Publisher's Synopsis
Maquis rebels Chakotay, Torres, Seska and Tuvok fight through a Cardassian blockade to reach a beleagured planet in the demilitarized zone - only to find both refugees and Cardassians have been struck down by a mysterious plague. Meanwhile, stuck in a stalled career after an eight-year stay on Nervala IV, and tired of life in Will Riker's shadow, Tom Riker takes every opportunity to leave the USS Ghandi and shepherd medical teams to far-flung outposts. When his ship is hijacked by Maquis raiders he finds himself with more excitement than he bargained for. Chakotay and Torres, having risked everything for what is revealed to be an empty medical ship, turn their attentions to Tom's humanitarian instincts. With Starfleet's unofficial permission Tom commandeers a medical team and supplies, and returns to Helena with the Maquis. There they struggle with the Cardassians, planetary politics and the ravages of the disease itself as Tom Riker sets in motion the events that will turn him to the Maquis and end his Starfleet career.