Col. Sheppard's team is urgently summoned to M1K-177, where Maj. Lorne's team has been attacked. When Sheppard and his unit arrive, however, all they find is a burned building containing charred bodies: presumably, Lorne and his men. After returning to Atlantis, Sheppard and Weir are startled when Ladon Radim, a member of the Genii strike force that previously tried to attack the city, contacts them through the stargate. He claims that he wants to trade a ZPM in exchange for weapons to stage a military coup against Cowen, the ambitious Genii leader.

Sheppard's team visits the planet Taranis at the invitation of two leading citizens, Dr. Norina Pero and Chancellor Lycus, who want McKay to repair a failing shield generator at an Ancient base they've discovered. Lycus also shows the team a massive Ancient warship, much like the Aurora, hidden in a vast warren of tunnels beneath the base. Although the warship is damaged and currently inoperable, Dr. Weir eagerly opens trade negotiations with Lycus as soon as she learns of its existence.