"Rura Penthe"

Atwood contemplates methods of collecting intel regarding Birkoff and Johnson.

Riann works to get the ship's operations back in order. Meanwhile the USS Laboriuex arrives at the Zion's location to refuel and assist with repairs. Additional Engineers and medics are transferred aboard. Aureen, a klingon engineer is one of the Zion's newest crewman.

In Sickbay, Teilani continues to treat Silvio and Wright. A delicate procedure is underway to "grow" a new arm for Wright, which will be surgically grafted later.

The ship's counselor, Patia Zoei also has her work cut out. She works with some of the crew who has been emotionally wounded by the take-over. Her new pillows are a 'hit' with everyone. But Zoei, and Dane too, for that matter have other things on their minds. Thoughts of their family resound with powerful emotional tides. Others, such as Alyssa Northrop experience doubts and frustration.

The crew's moral seems to be a matter of concern for the Captain. Hunter discusses realigning Ensign Favor to become the Zion's full-time moral officer. Being one of Dr. Dane's top medics, Dane of course is displeased with the Captain's decisions.

Another matter of importance to Dane and Zoei, is the matter of the Federation prisoner, Mason. While he lies in Sickbay due to serious injuries sustained while defending Dane and Zoei, the two seek asylum on his behalf. Ensign Favor continues to work on Silvo.

As the Zion speeds at maximum warp toward Rura Penthe, the crew gets to know each other better. It seems most everyone's past has a way of creeping back into their memories. For some, like Captain Hunter, a page from his past comes alive as they intercept the Federation ship, the USS Essex. Hunter reveals to Wright that they were almost married once upon a time. She joins Hunter and Wright on the Zion. Hunter tries to convince her to join the Maquis once again. She politely declines. Since they disagreed on the terms of "surrender" she returns to her ship where they exchange a potshots for the record.

The Zion is met by a Klingon escort. The klingons invite the Zion to participate in an officer exchange. Alyssa Northrup and Sam Carter join the crew of the D-Kuul for 4 days.

Sam Carter Dr. Northrop

While things are pretty much klingon business as usual for Northrup, Carter finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy. She comes into possession of the names of several Cardassian Sympathizers. She confronts the Klingon security Chief, Drek, and demands that he apprehend them. Drek won't comply without proof. He devises a plan to use a holographic image of Carter as bait. Carter, objects and questions his judgement. This earns her a backhanded blow and a trip to the brig. Before long, the insurrgents appear and plot to murder Carter. Drek's trap is sprung and the trecherous warriors are aprehended. Carter is confined to her quarters while Northrop enjoys a typical jovial Klingon farewell. Zarg comes to Carter's quarters with blood wine and klingon poetry and they have their own private farewell party.

The officer exchange concludes, and both officers return to the Zion. They are checked out by Dr. Dane and report back for duty.

The Zion arrives at Qul Tul. Dr. Dane and Captain Hunter, along with security transfer the prisoners to a Klingon prison barge. Hunter and Dane forge a new relationship while looking for information about her brother. On the Zion, other new relationships are also growing. Silvio and Zoie are finding more time to spend together. Wright and Miranda also are spending more time together.

Dane and Hunter locate the last known location of Dane's brother: a base camp inside a cave many kilometers away from the mines. There, she finds a Klingon PADD which is not working. Hunter and Dane leave, only to find a serious threat heading toward them. An Ice Storm. Barely making it back to the cave, Hunter and Dane are forced to spend the night with few supplies. They are able to return to the mines just in time to catch the last transport back.

As the Captain and the Doctor recover from hypothermia, a new crew person arrives. Maxine Tapert. She brings with her "K.R.Y.S.T.A.L." which is an artificial intellegence entity she has spend years writing. Krystal and Chester find each other on the holodeck where Krystal takes the form of a pixie.