Following the sinkhole collapse, Sutherland and his wife Rachel travel to Godley Common in the hope that Ellie is still alive. Multiple deaths are reported as rescue workers work round the clock to retrieve victims just as news breaks that Shirasian Princess Yadira has been kidnapped and forced back to Shirasia.. Sutherland’s marriage meanwhile is straining under the pressure of Ellie’s disappearance. Ellie is trapped underground with Nate Stevens, Planet Resistance member and confidant of Henry Wicks, as it is discovered that an incendiary device was planted on the Ultraline boring machine, and questions arise about who placed it there and why.

Francine Bridge, opposition Minister and a tentative ally of the Planet Resistance movement, is stricken by the disaster and begins questioning her support for what now seems to be a terrorist organisation. After hours of struggle, Ellie and Nate finally make contact with rescue workers above ground. Ellie is shocked to hear from her father that a suspected bomb caused the collapse, something which Nate reluctantly confirms – Henry mentioned plans to escalate radically his protest strategy. They are rescued, but Ellie’s mind is reeling - is Henry responsible for this terrible tragedy? Robert and Rachel’s marriage finally breaks under the weight of this latest trauma, as Rachel finally walks out on him. While driving to the hospital, Nate escapes from the ambulance, leaving more questions than answers about the sinkhole collapse that caused so much death.

Following Polly’s death, the government faces scrutiny for legislating an aggressive anti-protest bill. When Sutherland fails to show support for the police in public, a renewed dissent arises, and “blue flu” strikes the country: police forces go on unofficial and illegal strikes. Obasi is forced to become the government’s spokesperson against the police, and after enduring criticism on Sutherland’s behalf, Obasi steps down from his position.

Planet Resistance is proscribed a terrorist organisation, during which a vigil is held for Polly Wright – attended by both Ellie and Francine. The event suddenly takes a turn as attendees rile against the police and, Ellie and Francine are forced to escape together – in doing so, realise that they have a shared interest in unearthing the truth about Godley Common. In an effort to divert attention from the police strike, Sutherland travels North to unveil a green energy project funded by Shirasia. During the press conference, Sutherland publicly denounces the officer accused of killing Polly Wright, further aggravating the police. Meanwhile, Princess Yadira calls for help from Sutherland before attempting to flee Shirasia, but Sutherland, to his dismay, is advised from all quarters that any form of assistance is so risky as to be a diplomatic and strategic impossibility.

Eleanor investigates Nate’s involvement with a private military company run by her former protégé and old flame, Zelda Gere. Zelda feigns having any knowledge of Nate, and after Eleanor leaves, she orders Nate to be neutralised. Crime and looting begin to spiral nationwide as the police strike spreads. Sutherland negotiates a deal with the Chief of Police, and the accused officer returns to work. Sutherland and Anna’s affair is in full bloom, when a disgruntled cop photographs them in an intimate embrace, their secret threatens to be unearthed… And just before the police return to work, three armed thieves stage a daring heist at the Defence Expo – stealing a next-generation military weapon.

Despite receiving the ransom funds, Goddard’s mission isn’t over. He breaks into Archie's home with one final demand: Sutherland resigns, or the Damocles weapon will be fired after all. Sutherland refuses – and the Damocles is indeed fired by Goddard, in an ultimate act of suicide-protest.

Sutherland receives a thumb drive revealing Shirasia’s plan to annex the Peninsula, and he calls for an immediate freeze on the huge UK-Shirasian arms deal. Gerald Kendrick fears that Sutherland is a white-hot threat to their business – and with Victoria, agrees the PM is a problem that needs to be contained. Meanwhile, Francine and Ellie reach out to Sutherland with information about Nate, causing Eleanor to be dismissed from her post. Victoria escalates her campaign against Sutherland, and under the guise of bringing on board the Defence Chief of Staff to organise a “training exercise”, she initiates a military coup against Sutherland. Victoria gives Sutherland an ultimatum: resign now – or you will be destroyed. But when all appears to be lost, Sutherland and his remaining allies find a way to turn the assault on its head.

Meanwhile, the government’s analysis of the Godley Common disaster reveals that Planet Resistance was in fact, wholly justified in protesting the Ultraline construction; and in light of the truth about the planted explosive, Planet Resistance is formally acquitted of all wrongdoing, with the Ultraline project aborted. Sutherland, finding at last a way to pull the rug decisively from under his enemies, announces his resignation, leaving Archie in charge as PM... Anna and Sutherland leave the office, but Archie, seeing that Francine is becoming a potent political adversary, soon visits them with a proposition: return to the office and run one final time.

All episodes of COBRA: Rebellion available now on Sky Max