In the opening scene Jonathan Doors is addressing a rally, two or three days before the presidential election. Liam is performing a routine security sweep when he see a suspicious character with a video camera. He walks up behind the man with the camera and asks him if he is getting any good footage. The video man makes an casual comment about history in the making and Doors winning the election. Liam remarks that Doors is in another part of the room, that the video man's camera is focussed in the wrong direction and that he appears to be more interested in security arrangements than the presidential candidate. Liam then asks the man with the video camera for some ID. The video man stands up to reply, but turns suddenly, punches Liam and flees. Liam pursues him as security gathers to protect Doors. Doors turns the occasion into a joke asking the crowd, "Was it something I said?" The he introduces his son Joshua as the manager of his election campaign.

The man with the camera darts into the Flat Planet Café with Liam in hot pursuit. He fires at Liam as Liam takes cover from the weapon and returns fire. During the exchange, the video man drops his camera and Augur seizes it. The video man steps forward and Liam tells him to put down his weapon. He keeps his weapon pointed at Liam and two security agents enter the room with their weapons ready. The video man points his gun at himself and pulls the trigger as Liam shouts, "No!". One of the agents asks Liam what it was all about, and Liam replies that he wishes he knew.

At Augur's retreat, the Resistance are assembled. Augur asks Holo Lili to cue up the tape he removed from the camera. Lili gazes in disbelief at the very pregnant Holo Lili, and says to Augur, "You didn't...?!" Augur tells her that his holographic assistant decided on her own that her biological clock was ticking, and that she is due any day. Julia laughs and gets a withering look from Augur as he continues discussing the tape, which shows that the dead man was actually reconnoitring the scene of the presidential debate. The tape also contains footage of previous appearances by Doors. Holo Lili cries out in pain and Augur turns to look at her, remarking that she seems to be going into labour. He asks her if there is anything he can do and she asks for maternity leave. Augur smiles and tells her to take all the time she needs. Holo Lili disappears.

Liam brings Augur back to the subject of discussion by asking him what he wanted to show them. Augur shows them that the security camera captured the scrap. When the camera zooms in closely they note that the man is wearing an implant similar to the one with which Augur was implanted in the "Moonscape' episode. Julia thinks that the man is a Volunteer until Augur explains that the implant resembles the one he received in Zo'or's warrior project. Julia thinks that they have enough information to blow the whistle on Zo'or "big time", but Liam doesn't think it is the best time to make a move with the presidential election only a few days away. He thinks that if Doors wins the presidency, the Resistance will be in a much stronger position and will be able to move openly against the Taelons. In the meantime, they should "lie low". Julia walks away without saying much, and Liam decides to go to the mother ship and see what he can learn. First he will inform Jonathan Doors about the recent developments and their suspicions.

On the mother ship, Zo'or confronts Da'an and asks him if he convened the meeting of the Synod which has been called. Da'an replies in the negative and tells Zo'or that the Synod thought a meeting to discuss Zo'or's leadership would be wise in light of Zo'or's "over zealous actions and the unfavourable publicity they have caused. Da'an mentions the Forge Project specifically and Zo'or's deployment of human Volunteers in the ongoing battle against the Jaridians. Zo'or retorts that he is fully aware of the recent difficulties and that they are only temporary set backs. Da'an's rejoinder is that it appears that the people of the United States are about to elect a known Resistance sympathizer to the White House. The Synod is concerned about the possible out come of the election and does not feel it would be good progress to have Doors in the White House. Zo'or tells Da'an that he is handling the situation. Da'an's final words are that it would be an embarrassment if the Synod were to remove Zo'or from his position as leader.

At the auditorium where Jonathan Doors is preparing for another debate, Doors tells Liam that he is flattered that Zo'or finds him a threat, and that Zo'or must not have much confidence in the outcome of the election. Liam replies that Thompson is Zo'or's puppet and that he (Thompson) will do anything that is required to remain in power. Doors is not bothered by the idea of being threatened. His son, Joshua, enters with the results of the latest poll and pauses when he sees that Liam is present. It is obvious from the terse exchange between Liam and Joshua, that they don't like or trust one another. Joshua inquires what Liam is doing there and asks if Liam's alien boss is sending in his goons to frighten him and his father. Liam tells Joshua about the possibility that someone is trying to kill his father. Joshua sarcastically replies that he wonders who that would be. Liam ignores Joshua's poor manners and sarcasm and tells him that they are not sure where the threat originates, and that Da'an wanted Jonathan Doors to be informed at once. Doors himself refuses to take any extraordinary measures, saying that he wants to send the message that he will not be intimidated. He tells Liam that his stance is what has gotten him that far and that it is what will put him in the White House. He thanks Liam for coming by and asks him to convey his thanks to Da'an.

After Liam leaves, Joshua asks his father if he is willing to take the risks posed by his public appearances. Doors replies that he cannot back out with victory so close. Joshua tells his father that he is proud of him and Doors replies that Joshua's pride in him means a lot. Then Joshua shows his father the latest polls which are favourable. Doors exclaims when he sees that he is up six percent in the polls.

On the mother ship Liam is walking through a corridor when he meets Sandoval who asks him about his role in joining security and pursuing a suspect that earlier that day. Sandoval observes that such action was beyond the call of Liam's appointed duties. Liam replies that Da'an wants to do his part to making sure that the elections run smoothly and Sandoval asks Liam if that is true, given the possibility that a known Resistance sympathizer may win. Liam tells Sandoval that if they stopped openly interfering in American government, the American people would support them more and Doors less. Sandoval pauses, as if he wishes to say something, then walks away.

At Augur's retreat, Liam tells both Augur and Lili that he has accessed the computer on the mother ship and discovered that a shuttle travelled to earth on a classified mission two days previously, but he has been unable to learn who was on board.. Unless other information is acquired, they will assume that Doors is the object of the exercise, whatever it is. Julia who has just entered, tells Liam that her cell have received information about a local arms dealer named Margolies who filled a request a few days previously for specially designed Taelon weapons; the request did not come from the Resistance. Julia is about to leave when Liam tells her that they don't know the dealer and that he (the dealer) may not like being interrogated. Augur who knows of the arms dealer by reputation says he will not react well to Julia's questions and that Margolies is not someone Julia would want to "mess around with" Liam instructs Augur to go along with Julia since Margolies has probably heard of Augur and may be more prepared to talk to Augur than to Julia. Julia is not pleased but agrees to take Augur along. Liam's parting words are that they should stay in touch and watch their backs as there is more to the situation than meets the eye.

At the site of the rendezvous Augur and Julia enter a dark room. Augur asks Julia to tone down a bit when they meet Margolies and tells her that they cannot afford to antagonize him. He tells her just to look pretty and let him do the talking. The impetuous Julia shoves Augur out of her way as she enters the meeting room, weapon at the ready. Suddenly a bright light is focussed on them, blinding them, and they are told to put down their guns. They both comply and the light is shut off.

Margolies identifies himself and professes admiration for Augur of whom he has heard. He asks Augur if Julia is his girl friend and Julia reacts with disgust. Margolies suggests that he and Julia should become better acquainted and Julia tells him she would rather chew on broken glass. Augur is exasperated by Julia's conduct, but not surprised. He queries Margolies about the Taelon weapons which he designed with special modifications. There is an impressive array of hand guns on the table and Julia picks one up, but is reprimanded by Margolies and puts it back when Augur prods her. Margolies tells Augur that the weapons were made of a special plastic which was "weird stuff". He and Augur agree to exchange information, Augur exchanging data downloaded from Taelon sources for copies of the weapon specifications and the identity of the buyer. Margolies does not know the buyer's name, but describes him as a big guy, probably military with a weird thing on his neck. Julia asks if the device on the buyer's neck looked biological and Margolies concurs. He and Augur are about to exchange information when Margolies is hit by a blast fired from a Taelon weapon and vaporized instantly. Julia and Augur flee, firing at the unseen assassin, but their weapon has no effect. The assassin is impervious to their bullets and appears to be shielded from their impact. Augur quickly seizes the disk which Margolies dropped and they exit. The assassin follows them slowly and fires, but he misses. There is another assassin outside in the alley, who seizes Augur and hurls him against a wall. The second assassin takes Julia's gun and throws her against a wall. Julia picks up a length of pipe and attacks him with it, but the assassin is impervious to her blows. Augur picks up Julia's gun and fires at the assassin. When he hits a gas line by mistake, an explosion occurs and the assassin is engulfed in flames, but he is unharmed. The assassin fires once more as Julia and Augur get into their car and drive off. As they leave the assassin point his weapon at the car, but does not fire, but simply stands there looking after the departing vehicle.

Augur and Julia return to Augur's retreat where Holo Lili shows them her new baby and introduces him as Little Augur. Augur is pleased that Holo Lili has named her son after him, but the real Lili is nonplussed. Julia comments rudely that she hates to interrupt this touching moment, but that she wants to look at the weapon specifications. The weapons which were designed by the late Margolies were constructed of a high density plastic which is unbreakable, resistant to high temperatures and undetectable by conventional security devices. The special weapons fire high velocity bullets and are equipped with laser enhancements for accuracy. It is obvious from the data on the disk that the weapons are designed to be smuggled into secured areas without being detected. Liam surmises that the presidential debate is the next day and that the assassin will choose that time to strike since Doors will be present. Julia is adamant that Resistance members should also attend the debate to protect Doors. Liam is reluctant to do so because something does not feel right to him. The information about the assassination plot was obtained too easily. Julia got her information about Margolies through Resistance sources and Liam himself chased the video man into the Flat Planet Café, a known Resistance haunt, as if the video man wanted to get their attention. Liam suspects that the Resistance is being set up and that they are meant to be at the debate.

Julia loses her cool and insolently accuses Liam of being prepared to stand by and watch Doors get killed at the televised debate. She says she has heard there is bad blood between Doors and Liam. Liam does not reply directly to Julia's accusations, but says that he will tell Doors what they have found out and help secure the site of the debate. Julia says, "Fine" and flounces out in a huff.

On her own, Julia approaches Joshua at campaign headquarters and volunteers her services and those of her cell to protect his father at the debate. Joshua tells her that his father thinks that taking additional precautions will make him look like a coward. He is hoping that the Resistance will provide discreet back up for the debate. Julia tells Joshua that "the powers that be" (meaning Liam) think it is too risky but that not everyone agrees with him and she will round up some people for him. Joshua will arrange for Julia and her group to get through security and Julia agrees to attend the televised debate with members of her cell and provide additional security for Jonathan Doors..

The debate is about to begin and a large audience is entering the building where it is to take place. Joshua makes a routine check of security precautions, noting that everyone must pass through two independent scanners to enter the building. Zo'or and Da'an make an entrance with Sandoval, Liam and Lili acting as security. The press besiege Zo'or and ask him to respond to recent charges by Jonathan Doors. They also inquire if he is there in support of President Thompson. Zo'or speaks to the press and tells them that since Taelons do not vote, they have no involvement in or opinions about the election. He closes by saying that they (the Taelons) are fascinated by the American democratic system of government and simply wish to observe the process at first hand. Liam has difficulty masking his disgust at Zo'or's final words and turns away. Lili indicates that the conversation with the press is over and they continue into the auditorium. Liam and Da'an converse privately and Liam tells Da'an that he himself will check out the security arrangements as they can't be too careful. Da'an agrees that it is a wise precaution and they go their separate ways.

Julia enters the building where the debate is soon to take place and manages to get through the two scanners without any problem.

As Jonathan Doors makes final preparations for the debate, his son, Joshua tells him that he is going to do just great and that this debate will lock up the presidency for him. Jonathan tells his son that the campaign was worthwhile if only because it brought them together. He tells Joshua that their reconciliation means more to him than being president ever could. Joshua tells his father that he loves him and they exchange hugs. The televised debate commences.

Julia and her Resistance cell rendezvous and one of them gives her a weapon which has been smuggled into the premises. Julia issues instructions and her group disperses into the crowd.

President Thompson finishes his opening remarks . At this point, Julia is moving watchfully through the audience. As Doors begins his speech, Julia suddenly encounters Liam who is angry and exasperated to find out that she is there against his specific instructions. He reprimands her for taking on the assignment and tells her to gather her team together and leave at once. She snaps back that it would be conspicuous for them to leave together during the debate and walks away, ignoring Liam as he calls out to her. Liam starts to go after Julia but stops when he sees Da'an looking at him. Da'an carefully looks the other way and Liam turns back.

Daniel Thompson begins by attacking Jonathan Doors. Doors defends himself but admits that he is in sympathy with the aims of the Resistance. Out on the floor, Liam notices three men and follows them. He orders them to remain still and identify themselves. Two of the men begin to move toward him and he threatens to fire at them with the weapon which he has drawn. They continue to advance toward Liam. He fires, but the two men are protected by a force field of some kind and Liam's fire is ineffective. The third man starts to run, but before Liam can do anything, the other two men start moving toward him and he takes out his weapon, threatening to fire. They continue to advance. Liam fires, but the blast is harmlessly deflected by a force fields surrounding the two men. The third man starts running, but before Liam can do anything to follow him, he is attacked.

At the podium, Doors continues his speech, stating that the American people are not stupid and that Thompson can only hide the truth from them for so long. Meanwhile, Liam is being brutally beaten by the two men. On the podium President Thompson states the Doors' allegations are fiction and that there are no facts to support them. Doors brings up the Forge project as an example.

Liam gains an advantage and hurls one of the men into an electrified sign, electrocuting him. The man is wearing an implant on the side of his neck. The third man makes his way through the audience watching the debate. The second man, who had stood by while Liam was being pummelled by the first, also attacks Liam. Liam seizes his weapon and discharges it into the second man's implant, killing him instantly in a shower of sparks. Liam immediately contacts security and tells them that there may be an assassination attempt in progress.

Julia, who is in the crowd, eavesdrops on Liam's call to security and tells her cell. Sandoval and Lili also hear Liam's message. Da'an inquires of Sandoval what is wrong and Sandoval counsels Da'an not to worry, but to be ready to move. One of Julia's team is knocked out of action and his weapon is seized . Liam sees the man with the cell member's gun moving toward the stage. He calls out a warning and as the killer moves past Julia, she puts the muzzle of her weapon firmly to his back. Security officers rush forward to protect both Doors and President Thompson from the perceived threat.

Sandoval and Lili accompany both Da'an and Zo'or from the auditorium, getting them to safety.

Julia is still holding her gun on the man and he turns to face her. She examines him, but she doesn't find an implant on him, saying angrily that he "is not one of them". Security officers move in and order her to drop her weapon. Julia complies and tells them that she has been set up.

The real killer is now visible as the infamous professional assassin, Judson Corr, and he positions himself on a catwalk above the audience. He sights his weapon on Doors as the head of security gives orders to his men to move into position. Corr carefully aims at his quarry and pulls the trigger twice, but it is President Thompson who collapses, not Jonathan Doors. Sandoval sees Corr and fires his skrill, killing him at once. Julia and her cell are taken into custody.

Liam visits Augur in his retreat and asks him if there is any word about President Thompson. It appears that Thompson will make a complete recovery. Augur gives Liam the bad news that Thompson's standing in the polls has tripled since the attempted assassination. Liam contacts Lili on the mother ship to find out what is happening there. Lili tells him that they are monitoring news reports from earth and that Zo'or is strutting about looking very smug. She also tells Liam that Da'an seems genuinely surprised by events and that she doesn't think he had anything to do with it. Augur reports that the killer has been identified as a member of the Resistance and that the gun used to shoot Thompson was smuggled in by Julia's cell. Julia and her cell are being held on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

Liam realizes that Zo'or's plan was not to kill Thompson. It was a ruse to lure the Resistance into the televised debate, so that they could be blamed for the attempted assassination. Zo'or's plan has worked perfectly; Thompson is seen by the American people as a hero and has taken a commanding lead in the polls. Lil asks about the bio-engineered warriors. Apparently they were part of the ruse, to make the Resistance think that the assassin was about to make his move and get them to reveal themselves.

Suddenly Joshua appears on the news program. He tells the people watching that he was profoundly shocked by the attempted assassination and has learned that his own father, Jonathan Doors, was the architect of the scheme. He promises to answer their questions when he knows more, and he apologizes to the American people.

Lili is incredulous, saying that Joshua can't possibly believe such a thing of his own father. Liam replies thoughtfully that perhaps Joshua doesn't believe it. He says that Joshua knew every detail of the security arrangements, that he must have shown Julia how to smuggle in weapons, and that he probably gave Julia passes to get into the debate. Liam thinks that Joshua's reconciliation with his father was an act and that Joshua, in league with Zo'or, was setting Jonathan up. Augur says that if that is so, the plan is working. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jonathan Doors and his conspirators. Liam exits and goes to find Jonathan Doors.

In the Taelon embassy, Da'an and Zo'or are watching the news. Thompson is in stable condition and is leading in the election by a strong margin. Da'an comments that he admires Zo'or's efficiency. In a single move Zo'or has ensured victory for their ally, Thompson and neutralized the Resistance. Zo'or coyly says he is merely an observer. Da'an replies that Zo'or has eliminated any direct evidence, but that neither he (Da'an) nor the rest of the Synod have failed to realize the true nature of Zo'or's involvement, as Zo'or had clearly intended. After this there can be no question of Zo'or' leadership. Zo'or says that there should be no question and that everything he has done has been for the benefit of the Taelon race. The same cannot be said for other members of the Synod. Zo'or will not look directly at Da'an. Da'an, in his turn, tells Zo'or that if he wishes to make a specific accusation, then he should make it. Zo'or faces Da'an directly at last and tells him that he (Da'an) has allowed his sentimental attachment to humanity to compromise his dedication to his own race. He says that Da'an has made use of every opportunity to dispute his actions and cause discord within the Commonality. Da'an retorts that if there has been disharmony it was caused by Zo'or's blind pursuit of power. Zo'or says that he will no longer tolerate Da'an's outspokenness,. His objective as Leader of the Synod is to restore unity to the Taelon race and to redefine its alliance with humanity.

Lili contacts Augur and warns him that something big is happening on the mother ship. Volunteers are boarding shuttles and preparing to leave the mother ship. Augur replies that ID portals are becoming active everywhere and that whatever the Taelons are up to, it's major. Lili tells Augur to contact Resistance cells everywhere and tell them all to go into hiding. Augur looks up at the screen and tells Lili that Thompson has been elected by a landslide. Lili calls the American people fools. Augur says sombrely, "The American people have just voted away their own freedom.,"

At campaign headquarters Jonathan Doors confronts Joshua. Joshua chortles gleefully and says he would have thought that the Secret Service had locked his father up by now. Jonathan says that they were about to, but he escaped through the window in the men's room. He remarks acidly that it was a fitting end to his campaign. Joshua says it works for him. Jonathan asks Joshua why he did it. Joshua replies that it is typical, that his father has never known who he was or what he wanted since the day he was born. Jonathan says that he was not the best of fathers, but he thought they had gotten over that and that Joshua had forgiven him. Joshua loses his cool completely and asks his father how he could have expected forgiveness for what he is, a lousy father being the least of it. He paints an unsavoury picture of his father, speaking of the financial empire that Doors Sr. built with back room deals with criminals and strong arm tactics. Joshua says that he hates his father, but that he is just like him and Doors Sr. should be very proud of him. His father says that all he ever wanted was that his son have the opportunities he never had. The furious and out-of-control replies that the only time Jonathan ever wanted a family was for publicity photos or when he needed a hostess to entertain for his business partners. His father asks how many times he has to say he is sorry. Joshua disregards his words and says quietly, "She his mother) tried to stand by you. She made excuses for you, and it cost her every last bit of self respect she had. You destroyed her!" Joshua says happily that he has finally destroyed his own father. Doors Sr. walks away and Joshua yells after him that there is nowhere for him to go - he is the most wanted man in the world, in the universe.

Liam encounters Jonathan outside the building and takes him away.

In the hospital, President Thompson is making a press appearance. Zo'or, Lili and Sandoval are watching from the mother ship. Thompson says he is going to make the safety of the American people his first priority. He tells them that by executive order, he is declaring a national state of emergency and authorizing the immediate arrest of anyone found to be in association with the Resistance movement. As Lili and Sandoval watch, ships begin to materialize out of ID space. Thompson tells the American people that the time has come to take action, and that they must not be alarmed by the new ships arriving, or by the increased volunteer presence in their city. He has asked their allies, the Taelons, to help them in rectifying the situation and preserving their liberty, and the Taelons have graciously agreed. It is further proof that the Taelons are humanity's friends and that they are here to help humanity when they are needed.

Sandoval and Lili are walking together through a corridor on the mother ship. Sandoval happily tells Lili that all the Resistance members will be brought to the mother ship for questioning and that he is confident they will lead him to their comrades. Lili replies that with Sandoval conducting the interrogations there can be no doubt. The acid tone of her reply is not noticed by Sandoval.

On earth, the Volunteers start corralling potential members of the Resistance and the Flat Planet Café is raided.

Augur is keeping an eye on the Flat Planet Café and orders the computer to initiate the sanctuary protocol (previously seen in the "Bliss" episode) and seal off his retreat. When Holo Lili asks him for a time frame, he tells her that they will begin with three months. .Liam calls Augur for assistance in getting Doors to safety. Augur is reluctant to leave his retreat wince since he will be a target for Sandoval and the Volunteers, but he agrees to meet Liam and Doors. Augur assembles devices he thinks will be useful and instructs the computer to pause for five minutes before activating the sanctuary protocol so that he may leave. He instructs the computer that after his departure, the premises are to be sealed shut and not reopened until re returns and his DNA print is read and confirmed. He looks around his retreat and leaves.

Da'an is in his office and senses someone entering. He does not turn around as Sandoval and two Volunteers enter, armed. Sandoval motions for his companions to stay behind him and steps forward to face Da'an. Da'an still has his back to Sandoval, but says, "Agent Sandoval. I have been expecting you." Sandoval lowers his head looking stricken.

On the mother ship, Lili is positioned at the main console and contacts Liam at the apartment where he is hiding out with Doors and Augur. Liam asks her about other Resistance cells. Lili tells him that the Volunteers are moving quickly and that it is only a matter of time until the Resistance are all wiped out. Liam tells her that he needs her to be strong. She replies that if they want to save what remains of the Resistance, the Taelons must be stopped now. She has gained access to the major power system on the mother ship and wants to overload it destroying the mother ship and everyone on it. Liam is horrified and says that she will kill everyone on board, Taelons, the imprisoned Resistance members and herself. Lili is distraught and thinks it is the only way out of the problem; Doors agrees with her. Augur shouts a warning for everyone to get down as a ship suddenly appears outside the window of the apartment. It fires a blast into the apartment. Lili's global loses Liam's coordinates and she is unable to continue their conversation.

Unable to finish her conversation with Liam, Lili turns back to the mother ship's console and begins the procedure which will overload the mother ship's power grid, ultimately destroying the ship and everyone on it, including herself.