GLOSSARY OF TERMS RELATED TO BABYLON 5 & CRUSADE

~A~

Air Lock - Passage by which one moves between two different environments, without compromising the integrity of either.

Alyt - Term used by Minbari to identify rank, carrying a similar meaning as the human term "Captain."

Anla'Shok - Minbari term for the "Rangers", created by Valenn 1000 years ago, as an army with no allegiance to any of the casts of clans in Minbari society. Presently the Rangers are the galactic police force for the Interstellar Alliance and consists primarily of Humans and Minbari.

Apocalypse Box - Six boxes believed to be thousands of years old, containing what is believed to be a symbiotic life form that tries to influence people into doing it's bidding via uncanny predictions of the future... one is not to trust an Apocalypse Box as, from time to time, it will lie to you. No one who has ever owned an Apocalypse Box has died well.

Artificial Gravity - Process by which energy fields are used to bend super strings, thus producing the appearance of gravity without alters mass.

~B~

Babcom - Communications system of the Babylon 5 station, capable of providing inter/intra communications.

Babylon 5 - Last of the Babylon stations, constructed by Earth after the Earth/Minbari war as an intergalactic meeting place where races can pursue peaceful negotiations and the exchange of culture, ideas.

Babylon Project - A project proposed and implemented in the hopes of creating a place in neutral territory where humans and aliens could work out their differences peacefully.

Battle of the Line - Last battle of the Earth/Minbari war, where a fleet of 20,000 ships from Earth gathered to make one last stand against the Minbari advance. Of the 20,000 plus soldiers who fought this battle, only 207 survived.

Beacon, Hyperspace - A energy broadcast emitted by Jump Gates, divided into two signals - local beacon and beacon pair.

Beacon, Local - A signal emitted by Jump Gates lets ship within several hundred kilometers know that a Jump Gate is in the immediate area.

Beacon Pair - Signal is which links one Jump Gate to many others. Ships use this signal to safely find their way through hyperspace, like sailing ships following a lighthouse beacon.

Brakiri - Humanoid member of the League of Nonaligned worlds and Interstellar Alliance, noted for being a corner stone in intergalactic trade and the galactic money exchange rate.

Breathers - Oxygen masks.

Bullet Car - High speed transport found on large scale capital ships, notably the ISA Excalibur.

Bureau of Telepath Integration - The BTI replaced the Psi-Corps in 2265 and is dedicated to helping human telepaths enjoy normal lives in human society and safe guard normals from telepaths using their powers to violate someone's privacy.

~C~

Centauri - Humanoid aliens who made first contact with humanity. Although they look human, Centauri have no other genetic similarities to Terrans. Centauri males wear their hair high, in a fashion not unlike a Peacock's plumage, as a sign of status. Centauri females shave their heads. Should be noted that Centauri males also have six reproductive organs.

Centauri Prime - Home world and capital of the Centauri Republic.

Centauri Republic - Government of the Centauri People. Centauri Republic was once a major super power that has seen two major declines in it's 800+ years of space flight. Once a founding member of the Interstellar Alliance, the Centauri Republic left that body following a devastating war that began after it was discovered that the Centauri were responsible for terrorist attacks on the shipping lanes of her allies.

Centaurum - Government of the Centauri Republic; a parliament like body that governs the affairs of the Centauri, who's membership consists of the wealthy and powerful.

Cereberus - Omega class Destroyer destroyed by an unknown vessel, believed to be Shadow in origin. Ensign Matthew Gideon was the only survivor of the Cereberus' destruction, and presently commands the ISA Excalibur.

Chudomo - A Minbari clan to which Lennier is a member.

Civil War, Earth - Conflict that began in 2258 when Vice President William, Morgan Clark assassinated President Santiago and implemented a fascists dictatorship within the Earth Alliance. War came to a conclusion in 2261 when John J. Sheridan lead rebel forces against Clark and defeated his fascists regime.

Civil War, Minbari - Averted conflict between the Warrior and Religious Castes of Minbar in 2261, where the Warrior Caste attempted to seize power. Warrior Caste's coup was defeated by the efforts of Delenn and Neroon and resulted in the reformation of the Gray Council.

Cotto, Vir - Centauri Ambassador to the Interstellar Alliance, presently assigned to Babylon 5.

Credits - Electronic form of currency used by the Earth Alliance.

Credit Chit - A flat, credit card like sheet of plastic that has a given value programmed into it and is then used as currency.

C&C - Command and Control, the bridge of a space station.

~D~

Daltron 7 - Planet destroyed by Drakh, using a Shadow Death Cloud.

Datacrystal - A diamond shaped data storage unit used by most space fairing races to store files, images and information - the floppy disc of the 23rd century.

Death Cloud, Shadow - A massive weapons system employing bio-organic nanites and multi gigaton missiles to destroy planets.

Delenn - High ranking Minbari female who took on human form. Spiritual leader of Minbari society and Vice President of the Interstellar Alliance. Presently married to Earth Alliance President John Sheridan and mother to David Sheridan.

Denisovitch, Yuri Mikhail - General and supreme commander of the Earth Alliance military.

Dilgar - A feline like alien super power responsible for destroying entire races and worlds among the League of Nonaligned Worlds.

Dilgar War - Conflict between the Dilgar Empire and the united forces of the League and Earth Alliance. Dilgar were defeated and driven back to their home world, which was destroyed when their star went nova.

Down Below - Term referring to that section of Babylon 5 which was not completed, a crime riddled area that the poor and destitute call home.

Drake, Robert - Earthforce captain and leader of the second failed attack wave on Babylon 5 in 2260. Captain Drake turned tail and ran from a Minbari fleet a few seconds after they jumped in to protect Babylon 5, earning himself the nickname "Lame Duck."

Drake, Samuel - Mars born scientist who headed up the construction of the ISA's Victory class Destroyer. Sam Drake betrayed the ISA to the Drakh and as a result the Drakh succeeded in dropping their biogenic plague on Earth. No relation to Robert Drake. Presently incarcerated in a Mars Prison.

Drazi - Reptilian race and founding member of the League of Nonaligned Worlds, and presently an influential member of the Interstellar Alliance.

Ducats - A form of Centauri currency.

~E~

Entil'zha - A reference to the leader of the Rangers. Translated Entil'zha means "The Future."

Epsilon III - Planet to which Babylon 5 orbits.

Epsilon III, The Great Machine of - A powerful, ancient device that fills the core of the planet which Babylon 5 orbits. At present, the Great Machine is operated by Draal, a former Minbari leader who safe guards the technology and knowledge stored in the Great Machine.

Eye, the - Centauri symbol of power, belonging to the Emperor.

~F~

Fighting Pike - See "Pike"

~G~

Gaim - A member of the League of Nonaligned Worlds and the ISA. Gaim are an insectoid race and have very advanced genetic engineering technology, able to adjust the genetic structure of the populace in order to survive in different environments.

Galen - A technomage currently serving aboard the ISA Excalibur.

Garibaldi, Michael Alfredo - Former security professional and Earthforce officer, presently CEO of Edgers Industries one of the largest pharmacutical and genetic research corporations in the Earth Alliance and among the top ten maga-corps on Mars.

Gideon, Matthew - Earthforce captain presently commanding the ISA Excalibur, and one of the Earth Alliance's most noted starship commanders.

Gold Channel - Highest priority communications frequency used by the Earthforce.

Gravimetric Forces - That force resulting from the effect of mass and it's distortion of the fabric of space/time and bending of super strings.

Gravimetric Drive - A generator that uses energy fields to bend super strings, to produce artificial gravity fields that can be used to propel a ship through space. Also known as a Gravitetic Propulsion System, or a Gravity Engine.

Great Maker - A term referring to the first god who created the universe, in Centauri religion.

Gray Council - Leaders of the Minbari Federation, consisting of five members of the Worker Castes and two from both the Religious and the Warrior Castes.

GROPOS - Term referring to Earthforce Marines and affiliated ground forces of the Earth Alliance, aka "ground pounders."

~H~

Hologram - A three dimensional phantom lacking substance, created via the use of laser beams.

Human - Race from SOL-3, also known as Earth or Terra.

Hyach - Member of the League of Nonaligned Worlds. Matriarchal society which is presently dying, due to the Hyach having exterminated a second race that sprang from their home world, who's absence from the genetic pool has doomed the Hyach to extinction.

Hyach-Doh - Second race of being which sprang from the Hyach homeworld, who's eventual eradication to due to Hyach laws against interbreeding, has doomed the Hyach to extinction. Hyach-Doh were all executed over 800 years ago.

Hyperspace - An alternate dimensional plane devoid of matter, in which space is distorted to the point that distance means almost nothing. Hyperspace is used as a shortcut by space fairing races, allowing ships to traverse the galaxy in hours, days or weeks, rather than years or centuries.

~I~

Identicard - Digital form of Identification, used as a passport by many races.

Inertia Dampners - An effect resulting from the use of artificial gravity technology and gravimetric engines, which results in external force having virtually no effect on the crew or objects inside a vessel using this technology. Inertia Dampners allow ships to achieve acceleration that would produce forces that would otherwise crush a person.

Interlac - A mathematical means of communications which can be easily translated by any intelligent race. Interlac is based on mathematical algorithms using the molecular structure of matter (number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in an atom), which has universal meaning to all races.

Interplanetary Expeditions - Also known as IPX, this multi-planet corporation is dedicated to researching the ruins of advanced civilizations that are now extinct, in the quest to find new technologies they can patent and profit from.

Interstellar Alliance - Economic and political conglomerate consisting of hundreds of races in the known galaxy, based on the principles of free trade and the exchange of technology - also known as the ISA.

Interstellar News Network - A news and information broadcast network broadcasted from Earth, offering news and information to all Earth colonies and races capable of receiving the broadcast signal - also known as ISN.

Ivanova, Susan - Earth Alliance hero of the Shadow War and Earth Civil War. Susan Ivanova presently holds the position of Captain and commands the Warlock class Destroyer "Enchantress."

~J~

Jump Gate - A stationary array which races use to traverse the barrier between normal space and Hyperspace, primarily used by ships too small and lacking power reserves to open their own jump point. Also used by large ships, in order to conserve energy.

Jump Engine - A generator found on large scale capital ships, that is used to rend space/time and open a gateway into Hyperspace. Typically only ships 500 meters in length or greater, have the energy reserves and space to accommodate and operate a Jump Engine - also known as a hyperdrive.

Jump Point - A hole in space/time that leads "into" or "out of" Hyperspace.

~K~

Keeper - Drakh symbiant that is used to control the actions of a person.

Klicks - A term meaning the same as "kilometers."

Kilometer - Metric measurement of length or distance.

Kosh - Vorlon representative to Babylon 5 prior to the First Ones leaving our galaxy.

~L~

Launch Bay - Room from which small ships launch from larger ships.

League of Nonaligned Worlds - A mutual defense pact between over a hundred worlds, based on the idea that weaker races needed to work together to defend themselves against larger powers. League was formed as a deterrent against invasion from the Centauri Republic.

Lennier - Former aid to Delenn who joined the Rangers in 2262. Lennier went rouge following an attempted assassination of President John Sheridan. He is presumed to have died during the Telepath War on Earth.

Life Bubble - An inflatable, transparent life support pod found on shuttles and small craft, capable of keeping a person alive in space for a period of 24-hours.

Life Pod - A space born lifeboat capable of providing life support for usually three or more people, for a period of 72 hours.

Link - A palm held miniature power-book and short range communicator.

Lochley, Elizabeth - Female captain in Earthforce, presently assigned as commanding officer of Babylon 5.

Luchenko, Susanna - Current President of the Earth Alliance who came to power, following the death of William, Morgan Clark.

Lumati - A member of the League of Nonaligned Worlds and ally of the Earth Alliance.

Lurker - A term referring to the homeless aboard Babylon 5.

~M~

Maintenance Bot - A robot designed to conduct repairs to starships and remove hazardous debris from local space lanes.

Marine - Military group trained to conduct combat in multiple environments, including water, land, air and space. Primary duty of Marines is ground combat. Marines are also known as GROPOS or Ground Pounders.

Mars - Fourth planet in the SOL system and neighbor to the planet Earth.

Mars Dome - Capital of Mars, a free colony and member world in the Earth Alliance.

Mass Driver - Means of waging war banned by most civilized races. Weapon based on the idea of toeing and firing asteroids at a planet. Last known use of Mass Drivers in a war was during the Narn/Centauri war of 2259, when the Centauri used Mass Drivers to bomb the Narn back into the stone-age.

Matheson, John - First officer of the ISA Excalibur and former Psi-Corp member presently holding the rank of Lieutenant in Earthforce. Tep rating is P-10.

Medlab - Medical Infirmary aboard a given space station.

Mega-Corp - Term referring to large corporations who's business dealings extend beyond their home worlds.

Minbar - Home world of the Minbari people and capital of the Minbari Federation. ISA headquarters is also stationed on Minbar.

Minbari - Bald, Humanoid race who have a bone crest crowning their heads. Noted as being one of the oldest and most powerful races in the known universe, and founding member of the Interstellar Alliance.

Minbari Federation - Interstellar government of the Minbari.

Minbari War-Cruiser - Largest capital ships seen in use by the Minbari, capable of devastating the surface of an entire planet.

Mind Wipe - Process by which a criminal has all his memories erased for high crimes, such as rape or murder.

Mollari, Londo - Emperor of the Centauri Republic and former ambassador to the Interstellar Alliance.

Morden, Mr. - Former IPX scientist who became an agent for the Shadows.

Mutai - A fighting competition, to find the best fighter in the universe.

~N~

Nafeel, Dureena - Former thief turned heroine, presently operating as a consultant for the Interstellar Alliance aboard the ISA Excalibur.

Nanotechnology - Robotics technology designed from the atom up.

Nanvirus - A robot as small as a virus, which enters the body and manipulates and/or destroys a host body from the inside out.

Narn - Reptilian like race once enslaved by the Centauri. Became a major super power after throwing of the yoke of Centauri rule but were nearly destroyed after loosing the second Narn/Centauri war. Presently in a state of reconstruction.

Narn Homeworld - Home planet of the Narn people, many of whom where killed during the second Narn/Centauri war. Narn Homeworld was left all but dead after being strip-mined during the Centauri occupation and after the second conflict was left in ruins after being bombarded with mass drivers.

Narn Regime - Official name of the Narn's government.

Na'Toth - Female Narn who worked as an aid to G'Kar.

Neroon - Member of the Warrior Caste and of the Gray Council who laid down his life to save Delenn and put an end to the Minbari Civil War. His sacrifice resulted in the defeat of the Warriors and a return to the way of Valenn.

Nightwatch - A fascist arm of the Earth government, put into power by William, Morgan Clark. Nightwatch was disbanded after Clark's forces lost the Earth Civil War.

Normal Space - Term referring to conventional space, as opposed to Hyperspace.

Nova Class Dreadnought - Earth Alliance starship measuring 1,455.6 meters in length. Nova was the predecessor to the Omega.

~O~

Omega Class Destroyer - Large scale capital ship measuring 1,717.3 meters in length, constructed by the Earth Alliance. Was the largest and most powerful ship in the Earth Star-Navy until the debut of the Warlock class Destroyer in 2262. Omega was the first warship to use a rotating section to simulate gravity.

Orion System - Territory of the Earth Alliance referring to solar system Delta Orionis, in the constellation Orion 1,500 light-years from earth.

Orion VII - Seventh planet of the star Zeta Orionis, 1,600 light-years from earth.

~P~

Pak'Ma'Ra' - Member race of the League of Nonaligned Worlds and member of the Interstellar Alliance. Pak'Ma'Ra are also know and the "Carrion Eaters" as they devour the recently dead of all races, including their own.

Phased Plasma Gun - A weapon employed by many races, that discharged bolts of ionized gas, such as helium or xenon. Also known as a Phased Plaser Gun, or PPG.

Pike - An extendable fighting staff used by the Minbari and the Rangers.

Planet Killer, Vorlon - A massive weapon seen in the latter days of the Shadow War, capable of firing an energy bolt capable of reducing a planet to debris.

Plasma Cannon - Plasma bolt weapon found on capital ships.

Plasma Gun - Hand held weapon using cartridges of pre-charged deuterium.

Powerglobe - Compact, spherical power generator.

Psi-Corp - Defunct organization once charged with the responsibility of training telepaths and ensuring that telepaths did not use their powers to violate a person's right to privacy. Psi-Corp was disbanded after the Telepath War of 2265, when rouge telepaths began attacking the Psi-Corp one the eve of an attempted coup of the Earth government.

~Q~

Quantium 40 - An isotope used in the construction of jump gates. Key component to punching though to first level Hyperspace.

Quarantine - To disallow passage into or out of an area for medical reasons.

~R~

Raiders - Space pirates.

Ranger - Rangers is the human term given to the Anla'Shok; the galactic police force of the Interstellar Alliance.

Rim, the - Term used to describe the edge of our galaxy and known space.

Rosetta Stone - Stone tablet found on earth, which offered a translation of Greek, to Roman, to Egyptian. Term used by linguistics experts when looking for a key to translating one language to another.

~S~

Satellite - Term referring to a natural or artificial body, orbiting a planet.

Scanner - Term referring to the primary sensor device used by many races in the universe.

Sensor - Same as Scanner. Term usually aquaited to sensor devices designed only to scan for matterials in it's database, not new matterials.

Shadows - Ancient race believed to be approximately 3 billion years old, who once terrorized the known galaxy in an attempt to prove their Darwinian approach of "Survival of the Fittest" as a superior means of encouraging growth to the Vorlon's theory of order and logic. Shadows were energy based life forms who wore a spider like encounter suit.

Shadow War(s) - Conflict ragging on and off for 10,000 years, meant to prove or disprove the theories and opposing view points of the Shadows and Vorlons. Last Shadow was concluded in 2261, after which the Shadows, Vorlons and the First Ones left your galaxy.

Shai Alyt - Minbari rank, similar to that of "General" in Earthforce.

Sheridan, John J. - Hero of the Earth/Minbari War, Shadow War and the Earth Civil War. Presently the president of the "Interstellar Alliance", husband to Minbari leader Delenn and father of David Sheridan.

Shock Troops - Elite, first strike soldiers, designed to enter and seize strategic territory.

Shuttle - A means of transportation, usually in reference to a short range space vessel capable of carrying a group of people from point 'A' to 'B' and back again.

Simulated Gravity - Not to be confused with Artificial gravity, "Simulated Gravity" is the means by which one creates the illusion of gravity via the use of rotation and centrifigal / centrifugal force.

Sinclair, Jeffrey David - Former commander of Babylon 5 and ambassador to the Minbari. Traveled back in time with Babylon 4, 1000 years into the past to stop the Shadows. see also, Valenn

Slug Thrower - Chemical or magnetic projectile weapon, such a a hand gun that fires bullets.

Soul Hunter - A race of beings capable of sensing death. Soul hunters live for up to and beyond 10,000 years and use their abilities to find people near death, who's soul they believe is worth saving. Soul Hunters then use their powers to capture the soul before it leaves the body.

Space Dock - Massive space port where capital ships can link up with a station and receive supplies, shore leave, and conduct repairs.

Space Port - Commercial space station suitable for short term recreation or trade.

Spoo - Centauri food that does not taste like chicken.

Starfury - Earth Alliance fighter craft, noted for it's unique quad-wing design and unparalleled maneuverability it space. Most Starfuries are not capable of flying in atmosphere.

Star Killer - Nickname given to John Sheridan by the Minbari, following Sheridan destroying the Black Star.

StellarCom - Communications system used for sending long range messages through tachyon signals from solar system to solar system.

Synthetic Meat - If you need this explained to you, do not breed.

~T~

Tachyon - Theoretical particle capable of traveling faster than light. Tachyons are the mainstay of faster than light sensors and communication systems.

Tachyon Communication - Means of real-time communication signals over the span of many light years. No lag time was ever seen by any race, using Tachyon Communications.

Techno-Mage - A cult consisting of members from several races that use technology to simulate the effect of magic.

Teeps - A term used to describe someone who has telepathic powers

Telepath - Someone with the ability to read and/or enter the mind of another person, using only thought.

Telekinetic - Someone with the ability to will and object to move using thought waves.

Terraform - Process by which one attempts to induce global changes on a planet, in order to make it more earthlike.

Thieves' Guild - A consortium of criminals, who some times work together in order to facilitate crime.

Thunderbolt - Name of the latest Earth space fighter that, unlike the Starfury, is capable of flying in atmosphere.

Thruster - A small rocket engine.

Turhan, Emperor - Former Emperor of the Centauri Republic.

Tuzanor - Capital city of the Minbari Federation. Headquarters of the Interstellar Alliance.

~U~

Universe Today - Customizable news publication offered by the Earth Alliance.

~V~

Valenn - Greatest leader and profit in Minbari history, who lead them to victory against the Shadows 1000 years ago. Valenn was, in fact, Jeffrey Sinclair, who took on Minbari form in order to be accepted by the Minbari as one of their own.

Vega Colony - Colony of the Earth Alliance, located around the star Alpha Lyrae.

Victory - Name of the first in the Interstellar Alliance's new Destroyer scale capital ships.

Vid - Short for "video", a vid is usually a downloadable story meant to entertain.

Vorlon - An ancient race believed to be between two and three billion years old who believed in the fundamental idea that order and logic was the key to evolution. Vorlons were energy based life forms that appeared to many races as angelic beings. To avoid being recognized Vorlons wore squid/octopus like encounter suits.

Vree - A gray colored alien race that visited the Human race in the 20th century. Presently a member of the League of Nonaligned Worlds and Interstellar Alliance.

~W~

Warlock class Destroyer - Latest breed of Earthforce starship. First Earth Alliance vessel to use artificial gravity, rather than simulated gravity.

Warship - A ship designed to conduct the business of war.

Well of Forever, The - A mythical place existing in Hyperspace, used as a grave sight by ancient races, who would make offerings to the dead.

Whitestar - New class of capital ships used by the Rangers, based on Vorlon and Minbari technology. Whitestars are capable of holding their own against ships up to five times their size.

Wind Swords - One of the Minbari Warrior Castes.

Winters, Talia - Former Psi-Corp double agent, assigned to spy on the crew of Babylon 5. Presumed dead following her return to the Psi-Corp, when they dissected her for information.

Wrist Link - Communications device warn like bracelet on the wrist.

~X~

Xenoarcheology - Scientific exploration and analysis of the past, of alien races and cultures.

Xenobiology - Scientific research in to the biology of alien races.

Xena Warrior Princess, Cult of - Cult worshiping the exploits of the fictional character Xena.

~Y~

N/A

~Z~

Zandar Prime - Home world of Dureena Nafeel, destroyed in the last Shadow War.

Zathras - A member of an alien race who helps maintain the Great Machine of Epsilon III, who traveled back in time to become Valenn's sidekick.

Z'Ha'Dum - Adopted home world of the Shadows, destroyed following their defeat.

Zocalo, the - Mall located aboard the Babylon 5 station.