Airdate: February 10, 1997
Episode # : 73
Production # : 407
Guest stars: Walter Koenig as Bester and Damian London as Minister
Starfuries fly in formation and drop off fireworks, illuminating the outside of Babylon 5. Inside the station, people celebrate their victory over the Vorlons and the Shadows. Sheridan voices over a personal log, stating that the war is over, but he can't stop thinking about the cost of the war, and what lies in the future. He sees Delenn and walks over to her. Sheridan says that trouble will come on its own, but give him today, and he will be happy.
Earth, Psi-Corps HQ
Bester meets with a Psi-Corps official. Bester is informed that President Clark assigned the Psi-Corps, EarthForce, Nightwatch and the Ministry of Peace to shut down Babylon 5. Permantently.
Earth, Psi-Corps HQ
The Psi-Corps official states that B5 has much support from alien governments, so the station is being targeted in the President's program (to purify Earth, of course) The official states that the "pins" must be knocked out from under them, to make them [B5] vulnerable.
Centauri Prime
Londo informs the Minister (the funny little weird guy) that the Royal Court has appointed him regent to the throne, in order to take more time in which to select a new emperor. The Minister states that the role is a ceremonial one, but is elated to hear that he has been chosen. Londo leaves for Babylon 5, and the new regent to the throne wants the throne room decorated. . . in pastels.Babylon 5
In Medlab, Dr. Franklin examines G'kar's eye. He says that other than some scarring, there is no infection and a prosthetic eye can be implanted to restore much of G'kar's sight. G'kar is happy with the idea. Franklin asks why G'kar didn't want to become the leader of Narn.
G'kar: "I have seen what power does and I have seen what power costs."
Garibaldi shaves in his quarters. He draws a face in the mirror. A coded message is sent to him, but the origin cannot be traced. Garibaldi accepts the message, and the screen fills with colors and patterns, undiscernable to the naked eye. The screen shortly goes blank and Garibaldi deletes the message, returns to the sink and wipes off the image of the face in the mirror.
In Sheridan's office, that captain, Ivanova and Franklin wait for Garibaldi. He finally shows up. The command staff wants to discuss the future of the station, but Garibaldi has other plans. He wants to resign from his position as Chief of Security.
Babylon 5
Garibaldi says that the war was about making one's own choices. He says that now the war is over, and he wants out while he's still ahead. Everyone protests, but eventually accept Garibaldi's desire to resign.
In the docking bay, Zack Allen assigns security members to new details. Londo arrives, Bester arrives. Zack leaves, wondering who else will come to the station. After he leaves, three Elvis impersonators arrive.
G'kar enters Garibaldi's quarters. Garibaldi doesn't know what to say; G'kar was captured and tortured all on account of him. G'kar hugs Garibaldi and says that unless he disappeared, G'kar would have never been captured and have the opportunity to free Narn. Garibaldi likes G'kar's reasoning, but thinks G'kar is nuts.
In his office, Sheridan promotes Zack to Chief of Security. An ISN report comes on the monitor, stating the President Clark issued a mandate forbidding any travel between Earth and Babylon 5, in response to "possible terrorist threats from Babylon 5." Sheridan is pissed.
Babylon 5
Lyta has finally gotten around to refurnishing her quarters. Zack enters and says the Captain requests her presence in the conference room. He explains Bester is aboard and they need her to make sure he doesn't try anything. Lyta complains that the only time anyone comes to her unless they need something of her. Zack explains that everyone is wary around her because of her relationship with the Vorlons. Lyta thanks him for his honesty. Zack says he'll help her unpack later and he'll even bring pizza.
In the Zocalo, Londo and G'kar run in to each other. Londo approaches G'kar, who says "My world is now free! You no longer exist in my universe. Pray that we never notice one another again." G'kar walks off, leaving Mollari somewhat dismayed.
In the conference room, Bester protests Lyta's presence, saying that not only is she a "blip," or rogue telepath, but she is not telepathically strong enough to challenge him. Bester says her presence will only embarass Sheridan and Lyta. Down to business, Bester explains that President Clark has launched a propaganda war against B5. Also, a Phase Two will be launched against B5. Bester demands to be taken to Z'ha'dum to try and find a cure for his lover, Carolyn (who was programmed to be put in a Shadow, but was saved by Sheridan and the White Star) in return for his knowledge of Phase Two. Sheridan reluctantly agrees, and Bester explains that Phase Two includes the Psi-Corps. . . .
A group of Earth Force starfuries is patrolling a local jumpgate. A Black Omega squadron (elite Psi-Corps starfuries) has been dispatched by the President to attack the security patrol and leave evidence that B5 is responsible. Framing B5 will secure military and public support for President Clark.
Babylon 5
Garibaldi hands security codes over to Zack. Zack tells Garibaldi he's making a mistake, but appreciates the promotion. Garibaldi says that he hired Zack on instinct and he was right, and that resigning is something he has to do for himself, right or wrong.
White Star
Sheridan waits in the crew quarters on the White Star. Delenn enters, to his surprise and joy.
Sheridan: "Thank you for coming along. you know, spending five minutes with Bester would try the patience of a saint. But being stuck with him on a ship is above and beyond the call of duty.
Delenn: "It's not a burden. It will give us some time together and that can never be a bad thing.
Sheridan: "I know, it's just that we never seem to get a break. I figured, the war is over, we won. We should get a FEW days off before the next big crisis, but it never seems to work out that way.
Delenn: "No, you wouldn't have it any other way. You're a problem solver, you are one of those people who will pick up a rope that has gotten all tangled up and spend an entire day untangling it. Because it's a challenge, because it defies your sense of order in the universe, and because you can. Sometimes, I try to picture you on a beach with absolutely nothing to do. The picture always ends with your head IMPLODING!
Sheridan: "You haven't known me this long to know me so well."
Delenn: "We're old souls. [smile] Deal with it!
Sheridan and Delenn "deal with it."
Space
The Earth Force starfury patrol attemps to stop the Psi-Corps transport carrying the Black Omega fighters. The EF starfury commander orders the "unidentified" transport to stop. No response, and the Black Omegas fire up their engines.
Ivanova and the B5 alpha squad come through the jumpgate. She tells the EF patrol to break off; it's a trap. The Black Omegas fire, but the EF patrol escapes just in time. A short battle ensues, and the Black Omegas and their transport are destroyed.
EF starfury commander: "Damn, people, you just saved our butts! Where did you come from?"
Ivanova: "Babylon 5."
EF starfury commander: "Babylon 5? I thought you were the bad guys."
Ivanova: "Let's just say our disloyalty has been greatly exaggerated."
White Star
Bester, suspicious of Lyta, confronts her. He says she's stronger than the last time he saw her and she has a "moral obligation" to share it with the Psi-Corps. [personal note: HA!!!]
Bester: "The Corps is mother. The Corps is father."
Lyta: "In that case, Mr. Bester, I'm an orphan."
Bester: "Just a child who has lost her way. I know things about you that you wouldn't want revealed."
The White Star jumps out of hyperspace, just in time to see several small, dark ships enter hyperspace from the local jumpgate. An evacuation, Delenn explains that those are the "dark servants" of the Shadows who had "something to gain." Sheridan is puzzled as to why they are leaving. On a hunch, he orders the White Star to back away from the planet, just in time to save the ship from getting fried by the planet's self destruct mechanism.
Babylon 5
Zack shows Bester the cryo tubes where Carolyn and other telepaths are being stored. Bester "talks" to Carolyn, and reveals he set up "Phase Two" in order to secure himself passage to Z'ha'dum. He sacrificed the whole squadron for her, and says he would do it again if it would bring her back.
Sheridan enters Lyta's quarters and says that he is surprised at the timing of Z'ha'dum's evacuation and destruction. He knows Lyta did it, and knows that a telepath of enormous strength would be needed to send the signal from light years away and keep Bester from noticing. More than a P10, more than a P12. Lyta replies that she wanted to protect the Shadow's technology, as well as hurt Bester back. Sheridan says, angrily, that he'll turn her over to the Psi-Corps if she ever makes another command decision like that again. He storms out.
Immediately afterwards, Zack enters Lyta's quarters with pizza. At least, he thinks it's pizza.
In C & C, Sheridan and Ivanova watch Bester's starfury leave. Sheridan wonders about the "dark servants" of the Shadows and where they are going. He wishes he knew what their intent is.
Centauri Prime
The Minister (now regent to the throne) awakens from a dream. He gets out of bed and tries to get some water. Suddenly, he turns on the lights and retrieves a mirror. Pulling back his shirt, he sees a creature on his neck. Which is the same kind that possessed Londo in the future. (War Without End, part 2)
