After shore leave, the USS Valkyrie embarks on a mission to investigate a presence believed to be a visitor from another part of the galaxy. The entity in question is believed to have gotten trapped in Federation territory when the subspace apertures opened.

As they approach their destination, the Valkyrie intercepts a distress signal from a civilian vessel ensnared within a chaotic field of mini subspace distortions. Communication attempts fail, and sensors show no life signs aboard the distressed ship. The crew decides to investigate.