A new year brings new challenges for the crew of the starship Venture. Months after the shocking departure of their previous commander, ship and crew remain at Starbase 11 awaiting news of their future under the watchful gaze of acting captain Mason Henry. But all changes with the sudden arrival of a woman with a burgeoning reputation but no social skills, there to take command and restore some pride to proceedings. At the change of command ceremony, an interruption draws the crew into a familiar situation…

…the USS Scarborough has gone missing along the Gorn border.