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Star Trek SCE (ebooks) Novellas #2
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Alle zwei Monate eine neue Episode
--
Ein gigantisches, verlassenes Raumschiff muss erkundet werden? Das schiffsweite Computersystem ist ausgefallen? Dann rufen Sie am besten die Experten des Ingenieurkorps der Sternenflotte! Vom Hauptquartier der Sternenflotte aus und unter der Leitung von Captain Montgomery Scott kann das I.K.S. alles bauen, reparieren, programmieren, umprogrammieren, neu konstruieren oder einfach herausfinden, um was es sich handelt - seien das fremde Replikatoren oder Planetenkiller. Erwarten Sie nur keine Wunder von ihnen. Es sei denn, es gäbe gar keine andere Möglichkeit ...
Captain David Gold, sein Erster Offizier Commander Sonya Gomez und die Besatzung der U.S.S. da Vinci setzen ein ums andere Mal ihr Leben aufs Spiel. Begleiten Sie die Wunderknaben zu einer fesselnden Reise durch die Randgebiete der Galaxis!
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Episode 2:
Seit Generationen lebte auf dem Planeten Eerlik eine blühende Zivilisation, die vollständig von einem gigantischen Computer verwaltet wird, der sich seiner selbst bewusst ist. Aber jetzt droht dieser Computer abzustürzen, und die verzweifelten Bewohner sind nicht in der Lage, den Schaden zu beheben. Nur die Mannschaft der U.S.S. da Vinci und Geordi La Forge könnten es schaffen, den gewaltigen Computer zu reparieren, bevor die eerlikanische Gesellschaft vollkommen zusammenbricht.
Doch die Mission wird noch gefährlicher, als Hinweise auf Sabotage entdeckt werden - und feindselige Kräfte alles unternehmen, was sie nur können, um Gold und seine Mannschaft daran zu hindern, den bedrohten Planeten zu retten!
Alle zwei Monate eine neue Episode
--
Ein gigantisches, verlassenes Raumschiff muss erkundet werden? Das schiffsweite Computersystem ist ausgefallen? Dann rufen Sie am besten die Experten des Ingenieurkorps der Sternenflotte! Vom Hauptquartier der Sternenflotte aus und unter der Leitung von Captain Montgomery Scott kann das I.K.S. alles bauen, reparieren, programmieren, umprogrammieren, neu konstruieren oder einfach herausfinden, um was es sich handelt - seien das fremde Replikatoren oder Planetenkiller. Erwarten Sie nur keine Wunder von ihnen. Es sei denn, es gäbe gar keine andere Möglichkeit ...
Captain David Gold, sein Erster Offizier Commander Sonya Gomez und die Besatzung der U.S.S. da Vinci setzen ein ums andere Mal ihr Leben aufs Spiel. Begleiten Sie die Wunderknaben zu einer fesselnden Reise durch die Randgebiete der Galaxis!
--
Episode 2:
Seit Generationen lebte auf dem Planeten Eerlik eine blühende Zivilisation, die vollständig von einem gigantischen Computer verwaltet wird, der sich seiner selbst bewusst ist. Aber jetzt droht dieser Computer abzustürzen, und die verzweifelten Bewohner sind nicht in der Lage, den Schaden zu beheben. Nur die Mannschaft der U.S.S. da Vinci und Geordi La Forge könnten es schaffen, den gewaltigen Computer zu reparieren, bevor die eerlikanische Gesellschaft vollkommen zusammenbricht.
Doch die Mission wird noch gefährlicher, als Hinweise auf Sabotage entdeckt werden - und feindselige Kräfte alles unternehmen, was sie nur können, um Gold und seine Mannschaft daran zu hindern, den bedrohten Planeten zu retten!
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2000
3 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 26, 2014
Another good entry in this series, downplaying the guest-star of Geordi LaForge and letting the regular crew of the USS Da Vinci shine in an fairly action-packed story of a planet-governing computer having serious problems.
Well written, good characterization, and a very fun afternoon read!
Well written, good characterization, and a very fun afternoon read!
April 26, 2015
The second SCE book picks up almost where the first book left off, but it appears that in the brief break between stories the da Vinci stopped at Starbase Competent Writer and resupplied on plot, dialogue, and characterization.
The story is a bit of a homage to a few classic TOS episodes, with a massive central computer that controlled everything about an alien world and its civilization, but this time when things go wrong Starfleet is there to correct the issues and not talk the computer to death. Overall it was an fun little story that felt like it could have been slotted into one of the Trek shows. The author's exploration of the Bynar character's development without their bonded pair was a bit shallow, but that's to be expected from a 100 page long action/technobable story.
Compared to The Belly of the Beast the characters are more lifelike, the dialogue is feels natural, and when the previous book left Geordi on the da Vinci Mr. DeCandido wisely put him in the background to let the new characters shine.
The story is a bit of a homage to a few classic TOS episodes, with a massive central computer that controlled everything about an alien world and its civilization, but this time when things go wrong Starfleet is there to correct the issues and not talk the computer to death. Overall it was an fun little story that felt like it could have been slotted into one of the Trek shows. The author's exploration of the Bynar character's development without their bonded pair was a bit shallow, but that's to be expected from a 100 page long action/technobable story.
Compared to The Belly of the Beast the characters are more lifelike, the dialogue is feels natural, and when the previous book left Geordi on the da Vinci Mr. DeCandido wisely put him in the background to let the new characters shine.
May 14, 2013
Keith DeCandido has yet to disappoint me. I have very much enjoyed everything he has written, and Fatal Error was no exception. I'm very curious to see the outcome of 110's story, and I'm also enjoying the stories of the other characters of S.C.E.. Fatal Error provided a few more insights into the lives of the characters, and presented them with an interesting problem which required a creative solution. 110 showed his computer expertise and saved the day, even while dealing with the loss of his mate. I'm looking forward to more stories featuring these characters!
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2013/05/f...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2013/05/f...
March 14, 2015
Oh what a difference an author makes. DeCandido not only makes the characters less flat and adds the element of philosophical conflict, but he also does it in less pages than the Dean Smith, too
Fatal Error focuses around a society entirely controlled by a computer. Rebels take that computer down but instead of playing it up for action kicks, DeCandido does it in true Trek form and uses it as spring board for philosophical conflict, or as much as you can fit into 90-or-so pages.
The best part is that it actually allows characters to deal with the aftermath of previous stories. It doesn't just hit the reset button between episodes: they actually have to deal with loss, and it really helps develop the characters (which operate almost entirely with a TNG character showing up this time around). It's something the show never had the luxury of, and it really helps.
Fatal Error focuses around a society entirely controlled by a computer. Rebels take that computer down but instead of playing it up for action kicks, DeCandido does it in true Trek form and uses it as spring board for philosophical conflict, or as much as you can fit into 90-or-so pages.
The best part is that it actually allows characters to deal with the aftermath of previous stories. It doesn't just hit the reset button between episodes: they actually have to deal with loss, and it really helps develop the characters (which operate almost entirely with a TNG character showing up this time around). It's something the show never had the luxury of, and it really helps.
October 11, 2014
Basically this is what I'd expect from KRAD, i.e. a good solid story. I think it would have been better to start the SCE series with this story rather than The Belly of the Beast (barring plot threads). I particularly liked Scotty complaining that things have changed since Kirk's Enterprise. (Paraphrasing from memory: "In my day, if we found a computer ruling a planet then we shut it down, we didn't fix it!")
August 15, 2021
Though the basic plot has a lot in common with S.C.E. #1 (running around a dangerous facility, getting access to its interior and being chased by aliens), it's a much more pleasant affair. DeCandido manages to draw a clear picture of Eerlik society and creates a rare "good guy" sentient computer. He keeps the story moving along at a brisk pace by cutting from one character to another and not showing us every single scene, allowing for surprises. Geordi doesn't take over the book this time, which also helps. Mostly, I think the success of Fatal Error is 110 the Bynar who is obviously being groomed to play the Spock/Data/Odo/EMH/Seven/Worf role, i.e. a combination of the outsider exiled from his own home and the observer of humanity. Like Ganitriul, he's experiencing a "fatal error" with the loss of his mate, and quite endearingly, doesn't want to dishonor her by bonding again, even if that is what's expected of him. This romantic streak in a highly computerized species is interesting, and I can't wait to see how his development towards individuality contrasts with Seven of Nine's. Not high literature, but a quick, fun romp.
April 13, 2022
Trek books are best when they have something to say - whether that's heavy handed or subtle. This book is clearly hampered by its short length and makes no attempt to even try to dive into the diplomatic nightmare that is the planet with the sentient supercomputer as government. It's handwaved away. "We're engineers, not diplomats." Which, sure, fair enough, but that means the engineering has to be good. This aint it. This is a bunch of doors opening and closing at "random" and the Maguffin Bynar sticking his hand in a machine to solve the plot. There's little tension, little stakes, no interesting questions asked, it has all the feel of a roleplaying game led by a DM who just wants the protagonists to win as fast as possible because it's dinner and time is short.
June 27, 2022
A nice step up from the first novella. Where The Belly of the Beast didn't have any stakes to speak of for most of the story, and very little in terms of interesting characters, this book had a a couple of nice, nesting, and very "Trek" stakes, including at least one decent character arc (even if the end was a bit weaker than I'd hoped). Both novellas struggle a bit with an overabundance of Starfleet characters, most of whom are too similar for me to keep straight which eager human engineer is which.
Still, for someone who is into Star Trek, this is an acceptable little dose of Starfleet.
Still, for someone who is into Star Trek, this is an acceptable little dose of Starfleet.
July 27, 2025
This is a great little story with action and character building in equal measure. The Bynar, 110, is learning to function after the loss of his companion, 111, and even though he is expected to return home to Bynaus (101100010100110) for pairing with a new partner, he contemplates breaking with tradition to go solo. A frightening prospect not least because it'll make him an outcast among his people. Meanwhile, the current mission requires him to apply himself to a programming problem, something he has never achieved without the aid of his former companion.
May 19, 2019
Much better than the first SCE story. Loved this one. Includes the first appearance of a human gay male crew member, I think, in Star Trek fiction. He's a good character to boot. Now, I am in love with this series.
April 7, 2021
Hätte mir da mehr Aufarbeitung der politischen Gegebenheiten gewünscht. Oder halt ein Buch des Starfleet Sociology Departments, das daran anknüpft. (Das wäre eine Reihe, die ich wirklich gern lesen würde.) Nichtsdestotrotz mag ich diese Novellenreihe hier irgendwie.
November 29, 2018
A pretty fast read that had just the right feel of an episode of Star Trek.
July 26, 2021
The beginning of this book was really fun. A technological species that struggles to walk 15 feet or climb out a window. I mean I would struggle too but she barely knows how to work a manual door.
May 7, 2025
I enjoyed this one more than SCE#1. The characterizations were clearer, and the problem was slightly less tropey. It moved along at a steady clip.
August 18, 2025
This book continues to develop the da Vinci crew as the series finds its footing. Like a traditional Trek episode, we start to see certain characters steep into the spotlight, though at times it feels like too many are vying for attention. The story is classic Star Trek, full of problem-solving and moral dilemmas, but I found myself not especially invested in the planet's inhabitants.
I did appreciate the twist on the "godlike computer" trope - it was refreshing that the machine wasn't the true villain, as is often the case in episodic Trek. While this novella moved a little slower than the first, it still had moments of suspense and strong character development, particularly with 110. His grief and growth after the loss in the first book have been handled thoughtfully, and he truly shines here, though he's clearly still in the middle of his journey. A solid 4-star entry in the series.
I did appreciate the twist on the "godlike computer" trope - it was refreshing that the machine wasn't the true villain, as is often the case in episodic Trek. While this novella moved a little slower than the first, it still had moments of suspense and strong character development, particularly with 110. His grief and growth after the loss in the first book have been handled thoughtfully, and he truly shines here, though he's clearly still in the middle of his journey. A solid 4-star entry in the series.
March 9, 2018
Geordi is still hanging around because SCE is still a new series, but he continues to be the least interesting part of this book. A moon-sized computer having a breakdown manages to be a better character than most of the cast. It's a whole thing.
March 23, 2015
Star Trek: S. C. E.: #2 Fatal Error by Keith R. A. DeCandido Fatal Error is the second book of the SCE-series and deals with the aftermath of its predecessor.
This time, the da Vinci is called in for help by a super computer itself which runs everything in a planetary system, starting with weather management, transportation, communication - you name it. The computer is malfunctioning, the planet the moon it's located on, is orbiting, in chaos, the clerics whose task it was to maintain the computer murdered... all but one. Just one ship on the planet works without the computer's influence, and the planetary leader and the one surviving priest try to get to the moon. Meanwhile, the da Vinci dispatched an away team on the moon, including the now solitary Bynar 110 who on the one hand doubts his utility without his parter, and on the other hand struggles with his species' customs to rebond as soon as possible. The away team makes contact with the damaged computer... and a dozen hostiles.
One point in favour of this novella is its author. I simply love DeCandido's tongue in cheek-humour. I was practically rolling on the floor laughing when I read of the hardships of the planet's leader who actually had to leave her house and walk for 10 minutes... something that she's not used to because the computer, Ganitriul makes such trivialities as leaving your home, unnecessary.
The other highlight is 110's evolution as a solitary being. We are introduced to a deeper insight into Bynar society - where I have to wonder how bondmates are chosen in the first place. 111, who tragically died in the first part of this series, was the love of 110's life. Rebonding, as is customary, goes against 110's grief - but to not rebond means to be an outcast. Interestingly, the decision isn't openly made yet, but 110 discovers that he can function alone, that he's still worth something. And I guess that makes it obvious what he will choose.
The plot itself with the damaged computer reminds me a bit too much of TOS episodes where a computer runs a whole society and somehow malfunctions. This time the splintergroup sabotages the computer to end its reign over the planet, but I guess, it's due to the shortness of the story that the background can't be explored any further.
In short, this part was quite a bit stronger than the first one, and I'll definitely pick up the next installation. But I have to admit that I still have to get used to the format of novella and its inherent constrictions in the story-telling. I just finished a novel that could have easily been told in less pages - this story could have just as easily been expanded on to a true novel.
This time, the da Vinci is called in for help by a super computer itself which runs everything in a planetary system, starting with weather management, transportation, communication - you name it. The computer is malfunctioning, the planet the moon it's located on, is orbiting, in chaos, the clerics whose task it was to maintain the computer murdered... all but one. Just one ship on the planet works without the computer's influence, and the planetary leader and the one surviving priest try to get to the moon. Meanwhile, the da Vinci dispatched an away team on the moon, including the now solitary Bynar 110 who on the one hand doubts his utility without his parter, and on the other hand struggles with his species' customs to rebond as soon as possible. The away team makes contact with the damaged computer... and a dozen hostiles.
One point in favour of this novella is its author. I simply love DeCandido's tongue in cheek-humour. I was practically rolling on the floor laughing when I read of the hardships of the planet's leader who actually had to leave her house and walk for 10 minutes... something that she's not used to because the computer, Ganitriul makes such trivialities as leaving your home, unnecessary.
The other highlight is 110's evolution as a solitary being. We are introduced to a deeper insight into Bynar society - where I have to wonder how bondmates are chosen in the first place. 111, who tragically died in the first part of this series, was the love of 110's life. Rebonding, as is customary, goes against 110's grief - but to not rebond means to be an outcast. Interestingly, the decision isn't openly made yet, but 110 discovers that he can function alone, that he's still worth something. And I guess that makes it obvious what he will choose.
The plot itself with the damaged computer reminds me a bit too much of TOS episodes where a computer runs a whole society and somehow malfunctions. This time the splintergroup sabotages the computer to end its reign over the planet, but I guess, it's due to the shortness of the story that the background can't be explored any further.
In short, this part was quite a bit stronger than the first one, and I'll definitely pick up the next installation. But I have to admit that I still have to get used to the format of novella and its inherent constrictions in the story-telling. I just finished a novel that could have easily been told in less pages - this story could have just as easily been expanded on to a true novel.
January 9, 2016
An interesting story about a civilization that has a smart computer powering everything. And a biological race who built said computer so that they could delve more in softness and luxury.
A topic that's come up repeatedly in Star Trek shows and books. A supercomputer running everything. Well, here things are at a different stage than normal. For one, the supercomputer and the biological race are still living relatively well together, with neither devolved, nor evolved. Though the biological race has created a "priesthood" to function as the caretakers for the computer system. So, the story might advance down the path that other Star Trek showed the aftermath of. Devolved biologicals and malfunctioning computers, and a "priesthood" who don't know what they are doing except for "tradition".
Well, as I said, it hasn't devolved to that point yet. No, here, a group decided they didn't like how soft everyone was, and how much the computer control, so they attempted a revolution. A virus got injected into the supercomputer and people were cut off and inconvenienced. The supercomputer called Starfleet for help.
And interesting enough story. A good follow-up from the first story in the series.
A topic that's come up repeatedly in Star Trek shows and books. A supercomputer running everything. Well, here things are at a different stage than normal. For one, the supercomputer and the biological race are still living relatively well together, with neither devolved, nor evolved. Though the biological race has created a "priesthood" to function as the caretakers for the computer system. So, the story might advance down the path that other Star Trek showed the aftermath of. Devolved biologicals and malfunctioning computers, and a "priesthood" who don't know what they are doing except for "tradition".
Well, as I said, it hasn't devolved to that point yet. No, here, a group decided they didn't like how soft everyone was, and how much the computer control, so they attempted a revolution. A virus got injected into the supercomputer and people were cut off and inconvenienced. The supercomputer called Starfleet for help.
And interesting enough story. A good follow-up from the first story in the series.
November 20, 2012
Précis
The planet Eerlik is totally controlled by a giant computer Ganitriul located on its moon. Inexplicably, it has stopped functioning and that is causing major problems. The computer is able to send a request for help to the Federation and the S.C.E. ship the DaVInci responds.
They find that the computer failure is not an accident, but a cover for an insidious plot by a radical group, which the S.C.E. team must foil and repair the computer to restore normalcy to the small planet.
Protagonist - Bynar 110 and Ganitriul
Antagonist - Regar Undlar
What I liked - The twist regarding the whole rebel takeover was good and the development of the Bynar 110 who is solo now that his mate was killed in Belly of the Beast, the story preceding this one. The personality of the great computer is also well done.
What I didn’t like - The only thing I can complain about is that Undlar seemed a little lame at times as a rebel but it's a nitpick at best.
Final Comment - This is a novella and one of four novellas in Have Tech Will Travel available in paperback. (Still on Amazon as of April 2008). The book includes Belly of the Beast and Interphase Book 1 which I also reviewed.
December 26, 2013
The starship gets sent to a planet that is run by a computer that malfunctions. The main emotional bit of this short story is that the bynar is coping with grief and re-evaluating his role in life. A decent read.
December 26, 2012
Ok but short
August 11, 2017
Good but a little repetitive.
February 6, 2014
It was a decent follow-up novel, but not awesome. It's a short read, but a good little Star Trek fix.
September 10, 2014
A fun follow up story with few real twists. short, sweet and simple. A bit too simple.
Read
February 15, 2009in paperback "Have Tech, Will Travel"
July 11, 2015
Nice, but bit cliched ! Felt sorry for 110. This series is looking good !
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews