Notify Babylon 5 before...
Which way?
You tell us which way,
or I'm gonna give you back to her.
Do you understand?
Left.
Let's go.
Open it.
Let's see what the hell was so important
you were willing to kill us for it. Come on.
Holy...
I don't get it. Wh...
Where are all the bodies?
What is this stuff?
There are no bodies.
The attacking Centauri warships were empty--
no crew members aboard, no one to capture,
no bodies to return.
There were only these attached to the system.
I know this.
I know what this is.
Run! They're on to us!
Hello, Mollari.
Regent?
I told you
we would speak again before the end.
I've always tried to keep my promises,
especially to those
who have been kind to me...
As you have been.
It is no burden.
Regent, I've been trying to see you for some time.
Our ships--
yes.
I know.
Then you gave the order.
After a fashion.
I have always tried to do the right thing.
You know.
When circumstances allowed.
Yes. We all do, regent.
Yes.
And now it is your time.
Mine is almost over.
I have to say...
I'll be glad of it.
I'm so tired of it all, Londo.
I'm glad...
I won't live to see what follows.
Why?
What is going to follow?
What do you mean there weren't any crew aboard?
Garibaldi said that there were
2 separate Centauri fleets engaged in the war--
one defensive, one offensive--
but no one in the Centauri military
knew anything about the attacks,
only that they were
defending themselves against us.
Now we know why.
Sheridan: This isn't making sense.
This is leftover
Shadow technology, Mr. President.
The Vorlons gave me information on them
in case I ever ran across one,
and I understand a few years ago,
one was found by the Psi-Corps.
It's an organic device
used to control a ship from a long distance.
You put 2 or 3 of these onboard a starship,
and you don't even need a crew.
Well, then how the hell
did the Centauri get their hands on them?
Well, that's the real question.
Now, we know that a lot of the aliens
who worked for the Shadows
got away with a lot of their technology.
How much, we don't know.
But it's possible that one of these races
sold the stuff to the Centauri.
With the cooperation of a few others
in charge of the military,
the regent could run an offensive war
without anybody in the military
knowing anything about it.
But there's another possibility.
A third party could use these devices
to set up the Centauri,
turn everyone against them.
And the Drazi, they wouldn't tell anybody
about these things.
They've always competed
with the Centauri for trade.
A war would be in their best interest.
Besides, this is--
this is pretty advanced technology.
If they told the alliance,
they'd have to turn over the devices for study.
And meanwhile, the attacks go on.
Of course.
Of course!
That's why we couldn't figure out
a strategy behind the random attacks.
We couldn't see a goal because there was no goal.
There was no strategy
beyond alienating everyone in the alliance,
turn them against the Centauri so that...
So they'd attack.
Listen, all the White Stars in your area are out.
Can you get out of there in one piece?
I think so.
Good. Get ahold of Garibaldi if you can.
Tell him he has to keep trying to reach
the Drazi and Narn fleets.
Now, they are jamming us,
but he has to get through to them
before it's too late.
Give me everything you've got!
The lives of several million people
are riding on this.
[Gasping]
Delenn.
Lennier...
What...
Delenn...
We've been hit...
Badly.
I've managed to get to the consoles
and check on our condition.
How bad is it?
Jump engines are off-line.
Most of the crew... Are dead.
There are a few survivors
on a lower deck.
They can't get past the debris
between levels.
We have enough power
in our navigational thrusters
to keep from going too far off the beacon,
but--but once they run out,
we'll start to drift.
Distress signal.
Activated,
but I can't tell if it's working or not.
And my leg...
Appears to be broken in 2 places.
This is bad, then.
Very bad, Delenn.
It's going to be a pretty night,
the last one I will ever see.
You shouldn't talk that way, regent.
You still have many years ahead of you.
That's why it's important to recall the ships.
We can still make peace.
Oh, there will be peace...
For a while.
It never lasts, really.
They said so.
They said both things, actually,
that there will be peace and that it won't last.
They also said...
I would be dead by morning...
And that tomorrow...
You will be Emperor.
They said many, many things...
Things I didn't want to hear,
things I didn't understand...
And things I didn't want to understand.
"They"?
Who are "they," regent?
Oh, you will find out for yourself
soon enough, Londo.
You shouldn't rush your last free hours.
And there was something else
they told me... To do...
And I did it just a few moments
before I came to see you.
The last thing
I will ever have to do for them,
and in a way...
I'm glad it's over.
What did they ask you to do?
To send away all the ships...
Guarding Centauri Prime
on a false emergency...
And turn off
the planetary defense network.
No.
I think I'll stay
and watch from here.
The sky should be lighting up
anytime now.
I imagine...
It will be...
Quite beautiful.
No!
No.