Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. Itโs a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the shipโs Xenobiology laboratory.
Life couldnโt be betterโฆuntil Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the shipโs captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.
Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expendedon avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleaguesโ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really isโฆand offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.
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