Archer, Reed, and MACO Major Hayes infiltrate a Xindi-Sloth industrial colony that synthesizes the vital explosive material for the Xindi super-weapon that will attack Earth. The trio kidnaps the plant foreman, who allies with them once he learns of the Xindi council's attack on Earth. Elsewhere, Trip, T'Pol, and Dr. Phlox test captured Xindi firearms to create better defenses against them.