Foundations

Starfleet Corps of Engineers #5

by Kevin Dilmore, Dayton Ward

In the twenty-fourth century, the USS da Vinci and its S.C.E. team led by Commander Sonya Gomez roam the galaxy, solving the technical problems of the universe in a state-of-the-art ship. But the road to the da Vinci was a difficult one, as the S.C.E. had to go through its share of growing pains back in the twenty-third century...

Even as the da Vinci spearheads a dramatic rescue of a runaway vessel, Captain Montgomery Scott recalls his younger days as the chief engineer of the USS Enterprise under Captain Kirk – and his own encounters with a much different Corps of Engineers. From the edge of the Romulan Neutral Zone, to the planet Beta III in the wake of the Landru computer, to the uncharted regions of deep space, Scotty joins forces with the battered old USS Lovell to bring the S.C.E. into the future!

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Kevin Dilmore was a newspaper reporter and long-time contributing writer to Star Trek Communicator Magazine before breaking into fiction writing.

Reviews

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Trek: TOS: Starfleet Corps of Engineers (S.C.E.)Foundations by Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore

4.0 Stars

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective tense

Medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I really enjoyed the first story (#17) was my favourite. The USS Lovell is a great ship, and their crew are the gathered Engineers that fix the unfixable.

The second story (#18) and the third story (#19) were good stories, but less intimate and character focused.

There are two timelines that are within this novel. One is slightly before and during Montgomery Scott's career before and during his TOS timeline.

The other timeline is the time period of the di Vinci. Which I love this ship (shoehorn crab ship).

I was going to read the stories...individually (which I have them that way, too), but I wanted this to be a story that I need feel immersed into this time period for the Starfleet Corps of Engineers.

I don't the two novels that I need to read, but I may want to walk away, and read another part of the Star Trek Lit-verse Flowchart.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The crew of the USS Da Vinci is relegated to framing sequences for the three connected novellas which are all sequels to original series episodes and feature Montgomery Scott during the early years of the SCE. For my money, removing the Da Vinci crew from the stories weakens the whole thing and I cannot say I cared much for the results.

[Michael Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Trek “expanded universe” novel; three short stories and a framing story, all of Scotty’s interactions with the early S.C.E. and tying into TOS episodes.

[Ludo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a combination of stories linked through an over-arcing story. Straightforward fun especially because of the 'known' protagonists (like Scotty) and the links with the StarTrek universe (well obviously), especially the follow-up to Start Trek TOS run-in with the Landru computer. Made me re-watch the 'Return of the Archons' episode ...Nice but a bit 'light' though. But sometimes that's all you need ..and it's 'light' done right.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5

Trying to not buy more books until catching up on my kindle backlog thought I would try this one from a Star Trek series I haven’t really read before (apart from a novella some time last year).
This was 3 novellas tied together with an overarching story similar to the old style fix up novels that litter the past of SF publishing.
The connection between the novella stories themselves was the presence or involvement of Montgomery Scott and his connections to the earth SCE.
I enjoyed all 3 stories. Of course being novellas you can argue they are over too quickly but o would rather have that than a 500 page novel that hangs around for too long.
The 3 stories are all linked to TOS stories in some way which was convenient but didn’t bother me that much tbh.
I thought these were all entertaining and worth the time I spent reading them.

The rating was difficult though as overall the collection for me was better than an average 3 but wasn’t quite enough to rate it a 4 on the goodreads scale (wait and see if it stays in my memory I think)

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an engineer myself, being a member of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers seems like the job I'd want to have if I was born a few hundred years in the future. Exciting to imagine.

This book specifically talks about the adventures of Scotty and his encounters with S.C.E. during the TOS time period. I actually find Scotty to be a more interesting character than the crew on the Da Vinci, who are not bad but can sometimes be a bit generic. Wish there were more books covering Scotty's engineering adventures during the TOS time period.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is that, although well written, the framing device of the SCE in the 24th century isn't anywhere as interesting as Scotty's experiences in the 23rd century, which form the bulk of the book. It's a first rate examination of how Starfleet's boffins really are miracle workers, and how those miracles can come with sacrifice. Extremely satisfying.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could give 1/2 stars, I probably would.

This specific book is a combination of three separately released ebooks that are in the Starfleet S.C.E. series. I'm not sure if the stories were just smushed together as is without any editing, or if there was a great deal done to make the three work well together as one whole story. If all three are collected as is, then these were probably three separately annoying stories. If "stuff" was done to make the stories work as one, and read as such, then they did a great job.

Hmms. That's wordy. Let me try again. This was three short stories. They have been merged into one book. The book reads as one complete work instead of three separate works that have been packaged in the same container.

Most of the story involves Scotty back long ago in Star Trek history. The first story of his took place shortly before he joined Enterprise. The second and third occur several years later. Intermixed in with his stories is a "contemporary" S.C.E. mission (contemporary to the rest of the S.C.E. universe).

The S.C.E. mission involves coming across a space ship traveling really really fast and out of control. The engineers help the runaway ship. As is, it is an interesting enough story but . . . lacking. If the S.C.E. parts were pushed together and presented by itself, I'd probably have another 2 star Ward book on my hands. There were interesting bits, don't get me wrong, but . . . kind of boring.

The Scotty parts involved Scotty helping an earlier version of S.C.E. An earlier corps of engineers. Which may or may not have been called Corps of Engineers. The first story involves him and a team from this earlier corps attempting to help an asteroid that has a runaway fusion engine. Actually a pretty exciting story. Running against time, trying to save the day. This particular part connected to the overarching S.C.E. story line through ion storms. The asteroid was damaged by an ion storm. The ship the S.C.E. team is trying to help was damaged by an ion storm.

The second Scotty story involves being on a particular planet helping the inhabitants adjust to thinking and making decisions by themselves, after having the all controlling computer removed from the system. An aftermath story to the television episode wherein Kirk talked the Landru computer to turn itself off. While Scotty and one of the people from the first Scotty story attempt to "fix" things so that the people on the planet can better function without Landru, Landru itself tries to turn itself back on. Instant chaos thus created.

The third story involves an engineering trial for a new type of warp engine. That goes haywire and flings the spaceship far into uncharted territory. Meeting aliens who do not like intruders.

All three of the Scotty stories are quite good. The S.C.E. overarching story less so. I don't know, but I don't think I actually like any of the S.C.E. people, at least not when Ward is writing them.

[Jonne Steen Redeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first full length novel in the SCE series, in many ways it would also be the last. There are stories that get close in length, but they are not published separately.

We delve into the SCE history in this wonderful story, and also importantly the history of one Montgomery Scott the original miracle worker, and future director of the SCE. The book tells stories taking place at 3 different points in Scotty's career. One just before his legendary assignment on Enterprise's original five year mission, one during it, and one years later while serving on the refitted Enterprise.

These books also introduce us the the crew of the USS Lovel, the early precursors to the USS Da Vinci. Lovell is an old Deadalus class rust bucket, which the SCE scavenged from a junk yard because the fleet wouldn't equip them with anything more modern. The crew is very likable, and from what I hear they also appear in the vanguard series and I will want to read that soon just to see more of them.

we see these characters develop, but more importantly the SCE as well. From a general construction and demolition service, to the expert problem solvers we see aboard the Da Vinci. Starfleet starts taking them more seriously, and this will develop naturally till starfleet finally gives the SCE proper ships of the line to play with, the sabre class including the Da Vinci.

ALl of this is framed in a modern story line, the one thing that feels clumsy here are the segues to the historical story line. Which is kind of unfortunate since I have no doubt that both the historical stuff, and the current day stuff would have stood up excellently on their own, but both were kind of tarnished by trying to mesh them.

I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I generally enjoy framing devices but this was not handled well, however that feels like a nitpick so I will not hold it against the book as a whole.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to read a Star Trek book dealing with the aftermath of some of Captain Kirk's most famous escapades, as when he talked the planet-running computer Landru into shutting itself down. Once that was accomplished, Kirk rides off to his next adventure. Well, someone has to come and help these folks run their planet without the aid of the computer that's been doing it for centuries. Enter the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. This story, and others like it, are woven through a tale of the Corps in its later days, around the time of Picard, et al. I found this good, escapist reading, which is what we read Star Trek books for, after all.

[Jd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection. The 24th century story was interesting enough to make me want to see what was happening there as much as I did in the 23rd century flashbacks. The first flashback wasn't a big action story, but it was a nice character piece and a good introduction to the 23rd century SCE. The second flashback was a fun little sequel to "Return of the Archons", and the third one was a nice follow up to "By Any Other Name", and was also gave a nice little explanation for part of the set up of the 24 century SCE teams.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an excellent narrative. I enjoyed it immensely. =)

[Tommy Verhaegen]

Scotty recalls his younger days to help with a mission. Basically a mission interwoven with 3 stories about Scotty that helped build and shape the SCE. Great.