“War Without End: Part One” is episode sixteen of season three of Babylon 5.
The episode opens on Minbar, the homeworld of the Minbari Federation. Many waterfalls surround what looks like some type of religious structure. Inside, a Minbari and a human are talking when a hooded and robed figure enters; both greet the figure respectfully. Another Minbari enters, calling the figure Entil’Zha. The Minbari tells Entil’Zha that he was sent to find him. He is bearing a casket. According to the Minbari, their ancient books told them that on this day, no sooner and no later, they were to enter the sanctuary and open the casket. They did not know what was inside; it has been locked and sealed for over 900 years. They do not understand how or why, only that it is. Inside the casket is an envelope. There is a name written on the envelope: Jeffrey David Sinclair. The hooded figure removes his hood, revealing that it is Sinclair. The Minbari asks Sinclair how did he know Sinclair would be here. How did he know his name.
In C&C on Babylon 5, Corwin tells Ivanova they have picked up a distress call. It isn’t coming from a ship, but an area. Sector 14. Ivanova says that area has been under quarantine for nearly four years. Because that’s where Babylon 4 disappeared. The single is crackly but a familiar-sounding woman is saying that they are coming through. That this is Earth Alliance station Babylon 5. That they are all over the place. Corwin tells the commander that it is her voice. She says it’s impossible, but Corwin replies that the computer has confirmed it – it is Ivanova’s voice. The Ivanova sending the message says that they are killing us. And can anyone hear them. Now, hearing your own voice saying you are being killed? That qualifies as disturbing.
On Minbari, the Minbari tells Sinclair that his ship is ready. And that the letter appears to have disturbed Sinclair. Perhaps if he told the Minbari what it said, he could help. Sinclair says that no, what was inside was meant for me alone. And to tell the others to continue our work in my absence. Sinclair continues, saying that when he first arrived, no-one really trusted him. The Minbari was the first. The Minbari replies that where Delenn points, he follows. And she pointed at Sinclair. Sinclair says that what they have created has a life of its own, and the Rangers will finish the work. After Sinclair leaves, a Vorlon arrives and the Minbari says to it that he has the strangest feeling that he will never see Sinclair again. The Vorlon replies ‘He is the closed circle. He is returning to the beginning.’ A long speech for a Vorlon, but typically opaque and it doesn’t explain further.
On the station, the recording of the distress call is being played to Sheridan and Garibaldi in the War Room. Sheridan says that the computer has confirmed it, it matches Ivanova’s voice. Ivanova says it must be fake, as she has never sent out a distress call like that. Garibaldi says that maybe Ivanova just hasn’t sent it yet. Ever since Babylon 4 was yanked through time, time hasn’t worked right in that sector. Garibaldi asks what if the message is from the future.
Garibaldi tells the captain that, when he and Sinclair evacuated the crew of Babylon 4 (the events of “Babylon Squared”), Garibaldi had a vision. A fire fight. Something was invading Babylon 5; they were putting up a pretty good fight, but they were losing. Bad. He asks what if the message is coming from the fall of Babylon 5. Garibaldi continues, saying that other than Sinclair Garibaldi has the most personal experience. And as Sinclair isn’t here, that leaves it to the chief. Garibaldi says that if it really is coming from the future, they should find out what happens so they can prepare for it. Sheridan agrees, saying that Sector 14 is three hours away in normal space and Garibaldi should leave.
Zack is sorting out new arrivals on the station when he takes the identicard from one without looking at who gave him it. When he sees the card properly, Zack looks up. He greets Commander Sinclair and Sinclair says it’s Ambassador Sinclair now. Or at least it was. Zack says he came aboard the station just before Sinclair was promoted; Sinclair actually remembers him. Sinclair says it’s good to be back – but he won’t really be staying long. Garibaldi is in the cockpit of a Starfury preparing for launch. He asks Ivanova if she wants anything from the future; she asks for the winning numbers in the New Vegas lottery. The chief agrees and launches.
Lennier enters Delenn’s quarters, which are darkened. He asks where she is and Delenn replies that he’s here, isn’t he. Lennier confirms this. It’s time. Delenn repeats the words of the Grey Council, even though she is not a member anymore. She says to Lennier that he is her friend. Lennier replies that he knows, but it must be done. Else the dream will die, as will countless others. Delenn has an envelope with her name on it as well.
Marcus is telling Sheridan in the War Room that there hasn’t been a Shadow attack in eight days. Not since the Vorlons got involved, in the events of the previous episode, “Interludes and Examinations”, so they are reconsidering their strategy. Sheridan says that he is worried the Shadows will strike twice as hard when they do. Marcus comments on this being the worst case scenario; Sheridan replies that, considering everything, he’s been taking Ivanova lessons.
At this point Delenn arrives and tells Sheridan that he must come with her to the White Star at once. And it cannot wait. Marcus needs to come as well, as does Ivanova. And one other. The one other being Sinclair, who enters at this point. Sinclair greets Sheridan and the latter is interrupted by his link. Garibaldi says that a long range scan shows that the temporal rift is twice as big as before. An extremely powerful tachyon field is being projected right into the heart of the rift. From Epsilon 3.
In the heart of the machine on Epsilon 3, Zathras is watching energy flows. Another comes to him and Zathras says it’s a power surge. Not good. The other suggests telling Draal but Zathras that it is taking all of Draal’s concentration to control the great machine. If they disrupt his concentration it would be bad. Everyone die. Yes, that qualifies as bad. Draal told Zathras what to do.
In the War Room, Sheridan asks Delenn if it wouldn’t make more sense to go to the planet. Delenn replies that they must go to Sector 14 now. When Sheridan asks why now, Delenn tells him because this is the time they are supposed to go. Sheridan points out that’s circular reasoning. Delenn says she will; explain everything on the White Star. On the shuttle, Sheridan tells Sinclair that he usually gets advance warning when an ambassador is arriving. Sinclair replies that there wasn’t time, and it’s as much a surprise to him as to Sheridan. Sheridan doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that Delenn either knew Sinclair was here or was coming. Sinclair says there is no such thing as coincidence. It seems he has been getting lessons in talking from the Vorlons.
Garibaldi is near the rift, trying to clean up the signal. He manages and sees an injured Ivanova broadcasting from a badly damaged part of the station; it could be C&C, it could be the War Room. Ivanova says that the captain is dead and the defence grid is down. They are being boarded and Garibaldi has rigged the fusion reactor. Ivanova switches to an external camera which shows many, many Shadow vessels. By the sounds of it, the station is destroyed not long after.
On the White Star, Sheridan says that they are all here, so would she mind explaining. Delenn asks Sheridan if he trusts her. When he asks what sort of question that is, Delenn replies that it is the most important question she has ever asked him. Sheridan replies with his life, and asks why. But that was all Delenn needed.
She explains that, during the last Great War with the Shadows a thousand years ago, they were able to defeat the Shadows with the help of the Vorlons and a few others and drive them from Z’ha’dum. But there is something they do not know. What Delenn is about to show them has never been shows to anyone outside the Grey Council, one of the few surviving records of the war. The screen shows a space station. Delenn says that their greatest starbase, the centre of their war efforts, was destroyed by the Shadows. The station is being carved apart by Shadow vessels in the background.
Without a long range base of operations to launch forces against the enemy, Delenn continues, they were doomed to lose. Then a replacement arrived. And shows them a video of Babylon 4. Babylon 4 helped them defeat the Shadows; without it, they would have lost or at best had a stalemate. Sheridan asks if the Minbari stole Babylon 4. Delenn tells him not exactly. Draal sent her a recording the great machine made six years ago, just prior to the disappearance of Babylon 4. The allies of the Shadows recognised the station and sent forces to strike without warning. Only they were defeated. And the video shows the White Star doing just that.
If they fail to save Babylon 4, Babylon 5 will also be destroyed. So, no pressure. Sheridan asks if the answer to the biggest mystery of the past decade, who stole Babylon 4, is him. Delenn says that in the last war, most of the Shadows’ fleet was destroyed; they have spent the time since rebuilding. If this didn’t happen, the Shadows will have three times the ships and will be unstoppable.
So, the White Star needs to travel back in time almost six years to prevent Babylon 4 being destroyed, so that the station can be sent back a thousand years into the past to prevent Babylon 5 from being destroyed eight days from now. Time travel can be confusing. Not surprisingly, this continues in the next episode, “War Without End: Part Two”.