Hello everyone. 
I thought I would begin another of my “let’s share the moments or themes in Trek lit that we appreciated” threads, because I feel the need to reaffirm my commitment to our shared passion. My last major contribution here was, I’m somewhat ashamed to say, a political rant that became considerably impolite at points. It was not what people have come to expect from me, and I feel I have let you down. Wearing your emotions on your sleeve is well and good when it’s smiley emoticons, but you don’t need to see me in a bad mood. Therefore, I will reaffirm the real reason why I am here by taking the time to articulate something I’ve been wanting to discuss for a while:
I’ve started several threads in the past asking people to share their experience of moments that illuminated connections to other Trek books, revealed thematic or philosophical threads that enhance the books as a whole or which have significance the full extent of which only hits you later. Along similar lines, I’m wondering if anyone wants to share their thoughts on the subject of one of Trek lit’s strongest themes- the need for connection and the perils of being too afraid to reach out to others.
As people know, I am a big continuity fan and one of the reasons for this is that strong continuity helps build up a fictional world where development and progression can work for entire societies, not only individuals. Some of my favourite moments in Trek books are what I suppose I might call moments of progression or evolution (if you’ll forgive the use of the word in this context), where the individual is almost a symbol for their society’s realization of the need to progress and change, while still embodying everything that makes those cultures great. Very often, part of what needs to change is how that society relates to its neighbours. Characters like Martok in “The Left Hand of Destiny” or Garak in “A Stitch in Time” (my favourite novel) come to mind.
Two other quick examples from books I have close at hand (there are many more
”
In every case, there is an underlying acknowledgement of the perils of isolation, a realization that this state of affairs cannot go on. A society, a people, must have a place within the interconnected network of societies that makes up the wider Star Trek universe. They must embrace their neighbours, or they will be lost. The details and the manner in which the theme is handled of course differ vastly depending on which culture we’re dealing with, and its own distinctive issues, but it’s there each time.
Just as the books are themselves increasingly interconnected (which I know does not appeal to everyone), so the theme of unity, and connection with others, has been constantly explored, not only in regards to individuals but in regards to entire civilizations, in their evolving self-identities and how these civilizations relate to one another. It could be the re-establishing of common ground after separation, as with the ever more complex Vulcanoid “situation” (Vulcan, RSE, IRS, Watraii, Remans) and the Neyel, or the strength to stop fighting and actually build a relationship for the first time, as with Klingons and Cardassians, or even the willingness to find strength and dignity in a form of symbolic submission to others, such as is necessary for successful relations with the Regnancy of the Carnelian Throne or the Voth. The “Titan” series even has as its core premise an exploration of how the diversity of the Federation is made to function.
The fact that such an important theme in modern Trek literature is interconnection, and that frequently this theme is applied to relations between entire interstellar civilizations shows just how complex and multifaceted Trek continuity has come. It is not the story of a distinctive spaceship or a few characters, it has become the story of a diverse, fractured community of civilizations, and their struggle to co-exist. In this sense, Trek literature reminds me of possibly my favourite television show- “Babylon Five”. That show was to me personally a story of unity and redemption, of realizing that bonds exist between disparate societies, worlds and organizations, and that ignoring them is a fatal error. Remember the Romulan concept of Mnhei’sahe? The unbreaking bond, beyond hope, pain or escape? “Babylon Five” was a show at its heart about a quality very similar to Mnhei’sahe; you had pairings who were so intimately entwined yet defined by conflict- Narns and Centauri, humans and Minbari, Vorlons and Shadows, mundanes and telepaths, Earth and Mars/colonies, Warrior Caste and Religious Caste. The show was about coming to embrace that interconnection, to transform it into something better than what it was- of saving one another. The thematic links to Trek novels such as the “Destiny” trilogy should be quite clear. I believe Trek literature has reached a stage where it matches a creation like “Babylon Five” for complexity and intelligence in exploration of these themes. Isolation, and the need to overcome it and recognise common bonds, is of course frequently a central theme in Trek books. From the Cardassians in “A Stitch in Time” learning what their “masks” should be and how their sense of relating to one another- and so to other societies- has been corrupted, to Ariel’s wisdom in “The Buried Age”- “self and other become one; that is the nature of communication”, the recurring theme of acknowledging the necessity for these connections, and of rejecting the fear that keeps you alone, is the heart of Trek literature. This was explicitly demonstrated most recently in “Lost Souls”, where Captain Hernandez openly condemned the Caeliar for their fear, their refusal to reach out and become a part of the galactic community, to acknowledge their status as a part of the whole. Their acknowledging her wisdom in this is, of course, the salvation of the Borg Collective and the entirety of explored space.
To me, this is perhaps the most appealing characteristic of the 21st century Star Trek books, and the secondary issues the theme raises provide even more fuel for engaging stories. To what extend do you maintain your own boundaries and distinctiveness, and to what extent do you embrace others? That is, where do you find the balance that prevents the desire to fulfil one of these undermining the other? The continuity of the Star Trek universe allows for this to be explored in regards to the growth of the individual, of the society and of the interconnected interstellar community; the theme unfolds on multiple levels, and this in-depth exploration would not be possible outside of a science fiction genre like Star Trek. Where else do so many fictional societies, cultures and nations (and those individuals inhabiting them) exist and interact on such a large scale? This is why the Star Trek literature is so meaningful to me; it is immensely rewarding to invest in these societies and follow their development. Of course, as is no doubt realistic it is always a case of two steps forward and one step back; or, in the case of the post-Destiny books and the developments there, possibly two steps back followed by three steps forward.
This topic also seems particularly appropriate now, with the publication of “The Never-Ending Sacrifice”, a novel which serves as both the story of an individual and an interstellar society, through their ups and (sadly, I’m guessing mostly) downs. It is, of course, also a book that provides a more in-depth look at the progression of my favourite fictional society, Cardassia. I therefore wondered if anyone else wished to share their experiences and appreciation of moments of revelation and development in Trek literature, preferably those which have consequences beyond the individual, consequences for wider society. Given the more inter-connected, politically complex galaxy that has emerged in the aftermath of “Destiny” (and we’ve had some great discussions about that!), I imagine people must have a lot to share.
I’d also like to invite the writers to respond to a slightly altered invitation; several novels, such as the “Worlds of DS9” series, have had their basis in a specific society’s wrestling with our theme, while for some cultures (Klingons, and their so-called “need” to conquer) their entire role within the Trek universe appears to be to embody it. I’m wondering whether any writers have anything to share about how these themes relate, in their minds, to the novels and short stories they’ve written.
I thought I would begin another of my “let’s share the moments or themes in Trek lit that we appreciated” threads, because I feel the need to reaffirm my commitment to our shared passion. My last major contribution here was, I’m somewhat ashamed to say, a political rant that became considerably impolite at points. It was not what people have come to expect from me, and I feel I have let you down. Wearing your emotions on your sleeve is well and good when it’s smiley emoticons, but you don’t need to see me in a bad mood. Therefore, I will reaffirm the real reason why I am here by taking the time to articulate something I’ve been wanting to discuss for a while: I’ve started several threads in the past asking people to share their experience of moments that illuminated connections to other Trek books, revealed thematic or philosophical threads that enhance the books as a whole or which have significance the full extent of which only hits you later. Along similar lines, I’m wondering if anyone wants to share their thoughts on the subject of one of Trek lit’s strongest themes- the need for connection and the perils of being too afraid to reach out to others.
As people know, I am a big continuity fan and one of the reasons for this is that strong continuity helps build up a fictional world where development and progression can work for entire societies, not only individuals. Some of my favourite moments in Trek books are what I suppose I might call moments of progression or evolution (if you’ll forgive the use of the word in this context), where the individual is almost a symbol for their society’s realization of the need to progress and change, while still embodying everything that makes those cultures great. Very often, part of what needs to change is how that society relates to its neighbours. Characters like Martok in “The Left Hand of Destiny” or Garak in “A Stitch in Time” (my favourite novel) come to mind.
Two other quick examples from books I have close at hand (there are many more
Rom’s speech before the Congress of Economic Advisors in “Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed”: “When I took over as Grand Nagus it was in order to lead Ferenginar to a new era. Because the old Ferenginar wasn’t any good any more. The Ferengi are the joke of the galaxy. Even Klingons treat their females better than we do. People see us as caricatures...This quadrant almost fell to the Dominion because the governments were all divided...If the Ferengi are gonna keep surviving, if we’re gonna be an important part of the galactic community- then that’s what we have to be, a part of it, not just its exploiters”.
Charvanek’s new calling at the end of Vulcan’s Soul: “Charvanek had once offered to “make a place” for him in the Romulan Star Empire. Now, he made a place for her on Remus....After all, Spock had expanded his theories on unification to include Romulus and Remus. She knew the time was coming, if it had not already arrived, where he would expand them still further to take in the Watraii... The Empire had wronged the Remans. So it stood to reason amends must be made. If the Empire had wronged the Watraii...if their grievances were legitimate, she would see that the Empire made amends
In every case, there is an underlying acknowledgement of the perils of isolation, a realization that this state of affairs cannot go on. A society, a people, must have a place within the interconnected network of societies that makes up the wider Star Trek universe. They must embrace their neighbours, or they will be lost. The details and the manner in which the theme is handled of course differ vastly depending on which culture we’re dealing with, and its own distinctive issues, but it’s there each time.
Just as the books are themselves increasingly interconnected (which I know does not appeal to everyone), so the theme of unity, and connection with others, has been constantly explored, not only in regards to individuals but in regards to entire civilizations, in their evolving self-identities and how these civilizations relate to one another. It could be the re-establishing of common ground after separation, as with the ever more complex Vulcanoid “situation” (Vulcan, RSE, IRS, Watraii, Remans) and the Neyel, or the strength to stop fighting and actually build a relationship for the first time, as with Klingons and Cardassians, or even the willingness to find strength and dignity in a form of symbolic submission to others, such as is necessary for successful relations with the Regnancy of the Carnelian Throne or the Voth. The “Titan” series even has as its core premise an exploration of how the diversity of the Federation is made to function.
The fact that such an important theme in modern Trek literature is interconnection, and that frequently this theme is applied to relations between entire interstellar civilizations shows just how complex and multifaceted Trek continuity has come. It is not the story of a distinctive spaceship or a few characters, it has become the story of a diverse, fractured community of civilizations, and their struggle to co-exist. In this sense, Trek literature reminds me of possibly my favourite television show- “Babylon Five”. That show was to me personally a story of unity and redemption, of realizing that bonds exist between disparate societies, worlds and organizations, and that ignoring them is a fatal error. Remember the Romulan concept of Mnhei’sahe? The unbreaking bond, beyond hope, pain or escape? “Babylon Five” was a show at its heart about a quality very similar to Mnhei’sahe; you had pairings who were so intimately entwined yet defined by conflict- Narns and Centauri, humans and Minbari, Vorlons and Shadows, mundanes and telepaths, Earth and Mars/colonies, Warrior Caste and Religious Caste. The show was about coming to embrace that interconnection, to transform it into something better than what it was- of saving one another. The thematic links to Trek novels such as the “Destiny” trilogy should be quite clear. I believe Trek literature has reached a stage where it matches a creation like “Babylon Five” for complexity and intelligence in exploration of these themes. Isolation, and the need to overcome it and recognise common bonds, is of course frequently a central theme in Trek books. From the Cardassians in “A Stitch in Time” learning what their “masks” should be and how their sense of relating to one another- and so to other societies- has been corrupted, to Ariel’s wisdom in “The Buried Age”- “self and other become one; that is the nature of communication”, the recurring theme of acknowledging the necessity for these connections, and of rejecting the fear that keeps you alone, is the heart of Trek literature. This was explicitly demonstrated most recently in “Lost Souls”, where Captain Hernandez openly condemned the Caeliar for their fear, their refusal to reach out and become a part of the galactic community, to acknowledge their status as a part of the whole. Their acknowledging her wisdom in this is, of course, the salvation of the Borg Collective and the entirety of explored space.
To me, this is perhaps the most appealing characteristic of the 21st century Star Trek books, and the secondary issues the theme raises provide even more fuel for engaging stories. To what extend do you maintain your own boundaries and distinctiveness, and to what extent do you embrace others? That is, where do you find the balance that prevents the desire to fulfil one of these undermining the other? The continuity of the Star Trek universe allows for this to be explored in regards to the growth of the individual, of the society and of the interconnected interstellar community; the theme unfolds on multiple levels, and this in-depth exploration would not be possible outside of a science fiction genre like Star Trek. Where else do so many fictional societies, cultures and nations (and those individuals inhabiting them) exist and interact on such a large scale? This is why the Star Trek literature is so meaningful to me; it is immensely rewarding to invest in these societies and follow their development. Of course, as is no doubt realistic it is always a case of two steps forward and one step back; or, in the case of the post-Destiny books and the developments there, possibly two steps back followed by three steps forward.
This topic also seems particularly appropriate now, with the publication of “The Never-Ending Sacrifice”, a novel which serves as both the story of an individual and an interstellar society, through their ups and (sadly, I’m guessing mostly) downs. It is, of course, also a book that provides a more in-depth look at the progression of my favourite fictional society, Cardassia. I therefore wondered if anyone else wished to share their experiences and appreciation of moments of revelation and development in Trek literature, preferably those which have consequences beyond the individual, consequences for wider society. Given the more inter-connected, politically complex galaxy that has emerged in the aftermath of “Destiny” (and we’ve had some great discussions about that!), I imagine people must have a lot to share.
I’d also like to invite the writers to respond to a slightly altered invitation; several novels, such as the “Worlds of DS9” series, have had their basis in a specific society’s wrestling with our theme, while for some cultures (Klingons, and their so-called “need” to conquer) their entire role within the Trek universe appears to be to embody it. I’m wondering whether any writers have anything to share about how these themes relate, in their minds, to the novels and short stories they’ve written.
)
ing internet connections getting in the way! I have not been able to get on to the tinernet and thus could not log on here. 
