In a dystopian future, Leo Davidson works on a space station training apes for reconnaissance missions in space. Anomalies in space-time prompt an unapproved mission when a trained chimp is lost through one, pulling Leo into a relentless pursuit, despite the risks. Crashing on an unknown planet, Leo discovers a world turned upside down: highly intelligent apes rule over humans. The apes have their own society, language, and military, and humans are left disenfranchised and enslaved. Confused and desperate to find a way back to his own time, Leo seeks answers and a way off the planet.

His search leads him to encounter a group of human rebels and sympathetic apes who challenge the oppressive regime. Among them, an empathetic ape who believes in coexistence and equality provides crucial support to Leo's cause. As they navigate a landscape of political intrigue and rebellion against the dominant ape hierarchy, Leo unearths deeper secrets about the planet's history and his own connection to it. Determined to fight for freedom and survival, they embark on a quest that sets the stage for a confrontation between two worlds. The fight for equality and understanding in the midst of an oppressive society pushes them toward an uncertain future, where unity and compassion become their only hope for a peaceful coexistence.