Comander Jeffrey Sinclair, commander of the new Earth-Minbari space station Babylon 5, welcomes Lyta Alexander to the station. Lyta, a commercial telepath, is immediately introduced to the Commander's honor and strength when he disarms a drug dealer -- within minutes of her arrival!

The station is readying itself for the arrival of the fifth and final Ruling Council ambassador. Ambassador G'Kar of the Narn Regime seems more intent on proving his power to station-runner Lt. Commander Laurel Takashima, and Centauri Ambassador Mollari is found in the gambling halls of the Zocalo by B5 Security Chief Michael Garibaldi. Only Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari seems eager to have the Vorlon Ambassador, Kosh, arrive.

But when he does, trouble follows. Kosh arrives and is almost immediately attacked. Poisoned by an assassin, he lies in a state of near-death, unable to warn by whom he was struck, or why. And when Lyta telepathically merges her mind with his in an attempt to save his life, she discovers a secret that could tear apart the station before it is even operational.

Lyta identify's the location of the poison and how it was placed, through a skin tab. But, she also identifies the assasin, Commander Jeffrey Sinclair!