It is now the year 2259. Five hostile federations dominate the outermost regions of space. Heroes, thieves, and rare and exotic beings find refuge in this time of uneasy peace and the constant threat of war on a lone space station – the last and best hope for peace between a hundred worlds, alien and human alike. This season, Babylon 5's captain declares the station an independent state and forms a war council to battle the evil Shadows – and their allies on Earth. A terrifying new alliance between the Shadows and another race is discovered. And Sheridan travels back in time to undertake a mission involving the station's predecessor, Babylon 4.