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Enterprise is asked to evacuate a
group of Denobulan geologists from Xantoras, a world that has
been taken over by a militant faction. The Denobulans are
located in some underground caverns, so the rescue team —
Mayweather, Trip and Reed — will have to traverse some
treacherous rock formations in order to get them out. Meanwhile,
another ship of off-worlders is headed away from Xantoras when
their reactor casing is ruptured, flooding the ship with
radiation. When the Xantoran officials refuse to let the ship
land, Archer agrees to bring the evacuees onboard Enterprise for
treatment. One of the evacuees is an Antaran named Hudak, who is
horrified that Enterprise's doctor is Denobulan. Phlox explains
to Archer that the Denobulans and Antarans have a troubled,
bloody history between them — the two species have gone to war
several times. Even though it's been three hundred years since
the last conflict, much bad blood still exists between them.
As it turns out, Hudak has
absorbed a heavy dose of radiation and will need a medical
procedure in order to live. Hudak, however, refuses to be
treated by a Denobulan, and Phlox won't treat a patient against
their wishes. Archer threatens to order Phlox to do so, but the
doctor stands firm — he will not treat the Antaran until Hudak
gives his consent.
Meanwhile, Trip, Reed and Mayweather are attempting to navigate
the treacherous caves on Xantoras. Mayweather is a skilled
climber, and attempts to teach Reed and Trip various techniques.
Unfortunately, the trio suffers a dangerous fall, and Mayweather
injures his ankle. As he cannot proceed, Trip and Reed continue
on without him and eventually locate the Denobulan geologists.
The geologists, however, are unwilling to leave. Their research
is going very well and they've collected many important rock
samples.
On Enterprise, Archer tries to convince Phlox to set aside his
preconceptions and attempt to get through to Hudak. If the
Antaran doesn't receive the necessary treatment soon, he will
die. Phlox attempts to make conversation with Hudak, but Hudak
isn't interested. He asks Phlox if he ever told his children
stories about evil Antarans, or taught them to be afraid of the
Antaran people. Hudak's harsh words cause Phlox to examine his
own upbringing — he remembers being taught to hate Antarans, and
was determined not to raise his own children the same way. He
tells Hudak that he tried to educate his children, to raise them
so they wouldn't be prejudiced against other species. He also
reveals that his son Mettus did end up embracing hateful, anti-Antaran
values, and that this has created a rift between father and son.
In the end, Phlox's words move Hudak, and the Antaran can't help
but think of his own children. He agrees to go through with the
procedure.
Meanwhile, a frustrated Trip has finally convinced the Denobulan
geologists to leave the cave. As the caves are rocked by nearby
fire, Archer discovers that a Xantoras patrol has opened fire on
soldiers from a previous regime. Archer manages to convince the
Governor of Xantoras to stop firing until Trip and the others
return to Enterprise. They escape just in time, and the
Denobulan geologists are brought safely onboard.
Having successfully recovered from the treatment, Hudak prepares
to leave. Archer sees him off, informing him that the Denobulan
geologists will be joining Hudak on the transport. Hudak is
cautious, but seems more open to the idea than he would have
previously. As Hudak heads off, Phlox sits in Sickbay, penning a
letter to his son. He expresses that a recent experience has
changed him and he hopes his son will listen. Perhaps it's the
first step in re-building a bridge between a father and his
estranged child.
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