The investigation of a possible wormhole reveals signs of visitors from the Alpha Quadrant on a primitive planet. Chakotay and Paris make an incognito visit to a location where sensors have detected a replicator in use, only to find a village of humanoids who seem obsessed with charging money for any goods or services, no matter how insignificant. At the heart of this culture lie two Ferengi, stranded in the Delta Quadrant since they were trapped by the Barzan Wormhole discovered by the Enterprise seven years earlier. The Ferengi have come to this society as gods bearing wisdom but their true motive is to exploit the native population for their own gain. Janeway sets a plan into motion which involves Neelix masquerading as an envoy from the Grand Nagus. But if his disguise fails to fool the Ferengi, he may find that these profit-mongerers will do anything to keep their grasp on godhood.
