The steamship Forward sets sail from Liverpool under mysterious orders and a hidden destination, heading toward the Arctic seas. Dr. Clawbonny, the narrator and physician, observes the crew's tension as they navigate the icy waters. Captain Hatteras eventually reveals his ambition?to reach the North Pole, retracing the path of lost explorer Franklin. Through discussions of past expeditions, he weaves history and ambition into a single mission. But as the cold tightens and tensions rise, signs of future mutiny begin to surface.