All language subtitles for Babylon 5 4x22.The.Deconstruction.of.Falling.Stars

[instrumental music]

(man over radio)
'Shuttle one to C and C.
The package is on its way in.'

(woman over radio)
'Confirmed, shuttle one.'

[crowd cheering]

Hang on, hang on.

Welcome home.

Uh, this was
your idea, wasn't it?

Well, we figured
you'd probably wanna come back

with as little
fanfare as possible.

Your usual low key approach.

But there's a time
and a place for everything.

And this is the time
and this is definitely the place

for one hell of a party.

[crowd cheering]

Mr. President,
we have a lot to celebrate

including and especially
your marriage.

And you two
just can't avoid it.

If I could find some way

to pay you back for this,
I will.

[laughs]

Thank you.

[cheering]

So, doctor, who died?

What are you talkin' about?

Among my people, this is how
we celebrate state funerals.

Our marriage ceremonies
are solemn, sober..

...moments of reflection.

Also regret,
disagreement, argument

and mutual recrimination.

Once you know that
it cannot get any worse

you can relax
and enjoy the marriage.

But to start
with something like this?

No, it is a very bad sign
for the future.

[chuckles]

Perhaps it was
something I said.

Perhaps it is
everything you say.

I knew we should have
gone to Minbar first.

[sighs]
Well, I suppose
we can't blame them.

I mean, Clark's gone,
Earth and Mars are free.

They wanna celebrate.

I guess they see us
as a symbol of that.

They should be applauding
themselves, not us.

We did it together.

But I think th-there's
something immodest about all--

Oh, I wouldn't worry
about it.

What matters is what
we did here together.

In a hundred years,
it won't matter who we were.

They probably
won't even remember.

That's true.

Ohh.

(man on radio)
'And here's our first shot
of the first couple'

'of the Interstellar Alliance,
President John Sheridan'

'and Delenn, live on ISN.'

'Their triumphant return
to Babylon 5'

'after the liberation of Earth'

'has generated good
messages from the senate'

'and most worlds in the former
league of non aligned worlds.'

'ISN coverage..'

(automated message)
'Continuity error
caused by high energy.'

'Correcting for error.'

'Resetting.
Do you wish to continue?'

'Reloading sequence,
Sheridan and Delenn.'

'Please select a time period
or select auto play'

'for chronological
display of records.'

'Loading records
for period covering'

'one year through 1,000 years
from events shown.'

'Please stand by to receive.'

[theme music]

(Lennier)
It was the year of fire.

(Zack)
The year of destruction.

(G'Kar)
The year we took back
what was ours.

(Lyta)
It was the year of rebirth.

(Vir)
The year of great sadness.

(Marcus)
The year of pain.

(Delenn)
And the year of joy.

(Londo)
It was a new age.

(Franklin)
It was the end of history.

(Ivanova)
It was the year
everything changed.

(Garibaldi)
The year is 2261.
The place..

(Sheridan)
"Babylon 5."

[theme music]

[music continues]

'Stand by.'

(male announcer)
'ISN Nightside.'

'A no holds barred look
at the events of today'

'that will shape
the world of tomorrow.'

'And now your host
Derek Mitchell.'

Good evening.

By any definition, the events
of the last few weeks

have been among the most
remarkable in recent memory.

The end of a civil war
that split Earthforce

squarely down the middle,
the death of President

William Morgan Clark,
the birth of an independent Mars

and the creation of a new
Interstellar Alliance.

It can be more than
a little overwhelming.

However, there's a word
in the old testament

used to call for silence
"Selah."

It means, "pause and consider."

So tonight,
starting with a report

from special correspondent
Jim Bitterbane

and a word or ten
from our usual panel of experts

we've set aside a few moments

to reflect, discuss,
pause, and consider.

Selah.

Greatness is a quality
that is often sought

by those who want it most,
but are the least worthy.

Correspondingly, greatness
is sometimes thrust upon

those who want it least
but are the most deserving.

These words would seem
to best describe

Captain John J. Sheridan

both in the way
he came into the world

and as the position
that he currently occupies

as that of the president of
the new Interstellar Alliance.

(Jim)
The only son of
a career diplomat

Sheridan was an average
but enthusiastic student.

He drifted in and out
of various hobbies

including a brief
but obsessive interest

in the works
of the Dalai Lama

before entering Earthforce
shortly after the Dilgar War.

He served with distinction
during the Minbari War

and the food riots on Mars.

Quite a change from those
early, unremarkable years

and the man who came to Earth
leading a fleet

and carrying an ultimatum.

But now, an even greater
challenge stands before him.

Can he hold together
this newborn alliance

of competing,
even mutually hostile races?

Derek?

Thank you, Jim.

We'll now turn to our panel
of experts for their thoughts.

From Earthdome,
Senator Elizabeth Metarie.

From Mars, author
and journalist, Leif Tanner.

And from Paris, Henry Ellis,
former speech writer

and political commentator.

Gentlemen, senator, welcome.

(all)
'Thank you, Derek.'

Well, I don't know
which of you wants

to be first
out of the gate on this--

I'd like to jump
in here, Derek.

(Derek)
'Alright.'

What amazes me is the way

that everyone has tried
to turn Sheridan

into some kind of hero.

This is the man who resigned
his commission in Earthforce

under dubious circumstances--

The president cleared him
and his crew, Henry

and she called him
the hero of the hour.

(Henry)
'Yes, she did.'

And she's gonna have
to answer for that

in the next election.

But, but that's
besides the point.

Now there was obviously
some sort of deal made there

which is how he got out of there
with his hide in one piece.

I mean, call me old fashioned
but that doesn't sound

like the best qualification
to run a major alliance.

Sounds to me like most of
the generals and politicians

who've made history
in the last few hundred years.

(Henry)
'Oh, come on.'

Let's look at the facts.

The man isn't qualified
to run an operation

as large as this
Interstellar Alliance.

He could barely keep
Babylon 5 operational

without shootin'
at everything in sight--

(Leif)
'Oh, that's an exaggeration.'

He can barely get along
with his own race

and now he's gonna stitch
together an alliance

of radically different aliens
and make it work?

No, this whole shebang
is doomed from the get go.

Why not at least
let him try to prove

if he can do it or not,
before you subject him--

(Henry)
'With what's at stake?'

(Leif)
'I agree with the senator.'

Give Sheridan a break.

To write him off
before he's even started.

Well, that's irrational,
even for you, Henry.

[laughs]
He fires on his own ships and
you're callin' me irrational?

Come on, Leif.

(Leif)
'That's-that's not fair--'

(Derek)
'I beg your pardon.'

Do you actually believe
the alliance will work?

I don't know
if it will work.

I'm just saying
that he deserves a chance

to try and make it work.

Uh, what I think is missing
and being lost

in this whole discussion

is that this is
an election year.

And that Mr. Ellis
was working as a speech writer

in the Clark administration.

And I think that he
and others of his party

consider Sheridan a real threat
to their hopes

for a majority in the senate.

So they're doing all that they
can to discredit him in advance.

(Henry)
'That is completely unfair.'

It is not unfair.
It's true, Henry.

I-I hate to interrupt you
at this point

but we're coming up
on a commercial break.

So why don't each of you
give me your calls

for the next couple of years,
uh, on the following.

Can Sheridan and his people
make a go of this new alliance?

- 'Yes.'
- 'Absolutely.'

Do you think they'll make
any difference whatever?

And what do you consider

to be the number one problem
waiting for them?

[clamoring]

Ah, ah, ah.
Mr. Tanner.

From where I sit, they've
already made a difference.

The senate has been
debating what to do

about Mars for years
and did nothing.

It took Sheridan
to push them into recognizing

our sovereign rights
of independence.

(Henry)
'At gunpoint.'

Senator?

Obviously there's
a degree of uncertainty

in any new political situation.

This next year will prove
critical for Sheridan

and the rest of his people.

Look at what
they're up against.

He has to ride herd
on a dozen or so alien races

that've signed
on to this alliance

and probably
don't fully understand

what's being required of them.

There's still sporadic fighting
between many of those members.

On top of that, he has supply
problems, telepath problems

raiding parties, not to mention
distrust among elements

of his own government
here at home.

This man has his work
cut out for him.

But I know
that he can handle it.

Mr. Ellis, last words.

Whatever Sheridan and Delenn say
about this economic alliance

he's going to have to apply
military force to make it work.

[clamoring]

Now, let me finish.

I didn't interrupt you people
when you were talking.

Now when this happens,
it's all gonna fall apart.

He's power hungry
and he's unprepared.

And that is a dangerous
combination.

(Leif)
'Dangerous combination!
That's what leaders--'

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

We'll be back in just a moment

to consider
the political implications

of this new
Interstellar Alliance

and the recent calls
for the formation

of independent
political parties on Mars.

(automated message)
'Record ends.'

'Auto play feature engaged.'

'Loading next sequence.'

'Date 100 years
from first time period.'

'Stand by.'

'Accessing records
for date 100 years'

'from initial scanning date.'

'Stand by.'

(male announcer)
'With another in our series
of educational stellar casts '

'on the 100th anniversary
of the Interstellar Alliance.'

'Taking part in today's
discussion from Earthdome'

'historian Dr. Jim Latimere
from the University of York.'

'Political scientist Dr. Barbara
Tashaki, University of Japan'

'at Tokyo and psychologist,
Dr. William Exeter from NYU.'

Good morning.

We seem to have roughly half
a million students and faculty

on line today,
waiting with questions

which is a little more
than we expected.

So if the system runs
a little slow, bear with us.

Our first question, from Ray
Winston, University of Kiev.

"What role do you feel
the Babylon station played

in the creation of
the 100 year peace?"

Well, the station,
none at all.

It's a place, was a place

that served as a nexus
for others.

- I agree.
- 'A nexus how?'

Well, the first thing
you have to do

is separate fantasy
from reality.

The publicity machine
for the Alliance

would have you believe that
somehow all this came about

because of what
a few people did.

'But large political movements'

are rarely the work
of any one person.

The individual at the center
gives permission

for others to act,
can inspire others

but the individual
really cannot effect change

as an act of will.

They did not do,
they allowed others to do.

By "they" you mean
Sheridan and Delenn?

We all have a profound
psychological need to

believe in heroes, the shining
knight on the white horse.

If they don't exist,
we create them.

Sheridan and Delenn
are two classic examples.

If you look at the social
dynamic around them

they actually
didn't do anything.

They were the open vessels

in which people poured
their hopes and their dreams.

That sets up
sort of a gestalt

where events take on
a life of their own.

So you think the record of their
accomplishments is overrated?

(William)
'Absolutely.'

Good PR, as Tashaki said.

In a lot of ways, they blew it.

It was only the force of history
that saved the situation

from collapsing of its own
weight after so many people

died in its first year
of operation.

And the incident
concerning their son--

I don't want to get
off the track

and into associated biography.

So let's move on
to the next question.

"If your assumption is correct,
where did Sheridan and Delenn

and those involved go wrong?"

Where do you start?

I started to say, so many
people died in the year

after Sheridan and Delenn
returned to Babylon 5.

Well, you can't lay the blame
for all that at their feet.

(William)
'Of course you can.'

Well, as one example,
they had no business

creating a colony
of telepaths on Babylon 5.

He as much as said later

it was the worst mistake
of his career.

He thought they could
control the telepaths

when any fool knows
that's impossible.

Sooner or later,
they were bound to turn on

Sheridan and everybody else.

And that's exactly
what happened.

I have to agree.

That one event may have done
much to precipitate

the telepath war and--

'You can't pick one incident
and say that was the cause--'

Not the sole cause, no.

But it was
a contributing factor.

[sighs]

I'd like to turn
our attention now

to this historical record.

It's from later in 2262

just after the creation
of the Interstellar Alliance.

I'd like to get
your comments on it.

(Garibaldi)
'You gotta listen to me.'

This isn't gonna work.

If you give yourselves up,
we could go back, we could talk

to the others.

Alright, you say
you're doin' this for a cause.

What kind of sympathy
are you gonna get

by killing innocent people
in cold blood?

You wanna send out a message,
this ain't it.

Look, I can work with you.

I can get you out of this.

But you've gotta work
with me.

What do you say?

Oh, yeah.

That's what I thought
you were gonna say.

This is President Sheridan.

I have consulted
with Captain Lochley

and we have reached a decision
regarding the current situation.

It is not the policy of
the Interstellar Alliance

or this station
to bargain with terrorists

for the lives of hostages.

If we open that door
even once

we will never be able
to close it again.

Now you have two choices,
surrender

or we will use lethal force
to bring you down.

You have ten minutes.

Swell.

Oh, whoa.
Wait, look, we can--

[zapping]

Comments?

Well, I don't know what
more needs to be said.

These pictures speak
for themselves.

Sheridan was clearly
pathological.

(Latimere)
'Well, to be fair, most
governments take that position.'

No, I'm not debating that.

But you can see it
in his attitude.

The way he addresses
the terrorists.

That coldness is emblematic
of his personality.

He was power hungry,
it's as simple as that.

And he never let
anything get in his way.

Dr. Tashaki?

A truly pathological
individual

could never have constructed
a mythos around himself

the way Sheridan did.

It's a very sophisticated
PR campaign.

Brilliantly done.

And then there's that bit about
the way his death was handled.

Exactly.

Everyone knows
Sheridan died on Minbar.

The cover story they put out
was clearly designed

to perpetuate the myth
of his character.

And I guess it worked

'cause a lot of people still
believe it 80 years later.

So, where do the two of you
fall on the Delenn question?

Well, everyone knows
Minbari live a long time.

But not that long.

I think the record
is 120 years.

A 140? Forget it.

This is just what Dr. Tashaki
was talking about earlier.

This constant perpetuation
of fantasy.

The idea that Delenn
is still around after this long

and living in seclusion

so, of course,
no one can see her.

It's very convenient.

The Alliance is continuing the
illusion that Delenn is alive

for their own purposes.

Frankly, I don't think
she would have approved.

Apparently they feel
they have to maintain

this fiction in order to keep
their people in line.

If the Alliance and the Rangers
are as strong as they say

they don't need the security
blanket of lies and myth.

Looking back, has the Alliance
been a force for good?

Well, for the most part, yes.

Although good things can grow
in questionable ground.

I think it's clear
that the motives of those

at the birth of the Alliance
were not as pure

as their biographers
and allies would suggest.

The force of history is
what moves us forward.

Our common shared destiny.

The individual does not
move society forward.

To give them undue credit
is immodest and impertinent.

Sheridan was a megalomaniac

and to allow history
to feed that megalomania

even posthumously,
simply compounds the error.

We have an obligation
as academics

to uphold certain standards--

[alarm beeping]

I-I've just heard we've had a-a
security breach in the building.

We're going to..

[dramatic music]

(Latimere)
'Delenn?'

John Sheridan..

...was a good..

...and kind..

...and decent man.

Delenn, wait.
Uh..

You came all this way
just to say that?

You came...just as far..

...to say less.

(Tashaki)
'But this is extraordinary.'

There's so much more
we'd like to ask you.

So much more
we'd like to know.

You do not wish
to know...anything.

You wish...only to speak.

That which you know..

...you ignore because
it is inconvenient.

That which you
do not know...you invent!

But none of that matters.

Except that he was...a good man.

A kind man..

...who cared about the world..

...even when the world
cared nothing for him.

Well, of course we would
expect you to say that.

We..

Goodbye.

[instrumental music]

(automated message)
'Record ends.'

'Auto play feature engaged.'

'Loading next sequence.'

'Date 500 years
from first time period.'

'Stand by.'

'Accessing records
for date 500 years'

'from initial scanning date.'

'Stand by.'

Continue holographic recording
from last index point.

Test sequence number five.

Two January 2762.

All monitors set
to record mode.

Initiating environmental
hologram, location 2C.

Sequence...start.

Virtual environment functioning.

Identical to Babylon 5
system records from 2262.

Data transfer of records
is complete, successful

in spite of extreme age
of original files

and destruction of original
Babylon 5 station 480 years ago.

To recap for
politdivision central..

...the purpose of
this simulation

is to provide
reverse correct infospeak

as support for current
changes in Earth policy.

It is the new policy that
the Interstellar Alliance

is restrictive and against
the best interests of Earth.

Intent is to deconstruct
historical figures revered

by prole sector,
thereby legitimizing

current government policies.

Initiating phase 2
of re-creation.

To determine if the
psychohistorical research

has been sufficiently thorough

phase 2 will begin with
the control holograms

workin' with the actual
psychological makeups

of the subjects in question.

The holograms will thus
perform in a fashion

consistent with real fact.

Program starts...now.

Do you know where you are?

Babylon 5.

The, the conference room,
level blue 3.

And what year is it?

Twenty two sixty two.

(Daniel)
'Very good.'

The next step
is to determine

how well the system
can be modified.

Computer.

Update system files
for holographic figures

filling in period
from 2262 through 2762.

(automated message)
'Stand by.'

The system is now updating
the holographic representations

with our current
political situation

and the developments
leading up to them.

'This will demonstrate
system flexibility'

and capacity
to spontaneously emote

to changes in programming.

Download complete.

Well..

Five hundred years?

- Are we..
- Yes.

You, the real you
are deceased.

We have reconstructed
your thought patterns

and your forms for purposes

of a series of vids
designed to help--

Designed as propaganda
to justify your break

from the Interstellar Alliance.

Not propaganda.

Good facts...as opposed
to real facts.

Facts the government
has endorsed.

I don't get it.
Why are you doing this?

Why the break
with the Alliance?

Five hundred years
of working with the Alliance

has weakened
the position of humans

in the greater
scheme of things.

We have lost our uniqueness.

We have been polluted
by too many outside ideas.

That's a great story.

I'm sure that's the one
you're putting out.

What's the real one?

The real fact,
not the good fact.

Earth needs room to expand.

The Rangers and the Alliance
prove a hindrance

to our plans to expand.

Can't you see?

They've recreated us

so that they can provide
false records

and, uh, portray us to be
what? Uh, the bad guys?

Only out for interests
of our own?

They want to undermine
the Alliance

by attacking the people
who created it.

Looks like.

Just a second.

I'm remembering things
I never saw.

Those are the records
they downloaded to us.

Th-there's another force
out there.

Earthgov is split.

The two sides are-are fighting
each other over..

...land and resources,
power.

We're on the cusp
of another civil war.

You know, he's right.

I'm gettin' it, too.

That's the reason for the
planned invasion, isn't it?

They wanna take over
several colony worlds

that've gone over
to the opposition

which is still loyal
to the Alliance.

(Daniel)
Your legacy has proven
a hindrance to that intention.

Therefore you must
be...deconstructed.

Initiating phase three.

Good fact scenario
ready for testing.

Look, if you think
this is going to work--

Engaging reprogram.

You may proceed.

Welcome to Babylon 5.

I understand that you
surrendered to our forces

in the hopes
of finding mercy.

The Interstellar Alliance is not
here to be merciful to the weak.

In all the universe there are
only 2 kinds, the conquerors..

...and the conquered.

Through your blood

'and the blood
of your children'

we will blaze a path
across the galaxy!

What we cannot take
by force

we will win...by subversion.

And in the end,
we will bury you.

Your lives are not the first

and they will not be
the last.

If a billion must die

to ensure the continuance
of our empire, then so be it!

You are only...a down payment.

Stand ready!

Aim!

Fire!

There must be something
we can do.

How? We're dead.
We're not even here.

Just our memories,
our thought patterns.

But tha-that must be
worth something.

What we are is not
a matter of flesh.

It's a matter of will.

We know their
backgrounds, right?

We know what they're doing.
Why don't we just..

(Daniel)
'Phase Two.'

'Instituting
Franklin reprogram.'

'Placing Delenn module
in standby mode.'

Proceeding with
next simulation.

Doctor's personal log.
May Third, 2262.

We have secured
several test subjects

for the next series
of experiments.

We will now continue with
the use of alien organs

in human bodies
in an attempt to create

a genetic crossbreed

that will be compliant
to the needs of the Alliance.

Later today,
we will begin again

with our experiments
on children.

Now the problem
with the vivisection

is that the younger children
can only survive

the initial removal of organs
for a short period of time.

Now we hope that,
by increased use of drugs

we may find a way
to prolong their lives

while we work.

(Daniel)
'Very good. Very good.'

Program hold while I make notes
on this for infospeak division.

So, Daniel, right?

Dan. Danny.
Can I call you Danny?

Oh, right.
Sorry, I forgot.

I'm just a hologram

and you're busy getting
ready to reprogram me.

Didn't mean to interrupt.

No point in having
a conversation

with someone that
doesn't really exist.

You know, I was just thinkin'.

When you've got all
your pieces in place

you're probably gonna launch

a preemptive strike
against the enemy, right?

I mean, it's what
I would do.

Computer, initiate
shutdown of Garibaldi--

Oh, whoa, whoa,
now, wait, wait, wait.

Just one second.

Before you do that

I might have some useful
information for you.

See, the thing is,
me and Sheridan were close.

But I was the one who did

most of the strategic
planning during the war.

Now a resource like that..

...you might not wanna wipe
it out just yet.

I could help you.

Give you some tips
to pass along to the big boys

and maybe...get you
a promotion.

Go on.

Ah, well, before I can help

I have to ask just
a few small questions.

Now you're a real fact
kind of guy.

You know what they're up to
out there, don't you?

Come on, you can tell me.
Am I right?

Ah, your boys are plannin'
a first strike

against the enemy,
aren't they?

That's why you're
rushing ahead like this

because you're under the gun.

We will strike at
the outer world colonies

and the enemy nations here
on Earth at the same time.

Our attack fleet will be
leaving within the hour.

Good.

Good, that's very smart.

Now, will you be targeting
military bases

or civilian population
centers?

Civilian population
centers.

We...my superiors feel
it will demoralize the enemy.

force a surrender.

Hmm. Estimated dead?

Mm. 15 to 20 million
enemy casualties.

Can't make an omelet without
breaking a few eggs, hmm?

[laughs]
Absolutely.

Now..

...what...suggestions
do you have?

Well, I suggest that you put
your head between your legs

and you kiss your ass
goodbye.

Thank you.

Computer!

The funny thing about being
a holographic record

is that you don't
really exist

except in patterns of light,
shadow, information.

And I happen to have a knack
for breaking system codes.

So while you were downloading
the new world order into me

I was watching
the system work.

I know where it comes in
and I know where it goes out.

And I just sent out
our entire conversation.

Broadcast the whole damn thing.

So, as of right now,
the enemy knows

what you have in mind,
Danny.

Now, from your records,
they're actually

a lot more humanitarian
than you are.

So they'll probably
just target your military bases

and research facilities.

Hell, their missiles are
probably halfway here by now.

You're lying.

[alarm blaring]

Hmm.

Holograms don't lie,
Danny boy.

Computer, end simulation.

End simulation!

Whoops, guess
the system's busy.

This little lab of yours

This isn't, by any chance

located on a military base,
is it?

No!

Rest easy, friends.

Rest easy.

[explosion]

(automated message)
'Record ends.'

'Auto play feature engaged.'

'Loading next sequence.'

'Date 1,000 years
from first time period.'

'Stand by.'

'Accessing record
for date 1000 years'

'from initial scanning date.'

'Stand by.'

Ooh. Huh!

Surprised it all still
works after this long.

Well, better get
to my report.

Start auto track systems.

[knock on door]

Oh! Oh.
Oh. Oh.

[knock on door]

Yes! I..

[panting]

Yes, yes, just a moment.

Well, Brother Michael,
it's, it's rather late.

Y-Yes, I-I know, I know.

But, uh, I, I really had to talk
to you, Brother Alwyn.

Um, um,
so it would seem.

(Michael)
'I am having a, uh..'

'...a crisis of faith.'

That again?

- 'What?'
- N-nothing. Nothing.

And, uh, what is afflicting
your conscience

tonight, Brother Michael?

Well, I don't know
what my role is

or what I'm doing here.

You're doing God's work.

Yes, but to what end?

Well, the ways of the Lord
are mysterious

and do not bend to your
or to my desire

for answers
on a certain schedule.

"Where was thou when I
called forth Leviathan?"

Yes, I've read Job,
Brother Alwyn.

And it is really not helping.

Alright, Brother Michael.

[sighs]

What has precipitated
this particular crisis of faith?

Well, there is a rumor
going round

that our request
for recognition

has been turned down
yet again by Rome.

Yes, I see. Hmm..

A better rationale for the vow
of silence I've never heard.

Is it true?

The ways of Rome
are like unto God.

They are mysterious

and sometimes
they transcend understanding.

They confess to an inability

to see the wisdom
of our mission.

(Alwyn)
'To keep alive
the knowledge of the past.'

'The knowledge that would
have been lost forever'

'after the Great Burn
500 years ago.'

Science and technology?

Well, it's not really
their calling...but it is ours.

But, I mean, well, how?

I mean, h-how do we know
it's our calling?

How exactly can we be sure?

Uh, Brother Michael!

I-I'm not actually
saying anything

that Rome hasn't already asked.

And you know it.

Most of the records
were destroyed in the Great Burn

so we only have word
of mouth to go on.

In the holy books
written after the Great Burn!

"And so it came to pass that in
the 500th year of the Alliance

"the children of Earth
did war one upon another.

"With missiles
and terrible weapons

"and they burned the Earth
and the air and the cities

and the sea!"

You need only look outside
to, to have that part verified.

Why is the rest suspect?

It's all too, too clean.

It's all too
well thought out to be real.

Here. Here, here.

The blessed Lorien,
the last of the firstborn.

Exactly, the last
shall come first

the first shall come last.

A fable, specifically
created to match scripture.

That's what the others say.

And th-there's not
one shred of evidence

that he even existed.

Oh, there is proof
out there. In space.

But space is closed
to us now.

Just look at us,
Brother Alwyn.

And look at what Earth
has become.

Our cities are little
more than villages.

All those great secrets

of our ancestors
are almost gone.

Almost. That's why
we're here.

To find the ancient wisdoms
and preserve them.

Why, we've already found
and restored so many books!

Yes but we are not
one inch closer to..

...to those flying machines
that the books talk about.

Or to the stars.

And, and if the truth really
does lie in the stars

then how will we
ever know the truth?

Look at the others.

The blessed Sheridan.

Who lived and died..

...and returned from the dead

and was taken bodily
into heaven.

And Ivanova the strong,
Delenn, the wise..

They could all be fables
for all we know.

And the worst of it.

What?

I was halfway through
illuminating it when..

...my heart just left me.

The prophecies, the prophecies
of Delenn, the third

said that the Anla Shak,
the Rangers

would come again
to the Earth

in her greatest hour
of need and rebuild

what was once the cradle
of Sheridan and the Alliance.

And we have waited
so, so long, Brother Alwyn

and they have never come.

If that's a myth, then..

...then everything else
could be a myth.

And the whole of my life
could just be a lie.

And if they do not come today
but they come tomorrow

is your life a lie then?

I cannot help you,
Brother Michael.

That is what faith is for.

Faith sustains us in the hour

when reason tells us
that we cannot continue.

That the whole of our lives
is without meaning.

Then why were we born able
to reason if reason's useless?

Not useless,
but it's also not enough.

Faith and reason
are the shoes on your feet.

You can travel further with both
than you can with just one.

If you must have reason for
an answer, then consider this.

If today the Rangers
came back to Earth

from their place in the heavens,
you would not know about it.

They would come in secret
and move around and help us.

And we wouldn't even know
they were here

because the secret that
they bring is feared by people

who still blame science
for the Great Burn.

Then you think
the Rangers are here today?

Well..

I believe they could be.

That's all that faith requires.

That we surrender ourselves
to the possibility of hope.

With that, I am content.

And I believe
you will be as well.

It's beautiful work.

Too lovely and significant
for you to half finish.

Finish your illumination,
Brother Michael.

You've gone this far.

It's too late to lose
your faith now.

Or my faith in you.

If the, uh, truth really
is in the stars, Brother Alwyn

then just once,
once before I die

I really wish that I could walk
amongst those stars.

Uh, If there is a way,
Brother Michael

I pray that your wish
comes true.

Oh.

Oh, dear.

Your energy level's
almost down to nothing!

I'm going to have to sit you
in the sun tomorrow to recharge.

Alwyn Macomber reporting in.

Nothing of substance
to report since my last.

Uh, we think we may have
gathered enough information

from the time pre Burn

to assemble a working
gasoline engine.

Obviously, there's no gasoline
in this part of the country.

Therefore, we ask
the supply department

if they could, uh, arrange

to have a suitable
supply of gasoline

found in the vicinity
near the abbey in a few days.

Only this time,
for Valen's sake

please make it look like
an old container.

The last one could've been
produced a 100 years ago.

We will rebuild the Earth.

Mmm. Though it take us
another 2,000 years.

But this time,
we will build it better.

I'm attaching a conversation
I just had with Brother Michael

who I still think
would be a worthy recruit

after he's grown a little.

Give him another 20 years
and he'll be fine.

Alwyn, Anla Shak,
Earth sector. End report.

We live for the one,
we die for the one.

(automated message)
'Record ends.'

'Auto play feature complete.'

Stand by.

(automated message)
'System has finished processing
and archiving records'

'for period of 1 million years
from initial scanning date.'

'Instructions?'

Our job is finished.
Convey records to new Earth.

(automated message)
'Confirmed.'

Use enhanced tachyon sequence

to ensure arrival
in time for the celebrations.

(automated message)
'Confirmed. Note.'

'Atypical solar emissions'

'increasing in intensity.'

'Estimate sol will hit nova
in less than 5 standard hours.'

'Recommend immediate
evacuation.'

Tell the others not to worry.

I wouldn't miss this
for anything.

Now go on.

This is how the world ends.

Swallowed in fire
but not in darkness.

You will live on.

The voice of all our ancestors,
the voice of our fathers

and our mothers
to the last generation.

We created the world we think
you would've wished for us.

And now we leave the cradle
for the last time.

[explosion]

You should sleep.

We both have early meetings.

Yeah, I know.

I was just thinkin'
about it all.

Everything we've done..

...and what I said earlier.

And I was wondering
if they will remember us

a hundred years from now
or a thousand.

And I figure probably not.

But it doesn't matter.

We did what we did
because it was right.

Not to be remembered.

And history will
attend to itself.

It always does.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]