Babylon 5: In the Beginning

In 2278, Centauri Prime is in chaos as Londo Mollari tells two children about the Earth-Minbari War. He frames the tale by recalling the ancient feud and the choices that led to centuries of trauma, setting the stage for the memories to unfold.

In 2243, humanity expands rapidly as exploration and colonization push beyond Earth. The Prometheus expedition is launched to study the Minbari, bringing them into contact with the Grey Council and the shadow of a looming conflict.

The Minbari open their gun ports as a sign of respect, but the Earth captain misreads it and fires. The Prometheus is crippled, Dukhat is killed, and the Grey Council declares a holy war against humanity.

The Minbari mourn Dukhat and shift toward war, with Delenn, his protégé, casting the deciding vote to fight. The declaration of war follows as Minbari forces mobilize and Earth tries to regroup after the initial onslaught.

Lieutenant Commander John Sheridan takes command of the Lexington after his captain is killed, devising a trap by scattering nuclear mines in nearby asteroids. The Minbari flagship Black Star closes in to finish off the Lexington but is destroyed by the mines, giving Earth its first major victory.

A Minbari faction led by Delenn believes peace may still be possible if humans survive. Dukhat’s belief in an alliance with humans against the Shadows informs this shift toward diplomacy, even as the war rages on.

In a costly misreading of the negotiation process, Centauri forces bomb the Earth-Minbari peace conference, violently sabotaging any chance of an immediate settlement. The attack blindsides both sides and hardens their resolve to fight.

With peace talks derailed, the war continues for two more years as casualties mount on both sides. Hope for a negotiated settlement fades while both sides absorb heavy losses.

In a last desperate move, Earth's president orders ships to form a line around the planet to stall the Minbari and buy time for civilians to evacuate. The line holds under pressure, delaying the Minbari but not ending the war.

During the battle, Captain Jeffrey Sinclair is captured for interrogation, and the Grey Council discovers that he carries the soul of Valen within him. Delenn interprets this as a sign that humans should not be destroyed, prompting a surrender that the council keeps secret.

In the war's wake, Earth plans to create a space station to facilitate peaceful collaboration and prevent future wars, a project that will become Babylon 5. The initiative marks a new diplomatic era for interstellar relations.

After the children leave him, Londo watches Delenn and Sheridan being held captive in the Centauri palace and toasts them as friends. He then drinks heavily, awaiting his next move as the story moves forward.