Alias

The Department of Special Research (DSR) has set up a hearing inquiring into Sydney's connection to the Rambaldi notebook. They must wait to detain her, as she is in Brazil…running for her life. Armed men and dogs are pursuing her. As she runs for safety, she reaches a cliff and jumps off the edge of it. She opens her backpack to reveal a para-sail and floats to safety.

As soon as she returns to the US, the DSR detains Sydney. The DSR is the paranormal research division of the National Security Agency. They are trying to find an explanation for why there is a drawing of Sydney on page 47 of the Rambaldi notebook. According to Vaughn, they have decoded part of the text around the drawing. The text is being referred to as "The Prophecy".

The CIA is extremely reluctant to cooperate with the DSR. Haladki, on the other hand, does everything he possibly can to help the rival agency. Sydney is subjected to a series of mental tests and the DSR also wants to run physical tests on her. She refuses to take part in anymore of their tests and she walks away.

At SD-6, they have identified "the Man" responsible for the actions of Mr. Sark. Sloane uses evidence gathered in Brazil to identify Alexander Khasinau as "the Man". Khasinau is a dangerous and well-connected ally to the Russian mob.

The members of the Alliance have called an emergency meeting. They need to choose between going after Khasinau and his group or a peaceful détente. Sloane, because of the attack on SD-6, desperately wants the Alliance to vote for war. He feels that he deserves revenge since Khasinau is responsible for McKenas Cole's attack on SD-6. However, he isn't sure where the votes are going to fall.

Desperate for information and the upper hand, Sloane calls Edward Poole, the leader of SD-9 in England. Poole says that he has evidence that Alliance member John Briault is working with Khasinau and will do whatever he can to guarantee a détente. Sloane can't believe this, as Briault is an old friend whom he trusts very much. However, Sloane decides to resolve the situation himself.

Sydney goes to meet with Emily, Sloane's dying wife. Emily says that her cancer could have been treated…if only she had been told the truth earlier. Sydney takes these words as a warning and decided she must know the truth. She decides to allow the DSR to run more tests.

Jack reveals that the DSR does not have the original key code to decipher Rambaldi's writings. The original key can only be found in a vault…in the Vatican. Sydney convinces Vaughn to break into the Vatican with her.

While in Rome, Vaughn flirts with Sydney and asks her to dinner at his favorite restaurant in Rome. She says she would love to but if anyone from SD-6 saw them together they would be killed. They sneak into the Vatican and find the code key engraved in the frame of a Rambaldi painting. Sydney and Vaughn photograph the writing and narrowly escape the Vatican guards. They do not make it to dinner.

Sloane discovers that page 47 of the Rambaldi manuscript is a fake. He is angry and demands to talk to Sydney.

Before the Alliance meets to vote, Sloane arranges a meeting with Briault. Sloane meets him in a Montreal park at night. He talks to his friend and then, without any emotion, shoots him.

The Alliance meets and the decision to go to war loses…by one vote. Sloane realizes that it is Poole, not John Briault, who is working with Khasinau. Sloane speaks with Poole before he leaves and assures him that he will get his revenge.

At the CIA, Vaughn hands over the code key to decipher the Rambaldi notebook. It confirms what the DSR has already discovered. While out dancing with Francie and Will at a club, Sydney is taken into custody by DSR agents. They reveal "the prophecy" to her.

Rambaldi wrote that a woman, bearing Sydney's characteristics, would appear. She will fulfill the prophecy and "render the greatest power unto utter desolation". Sydney is taken away in chains by the DSR….

THE PROPHECY:
"This woman here depicted will possess unseen marks. Signs that she will be the one to bring forth my works. Bind them with fury. A burning anger, unless prevented. At vulgar cost, this woman will render the greatest power unto utter desolation."