After President Clark declares martial law, General Hague's fleet of ships are attacked by Earth Alliance forces. Only Hague's flagship, the Alexander, survives, and travels to Babylon 5 for repairs. Delenn brings Dr. Franklin to attend to a Minbari Ranger, injured while returning to the station with key information. The Minbari reports that the Shadows have engaged the Non-Aligned Worlds in civil and interplanetary wars, creating chaos. Delenn decides to see the Grey Council to warn about the situation. When the Alexander arrives, Sheridan learns that General Hague was killed in an attack. His second-in-command, Major Ryan, has attempted to continue Hague's resistance. President Clark orders the bombing of the Mars colony, which is resisting the martial law order. Hundreds of civilians are killed. The news network ISN, which has avoided broadcasting material critical of Clark, reports that the Proxima III and Orion VII colonies have seceded from the Earth Alliance. The television station is raided by Earth Alliance forces, terminating their broadcast. Another ship arrives, the Churchill, under Captain Sandra Hiroshi. She warns that the Earth Alliance is aware of the Alexanders presence and ships are en route to seize control of the station. Sheridan enlists G'Kar's Narn to augment his security forces under Garibaldi. Sheridan then announces Babylon 5s secession from the Earth Alliance. Delenn reaches the Grey Council. When they refuse to speak with her, she barges into their chamber and addresses them, warning that all of their prophecies have come to pass. She declares the Councilbroken and departs, supported by the worker and religious caste council members. The Alliance ships Agrippa and Roanoke arrive, demanding the station's surrender. A firefight breaks out. Garibaldi, his security forces, and the Narn stop a boarding party, incurring many Narn losses. The Churchill is critically damaged and Hiroshi uses the last of its power to ram the Roanoke, destroying both vessels. The combined forces of the station and Alexander destroy the Agrippa. As they assess the damage, more Earth Alliance ships arrive demanding Babylon 5s surrender. Suddenly additional jump points open and Minbari warships arrive. Delenn warns the Earth Alliance ships that Babylon 5 is under Minbari protection. The Earth Alliance ships withdraw. As the station and Alexander complete repairs, Ryan states he will depart, hoping to split the Alliance's attention. Ivanova leads Sheridan to the Zocalo, where the residents applaud Sheridan's decision to have Babylon 5 take a stand against Clark.
