Six months ago, Fourth Fleet Command sent a science team to Orinal II, an uninhabited planet in the Paulson Nebula, to study the effect the Century Storm has had on the planet. Forty-eight hours ago Starbase Bravo has lost contact with the science team. Communications with planets inside the nebula have become increasingly difficult and this could just be more of the same, but it could also be something more.

With their expedition to the Gamma Quadrant cancelled for unknown reasons, Challenger Squadron has been tasked with discovering what has happened to the scientists. Fleet Captain Forrester has tasked the Higgs with travelling into the Paulson Nebula to investigate.