Stardate: 41798.2 Enterprise is sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the U.S.S. Drake. The trail leads them to the planet Minos, where an ancient pre-recorded message appears on the ship's main viewer stating that the planet trades in advanced weapons. Upon investigation, Capt. Picard and the away team discover that the apparently barren world is really a testing ground to demonstrate the ancient race's weapons. Unfortunately, it turns out the weapons are demonstrated on any one on the surface of the planet. Plus, each time a weapons attack is defeated by the away team, the defeated weapon is replaced by a more improved weapon. Capt. Picard and the away team, both now on the surface, must find a quick solution, as they only have a limited time before the improving weapons eventually kill them all.