In the peace following Atlantis's treaty with the Wraith, Ronon Dex's homeworld of Sateda is rebuilding after the devastating Wraith cull that almost destroyed its civilization.

Hoping to restore power to the capitol, Ronon and Dr. Radek Zelenka volunteer to help the Satedans reclaim a mothballed hydroelectric power station in the mountains above the city. But when their friend, Mel Hocken, goes missing during a reconnaissance flight over the mountains, Ronon and Zelenka find themselves leading a search and rescue mission instead.

Tracking Hocken into the deep Wild Blue mine, they discover a dangerous and suspicious people for whom the war with the Wraith is far from over...