Babylon 5 (1994–1998): Season 5, Episode 22 - Sleeping in Light - full transcript

The Interstellar Alliance...

... based on the Homeworld
of the Minbari Federation...

... was founded in the Earth year 2261...

... shortly after the end of the Shadow War,
20 years ago.

Twenty years of history.

Those of us who survived
have seen it all...

... and those of us who understand
have been waiting and dreading...

... the arrival of this day.

Step into the abyss...

... and let go.

What if I die?



I cannot create life...

...but I can breathe
on the remaining embers.

It may not work.

But I can hope.

Hope is all we have.

His life force must be replenished.

I give of myself to replenish him.

For a little while.

How long?

In human terms, barring injury and illness,
perhaps 20 years.

But no more than that.

And then, one day he will simply...

... stop.

Are you okay?



Yeah, I'm fine.

I just need to get a little air,
that's all.

You go back to sleep.

Hello.

Well, I thought you were
going back to sleep.

I decided to go out in search of the same
air molecules you were looking for...

...on the theory that if they were
good enough to lure you out of our bed...

...I should investigate my competition.

You've never had competition.

It's a pretty night.

Yes, it is.

I just wanna sit here.

Watch the sun come up.

It occurred to me that in all my time here,
I've never done that.

I want to know what it looks like
when it comes up over the horizon.

So I can carry a picture of it
in my head.

You had the dream again.

It's the third night in a row.

I know.

It's possible that it may not
mean what you think.

It does.

It was 20 years ago
that I died on Z'Ha'Dum.

Lorien said that he could extend
my life 20 years, no more.

I'm almost out of time, Delenn.

I can feel it in my blood, in my bones.

Just a little further to go.

Time enough.

Do you want me to send the messages?

Yes.

Send them.

Sun's coming up.

At 2, you're scheduled to attend
the opening of Memorial Park.

The Joint Chiefs will be there
and they want you to say something.

The usual, about the sacrifices
of our brave men and women...

...young people saving the world
for those who follow...

- You can do it in your sleep.
- I have.

This evening, there's a reception
for the new ambassador from Narn.

Formal dress.

We'll have the press corps there just in case
anyone says anything interesting.

- Like that's gonna happen.
- Well, it's a good photo opportunity.

I'm tired of them.

But, general, you're an important person.

I feel like an old warhorse trotted out
after a parade so all the kids can point at it.

Besides, nobody gives a damn
about anything I have to say.

Why should they?
I certainly don't.

You're being much too modest.

No, I'm not.

And if I hear one more patronizing word
out of your mouth, I'll kick your...

I'm sorry, general.
He insisted on barging in.

- I have a message.
- I told him you were busy.

- Who from?
- I think you know.

I told you before,
if a Ranger shows up...

...I want him brought to me
immediately, no delays.

I was just following protocol, general.

There's a time and a place
and a way of doing things.

Frankly, I don't care for the attitude
of some of these Rangers.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tell him I'm on my way.

- On your way where?
- Minbar.

I want a shuttle fueled
and ready to go in 15 minutes.

What?

Majesty, we've just received
a courier from Minbar.

What?

Majesty, we've just received
a courier from Minbar.

I see.

I'm sorry.

Tell the prime minister to cancel all my
appointments for the next several days.

But you didn't even read
what the note says.

I don't have to.

I already know.

Lousy Dodgers.

Please, Uncle Stephen, one more game?
Just one, come on.

Not a chance.

But the interschool tennis match
is tomorrow. I have to practice.

We already played three sets.

Michael, this kid of yours
is trying to kill me.

And they say the younger generation
doesn't have goals.

Dad!

All right, come on,
take it easy on your Uncle Stephen.

He's old and decrepit.

He's led such a clean lifestyle he doesn't
have the stamina to deal with life.

Now, I, on the other hand,
will be out in a minute...

...to show you how the game
is supposed to be played.

Talk is cheap.
Let's see how you do on the court.

Go, go on! Get!

Where's Lise?
I didn't get a chance to say good morning.

She's out shopping.
She wanted to get an early start.

You know how nuts the stores get
right before Independence Day.

- Comfortable?
- Yeah.

So...

...how's the Edgars-Garibaldi empire
doing today?

Stocks haven't moved up or down
in over a week.

So you're steady.
What's wrong with that?

Steady ain't sexy.

We need the capital to expand
our resources back home.

And speaking of, when are you
supposed to head back to Earth?

Booked a flight out tomorrow.

Hey, hey, that's the thing about being
the chief of xenobiological research.

There's always another new alien virus
coming off the next starship.

You could at least stay around for Mary.
It's her first tournament.

The president can make do
for a few more days.

I can't.

I just wanted to come by,
see how you were doing.

It's too long between visits
and I wanted to see Lise.

- Dad?
- Yeah?

There's someone here to see you.

Oh, yeah?

Thank you.

Is everything all right?

Yeah, fine, fine.

Look, why don't you go on outside
and I'll be out there in a minute, okay?

Is that what I think it is?

Sheridan's dying.

He wants us to come to Minbar
for one last get-together before...

Well...

...before.

All right, I'll call the office.
They can wait.

Book a flight for one or two?

Well, Stephen, John and I may have had
our differences in the past...

...but he is a good man.

And he's my friend.

Two.

Well?

Well, it's hard to...

I never understood what Lorien
did to you...

...or how the energy streams
through your blood.

I don't know enough about them to make
a completely accurate prognosis.

- There's just too many variables.
- Stephen.

Get to it.

How long have I got?

It's hard to say exactly.

That's the point.

If I had to guess, I'd say...

...four or five days.

A week at the outside.

Done this sort of thing 100 times
and I still don't know what to say.

I'm sorry.

How's Delenn taking it?

Well, she's Minbari.

You know, sometimes I look at her...

...and I know exactly
what she's thinking.

Sometimes...

...she's a mystery to me.

Oh, there are a million years
of difference between our cultures.

Try all you want,
you never completely overcome that.

Not in 100 years, not in 20.

But she'll be okay.

She's Grey Council in training,
if not in fact anymore.

I don't think there's anything
she can't handle.

John?

- I can come back.
- No, no. I'm all done.

The others are waiting
for me downstairs.

Well, you tell them I'll be right down.
And, Stephen?

Thank you.

- John...
- Did you get everything?

It took some doing.
I believe it will be quite a party.

Well, that's exactly what I want,
a celebration.

No sad smiles, no struggling for words.

- John, John...
- Shouldn't we get downstairs?

Can't keep our guests waiting.

Come on.

And him, he's got this drunk Pak'ma'ra
on the deck and he's shaking him, saying:

"What did you do with the data crystal?"

Because, if you remember,
it was hidden inside...

- A cat!
- A dead cat!

And he ate it!

And, all of a sudden,
this Pak'ma'ra just goes:

Just up all over him.

It was the most horrible thing
you've ever seen in your life.

- All he could do was stand...
- And you.

You were no help at all.

He just stood there,
laughing his ass off.

- It was funny.
- It was eating my uniform.

And that was the funny part.

Where's my PPG?
Somebody get me a gun!

Are you okay?

You know, Londo never liked the Pak'ma'ra.

I mean, they're stubborn, lazy,
obnoxious, greedy.

Look like an octopus that got
run over by a truck.

That too.

But one day, Londo and I were walking
past their quarters...

...and we heard them singing.

Singing? They can sing?

There's nothing like that recorded.

Apparently, it's something they only do
certain times of the year...

...as part of their religious ceremonies.

You may not believe this...

...but it was the most beautiful sound
I had ever heard.

I couldn't make out the words,
but I knew that it was...

...full of sadness and hope and wonder...

...and a terrible sense of loss.

I looked at Londo and,
this is the amazing part...

...there was a tear
running down his face.

I said, "Londo, we should leave.
I mean, this is upsetting you."

And he just stood there and listened.

And when it was over,
he turned to me and he said:

"There are 49 gods in our pantheon, Vir.

To tell you the truth,
I never believed in any of them.

But if only one of them exists...

...then God sings with that voice."

It's funny.

After everything we had been through,
all he did...

...I miss him.

A toast.

To absent friends...

...in memory still bright.

G'Kar.

Londo.

Lennier.

- Mar...
- Marcus.

Susan?

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine, I just...

I was just watching John.

You really can't tell by
looking at him that he's...

He's the same old John.

I cannot imagine how
you're handling this.

We have had 20 years
to talk about it and prepare.

I'm ready.

As much as anyone can be ready.

But I'm going to miss him.

I'm going to miss him terribly, Susan.

So will I.

Is that why you were so quiet?

I've just...

I've buried so many friends, Delenn.

I'm beginning to resent it.

And I don't want to.

It seems like some days...

...there's no one left to play with.

There's no joy anymore.

I don't know what I'm doing
anymore or why.

I'm surprised that David's not here.

He's in a Ranger training mission
to Drazi space.

We'd interrupt his training,
but John doesn't want that.

When David joined the Rangers...

...we agreed that he would not
receive any special treatment.

No, no.

John's wish was to see
his dear friends one more time...

...the way they are.

And for David to remember
his father the way he was, not...

There's something I need to
talk to you about before you leave.

Yeah.

As you know, two years ago...

...John refused to accept re-election to
the presidency of the Interstellar Alliance.

The committee chose me as a replacement.
My first instinct was to decline.

John felt it was important to accept.

He was right.
You've done an excellent job.

Perhaps.

Since then, John dedicated most of his time
to working with the Rangers...

...because I was now distracted.
When he...

When he leaves us...

...I will need someone to take his place
as head of the Rangers.

They would prefer a human in this role
to maintain the balance we've created.

I was hoping you would consider the job.

Me?

Why me?

I know you're not happy with
your responsibilities back home.

Here, you would have a chance
to build something new...

...answerable only to me.

No politics, no bureaucracy.

- Can I have some time to think about it?
- Of course.

All the time you need.

- You're tired.
- No.

It's late.
You should rest.

You're right.

Good night, Delenn.

Thank you for the offer.

For everything.

- John.
- Did you talk to her?

Well, do you think she'll take it?

I think she might.

Where are the others?

They're putting Vir to bed,
which is where we should be.

Come on.

I thought you would be asleep by now.

I'm not sleepy.

Do you know what tomorrow is?

In Earth time, I mean?

It's Sunday.

When I was a kid...

...every Sunday,
Dad would take us out for a drive.

We never knew where we were going.

That was half the fun.

We'd just go.

He'd say, "Pick a direction."

And one of us would point...

...and off we'd go.

Tomorrow...

...is Sunday, Delenn.

And I'm going out for a drive.

What about the others?

I'll leave early in the morning,
before they're up.

There's no point in waking them.

We had our time,
said what we wanted to say.

Any more would...

...just get in the way.

I wanna feel space beneath me
one last time.

It's where I belong.

It's where I've always belonged.

Besides...

...everything we've built here,
with the Alliance...

...has become...

...half reality...

...half mythology.

And if it all ends here,
like it ends anywhere else...

But if it ends out there...

...they'll remember it.

It'll make it a little easier for you
to keep the others in line.

Well, the other Minbari will approve.

Their idea...

...of going to the sea and all that.

Always thinking strategy.

Even now.

Well, that's why you love me, isn't it?

No.

There are many reasons,
but that's not one of them.

One last thing:

Tomorrow, there'll be no talk of this.

I want it to be a good day,
a happy day.

I want that.

I want it a great deal.

Then you will have it.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I haven't seen you in that
in a long time.

- It looks good.
- Thanks.

It feels a little snug
in some places.

Must have shrunk while it was in storage.

Yes.

I'm sure that must be it.

You look beautiful.

I'm told by a reasonably reliable source...

...that today is Sunday
on the Earth calendar.

One dresses up on Sunday,
does one not?

One does.

Have you been outside yet?

It's a pretty day.

The perfect day...

...for a Sunday drive.

It is.

A perfect day.

The others will be awake soon.

If you go...

...you should go now,
while you still can.

Good night, my love.

The brightest star in my sky.

Good night.

You...

...were my sky.

And my sun.

And my moon.

Commander William Nils, sir. I'm sorry.
No one told us you were coming.

It's all right. It's all right.
I was just in the neighborhood.

Thought I'd stop in.
Where is everyone?

Well, there's just me, sir.

And the shut-down crew,
and a few others.

- What shut-down crew?
- Oh, sorry.

Public announcement hasn't been made.
I think they're still...

...working on the press release.

But since this place was turned back over
to Earth control a few years ago...

...and what with the recent
budget cutbacks...

...and much of what Babylon 5 stands for
being done now by the Alliance, well...

...no one comes here anymore. It's...

Well, it's become sort of redundant.

- Redundant.
- Yes, sir.

Earth Dome says it's to be
decommissioned and taken out.

Well, we can't just leave it here.

It would be a menace to navigation.

Of course.

Looks like we're still tied together,
even now.

Sir?

Nothing, nothing.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine.

Just tired.
It was a long trip.

You're welcome to inspect the facilities.

I can have someone show you around.

I know the way, commander.

Sheridan died trying to attack Z'Ha'Dum.

No one who goes there comes back alive.

We can end this.

Not just for now, not just
for the next 1000 years, but forever!

Will you stand together?

So you hear them too, huh?

Zack.

What the hell are you doing here?
I thought you went back to Earth.

Yeah, I did.
Got bored.

Re-upped about six months ago.

I figure I'll be here till
they turn the lights out.

Yeah. Well, that explains
why the letter came back.

- What letter?
- Ah, nothing. Nothing.

What was that you said
about "hearing them"?

It's this place.

Quarter million people...

...coming and going every day
for 25 years.

Every part of this station has
somebody's fingerprints on it.

Layers and layers of people's lives.

There were times...

...I thought none of us
would get out alive.

Some of us didn't.

But...

...we did everything we said
we were gonna do...

...and nobody can take that
away from us, or this place.

So you staying for the ceremony?

Well, I figured that's why you came,
for the decommissioning ceremony.

No. No.

I can't stay.
I was just in the neighborhood.

Thought I'd stop in.

Well, I was just gonna get something to eat.
Do you wanna come with me?

And then, one day he will simply...

...stop.

You okay?

I'm fine. Fine, Zack.
Thanks.

You sure you don't wanna
get something to eat?

No.

Sure wish I could...

...but I won't have time.

I just wanted to...

...come and have a last look around.

I should really be going.

Well, I'll walk you back
to the docking bay.

- Where you headed?
- Coriana System.

Where we won the Shadow War.

Computer...

...set course.

Destination?

Coriana 6.

Best speed.

Approaching Coriana System.

Approaching Coriana System.

Jump to normal space.

Warning: Pilot life signs indicator
entering danger zone.

Monitors off.

Turn it all off.

There's too damn much noise.

Better.

Who are you?

What do you want?

Why are you here?

Where are you going?

Lorien.

Did you think we had forgotten you?

We have been waiting for you.

Beyond the Rim.

Yes.

There's...

...so much I still don't understand.

As it should be.

Can I come back?

No.

This journey has ended.

Another begins.

Time to rest now.

Well...

...look at that.

The sun's coming up.

An expedition to Coriana space found
Sheridan's ship a few days later.

But they never found him.

All the air locks were sealed,
but there was no trace of him inside.

Some of the Minbari believe
he'll come back someday...

... but I never saw him again
in my lifetime.

They're ready.

Babylon 5 was the last
of the Babylon stations.

There would never be another.

It changed the future,
and it changed us.

It taught us that we have to
create the future...

... or others will do it for us.

It showed us that we have
to care for one another...

... because if we don't, who will?

And that true strength sometimes
comes from the most unlikely places.

Mostly, though,
I think it gave us hope...

... that there can always be
new beginnings.

Even for people like us.

As for Delenn...

... every morning,
for as long as she lived...

... Delenn got up before dawn
and watched the sun come up.