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Enterprise: The First Adventure
Rating: 
Series: The Original Series
Published: Septembers, 1986
Author: Vonda N. McIntyre
Review by: Cmdr. Kali D'or |
This book is the story of the very first voyage of the Starship Enterprise with Captain James T. Kirk in the "big chair". He arrives on the bridge a little "tipsey" and with alot of baggage.
James T. Kirk is the youngest Starfleet officer to reach the rank of Captain so quickly. But he is having serious doubts in his abilities to command this new ship after a disasterous mission to Ghioghe where he almost lost Gary Mitchell, his best friend. Kirk spent weeks in a "regen" tank, and more time in physical therapy due to his injuries. And while he is off to take charge of the Enterprise Mitchell is still in a coma, unable to assume the Executive Officers position Jim has put him in for.
Unfortunately, all the officers of the Enterprise have been traveling around with Captain Christopher Pike and they aren't exactly pleased that he is being promoted,and they are getting stuck with Kirk. And Jim is definitely not happy that Admiral Noguchi sticks him with a Vulcan Science Officer who will also take the place he wanted so badly for Gary Mitchell.
Of course, Spock will not admit, to anyone, that he is as uncomfortable with the situation as Kirk is. And, when Leonard McCoy shows up, you can tell immediately where this relationship is going. A little side-bar added is Hikaru Sulu, and how he gets to sit at the helm. If you read this one, and then read "Entrophy" the story makes perfect sense. Of course it does - Vonda McIntyre wrote them both.
Moving right along, we are all now aboard the ship and at a "cocktail party" where the Admiral makes some remarks and then pulls Kirk aside to tell him what the mission is going to be. Oh dear, almost a temper tantrum! They are going to do a little PR and transport a traveling "vaudeville" act from star base to star base to brighten the morale of the folks stuck in out-of-the-way places. You can just inagine Kirk's reaction to that bit of news. And then, he finds a HORSE in his shuttlebay.
The only saving grace to this whole mess is that the horse, which really wants to fly (it is really a equiraptor and has wings) has a mistress who is rather pretty, and has an attitude that stands right up to our favorite skirt-chaser.
Of course, a Star Trek Book would not be complete with a "first contact" situation, some Klingons (good and bad ones) a few misunderstandings and the usual bickering between Spock and McCoy. Kirk gets off to a dreadful start with Scotty, we find out how he hired Yeoman Rand, and realize just how valuable Uhura is. The vaudeville troupe has an interesting cast as well, including a Vulcan from Spock's past, a really big guy with a bunch of trained poodles, and a pair of felinoid acrobats that have great names and attitudes. And the Shakespearan actor is the biggest pain in the whole book.
This book is a good addition to the Star Trek collection, if you are interested in how they all got to the Enterprise and why. As a history lesson, this is darn good - as entertainment, not bad either. Vonda N. McIntyre does have a way with the Star Trek Universe and its residents. Give this one a try - you'll like it!
Title: Enterprise: The First Adventure
Author: Vonda N. McIntyre
Review by: Cmdr. Kali D'or
