Lieutenant Malcolm Reed:  Congratulations , sir . Three months ago , we entered the Expanse with no idea who these Xindi were , or how to find them . And now we 're about to destroy one of their weapons facilities .
Captain Jonathan Archer: I thought we were here to try and stop a war , not start _ one _ .
Lieutenant Malcolm Reed: They struck first .
Captain Jonathan Archer: Because they were told we 're going to attack * them*. They think they 're acting in self - defense . By destroying this complex , we 'll be confirming their worst fears about Humanity .
Lieutenant Malcolm Reed: Let 's not forget the seven million people who were killed .