Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. Its a prestige posting & Andrew is even more delighted when hes assigned to the ships Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldnt be better.. .although there are a few strange things going on.. .: (1) every Away Mission involves a lethal confrontation with alien forces (2) the ships captain the chief science officer & the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these encounters (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is sadly always killed. Suddenly its less surprising how much energy is expended below decks on avoiding at all costs being assigned an Away Mission. Andrews fate may have been sealed.. .until he stumbles on a piece of information that changes everything.. .and offers him & his fellow redshirts a crazy high-risk chance to save their own lives.. .