---

      The movie opens with Delenn, on a White Star, and G'Kar in his quarters on B5.

Delenn: It is said that in every age there is one singular event that forever changes the world around us. A nexus, if you will.

      Scenes of the first contact with the Minbari and the war.

G'Kar: It is said that the future is always born in pain. The history of war is the history of pain. If we are wise what is born of that pain matures into the promise of a better world. Because we learn that we can no longer afford the mistakes of the past.

      More scenes of the Earth-Minbari War.

Delenn: But in the pain of that war, the future was born. A future that would one day have a name whispered on a hundred worlds. A final refuge for dreams. Our last, best hope for peace. Babylon 5.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Outside the Emperor's Palace on Centauri Prime, the city is on fire. A very old Londo watches it burn before returning to his throne.

      Two playing children wander into the throne room. They stop by the open window and see the fires. Their governess finds them and pulls them away from the window. They are unaware the emperor is watching them. The boy, Luc, asks what happened to all the buildings.

Governess: They fell down. Some bad people made them fall down. That's why all the windows in the palace are covered, so you can't see. If they find out you've been looking....
Luc: The why is the window here if you're not supposed to look?
Governess: This is the emperor's window, Luc. He's the only one who can look out of the palace. That's why we can't stay, we have to go before-
Londo: No.... It's alright. It's been a long time since I heard the sound of laughter in this room. A very long time... Let me see them.

      The children stand unafraid before Londo, who is sitting in shadow. Their governess looks a little scared. Londo asks them their names. Luc introduces himself and his sister, Lyssa, the quite one.

Londo: The quiet ones are the ones who change the universe, Luc Deradi. The loud ones only take the credit.

      Londo erupts into a fit of coughing. Luc asks Londo if he is really the emperor. Londo says yes and shows him the seal of the Centauri Republic hanging around his neck. He removes the seal and puts in around Luc's neck. For the next five minutes Luc will be the emperor and can issue any one order. Luc asks for a story. Londo asks him what kind of story he wants.

Luc: I want a story about great battles and wars and bravery and heroes and villains.
Londo: I see... And what does your sister want?
Luc: Nothing.

      Lyssa hits him. Caught, he tells Londo what his sister wants.

Luc: She says she wants to hear a true story.
Londo: Very well, then. I will give you both what you want. A story about great deeds. About armies of light and soldiers of darkness. About the places where they lived and fought and loved and died. About great empires and terrible mistakes. A true story. You see, I was there, at the dawn of the Third Age. It began with the humans, you know. They are the quiet ones I mentioned before. They changed the universe. But in doing so, paid a terrible price. It began 35 of their years ago.

      As Londo speaks, the scene shift to a space view of Earth. We move closer, passing several ships in orbit, descending into the atmosphere, flying over Geneva. We follow a Centauri shuttle as it lands on the roof of a domed building.

Londo: Their homeworld is a place called Earth, located in a fairly uninteresting part of the galaxy. We'd never bothered much with that area before. It had little military or strategic value. But, as a culture grows decadent, it becomes intrigued by art, by trinkets, by eccentricity. The humans had art, trinkets and eccentricity to spare. But it was none of those traits that would cause so much death and pain. They have an expression: pride goeth before a fall. Their pride was their undoing. I know. I was there.

EARTH - 2243

      Londo, liaison to the Centauri delegation, enters an office where he meets the president's aide and General Lefcourt. They exchange the usual diplomatic pleasantries before Londo asks why he was called to this meeting. Lefcourt tells him Earth is looking to expand their sphere of influence. They want to know about a race called Minbari. Earth wants to know if they will be a threat to their plans for expansion. Londo advises Lefcourt to send only one ship. Anything more would be considered a threat. Lefcourt believes that the Minbari will be easy to handle if problems arise.

Londo: Ah... Arrogance and stupidity all in the same package. How efficient of you.
Aide: Just a minute-
Londo: Listen to me. The Minbari are one of the oldest spacefaring races. Even at the height of the Centauri Empire, when we were expanding in all directions, we never opposed the Minbari. If you do not bother them, they will not bother you.

      Lefcourt and the Aide are undeterred. All they want from Londo is information on the location of Minbari military forces so they can avoid contact. Londo resist. Lefcourt accuses Londo and the Centauri of trying to keep a monopoly of Earth's business. Angrily Londo tells them the Minbari are not interested in alien affairs or alien business.

Londo: I've tried to help you. You refuse to listen. There you are. I will get you the information you've asked for, and that is the end. Good luck with your mission, gentlemen. I only hope that in your stumbling around, you do not wake the dragon. Good day.

MINBAR

      Minbari flyers head for the planet as Londo continues his narration.

Londo: (in V.O.) They did not listen, of course. Arrogant men never do. Sadly, arrogance has never been exclusively a human trait. It travels between the stars like solar winds.

      Two Minbari, Lenonn, head of the Rangers, and Callier meet to discuss the Rangers. Lenonn has requested more support for the Rangers because the time of Valen's prophecy is near. The Rangers must be prepared for the Shadows' return. Callier tells Lenonn the Caste Elders have denied his request. Lenonn demands to see the Grey Council to plead his case personally. Callier warns that going over the Caste Elders heads will offend them.

Lenonn: Then let them be offended!
Callier: You operate here at our sufferance, Lenonn. If you force the issue the Rangers may pay the price.
Lenonn: Ignore my request and we shall all pay the price for their stupidity.

      Later that night, Lenonn sleeps. Something wakes him, but he doesn't see anything. He lays back down and suddenly hears bells. He looks up again and see several Acolytes standing in the room. Lenonn questions them, but the do not respond. He follows them out of the room and onto a bridge. A Minbari vessel (looks like a glider) picks them up and takes them to a war cruiser. The Acolytes lead Lenonn through the ship to a circular hatch. The hatch opens and he enters a dark room.

Dukhat: Well Lenonn.... You said you wished to speak with us. Step into the circle and speak.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Luc interrupts Londo's story.

Luc: You said there was going to be a battle.
Londo: Excuse me?
Luc: You said there was going to be a great battle in your story.
Governess: Luc, be quiet.
Londo: No, no... It's alright. The young do not understand that in war there is death. You want a battle, hmmm? Would it help to tell you that these two isolated incidents would lead to the greatest war in human history? Yes. Many Minbari would die in the war, but before its end Earth herself would stand on the very edge of complete destruction. And the irony is...the terrible...the terrible truth that no one knows, but that I will tell you, is that the blood of many who died in that war is on my hands. My fault.... My fault.

      The governess tells Londo that he has endured so much and should not blame himself for the war between the humans and the Minbari. Londo thanks her, but tells her that he knows his sins and the price he will have to pay for them.

      Londo returns to his story.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Lenonn stands before the Grey Council.

Lenonn: Long ago, Valen led our people to victory in the great war against the Shadows. Before he went away he gave us the prophecy that they would return again in a thousand years. That time is almost upon us, and the Rangers, who were created to be our eyes and ears on the frontier, to watch for the return of the great darkness, are not ready. There are only a few of us, and most of those are old and tired from years of watching, waiting. Weary of being mocked by certain members of this council.....and by the warrior caste, who think of us an embarrassment. And who do not believe in the prophecy of Valen.

      Dukhat asks why they should not wait until they have proof. Prophecy falls under the religious caste's domain. The worker caste will need to know why they should start building ships and weapons and the warrior caste should know why they may be called to fight and die. Dukhat asks Lenonn what he should tell them. Lenonn only says that he believes. What more is there to tell? He says the Rangers need money, resources, people....and contact with the Vorlons.

      Coplann, a Satai of the warrior caste, laughs at this.

Coplann: Over the last hundred years we've sent a dozen ships into Vorlon space. None has returned. To send more would be a waste of time, effort...and lives. The Vorlons know the prophecy as well as you...yet they have not come forth to contact us.
Lenonn: Because they know we have fallen from grace, and that we no longer believe.
Coplann: Then let them appear to give us something to believe in. If the Vorlons do not see the danger, then perhaps the danger does not exist.

      Delenn speaks up. She says there may be a way to give the other the proof they want. Coplann protests. Delenn is not a formal member of the council and it is inappropriate for her to speak. Dukhat disagrees and lets Delenn speak. Delenn suggests they send someone to Z'ha'dum to see if the Shadows have returned.

      Coplann refuses to cooperate. Their forces are need to protect Minbar. Other ships have gone to Z'ha'dum and found it mined and occupied by other races. Dukhat asks if Coplann feels the expedition is too dangerous for the warrior caste. Coplann says the warrior caste fears nothing and adds that if word got out, it would create panic among the people.

      Dukhat agrees and says the warrior caste will not have to go. They will. Why rely on reports from others when they can see for themselves. They will take only a few support vessels and travel indirectly, stopping at various outposts before making the final jump. He then thanks a stunned Coplann for giving him the idea.

      Dukhat leaves the council room. Delenn follows. Dukhat asks Delenn what is no her mind. She says that Lenonn is correct - they should prepare, but Coplann is also correct - the Vorlons should have contacted them by now. Dukhat tells her that the Vorlons do not reveal themselves quickly and never all at once.

      Dukhat excuses himself and goes to his sanctum to meditate. Inside, a Vorlon waits.

Dukhat: Now it starts.
Vorlon: Yes.

EARTH

      Lt. Commander John Sheridan enters Gen. Lefcourt's office. Lefcourt offers Sheridan a new assignment - first officer of the Prometheus on an expedition into Minbari space. After learning who would be serving under, Sheridan declines. He doesn't like the way Jankowski operates and has a loyalty to his current CO, Captain Sterns. Lefcourt is not happy, but if Sheridan wants to shoot his career in the foot, he won't stop him.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Delenn watches out of a window as a cargo ship docks. Delenn finds the ship's pilot and questions him about the cargo: equipment for creating an alternate atmosphere. This piques her curiosity even more and she continues to pump the annoyed pilot for information. She suspects this cargo concerns the Vorlons, but fails to get anymore answers when Dukhat arrives to remind her about her initiation ceremony.

HYPERSPACE

      The Prometheus prepares to exit hyperspace and enter Minbari territory. They are unaware they are heading straight for the Grey Council's ship.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      The ceremony begins. Delenn, wearing the grey robes of a Satai, walks down a corridor to the Grey Council chamber. Dukhat blocks her way.

Dukhat: Why do you come here, Delenn?
Delenn: I come to serve.
Dukhat: Who do you serve?
Delenn: I server the truth.
Dukhat: What is the truth?
Delenn: That we are one people, one voice.
Dukhat: Will you follow me into fire? Will you follow me into darkness? Will you follow me into death?
Delenn: I will.
Dukhat: Then follow.

      Dukhat turns and enters the chamber. Delenn pulls up her hood and follows. The door closes behind them.

PROMETHEUS

      The first officer reports that they've picked up a silhouette at the edge of scanner range. Jankowski is surprised since they are well outside of Minbari transfer points. The Minbari shouldn't be there unless they are looking for the human ships. Jankowski doesn't want to put any more of a strain on the engines, so he decides to stay instead of jumping back out. The XO reminds Jankowski that they were ordered not to make contact. Jankowski knows the orders, but stays anyway. He also wants to get a good look at the Minbari.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      The ceremony continues. An Acolyte approaches Delenn with the triluminary. Delenn holds her hand up to it and recites the Grey Council oath. The triluminary to glows to the astonishment of others.

PROMETHEUS

      The XO has a reading on the Minbari ships. He reads two primary vessels and several support vessels. The scanners can only pick up a silhouette, the Minbari are using some kind of stealth technology. They exhibit no hostile activity, so the XO thinks the Minbari may not have seen them yet. Jankowski orders them closer to the alien ships. Once again the XO reminds Jankowski they are ordered to avoid contact.

Jankowski: Our orders are to bring back information on the Minbari and that's just what we're going to do. Now if we can bring back a profile on one of their warships, they're gonna be handing out medals by the bucket. We handled the Dilgar, we can handle a few stray ships. Now bring us in closer.

      The XO complies.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      The ceremony has ended. As Dukhat walks away, one of the Satais, Morann, tells the others that they have detected alien ships on approach. He's ordered the scanners at maximum to verify and says there is no reason to alert Dukhat until they know more.

PROMETHEUS

      XO reports the Minbari have changed course and are moving toward them. The alien scanners are very powerful, like nothing he's ever seen. The Minbari have seen them. Jankowski decides it's time to get out of there, but the jump engines won't respond. The Minbari scanners are interfering with the Prometheus' electrical systems. Jankowski believes the Minbari have set a trap for them. The XO speculates that the Minbari wanted to capture their ship for study. Jankowski orders a Red Alert and tells the XO to open a channel to the Minbari, telling them the Earth ships mean them no harm.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Dukhat and the council are gathered in their chamber.

Morann: We've detected these alien ships approaching our space.
Dukhat: I've never seen these markings before. Who are they?
Delenn: I believe they are the humans.
Morann: They've tried to contact us, but we do not understand their language. As is our custom we are approaching with gunports open.
Dukhat: By whose order?

PROMETHEUS

XO: Sir, alien ships have opened gunports.
Jankowski: Are they prepared to fire?
XO: I don't know. I can't tell.
Jankowski: Come on, talk to me. Are they locked on to us?
XO: Scanners are too powerful. I couldn't tell even if they were. They have opened all gunports.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

Morann: Master, that is the tradition of the warrior caste. A gesture of strength and respect. They can see our weapons; they can see we approach them open-handed.

PROMETHEUS

XO: Enemy presumed to be hostile. Weapons hot.
Jankowski: All batteries, all forward guns....fire at will! I repeat, fire!

      The Prometheus and escort vessels begin firing at the Minbari convoy.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Chaos ensues. Minbari dodge explosions and falling debris.

IN SPACE

      Minbari fighters are launched and return fire, attacking the Earth ships.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Delenn is cradling an injured Dukhat, calling out for help. Dukhat tries to give Delenn one final message, but she doesn't hear it.

PROMETHEUS

XO: We've hit their scanner arrays, we can jump now!
Jankowski: Alright, get us the hell out of here!

      The Prometheus and escort ships open a jump point and escape.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Morann finds Delenn with Dukhat's body. He asks her what they should do: follow the humans to their base and strike back, or wait and see what happened? Delenn is enraged. She screams for blood. No mercy.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Londo tells the children the Minbari went mad. They swore revenge and would not stop until the humans were completely destroyed.

EARTHDOME

      A large crowd of EA officers and pilots watch footage of the Minbari destroying EA bases, outposts and ships on a huge monitor. Afterward, Gen. Lefcourt and Gen. Fontaine address the crowd.

Lefcourt: The incident you have just seen has been repeated at half a dozen bases in just the last few days. Where the Minbari strike, nothing is left alive. Even ships no longer capable of fighting are targeted and destroyed, so surrender on any scale is not an option. Every attempt we've made to communicate with them has been rebuffed.
Fontaine: They are moving methodically through the outer colonies, wiping out our defense structures and leaving colonies vulnerable. Civilian structures are being left alone for now.

      Fontaine and Lefcourt believe that their plan is to remove every defense structure, all the way to Earth, and then return to finish the job on the civilians. Earth has not won a single battle against them. Their ships are very powerful and they use some kind of stealth technology that Earth ships can't break.

Lefcourt: We want you to go back to your units and make them understand two things: one, that we need a victory against these forces...any victory...to increase morale; and two, that unless we find a way to defeat the Minbari, the human race ends with the current generation.

      The audience is dismissed

      Sheridan and Sterns are in the crowd. Sterns' eyes are filled with hopelessness.

Sterns: There's got to be a way to beat them, John. But you saw those records. Any ship that goes up against them loses.
Sheridan: I've never believed in the idea of an undefeatable enemy, sir. Any ship can be destroyed.
Sterns: I hope to hell you're right

      Since it will be a couple of days before the Lexington is ready to leave, Sterns advises Sheridan to spend time with his family.

      Elsewhere on Earth, troops and ships are preparing for departure. A young pilot, Ganya Ivanov, receives a message. He has a visitor. His visitor turns out to be his younger sister, Susan, who came to see him off.

Ganya: Susan... What are you doing here? You are supposed to be at university.
Susan: You know me. Never where I'm supposed to be. I just wanted to see you before you left.

      Susan tells him she'll be joining Earthforce in a couple of months. Their father won't be too happy about that. Ganya is paged over a loudspeaker. Before he goes, Susan gives him one of her earrings for luck.

EARTHDOME

      The president's aide is trying to talk Londo into supply them with advanced weapons. Londo refuses. He doesn't want the Minbari angry at the Centauri. Londo leaves.

      The aide enters a darkened office. G'Kar is sitting in the shadows.

G'Kar: Well...?
Aide: He refused to help, just as you said he would.
G'Kar: The Centauri care for no one but themselves. They would sooner see your world in flames than lift a finger to help.
Aide: So it would seem. Alright, G'Kar...what help can we expect from the Narns?

      G'Kar offers to sell Earth the weapons they took from the Centauri (at an inflated price). They're not concerned if the Minbari discover the weapons. They will think the Centauri supplied the weapons and will attack them instead. The Narns win by default. The aide agrees to the deal.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Delenn is in her quarters meditating or praying. Lenonn is there too. Morann walks in carrying a report on the war. Delenn is not interested in his war reports. Morann is puzzled.

Morann: I should think you would be pleased by the progress of the war.
Delenn: What pleasure can be found in defeating an enemy that never had the slightest chance of defeating us?
Morann: Is that sympathy I hear in your voice, Delenn? I'm surprised. You were the chosen of Dukhat, after all.
Delenn: Dukhat would have never approved of this slaughter.
Morann: This is simple retribution.
Delenn: This has gone beyond retribution, Morann. This is madness. This is genocide.

      Lenonn agrees. He goes on to say that the warrior caste has embraced this war so enthusiastically because they love to win and hate to lose.

Lenonn: It is easier to fight a weaker opponent and be guaranteed victory than to oppose a far more dangerous enemy.

      This angers Morann and he calls Lenonn a coward and questions his loyalty. Delenn orders Morann out of her quarters. Lenonn apologizes for his behavior and tells Delenn he has reconstructed Dukhat's sanctum for her. She must go there immediately.

      Delenn enters Dukhat's sanctum. It is dark and she does not see the two Vorlons at first.

Delenn: Are you...are you a Vorlon?
Vorlons: Yes.
Delenn: What is your name?
Vorlon: Kosh.

      The other Vorlon, Ulkesh, doesn't answer.

Delenn: What do you want? What are you doing here?
Kosh: Creating the future.

      Kosh's eye irises open and projects an image of Dukhat.

Dukhat: If you are seeing this message, it is because I am dead. I leave this in trust of the Vorlons to give to the right person, at the right time. I ask you to trust them as I have. They have come to us in secret, to prepare for the coming war. They say we will need allies, in particular a race that is, so far, unknown to us called humans. If we have not already done so by now, it is my hope that you will work with the Vorlons to find these humans and bring them into the battle on our side. The allies of the shadows are gathering at Z'ha'dum. Their masters cannot be far behind. They must be stopped. Finish the work I began.... Finish it.

      Delenn is shocked. She can't believe what she has just heard.

Delenn: The humans...
Kosh: Yes. They are the key.
Delenn: He didn't know... He couldn't know that we are at war with them.
Lenonn: And that is why it must be stopped. We have lost too much valuable time already due to this distraction. If we do not end it soon, more time will be lost. This great war must be stopped before it starts, or millions of lives will be lost.

EARTH - MEDICAL FACILITY

      Dr. Stephen Franklin is giving a tour of the facility to medical personnel when General Fontaine bursts in and orders everyone but Franklin out of the room. He has a record of Franklin's activities after he left Earthforce. While hitchhiking on starships, Franklin had contact with a group of wounded Minbari. Fontaine orders Franklin to hand over all his notes on their biology to the bioweapons division. Franklin refuses and Fontaine has him arrested.

SOMEWHERE IN SPACE

      On board the Lexington, Sheridan is updating his log. Earth has lost two more ships to hit-and-run attacks. He heard there is some kind of ace Minbari cruiser on the loose. The Lexington, moving through an asteroid field, picks up enemy transmissions. Sterns thinks it might be a trap so he dispatches a single fighter to investigate. The Starfury pilot, Ganya Ivanov, races after a Minbari flyer that appears to be helplessly tumbling through space. Sterns cautiously moves the fleet forward. Sheridan is suspicious.

Sheridan: Sir, I don't like it. Just before the transport flamed out, it fired its forward thrusters, cutting acceleration down to almost nothing. Now, if I were running from the enemy, engines failing, I'd try to keep my inertia going on the off chance I could get away. Not just lying there, waiting to be caught.
Sterns: Maybe he wants to be captured alive, rather than taking a chance getting killed in that asteroid field.
Sheridan: Or maybe they want us at a precise, predetermined location. Captain, their jump engines are a lot more precise than ours. They can target an area of less than 100 yards. If they jumped into the middle of us...

      Sterns realizes what Sheridan is getting at, but before he can order the fleet to pull back, a jump point opens in the middle of the fleet. The energy from the vortex destroys two EA ships and disables another. A single Minbari warship, the Black Star, exits hyperspace firing weapons. The EA ships return fire, but they are no match. The "helpless" Minbari flyer comes to life and destroys Ganya Ivanov's fighter.

      The Lexington is hit. Their engines are down. Only navigational thrusters are operational. Sheridan asks Sterns for orders. when he doesn't respond, Sheridan looks over and sees Sterns dead - crushed in his chair by a fallen bulkhead. His blood floats free in the zero-G environment. Sheridan is now in command.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Delenn and Lenonn discuss the war. She is unhappy with the its progression. It's getting out of control. The longer the bloodshed continues, the harder it will be to find reach a solution. Delenn proposes peace talks, but she cannot pursue it herself and she can't bring it to the Grey Council. She asks Lenonn to set up a meeting with the humans through the Narns. Lenonn is not sure if it will work, but is grateful to be able to serve his people again.

LEXINGTON

      The Lexington is floating through the asteroid field. Power is still out, but communications are still functioning - they can send a distress signal. There is a risk, though. The only reason the crew is alive is because the Black Star thinks it's a dead ship and has moved on to other targets. If they send a distress signal, the Minbari will finish them off.

      Sheridan has an idea. He orders tactical nukes to be hidden on the asteroids. Then, using a distress signal, he'll lure the Minbari into a trap.

      Outside, crew in EVA suits attach the warheads to asteroids. When they finish, Sheridan sends a distress signal. The Black Star picks it up and heads for the Lexington. Sheridan maneuvers behind large asteroids to keep being shot. The Minbari approach nuke #1. The explosion rips off a fin. The Black Star retreats. It's too far from nuke #2, but close enough to nuke #3 and the Black Star is destroyed.

EARTHDOME

      EA troops are gathered, watching the destruction of the Black Star on a huge monitor. The crowd erupts in cheers. They plan on airing the footage on every major planetary network for the next three days. Morale has been boosted.

      Lefcourt praises Sheridan and thanks him for staying on the Lexington instead of taking the Prometheus assignment. Now Lefcourt has a new assignment for Sheridan. Lefcourt introduces him to G'Kar, who will be accompanying him on a covert mission. They will take a Narn ship to Sector 919, the location of an abandoned listening post. There they will meet with a representative of the the Minbari in the hope that they can end the war. If the Minbari are serious about peace, negotiators will be sent in.

      The final member of Sheridan's team arrives: Dr. Franklin. Going on the mission was the only way he could get out of the stockade. He's had prior contact with the Minbari and can verify that they are who they say they are. G'Kar will serve as translator.

Lefcourt: I don't have to tell you how important this mission is, Commander. We're still only a few months into this war. There are millions of lives at risk in the inner colonies, more here in the home system.This has to go well, John. There's no other choice.
Sheridan: And if the only way out is for Earth to surrender?
Lefcourt: Officially, that's up to the negotiators. Those are my orders. Unofficially...We're losing this war, John. And if the only way the human race can survive is to surrender...then we'll surrender.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Londo tells the children about his orders. He was to prevent the Narns from using the war to establish closer ties to the humans. Thinking the mission to Sector 919 was a weapons deal, Londo sent a Centauri warship to intercept them.

SECTOR 919

      Sheridan, Franklin and G'Kar land near a bunker on a frozen planet. Soon after, a Minbari flyer exits the jumpgate.

      The bunker is dark until Sheridan finds the power. Franklin is sent to check the perimeter. G'Kar offers Sheridan a job with the Narn government if the peace talks fail, but Sheridan declines. If Earth dies, he will die with it.

      Franklin returns to the bunker, but he's not alone. Lenonn is behind him, holding a weapon. Lenonn tells them, in English, that it is only a precaution. He asks Sheridan if he is Sheridan. Sheridan is surprised, he didn't think the Minbari were told who was meeting them. Lenonn says they know more than they think. Lenonn also say that he knows what Sheridan did to the Black Star. Sheridan gets defensive. He says he only did what the Minbari would have done, only he did it first. Lenonn understands, it was necessary, but his people will never forget.

      Just as they get down to business, G'Kar is contacted by the Narn ship. A Centauri warship comes through the gate. Before they can warn G'Kar, it destroys the Narn transport. Homing in on G'Kar's signal, the Centauri ship launches its missiles at the planet.

      The bunker is hit.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Londo says that no one ever found out who attacked them. Each side blamed the other for the attack, but it was Londo who gave the order that destroyed their last chance for peace.

BUNKER - SECTOR 919

      Lenonn lay mortally wounded, covered in debris. Franklin tries to save him, but Lenonn tells them there is nothing they can do. His people will come looking for him and blame the humans for his death. Before he dies, Lenonn gives a message to Sheridan.

      The Grey Council ship arrives at the planet and recovers Lenonn. Delenn, the hood of her robe covers her face, grieves over his body. G'Kar, Sheridan and Franklin, hands bound, are shoved through the corridors by warrior caste guards. Their captors tell Delenn they have brought her the prisoners to question before execution. Delenn doesn't really care and walks away.

      Sheridan yells to her. He has a message. He knows what's in Dukhat's sacred place. Delenn stops. The guards beat Sheridan for uttering Dukhat's name, but he continues to repeat the message. Delenn orders the guards to stop and asks Sheridan what is in Dukhat's sacred place.

Sheridan: Isil-zha.... Isil-zha!

      Stunned Minbari faces look to Delenn. Surprising the guards, she orders the prisoners released. There has been too much death already. Delenn follows after Lenonn's body.

      Franklin asks G'Kar what 'Isil-zha' means.

G'Kar: The future.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Luc asks if that's the end of the story. Londo tells him no. At the time of Sheridan's capture, 50 - 60 thousand humans had died in the war. With their one chance for peace ruined, the war escalated. The greatest slaughter was still ahead...and it would change everything.

      Londo looks out the window at the burning city. He notes how ironic it is...he's ordered every window in the palace covered to block out the destruction, but spends most of his time looking out of the window anyway. He goes on to talk about the love he has for Centauri Prime. Everything he did, he did for her. But look at what the Centauri have done to their own homeworld.

      The children are not paying attention. They just want to hear the story.

SPACE

      Londo continues his narration over scenes of the war. Dozens of Minbari warships descend on Earth ships like vultures, cutting them to ribbons. Explosions light up the once dark space. Civilians hide in shelters. Parents hold on to their crying children. Gropos fight hand-to-hand with Minbari warriors, but are cut down. No mercy.

Londo: (V.O.) The humans, I think, knew they were doomed. But where another race would surrender to despair, the humans fought back with even greater strength. They made the Minbari fight for every inch of space. In my life, I have never seen anything like it. They would weep, they would prey, they would say goodbye to their loved ones and then throw themselves without fear or hesitation at the very face of death itself. Never surrendering. No one who saw them fighting against the inevitable could help but be moved to tears by their courage... Their stubborn nobility. When they ran out of ships, they used guns. When they ran out of guns, they used knives and sticks and bare hands. They were magnificent. I only hope, that when it is my time, I may die with half as much dignity as I saw in their eyes at the end. They did this for two years. They never ran out of courage, but in the end...they ran out of time.

EARTH

      In a pilot's ready-room, and address by the president is heard over a loud speaker. She announces that the midrange military bases at Beta Durani and Proxima Three have fallen to the Minbari advance. They have also lost contact with Io. Intelligence believes the Minbari will bypass Mars and head straight for Earth. They have continued to broadcast their surrender, but the Minbari refuse to respond. The president asks for all available ships to help in the final defense, to stall Minbari forces long enough to evacuate as much of the population as possible. There is very little chance that anyone who joins the fight will survive.

SPACE

      The thousands of ships of the two opposing forces draw closer toward one another.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Coplann informs Delenn that they are almost in range of Earth. The Grey Council should be convened to witness the end of their great campaign. Delenn doesn't see any glory in eliminating an entire race. Coplann doesn't look too enthusiastic about it either, but the must see it to the end.

      Before joining the others in the chamber, Delenn stops at Dukhat's sanctum to consult the Vorlons. She admits that she has failed. The final slaughter is about to begin. She feels the others are as tired of this war as she is. They only need a reason to stop. She asks the Vorlons what to do. The Vorlons are silent. She starts to leave.

Kosh: The truth points to itself.
Delenn: What?
Kosh: The truth points to itself.
Delenn: I do not understand.
Ulkesh: You will.
Delenn: But-
Ulkesh: Go now.
Kosh: Go. Before it's too late.

      Delenn leaves.

EARTH SPACE

      Thousands of ships surround Earth. A Starfury patrolling an area near the moon picks up energy emissions. He breaks off to investigate. Several Minbari fighters appear out of nowhere. It's a scouting party. The shooting starts.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      The council watches the battle. Coplann gives the order to jump.

EARTH SPACE

      Hundreds of jump points open, and hundreds of Minbari warships and fighters exit from each. The Battle of the Line has begun. Earth ships are being destroyed left and right. Pilots are luck if they're still alive after five minutes.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Delenn and Coplann watch the battle.

Delenn: They fight bravely. They cannot harm our ships, but they continue to try.
Coplann: Whether they fight or not, they will die anyway. So really, is this bravery. or simple desperation?

EARTH SPACE

      Starfury pilot Jeffrey Sinclair is hit. His stabilizer, weapons and defense grid are gone and the Minbari have targeted his ship. If he dies, he's determined to take a few Minbari with him. He targets a cruiser, intending to ram it.

GREY COUNCIL SHIP

      Delenn suggest bringing a human aboard to learn about their defenses. She points to Sinclair's fighter. The ship is captured and the human is brought aboard. Coplann will conduct the interrogation. In the council chamber, Delenn can stand no more and leaves. Coplann catches up to her in the corridor. He tells her he probed the human with the triluminary.... There is something she and the others must see.

      Sinclair is tied to bar. The council members confer behind him. Delenn walks in front of him and holds up a triluminary. It glows, just like it did for Delenn. She walks back to the others and removes her hood.

Delenn: The triluminary confirms it. The human has a Minbari soul. And not just a Minbari soul. The soul of Valen.
Coplann: I still can't believe it. But the triluminary is our most holy relic. It cannot be questioned.
Delenn: Minbari do not kill Minbari. It's our greatest law. Valen must have been reborn into this form to tell us that the humans are important, important to the next phase...the coming Shadow war. We cannot destroy them. In the name of Valen, and the one who is Valen's shadow in this life...we cannot kill them. Tell the ships to stop firing. Tell them, Coplann. Tell them now.

      Coplann rushes off to stop the shooting. Morann asks Delenn what they should do about the human, he knows what they've found. They can't kill him and they can't let anyone discover what they've learned. Delenn instructs Morann to send for a telepath. They will remove the memory from Sinclair's mind. Delenn will find a way to keep any eye on him.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      Londo concludes his story. He says the one question would obsess a hundred worlds: why did the Minbari surrender on the eve of victory? The answer would change the galaxy forever. Luc asks what happened when everyone found out. Londo tells him that is for another story.

EARTH

      The president makes an announcement. Funding has been approved for the construction of the Babylon station in neutral space.

President: Together, we stood on the eve of destruction, as a result of a terrible, terrible mistake. A mistake which none of us can afford to make again. The Babylon station will provide a place for us to work out our problems peacefully. It is, we believe, our last, best hope for peace.

      The first Babylon station is shown being constructed....and destroyed.

CENTAURI PRIME - 2278

      His story over, Londo dismissed the children. The governess takes the seal of the Centauri Republic from Luc and returns it. Londo thanks her for allowing him one more moment of joy. As they go, Luc asks about Sheridan and Delenn. Londo tells him Sheridan became the president of a great alliance with Delenn at his side. Lyssa asks if they lived happily ever after.

Londo: That remains to be seen.

      Londo instructs his guards to bring him several more bottles of alcohol, wait an hour, then bring the prisoners to the throne room. He activates a viewer - it's Sheridan and Delenn in a cell (War Without End 2). Londo pours another glass and toasts his old friends.

      Outside, Centauri Prime burns.

"IN THE BEGINNING" synopsis © 1998 Becky Murphy. Do not reproduce without author's express permission.