ARCHER: Captain's starlog, December 27th, 2154.
We're on course for the Berengarius system,
a potential site for the first in a series of proposed starbases.
A Vulcan science vessel surveyed the seventh planet over 50 years ago.
The file states it's an M-Class world with a flourishing ecosystem,
no intelligent life.
Sounds promising.
They did report one distinctive feature which bears mentioning.
- And that is? - A species of flying reptile.
Some reportedly over 200 meters long.
They're also said to breathe fire.
There's been lingering questions over the accuracy of this report.
Can't wait to find out.
[PANEL BEEPS]
There's a ship.
It's on an intercept course.
I don't recognize the configuration.
Let's see it.
- Doesn't look very friendly. - Tactical alert.
Let's see what they want, Hoshi.
They're responding.
- Captain Archer. - And you are?
Harrad-Sar.
Deactivate your weapon systems immediately,
or I'll be forced to open fire.
You're still targeting my ship.
And you're targeting mine.
It seems we're at an impasse.
Not for long.
Instead of sitting here pointing guns at each other,
why don't we deactivate our weapons together?
Very well.
Now, what can we do for you?
I have a proposal to make.
I'm listening.
I prefer to discuss business in person.
You're invited aboard my ship.
We've dealt with your people before.
The experience wasn't one I care to repeat.
If you can give me some idea what this is about...
What I have to say could smooth relations
between your Starfleet and the Orion Syndicate.
My hospitality is renowned, captain.
I don't offer it to everyone.
And once I've been refused,
I never offer it again.
The last Orions we ran into
almost turned nine of our crew members into slaves.
Let's at least ask him to come here.
I have a feeling he'd see it as an insult.
I can live with that.
Any chance to improve relations with the Syndicate,
I'm willing to take that risk.
Anything to have one less hostile species out there.
Seven of the transfer conduits are back on-line.
Eighth is still giving us some trouble.
- Did you run a phase diagnostic? - It came back negative.
Better work up a bypass.
Already underway.
Kelby.
We have a problem?
I'm not sure what you mean, sir.
Look, the captain asked me to stick around.
As soon as the repairs are done, I'm back on Columbia.
And it's no reflection on me
that the captain wants you to oversee the work?
That's right.
I was his chief engineer for four years.
Well, it doesn't look like he's ready to let you go.
I'd better get on it.
He thinks he's gonna lose his promotion.
Is there anything I can do to help?
- With Kelby? - With the engine.
I could use a second pair of eyes on the field matrix.
The pattern's bothering me and I can't figure out why.
- I'll take a look at it. - Thanks.
Commander, have you been experiencing any unusual daydreams?
- Daydreams? - Accompanied by intense auditory
and visual sensations. They would involve me.
You're wondering if I've been daydreaming about you?
Essentially.
Well, let me think.
- No, nothing comes to mind. - Forget I mentioned it.
Have you been daydreaming about me?
It's not important.
Are you going to tell me what this is about?
No.
HARRAD-SAR: I am a privateer.
My allegiance is to myself alone.
I earn my living in various ways, buying, selling.
- Plundering? - When the situation calls for it.
Piracy is a risky business. I prefer commerce.
This is from a planet in the Gorn Hegemony.
- The Gorn? - The less said about them, the better.
However, they brew the finest of Meridor in the five systems.
- Delicious. - Oh, I'm pleased.
You have acquired something of a reputation, captain.
Favorable, I hope.
Well, you're wanted in the Klingon Empire and the Orion Syndicate.
I don't know, I would have imagined such a man
would have a more robust appetite.
With all those people after me, I need to stay quick on my feet.
Ha, ha. Yes.
You said you had something important to discuss with us.
It's poor custom to discuss business before the entertainment.
If the food didn't arouse your hunger,
this should.
What do you think?
I can't think.
Captain?
I'd have to agree with my tactical officer.
I think she likes you.
Her name is Navaar. She's the most experienced of the three.
They're sisters.
I purchased them at a trading post you once visited.
Incredible, aren't they?
They can make you forget most of your troubles.
Of course, creatures such as these come with troubles of their own.
[CHUCKLES]
But women are the same throughout the galaxy, aren't they?
[ALL CLAPPING]
Now we can talk business.
He claims he's discovered a planet with large deposits of magnesite.
Enough to build a thousand warp reactors.
And that's just what his scanners could detect.
He's offering to give us the coordinates.
Why would he divulge his information?
He doesn't have the infrastructure to get the magnesite out of the ground.
So he wants Starfleet to construct mining facilities.
And he'll get a 10 percent share.
He's also promised to help establish a dialogue
between Starfleet and the Orion Syndicate.
- Are you going to accept his offer? - I already have.
I thought you were here seeking my advice.
Harrad-Sar insisted that I accept a gift, to celebrate the transaction.
Given the situation, I, uh, couldn't refuse.
Uh, we're on D-deck now,
where most of the crew quarters are located.
Where does Captain Archer stay?
On E. That's, uh, one deck below us.
- How many levels are there? - Um...
A total of... heh... seven. Seven decks.
We've arranged these for you.
Do you need something to do?
Uh, the other two rooms are right next door.
I'll show you in a moment.
Captain Archer has a very large ship.
It's roomy.
But everything's so functional.
There's no color.
I hadn't really thought about it, to tell you the truth.
At least it's private.
What's your name?
Uh, Lieutenant Reed. Malcolm.
Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Reed Malcolm.
Malcolm's fine.
Well, um, someone will be by shortly to show you how everything works.
In the meantime, just try to make yourself at home.
Right.
This way, ladies.
ARCHER: Captain's starlog, supplemental.
Harrad-Sar has turned over the coordinates
of the planet he described.
We're en route to verify his claims.
I've been hearing some concerns from the crew.
- Concerns? - The Orion women.
- Their presence is becoming disruptive. - You're telling me.
The crew isn't used to having Orions on board.
It's more than that.
Our guests visited the mess hall this morning.
As a result, 12 crewmen reported late for their shifts.
- I get the picture. - It's primarily their attire.
Or lack of it.
I'll see about assigning them clothes.
It might also be a good idea if you had a word with them.
They're still under the impression they belong to you.
Unless a new policy has been instated,
I believe Starfleet doesn't condone slavery.
[CHUCKLES]
- I'll speak to them first chance I get. - Thank you.
MAYWEATHER: Lieutenant?
[GRUNTING]
Have you seen them yet?
I ran into one of them in the corridor.
They're really... Heh.
Yeah, I know.
I know.
[GRUNTING AND PANTING]
What are you trying to do?
Get them out of my head.
The pain helps.
You should try it.
Yeah, okay.
When I was on my parents' ship, we picked up some Deltans once.
Their ship was having engine trouble.
I don't know that species.
The females are unbelievably attractive.
Very open about...
[GRUNTS]
I was 15.
I couldn't think straight.
I could barely breathe.
Only thing that got me through it was weight training with my dad.
He said if I was exhausted, idle hands and all that.
Well, did it help?
Helped my biceps.
I'd go heavier.
I'm sorry. Just a second.
- What are you doing here? - I wanted to thank you.
You were very kind this morning, helping me find the mess hall.
Oh, it was no problem. Look, I, uh...
Wow. Is that the engine?
KELBY: It's the warp reactor.
You can feel the power.
You promised you'd show me Engineering.
KELBY: I know. Uh... - Harrad-Sar never let us leave our rooms.
I've never seen anything like this place.
I could show you around.
If it won't get you into trouble.
Come on.
What have you got for a headache?
That depends on what's causing it.
How long have you been experiencing this?
A few hours. What is it?
Ensign Keely was here with a headache several minutes ago.
Is she all right?
Oh, perfectly.
Just as you are.
It's probably just stress.
Plenty of that going around.
Or it could be our new passengers.
The Orion females? Why should they give you a headache?
I'm just not used to seeing guys trip over themselves like that.
Oh, just a little healthy sexual energy, helps keep the blood pumping.
If you ask me, it's pumping a little too hard.
- I'm surprised at you, ensign. - Why?
You never struck me as being prone to jealousy.
This should do very nicely.
Phlox!
It's all right.
Well, I must be nearing a sleep cycle.
I thought you just had one.
You're right, I did.
A week ago.
Yeah, it's a good bet the problem's right there.
Take it apart.
[D'NESH LAUGHING]
The injectors feed into the dilithium chamber.
That's where the matter and antimatter mix.
That's right.
The crystals let you control the reaction.
That's right.
Lieutenant, talk to you a second?
[TRIP CLEARS THROAT]
[SIGHS]
- What's going on? - Sir?
You're supposed to be recalibrating the EPS taps, not giving a tour.
She's only been here a couple of minutes.
She doesn't have clearance. You should have checked with me first.
Well, I guess I can't do anything right.
Just ask her to leave.
No, sir.
I'm not through talking to her.
- That was an order. - And I'm refusing.
What's the matter with you?
You've been on my case since the second you got back.
That's what the hell's the matter with me. And I'm telling you, it stops here.
- Kelby, you're walking a fine line. - So are you, commander.
- You're confined to quarters. - And what if I don't want to go?
It's either your quarters or the brig.
Get out of here now.
[DOOR CHIMES]
Come in.
[DOOR OPENS]
I was wondering when you were going to come see me.
After all, I've been your property for two days.
Navaar,
you and your sisters don't belong to me
or anyone else.
I don't understand.
On my world, slavery's been illegal for hundreds of years.
Are you saying that you don't want us?
I'm saying that you're here as our guests, not our property.
I've been a slave my entire life
on different worlds for different owners.
What's going to happen to me?
You're free to start a new life.
In the meantime, I've asked my protocol officer,
Hoshi Sato, to brief you on ship's operations.
There are certain areas that are reserved for Starfleet personnel.
I know what happened in Engineering.
I've already spoken to D'Nesh. I'm sorry.
There's no reason to apologize.
It's a big adjustment for the three of you.
May I ask you something?
Do you find me attractive?
I'd be lying if I said no.
I've known so few honest men
and even though you don't wish to own me I still wish to please you.
If I choose to do this,
would that violate your ship's protocol?
Not necessarily.
T'POL [OVER COM]: Bridge to Captain Archer.
Archer here.
T'POL: We're coming up on the planet.
I'll be right there.
I recommend we go to tactical alert, sir.
We can't be certain this isn't some kind of a trap.
- Go ahead. - We're already picking up
large deposits of magnesite.
- Harrad-Sar was telling the truth. T'POL: It would seem so.
Keep scanning.
I want to know how much is down there.
Are you feeling all right?
I'm fine.
[PANEL BEEPING]
A power reading.
Not on the surface, in the upper atmosphere.
- A ship? - Uncertain.
Try hailing them.
The cloud layer is highly ionized.
It's obscuring our scanners.
Get us closer, within 10 kilometers.
They're not responding.
There it is.
T'POL: It's an unknown configuration.
REED: They're locking weapons.
Extremely low yield, barely scratched us.
It's equipped with numerous sensors, most likely a science vessel.
Its presence here could simply be a coincidence.
REED: They're firing again.
[RUMBLING]
No damage.
They could shoot at us all day.
- Phase-cannons. - Sir?
A phase-cannon hit will destroy them.
Which means they won't be shooting at us anymore.
If we simply withdraw, they'll most likely cease their attack and move on.
And maybe they won't.
Target them.
Lieutenant.
Captain.
Lock phase-cannons.
No.
Sir, they're moving off.
I have just as much experience.
I'm smarter, younger.
You're better than him.
We're the only ones who think that.
Tucker's going to take back his position?
He denies it, but I know he's planning on staying.
That doesn't seem fair.
It isn't.
Let's not talk about it anymore.
- What? - I'm used to being with men
who take what they want.
- What are you talking about? - You can't let him treat you like this.
He's my superior officer.
[SCOFFS]
Where are you going?
- I thought you were different. - Stay.
Wait, don't leave.
What would you do to keep me forever?
Forever?
What would you do?
Anything.
Anything you want.
[MACHINERY CLANGS] [SYSTEMS POWERING UP]
[ALARM BLARING]
Kelby!
What the hell are you doing?
Blow the dampeners!
Move!
He blew out every junction in the EPS system.
If we hadn't gotten to him, we might not have a ship.
- When can we get underway? - I'm not sure we can get underway.
He did a pretty thorough job.
- Kelby. - I didn't do anything.
- Tell me what happened. - Whatever he told you, it's a lie!
Three other people saw you.
- Tell me why you did this. - He's trying to get rid of me.
- Don't listen to him! - Kelby.
Captain, his adrenaline levels are dangerously high.
- I need to administer a sedative. - Didn't have anything to do with this.
- Not until I get some answers. - In his state,
- he can't give you coherent answers. - I just want to go back to Engineering.
- All right. - I just want to go back to Engineering!
Be quiet!
What's wrong with him?
It's the same thing that's affecting everyone on this ship.
It's a highly potent pheromone.
When exposed to human males, it accelerates the metabolism,
causing aggression, and ultimately, a form of delusion.
TRIP: The Orions?
Women have also been affected.
I've received a number of complaints about headaches and listlessness.
I suspect the pheromone acts as a defense mechanism against competition.
[PHLOX GROANS]
You okay?
Mm. It's impacted my sleep cycle.
I'm having to rely on stimulants to stay awake.
Doesn't seem to be affecting you.
PHLOX: I've scanned a good number of the crew.
The only people who haven't been affected
are T'Pol and Commander Tucker.
- Why me? - I would have to run some more tests.
But for the rest of us, the effect seems to be cumulative.
The longer we're exposed, the more pronounced the results are.
So this is what you meant when you said we were free to start new lives?
We found this in your quarters.
Hmm. Seems we have no privacy either.
It's a communication device.
You've been in contact with Harrad-Sar as recently as two hours ago.
And if I have?
You were sent here to disable my ship.
That was his plan from the start, wasn't it?
Harrad-Sar contacted me to see if we'd been treated well.
Doctor Phlox believes that prolonged exposure to your pheromones
makes men delusional
and extremely vulnerable to suggestion.
That's how you convinced Kelby to sabotage our engines.
Your crewman acted alone.
I had nothing to do with it.
It seems the only delusion here is your own.
Damn it! It's time to start telling me the truth!
I'm worried about you, captain.
You don't seem well.
I'm not the one you should be worried about.
I can see you're not very experienced at making threats.
I'm a lot better at carrying them out.
We were a gift, nothing more.
A true commander would know how to appreciate such a gesture.
Tell me,
when's he going to attack us?
No one is coming to attack your ship.
Please, release us.
Captain?
I'm obviously not the only woman with power over you.
Get down to Engineering. Do what you can to help Trip.
It's better if I stay on the Bridge.
- I don't need you to look after me. - You're not immune to pheromones.
- Your judgment is impaired. - I can handle it.
We need to get the engines back on-line.
I don't want to be a sitting duck when Harrad-Sar gets here.
You have your orders.
The captain asked me to offer my assistance.
Great. You can run through these diagnostics.
See if you can find anything that isn't fried.
- Do you think they're coming after us? - It's likely.
The transmissions sent by the Orion females
suggest that Harrad-Sar's ship is getting closer.
[TRIP SIGHS]
I keep thinking back to our first mission, when we met the Suliban.
I was so damn naive.
I thought it was the last time we'd have to fight someone.
- I said leave it alone! - Get your hands off me!
Knock it off! That's an order!
Start up again, you'll both end up in the brig, understand?
Now, go help Masaro with the injectors.
Now!
Get back to work.
That's the third one in the last hour.
There have been altercations throughout the ship.
The captain's been affected. I'm concerned about him.
The thing I can't figure out is why I'm immune.
That might have something to do with me.
- You? - There's a long-held belief
that when a Vulcan mates, there's a shared psychic bond.
We didn't mate.
Uh-huh.
Okay, what do you mean by psychic bond?
It's difficult to explain.
Feelings, thoughts, even images can be shared.
- Those daydreams. - What?
When I said before that I wasn't having any daydreams about you,
it wasn't actually true.
So if we're bonded,
what does this have to do with me not being affected by the Orions?
I'm immune to the pheromones because of my Vulcan physiology.
And you're making me immune?
Apparently.
Oh. I don't know whether to be relieved, or...
really worried.
[PANEL BEEPS]
Tactical alert.
Distance?
Four hundred kilometers.
- He's hailing us. ARCHER: Put him up.
Can I be of help, captain? Do you need a tow?
We still have weapons.
You're not going to get this ship without one hell of a fight.
I'd rather I didn't have to kill you, but if that's what it takes.
The Syndicate wants your head, captain.
And they don't really care whether or not it's attached to your body.
- He's trying to knock out our weapons! - Then take out his.
Forward phase-cannons are down.
Protect our aft cannons.
He's moving too fast.
Archer to Engineering.
- Trip! - Can we get more power to the thrusters?
I'll see what I can do!
We just lost aft cannons.
Try to divert some of the power from the grav plating.
We're gonna be a little lighter on our feet!
What the hell, been meaning to lose a few pounds.
Reducing gravity plating to 90 percent.
Thrusters are back to full.
Hard to starboard.
- We're still too slow! - Torpedoes!
That last hit just took them out.
He's powering down his weapons.
He's coming about.
Thrusters, full astern.
It's not enough!
[PANEL BEEPS]
He's hailing.
Relax, captain. Enjoy the ride.
We're not going anywhere.
I'm afraid you have an appointment with a pair of Orion marauders.
I don't intend to keep them waiting.
Release my ship.
I can see you're upset, and I sympathize,
but it's truly out of my hands.
We're both slaves to the situation.
They control you?
You finally realized that.
Yes, captain, you've been operating under a misconception.
It is the men who are the slaves, not the women.
You seeing what I'm seeing?
His grappler is directly above our main deflector beam.
Get up to the Bridge. I'll be right behind you.
The deflector?
We can use it to send a positron burst through the towing cable.
If we're lucky, it'll trigger an energy cascade.
And disable his power systems. Do it.
T'Pol to Engineering.
I've almost got it.
You'll have to reroute the main EPS conduit.
Understood.
Captain.
- Captain. - Decon chamber, come in.
- There's no one there. - What did you do to my men?
We asked them to leave after they released us.
They were very accommodating.
Get off my Bridge.
Is that what you really want?
Because if it is, I'll gladly do as you say.
I only want to make you happy.
I didn't think you wanted me to go.
- Captain. - She's jealous.
She'll try anything to keep us apart, she'll even destroy your ship.
Her presence is affecting your judgment.
- Arrest her. - Don't listen!
- Do it. - Captain!
- Lieutenant Reed. - Yes?
Take T'Pol to the Brig.
D'NESH: You heard your captain.
Aye, sir.
Stop him.
We're ready.
His engines are down, weapons as well. It worked.
Commander Tucker,
I'm impressed.
I'm beginning to see who's the true master of this vessel.
Oh, save it.
Captain Archer runs this ship. You're sweet-talking the wrong guy.
Let's go.
ARCHER: Captain's starlog, supplemental.
The Orion women have been returned to Harrad-Sar,
who's headed home, at very low impulse.
- Okay. Unh. TRIP: Whoa.
The dizziness should fade in a couple of hours.
Glad to hear that.
At least the pheromones are wearing off.
I haven't thought about the Orions for what, a whole 10 minutes.
The entire crew's been bumping into walls,
like someone spiked the water supply.
The aftereffects will be around for at least a few days.
- Well done. - Thank you, captain.
You'll be glad to know my log won't mention your firing on a fellow officer.
I appreciate that.
A court martial would hardly be a fitting ending to this incident.
At least we've learned something about the Orions.
Yeah, the women are in charge.
It proves that even the most disagreeable species have some positive attributes.
Was that my imagination?
I don't think so.
It almost sounded like you were making a joke.
- At least trying to make one. - I assure you, if I ever decide
to make a joke, you'll know about it.
There it is again.
T'Pol, if I didn't know better,
I'd think you were picking up some of Trip's bad habits.
[ARCHER, REED & TRIP LAUGH]
I guess we proved it again.
Proved what?
That you and I make a hell of a team.
We do seem to work well together.
Even more, now that we're in each other's heads.
You're returning to Columbia?
I imagine Captain Hernandez is getting pretty antsy
to have her chief engineer back.
There are still numerous repairs to be carried out here.
I think Kelby can handle them.
He'd been observing my work pretty carefully.
When he wasn't trying to blow up the ship.
Kelby is a fine engineer, but he lacks experience.
Why don't you just say it?
Say what?
That you want me to come back.
I believe I did.
I think your presence here
would be extremely beneficial to our operations.
No.
That you want me back.
I don't know what you mean.
My mistake.
See you around.
Wait. Trip.
I want you to come back.
Then I'll think about it.
Trip.
Three days ago,
I told Captain Hernandez I wanted a transfer back to Enterprise.
Three days ago.
I realized this is where I was meant to be,
and that, uh, this thing between us...
isn't that big of a deal.
Agreed.
Guess we got a lot of work to do.