Wesley is put to the test as he competes with the other top candidates to get into Starfleet Academy. Meanwhile the Enterprise is put under the scrutiny of a Starfleet officer that seems to be looking for trouble.

While investigating the disappearance of the star ship Drake, an away team beams down to a strange planet where they received a message about arms sales upon arriving in orbit. Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher vanish during the mission and the Enterprise comes under attack.