The Nasat introduces...Thallonians!

It occurs to me that if I’m going to talk about the Trek novels' continuity and world-building, I should acknowledge Star Trek: New Frontier, the first book series to focus on original characters' ongoing adventures, and which essentially set the stage for the current novel ‘verse.

So this thread is for discussion of our most noble imperial masters, the Thallonians.

The Thallonians are integral to Star Trek: New Frontier – at least until the very latest books, which is something we’ll discuss in a moment. For those who haven’t read the series, the territory of the Thallonian Empire was an isolated but reasonably expansive region of space near Federation and Romulan territory, but distant from the core worlds. The empire collapsed in 2373, due in part to the gradual decline of the resources that gave the homeworld its power, which, when combined with the grievances held by much of the population against the royals (and very often each other), led to an uprising and then general anarchy. New Frontier’s hero ship, the Excalibur, is sent into Thallonian space to fly the Federation flag while on a general mission of fact-finding/stabilization/providing-aid-where-needed. It's a very broad and somewhat vague mission profile, but that's acknowledged and debated by the characters, so no foul.

Helping - or sometimes “helping” - the Excalibur crew is Lord Si Cwan, a survivor of the royal family and pretty much the only member of such to be genuinely well-liked by the common population. He’s hoping to reunite Thallonian space and bring order back to its worlds, and wrestles with the twin desires to have his great empire restored and to learn from the mistakes of the past and build something better, or at least something more stable in the long-term. He also has a sister, Kalinda, who is an important character in her own right. She sees dead people.

(Perhaps it's because Peter David also wrote the Legions of Fire novels for Babylon Five, as well as episodes of such, but I'm increasingly reminded of the Centauri from that universe - imperialist monarchists with male statesmen and female prophets.)

Anyway, in terms of physical appearance, there’s nothing fancy about Thallonians. They’re humanoids with red skin, a startling range of hair colours, and tattoos on their forehead. Then again, Thallonians aren’t intended to be interesting by virtue of being alien; they’re intended, one assumes, to be familiar. As said, they’re the imperialist, monarchist power who show up across fiction precisely because they show up across real world history (and associated mythology).

The Thallonians are martial but isolationist. They show an interesting dichotomy of careful restraint - their refusal to trade or import means waste is considered to be a great sin, and their policy towards other powers is one of static isolation rather than antagonism - and expansionist brutality (one of my favourite scenes in New Frontier is in book five, Martyr, in which Si Cwan explains how the Thallonians raised their flag over Zondar, bombarding one of the coastlines and killing millions to prove they meant business). In the earliest novels we’re told how the first Thallonians were exiles and criminals dumped on remote inhospitable worlds to - presumably - die off on their own timetable. However, due to unforeseen circumstances (namely, the Space Phoenix, or Great Bird of the Galaxy, nesting in the primary destination world), they actually delivered these criminals to a fertile planet with incredible energy reserves that allowed the Thallonians to become a power in the region. Later books explain how the dominant species in the area at the time, the Priatians, welcomed the Thallonians and were slowly but surely shoved aside and reduced in number while the Thallonians ascended. In other words, familiar colonial history to many earthlings. Eventually, the Thallonians were conquering other worlds as a matter of policy, but then they appear to have entered a stage of consolidation rather than expansion; we’re explicitly told they never antagonized neighbouring powers like the Federation. The whole story is an interesting one, and yet - presumably because Thallonian space is just the backdrop to New Frontier with the focus being on the characters and their idiosyncrasies - the full tale has never been explored.

One of the interesting things about New Frontier is the sense that the various races in Thallonian space have adopted the Thallonian culture, or at least its core values and attitudes, even as they resent the ruling family. As we see in the later New Frontier novels After the Fall and Missing in Action, a unified set of values that are clearly Thallonian in origin define the entire region.

In the very latest New Frontier books, though, the Thallonian situation appears to have become less important to the series. There's a habit of introducing new and threatening foes into New Frontier that perhaps overshadow the original mission. The first round of such, the Prometheans and the Redeemers, weren't too distracting for me because they worked as part of the context of Thallonian territory - as rival power structures in uneasy balance with the Thallonians and now taking advantage of their fall. Then there were the Beings, which had nothing to do with Thallonian space but were tied to a major character in the series, so, again, acceptable to me. Then we had the Teuthis and their rivals, who were tied to the pre-Thallonian history of the region and so were at least made relevant in a "retcon" sort of way. But now we've moved on to a foe with no apparent link to the Thallonians at all, and the story of Thallonian space seems to be over, or at least being brushed aside. That's just how I see it, though.

Outside of New Frontier, the final Double Helix book, The First Virtue, - which is also a Stargazer novel, featuring the characters introduced in Reunion - is one of the few non-Peter David stories to explore the Thallonians to any degree, while in the No Limits anthology we have a short Si Cwan story from Josepha Sherman. Other than that, we have references to New Frontier in many mainstream “novel ‘verse” books, but only a few of these actually reference the Thallonians directly. David Mack in particular seems to like acknowledging them as a part of the Trek lit universe, from confirming their position on the star charts in SCE: Small World to introducing a Thallonian Starfleet officer, Jang Si Naran, to fill a post in Ops on DS9.

I've written far too much again (so much for keeping my posts shorter in later "episodes"), so I'll finish with one question I've been pondering:

Where are the original race, those who sent the first criminals who became Thallonians? Do they still exist, or (as the Priatian backstory could be read to indicate) did they slowly migrate over once Thallon started getting up and running, depleting the birth nation?

The Nasat reviews The Persistence of Memory

This, the first Cold Equations book, was overall a very good read. I'm impressed by how seamlessly the Noonien Soong portion folds into the framing plot. Essentially, this is two distinct Trek stories written in two different ways which sit alongside and partially within each other so comfortably that they easily add up to a single novel. Soong and the trace-the-androids plot just coalesced comfortably into a single story that was all the richer for the two narrative styles.

One thing I loved in the Noonien section was the sense of the Federation as a large and diverse place; not merely diverse in terms of culture or species but divided into unofficial but clearly evident regions - distinct economic and social areas. The differences between the core worlds and the outer worlds, the subtle distinctions regarding what a character can accomplish in each place and the degree of oversight...it was a welcome new look at life in the UFP that fleshed out the expanse of Federation space in a way I haven't really seen before. The Federation isn't a homogenous mass but instead is presented as a collection of distinct pockets with flavours and local character, with trends that link some of them and enough differences in lifestyle and opportunity that it brings a sense of relief to the increasingly "top-heavy" Trek lit view of the UFP. One of the few downsides of making "the Galactic West Wing" a major part of the novels is that it can "shrink" the Federation a bit in a reader's perspective, make it feel tighter and more controlled than it is. A sense of heady freedom and comforting scope is conveyed through Soong's journey around UFP space. That feels far more in keeping with the reality of 1000 pockets of civilization huddled around little pinpricks of light than how the Federation often comes across in these books (not that I'm complaining; I love the GWW plots, I just think this was a nice balance).

Basically, the Soong portion is interesting because it's an intimate portrait of a character with a very wide backdrop; there's a real sense of scope to his travels yet the focus on that one character (achieved in part of course by the first-person narrative) makes each point we touch seem distinct and pleasantly isolated.

On a similar note, fleshing out the UFP in ways that we don't often see, I also enjoyed seeing the corporate side of things. The idea that Soong took pains to link the Ferengi economy to the Federation's and tie the two nation's destinys together without the Ferengi realizing (until it was too late to reverse it) is one of those reinterpretations that should perhaps feel a bit uncomfortable but managed to be convincing thanks to the way Soong is presented to us. I could buy that he's planning that deeply and that long-term.

Writing from Soong's point of view was very successful - he was an engaging character and he truly came across as a man from whom Data and Lore both could have taken some of their traits. I identified with him in many ways myself. So much of his character was familiar to me that I'm forced to conclude that either

a) I am in fact a genius beyond all precedent and should really be off making android bodies myself

or

b) David Mack really knows how to make characters relatable, sympathetic and comfortably human.

I'm guessing it's b).

I particularly loved his description of Data's basic "package" of traits and needs as a functioning person: "Curiosity, loyalty, a need to be useful, a desire to live in harmony with other beings". That's a wonderful summary of the basic impulses and motives that define the emotions of sapient social beings, and as other posters have said upthread, provides a great argument for Data as an inherently emotional being - even if those emotions aren't human.

Another thing common to David Mack novels that was evident here: seeing Starfleet use their ingenuity to work through problems, e.g. the various stealth issues. I also appreciated how this characterization was extended to other spacefaring powers - the crew of the Breen ship were equally allowed to come across as competent.

Poor Choudhury! I very much liked her, and I'll miss her.

Like several other posters, I can't help but feel that the novels are carefully laying groundwork for a possible merge into the scenario established in Countdown. I'm not saying that's what's being planned as a future direction for the novels, only that Trek lit seems to be hedging its bets, making it plausible as an option. Between the hints over the last few TNG books that Picard might getting ready to settle down and leave the service, some form of Data returning, and now Worf suffering a loss that could conceivably prompt him to move on again...Once more, I'm not saying this is written to set up Countdown; I'm merely observing that the pieces seem to be in place so that such an eventual direction is now an option.

Overall, I loved this book. But now for my problem. As I suspected, the Data-resurrection was handled in such a way as to carefully avoid any reset button, set up new possibilities that don't undermine the emotional arcs we've already seen, and satisfy most of my concerns regarding general resurrection plots. I thought Janeway's resurrection was well-handled, and I think Data's what-for-convenience's-sake-we'll-call-a-resurrection was well handled too. And that's my problem. I don't like characters returning from the dead or getting another chance at life. If it were up to me and me alone, I would have left Janeway dead and I would have left Data dead. Now both the most prominant main characters to have died are back in some fashion, and this doesn't sit well with me. And yet, I think that both resurrection storys were handled with skill, competence and respect, and I don't feel it's fair or indeed valid to complain. It's not a reset button. It doesn't undermine what's come before. Both returns will please those readers who wanted the characters back while, on the whole, not offending or annoying those who wanted (unofficially at least) a no-resurrection policy. They're good compromises that don't sacrifice any of the plots' capacity to be strong and worthwhile stories. Data's return isn't a reset.

And I'm a little bummed by that, to be honest. I sort of feel, on some irrational level, that I've been led to happily give a thumbs up to something that I wouldn't usually support. Janeway's back and now Data's...well, not dead. That makes me want to sigh, but I'm okay with it because both "return" novels were handled so well.

Do you see my dilemma?

The Nasat introduces...Pahkwa-thanh

The first two threads apparently prompted some members of the Trek BBS to read the stories involving the featured species, so I guess this is working pretty well as a feature, for all that it’s a mostly unorganized one. For the third entry, I thought I’d take another step back from big players like the Tzenkethi and take a look at the Pahkwa-thanh, who are a relatively minor species, but have a major character representing them and so in that regard are at least as notable as Nasats.

The Pahkwa-thanh are the race to which Dr. Shenti Yisec Eres Ree of Star Trek: Titan belongs; so far, he’s the only Pahkwa-thanh character we have. He – and they – were introduced in Taking Wing, the first Titan novel, and were immediately interesting by virtue of being non-humanoid (as mentioned in the Nasat thread, a rarity among Federation aliens). We have art; a head-shot, anyway. Behold the smiling face of Pahkwa-thanhity:



Of course, one of the defining characteristics of the Star Trek: Titan series is its heavily non-human, impressively non-humanoid crew. Given that Dr. Ree is one of the major characters, and especially given that his introduction in Taking Wing serves to demonstrate how Titan differs from the comfortable and familiar world of TNG (Riker learning just how hard it might be to adjust, best intentions aside), it’s clear that the Pahkwa-thanh are one of the “showcase” aliens for the series. Basically: “This is a very diverse crew, and here’s a good example, the chief medical officer is a therapod dinosaur!”. Indeed, a lot of readers have taken the dinosaur resemblance, made explicit in Taking Wing, and made it the defining trait of the character: Dr. Ree, he’s the dinosaur. I’ve done it myself in my “humorous novel recap” thread (in that case the implicit joke being that he’s actually a dinosaur). Dr Ree is the friendly dinosaur from our imaginations.



It's not my fault they didn't give us art for the rest of the body! (Yes, I know he's oriented horizontally, not vertically)

Is this "dinosaur" label really fair to the Pahkwa-thanh, though? While they’re not a very notable species in the Trek lit universe as a whole (their appearance outside of Titan stories limited to one walk-on cameo and a name-drop), we have learnt enough about them to justify relating to them as an actual alien people, not a walking advert for IDIC or a Startrekosaurus vocalis. For one thing, while they’re still essentially one of the aliens created by taking Earth creatures and giving them sapience, at least in this case they borrow from several sources. Physically, a Pahkwa-thanh is essentially a cross between a komodo dragon and a dromaeosaur. And while the venomous bite introduced in Destiny takes them deeper into the reptile camp, other habits are borrowed from the dromaosaurs’ avian relatives. We’re given insight into their breeding in Over A Torrent Sea (with a few hints established prior to this in Destiny, regarding nesting behaviour and feeding the young), and it’s clear that Pahkwa-thanh breed like ratites. (Ratites being large flightless birds without a keel on their sternum, meaning they couldn’t fly even if they had suitable wings). Like many such birds, Pahkwa-thanh apparently construct nests where the male watches over the eggs and young, implicitly attracting as many mates as he can (and so perhaps raising several females' young together?)

Moving on to what truly makes them a memorable addition to Trek lit, a defining trait of the Pahkwa-thanh is their aversion of the “Carnivore Confusion” trope. This refers to the general awkwardness which results when members of a multi-species cast have a natural diet that should logically include other members. Rather than hand-wringing a vague answer or ignoring the issue, instead it was decided to embrace the implications and give readers some interesting comparative alien psychology. While the Pahkwa-thanhs’ carnivorous diet (and some people’s poor reaction to it) is established in the opening novels, their predatory nature is first explored in the third book, Orion’s Hounds, where through Ree’s relative comfort with the hunting practices of the novel’s guest aliens we start to see the universe through Pahkwa-thanh eyes. They themselves still engage in hunts, having a metabolism geared toward bursts of activity prior to feeding, and consequently they maintain a sense of integration with the natural order. As such, their prey animals are defined by their spiritual presence, considered to have souls and respected as equal participants in the struggle. Prey is not just food; it’s a powerful entity that must be honoured and grappled with on both the physical and the metaphysical plane. As a result of this cultural mindset, Pahkwa-thanh have, in theory, no qualms about killing and consuming other sapient beings. In practice, they wouldn’t prey on their alien colleagues because (and besides the Federation presumably having a “citizens may not consume other citizens” law hidden away somewhere) it would be intolerably rude. And when you’re a large predatory being with the capability to do serious damage in a very short time, you need to have social mechanisms in place to prevent conflict, meaning Pahkwa-thanh are nearly never rude.

In Orion’s Hounds, this aspect of the Pahkwa-thanh race is played alongside not only the Pa’haquel people (who seamlessly combine mystical and practical perspectives on the hunt) but also the Fethetrit, another predator species who in contrast to Pahkwa-thanh are very rude indeed. In later stories, further mileage is gotten out of the uneasy contrast between Ree as a gentle and good-natured character and Ree as a predator. The biting incident in Destiny (with the Caeliar expressing shock at his methods), the intimidating paternal protective mode he enters in Over A Torrent Sea, even the reversal in Seize the Fire when Ree’s presence proves comforting to the Gorn character (who is himself a carnivorous reptile). So, Trek lit has actually explored the mindset and cultural worldview of Pahkwa-thanh, demonstrating how a predatory species might integrate with the other peoples of the Federation. Which means Ree is indeed more than just "the dinosaur", joking aside.

I'd personally enjoy seeing more Pahkwa-thanh, and maybe someday seeing their society or homeworld?

In the short story "Empathy", we're shown a glimpse of the Mirror Universe Pahkwa-thanh, and one of the interesting points about them was their healthy relationship with the Klingons. (For those who haven't read "Empathy", the Pahkwa-thanh managed to repel an invasion attempt by the Empire, and in fighting so effectively apparently impressed the Klingons without offending them (always a difficult balancing act with Klingons, it's difficult to "win" where they're concerned). This led to the Klingons holding Pahkwa-thanh in high regard, so apparently they're doing a lot better than most cultures who wind up in the path of the Alliance). It was only a small piece of background history, but given that the author has descibed Ree as essentially the same character in both universes, it suggests great adaptability on the part of the Pahkwa-thanh while also giving us a sense of how effectively they're grounded in their own identity. They can prosper as an effective part of the Federation in one reality and as an associate of the Klingon Empire at its battle-thirsty height in another, without being truly subsumed by either. That in itself gives a sense of the vigor of these aliens, and emphasises their distinctiveness, rather than having them be one of "the mongrel races" of the Federation (to quote a certain Romulan). They're not just hangers-on to humans, they're uniquely distinct.

One final comment to conclude this introduction: I like how the name "Pahkwa-thanh" is distinct from the normal naming conventions for Trek (and other) aliens. However, since we've discovered that their homeworld is Pahkwa, it seems likely that, actually, they're indeed "Pahkwa-ians". Which is amusing, I suppose.

The Nasat compares Cardassians and Centauri

Not a literature topic, this time.

A thread came up on the Trek BBS, involving a comparison/contrast between Trek's Cardassians and Babylon Five's Centauri. It got a few responses, the longest from myself, but there was little discussion. I thought it was worth re-posting my thoughts on the subject here. The two races have similar thematic arcs in their respective shows; being an established part of the political setting with a history of aggression against their neighbours, yet who seem, in earlier seasons, to be slowly mellowing and showing signs of progress - in large part due to a general decline that prompts re-examination of their political values. However, both races then enter into questionable alliances in order to kick off a new round of expansion and aggression, leading to disaster as they end up being pawns of other powers and eventually wind up on the wrong side of a planetary bombardment.

In the original thread, someone had posted the immortal question: who wins in a fight? I gave a rambling reply which I'll reproduce below:

The biggest weakness of both cultures (besides their tendency to piss off every neighbouring race with their arrogant aggression and ruthless treatment of other populations) is their apparent lack of capacity for racial unity. Backstabbing power plays and vicious competition between bloodlines, power blocs and individuals are the norm in both Cardassian and Centauri societies, and this endemic in-fighting weakens their ability to wield the influence they otherwise could. Too much of their scheming is channeled into petty retributions and jostling for position within their own hierarchies, rather than the cause of bettering their people.

The Cardassians call themselves a Union, drawing together in mutual discipline and sacrifice to ensure their shared survival, but in practice they're still at each other's throats, seemingly unable to play nice or put the needs of their population above their own ambition. The Centauri are perhaps more honest about their nature but less sympathetic, having a society dedicated to flaunting resources and power for their own sake rather than as a means to survival. That said, they have a system wherein people are supposed to accept their position with grace (nobility loyal to the emperor, lesser nobles respectful of greater houses, commoners and slaves accepting their place in the scheme of things), but in practice they're completely unable to live in the sedentary and structured system they've created, and behind the scenes they're desperately grabbing for power and influence wherever they can.

Both races, I think, have desperately imposed a static, repressive and rigid social structure over their peoples - Cardassians a conformist militant police state, Centauri a class-based hierarchy. They've both further insisted that duty to this system is among a citizen's higest values. In truth, they've both slapped this system over a viciously competitive mindset that is unable to overcome the urge to knock others down in order to climb higher yourself, and it always shows through.
As for who "wins" in a fight, though?

The Centauri are ruthless, but they're also hedonists. They delight in decadence, ostentatious display of impracticality, pointless tradition for the sake of tradition. Excess and waste is practically a requirement for their nobility, and their celebrations are based on an "eat, drink and be merry, because, hey, we're alive and that's great!" mentality. And with the defeat of the Xon, they triumphed over the only real competitor they ever knew. So they believe it's now their birthright to be on top. They're apex predators, at least as I see them, and like all predators they don't expend energy unless they feel they need to. If their status as top dog is threatened, then they "need" to, and they're ruthless and driven (no doubt falling back into Xon War thinking) until the opponent is crushed. The military thoroughness for which they're renowned seems a display of precision and power that points to real dedication...but when the threat is over, then it's time to party again.

Cardassians, though, never party. They believe the supposed needs of Cardassia are justification for militant acquisition of resources, and the ruling parties justify their position through military service history rather than birthright. They're constantly pressured into continuing their militancy, either by the genuine desire to stave off scarcity or the knowledge that they hold on to their power only by seeming to serve the needs of Cardassia. Where Centauri are dedicated and ruthless when they feel their power is threatened or else feel the need to flaunt it and remind everyone who's boss, the Cardassians are dedicated and ruthless pretty much all the time, because they constantly have their backs to the wall, partly due to factors beyond their control, partly due to their own messed-up society and its expectations.

So what it comes down to, I think, is: who has the greater need to win? The old lion fighting to retain leadership of his pride, who would otherwise be lounging about but is NOT going to let anyone challenge him and still knows how to show everyone else who's boss, or the lean, starving lion whose life has been one long battle for survival and who is driven to take that leadership position no matter what? Who wants it more?

(The OP responded to this by pointing out, quite rightly, that "Cardassians never party" wasn't really true, as Dukat and company's behaviour on Terok Nor demonstrates. I offered a reply:
Fair point. Yes, I probably exaggerated there; you're right that we do see indulgence and even displays of luxury and excess among Cardassians. Still, that seems to be a periodic release from the pressures of discipline and duty rather than a lifestyle, and it apparently tends to happens on frontier outposts and colonies; I always got the impression that, like the extramarital affairs with Bajoran women, the drinking and gambling wasn't exactly socially acceptable, only people shrugged and turned a blind eye to it so long as it stayed out in the colonies.)

The Nasat reviews The Eternal Tide

Once upon a time there was a girl named Kathryn. She had many adventures and made many friends, but her life was tragically cut short when she was suddenly knocked down by a Borg Cube. Those who had known her were saddened, angry and in some cases very philosophical about the nature of loss, but what really got them going was the possibility that she might be brought back. This was rather controversial for many reasons, and the controversy was itself controversial to those who were missing her most keenly. Some thought the intensity of the fans’ response - on all sides to some degree but particularly on those who felt something truly irreplaceable had been lost - a bit excessive. Making Janeway a focal point for everyone’s personal insight on life, death, loss, and fate was going a bit far, surely? Janeway’s fate wasn’t actually a matter of life and death, after all. It wasn’t the end of the universe. Only it was, actually. Because in this novel, the force of pure creation and the force of pure destruction are both demanding attention, and right in the middle is Kathryn Janeway, who has to walk a rather apologetic and careful line between them. Not only that, but she must do justice to both while not shying away from her own strength and the desire to walk her own path.

I would hazard a guess that Kirsten Beyer rather identifies with the character she’s writing, sometimes.

This is a very ”meta” sort of novel, really. It’s the novel about the Janeway controversy, about the heated arguments, thoughtful examinations and occasional self-immolations that this fandom-within-a-fandom has hosted since Before Dishonor. But it’s also a novel about Janeway and her influence on the crew – how they coped with losing her, and how things might have changed now she’s back. And the problems confronting the characters as they wrestle old status quo with new, uneasy status quo with the knowledge that change and time will cut them off from both, are also the problems confronting the readers. We are truly with the characters this time, which was perhaps inevitable given the power the Dead One (or NOT DEAD one) holds over both them and us. Granted, Janeway’s back – but does that have to negate the change in the other characters since she was lost? Are things back how they were on Voyager, or does undoing her death not undo the impact of it? What’s been lost for good and what can be reclaimed in new, perhaps better form? Is it fair to throw Janeway back into life – fair on her, fair on others, fair on us as readers? But life’s not fair, is it, and neither is death. And compromise makes no one fully happy, but hopefully content...

Five ships down, now. A price paid for Janeway’s return (so enforcing the sense that you don’t get to avoid the harsher realities), or edging us closer to the familiar – Voyager alone and Janeway in charge (so doing just the opposite?) It’s up to us, I suppose. This is a careful novel indeed, though part of the beauty is that for all it encompasses the debate it can fuel any position among the perspectives comprising that debate, depending on how we interpret it.

In the first half of the book, the Q are essentially giving voice to the fan debates, representing them within the novel continuity itself, filtered through the realities of the plot and the setting. They’re certainly not out of place or jarring – it’s very sensitively handled – but it did make me think that this novel can’t really be evaluated as most would. It’s too much a novel of the fandom, not just for it. It brought the ongoing disagreements over Janeway into the novel universe. In fact, I’d go further and say that Q and Q and Q weren’t having only the Janeway Debate but also the Direction of Trek Lit Debate, the Darkness Vs Optimism Debate, the Where Are They Going With This Debate. This novel seemed to examine fan responses to the direction taken by Trek lit as a whole since Janeway’s death, not limiting itself to just the one series.

As a side note, I really appreciated how this novel handled the Q. The situation we find them in may by necessity draw on the Voyager interpretation of Q - extended Q family, the drama of omnipotent squabbling, but the general dignity with which the Q are written brought to mind the TNG Q (or, to be fair to Voyager, Death Wish), where serious and difficult issues were evident beneath the petulant clowning. The Q in this novel were philosophical and even noble; they had the feel of a family, but they also felt convincing as a society, as a force of sapience (and one existing on a more sophisticated plane at that). And Q Junior was actually convincing as the same character having “settled down”, which is impressive. And continuing the reproduction/family/pursuit of the perfect thematic arc that I’ve noted flowing through many of the 24th century novels since Greater Than the Sum, I’m glad someone confronted the question of what procreation really means for beings like the Q.

I also think this novel a great ending for the Q, actually. In Q&A (which was referenced in The Eternal Tide in a scene where Q stresses the significance of Picard being the One), we saw how the Q had been guiding humanity toward new experiences, new truths, in an effort to save them all. And we were given the impression, in that novel and in this one, that Q is genuinely proud of humans. In The Eternal Tide, it was the same idea but with the favour returned; here humans guide the Q to greater understanding and new experiences, so that all can be saved. There was, to me, a sense of completion to it, that this was the complementary balance to Q&A. Janeway’s defence of the Q – “even on their worst day, they’ve done more good than evil” was rather touching. I feel that we’ve been shown the Q completing a journey of sorts. The Q and the humans are allies now, friends even. And even Q’s angry insistence that Janeway “has made an enemy today” is proof of that; it’s not the distant threat of an incomprehensible power but a misplaced anger that actually points to a comfort and familiarity. Very satisfying.

Let’s see, other matters. On the darkness/hope front, since I said I thought the novel was dealing with that debate too, there’s a slight disconcerting sense (one I enjoyed) of the Caeliar having done too much good in one swoop, that it’s not easy to grasp the good fortune, and that any pure transcendent high is going to give way to some muddy lows at some point. As Chakotay says, how long until the colonization rush begins, once it’s realized that prime real estate is up for grabs in Borgsville? Of course, the fact that it was Borgsville will no doubt keep many people out on principle; I assume they wouldn’t want to head into space where the terrifying force that uprooted their civilizations or destroyed their homes still has power – even if it’s just the power of a bad memory. I imagine to many races Borg space will always be the Great Empty, the expanse to be shunned and shivered at, new growth be damned. But that’s not going to be everyone. Indeed, if it’s the “less sensitive” civilizations which will turn their attention to it first, it might make it more likely that fighting and squabbling will break out in the future. On that note, I thought it amusing and appropriate that some of the Malon are apparently using it already. No time for reflection or superstition or uncertainty, we’ve got waste to dump. They’re a twisted sort of practical, those Malon, at least when it comes to smoothing the wrinkles of their wider impracticalities.

The multiverse can’t catch a break, can it? If Janeway doesn’t alter history, the Borg eventually assimilate everyone; if she does, the Omega crisis. No wonder laughing at the absurdity is considered the highest truth in the Trek Lit universe. Also, between this and the Strings (glad to get some references to String Theory by the way), Janeway is picking up a nasty habit of nearly unwinding the universe.

Lengthy aside: It seems to me that Trek lit over the last few years (has it really been 4 years since Destiny?) has really expanded in scope. The Caeliar in Destiny made several intriguing references to the wonders and terrors of the wider universe, even suggesting that the Milky Way is like a little sheltered pocket in which they can hide. Indistinguishable From Magic took us to see some of those trans-galactic wonders, and introduced us to truly universal beings. Other books have given us hints at a system of galactic ecosystems, systems of intersecting time travel events that actually make coherent sense, etc; it seems that just as slipstream risks making the setting look small, the books are pushing the boundaries further and further. I don’t know if this is a justified impression, or just my narrow view of Trek literature (beginning as it does in 2002), but I thought I'd comment just the same.

Back to TET: I also liked the possibility that Naomi is entertaining thoughts of leaving her Starfleet training. We’ll see how it goes, but I think her doubts make sense, and aren’t just the strain of the intense work. She was always an intelligent, driven child, and she seemed to make the most of the opportunities available. In the self-contained world of Voyager, that meant looking to Starfleet (captain’s assistant and all). Now, though, her world has expanded rapidly, and maybe it took her awhile to truly come to terms with that – particularly as she’s driven and focused. Maybe it took her a while to realize there were other paths.

Onto major characters: I still like Cambridge and Seven. I think he’s a wonderful character to “put with” Seven, to bounce off her, to draw her out. I still didn’t get any Sharak though (well, one scene). The Tamarians are a race who I’d love to see mined further. It’s a great opportunity here and I’m getting impatient. Board, please commence an ongoing “Sharak getting the Shaft” controversy; that should help.

Small note: Tom’s humorous chiding to “sit there in your wrongness and be wrong” reminded me so much of a friend of mine I nearly laughed. That’s exactly the sort of thing she would say.

I’ve already proposed that the novel was a full-on examination of the Janeway Death issue, from all angles and perspectives, before hopefully, gently asserting its own inoffensive position. Despite that, though, I think I’m choosing to see the Voyager relaunch-relaunch as less of a “dealing with Janeway’s death” arc and more of a “Janeway and Chakotay” story. At least, that’s where I think the real meaning lies. Or to be sly, the uncontroversial meaning. At heart, it’s the account of the trials and obstacles two people have to overcome before they can be together; it just goes a little further than most such arcs because it has to work around “one of them dies for a bit”. I’m glad they’re together at last. Picard and Crusher did it, so can they. When Janeway said “I love you”, it made me a little tearful, I must admit. I’m forced to conclude, then, that I am now a “shipper”. It may be time to take me outside and get the shotgun.

To conclude this lengthy ramble, I’m still torn as to how I relate to this one, enough so that I’m giving it an “above average” score rather than the “outstanding” it might have been courting. Probably that’s because, no matter how skilfully and sensitively it handles the controversy, a novel that’s this aware of its context can’t help but feel at times like it’s swallowed more than it can keep down. This wasn’t pure Trekkian enjoyment, this was more a community catharsis. That’s a great achievement, to be sure. In Spock’s World, McCoy notes that his Big Speech is “every argument I’ve ever had with (Spock) rolled up into one”. This novel, I think, is “every (well, nearly every) debate this board, this fandom, has had on the Janeway issue, rolled up into one”. And I think, yes, it probably won. The issue remaining for me is – does that make for a great novel or merely a good novel serving a secondary purpose that detracts from its status as a novel? I’m not sure, which is why I’m going to think of The Eternal Tide as the book that brings Janeway and Chakotay together, and the book that concludes the Q arc, rather than the Janeway Issue book it can’t help but really be.

TL;DR: It’s about Janeway.

The Nasat reviews Forgotten History

The Original Series is my least favourite of the Trek shows, so books built around it are always a tougher sell for me than those set in other eras. An exception to my lesser interest is non-Kirk centric novels like the Vanguard books, which flesh out the backdrop and make the 23rd century hold together with greater consistancy (in my mind, anyway). But I’ve mentioned before that I love Christopher Bennett's books, and his take on TOS is one I enjoy, probably because his novels are always above and beyond when it comes to consistancy - how the plot holds together, in terms of character motivation and development, and how they effortlessly tie continuity details and aspects of the established universe into a tapestry that makes a great deal of sense. The general silliness of some of TOS and TAS often puts me off, but somehow it all seems reasonable when Bennett re-examines it. Forgotten History is really convincing as an explanation for how Kirk's various time travel experiences fit into something other than a string of episode ideas and it further links that string of incidents into Federation legal, political and scientific history with great success. The result is just very, very satisfying, even before we get into the details of the writing or characterization, or even the plot.

I suppose I’ll just mention a few things I particularly liked.

I liked the Vedala; I don't recall them being used before (other than in the original TAS episode and, presumably, its novelization). I particularly appreciated the Vedala representative's satisfied response to "peace and long life" - "that is most likely". Oh, to be a contented space-kitty. I get the feeling they appreciate the gesture, but only in terms of what it shows about T’Nuri, the Vulcans and the Federation, not for its intended purpose as a bridge between two individuals (or societies). After all, the Federation is not the equal of the Vedala, it’s a “child civilization”; it seems to be developing nicely but it’s not anything they’d want to associate with. So I liked the slight sense of miscommunication, as though something didn’t quite connect there, but we can see why given the Vedalas’ general attitude. A give and take that ended up being a give and a "we acknowledge your give", but not a take. Never mind. It’s good that Kirk, Spock, T’Nuri, et al are too secure in themselves and/or humble to take offense. I get the impression that the Vedala would respond with scorn if they tried the “I can haz respect?” angle.

As ever, the Betelgeusians were fun, for what little we see of them. T’Viss’ scandalized reaction to “nice juicy secrets” made me chuckle. ‘Geusians are a memorable creation, for all that they’re rather simple in concept. They remind me of possibly my favourite alien race in sci-fi, which oddly enough is the Drazi from Babylon Five. They have a similar ultra-competitive view of life that’s refreshing in its cheerful capacity for causing trouble while remaining unconcerned with, indeed relishing, the outcome. Of course, ‘Geusians are posturing predators obsessed with status and pack hierarchy, not brawlers who fight from the belief that they’re affirming themselves in a directly spiritual sense, but the comparison floats around in my head nonetheless.

I suppose this is as good a time as any to note that I always enjoy the humour of Bennett's books, particularly when it relates to alien races and their quirks. It’s not played for broad comedy (the aliens are portrayed too seriously - shall I say respectfully? - at least "good heartedly" - for that), but instead develops naturally from what’s established about their perspectives and racial psychology. There were other comical moments interspersed through the novel, which again were nicely understated. The offhand mention of T'Viss' alternate identity is a good example.

If I'm talking about aliens and T’Visses (T’Vissii?) I should mention that the Vulcan characters’ POV were highlights, which is another common response I have to Bennett's Trek works. I mentioned in my BBS review thread for Storming Heaven that I imagine Vulcans must be challenging to write; they’re so frequently used that there’s even more need than usual to explore Vulcan individuals rather than have their race define the characters; despite that, they have to work within the rich framework of culture that’s been developed for Vulcans. The Vulcan POV and Vulcan discussions always seem fresh and engaging in Bennett's novels, this being no exception.

As a final point regarding aliens and cultural identity, I liked how Mars had a Tellarite councillor, not a human one. And that he’s apparently personally invested in exploring the historical role of his planet’s Tellarite population. That’s a nice detail to reinforce the complexity of the Federation. It’s not just an alliance of multiple worlds and species, but of all the little cultural microclimates that result when they interact with each other in any one of a million ways. They should all intersect, albeit some more than others. So it was nice to see Martian Tellarite added to the Federation’s complement.

On the character angle, I like how Delgado and Grey’s relationship and shifting motivations occurred “off camera”. I know that’s to maintain the surprises inherent in their final characterizations (I’ll get to that in a bit), but it came across as something more. It contributed to the sense that this is a fully realized universe we just happen to be intersecting for a particular story; it gives the impression that people have lives outside of the main plot or the purview of the reader. I suppose that reinforces too that I’m a fan of the universe itself and not just the stories, and that the best novels give the impression of worlds largely than those we see.

As for the conclusion, I liked how Kirk’s status as the bogeyman of the DTI is now almost official. That it's close to being the acknowledged, deliberately constructed role his memory plays in their mythology. I thought it quite fitting that Lucsly faced the revelation that things weren’t as he insisted, while also finding new justification for retaining his original attitude, which he now expresses as a knowing fiction (semi-fiction?). We were given a little character development for Lucsly, but of a sort that results in his reaffirming his routine behaviour. The more things change, the more they stay the same. And I suppose that nicely sums up Lucsly’s aims in life, doesn’t it, in more ways than one? Adapting where needed, but towards a goal of keeping everything as it is and avoiding disruptive change. Holding chaos at bay – or, if that doesn’t work, being selective in your own perceptions so you can ignore chaos until it goes away and you’ve only got order to work with. It’s self-delusional and almost distastefully stubborn, but that’s not unwise for a DTI agent, as we’ve been reminded several times.

Kirk’s partial begrudged redemption/renewed demonization in the eyes of the DTI also carries with it an important thematic point about how people relate to one another across distance, which is one way of describing what history in fact is. The impression Kirk ended up leaving on the DTI, or the impression Lucsly and co winded up with, assists the DTI as an invaluable part of their professional code of conduct. He shapes their actions and the idea of him influences them for the better – their own “better” and that of the galaxy. Kirk’s legacy helps to preserve the timeline, which I’m sure is exactly what he would have wanted had he known his memory would become yoked to the day-to-day realities of temporal investigations. The important point is that this is the case whether they understand him or not; indeed, despite the fact that Luclsy’s idea of him is distorted, and that he’s being used as a “Donny Don’t”. He is what they make him, at least in terms of what actually matters to them. That’s a big theme here, or at least I decided it was (I can reinforce that decision by pointing to the writing that led me to that decision! Round and round goes my reasoning, becoming stronger and more stubborn with each cycle!). People want to be understood for who they are and what truly motivates them, but others aren’t always going to give you that; they may well get a good view of you, so to speak, but they’ll still go away with a sense of you that’s filtered through their own perceptions, and those perceptions are clouded by basic emotional and psychological needs. It doesn’t mean that in accepting this you’re turning your back on truth, it’s just that part of that truth is the fact that you are the centre of your own perceptions (I’m reminded now of Ilia’s father in Ex Machina, who wrote something along those lines in the usual gentle “humans are the noble savage” manner. And I think also of the Vulcans, who often refuse to accept that logic demands they take into account their emotional biases).

But more importantly, knowing that the picture someone has of another person is always unavoidably tinted by their own subjective perception means also that the “you” they perceive might inspire them in ways you can’t imagine; might help them or guide them in their own lives in a way you wouldn’t have thought. The disappointment of not being “seen” 100% accurately must be measured against this knowledge. That’s what Kirk brings to this. And the disappointment in later discovering that someone isn’t what you thought they were - when new insight or knowledge, or new interaction, leads to the invalidation of your previous subjective idea of them, is what Grey brings. Because Grey and Kirk are the two figures that define Lucsly, at least for our purposes. Lucsly wants Grey to be what he wanted her to be, and has to face (with Dulmur’s encouragement) the fact that instead she was her own person with her own collection of motives, needs, successes and mistakes, many of which are out of his grasp, in terms of his knowledge. But the idea of her still aided Lucsly. And that is the real her to some degree, but it’s also an incomplete and distorted version of her. It’s always good to know – and pursue - the truth, always good to truly understand people as they are, but we have to remember that those are ideals and we’ll usually fall short of them. And we should perhaps be wary of thinking that this is always a curse. On the subject of history, we need to balance our desire to see truth with the idea that we'll be seeing a distorted image twisted for our own purposes, often without intention - but that while we must acknowledge that this is happening, it doesn't necessarily invalidate our responses.

In fact, I might say that throughout the book there are many examples of people failing to be what other characters - or the reader - want or expect them to be, instead revealed in new lights provoking a change in perception...but not necessarily invalidating the importance of the first idea we or the characters had of them:

Lucsly’s hero isn’t squeaky clean and his devil isn’t the menace he thought, but those myths are valuable and valid in their own way. Grey the saint and Kirk the demon did indeed shape and aid the DTI, and Lucsly's life, even if actual Grey and Kirk don't fit those images.

Admiral Delgado looks like the standard “antagonist admiral” figure who’ll be behind all the plotting, but rather than become zealously consumed by the sense of destiny which he reflects on several times in the book, he turns over a new leaf...but he is in fact still the mastermind behind the problem, despite this. He was initially every bit as manipulative and single-minded as he appeared...but that was only one side of him, and a different side comes to the fore when he faces a moment of crisis that forces a re-evaluation. Yet he still fulfils the expected role of “rogue admiral behind the problem”, while not being what we expected from someone playing that role.

Grey wasn’t manipulated into helping him as we might have thought; she helped him due to her genuine care for him while quite aware that in the past he’d tried to play on her. Yet she herself acknowledges that she has an empty social life and responds to his charms, even if she knew what he was up to back before V’Ger. And she indeed ended up compromised because of her interactions with him just as we might have expected...but not in the way we might have expected.

T’Pring is known to us as an unpleasantly selfish and manipulative individual, but that doesn't describe the alternate T’Pring at all. Spock’s initial misgivings about her - a woman that he knows isn't the woman he knows, so to speak - are thus unfair and illogical – but are they invalid, given that he’s been shaped by his experiences with his timelines’ T’Pring, that those are inevitably a part of him? No, those misgivings aren’t invalidated, even if Spock understands he must overcome them and judge this T’Pring on her own merit – and she indeed is worthy of his trust. That of course is Spock's character post-V'Ger anyway, as Bennett writes it - learning to accept the validity of emotions and emotional responses while ensuring they don't overshadow his logic and reason.

All in all, I clearly found the novel very rich in terms of the ideas and potential themes it explores. So that's very good, of course.

Also, I just realized: The first director of the DTI was named Grey. This is also very good.

The Nasat speaks Bajoran

Taking what we hear on TV with what we see in the novels, I've noticed a lot of patterns in the primary Bajoran language. Some of that must be unintentional, but it's suprising just how well the pieces we have link together. The Bajorans seem to have a language which, having forgotten the technical linguistic term, I proudly refer to as the small-words-small-concepts-larger-concepts-come-from-small-words-glued-together approach. The idea of base ideograms in the written language (as canonically established) seems to fit with that. So here it is, my Bajoran dictionary.

A: Prefix signifying "the", as in "The one true" or "the prime", the model example.

Aclim: An era of history.

Alva: A yellow fruit. "va" is "source", and is found in the names of other foods like Veklava and Kava.

Amojan: "The Evil One" (A-"The" Mo-"One", Jan-"Evil")

Amoran: "The Banishment" (A-"The", Moran-"Banishment", to become "one", cut off from others)

Ara/Arra: "Place", usually more spiritual or figurative than literal, although "the land and the people are one" as the Bajorans say, so physical and spiritual location are linked.

Ashalla: Capital city of Bajor. ("A"-The, prime example, "Shalla"-Social gathering of religious significance, itself from "Shal"-gather and "La"-Spiritual/community centre).

Ashla: "Giant"

Asnor: A fish.

Avaru: "Truth-seekers", a religious term from "A-The", "Va"-Source, and "Ru"-seeking truth, understood as an implied goal. E.g. Ohalavaru are seekers of truth affiliated with the teachings of Ohalu.

B': As a prefix, denotes something sacred or holy.

B'hala: The City of Light, the sacred city, ("B'"-Sacred/holy, "Ha"- light, "la"-spiritual or social community centre)

B'hava'el: Bajor's sun. "Source and bringer of holy light" ("B'"-Sacred/holy, "Ha"- light, "Va"-source, "el"-of, in the sense of bringing, bringer of)

B'Lavael: A mountain where a holy man/woman was inspired to found a city ("B'"-Sacred/holy, "la"- community centre, "Va"-source, "el"-of, in the sense of bringing, bringer of, here, inspiration for)

B'tanay: "Awakening", in a religious sense, sacred vision or revelation.

Bajora: The people, corruption of "B'Ja'arra"- Holy Social position (e.g. "People of God") (B'-holy, "Ja"-social, "arra"-position. Once a theocratic nation, now a species name.

Balik(am): "Go away", "get lost".

Bantaca: Traditional spire marking co-ordinates.

Bateret: A plant.

Batos: A domesticated animal

Belaklavion: A musical instrument

Bena: "Joy"

Boryhas: Spirits of the dead yet to depart for the Celestial Temple

Buru: "Bu"-Life, "Ru"-Seeking Truth, so "life spent in search of truth" as part of a religious existence, common word in prayers

Cela: A plant, leaves used in tea.

D': As a prefix, signifies position, belonging, ownership.

D'Jarra: The old caste system. "Belonging to a social position", "D'"-belonging, "Ja"-social, "arra"-position.

Dal'Rok: Demon spirit.

Dara: "Home", corruption of "D'Arra", literally "belonging-place", D'-belonging, "Arra"-place.

De-ram: "Opening Up", the process where by collective religious passion is focused upon a designated prayer leader to help them access the Prophets more easily. Used as part of prayers. "De"-Up, "Ram"- to open.

Duran: "Remembrance"

Duranja: Lamp lit for a dead friend, from "Duran"- remembrance, and "Ja"- social.

El: "Of, bringing"

Elipagh: One who brings a spiritual message, a holy messanger, a proxy, the Emissary.

Esani: A flowering plant

Eyisa: An era of Bajoran history

Foraiga: A delicacy

Ha: "Light"

Ha'Dara: "Home of Light", name of planet settled by Hirogen-built holograms, named by Iden, a Bajoran hologram.From "Ha"-light, and "Dara"-Home, corruption of "D'Arra", literally "belonging-place", D'-belonging, "Arra"-place.

Hara: A feline animal. Seems to be "light-time". Hmmm, are they active at dawn?

Hasperat: Mmmmm...Hasperat....spicy burrito....

Ih: "Assigning, locating"

Ih'tanu: Traditional coming-of-age ritual for 14-year old girls

Ih'valla: A D'jarra, the artist caste. From "Ih"-assigning, "Va"-source, "La"-spiritual community centre, "assignment to the source of our community spirit" (In keeping with this caste being a high one)

Iktashu: Prophecy, possibly a specific kind.

Imutta (Ih'mutta): A D'jarra, the undetaker caste.

Indurane: "Ancient" Note the root "Duran"-"remembrance".

Ja: "Social", as in signifying a connection between other concepts in a compund word and everyday society/people interacting.

Jal: "Social freedom", an expansion of Ja, a prominent and respected social position arrived at through living in a holy manner.

Jalbador: The Red Wormhole, worshipped as home of the gods by the One True Way cult.

Jalkaree: The Blue wormhole, home of the Prophets. Notice "Jal"-social freedom and holy living, and "ka"-good.

Jan: A different, darker kind of social freedom- "Evil". A willful moral outcast from society exhibits Jan.

Ka: "Goodness".

Kai: "Goodness", with an intensifier "i". Leader of the faith.

Kava: A tree producing edible nuts, a staple of the Bajoran diet. "Source of Goodness", from "Ka"-goodness, and "va"-source.

Ke: A personification of something, an avatar of an ideal made physical. Also a family name in some regions.

Kejal: "Freedom", a name, from "Ke"-personification, "jal"-social freedom, holy freedom".

Kejelious: An era of Bajoran history.

Kheet'agh: An extreme insult.

Koss: "To be", modified to "Kosst" as a title of dark religious significance, now used as a curse word by most Bajorans due to association with Kosst Amojan, The Evil One (To Be The Evil One, a self-satisfied label of extreme Jan).

Koss'moran: "To be banished", to exist in a state of having been banished, also a holy text detailing the imprisonment of the pah-wraiths.

Kulloth: An polar herd animal.

La: Signifying a spiritual/community centre, often used in the sense of a city or town.

Lita: Bajoran currency, also a name, "Leeta".

Makapa: A bread.

Makara: A medicinal herb used by pregnant women.

Mandala: A personal religious shrine found in most homes, centre of the family community.

Mapa: A bread

Mo: The number one

Moba: A fruit

Morala: The one faith, from "Mo"-one, "Ra"-a sense of time, and "la"-community, spiritual centre. Time will show the Bajoran mainstream to be the one true faith. "Morala" is used in some older prayers from the more rigid and authoritarian cults.

Moran: Banishment, becoming "one", cut off from others.

Navarch: Title invented for Li Nalas.

Nerak: A flower.

Pagh: The immortal soul, life-energy, spirit. Some possess more or stronger pagh than others. "Pah" is corrupted pagh.

Pagh'tem'fa B'tanay: "Awakening of the Sacred Vision", repressed memories return to the fore in this religiously significant event.

Pagh'tem'far: A sacred vision

Paghvaram: "Soul Key", from "pagh"-soul, "va"-source, and "ram"-to open. "Varam"-source of open, is "key".

Pah-wran: From the dark texts, a celebration of corrupted life-energy.

Paluku: Large furry spider-like animal native to the moons of Bajor.

Pate: Basic unit of measurement, used in Tessipate, Kerripate, etc.

Pavrak: Insulting word

Peldor: "Gratitude". Peldor Joi is a greeting used in the Gratitude Festival.

Pooncheen: A fruit

Porli: A bird

Prusin: A plant, some are allergic to it.

Pylchyk: A domesticated animal

Ra: Time, as an active force in one's spiritual life (there is an Orb of Time, lest we forget).

Ram: "To open". Note "ra", as time is actively invoked here.

Ran: Signifies aftermath, end result of a process, outcome. E.g, used as a root in "duran"-remembrance, or "moran"-banished. Again, note "ra".

Ranjen: An honorific title for monks involved in works of spiritual importance. "Anticipates aftermath", as in, working towards a satisfaction upon completion of spiritual goals.

Ratamba: A stew.

Remla: A bird.

Ru: "Seeking truth"

Sean: "swamp".

Shalla: Social gathering of spiritual importance, from "shal"-gather, and "la"-community spiritual centre.

Shafa: A gambling game.

Shodi: A drink.

Shusha: Medicinal herb.

Takeo: Medicinal herb.

Te'nari: A D'Jarra.

Temonis: A stone, pink

Tessijen: A unit of measurement, note "jen" is essentially "anticipate", a measure of distance from a goal or destination, perhaps?

Tumika: An era of history

Va: "source"

Vedek: Senior clergy member.

Veklava: A food.

Yavar: "Tears".

Yavar ha: "Tears of Light", AKA Tears of the Prophets, the sacred orbs (older label)

The Nasat introduces...Tzenkethi

The second in my series featuring the aliens of Trek lit.

The "pilot" thread, focusing on the Nasat, did well enough, if slightly hampered by the relative obscurity of the subject race. So for the second thread, I thought I’d choose a more prominent species. In light of their recent importance to the Typhon Pact, I picked the Tzenkethi.

The Tzenkethi were actually introduced onscreen, in Deep Space Nine, but received no attention on the show other than getting a name, a vague history of conflict with the Federation, and a leader with the title of Autarch. Trek lit, though, has recently taken an interest in them: they appear as major antagonists in two of the Typhon Pact novels, Rough Beasts of Empire and Brinkmanship, as well as furthering plots in three other entries in that series (The Struggle Within, Plagues of Night and Raise the Dawn). They’re one of the Federation’s most devoted foes, and lately one of its most prominent rivals. They're also apparently a cross between a human and a scheming, radioactive cheestring, which makes them fun to visualize. Since there's no official art or anything, you'll have to.

The Tzenkethi (comparatively lengthy real world description):

For a long time Trek lit ignored the Tzenkethi outside of a few name-drops here and there, perhaps because next to nothing was known about them. They were introduced in the DS9 episode “The Adversary” as a race unfriendly to the Federation. Remaining unseen in the episode, they were mentioned exactly twice more in the series, and then forgotten. Not usually a problem, except that this particular race apparently engaged in a war or two with the Federation, and were a big enough distraction for the Founders to attempt steering the UFP back into conflict with them.

Speculation about who the Tzenkethi were seemed to focus mostly on their name, and a theory that they were related to/were a homage to/simply were the Kzinti, who appeared in The Animated Series having wandered in from Larry Niven's Known Space.

Their first real outing in Trek lit was probably in Articles of the Federation, where we finally learnt a few facts about their biology, psychology and those parts of the government that aren't the Autarch - but we weren't allowed to see one. A few years later, Tzenkethi ships played a major role in Terok Nor: Day of the Vipers, which established further facts about Tzenkethi psychology, technology and political history but still played coy with their appearance. As a side note, the story Iron and Sacrifice in Tales From The Captain’s Table established the full Tzenkethi naming convention but, you guessed it, didn't show us one.

All was finally revealed in the Typhon Pact series, when the Tzenkethi became one of six former adversaries to form the newest interstellar superpower. They’ve since become one of the most frequently-used nations – some might call them the surprise stars – of the Typhon Pact era.

The Tzenkethi (surprisingly brief in-universe description):

The Tzenkethi are a flexible race of humanoids, or near-humanoids, with no bones other than a spine. They’re instead supported by fluid-filled sacs, which can be contracted and expanded as needed. They’re beautiful and ethereal, glowing with natural light and giving off a noticeable electrical charge. Psychologically, they like enclosed spaces and make use of ceilings and walls as often as they do floors, thanks in part to artificial gravity envelopes. Their ships are sleek, organic-looking vessels armed with plasma weapons.

Most notable is their social structure, which is orderly, hierarchal, and controlled to an obsessive degree. All Tzenkethi are placed into roles determined by genetics and testing in youth, and every member of their society knows his or her place, ranked according to exact occupational duties and proficiency level. The absolute leader is the Autarch, who is advised by the Tzelnira ministers but, as the title suggests, can do as he or she wants by virtue, it seems, of being genetically perfect. Otherwise, chaos and uncertainty are anathema to Tzenkethi, as is democracy, and they fear and hate the sprawling mass of the Federation next door. Their media apparently spins any and all galactic news to portray the Federation as imperialist madmen, apparently because the Tzenkethi leadership fears the UFP will infect their society with its chaos and confusion. Within the Typhon Pact, they seem to favour stability over agitation, in contrast to their blatantly provocative stance against Federation interests. They manipulate their allies, enemies and neutral parties alike, and prior to the Pact's formation had apparently been standoffish with everyone.

 

Other notes:

 

If we're discussing the role played by the Tzenkethi in Trek lit, we should probably talk about the activity they're most frequently found engaged in: manipulation of other nations. Whether it's quietly rearranging the political status quo on Romulus, meddling on Talar, or using the Venetans as puppets, the Tzenkethi of the Typhon Pact era seem to have taken to pushing their own agenda pretty much anywhere within reach. Boosted by the security offered by the Pact, the Coalition apparently feels ready to extend its hand invisibly across known space, into the hearts of other powers - allied, rival or neutral. Given what we learn of the Autarch's agenda in Rough Beasts of Empire and Plagues of Night, it all apparently feeds into an effort to strengthen Tzenkethi power relative to the Federation, so that eventually they can "turn the tables" (keeping in mind that the Tzenkethi leadership view the UFP is a fearful spectre that will destroy them if it gets the chance).

Every time we've seen the Tzenkethi in the Typhon Pact books, they're up to something, maneuvering others for their own ends.

• They bring the unstable elements of Romulan space to heel while encoraging the reabsorption of the Imperial State, in order to give the Pact greater strength and stability. All this is achieved in an underhanded manner, shamelessly undermining an allied nation and assassinating its officials.
• They build artificial short-range wormholes, so that the Breen and Romulan intelligence agencies can steal from the Dominion, while not actually sharing the full extent of their plans (note that while the Breen and many of the Romulans seemed to genuinely believe the justification of "we need parity", the Autarch clearly desires much more than a balance of power, stepping up harrassment of Federation shipping and telling Alizome that the UFP will soon come to fear the Tzenkethi...
• They manipulate the leadership of popular movements on Talar, all in hopes of forcing the Federation's hand and painting them as brutal enforcers squashing protest.
• They turn the Venette Convention, a potential ally of the Federation, against the UFP through careful exploitation of Venetan naivety, and steer this nation into a close alliance with Ab-Tzenketh, allowing them to potentially place weapons on the Federation border and that of two of its allies.

So: the Tzenkethi are manipulating and using everyone in pursuit of their (or the Autarch's) agenda.

In the Brinkmanship review thread on the Tek BBS, however, it was suggested by one of my fellow posters that, having gotten a bit of a scare at Venette by finding themselves no longer in control of the situation, the Tzenkethi might start reigning in their scheming a little. That got me thinking about how the master manipulators seem to come undone by failing to understand that things, having fallen neatly into place, won't just stay neatly in place.

First there was Praetor Kamemor. She served their purposes very well when considered as a passive, unknowing piece in the game, but of course she's not a passive piece, and that proved to be a problem. When she acted on her own moral and political judgement, she brought the Tzenkethi plan into jeopardy. At first the Tzenkethi had gotten what they wanted - a reunited Romulan state led by a moderate who would strengthen the Pact by stabilizing the situation in Romulan space - but their plan to eventually turn that strength against the Federation came undone when Kamemor pursued her own agenda and pushed for peace.

Then, the Tzenkethi were forced to back down when the Federation and Cardassians pulled a scheme of their own, despite Alizome being clearly in control of the situation on Venette (and being kept distracted from the counter-scheme by having the Federation delegates put in a situation where they couldn't effectively challenge that control).

It would seem the Tzenkethi are frequently underestimating the degree to which other races will avert the intended outcome of their plotting. It seems to me that the Tzenkethi don't easily grasp the idea that unexpected consequences might arise when their pawns and pieces do their own thing rather than staying where they've been steered to. When I considered the Tzenkethi social structure, wherein everyone knows their place and function, this made a great deal of sense.

The Tzenkethi leadership, for all their skill at manipulation, are used to tidy manipulation - manipulation of pieces that happily allow themselves to be manipulated, and which are comfortable in the position they're placed in. Basically, it's far too easy a game. When dealing with aliens, the combination of this expectation - that people will slot in where you've steered them - and general xenophobia seems to blind the Tzenkethi to the idea that everyone won't just fall into place as and when the Tzenkethi plot.

The Tzenkethi, it seems to me, are almost a little Venetan themselves; not quite grasping how everyone else works and assuming their ways are applicable everywhere. I think that this might prove the Coalition's undoing if it doesn't back down, because it's going to overextend its reach.

The Nasat reviews Brinkmanship

The first of my reviews to be uploaded here - my response to the recent novel Star Trek: Typhon Pact: Brinkmanship by Una McCormack.

My review is a short and not at all rambling piece and who I am kidding, it's the usual mass of speech, almost Dukatian in its weight and breadth:

Brinkmanship was a far “lighter” novel than I was expecting. It wasn’t a heavy-hitter with a particularly wide scope, for all that it involved high-stakes politics between four major powers; it was more intimate and tightly focused. It explored the new status quo, did a lot of interesting things with the established pieces, and did it without transitioning into a new new status quo by forcing further Big Developments. That was a welcome relief in one sense, given all the changes and surprises that the other Typhon Pact books have featured. Don't get the wrong idea, I like that we had those changes and surprises – I’m eager to push the boundaries at the bleeding edge of the Trek timeline. But this once it was more rewarding to explore what we’ve got rather than changing the shape of the board.

It was wise to explore the expanded Khitomer Accords, showing how the upgraded relationships committed to in preceding novels are going to function. The Federation’s new “complication of Cardassians” trick hits just the right note between cynical and genuinely uplifting. This alliance is going to work, even if it’s as much about steering your friend into the path of someone pushy while having to grudgingly go along with their occasional demands to keep them happy as it is enjoying each other’s company. The story also built further on the Tzenkethi, who continue to be a worthy addition to the alien societies of Trek lit and were handled well here.

Thematically, the story appealed to me. One of the reasons I love Trek lit is the variety of stories it tells regarding individuality and membership; tales of individuals, races and organizations dancing around each other, seeking a balance between self-determination and inclusion/subsumption. Finding their comfort zones with one another, looking for a level of contact or exchange they feel safe with, and also searching for a balance between their own conflicting desires. Issues of acceptance, belonging, responsibility; all resonate with me greatly. This is a novel about conformity and the search for belonging, but more specifically about the price of full self-awareness and moral agency, the appeal of having none of that, and the uncertainty that comes with having to second-guess everything. Most of all, it seems specifically to be about the luxury, or the trap, or the sympathetic desire, or the terrible selfish urge, of seeking a life free from self-responsibility. Without ever really stressing that this is the issue up for discussion (save a strong opinion piece from Alden near the end, but he's already established as a character with definitive viewpoints on certain subjects and a hard time keeping an objective distance from his impulses) the novel explores the range of potential ways in which we could relate to this state of affairs – a life where our tolerances, comfort zone, moral duty and sense of place were mapped out so completely we don’t have to worry about them. Subsuming oneself into a system of absolute trust and freeing oneself from the strain and mental anguish of full self-awareness.

A peace that comes from a certainty of position and an absence of self-analysis is a most appealing one, especially for those caught between conflicting truths or identities. Efhany finally seeks this state, even knowing that in her case it’s a form of oblivion, because it’s the easiest way out and (so it’s hinted) because her Cardassian social instincts leave her vulnerable to its lure. Alden could probably do with being a bit closer to that state than he is, but thinks it’s a terrible, unconscionable thing that he’d never inflict on anyone. That wistful appeal of saying “do my thinking for me, nurture me and know what’s best” is very powerful, and was captured very well here, for the most part.

In a sense, the Venetans too have arrived at this blissful state and have genuinely prospered in it, while remaining relatable. However, it’s a false bliss in some regards because their peace is crippling to their development, a fact which becomes apparent when they finally decide to step out into the wider galaxy and can’t handle the complexities and harshness of it; indeed their leading citizen is rendered physically ill by the stress of what she has to confront. Something I was very much sympathetic to, by the way. In all, the Venetans were an interesting addition to the Trek universe. I enjoyed their blend of patient wisdom and stroppish child-like attachment to their own comfort (and they are stroppish, for all their patience and gentle understanding. When people won’t play nice and do things in their carefully-mannered way they become judgemental and, by their standards, harsh. They were amateurs in the field of alien contact and it showed). A fascinating picture of a mature and rightly self-assured people who yet have no real capacity for understanding the world around them; it was an intriguing set-up that could use further development.

We’re given more than one angle on it thanks to the comparison/contrast with Dax, who also exhibits a blend of youth and settled wisdom, only far more functional. The equivalency between Dax and the Venetans is alluded to several times, of course, – interestingly usually in the form of Dax reflecting on the knowing, directed-for-her-alone looks the Venetans are giving her (that’s another thing the Venetans do that I’m not sure they realize they’re doing; they divide and target just as well as any of the more political races. They're not as totally non-hierarchial as they might seem). In all, a paradoxical lack of maturity defines the inhabitants of the old and comfortably prosperous Venette Convention. Perhaps because they’ve developed in isolation, with little in the way of challenging perspectives to encourage growth? Unlike Dax, who by Trill nature must balance and integrate a range of strong and difficult perspectives and experiences. But like the lower Tzenkethi grades, who know only what makes them comfortable because it's when comfortable, happy and ignorant that they best perform their function for the whole.

As for Dax herself, while her friendly relationship with Alden was a little underdeveloped for my tastes, it did give us the “I am Dax” speech, which I agree was a great moment. No lengthy fretting over something she must have long ago become fully comfortable with, but acknowledging her journey and the conclusions she had to reach over the course of it. Nicely played. Between her non-relationship with Bashir in the earlier Typhon Pact books and that scene here, I feel like Captain Ezri Dax has finally finished establishing herself as a character distinct enough from Still Not Really Sure Who I Am Ezri Dax of old. Nice too that the answer to her queries on identity is now firmly “I am Dax” - but this isn't her surrendering to the symbiont or subsuming herself to previous identities, but full acceptance of her status as a worthy host. It’s Ezri saying “I am Dax”, not Dax saying it, if that makes sense. And that’s pleasing. I liked too that Dax and Bowers were written as trusting friends within the limits imposed by their professional relationship. They’ve known each other for 7 years, and been Captain and First Officer on the Aventine for almost 3. They should be at ease with each other by now.

On the subject of characters, Ilka also contributes to what I've decided is the central theme – as a modern Ferengi female, she has (in this case eagerly) moved out of that situation I’ve been talking about, where everything she needs to know is determined for her and “growing up” is discouraged (in this case, until recently prohibited) and has embraced (been able to embrace) a position where she has the capacity to function as a fully responsible being. But there are always drawbacks, for here she must wrestle with multiple conflicting wrongs, betray an ideal here to do what must be done there, face the knowledge of the self-doubts and compromises that come with full self-awareness and the social space given to exhibit it in. Notably, Ilka is more comfortable with it than people like Alden or Crusher – understandable given that, for a Ferengi female seeking a role in the wider galaxy, self-responsibility - warts and all - is something to strive for and a goal eagerly pursued against much resistance. Another example of how different characters suggest different means of relating to this theme, and an example of how these perspectives make sense in the context of the character.

Other notes:

I liked seeing the Federation strengthen its ties with the Ferengi and Cardassians. And I was so, so pleased that Dygan has integrated easily into the Enterprise crew as a friend, rather than being their “problematic Cardassian”.

It was actually fascinating to consider the Tzenkethi in comparison to the Breen, as described in Zero Sum Game. One society is about hiding your biology, consigning your genetic heritage to the shadows while your random talents define who you are, accepting a sea of variants behind an outward conformity, celebrating diversity but morally opposed to exhibiting it openly, and its people are all walking around in identical full-body suits. Yet this society is difficult to infiltrate. The other society is ordered and structured entirely on the basis of biology, where your genetic heritage determines who you are, where a form of diversity is celebrated precisely because all the myriad variants know their function and place, and where they advertise that function - and thus their biology - openly through visual cues. Yet this society is relatively easy to insert operatives into. Akaar even explicitly says that Tzenkethi counterintelligence isn’t the best.

It's interesting to have a book featuring Enterprise and Picard in which Picard is not the focus or a POV character. I liked what we saw of his relationship with Dygan. The idea of Picard as a respectable leader of Cardassians is interesting and not, I find, too unexpected. I hope we see more of this relationship in The Cold Equations.

Alizome’s back! I hoped she would be at some point. I’ve expressed interest in seeing her become a recurring trouble-maker and she’s in a position to make that plausible. I was glad to see her.

The urge to write a “Garak and Bacco” book must be strong indeed; I commend McCormack for having just the one scene rather than littering the novel with them, which would have been awesome but probably counter-productive.

Finally: If the Venetans are serious about interacting with other spacefaring nations in the long-term, it would be interesting to see them realize how their fully open society could in itself be a means of destabilizing foreign representatives. Undermining the nerve of political opponents would be quite easy, if they learned to understand themselves in that way, to see their remarkably honest and inclusive ways as a "weapon". It might allow them to reconcile their current and long-standing sense of identity with the shocking realization (that surely must now be dawning on them) that they can't trust most outsiders to act like Venetans. Perhaps they can regain a sense of stability if they learn to find security and comfort in the fact that they're playing by different rules than everyone else, and that this gives them the advantage - on their home turf at least - if they can just learn to grasp the shape of the board and see things in terms of advantage and disadvantage. It would be a difficult transition, I'd imagine, but perhaps a more acceptable one than the alternatives, e.g. becoming more manipulative themselves. They don't have to surrender who they are, they can continue playing by different rules, so long as they come to understand the shape of the game. They might realize they already have the means to play this game of politics and prosper in it, without having to become something distasteful to their sensibilities.

After all, through no intention of the Venetans, the Federation, Ferengi and Cardassian delegations were reduced to a game of "where's my chair?" as soon as they entered the meeting space, causing quiet uncertainty and minor distress . (That was rather amusing to me, by the way - the Venetans being set up as an "elevated" society of noble, cultured beings with a highly orderly society, only for our first look at them to be something that throws the protagonists - and the reader - off balance by suggesting the sort of cheerful chaos that doesn't seem to befit noble statesmen and "space elf" societies). If the Venetans ever realize that they throw people off balance simply be being who they are, then they might come to see that they have choices other than "stick your head in the sand" or "betray yourselves by acting distastefully". Hmmm. I hope we do see the Venetans again. They're slow to change and insular, and might as likely just fold back in and become isolationist than actually work through their recent upsets toward a new set of assumptions, but I think there's great potential in them....

PS: Crusher's friend with the bag of sweets was another nice touch.

The Nasat introduces....Nasats

I recently started a weekly feature on the Trek BBS, "Aliens of Trek Lit". I thought we could have a new race up for discussion every week or so, after I posted an introduction to them. It seems to be working well enough, so I'm reproducing them here as well.

First up, I thought I'd go with a relatively minor and uncontroversial race, and I picked the Nasats for my lightweight pilot episode, since they're in my "name". I wondered if anyone would actually have anything to say about such a minor race, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The Nasat

If you don't read the SCE/Corps of Engineers books, I imagine your first response will be "the who?" Indeed, I came to that series rather late and so for some time I wasn't sure who they were myself. My first exposure to the Nasats was in the context of minor factoids littered through other Trek books, which caught my attention precisely because they were all referencing something I didn't know about. The Sundered mentioned that they were able to survive vacuum and were naturally armoured, A Time To Sow mentioned they had extra hands (from a human perspective), etc. I didn't get an internet connection until 2008, so my knowledge was limited to books. I couldn't recall any canonical species called Nasat; it was like a conspiracy, and I had to piece together the clues to reveal the truth.

This is the truth:



The Nasat, for those not in the know, are a timid race of cowardly woodlice (pillbugs, I should say...) based off a character in The Animated Series. P8 Blue, a (relatively) major character in the SCE books, is a Nasat. They're minor Federation members from an eponymous planet featuring dense rainforests. They're brightly coloured, coming in 5 exciting varieties, and their preferred response to a crisis is to curl up and roll in the other direction.

One interesting thing about them right off the bat is that they're non-humanoid, and so in a minority as far as Trek races go, even in the books. They're particularly in a minority within the Federation, which has a few genuine non-humanoids (Pakhwa-thanh, Alonis, Sulamids) and, to be fair, a reasonable amount of semi-humanoids, but still comes across as weighted toward the familiar and human-esque. (The Typhon Pact actually looks more diverse on the surface). But...how non-humanoid are the Nasats, really? Physically they're different, yes, but psychologically are they just humans who happen to...also be pillbugs? How alien a character is P8 Blue? Not very, I think we'd agree. She's quite an endearing personality (at least, I'm a fan), but she's not that different from a human in terms of how she thinks. Whether or not that's a bad thing is up for debate. One member of the BBS (I forget who it was) once stated that he/she liked the fact that P8 was "one of the girls" rather than sticking out as alien, as many characters in Star Trek: Titan do, for example. Yet in the SCE story Balance of Nature, when she’s placed in context with other Nasat, the writing draws more attention to the non-human aspects of P8 Blue – and how humanoids rub off on her.

Not only are they non-humanoid, but Nasats are arthropods. Okay, so they can move and breathe and everything just fine while also being the size of a small man, so they're not actual arthropods, but you know what I mean. There are a lot of tropes associated with insectoid, arachnid or crustacean aliens, and the Nasat play into some while averting others. There’s no hive mind, for one thing. They’re social but a bit standoffish (no lovers or families, but apparently preferring to live in sizable communities). On the other hand, they're a very conservative society, in keeping with insectoid norms (the novel Imbalance has an interesting discussion of "typical" insectoids within the Trek universe, and one of the points made is that insectoid societies are structured, orderly and wary of change. Nasats have no hive, but seem to tick that particular box). Thinking about this further, Nasats do care for their young - not their young, but all the community's young - so they might be said to have something resembling the colony structure of other insectoids. As another note, woodlice are very social and care for their young, so does this make Nasats another "Earth animal as sapient alien" species, like Caitians?

There are many, many bug jokes in SCE, along with a few serious discussions of entomophobia - what’s it like to live and work alongside a giant bug? But humour and phobia aside, are the Nasats truly explored in the sense of being some form of "giant arthropod-like thing" or are they just walking jokes? Either way, they're the most prominent example of friendly "insectoids" in Trek lit (in fact, after Xindi-Insectoids, which are antagonists for the most part, and Tholians if we’re counting them (ditto) I’d say they’re the most notable arthropods full stop).

I was hoping for a little section about characters, but in this case, it's mostly it’s just P8, and she’s exceptional. And I've already covered the main point regarding her Nasatness - is she an alien or a human woman who happens to be a giant bug? The only other recurring Nasats are Z4 Blue, the reasonable authority figure from Balance of Nature who then got promoted to the Palais team in Articles of the Federation, and C29 Green, who isn’t really important other than being the Nasat on the Federation Council in Palais stories. Okay, they're not a very prominant people. But it might be nice to see some more Nasats, those who fit the stereotypes rather than avert them?

Speaking of stereotypes, Balance of Nature suggested that the mini-Rainbow of Nasats contains colours associated - through biology, culture, or some combination of the two - with particular tasks and attitudes. I've got a few observations on that count:

Reds: The reds seem to be the Nasats most comfortable with change and challenge, or at least the ones most able to buck tradition. This is likely coincidence, I admit, but I note that most prominant scientists, forward-thinkers and expat Nasats are reds. F3 Red the Nasat Einstein, V1 Red and V5 Red the progressive engineer and politician, the Nasats who left home to live on Phantas 61, etc.

Blues are the next most adventurous in my estimation, being rather outspoken; they seem more assertive but also more "grounded", as though they're not as flighty and creative as reds but instead more concerned with the practical realities. Where a red might wander off and change things because he/she's got a good idea, a blue will more likely get fed up with other people being impractical and promote something new because it gets the job done. Personally, P8, Z4, and B6 Blue (Bishop) in Constellations all strike me as having an open mind and a strong sense of the need to do what they think is right regardless of the squemishness of other Nasats, but they're practical people, not dreamers.

Unless I've missed something, all the Nasat Starfleet officers we've seen so far have been red or blue.

Yellows are conservative and stuck in their ways, even by Nasat standards. This at least is stated explicitly in Balance of Nature, so it's not just me this time. Stoic, reliable and methodical, Yellows get things done, just don't ask them to do anything unexpected or "different".

Greens seem friendly and reliable, but less solid and narrow-minded than yellows and also not "progressive" like blues or reds. P8 once makes a comment about green males being timid even by Nasat standards (nod to M3 Green or however we’re spelling it today); that was prior to Balance of Nature.

Browns are Hufflepuff House, apparently. Not very notable, apparently friendly and hard-working.

I doubt any of that is rigidly accurate, but as a loose guide to Nasats as they've been shown to us so far, it's something I've picked up on. I'm not attached to it, it's a rather selective categorize-for-the-sake-of-categorizing activity, but there did seem a general pattern or two in there, even if inadvertant.

Finally, I should bring up Balance of Nature one more time, being as it's the Nasats’ chance to shine as a culture. Heather Jarman at her world-building best. In my opinion, this is also one of the best SCE stories. In the context of the wider SCE series it’s quite distinct, featuring only one cast member and having nothing to do with the da Vinci. I often wondered exactly what happened on planet Nasat in the aftermath. In Articles of the Federation, Z4 Blue, having himself been airlifted out of BoN, mentions Nasat histories being written over the last few years, which suggests the Nasat took some of the lessons to heart. Given that KRAD wrote this one, and he was the driving force behind SCE, and that AotF is littered with other references from Strata to Koas, I like to think it's a deliberate link and not a case of forgetting that Nasats don't write histories.