Dayton Ward
Pocket Books, 2019
STARSTAR TREK:TREK:
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AVAILABLEAVAILABLE LIGHTLIGHT
While we await the much-anticipated Star Trek:
Picard, the Star Trek: The Next Generation novels
have been continuing the adventures of the
Enterprise-E and her crew. Set after the events of
Star Trek Nemesis, the books have given us the
ultimate Borg invasion, a presidential assassination,
Picard marrying and becoming a father, and the
Enterprise-E once again exploring the fi nal frontier
in the far reaches of the Odyssean Pass.
Available Light is the latest novel by veteran
Tre k author Dayton Ward. The story picks up with
the startling revelation and exposure of the covert
organization Section 31 and the impact its demise
is having upon the Federation, Starfl eet, and more
specifi cally the involvement of Captain Picard in the
removal of Federation President Min Zife (as told
in the A Time To... series from 2004). The crew are
shocked to discover that their captain – a man who
they know to be honorable – could do such a thing,
and Picard struggles to cope with the fallout and the
responsibility he must take for his role in the coup.
In the midst of dealing with all this, the
Enterprise-D encounters a mysterious and ancient
vessel. At fi rst it appears to be deserted, but an
investigation leads to a discovery that means Picard
and crew must do everything they can to preserve
the vessel and the secrets it holds. Of course, for
Picard this is a standard day at the offi ce, but the
stakes are raised by salvage hunters who have also
discovered the ship and want it for themselves.
Available Light is a fast-paced novel. Ward
captures the tone of The Next Generation perfectly,
and with a set of new characters introduced over
the years – including Vulcan/human hybrid T’Ryssa
Chen – the story feels as fresh and enjoyable as any
episode of the series. The mystery of the ancient
vessel is intriguing, and it’s interesting to see how
the ripples of the exposure of Section 31 impact
some of the higher levels of Starfl eet, including
Admirals Ross, Nechayev, and Jellico. But it’s Picard
and the journey he goes on in making what he feels
is the right decision that most captivates.
The story ends on a cliffhanger, leaving this
reader eagerly awaiting the follow-up, David Mack’s
Collateral Damage, which is due in October.MICHAEL CLARKCOMICS / BOOKS