History Literature / StarTrekPicardSecondSelf

* PutOnABus: Of the ''Picard'' main characters, Jurati, Soji, and Seven are absent from the events of the novel. Justified, as [[Recap/StarTrekPicardS2E01TheStarGazer ''The Star Gazer'']] will establish that Jurati and Soju are on a diplomatic goodwill tour for the Synthetics. Seven's whereabouts during this time period (and her and Raffi's burgeoning romantic relationship), likewise, were also previously covered in the ''Picard'' audio drama ''No Man's Land''.

* AnachronicOrder: The book begins in 2399, then jumps back to the finals days and immediate aftermath of the Dominion War (2375), and from there to the height of the Bajoran Occupation (2340). The narrative then works its way back through 2375 before ultimately concluding in 2399.

** Despite having been vindicated about what really happened at Mars, Raffi's old colleagues at Romulan Affairs are ''not'' happy or pleased about it. They endured ridicule and career damage from her conspiracy theories and that resentment's festered for over 15 years. It's implied this is one factor that ultimately convinces Raffi ''not'' to return to Intelligence and to instead accept the posting aboard ''Excelsior''.
*** Likewise, Raffi's vindication doesn't automatically heal the rift with her son. Even knowing his mother was utlimately right, Gabe has continued to disown her.

** [[spoiler: Feji ''tries'' this with Soukara in the climax, pointing out the Bajorans know full well what the Romulan diaspora refugees are going through. However, Soukara angirly and bitterly points out a crucial difference: The Bajorans at least had the hope and the dream that they could oust the Cardassians and reclaim their homeworld. By contrast, the Romulans ''don''t'' have that luxury or dream because Romulus burned with its own sun when it went nova.]]

** [[spoiler: While the full extent of Garak's involvement in the defeat of the Dominion is likely never to be known (such as his involvement in the events of "Under a Pale Moonlight"), he certainly contributed much to it. The attempt by both the Cardassians and Bajorans to prosecute him for war crimes is likely to come off as this to readers.]]
** The Bureau of Romulan Affairs AKA Raffi's old colleagues are decidedly cool to her for making them look like fools in front of the rest of the Federation. The thing is that she exposed a massive Romulan conspiracy that destroyed a Federation world as well as a high-ranking infiltrator in Starfleet Intelligence. It is pettiness unbecoming Starfleet.

* TheGadfly: [[spoiler: Garak as ever.]]

** While the full extent of Garak's involvement in the defeat of the Dominion is likely never to be known (such as his involvement in the events of "Under a Pale Moonlight"), he certainly contributed much to it. The attempt by both the Cardassians and Bajorans to prosecute him for war crimes is likely to come off as this to readers.

* EveryoneHasStandards: During the 2375 segment, Raffi and fellow Romulan Affairs officers watch live coverage of the [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS07E25E26WhatYouLeaveBehind Battle of Cardassia]] (as they're deployed along the Romulan-Cardassian front and thus aren't participating in the final offensive). Raffi and nearly everyone else react in genuine horror at the footage of the Dominion's final, vindictive pogrom across the Cardassian homeworld. The handful that approve of the Cardassian's LaserGuidedKarma get subjected to a collective DeathGlare and WhatTheHellHero.

In the aftermath of [[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E09EtInArcadiaEgoPart1 the events]] [[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E10EtInArcadiaEgoPart2 at Coppelius]], Raffi Musiker finds herself not only vindicated by having helped expos the truth behind the Mars Incident, but also at a personal and professional crossroads. She has an opportunity to return to Starfleet Intelligence, or to join Picard in a quiet career ensconced in the halls of academia at Starfleet Academy.

In the aftermath of the Season One finale, Raffi Musiker finds herself not only vindicated by having helped expos the truth behind the Mars Incident, but also at a personal and professional crossroads. She has an opportunity to return to Starfleet Intelligence, or to join Picard in a quiet career ensconced in the halls of academia at Starfleet Academy.

* AnachronicOrder: The book begins in 2399, then jumps back to the immediate aftermath of the Dominion War (2375), and from there to the height of the Bajoran Occupation (2340). The narrative then works its way back through 2375 before ultimately concluding in 2399.

In the aftermath of Season One, Raffi Musiker finds herself not only vindicated by having help exposed the truth behind the Mars Incident, but also at a crossroads. She has an opportunity to return to Starfleet Intelligence, or to join Picard in a quiet career in the halls of academia (i.e. Starfleet Academy).

However, the decision is ultimately made for her though when a message from an old contact – a Tal Shiar operative – is received, asking for immediate aid. With the help of Cristóbal Rios and Elnor, and assistance from Picard, Raffi decides to take on this critical mission – and quickly learns that past sins never stay buried...