Garibaldi meets with Sheridan and Delenn with a briefing on a disturbing trend in recent weeks; a number of Alliance member ships have been attacked, and it's becoming more frequent. At first it sounds like raiders, but none of the cargo is ever taken. And these are military-style search-and-destroy hit-and-run attacks from someone who has a lot of firepower at their disposal, and the Rangers have no idea who it could be. No one is left alive to testify, and no evidence is left behind.
The news is going to cause a stir in the member worlds, and they are required to present it to them within 24 hours. That's going to cause problems; with each member being hit, no clear motivation and completely random attacks, the member worlds are going to resort to random accusations. It's going to be a mess. Sheridan orders the White Stars deployed along the shipping lanes to monitor comms for distress signals. They need to nip this in the bud before it becomes a real problem.
- Garibaldi: A highly-trained but unknown military force striking randomly against our allies...I'd say we already have a real problem.
In deep space, another transport is destroyed, leaving its crew floating in the vacuum.
Londo and G'Kar have arrived on Centauri Prime and are greeted by Minister Vitari. There is some misunderstanding about G'Kar's presence, but Londo explains, and then affirms, that he is there as a bodyguard. Vitari is a little put off by this, but he can't really argue with the Prime Minister. Londo walks off, and G'kar has a little fun at Vitari's expense.
- G'Kar: What time is dinner here?
Vitari: Sundown!
G'Kar: Good, I'm starved!
On Babylon 5, Byron's people gather to hear him explain what's happened. He explains what he learned from Lyta, that they were created by the Vorlons to serve as weapons against the Shadows, then discarded after their purpose was served. He has become convinced that they are responsible for the well-being of their creations. Well, that's a bit of a problem, the Vorlons are all gone, along with all the other First Ones. There's no one left. So they are just to be abandoned? Byron has an idea, a dangerous one.
Londo is getting settled into his chambers when he is paid a visit by Lord Jano. They begin catching up, and Londo asks about the Regent. The Regent is not well, becoming something of a recluse recently. Only his personal physician and trusted aides have been to see him. But there is more to it than that.
- Jano: Some of the staff have found him wandering the palace late at night. They say he talks to himself, cries, wails, curses, and then falls silent when someone approaches. Sometimes he says he has something important to tell him and then a cloud seems to come over his face and he walks away. Once, before his aides come bring him back to his room, he told a guard to kill him, that he was not himself. Of course he was quite drunk at the time.
This is surprising to Londo. The regent has always avoided drink, something rather unusual for a Centauri. But the pressures of governing may have changed him.
At least things are not as raucous as when Cartagia was on the throne. At least at first glance; Jano was doing a standard update on the fleet when he was told to stop. Apparently that information is solely for the regent now. Several other seemingly mundane things have now been made top secret. And no body knows why. Londo is puzzled and Jano can only give ominous warnings.
- Jano: it's a...a feeling more than anything I can point to, as if a darkness had fallen over the palace. I've never felt anything quite like it before.
With Londo there, some answers might be forthcoming. Londo has rooted out corrupting influences before and he's in a position that the regent would be hard-pressed to refuse. Londo asks him to keep an eye out for anything else unusual and Londo will personally take it to the regent.
Jano thanks him and leaves to return to his own suite. The lights don't come on when he commands and it quickly becomes clear he is not alone. The regent is huddled in one corner rambling on. Jano tries to find out why he's there, and the regent simply says he wanted to see Jano again. He then begins saying how he would never let anyone harm him...if it were his decision. Jano looks to the side as something hurls him across the room.
Sheridan is in chambers with the Alliance concluding some negotiations, then adjourns the meeting. He tells them there's an updated status report that will be uplinked to them tonight. He watches as they file out, then turns to Delenn.
- Sheridan: And now the screaming begins.
The ambassadors walk off, not paying any mind to the telepaths following them around. Byron receives a report from one of his people then tells Lyta it's started. He's going to find Garibaldi and asks her to stay and coordinate here. He'll need her more than ever soon.
Back on Centauri Prime, Londo and G'Kar come to the royal court where Minister Vitari has been trying to convince everyone Londo had a Narn bodyguard. Londo has no time for that, he wants to see the regent as soon as possible. Vitari says the regent is not well enough for audiences, but will join them as soon as he is able. Londo then asks about Lord Jano, but no one's seen him for a while. Vitari promises to look into it and walks off.
After he leaves a number of curious courtiers begin pressing in on G'Kar, until Minister Vole begins loudly objecting to his presence. He feels bringing a Narn into the palace is an insult to all Centauri. He says they are primitive barbarians who will knife you in the back the second you take your eyes off them. G'Kar corrects him on that, Narns always go for the chest so they can watch the life flow out of their eyes. Despite this, G'Kar assures him he does not carry a grudge. Vole decides to put that to the test.
Vole calls a guard forth, a very specific guard, the one who whipped G'Kar last year as Emperor Cartagia counted the strokes. And he has with him the very same whip. Vole offers him the chance to return the favor. He can do it right now, and no one will try to stop him or have him thrown in the dungeon. G'Kar takes the whip, and moves behind the guard, who stands impassively. After a moment, he turns off the whip and asks Vole a question.
- G'Kar: If I were to strike you, which would you be angry at, the hand that struck you or the heart that commanded the hand to strike?
Vole: Well, the heart of course.
G'Kar: The hand has no choice but to do as it is told. It is the heart the carries the burden, and that heart is dead in both of us, Minister. It died with Cartagia and it dies in me soon after. Besides, everyone know that the true source of pain is neither the hand nor the heart. It is the mouth, is it not, Minister?
Vitari returns and urgently has Londo go with him. He takes Londo to Lord Jano's chambers where they find his body hanging from the ceiling. It seems he hung himself, but G'Kar does not believe Jano would be the type to kill himself. Londo agrees, Jano was murdered.
Byron meets with Garibaldi to try and get an audience with the Alliance. Garibaldi is not inclined since Byron refuses to say what it is he wants to talk to them about so Byron sneaks a peek at his thoughts and says he has information on the recent attacks, but he wants to present it to all of them at once. At the next meeting, Byron is permitted some time after the council's business is concluded. He diverts from what he said he was going to talk about. Lyta hands out information detailing how the Vorlons created them for the purpose of fighting the Shadows, to their benefit and that of all other races, but now the telepaths themselves have been cast aside. He says the Alliance must pay them back by granting them a world of their own. Sheridan stands and declares him out of line. What he's asking for is out of the question, but Byron insists it will be given. He's had his people following the ambassadors around, collecting their thoughts. He demands a homeworld, or have all their secrets blown into the open. He then walks off.
Later, Garibaldi is ranting and raving about telepaths.
- Garibaldi: Never, ever, ever, trust a telepath! I swear to you, I'm going to have that tattooed on the inside of my eyelids!
Sheridan tells him not to worry about not seeing this coming, and concentrate on the current situation. They were only doing surface scans so they only got what was being thought of at the time. but since on one can remember what they were thinking of throughout the day, they'll just assume the telepaths know everything. Now what are they going to do about it. Delenn admits they have a point, they have been hunted forced into what is pretty-much slavery and faced fear and oppression by their own race, who wouldn't want a safe place where they could gather. Sheridan admits it's an ideal to strive for, but they've done it the inconvenient way. Which, Delenn points out, is exactly what President Luchenko said about his own fight to oust Clark. She walks off, leaving Sheridan and Garibaldi behind.
- Sheridan: I hate it when she has a memory, don't you?
Garibaldi: Damned inconvenient.
Sheridan: Well at least it's still a political problem, so far it hasn't turned violent. (walks off)
Garibaldi: Yet.
Londo and G'Kar are in Londo's suite when Vitari comes to say the regent will see them. As they walk along, a pair of black-hooded men begin following them. G'Kar turns to face them, telling Londo to run, but a barrier drops separating them. Londo finds himself alone with minister Vole. Vole says Londo is an obstacle to his ambitions then draws a knife and throws it. Londo flinches, but the knife stops in midair, then turns and flies right into Vole's chest. As the minister falls, Londo hears something behind him and turns to see a strange alien standing there. G'Kar manages to get the barrier up, but the alien vanishes in the meantime. G'Kar suggests they leave.
Byron is back in his enclave, and has found that one of them has sneaked out to get food. Byron thinks this is a bad idea, that only by sitting and quietly abiding their laws any action the others take would make them the aggressors. One of his followers doesn't see it that way, saying they need to go after anyone who threatens them. Byron feels that would only make the situation worse and splitting up would make it easier to isolate and attack them. As they argue, Lyta senses the wandering telepath being beaten up by a pair of Drazi demanding to know who scanned their ambassador. The others feel it too, and the one who was arguing wants to go and help. Byron orders him to stay put, but he runs off several others following. They manage to fight off the Drazi, the people in the enclave watching with their minds, but things can only go downhill from here.
That evening, Sheridan is sitting in the chamber when Zack come in. The council has just finished debating the matter and it doesn't sound like it went well.
- Sheridan: You know, I always wondered what it would take to make all these ambassadors act together. Now I know.
Bad enough they threatened to spill state secrets, now violence is starting to break out with them already worked up over the shipping attacks. In the meantime, Zack was sent by the captain, with an "I told you so" message. Sheridan admits she was probably right. She wants to take them in, but can't as long as they're under his protection. Sheridan thinks they might owe them more than they've been giving, but he can't do anything with the current situation. He officially withdraws his protection and tells Zack to get ready to move.
Byron informs his people to prepare for a siege. He orders food brought in and to make ready to seal themselves up inside. Lyta thinks she might be able to talk to Sheridan, but Byron feels it's out of his hands now; the ambassadors will demand their arrest. They will not go along, of course, but they will do it peacefully. They will blockade themselves, make it more difficult to get to them and hopefully buy enough time to negotiate something. The aggressive guy from earlier objects. He thinks they will come for them regardless, so they should fight back. If they get what they want they go in peace, but if they don't they fight. He already has some weapons from the Drazi. Byron takes it and asks if they've learned nothing. If they want to go, he will not stop them. Several of them walk out.
In the royal palace, Vitari is expressing relief that Londo is unharmed, and passing along the regent's sentiments as well. Londo demands to know where the regent is, anyway. Vitari was going to take them to see him wasn't he? Or was it just to set Londo up for Vole? Vitari laughs nervously and tries to avoid answering until G'Kar growls, "Where...is...the...regent?" Vitari says he doesn't actually know; the regent was there, but was gone when he got back. As he explains, Londo notices a hand beckoning him over. Londo thanks him and goes to see what it is.
He has G'Kar wait then goes to see the regent. He finds the regent laughing madly behind the throne. He says he's glad they got there in time to save him. Londo is surprised to hear that, but Virini says it wasn't him, it was them. They like Londo, they think he's like them. Londo is perplexed, but the regent refuses to answer any questions, at least not in any way that makes sense. He then begins apologizing for some reason, then says they have a message about the supplies and ships, just let it go. Londo doesn't understand, but the regent assures him he doesn't want to understand. He warns Londo that he has little time left, and to enjoy it. He then dismisses Londo, telling him they will speak one more time before the end. Londo backs slowly out of the throne room. G'Kar asks what he learned, but Londo doesn't know.
Back in the throne room the regent sees a strange figure in the shadows as the keeper begins coiling a tentacle around his throat as he protests that he didn't say anything. The creature just glares at him.
That night, Londo lies awake, then tells G'kar they are going to arrange the first transport back to Babylon 5. G'Kar is surprised, and to an extent Londo is as well.
- Londo: I have been in the royal palace on and off for most of my life. Even when Cartagia was here, I never lost my affection for it. But tonight, for the first time...I think it frightens me.
G'Kar: Frightens you? Well, I won't be getting any sleep tonight.
As G'Kar rolls over and tries to go back to sleep, Londo wonders what they could be doing with their ships.
In deep space, a Brakiri transport pleads for mercy as a Centauri warship destroys it.
Byron and Lyta are in bed when Zack comes on the P.A. ordering them to unblock the passages into their area or risk a direct confrontation. He then makes a plea for Lyta to come out and they could intercede for her, along with anyone else who wants to leave. Byron tells her she could go, but she doesn't want to. He thinks they can only last a few days at most, and makes her promise that when the time comes to leave him behind she will do as he says. She answers him with a kiss.
This episode contains examples of:
- Answer Cut: After discovering some major diversions of Centauri military resources through secret channels, Londo wonders aloud what is going on. The scene then cuts to a Centauri warship attacking a transport vessel.
- Blackmail: How Byron hopes to force the Alliance to give his telepaths a homeworld.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Regent Virini has gone crazy as a result of being controlled by the Drakh keeper. There are reports of him suffering from severe mood swings.
- Byronic Hero: Byron swings fully into this territory here.
- Call-Back: G'kar meets the guard who whipped him under Cartagia's orders and gets the change to exact revenge.
- Chick Magnet: Despite the feelings between the Narns and Centauri, the noble ladies of the court seem to find G'Kar quite...fascinating, and he readily returns the sentiment.
- Continuity Nod: When Sheridan says Byron is doing things the inconvenient way, Delenn points out that President Luchenko said the same thing to him after the Battle for Earth.
- Decadent Court: Despite Cartagia's death, the Centauri court remains rife with intrigue: Minister Vole plots to eliminate Londo while Regent Virini is under the control of the Drakh and killing those who suspect something is wrong with him.
- Disapproving Look: As one Centauri lady is looking rather pleased after G'Kar flirts with her, Vole turns to her with one of these, causing her to put on her straight face.
- Environmental Symbolism/Dark Is Evil: The Imperial Palace is depicted with somber lightning, (in contrast with the time of Cartagia's rule, which served as an example of Light Is Not Good), to symbolize the evil lurking within the court. Justified because most scenes are set at night.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Vole is killed by the knife he attempted to kill Londo with.
- I Cannot Self-Terminate: A guard reported that the Regent, while drunk, begged to be killed.
- Is This Thing On?: Right before Zack makes his announcement to the telepaths.
- Laughing Mad: Regent Virini when Londo finds him in the throne room.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Garibaldi at one point talks about how people seem more interested in wars than peace - which could easily be interpreted as a Take That! at fans who complained that the fifth season was less interesting than its predecessors because the big wars that formed the major plot of the previous three seasons were over.
- Leave No Witnesses: The Centauri attacks make sure to Leave No Survivors who could possible identify them.
- Logical Fallacies: Byron tries to blackmail the entirety of the Interstellar Alliance ambassadors based on the origins and treatment of telepaths even though it is only on the Earth Alliance where they are subject to a draconian Mutant Draft Board.
- Malcolm Xerox: The telepath who advocates a more militant resistance instead of Byron's non-violent strategy.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Londo knows something is wrong with Regent Virini when Jano tells him he has found drunk, as it was widely known in the court that Virini's only "vice" was to practice strict sobriety.
- Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: G'Kar's demand to know where the regent is.
- Stealth Hi/Bye: Right after the assassination attempt, Londo turns to see an alien behind him. When he turns back it's gone.
- Telepathy: Byron's people follow the ambassadors around listening to their thoughts.
- Wham Shot: The ships attacking the vessels of the ISA member worlds are Centauri.
