A woman in a suit tells Captain Walker of a black hole called K37 Gem 5, orbited by a planet. She asks him to bring back the power source that keeps the planet in orbit and become the "man who saved the Empire." When asked how she found out about it, she produces a small book containing alien writing and what appears to be a map; it was found by the "Galis Expedition". Walker passes the notebook to someone standing behind him. It appears the location Walker needs to go to is on the other side of the galaxy. The woman tells him that all they have to go on is the map and "local myths", but assures him that it's superstition, and Walker will have a "top class" ship and crew. Finally she wishes Walker luck, and he leaves, passing the person he handed the notebook to, an Ood, who simply says "And the Beast will rise from the pit."

An Ood delivers a metal case to a man named Curt, telling him that the contents are Captain Walker's belongings. The man tells the Ood to leave and then opens the case. As he does so, the lights go out and the ship's computer states, "He shall awake." The man takes out the notebook. As he thumbs through the pages, the book emits a red light, and the monitors in the room begin to flicker and display the message "THE BEAST IS AWAKE. HE SHALL RISE FROM THE PIT." A lever depresses on its own, and the notebook bursts into flames in the man's hands. He runs to the door but the doors will not open. The computer tells him that the door is sealed, followed by a repeated chant of "He is coming. He is coming." Later, a woman named Chenna enters the room, claiming to smell burning. She finds the man cowering in a chair, muttering, with the mysterious writing from the notebook having somehow transferred to his face.