Order from
amazon.com! |
Republic
Rating: 
Series: The Original Series - My Brothers Keeper #1
Published: December 1, 1998
Author: Michael Jan Friedman
Review by: Lt. jg Robert Alexander Griffith |
On September 22, 1966, the 2nd Star Trek pilot aired on television. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" chronicled the interception of a disaster beacon from a two hundred year old space cruiser. The Enterprise's mission on that star date was to travel beyond the galaxy's edge. Traveling at warp speeds, the mighty starship flew into a strange energy field that nearly destroyed the starship. During those tumultuous moments, nine crewmen died and both Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner "lit up" and collapsed.
We all know what happened next. The Enterprise was able to repair itself by dismantling an ore processing facility on Delta Vega. Gary Mitchell was supposed to be marooned there because of the god-like powers he exhibited, but he managed to escape, taking Elizabeth Dehner with him.
Dr. Piper revived Kirk, but before he could get to Spock, Kirk left with a phaser rifle to catch his friend before he could cause any more destruction and death.
In the end, Dr. Dehner and Gary Mitchell both died, a result of their awsome powers being used against each other, and a result of Kirk's near fatal fight with Mitchell.
What happened before? Who was Gary Mitchell? In Book One of the My Brothers Keeper series, we venture into the past, back to Starfleet Academy, and the day when a young Lieutenant James Kirk met an arrogant cadet named Gary Mitchell.
Before the Academy, young James Kirk had been a regular teenager, full of mischief and zeal, but when two prominent Starfleet Officers sponsored young Kirk to Starfleet Academy, he became a stiff-necked, rough-edged man of moral and ethical values that could not be shaken. He proved to be the model officer and many captains had their eye on him for duty.
Gary Mitchell was a rambunctious kidder who thought life was a game that he could easily beat. With no sense of direction, he signed up for the Academy and though he kept mediocre grades, he gained little in the way of high marks for effort.
This book is a fun adventure of such a childish and reflective nature. It brought me a new sense of loss when I see that famous episode of Star Trek that started it all. I came away wishing that they hadn't killed Gary Mitchell in that classic episode. Read it and savor the adventure.
Title: Republic
Author: Michael Jan Friedman
Review by: Lt. jg Robert Alexander Griffith
