With the assistance of Gul Boket in the USS Kestrel and a few Klingon Birds of Prey, Cmdr. Aster and Dr. Tamura attempt to minimize "first contact" damage with the Fauna, the rebellious pre-Warp captors of a Gorn warship, the Eegal'Roc. Disguised as the Fauna themselves, the two Starfleet officers contend with a Gorn threat still aboard the ship.