The story centers around the aftermath of the Tarsus IV massacre. It features a young Jimmy Kirk in his first meeting with Spock, and describes the traumatic events that began to forge them into the men they would become. Sarek and then-Captain Nogura also appear in the tale. Though the information provided on Kirk's background is unique to the story (and not necessarily in line with other, equally-non-canon though more "accepted" ideas), it is interesting to note that Sarek's presence at Tarsus IV dovetails with his appearance in William Shatner's novel Avenger.