After the scandalous Tezwa affair, the resignation of the President forces an election, with the future of the United Federation of Planets at stake. But the fate of the entire galaxy hangs in the balance when the Federation embassy on Qo'noS is seized by terrorists, whose actions expose an intrigue which reaches the highest echelons of the Klingon government. It will take all the skills which Ambassador Worf can muster to keep the fragile Federation-Klingon alliance from disintegrating. And while this potential intergalactic chaos threatens, Commander Riker finds his plans for command and marriage soured by a brutal, high-level inspection of the ship from which none of the crew may escape unscathed.