The Lost Years: One Constant Star - What Have We Missed?

There's a big gap of canon material between the end of the Enterprise-B scene in Generations and the flashback scene in All Good Things...

Which means it's a huge opportunity for the novels to mine and One Constant Star is my first step into this void with David George III as my guide for this adventure captained by Demora Sulu.

I received three novels in this package - this novel plus Serpents in the Garden and Rise of the Federation: Tower of Babel - but George's addition to the series was always the one I'd been looking forward to reading since it was announced. I do enjoy reading the ever-expanding universe through the eyes of Kirk, Picard and all the others but in One Constant Star there really are no constraints apart from contradicting anything televised. This is a blank canvas of extraordinary scale even with the characters themselves since we only had brief glimpses of them onscreen in 1994 and then only in the case of then Enterprise-B captain John Harriman and his then-helmsman, Demora Sulu.

Kicking off with a mission featuring those two characters, we're then flung forward from 2309 to 2319 and a mission to a seemingly deserted world called Rejarris II where all, of course, is not as it seems. There's no suggestion this will be anything but incident filled (and a happy jaunt down to the surface and back for some flower picking would make for a fairly dull read) and the haunting, desolate nature of the planet leads into mystery solving coupled with monsters, portals, phaser-fire and occasional character back-story filling.

The latter point is pretty essential since we haven't met any of the main characters bar two and for a newcomer to The Lost Era I found this to be rather handy. There were also some references to other events within the "Time Gap" but this was a book surprisingly light on nods to any of the televised series and I really appreciated that. In fact, I found that not tripping over countless hat-tips to Khan, the Klingons on Organia, Tribbles or the Khitomer Accords a refreshing change. It also demonstrates that the writers can be free within the text and not have to rely on established material when they need to show their expertise in the franchise. There are a few peppered throughout but please, can we take this as a good example of how to respect the fans and not overload the references for the future just to show the author's understanding/justification of the franchise.

I'll also give a nod to the rear cover here because it's not the usual "blah-blah" plot synopsis and leaves some fairly big chunks of exposure for the reader to uncover as the story evolves - and I don't mean in the last 20 pages. In fact Harriman's return to the story once we've set the tone in the prologue isn't as soon as you'd expect and it allows the crew of the Enterprise-B under Demora Sulu to get a decent shot at page time. It's a fairly eerie start to the main part of the novel but there's always a tag to keep you turning the page and I've been hoping for a Star Trek novel like this for a few months now. The environment we start out in is not deadly or terrifying but acts as a great counter to the later events and setting while also presenting several questions that only time with the subsequent 300+ pages will help you answer. The lack of concrete evidence and fact that we begin with in One Constant Star is just a fraction of the tapestry that will keep you enthralled page after page.

While I'm not super-familiar with this literary crew due to my lengthy sojourn from the novel releases over the last decade or so, George made me give a damn about them from very early on. Yes there's the usual blurb on background to set out where they've come from but One Constant Star is much more about a crossroads in their careers with at least three of the main characters facing fairly life-changing situations as part of the central plot - and that's even before Harriman makes his arrival. Aside from Demora Sulu, the key people in this expansion are Commander Xintall Linojj, a Boslic who saw much of her childhood under Romulan occupation and has the mental scars to prove it and Security Chief/Second Officer Tenger, an Orion who chose a different path in his career than you might expect from the green-skinned slavers. 

I didn't feel that these characters were stereotyped either and having an Orion onboard did make for more interesting situations; I'm not sure how the maroon on green would look in reality but I found the security chief involving since he is placed into a commanding situation very early on. Linojj too was compelling to read more, again, for her journey here rather than the tragic backstory. Capable when placed into a command situation the events of One Constant Star do challenge her perception on life and I hope that all three of the command staff get more outings to explore the after-effects of this adventure.

Demora too has her fair share of action here although most of it is while separated from her command and in a hostile environment. Her predicament really left me with some serious worry lines because I could not see a glimmer of how their strand would be completed, even as I entered the last third of the book. It doesn't place her into some enemy confrontation, more of a fight for survival with some genuinely terrifying challenges to deal with.

Harriman too has benefitted from 20 years of literary review and is definitely a better, more rounded captain than he came across in the opening segment of Generations. Alan Ruck attempted to do him some justice in the spin-off Of Gods and Men but he seems to develop much more on the page. While Harriman's impact is limited within the story to a prologue and a return later (not really a giveaway since it's in the back cover synopsis) he's much more likable and while his return is almost Kirk-Generations in it's timing it makes a lot more sense and certainly adds to all that has happened.

In fact the now-Admiral Harriman dominates the latter third of One Constant Star and made it eminently more readable. His relationship with his wife is perhaps a fraction cliched but the reasoning behind his actions is commendable - there's even a point where something that makes very little sense gets a fairly rational explanation before we can nitpick it to bits. I really loved his return to the Star Trek fold - a shame he never got more canon screen-time to develop.

The Enterprise crew meanwhile is a lot more diverse than it's predecessors thanks to the removal of a movie or TV budget although the more significant individuals are humanoid and since Harriman's elevation to the admiralty there have been changes. In comparison to the unbelievably static nature of Kirk's crew's careers, there are certainly more things happening in the lives of all those we meet here. This doesn't mean it's necessarily easier to relate to them but they are very accessible within the events of the novel and feel that touch more human when we see that there has been some progression in their lives. Oddly there's no major villain here either so the whole focus of the novel is on the crew for once. It's only when you get nearer the conclusion that you realise it's not the standard Enterprise versus Some Form of Evil but more about how events affect those who are unwilling participants. It's a survival story; a learning curve if you will, maturing some very green explorers into greater characters - many of whom I hope to meet again in future volumes of The Lost Era.

Explaining just what happens here would ruin this rather excellent read and I found it very hard to read or do anything else until I'd closed the final page. The twists aren't on every page but I would advise you to be aware of those throwaway lines and occasional side-points that crop up because they're not as throwaway or occasional as you might be thinking - and as I thought while I hammered through the story. While the story uses the lesser-spotted Enterprise-B as the vehicle here, it doesn't play that big a part in the narrative and I might have liked to see more of her in action although, again, I do nod to the author for keeping fixated on the human element here and placing the perils of the cast above the metallic hull of an Excelsior Class starship.

That alongside the more in-depth character evolution is what seems to stand David R George III ahead of his contemporaries at present. Both Allegiance in Exile and Revelation and Dust have been two of my favourite novels from the Star Trek line in the last year or so and with One Constant Star that trend has easily continued. The only issue I did have as I closed in on the final page was how easily it did seem to get wrapped up after such an impressive buildup and threads of potential but it's all resolved so hurriedly and I think it could have benefitted from a bit more exposition and maybe two chapters more. For those of you who are perhaps looking for Star Trek that is a little more varied to read than a return to the adventures of Kirk or Picard I would give this one a big recommendation. I do have a personal leaning towards the movie era and with George I felt that I had returned there once more. I certainly keep my fingers crossed that more of The Lost Era is uncovered for us to enjoy and that the next one carries on just where One Constant Star leaves off.

Star Trek: The Lost Era: One Constant Star is available now from Simon and Schuster priced £6.99 ISBN 9781476750217

Enjoyed this article? Get our latest updates as soon as they're published:

Like our page on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter

+1 us on Google+

Add us on Tumblr

Pick us out on Pinterest

Russ, Renegades and a Review

This begins our dark introduction into the world of Star Trek: Renegades, the trailer descends on what appears to be a jail cell; a lone woman chalks her words onto a wall... 

As this trailer unfolds it becomes very clear that this will be more than your average Trek. Tim Russ definitely intends to take us to the outer edges of the Federation, and possibly beyond.

This is just the beginning of both the teaser trailers, click here to see them both in full length, plus some very fascinating interviews with cast members! 

Maybe it's the unexpected all star cast? It's quite one thing to have Tim Russ directing this, let alone reprising his role as Tuvok (Voyager). Then we look at the caliber of actors all along for the ride, the mix of talent available to this production is truly impressive. You'd be forgiven thinking that this is your run-of-the-mill fan fiction. Don't be fooled however, as we have truly seasoned Star Trek actors involved...

Tim Russ - That's right, he's not only the director, but he'll also be slapping those pointed ears back on (and likely slapping down some more ensigns too!). Logic has never been so dark.This will be Tuvok's first on screen appearance since 2001 and Voyager's finale, Endgame. 

No pressure then. In the intervening years it's good to see Mr Russ has been honing his skills on such wonderous TV programmes as I, Carly... Seriously, should be awesome to see him back in action as the joint lead with...

Walter Koenig - It's nice to see him beyond commander, but whatever you do, please don't ask him to say Nuclear Wessels or he vill haf to stun you.

Yes, the original Chekov will be back on screen for the first time since 1994 (Star Trek: Generations) because officially we don't class his appearance in Phase II ...although we probably should if we're talking about another fan-made production. Oh, hang on. We are.

Robert Picardo - Stop the press... He won't be playing our neighbourhood EMH so we won't get to know the nature of the medical emergency this time around.

Instead, he'll be reprising his brief role as Dr Lewis Zimmerman, a character not seen on our screens since 2000 in Lifeline from season six of Voyager. Actually Zimmerman wasn't around that much at all - fleetingly in the first few years - Projections, The Swarm to name a few before he turned up in Deep Space Nine's Doctor Bashir, I Presume as an actual real person. How Zimmerman is going to fit into what looks like Star Trek mixed with Rambo is up for discussion.

Now I imagine at this point you're thinking "Great, but why am I going to bother with ANOTHER spin off?"

Well, as the full teaser suggests, the Federation is faced with yet another threat, however this new nemesis is beyond the reach of the Federation's typical 'good will politics'. 

Tuvok, now head of Section 31, is tasked with answering this unknown enemy head on. Not an easy job considering this adversary has the ability of cutting the Federation off from dilithium, and also appears to be annexing planets from space and time. Nice.

As you peruse through the library of information on the Renegades website, the trailers, masses of interview footage, promo videos, even the new comedy segments. You definitely get an idea of the work that has gone into making this a reality. 

Although I was a little disappointed with the second trailer if I can be honest. How can I put this... it was a Transformers take on Star Trek. The deep soundtrack behind it, the transforming title at the end, the mash of apparently random scenes. I was intrigued, but not satisfied. It felt, incomplete. 

Now, as you can tell, I watched both trailers in completely the wrong order, something in fact I recommend as an introduction to Renegades. The first trailer, whilst it lacks the 'epic' text segments, does trump the second. There is better introduction and explanation, they haven't tried to mash it together and hope for the best. The structure is very well done for this, a short briefing, melding into an invigorating and progressive background sound piece, with the scenes building up into... *enter transforming title sequence.*

So what's exactly in the trailers? What can we take from the limited glimpse? Well, you have some curious segments from Chekov and Tuvok, setting the story, it leads us to believe that this new threat could provide a tipping point in the Federation's affairs. The fact they have resorted to bringing Section 31 in to deal with the crisis I believe is meant to portray the seriousness of the situation. So what of moving forward? 

At present, we know of this new enemy the Syphons, we don't know anything of them other than one Syphon in particular, Borrada, has a serious grudge with the Federation for an incident with portals? This is the full detail at present, other than this new species appears to be particularly aggressive. I guess we'll have to wait and see as more information feeds through.

When +Clive Burrell and I were discussing Renegades (amongst many other upcoming titles), it became clear from the outset that this was something special. It immediately gave you a 'Where No Man has Gone Before' thrill. Sure, you can throw many examples of promising fan fiction at us, but there is something quite different about Renegades - something I'm yet to put my finger on.

To say that these are just the tip of the iceberg would be quite an understatement, having looked at the accompanying cast, we can see echoes of other popular shows.. Stargate SG-1, Charmed, ER, That 70's Show, CSI: Miami, this list is endless and well worth a click here for the full cast listing, we think you'll be surprised and excited (Edward Furlong?!).

It's a unique situation, which requires a unique crew. Cue the Renegades (would have screwed the title if this wasn't the case...). A rag-tag crew whose abilities - and lack of restriction to Starfleet regulations - are just the right kind of crazy to possibly get the job done. Even the audio wasn't up to scratch, with imbalances between the background and the scene audio. Not to say it wasn't good, I was thoroughly hooked on the first scene. It certainly teased my curiosity. If this is their worst, then it would appear promising.

But I can't shake the feeling that Tim and Walter's involvement in this story will actually be quite limited, the Hors d'oeuvre to the Renegades crew. I can certainly understand though, given how much time Tim must be putting in to direct this as well as acting in it. 

Captain Lexxa Singh (Adrienne Wilkinson pictured left) on the other hand... she appears to have quite a major role and back-story in this. Even from the first trailer it is clear she will be a lead role as (the sexy) captain of the renegade starship, her appearances in this trailer alone are quite a few. 

It's curious to find from the website and trailers, this character delves once again into the Eugenics Wars sub-story that has been present throughout canon Trek. However, this time there's an interesting twist - her character is apparently a direct decendant of one Khan Noonien Singh. I certainly hope moving forward, there is good explanation for this, as at present there is no evidence that Khan had any siblings or indeed lineage (being genetically engineered). For the moment, I'll stick to saying Kirk would be crushed to hear this...

Hang on a moment, surely if Admiral Chekov knew of this, he'd never let her out of that cell in the first place? Wow, the explanation had better be award winning to explain away this curve-ball! One other thing I have noticed even though principle photography finished in October 2013 is the lack of CGI - ships, planets...or anything aside from a glowy globe (trailer one) and the title effect...I suspect that's being kept under wraps and will need to be pretty impressive to beat Axanar's CGI tests and the work of Phase II among others.

All of this leaves me (I'm almost ashamed to admit), priapic with anticipation. You can blame the influences of one Jeremy Clarkson for that...

But where does this leave us? I'm sure by now you've watched both the trailers, and have come to your own conclusions. But it would be very remiss of me not too provide my own thoughts, in true SKoST tradition. We aren't however, above reproach. If you feel there's even more than meets the eye, why not get involved? Drop us a comment below!

All images taken from the Star Trek: Renegades trailers available on YouTube. No infringement of copyright is intended.
Did know you know that you can now join up with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or even +1 us on Google+? If you didn't why not head over there now!

Hailing Frequencies are Open!

And no, we haven't forgotten that December 28th is the birthday of one Nichelle Nichols aka Nyota Uhura.

To celebrate here's a visual trip down memory lane from The Corbomite Maneuver through to her most recent onscreen appearance as Uhura in 2011...

Best wishes go to Nichelle on her birthday from all of us at Some Kind of Star Trek!

Did you know you can now join up with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or even +1 us on Google+? If you didn't why not drop over there now!