by Josepha Sherman & Susan Schwartz
“Romulans do many things no sane Vulcan would do.”
Star Trek meets Lawrence of Arabia in a long, derivative, repetitive, imitative novel.
A year after Captain Kirk is lost to the Nexus, Captain Spock and the crew of Intrepid II are called to Obsidian to help Spock’s childhood friend Captain David Rabin with a diplomatic mission. The story takes place in the past on Vulcan and in the ‘present’ on Obsidian.
Years ago, during the ceremony celebrating the Kahs-wan of Spock and his age-mates, a mad Vulcan interrupts. He kidnaps several of the participants including Spock and David Rabin. Spock and Rabin become close friends during their kidnapping, escape, and rescue.
Now, Spock and Rabin must again join forces to prevent the Romulans from taking over Obsidian.
Random Thoughts Written Down as I Read:
What do you call it when someone quotes an original work until it loses its magic?
I talk to myself in my own head all the time. But I don’t constantly remind myself I am a female, an atheist, an American, a human… Why do the Vulcans do it when we listen in on their thoughts?
The 2 desert journeys are basically the same story told twice.
You know what I hated about “Enterprise?” The endless retconning. You thought Kirk and co. were the first to encounter the Tholians? Forget it. Archer did it first. Thought Picard and crew were the first to deal with Ferengi? Archer did it first. Well, remember how Kirk was Spock’s first human friend? Forget it. David Rabin was there first.
When I was a kid, my friends and I used to play “Star Trek” like other kids played House. If it was your turn to play Spock, all you had to do was say everything was illogical, nerve pinch the bad guys, and quote the odds. I’m not saying this was lazy characterization. I mean, we were just grade-schoolers. But you know? It’s lazy characterization.
Vulcan, 2247
Sarek invites Sered to his home so we can meet him and hear Sered’s xenophobic views and desire for reunification with the Sundered who the Vulcans don’t know are the Romulans.
Sarek is an ass.
It is illogical to assume all eyes are upon you.
Why are ‘outworlders’ observing the Vulcan bar-mitzvah ceremony?
The air is the air.
Spock and Stonn have disliked one another since childhood. Contempt is an emotion.
Jealousy is an emotion.
As it was in the beginning…
As it was in the beginning…
Fools!
Fool!
Spock and Rabin must journey across the Womb of Fire in order to get help for the kidnapped group.
It is illogical to be afraid.
It is illogical to weep.
It is illogical to worry about human emotion.
There is no fear of infection in the desert; the desert is clean. I don’t think that’s how germs work.
Rabin suggests Spock join Starfleet.
It is illogical to worry.
Hmm. This hallucinogenic lichen is everywhere. Wonder if we’ll need it for the denouement?
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” is a ridiculous reason to release all but one of the hostages. Sered already has ALL of them. Nothing is gained by letting all but one go. The quote doesn’t even make any sense in the situation. But let’s not pass up an opportunity to say it. Again.
Did you know T’Pau turned down a seat on the Federation Council? She did.
The Lady Amanda is not allowed to go anywhere unescorted. How modern of them.
Shame is an emotion.
It is illogical to wish to change the past.
Revenge is illogical.
Obsidian, 2296
Intrepid II? What happened to A, B, C…?
“Someone’s poisoning the wells!” is Rabin’s code for danger. Clever. No one will ever guess what it means.
Spock hasn’t slept for 10 days because he’s been worrying about the message he doesn’t even know he’s about to receive from Rabin.
Someone on Obsidian is too old for Blood Fever. Yet his blood is fire, his eyes are fire. I bet it’s Sered. If you repeat lyrical words enough, do they lose their lyricism?
They will meet at the appointed place. Seriously, is repeating lines from the TV show and movies laziness? Lack of creativity? Over-reverence?
The Master’s eyes are fire, his blood is fire.
People keep observing that the planet Obsidian is well-named. I doubt that is the native’s name for it.
Fools!
Rabin’s crew all seem to be Middle Eastern. NTTAWWT
Uhura, in command of Intrepid II, has a lot of self-doubt. She snaps at her crew.
Rabin and his crew constantly exchange witty banter that really isn’t.
After a shuttle crash lands (of course) the group of 6 manages to lose McCoy in a sandstorm, even after they buddy up.
Spock and Rabin must journey across the Golden Hell in order to help McCoy.
One of McCoy’s guards is Ruanek who we will meet again in the Vulcan’s Soul trilogy.
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” I watched the clip from “The Wrath of Khan” where this phrase was introduced. Spock doesn’t present it as a Vulcan philosophy, but merely as a debate point.
Spock has lost his captain and his friend. I am sick of line readings from the movies and TV shows.
Worry is an emotion.
It is illogical to worry.
A Yellow Alert occurs for several hours on Intrepid II. The lights flash and the computer says, “yellow alert” the entire time. No wonder Uhura snaps at her crew.
Starfleet communicators have really crappy batteries.
The Master wants McCoy to talk (I don’t know what about) so in a scene lifted from Diane Duane’s “The Romulan Way,” he filibusters. Right of Statement! Right of Statement! Even traitor Vulcans must stop to listen.
We peek in on the self-doubt of Lt. Albright, who leads the search for Spock (I had to) and his missing shuttle crew. Like Uhura, she snaps at her underlings. We never visit with her again.
To make sure we understand that these stories are reminiscent of “Lawrence of Arabia,” we keep referencing “Lawrence of Arabia.” Lawrence of Arabia.
Spock and Rabin discover McCoy’s kidnapper, the Master, is Sered. What? Whoa! Wow! The only real surprise is that it took Spock 257 pages to get here.
“You are Spock!” “Yes, I am.”
Uhura purrs. She grows weary of the debate.
Fools!
Similar to the Romulans and the Right of Statement, when Vulcans are issued a challenge they must accept it. Sered challenges Spock and he accepts. They battle in their undies.
T’Pau is still alive, over 200 years old. She is all of Vulcan in one package. Did you know she refused a seat on the Federation Council? ‘Cause she did.
Impatience is illogical.
Spock considers becoming a diplomat.
Hey, did you know T’Pau refused a seat on the Federation Council? It’s totally true!
Envy is an emotion.
It is illogical to bet on sure things.
There is no logic in giving McCoy satisfaction.
There is no logic in giving McCoy a chance to nag.
Spock and Sarek are STILL arguing about Spock’s decision to join Starfleet.
It is illogical to argue about the past.
“There is no honor in expressing the truth.” So I guess we should lie. It’s only logical.
It is illogical to be afraid.
It is illogical to weep.
It is illogical to worry about human emotion.
WTF:
“My wife, you use logic as a weapon. That is a human trait. ”