This episode brings the Romulans into the equation. They are far out in the galaxy and shouldn't have all that much invested. It is implied that the alliance between the Andorians and the Tellarites is not to their liking. On board the Enterprise, bad things are happening between the enemy cultures. Shran is there and he resents the Tellarites because he blames them for the loss of his ship and much of his crew. We are, however, made aware that a third party is at work here but these two refuse to listen to Archer because they suspect collusion. When the enemy ship is recognized, Trip and Malcolm find themselves investigating it, but there doesn't seem to be a crew. One of the Tellarites kills Shran's girlfriend after the Andorians face off against them. There's also a rather weak element with Shran and Archer fighting each other in a death challenge.