Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) must face his prejudices when his sworn enemies the Klingons lurch perilously close to economic deprivation and environmental ruin. Obeying Star Fleet orders, Kirk reluctantly begins peace negotiations with Klingon chancellor Gorkon (David Warner). But peace has many foes: Gorkon is soon dead, and Kirk is imprisoned in a Klingon gulag as the galaxy edges toward all-out war.