The Xindi-Reptilians and Xindi-Insectoids have commandeered the sphere-weapon and abducted Hoshi from the Enterprise by transporter. They can’t arm and launch the huge sphere until they’ve obtained a third launch code from another member of the Xindi Council, but none of the other races are willing to step forward in support of the frontal assault on Earth. In fact, Archer is negotiating with the Xindi-Aquatics, the most powerful of the Xindi species opposing the war, to help him launch an attack to destroy the weapon before it can be launched. Archer correctly assumes that during his meetings with the Council, Hoshi impressed the Reptilian commander with her linguistic abilities – and he hopes to harness her gifts to crack the remaining launch code for the weapon.
Major Hayes and his MACO commandos launch a desperate mission to recover Hoshi, with an all-out attack by the Enterprise and the other Xindi races as a cover. The Sphere Builders, furious that events are turning the timelines toward their own extinction at the hands of a combined human/Xindi force, intervene and give the Reptilians and Insectoids the means to launch the weapon. Hoshi is rescued and returned to the Enterprise, critically injured by repeated injections of neural parasites to wear down her resistance to the Xindi, but Major Hayes perishes in the rescue operation. The Weapon launches toward Earth at a speed greater than the damaged Enterprise can hope to reach. Archer enlists Reed and several of the remaining MACOs to take on a mission to intercept the sphere in Degra’s fast but vulnerable ship, hoping to stop the sphere by any means necessary, also bringing Hoshi with him over Dr. Phlox’s dire protests. Trip and T’Pol are left in command of the Enterprise, which will remain behind to destroy the network of other spheres that still controls the Expanse.
Time to the sphere’s arrival at Earth: 10 hours.
written by Andrè Bormanis & Chris Black
directed by Robert Duncan McNeill
music by Dennis McCarthyGuest Cast: Steven Culp (Major Hayes), Scott MacDonald (Reptilian Commander), Rick Worthy (Xindi-Arboreal), Tucker Smallwood (Xindi-Humanoid), Randy Oglesby (Degra), Josette DiCarlo (Sphere-Builder Woman), Bruce Thomas (Reptilian Soldier), Andrew Borba (Reptilian Lieutenant), Mary Mara (Sphere-Builder Presage), Ruth Williamson (Sphere-Builder Primary), Paul Dean (Reptilian Technician)
Note: This episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series in 2004.
LogBook entry by Earl Green