Boaco Six -- a once-tranquil Federation colony, now caught up in the throes of revolution. The Enterprise's mission: re-establish contact with the planet, and determine whether or not formal ties between the Federation and Boaco Six Should be strengthened.

Negotiations beteween Captain Kirk and the planet's ruling Council of Youngers are proceeding smoothy, until the atmosphere of goodwill is shattered by the sudden destruction of a Boacan -- at the hands of an experimental Starfleet vessel!

Now, in order to prevent full-scale war from breaking out, the Enterprise?must recapute the stolen Starfleet vessel and its abductors. A mission that will require the aid of the galaxy's most reclusive genius -- and bring Captain Kirk face-to-face with the long-buried secrets of his past...