While Captain Bowen deals with the political aftermath of High Elder Plonak's nearly disastrous with holding of fifty starships in the face of a Hellkin attack, Red Kite 40 is sent to an asteroid field to investigate a mysterious wreck found wedged in a vast canyon on a planetoid. The Atlantis' Hellkin Expert, Dr. Parker accompanies the ship, hoping to find interesting Hellkin artifacts. However, when their investigation turns up something unexpected, Galactic Fleet Central Intelligence Division shows up and orders them to vacate the area. What's worse, C.I.D. then orders the Atlantis and her Battle Group to enforce a security zone while they strip the mysterious wreck of all its secrets. What is aboard the mysterious wreck that the Central Intelligence Division doesn't want known, and what does it have to do with the Hellkin?