A new era of exploration dawns for Starfleet thanks to the stabilisation of the transwarp conduit in the Vadia system of the Alpha Quadrant and its link to Framheim Station on the edge of the Shackleton Expanse. As the powers of the Beta Quadrant surge upon the expanse en masse, operations begin in earnest. Several lightyears away from Framheim, a Starfleet squadron seeks answers regarding the mysterious ‘Shroud’ that once encompassed the expanse and severely limited warp travel – but they are not alone. Shadowed by vessels of the enigmatic Draxan Imperium, the squadron’s commanders are on edge, stories from locals making mention of the Draxan’s as a violent, expansionist species who control systems through conquest and brutal subjugation, fuelled by the fall of the Shroud and the increased range of their own fleets.

When a distress call from an unknown world draws the starship Wasp and her Klingon escort, the Mok’tal, from their duties with the squadron, it soon becomes apparent that dissidents from a subjugated world several lightyears away are looking to the new, powerful species from across the quadrant as a source of asylum, and freedom. On the return leg of their journey, matters are made complicated by the pursuit of Draxan hunters, unwilling to give up their valuable subjects or allow the Starfleet interlopers to reach their reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Hypatia Division receives a plea for help of its own as a nearby world transmits a plea for help in the face of an imminent Draxan invasion. After considering the implications of the Prime Directive, and in the absence of communications with Framheim, Captain Gor of the Al-Batani assumes command of the division and orders the Starfleet group to abandon its scientific endeavours to support the fledgling world and open a dialogue with the Draxan people. When it becomes clear that the Imperium have no interest in an accord with the meddlesome Federation, a tense stand-off ensues.

Can the division hold the Imperium at bay long enough for Wasp and Mok’tal to reinforce their flank?