2259: "The Coming Of Shadows"

POINTS OF DEPARTURE (2x01 - #94201) - 11/02/94
Everyone on Babylon 5 is surprised to learn that their old commander, Jeffrey Sinclair, was reassigned and that they have a new leader: Captain John Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER). A controversial choice, Sheridan is most opposed by the Minbari because he was responsible for destroying a Minbari outpost 12 years ago and was named a war hero as a result.

Also, Security Chief Michael Garibaldi remains in critical condition, shot in the back by one of his aides when he attempted to investigate a plot to assassinate the Earth Alliance President. Later, the president was killed.

Ambassador Delenn's associated, Lennier, reveals few clues to Commander Susan Ivanova about Delenn's transformation, which is related to the Minbari's belief that souls never die. Delenn's sacrifice is due to the fact that "the great Enemy is returning and the prophecy that the two sides of our spirit must unite against the darkness or be destroyed. Both races must join to stop the darkness."

New squadron pilot Warren Keffer (ROBERT RUSLER) leads a defense against the attack by a Tragati warship, which happens after Sheridan and Ivanova detain the rogue warship's captain, Kalain (RICHARD GROVE). Kalain purposely comes aboard Babylon 5 but does not provoke an attack due to an elaborate plan to force Sheridan to start a war so that a Minbari attack on Babylon 5 will be justified.

REVELATIONS (2x02 - #94202) - 11/09/94
As Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari's status among his race increases, he becomes more indebted to the sinister morden, an agent of the powerful mercenaries known as the Shadows.

Narn Ambassador G'Kar suddenly reappears after conduction his own investigation of the obliteration of Quadrant 37 that destroyed a Narn military base, killin 10,000 troops. Unbeknownst to him and his people, Londo is responsible for the attack.

G'Kar talks to his diplomatic aide, Na'Toth, about the destruction in Quadrant 37. His theory is that a very old race, as described in the holy book, still exists on the Rim (of known space) and is gaining power, creating havok throughout space. G'Kar pleads with the council to join forces and investigate.

Meanwhile, Dr. Stephen Franklin tries an alien experimental procedure to help save Security Chief Michael Garibaldi, who remains in critical condition in a coma. The procedure works and, after having his mind scanned by a Psi Corps member, Talia, Garibaldi realizes that his own aide is responsible for his near death.

The aide is arrested, but the new Earth Alliance President requests that the man be sent to Earth in order to investifate and connection with the assassination of the previous Earth Alliance President. But before he arrives on Earth, the accused man disappears in space. Garibaldi speculates that the new President, in league with the Psi Corps, is responsible for the assassination of the former president.

Captain John Sheridan's younger sister, Elizabeth Sheridan (BEVERLY LEECH), visits him and forces him to confront his sadness and guilt about his deceased wife.

Finally, Minbari Ambassador Delenn emerges from the cocoon as a beautiful woman with very few distinguishing Minbari features remaining. Her responsibilities will be to act as a link between her people and the human race.

GEOMETRY OF SHADOWS (2x03 - #94203) - 11/16/94
Aboard Babylon 5, Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari meets with his fellow officials to discuss the Centauri's rise to power, but his plans are interrupted by the arrival of the mysterious Technomages -- human-looking wizards on a secret mission. The Technomage leader prophesies Londo's rise to power, implying that it will bring great evil with it. Londo's success has increased steadily ever since he instigated the destruction of a Narn military base in Quadrant 37, something the Narn do not suspect and for which the grateful Centauri gave him credit.

Meanwhile, Captain Sheridan promotes Commander Susan Ivanova to commander and assigns her to the dangerous mission of finding a peaceful resolution to the warring factions of the Drazi race.

Finally, Security Chief Michael Garibaldi recovers from his shot wound. Blaming himself for not realizing that his second-in-command was a traitor, he debates whether or not to accept Captain Sheridan's offer to return to work. After helping Ivanova solve the Drazi problem, he realizes that he is need and resumes his position.

A DISTANT STAR (2x04 - #94204) - 11/23/94
An old war buddy of Captain Sheridan's (BRUCE BOXLEITNER), Maynard (RUSS TAMBLYN), visits Babylon 5 to restock his Explorer ship, the Cortez, before he and his crew set out to chart more unseen worlds. Maynard mentions to Sheridan that while he was on a recent mission, he witnessed something strange out at the Rim -- an indescribable black figure. With Maynard's return comes self-doubt in Sheridan, who is feeling that he's nothing more than a desk jockey now and is yearning for his old exploration days.

As they map out sector 900, a severe explosion occurs on the Cortez, causing them to lose power and fly blind, with no way out of hyperspace. After receiving a faint mayday signal from Cortez, Sheridan becomes determined to save the ship -- and his good friend -- from peril. Although, no ship has ever been recovered from hyperspace before, he knowingly risks the loss of his best fighter pilots, commanding them to find and rescue the Cortez at all costs. And, when the fighter ships are threatened by the force of a mysterious Shadowman vessel, which tumbles the fighters off-course, they find that there may not be a safe return to Babylon 5.

Meanwhile, Teronn (SANDY GRINN), a Minbari, tells Delenn (MIRA FURLAN), he fears she is no longer one of them and he insists he take the matter to the Grey Council, in case she has something to hide. Delenn, who continues to endure tests from Dr. Franklin (RICHARD BIGGS), to monitor her health, begins to develop a mutual appreciation with Captain Sheridan.

Also, Sheridan, Ivanova and Garibaldi find themselves on the receiving end of new diets, enforced by Dr. Franklin...and they're not happy about it.

THE LONG DARK (2x05 - #94205) - 11/30/94
When a battered, 100-year-old ship from Earth -- The Copernicus -- is given permission to dock at Babylon 5, the crew discovers one male and one female body aboard. The male was murdered and his wife, Mariah Cirrus (ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON), is frozen and has been in a deep sleep for 100 years.

Dr. Franklin revives Cirrus and helps her experience the new world around her. She has never seen an alien before, but when she meets G'Kar, she has a horrifying flashback. Dr. Franklin wants to interpret her flashback to find out who killed her husband.

Meanwhile, Garibaldi suspects that there is a new alien on board causing trouble. The aliens blame Cirrus for any problems occurring since the arrival of The Copernicus.

Finally, Garibaldi arrests a strange man, Amis (DWIGHT SCHULTZ), who becomes a public nuisance at Babylon 5's marketplace, The Zocalo, by screaming that Judgment Day is near. Amis alternates between rational behavior and frightening visions of darkness and death. Ultimately, Dr. Franklin tries to determine if there is a connection between Amis' and Mariah's visions.

SPIDER IN THE WEB (2x06 - #94206) - 12/07/94
Telepath Talia Winters meets with her longtime friend and associate, Taro Isogi (JAMES SHIGETA), to help monitor negotiations on behalf of his company, Future Corp., with the Mars Conglomerate. Isogi meets with Amanda Carter (ADRIENNE BARBEAU), who represents the Mars Colony business affairs.

Later, before negotiations can proceed further, Isogi is murdered by Abel Horn (MICHAEL BECK), a violent "Free Mars" fanatic. Talia witnesses the murder and, as a result, has a mindflash that she cannot read.

Sheridan questions Talia about Isogi's real intentions, claiming that he may have planned to help finance another rebellion on Mars. Talia denies Sheridan's allegations, insisting that Isogi only sought a peaceful solution to the Mars problem.

Meanwhile, Abel has yet to be apprehended and, acting on orders transmitted to him, he now attempts to kill Talia. Garibaldi helps protect Talia and the two develop a mutual attraction that begins as a friendship.

Abel is finally apprehended and accidentally killed. Talia discovers that something was controlling Abel's mind. Sheridan realizes that the murder of Isogi has nothing to do with freeing Mars but is part of an elaborate conspiracy not yet fully revealed. He urges Amanda to continue with Isogi's plans that could ultimately allow for a peaceful solution to the Mars colony problem.

SOUL MATES (2x07 - #94207) - 12/14/94
Londo is overjoyed to be granted permission by the Emperor to divorce two of his three wives and choose the one that will remain by his side for important appearances. He dislikes being marries to women who spend his money and attempt to manipulate him. To everyone's surprise, he chooses to remain married to Timov (JANE CARR), his most ill-humored wife. However, Londo likes her the best because she is not deceptive like the other two.

Meanwhile, Garibaldi believes that Talia Winter's ex-husband, Matthew Stoner (KEITH SZARABAJKA), came aboard Babylon 5 for some sinister purpose. Stoner, a former member of the Psi Corps, is supposedly the only person who was ever permitted to leave the Corps voluntarily. He claims that the Corps dismissed him after he lost his telepathic abilities due to experiments that the Corps performed on him. He tries to get Talia to go away with him, insisting that he can help her leave the Corps too.

Later, it is revealed that the experiments made him an empath, someone who can strongly influence other people. Still secretly in the Corps, Stoner is acting on its behalf to transform Talia into an empath as well. With Garibaldi's help, Talia thwarts Stoner. Garibaldi and Talia's affection for each other increases.

Finally, Delenn seeks Ivaova's beauty-care advice for her ever-changing appearance.

A RACE THROUGH DARK PLACES (2x08 - #94208) - 01/25/95
Aboard Babylon 5, Bester (WALTER KOENIG), a Psi Corps cop, asks telepath Talia Winters to help investigate the underground railroad of unregistered telepaths. According to law, all human telepaths must be registered with the Psi Corps and their activities monitored to prevent breaches of security and invasion of privacy. However, some unregistered telepaths are escaping from Earth and being smuggled to the outer colonies where the Corps cannot detect them.

Determined to apprehend the telepaths, Bester's methods are dubious. When Bester and Talia locate the telepaths, they attempt to kill Bester and, in the process, capture Talia instead. A Lurker (GIANIN LOFFLER) asks Talia to help them with their cause. The telepaths convince Talia of the widespread corruption within the Psi Corps, and she begins to question her own future with the Corps.

Sheridan and Talia eventually learn that Dr. Franklin is responsible for the smuggling of telepaths aboard Babylon 5. Sheridan, too, becomes sympathetic. Using their collective minds to foil Bester, the renegade telepaths escape with the help of Talia. However, Bester is convinced that he killed them and that Talia agrees with his actions. Franklin promises Sheridan that he will no longer use Babylon 5 as a hideaway for other telepaths since it has become too risky.

Meanwhile, Sheridan is outraged that he and Ivanova may soon be charged rent for their quarters on the station, which Earth Central has decided are too large. Also, in order to learn more about what it's like to be human, Delenn asks Sheridan to dinner. However, she harbors a secret agenda that she cannot reveal to him.

THE COMING OF SHADOWS (2x09 - #94209) - 02/01/95
The elderly Centauri Emperor (TURHAN BEY) makes a rare visit away from home and comes to Babylon 5. Ambassador G'Kar is angry at Sheridan for welcoming a Centauri, whom he considers an enemy to his people, the Narns. Sheridan tries to convince G'Kar to have a peaceful discussion with the Emperor. However, G'Kar secretly makes plans to assassinate the Emperor during a speech, but the Emperor collapses before he can use his dagger. The Emperor later apologizes for the destruction the Centauri have wrought on the Narn. G'Kar is relieved that he didn't murder the Emperor.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Emperor, Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari plots to gain power in his home world with the help of Refa. He uses the mysterious Shadows to capture another Narn outpost. The Centauri receive the credit. When the Emperor dies of natural causes before he can disavow any knowledge of the attack, G'Kar assumes that he was lying about wanting peace between the two races. After the Centauri prime minister is murdered by Londo's colleagues, the Emperor's nephew becomes the new rules. His views are similar to those of Londo, who prefers to remain behind the scenes to manipulate the situation. The Centauri and the Narn declare war on each other.

Finally, Garibaldi receives a strange message from Babylon 5's former commander, Sinclair, who warns him vaguely about unsettling future events. Sinclair is now working with the Minbari to bring them and humans together to forestall a bleak future.

GROPOS (2x10 - #94210) - 02/08/95
Babylon 5 is overrun by 25,000 Gropos (short for "ground pounders," or infantry), soldier from Earthforce led by Dr. Franklin's father, General Richard Franklin (PAUL WINFIELD). Posing as relief troops, the army's secret mission is to use Babylon 5 as a staging area for a military strike on a nearby planet. General Franklin orders the station's weapon systems upgraded immediately, a move that makes Captain Sheridan uneasy as Babylon 5 is supposed to be a neutral port-of-call.

General Franklin's arrival also brings about mixed emotions from his son. The two have fundamental differences regarding the sanctity of all life, human and alien. Commander Susan Ivanova urges him to talk with his father about his feelings, something she never had a chance to do with her father. Later, Dr. Franklin and his father acknowledge their differences and reaffirm their family love.

While some of the surly Gropos interact peacefully with their hosts, there are many disturbances on the overcrowded station, including one involving Ambassador Delenn. Her presence in the Zocalo sparks a fight because she is Minbari, and the Gropos are still bitter about the Minbari War. There is also another huge brawl later involving both Gropos and station personnel.

Finally, the troops ship out to crush a rebel insurgence. General Franklin reports a 60% loss of life among the Gropos, including many whom had started friendships with the crew of Babylon 5.

ALL ALONE IN THE NIGHT (2x11 - #94211) - 02/15/95
On an escorted scout mission to explore unusual astronomical activity in a nearby sector, Captain Sheridan is attacked and kidnapped by aliens. He is subjected to a series of experiments by his unseen captors, including being forced to fight members of other species. With Minbari Ambassador Delenn's assistance, Commander Ivanova locates the alien ship and destroys it after Sheridan escapes.

Because of her changed appearance, Delenn arouses suspicion in the Minbari Grey Council. They question her allegiance and summarily remove her from the council. A frightening fundamental shift is indicated by their choice as a replacement for the religious Delenn: Neroon, a warrior.

Sheridan's superior, General Hague (ROBERT FOXWORTH), finally advises Sheridan on his mission after six months of service. Hague suspects that the assassination of President Santiago on Earth Force One signals a much greater conspiracy to control the government, and he asks Sheridan to risk treason by secretly investigating the situation. Sheridan calls his trusted senior staff together to decide what to do.

ACTS OF SACRIFICE (2x12 - #94212) - 02/22/95
Tensions mount between the Narns and the Centauri, and Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) tries to keep the peace between the alliances and still maintain Babylon 5's neutrality. While Londo (PETER JURASIK) basks in his newfound power, G'Kar (ANDREAS KATSULAS) fights to prevent further Narn bloodshed and pleads with Delenn's (MIRA FURLAN) Minbari and Sheridan's Earthforce to help his people. Meanwhile, Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN) forms a new alliance with the Lumati aliens, but has no idea what Lumati culture does to "seal the deal."

HUNTER, PREY (2x13 - #94213) - 03/01/95
Earth Force Special Intelligence Agent Cranston (BERNIE CASEY) comes to Babylon 5 seeking Sheridan's (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) help in locating Dr. Jacobs (ANTHONY STEEDMAN), the former President's personal physician turned fugitive. Agent Cranston claims the physician is guilty of misusing his clearance and as a result, is putting the government at risk. As Babylon 5 is turned upside down with security forces attempting to locate and arrest Dr. Jacobs, Sheridan is warned by another unexpected visitor that the doctor is not a traitor and must be protected and ensured a safe exit from Babylon 5. Meanwhile, Sheridan takes initiatives to get to know Kosh and learn more about the world from which he came. Amazingly, Kosh reciprocates the communication effort with Sheridan in a way that has never been exhibited before.

THERE ALL THE HONOR LIES (2x14 - #94214) - 04/25/95
Controversy ignites over the incident and Delenn (MIRA FURLAN) warns Sheridan that her government will want answers and may have to take action against him. Delenn investigates the matter but when a Minbari witness claims Sheridan attacked without provocation, the Captain could be charged with murder.

Sheridan in the meantime prepares to turn over all duties to Commander Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN), realizing that he may be asked to step down no matter what the results of the investigation. While Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE) and Zack (JEFF CONAWAY) keep their eye on the Minbari witness in question, Sheridan is told by his attorney that Earthdom will proceed with an indictment. In the midst of all the controversy, Kosh invites Sheridan to escape for a moment to a place he has never known while his future remains in question.

Vir (STEPHEN FURST) becomes extremely distraught when he finds out Centauri Prime is searching for his replacement.

AND NOW FOR A WORD (2x15 - #94215) - 05/03/95
Covering the violent clash between the Narn and Centauri fighters, Torqueman confronts the major leaders about the success of the Babylon project and the future issues that put Earthforce's neutrality to the test. Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) defends their mission to create peace, as viewers witness the events that could predict Babylon 5's future in the midst of a war.

IN THE SHADOW OF Z'HA'DUM (2x16 - #94216) - 05/10/95
Captain Sheridan reviews information his wife sent to him shortly before her science vessel mysteriously exploded, killing everyone on board. When Morden (ED WASSER), a Centauri trader, returns to Babylon 5, he is recognized as one of the supposed fatalities on board the science vessel.

Sheridan becomes angry and is determined to find out why Morden is the only one left alive. Defying all regulations, the Captain detains Morden for hours and questions him about events prior to the explosion. Morden claims he has lost all memory of the incident, leading Sheridan to believe his wife may also be alive. Sheridan becomes obsessed with finding the truth.

KNIVES (2x17 - #94217) - 05/17/95
Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) talks of investigating the "Triangle" after numerous reports of strange occurrences. While visiting down below in the gray corridor, Sheridan encounters a body that appears to be dead. Upon close inspection, Sheridan is stunned when the hand from the dead body grabs his face. After the bizarre occurrence, Sheridan is left feeling dizzy and begins to have strange, continuous visions of the exploding Icarus -- the ship that his wife was on before her death.

After Dr. Franklin (RICHARD BIGGS) puts Sheridan on medical leave, Sheridan can't seem to ignore the strange force that has grabbed hold of him and as a result, leads him to a dangerous but amazing discovery. Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE), who fears for Sheridan's safety and his state of mind, searches for the Captain.

Meanwhile, Londo (PETER JURASIK) is surprised by the visit of an old Centauri friend, Urza (CARMEN ARGENZIANO), who has come to Babylon 5 asking for Londo's support against the Centauri government that is charging him with treason. In a quest to save his house and his name, Urza challenges Londo to the Centauri's traditional swordfight -- the Morago -- an honorable, but dangerous challenge where the men fight to the death. Londo reluctantly accepts, realizing that Urza is really fighting him in order to save his family's honor. Vir (STEPHEN FURST) fears for Londo's safety in the battle and tries to prevent him from accepting the challenge.

CONFESSIONS AND LAMENTATIONS (2x18 - #94218) - 05/24/95
When four members of the Markab race die within three days, Dr. Franklin (RICHARD BIGGS) becomes concerned. Dr. Franklin's Markab medical colleague, Lazareen (JIM NORTON), denies being able to explain the deaths, but when a transport ship is found with all the Markab crew members dead, Lazareen admits he is aware of the disease which is 100 percent contagious and 100 percent terminal.

DIVIDED LOYALTIES (2x19 - #94219) - 10/11/95
Telepath Lyta Alexander (PATRICIA TALLMAN) returns to Babylon 5. She is now part of a secret revolutionary movement working against the Psi Corps. Lyta tells Captain Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) of a new Psi Corps technique that involves inputting a subconscious personality in an unsuspecting person. When a password is transmitted to the person telepathically, the subconscious personality takes control. In this way, a person could collect confidential information and never even know they are a spy for the Psi Corps until they are triggered by the password.

Lyta is convicted there is a "sleeper" spy on Babylon 5 and she wants to send the password to each major crew member to root out the spy. Sheridan is concerned that it is an invasion of privacy, but when someone tries to kill Lyta, he allows her to do it. Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN) initially refuses the procedure--she has never allowed a mind scan because her mother abused her by probing her thoughts constantly. Ivanova eventually admits to Sheridan that she herself is a latent telepath--an admission that endangers them both, since she is not registered with the Psi Corps. When Lyta finally does link with Ivanova's mind, she finds that she is not the spy.

When the station's commercial telepath, Talia Winters (ANDREA THOMPSON), enters the room and Lyta sends her the password, Talia's personality is instantly changed. She becomes furious and tries to kill Lyta. Talia, whom everyone loved and trusted, is a Psi corps spy, unwittingly gathering information for the day when they would use her. Fortunately, Sheridan did not include Talia in the small group of officers who are secretly investigating a conspiracy involving the assassination of the president on Earth, but she did learn about the "underground railroad" of escaped telepaths.

Before leaving the station, Lyta has a rendezvous with the enigmatic Vorlon Ambassador Kosh--the two seem to be very familiar with each other.

THE LONG, TWILIGHT STRUGGLE (2x20 - #94220) - 10/18/95
After a long period of war, the Narn are running out of resources. As a last, desperate attempt to hold off the Centauri, the Narn secretly plan to use the majority of their fleet to destroy a heavily guarded Centauri supply world. While this would leave the Narn homeworld vulnerable, it would temporarily cripple the Centauri forces and give the Narn time to build their defenses.

Unfortunately, the Centauri intercept a Narn transmission detailing the plan. The Centauri forces, aided by shadow fighters and the ambitious Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (PETER JURASIK), avert the supply world attack and launch a surprise attack on the Narn homeworld, using incredibly powerful "mass drivers" that are outlawed by treaty. Londo seems pained by the bloody culmination of what he himself started, but obeys his government's orders. The Narn surrender and Londo orders the removal of Narn Ambassador G'Kar (ANDREAS KATSULAS) from the Babylon 5 Advisory Council. G'Kar proudly states that his people will not be shackled forever, and Captain Sheridan provides him with sanctuary.

Meanwhile, Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) and Minbari Ambassador Delenn (MIRA FURLAN) are contacted by Draal (JOHN SCHUCK), a mysterious creature who merged with a computer deep inside a planet near Babylon 5. Draal has access to information spanning the universe and, along with Delenn, knows of the "coming darkness."

After their meeting with Draal, Delenn introduces Sheridan to the Rangers, a secret band of freedom fighters supported by the Minbari Security Chief Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE), and various Minbaris and Humans. Prophesying that the recent bloodshed is only a harbinger of even greater destruction, Delenn confers partial leadership of the Rangers on Sheridan, and Draal gives him access to his phenomenal resources. Babylon 5 is about to become a fortress of light, guarding the frontiers of civilization.

COMES THE INQUISITOR (2x21 - #94221) - 10/25/95
Now a civilian, G'Kar (ANDREAS KATSULAS) staunchly continues the resistance effort against the Centauri, publicly trying to rally the Narns on Babylon 5. The Centauri have cut off all contact with the Narn homeworld, but with the help of sympathetic Security Chief Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE), G'Kar locates an illegal arms supplier who can smuggle the weapons to the Narn homeworld.

Meanwhile, Vorlon Ambassador Kosh must determine if Minbari Ambassador Delenn's (MIRA FURLAN) motives are genuine in allying with him against the coming onslaught of the evil Shadows. Kosh summons a bizarre emissary, Sebastian (WAYNE ALEXANDER), apparently a human in 19th Century Earth clothes, who arrives in a Vorlon ship. Sebastian claims to have lived in London, England in 1888, but will explain no more.

Sebastian subjects Delenn to a series of degrading and torturous tests of willpower. Delenn falters under his intense and enigmatic questioning. But when Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) tries to save her and is almost killed by Sebastian, she proves herself. Delenn offers to sacrifice herself to save Sheridan. Sebastian declares that she passed the test, as no other has ever done. Even knowing the gravity of her mission, she would give her life for just one person, alone and unnoticed. Others would only do so for millions of lives and personal glory.

Later, Sheridan consults the station computers and learns that Sebastian did live in London 1888, but disappeared the morning after a series of violent murders. Sheridan confronts Sebastian and Sebastian explains that the Vorlons abducted him and subjected him to centuries of service as penance for his crimes. He also reveals his nickname when he was on Earth: Jack the Ripper.

THE FALL OF NIGHT (2x22 - #94222) - 11/01/95
Following their staggering victory in the Centauri/Narn war, the Centauris continue their expansion by invading the territories of both the Drazi and Pak'ma'ra races. Captain Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) angrily confronts Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (PETER JURASIK), accusing his people of destabilizing the entire region. Londo, who secretly has misgivings about the swiftness of the Centauri empire's growth, nonetheless warns Sheridan to stay out of the situation.

After months of vexing neutrality during the Centauri domination of Narn, Earth sends a representative from the Ministry of Peace, Frederick Lantz (ROY DOTRICE), to Babylon 5. Sheridan is relieved that someone will finally investigate the Centauris' aggression. Lantz immediately interviews Mollari and the representatives from the invaded worlds. Then, Lantz gives Sheridan some incredible news about Earth's position on the matter.

Meanwhile, Lantz's assistant, Welles (JOHN VICKERY), conducts an interrogation and learns that Sheridan is secretly harboring a battered Narn battle cruiser until they can make repairs and escape. Welles tells the Centauris, who send a heavily armed cruiser to block the Narn ship. Sheridan orders a fleet of fighters to escort the Narn ship out of Babylon 5's space, and when the Centauris fire on Babylon 5, a firefight ensues and the Centauri ship is destroyed. Lieutenant Keffer (ROBERT RUSLER), who once glimpsed a Shadow, the evil and as-yet-undetected race who are in league with the Centauri, escorts the Narn ship through hyperspace and makes a terrifying discovery.

As Sheridan travels by shuttle to a neutral meeting place to formally apologize to the Centauris, a Centauri bomb explodes, sending Sheridan flying through the air. It appears that no one can save him before he hits the deck and is pulverized. But Vorlon Ambassador Kosh performs an amazing feat to save Sheridan. Later, the true history and motives of the Vorlons are finally revealed.

As the year 2259 ends, the success of Babylon 5's peacekeeping mission is questioned. But, before lighting a Menorah in commemoration of Hanukkah, Commander Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN) gives Sheridan a Christmas gift: a piece of shrapnel from a supposedly indestructible ship he once demolished. She reminds him that sometimes the impossible...is possible.