The Cry of the Onlies

(Star Trek 46)
by
Judy Klass

Pocket, October 1989, 255 pp.
ISBN: 0-671-68167-2

Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: TV Tie-In
Reviewed: 2/26/2004

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Read Part of the Book

The Intercom Whistled

Scott's familiar brogue sounded confident. "We're ready now, Captain. Standing by to beam the Sparrow aboard . . ."

An ugly white beam shot out of the Klingon ship. It blasted into the graceful metal arch that lifted up the cylindrical top decks of the Enterprise. The bridge shook. It was a well-aimed shot. The neck of the ship was a technical nerve center; Kirk prayed that the damage was not severe. Reports of injuries began to flood Uhura's channels.

"Shields up!" Kirk barked hoarsely. "Drop everything, Mr. Scott. Divert all power back if you have to, but get those shields up!"

"Aye, sir."

"The answer to our question, Captain," Spock said, as he helped a shaken Flint rise to his feet. "They feel confident enough to risk an all-out war."

"Mr. Sulu," Kirk said quietly, "sound the red alert."

The insistent siren's wail pierced every deck, corridor, and corner of the Enterprise. And with it came the captain's voice. "Red alert. Red alert. All hands to battle stations. This is not a drill. I repeat. This is not a drill."

Review

On Juram Five, where all adults were stricken by a plague (see the episode "Miri"), Jahn, Rhea and Pal steal a prototype Federation ship, the Sparrow, designed by Flint (see the episode "Requiem for Methuselah"). This ship has a new cloaking device that makes it nearly impossible to track. Meanwhile, the U.S.S. Enterprise is on a diplomatic mission to Boaca Six, a planet that recently completed a revolution overthrowing its cruel warlords. Since the Federation had been supported the old regime, Boaca Six no longer wants anything to do with the Federation. Instead, they have turned their eyes toward both the Klingons and the Romulans empires. Boaca Eight is worried that the continual interference by the Klingons and the Romulans will provoke a civil war between the two planets. Kirk's job is to reestablish a line of communication with Boaca Six and hopefully sway them to lean toward the Federation. Just as talks are beginning to get underway between the two planets, Jahn destroys the ship the ambassadors were traveling in between the planets. Boaca Six blames the Federation. When the Sparrow enters Klingon space and destroys another ship, the Klingons believe the Federation is trying to provoke a war. They demand the prototype ship, and the criminals inside the ship, to be handed over to them. Kirk knows he must find the Sparrow before the Klingons do. But how do you find a ship that was designed not to be found?

The Cry of the Onlies is a Star Trek book by Judy Klass. It is number 46. This book is based on the science fiction television show that ran for three years from 1966 to 1969. The Cry of the Onlies takes place after the third year of their original five-year mission.

Star Trek is supposed to be a space western. It always has been and it is what the fan expect. The Cry of the Onlies reads more like a Star Trek: The Next Generation book; that is, diplomacy comes first. I found this a little disappointing. We all love Captain Kirk and his wild side, something Captain Picard never really had. We love the fights and the action. Most of that is missing from this story. Yes, the tie into to the two television episodes is a lot of fun, and it was nice to visit those worlds again, but I felt something was missing from this story. I must admit that the story does peak, but it is over so fast you barely have time to get excited. Overall, The Cry of the Onlies by Judy Klass is not bad, but I sure was hoping for a lot more.

I rated this book a 6½ out of 10.