Atthebeginningof2259,CaptainJohnSheridanreplacesSinclairasthemilitarygovernorofthestation.HeandthemandstafflearnthatthedeathofPresidentSantiagowasactuallyanassassinationmastermindedbyVicePresidentClark(whoassumedthePresidencyuponSantiago’sdeath).AnflictdevelopsbetweentheBabylon5mandstaffandthePsiCorps,anincreasinglyautocratirganizationwhichoverseesandntrolsthelivesofhumantelepaths.CommanderIvanova,thesend-in-mandofthestation,issecretlyalatenttelepathwhohasillicitlyavoidedregisteringwiththePsiCorps.TheShadows,anancientandextremelypowerfulracewhohaverecentlyemergedfromhibernation,arerevealedtobethecauseofavarietyofmysteriousanddisturbingevents,includingtheattackontheNarnoutpostattheendof2258.CentauriAmbassadorLondoMollariunknowinglyenliststheiraidthroughhisassociationwiththemysteriousMr.MordenintheongoingnflictwiththeNarn.TheelderlyandailingCentauriemperor,longanadvocateofrenciliationwiththeNarn,diessuddenlywhilevisitingBabylon5.Anumberofnspirators,includingLondoMollariandRefa,takentroloftheCentaurigovernmentbyassassinatingtheiropponentsandplacingthelateemperor’sunstablenephewonthethrone.TheirfirstactistostarenaggressionagainsttheNarn.Afterafull-scalewarbreaksout,theCentaurieventuallynquerNarninabrutalattackinvolvingmassdrivers,outlawedweaponsofmassdestruction.Towardstheendoftheyear,theClarkadministrationbeginstoshowincreasinglytotalitariancharacteristics,clampingdownondissentandrestrictingfreedomofspeech.TheVorlonsarerevealedtobethebasisoflegendsaboutangelsonvariousworlds,includingEarth,andaretheancientenemiesoftheShadows.TheyenlisttheaidofSheridanandtheBabylon5mandstaffinthestruggleagainsttheShadows.