Babylon 5: In the Beginning Page #2

---

[Chuckles]

You've been listening to rumors again.

Rangers specialize in reports

from distant places.

Rumors are at the core of what we do.

I've learned that the more vehemently

a rumor is denied...

...the more often it tends to be true.

So, did you pass on my request

for more support?

I did. It was considered and rejected.

They promised!

CALLIER:
Lenonn, be sensible.

We have carried the Rangers

as part of our cultural identity...

...our debt to Valen, for 1,000 years.

How much more can you ask of us?

But now is when the prophecies said

that we would be needed most.

- We must begin to move.

- I'm sorry, Lenonn.

The Caste Elders have made their decision.

Then I demand to speak

with the Grey Council.

CALLIER:
Lenonn...

It is my right as leader of the Anla-Shok.

I demand to see them

and make my case personally.

If you go over the heads of the Elders,

you risk offending them.

Then let them be offended.

CALLIER:
You operate here

at our sufferance, Lenonn.

If you force the issue,

the Rangers may pay the price.

Ignore my request, and we shall all pay

the price for their stupidity.

[Faint tinkling]

[Louder tinkling]

Have you come from the Grey Council?

Wait.

I want to speak with you.

LENONN:
Where are you going?

Why won't you answer me?

[Soft howling]

DUKHAT:
Well, Lenonn?

You said you wished to speak with us.

Step into the circle and speak.

LUC:
You said there was going to be

a battle.

Excuse me?

You said there was going to be

a great battle in your story.

CENTAURI WOMAN:
Be quiet.

LONDO:
No, it's all right.

The young do not understand that in war

there is death.

You want a battle?

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.

Majesty,

I know it is not my place to speak...

...but you have endured so much

these last few years.

You cannot bear the blame for the war

between the Humans and the Minbari.

We had nothing to do with it.

Thank you, but I know my sins,

dear woman.

And the price

I will eventually pay for them.

Now, young Emperor.

I was telling you about how Lenonn,

head of the Anla-Shok...

...what the Humans would one day

call the Rangers...

...was brought 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 1,000 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 as an embarrassment...

...and who do not believe

in the prophecy of Valen.

This prophecy also said

that the Anla-Shok will arise.

They will be ready and they will be

instrumental in the next great war.

So, why not wait until there's proof?

Valen created the Grey Council

from members of every caste...

...warrior, worker and religious...

...so that no one caste would have

undue influence over the others.

Prophecy falls under the category

of religion, Lenonn.

The workers need to know

why they should stop building bridges...

...and start building ships,

guns and weapons.

And the warriors need to know

why they may be called upon to serve...

...and to die.

What do you say to them?

All I can say is that I believe.

What more is there to say?

We need money, resources, people.

And we must attempt a rapprochement

with the Vorlons.

[Dukhat laughs sarcastically]

Coplann...

...what does the Warrior Caste find

so amusing?

Over the last 100 years, we've sent

a dozen ships into Vorlon space.

None has returned.

To send more would be a waste of time

and effort and lives.

The Vorlons know the prophecy

as well as you.

Yet they have not come forth

to contact us.

Because they know that we have fallen

from grace...

...and that we no longer believe.

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:
Master...

If I may...

There may be a way to give the others

the proof they require.

COPLANN:
Delenn is not formally a part

of this Council.

Though she stands in for Satai Kadroni,

she has not yet undergone the ritual.

It is inappropriate for her to speak.

I have never yet known the truth or Delenn

to speak only when it is appropriate.

Go on, Delenn.

Valen said the Shadows...

...would first return to their homeworld

of Z'ha'dum before moving against us.

So, why not send an expedition

to Z'ha'dum...

...to determine

if they have indeed returned.

The Warrior Caste will be no part of this.

Our forces are needed here

to protect homeworld.

Besides, the journey is long and difficult.

Other expeditions have found that the area

around Z'ha'dum is mined...

...with traps and ancient defense systems.

Other races have moved in,

claimed it as their own.

DUKHAT:
So, you believe it too dangerous

for the Warrior Caste to go.

The Warrior Caste fears nothing.

But it is a waste of our time.

Further, if the Council endorses

such an expedition...

...it would cause unnecessary panic

among our people.

I agree.

So, they will not have to go.

Thank you.

We will go.

What? But, Master...

DUKHAT:
We are the ones

who must decide...

...how much support to give the Rangers.

We can rely on the reports of others,

or see for ourselves.

My whole life...

...I have heard of Z'ha'dum

in whispers and legends.

I think I'd like to see it once before I die.

Wouldn't you, Delenn?

Yes, Master.

Then we will go.

We will take only a few support vessels...

...sworn to secrecy to avoid the panic

Coplann fears.

And we'll travel indirectly...

...stopping at various outposts

until we are ready for the final jump.

It is an elegant and simple solution,

Coplann.

Thank you for giving it to me.

DUKHAT:
You have something on your

mind, Delenn. I recognize that expression.

DELENN:
I was only thinking...

I believe that Lenonn is correct,

and that we must begin to prepare.

But Coplann is also correct.

The Vorlons should have contacted us

by now.

Yes, they should.

But if the legends surrounding

the Vorlons are correct...

...remember that they do not reveal

themselves quickly and never all at once.

What are you saying?

I'm not saying anything.

I didn't say anything then,

and I am not saying anything now.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes