While the U.S.S. Enterprise is en route to rendezvous with Troi's shuttlecraft, a bizarre malfunction causes the transport vehicle to crash on Vagra II. The only life form on the planet is Armus, a sinister entity that derives pleasure from human suffering. Picard orders Commander Riker, Dr. Crusher, Data and Lieutenant Yar to the planet to rescue Troi. Upon arrival, they discover that a strange entity has surrounded the crash site with a forcefield, preventing the away team from helping her.
