The Last Stand

Star Trek: The Next Generation #37

by Brad Ferguson

In the middle of a routine mapping mission, Captain Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise encounter a culture just on the edge of developing warp drive technology. When they survey the planet, they are startled by the sudden approach of thousands of spacecraft from an aggressive alien race bent on destroying this emerging culture. Picard has only days to resolve a conflict that has been going on for millennia. If he fails, billions will die, yet if he succeeds, he will unleash a powerful new threat to the Federation.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Fiction, Ebooks, Media Tie In, Space Opera

274 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Brad Ferguson (born 1953) is an American science fiction author.

He worked as a writer, editor and producer for CBS in New York, and is the author of a number of Star Trek tie-in novels, several short stories, and the post-holocaust novel The World Next Door.

He is married to scientist Kathi Ferguson, with whom he collaborated on one novel.

Reviews

[Paul Weiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine addition to an ever expanding Star Trek canon

Two races, the Krann and the Lethantana, have been at each other’s throat in a war that has extended over six millennia and two solar systems. The USS Enterprise and its crew, constrained by the regulations of the Prime Directive, are all that stands between two peoples, both on the edge of the discovery of warp drive technology and their apparently relentless push toward mutual annihilation.

As a long term fan of all things Star Trek with a particular fondness for The Next Generation, I’m pleased to report that Brad Ferguson’s THE LAST STAND will not disappoint. While it’s not about to win a Pulitzer Prize for any literary merits, it certainly ticks all the boxes that any Trekkie reader would be looking for – phasers, transporters and warp drives; a plentiful supply of Data, Worf and Troi quips, jokes and foibles; a meaningful morality message on the senselessness of war and the obstinate characteristics of humanity (or humanoids in this case) that stand in the way of peace; a few tasteful hints in the direction of under-utilized libidos; and, of course, cliff-hanging last minute coolness under fire.

Definitely enjoyable. Definitely recommended.

Paul Weiss

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's only one bookstore (secondhand) on the strip off Borocay beach, and the pickings are pretty slim. This looked promising but is actually one of the lesser Trek novels I've read, eschewing action for lots of talking. Too much Troi and Riker, not enough Data. Interesting if familiar setup - another one of those Prime Directive-pooing peace-keeping deals, an obvious metaphor for UN/US intervention in any number of conflicts. If only the UN/US were as unselfish (and wily) as Jean-Luc Picard. Started on a tropical beach, finished on a freezing bus returning from the 1500 metre-high rice terraces of Banaue.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise that doesn't have the payoff I wanted.

While exploring an unknown area of space, the Enterprise picks up a blip of possible warp technology. Upon exploration they discover a world that's been preparing for invasion for hundreds of years. While meeting with these people, Picard is accused of working for the invaders who are close to invading the world. Back on board their ship, the Starfleet crew discover the invading ships, thousands of them. Two undercover away teams discover the truth just as the fighting starts.

I enjoyed this book initially because of the obvious information that was being withheld from the protagonists. Author Ferguson does a great job at moving the story forward, slowly doling out facts, all while keeping the pressure of the countdown clock to war present. Good tension and a good mystery.

However, once on board the ship of the invaders, things took a turn that seemed too much and lost a lot of believability. It's got some terrific interaction between the two officers on the away mission, but whom they speak with and what they see felt out of place. The conclusion of the novel is also incredibly quick. It made me think of any number of Trek episodes that had to wrap up quickly because the ending of the show was fast approaching. Does the solution make sense? Yes, but it's just so sudden that it loses its punch. I'm also not a fan of epilogues, but this one was great, giving a perfect coda for an original character.

This was a mixed bag for me. Definitely readable, but not fully satisfying.

[Andrew Beet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good novel I like these kind of Star Trek novels where whichever crew it is they're smack bang in the middle of two alien races who in this novel are trying to annihilate each other. It was good to see picard getting both points of the two alien races as well. Overall very good author got the characters spot on the supporting characters were good as well.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read, though not one of the best ST:TNG novels I've read. I do enjoy Riker & Deanna, but personally I would have liked a bit more Data.

[SamB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, one of the better Trek novels I've read recently. Quite a complex situation, the facts of which unfold slowly and believably, and Picard is predictably great here.

[Alex MacKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good storytelling. The Enterprise encounters a relatively peaceful planet with a horrific history of conquering, enslaving & stripping resources from neighbouring planets. However the militaristic descendants of their former slaves are coming to exterminate them once and for all. It is up to the Enterprise crew to ascertain the accuracy of each sides’ “truth”and try to negotiate a truce. Events do not go smoothly, and the ending is unsatisfying.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Star Trek, particularly ones about the Next Generation! They just take you to a different time and place!

[Cheryl]

Hm. Relatively low community rating on this one. When I'm done I'll have to check it out. For now, I came to say, I really appreciate getting to know the 'aliens' and am biting my nails that they can negotiate for peace. With the help of the minions celebrating Posting Day (what a fun chapter that is!) they should be able to.
---
Ok done. Well *I* liked it. ;)
"People who were capable of doing this kind of [craftsmanship] work were to be reckoned with. Technology was gadgets; this was civilization."

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting story. I think the author worried a little too much about the blocking in certain scenes but I think the technicality of the writing worked in his favour for the rest of the story. The way the aliens in the story talked I found rather humorous and different which I enjoyed. Without getting into it I liked the ending and how the conflict was resolved.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this was a pleasant surprise. A very Asimov-style bit of SF world building, combined with an archetypal TNG morality play. It's tied together by a solid command of the main characters, an interesting solution to the crisis, and an epilogue that leaves matters feeling rather ambiguous...in a style more akin to DS9. Overall, a strong entry into the TNG novel canon.

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot and concepts on the whole were interesting, despite a number of incongruities in the plot. In particular, Worf of all people should understand millennia-long revenge. On the whole, though, I found this to be an above-average TNG novel.

[Azucena Beltran-Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story of interplanetary ancient War. Ferguson does a fantastic job at building up the worlds, history, and suspense. He stays true to the characters and manages to sprinkle in the trek humor we all love.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who likes a good StarTrek novel, this one is a good read, it has first contact and galactic issues all in one book.

[Dina Fragola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an above average Star Trek novel.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read that feels like a classic episode of the show.

[Czyrina Juliana]

m

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it could have been better...

[Anne Vree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prima boekje. Denk niet dat ik hem nog een keer zal lezen maar was wel entertaining. De karakters kwamen goed overeen met hoe ze in de serie zijn, dus dat was fijn.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two races are at war, and have held the hatred for thousands of years. The Enterprise tries to help. A different sort of story for this series, a bit more serious than normal. Troi, Picard and Riker are spotlighted in this one. A good read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun. Wait.... there IS NO episode!? Darn.