SWAT's anti-terror sting operation at a bus station is thrown into chaos when volatile felons, fleeing the police, burst in and take the bus station hostage. Hondo and the team must play along, maintaining their cover as hostages while they work to ferret out the terrorist in their midst. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Bennett redoubles her efforts to force Hicks out as SWAT's commander.

When three of L.A.'s finest are targeted and gunned down in the street, Hondo and 20-Squad enlist the help of LAPD psychologist Dr. Wendy Hughes to assist in stopping a murderous rampage, reopening old wounds tied to the department's failed response to a school shooting.