Chapter One

At a critical time for the Federation, a despotic planetary governor seizes Starfleet weapons labs -- and scientists -- and offers them for sale to the Romulans and Klingons. The Enterprise is tasked with preventing the planet from seceding and the governor from selling his hostages. But Kirk isn't in charge of this mission: instead, the Federation sends a mysterious operative, a spy with a secret. Kirk and the operative clash from the outset. Who will win the battle of wills? And can all-out war with the Romulans or Klingons -- or both -- be avoided?