Rim

From The Great Machine

[edit] The Rim

The Rim (or the Galactic Rim) is the region of space on the very edge of our galaxy, where the stars end and the "space between space" begins.

I have convinced them to send a ship to the heart of the enemy's old domain, located at the Rim of known space, a dark and terrible place known as Z'ha'dum -- (In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum)

Perhaps due to a need to produce enough energy and/or the need to produce a sustainable environment outside of a star system, the only beings known to have gone Beyond the Rim are the Firstones.

[edit] Beyond the Rim

Passing beyond the Rim usually refers to a permanent physical depature from known space. It may also be a euphemism for certain kinds of spiritual departure (death).

Physically, it describes the act in which one or more beings leaves the confines of the Milky Way Galaxy, entering the above-mentioned void, joining the countless other hyper-advanced beings now residing there. Only those races which are sufficiently advanced have the capability to either survive a life outside of the galaxy or actually pass through the Rim itself. Which of these possibilities--if either--is true is unknown.

There are beings in the Universe billions of years older than either of our races. Once, long ago, they walked among the stars like giants. Vast, timeless... they taught the younger races, explored beyond the Rim, created great empires. But to all things, there is an end. Slowly, over a million years, the FirstOnes went away. Some passed beyond the stars, never to return. Some simply disappeared. -- (In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum)

No-one really knows exactly what exists out there:

We discovered the Vorlons and the Shadows when they were infant races, and nourished them, helped them and all the other races you call the FirstOnes. In time, most of them died. Or passed beyond the Rim, to whatever lies in the darkness between galaxies. -- (Into the Fire)

According to JMS, both Humans and Minbari are destined to one day pass beyond:

I will go with you beyond the Rim, and we will see again all those who went ahead of us, all those who we have missed for so long... If your races survive, if you do not kill yourselves, I look forward to the day when your people join us beyond the Rim. -- (Into the Fire)

Only one being has ever returned from beyond the Rim.

We have been waiting for you.

...beyond the rim? [nods] Can I come back?

No. This journey is ended. Another begins. Time to rest now.

-- Lorien and Sheridan, (S5E22 Sleeping in Light)