Publisher's Synopsis
Light-years away from the safety of the Federation, the Starship Enterprise stands guard over an alien world whose unique natural resources could change the balance of power throughout the galaxy.
Against all odds, Captain James T. Kirk and his crew have preserved the struggling Federation colony on Belle Terre from harm, but now it seems their heroic efforts may have been in vain. In a last-ditch attempt to drive the settlers from their new and hard-won home, the alien Kauld have contaminated the planet's atmosphere with a destructive biochemical agent that will soon render the entire world inimical to human life. With only weeks to spare, Spock races to find a scientific solution to their predicament. Meanwhile, Kirk takes the battle to the enemy, determined to wrest the secret of their salvation from the very forces which have set out to destroy the future of this brave new Earth!
