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  Synopsis by Matthew Murray (mmurray@wsu.edu)
  
   On Centauri Prime, Londo meets with Lord Refa in the Emperor's throne
   room. Refa explains to Londo that the war with the Narn is about to
   end, much sooner than originally expected, and that Londo himself will
   be the "architect" of the victory.
   
   Aboard Babylon 5, Delenn meditates in her quarters. While she is doing
   so, she senses a presence. "Hello dear friend," she says, and a voice
   chuckles all around her. C&C detects an energy surge coming from
   Epsilon 3, and informs Ivanova, who in turn informs Sheridan, just out
   of the shower. Ivanova's message is interrupted by a voice coming from
   behind Sheridan. He turns around and sees Draal standing there. Draal
   tells Sheridan that he has been watching, and introduces himself.
   Sheridan tells Draal that he knows Draal took custody of Epsilon 3,
   although Draal corrects him saying that the planet took custody of him
   instead, returning to him his youth both in appearance and health.
   Draal wants to invite Sheridan, and one other, down to the surface for
   a visit at Sheridan's earliest convenience.
   
   G'Sten, G'Kar's uncle, tells G'Kar that the war with the Centauri is
   not going well, and that Narn defenses have been severely weakened,
   rolling back thirty years of territorial gains. G'Sten explains that
   the Kha'Ri is trying to make the Narn believe that they are holding
   their own against the Centauri, though that is far from the truth.
   G'Sten says that their one chance is to attack the Centauri supply
   depot at Gorash 7, which will require the entire Narn fleet. G'Kar
   points out that, if the forces are taken away from the homeworld, it
   will make it vulnerable. G'Sten realizes the risk, but insists that
   there will only be a very short period when the homeworld won't be
   defended. G'Kar offers to go along, but G'Sten declines, saying that
   G'Kar's work on Babylon 5 may be even more important, and that, were
   G'Kar's father alive, he would be proud.
   
   Delenn steps off the elevator and meets Sheridan to tell him that
   Draal appeared to her as well. The two continue on together.
   
   Refa tells Londo that he strongly believes that the Narn are planning
   an attack on Gorash 7. Londo asks if Refa's forces will be waiting for
   the Narn there, and Refa tells him that he needs Londo's forces there
   instead, because the Centauri forces will be carrying out an all-out
   attack on the Narn homeworld. This idea troubles Londo, who tries to
   convince Refa to pursue another course of action, but Refa says it
   isn't necessary -- they will be using mass drivers, powerful weapons
   outlawed by every species, which will decimate the cities, and allow
   nearly effortless takeover of the planet. Londo tells Refa that he is
   troubled by his allies and their strength, but Refa doesn't understand
   his reluctance. Londo tries to warn Refa that moving too quickly might
   cause things to spin out of control, but Refa won't listen, telling
   him that numerous Centauri battleships are waiting hyperspace for
   Londo's go-ahead, and that this action will save thousands of Centauri
   lives. With only a little more convincing, Londo agrees to use his
   allies, as long as it is for the last time. Refa assures Londo that
   this is the last time their assistance will be needed, as the Narn
   will be defeated, and this time, the Centauri will not allow the Narn
   to be free again.
   
   Garibaldi expresses great doubt about the message received from Draal,
   but Delenn insists that Draal is who he claims. Even Sheridan is
   somewhat troubled by his altered appearance, though Delenn assures
   them that he looked that way when he was younger. Garibaldi suggests
   it may be a trick, and that the message might be faked, but Delenn
   refuses to believe him. Ivanova reports that tests run on the message
   determined it was sent from below the planet's surface, verifying that
   Draal did indeed send it. Despite this, Garibaldi still wants to send
   a security team, but Sheridan says he is only allowed to bring one
   other, namely Delenn.
   
   Londo meets up with Refa again, and Refa tells him that it is time to
   leave for the Narn homeworld--they will be on the first ship so they
   can oversee the victory personally. "Come Londo," Refa tells him.
   "Destiny awaits." Meanwhile, Sheridan and Delenn board a shuttle and
   head down to Epsilon 3.
   
   G'Kar goes to MedLab, where Dr. Franklin is waiting for him. Franklin
   tells him that one of the Narn refugees he treated was captured and
   interrogated by the Centauri, and that the questions involved the Narn
   homeworld's defense systems, and were particularly urgent. The refugee
   transport got away easily because the Centauri warships guarding the
   planet pulled out with little explanation. This puzzles G'Kar, as he
   knows the Centauri to be very thorough. Franklin explains to G'Kar
   that, during the Earth-Minbari War, the Minbari did something very
   similar just before they attacked Earth.
   
   Sheridan and Delenn arrive on Epsilon 3 and begin searching the
   tunnels of the planet. They arrive at a large walkway across a huge
   chasm, which strikes Sheridan speechless.
   
   G'Kar urgently tries to convince G'Sten that the Centauri are planning
   to attack the Narn homeworld, but G'Sten won't listen, saying the
   mission is too far along to stop it without proof.
   
   Sheridan and Delenn arrive in Draal's chamber and see his body in the
   depression, running the planet. An image of Draal appears and addreses
   them, commending Sheridan for his work aboard Babylon 5. Draal
   explains that he has explored the many secrets of Epsilon 3 and has
   learned much about the galaxy, and Sheridan himself. He also knows
   about Sheridan's conspiracy of light. Sheridan tries to deny it, but
   Draal knows better, and assures him the information is safe. Draal
   explains that he said a year earlier that Epsilon 3 would remain
   dormant until such a time as it was needed, and that this is such a
   time -- he's prepared to place the planet at Sheridan's disposal, one
   of the first alliances of the coming war. Draal tells Sheridan that he
   is not alone in the struggle, and that, should they succeed, there is
   a great possibility of hope.
   
   As G'Kar prays fervently, the Narn ships come out of hyperspace above
   Gorash 7 and prepare for the attack. They don't detect any ships at
   first, but several Shadow ships soon appear and begin moving toward
   them, ready for the attack. G'Sten tries to activate the jump engines,
   but they must recharge first. G'Sten orders an attack against the
   ships, and though the Narn score several hits with their energy mines,
   the weapons of the Shadows are much more powerful, easily able to cut
   through the Narn ships. The Narn warships are destroyed one by one.
   Several warships combine their firepower and manage to sever a spine
   from one of the Shadow ships, but it's a futile victory. Defeat
   imminent, G'Sten orders the remaining ships to open jump points and
   flee, but the Shadows fire something into the vortices, disrupting
   them and causing the remaining Narn cruisers to be destroyed mid-jump.
   An undamaged Shadow ship connects to the injured one, revitalizing it;
   then all the Shadow ships vanish. G'Kar, sensing the outcome somehow,
   grimly ceases his prayer.
   
   Draal tells Sheridan that it probably isn't a good idea to tell the
   Earth government of the new alliance. Delenn asks Draal if he is able
   to handle living alone on the planet. Draal explains that he has the
   stars to keep him company, in addition to the others who live on the
   planet and help maintain the machine. "There is one, in particular,
   who..." He touches his head. He tells Sheridan that he is hearing
   distress calls and that Sheridan needs to leave immediately. Sheridan
   rushes on ahead, and Delenn tells Draal that she hopes to see him more
   often. They exchange a quick goodbye and she leaves. "So much to do,"
   he says, "so little time. We must get to work. Zathras! Zathras!" he
   calls, but no one arrives. "Never around when you need him."
   
   Ivanova tells Garibaldi about the Centauri attack on the Narn
   homeworld, and that she is worried what will happen when word about
   the attack hits the station. He prepares for the coming riots, and
   says she should send out a general alert as soon as possible.
   
   "We interrupt this program with this late-breaking story," says an ISN
   reporter, as the patrons of the Zocalo watch. "Officials in EarthDome
   confirm that the Centauri Republic has begun a devestating frontal
   assault on the Narn homeworld. Reports continue to come in, alleging
   that the main Narn fleet has been neutralized and that Narn is
   completely encircled by its enemies. Neither government has yet
   confirmed nor denied these reports, though some messages relayed from
   Narn seem to corroborate the stories of massive destruction and
   death...." The tension becomes too much and a fight between the Narn
   and Centauri patrons of the Zocalo breaks out.
   
   The general alert is sent out as Sheridan and Delenn arrive back on
   the station. Sheridan asks Ivanova what the situation is, and she
   tells him that Garibaldi is doing the best he can. Sheridan has a
   security officer escort Delenn to her quarters. Ivanova explains to
   Sheridan that she has heard little more than rumors, though she does
   know that the Centauri have used mass drivers in their assault.
   
   The war is not going well for Narn as the Centauri ships use mass
   drivers to pummel Narn's cities with asteroids. As the destruction
   continues, Londo watches, helplessly, at a window in the lead ship of
   the fleet.
   
   "With the planetary bombardment in its fourth day," the ISN reporter
   reports as the C&C staff watches, "the Narn government continues in
   its refusal to surrender. Minbari, Vorlon, Earth, and other
   governments have filed official protests with the Centauri Republic
   for their use of mass drivers against the civilian population. But, so
   far, the protests have had no effect. Although communication with the
   Narn homeworld is difficult at best due to the continued attacks, word
   has reached ISN of cities utterly destroyed, hundreds of thousands of
   casualties, the total elimination of power and water over most of the
   Narn planetary surface. Most of their major cities have fallen, food
   shipments have stopped, the planetary economy has collapsed, and
   medical treatment is virtually non-existent. Government analysists
   predict that, unless the Narn government surrenders soon, their entire
   infrastructure will be totally destroyed. To quote Senator Ronald
   Quantrell, 'They're being bombed back into the stone age.'" Sheridan
   can take no more and orders the feed shut off.
   
   G'Kar is barely able to maintain contact with the homeworld. The Narn
   on the other end says that the only way to survive is to surrender.
   G'Kar asks what will happen to the Narn on Babylon 5, but there is no
   way to know what the terms of the surrender will be. G'Kar offers to
   return, but as the only member of the Kha'Ri not on the homeworld, his
   contact says, G'Kar should stay alive as long as possible. The Narn
   delivers one last message to G'Kar from the Kha'Ri, which he says is
   the hardest thing he's ever had to ask of G'Kar.
   
   G'Kar slowly enters Sheridan's office. "Captain Sheridan, I... I've
   been instructed by government to come to you and ask for...
   sanctuary."
   
   Londo arrives at his quarters to find Garibaldi and a contingent of
   security guards, placed for his protection, there. Londo tells
   Garibaldi to inform Sheridan that he wishes to convene a meeting of
   the advisory council and the League of Non-Aligned Worlds.
   
   "A little over five standard hours ago," Londo tells the Council and
   the League, "the conflict which began with the Narn declaration of war
   came to an end. The Narn Regime has offered complete and unconditional
   surrender. The terms imposed by the Centauri Republic are as follows.
   One, the ruling body, known as the Kha'Ri will be disbanded and its
   members subject to arrest and trial for the commission of war crimes
   against the Centauri."
   
   "Earth requests the right to send observers to these hearings,"
   Sheridan says.
   
   "That request is denied," Londo tells him. "Two. To prevent further
   acts of terror by the Narn against our people, from this day on, the
   penalty for the murder of any Centauri by any Narn will be the
   execution of five hundred Narns, beginning with the perpetrator's own
   family. Three. A provisional ruling council appointed by my government
   will take up the responsibility of rebuilding a more civilized Narn
   government as a colony of the greater Centauri Republic."
   
   "Is there anything else?" Sheridan asks.
   
   "Yes," Londo replies. "Just one thing. Because the Narn homeworld is
   now a protectorate of the Centauri Republic, we reserve the right to
   determine who can speak for Narn. As a result, Ambassador G'Kar may no
   longer represent the Narn in any official capacity whatsoever. His
   appointment as ambassador to Babylon 5 is hereby withdrawn. As the
   only member of the Kha'Ri still at large, Citizen G'Kar will return to
   Narn for trial."
   
   Sheridan tells Londo that G'Kar has been granted sanctuary. Londo
   tries to protest, saying that the agreement between the Narn and
   Centauri had important stipulations about the Kha'Ri, but Sheridan
   tells him that neither he nor Earth signed that agreement, so they are
   not bound by it. Delenn stands up, informing Londo that the Minbari
   government also stands behind Sheridan's decision, and that G'Kar may
   remain for as long as he likes. Londo gives in, but demands that G'Kar
   be removed from the Council chambers immediately. G'Kar painfully
   complies, but he has a few final words for Londo. "No dictator... no
   invader... can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
   There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
   Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
   The Centauri learned this lesson once. We will teach it to them again.
   Though it take a thousand years, we will be free."
   
   Londo watches ISN as the reporter tells of the post-surrender events.
   "And dancing in the streets as Centauri Emperor Cartargia declared a
   week-long public celebration to commemorate the recapture of the Narn
   homeworld. In related news, the Centauri Republic today announced
   plans to annex several smaller worlds adjacent to Narn space,
   declaring them protectorates of the Republic. While government
   spokesmen insist that the Centauri do not have any expansionist plans
   beyond retaking the Narn homeworld, others in Earthdome are less
   sure."
   
   Sheridan tells G'Kar that he will miss G'Kar's imposing presence in
   the Council chambers, and that he wants to help G'Kar in any way he
   can to win back his planet. He offers his hand to G'Kar, who hesitates
   at first: "The last time I offered someone my hand, we were at war
   twenty-four hours later." As Sheridan leaves, he is contacted by
   Ivanova; Delenn wants to see him in the conference center. He goes to
   meet her.
   
   When he arrives, he finds that she and Garibaldi, and a large number
   of other humans and Minbari, are in the room, waiting for him. Delenn
   tells him that the people in the room have come to meet him and pledge
   themselves to him -- they are the Rangers, Garibaldi explains, who
   have been coming through the station to help fight the coming
   darkness. Sheridan asks why Garibaldi didn't tell him; Garibaldi says
   that he made a promise not to. Delenn explains to Sheridan that
   Babylon 5 must be the fortress of Light to stand against the darkness,
   and the Rangers are to help with that. The Rangers were under her
   direct command, but she gives equal authority to Sheridan.
   
   Sheridan addresses them all. "I don't quite know what to say... For
   the last year, things haven't exactly been going our way. I was
   starting to wonder if it would ever get better. I think it just did.
   Tell the other Rangers, the ambassadors, everyone in this army of
   Light that Babylon 5 stands with you. Tell them... tell them that from
   this place, we will deliver notice to the parliaments of conquerers
   that a line has been drawn against the darkness, and we will hold that
   line, no matter the cost."

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