Original Airdate: April 1, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski Directed by David Eagle Episode #: 54 Production #: 310
Guest stars: Bruce McGill as Major Ryan. Kim Miyori as Captain Hiroshi. James Parks as Drakhen.
When Earthforce warships come to arrest Captain Sheridan, Babylon 5 secedes from the Earth Alliance.
General Hague's Earthforce destroyer, the Alexander, arrives at Babylon 5, seeking refuge after suffering heavy damage in a battle. When Major Ed Ryan (BRUCE McGILL) disembarks from the ship, he informs Captain Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) of news that the General had been killed during their last firefight.
Drakhen (JAMES PARKS), a Minbari Ranger recently injured, passes along important information to Delenn (MIRA FURLAN) and Lennier (BILL MUMY) that the Shadows have made alliances with many of the non-aligned worlds, urging them to war with their neighbors. They were persuaded for fear that if they did not, they would be conquered by the Centauri.
Meanwhile, the head of the Mars Provisional Government announces plans to refuse the implementation of the martial law order given to him by the President. Responding to this act of defiance, President Clark orders bombings on Mars. Other colonies quickly join Mars in seeking to break away from the Earth alliance -- vowing to remain independent states until the President is impeached. Fearing the release of this information, President Clark sends armed troops to shut down the ISN Broadcasting Center.
Delenn leaves Babylon 5 to speak to the Grey Council, and reprimands them for standing silent rather than taking on the burden of war. Suggesting the Council be broken up, Delenn convinces five of the nine members to come with her and join the cause.
Sandra Hiroshi (KIM MIYORI), captain of the Churchill, signals Babylon 5 after intercepting attack orders relayed to two destroyers to seize Babylon 5, arrest and detain Captain Sheridan and the rest of the command staff and put the station under direct authority of the President of Nightwatch. Knowing that they have six hours until the ships arrive, the crew agrees to fight rather than surrender. Commander Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN) asks permission to join the Starfury squadron to help fight, which Captain Sheridan reluctantly agrees to.
When the destroyers arrive and move in for the attack, a breaching pod latches onto the hull, bringing a stream of Marines into Babylon 5. Anticipating this, Garibaldi quickly instructs a group of Narn and Human security guards to post up and cut them off. A battle ensues between Marines and Garibaldi's (JERRY DOYLE) forces.
Helping fight off the first wave of destroyers in a fierce air battle, Ivanova is forced to eject out of her damaged plane, seconds before it crashes into an enemy cruiser. Fortunately, she escapes with bruises and a fractured rib. Captain Sheridan becomes concerned upon discovering the next wave of destroyers moving in. However, Delenn returns with three Minbari heavy cruisers and a white star, and together they swoop in forming an invincible presence that causes the aggressor ships to retreat.
In the end, thirty percent of Sheridan's Starfuries were either disabled or destroyed, along with the Churchill. For their invaluable assistance, Sheridan agrees to house the crew of the Churchill.
