The USS Lexington is on a mapping mission just outside the Galactic Rim when they discover an unidentifiable metallic object floating of unknown origin. Beaming it aboard disables power to the ships engines and the crew of the crew try to learn about this object, it's origin and any data it may hold. The clock is ticking for the Lexington drifting dangerously toward the Galactic Rim. Will they survive in time and will this unknown object play an important part in their fate?