"It is said that in every age, there is one singular event that forever changes the world around us." "A nexus, if you will." "It is said that the future is always born in pain." "The history of war is the history of pain." "If we are wise, what is born of that pain matures into the promise of a better world because we learn that we can no Ionger afford the mistakes of the past." "But in the pain of that war, the future was born." "A future that would one day have a name whispered on a hundred worlds." "A final refuge for dreams and our last best hope for peace:" "Babylon 5." "Can't catch me." "Luc?" "Lyssa?" "Where are you?" "No." "You shouldn't be here." "You can't play here." "Luc, Lyssa." "What happened to the buildings?" "They fell down." "Some bad people made them fall down." "That's why all the windows in the palace are covered so you can't see." "If they find out you've been looking...." "Then why is the window here if you're not supposed to look?" "This is the Emperor's window, Luc." "He's the only one who can look out of the palace." "That's why we can't stay." "We have to go before" "No, it's all right." "It's been a Iong time since I heard the sound of laughter in this room." "A very long time." "Let me see them." "And what are your names?" "Luco Deradi." "And this is my sister, Lyssa." "She doesn't talk much, does she?" "No, she's always quiet." "We think maybe there's something wrong with her." "Yes." "Or something very right." "The quiet ones are the ones that change the universe, Luc Deradi." "The loud ones only take the credit." "Are you really the Emperor?" "I sometimes ask myself the same thing." "Yes, I am the Emperor." "Here, you see...." "This is the seal of the Centauri republic." "only the Emperor can wear it." "So, either I am the Emperor, or I am in a great deal of trouble." "Or both." "Come here, you." "For the next five minutes you are the Emperor of what was once the vast Centauri republic." "You may give one order." "Any order you desire." "Make it a good one." "What do you want?" "tell me a story." "No, no." "It's all right." "He did far better with that question than I did." "What kind of story would you Iike to hear?" "I want a story about great battles and wars and bravery and heroes and villains!" "I see." "And what does your sister want?" "Nothing." "She says she wants to hear a true story." "Very well." "Then I will give you both what you want." "A story about great deeds about armies of light and soldiers of darkness." "About the places where they lived and fought and loved and died." "About great empires, terrible mistakes." "A true story." "You see, I was there at the dawn of the Third Age." "It began with the Humans." "They are the quiet ones I mentioned before." "They changed the universe but in doing so paid a terrible price." "It began 35 of their years ago." "Their homeworld is a place called Earth located in a fairly uninteresting part of the galaxy." "We had never bothered much with that area before." "It had little military or strategic value." "But as a culture grows decadent it becomes intrigued by art by trinkets, by eccentricity." "And the Humans had art and trinkets and eccentricity to spare." "But it was none of those traits that would cause so much death and pain." "They have an expression:" ""Pride goeth before a fall. "" "And their pride was their undoing." "I know." "I was there." "MoIIari, good." "I'd Iike you to meet general Lefcourt." "Londo MoIIari, liaison to the Centauri delegation." "pleasure to meet you, sir." "Likewise." "please, sit." "How is your president?" "well, I hope." "Much better." "I just saw her in the red room." "She's starting to get some of the color back in her cheeks." "This damn flu's got half of my staff down sick." "I suggest you give her a little of this before she eats." "I brought it from Centauri Prime when I heard she was ill." "It will completely eliminate her symptoms in two, three hours at most." "Thank you." "I'm sure she'II appreciate it." "My pleasure." "Now, gentlemen, perhaps you will tell me why you have arranged for this meeting." "Of course." "general?" "following our victory against the DiIgar, we've taken advantage of the good will of other worlds to expand our sphere of influence." "We've made trade deals and mutual defense treaties with the League of Non-AIigned worlds." "Most of the races have been very receptive to our advances." "Others, downright hostile." "And a few are still a mystery to us." "What do you know about a race called Minbari?" "We have had some dealings with them in the past but nothing in recent years." "Why?" "We'II send an expedition to their border to see if they threaten our program to expand our sphere of influence." "We understand that fully a third of their population is dedicated to warfare." "They have a warrior caste." "Not exactly the same thing?" "Semantics." "We need to know all we can about them." "Then send one ship." "One ship only." "Anything more could be perceived as a threat." "And if that were to happen I assure you they would never return home." "My people can handle themselves." "We took care of the DiIgar, we can take care of the Minbari." "Arrogance and stupidity all in the same package." "How efficient of you." "Just a minute" "Listen to me." "The Minbari are one of the oldest spacefaring races." "Even at the height of the Centauri republic when we were expanding in all directions we never opposed the Minbari." "If you do not bother them, they will not bother you." "Perhaps." "But that decision's already been made." "AII we're asking is that you give us whatever you've got on the location of their military forces so we can avoid contact." "No, this is foolish." "Excuse me for saying so but it sounds like you're concerned with keeping your monopoly on our business." "Minbari have no interest in allen affairs or alien business." "And I resent your implication." "I've tried to help you." "You've refused to listen." "There you are." "I will get you the information you ask for, and that is the end." "Good luck with your mission, gentlemen." "I only hope that in your stumbling around you do not wake the dragon." "Good day." "They didn't listen, of course." "Arrogant men never do." "Sadly, arrogance has never been exclusively a Human trait." "It travels between the stars like solar winds." "I never tire of this view, Lenonn." "It amazes me to think that VaIen himself stood where I am standing so many years ago." "Yes." "I often feel his presence here." "Thank you for coming, CaIIier." "I'm honored that you should travel so far." "It is the least I can do for the honored leader of the AnIa-Shok." "I'm not certain about the "honored" part." "I know what they say about me." "You've been listening to rumors again." "Rangers specialize in reports from distant places." "Rumors are at the core of what we do." "I've learned that the more vehemently a rumor is denied the more often it tends to be true." "So, did you pass on my request for more support?" "I did." "It was considered and rejected." "They promised!" "Lenonn, be sensible." "We have carried the Rangers as part of our cultural identity our debt to VaIen, for 1,000 years." "How much more can you ask of us?" "But now is when the prophecies said that we would be needed most." "We must begin to move." "I'm sorry, Lenonn." "The Caste elders have made their decision." "Then I demand to speak with the Grey council." "Lenonn...." "It is my right as leader of the AnIa-Shok." "I demand to see them and make my case personally." "If you go over the heads of the elders, you risk offending them." "Then let them be offended." "You operate here at our sufferance, Lenonn." "If you force the issue, the Rangers may pay the price." "Ignore my request, and we shall all pay the price for their stupidity." "Have you come from the Grey council?" "Wait." "I want to speak with you." "Where are you going?" "Why won't you answer me?" "well, Lenonn?" "You said you wished to speak with us." "Step into the circle and speak." "You said there was going to be a battle." "Excuse me?" "You said there was going to be a great battle in your story." "Luc, be quiet." "No, no, it's all right." "The young do not understand that in war there is death." "You want a battle?" "would it help to tell you that these two isolated incidents would lead to the greatest war in Human history?" "Yes." "Many Minbari would die in the war, but before its end Earth herself would stand on the very edge of complete destruction." "And the irony is the terrible truth that no one knows, but that I will tell you is that the blood of many who died in that war is on my hands." "My fault." "My fault." "Majesty, I know it is not my place to speak but you have endured so much these last few years." "You cannot bear the blame for the war between the Humans and the Minbari." "We had nothing to do with it." "Thank you, but I know my sins, dear woman." "And the price I will eventually pay for them." "Now, young Emperor." "I was telling you about how Lenonn, head of the AnIa-Shok what the Humans would one day call the Rangers was brought before the Grey council." "Long ago VaIen led our people to victory in the Great War against the Shadows." "Before he went away he gave us the prophecy that they would return again in 1,000 years." "That time is almost upon us." "And the Rangers who were created to be our eyes and ears on the frontier to watch for the return of the great darkness, are not ready." "There are only a few of us." "And most of those are old and tired from years of watching, waiting." "Weary of being mocked by certain members of this council and by the Warrior Caste who think of us as an embarrassment and who do not believe in the prophecy of VaIen." "This prophecy also said that the AnIa-Shok will arise." "They will be ready and they will be instrumental in the next great war." "So, why not wait until there's proof?" "." "VaIen created the Grey council from members of every caste warrior, worker and religious so that no one caste would have undue influence over the others." "Prophecy faIIs under the category of religion, Lenonn." "The workers need to know why they should stop building bridges and start building ships, guns and weapons." "And the warriors need to know why they may be called upon to serve and to die." "What do you say to them?" "AII I can say is that I believe." "What more is there to say?" "We need money, resources, people." "And we must attempt a rapprochement with the VorIons." "CopIann what does the Warrior Caste find so amusing?" "Over the Iast 100 years, we've sent a dozen ships into VorIon space." "None has returned." "To send more would be a waste of time and effort and lives." "The VorIons know the prophecy as well as you." "Yet they have not come forth to contact us." "Because they know that we have fallen from grace and that we no Ionger believe." "Then let them appear to give us something to believe in." "If the VorIons do not see the danger, then perhaps the danger does not exist." "Master...." "If I may...." "There may be a way to give the others the proof they require." "DeIenn is not formally a part of this council." "Though she stands in for Satai Kadroni, she has not yet undergone the ritual." "It is inappropriate for her to speak." "I have never yet known the truth or DeIenn to speak only when it is appropriate." "Go on, DeIenn." "VaIen said the Shadows would first return to their homeworld of Z'ha'dum before moving against us." "So, why not send an expedition to Z'ha'dum to determine if they have indeed returned." "The Warrior Caste will be no part of this." "Our forces are needed here to protect homeworId." "Besides, the journey is long and difficult." "Other expeditions have found that the area around Z'ha'dum is mined with traps and ancient defense systems." "Other races have moved in, claimed it as their own." "So, you believe it too dangerous for the Warrior Caste to go." "The Warrior Caste fears nothing." "But it is a waste of our time." "Further, if the council endorses such an expedition it wouId cause unnecessary panic among our people." "I agree." "So, they will not have to go." "Thank you." "We will go." "What?" "But, Master" "We are the ones who must decide how much support to give the Rangers." "We can rely on the reports of others, or see for ourselves." "My whole life I have heard of Z'ha'dum in whispers and legends." "I think I'd Iike to see it once before I die." "WouIdn't you, DeIenn?" "Yes, Master." "Then we will go." "We will take only a few support vessels sworn to secrecy to avoid the panic CopIann fears." "And we'II travel indirectly stopping at various outposts until we are ready for the final jump." "It is an elegant and simple solution, CopIann." "Thank you for giving it to me." "You have something on your mind, DeIenn." "I recognize that expression." "I was only thinking...." "I believe that Lenonn is correct, and that we must begin to prepare." "But CopIann is also correct." "The VorIons should have contacted us by now." "Yes, they should." "But if the legends surrounding the VorIons are correct remember that they do not reveal themselves quickly and never all at once." "What are you saying?" "I'm not saying anything." "I didn't say anything then, and I am not saying anything now." "It's been a Iong day and I must go to my sanctum and meditate on this in private." "Good day, DeIenn." "Now, it starts." "Yes." "You wanted to see me, sir?" "Yes." "Come in, Commander." "Have a seat." "How's your father?" "He's fine, sir." "He sends his regards." "He asked me to remind you, respectfully that you still owe him 40 credits from last week." "Yes, yes." "I'II get it to him eventually." "It's a sad state of affairs when a fine diplomat has to resort to cheating at poker." "I can't think of any other way the man could've beat me." "I have an opportunity for you, Commander, and I suggest you take it." "We're sending out a mission to the border of Minbari space." "The ships involved will survey the disposition of their forces and determine if the Minbari have any hostile intentions towards us." "I want you on that ship as first officer." "I'm already assigned to the Lexington." "The Lexington is an old patrol ship that'II never fight again if Captain Sterns has anything to say about it." "He wants to finish his tour and retire with his parts and pieces still in working order." "He's a good man and a fine officer." "He's loyal to his crew." "I feel I have an obligation to return that loyalty." "I appreciate that." "But career advancement depends upon high visibility assignments." "This is an important mission." "When it's over, you'II be that much closer to your own command." "Can I ask what ship is leading the expedition?" "The Prometheus." "Captain Jankowski lost his X O to the Churchill two weeks ago and has been looking for a replacement." "You would fit in perfectly." "I know some of the officers who have served under him." "He doesn't handle first contact situations as well as others." "Ever since the Omega incident" "The military tribunal cleared him of all responsibility for what happened." "Yes, I understand that." "But if I can speak frankly...." "The men under his command consider him a loose cannon." "I'd rather not walk into a situation where I might have to go up against my own CO if things got hot." "Don't misunderstand me." "I appreciate the effort, general." "And you're right." "This is a plum assignment and a fast-track to promotion." "I can't leave Captain Sterns in the lurch." "And I don't really feel comfortable with the situation on the Prometheus." "Sheridan, you are the most stubborn man I have ever seen." "And mainly at your own expense." "AII right." "If you want to shoot your career in the foot who am I to stand in the way?" "Dismissed." "Yes, sir." "Excuse me." "Did you just pilot in that transport?" "Yes." "It is dangerous to deliver cargo while in hyperspace." "Why did your crew take such an unusual risk?" "I do not ask questions, I only follow orders." "Whose orders?" "I'm told they came from Dukhat himself." "The deliveries must not attract undue attention from outsiders." "But why the secrecy?" "I don't know." "Once each week we are given a different rendezvous point." "We wait, and a ship arrives." "They transfer cargo to our ship, and we bring it here." "That's all I know." "You must have some information about your cargo." "Something to do with Iife-support systems, alternate atmospheres, that's all I know." "What kind of alternate atmosphere?" "DeIenn!" "It is almost time for the ceremony." "You're not prepared." "Are you reconsidering the invitation to join the Grey council?" "No, of course not." "How could you even ask such a" "Because a member of the Grey council wouldn't bother herself with such trivial details as cargo shipments and transports." "No, Master, of course not." "Except when it may involve larger issues." "You see, only an alien life form would require an alternate atmosphere." "What of it?" "I was only thinking of what you said earlier and remembering that from time to time aliens have come to us pretending to be VorIons." "Since no one alive has ever seen them, it's easy to be deceived." "Are you saying I'm being deceived?" "I'm not saying anything." "I did not say anything then, and I'm not saying anything now." "unless you are saying you've seen a VorIon." "I am saying even less than you." "Except for this:" "When the darkness comes, if you ever have doubt about your actions all you need to do is look into the face of a VorIon." "Once you see that, all doubt is erased forever." "Now we must hurry, or you'II be late for your own ceremony." "Approaching next rendezvous point." "Very good." "Prepare to jump to normal space." "Navigation, prepare to jump." "Roger that, Bridge." "Jump engines standing by at your command." "Jump." "Why do you come here, DeIenn?" "I come to serve." "Who do you serve?" "I serve the truth." "What is the truth?" "That we are one people, one voice." "will you follow me to fire?" "will you follow me to darkness?" "will you follow me to death?" "I will." "Then follow." "Sir, we're picking up a silhouette at the edge of scanner range." "I thought this area was supposed to be well outside the Minbari transfer points." "Aye, sir." "It is." "There's no reason they should be here." "unless they're looking for us." "should we jump back to hyperspace?" "Negative." "We just jumped in." "I don't want to put more strain on the engines than we have to." "Besides, if it is them, I want to see if we can get a look at them." "Captain, our orders were to avoid any first contact situation unless authorized to do so." "I'm well aware of our orders, Commander." "Now take us in at oblique angle, keep the scanners on the maximum." "If we do this right, they're not even going to know we're here." "Aye, sir." "I am become Grey." "I stand between the darkness and the light." "Between the candle and the star." "Scanners confirm target is unknown vessel." "We read two primary vessels and several support ships." "Let me see it." "That's all we've got so far?" "Just a silhouette?" "Scanners are having a hard time locking on." "They may be using some sort of stealth technology." "Is there any hostile action yet?" "Negative, sir." "They still may not have noticed us yet." "Bring us in closer." "I want as much information as we can get." "Sir, our orders are to avoid" "They are to bring back information on the Minbari and that's what we'II do." "If we bring back a profile on a warship they'II be handing out medals by the bucket." "We handled the DiIgar, and we can handle a few stray ships." "Now, bring us in closer." "Aye, sir." "The sensors have detected an echo which seems to be following our course." "They may be alien ships on approach." "I've told them to go to maximum power on the scanners so we can verify." "There's no reason to concern Dukhat with it until we know more." "Sir, alien ships are changing course." "Moving in our direction." "I'm picking up scanners." "extremely powerful." "I've never seen anything like them." "They've seen us!" "AII right, Iet's get out of here." "Prepare to jump." "Jump engines not responding." "What?" "alien scanner arrays interfering with our electrical systems." "Tremendous EMP output." "Trying to reroute." "They drew us in deliberately." "Wanted us in range of their scanners, so they could shut us down." "You said you wanted to get as much information on their ships as possible." "What if they want to capture our ships for the exact same reason?" "Then we want to make sure that does not happen, Commander." "Go to red alert." "Try to open up a channel." "tell them we mean no harm." "What is it?" "We detected these alien ships approaching our space." "I've never seen those markings before." "Who are they?" "I believe they are the Humans." "They've tried to contact us, but we do not understand their language." "As is our custom, we are approaching with gun ports open." "By whose order?" "Sir!" "alien ships have opened gun ports." "Are they prepared to fire?" "I don't know." "I can't tell." "talk to me." "Are they locked on us?" "Scanners are too powerful." "I couldn't tell even if they were." "They have opened all gun ports." "Master, that is the tradition of the Warrior Caste a gesture of strength and respect." "They see our weapons, and we approach them open-handed." "Enemy presumed to be hostile." "Weapons hot!" "AII batteries, all forward guns fire at will." "I repeat." "Fire!" "Fire!" "Somebody, help me!" "help me!" "We have hit their scanner arrays!" "We can jump now." "AII right, get us the hell out of here!" "DeIenn, we need to strike back, but the council is divided." "Do we follow them back to their base and take revenge or do we wait, try to find out what happened?" "Yours is the deciding vote, DeIenn." "He was the best of us." "They struck without provocation." "There was no reason." "animals!" "brutal!" "They deserve no mercy!" "Strike them down!" "follow them to their base and kill them!" "AII of them!" "AII of them!" "No mercy!" "With the death of their leader, Dukhat, the Minbari went mad." "They swore revenge and began a holy war that could only end in the complete extermination of mankind." "The incident you have just seen has been repeated at half a dozen bases in just the Iast few days." "Where the Minbari strike, nothing is left alive." "Even ships no Ionger capable of fighting are targeted and destroyed." "So, surrender on any scale is not an option." "Every attempt we've made to communicate with them has been rebuffed." "They are moving methodically through the outer colonies wiping out our defense structures and leaving the colonies vulnerable." "civilian structures are being left alone for now." "Now we know the Minbari use a caste system including a warrior caste." "And we think they're fighting in a way consistent with that structure taking out our warriors first, and coming back for the rest later." "They intend to eliminate our defensive capability all the way to Earth." "Then, with no one to stop them, they'II head back out again and finish the job of wiping out every last man woman and child of the Human race." "Since the first engagement, we have not won a single battle from the enemy." "Their ships are immensely superior to our own." "And they use stealth technology we have not been able to beat yet." "We called you here because we wanted you to see the situation for yourselves." "We want you to go back to your units and make them understand two things:" "One, we need a victory against these forces, any victory, to increase morale." "Two, that unless we find a way to defeat the Minbari the Human race ends with the current generation." "Dismissed." "There's got to be a way to beat them, John." "But you saw those records." "Any ship that comes up against them loses." "I've never believed in the idea of an undefeatable enemy, sir." "Any ship can be destroyed." "I hope to hell you're right." "It'II be a few more days before the Lexington is fully outfitted the engines recharged." "You can see your folks." "But you're going to need me here, sir." "They'II understand." "Are you sure?" "If you were in my position, would you go?" "Under normal circumstances, no." "But after what I saw I'd go." "Attention." "Attention on deck." "Ganya Ivanov, you've got a visitor in Room 7." "You've got five minutes." "Get to it." "We've got to launch." "Susan, what are you doing here?" "You're supposed to be at the university." "You know me, never where I'm supposed to be." "I just wanted to see you before you left." "I thought big brothers were supposed to take care of their little sisters." "Not the other way around." "So, sue me." "I will." "Later." "When I get back." "I was just worried, that's all." "I've heard many terrible stories about what's going on out there." "It's not as bad as everyone says." "I'II be fine." "The military takes care of its own." "Then you'II back me up when I decide to sign up in a few months." "Susan Ivanova, you can't" "I'II be old enough by then." "Father won't stand for it." "It's my choice, not his." "Ivanov Ganya, report to Bay 9 for immediate launch." "I have to go." "I Iove you, little sister." "I Iove you, too." "Ganya, wait." "Remember when we were camping and we got lost?" "And then I lost my earring, and then we were found." "I never found the earring." "You made me feel better by telling me that it was lucky?" "I remember, but...." "Here, take this for good luck." "I won't wear it again until you come back." "until you give it back to me." "That way, we know you'II come back." "See you soon." "I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do." "We're not asking the Centauri government to intervene militarily." "We know that won't happen." "We're talking tactical and strategic support." "Yes, and weapons." "You and the Minbari are two of the older races." "Your technology is far above our own." "With access to some of your weapons, we'd at Ieast stand a fighting chance." "It is not our policy to supply advanced weapons to developing worlds." "We'II pay any price." "Yes." "And then we will pay the price when the Minbari come after us for helping you." "No, I'm sorry." "There's not enough money in your entire planet to justify that risk." "Londo, if you'd just listen...." "To what?" "The voice of a race that is about to become extinct?" "No, I'm sorry." "I have always been very fond of Humans, but we cannot risk angering the Minbari." "There is nothing I can do." "I'm sorry." "He refused to help, just as you said he would." "The Centauri care for no one but themselves." "They would sooner see your world in flames than lift a finger to help." "So it wouId seem." "AII right, G'Kar, what help can we expect from the Narns?" "When we drove the Centauri from our world after 100 years of occupation we seized many of their weapons." "We took them apart, studied them, learned to turn their own weapons against them, and we are willing to sell them to you." "Aren't you worried about the Minbari?" "If they capture any of the equipment, they will assume it came from the Centauri attack them, and we win by default." "And if they should learn that the weapons came from us we endured slavery for 100 years." "A slave is immune to the fear of dying because to die is simply to end the cycle of pain." "How much can you sell us?" "As much as you can afford." "But the price will be high." "Human currency has been devalued on the interstellar market so it will take a great deal to convince the Kha'Ri to sell you arms and provide support, but I believe it can be done." "Assuming we have a deal." "We have a deal, G'Kar." "Good evening, DeIenn." "The latest reports from the front." "Three more of the Humans' deep range colonies have fallen." "Leave it on the table." "I should think you would be more pleased by the progress of the war." "What pleasure can be found in beating an enemy that never had the slightest chance of defeating us?" "Is that sympathy I hear in your voice, DeIenn?" "I'm surprised." "You were the chosen of Dukhat, after all." "Dukhat would have never approved of this slaughter!" "This is simple retribution." "This has gone beyond retribution, Morann." "This is madness." "It is genocide." "Yes, it is." "And you're quite right, DeIenn." "The Humans cannot oppose us." "So, one can only wonder why the Warrior Caste has embraced this war so enthusiastically." "Do you want to hear what I suspect?" "I'm breathless with anticipation." "The Warrior Caste loves to win and hates to lose." "It is easier to fight a weaker opponent and be guaranteed victory than to oppose a far more dangerous enemy." "Are we back on the Shadows again?" "They will come." "And soon." "Legends." "Nothing more." "The Humans are a real enemy an enemy I can touch, see and kill." "Sometimes I wonder where your loyalty really is." "You dare?" "Or is it simpler just to be a coward?" "Morann, get out." "I was simpIy" "I said "get out"!" "I'm sorry, DeIenn." "I was your guest and I acted poorly." "No apologies are required." "When you arrived, you said you had information for me." "I made arrangements to transfer all of Dukhat's belongings to this ship." "I brought everything that was his, DeIenn." "I even recreated his sanctum." "only you and I have access for now." "I think you should go there, DeIenn." "I think you should go very soon." "Are you a VorIon?" "Yes." "Yes." "What...." "What is your name?" "Kosh." "What do you want?" "What are you doing here?" "Creating the future." "If you are seeing this message, it is because I am dead." "I leave this in trust of the VorIons to give it to the right person, at the right time." "I ask you to trust them as I have." "They have come to us in secret, to prepare for the coming war." "They say we'II need allies in particular, a race that is so far unknown to us called Humans." "If we have not already done so by now I hope that you will work with the VorIons to find these Humans and bring them into the battle on our side." "The allies of the Shadows are gathering at Z'ha'dum." "Their masters cannot be far behind." "They must be stopped." "Finish the work I began."