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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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								      [15]Last update: November 17, 1995


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