Andorian Imperial Guard Commander Shran arrives in the Delphic Expanse and proposes an alliance with Archer, offering to help steal the Xindi's superweapon. Elsewhere, Lt. Talas, an Andorian officer with her own agenda, helps Lt. Reed repair the Enterprise's damaged weapons systems.

Lt. Reed and MACO leader Maj. Hayes feud over training drills which disrupts Archer and Phlox's investigation of a rescued alien near a spatial anomaly. The dying alien refuses to disclose his motives for exploring the anomaly. As Archer tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the alien, long-simmering feelings explode between Reed and Hayes. Trip's interest in a pretty MACO corporal sparks a heated exchange with T'Pol, who eventually confesses her feelings for Trip.