Babylon 5

You don't understand. This is my ceremonial blade.

I am a pilgrim here for the sacred day of Chu'dag.

I don't care if you're the Easter bunny, you're not bringing this on the station.

The maker of all things will not permit this.

He will allow nothing will stand between me and the blade.

Yeah? Tell you what.

I'll tie this to a magnetic grapple, stick this on the station's hull,

and point you to the nearest air lock.

If you go after it without a breather unit, you can have it.

You test my faith.

And you're testing my patience. Now move on before I decide to flunk out.

Man, I can't believe

we got five more days of this to live through.

Don't blame me. Blame Earth Central.

"Say, we've got an idea."

"How about an entire week where every alien species on Babylon 5"

"was encouraged to demonstrate their dominant religious belief?"

"It'll advance the cause of interplanetary peace and understanding."

As bright ideas go, this one's right up there with having my gums extracted.

Earth transport Spinoza will be departing in one hour from Dock Area 9.

- Never fails. - Chief?

Nothing. Take over, I've got a few things to do.

Yes?

Are you Ambassador G'Kar?

This is Ambassador G'Kar's quarters. This is Ambassador G'Kar's table.

This is Ambassador G'Kar's dinner.

Which part of this progression escapes you?

My apologies. I am Diplomatic Courier Tu'Pari.

I just arrived on a ship from Homeworld.

I was told to give this only to Ambassador G'Kar.

Well, leave it. I'll look at it later.

I was told it was important.

Yes, I'm sure you were.

You stay put.

Greetings, Ambassador G'Kar.

It's been a long time, but I doubt you've forgotten your old associate, Du'Rog.

I bring what you doubtless will consider good news: I am dying.

About time.

In fact, by the time you get this recording, I will already be dead.

Cheers.

Ah, but then, very shortly, so will you.

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 peacefully.

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.

This should come as no surprise, G'Kar.

You ruined my family's name and humiliated me before the council.

Retribution was inevitable. Ah, but retribution is also expensive.

Properly executed, it would leave me penniless.

But I am a patient man. I have lived well, and now I will die well.

I have ordered my considerable assets liquidated upon my death.

The funds will be given to someone eminently qualified to kill you.

You will be dead within 48 hours of receiving this message.

Already my agent is close to you.

You will not know who or how or where

until it is too late.

It pleases me to know that you will live in fear, G'Kar.

But not for long.

Someone close to me?

Come.

Diplomatic attaché Na'Toth, reporting for duty.

Your new aide, Ambassador.

Come.

Commander.

Garibaldi, I thought you'd be in full dress by now.

Londo's going to host a demonstration of Centauri religious ceremonies.

From what I've heard, it helps to be on time.

- Commander, I just thought... - Apparently these things

can last up to a week. Eating, purging, eating, purging

Catherine's onboard.

Ah.

I just saw her come through customs.

Thought I'd let you know before you ran into her or something.

I appreciate that.

Unless you want to see her.

No, no. That's all right. Thanks.

Mike.

- Was she with anyone? - No. Not that I could see.

Delenn! Is it not magnificent?

It is quite...

elaborate.

It's a celebration of life.

It comes from a time in our world's history

when two dominant species were fighting for supremacy.

Our people and a species we called Xon.

At year's end, we'd count how many of our people survived

and we'd celebrate our good fortune.

- And, what happened to the Xon? - Dead. All of them. And good riddance.

Do you know what the last Xon said just before he died?

Ahhhhhh!

- Can I kill him now? - Let me get back to you.

- You sure you don't want to see her? - Absolutely.

Oh, come on! Commander, loosen up!

You're supposed to enjoy yourself.

I am. Words just can't express how much I'm enjoying this.

Londo, Londo. Tell me, what are all these statues?

Ah! Our household gods.

In a world where every day is a struggle for survival

you need all the gods you can get.

- Where is she? - Business area, Blue 3.

Here, here this is...

This is Benzen, god of food.

And!

Li, goddess of passion.

And Morgoth, god of the underworld...

and protector of front doors.

Gods by the bushel, gods by the pound.

Gods for all occasions.

Have I ever told you that you are very cute for a Minbari?

Oh, and you are cute too, in an annoying sort of way.

Everybody's cute.

Even me.

But in purple, I am stunning!

Ah!

He has become one with his inner self.

- He's passed out. - That too.

Commander, would you like some more...?

Commander? Where's the commander?

This is yours.

- It's been a pleasure. - Yes.

Thank you

Commander?

Hello, Jeff.

Catherine.

I didn't know you were in charge of the station until I got here.

If I'd known, I wouldn't have come. I keep my promises, you know that.

- I'll leave now if you want me to. - No, no I don't.

You're obviously here to do business, and that's what Babylon 5 is here for.

- It's not a problem. - Good. Good.

- How have you been? - Fine. Busy.

Yes, I can imagine.

You've done well. I'm glad. How's Carolyn?

Good, last I heard.

She and I went our separate ways about a year ago.

She wanted me to quit and go into business with her as a trader, but uh,

- that's not me. - No, it's not.

Commander Sinclair? Commander? Commander Sinclair?

I don't mean to alarm you but your pants are talking to you.

- I know, it's just... - Yes, you're a busy man, well,

I'll let you and your pants get back to your business and I'll get back to mine.

Take care, Jeff.

Catherine...

As long as you're on stopover, if you don't have any other plans

how about dinner?

- Jeff, please... - Just dinner.

This is my station, and I'm very proud of her.

I'd like to show you around a little if you have time.

This is how we get into trouble every three years.

All right. Just dinner.

I'd give you my berth number...

...but I suspect you know how to find me, Commander.

Something, Ambassador?

Just thinking about last week.

The unfortunate accident with an airlock

that caused the sudden demise of my first aide Ko D'Ath?

- Yes - Very sudden.

Who did you say sponsored you to be my attaché?

Counselor Li'Dak, Fifth Circle.

Ah, then you must know his own sponsor Du'Rog.

No, I've never met him.

You seem very certain about someone you've never met.

In all your dealings with the Kha'Ri

isn't it possible that you once met someone named Counselor Du'Rog?

- Anything is possible. - Yes. Anything.

What would you say if I told you that

Counselor Du'Rog had hired someone to kill me?

Someone close to me?

Ambassador, with all due respect, if it were me...

you wouldn't be here for us to have this conversation.

Except, of course, Du'Rog wants to prolong my discomfort

for the next 48 Earth hours.

The last thing he wants is a quick death.

How can you be sure there is an assassin on board?

What if he only told you this to frighten you?

- Unlikely. - As you said, anything is possible.

If he wanted the best, he would have gone to the Assassin's Guild to get a killer.

It is a tradition with the Thenta Makur

to leave a black flower near his victim as a warning

so they can get their affairs in order. Have you received a death blossom?

No.

Then I wouldn't worry.

Get some sleep, Ambassador.

I'm sure the question will resolve itself soon enough.

And you have no idea how that got into my bed?

Ambassador, it is not my place to speculate on how anything gets into your bed.

Your reputed fascination with Earth women, for instance.

If you're worried, why don't you go to the commander. He could protect you.

I fight my own battles.

I survived our war of independence, five years on the council

and two prior assassination attempts.