An away team searching for the missing USS Peregrine on an ice planet is stalked by newly hatched Gorn, and Hemmer sacrifices himself after being infected.
Ordered to investigate the missing USS Peregrine, Pike leads an away team to an ice planet where the ship has crashed. While Hemmer and Uhura restore its systems, the team learns it was carrying refugees, one of whom was implanted with Gorn eggs. The hatchlings killed the crew, and another survivor, Buckley, is infected as well.
The young Gorn fight among themselves until one remains, and the team plans to kill it with cold. Hemmer is also infected, and after urging Uhura to stay in Starfleet he throws himself from the ship so that he and the Gorn growing inside him die. La'An takes leave to help the last refugee find her family.