In the depths of space, the crew of the MSSA-C57D “Tempest” are awakened by an emergency beacon. The message explains that a mining and prospect vessel—the Inquisitor, has gone down on a planet known as Zycie-4. Commanded by John J. Adams, the Tempest sets its course for the nearby uninhabited world to investigate.

  Before it can land, the Tempest is communicated with by an unknown man from Zycie-4. This source turns out to be Dr. Edward Morbius, the apparent sole survivor of a science and research vessel called the “Bellerophon” that was lost long ago. Despite the efforts of Dr. Morbius to convince the Tempest to stay away, Commander Adams sets down under executive order to both investigate the crash of the Inquisitor, and the presence of Dr. Morbius on Zycie-4.

  They arrive to a mysterious and beautiful where nothing is exactly what it seems. Dr. Morbius dispatches his robotic assistant, Robbie, to meet with the Commander, and, to escort them to his compound for a formal introduction. This introduction proves to be profound. Dr. Morbius survives on Zycie-4, alongside his daughter, Altaira, Robbie, and the other robots he has created to tend to his home constructed from the remnants of the Bellerophon.

  Time foretells that Dr. Morbius doesn’t want to leave his home, and expresses to Commander Adams the hidden dangers of Zycie-4. Almost immediately thereafter, sabotage and murder begins to run rampant amid the dire recovery of the Inquisitor’s flight data recorder.

  Growing weary of the secrets and driven by a will to keep his men safe, Commander Adams confronts Dr. Morbius as to what may be carrying out such violent acts against his ship, and his crew. It is learned only then that a civilization known as the Krell used to inhabit Zycie-4. They were, as Dr. Morbius describes, intellectual masters of technology. They excavated the inner planet and built cities and industry, harvesting power from the core of their world to produce a very unique super computer. This computer was capable of manifesting matter from simple thought—a machine capable of pure creation.

  Dr. Morbius warns them of a planetary force that exists on Zycie-4. He claims that it was responsible for the deaths of his entire crew, the crew of the Inquisitor, and now, it is seeking to exterminate Commander Adams, and the crew of the Tempest.

  Only during the final hours on Zycie-4 does Commander Adams find out that Dr. Morbius is not only connected to the Krell super computer, but he is also in control of the same destructive force that wiped out the Krell inhabitants ages prior. This menacing force is the unstable, uncontrollable subconscious mind, known as the creatures from the Id. With Dr. Morbius in control, he makes it absolutely clear that he will do whatever it takes to keep the Krell technology there with him, on Zycie-4, at any cost.