 Admiral Forrest orders Enterprise to turn back to answer a distress call from the cargo freighter Fortunate. They have been attacked by Nausicaan pirates. Upon entering the vessel, captain Archer learns first officer Matthew Ryan has taken over since the captain was injured in the attack. He seems very reluctant to accept any help however and Archer must insist before Ryan agrees on Phlox examining the captain and engineers making repairs. Ryan seems to hide something and T Pol will soon find out as she detects an alien life form.