## Preface

A Contrast of Enlightenment
Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/40543173.

Rating:
  Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warning:
  No Archive Warnings Apply
Category:
  Other
Fandom:
  Babylon 5 (TV 1993)
Characters:
  John Sheridan, Susan Ivanova, Stephen Franklin, Londo Mollari, Delenn (Babylon 5), Lennier (Babylon 5), Kosh (Babylon 5), G'Kar (Babylon 5), Michael Garibaldi
Additional Tags:
  Screenplay/Script Format, it's a whole ass episode because yeah, Species Swap
Language:
  English
Stats:
  Published: 2022-07-25 Words: 5,384 Chapters: 1/1

# A Contrast of Enlightenment

by ToothpasteCheesecake

Summary

> A strange cloud envelops Babylon 5, and changes the species of every alien on board. They have to figure out how to get things back to normal, but in order for the spell to be lifted, they must each experience a personal revelation.

Notes

> here's a pdf version of the script, properly formatted
> i set every scene at night because it's always night in space lol
> "Where is this set in the timeline??" Who knows! I sure don't!

> i wrote most of this while stoned so if it has any typos/inconsistencies let me know. this is also the longest script i've ever written. babylon 5 has consumed my brain. enjoy.

See the end of the work for more notes

## A Contrast of Enlightenment

INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT

Commander Ivanova stands at her station. Her eyes flutter shut momentarily; she’s exhausted, it’s too late for this. When she realizes she’s drifting off, she puts her hand over her mouth, and yawns.

She’s about to leave for the night - to finally get that precious, treasured sleep - when–

COMPUTER

Jumpgate activated.

And her head snaps back, her eyes roll. She approaches the console. The jumpgate certainly has activated, but there’s nothing there. It closes just as fast as it opened, and Babylon 5 space is very much empty.

IVANOVA

Computer, scan for nearby ships.

COMPUTER

Commencing…

(pause)

No ships found.

IVANOVA

Are you sure? Then why did the jumpgate open?

COMPUTER

Unknown.

IVANOVA

Scan for any life sign in the area not currently on Babylon 5.

COMPUTER

No life signs detected.

Ivanova pauses. Stares off into the distance, her expression pure concern, until it hits her again - she’s tired.

IVANOVA

Computer, check for any malfunction in the jumpgate.

COMPUTER

Estimated time for requested scan… 1.5 hours.

IVANOVA

Are you kidding me?

(to herself)

Fine. I’ll set my alarm for two hours from now. Two hours. At least I get two hours. It’s probably just a glitch, anyway. Probably.

INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

He can’t sleep. Sheridan sits, watching the screen ramble on and on, news updates and horrific events drilling into his mind. He sighs. Forlorn. Something’s haunting his thoughts.

And then the screen turns to mere static. The station begins to rumble, wall decorations falling, glasses diving from his cupboards and shattering on the floor.

EXT. BABYLON 5 SPACE - NIGHT

The station vibrating and rattling as a PINK CLOUD OF ENERGY envelops the entirety of Babylon 5.

INT. BABYLON 5 - LONDO’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Londo awakens to the sound of glass breaking and trinkets crashing. It takes him a few moments to realize exactly what the sounds are, and the fact that the station is shaking.

LONDO

What–

He runs out into the front of his quarters; all of his belongings have toppled over.

LONDO (CONT'D)

Seriously?

INT. BABYLON 5 - DELENN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Delenn does not seem to notice the trembling as she meditates. She closes her eyes and keeps them closed. At peace.

Until her door chimes, and her eyes open. She takes in the sight of her surroundings, and brings her hand over her mouth briefly.

DELENN

Enter, enter, quickly.

Lennier enters.

LENNIER

Delenn, are you alright?

DELENN

You should be somewhere safe. You shouldn’t have come.

LENNIER

My… personal safety is secondary.

Delenn smiles.

And the shaking stops.

And they fall to the ground, like angels, unconscious.

INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Sheridan taps on his link.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Sheridan to C&C. What the hell was that?

C&C OFFICER (V.O)

(over link)

We’re not entirely sure. For a moment, when the shaking started, everything turned… pink.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Pink?

C&C OFFICER (V.O)

(over link)

Yes, sir. Like we were in a cloud.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

What do the scanners say?

C&C OFFICER

(over link)

They haven’t found anything. Except…

(pause)

We’re reading a foreign energy field surrounding the entire station. We’re…

(pause)

We’re in a force field, sir.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Are you sure?

C&C OFFICER (V.O)

(over link)

Positive. It’s the only thing these readings could mean. We can send a maintenance bot out to test how big the field is and what happens if you try to get out of it.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Good, get it done as soon as possible.

INT. BABYLON 5 - MEDLAB - NIGHT

Franklin hard at work on patients injured in the quake. Other medical officers are cleaning up the aftermath.

Delenn enters, Lennier, clutching his side, in tow.

DELENN

Dr. Franklin?

He looks up, transfers care to a nearby doctor, and approaches them.

FRANKLIN

What can I do for you, Ambassador?

This is when he notices the tears in Delenn’s eyes.

Lennier slowly removes his hand from his right side, and in doing so, reveals a large shard of glass embedded in his abdomen.

FRANKLIN

Oh, jesus christ. Hey, I need help over here! Come on!

(to Delenn)

We’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.

DELENN

It’s strange, doctor. Before this happened, we… lost consciousness for a moment. That is how the glass got there; he fell on top of it.

FRANKLIN

Are you okay?

DELENN

No. But I hope to be–

She’s interrupted by the lights flickering into darkness, sudden and fast. They’re completely drenched in the dark. No light, no light to be found. No light left.

And then the darkness lifts, the room bright again.

Franklin looks up—

and then he looks at Delenn. She’s floating, now. Enclosed in a beam of light. Her light the absence of any darkness, any pain. His mouth opens, dropping in surprise. She looks ethereal.

FRANKLIN

Oh, my god…

DELENN

Doctor?

FRANKLIN

I…

DELENN

What is wrong?

FRANKLIN

I can’t believe it.

Delenn looks down at her arms, notices the light.

DELENN

What is this?

FRANKLIN

I don’t know. But I have an awful feeling that whatever that thing was, whatever shook the station… is behind this.

Franklin hands her a nearby mirror. She looks into it, gazes at herself, the way she shines.

DELENN

I am… Vorlon?

INT. BABYLON 5 - LONDO'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Londo - Narn now - who has fallen face-first onto the floor, rises back to consciousness slowly.

He pushes himself up. And then he looks at his hand.

LONDO

Great maker…

He opens his eyes, rubs them, blinks repeatedly. Maybe he’s hallucinating this.

He’s not.

LONDO

I am dead. I have to be. And maybe I deserve it, but I never thought evil could be cruel enough to do this.

INT. BABYLON 5 - G’KAR’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

G’Kar - Centauri now - has passed out over his desk, and jolts awake into a fighting stance. He glances around, studies the room to ensure its safety, and then stands up, slow and strained.

He looks at the mirror behind him once, and he doesn’t parse it until his eyes dart back and his heart burns in his chest as he witnesses this new version of him. This version that is the enemy.

G'KAR

This cannot be…

He runs over to the mirror, stretches out the skin of his face, feels his hair.

G'KAR

(frustrated)

Oh, come on…

INT. BABYLON 5 - MEDLAB - NIGHT

Delenn rests on an exam table as Franklin scans her.

DELENN

Well?

FRANKLIN

As far as I can tell, from the limited knowledge we have of Vorlon biology, you’re a perfectly healthy Vorlon. And somehow, you are reading as purely Vorlon, and I have absolutely no idea what is going on.

DELENN

Nor do I.

A woman pokes her head out of Lennier’s operation.

MEDLAB DOCTOR

Dr. Franklin?

FRANKLIN

Yes?

MEDLAB DOCTOR

I think you should see this.

BABYLON 5 - ISOLAB - NIGHT

Franklin enters, and sees Lennier on the operating table, but he’s different now; the bones of his head are gone, and he has wavy brown hair.

He’s human.

FRANKLIN

(gesturing to Delenn)

Ambassador…

Delenn rushes behind him. She looks into the room, and her shock is obvious when she sees him. Human. Human. Human.

MEDLAB DOCTOR

We got the glass out, and he collapsed… and then he turned human, and he was fine. He went from an injured Minbari one second to a perfectly healthy human the next.

FRANKLIN

How is this possible?

She shrugs.

INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Ivanova, Garibaldi, and Sheridan sit at Sheridan’s desk.

IVANOVA

So all of the aliens just… swapped species?

SHERIDAN

It seems so. Every scan Dr. Franklin has done, they read as not their actual race, but the one they’ve turned into. It’s real. And I don’t like it.

GARIBALDI

I don’t either. Do you think it has something to do with this force field thing?

SHERIDAN

Probably. But we need to know more. Status of the maintenance bot?

IVANOVA

It reached the edge of the force field about ten minutes ago, sir. The good news is that we have quite a bit of room. The bad news is that when the bot reached the edge of the field, it was incinerated.

SHERIDAN

Cancel all incoming and outgoing transports now. Lock down the station. Nobody gets in or out.

IVANOVA

Already done.

GARIBALDI

Once the alien population realizes what’s going on, it’s gonna get real nasty out there.

His link beeps.

GARIBALDI

(on link)

Garibaldi.

SECURITY OFFICER

There’s a massive fight going on down here. We need you, we need more–

The link goes silent.

GARIBALDI

I gotta go. Keep me informed.

He leaves.

Sheridan looks at Ivanova.

SHERIDAN

Is it true that Ambassador Delenn is a Vorlon?

IVANOVA

From what I’ve heard, yes.

SHERIDAN

And if she’s a Vorlon… then… keep an eye on things for a bit. There’s something I have to do.

INT. BABYLON 5 - DELENN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Delenn helps Lennier into her quarters, helps him lie down.

LENNIER

I’m well, Delenn. I promise.

DELENN

You should still rest.

Lennier gazes up at her, witnesses her vastness and beauty.

DELENN

Lennier?

LENNIER

I apologize. It’s just… I’ve never seen a Vorlon before. You look… truly celestial.

DELENN

It’s very different. If we can ever return things to normal… I will never forget this…

(a pause, a smile)

How do you feel about being human?

LENNIER

To be honest… I am not sure.. how to feel. I look at my reflection and it seems empty. Unrecognizable. And when I reach out to touch the glass… the person that touches me back is cold and foreign.

DELENN

Oh, Lennier. Get some rest. We’ll find a way out of this. I know we will.

INT. BABYLON 5 - LONDO'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Londo, on a com call with Sheridan.

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

Why didn’t you come see me directly?

LONDO

Come on. You know I can’t be seen like this.

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

It’s happened to every alien on the station. No one would recognize you, and if they did, they’d be too busy panicking to care.

LONDO

Still.

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

What did you need, Ambassador?

LONDO

I know exactly who is behind this.

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

Let me guess. The Narn?

LONDO

Of course it’s the Narn. They’re… trying to torture us. To punish us. Humiliate us! I won’t have it, Captain. I will not allow this.

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

Why would the Narn do something that would also affect their own people? There’s a chance you would turn into Narn, they would have to know the Centauri might attempt to use their new appearances to cause problems among the Narn population here.

LONDO

To point the suspicion elsewhere. They’re very sly, Captain. They would resort to anything.

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

Sure. Well. I’m very busy, Ambassador. I have to figure this out, and fast.

LONDO

But–

SHERIDAN

(on screen)

Goodbye.

INT. BABYLON 5 - KOSH’S QUARTERS - Night

Sheridan puts the mask on, and rings for Kosh. And rings, and rings - no answer.

SHERIDAN

Kosh, you there?

KOSH (O.S)

You may not enter.

SHERIDAN

Is everything okay?

KOSH (O.S)

No.

(then)

Why?

SHERIDAN

I’m not sure. It’s happened to everyone on the station. We don’t have much to go on yet besides a weird pink cloud and a force field that’s been set up around the station.

KOSH (O.S)

It is.. intolerably uncomfortable.

SHERIDAN

I’m sorry. We’re working on it as quickly as we can. Someone’s doing an analysis of the station to see if they can identify the - the cloud - as we speak.

KOSH (O.S)

Good.

Sheridan turns to leave, but something remains in his mind - a curiosity.

SHERIDAN

Can I ask you something?

KOSH (O.S)

Yes.

SHERIDAN

Delenn turned into a Vorlon. Londo into a Narn… and so on. What did you become?

There’s an uncomfortably long silence until the door opens.

KOSH (O.S)

…Enter.

Sheridan obeys.

When he walks through, he sees an impossible sight before him: Kosh, human. Kosh, in a white robe. Kosh, without his light. Kosh, human. Human. It is breathtaking.

INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT

Ivanova opens communications to the scanning vessel.

IVANOVA

Any results on the scan yet?

PILOT (V.O)

(over com)

Negative. So far, everything is normal.

IVANOVA

You're sure?

PILOT (V.O)

(over com)

Yes. There’s no remaining debri or particles out here.. There’s nothing.

IVANOVA

Okay. Head back, I’ll inform the Captain.

An officer next to her stands up.

C&C OFFICER

Commander, we’re picking up a signal—someone’s trying to contact us.

IVANOVA

Show me.

The screen flickers on, revealing - an alien unlike anything known. This is a first contact situation. The alien is humanoid, but also mothlike, complete with antennae and wings.

IVANOVA

(over link)

Ivanova to Sheridan.

SHERIDAN (V.O)

(over link)

Sheridan.

IVANOVA

(over link)

We need you here now.

SHERIDAN (V.O)

(over link)

On my way.

INT. BABYLON 5 - G’KAR’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

G’Kar gets a com call.

G'KAR

Answer, hold video. Yes?

It’s a member of the resistance back home. G’Kar barely recognizes him.

NARN

(over call)

G’Kar, we’re having a problem with some shipments—why do I not see you?

G'KAR

Not feeling very well today. I look rather unpleasant, best not to see me like this.

NARN

(over call)

Are you alright?

(whispering)

Has something happened to you?

G'KAR

No. I assure you, I am fine.

NARN

(over call)

G’Kar, I worry. If anything-

G'KAR

Nonsense, I should be worried about you. Please, continue. How are things?

NARN

(over call)

I’m sorry, G’Kar. I don’t know who could be with you right now. Since I can’t see you, I have no way of knowing if this is a trap. For all I know, some Centauri could be forcing you to say this.

G'KAR

What? It’s not a trap. No one’s forcing me to say anything!

NARN

(over call)

We can talk later.

The call ends. G’Kar slams his head into his palms.

INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT

Sheridan enters, and takes in the call on screen.

SHERIDAN

(to Ivanova)

Can they understand us?

IVANOVA

I don’t know. They haven’t said anything. They’re just sitting there.

SHERIDAN

Alright, this has to be a first contact situation. Let’s find out what’s going on.

He approaches the call.

SHERIDAN

Hello. I’m Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5. Welcome. Do you mind sharing with us your species name?

The alien’s eyes blink, eyelids closing vertically.

ALIEN

(over call)

We are the Xels’Av’Ox.

SHERIDAN

It’s nice to meet you. And your name is?

ALIEN

(over call)

Irrelevant.

SHERIDAN

Okay…

ALIEN

(over call)

You may have noticed some things on your station shifting and changing.

Sheridan melts into a more serious tone.

SHERIDAN

Are you the ones responsible for this?

ALIEN

(over call)

Yes.

SHERIDAN

Why? Why do this? Do you just like the chaos?

ALIEN

(over call)

We feed on enlightenment. We have the tools to bring it to those who need it, and we go to any length to obtain it.

SHERIDAN

Right. So, what do you want? What do I have to do for you to undo this?

ALIEN

(over call)

Nothing.

SHERIDAN

I don’t understand.

ALIEN

(over call)

We will reverse our shift once you have reached collective epiphany.

SHERIDAN

Collective epiphany? What does that mean?

ALIEN

(over call)

That is for you to discover. Good luck, Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5.

The alien disappears off screen, the call flickering out.

SHERIDAN

Do you know what just happened?

IVANOVA

No, sir.

INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Sheridan, at his desk again, this time alone.

SHERIDAN

Computer, search for any known files on a species called the Xels’Av’Ox.

COMPUTER

Commencing.

(then)

One match found.

SHERIDAN

Display.

COMPUTER

Xels’Av’Ox. A mythological figure in the folklore of several extinct species. These creatures find nourishment by draining the psychological realizations of other species directly from their minds.

SHERIDAN

Any weaknesses, wars, ways to outsmart them?

COMPUTER

Not found.

SHERIDAN

What is their technology level? How advanced are they?

COMPUTER

Data insufficient.

SHERIDAN

Come on. Anything? Anything at all?

COMPUTER

Continuing file narration. While highly feared, the Xels’Av’Ox are essentially harmless. The fear surrounding the Xels’Av’Ox is due to a fear surrounding their main method of feeding. To feed, these creatures force their victims to confront things they do not want to acknowledge, over and over until an epiphany has been made. Then the creatures remove the epiphany telepathically and consume it. In historical accounts of this species, several have described the process as torturous and intolerable. They-

SHERIDAN

Computer, end narration.

His door signals him.

SHERIDAN

Come.

In walks G’Kar, but Sheridan doesn’t recognize him in his Centauri appearance.

SHERIDAN

Can I help you?

G'KAR

It’s me. G’Kar.

SHERIDAN

Sorry.

(then)

How are you taking it?

G'KAR

This is a traumatizing experience. But I’m positive I know the cause.

SHERIDAN

Oh?

G'KAR

The Centauri have done this, they have turned us into them, to confuse and divide us! In turn, they have become Narn to infiltrate us. No one will know who is who until it’s too late.

SHERIDAN

Yes, but not every Narn has turned into Centauri and vice versa. Medical says that it seems to be a random selection.

G'KAR

Part of their plan as well! Avoid suspicion.

SHERIDAN

I’ll look into it.

G'KAR

Thank you, Captain.

He leaves.

INT. BABYLON 5 - RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Ivanova, Sheridan, Franklin, and Garibaldi sitting in a very empty restaurant.

SHERIDAN

They seem to be harmless. It’s just what they do to you.

IVANOVA

What do they do?

SHERIDAN

Well, it seems like they put you through tough situations, trying to make you confront your demons until you finally overcome them.

FRANKLIN

And then?

SHERIDAN

And then, I don’t know. I just know that they feed on these revelations.

GARIBALDI

Great, so we’ve got some moth guys who don’t seem to be anywhere we can detect in Babylon 5 space, who are going to force us to face our demons, essentially torturing us psychologically, just so they can eat our bravery. I just want one boring day.

IVANOVA

Hey, wait, I just remembered something.

SHERIDAN

What?

IVANOVA

I forgot because I was tired, and at the time I thought it was nothing, but the jumpgate opened when there was no scheduled incoming ships. And Captain… there was nothing. Not a single ship came through.

SHERIDAN

Not a single ship that we know about. Remember, we’ve never met these guys before. They wouldn’t show up on our scanners because we wouldn’t know what to scan for.

FRANKLIN

Do you think they’re using some kind of cloaking device, then?

SHERIDAN

I don’t know yet.

INT. BABYLON 5 - HALLWAY - NIGHT

Londo wears a cloak over his head as he attempts to sneak into the transport tube without being seen.

But when he commands it to open - G’Kar is inside.

LONDO

(to himself)

Okay, maybe he won’t recognize me.

Londo enters the transport tube, and when G’Kar’s eyes find him, Londo is recognized instantly. So much for that.

G'KAR

Mollari.

-and the transport tube slams shut.

INT. BABYLON 5 - TRANSPORT TUBE - NIGHT

G’Kar and Londo leaning away from each other. Sizing each other up.

LONDO

Emergency stop. Well, I must admit, you make a fine Centauri, G’Kar.

G'KAR

And you make a pitiful Narn.

LONDO

Stop it. Why did you do it, hm? Revenge? You want to torture us? You want us to suffer as you believe you have suffered?

G'KAR

I’m not stupid. I know you did this. You want to break us, to strip us of our confidence, to… to slowly drain the life out of our people. It’s not enough to torture us, to murder us by the millions, to destroy our cities. You have to break us, too. You have to suck any remaining hope we have out of us like it’s venomous. But you will not succeed.

LONDO

You are insane.

G'KAR

I’m not the insane one here. I would never do such a thing. How would I? Where would we get the resources, the power, when you have your hands around our throat?

LONDO

You always find a way.

G'KAR

Computer, open doors before I end up doing something I will regret.

COMPUTER

Unable to comply.

G'KAR

What?

And the lights go out.

INT. BABYLON 5 - DELENN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Delenn, in her quarters. Unable to rest. Unable to meditate. Her eyes open, unblinking. Just floating there.

There’s an ARRAY OF GARBLED VOICES.

VOICE #1

We didn’t understand what we were seeing. We acted as all humans do, we were so human.

VOICE #2

We destroy everything we don’t understand.

VOICE #1

You destroy everything too. It is a contrast of enlightenment.

VOICE #2

We are so different, and yet, we all find similarity in destruction.

VOICE #1

It is, perhaps, our only uniting trait.

DELENN

No. No. I do not seek to destroy.

VOICE #1

But you chose to. You made your decision. The pain rests on your shoulders.

VOICE #2

What have you done?

VOICE #1

Oh god, please, don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.

VOICE #2

Please, have mercy, please don’t-

VOICE #1

(now childlike)

I don’t understand what’s going on, mommy. When is dad coming home?

VOICE #1 & VOICE #2

What have you done? What have you done? What have you done? What have you done? It’s your fault. You know that. You did this.

DELENN

No!

INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - Night

The door rings.

SHERIDAN

Enter.

He’s speechless when he sees Kosh move into his quarters. Kosh, in sort-of his true form. Kosh, so cryptic, now so revealed.

SHERIDAN

Kosh? What are you doing here?

KOSH

Observing.

SHERIDAN

I thought being seen was a strain for you.

KOSH

This is necessary.

SHERIDAN

Do you… understand any of this? What’s going on, I mean. They say things will go back to normal once we reach ‘collective epiphany’, but I have no idea what that means.

KOSH

They seek understanding. We all seek understanding.

SHERIDAN

I just wish I knew how to fix this. How do you create epiphanies? And who has to have them? I just don’t like it. We could be here forever.

KOSH

Yes.

(pause)

Epiphanies are created by love.

SHERIDAN

Love?

Kosh turns to leave.

SHERIDAN

Wait.

KOSH

You have a question.

SHERIDAN

Yeah, I was wondering… what is being human like for you? Does this help you understand us better? Hell, will this help me understand you better?

KOSH

I have always been human, perhaps. The experience is subjective.

And he’s gone.

SHERIDAN

Love…

His eyes widen. An idea.

INT. BABYLON 5 - TRANSPORT TUBE - NIGHT

Londo and G’Kar, still in the dark.

LONDO

You know what will happen if you kill me.

G’KAR

Kill you? Yes, I do.

LONDO

You understand the repercussions.

G’KAR

Yes, I do.

LONDO

I will be found and avenged.

G’KAR

I am not going to kill you.

LONDO

I’m vulnerable in this darkness. Why wouldn’t you?

G’KAR

The consequences, as you said. Mostly that. But death is the easy way out. You deserve to be held accountable for what you’ve done. May we give to you what you have given us, one day.

LONDO

Is this a threat?

G’KAR

It is the truth.

INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT

Sheridan, unkempt now, worn down from the stress. He presses on his link.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Sheridan to security.

GARIBALDI (V.O)

(over link)

Security.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Any updates?

GARIBALDI (V.O)

(over link)

Not much. A transport tube is down so we’re looking into that now. Meanwhile, Earthforce wants to know why we’re not letting any transports in, and they’re not the only ones. There’s been dozens of complaints, and they’re turning into violence real fast. We’re doing what we can.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Good. Update me if anything happens. Sheridan out.

Commander Ivanova approaches him from her console.

IVANOVA

You’re stressed.

SHERIDAN

I don’t know what to do. Soon, people other than Earthforce are going to find out about this, and I won’t know how to explain it to them.

IVANOVA

Why don’t you get some sleep? I can take care of things for a while.

SHERIDAN

I don’t want to sleep until I know this is over.

IVANOVA

Captain, with all due respect, you’re no use to us if you’re not functioning at your best. You need sleep. We’re perfectly capable.

SHERIDAN

I know, but… fine. If we hear anything, any new contact from the Xels’Av’Ox, any change at all, I want to know the minute it happens.

IVANOVA

Understood.

int. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN’S QUARTERS - Night

Sheridan enters his quarters to find a terrified Delenn, waiting for him. She’s making sobbing noises, but in her current state, no tears can escape her, for her kind has evolved past the need for them.

SHERIDAN

Delenn?

DELENN

I’m sorry for disturbing you at this hour, John. This is… becoming a problem for me.

He moves to stand next to her, to comfort her.

SHERIDAN

Are you alright?

DELENN

I am not. Whatever this is… it’s using my past against me. Reminding me of things… I would rather not remember. Haunting me for its own entertainment. I fear it will destroy me.

SHERIDAN

I won’t let that happen.

He stares at her, just as Lennier had, and smiles. He tries to hide his awe, but he’s very bad at it.

DELENN

I appreciate it. Some things… are better left behind.

SHERIDAN

Whatever it was, I know who you are. You’re a good person, Delenn. I believe that.

DELENN

Thank you.

They have a moment. Sheridan takes in the sight of her, remembers the beauty Kosh had when he had revealed himself. She holds a similar beauty, but it’s different, something he can’t quite discern. She’s just beautiful. An utter blessing.

SHERIDAN

(to himself)

Epiphanies are created by love…

DELENN

John?

He doesn’t respond. He simply presses his hand against her cheek as if he was wiping away her tears. Her frame tingles against his touch, like he’s touching something truly divine. She looks over at his hand, smiles. They move closer…

and closer…

and closer..

their faces almost touching…

And Sheridan’s link goes off.

SHERIDAN

I should…

DELENN

Of course.

SHERIDAN

(over link)

Sheridan.

IVANOVA (V.O)

(over link)

We’re receiving a recorded message from the Xels’Av’Ox.

IVANOVA (V.O)

(over link)

Patching it through.

XELS'AV'OX ALIEN

(through link)

Well done. You’re getting closer. When all has been revealed, we will release you.

IVANOVA (V.O)

(over link)

Should I send a response?

SHERIDAN

Not yet. I want to see how this plays out.

INT. BABYLON 5 - TRANSPORT TUBE - NIGHT

Still dark.

LONDO

Computer, open doors.

No response.

LONDO

(firmly)

Computer, open doors. Open them now.

G'KAR

It’s not going to work.

LONDO

And what are you doing, hm? Nothing. We’re trapped in here and you’re doing absolutely nothing to get us out.

G'KAR

That is correct. I’m enjoying seeing you squirm.

LODNO

I could kill you, you know. And I should.

G'KAR

Then do so.

LONDO

I should, but I won’t. Not today. Not yet. That’s not how it’s supposed to go.

G'KAR

Well, if that’s the case, can you be quiet, then? Surely someone will find us sooner or later. Stop panicking.

LONDO

I’m not panicking.

G'KAR

Look at this. The true cowardice of the Centauri.

LONDO

You’re not helping. Mind you, this is the second time we’ve been stuck in a transport tube together.

G'KAR

Yes, and unfortunately, we survived the first encounter, so unfortunately, we shall survive the second.

LONDO

And you know this how?

G'KAR

Through belief.

LONDO

Belief. Belief! Faith, G’Kar, is a very fickle thing. The universe will eventually disappoint you. It has already, has it not?

G'KAR

I’m very familiar with the universe’s disappointments, thank you. But I keep going because I must. Because there is nowhere to go but forward. And for you, there is nowhere to go but backwards.

There’s a protesting sound from Londo–

and then a sawing noise at the ceiling. A piece of the top of the transport tube falls through, revealing light, and hits Londo over the head, knocking him to the ground. Garibaldi peers in.

G'KAR

Thank you, Mr. Garibaldi. Truly, thank you.

INT. BABYLON 5 - MEDLAB - NIGHT

Londo sits on the medlab bed, holding a pack of ice to his neck, as Franklin scans G’Kar.

G'KAR

I promise you, doctor, I am fine.

FRANKLIN

Sure, but it’s my job to check.

G'KAR

(looking at Londo)

Oh, trust me, Mollari in pain, I’m better than ever.

FRANKLIN

Right. Well, everything about you seems fine, for the current situation, at least. You can go, but the Captain wants to see both of you. And try to stay safe, it’s a mess out there.

INT. BABYLON 5 - SHERIDAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Sheridan sits at his desk, fidgeting.

SHERIDAN

(to himself)

Get some sleep. Get some sleep, she says.

G’Kar and Londo enter.

G’KAR

Why have you called us here?

SHERIDAN

The transport tube you were in was down, but during an analysis we found no apparent cause. No malfunction, no glitch. I think they did it.

LONDO

They?

SHERIDAN

This.. swap was caused by an alien race called the Xels’Av’Ox. They feed on psychological epiphanies.

LONDO

Oh, how wonderful. Can you make them stop? Drive them away, shoot them away, change me back to Centauri?

SHERIDAN

I don’t know yet, but I have some thoughts. They haunted Delenn with memories from her past. They stick you together… probably because you’re enemies. They want you all to come to some sort of understanding.

G'KAR

That is impossible.

SHERIDAN

I know. I think I’m ready to send them a message.

INT. BABYLON 5 - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT

Sheridan storms through the room.

SHERIDAN

(to Ivanova)

Commander, can we contact them?

IVANOVA

We can try. Sending signal… sending… we’ve got them.

SHERIDAN

On screen.

XELS'AV'OX ALIEN

Why have you disturbed us?

SHERIDAN

I’m here to tell you, no deal. You will release us or we will open fire.

XELS'AV'OX ALIEN

You cannot detect our ship.

SHERIDAN

We’ve done our research on you. We’ve learned. You don’t know what we’re capable of.

XELS'AV'OX ALIEN

I don’t have time for this.

SHERIDAN

You take us hostage, change us, all for what? To torture us for our sins? To force us into an epiphany? Well, I have news for you. You cannot heal from trauma that easily. You cannot fix one hundred years of oppression and violence that easily. You can’t just wave a wand and make everything okay. No conversation, no threat or force field, and certainly no torture is going to make this better. We have to make it better for ourselves. You don’t know anything about humans, I get that. But I’m here to tell you to back off. Let us go. This has gone on long enough. No one should be forced into healing; that isn’t healing at all. That’s not an epiphany. That’s just torture.

The alien pauses, considers this, and then it smiles wide, revealing sharp, sharp teeth.

XELS'AV'OX ALIEN

You have passed. Goodbye, John Sheridan.

SHERIDAN

What–

Another blinding pink cloud envelops the station, but this time, nothing shakes. When the light melts away, Sheridan looks confused.

SHERIDAN

What… is going on?

IVANOVA

Last thing I remember, I was about to leave for bed. Now, I feel an odd amount of tension in my body.

SHERIDAN

Computer, what’s the time?

COMPUTER

1100 hours.

IVANOVA

That’s not possible. A few seconds ago it was 0400.

SHERIDAN

Computer, check time again. Are you sure?

COMPUTER

Current time 1100 hours.

SHERIDAN

Has anything abnormal happened on the station in the last seven hours?

COMPUTER

Negative. Nothing recorded during given time period.

Sheridan and Ivanova exchange a worried glance.

INT. BABYLON 5 - KOSH’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Sheridan enters Kosh’s quarters. Kosh has returned to his encounter suit - Vorlon again.

SHERIDAN

You wanted to see me?

KOSH

Yes.

SHERIDAN

I just found out the entire station is missing seven hours from their memory. Do you know what happened during that time?

KOSH

During that time… I realized.

SHERIDAN

What did you realize?

KOSH

Everything.

CUT TO BLACK.

## Afterword

End Notes

> what did kosh realize? up to your imagination. for now i am going to bed

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