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* ArtisticLicenceHistory:
**This book lays the blame for the devastating war reparations placed on Germany after World War I, and hence the rise of Hitler and Nazism, on David Lloyd George. It tries to paint Lloyd George as vindictive and in favor of destroying Germany after the end of the war. In reality, of the Big Four at the Paris Peace Conference, Lloyd George was, ''by far'', the most conciliatory towards the Germans and actually opposed the size of the war debt placed on the Germans.
** As for the rise of Nazism, to blame Lloyd George for that is fairly ridiculous. The Nazis rose to power long after Lloyd George was Prime Minister and, while initially somewhat an admirer of Hitler (not unusual in pre-1938 Europe), Lloyd George actually opposed appeasement and the Munich Agreement, feeling it would lead to war.
**This book lays the blame for the devastating war reparations placed on Germany after World War I, and hence the rise of Hitler and Nazism, on David Lloyd George. It tries to paint Lloyd George as vindictive and in favor of destroying Germany after the end of the war. In reality, of the Big Four at the Paris Peace Conference, Lloyd George was, ''by far'', the most conciliatory towards the Germans and actually opposed the size of the war debt placed on the Germans.
** As for the rise of Nazism, to blame Lloyd George for that is fairly ridiculous. The Nazis rose to power long after Lloyd George was Prime Minister and, while initially somewhat an admirer of Hitler (not unusual in pre-1938 Europe), Lloyd George actually opposed appeasement and the Munich Agreement, feeling it would lead to war.
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* JustForFun/XMeetsY: WordOfGod on this one: it's ''Franchise/StarTrek'' meets ''Series/TheWestWing''. There's even a character named [[SignificantAnagram Karin]] [[Creator/AaronSorkin Noosar]].
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* JustForFun/XMeetsY: WordOfGod on this one: it's ''Franchise/StarTrek'' meets ''Series/TheWestWing''. There's even a character named [[SignificantAnagram Karin]] [[Creator/AaronSorkin Noosar]]. The Tzenkethi plotline is borrowed almost entirely from the West Wing episode 'Swiss Diplomacy'.
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* DidntThinkThisThrough: Going before the elected representatives of the Federation and calling them unpatriotic is not going to win you any friends. What makes this even worse is that Bacco can't for the life of her figure out ''why'' the Federation Council began stonewalling her after she did this.
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* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the ''Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse'' make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
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* ContinuityNod: ContinuityNod:
** Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the ''Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse'' make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
** Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the ''Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse'' make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
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* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Balduk thugs carrying naked Trills through hotel lobbies is carefully ignored, at least when the Balduks are hired by local crime lord Ihazs.
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* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: UnusuallyUninterestingSight:
** Balduk thugs carrying naked Trills through hotel lobbies is carefully ignored, at least when the Balduks are hired by local crime lord Ihazs.
** Balduk thugs carrying naked Trills through hotel lobbies is carefully ignored, at least when the Balduks are hired by local crime lord Ihazs.
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* WhatTheHellHero: President Bacco gives two of these speeches. The first is when she condemns the Council for considering renewing trade agreements with Aligar - she later apologises for her behaviour. The second time, she points out the disturbing implications in the actions of Admiral Ross after the truth about his role in deposing President Zife comes to light. She notes that not only did he take it upon himself to remove the President from power, but in his public support for Bacco he also used his influence to encourage the ascension of a leader he personally preferred.
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* WhatTheHellHero: WhatTheHellHero:
** President Bacco gives two of these speeches. The first is when she condemns the Council for considering renewing trade agreements with Aligar - she later apologises for her behaviour. The second time, she points out the disturbing implications in the actions of Admiral Ross after the truth about his role in deposing President Zife comes to light. She notes that not only did he take it upon himself to remove the President from power, but in his public support for Bacco he also used his influence to encourage the ascension of a leader he personally preferred.
** President Bacco gives two of these speeches. The first is when she condemns the Council for considering renewing trade agreements with Aligar - she later apologises for her behaviour. The second time, she points out the disturbing implications in the actions of Admiral Ross after the truth about his role in deposing President Zife comes to light. She notes that not only did he take it upon himself to remove the President from power, but in his public support for Bacco he also used his influence to encourage the ascension of a leader he personally preferred.
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A book in the Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse, notable for its in-depth look at the internal politics of TheFederation. Featuring EnsembleDarkhorse character President Nanietta Bacco and her cabinet, the novel has a great many subtle links to the rest of the novel 'verse while remaining entirely readable on its own terms.
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A book in the Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse, Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse, notable for its in-depth look at the internal politics of TheFederation. Featuring EnsembleDarkhorse character President Nanietta Bacco and her cabinet, the novel has a great many subtle links to the rest of the novel 'verse while remaining entirely readable on its own terms.
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* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the ''Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse'' make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
to:
* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the ''Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse'' ''Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse'' make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
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* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the ''Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse'', in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
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* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the ''Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse'', ''Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse'', in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
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fixed a wick for a split trope
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* StopHelpingMe: Martok openly acknowledges that this trope underlies all the Klingon Empire's efforts to assist with the upheavals in Romulan space, e.g. making Remus a protectorate. President Bacco responds that, yes, the Federation worked that out quite quickly.
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* UnwantedAssistance: Martok openly acknowledges that this trope underlies all the Klingon Empire's efforts to assist with the upheavals in Romulan space, e.g. making Remus a protectorate. President Bacco responds that, yes, the Federation worked that out quite quickly.
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** As author Keith R. A. [=DeCandido=] was the driving force behind the ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'' series, many references to those stories are made in ''Articles of the Federation'', including follow-ups on diplomatic relations with several species discovered by the Corps, e.g. Koas and Strata.
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** As author Keith R. A. [=DeCandido=] was the driving force behind the ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'' ''Literature/StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'' series, many references to those stories are made in ''Articles of the Federation'', including follow-ups on diplomatic relations with several species discovered by the Corps, e.g. Koas and Strata.
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* GiantSpider: The Koas from ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'', essentially big spiders with octopus heads, make another appearance - joining the Federation.
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* GiantSpider: The Koas from ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'', ''Literature/StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'', essentially big spiders with octopus heads, make another appearance - joining the Federation.
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** Unusually Uninteresting Report: Kant Jorel is irritated that none of the press corps blinks an eye on the subject of the Koas. "They put their planet ''in a box'', people!" (See ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'').
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** Unusually Uninteresting Report: Kant Jorel is irritated that none of the press corps blinks an eye on the subject of the Koas. "They put their planet ''in a box'', people!" (See ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'').''Literature/StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'').
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* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Jaresh-Inyo gets this InUniverse at his funeral. While he certainly wasn't a bad man, he was a pretty massive fuck up of a president, yet Bacco claims he wasn't all that bad because the Federation was still in one piece at the end of his term. Except, it very nearly wasn't. His incompetence nearly led to a civil war because he couldn't control Admiral Leyton and it was Sisko and Odo, not Jaresh-Inyo, who prevented the coup.
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* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the StarTrekNovelVerse make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
to:
* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the StarTrekNovelVerse ''Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse'' make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
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* HarsherInHindsight: During the state funeral for former President [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Jaresh-Inyo]], President Bacco says that there's one measuring stick for the President: If the Federation's still intact at the end of your term, you've done a good job. The novel ends with a somewhat upbeat callback from Chief of Staff Piniero, pointing out that while the first year of Bacco's term had its ups and downs, the Federation is still intact, so...However, two months later (in universe), ''StarTrekDestiny'' happens. Bacco did a fine job through the apocalyptic mayhem and its aftermath, but it's still a bit of a knife-twist.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the StarTrekNovelVerse, in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the StarTrekNovelVerse, in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
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* HarsherInHindsight: During the state funeral for former President [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Jaresh-Inyo]], President Bacco says that there's one measuring stick for the President: If the Federation's still intact at the end of your term, you've done a good job. The novel ends with a somewhat upbeat callback from Chief of Staff Piniero, pointing out that while the first year of Bacco's term had its ups and downs, the Federation is still intact, so...However, two months later (in universe), ''StarTrekDestiny'' ''Literature/StarTrekDestiny'' happens. Bacco did a fine job through the apocalyptic mayhem and its aftermath, but it's still a bit of a knife-twist.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in theStarTrekNovelVerse, ''Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse'', in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the
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->Following the surprise resignation of Federation President Min Zife after the disastrous [[StarTrekATimeTo Tezwa affair]], Nan Bacco of Cestus III has won a hotly contested election to become the new chief executive of over one hundred fifty planetary civilizations and their colonies. But no sooner does she take office than [[Film/StarTrekNemesis the Romulan Star Empire falls into chaos]]. With tensions already high, a Reman refugee ship is sighted approaching a Federation outpost, its intentions unknown. As the first year of the Bacco Administration unfolds, the Federation Council is slow to work with its new president, and not always supportive of her policies or her appointments to key council positions; a successful first contact suddenly becomes a diplomatic disaster; and the sins of President Zife prove difficult to lay to rest...as one celebrated Starfleet officer's career reaches a turning point.
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->Following the surprise resignation of Federation President Min Zife after the disastrous [[StarTrekATimeTo [[Literature/StarTrekATimeTo Tezwa affair]], Nan Bacco of Cestus III has won a hotly contested election to become the new chief executive of over one hundred fifty planetary civilizations and their colonies. But no sooner does she take office than [[Film/StarTrekNemesis the Romulan Star Empire falls into chaos]]. With tensions already high, a Reman refugee ship is sighted approaching a Federation outpost, its intentions unknown. As the first year of the Bacco Administration unfolds, the Federation Council is slow to work with its new president, and not always supportive of her policies or her appointments to key council positions; a successful first contact suddenly becomes a diplomatic disaster; and the sins of President Zife prove difficult to lay to rest...as one celebrated Starfleet officer's career reaches a turning point.
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* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the StarTrekNovelVerse make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
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* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''StarTrekATimeTo'' ''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the StarTrekNovelVerse make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
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* GovernmentConspiracy: Reporter Ozla Graniv discovers the truth about President Zife's resignation and the debacle at Tezwa (see ''StarTrekATimeTo''). President Bacco also confronts Admiral Ross about his participation in Zife's [[spoiler: removal at gunpoint.]] As a result, [[spoiler: Ross retires, removing himself from politics and any degree of influence over government policy]].
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* GovernmentConspiracy: Reporter Ozla Graniv discovers the truth about President Zife's resignation and the debacle at Tezwa (see ''StarTrekATimeTo'').''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo''). President Bacco also confronts Admiral Ross about his participation in Zife's [[spoiler: removal at gunpoint.]] As a result, [[spoiler: Ross retires, removing himself from politics and any degree of influence over government policy]].
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* TreacheryCoverUp: The Federation populace remains unaware of ex-President Zife's illegal activities (see ''StarTrekATimeTo'').
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* TreacheryCoverUp: The Federation populace remains unaware of ex-President Zife's illegal activities (see ''StarTrekATimeTo'').''Literature/StarTrekATimeTo'').
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[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/articles_of_the_federation_bc_5796.jpg]]
A book in the Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse, notable for its in-depth look at the internal politics of TheFederation. Featuring EnsembleDarkhorse character President Nanietta Bacco and her cabinet, the novel has a great many subtle links to the rest of the novel 'verse while remaining entirely readable on its own terms.
From the back cover:
->Following the surprise resignation of Federation President Min Zife after the disastrous [[StarTrekATimeTo Tezwa affair]], Nan Bacco of Cestus III has won a hotly contested election to become the new chief executive of over one hundred fifty planetary civilizations and their colonies. But no sooner does she take office than [[Film/StarTrekNemesis the Romulan Star Empire falls into chaos]]. With tensions already high, a Reman refugee ship is sighted approaching a Federation outpost, its intentions unknown. As the first year of the Bacco Administration unfolds, the Federation Council is slow to work with its new president, and not always supportive of her policies or her appointments to key council positions; a successful first contact suddenly becomes a diplomatic disaster; and the sins of President Zife prove difficult to lay to rest...as one celebrated Starfleet officer's career reaches a turning point.
----
!!This novel contains examples of:
* ActualPacifist: The Mizarians, as a species. Their pacifism causes problems for warrior cultures like the Klingons, who are unable to respect or relate to them. See: FantasticRacism, below.
* AlienArtsAreAppreciated
* ArchEnemy: Commander, now ''Empress'', Donatra is the ArchEnemy of Praetor Tal'aura. Their rivalry, established in ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' and the Literature/StarTrekTheNextGenerationRelaunch, intensifies here. It's in this novel that Donatra declares the worlds and fleets loyal to her independent of Tal'aura's Romulan Star Empire, forming the Imperial Romulan State.
* AssInAmbassador: The hawkish Klingon diplomat K'mtok, though he's better here than he is in his earlier appearances. He actually demonstrates a degree of genuine respect for President Bacco, as well as reasonable restraint in his dealings with the Romulans.
* BalkanizeMe: It finally happens to the crumbling Romulan Star Empire. Specifically, Commander Donatra declares herself empress of a new interstellar nation, the Imperial Romulan State, with the result that Romulan space is effectively split in two. The Klingons agree to recognise Donatra's government, eager to encourage division among the Romulan people. The Federation is pressured into showing solidarity with its Klingon allies and so also ends up recognizing the IRS.
* BizarreAlienBiology: The whole mess with the Trinni/ek dignitaries is a result of their forced physiological adaptation to the unique properties of their home sun.
* TheBore: Bera chim Gleer. President Bacco has to try very hard not to shut her eyes and nap when he gets going on one of his long-winded diatribes (see below).
* CharacterFilibuster: Councillor Bera chim Gleer of Tellar has never had a speech on the council floor go shorter than forty-five minutes...and that was when he had a cold. Usually it's twice that, minimum.
* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the StarTrekNovelVerse make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
** As author Keith R. A. [=DeCandido=] was the driving force behind the ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'' series, many references to those stories are made in ''Articles of the Federation'', including follow-ups on diplomatic relations with several species discovered by the Corps, e.g. Koas and Strata.
* DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster: Ihazs, as usual. He's a leading member of the Orion Syndicate (an interstellar crime cartel), and certainly seems to enjoy his life of sophistry and elegance.
* DeadpanSnarker: Sivak. President Bacco actually enjoys this as when everyone else is deferental to her office, he's more than willing to provide a caustic comment or two.
* DemocracyIsBad: Apparently, the Tzenkethi Coalition believes this, at least in terms of where the Federation goes wrong. The degree to which their leaders' moral indignation is genuine and the degree to which they're simply trying to maintain the Tzenkethi caste system for selfish purposes is unclear, though what was established here was later built upon in ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact''. Certainly the "evils" of Federation democracy make a convenient scapegoat when things go wrong for the Coalition.
* DetonationMoon: On orders from Praetor Tal'aura, Romulan admiral Mendak tries to sabotage the free Reman settlement on Klorgat IV by blowing up one of the planet's moons.
* DumbMuscle: Ihazs' two Balduk bodyguards.
* FantasticRacism: The pacifistic Mizarians are considered to be "the vermin of the galaxy" by Klingons. Martok, being asked by Bacco to provide support for a scientific organization affiliated with no major nation, is ''not'' pleased to hear that their leader is Mizarian.
* FantasticSlurs: The Betazoid term "flatbrain" refers dismissively to those races without telepathic or empathic abilities. A Betazoid student uses the term several times, and is irritated when her roommate insists on talking out loud like a flatbrain alien.
* TheFederation: We ''finally'' get to see how the United Federation of Planets works as a political entity.
* GiantSpider: The Koas from ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'', essentially big spiders with octopus heads, make another appearance - joining the Federation.
* GovernmentConspiracy: Reporter Ozla Graniv discovers the truth about President Zife's resignation and the debacle at Tezwa (see ''StarTrekATimeTo''). President Bacco also confronts Admiral Ross about his participation in Zife's [[spoiler: removal at gunpoint.]] As a result, [[spoiler: Ross retires, removing himself from politics and any degree of influence over government policy]].
* GunboatDiplomacy: President Bacco resorts to this when overseeing negotiations between the Carreon and the Deltans. The Deltans require a new water reclamation system for their planet, and the Carreon have the design they need. Because of an old feud, however, the Carreon refuse to negotiate properly. Bacco ends up using the implied threat of Federation military strength to stop the Carreon messing the Deltans around. As she tells the Carreon Ambassador, diplomacy is the means by which conflict is avoided. If Carrea won't negotiate in good faith, the only remaining option is war - and she makes it clear Carrea wouldn't stand a chance.
* HarsherInHindsight: During the state funeral for former President [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Jaresh-Inyo]], President Bacco says that there's one measuring stick for the President: If the Federation's still intact at the end of your term, you've done a good job. The novel ends with a somewhat upbeat callback from Chief of Staff Piniero, pointing out that while the first year of Bacco's term had its ups and downs, the Federation is still intact, so...However, two months later (in universe), ''StarTrekDestiny'' happens. Bacco did a fine job through the apocalyptic mayhem and its aftermath, but it's still a bit of a knife-twist.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the StarTrekNovelVerse, in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
* INeedADrink: Comes up a bit when major snafus occur - it's even referenced that the replicators in the Federation Offices will not dispense alcoholic beverages during working hours, leading Chief of Staff Piniero to think sardonically that ''every'' hour is a working hour.
* ImplausibleDeniability: Everyone knows Admiral Mendak was working on the orders of Praetor Tal'aura when he [[spoiler: destroyed Klorgat IV's moon]], but no one can prove anything - particularly after Mendak and his crew kill themselves with their own honour blades.
* IntrepidReporter: Ozla Graniv. Brek chim Glamok, too. Both end up in trouble, though at least Graniv finds one hell of a story.
* JerkAss: Councillor Molmaan, though that's simply his Zaldan cultural heritage. As a member of a race who WillNotTellALie, he is completely lacking in tact.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Kant Jorel, after being mostly just a plain jerk in his previous appearance. His back-story with the Bajoran Resistance (however briefly explored) certainly helps.
* KnightInSourArmor: Admiral Ross appears to be this, at least by this point.
* LittlestCancerPatient: Zormonk, essentially. A Tzenkethi child with a deadly disease whose only hope for life is with a particular Federation doctor. His father attempts to smuggle him to the Federation for treatment.[[spoiler: He dies, having gotten to them too late.]]
* LizardFolk: Established LizardFolk race the Gnalish show up in the novel, and their representative to the Federation is introduced: Gorus Gelemingar.
* MeaningfulFuneral: President Bacco feels she has a duty to make former president Jaresh-Inyo's funeral service memorable.
* MulticulturalAlienPlanet: During the funeral service for former president Jaresh-Inyo, his culture is referred to as "semtir". His species is Grazerite, but apparently (and in a welcome departure from PlanetOfHats) not all Grazerites have the same customs.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: C29 Green is unusually forward-thinking for a Nasat, being the only Forest Quadrant Governor to actually try V1 Red's new transport system rather than dismiss it out of hand as "too risky".
* MythologyGag: Chancellor Martok is irritated when Praetor Tal'aura's voice reminds him of his dead wife's. This is an in-joke, as Tal'aura and Martok's wife Sirella were played by the same actress.
* NoBiochemicalBarriers: Averted in one scene. The Trinni/ek food ''fleer/ok'' has to be removed from the menu during preparations for a state dinner welcoming the Trinni/ek Speaker. It's determined to be poisonous to Bajorans, Betazoids, Humans, Trills, and Vulcans, and causes an allergic reaction in Tellarites.
* PunctuationShaker: As with several other books by Keith R. A. [=DeCandido=], this one features several characters from a species (as yet unnamed) who include apostrophes between almost every letter of their names. An example: T'r'wo'li'i.
* TheRemnant: Some of the Reman factions are still spouting Shinzon's battle cries and making suicide runs at Federation outposts.
* RunningGag: Kant Jorel continues to steal Zhres' jokes.
* SassySecretary: Sivak, President Bacco's secretary, is essentially this. He's Vulcan, so he's very much a DeadpanSnarker, but he fits the SassySecretary trope too. He doesn't chew gum, of course, but he probably would if he found some, just to be more annoying...
* StopHelpingMe: Martok openly acknowledges that this trope underlies all the Klingon Empire's efforts to assist with the upheavals in Romulan space, e.g. making Remus a protectorate. President Bacco responds that, yes, the Federation worked that out quite quickly.
* SuicideAttack: The Reman crew of ''Vkruk'', against Outpost 22.
* TotalEclipseOfThePlot: In the dominant native religion of Lembatta Prime, a solar eclipse is a sacred event. The planet shuts down entirely during an eclipse, forcing President Bacco to postpone her state visit.
* TreacheryCoverUp: The Federation populace remains unaware of ex-President Zife's illegal activities (see ''StarTrekATimeTo'').
* TheUnpronounceable: Ex-President Thelian's full name is Thelianaresth th'Vorothishria. Say it five times, fast.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Balduk thugs carrying naked Trills through hotel lobbies is carefully ignored, at least when the Balduks are hired by local crime lord Ihazs.
** Unusually Uninteresting Report: Kant Jorel is irritated that none of the press corps blinks an eye on the subject of the Koas. "They put their planet ''in a box'', people!" (See ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'').
* WeWillUseManualLabourInTheFuture: The planet Aligar uses slave labour to harvest its raw materials, including those destined for export. President Bacco gives a furious WhatTheHellHero speech to the Federation Council when the subject of renewing their trade agreements comes up. The agreements are terminated, but the Council ends up filibustering everything for two months until she admits she crossed a line.
* WhatTheHellHero: President Bacco gives two of these speeches. The first is when she condemns the Council for considering renewing trade agreements with Aligar - she later apologises for her behaviour. The second time, she points out the disturbing implications in the actions of Admiral Ross after the truth about his role in deposing President Zife comes to light. She notes that not only did he take it upon himself to remove the President from power, but in his public support for Bacco he also used his influence to encourage the ascension of a leader he personally preferred.
** Bacco gives the Triexian Councillor to the Federation the option of resigning when it's revealed he oversaw the secret imprisionment of a [[ShapeShifter chameloid]] during the height of Changeling paranoia. While he tries to defend his actions, Bacco and her staff point out that while what he did may have been legal under Triexian law of the time it certainly went against ''Federation'' law and basic rights.
* WithAllDueRespect: Councillor Gleer, responding to Bacco's nomination of Councillor Krim to the Security Sub-Council: "With all due respect, madam president, are you mad?"
* JustForFun/XMeetsY: WordOfGod on this one: it's ''Franchise/StarTrek'' meets ''Series/TheWestWing''. There's even a character named [[SignificantAnagram Karin]] [[Creator/AaronSorkin Noosar]].
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A book in the Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse, notable for its in-depth look at the internal politics of TheFederation. Featuring EnsembleDarkhorse character President Nanietta Bacco and her cabinet, the novel has a great many subtle links to the rest of the novel 'verse while remaining entirely readable on its own terms.
From the back cover:
->Following the surprise resignation of Federation President Min Zife after the disastrous [[StarTrekATimeTo Tezwa affair]], Nan Bacco of Cestus III has won a hotly contested election to become the new chief executive of over one hundred fifty planetary civilizations and their colonies. But no sooner does she take office than [[Film/StarTrekNemesis the Romulan Star Empire falls into chaos]]. With tensions already high, a Reman refugee ship is sighted approaching a Federation outpost, its intentions unknown. As the first year of the Bacco Administration unfolds, the Federation Council is slow to work with its new president, and not always supportive of her policies or her appointments to key council positions; a successful first contact suddenly becomes a diplomatic disaster; and the sins of President Zife prove difficult to lay to rest...as one celebrated Starfleet officer's career reaches a turning point.
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!!This novel contains examples of:
* ActualPacifist: The Mizarians, as a species. Their pacifism causes problems for warrior cultures like the Klingons, who are unable to respect or relate to them. See: FantasticRacism, below.
* AlienArtsAreAppreciated
* ArchEnemy: Commander, now ''Empress'', Donatra is the ArchEnemy of Praetor Tal'aura. Their rivalry, established in ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' and the Literature/StarTrekTheNextGenerationRelaunch, intensifies here. It's in this novel that Donatra declares the worlds and fleets loyal to her independent of Tal'aura's Romulan Star Empire, forming the Imperial Romulan State.
* AssInAmbassador: The hawkish Klingon diplomat K'mtok, though he's better here than he is in his earlier appearances. He actually demonstrates a degree of genuine respect for President Bacco, as well as reasonable restraint in his dealings with the Romulans.
* BalkanizeMe: It finally happens to the crumbling Romulan Star Empire. Specifically, Commander Donatra declares herself empress of a new interstellar nation, the Imperial Romulan State, with the result that Romulan space is effectively split in two. The Klingons agree to recognise Donatra's government, eager to encourage division among the Romulan people. The Federation is pressured into showing solidarity with its Klingon allies and so also ends up recognizing the IRS.
* BizarreAlienBiology: The whole mess with the Trinni/ek dignitaries is a result of their forced physiological adaptation to the unique properties of their home sun.
* TheBore: Bera chim Gleer. President Bacco has to try very hard not to shut her eyes and nap when he gets going on one of his long-winded diatribes (see below).
* CharacterFilibuster: Councillor Bera chim Gleer of Tellar has never had a speech on the council floor go shorter than forty-five minutes...and that was when he had a cold. Usually it's twice that, minimum.
* ContinuityNod: Many. Most significantly to the first two novels of the ''Literature/StarTrekTitan'' series and the ''StarTrekATimeTo'' series, which introduced President Bacco and set the political stage for this novel. Also, supporting characters from across the StarTrekNovelVerse make an apperance, sometimes to the point of ContinuityPorn.
** As author Keith R. A. [=DeCandido=] was the driving force behind the ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'' series, many references to those stories are made in ''Articles of the Federation'', including follow-ups on diplomatic relations with several species discovered by the Corps, e.g. Koas and Strata.
* DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster: Ihazs, as usual. He's a leading member of the Orion Syndicate (an interstellar crime cartel), and certainly seems to enjoy his life of sophistry and elegance.
* DeadpanSnarker: Sivak. President Bacco actually enjoys this as when everyone else is deferental to her office, he's more than willing to provide a caustic comment or two.
* DemocracyIsBad: Apparently, the Tzenkethi Coalition believes this, at least in terms of where the Federation goes wrong. The degree to which their leaders' moral indignation is genuine and the degree to which they're simply trying to maintain the Tzenkethi caste system for selfish purposes is unclear, though what was established here was later built upon in ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact''. Certainly the "evils" of Federation democracy make a convenient scapegoat when things go wrong for the Coalition.
* DetonationMoon: On orders from Praetor Tal'aura, Romulan admiral Mendak tries to sabotage the free Reman settlement on Klorgat IV by blowing up one of the planet's moons.
* DumbMuscle: Ihazs' two Balduk bodyguards.
* FantasticRacism: The pacifistic Mizarians are considered to be "the vermin of the galaxy" by Klingons. Martok, being asked by Bacco to provide support for a scientific organization affiliated with no major nation, is ''not'' pleased to hear that their leader is Mizarian.
* FantasticSlurs: The Betazoid term "flatbrain" refers dismissively to those races without telepathic or empathic abilities. A Betazoid student uses the term several times, and is irritated when her roommate insists on talking out loud like a flatbrain alien.
* TheFederation: We ''finally'' get to see how the United Federation of Planets works as a political entity.
* GiantSpider: The Koas from ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'', essentially big spiders with octopus heads, make another appearance - joining the Federation.
* GovernmentConspiracy: Reporter Ozla Graniv discovers the truth about President Zife's resignation and the debacle at Tezwa (see ''StarTrekATimeTo''). President Bacco also confronts Admiral Ross about his participation in Zife's [[spoiler: removal at gunpoint.]] As a result, [[spoiler: Ross retires, removing himself from politics and any degree of influence over government policy]].
* GunboatDiplomacy: President Bacco resorts to this when overseeing negotiations between the Carreon and the Deltans. The Deltans require a new water reclamation system for their planet, and the Carreon have the design they need. Because of an old feud, however, the Carreon refuse to negotiate properly. Bacco ends up using the implied threat of Federation military strength to stop the Carreon messing the Deltans around. As she tells the Carreon Ambassador, diplomacy is the means by which conflict is avoided. If Carrea won't negotiate in good faith, the only remaining option is war - and she makes it clear Carrea wouldn't stand a chance.
* HarsherInHindsight: During the state funeral for former President [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Jaresh-Inyo]], President Bacco says that there's one measuring stick for the President: If the Federation's still intact at the end of your term, you've done a good job. The novel ends with a somewhat upbeat callback from Chief of Staff Piniero, pointing out that while the first year of Bacco's term had its ups and downs, the Federation is still intact, so...However, two months later (in universe), ''StarTrekDestiny'' happens. Bacco did a fine job through the apocalyptic mayhem and its aftermath, but it's still a bit of a knife-twist.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Ambassador Emra, and for now all Tzenkethi. This is part of what might be considered a general RunningGag in the StarTrekNovelVerse, in which the Tzenkethi's physical appearance was left a mystery (until the ''Literature/StarTrekTyphonPact'' series put an end to it by featuring them extensively).
* INeedADrink: Comes up a bit when major snafus occur - it's even referenced that the replicators in the Federation Offices will not dispense alcoholic beverages during working hours, leading Chief of Staff Piniero to think sardonically that ''every'' hour is a working hour.
* ImplausibleDeniability: Everyone knows Admiral Mendak was working on the orders of Praetor Tal'aura when he [[spoiler: destroyed Klorgat IV's moon]], but no one can prove anything - particularly after Mendak and his crew kill themselves with their own honour blades.
* IntrepidReporter: Ozla Graniv. Brek chim Glamok, too. Both end up in trouble, though at least Graniv finds one hell of a story.
* JerkAss: Councillor Molmaan, though that's simply his Zaldan cultural heritage. As a member of a race who WillNotTellALie, he is completely lacking in tact.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Kant Jorel, after being mostly just a plain jerk in his previous appearance. His back-story with the Bajoran Resistance (however briefly explored) certainly helps.
* KnightInSourArmor: Admiral Ross appears to be this, at least by this point.
* LittlestCancerPatient: Zormonk, essentially. A Tzenkethi child with a deadly disease whose only hope for life is with a particular Federation doctor. His father attempts to smuggle him to the Federation for treatment.[[spoiler: He dies, having gotten to them too late.]]
* LizardFolk: Established LizardFolk race the Gnalish show up in the novel, and their representative to the Federation is introduced: Gorus Gelemingar.
* MeaningfulFuneral: President Bacco feels she has a duty to make former president Jaresh-Inyo's funeral service memorable.
* MulticulturalAlienPlanet: During the funeral service for former president Jaresh-Inyo, his culture is referred to as "semtir". His species is Grazerite, but apparently (and in a welcome departure from PlanetOfHats) not all Grazerites have the same customs.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: C29 Green is unusually forward-thinking for a Nasat, being the only Forest Quadrant Governor to actually try V1 Red's new transport system rather than dismiss it out of hand as "too risky".
* MythologyGag: Chancellor Martok is irritated when Praetor Tal'aura's voice reminds him of his dead wife's. This is an in-joke, as Tal'aura and Martok's wife Sirella were played by the same actress.
* NoBiochemicalBarriers: Averted in one scene. The Trinni/ek food ''fleer/ok'' has to be removed from the menu during preparations for a state dinner welcoming the Trinni/ek Speaker. It's determined to be poisonous to Bajorans, Betazoids, Humans, Trills, and Vulcans, and causes an allergic reaction in Tellarites.
* PunctuationShaker: As with several other books by Keith R. A. [=DeCandido=], this one features several characters from a species (as yet unnamed) who include apostrophes between almost every letter of their names. An example: T'r'wo'li'i.
* TheRemnant: Some of the Reman factions are still spouting Shinzon's battle cries and making suicide runs at Federation outposts.
* RunningGag: Kant Jorel continues to steal Zhres' jokes.
* SassySecretary: Sivak, President Bacco's secretary, is essentially this. He's Vulcan, so he's very much a DeadpanSnarker, but he fits the SassySecretary trope too. He doesn't chew gum, of course, but he probably would if he found some, just to be more annoying...
* StopHelpingMe: Martok openly acknowledges that this trope underlies all the Klingon Empire's efforts to assist with the upheavals in Romulan space, e.g. making Remus a protectorate. President Bacco responds that, yes, the Federation worked that out quite quickly.
* SuicideAttack: The Reman crew of ''Vkruk'', against Outpost 22.
* TotalEclipseOfThePlot: In the dominant native religion of Lembatta Prime, a solar eclipse is a sacred event. The planet shuts down entirely during an eclipse, forcing President Bacco to postpone her state visit.
* TreacheryCoverUp: The Federation populace remains unaware of ex-President Zife's illegal activities (see ''StarTrekATimeTo'').
* TheUnpronounceable: Ex-President Thelian's full name is Thelianaresth th'Vorothishria. Say it five times, fast.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Balduk thugs carrying naked Trills through hotel lobbies is carefully ignored, at least when the Balduks are hired by local crime lord Ihazs.
** Unusually Uninteresting Report: Kant Jorel is irritated that none of the press corps blinks an eye on the subject of the Koas. "They put their planet ''in a box'', people!" (See ''StarfleetCorpsOfEngineers'').
* WeWillUseManualLabourInTheFuture: The planet Aligar uses slave labour to harvest its raw materials, including those destined for export. President Bacco gives a furious WhatTheHellHero speech to the Federation Council when the subject of renewing their trade agreements comes up. The agreements are terminated, but the Council ends up filibustering everything for two months until she admits she crossed a line.
* WhatTheHellHero: President Bacco gives two of these speeches. The first is when she condemns the Council for considering renewing trade agreements with Aligar - she later apologises for her behaviour. The second time, she points out the disturbing implications in the actions of Admiral Ross after the truth about his role in deposing President Zife comes to light. She notes that not only did he take it upon himself to remove the President from power, but in his public support for Bacco he also used his influence to encourage the ascension of a leader he personally preferred.
** Bacco gives the Triexian Councillor to the Federation the option of resigning when it's revealed he oversaw the secret imprisionment of a [[ShapeShifter chameloid]] during the height of Changeling paranoia. While he tries to defend his actions, Bacco and her staff point out that while what he did may have been legal under Triexian law of the time it certainly went against ''Federation'' law and basic rights.
* WithAllDueRespect: Councillor Gleer, responding to Bacco's nomination of Councillor Krim to the Security Sub-Council: "With all due respect, madam president, are you mad?"
* JustForFun/XMeetsY: WordOfGod on this one: it's ''Franchise/StarTrek'' meets ''Series/TheWestWing''. There's even a character named [[SignificantAnagram Karin]] [[Creator/AaronSorkin Noosar]].
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