“Life needs language to understand itself, and the more language, the better.”
A direct sequel to Swordhunt, beginning only moments after Swordhunt ended. They really should have been combined into one book and trimmed down.
The Romulan Colony Worlds are beginning to rebel against the treatment from the Hearth Worlds. Many in the Romulan government refuse to see the unrest and think more control will subdue it. They turn to the Klingons to terrorize the colony worlds. The Colony worlds threaten another Sundering if they not given their freedom. Ael and the sword are rallying symbols.
The Romulans sneak a 7th ship into the diplomatic conference with the Federation. That 7th ship holds a mysterious ‘package.’
Despite heroic efforts by Kirk, Ael, diplomats, and Starfleet, understanding cannot be reached. The Federation declares war on the Romulan Star Empire.
Random Thoughts Written Down as I Read:
Ambassador Robert Fox from Eminiar 7 is one of the Federation diplomats.
Sam Cogley is one of the negotiators with Ambassador Fox’s group. He’s the in case Ael claims asylum within the Federation.
Kirk isn’t the only daring, heroic, intelligent captain in Starfleet. And that is GOOD.
Sulu proves again he’s the best pilot in the fleet, chasing down torpedoes fired in an attempt to start the war.
Chekov proves his marksmanship by destroying said torpedoes.
McCoy performs heart surgery on one of the Romulan Praetors, assisted by Dr. M’Benga. There is an interminable description of the life-saving surgery.
WTF:
“We may or may not be a breed apart, but when starship commanders go off the rails, we do it spectacularly.”