Trapped in a desolate region of space by a powerful natural force, Voyager is attacked and looted by other ships fighting for their own survival within the void. Facing death by starvation or annihilation, Janeway realises that, to survive in this arena, she must adopt unusual and potentially suicidal tactics.

Returning to Voyager, Chakotay and Harry Kim find the ship disabled and the Doctor alone. More worrying than the disappearance of the crew is the fact that they all seem to be happily holding down day jobs on a nearby planet, with no recollection of their lives aboard Voyager.