Great Machine

The Great Machine is an enormous technological marvel beneath the surface of the planet Epsilon III in "Babylon 5". Although the size of the machine is not specified, it is similar in concept to the great machine of the Krell of Altair IV in "Forbidden Planet", being several miles in size, and generating considerable energy. Unlike the Krell machine, the Great Machine requires a biological mind to regulate it, and the ancient race that built or found the machine left one of their race to interface with it to operate and regulate it. When that being, Varn (Curt Lowens), became aged and ill, the machine became unstable.

Because of the instability of the machine, the planet began to suffer geological events, and attempts by Babylon 5 personnel to investigate were repelled by missiles fired from the planet. Eventually, a force got close enough to find a cavern that served as entrance. Inside, they found Varn, removed him from the machine and took him to Babylon 5 for medical attention. In Varn's absence, the machine drifted even further out of control.

Draal, an elderly Minbari who perceived his life as no longer useful, saw a possibility. Londo Mollari, the Centauri ambassador, dodged missiles to take Draal and Varn down to Epsilon III, where Draal joined himself with the machine and Varn stayed to help until his anticipated death by old age.

Draal drove off aliens who claimed that the machine on Epsilon III belonged to them, then warned Commander Sinclair to stay off the planet, but that Babylon 5's continued presence would be accepted. Some months later, Draal appeared in holographic form to invite the Babylon 5 station to discuss his willingness to help in the coming Shadow War.

Later, in an attempt to counteract the blatant propaganda of Interstellar Network News, Babylon 5 set up its own interstellar broadcast service, Voice of the Resistance. Draal made the planet's Great Machine available to help carry Voice of the Resistance to Earth and other worlds. The machine's great broadcasting power made possible the broadcasting to such distant places. The Machine also served to maintain the opening in time which allowed the events of War Without End to take place.

The ultimate purpose of the Great Machine remains unknown, the audience only being told that it belongs to 'the future'.