Q-Zone

(The Q Continuum: Book 2 of 3)
(Star Trek: The Next Generation 48)
by
Greg Cox

Pocket, August 1998, 270 pp.
ISBN: 0-671-01921-X

Genre: Science Fiction

Subgenre: TV Tie-In
Reviewed: 9/13/2001

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Read Part of the Book

"Don't overdramatize, Jean-Luc," Q said.

"Perhaps I was a trifle blind, in an omniscient sort of way, but ultimately it was a mere prank, nothing more. A trifle mean-spirited, I concede, but there was no real harm done, not permanently. In the grand cosmic scheme of things, the Calamarian were merely inconvenienced, not actually, not actually injured in any way that need concern us here."

"That's all you have to say about it?" Picard demanded, offended by Q's cavalier tone. "An entire species frozen into suspended animation for heaven knows how long...."

Q shrugged his shoulder. "Can I help it if the Calamarian didn't see the funny side of it?"

"If what I witnessed just now was nothing more than a prank," Picard declared indignantly, "then I shudder to think what you would consider genuine maliciousness."

Q gave Picard a smile that chilled the captain's blood. "You should..."

Review

On stardate 500146.3, the USS Enterprise is still in the process of being attacked by the Calamarain (see Q-Space). The Enterprise-E is slowly losing its shields. Commander Riker, based on data that Lieutenant Barkley has found, decides to take the ship into the Great Galactic Barrier so it can rejuvenate the new gel pacs. Meanwhile, Q continues with the history lesson of himself by bringing Picard back the first contact with Calamarain. Q's younger self is still with 0 (pronounced "Nil") and 0 tries to enslave the Calamarain. But it goes awry and he ends up leaving the race in suspended animation. Then Q takes Picard to the Guardian of Forever where 0 brings forth through the Guardian three companions: Gorgon, The One and (*). Then they go to test the Tkon Empire, an advanced race of trillions of beings. There, Picard witnesses the power of the four and the younger Q over the span of a century...and there is nothing he can do to prevent the devastation he fears will happen.

This is a Star Trek: The Next Generation book. It is number 48. It is also the second book in a three part series. This story takes place on a new Enterprise-E, so must occur just after the second movie, First Contact, since that is when the new ship is introduced. The story focuses on two divergent storylines: 1) Q showing Picard bits and pieces of Q's own past, and 2) Riker and the Enterprise, after failing in their attempt at breaching the Great Galactic Barrier, must survive the attack of the Calamarain.

Where the first book in this trilogy moved along rather slowly, this one picks up the pace a little. But, still, I was a little disappointed in the later part of the story as it takes place all in the Tkon Empire. I wanted more about the Star Trek crew. Yes, I understand that this part of the story was necessary to show how ruthless 0 and his band of executioners are, but I still wanted more of the character I know and love. I can't help that. Greg Cox does an excellent job with the characterization and it is interesting to learn about Q in his youth and to see that he used to have morals. Why did Q change? I can't answer that yet. Hopefully that will be in Q-Strike, the last book of this trilogy. Overall, this is a better book than Q-Space, and a good continuance to a trilogy. Like with any Star Trek book, if you are a Star Trek Next Generation fan, and especially a Q fan, you shouldn't miss this one. 

I rated this book a 7 out of 10.