Techno-Tabby Engineer: Chronicles of Tri-Galactic Trek

by Mary E. Lowd

A brilliant engineer. A loyal friend. A universe full of puzzles.

Lieutenant Jordan LeGuin is the chief engineer of the starship Initiative, a blind orange tabby whose techno-focal goggles let him perceive the universe as data, equations, and elegant systems waiting to be understood. More comfortable with machines than most people, LeGuin thrives where careful thought, precision, and curiosity matter most.

Alongside Fact, an android arctic fox who shares his love of logic and experimentation, LeGuin tackles challenges that reveal deeper questions about trust, power, and responsibility.

From rescuing a stranded alien vessel whose crew may not be as helpless as they seem (in “Cuckoo’s Conundrum”), to grappling with strange disruptions of perception, dreams, and control (in “A Dubious Hypothesis”), LeGuin discovers that even the most rigorously analyzed systems can behave in unexpected ways.

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2026

About the author

Mary E. Lowd is a prolific science-fiction and furry writer in Oregon. She's had more than 180 short stories and a half dozen novels published, always with more on the way. Her work has won numerous awards, and she's been nominated for the Ursa Major Awards more than any other individual. She is also the founder and editor of Zooscape. She lives in a crashed spaceship, disguised as a house and hidden behind a rose garden, with a large collection of animals, both real and imaginary, who collectively serve as her muse.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always had a soft spot for Geordi La Forge, maybe because of Reading Rainbow, but also because the show portrayed someone with a disability who didn't let it stop him from achieving amazing things. I love Lowd's portrayal of the analogous character in Lt. Jordan LeGuin, partly because I love orange tabbies (as I sit here with my Hobbes nearby), but also because I love the friendship between LeGuin and Fact (Lt. Data). There are two stories in this collection, the first having to do with a mission where Jordan and Fact go to a derelict ship to help enact repairs before it falls into a nearby star. That one was fun, as they end up on an adventure with what are essentially sentient chickens. The story had the feel of one of the original Star Trek series, with oddball aliens. The second story was a bit more serious, and definitely had Next Generation vibes as we got to learn more about Jordan and Fact's friendship. In this story, Jordan and Fact return from a conference excited to share all they learned. They both think it all went exceedingly well until things start to happen with Jordan's sleep, and Fact starts to dream (trying a new algorithm discovered at the conference) about Jordan doing ordinary things, and it's clear that all is not right. I love how they worked together to figure out what was going on, and we got to see their friendship grow to sleepovers with pajamas, snack foods, and so on!

This collection is a great addition to the Tri-Galactic Trek universe and I can't wait to read more! This whole series is a must read for Trekkies and animal lovers!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these 2 stories. While the main character is modeled after Georgie LaForge from Star Treck Next Generation, I felt like the first story could have come from the original Star Trek show. The second story definitely from Next Generation. Fun and interesting!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tony Fecteau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. Of course, a comparison to Geordi La Forge needs to be stated! I hope that the loss of seeing or hearing can be fixed in the future. This way contributions can still be made and have the disability not affect your life (as much). The story was fast and fun. I love technical details in novels, and this story does not disappoint.