Babylon 5

Sheridan meets Ambassador Kosh in the garden, and starts up a conversation with him to obtain the answers to some of his questions: Why did the Ambassador take such a risk in revealing himself to everyone present at the reception, just to save Sheridan? Why did he disappear afterwards and more importantly, how does Sheridan know it's the same Ambassador, since he constantly comes and goes in the Vorlon homeworld, and his encounter suit completely covers him up. As conversations with a Vorlon normally go, one doesn't manage to have many questions answered. This one is no exception. Sheridan learns that the Ambassador's absence was due to his need for rest. The strain of tapping into everyone's mind and appearing with a different form to each of them has taken a toll on his energy levels. Apparently his relationship with his organic ship is partly symbiotic, as he uses it to regain the lost energy. Apart from that Sheridan gets the usual short, enigmatic responses.


An unknown man is in his ship, attached to a Drazi vessel that is trying to break out of a planetary blockade. The man asks the Drazi pilot to eject him, but the pilot moves further out of the blockade, to make sure he ejects the ship outside its perimeter, thus ensuring the man's survival. After the ejection, the blockade weapons track the Drazi vessel and destroy it. The man orders his ship to make the jump for Babylon 5. The normal arrival time would be seven hours, but it is obviously very crucial to him to arrive there sooner. He directs all available power from life support to the ship's engines so that he can get there as soon as possible.


Ivanova and Sheridan welcome David Endawi, from Earth Force Special Intelligence Division, aboard the station. The three of them head towards Sheridan's office to be briefed on Mr. Endawi's fied mission. Delenn will also be present in the meeting. Garibaldi brings Franklin a new patient, who happens to be the mysterious man earlier involved in the planetary blockade conflict. He is dehydrated and de-oxygenated, but his condition is completely reversible. As Franklin examines him he notices the Ranger pin on his clothing. However Franklin doesn't yet know what the pin represents. He turns his back on him for just a minute, and the man disappears.


Londo and Mr. Morden have a drink in the Zocalo, where Londo tells him that the Centauri have now established their dominion in their galactic neighborhood, and will not be needing his and his associates' services any longer. It is evident that Londo wishes to disentangle himself from Mr. Morden's dubious assistance, and is very glad to do so. Morden arranges a meeting with him in his quarters, for "book-keeping" purposes. As soon as some small details are sorted out, Londo will allegedly be free of their involvement.


In the Captain's office, Mr. Endawi presents an image of a Shadow vessel, footage captured by Warren Keffer moments before he died. Endawi has been sent to the station to gather information about the alien ship, as EarthGov has absolutely no idea of anything relating to it. They've never encountered its technology or configuration before, and due to the destruction of Keffer' ship they believe it to be hostile. Everyone in the office denies knowing anything about it, but as soon as Endawi leaves with Ivanova, Delenn explains to Sheridan about the Shadows. The ancient, indestructible, terrifying enemy has returned, and this is undoubtedly one of their vessels. Sheridan refuses to be intimidated by Delenn's description of them. "Every ship has a weakness", he tells her, as the contribution of his brave, fearless character to the coming war is already beginning to manifest itself.


Lennier gives Delenn a message from the Ranger just arrived, handing her his pin. Endawi visits Londo in his quarters, showing him the footage. Londo has never actually seen a Shadow vessel, despite his cooperation with Mr. Morden. So the only remembrance that he has of it comes from a dream, where he is standing somewhere on Centauri Prime, looking up at the sky, thousands of similar vessels flying above his head, covering up the sun. Endawi doesn't take the dream seriously. Delenn and Lennier arrive in one of the sleazy bars in DownBelow, for their meeting with the Ranger. After he has proven his identity to them they give him back his pin, which is supposed to symbolize the blood union between humans and Minbari, in an almost metaphysical spiritual alliance.


Marcus (referring to the special, handcrafted pin worn by the Rangers): Do you know, I've heard that when these are made, they're forged in white hot flame, then cooled in three bowls. The first is some kind of ancient holy water, the second Minbari blood, the third human blood. They say that when a Ranger dies, the figures on either side shed three tears. One of water and two of blood.

Delenn: And you? Do you believe this?

Marcus: I stopped believing in miracles a long time ago, Ambassador. Part of the heart goes dead, it's best to leave it that way.


The three head out to discuss the reason why Marcus is there more privately. They are ambushed by several thugs in a dark corridor, but the three of them manage to overcome their attackers. They reach the Captain's office where, apart from Sheridan, Ivanova and Garibaldi are also present. Sheridan begins to update Ivanova on the Shadows and the Rangers, only to discover she is already informed. "Captain, the day something happens around here and I don't know about it, worry", she tells him.


Marcus has arrived at the station from Zagro 7, an isolated Drazi colony at the edge of Drazi space, where a large Ranger training camp is situated. Most of the Rangers are being trained on Minbar, but other training camps have been created around the galaxy, so as for the Rangers not to find themselves all in one place. Apart from security reasons, the tension between Warrior and Religious caste back on Minbar has produced unfavorable reactions towards a human – Minbari military corps. So collaboration with other governments for use of their territory by the Rangers has been deemed necessary. On Zagro 7, Centauri blockade mines have suddenly surrounded the colony, making it impossible for the Rangers to escape. The Drazi government has been invaded by the Centauri in other areas as well, and does not possess the resources necessary to defend it. As it is a small colony with no strategical value whatsoever, Marcus assumes that the Ranger camp is the real target. The Rangers need help to break out of the blockade, before they are destroyed or invaded.


Garibaldi points out the resources necessary to complete such an attack – a war cruiser, a crew, weapons. Marcus assures the Captain all of that is available, if only he will accept to lead the attack. With Endawi on board, the Captain's sudden absence will attract negative attention. However, Sheridan does not abandon his responsibility towards the Rangers, deciding to lead the attack with Ivanova. Garibaldi will be in charge of the situation with Endawi until their return. Sheridan, Ivanova and Delenn's own ship initiate jumpgate sequence.


In Londo's quarters, Morden explains to him that half the galaxy will be left to the Centauri to be disposed of as they wish, as long as they understand that the other half will belong to the Shadows. A "small exception" to this rule is Zagro 7, which is of strategical significance to them. They have asked Lord Refa to secure it for them, until they can prepare an attack. Londo is unpleasantly surprised to hear of Refa's collaboration with Morden, as he hoped to break the connection with them altogether. Nonetheless it seems that Refa is not of the same opinion, and the Shadows have simply replaced one Centauri Prime official with another, more willing to do their bidding. Morden tells Londo to withdraw all Centauri ships from Zagro 7 before the Shadows arrive there. "You don't want them or anyone else hanging around when my associates come for Zagro 7", he tells him.


Ivanova and Captain Sheridan arrive at their destination, where they are greeted with the image of an overwhelming Minbari cruiser, to be given to Sheridan as its commander. The name of the ship is the White Star, the opposite of the ship Sheridan had destroyed in the Earth – Minbari war, which was called the Black Star. It is to be a new beginning, the symbol of reconciliation and unity between Minbari and humans. Sheridan is thoroughly impressed by the gesture, as well as the ship itself.


Back at the station, Garibaldi faces Endawi's interrogation concerning the whereabouts of the Captain in a rather humoristic manner. He suggests a conversation with G'Kar, who might actually know something about the strange ship. Aboard the White Star, Delenn explains its details to Sheridan. Its is between a large and a small ship, allowing it a speed and maneuvering ability unprecedented in the Minbari Starfleet. Being the first in a new of Minbari warships, it has the element of surprise as an advantage, since it won't be recognized as a Minbari ship by its opponents. Another one of its advantages is its capacity to open its own jump-point to hyperspace. Its movement is based on magnetic and gravitational principles, using artificial gravity rather than rotational engines. The Minbari have had artificial gravity for quite some time. Inside the ship is a Minbari crew from the Religious caste, ready to respond to Sheridan's commands. They immediately set course for Zagro 7.


G'Kar shows a page from the holy book of G'Quan to Endawi. The book is passed down from one generation to the next, hand-copied with every minute detail faithfully reproduced, so there is no possibility of mistake. The image of the unknown ship is in the book. G'Kar tells Endawi about the great, ancient enemy, who had used Narn as a military base a thousand years ago. "But if this is correct, why would they disappear for a thousand years?" Endawi asks. "To all things there is a time, Mr. Endawi. Perhaps this is theirs", G'Kar replies.


As the White Star approaches Zagro 7, Marcus explains to Susan the reason why he has joined the Rangers. His brother was a Ranger when he was working in a mining colony on Mars. He came back to warn Marcus about an imminent Shadow attack, but Marcus didn't pay much attention. He ended up dying in the attack, and just before he passed away he asked Marcus to continue his work for him. Marcus joined the Rangers to keep that promise. The White Star arrives at Zagro 7, and is immediately detected by the planetary blockade mines. They engage in crossfire, while the Captain is worried about the complete absence of Centauri ships in the area. It is not like the Centauri to leave a conquered area unsupervised.


At that moment a Shadow vessel appears, intending to destroy the Ranger training camp. Delenn is terrified by the prospect of facing the Shadows in such an early stage of their preparation, but Sheridan is not willing to abandon the Rangers to their death. The White Star destroys the remaining blockade mines, allowing the Rangers to escape, while at the same time engaging in evasive maneuvering, to stay clear of the Shadows that have focused on them. The Shadows are clearly reluctant to destroy them, even though they can. Sheridan correctly assumes they are curious about who they are and where they come from. He devises a risky plan to eliminate the enemy ship. The White Star will head to the nearest jumpgate, luring the Shadows into the jumpgate with it. At that moment it will initiate a jump-point inside the already operating jumpgate. The two conflicting energies will cause a huge explosion, destroying the Shadow vessel along with the jumpgate. It is a tremendous risk, as the White Star might not be fast enough to make it out in time. Also, something like that has been done before, in experiments back on Earth Dome, where all the ships involved were blasted away. Sheridan believes it is a necessary risk, and since the jumpgate concerned belongs to a dead system, they proceed according to plan. He answers Delenn's remarks about not being able to perform such a task without outside help with a reference to his victory against the Black Star, in the Minbari- Earth war.


Delenn: Listen to me, Captain, you don't know what you're dealing with. The weapons in this ship aren't strong enough to hurt a Shadow vessel of that We must find help. We cannot hope to destroy a ship like that alone.

Sheridan: With all due respect, Ambassador, I've heard that before.


Sheridan will not be deterred, and his courage and determination play a major part in the plan proving to be successful. The Shadows take the bait and follow the White Star in hyperspace, at which point it initiates the jump-point and makes it out of the explosion relatively unharmed. Nobody has been hurt, and for the first time since the Shadows' appearance they are shown to be something less than invincible.


When they return to the mundane everyday realities of the station, Sheridan, Delenn and Ivanova have to come up with an explanation for Mr. Endawi, who is getting ready to depart. The explanation they provide him with is that they were "assisting the Minbari government by towing a disabled shuttle to a nearby jumpgate". The destination has been altered in the station's records so as to "avoid embarrassing the Minbari government". The shuttle was supposedly carrying sensitive diplomatic documents, and the Minbari would have been shamed for not having performed their duties properly. Endawi accepts the explanation and leaves for Earth Dome.


In Geneva, Switzerland, where the Central Government building is located, Endawi discusses his report with one of the Senators. As soon as he leaves Mr. Morden and a Psi-Cop appear, to make inquiries about the report. The Senator tells them there is nothing to worry about. The ship is unknown to everyone. Morden is pleased with that result, as the Shadows have no wish to rush things. Secrecy is one of their main concerns at the moment. He suggests the dismissal of the sighting as an isolated incident. The Psi-Cop intervenes, proposing that the element of fear might be used to enforce their agenda, as long as the real truth is kept secret.


Back on Babylon 5, Sheridan convenes a council that except for the usual members, Marcus, Garibaldi, Delenn and himself, includes Franklin and Ivanova. The War Council is now a reality, and it will be held once every two weeks. Anyone can say anything they want in the meetings, and Franklin starts by asking "what the hell these Shadows are". Delenn begins her story.