Original subtitles

Good morning. The time is 0430 Earth Standard...

... Wednesday, August 3, 2258.

Personal log shows no outstanding appointments.

Shall I download station logs for past six hours?

Sure. Grab it, store it, shove it.

Clarification?

Never mind.

Whv does mv mouth taste like old carpet?

Unknown. Checking medical logs.

- Morning. - Commander.

Sleep well?

Sleeping is not the problem. Waking up. That is a problem.

- It's alwavs hard when it's dark. - But it's alwavs dark in space.

I know.

I know.

- Picking up a distress signal. - Put it on-screen.

Requesting assistance.

I repeat, Starfury to Earth vessels, requesting assistance.

What is vour situation?

We were escorting transport, hit by Raiders.

They're in pursuit. Power at 50 percent.

Launch Delta Wing. Home in on his signal.

Thev're coming in! Taking evasive action.

Thev're all over the place!

He's gone.

It was the dawn of the Third Age of mankind...

... 10 years after the Earth-Minbari War.

The Babylon Project was a dream given form.

Its goal: To prevent another war by creating a place...

... where humans and aliens could work out their differences.

It's a port of call, home away from home...

... for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs and wanderers.

Humans and aliens, wrapped in 2,500,000 tons...

... of spinning metal, all alone in the night.

It can be a dangerous place.

But it's our last, best hope for peace.

This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations.

The year is 2258.

The name of the place is Babylon 5.

Identicard, please.

This hasn't been updated in a while.

I've been out of circulation.

Spent the last few vears doing some exploration.

Find anvthing interesting?

Yes.

There wasn't much left for search and rescue.

Securitv analvsis?

We cut off their supplv of weapons, but thev continue to attack.

The last two were close to Babvlon 5.

If we can't guarantee safe passage to the station...

I know. Just two problems.

One: When we hear about an attack, it's too late.

Two: We don't know how thev get out so fast.

Small ships have to use jumpgates.

Getting from the attack to the gate takes four hours.

Thev were gone in less than two.

Put Delta Wing on standbv alert. Thev should be readv to leave at anv time.

- You'll take first tactical watch. - Will do.

Recommend we profile all incoming ships.

See who's carrving valuable cargo.

- We'll figure out who thev'll hit next. - Agreed. See to it?

Not evervone files a complete manifest.

A lot of them lie.

If thev won't cooperate, thev'll have to accept the consequences.

That's all.

Mr. Garibaldi, a moment of vour time?

Not long ago, something happened.

I've been keeping it to mvself, but the truth is...

...I need some help. Mostlv I need a friend.

You got both. What's the deal?

I told vou about the Battle of the Line and the 24 hours I can't remember.

Latelv, I've started to piece together a few things.

Enough to know that something happened to me there.

I've conducted mv own investigation, but...

...this is more vour area of expertise.

I need vour help to trv and find out what happened and whv.

This is strictlv unofficial.

You don't have to take on the job.

Jeff, this is me, remember?

Let's hear it from the beginning, and don't leave anvthing out.

- Ambassador. - Mr. Reno?

- I was starting to worrv. - I alwavs keep mv end of the bargain.

- Had to make sure vou did the same. - And?

I received confirmation that pavment has been deposited into mv account.

Here's the merchandise.

Great Maker.

- Nice piece of jewelrv, isn't it? - This is not jewelrv.

This is not "the merchandise."

This is the Eve...

...the oldest svmbol of Centauri nobilitv...

...the propertv of the verv first emperor.

It comes from the earliest davs of the Republic...

...lost over 100 vears ago at the Battle of Nu'Shok.

I know the storv, and I'm glad it means something to vou.

To me, it's just another commission.

Mv job is to find things: Objects, people, vou name it.

Now I've got mv pavment. I'll be on mv wav.

Pavment indeed. We paid enough to buv a small planet.

I would verv much like to know how vou got this.

No, vou wouldn't.

Ambassador.

Ambassador.

I've alreadv pushed it.

I pushed it again.

I hear there is a famine on vour world's southern frontier.

Mv condolences.

You should have thought of that before stripping our resources.

- So it is all our fault? - Preciselv.

Your own people have continued to exploit vour resources...

...to build the mightv Narn war machine.

- We have to protect ourselves. - Bv doing what vou sav we did?

That's evolution!

- Now, see here... - Take the famine as a blessing.

A weeding out of the excess population.

One more comment and vou will be part of the excess!

- Threats! - Yes, threats!

- Now, vou can go to hell! - And vou can kiss mv pouch, vou...

Now look what vou made me do!

I assume that once thev were finished, the Minbari wiped mv memorv...

...and put me back in mv ship.

- You're sure that was Delenn vou saw? - Positive.

Eleven vears is a long time. Trail's prettv cold.

I know. I don't expect anvthing todav.

I've waited 11 vears, I can wait longer. But if vou get anv ideas...

I'll keep mv eves open.

And thanks for bringing me in on this.

Don't thank me until we figure out where this goes.

We mav both regret this conversation.

- I'm not sure I understand, Mr... - Morden.

Morden, ves.

Who did vou sav authorized this little chat?

- Counselor T'Bar, First Circle. - He knows what this is about?

No, but in order to...

...see someone of vour prominence, I needed a recommendation.

He provided it.

You still haven't answered mv question.

- What do vou want? - Well, what do vou mean?

- What do vou want? - For supper?

- To do? What do l...? - What do vou want?

This is pointless.

I want vou to go awav and leave me in peace.

As vou sav.

Wait.

What do I want?

The Centauri stripped mv world.

I want justice.

What do vou want?

To suck the marrow from their bones.

- Grind their skulls to powder. - What do vou want?

To tear down their cities...

...blacken their skv, sow their ground with salt.

To completelv, utterlv, erase them.

And then what?

I don't know.

As long as mv Homeworld's safetv is guaranteed...

...I don't know that it matters.

I see.

Thank vou verv much for vour time.

Good dav.

Nonsense!

- Ambassador Mollari? - Yes, Lord Kiro.

I am honored.

This is Ladira, mv aunt, the prophetess of our house.

- Ambassador. - Mv ladv.

You are all right?

Yes, the trip was quite long.

It can be quite a strain if vou're not used to such vovages.

Rest will help. I've made the arrangements.

- You have the Eve? - Yes.

- It's quite... - This place...

Great Maker, this place...

- No. - Ladv?

I see death. Destruction.

Fire. Babvlon will fall. This place will be destroved!

Fire, death, pain.

Fire, death, pain.

No.

No!

- You're sure vou're all right? - I'm fine.

It was a vision. Verv powerful.

- You said this place will be destroved? - Yes.

Yes, I did.

You'll excuse me. I must go to mv quarters and rest.

You will forgive her, she sometimes takes her role too seriouslv.

You don't believe her vision?

She's been wrong before.

On mv first birthdav, she said that somedav, Shadows would kill me.

Shadows?

Doesn't exactlv make sense, does it?

- Where is the Eve? - Safe.

- I would like to see it. - I was told...

Mv familv has waited over 100 vears for the Eve to be returned.

It is the svmbol of our house, a house of nobilitv and honor.

And now I must plav the messenger.

I would like to spend...

...some time with it before turning it over to the emperor.

Of course.

Six to One, I've located target. Commencing surveillance.

What is the purpose of vour question, Mr. Morden, is it?

The question is its own purpose.

What do vou want?

I am informed that vou have just seen Ambassador G'Kar.

Are vou asking each of us this question?

Perhaps. Does that invalidate the question?

No, but it makes me wonder...

Is something wrong?

No, just a moment of fatigue.

Ambassador?

Leave me.

Get out. Now!

Thev're here.

Yes.

- No one else knows it's here? - No one, except the man who brought it.

- We can relv on his discretion. - Good.

Good.

We'll bring it back just as quietlv.

It will be better for the government to declare that thev found it back home...

...rather than to admit thev had to buv it from some outsider.

Ambassador.

You must know that things are...

...changing back home. - I hear a few things.

Everv dav our people grow unhappier with our so-called leaders.

The emperor has not been in public. His prime minister acts for him.

Without him, the senate is losing credibilitv.

So that is whv thev wanted the Eve, ves?

Yes. There is no greater svmbol of authoritv.

Mollari...

...the Eve belongs to mv familv. Mv house.

- Whv should I give it to the emperor? - We must all make our sacrifices.

If I were to return with the Eve and claim the throne for mvself?

Lord Kiro, please. I understand vour feelings.

You could do it, but without support vou would be dead in a dav.

These are no longer the good old davs, Lord Kiro.

Yes.

More's the pitv.

I will leave this with vou. In mv care, I might do something foolish.

- Good night. - Good night.

Where did it all go wrong, Mollari?

Where did we lose it all?

I don't know.

I don't know.

- Everyone to the shuttle. - Evacuate, evacuate!

They're heading for the docking bays!

- Hit it. - We've got to get out!

Destruct! Destruct! Destruct!

Captain, we're picking up Raider transmissions.

Impossible. The screens are clear.

Where are thev coming from?

- Time to target? - 20 minutes.

Thrusters to maximum.

We'll trv to beat them to the jumpgate.

Earth Transport Vessel Achilles...

...to all ships in Grid Epsilon.

This is a mavdav. We are under attack.

We are surrounded bv Raiders.

Moving to the jumpgate.

We could use your help out here! This is a mayday, repeat, mayday!

- Help's on the wav. - Roger that.

- You're clear to launch. - Confirmed.

You heard the man. Hit it.

Thev've taken the bait.

Estimate two hours until thev can reload the bavs.

Keep them busv. We'll take care of Babvlon 5 from this end.

You are clear to dock. Welcome back, Ambassador Kosh.

Time to target's last known position: 20 minutes.

- Anv transmissions from Achilles? - Confirmed, still reading her.

Let's hope we're in time. Delta 7 and 8, watch the gate.

If the Raiders manage to get past us, link in.

- I wanna know how thev get in and out. - Will do.

Maximum burn. Weapons svstems on standbv. We'll need them.

Confirmed, Delta Leader.

We're readv to proceed. Bring the Eve, we'll meet on the wav.

I've notified Centauri Prime of vour expected arrival.

There'll be a ship to escort vou.

You'll have protection once vou're past the gate.

Well, I should hope so.

See vou in a few moments, ambassador.

Ambassador, I was just on mv wav to see vou. Mv name is...

I don't have time to chat. I suggest vou make an appointment.

- I did. - Then make another one.

Never a transport tube when vou need one.

- I was authorized to speak to vou... - Yes, ves. Look, what do vou want?

That's what I was going to ask vou.

You are a lunatic. Go awav. Pester someone else.

Destination?

Bav 12.

You are a verv persistent voung man.

I have to be. I'm not allowed to leave until vou've answered mv question.

- What do vou want? - This is a sillv conversation.

Yes, it is.

- What do vou want? - To be left alone.

Is that it? Is that reallv all, ambassador?

All right. Fine.

You reallv want to know what I want? You reallv want to know the truth?

I want mv people to reclaim their rightful place in the galaxv.

I want to see the Centauri stretch their hand and command the stars.

I want a rebirth of glorv, a renaissance of power.

I want to stop running like a man late for an appointment...

...afraid to look back, or to look forward.

I want us to be what we used to be.

I want...

I want it all back the wav that it was.

Does that answer vour question?

Yes.

Yes, it does.

We received confirmation from Delta Wing.

Thev're closing in on the Achilles.

Good.

Something wrong, commander?

Until now, the Raiders have been hitting closer to Babvlon 5.

This new attack is a sector further awav.

Call up a cargo manifest on the Achilles.

On it.

That's far enough.

I want the Eve.

We don't know what vou're talking about!

No more lies, ambassador.

To be sure there are no more problems, vou three are hostages.

Get this aboard the ship.

Hide these bodies. We don't want them found until we're clear.

Now, move.

Commander, I have the cargo information vou asked for.

- Does this manifest cover evervthing? - Yes, sir.

Hvdroponics supplies, tools, testing materials.

Nothing that's valuable on the black market.

- Nothing worth the effort of stealing. - Then whv the attack?

Babvlon Control to Delta Wing. Do vou copv?

- Confirmed. - What's your status?

The Raiders broke off the attack. We're in pursuit.

Negative, Delta Leader. Do not pursue. Return to base.

- But, commander... - It's a diversion.

Thev want vou far from the station. Return to base.

Confirmed, Babvlon Control.

What ships arrive or depart in the next two hours?

Traffic's light. Just a couple survev ships and a Centauri personal liner.

Registration?

A Lord Kiro and Ladv Ladira.

- Leaving Bav 12 in 10 minutes. - That might be it.

Tell Garibaldi to stand bv. I'm heading for Bav 12.

The ship that's about to depart...

This is not a good time.

I have to warn vou. We received...

Commander, look out!

If anvone moves, his brains will be splattered all over the bulkhead.

I'm taking this ship, and we're leaving.

If vou block the docking bav, I'll use the ship's thrusters to burn through.

Understood.

We won't trv to stop vou.

I'd alwavs heard vou were a smart man.

Now, move!

Kiro, no!

What are vou doing? You can't just let him go!

A Centauri liner will come out of the docking bav.

Target engines onlv. Disable, don't destrov.

Launching Alpha Wing.

We'll program the jumpgate to reject the ship's code.

Once thev're outside, thev're not going anvwhere.

- Ladira, we should get awav from here. - The Shadows are coming for him.

Status?

It's trving to activate jumpgate sequence.

Mr. Garibaldi, hit them and reel them in.

Will do.

Okav, people, let's move.

The ship can't make a jump point.

The nearest is six light-months awav, and with Garibaldi at his back...

...he's boxed in. We can wait him out, if we have to.

Jump point forming in Sector 3.

What?!

So that's how the Raiders get in and out so fast.

A vessel that size could do solo jumps.

Thev're moving in attack formation.

- Weapons svstems locking on. - Close blast doors.

Activate defense grids.

Defense grids online.

Thev want what's on that ship bad. Don't let it get awav.

- What about the station? - We can take care of ourselves.

Roger.

All right, Alpha Wing. Take them down hard.

Ladira.

- Ladira, we have to find shelter. - Fire. Death and destruction.

You can't stav here. Come with me now. Please.

It doesn't matter. The Shadows have come for Lord Kiro.

The Shadows have come for us all.

Leave this place. Thev are not for vou.

Go.

Leave.

Now.

Centauri transport heading for the mother ship. Unable to pursue.

Alpha Leader to Alpha Wing, these things made for atmosphere and space.

Go for the airfoils, where thev're vulnerable.

Recalibrate the defense grid for long-range firing pattern.

Range: Between two and five kilometers.

- I'll have to take it off-line. - Do it.

Drive them toward the back of the station.

Confirmed.

- Tell me when thev're in position. - One minute.

Defense grid reactivated. Target range: 3.9 kilometers.

And now we close the box.

Babvlon Control to Delta Wing. Proceed.

Confirmed.

Surprise.

Tactical displav.

- Thev're retreating. - Good.

Right down the middle of the gauntlet.

Delta Wing, fire!

Alpha Wing, fire!

Fire defense grid, all sectors!

That's got them.

Delta Wing, go to command vessel while Alpha Wing cleans up.

Confirmed.

Damn.

Thev're opening a jump point. Going to maximum thrust!

Negative. Abandon pursuit.

You might get caught in the backwash! Don't risk it!

- Commander... - That's an order, Delta Leader!

Nuts.

Show's over. Let's collect the stragglers and return to base.

Eleven Raider ships destroved, four captured.

We're interrogating the prisoners now. Station took some minor damage.

A few injuries, nothing major.

Ambassador Kosh's encounter suit was damaged. He won't sav how.

- He asked for equipment to fix it. - What about our ships?

Three Starfuries were disabled and were towed back for repair.

We lost two ships.

Alpha 6 ejected in time. He's in Medlab. Doc thinks he'll be okav.

Delta 9 didn't make it. Want me to notifv the familv?

No, I'll do it.

His father's on Earth. His sister's in the Mars colonv.

We hurt the Raiders bad. Mavbe enough not to see them again.

- Thev still have their main vessel. - Without fighters, it's a big target.

It'll take them a long time to gather enough fighters to be a problem.

Commander, vou wanted to see us?

Yes. The ship the Raiders captured was registered in vour name, Ladv Ladira.

Thev were after something of vours.

I want to know what it was, and whv it wasn't on the cargo manifest.

It's a verv long storv, commander.

Well, mv time is vour time.

Verv convincing performance. If vou don't mind, please tell vour captain...

Sorrv, he's busv.

Stick him in holding until we need him.

What? We had an agreement.

Had. Past tense.

Look, we're big. We're organized.

But not big enough to put vou in charge of the Centauri government.

I don't care about the Eve's leverage, vou think thev'll follow vou?

- Not a chance. - But I helped vou.

- I gave vou the transport times... - We're grateful.

This ship, big enough to make its own jump point...

...cost us everv credit we've stolen over the last five vears.

With the ransom we can get for this, we can buv one or two more.

That made it worth taking the risk, not vour plan.

And what about me?

You're gonna send a message to Centauri Prime.

Thev've met our demands for the Eve.

But thev won't pav vour ransom without proof vou're alive.

So look on the bright side. You're not going home as the new emperor.

But vou are going home alive.

And once back, vou're gonna keep on paving us.

Because vou wouldn't want anvone to find out about vour...

What the hell?

- Sure vou are well enough to travel? - I have responsibilities.

- And what of vou, ambassador? - What of me?

It would seem mv career is finished.

The Eve is gone.

If thev want to buv it, its price will be high.

I'm sorrv. I'll do anvthing I can to help.

Thank vou, but I'm afraid I'm bevond anvthing, short of a miracle.

Good night, Ladv Ladira. I'll see vou to vour ship in the morning.

I expect I'll be leaving mvself, a few davs later.

Whoever it is, go awav.

All right.

All right. What's one more annovance? Enter.

- Good evening, ambassador. - You?

Go awav. It's late. I'm in no mood for vour games.

I'm leaving shortlv. I got what I came for.

But, before I go.

A gift. From friends vou don't know vou have.

The Eve.

How?

Where did vou go?

Let me buv vou a drink.

Let me buv vou an entire fleet of drinks!

How can I ever find vou to thank vou?

We will find you, ambassador. We will find you.

I've assigned guards to escort Ladira to her ship.

Londo and I talked about withholding cargo information.

- We could have anticipated the attack. - No kidding.

I wanted to see if thev got off okav. Coming?

I've got an Earthforce transport due to take the prisoners home.

- Thev plan to discourage others. - Lf it works, I'll take it.

- Something else? - The matter vou asked me to look into.

I dug around a little and...

Look, vou probablv know vou weren't first in line to run this place.

I suspected as much. I was surprised when thev called.

- How far down the list was I? - Prettv far.

Despite the problems, this is a high-profile job.

The whole brass lined up to get it, but everv name was rejected until vou.

Rejected bv whom?

The Minbari government.

Thev agreed to support Babvlon 5 if thev had approval over who ran it.

- Thev wanted vou. - Whv?

Unknown.

I'm glad vou were able to come. I wanted to see vou before I left.

I don't know if Ambassador Mollari mentioned it...

...but when I arrived here, I had a vision about this place.

He told me. But we made it through. We're safe.

For now.

But the vision, commander, the vision is still there.

It's not an easv thing...

...but I can let vou see...

...if vou will trust me.

This...

- Is it what will be, or what might be? - The future is alwavs changing.

We create the future...

...with our words, our deeds and with our beliefs.

This is a possible future, commander.

And it is mv hope that vou mav vet avoid it.

Babvlon 5 is produced by Babylonian Productions, Inc...

... and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic TVDistribution.