“Voices of Authority” is episode five of season three of Babylon 5.
Zack is talking to Garibaldi, complaining about how his uniform’s jacket doesn’t fit right, and how no tailor can get it right. He thinks he needs a silk lining, as he has sensitive skin. The chief gets a message from Ivanova on his link, saying that there is a Code 7R on three. Zack comments that he’s never heard of that code before. Garibaldi says that bureaucracy is always changing things. He tells Zack he will deal with it.
The reason that Zack has never heard of a Code 7R is that it’s a summons to one of the secret meetings. Garibaldi arrives, and apologises for being late; Sheridan, Ivanova, Delenn and Marcus are already there. Delenn is saying that wars are won or lost before they are fought. They depend on preparation, strategy and the selection of proper allies. She says that in the coming war against the Shadows, there are some allies they have not approached yet.
In the previous wars, the Shadows were always fought to a standstill by the First Ones. After the last war, the First Ones went away forever, beyond the galactic rim where humans and Minbari have never travelled. However, as the Vorlons remained, perhaps others of the First Ones did too. The First Ones may have grown tired of war and lost interest in the younger races. Some may be asleep in secret places beneath ancient cities; others may be wandering amongst the stars.
Captain Sheridan says that perhaps they need to get the First Ones’ attention. Marcus is not sure that is a good idea. The Rangers were taught to avoid the First Ones, because they don’t think like the younger races do. They are old, powerful and dangerous, and they don’t like to be bothered. A dangerous combination, and they could destroy the station like swatting a fly, and without even noticing.
Delenn agrees, and says that contacting the First Ones has been considered dangerous, until now. They can’t use a signal to contact them, for it would be ignored. The First Ones need contacting in person. The danger is considerable and the odds of success low. So Delenn has also invited Draal to the meeting.
Draal’s hologram appears and he thinks contacting the First Ones is a magnificent idea. It’s daring and splendid, and they could see things no human has ever seen before. Assuming they aren’t dissected, vaporised or killed in a variety of other unpleasant and painful ways. Draal says it’s exciting. Perhaps not the most appropriate word.
Draal has got information from the machine within the planet that could help in the search for the First Ones. There are reports of many encounters and strange sightings, but all have a warning of do not approach attached. He says that Sheridan should come down to the planet to go through them all so that the most likely prospect for contact can be found.
After the meeting G’Kar corners Delenn and inquires if everything is well, and that there are no problems back home. She replies that there are no problems. G’Kar is asking because Delenn has been in many closed meetings with Captain Sheridan, and he wonders if something is up. Delenn replies that it’s just the usual diplomatic exchanges. G’Kar says that, seeing as he is no longer on the council, he has forgotten the difference between political sessions and private meetings.
G’Kar continues that he has heard a word he has never heard before. The word is ‘Rangers’ and his contacts have mentioned it a few times. Sometimes they are referring to humans; other times to Minbari. G’Kar seems it odd that both would be part of the same organisation. Delenn agrees that it is unlikely. G’Kar says that he will continue his inquiries on his own, and he will figure it out. He later approaches Garibaldi, asking if there is something that can help his people. Or perhaps there is something he can do to help. G’Kar is not an idiot and he knows something is going on.
Julie Musante, of the Ministry of Peace, Night Watch division, has arrived on the station. Zack – who is in the Night Watch – escorts her to see Sheridan. She is going to be here for a while. Musante comments that, apart from the seal of the Earth Alliance, there is very little sign of Earth in the heart of the Earth government on Babylon 5, Sheridan’s office. He says that he prefers an informal office and that, as it is his office…
Musante informs Sheridan that she has been assigned by the Babylon 5 senate oversight committee to be his new political officer. Now, that’s a really disturbing title. Sheridan replies that he doesn’t need one. Musante tells him that his actions are not as politically astute as they could be. They may be correct on some level, but he needs to do things so that they reflect more favourably on EarthGov.
Musante’s job is to whisper in Sheridan’s ear, to point out political mistakes that could jeopardise his career. He replies that Babylon 5 is a military post and he is the military governor. She tells him that the military is subject to civilian oversight, and if there’s been a coup, no-one has told her (well, in fact there has been a coup, and Musante is a part of it, whether or not she knows this). Sheridan says that he will not share power; Musante replies that she’s not there to share power, simply advise him. She wishes to talk more over dinner. Sheridan says he has another appointment, and Musante inquires what it is as there is nothing on his schedule. Hardly wanting to tell a member of one of EarthGov’s more dubious organisations that he’s going down to a meeting on the planet below before heading off to look for some First Ones, Sheridan replies that it can be cancelled, and tells Ivanova to go in his stead.
Musante wants Zack, as a member of the Night Watch, to keep her informed on anything that the captain doesn’t tell her. Not for any dubious reasons of course. Later, at dinner, Sheridan says that that they are in the quiet between the storm, if the Centauri keep moving in on the members of the League of Non-Aligned worlds. Musante says that’s the rumour, but Earth would never ally with a government bent on war. Sheridan points out that Earth signed a treaty with the Centauri. Musante says that proves her point. Which is rather circular logic.
Musante also explains what a paradise Earth is. There are no homeless, only some displaced people who are lazy, criminal or mentally unstable. As everyone has been promised a job, anyone not working is doing so by choice. All crime is done by the mentally unstable. All very worrying descriptions. Musante does admit that this was done by rewriting the dictionary. Newspeak, it may be called. Musante tells Sheridan that, in time she may well come to like him. Quite a lot. That is probably not mutual, even though Musante does go to lengths to make herself likeable. Which Ivanova accidentally sees and comments that the captain is going to go where… everyone has been before.
Ivanova’s poking around in the matrix of the machine on the planet uncovers some other information that may well prove useful. Marcus, who ends up accompanying her, proves to annoy Ivanova a bit. The Night Watch poster, seen in a meeting run by the charming Ms Musante, is a lovely red and black poster. Which bears a lot of, probably deliberate, similarity to the old Communist posters featuring Lenin.