The book was released in 1996 and based on the stardate of 3871.6 at the start I'd estimate it takes place around the midpoint of the 5 YM. The inhabitants of the Tauteean system are trying to create an energy source that would basically be limitless, but due to an error in how that energy is carried it has catastrophic results. It wipes out their entire solar system, every planet, moon and eventually it will wipe out the star. And worse the effect would spread through that entire area of the galaxy.
The planet is in a zone of area in dispute between the Federation and Klingon Empires, under the terms of the Organian Peace Treaty. Captain Kirk believes the Klingons may have developed a super weapon, the Klingons, of course the reverse. But after Kirk rescues some of the Tauteeans on a base that survived the destruction they quickly learn it was no superweapon, but a horrific accident. The two sides cooperate then to help try to find a solution.
They eventually discover a means to close the rift that will cause the destruction to spread, but Captain Kirk wants to save as many of the Tauteeans as possible that remain scattered throughout the system's remains. Captain Bogle of Kirk's former ship, the Farragut, objects to this as he believes it's a violation of the Prime Directive. It's one thing to save the first 100 survivors, as that is not enough for the civilization to continue, but when it becomes thousands, Fogle believes the violates the PD. Kirk reasons 2 things, one that the Tauteeans had sent a distress call, and second that their actions to close the rift will cause the destruction to occur 5 days earlier than it would have otherwise, therefore they are obligated to help. A loophole that Bogle does not agree with but he relents as Kirk has ultimate responsibility for the mission. The two ships (along with the Klingon ships) are bursting at the seams to accommodate all the refugees.
I actually found the book to be above average to excellent. And it is a bit of a moral dilemma, how far do they take the Prime Directive. Kirk is looking for a way out, a way to legally get around the PD and not 'break' it. And Kirk and Bogle are two different types of captains. Kirk, who looks more at the intent and spirit of the rules, Bogle who is mainly interested in the letter. That's not to say Bogle is heartless, he is quietly relieved to be helping the Tauteeans, but he is bothered by Kirk's actions nonetheless. As the Tauteeans had caused their own destruction and the PD should be interpreted in his mind to allow them to perish as a result.
Starfleet ultimately agrees with Kirk based on the then understanding of the PD. Bogle, however, asks to be made part of a Federation policy team. McCoy speculates that part of the reasoning is that Bogle hopes to tighten the PD, likely a prelude to the much firmer and tighter PD we see by the time of TNG.
The planet is in a zone of area in dispute between the Federation and Klingon Empires, under the terms of the Organian Peace Treaty. Captain Kirk believes the Klingons may have developed a super weapon, the Klingons, of course the reverse. But after Kirk rescues some of the Tauteeans on a base that survived the destruction they quickly learn it was no superweapon, but a horrific accident. The two sides cooperate then to help try to find a solution.
They eventually discover a means to close the rift that will cause the destruction to spread, but Captain Kirk wants to save as many of the Tauteeans as possible that remain scattered throughout the system's remains. Captain Bogle of Kirk's former ship, the Farragut, objects to this as he believes it's a violation of the Prime Directive. It's one thing to save the first 100 survivors, as that is not enough for the civilization to continue, but when it becomes thousands, Fogle believes the violates the PD. Kirk reasons 2 things, one that the Tauteeans had sent a distress call, and second that their actions to close the rift will cause the destruction to occur 5 days earlier than it would have otherwise, therefore they are obligated to help. A loophole that Bogle does not agree with but he relents as Kirk has ultimate responsibility for the mission. The two ships (along with the Klingon ships) are bursting at the seams to accommodate all the refugees.
I actually found the book to be above average to excellent. And it is a bit of a moral dilemma, how far do they take the Prime Directive. Kirk is looking for a way out, a way to legally get around the PD and not 'break' it. And Kirk and Bogle are two different types of captains. Kirk, who looks more at the intent and spirit of the rules, Bogle who is mainly interested in the letter. That's not to say Bogle is heartless, he is quietly relieved to be helping the Tauteeans, but he is bothered by Kirk's actions nonetheless. As the Tauteeans had caused their own destruction and the PD should be interpreted in his mind to allow them to perish as a result.
Starfleet ultimately agrees with Kirk based on the then understanding of the PD. Bogle, however, asks to be made part of a Federation policy team. McCoy speculates that part of the reasoning is that Bogle hopes to tighten the PD, likely a prelude to the much firmer and tighter PD we see by the time of TNG.
