When a mysterious and powerful alien fleet attacks Babylon 5, the crisis is seen not from the command deck, but from the maintenance hallways. Two ordinary repair techs, Bo and Mack, just want to finish their shift, but find themselves running repairs while the station is under fire. With a witty, grunt's-eye view, they speculate about the legendary command staff—wondering who Sheridan talks to, if Delenn is as scary as she seems, and why Ivanova is always so angry.

Their nonchalant curiosity leads them to a strange encounter with the charismatic telepath, Byron, who offers them a moment of profound peace. But when he grants their simple wish to "see what the commanders see," they get far more than they bargained for, gaining a staggering new perspective on the burdens of leadership and the true cost of the battle raging around them.