The end of the 1920s. A young oil engineer, Ovez Emudov, arrives in the Karakum Desert to search for oil. The lack of drinking water, necessary equipment, and workers in the barren steppes, as well as the open sabotage of the trust's employees led by Mukhortov, a staunch enemy of the Soviet government, are all factors that the head of the exploration site must contend with. The film is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic.

1919. Retreating under the blows of the Red Army, the English interventionists intend to take all the purebred Akhal-Teke horses with them. They are assisted in this by the horse thief Alikhan, who has already managed to obtain the purebred Lachin horse. To oversee this crucial mission, Captain Kelvin arrives in Ashgabat. Red Army soldier Kurban also arrives, already monitoring the situation and providing necessary instructions to the underground. Meanwhile, Dovlet, the owner of Lachin, tries to free his beloved horse, but he is captured by Alikhan. The young man learns that the horse thief plans to deceive the British and sell the herd to the Basmachis.