Enterprise is planning a trip to the relaxation planet Risa, when it gets an urgent request from the Vulcan High Command. They must pick up ambassador V’Lar who has fallen in disgrace. Apparently she misused her position during negotiations on the planet Mazar and has been evicted. After Enterprise picked up V’Lar and is on its way for a meeting with the Vulcan warship Sh’Ran, suddenly a Mazarite ship appears. They want V’Lar for further interrogating. When captain Archer wants to discuss it first with Starfleet Command, they open fire.