A mysterious group known as "techno-mages" take up temporary residence at Babylon 5 and Londo is very eager to get an audience with them. Meanwhile, the Drazi cause problems for the newly promoted Commander Ivanova with their rather unusual election process.

Babylon 5 gets considerable space problems when 25,000 Earth Force soldiers arrive. Led by General Richard Franklin, Stephen Franklin's father, they are to use Babylon 5 as a staging point for a risky military operation.

The renegade destroyer "Alexander" arrives at Babylon 5 and Sheridan is forced to announce the station's secession from the Earth Alliance, and prepare for an attack by Clark's forces. Meanwhile, Delenn is forced to go to Minbar when the Grey Council refuses to act upon increased Shadow activity.