Babylon 5

In the space area around Babylon 5, dozens of ships are waiting to be admitted into the docking bay. C&C informs them the rules have been changed, in order to increase security and prevent weapons from being smuggled into the station. Sheridan is meeting with the transport association to settle the matter so that the docking bay can be relieved of its traffic jam. Within the actual meeting, Ivanova and Sheridan are trying to converse with a crowd of angry transport pilots. Either additional inspectors will be hired, which will lead to an increase of docking fees, or the merchants will have to accept a delay in getting their products through customs. One of them openly challenges Sheridan, claiming he needs to be the one possessing all the firearms in the station, so that everyone else is unarmed and helpless, making it easy for him to impose his authority upon them. Sheridan loses his temper, and descends from his seat to confront the merchant . He switches his gun for the tool the merchant is holding, challenging him to use it against him. The merchant cowers and backs down. Ivanova tells Sheridan it was a very risky thing to do, when he reveals to her that he had removed the energy cap from the weapon before he handed it over.

Just when Ivanova is about to go crazy a Narn representative, Na'Far, arrives with his bodyguard, Ta'Lon. Ta'Lon is the Narn Sheridan had been trapped with in the Striebs ship a while back, whose life he had saved. Na'Far' has been sent to replace G'Kar, as after the Centauri's occupation of the Narn homeworld a provisional government has been established, one that is controlled and maintained by the Centauri. Na'Far is one of the Narns who participate in that government. As G'Kar is considered a mere citizen by them, his replacement is necessary.

When Sheridan, Ivanova and Na'Far discuss the issue in the Captain's office, Na'Far proves to be a moderate diplomat, one who believes the Narn homeworld must be rebuilt before a general war against the Centauri breaks out. Feeding and housing the refugees and repairing the almost totally destroyed infrastructure of their planet must be their main concern now. G'Kar is using his influence among his people to organize an armed resistance back home, which is something the provisional government will not tolerate. G'Kar must be arrested and brought to trial on Narn. Sheridan refuses to surrender G'Kar, as he has requested asylum and is under the Captain's protection. Na'Far will have to sort it out with G'Kar himself.

Garibaldi and Franklin are having lunch together, discussing the affairs of the day. Franklin looks extremely tired after pulling a 20-hour shift on Medlab. Ivanova comes along and the three of them discuss Sheridan's change of behavior as of late. He seems more harsh and determined according to Franklin, different from when he first arrived on Babylon 5. Ivanova tells him that since Sheridan has now adjusted to his new duties and workplace, he will try to run it according to the routine he is used to. "Right now we need a good soldier a hell of a lot more than a diplomat", she says. As Franklin prepares to get some sleep, a call from Medlab comes in, informing him of an emergency shift two hours from now. Franklin rushes off to the bathroom for a few minutes.
Ivanova and Garibaldi discuss the Captain's personnel files, which Garibaldi has read, in spite of the rules indicating otherwise. Susan asks him if he's read her personnel files as well. "Commander, that information is strictly off limits", Garibaldi replies. Susan leaves, laughing. A couple of minutes later Franklin comes back, looking very refreshed and cheerful. He asks a girl who seemed to be interested in him earlier to dance with him, and she accepts. From looking completely exhausted a little while ago, Franklin has moved to a state of total euphoria, dancing and laughing with the girl while Garibaldi watches him, evidently puzzled.

Na'Far reports to Londo in his quarters, in the presence of Vir. Londo makes it his business to remind Na'Far of some of the measures the Centauri government has imposed on the Narn, including work farms, relocation camps and scheduled executions. Na'Far does his best to maintain his composure and not betray his emotions, answering Londo's questions in what he judges to be a satisfactory manner. When Na'Far leaves Vir reprimands Londo, asking if it was really necessary to humiliate him like that. Londo replies that the humiliation is a necessary step in ensuring the Narns' total submission, and avoiding another war with them in the future. "They got out of their place once, I must make sure it doesn't happen again", he tells Vir.

In C&C, an alien vessel, encountered for the first time, suddenly surfaces in the radar, heading towards the station. It comes to stop and hovers around it, sending in a transmission. Sheridan assumes it must be a science probe of some kind. The signals it sends appear to be its language codes. Since the language is extremely complicated, it will take two to three hours to decode the message.

Londo visits Delenn, in an attempt to remove Vir from the perilous situation in Babylon 5. He has come to like, and perhaps even care about Vir in a fatherly manner, and as he is involved with the Shadows in a series of delicate subterfuges and machinations, he feels Vir would be better off away from all this. The Centauri embassy on Minbar has been closed for many years. Londo suggests Vir as the perfect replacement, as he is kind, friendly, and well-disposed towards foreign cultures. "He will not even spy on your government", he tells Delenn. Delenn agrees to do whatever she can to ensure the position for Vir. Londo thanks her and leaves her quarters.

Garibaldi invites Franklin to his quarters for a spaghetti dinner. As they start to eat, Garibaldi explains to the doctor how he believes both of them have obsessive-compulsive personalities, which leads to over-exhaustion and an excessive amount of stress. Garibaldi has become an alcoholic due to the nature of his personality, which is why he abstains from alcohol completely. Franklin suspects there is something more to the dinner than fun and casual conversation, and provokes Garibaldi to speak plainly. Garibaldi discusses Franklin's abuse of stims, and Franklin retorts that stims are perfectly legal and prescribed by doctors. He justifies his use of them by the long-hour shifts he has to pull, and the demanding nature of his job. A doctor's responsibilities require him to be alert at all times. Garibaldi points out that the doctor has been pulling shifts he didn't really have to, an observation which makes Franklin very angry, and insulting. "Stop trying to put your problems on me, just because you never met a bottle you didn't like", he tells Garibaldi. He immediately regrets having said that however, apologizes and promises to cut back on the stims.

Ta'Lon meets up with Sheridan and they have a drink together, reminiscing over the adventure they had on the Striebs' ship. Ta'Lon must repay his debt to Sheridan for saving his life, and will therefore serve on Babylon 5 as his bodyguard. Sheridan finds it a bit awkward at first, but in the end he reconciles with the idea. The two continue their conversation on very friendly terms.

In C&C, the computers have decoded the alien probe's language code. Officer Corwin informs Ivanova of the contents of the message. It is a series of very advanced questions concerning science, technology, and so on, which are meant to determine the level of advancement of their civilization. If they are deemed advanced enough for contact, answering all the questions correctly within 24 hours, they will be given the cures to every known form of disease, as well as technological information which will be a tremendous advantage for them. However, should they fail to pass the test, the probe will self-destruct with the power of a 500.000 megaton bomb. As soon as the message was decoded, the probe began a countdown to a thermonuclear reaction. As it contains a mechanism to detect any attempt to diffuse it, it is impossible to do so without causing it to detonate. Ivanova and Sheridan come to the conclusion that this highly developed alien race wishes to intervene in the galactic evolutionary process, by rooting out the less intelligent races, and allowing those considered intelligent enough to prosper. If the 600 questions aren't answered correctly within the given time limit, the station will be eliminated.

Na'Far visits G'Kar in his quarters, where they engage in a heated discussion over the tactics the Narns should follow concerning the Centauri occupation. Na'Far repeats his opinions of putting the population's well-being, and the rebuilding of Narn first. Armed resistance must come later, when the Centauri will have relaxed their grip on Narn, being sure of its obedience. While it is evident that Na'Far also places his homeworld as his first priority, G'Kar ardently disagrees with him, that resistance should be pursued now, and that the Narns must not succumb to the Centauri's feeble offerings, such as food and false charity. They must fight for their right to freedom and to their world. Na'Far will stop at nothing to achieve what he believes is best for his people, so he resorts to extortion: if G'Kar doesn't follow him back to Narn to stand trial before a Centauri court, the families of the Narns aboard Babylon 5, who support G'Kar's call for resistance, will be arrested and prosecuted. It is known to everyone what that really means, namely forced labor, torture and execution.

In Medlab, Franklin is irritable and very stressed. Ivanova calls to ask if the answers for the medical questions have been transmitted from Earth yet. Franklin promises to have them as soon as possible. He ends the communication and shoots up another stim. Londo announces to Vir his new appointment as Centauri Ambassador on Minbar. Vir is highly displeased at the news, not wishing to leave Londo alone in Babylon 5. Londo shows surprising signs of paternal affection, telling him the station isn't a good place for him to be at the moment, and that Minbar will open up a new career opportunity for him.

Na'Far and Ta'Lon are ambushed in one of the corridors by a group of angry Narns, belonging to the resistance. Having heard that their families back home have been arrested, they demand that Na'Far leaves G'Kar alone and departs from Babylon 5. As the confrontation escalates one of the Narns tries to attack Na'Far with a knife, and Ta'Lon is forced to defend him. A proper fight begins. At that moment G'Kar arrives, witnessing the fight. Infuriated, he orders everyone to stop, and tells Na'Far he will follow him back to Narn, in order to stop the conflict between his compatriots.

Meanwhile, in C&C, they are preparing to feed the answers to the probe. The time limit is approaching its end. Even though the probe is supposedly fast enough that it can destroy the station before they even have time to fire, Sheridan orders the weapons system to be powered just in case. The Transport Association keeps pestering him, insisting upon a new meeting. Sheridan arranges the meeting for after the probe's deadline. "If that thing blows at least it will save me from one more annoying conversation", he says.

Garibaldi, worried about what might happen to G'Kar when he returns to Narn, visits his quarters. He finds him packing his belongings, making ready for the trip. Garibaldi points out to him that his death is certain once he returns, and tries to convince him not to. "My fate is in the hands of G'Quan. What must happen, will happen", G'Kar replies, moved by Garibaldi's genuine concern for him. It seems that beneath the semblance of discord, a true bond of friendship has formed between the two. Franklin hears from the Earth Dome doctor responsible for answering the questions, that she hasn't managed to find answers for two of them. Franklin completely loses his temper and behaves in a rather unusual manner for his standards, being insulting and aggressive towards the doctor. His colleagues in Medlab hear his shouting and wonder what is the matter with him. When no one is looking he injects himself with another stim, withdrawal from which has obviously been the cause of his irritation.

Na'Far addresses an assembly of the Narn members of the resistance, wishing to convince them that his method is the most appropriate. There will be time for revenge and bloodshed, but rebuilding their homeworld must precede it. Back in C&C, three minutes are left before the answers to the probe's questions are transmitted to it. Sheridan is puzzled about the logical paradox that lies within their approach. Under the assumption that they eliminate inferior races based on their lack of advancement, their generosity does not quite fit in the equation. If they were feeling generous enough to help advanced races become more advanced, why would they exhibit such ruthless behavior and wipe out entire systems? At the last minute, Sheridan decides the probe is probably a berserker, namely a weapon sent to destroy all races advanced enough to pose a threat to its creators. The answers are not sent to it, and it leaves the station. C&C programs a maintenance bot located somewhere near enough, to transmit the answers. The probe considers it a target and destroys it, detonating well out of range from Babylon 5. The explosion causing no harm, the probe's danger is now eliminated.

As G'Kar is headed towards his transport, he is stopped by his Narn supporters, Ta'Lon included, who has decided to join the resistance. Freedom is more important than commodities, or even basic necessities. It is the utmost ideal for which one must be willing to sacrifice their comfort and sense of security. Ta'Lon pushes the point further by drawing his Qa'Tak, giving the impression that he wants to force G'Kar to stay by using violence. It turns out that it is a gesture of honoring rather than threatening him. G'Kar decides to stay. When everyone else leaves, Ta'Lon drives the blade across his palm as, once drawn, a Qa'Tak needs to be baptized in blood before it can be sheathed again.

Garibaldi and Franklin are having a drink, and Franklin lies to Garibaldi that even though he went through the alien probe crisis, he didn't use stims at all. Garibaldi seems to believe him and apologizes for pressing him too hard on the issue. Ivanova and Sheridan are presiding on another hellish meeting with the Transport Association. Londo sees Vir off, as he heads towards Minbar to assume his new position.