The plot revolves around a newly promoted captain who's been assigned to investigate an explosion of a star in the Maelstrom. Throughout the mystery, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lt. Commander Data comes by to assist the captain in the investigation.
It appears that a rogue Cardassian is responsible and is using a new weapon from an unknown race to threaten Alpha Quadrant races.
The captain and his crew take command of the USS Sovereign to combat this new threat to the Federation.