Scientists discover their planet, Eden, is going to be consumed by a supernova. The Council of Twelve Tribes decides to build thirteen ships to carry a select group of people from impending doom, while a small force of elite soldiers searches the galaxy for a planet. Ten thousand people from each of the twelve tribes are selected and placed in suspended animation; the Best and the Brightest, according to a study of their DNA profiles. The tribes of Eden sleep in the ships as their best space explorers desperately search the galaxy for a planet in which to begin life again. Corruption interferes with their plans and three tribes decide to leave the convoy and try their luck alone.