ستار ترك (طاولة القبطان 2): كنز دوجونيان

Star Trek: The Captain's Table #2

by Michael Jan Friedman

ثمَّة حانة تُسمَّى «طاولة القبطان»، يلتقي فيها قباطنة السفن العظيمة من كل شكل وعصر للاسترخاء ومشاركة الشراب بود ومحبة مع نظرائهم. قد ينشب شجار أحيانًا؛ ولكنه يُحَل دائمًا كما تُحَل الخلافات داخل الأسرة الواحدة. فقط تذكر أن أول جولة من الشراب يكون ثمنها قصة… حتى لو كنت أنت جين-لوك بيكارد.

لأكثر من مائتي عام حَلَم علماء الآثار وصيادو الكنوز بكنز دوجونيان، كنز أسطوري دفين من التحف التاريخية التي لا تُقدَّر بثمن، والتي من الممكن أن تحتوي على تكنولوجيا من شأنها أن تغيِّر توازن القوى في المجرة. بدا أن الحلم هو كله الكنز، حتى ذهب ضابط سابق في ستارفليت بحثًا عن الكنز ثم أصبح في عداد المفقودين. الآن الجميع من الروميوليين إلى الكارداسيين إلى قبطانة مركبة فضائية غامضة يبحث عن ريتشارد برانت، بما فيهم ورف والقبطان بيكارد، اللذان تعمقا في البحث متخفيين في مهمة سرية لستارفليت لإنقاذ برانت، إذا كان لا يزال على قيد الحياة … ستار تريك (طاولة القبطان)

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Media Tie In, Novels, Science Fiction Fantasy

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

About the author

Michael Jan Friedman is an author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction, half of which are in the Star Trek universe. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. Friedman has also written for network and cable television and radio, and scripted nearly 200 comic books, including his original DC superhero series, the Darkstars.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a long-time Star Trek fan and also long-time reader of the Star Trek novels, I enjoy reading an ST novel every so often. This one, in the Captain's Table series, features Capt. Picard and it's one I read before. I thought I'd give it a quick reread before I donate it with some other books to a local public library book sale.
Picard is my favorite of all the Starfleet captains (sorry, Shatner!) and this is a good story involving him. He goes undercover to locate a missing Starfleet officer who may hold the key to the whereabouts of a fabulous treasure trove of archaeological artifacts. Accompanied by the ever-dependable Worf, Picard joins a crew of space pirates and has run-ins with Ferengi, Cardassians, and Romulans. A good story but nothing special. I give it 3/5 stars.

[Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book of the book event of Star Trek called The Captain's Table. This is little more solid story in comparison with the first book involving Kirk & Sulu. In here, at least you have Captain Picard and he doesn't have to "share" the pages with any other captain. The novel has some positive points like exploiting the archeology expertise and passion of Jean-Luc Picard into the plot. Even there is a little of romance here that it's always appreciated with Picard character, so in that way he can show more the emotional side of his personality. However, the narrative is a little slow and while it has some high moments, it isn't an adventure so exciting as one can hope. Also, I think that it's kind of odd to choose this particular plot for the The Captain's Table event, since, well, I would think that it could more likely some mission where you have Picard at his captain's chair leading his crew, but in here, he goes into a secret mission along with Worf, away from the ship. So, I don't know, I think that the story could work better as a "numbered" adventure from the ST-TNG line of novels and not into this particular book event. Still, it's a fair experience on reading.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of this "Captain's Table" series, and I actually find the first person narrative a bit odd in a Star Trek novel...very few have successfully employed it, and to my mind only Andrew Robinson has truly made it successful in his personal Garak novel "A Stich in Time". That said, Michael Jan Friedman does his best, and produces a serviceable & pleasant diversion. I'm betting it would have been a much stronger novel without the framing device.

[Tommy Verhaegen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book that plays in the pub that seems to be omnipresent in time and place, but only and exclusively open for spaceship captains, may welcome this time Federation captain Jean-Luc Picard. Again the pub itself forms just a background against which to tell a story, this time Jean-Luc is the narrator. Amongst the public a familiar "face", the lizard that Sulu brought with him and then lost in the walls. The animal takes more space in the book than seems justified, althoug the author seems also to hint that the beast may be more intelligent that seems likely.
The story is good, sometimes funny but always full of tension, action and sensation. The characters, of which most are unfamiliar to the reader, are psychologically well worked out. Pleny of space-fights with exploding space-ships and an epic battle against the elements of Hell's Gate.
Picard is on a queeste and things reveal themselves often different as what they seemed at first sight.
A bit of romance is present through most of the book but that promise stays largely unfulfilled.
Certainly worth reading, not necessarly in the correct order of the series but that is nonetheless recommended, also to read it in the general chronology of the entire franchise (where Jean-Luc Picard and Worf are concerned that is) because of possible spoilers otherwise.

[Aron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much. I thought the story had so much potential, but it just fell short in alot of ways for me. The Captain's Table setting & the first person narrative was a big adjustment. But I could have warmed up to that a lot easier if there hadn't have been so much input from the other captain's at the table. Having them all give their 2 cents between every chapter got to be a little to much for me & I definitely think less would've been more in that regard. However I think my biggest problem was that Picard & Worf both repeatedly acted (in various degrees) out of character,...which really made it hard to enjoy & take serious. Overall it just seemed like such a waste because Worf & Picard going undercover to rescue a federation officer & recover potentially dangerous lost artifacts could've been an awesome story.

[P.C. Haring · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a general rule, I'm not a huge fan of Trek stories that separate the ship and crew. This is one of those stories for Picard and while I was skeptical at first, I'm glad I stuck with it. This fun tale reminded me a lot of the TNG episode Gambit with Picard under cover on an archaeological adventure through the galaxy. Well worth your time.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly smart adventure told by Captain Picard to entertain other captains found at the mysterious Captain's Table bar.

Picard's tale involves a mission where he and Worf must go undercover to find missing Richard Brant, who may have discovered the fabled Dujonian's Hoard, a Cardassian treasure. The two will become involved in bar fights, pirates, ship combat, repelling invading forces, and the deadly Hel's Gate.

This was incredibly fun with Picard telling a tale involving archeology, adventure, and a beautiful adversary. It made me wish that this was actual episode of The Next Gen, though it did capture the outstanding elements of "Gambit."

Friedman does an exceptional job capturing Jean-Luc's voice and, even more impressive, the interruptions done during the tale are outstanding, occurring so naturally, one looks forward to them as much as the main story. I often loathe these moments in other novels, but they were inserted at just the right moment and heightened the tension where Picard left off.

Truly, this is a book that every fan of The Next Generation should read.

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Michael Jan Friedman has recorded a tale told by Captain Jean-Luc Picard about his adventure in finding the Dujonian's Hoard. Captain Picard begins his tale with telling us that Starfleet command has an idea of where a former officer had been seen but that it is up to him and whomever he chooses to bring along for the adventure to find that officer and the Hoard. Picard then goes on to explain that the Captain of the ship that he and the man who he chose to go with him Worf had to make it look like they where in it for adventure. He then goes on to say that they signed on to Red Abby's ship and that she has promised them the Hoard if they follow her. While undercover Picard and Worf learn through being captured by the Cardassians and the subsequent capture by the Romulans that they are heading for an area of space known as Hell's Gate and there they will find the Hoard. This is a great tale and reminded me of the TNG 2 part episode Gambit. I highly recommend this book especially now that Captain Picard's series is about to premiere

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don`t know if I am giving it such a high rating due to how terrible the first Captain`s Table but this one was definitely a breath of fresh air. While the first one stumbled over three story lines (2.5...?), this one kept it simple and streamlined with interjections not distractions from those listening to the story. It was an interesting little romp and I had a good time. Friedman definitely knows how to make the story Picard's as opposed to L.A. Graf's methods which just seemed to change the pronouns and go with it. I'm hoping for more of the same of this style for the rest of the series.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all, a good Picard story. All the more fun for not being an Enterprise story as it follows Picard and Worf on an undercover assignment. The pace is brisk right off the bat and stays that way which is also refreshing for a Star Trek story. I could take or leave the "Captain's Table" concept and framing, however.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second story in the Captain's Table volume. The constant back and forth between the story and commentary from the listeners at the bar was really distracting at the times when something was in the middle of taking place, which seems to be every time you turned around. It really detracted from the story overall. I could see it if it were employed a bit more judiciously. Recommended

[nx74defiant · Rating 4 out of 5]

His friend brings Picard to the Captain's Table. There he shares the tale of an adventure he and Worf go on. They are searching for a missing Starfleet officer and a lost treasure known as Dujonian's Hoard. They go through a life threatening adventure.

[Aaron Eichler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how it shifted from from the Captain's Table to the adventure, that made me want to keep reading. I also like that Picard did not let the captains know if it was true or not. And we might have found Sulu's lizard from the first book.

[Sean Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picard's quite , a storyteller. Worf was very underplayed, but for an hour of switching off to an adventure, this wasn't bad at all.

[Chiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno dei migliori libri della Tavola del Capitano che ho avuto modo di leggere, pari solo a quello dedicato a MacKenzie Calhoun. A breve, la recensione sul mio blog!

[Benjamin Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the gecko

[Dianah · Rating 3 out of 5]

In book two of The Captain's Table mini-series, we get to hear Captain Picard weave a tale of high adventure and romance for the other captains at the bar. This is much better than the first book. It's a fairly solid story and it is told the way you would think a story told by the legendary Jean-Luc would be told.

The voice is perfect, but it actually feels like it's being told by Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard rather than just Picard if that makes sense. It's kind of like reading A Christmas Carol as performed by Patrick Stewart as Scrooge.

You can read this as a standalone, but if you read War Dragons first there are a few little nods.

The only real drawback is a bit of repetition and the pacing. I found myself taking lots of breaks while reading this. It was a lot slower reading than most Star Trek novels.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far better than the previous Captain's Table novel, this story is at least entertaining and flows well. The journey through the story was better than its destination, as the entire impetus for the plot kind of withers out as secondary, unimportant. Friedman makes better use of the series concept, writing in a first person that actually does sound like Picard and keeping the reader's interest in the story through the cutaways to the fellow captain's listening to Picard's story in the bar. Still, the first-person concept continues to appear ridiculous as it isn't written with any resemblance to oral transmission.

[Zachary Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Captain's Table theme. The bar lost in time ... and a series of excellent, first person stories told AS stories.

Picard's adventure is exciting - but a little weak:
The strategies ... and Picard's unlikely successes ... are a bit of a stretch. They just scream "plot device". That's OK though, the story is still pretty gripping.

And the love story is lacking, at best. It seems sort of like it was added after the rest of the story was already fleshed out. Like it was the editor's idea or something.

Still fun though.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book (and series) quite a bit. As someone who has seen all the shows, it's nice to revisit the characters again with these one-off stories. It's like hanging out with old friends.

This story was much better than the Kirk story before it. It was pulpy and had some super intriguing scientific ideas I wish they would revisit. Also, if I'm being honest, I'm enjoying the moments inside the bar (The Captain's Table) more than some of the stories themselves, and want even more of the goings-on in the bar.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friedman is one of my favorite authors and he did not disappoint with Dujonian's Hoard. I felt this was a decent TNG book, told in Picard's words about an mission he had with Worf. I enjoyed the second book of the series more so than the first, although the first seemed to have a little more action.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captain Picard, in a magic bar, telling the story of the time he and Worf went on a pirate adventure chasing a legendary treasure. The story itself was alright, but the constant interrupts by the people listening to the story got old fast.

[Kashyap · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a pirate treasure theme adventure then you'll enjoy this book. Told in the classic campfire/tall tale method that will leave you guessing as to the veracity of Picard's story.

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read, especially if you are a Picard fan.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11080838

[David Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little book.

[Jacque Hodges (Carter) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ready for some Star Trek and this did not disappoint me. Action, pirates, romance, and Jean Luc Picard. What could go wrong?