Tuzanor, Minbar, site of the Anla'Shok headquarters and training. Sech Turval is instructing a class in meditation, though some of them are distracted, or falling asleep. One of the trainees, Rastenn, is rather discouraged, thinking learning to meditate has little to do with truly being a Ranger. He'd rather be willing to give his life in a glorious cause.
The class is interrupted when Sech Durhan, the fighting instructor, comes to see Turval. He's received a message from Delenn, asking for him to bring one other instructor and two trainees to Babylon 5 to give her a progress report. He decided to bring Turval along because everyone else was busy.
The two banter a bit, drawing an amused laugh from another trainee, Tannier, though he insists it's because his inner voice was smiling. Turval selects him and Rastenn as the trainees to accompany them. Tannier seems delighted to be visiting the home of peace.
Aboard the home of peace, a man is beaten to the ground as a someone named Trace berates him for falling behind on payments. He then orders the man shot, and his body left where others will see it as an example, and a message that Babylon 5 is Trace's now.
Durhan and Turval arrive on station with the trainees in tow, and are met by Delenn. She decided to meet them and show them around personally. They thank her and introduce Tannier, from the Religious Caste, and Rastenn from the Warrior Caste.
Mr. Garibaldi is getting some breakfast when Zack comes up. He says Byron is going to send a couple of candidates to meet with him for his telepathic intelligence corps. Zack ribs him a bit for hanging out with the grunts, now that he's a big shot in the Alliance, but Garibaldi says he's still the same, he doesn't have time to change. He then sees Captain Lochley and invites her to sit with them.
She sits down and begins talking about day-to-day business, adjusting the fighter rotations to keep it optimized, which is a challenge since they're only at two-thirds capacity. Garibaldi suggests she might ask EarthGov if they could spare a few, but Lochley says he overestimates her influence.
Garibaldi doesn't seem to think so, in fact he suggests she might have an obligation to help since she was on the other side in the civil war. (Zack begins asking if anyone else thinks their food tastes funny.) Wait, who said anything about that? Well, she wasn't on their side, so she must have been on the other side. Garibaldi sees this as a matter of black and white, with us, or against us. She wasn't with us, so she must be against us, and he loudly demands to know which side she was on.
With the whole room now watching, she admits that she wasn't on Sheridan's side. She was on the side that didn't feel it was their place to depose presidents and destroy the chain of command. She says you follow orders until you come up against one that violates your conscience then either follow it or not and accept the consequences, that you can take a stand without destroying the chain of command.
Garibaldi asks if she did take a stand, and she snaps right back at him it's none of his concern; he asked if she took up arms against her government and the answer is no. She continues, talking about her view of her place in the grand scheme of things, and that she's not the best to determine the best moral or ethical solution to problems, that her purpose is to protect those under her command.
- Lochley: I am a soldier, Mr. Garibaldi, and as such my vocabulary is rather limited. I only really understand three words: loyalty, duty, honor. If I did it your way, one of those would have to go, then the other two would become meaningless, Just like this conversation. Good day.
She gets up and leaves, the attending crowd applauding her little speech as she does. She goes to a lift, finding President Sheridan inside, and tells him about her discussion. She's glad to have the issues out in the open now: translation, Garibaldi doesn't trust her...at all. Sheridan offers to intervene, but she wants to handle it herself. Sheridan assures her, that Michael is a good man and will come around eventually.
- Lochley: I just never thought I'd meet a second man as strong-willed, stubborn and annoying as I am. My cup runneth over.
Zack goes down into Downbelow to check on the body of the man from before. He makes a quick examination, determining that the body was killed somewhere else and moved here. Since this is a public area, they aren't trying to cover it up, they're trying to send a message. He then turns to the gathered onlookers, pointing out that this is the third murder in two weeks, with probably more coming. Maybe one of them will be next. If they know anything, it's in their best interest to come forward and help put whoever's behind this away. He orders the body taken away then leaves.
Trace and his men watch him go, trace determining that he's a threat to their operation. He decides he wants Zack gone.
Later, Trace is in his lair where his men are tying to talk him out of making a hit on Zack. They've managed to fill the power vacuum left by N'Grath, but going after Zack could jeopardize everything. Trace tells them about his old turf, where he had a nice business going, but security wouldn't leave him alone, so he had the chief killed, and the next one, but the one after that was someone willing to make a deal, let him have the run of the place. Until the war, that is. But now he's on B5 and he intends to make it clear he runs the place now.
Delenn is being briefed by Durhan and Turval on the status of the Rangers; particularly the new recruits from the other member worlds, a couple of Drazi and Yolu, three Abbai and a pak'ma'ra.
That last one presents a bit of a problem, as the pak'ma'ra is greedy, selfish, not that bright, will only speak with a translator and the smell! Durhan and Turval wonder if allowing the pak'ma'ra in is worth it. They can think of no place for one in the Rangers. Delenn has an idea, thinking that they are still training the Rangers as if they were Minbari, but that may no longer be practical. So, perhaps they should find the best practical use for each race.
- Durhan: We've already considered using them for garbage disposal, but there are some things that even a pak'ma'ra won't eat.
Turval: We think.
Durhan: We think, yes. We haven't actually discovered what that is yet.
Delenn points out that pak'ma'ra are everywhere. They trade in Quantium-40, which everyone needs, but no one wants to deal with them, for obvious reasons. She thinks that would make them perfect for passing messages along too sensitive for stellarcom transmission. The instructors admit there is a good idea there, and Durhan says he will begin training for it as soon as they get back.
Delenn dismisses them to get some rest. She and Turval walk together and talk a bit. Turval heard about Marcus, who he considered one of his better pupils. He's not surprised, however, saying Marcus joined for the wrong reasons, because of his brother.
- Turval: He wasn't looking for a way to serve, he was seeking a way to atone.
Turval then dismisses the trainees so he can talk to Delenn about Lennier. Apparently, Lennier is training to hard, pushing himself to the limit, almost as though he's trying to prove something. Delenn admits she is concerned about him as well, asking Turval to watch him for her.
In the security office, Garibaldi is briefing the telepaths on what he has in mind, and when they will be used. He doesn't want to use them too much, only when there no other option and the information is critical. The telepaths just watch him with their creepy stares then leave without a word when they're dismissed.
- Zack: You sure this is a good idea?
Garibaldi: I'll let you know if I survive it.
In the meantime, he wants a favor: he wants Zack to bring up Lochley's security jacket. Zack refuses; it's personal and classified. He tries to talk Garibaldi out of this strange obsession he's developed, but Garibaldi is convinced there's something she's not telling them and he wants to know what it is. Sheridan recruited her specifically, why? How does he know he can trust her? Before he can go on a message comes for Zack, a woman claims to have information on the killings and wants to meet. She comes up clean, but doesn't want anyone to know she spoke to security. Zack says he'll meet her in Brown 6. And as for the favor...he'll think about it.
Tannier and Rastenn are in Downbelow wandering around, since this is the kind of place Rangers often work. They pass Trace's men setting up for the hit. They paid the woman to call and lure Zack down here, but when they start talking about where to leave the body, she starts having second thoughts. When she refuses to go through with her part, one of Trace's men grabs her. Her screams draw the attention of the young Rangers and Tannier rushes to help. He manages to keep them from killing her, but gets knocked to the floor in the process. Trace's men identify him as a Ranger, and since he thinks they're some kind of law enforcement, Trace decides he'll do and the thugs begin whaling on him.
Delenn, Durhan and Turval rush to Medlab where Tannier is barely alive. He managed to tell them the attackers were human and are trying to establish their dominance here. Durhan tells Franklin to make him well enough to stand, then turns to Delenn and says, "Mora'dum." He, Turval and Rastenn leave and Franklin asks what that means.
- Delenn: It refers to a part of Ranger training. It means, "The Application of Terror".
Later, she meets with Lochley about the incident. The captain promises to get a statement, do everything to run these guys down, but Delenn says that will not be needed. The Rangers will handle this themselves, as they will often have to do in the dark places. Lochley tries to protest, this is a matter of station security, but Delenn reminds her that members of the Alliance, including Earth, have agreed to recognize the independent authority of the Rangers. Which means they can overrule local security. Lochley's not happy, and wants to get the president's opinion, but Delenn says he's already agreed. That's surprising to Lochley, it doesn't seem like him. That's surprising to Delenn, how would she know? Lochely makes one more appeal, that the Rangers shouldn't be used for revenge, but Delenn says this is not about revenge, it's about terror.
Rastenn is standing over Tannier's bed feeling guilty that he didn't go with him when he went to help. Turval asks Rastenn why he let Tannier go alone, and he admits he was afraid. Afraid of dying for something trivial. Turval proposes a hypothetical, going and retrieving a Flower from the Mountaintop in a journey that would cost his life, would that have meaning? What if it would inspire an entire people to rise up and claim their freedom and liberate countless souls, would that have meaning? Rastenn silently nods.
- Turval: You see, we create the meaning in our lives, it does not exist independently.
Turval explains one of the core tenets of being a Ranger, that it's not about serving ego or some sense of destiny. It's about doing the right thing, because it's the right thing. Where, when, how big or how small doesn't matter.
- Turval: In my life I've discovered very few truths. Here is the greatest truth I know: your death, Rastenn, will have a meaning if it comes while you're in fullest pursuit of your heart.
Rastenn nods in thanks then leaves, Durhan coming in shortly after. They've helped Rastenn face his fear, now Tannier must face his. As he slowly gets to his feet and walks to face his terror, Delenn explains to Lochley what this means.
- Lochley: So what kind of terror are we talking about here, Delenn?
Delenn: The kind that cripples. The kind that destroys, not from without, but from within. As soon as he can stand, whether he is fully healed or not, Tannier will prepare to face his terror. Those who harmed him now have power over him. He must take back that power, or he will never be whole again. We will go with him and bring him to the point of his terror.
Lochley: But if he isn't fully healed, he could die in the effort.
Delenn: As Anla'Shok, we choose to do that which frightens us, knowing that there are no guarantees. He may lose; we cannot help him.
Lochely: Then he will stand alone.
Delenn: In the end captain, we all stand alone.
Zack clears his people out of the area, much to Trace's surprise. He thinks they'll be left alone now, but when the emergency lights come on he sends a couple of men to investigate. They are quickly detained by the Rangers, and Trace decides to make for a different area. As his people move along, the Rangers peel off his men one by one, until only Trace himself is left facing a circle of Rangers who herd him towards Tannier. A pike is tossed at his feet, but he protests that he's not going to fight all of them. Well, why should they care? Besides, he only has to fight Tannier. Is the big, bad Trace afraid of a half-trained Ranger? Durhan says if he can get past Tannier, he can leave. None of the others will stop him. Trace protests that he has his rights until Tannier clocks him one. Finally, he picks up the pike and fights.
Turval begins describing what they see before them, the, to use the human term, "bully", a coward who convinces others to do what he's is afraid to do himself. The coward in question spends a lot of time whining about how unfair this all is. For his part, Durhan critiques Trace's handling of the pike, no finesse or control, just brute strength.
- Durhan: Any one of you showed far more technique and potential the first time you held the pike. Even the pak'ma'ra!
The rangers get a good laugh out of that, but Trace is infuriated enough that he drops the pike and goes after Tannier with his fists. The two exchange blows, but before long Tannier gains the advantage and knocks Trace to the floor.
- Durhan: Where is your fear now, Tannier?
Tannier: Gone, Master.
Turval: And what do you feel? Anger? Do you feel triumphant, happiness, joy?
Tannier: Pity.
Durhan: Why?
Tannier: Because this is all he will ever have and all he will ever know. Because his name will be swallowed by silence. Forgotten. His name belongs to no one.
Turval: And who does your name belong to? History? The world?
Tannier: No. It belongs to me.
Durhan declares the lesson over and turns Trace over to Zack.
Later in the docking bay, Duhan and Turval are preparing for the return trip, and urging Delenn to come with them. The Rangers would benefit from having her closer. She says she's still needed on the station, but she will be there soon. She even think she'd like Tannier to be one of the house guards, a great honor. She wishes them safe travels and they bid her farewell.
Watching on a monitor, Garibaldi notes that's something about the Minbari: they can't walk away from a fight, they have to finish it. Delenn taking out the Drakh that attacked her last year. The Earth-Minbari War, and now this. They have to finish the fight whatever the outcome. He then glances down at the security computer, asking about Lochley's files, but Zack shuts him down.
Sheridan and Delenn are in his quarters getting ready for bed, but Delenn is thinking about what Lochley said earlier, that is wasn't like him to allow the Mora'dum. Sheridan pauses, then closes the bedroom door.
Later, Delenn is lying with her back to him. He says he was going to tell her, but was waiting for the right time.
- Delenn: Ten seconds after you thought of it would have been good.
He admits she's right, and she wraps the comforter around her, effectively shutting him out, propping herself up on the pillows. Sheridan sighs and turns off the light.
This episode contains examples of:
- Beneath Notice: After the Rangers get a pak'ma'ra volunteer and are at a loss for what job to give him, Delenn suggests they would make excellent couriers for secret information due to this.
- Big Bad Wannabe: Trace sees himself becoming The Don of the B5 underworld, like he was on Beta 7. Unfortunately for that plan, Babylon 5 is not Beta 7, and the Rangers are not typical authorities. In the end, he's just a punk with delusions of grandeur.
- The Brute/Dumb Muscle: Sech Durhan describes Trace as "all muscle, no brain".
- The Bully: Trace. Durhan specifically notes how he represents this archetype.
- Central ThemeSech Turval: Being Anla-shok does not mean worrying about what others will think about us. It does not mean deciding what to do based upon whether or not it serves our sense of ego or destiny. It means living each moment as if it were your last one. It means doing each right thing because it is the right thing. The scale doesn't matter. The when, the where, the how or in what cause... None of those things matter.
- Change the Uncomfortable Subject: Seeing the inevitable confrontation between Garibaldi and Lochley, Zack starts asking if anyone else thinks the food tastes funny.
- Cool Old Guy: Sech Turval and Sech Durhan.
- Cop Killer: Trace had heads of security killed until he got one he could work with in his old turf and he's trying to do the same on Babylon 5.
- The Determinator: Garibaldi is hell bent on getting Lochley's files one way or the other. Zack calls him on it.
- Dirty Coward: Turval describes Trace as a coward who makes others do what he's afraid to do himself.
- Dropped a Bridge on Him: Four years after N'Grath's last appearance (due to the puppet being damaged), it's casually mentioned that he's dead.
- Face Your Fears: The point of the Mora'dum. Both trainees must face their fears to reclaim themselves. For Rastenn it's the fear of a needless sacrifice. For Tannier it's a confrontation with those who nearly killed him.
- Fantastic Honorifics: Durhan and Turval are both addressed as Sech.
- Flower from the Mountaintop: Turval explains the importance of following orders to Rastenn by asking if he would be willing to undertake a mission to climb to the top of a high mountain and retrieve a single flower from the summit, knowing that he would certainly die immediately afterwards. Of course not, the student replies, such a mission would be trivial. But what if, the instructor asks, the flower was a symbol, which would inspire a resistance movement that would free millions of people from oppression and slavery? The Rastenn grudgingly agrees that such a task would be worth dying for.
- Foreshadowing: A couple about Lochley:
- "I just never thought I'd meet a second man as strong-willed, stubborn, and annoying as I am."
- Again when she expresses more familiarity with Sheridan's behavior than Delenn expected.
- Gangbangers: Trace's crew is little more than this at the moment, but he's trying to build something more organized.
- Gilligan Cut: In the teaser -Ranger Tannier: Babylon 5! The home of peace!<cut to>a man being savagely beaten by criminals on Babylon 5.
- Good Old Fisticuffs: Trace eventually resorts to this rather than the pike. It doesn't do him any good.
- Headbutting Heroes: Lochley and Garibaldi, he's been suspicious of her since she got there over matters she thinks are quite frankly none of his business.
- Heroic Wannabe: Tannier and Rastenn. Both learn lessons about being a hero and being a Ranger from this experience.
- Hufflepuff House: After having been reduced to background characters after the first season, the Abbai and the Yolu are referenced here as having sent recruits to the rangers (along with the Drazi and the pak'ma'ra). Abbai and Yolu representatives can sometimes be seen in the Alliance council chamber from here on. They'll never get any lines though.
- Meaningful Echo:Delenn: One life or a billion, it's all the same.Sech Turval: The scale doesn't matter.
- Mook Horror Show: When the Rangers take out each member of Trace's gang and then drive him to confront Tannier one on one.
- My Country, Right or Wrong: Lochley confirms she didn't take part in the Resistance against Clark's dictatorship, believing it would've been a violation of the EA Constitution, though she implies she didn't carry out any illegal/immoral actions herself and would have made a smaller, more personal stand if ordered to do so.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Trace's thugs put Tannier in Medlab when he interferes with their operation.
- Shout-Out: Sech Turval and Sech Durhan's names are both variations on the name of Sech Turval's actor, Turhan Bey.
- Snark-to-Snark Combat: Durhan and Turval when we first see them together. Unfortunately, for most of the rest of the episode they're distracted by other things from exchanging witty barbs.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Sech Turval and Sech Durhan.
- What You Are in the Dark: The message of Sech Turval's words to Rastenn quoted above.
- You Shall Not Pass!: The Rangers will allow Trace to leave only if he can get past Tannier.
