Long before Captain Jean-Luc Picard took command of the Starship Enterprise,? he fell deeply and hopelessly in love with Doctor Beverly Crusher. Picard never acted on his feelings, yet he found a measure of contentment as Beverly"s close friend, colleague, and daily breakfast partner. When Doctor Crusher leaves to become the chief medical officer of Starfleet, the brightest light in Picard"s life is taken from him. He has barely resigned himself to his loss when he learns that Beverly has been declared missing in action -- and presumed dead. Kevratas is a bleak, frozen world on the far side of the Romulan Neutral Zone where the Federation has become the plague-ravaged natives" only real hope. Starfleet has no recourse but to send in another team -- and Picard is the natural choice. Critical to the mission are two colleagues from his former command, the Starship Stargazer: Pug Joseph and Doctor Carter Greyhorse. Joseph is a man with a past to live down, and Greyhorse has served time for attempted murder. They are determined to succeed where the doctor failed. On the Romulan homeworld, meanwhile, the political vacuum created by the demise of Praetor Shinzon has been filled by Senator Tal"aura. But there are those who oppose her, including Commander Donatra and the warbirds under her command. So begins a desperate struggle -- not only for the freedom of the long-oppressed Kevrata but also for the soul of the Romulan Star Empire. Before it"s over, destinies will be forged and shattered, the Empire will be shaken to its ancient foundations, and Jean-Luc Picard"s life will be changed...forever.