A series of vicious attacks by the enigmatic M'Dok Empire has devastated the planet Tenara -- bringing the U.S.S Enterprise and another Federation starship, the Centurion, to the planet's aid. The Centurion's captain is Lucius Sejanus -- a powerful, magnetic man who favors taking a far stronger stance against the M'Dok than Captain Picard. And as the conflict escalates, Sejanus's instincts seem to be correct...for it appears only extreme measures can stop the murderous raids on Tenara. Now the people of Tenara must decide which pathe they will follow -- the way of peace, or the road to war. But unknown to any one of the Centurion's officers has made that decision for them -- and plans to provoke a full-scale war between the Federation and the M'Dok Empire!