Book excerpt: The mysterious Tomed Incident of 2311 was the Federation's definitive confrontation with the Romulan Empire. Now fans can learn the truth behind the intrigue, heroism, and tremendous personal sacrifice surrounding this pivotal event -- including the untold story of the Enterprise NCC-1701-B. In the midst of escalating political tensions among the Klingons, the Romulans, and the Federation, Starfleet goes forward with the inaugural flight of Universe, a prototype star ship that promises to revolutionise space exploration. But the Universe experiment results in disaster, ravaging a region of space dangerously close to the Romulan Star Empire, apparently confirming suspicions that the Federation has begun testing a weapon of mass destruction. As the military build-up accelerates on both sides of the Neutral Zone, Captain John Harriman of the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-B, is fated for a final confrontation with his oldest enemy at a flashpoint in history -- with the Beta Quadrant one wrong move from the outbreak of total war.