As Chancellor Elena Vernham prepares for her annual Victory Day celebration, a weary Cpl. Herbert Zubak arrives at the palace, where he's introduced to his new boss's strict health precautions.

Concerned about Zubak's growing influence over Elena, Nicholas conspires with her top ministers in hopes of unearthing damning intel.

After fielding warnings about her new land reforms, Elena orders a controversial military operation and sends Zubak to the front.

As Zubak learns the true location of Keplinger, the chancellor's biggest political rival, Elena attempts to do damage control after a tragic accident; Elena and Nicholas make a rare trip outside palace walls to meet with factory workers.

Elena remains determined not to abandon her people, despite being advised to leave the palace; Schiff, Singer and Huber imagine a scenario where the chancellor could be removed.

With the palace walls now breached, Elena and Zubak find themselves on the run - and seeking help from an everyday citizen - to evade capture by the rebels; Elena leverages her skills in a last-ditch effort to stay in power.