Earth Alliance Civil War - The Civil War Escalates

The Civil War Escalates

When the ancient Shadows left known space in late 2260, President Clark lost his primary support. Realizing that he was suddenly vulnerable, Clark launched a detailed programme to eliminate Babylon 5 as a threat. Clark placed Babylon 5 off-limits to all Earth shipping; his goal was to destroy the station's economy. He also stepped up his propaganda campaign against Captain Sheridan and Babylon 5. ISN began airing bogus stories claiming that the station was actually under alien rule, and an ISN reporter came to the station and filmed a documentary which made it appear that Sheridan was under the control of sinister aliens (such as Ambassador Delenn and the Minbari) bent on enslaving humanity. Clark also launched PsiCorps on a covert campaign to undermine support for the station. In one move an elite PsiCorps fighter squadron were ordered to destroy a patrol of EarthForce fighters; the attack would be blamed on Babylon 5. However, Sheridan was aided by spies within Clark's own regime; one of these spies, the PsiCop Bester, informed Sheridan of Clark's plan and Babylon 5 fighters led by Commander Susan Ivanova destroyed the PsiCorps fighters and saved the fighter patrol.

In response, Sheridan stepped up the station's efforts to overthrow Clark. He allied with the Mars Resistance, and he engaged in "black market" deals to get needed equipment through Clark's blockade of the station. Sheridan also arranged for the White Star Fleet to patrol the borders of alien powers, thus gaining their goodwill for the next phase of his operation to overthrow Clark. Furthermore, using Epsilon 3's advanced communications technology, Babylon 5 began broadcasting a counter-propaganda media campaign, "The Voice of The Resistance," to rally anti-Clark supporters and to provide an alternative to ISN and other Clark-controlled media outlets.