'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 to stand between me and the blade.
Yeah? Tell you what..
I'll tie this to magnetic grapple
stick it on the station's hull
and point you to the nearest air lock.
'If you can go after it without a breathing 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 depart in one hour'
'from Dock Area-Nine.'
'All Earth-bound passengers must have tickets and passports..'
- Never fails. - Chief?
Nothin'. Take over, I've got a few things to do.
♪ I'm thinking of thinking of calling her right ♪
♪ After my afternoon nap ♪
♪ I'm thinking of thinking of sending her flowers ♪
♪ Right after Bonnie gets back ♪
♪ So many fishies ♪
♪ Left in the sea ♪
♪ So many fishies but no one for meee ♪
♪ I'm thinking of thinking of hooking a love ♪
♪ Soon after supper is done ♪
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.
Oh!
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..
Ten 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've 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 attache 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 alright. 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 call Xon.
At years end, we 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?
- Ah! - Yeah!
It's very funny.
- 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-Three.
Here, this is..
Oh! Ah!
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're 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'm 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. - Good.
- 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.
- Ah, how've 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 quit and go into business with her as a trader
but 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, uh.. - 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.
Alright.
Just dinner.
I'd give you my berth number
but I suspect you already know how to find me.
Commander.
Something, ambassador?
Just thinking about last week.
The unfortunate accident with an air lock
that caused the sudden demise of my first aide Ko D'Ath.
- Yes. - Very sudden.
Who did you say sponsored you to be my attache?
Counselor Li'Dak, Fifth Circle.
Ah! then you must know his own sponsor Du'Rog.
Oh, no, I've never met him.
You seem very certain about someone you've never met.
In all your dealings with the Kha'Ri's
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 onboard?
What if he only told you this to frighten you?
Unlikely.
Ah, 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 victims 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.
I can survive this!
And asking for help would require explaining
why Counselor Du'Rog wanted me dead.
This would lead to some rather unfortunate revelations
about my years on the council.
Revelations that could affect my position.
Ah!
Personally, I don't care if the information comes out.
My only concern is that it might compromise
our standing in the negotiations.
So we have to handle this quietly
for the sake of planetary security.
Of course.
Ambassador..
If you suspect that I'm involved
why're telling me all this?
Earthers have a phrase, "Keep your friends close
and your enemies closer."
Wonder if they stole it from us.
Either way, I look forward to strengthening our relationship.
Now, I must find the courier who brought me this message.
I believe his name was Tu'Pari.
I must find out who gave it to him.
Oh, he's probably left this station by now.
No ships for Narn have left since yesterday afternoon.
He's still here.
Finding him will be your first test.
Meanwhile, I will arrange for a little protection.
I thought you weren't going to tell the Earthers about this.
'I'm not.'
'Earth Alliance transport Southern Passage'
'is in its final boarding stages for departure'
'to Arturas-Four at boarding area One-Alpha.'
Satai Delenn?
Lennier of the Third Fane of Chudomo.
- I, I was sent.. - Yes.
I've been expecting you.
You can look up, Lennier of the Third Fane of Chudomo.
It is forbidden.
I cannot have an aide who will not look up.
You will be forever walking into things.
Please.
Better.
Now, come.
Forgive me if, if I am slow, Satai Delenn
but this is, this's all quite new to me.
To go from a simple novitiate to..
...to working with one of the Grey Council.
Your teachers spoke well of you.
You will adjust.
You can begin by promising
not to mention the Grey Council again during your stay.
No one here knows of my connection.
No one must find out.
- But to deny the council-- - I am denying nothing.
But it would lead to certain questions
that I don't want to answer just now.
You will not use my title Satai.
You will address me only as Delenn.
Do you understand?
No, but understanding is not required.
- Only obedience. - Good.
Your arrival is well-timed.
We are having an exchange of ideas, displaying our rituals
our religions and our sacred days.
You can help with demonstration of Minbari religion.
The Third Fane of Chudomo has served with honor for 500 years.
I will not disappoint you, Sat..
Delenn.
Then I am content.
Now, tell me of home, Lennier.
I have been away far too long.
- You wish protection? - Yes.
Mighty Narn Empire.
Soldiers, guns.
And you come to N'Grath?
I need a bodyguard.
Someone who isn't from my own world.
It avoids certain complications.
- Expensive. - Oh, just name your price.
I have to attend the Minbari ceremony in two Earth hours.
Will you have someone by then?
Is this satisfactory?
Oh, yes.
'It's been so long since I've seen you out of uniform.'
'that I almost forgot what you look like.'
'Isn't this a breach of protocol?'
'I'm off duty.'
I thought you're never off duty.
Maybe you didn't know me as well as you think.
You're right, I didn't.
But whose fault was that?
- Catherine-- - Commander, how are you, sir?
- It's good to see you. - And you.
David will be your waiter tonight.
Thank you.
I have to confess, I was surprised to see you here.
I don't see why.
Seems like we run into each other
about every two or three years.
Half the time, I'm with someone else
or you're with someone else, the other half--
The other half, the dance goes something like this..
We meet, renew acquaintances
talk about old times at the academy.
You ask about my aunt, I ask about your brother.
We lie about not missing each other
and we end up in bed together.
- And then you leave. - Or you leave.
- Last time it was you. - No, it wasn't.
- Yes, it was. - No.
Was it?
You're right.
Last time it was me.
Oh, God, who can keep it all straight anymore?
Funny, I was just thinkin' about you the other day.
Wondering what you were doing.
I usually think about you in summer.
I think of you in the fall.
We never could agree on anything.
I still have your letters.
The long battles, the brief truces.
The longer silences punctuated by moments of passion
that we both end up regretting.
I read them from time to time
to remind myself why we shouldn't get together again.
And why I shouldn't miss bein' with you.
I think we just jumped ahead.
We're supposed to reminisce about the academy
and ask about old friends first, remember?
No, not this time. I don't think that's a good idea.
We're not good for each other.
I know. It was always three parts passion
and two parts teeth with us, wasn't it?
Exactly. Can't go through all that again.
Agreed.
- How's your aunt? - How's your brother?
Oh, God, I can't believe I'm going
through all this with you again.
Neither can I.
I see such trouble.
Will you follow me into fire?
Into storm?
Into darkness?
Into death?
And the nine said, "Yes."
Then do this in testimony to the one who will follow..
...will bring death couched in the promise of new life.
'And renewal disguised as defeat.'
'From birth..'
'...through death and renewal.'
'You must put aside old things..'
'...old fears..'
'...old lives.'
'This is your death.'
'The death of flesh.'
The death of pain.
The death of yesterday.
Taste of it..
'...and be not afraid.'
For I am with you to the end of time.
Taste of it.
And so..
...it begins.
Where is he?
I was told a bodyguard would be at the ceremony!
- I was all alone! - Ambassador..
"Taste of your own death," indeed. It's the only--
Ambassador!
The other room.
What in the world are you doing here?
You were supposed to meet me at the Minbari ceremony!
What'll I..
Let me see if I've got this straight..
You just came in and found this guy dead in your bedroom.
That's right.
And you've never seen him before?
You have no idea what he was doing here.
Yes! Yes! Look, we've already gone over all this.
Just tryin' to get your story down, ambassador.
It's not my story, it's the truth!
When this individual was killed
I was at the Minbari ceremony with you. Remember?
Yeah, I remember.
And I also remember you looking
pretty distracted the whole time.
- Yours? - Oh! Get out.
Don't push, ambassador.
Unless you've heard otherwise
I'm still head of security.
And under the terms of our treaty
diplomatic quarters are considered foreign soil.
Since I have full diplomatic immunity
I don't have to answer any of your questions.
I brought you here as a courtesy.
If I were you, I'd spend a little more time
finding out who killed that individual
and little less time
engaging in your usual harassment.
You're right, ambassador.
- My apologies. - Ah.
Let me know when you're finished, I want a full report.
Yes, sir.
And just let me say, ambassador, from the bottom of my heart
hot pink is definitely your color.
Oh!
Are you Courier Tu'Pari?
- Yes. - Come with me.
I'm needed on homeworld.
- I have my orders. - So do I.
I'm already an hour late
in bringing you to Ambassador G'Kar.
Which gives us something in common.
If you do not come with me
you will be the Late Courier Tu'Pari.
'And I came across another likely candidate'
'over in Grid Epsilon.'
Coordinates 471-18-25.
It's a Class Two planetoid.
Not enough atmosphere to sustain any kind of sentient life.
Mineral content?
High levels of platinum, derinium.
- You name it, it's there. - 'Good.'
We have some good news by the way.
Yes, you hit the big time.
I don't understand.
'The last planet that you surveyed for us'
'turned up a substantial amount of quantium 40.'
Yes. And under the terms of the contract
you are entitled to a piece of the profit..
And..
How's that look to you?
Oh! Oh, my!
Well, we've got to catch our next flight back to Earth.
'I imagine you'll want to celebrating your good fortune.'
Good day, Ms. Sakai.
We'll see you back at the hub.
Right. Thanks.
Cheers!
Come.
The Courier Tu'Pari, ambassador, as you requested.
Ah, good.
I do wish to speak to him alone if you don't mind, Na'Toth.
Who gave you the data crystal
that you delivered to me yesterday?
The message was from Counselor Du'Rog.
Du'Rog is dead!
Someone had to give it to you on his orders. Who?
Counselor Shu'Toth.
The father of my attache Na'Toth?
The danger is much closer to you
than you think, ambassador.
'I am become a name for always roaming with a hungry heart.'
'Much have I seen and known, cities of men and manners.'
'Climates, councils, governments.'
'Myself not least, but honored of them all.'
'And drunk delight of battle with my peers..'
Pause.
Come.
Do you know how expensive things are in this station?
Five hundred credits just for a loaf of bread
a jug of wine and some Antarean flarn.
Catherine.
I just got some terrific news
and I'm tired of not having anyone to share it with.
Tennyson?
Jeff, you've been caught on that one since the academy.
What's it take to drag you into the 23rd century?
We find meaning where we can.
Ah! And which are you?
"An idle king doling unequal laws unto a savage race
that hoard and sleep and feed and know not you?"
Or "This gray spirit yearning
"in desire to follow knowledge like a..
...sinking star."
I didn't know you'd memorized it.
I lived with you for a year. I didn't have much choice.
Do you have something to open this with?
Catherine, I'm not sure this is a good idea.
- Don't do this to me. - We just got over each other.
Who says?
Who says I got over you and you got over me?
You don't just turn it off like a switch.
Yes, I stopped sleeping on just one side of the bed
but only because you weren't there.
I'd think about you and get angry at myself
for being a fool.
And then, when I saw you yesterday. I..
What do you want from me?
I don't know what I'm doing here.
I don't know anything anymore.
I just didn't want to celebrate alone.
Maybe I needed you. Maybe I just needed someone.
And right now, for this one moment
I don't care.
Don't send me away.
Don't make me feel like a fool.
I couldn't do that.
You have to know me better than that.
'Commander.'
That's alright. Go.
Yes?
'We've got an environmental brownout in Green-Two.'
'We need authorization to reroute power from sensors'
'until we fix the couplers.'
Fine, fine. Authorization granted.
I should go. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come.
Catherine..
You can have the flarn, I never--
Don't.
Don't touch me unless you mean it.
And I wish to formally request that my attache Na'Toth
be reassigned immediately to another sector.
I want her picked up at transport within the hour.
Confirmed, ambassador. I've been told to convey our apologies
for the delay in dispatches.
What delay?
Our courier, Ru'Dak, met with an unfortunate accident
the day he was scheduled to leave for Babylon 5.
We have not yet found a replacement.
What're you talking about?
The courier is right here. I..
You should sleep.
- You'll have to get up soon. - I'm fine.
It's been a long road, hasn't it?
- Hm. - The academy.
The war.
And here we are, making the same mistakes all over again.
I don't know.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Well, at least we have tonight.
In a few hours, you'll be the busy commander again.
So let's enjoy it while we can.
If there were a problem, they'd tell you.
Ah, you're awake.
Good.
That will make this far more entertaining.
Those are pain-givers on your
neck and wrists, ambassador.
If you come within ten feet of me while wearing them
'you will experience pain'
'such as you cannot conceive.'
Come within five feet, and they will kill you.
Wha.. What do you want?
'My orders are quite specific.'
Now..
"You are to know pain.
"You are to know fear.
And then you are to die at the required hour."
I confess, I'll be happy when this assignment is finished.
Allaying the target's suspicions can be so time-consuming.
Do you have any idea how long I sat in the customs area
waiting for Na'Toth to find me?
Whatever you want, whatever you were paid..
Whatever the price..
- I can double it! - Yes.
I imagined you could make me extremely wealthy.
But to betray a commission
would violate the spirit of the Thenta Makur
and then they would have to kill me.
It's unfortunate, but we must all
make our little sacrifices, ambassador.
I have made mine..
And you are about to make yours.
No!
Ambassador?
Ambassador G'Kar?
Re-establish contact with last transmission.
'Confirmed. Stand by.'
The pain must be overwhelming.
Why hold it in?
Cry out, ambassador.
'With luck, someone will hear you.'
I would die before giving you..
...that satisfaction.
As you wish.
Na'Toth!
I'm glad to see my instincts were correct.
I knew you'd need complete privacy for this.
So once I determined which of the transport tubes
had suddenly broken down
it wasn't hard to figure out where you were.
This is none of your affair, Na'Toth.
Leave while you can.
Not until I've done what I came here to do.
I'm your backup, Tu'Pari.
Hired to finish the job in case you fail.
I wasn't told about a backup.
No, the primary never is.
Standard practice in the assassin's guild
as you well know.
Why should I believe you?
Hmm. I see you're using pain-givers.
Crude. Unimaginative.
And much too quick.
Our orders were to prolong his discomfort every moment
until the deadline.
And what would you recommend?
- Na'Toth! - At your service, ambassador.
'And this is the part'
where I'm supposed to decide I trust you
drop my guard and let you shoot me in the back.
Sorry, but I can't take the chance that you're lying.
You're making a mistake.
Perhaps.
That hurt.
Ambassador, it was the only way to disable the pain-givers.
I had to hit them as hard as possible
as often as possible, and still make it appear
as though I were beating you into another incarnation.
And you didn't enjoy it in the least?
I didn't say that.
What are you going to do with Tu'Pari?
Well, well, you're finally awake.
I was afraid the injection
wouldn't wear off for another day or so.
Another-another day?
It's been nearly 72 Earth hours since you were knocked out.
You missed your deadline. Most unfortunate.
'But to make up for it, I went ahead'
and deposited a substantial amount of money
to your personal account back home.
No!
The Thenta Makur..
...they'll think I betrayed my commission
sold out our principles.
They will kill me.
Yes, they will, won't they?
I imagine they're already on their way.
Actually, they should be here in about one hour.
'It would be even more unfortunate'
if they were to find you here when they arrived.
'Oh, yes. Happily, I'm safe'
because the commission was yours alone.
And they're so scandalized by your actions
that they'd just as soon forget the whole thing never happened.
Except for the part about killing him.
Except for that, yes.
'Alpha- Seven Transport now departing from Bay-Three.'
'Passengers will please begin boarding procedure.'
That's your flight. I suggest you board quickly.
With luck, they may never find you.
But if they do, you will know pain.
- And you will know fear. - And then you'll die.
Have a pleasant flight.
'And when-when you took his sp-spectacles'
and smashed them on the floor, I thought..
Ambassador, enjoying the last day of the festival?
More than you could possibly imagine. Good day.
He's in a good mood. Who knows?
Maybe Earth Central was right about this festival idea.
I can't believe how quiet it's been the last day or so.
Guess I'm your good-luck charm.
You sure you have to go?
Oh, it's just for a few days.
I have to make survey run
through the Deneb sector by next Tuesday
or I lose the commission.
See you when I get back?
- I'm not leaving this time. - Neither am I.
This should be interesting.
So have you figured out yet what you're gonna do for
demonstration of Earth's dominant belief system?
Not yet, and I don't know how I'm gonna top
the Minbari rituals, the bells, drums
robes and little pieces of fruit.
- Red fruit? - Yeah.
And was there a serious exchange of looks?
Yes.
It's supposed to be part of the rebirth ceremony.
What?
Oh, it's a rebirth ceremony, alright.
It also doubles as a marriage ceremony.
Depending on how seriously anyone took it.
Somebody got married the other day.
Maybe that's why G'Kar's smiling.
Funny. I didn't think Londo was his type.
- See you next Wednesday? - Try and stop me.
Jeff?
You think we'll get it right this time?
I don't know.
Fair enough.
- Mr. Garibaldi! - I know.
He said it'd be just a few more minutes.
Exactly what sort of demonstration
does he have planned?
Unknown. He wouldn't even tell us.
Just said it'd showcase Earth's dominant belief system.
- I don't hear any drums. - Or bells.
Or chants.
Are you're sure that we've come to the right place?
That's it, I'm leaving.
This is where he said to wait
and this is where we're waiting.
Alright, we're all set.
If you'll come this way.
Here.
This is Mr. Harris. He's an atheist.
Father Cresanti, a Roman Catholic.
Mr. Hayakawa, a Zen Buddhist.
Mr. Rashid, a Muslim.
Mr. Rosenthal, an Orthodox Jew.
Running Elk, of the Oglala Sioux faith.
Father Papapoulous, a Greek Orthodox.
'Ogigi-ko, of the Ebo tribe.'
Machukiak, a Yupik Eskimo.
Sawa, of the Jivaro tribe.
'Isnakuma, a Bantu.'
'Ms. Chang, a Taoist.'
'Mr. Blacksmith, an aborigine.'
'Ms. Yamamoto, a Shinto.'
'Ms. Naijo, a Maori.'
'Mr. Gold, a Hindu..'
'Ms. Nakuna..'
"Babylon 5" is produced by Babylonian Productions, Inc.
And distributed by Warner Bros.
Domestic Television Distribution.