In the far reaches of the galaxy, the crew of the Federation starship USS Enterprise discovers a peaceful, pre-warp civilization living on a planet with a regenerative power that greatly slows aging and can heal injuries. The inhabitants, the Ba'ku, are unaware they are under secret surveillance by a joint mission involving the Federation and a group of their allies, the Son'a. Captain Jean-Luc Picard learns of a plan to relocate the Ba'ku to another world, enabling the Federation and the Son'a to harvest the planet’s unique properties for widespread use. Sensing the ethical implications of such an act against a peaceful society, Picard and his crew oppose the operation, challenging Starfleet's directive.

As the situation escalates, Picard and his team uncover the true intentions behind the Son'a's partnership with the Federation: the Son’a hope to use the planet's resources to reverse their own degenerative process caused by a previous attempt to claim the planet's powers. With the Prime Directive in jeopardy, the crew of the Enterprise rebels against Starfleet orders and takes action to protect the rights and lives of the Ba'ku. The crew must navigate a delicate conflict of interest, navigate ties of family and loyalty, and confront the moral complexities of the Federation's policies while facing the advanced technology and deceptions employed by the Son'a to achieve their ends.