Ep 12. Babel One

Enterprise is at a loss when it comes to negotiations with the Andorians – a difficult species to handle because they are suspicious of everyone. Archer is sent on a mission to escort three Tellarite ambassadors on their way to a meeting with the Andorians. Tensions flare when both the Tellarites and the Andorians accuse one another of acts of aggression. As Enterprise follows the Tellarite diplomatic ship, several blue blasts from an unknown vessel nearly destroy the Tellarite vessel. Archer offers assistance and all ships eventually come to a complete stop. Just as tensions are calming down, the Andorians and Tellarites both accuse the other of firing on one another. It becomes clear to the crew of Enterprise that something far more sinister is at play when the unknown vessel returns to attack both the Tellarites and the Andorians.

T’Pol conducts a thorough investigation of the weaponry used against the parties and determines that it has been altered to obscure the true origin. She also voices her concern that any aggression between the two factions may spark another Romulan terrorist attack. While preparing for further battles, Archer discovers that his new ally Shran, leader of the Andorian Imperial Guard, is also on the Tellarite diplomatic ship. Shran has a critical blood transfusion to save his life, which allows Archer to join the diplomatic mission and finally discover who is behind the malicious attacks.

Archer and the Tellarite ambassador encounter a suspicious ship in the Neutral Zone. After scanning the ship, Archer goes over to the suspicious vessel to see for himself what they are hiding. Archer is greeted by a group of Orions who are selling equipment to both the Andorians and Tellarites. The Orions have sold the stolen equipment to the Tellarites and Andorians, hoping to create a war between the factions and gain power in the midst of the chaos.

Attempting to safeguard the diplomatic crew he is escorting, Archer attempts to cut off the flow of illegal weapons and get the parties to work out their differences. Realizing that there are few alternative solutions, Archer raises the stakes- he takes control of a Tellarite vessel and uses it to track down where the Orions are launching from. He also makes a risky deal with the usual Orion captain, Harrad-Sar, to find the person behind the actions of the Orions. Harrad-Sar leads Archer to the Orion crime boss and Archer is able to outsmart and capture the crime boss. With the person behind this major attack taken care of, the threat of war between the Andorians and the Tellarites is finally put to rest.

T’Pol assigns one of her subordinates, Kelby, to oversee the dismantling process of the illegal weaponry all together. As the weapon supplies are destroyed, the perilous tensions lessen and Enterprise escorts both Andorian and Tellarite ships out of the Neutral Zone. Archer knows that he has just completed one of the most difficult and stressful trips yet, yet he feels that it was a major step forward toward a more enlightened universe.