From: GrayCougar <GrayCougar@aol.com>
Subject: The Babylonian Cycle: Challenge (small spoilers for DoFS)
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 13:57:11 EST

Well, I haven't done much writing recently, so when this idea hit me 
during "Deconstruction of Falling Stars" in my season-4-count-down-to-
the-new-episodes, it seemed like a good way to get back into the swing 
of things. 
Here's the idea: during the 3262 period, we see a religious order whose 
central text seems to be an Arthurian type recounting of the events of 
Babylon 5. 1500 years later, humans have regained the same level of 
technology as was held in 2262, and a group of anthropologists, historians, 
and linguists are piecing this book back together. 
The Challenge: write a story or fragment that could have been in the book. 
It can be based on an episode, a character study, an original idea (though 
please indicate if this is the case), a race, etc. Anything you want. The 
only limitation is that it must be written an Arthurian/mythological style.
For 
an example of what I mean, check out the introduction and story, posted
separately.
Eventually, I'll probably put the challenge and any replies to it up on a web
page.

Gray


From: GrayCougar <GrayCougar@aol.com>
Subject: "BC: Introduction" (small spoilers for DoFS)
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 13:57:15 EST

The Babylonian Cycle: Introduction

Greetings. As everyone knows, following the Great Burn caused by the 
war of 2762, Earth fell into a Dark Age that lasted nearly a 1000 years. 
Much knowledge and history were lost to us forever, but more was 
preserved, thanks to the dedication of the Brotherhood of Anla-shok, a 
sub-sect of the Catholic Church. These monks spent their lives restoring 
ancient texts, books that would have disappeared into the mist of time 
without their intervention, and rediscovering technological advances which, 
while they may seem insignificant today, started humanity on its long road 
back to the stars. The Brotherhood kept alive the light of human knowledge 
for more than 1000 years, until their mysterious disappearance in 3962. 
After the Brothers vanished, others continued their work, preserving ancient 
books and technology. But, ironically, the book central to the faith of the
Brotherhood of Anla-shok nearly vanished, cast aside in the search for new
inventions and advances.

Our group is dedicated to the restoration of the book of the Brotherhood, 
using fragments excavated from archaeological digs centered around the 
remains of Brotherhood monasteries. Using these fragments, we have been
reconstructing this book, which appears to be a semi-religious depiction of 
events that took place more than 2500 years ago. And so it is with great 
pride and pleasure that we present: The Babylonian Cycle.

								 Gray,
Director
								 Babylonian
Project, 4762



"It was the beginning of an age, and an age of beginnings. A time when the 
human race walked among the stars like gods, yet were as children to what
awaited them, and learned it as all children must. By taking giant leaps 
forward, and giant falls. It was a time of light, and a time of darkness. A
golden 
age, and a shadowed one."
--The Babylonian Cycle, Book I, 1:1