How does one become the captain of a Federation Starship before the age of thirty? We discover how a young woman, who grew up in a community that eschews space travel, ends up becoming the ship's cook on an interplanetary cargo ship. Through a series of unfortunate events, she is unexpectedly placed in a position of responsibility. This leadership role attracts the attention of Starfleet Command and she is asked to apply for entry into Starfleet Academy. Once there, her natural leadership abilities begin to flourish. Later, as captain of the USS Fermi, Captain Aziz is asked to take a small diplomatic team to re-establish relations with a planet that has a long history of human-rights abuses. Once there, tragedy happens to an away team and Starfleet Officers are killed. It is now up to Captain Aziz and Section 31 operative, Jax Nandi, to convince the planet's ruler to cooperate in the crime's investigation and to bring the perpetrators to justice.