During a solo test mission on Shuttlepod One, Trip is attacked by a territorial alien and forced to land on the night side of a barren moon. As he tries contacting Enterprise, he discovers his Arkonian foe has made an emergency landing nearby. The two contend with each other and then team up as a scorching sun rises and threatens both their lives. The Enterprise soon encounters an Arkonian ship, which initially appears hostile partly due to distrust of T'Pol and Vulcans. But the Arkonian captain agrees to split the search for Trip and his pilot.