On a distant, surreal planet, the Draags, a race of blue, giant humanoids, have established dominance over the Oms, descendants of humans who were brought to the planet. The Draags keep the Oms as pets or experiment subjects, utilizing their advanced intellect and technology to maintain control. A young Om named Terr is taken as a pet by a Draag child, Tiwa. Terr quickly learns to use the Draag's educational devices, absorbing their knowledge in secret. As he matures, he escapes and joins a group of wild Oms who live in hiding and struggle against the oppressive control of the Draags.

Terr shares his acquired knowledge with the wild Oms, leading to their collective understanding of technology and self-organization. They embark on a quest to find a solution to their plight, seeking ways to outsmart and challenge the Draags' superiority. The conflict escalates as the Oms' newfound abilities threaten the established order, driving both species toward a critical juncture that will determine their coexistence or mutual destruction.