Star Trek: First Frontier (#75) by Diane Carey & Dr. James Kirkland

[Damian]

This is the latest novel I read during this period of no new Star Trek novels (though I have to get the latest Prometheus novel just released in the US). I sometimes find Diane Carey's novels a bit difficult to follow as her novels tend to have a unique writing style. This novel was a notable exception. It still had her own flair but I found it pretty easy to follow (in a good way, not a dumbed down way), some maybe due to the collaboration with Dr Kirkland who I believe is a paleontologist.

As to the story, the Enterprise is conducting new shield experiments and when it is completed they find the universe it completely changed. There is no Federation and there is apparently a war between the Klingons and Romulans that has been raging for years. They travel to Earth and discover humanity never evolved. They find evidence of an ancient, advanced civilization that appears to have developed technology then destroyed itself at least 4 times. Ultimately they travel to the planet that is home to the Guardian of Forever to find out what happened and they discover the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs never happened, and instead an intelligent dinosaur species developed and they were the ones that destroyed themselves over and over again.

So Kirk and co. along with 2 captured Klingons, travel millions of years to Earth's past to find out what happened and fix it. They find that a species of intelligent dinosaurs were transplanted to another planet and call themselves the Clan Ru and their planet is inside Federation space but refuse all attempts at admission. They go back in time to Earth to deflect the asteroid and Kirk and his landing party must stop them.

I found the book fascinating. I'm always interested in alternate timelines and this is the ultimate time change story, one that wipes humanity from ever existing. And they travel not just a few hundred years to the past, but millions of years and it's fascinating how they note the differences in Earth at that time, how the continents are barely recognizable and water encompasses much more of the surface (as an aside while they are reviewing what the Guardian shows them about the creation of Earth they note Earth's initial creation, how the moon came to be and the first signs of life). And they also observe the asteroid as it approaches Earth and time is running out. All good stuff, along with the dinosaurs that are naturally present.

There are a couple interesting themes. One is that of blame. The Federation of the future is generally depicted as a progressive, liberal society, but I've noted in other posts that it's not really 'liberal' as we understand it today. Here Carey and Kirkland also explore the theme of personal responsibility. One of the Klingons blames one of the Clan Ru that decides to help them for all the war that is going on in the altered timeline, and of course the Clan Ru blame the Federation for their own lack of progress and Kirk admonishes both of them saying both their races made their choices. The Klingons and Romulans chose war, the Clan Ru chose not to join the Federation. And I think it's perfectly in line with the future depicted in Star Trek. It's a liberal, progressive society, but it's still a society of personal responsibility, one where you are still responsible for your own actions.

Also I found it interesting that at first Kirk wonders if they are to blame for the changes due to their experiments. It turns out the Enterprise had nothing to do with the changes to the timeline. It was just lucky happenstance that their experiment shielded them from the changes. Yes, it's 'lucky' the Enterprise was protected so they can save the universe again, but then, if they didn't there wouldn't be any story so you sort of have to forgive the writers that little bit of conceit.

But I found it an excellent book, and if you are someone that likes the dinosaur era on Earth I'd highly recommend it. With the help of Dr Kirkland the science behind it is pretty strong, though it was written in the mid 90s' so it's the science as we knew it then (some things have changed in our knowledge since then so keep that mind).

 

[Damian]

One more aside. I believe when this book was written the animated series place in canon was still in dispute (to put it mildly). When they visit the Guardian almost all references to it historically were about "The City on the Edge of Forever". However, there is one brief line when they arrive referencing Spock's experience in "Yesteryear". It was very subtle, basically a single sentence, but I did take it to mean "Yesteryear".

I take it at that time the novel writers weren't allowed to reference animated episodes, but I assume she didn't want to completely ignore it and put it in such a way that it passed through any 'editorial' interference by PTB at the time.

 

[Christopher]

I'm not at home to check, but I think I place this book before TAS in my chronology.

 

[Damian]

I'm not at home to check, but I think I place this book before TAS in my chronology.

You may be right. According to Memory Alpha it takes place in 2268 and "Yesteryear" is in 2269.

If that's correct them I misread it. I guess it's also possible Carey did include the reference to "Yesteryear" and wasn't really thinking about what year what was in. Back then they were a little looser with what year this or that take place (I think it was a few years yet before we were able to figure out exactly when the original series take place--well other than TWOK saying the late 23rd century).

The only thing that I remember that was pretty definitive is it obviously took place after "The City on the Edge of Forever" and I seem to remember something about it being after "The Omega Glory"

 

[Desert Kris]

I had a blast reading that book! Although when I read it, I didn't really engage actively with the thematic elements you describe; thank you for elaborating on the personal responsibility angle. I remember there's a subplot where Kirk is undergoing treatment for some poison or injury, that is still being remedied before they have to travel into the past, so Kirk is under additional pressure from relapse, it really kept the tension up.

It's such a chunky book, compared to many of the other numbered Treks! I also get a kick out of alternative timelines, and the book has enough space to get a general feel for how the altered timeline has progressed, historically, before they go into the past.

I almost think I remember the line you are mentioning, about a reference from TAS, but it could be my mind playing tricks on me, and I am also not able to look at my copy, just now. I haven't read a story yet that included the Guardian of Forever that I haven't liked, but I'm sure it will happen someday.

 

[Damian]

I had a blast reading that book! Although when I read it, I didn't really engage actively with the thematic elements you describe; thank you for elaborating on the personal responsibility angle. I remember there's a subplot where Kirk is undergoing treatment for some poison or injury, that is still being remedied before they have to travel into the past, so Kirk is under additional pressure from relapse, it really kept the tension up.

It's such a chunky book, compared to many of the other numbered Treks! I also get a kick out of alternative timelines, and the book has enough space to get a general feel for how the altered timeline has progressed, historically, before they go into the past.

I almost think I remember the line you are mentioning, about a reference from TAS, but it could be my mind playing tricks on me, and I am also not able to look at my copy, just now. I haven't read a story yet that included the Guardian of Forever that I haven't liked, but I'm sure it will happen someday.

Part of the personal responsibility subplot is probably a little bit to do with Carey's libertarian leanings, and it was not something really addressed until Kirk finally has had it with everyone seeming to blame someone else for there own failings. But I thought it fit with the Federation as portrayed. There have been a number of incidences in the various series of someone making a mistake and at least in the case of Starfleet officers they typically owned up to their actions. They didn't say "it's so and so's fault". Sometimes characters even accepted responsibility for other's actions.

I found the altered timeline interesting too for the positive effect the Federation's existence even had on it's adversaries. Just be existing they were able to have a positive impact on those around them. Interesting that the Klingon and Romulan Empires, for all their disdain for the Federation in the 23rd century were still better off with a Federation then without. And it was written in such a way that it made sense. It wasn't anything they really did actively, but more that they were a buffer. And I liked that this go around it wasn't the Enterprise or her crew that caused the change in timeline, even accidently. They actually had absolutely nothing to do with the disruption. It was just lucky they were there to fix it.

And yeah, I left out about Kirk suffering from a bug that required several treatments to get out of his system, treatments that when they went back in time were not available to him. That added another element of hardship they had to deal with.

If there was one thing I didn't care for is when the one Klingon came out of nowhere and set off the asteroid deflector. It felt a bit forced and out of the blue. It added another issue Kirk had to deal with but it just didn't seem to fit for me. I figured before then that probably they would accidently set it off (since it was stated that the equipment was very sensitive and anything could set it off basically).

I'll pull the book out tonight to look for the reference I thought I saw and repost the exact sentence here. It was when they first arrived at the Guardian of Forever. Then people can make their own judgment if it's a "Yesteryear" reference or not. While a bit vague, I felt it was, but others may interpret it differently.

 

[Damian]

I'm not at home to check, but I think I place this book before TAS in my chronology.

I'll pull the book out tonight to look for the reference I thought I saw and repost the exact sentence here.

I just re-read the portion I thought referenced "Yesteryear", in fact I re-read the entire chapter just to make sure I had the right reference and I think Christopher is right now and I misunderstood the reference now on 2nd reading. It's on page 186 and they had just arrived on the Guardian's planet and Kirk was thinking of their first visit there in "City...". In the 4th paragraph it notes Kirk is thinking about last time they were there and it said "Another glitch in history that had to be put right. Here was Spock, wondering where they would find the personal fortitude to go through it again." Re-reading it in context I believe now they were still thinking of "City..." and not "Yesteryear." When it said another glitch in history I mistakenly took that to be a subtle reference to the events of 'Yesteryear', esp. when Carey references Spock wondering if they could do it again. After re-reading that I missed she said "they" and not "he" because Spock went to Vulcan's past alone. Rereading further they mention the events of "City..." again and no other references were made to anything else.

 

[Desert Kris]

Part of the personal responsibility subplot is probably a little bit to do with Carey's libertarian leanings, and it was not something really addressed until Kirk finally has had it with everyone seeming to blame someone else for there own failings. But I thought it fit with the Federation as portrayed. There have been a number of incidences in the various series of someone making a mistake and at least in the case of Starfleet officers they typically owned up to their actions. They didn't say "it's so and so's fault". Sometimes characters even accepted responsibility for other's actions.

Ah, yes, the Carey's soapbox moments! I never noticed them when I was much younger; but now older and reading some of her earlier books where her writing sins seem more pronounced...well, I still kind of tend to feel forgiving. Partly nostalgia for at least one of her books makes me generous; and also that I've found her prose very engaging and fast-moving for me; so I'll take those soapbox moments with an "Awe, bless" eye-roll, and plow on.

And yeah, I left out about Kirk suffering from a bug that required several treatments to get out of his system, treatments that when they went back in time were not available to him. That added another element of hardship they had to deal with.

One of those things that gives the novel a real TOS vibe, there are so many dangers and complications in some episodes, until the story reaches that moment of almost unbearable tension, before the characters start knocking those obstacles down one after another. Like how The Naked Time just piles on problem after problem.

I just re-read the portion I thought referenced "Yesteryear", in fact I re-read the entire chapter just to make sure I had the right reference and I think Christopher is right now and I misunderstood the reference now on 2nd reading.

That's a lot of work to double check, I'm sorry it didn't pan out. It's okay, there's still plenty of love for TAS despite that.

 

[Damian]

Ah, yes, the Carey's soapbox moments! I never noticed them when I was much younger; but now older and reading some of her earlier books where her writing sins seem more pronounced

Yeah, and her writing style sometimes makes it difficult for me. Each writer has their own unique styles, but hers was quite a bit different. I noticed that less with this book. And this book felt like it had a bit less of her 'libertarian' leanings injected in it. That was one of the few themes I found that picked up on that, and I have to admit I was getting as annoyed as Kirk in the story about some of the characters and was glad when Kirk admonished them about not taking any responsibility. It seemed in line with Captain Kirk too. It certainly had an effect on Oya, the Clan Ru that eventually allied with him.

This book was one of those 'epic' type stories. It was a save the universe story but she and Dr Kirkland tried to use real science as much as possible. And partly epic too because we're talking about millions of years. I remember one of Christopher's DTI stories was similarly significant, except in that case they went millions of years in the future (though not on Earth in that case). Those are fascinating stories because the changes are so significant over such a large period of time.

That's a lot of work to double check, I'm sorry it didn't pan out. It's okay, there's still plenty of love for TAS despite that.

Yeah, not a big deal. Since I just read it, it was a lot easier to find. I remembered it was when they first arrived so once I found the correct chapter it didn't take long (it's worse when it's something from a book I haven't read in a while and then I have to go searching for something and I can't remember exactly in the book it appeared). According to Christopher's post above, and checking with Memory Alpha, this story apparently takes place between the two episodes. And the book was written at a time (1995 I believe) when they couldn't reference the animated series (though I seem to remember "Yesteryear" was generally considered an exception to the canon rule even back then). "Yesteryear" is easily the best episode of the animated series though IMO. It's so hard to believe they fit that entire story in less than 30 minutes. DC Fontana did a great job on that story.

 

[marlboro]

I sometimes find Diane Carey's novels a bit difficult to follow as her novels tend to have a unique writing style.

Don't blame yourself for having a difficult time following her novels. I think saying that she has a "unique style" is less accurate than saying "she isn't a very good writer."

Her similes and metaphors are terrible. Her overuse of said-bookisms is amateurish. I have nothing against libertarian characters, but having well known Trek characters assert those beliefs is usually OOC. Her insistence on shoehorning her love for sailing into futuristic sci-fi books is comical.

I can see a fledgling writer making these mistakes, but she wrote more than 30 Trek books.

 

[Jedi Marso]

I remember really enjoying this one back in the day. Gawd, that seems like a lifetime ago now!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

"James Kirkland"? I bet a lot of people thought that was a pseudonym.

Her insistence on shoehorning her love for sailing into futuristic sci-fi books is comical.

As was her entire novelization of ENT's "Broken Bow".

 

[tomswift2002]

Her insistence on shoehorning her love for sailing into futuristic sci-fi books is comical.

How do? Nicholas Meyer (and even William Shatner in V) managed to put nautical themes, either visually or audible into Star Trek’s 2 & 6.

And what’s so different about Sailing a boat on a body of water vs Sailing a starship through the stars, aside from the obvious differences. In Trek You Hear Riker and others giving orders to turn “starboard” or “port” or even Voyager weighing a “Warp anchor”.

 

[Christopher]

How do? Nicholas Meyer (and even William Shatner in V) managed to put nautical themes, either visually or audible into Star Trek’s 2 & 6.

Not to mention that Gene Roddenberry was inspired by Horatio Hornblower and Gulliver's Travels, so there was always a nautical underpinning to Star Trek. That's why Starfleet uses naval ranks, practices, and terminology. Plus there was that time in "The Ultimate Computer" when Kirk quoted "Sea-Fever" (which was called back in ST V). I always felt the love of ships that Carey put into her work was a natural fit for Star Trek.

 

[thribs]

Sounds like they invented temporal shielding before Voyager did. That name confused me when I was younger as I always took it to mean the shields were temporary. I kept scratching my head as to why it would shield them from the Krenim weapon.

 

[Damian]

And what’s so different about Sailing a boat on a body of water vs Sailing a starship through the stars, aside from the obvious differences. In Trek You Hear Riker and others giving orders to turn “starboard” or “port” or even Voyager weighing a “Warp anchor”

Not to mention that Gene Roddenberry was inspired by Horatio Hornblower and Gulliver's Travels, so there was always a nautical underpinning to Star Trek. That's why Starfleet uses naval ranks, practices, and terminology. Plus there was that time in "The Ultimate Computer" when Kirk quoted "Sea-Fever" (which was called back in ST V). I always felt the love of ships that Carey put into her work was a natural fit for Star Trek.

Yeah, I didn't have a problem with nautical themes in her books per se. I thought the naval tradition fit Starfleet pretty well, their ships just travelled through vastness of space instead of the vastness of oceans. For me, sometimes she got a bit to technical which made some of her books a challenge to read (sometimes I'd have to read a paragraph twice to get her meaning). And yes, she doesn't generally hide her libertarian feelings well.

But in "First Frontier" I didn't find as much of that. Perhaps it was because the story itself was such a good story IMHO, that it made it easier to read. But it felt more like a classic Star Trek novel...epic in scope of course. And I actually like when Kirk finally gets frustrated at everyone and basically says yes, their were extenuating circumstances, but you know what, you guys need to take some responsibility too. It's not ALL someone else's fault. It's something I feel even in today's society (ok I know a bit off topic), that sometimes people are too quick to blame others for their failures and are unwilling to take some responsibility themselves. Take some positive action in your life.....ok I'm done with my soap box.

 

[TheAlmanac]

And what’s so different about Sailing a boat on a body of water vs Sailing a starship through the stars, aside from the obvious differences. In Trek You Hear Riker and others giving orders to turn “starboard” or “port” or even Voyager weighing a “Warp anchor”.

Literal versus allegorical sailing is the difference. The examples you mention--or, keeping with Diane Carey's work, something like The Great Starship Race, which is an allegory of present-day sailing races--is inherently different from literally putting sailing ships in novel after novel.

There's also a cumulative effect at work. If Carey had only done this by having Kirk own a boat, which (kind of) worked, I don't think anyone would have complained or even particularly noticed--but doing it all the time, regardless of the crew or whether it makes sense for the story, is what causes it to feel overdone (as it would for any personal interest with some Star Trek precedents that an author incessantly inserted into their work). By the time Carey was quoting her own sailing diaries in Ship of the Line, I think it's fair to say that she'd reached a "comical" level of self-indulgence.

 

[marlboro]

Yeah, I didn't have a problem with nautical themes in her books per se.

...

But in "First Frontier" I didn't find as much of that. Perhaps it was because the story itself was such a good story

In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have cluttered up your positive review thread with my generalized complaints about the author.

I only made it through the first three chapters of "First Frontier. It may have a great plot, and it may not contain any of Carey's infatuation with 18th century sailing. What it does have is sentences like this:

The Enterprise clung to her reputation. Strong and defiant, able to take those body blows with dispassion, she shot toward the accretion disk even as it ripped the giant star’s gorgeous inferno off like a cheap wig.

And this:

No matter the doctor’s low voice, no matter the distracting and horrific beauty of the great star showing its spectra like a dance hall girl flashing her petticoats before them, the words somehow carried.

And needless said-bookisms like this:

“We wouldn’t want to tamper with somebody’s sunshine,” Kirk clipped

I don't think the word clipped can be used like that. Even if it could be, and even if you insist on finding alternatives to simply saying "he said", I'm pretty sure you could find a word that fit better.

 

[tomswift2002]

The Enterprise clung to her reputation. Strong and defiant, able to take those body blows with dispassion, she shot toward the accretion disk even as it ripped the giant star’s gorgeous inferno off like a cheap wig.

And this:

No matter the doctor’s low voice, no matter the distracting and horrific beauty of the great star showing its spectra like a dance hall girl flashing her petticoats before them, the words somehow carried.

And needless said-bookisms like this:

“We wouldn’t want to tamper with somebody’s sunshine,” Kirk clipped

I don't think the word clipped can be used like that. Even if it could be, and even if you insist on finding alternatives to simply saying "he said", I'm pretty sure you could find a word that fit better.

Sorry I’d have to disagree with you. That quote about the Enterprise, that’s like another author saying that a human character came from a long pedigree of heroes (like policemen, firemen or knights).

And the showroom girls clip, I think I’ve read worst in David R.George III’s long and wordy novels.

As for the clipped quote, it was a poor Tom Swifty.

 

[David cgc]

Now that I'm home for the holidays and have access to my older books, I'm planning to re-read (or at least grab for later) "Fire Ship." The alien ships in that one were analogous to sailing ships (to the point where swabbing the deck and polishing the brass literally made the engines and weapons work better), but I recently started getting into tall-ship sailing, and after spending some time on one (actually, the ship that played the Enterprise in the holodeck scene in Generations), I started to wonder if the loosey-goosey, "crews vote on stuff, everyone does their job autonomously without waiting for orders" org structure she set up wasn't just a chance to make the point at the end about how governments should let people be and ships should be dictatorships, but was more a satire of real-world crews that had a flatter and more informal organizational structure than she was comfortable with.

(I was also pretty amused when I realized I'd found out This Was A Thing from Diane Carey's Ship of the Line headers about a decade before I learned about it in such a way that I'd actually want to try it, but wrote it off because Carey's journal excerpts had no information on how one would get into it, or why one would want to do it. IIRC, she made the whole thing sound dull and unpleasant, though the only part I remember clearly was her steering towards a comet while on night watch.)