In the distant future, Earth has become nearly uninhabitable, and a fleet of ships has been sent into outer space to look for a new planet for humanity. These missions have been mostly unsuccessful, with lost ships, cannibalism, and murder becoming commonplace. Some two-hundred Stewards have been appointed to watch over the progression of the ships and destroy any crews who engage in cannibalism.

However, after a ship known as Lion’s Mane is accused of cannibalism and sentenced to destruction by the Steward Council, one female steward comes forward to argue against the ruling. She urges the rest of the Council to learn more about the culture of the ship before sentencing everyone aboard to death. Meanwhile, a young male character aboard The Lion's Man is about to undergo what the Council assumes as cannibalism. Among his people, it is a spiritual ceremony in which new members sacrifice themselves for the betterment and survival of the rest of their crew. The young male enters the sacrificial ceremony as the female steward argues in favor of preserving life aboard The Lion's Mane.

Ultimately, the steward convinces the Council to look deeper into the images they have received from The Lion's Mane, and the Council votes to spare the crew and allow the ship to continue on its path. The young male aboard accepts his fate and sacrifices himself for his people.