episode3x18a

SYNOPSIS FOLLOWED BY REVIEW ON PAGE 5: 
Enterprise finally gets to the red giant system where the Xindi superweapon is being built. T’Pol reports that there is a lot of “activity around two of the inner planets. Numerous ships…all Xindi.” Reed finds that there is a “large array of satellites” and that it forms a detection grid. Archer orders Mayweather to hide the ship behind a nearby planetoid. T’Pol tells Archer “a convoy of ships is approaching the detection grid.” The lead ship turns out to be Degra’s.

On the Xindi ship, Degra and two other Xindi-Primates are celebrating the completion of the superweapon. The Xindi-Reptilian Commander, a Primate and an Arboreal from the Council enter the room where they are. Degra welcomes them. The Arboreal and the Primate thank Degra for his work. The Reptilian however says he won’t be satisfied till “the humans have been annihilated.”

Back on the Enterprise, in the Command Center, Archer, T’Pol, Reed, Tucker and Mayweather are analyzing the detection grid. T’Pol tells Archer: “The grid is extremely sensitive. We’d be detected the instant we pass through.” They can’t disable it. Archer suggests they use the Xindi-Insectoid shuttle they acquired in “Hatchery”. Mayweather and Trip tell Archer they need more time to learn how to pilot the vessel.

Trip and Travis work on piloting the shuttle. Mayweather thinks he’s found the “reverse” control. Trip comments: “Great…but unless we plan to fly in ass-first, we better figure out how to make it go forward.” They keep working.

Meanwhile, Hoshi is translating the Insectoid language. T’Pol tells her that: “Commander Tucker is going to need time to install the translation matrix.” Hoshi tells her she wants to make sure her translations are correct first.

Archer visits Trip and Travis at the shuttle. He tells them: “Just get in there…Find this thing…scan it and get out. Remember that whatever information you gather won’t do us any good unless you bring it back.” He wishes them good luck and leaves.

They take off and have a little trouble keeping the shuttle straight. They finally pass through the grid. A Xindi-Insectoid patrol ship hails them. Luckily the translation matrix works well. The Xindi speaks and their words are translated as: “Your presence inside the detection grid is unauthorized. Explain.” Trip replies: “We had a slight navigational malfunction that threw us off-course. It’s been corrected.” The Xindi replies: “Rendezvous with your carrier ship immediately.” Trip answers: “Understood.”