I just finished this book and found it pretty enjoyable. There are two pretty distinct plotlines that run through the book, which can be risky if one overwhelms the other. But I found a nice balance and the two storylines are quite different so there's no real duplication, other than 2 planets are suffering from internal crises. First there's the mission that Captain Picard and the Enterprise go on. A new Federation member, Buran, is suffering from a plague. The inhabitants are highly suspicious of the Federation and many feel the Federation is to blame for the plague. At first the crew, and particularly Dr. Crusher, are frustrated by the lack of cooperation they get by the king and the medical professionals. Only the King's son, the heir-apparent, welcomes the Enterprise. However, as Dr Crusher works with the doctor she is collaborating with, and as Worf works with planetary security to identify the cause of the plague, they start to earn their respect.
Meanwhile, Commander Riker and Counselor Troi lead a separate team to a planet under observation to Iomides to track down a Federation observer who's gone renegade. She is trying to stop the assassination of a political leader who is leading his people down the path to unity. Forces on the planet want to stop him because they benefit from war making. However she gets more than she bargained for when she is captured, the Federation base is explosed and the Vulcan leader killed. Unlike some other stories and episodes that depict why sometimes a captain may violate the Prime Directive with just cause, this is a case about why there is a Prime Directive in the first place. It's actually an argument for the wisdom of the Prime Directive. The opponents on Iomides want to use the presence of aliens on their world to justify a significant military buildup to protect themselves against 'evil aliens' and feel exposing the Federation presence will help them. While the conspirators know the Federation is no actual threat, they believe the population will be so frightened they would approve of significant military expenditures, making the conspirators wealthy.
The book takes place according to Memory Alpha prior to the 6th season episode "Timescape", in 2369 and was released 01/1997.
Meanwhile, Commander Riker and Counselor Troi lead a separate team to a planet under observation to Iomides to track down a Federation observer who's gone renegade. She is trying to stop the assassination of a political leader who is leading his people down the path to unity. Forces on the planet want to stop him because they benefit from war making. However she gets more than she bargained for when she is captured, the Federation base is explosed and the Vulcan leader killed. Unlike some other stories and episodes that depict why sometimes a captain may violate the Prime Directive with just cause, this is a case about why there is a Prime Directive in the first place. It's actually an argument for the wisdom of the Prime Directive. The opponents on Iomides want to use the presence of aliens on their world to justify a significant military buildup to protect themselves against 'evil aliens' and feel exposing the Federation presence will help them. While the conspirators know the Federation is no actual threat, they believe the population will be so frightened they would approve of significant military expenditures, making the conspirators wealthy.
The book takes place according to Memory Alpha prior to the 6th season episode "Timescape", in 2369 and was released 01/1997.
