Death of a Neutron Star

(Star Trek: Voyager 17)
by
Eric Kotani

Pocket, March 1999, 263 pp.
ISBN: 0-671-00425-5

Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: TV Tie-In
Reviewed: 10/20/2002

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

"Dr Maalot?"

A moment later the Lekk physicist said, "Yes, Captain?"

"Do you have an estimated time remaining for the life of the binary?"

"About twelve hours," Dr. Maalot said. "More than likely twelve. Why have we pulled away?"

"I'll explain shortly," she Janeway said. "Thank you."

She broke the connection and glanced at Chakotay. "Have Lieutenant Tyla brought to the  bridge at once."

Chakotay looked puzzled.

"She might be able to help us against the Qavok. Her people have fought them before."

"Good thinking," Chakotay said, and turned to the comm panel.

Janeway stood and moved down beside Paris, staring at the binary on the main screen. She put her hand on her shoulder, feeling the strength under the fabric. "Tom, I want you to hold an orbit one million kilometers from the binary. When the Qavok fleet moves to come around us, move away from them, keeping the same distance form the binary.

"Understood, Captain," he said. "But what if they split up?"

She patted his shoulder and moved back to her chair. "Now you're getting the idea. We want to make them split up."

"I see," Kim said. "They come from both the left and the right, we move down under. They send ships down after us, and we go up over the top. They have to keep a safe distance from the binary just as we do, so we use it to split them up."

"Exactly," Janeway said. "Improve the odds a little."

"Captain, that's an idea even Captain Proton would be proud of," Tom said.

 

Synopsis

When Captain Janeway and the U.S.S. Voyager come across a small ship fleeing from much larger warship. After rescuing the two Lekkian humanoids, Lieutenant Tyla and Dr. Maalot, a physicist, the captain of the pursuing Qavok ship, Captain Qavim of His Imperial Majesty's frigate Falcon, demands the return of their royal prince's yacht and the two rebels.

The Lekks had been escaping from their captors and inform Janeway about a collapsing binary neutron star that are soon due to run into each other and one of them is going to shoot off across the galaxy. After being attacked by Qavim, Voyager travels to the binary and runs across another Qavok ship that is observing the binary along with a Xorm ship.

Janeway soon figures out that the Qavok may be planning to create and explosion near the neutron star that will slightly speed up the death of the star and cause it to travel through the Lekk system, which would wipe out the Lekk race. Even though it means breaking the Prime Directive, Janeway knows that if she can help save an race, she must do it.

Death of a Neutron Star is a science fiction book in the Star Trek: Voyager world and was written by Eric Kotani. It is Star Trek: Voyager number 17.

 

Review

Death of a Neutron Star appears to take place during the fourth to seventh seasons of the show, and Seven of Nine is a member of the crew. First, I must say that the Captain Janeway is a little more gung ho in the book than she is in the television series. I found her to be more like Captain Kirk in this story than Captain Janeway. And the fact that she was destroying the combative lizard-like aliens reminded me even more of Captain Kirk.

The author, Eric Kotani, has created an intriguing story about a neutron star that can be used as a weapon to destroy and entire solar system, and potentially even reach the Alpha Quadrant. The characters are right on, except for Janeway being a little more ruthless than I ever saw her in the seven-year run of the television show.

The story is quick and packs quite a wallop. I quite enjoyed reading about Janeway being more of a cowboy and shooting first before asking questions.

Death of a Neutron Star is an excellent addition to the Star Trek: Voyager series of book and should not be missed by any Star Trek fan.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.

This site was created and is maintained by Conan Tigard
2002