Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid?? flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting?? with the chance to serve on "ay Missions" alongside the starship's famous senior officers.
Life couldn't be better...until Andrew begins to realize that 1) every Away Mission involves a lethal confrontation with alien forces?? 2) the ship's senior officers always survive these confrontations?? and 3) sadly?? at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed. Unsurprisingly?? the savvier crew members below decks avoid Away Missions at all costs.
Then Andrew stumbles on informati