Virgil a chimpanzee who at first was being taught sign language so that he can communicate, is now in the military. An Air Force man after committing some infractions is assigned to the project involving the chimps. And he learns that Virgil knows sign language and talks with him. He eventually discovers what the project involving the chimps is and that it's inhumane. He contacts the woman who taught Virgil sign language and they try to save him.