After keeping 30 years of peace with a refugee group of aliens from the crippling Kalonian Dyre system, relations have failed to uphold in the wake of a murder investigation. Head scientist Dr. Milo Jaymes, in charge of the Zephyr Project, a government funded research organization set up to establish mutual communication, trade, and cooperation with the refugee alien race, has been found dead at the result of an alien induced injury. While the reclusive alien leader maintains his group's innocence in the ordeal, the human government in charge of the isolated Ward 3 alien occupation zone, is less than convinced. To make sure justice is swiftly served, a new team of human scientists have been moved into the Vault, the underground research facility beneath Ward 3. The new team quickly discovers the powers that be have painted a very different picture of life in Ward 3 to the public, and all is not what it seems at first glance. Orphaned daughter Dr. Clarke Jaymes, an anthropologist, is part of the new team. Confused and overwhelmed by her father's death, she quickly sets up peaceful relations with the alien ambassador to get to the bottom of the years long corruption that has really been taking place. Fingers are being pointed now from all sides, accompanied by deadly consequences and threats of a nuclear war. Relationships are further strained when the truth of the murder is finally revealed, and decisions must be made between what is safe, and what is right. Will humanity and the truth bring justice to Dr. Milo Jaymes death? Or will 30 years of research and relations with the alien race cease to exist?