The Independence prepares to become the first starship to enter and explore the subspace currents that allow warp travel in the Briar Patch. Officers from the Excelsior investigating strange readings on Ba'ku run into an old enemy. Dr. Henglaar faces some personal demons when his ex-fiancée, Independence Chief Engineer Sou, arrives on board with her husband, CMO Qu'Qul. But when Qu'Qul realizes his wife still has feelings for the Tellarite doctor, he challenges Henglaar to a Klingon ritual for Sou’s affection.