Dylan and Major Whendar (Anne Marie Loder), an attachŽ from the Inari military, watch as a battleship attacks an Inari cargo ship without warning, killing thirty-seven. This is the fifth attack in three months. The ships are carrying ammonium phosphate fertilizer, their main export. Whendar pleads with Dylan to help her people.

In Hydroponics, Trance (Laura Bertram) is working on her plants when Major Whendar interrupts her, asking if she would like to travel to Inaris to educate her people about their differences. Idealistic, Trance is excited by the opportunity to be a diplomat. Dylan is concerned for her welfare, but finally concedes. On the planet of Inaris, Professor Logich (William B. Davis) shows Trance to her room. Upon arrival, the doors are locked behind her and Trance realizes she is a prisoner.

Back on the Andromeda, Dylan greets Whendar's associate, Lieutenant Gadell (Antonio Cupo). He is eager to see the Command Deck of a High Guard ship, and they arrive to find Harper (Gordon Michael Wolvett) in a new and improved Command Center. Proud of his handiwork, Harper is asked to give Whendar and Gadell an overview of the ship. Surprised, Try (Keith Hamilton Cobb) questions why Dylan would grant complete strangers total access to the Andromeda.

On Inaris, Professor Logich enters Trance's quarters, telling her that she has been locked up for her own safety. He interrogates her, asking about her childhood. Before continuing, she fakes weakness in order to get food, and Logich fetches her some. When Trance finishes her meal, she begins to feel strange. Logich waits in sinister anticipation as she fades. Trance awakens from a drug-induced sleep to find an annoyed Logich. The drugs were intended to make her more forthcoming in her answers, not put her to sleep.

On the Andromeda, Dylan gives Whendar a more thorough tour of the ship, while Harper attempts to stay hidden in one of the machine shops, working on a mysterious project. In the meantime, Andromeda is scheduled to rendezvous with Inari frigates, only to find that someone has blown them to bits. As an ominous ship approaches, the Andromeda readies for battle. Amid the confusion, Gadell sneaks away to find Harper's mysterious project, discovering nova bombs.

Dylan orders Beka to stand down as the Andromeda takes heavy fire. Suddenly, the burning, gaseous image of a Pyrian Captain fills the display screen. He informs Andromeda's crew if they continue to protect the Inari, they will die. Furious, Dylan orders Andromeda to slipstream. Whendar claims they did not realize the Pyrians were responsible for the destruction of their cargo ships. Gadell wants to know why they are hiding nova bombs in a machine shop. Caught off guard, Dylan notices that Whendar is also surprised, and seems stunned that Gadell had not shared this information with her earlier.

As the crew of the Andromeda prepares for another confrontation with the Pyrians, Logich questions Trance. He tells her that fifteen years ago someone just like herself came to Inaris and caused a civil war, resulting in chaos and destruction. Logich accuses Trance of coming to pick up the devastation where he left off. Trance is visibly upset, and agrees to cooperate. Logich straps her to a chair, connecting her to a large console.

The glowing Pyrian ship hangs ominously in the distance. Rommie (Lexa Doig) asks Gadell to escort her off the Command Deck and tells him she knows he is hiding something. Meanwhile, the Pyrian ship opens fire on Andromeda. Beka informs the crew that they have lost maneuvering ability. The Pyrians technology is superior and Andromeda is trapped. Suddenly, Gadell speaks up. He tells Dylan the Pyrians have been ambushing their ships because they want to destroy the ammonium phosphate before it reaches their worlds. Ammonium phosphate acts as a highly addictive and fatal drug for the Pyrians, and the Inari have been selling it on the black market. Beka informs everyone that they have seconds until the Pyrians destroy them. As Dylan accuses Whendar of using Andromeda to do her dirty work, Tyr takes her weapon.

Later, Beka and Dylan navigate the Maru to distract the Pyrians. They open the pod bay doors and dump the cargo of ammonium phosphate behind them. The Pyrian Captain immediately appears on the display. To prove they are on the same side, Dylan puts Whendar under arrest for conspiracy to transport a controlled substance, and offers to turn her over to the Pyrians. He then uncovers Gadell's true identity as a Pyrian informer. Whendar claims that the problems were caused by Trance’s ancestor fifteen years ago.

Weakening, Trance begins to convulse and Logich loosens her shackles. Suddenly, Trance grips Logich's wrist with startling strength. He looks into her eyes, which hold miniature universes filled with various star-like bodies. Trance assures him he would never understand. They agree no one will ever find out what happened while she was on Inaris. Trance tells him they know only what they need to, that she is their friend. With that she leaves, making her way back to Andromeda.