Star Trek: A Contest Of Principles
Written by Greg Cox
www.ink2quill.com

“Star Trek: A Contest Of Principles” is an action, scifi novel taking place in the universe of the classic Star Trek episodes like those on TV from the 1960s. It has all the feel and nuances of the classic Star Trek episodes complete with the differing points of view of the main characters Captain Kirk, Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy and first officer Spock. This is a gem for those that enjoy the classic episodes of Star Trek.

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“Star Trek: A Contest Of Principles” begins when captain James Tiberius Kirk must travel to planet Vok to oversee their first free elections in the planet’s transition from military rule to a democracy. There are two sides vying for power in this emerging government and the question remains whether the planet Vok will stay in a millitary dictatorship or transition into something more progressive. Both sides seem to have, what they believe is, the best intentions for their planet but now it is up to the people of that planet to decide. So, basically Captain Kirk finds himself in the middle of an interplanetary mess from the start of the story. The very clout of the Federation is at stake so he must navigate things very carefully.

To add gasoline onto the flames of this dumpster fire Doctor Leornard ‘Bones’ McCoy is kidnapped and goes missing on planet Braco while responding to a distress call. Captain Kirk is unable to respond directly as he would like to do and so he sends his first officer Mr. Spock. As the story goes, Bones is kidnapped on Braco but whisked away to a planet Ozalor in a nearby star system which makes his rescue even harder for Mr. Spock and Nurse Christine Chapel. And to top it all off planets Ozalor and Vok are bitter enemies fighting over planet Braco.

So, all three away teams are in a pickle. Captain Kirk finds himself dealing with an assassination, slander and general planetwide choas while Mr. Spock and Nurse Chapel are dealing with planetary bureaucracies, rebel groups and a semi-helpful reporter with his finger on the story of his life. Meanwhile, Bones is trying to stay alive with his captors, solve a medical conundrum and eventually escape or contact the Enterprise. These are three stories that converge nicely into an ending worthy of the TV episodes.

I really liked this book for its nostalgia. It was a good trip into the classic episodes and it was fresh too. All of the characters are capable, well intentioned and sensible as we expect them to be. Even the ancillary characters are interesting. I liked V’sta and only wish they had included her more into the story or even given her a few seperate chapters because her cause and the ruins she discovered would make for such an interesting side story.

John Ink2Quill

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