Enterprise discovers a mining colony of the Paraagans. The crew gets an invitation for a meeting on the surface and a shuttle pod tries to break through the atmosphere. All of a sudden just under the shuttle a giant explosion begins and scorches the earth beneath. All 3600 colonists are reported dead. After examination, Enterprise finds out plasma leaking from the pod's vents ignited tetrazine in the atmosphere. Lieutenant Reed, however, ensures he closed the plasma vents before the shuttle went of. After conversations with admiral Forrest of Starfleet Command, Captain Archer learns that Enterprise's mission is canceled and they must return home, not to return to space for another ten or twenty years. When the ship has altered course, crewman Daniels, a time traveler, pays a visit to captain Archer.

Enterprise discovers a pod with the body of a human that seems to be wanted by both Sulibans and Tholians.

While Enterprise travels to Andoria to warn them of the attack, Archer tries to bring the Kir'Shara to the High Command.