Enterprise strikes a cloaked Romulan mine, and Reed is pinned to the hull by another as he tries to disarm it.
While Archer tries to get to know Reed better over breakfast, Enterprise runs into a field of cloaked mines and is damaged by an explosion. A second mine attaches itself to the hull, and Reed goes outside in an environmental suit to disarm it, only to have a spike from the device pin his leg.
A cloaked Romulan ship appears and demands that Enterprise leave its territory. Archer joins Reed on the hull to help, and the two talk through Reed's fears and Starfleet duty. Ultimately the crew detaches the hull plating holding the mine. The episode marks the first time humans meet the Romulans, who are heard but not clearly seen. It was directed by James A. Contner and written by John Shiban.