BROKEN BOW

A young boy is painting a model kit of a spacecraft with his father and quotes Zefram Cochrane's famous line, "Where no man has gone before." His father asks him if he's remembered the entire speech and the boy confirms. The father says that Zefram would be proud of his son. The boy asks his father when the ship will be ready to fly. His father tells him, not until the paint dries, mistaking his question for his model plane. The boy elaborates saying his ship. His father explains that it's not even built yet and the boy wonders if it will be fast. The boy wonders if it will be faster than Ambassador Pointy's ship and his father tells him not to call him that. The boy tells him that his friend Russell Cooke told him that the Vulcans are impeding his father's progress. His father says the Vulcan have their reasons and he can't be sure what it is...

Thirty years later, in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, an alien ship has landed in a corn crop. A huge Klingon runs through the corn field, being chased by two other aliens. They fire laser weapons at each other and soon the Klingon enters the farm's silo. The two aliens that chase him also enter the silo, albeit via special genetical means. When the aliens enter, the Klingon exits the silo from the top and aims his disruptor at the silo. He fires the disruptor, blowing the silo to smithereens. The farmer, whose farm is being invaded, exits his house to confront the noisy intrusion. He brandishes a projectile weapon and confronts the Klingon, who speaks gibberish at the farmer. The farmer warns the Klingon not to approach him and warns him that he knows how to use the weapon. When the Klingon advances, the farmer fires his weapon, knocking the Klingon unconscious.

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Orbiting Earth, a starship is docked in drydock. A small pod reaches the drydock. Inside, we see Captain Jonathan Archer, wearing a baseball cap and looking upward. Next to him is Commander Charles Tucker, who informs him that the ventral plating system will be down in a few weeks. Archer tells him to be sure that they match the color of the nacelle housing. Tucker wonders if the captain is planning to take photo's and post it as a post card. Archer says maybe. Archer says that the ship is beautiful and Tucker elaborates that she is fast. They will be going to warp four point five by Thursday. Archer elaborates that that equals to six minutes between Earth and Neptune. Archer then suggests that they take a look at the lateral sensor array. As Tucker pilots the pod, Archer tells him to slow down. As they look at the lateral sensor array, Archer says they need to be reinforced as it buckled during last week's test. The pod suddenly lurches up and hits the ship. Archer informs Tucker that he's scratched the ship and Tucker apologizes. They soon get a call from Starfleet Command, requesting Archer's presence at Starfleet Medical.

At Starfleet Medical, three Vulcan diplomats and human diplomats discuss their problem with the unconscious Klingon. The Vulcan diplomats are Ambassador Soval, SubCommander T'Pol and Ambassador Tos, while the human diplomats are Admiral Forrest, Admiral Leonard and a Starfleet Commander. One of the admirals ask the Vulcans who was chasing the Klingon. Ambassador Soval tell them that they don't know as the aliens were incinerated in the methane explosion and the farmer's description was vague at best. Admiral Leonard ask them what kind of ship they came from. The Vulcan informs them they were using some kind of stealth technology and they are still analysing their sensor logs. When a Starfleet Commander asks for those logs, Soval tells him that their logs are classified and that the Klingons want them to expedite the situation. Admiral Leonard reminds the Vulcan that this incident happened on their soil, but Tos says that's irrelevant. Admiral Forrest reminds the Vulcans that they have a right to know what's going on. Ambassador Soval says that they will be apprised of all pertinent information. The commander wonders who gets to decide what's pertinent.

Soon, Captain Archer enters the room and Admiral Forrest believes he knows everyone. Ambassador Soval becomes apprehensive about Archer's presence. The captain explains that he doesn't know everyone as he looks at the Klingon in the medical bay. Admiral Leonard informs him that it's a Klingan. Ambassador Tos tells him that the proper pronounciation is a Klingon. The captain wants to know where he came from and Admiral Forrest tells him that he came from Oklahoma. The admiral tells him that a farmer named Moore shot him with a plasma rifle and said it was in self-defence. Ambassador Tos says that he and Soval have been in contact with Kronos since this incident occured. Archer wonders what Kronos is and Admiral Leonard informs him that it's the Klingon's homeworld. The admiral believes that the Klingon was a courier of some kind, taking information back to his homeworld when he was shot by your farmer, adds Soval.

Admiral Forrest believes that Archer should push off his launch until they've sorted this out. Archer isn't surprised as the Vulcan's would've come up with something more imaginative this time. Soval explains that sarcasm aside, it would be foolish for Earth to make an enemy of the Klingon Empire. Ambassador Tos reminds them that if he and Soval hadn't convinced the Klingons that they would take Klaang's corpse back to his homeworld, Earth would most probably be facing a squadron of warbirds by the end of the week. Archer is stunned as he sees no corpse. He enters the surgical bay and asks an alien doctor if the Klingon is dead. The doctor tells him that his autonomic systems have been disrupted but his redundant systems are intact, but Archer asks him if he's going to die. The doctor believes not necessarily.

Archer exits and angrily tells the Vulcan's that they are ready to disconnect the Klingon's life-support and have him sent home. He wonders where the logic is in that. Soval reminds Archer that Klaang's people honor in dying and if they saw him like this, it would dishonor them. Ambassador Tos reminds Archer that if he knew the complexities of interstellar diplomacy, he would understand it more. Archer interrupts saying that it's the Vulcan's way of everything, diplomacy and they are willing to pull the plug. Ambassador Soval says that this is no time to impose their ethical beliefs. Archers tell him that they may be primitive but they're not murderers.

Archer wonders if Admiral Forrest is allowing them to do this. Admiral Forrest believes that they may need to defer to their judgment. Archer explains that they've been deferring to their judgment for over a century and wants to how much longer it'll take. SubCommander T'Pol informs him that until they are ready to prove themselves. Archer wants to know how they can prove themselves and T'Pol explains that they need to look beyond their provincial self and volatile nature. Archer reminds T'Pol how volatile he is by restraining himself from knocking her on her ass.

Archer tells Admiral Forrest that he'll take Klaang home, alive. Ambassador Soval tries to reason with the admiral. Admiral Forrest confers with Admiral Leonard. Leonard wonders about Archer's crew, as his comm-officer is in Brazil and he hasn't selected a medical officer yet. Archer tells him to give him three days. Admiral Forrest goes up to Soval and tells him that they've been waiting nearly a century for this opportunity. He believes this is a good a time as any to get started. Ambassador Soval shouts that this is a mistake. Archer teases him by saying that when logic doesn't go their way, he raises his voice. He tells him that they've been on Earth far too long. The Vulcan's walk out. Admiral Forrest goes up to Archer and smiles. He tells him that his approach to them wouldn't sit too well with them and reminds him not to screw up. As the Starfleet crew leave, Archer draws the attention of the alien doctor again. His name is Phlox.

On board the starship we saw previously, things are progressing finely as they reach launch date. In the transporter bay, Malcolm Reed and Travis Mayweather transport up their equipment. Travis tells Malcolm that the platform has been approved for bio-transport. Malcolm hopes that he means fruits and vegetables but Travis elaborates, saying it has been approved for transporting helmsman and armory officers. Malcolm believes he isn't ready to have his molecules compressed into a data stream. Travis proclaims that the transporter is safe. But, Malcolm hopes the captain don't plan on having them use it. Travis lays down Malcolm's fears saying that even the captain don't plan on sending his dog through the transporter. As their equipment is transported, the two check it. Malcolm is despondent as he got valve sealant instead of a plasma coil. He tells Travis that if he doesn't get the right equipment, he won't be able to install their weapons. Travis wonders why they would need weapons when all they're doing is taking a sick patient home. Malcolm wonders if Travis has read the profile report on the Klingons and Travis says no. Malcolm tells him that the Klingons like to sharpen their teeth before they go into battle. Malcolm reiterates the point that Commander Tucker would reassure him that his equipment would arrive on time, mimicking his southern accent.

As Travis and Malcolm head for Engineering, Travis wonders if the artificial gravity seems a bit off. Malcolm says it's fine, Earth sea-level. Travis explains that his father used to keep the gravity on his ship at point eight. Malcolm believes that being a son of a cargo captain must have it's advantages... In Engineering, Commander Tucker hurrily prepares his engines for warp-capability. As he cleans up a spot on the hull of the engine compartment, Malcolm tells him that he's missed a spot. Malcolm introduces Tucker to Ensign Travis Mayweather, their helmsman and he just arrived. A space boomer, says the Engineer and he wonders if Travis could handle their engine. Travis wonders how fast the commander has gotten it. Tucker explains that they'll be going to warp four point five once they've cleared Jupiter. Malcolm informs them that if he doesn't realign the deflector grid, the first grain of space dust will burn right through their hull. Tucker tells Malcolm to keep his shirt on as his equipment will arrive on time, just as Malcolm predicted.

In Brazil, an Asian woman whom we'll come to know as Ensign Hoshi Sato, teaches several students on the interstellar language. As she teaches, she sees Captain Archer in the distance and excuses herself from the class. As Archer and Hoshi walk, Archer says that he needs her as his comm-officer, but Hoshi says that she'll need at least two weeks as exams are coming up and she can't leave them like this. Archer tells her to find a replacement for her, but Hoshi says there's no one else that can do the job properly. Archer then says that he could order her. Hoshi reminds Archer that he has to get a reprimand for her from Starfleet and actively recall her back to duty to put her on a starship again.

To convince her further, Archer pulls out a small futuristic device and soon the Klingon language is heard. Hoshi wonders what it is and Archer tells her that it's Klingon. Archer tells her that Ambassador Soval gave him a sample of their linguistic database. Hoshi thought that the Vulcan's were opposed to this and Archer tells her that he had to make a few compromises for their first launch. Hoshi tells him to put it up and the Klingon language is heard fully. Hoshi wonders what Archer knows about these Klingons. Archer says not much and they are known to be a warrior race, with eighty polyglotural dialects on an adaptive syntax. He tells her that she'll be the first person to speak to them and wonders if she's willing to give that up, convincing her more.

Back on board the starship, Archer and Tucker enter the Captain's Ready-Room via the Bridge. As they enter, Tucker is uneasy about letting T'Pol aboard their ship. Archer says that it was an exchange for a couple of star maps and Tuckers says that they're letting a spy aboard. Archer tells him that Admiral Forrest suggested that they think of her as a chaperone. Tucker thought that the whole point of this mission was to get away from the Vulcans. Archer says that four days there and back and then she will be gone. Tucker doesn't know and he would be more comfortable in having Porthos, the captain's dog, on the Bridge instead of her.

Soon, there is a buzz at the door and the captain allows him/her to enter. T'Pol enters, the Vulcan woman we met earlier at Starfleet Medical. T'Pol hands Archer a report padd and informs him that this confirms that she was transferred to this ship at oh-eight hundred hours. As Archer is reviewing her padd, she suddenly becomes alerted to a bad odor. Archer wonders what wrong and T'Pol doesn't reveal it. Archer then realizes that it's Porthos and he tells Commander Tucker sitting there, that Vulcan females have a heightened sense of smell and hopes Porthos isn't too offensive. T'Pol tells him that she's learned to tolerate offensive situations. Tucker then claims he had a shower and wonders if the captain has, as that could be the cause of the odor. Archer soon introducers Commander Tucker to T'Pol and as Tucker offers a handshake, he says his nickname is "Trip". T'Pol says she'll try and remember that and doesn't take the handshake.

Archer then reminds T'Pol that while she may not share their enthusiam with this mission, he expects her to follow their rules. He explains that what's said in this room and out on the Bridge is priviledged information; and doesn't want the Vulcan High Command to pick apart his every move. T'Pol reassures that her mission is not espionage and that her superiors asked her to assist them. Archer then jokingly tells her that her superiors believe they can't do anything let alone flush a toilet without one of them assisting. T'Pol then tells him that she didn't request this assignment, and once this mission is over, she'll be pleased to leave the ship as he'll be happy to see her go. Just then, Porthos jumps on her, causing her more great concern. With that, she wonders if there is anything else and the captain dismisses her.

In spacedock, a special ceremony takes place as special dignitaries gather, including the Vulcan delegates. In front of the group, Admiral Forrest makes a speech as Captain Archer's crew looks on from the alcove above. Admiral Forrest announces that ninety years ago when Zefram Cochrane made his legendary warp drive and made first contact with their new friends, the Vulcans, they realized they weren't alone in the universe. Admiral Forrest tells the crowd that they are about to cross a new threshold and for nearly a century, they waited ankle deep in the ocean of space; they are now ready to swim. He tells the crowd that men like Zefram Cochrane and Henry Archer made this all possible and it seems fitting for Henry's son, Jonathan Archer, to lead this mission. As the crowd applauses, Admiral Forrest looks up toward Archer, who leads his crew to their new ship. As Archer leads his crew to their ship, the ceremony continues. Admiral Forrest says that rather than quoting Cochrane's legendary quotes, they should all watch and listen to his speech made thirty-two years ago at the opening ceremony of the new warp five complex.

The following is Cochrane's speech. As Cochrane is quoting his speech, Archer and his crew board the starship and make preparations to depart. "On this site, a powerful engine will be built. This engine that will take us hundred times faster than ever before. Imagine it, thousands of inhabited worlds at our fingertips! We will be able to explore those strange new worlds and to seek out new life and new civilizations. This engine, will let us boldly go where no man has gone before." On the Bridge, Captain Archer reminisce about the time he and his father put their own engine into their model ship and we realize that earlier that it was Archer and his father building the model ship. After reminiscing, Archer orders Ensign Mayweather to take her out, nice and steady. As the ship leaves dock, we see it's identification: Enterprise, NX-01. After clearing spacedock, Archer asks Tucker how they're doing. Tucker tells him that they're ready whenever he is. Archer tells everyone to prepare to go to warp. Ensign Mayweather informs the captain that the course to Kronos is laid in, and requests permission to get underway. T'Pol reminds the captain that the course is off by point two degrees, but the captain ignores her. The captain tells Travis to engage warp and the ship flies off.

As the Enterprise heads for Kronos, one of the alien creatures we saw earlier enters a special infrastructure, which contains an image of a person surrounded by light. His name is Silik. The person inside the light asks Silik where's Klaang and Silik tells him that the human's have him. The person asks him if he lost anyone else, and Silik tells him that two of his soldiers were killed, one of them was his friend. He asks if it can be prevented, but the figure tells him that their agreement doesn't include making mistakes. The figure then orders Silik to recover the evidence and he obeys. Silik wants to know when will they speak again, but the figure reminds Silik not to concern himself with when.

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As the Enterprise continues toward Kronos, it's crew is adjusting to life aboard. Captain Archer visits Dr Phlox in Sickbay and commends him for the job he's done to the place. As he's talking to him, he shakes a bowl with eels inside and the doctor tells him not to shake them as they are immunocytic gel worms. The captain asks the doctor what he thought of Earth and the doctors says intriguing. He especially liked the Chinese food and wonders if the captain ever tried it. Archer reminds the doctor that he's lived in San Francisco all his life. The doctor then tells the captain that what the humans lack biologically, they make up for their charming optimism. As Archer hands him another cage, it shakes and startles Archer. Archer wonders what it is and the doctor says it is an Altarian Marsupial. He tells him that their droppings contain the strongest concentration of regenerative enzymes found anywhere. Their droppings, asks the startled captain. The doctor reminds the captain if they're willing to embrace new worlds, they should first embrace new ideas. That's why the Vulcans initiated the Interspecies Exchange Program. He tells the captain that there's a lot to be learned.

The captain apologizes for taking him away from his studies, as human doctors have never come across a Klingon before. But the doctor says it's unnecessary as this will give him the opportunity to study human's when under pressure. He then informs the captain that he's never studied a Klingon before, let alone a live one. The captain tells him that Ensign Mayweather suggests they will reach Kronos within eighty hours and wonders if he will regain consciousness by then. The doctor suggests that he could regain conscious within the next ten minutes, but not a very good one. The captain reminds the doctor that he has eighty hours, and if Klaang doesn't get off the ship on his own two feet, he doesn't have much of a chance. The doctor reminds the captain of their optimism.

Commander Tucker climbs a narrow tube in search of Ensign Mayweather. At the end of the tube, Commander Tucker finds the ensign upside down and he tells him that and wonders why. Travis explains that it's a sweet spot, the zero g spot between the gravity generator and the bow plating, and that every ship has one. He tells the commander to give it a try. As the commander grabs the front of the tube, Travis tells him to grab it on either side, then push off. The commander is reluctant, but the ensign gives him a little encouragement. As Tucker pushes off, he is floating upward; but as he reaches the roof, he is swung upside down and crashes into the roof. Travis tells the commander that it takes practise, and wonders if the commander has slept in zero-g. The commander is stunned and Travis tells him that it's like being back in the womb.

Tucker then tells Travis that he's heard the captain mentioning that he's been to Trillius Prime. Travis agrees, but says it took him the fourth, fifth and sixth grade to get there. The commander also mentions how he's also been to Draylax and the two Teneebian moons. Travis confirms and the commander becomes jealous, as he has only visited one other inhabited planet besides Earth; and there was nothing there but dust and ticks. The commander then wants to know if the women on Draylax have three breasts. Travis confirms and knows this first hand, second hand and third hand. Tucker is then impressed as he says that growing up a boomer has it's advantages.

Commander Tucker soon heads for the captain's private dining room, and as he does, he crosses the Mess Hall. One of the officers say that he's saved him a seat, but the commander politely tells him that it's dinner with the boss tonight.

In the Captain's Private Mess Hall, SubCommander T'Pol and Captain Archer wait for Commander Tucker. As they do, the captain dines on a bread stick, while asking T'Pol about her sightseeing ventures. The captain wonders if T'Pol has visited the Grand Canyon or the Big Sur Aquarium, to which T'Pol says no to. T'Pol says that sightseeing was not one of her assignments. Archer says that she's all work and no play; and reminds her that everyone should get out now and again for play. T'Pol says that all of their recreational facilities were at the Sausalito compound.

Just then, Commander Tucker enters and says that they should've started without him. As they sit down, Archer tells Tucker that T'Pol has stayed at the Vulcan complex for the past few years. Tucker jokingly says that there are great parties at the Vulcan complex. As they sit, T'Pol picks up one of the bread sticks and starts cutting it with her knife and fork. Archer smiles and suggests that she try and use her hands. T'Pol reminds Archer that Vulcans don't touch their food with their hands. Tucker jokingly states that he can't wait to see how she would handle a spare rib. T'Pol becomes alarmed, but Archer calms her down by saying that he knows she's vegetarian. Then, a waiter comes out and delivers their food. Tucker informs the waiter to tell the chef that it looks delicious and starts eating. T'Pol is appalled at Tucker cutting and eating his meat and proclaims that humans consider themselves enlightened, yet they consume the flesh of an animal. The commander tells T'Pol that his grandma taught him never to judge a species by their eating habits.

Archer tells T'Pol that enlighten is a strong word and tells her that if she was on Earth fifty-years ago, she would realize how much they've gotten done. T'Pol then says that it remains to be seen whether or not humanity will embrace patience nor logic as they remain impulsive carnivors. Tucker then wonders what about war, disease and hunger; they've pretty much wiped them out within a generation. T'Pol then suggests that humans may revert back to their baser instincts. Tucker says that they used to have cannibals on Earth and wonders how far they might revert. He tells them that it's a long journey. Archer reminds T'Pol that human's have strong instinct and that she can't expect them to change overnight. T'Pol says that with proper discipline and training anything's possible, as she successfully cuts through the bread stick.

On the Bridge, Travis increases the ship's speed to warp four-point-three. Lt Reed says there's not much of a difference, however, Ensign Sato begs to differ as she feels small tremors and vibrations. T'Pol tells her that she's imagining it. Archer orders Travis to increase to warp four-point-four and suddenly the ship shakes, heightening Hoshi's unease. Malcolm says that it's the deflector grid realigning itself. T'Pol suggests that Hoshi go to her quarters to relax, but Hoshi decides otherwise and swears at T'Pol in Vulcan. T'Pol reminds her that she was instructed to use English on this voyage and would be appreciated if she does the same. Archer then reminds everyone that it's understandable to get a little jumpy especially since they're traveling at thirty million kilometers a second. He tells them that they'll get used to it. Soon, Archer gets a call from Phlox, saying that their Klingon friend has regained consciousness. Both Hoshi and Archer head to Sickbay.

In Sickbay, Klaang starts spitting out Klingon garbage. Meanwhile, Hoshi is having problems of her own. Archer begs her to try the translator, but Hoshi says that the translator is having problem locking onto his syntax. Archer orders Hoshi to tell the Klingon that they're taking him home. As Hoshi tells Klaang in Klingon, he asks her another question. Archer wonders what Klaang said, and Hoshi interprets his questions as what happened to his ship. Archer informs Hoshi to tell him that it was destroyed. As Hoshi does, the Klingon barks something ineligible. Hoshi says that he told them to eat the afterlife and Archer tells her to try the translator again. Soon, Dr Phlox scans the Klingon and tells them that his frontal cortex is hyperstimulated and he believes even the Klingon doesn't have a clue what he's saying. The ship shakes again and startles Hoshi, wondering if that was the deflector grid again. Archer contacts the Bridge to get a report. T'Pol tells him that they've dropped out of warp before being cut off and the power cutting off... On the Bridge, Travis reports that power is being cut off on all decks. Lt Malcolm Reed reports that he saw something off the starboard side, but isn't sure what as T'Pol asks him... In the darkened corridors, we see several alien creatures that was chasing the Klingon aboard the Enterprise.

In the darkened Sickbay, the crew take out flashlights so that they can see. The Klingon starts uttering gibberish. Captain Archer suggests that the lights should've kicked in by now and orders Hoshi to tell the Klingon to shut-up. Not knowing the Klingon word for shut-up, Hoshi yells, "Shut up!" to the Klingon. Archer suggests that Phlox sedate him while he goes to the Bridge. On his way out, Hoshi spots one of the aliens and notifies the captain. The captain soon stays, searching for the elusive aliens. When they spot one, they start firing their weapons, but misses. Soon, one of the aliens manage to knock a crewmember down, but not before the captain stuns the alien. The Klingon utters the word Suliban. Just then, another alien climbs down from the ceiling to grab Klaang. After the alien grabs Klaang, the lights return and Archer realizes that Klaang is gone. But, they have one of the aliens to study.

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On the Bridge, Captain Archer is angry that their state-of-the-art equipment didn't detect the aliens. Travis tells him that Lt Reed thought he saw something off the starboard side before they lost power. Archer looks at Reed. Reed informs him that the starboard sensor logs recorded a spatial disturbance, but he reckons that it was the sensors going down. Commander Tucker thinks it's more of a glitch, but Hoshi doesn't think so as she points out that those weren't glitches in Sickbay. Archer orders Tucker to get started on those analysis and asks Reed where do they stand on weapons. Malcolm tells him that they still have to fine tune the targeting sensors. Archer wonders what Malcolm is waiting for. As Lt Reed leaves, Archer turns to Hoshi and tells her that the Klingon seemed to know who the aliens were and orders her to start translating.

Soon, T'Pol tells Archer that there was no way he could've anticipated this and is sure that Ambassador Soval would agree. Archer reminds her that she's the science officer and orders her to assist Trip. T'Pol tells Archer that the astrometrics computer in San Francisco would be far more useful, but Archer tells her that they're not going to San Francisco so she'd better make do with what they've got here. T'Pol tells him that their mission is over since the captain lost the Klingon and that this is a foolish mission. Archer says that he was taken from him and he's going to find out who took him. T'Pol then wants to know how Archer is planning that, as space is very big and a glitch on their monitor won't help them locate them. Archer wants T'Pol to come with him.

Archer leads T'Pol into his Ready Room and once inside, he tells her that he doesn't care what she thinks about this mission and tells her to bury her Vulcan cynicisms along with her repressed emotions. T'Pol tells him that his reaction to this situation is the perfect reason why humans should be confined to their own solar system. Archer angrily tells her that he's been listening to them Vulcans for over a century. He tells her that they may have life-spans of two-hundred years and more, but they do not. He tells her that his father deserved to see that launch. T'Pol then suggests that he will contact Starfleet Command and advise them of their situation. Archer says no he's not and neither is she. He angrily tells her to get out there and make herself useful. The tension between the two grows.

In Sickbay, Captain Archer wonders what the doctor has found about their unconscious alien. The doctor says that Mr Klaang was right, he is a Suliban. The doctor shows the captain the Suliban's lungs and tells him that he has five bronchial lobes, where it should only have three. He then shows the captain the alveoli clusters and says that it was modified for different atmospheres. Archer wonders if this Suliban is some kind of a mutant. The doctor says that he is but this was no mere accident. His DNA is Suliban but he was the recipient of some elaborate genetic manipulation. The doctor then shows Archer more of the Suliban's genetic manipulation. The Suliban has subcutaneous pigment sacs; a biomimetic garment and compound retinas, which would indicate he saw things that even their sensors couldn't.

In Engineering, SubCommander T'Pol and Commander Tucker review Malcolm Reed's sensor logs. Commander Tucker then points to a sensor information, but T'Pol says it's just background noise. She tells him that their sensors weren't designed to detect plasma decay, which annoys Trip. Trip wonders how T'Pol knows what their sensors can and cannot do. T'Pol says that Vulcan children play with more sophisticated toys. This annoys Tucker further and claims that people say Vulcans do nothing but patronize. And if they were here to see T'Pol bending over backwards to assist him, they would have eat their words. T'Pol reminds Tucker that the captain's mission was to return the Klingon to his homeworld and that he no longer has the Klingon. Trip says that Archer may be a simple Earthling, but did it ever occur to T'Pol that he knows what he's doing. He further stresses that shouldn't the man who's been put in charge of the mission doesn't need their support. But then, loyalty is an emotion for the Vulcans.

Just then, Captain Archer enters Engineering and asks the pair if they have any luck. T'Pol tells Archer that the sensor disturbance that Mr Reed saw indicates a stealth vessel using a tricyclic plasma drive. Trip tells the captain that if they can determine the decay rate of the plasma, they would be able to locate them. T'Pol tells the captain that the sensors weren't designed to detect plasma decay. Just then, Hoshi enters and wonders if it's safe to stand close to the warp engines. Archer wonders what Hoshi has found out. Hoshi says she's translated most of what Klaang said. Archer wonders if Klaang mentioned the word Earth, but Hoshi says that word is not even in their language and tells him that it's all there on the padd and that only four words she couldn't translate, probably proper nouns. Archer then asks T'Pol about the Suliban and T'Pol says that they are a primitive race from Sector 3641, but they've never posed a threat. Until now, Archer says.

Archer then rattles off the words on Hoshi's padd; Gelick, Sarin, Rigel and Tholia and wonders if T'Pol knows any of those terms. T'Pol hesitates before answering that Rigel is a planetary system less then fifteen light years from their current position. Archer wonders why the hesitation and T'Pol reveals that according to the navigational logs salvaged from Klaang's ship, Rigel Ten was the last stop before crashing to Earth. Archer somehow knew that T'Pol wasn't going to share that information and T'Pol reminds him that she wasn't authorized to disclose the details of their findings. Archer warns T'Pol that if she continues to withhold information, she will spend the rest of her voyage in some cramped quarters. Archer then orders Mayweather to set a course for Rigel and to the tenth planet, pulling the star charts from the Vulcan database.

As the Enterprise heads for Rigel Ten, inside the Suliban infrastructure, we see Silik interrogate the tied down Klaang. Silik asks Klaang, in perfect Klingonese, where an object is. The Klingon says he doesn't know. Silik then suggests that Klaang left it on the Enterprise, but Klaang once again, doesn't know. Silik looks to his doctor friend and asks if the drugs are working, and the doctor says it is working perfectly. Silik then asks Klaang what he was doing on Rigel Ten. Klaang replies that he was sent there to meet someone. Silik asks who, and Klaang answers he was sent to meet a female Suliban named Sarin. Silik wants to know what Sarin gave him, but Klaang doesn't know. Silik orders the doctor to keep Klaang alive while he is gone.

As the Enterprise orbits Rigel Ten, Captain Archer and his landing party are briefed on the conditions of their brave new world by SubCommander T'Pol. T'Pol informs them that their communicators have been programmed for Rigellian, but they will encounter numerous alien life-forms that aren't comfortable with newcomers. T'Pol warns not to be gregarious. Trip then asks her about the food and water, and T'Pol believes that Dr Phlox isn't concerned with the food or water, but warns against intimate contact. Trip and Travis look at each other with that knowing look. Captain Archer then informs them once they tie down into the planet, they will search the trade complex, which has thirty-nine levels. He further informs them that the Vulcans believe that Klaang was a courier. Whoever gave him the information might know where Klaang is and a six-foot tall Klingon doesn't go unnoticed. The crew soon heads for their shuttlepod.

On the planet, Trip and T'Pol are put together to further their conflicting partnership. Trip is excited about this new world and are concerned about two aliens going at it inside a door. T'Pol reminds him that it's nothing that concerns them... Meanwhile, Lt Malcolm Reed and Ensign Travis Mayweather enjoy Rigel Ten's entertainment of nude alien women swallowing butterflies. While Lt Reed enjoys the bizarre entertainment, Ensign Mayweather is all business. The alien man between them asks them if they would like to meet the women, but Travis ignores him and asks him if this is where he saw Klaang. The man tells them that he will show them where, but they should enjoy themself. He asks Lt Reed which one he likes and Malcolm wonders if those are real butterflies or some kind of holograms. Travis soon brings the Lieutenant back to earth and tells him that they should go. Snapping out of his entrancement, Lt Reed agrees.

While T'Pol is gathering information, Commander Tucker is confused about this alien culture. He soon sees a mother and child, with the mother giving him some kind of oxygen. Soon, T'Pol comes back after acquiring the information and contacts Captain Archer. She informs him that the local security saw Klaang several days ago at an enclave on Level Nineteen. Archer then asks where on Level Nineteen, and T'Pol tells him on the easternmost subsection, near the geothermal shafts where Klingons have been known to go for their live food. Archer tells her that they are heading there now. All this time, Trip has been looking at the alien mother and child, and when it gets too much for him, he tries to interfere, only to be stopped by T'Pol. Trip tells her that she's suffocating him, but T'Pol says that they are Lorillians. She tells him that before the age of five, a child can only breathe methyloxide and tells him that she is simply weaning him. Trip says that it could've fooled him. T'Pol warns Trip that humans cannot refrain from drawing some conclusion. They must be objective about other cultures, so that they will know when to interfere and when not to. After his lecture, T'Pol and Tucker go to assist the captain. As they do, a Suliban alien look after them.

On Level Nineteen, Captain Archer and Ensign Sato look for some Klingons. Hoshi is uneasy about their surroundings and asks the captain shouldn't an enclave have people. Captain Archer tells her that an enclave could mean anything. Hoshi soon wonders where the live food are as she overheard T'Pol. Soon, they see two Klingons in the far distant and Hoshi tries to get their attention by speaking Klingon. Hoshi says they looked Klingon to her. Soon, several noises are heard and Archer takes out his weapon. He tries to contact the others, but his communicator is cut-off. Hoshi suggests they go to where there are a lot of people and Archer suggests that there are people here. The two are soon ambushed by Suliban aliens...