Babylon 5 Station. Babylon 5 is the last of the Babylon stations, and the only one to become operational. The Babylon Project was conceived shortly after the end of the disastrous Earth-Minbari War as a means to enable different races to work out their problems without resorting to violence. Something of an "United Nations" in space, it's a meeting place for diplomats, a trading center and port of call, and a magnet for hustlers, entrepreneurs, wanderers .... and the dispossessed.

The station itself is one of the hugest construction projects ever undertaken. It's fully 5 miles long and home to 250,000 beings. It is divided into separate, discrete sections that rotate at differing speeds to provide different gravities. Patterned physically after the work of scientist Gerard O'Neill, the absolute center of the station is hollow, with fields and hydroponic gardens along the 360-degree circular section. A transport tube runs along the long axis in the dead center. The inhabited areas are divided into 5 different "sectors", each with a different function. The station is protected by an automated defense grid, comprised mainly of turreted energy weapons, and four squadrons of Starfury fighters.

Babylon 4 Station. Unlike it's three immediate predecessors, Babylon 4 survived construction and became operational (though not for its original purpose). It mysteriously vanished, necessitating the construction of the smaller Babylon 5 - and reappeared two years after B5 went on-line. Its construction crew was rescued by Commader Sinclair shortly before it disappeared for good, yanked back in time more than a thousand years to become a base of operations in the previous great war against the Shadows.

Omega-class Destroyer - Originally the code name for the "Advanced Tactical Destroyer" project, the class name reflected the prevailing opinion that, as Earth's ultimate ship design, this would be the last warship class Earth Force would ever need. The Omega class synthesized the best features of the previous Hyperion and Nova classes. They are also the first combat ships to provide simulated gravity, through the use of a rotating center section. Though this allows greater crew efficiency and mission duration, the design imposes it's own unique problems in combat.

Starfury Mk1. By the mid-twentythird century, the Mitchell-Hyundyne SA-23E Starfury forms the backbone of the Earth Alliance fighter strength. In service for more than a decade, the Starfury has proven itself in combat from one end of the galaxy to the other, from the Earth-Minbari War through the Shadow War and the liberation of Earth. These fighters are carried on all Earth Alliance capital ships, such as the Hyperion-, Nova, and Omega-classes, and are the primary defensive protection for space installations such as the Babylon 5 station.

Thunderbolt Mk2. The Thunderbolt is the newest fighter in the Earth Alliance arsenal, a replacement for the venerable Starfuries. Like it's predecessor, it's agile and heavily armed. Four engines mounted on the "wings" provide power and maneuverability (through 16 thruster nozzles). Unlike the Starfury, it carries a crew of two in a more conventional fuselage. It is also capable of operating inside an atmosphere, though maneuverability is greatly reduced.

The Whitestar-class ships were a secret project initiated by the Minbari religious caste with an eye to the coming Shadow War. A meld of Vorlon and Minbari technology, they are heavily armed, armored and equipped for vessels of their comparatively small size - even including the capability to form their own jump points. The lead ship became operational in 2259, and saw extensive service in the opening salvos of the war, until lost with Captain Sheridan at Zha'ha'dum later that year. By that time, however, hundreds of Whitestars were in service, forming the backbone of the Army of Light's armada, a role they would continue to play during the beginning of the Interstellar Alliance.

Vorlon Cruiser. The Vorlons are among the oldest races still living in our galaxy, members of the fabled "First Ones" who came to life at the dawn of time. Their ships, which look like crosses between garlic cloves and particularly fearsome beetles, are based on organic technology far in advance of anything the younger races possess. The Vorlon Cruiser is a formidable battlewagon and almost as large as Babylon 5. Fleets of these ships were seen in 2259 when the Vorlons joined in the war against the Shadows.

Vorlon Transport. Probably the most often seen ships of the secretive Vorlons, the transport appears to be more of a courier ship/diplomatic shuttle/ personal "yacht" (for lack of a better term) than a cargo vessel. These ships are grown/built for specific individuals (or small groups), to whom they become closely attached. Like all Vorlon ships, they have a degree of awareness and sentience; should their "masters" die, they will suicide rather than live without them (cf. "Interludes and Examinations").

Vorlon Fighter. The existence of Vorlon fighter craft was not known until the Vorlons began openly attacking Shadow forces (2259 - "Interludes and Examinations"). Larger than other races' fighters, but more maneuverable and heavily armed, their primary armament appears to be the same powerful energy weapons as the larger Vorlon Cruisers (though putting out significantly less energy, presumably).

Shadow Cruiser. Like the Vorlons, the Shadows are the oldest races still living in our galaxy. Even more secretive than the Vorlons, their agenda remained hidden until late 2259. Champions of evolution, they move behind the scenes, promoting chaos as the best means of advancing the younger races they manipulate.

The Shadow cruiser, or "Battlecrab", is one of the most feared weapons in their arsenal. Crewed by a single being who acts as a central nervous system for the ship, they are nearly invincible. The "crew" is also their single vulnerability, being susceptible to telepathic interference. This ship was first seen as early as 2257 ("Signs & Portents").

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Image 1: Side view. (64 kb)

Image 2: Bottom View. (89 kb)

Image 3: Top View. (90 kb)

Image 4: Front View. (77 kb)

Image 5: Rear View. (75 kb)

Shadow Scoutsihip. The Shadow Scoutship was their answer to the Whitestars - a medium-sized vessel with great speed, maneuverability, and a healthy punch. It was first seen in late 2259 in the Army of Light's first successful battle against the Shadows ("Shadow Dancing").

Shadow Fighter. These small ships are carried by Battlecrabs and "spit out" in swarms when needed. They appear to be at least an even match for most races' fighter craft. Probably unmanned, it is unclear whether they are guided by the mother ship or an on-board computer/intelligence.

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