Original Airdate: October 18, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski Directed by John C. Flinn III Episode #: 42 Production #: 219
Guest stars: John Schuck as Draal. W. Morgan Sheppard as Warleader G'Sten. William Forward as Refa.
Captain Sheridan is contacted by Draal, who offers assistance.
After a long period of war, the Narn are running out of resources. As a last, desperate attempt to hold off the Centauri, the Narn secretly plan to use the majority of their fleet to destroy a heavily guarded Centauri supply world. While this would leave the Narn homeworld vulnerable, it would temporarily cripple the Centauri forces and give the Narn time to build their defenses.
Unfortunately, the Centauri intercept a Narn transmission detailing the plan. The Centauri forces, aided by shadow fighters and the ambitious Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (PETER JURASIK), avert the supply world attack and launch a surprise attack on the Narn homeworld, using incredibly powerful "mass drivers" that are outlawed by treaty. Londo seems pained by the bloody culmination of what he himself started, but obeys his government's orders. The Narn surrender and Londo orders the removal of Narn Ambassador G'Kar (ANDREAS KATSULAS) from the Babylon 5 Advisory Council. G'Kar proudly states that his people will not be shackled forever, and Captain Sheridan provides him with sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) and Minbari Ambassador Delenn (MIRA FURLAN) are contacted by Draal (JOHN SCHUCK), a mysterious creature who merged with a computer deep inside a planet near Babylon 5. Draal has access to information spanning the universe and, along with Delenn, knows of the "coming darkness."
After their meeting with Draal, Delenn introduces Sheridan to the Rangers, a secret band of freedom fighters supported by the Minbari Security Chief Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE), and various Minbaris and Humans. Prophesying that the recent bloodshed is only a harbinger of even greater destruction, Delenn confers partial leadership of the Rangers on Sheridan, and Draal gives him access to his phenomenal resources. Babylon 5 is about to become a fortress of light, guarding the frontiers of civilization.
