The year is 2401. While deploying assets for a top secret Starfleet project, Captain Cooke is summoned to Starbase Frontier to lend her expertise in dealing with the increased threat of the Tholian Assembly. However, with the Missouri needed to maintain its mission, Captain Cooke is forced to temporarily hand over command to a visiting Captain.

The timing of the assignment could not have been worse, as Captain Cooke receives her orders just before the surprise birthday celebration she was planning to hold for her XO. Patricia's final orders before her departure are to ensure the celebration goes off without a hitch. However, the newly-promoted Commander selected to continue the Missouri's mission has far more sinister plans in mind...