 A reclusive alien race, the Sheliac, notify the Federation that a small human colony has been discovered on a planet in their space. Under the treaty between the Sheliac and the Federation, the Enterprise has only a few days to evacuate the colony before the Sheliac destroy it. While Picard pleads for more time, Data is sent to warn the colonists. But the colonists, who have worked hard to make the planet their home, refuse to go.