The Joint Chiefs of Staff debate the legality of China's actions and discuss war, to Mark's dismay, in fear of a domino effect that would start a nuclear war.
Mark discusses his mild suggestions for the habitat assault, and all the Joint Chiefs concur, but the Secretary of Defense overrules them and orders Mark to completely destroy the Chinese base.
Mark reluctantly reveals to the crew that Habitat One is armed, and the crew starts training for the use of firearms.
Enraged, Adrian resigns, but Mark changes his mind and conspires with Adrian to disobey his orders. And think how to change the plan to avoid the space war.
Erin joins a group of suspicious men on the way to their 'party' but discovers that they actually plan to use drugs.
Mark orders the Habitat One crew to disassemble their arms and use the parts for habitat modifications.
Angered by Mark's defiance of the attack orders, the president sends Grabaston to establish a military coup , arresting guard Duncan, Mark, and Adrian; doing a hostile takeover of command.
Grabaston orders the crew to assault the base with wrenches, after finding out that the firearms were disabled.
After getting a call from Erin regarding the 'party', Mark escapes. Erin is saved by Mark via helicopter, and Maggie escapes from prison with Louise, and they too board the helicopter.
Meanwhile, the Habitat One crew returns from their sabotage mission, only to discover that the Chinese have completely crippled the American base. Mark turns the helicopter back.