A group of death row inmates are sent on a mission to extract energy from a black hole, as part of an alternative to serving their convictions. The spacecraft functions also as a fertility experiment facility led by a controversial scientist, Dr. Dibs. Monte, one of the prisoners and the story's protagonist, is focused on survival and maintenance of the ship's life-support systems. The crew grapples with their complex pasts as they endure the isolation of deep space. Tensions rise as they face the psychological and physical ramifications of their journey into the unknown, with the burden of being humanity's last hope for survival and redemption on their shoulders.

As the mission progresses, the spaceship becomes a place of chaotic dynamics, with power struggles and ethical dilemmas. The crew members are part of a breeding experiment and are subject to the doctor's manipulations, resulting in strained interpersonal relationships and a growing sense of mistrust. Meanwhile, Monte remains a reluctant participant in this experiment, and his quiet determination to remain disconnected from the passions and conflicts of his fellow inmates leads to an unexpected form of companionship. The unyielding void of space and the realization of their permanent detachment from Earth place a mirror before their deepest selves, challenging both their sanity and the core of their humanity.