NCIS crosses paths with Whistler's team while investigating a shipping container filled with contraband weapons. Also, Tennant debates arresting Alex's friend's dad, knowing it will cause his friend to move away.

When NCIS investigates the mysterious death of a Navy engineer, Joseph Chan, they learn the last person he met with was his colleague, Maggie Shaw, Jane's mentor and friend, who's been kidnapped. Also, David Sola, a New Zealand intelligence service case officer arrives in Hawai'i, following a lead in his case that connects Joseph's death to a Chinese black op secret agent.