After noticing some strange behavior from Dr. Franklin (RICHARD BIGGS), Garibaldi (JERRY DOYLE) invites him to dinner and confronts him with suspicions that he's been misusing prescription artificial stimulants. At first Franklin tells Garibaldi that it is none of his business, but finally admits that he's been using these "stims" to stay awake for long shifts in Med Lab. Garibaldi expresses his concern and Franklin promises to cut back.

After realizing that he and his aide Vir (STEPHEN FURST), have very different views on the war with the Narns, Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (PETER JURASIK) asks Minbari Ambassador Delenn (MIRA FURLAN) to recommend Vir as the new Centauri diplomat to Minbar. She agrees, and Vir is awarded this new position.

Later, a mysterious unknown alien ship enters Babylon 5 space and approaches the station with a message. It transmits a list of questions, a test of intelligence of sorts. The message promises advanced technological and medical information if they answer all the questions correctly. It also states that they have 24 hours to provide the correct answers or the pod will self-destruct with a force powerful enough to destroy Babylon 5. Sheridan orders Ivanova to pursue the answers to the questions.

Ivanova manages to compile the correct answers to all the questions just in time to prepare them for transmission when Captain Sheridan makes a surprising tactical decision regarding the situation.