Captain Kirk's impulsive decision to relinquish command to Doctor McCoy plunges the Enterprise into a crisis. Captain Kirk, seeking to appease his crew's good-natured complaints about his command style, leaves Doctor McCoy in charge of the Enterprise while he beams down to the planet 'Flyspeck' to facilitate its acceptance into the Federation. Kirk soon vanishes, leaving McCoy in command against his will, as regulations forbid him from passing command to Commander Spock. The situation escalates when Kirk is nowhere to be found, and the Klingons appear, claiming a stake in 'Flyspeck'. It is later discovered that Kirk was lost in the time stream, a consequence of one of Flyspeck's races not existing in linear time.

This novel is recognized for its clever premise, which places the often-gruff Doctor McCoy in a position of ultimate command, forcing him to confront his own limitations and the strictures of Starfleet regulations. The narrative skillfully weaves together elements of classic Star Trek adventure with a unique exploration of temporal mechanics and interspecies diplomacy. Readers often appreciate the character development of McCoy as he grapples with the responsibilities thrust upon him, and the introduction of the time-bending race on Flyspeck adds a distinctive layer to the established universe. The story provides a compelling scenario that tests the core values and operational procedures of the Enterprise crew.