Original Airdate: January 29, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski Directed by Menachem Binitsky Episode #: 49 Production #: 304
Guest stars: Shari Shattuck as Julie Musante. John Schuck as Draal.
A political officer is assigned to Babylon 5. Commander Ivanova makes a startling discovery regarding the death of President Santiago.
Ambassador Delenn (MIRA FURLAN) invites Draal (JOHN SCHUCK) from the planet below to a meeting of the secret alliance consisting of Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER), Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE), Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN) and Marcus (JASON CARTER). Draal tells the group about the great machine running the planet below, a machine that has information on the First Ones, a race that fought the Shadows many times over the past million years. If the secret alliance could be associated with the First Ones, it would prove very useful in their battle against the mysterious Shadows. Sheridan accepts Draal's invitation to visit the planet and retrieve the information.
Later, G'Kar (ANDREAS KATSULAS) approaches Delenn with his suspicions surrounding the meetings of the secret alliance and the "Rangers."
Meanwhile, Julie Musante (SHARI SHATTUCK) of Earth's Ministry of Peace arrives on Babylon 5. Musante informs Sheridan that she has been sent by the Ministry of Peace, Night Watch Division, to be his new political officer. When Sheridan argues that he doesn't need a political advisor, Musante tells him that Earth's senate disagrees, citing his recent actions and decisions regarding the Narns, Centauri and Minbari. Sheridan becomes very upset that his authority and decisions are in question by his government. Not wanting to arouse the suspicion of the secret alliance, Sheridan asks Ivanova to take his place at the meeting with Draal, so he can meet with the Musante.
Draal, who was expecting Sheridan, is upset when Ivanova arrives in his place, but Ivanova's quick wit wins him over and he allows her to stay. Draal hooks up Ivanova to the matrix, a holographic system, and encourages her to stay focused and keep an open mind. While attached to the machine, Ivanova has two telepathic visions: one that implicates current Earthforce President Clark in the assassination of former President Santiago; the other of making contact with the First Ones on a planet known as Sigma 957. Ivanova records the vision onto a datacrystal and uplinks the information back to Sheridan and Garibaldi, who release it to Earthdome.
Back on Babylon 5, Musante's meeting with Sheridan takes an interesting turn when she attempts to seduce him. Ivanova's return provides an interruption, however, and Sheridan manages to escape Musante's allure.
Ivanova and Marcus set out for Sigma 957 in an attempt to connect with the First Ones. After making initial contact, a clever-talking Ivanova manages to pursuade the First Ones to join their cause. She is instructed to venture to Sigma 957 "when it is time" and "they will be there."
fFinally, Musante is forced to return to Earthdome to deal with a crisis involving rumors that implicate President Clark in an assassination conspiracy.
