En route to Sector 24A to observe the formation of a new star, the USS Enterprise-A is diverted upon receiving a distress call from a Ramazian ship carrying R.J. Blaise], the starship's former Federation diplomatic protocol officer, trapped at the edge of a black hole. When transported aboard, her arrival ignites old romantic tensions with Captain Kirk. After rescuing Ms. Blaise, the crew receives word that the peace treaty negotiated between the Ramazians and the Landorians is in jeopardy of collapse, and are ordered by Starfleet Command to intervene in the situation. En route, the starship is intercepted by a Landorian battlecruiser, and a parlay at the neutral planet of Nirobi III requested by her commander. It transpires that Blaise is being pursued by the warlord, who she offended dur