Summary
Captain Archer is being held for trial on the Klingon
home world. He is considered an enemy of the state for
having attacked a Klingon ship and for aiding rebels of
the Klingon Empire. He is brought into the courtroom to
stand trial. His advocate is Kolos, who will speak for
him as the accused are not to speak.
Duras son of Toral testifies against him. Duras was formerly
a captain, but was reduced in rank and is now a second
weapons officer. He was not able to recapture the rebels
he was chasing and that Archer had taken aboard the Enterprise.
Duras gives a very different version of the events than
Archer's recollection. Archer tries to defend himself
and is hit with a pain stick for his troubles.
Later, in his cell, after trying and spitting out targ
meat, Archer receives a visit from Kolos, who wants Archer
to divulge the location of the rebels. He feels that if
Archer does this, the prosecutor will make a deal. Archer
refuses, not liking what he's seen of the Klingon
justice system thus far.
The trial resumes. Kolos asks for permission to have Archer
speak. Archer gives his version of the events. The rebels
were part of a colony forcibly annexed by the Klingons,
but seemingly neglected by them and left to starve. They
left in a ship to go elsewhere, the ship was damaged and
Archer and Enterprise aided them, intending to help them
relocate, not knowing that the Klingons were after them.
There was a skirmish with Duras' ship.
Kolos points out how Archer has been helpful to the empire,
and says that while he has meddled in Klingon affairs,
he meant no harm. Archer and Kolos then wait for the verdict
and Archer has his first taste of bloodwine. Kolos bemoans
the changing Klingon society and the loss of honor.
To his dismay, he is found guilty. The death sentence
is commuted to labor on Rura Penthe, which is basically
a death sentence. Kolos strongly protests this and is insulting
enough to the magistrate that HE is sent to Rura Penthe
for a year's labor.
Archer gets into his normal fight-of-the-week with a Klingon
guard who was cruel to Kolos. New arrivals enter the prison,
and one of them is Reed. He says that T'Pol has bribed
a corrections officer to get him in there and they have
an escape plan. Kolos refuses to go, he can't restore
Klingon honor as a fugitive, and he plans to finish out
his sentence.
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