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Star Trek: The Next Generation - Starfleet Academy #2
Star Trek - The Next Generation: Starfleet Academy 2 - Line of Fire
Mysterious space raiders are threatening the joint Federation-Klingon colony on the remote planet of Dantar. Worf and his fellow cadets - Zak, Tania, Soleta and Mark - have accompanied their teacher to observe the negotiation process, but find themselves in the middle of an intergalactic dispute.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
3 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,569 books1,364 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 4, 2021
Book one of this series, Worf's First Adventure, focused on the feud between Worf—the first Klingon in Starfleet Academy history—and Zak Kebron, a member of the Brikar race known for their hatred of Klingons. Worf and Zak were constantly on the brink of physical confrontation, but by the time Line of Fire starts they have come to tolerate each other, perhaps even be friends. They and three other first-year Starfleet cadets—Soleta the Vulcan, and humans Tania Tobias and Mark McHenry—have formed a study group that's so efficient they are called the "Dream Team" by professors and cadets. Presently, Professor Alexander Trump calls the Dream Team into his office and requests they head up an expedition to Dantar IV, a planet co-colonized by the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets. Dantar IV is quickly descending into interracial disharmony, but Professor Trump believes the Dream Team can help. Worf will be their secret weapon; a Klingon raised by humans, if anyone can bridge the communication gap it would be him. Worf isn't happy to be chosen for the mission based on his race, but he agrees to accompany Trump and the other Dream Team members.
Blistering hot weather engulfs the cadets as soon as they teleport from their ship to Dantar IV. Federation administrator Paul Dini welcomes them and Professor Trump to the planet and introduces them to Klingon administrator Khard, who has brought three younger Klingons to Dantar IV to help improve communication between the races. Gowr, Kodash, and K'Ehleyr are taken aback to see a Klingon like Worf in a Starfleet uniform, and Worf is equally affected by the sight of his first female Klingon, K'Ehleyr. Displaying the problem-solving intelligence that got him into Starfleet Academy in the first place, Worf sets to work finding solutions to the grievances between the Federation and Klingon colonists. His success rate is impressive; tensions disappear, and the Dream Team will soon be able to head back to Earth.
Gowr, Kodash, and K'Ehleyr's judgmental stares are unnerving to Worf. They seem to regard him as either a social freak or moral coward, but there's no denying his excellent work on Dantar IV; Worf's understanding of both human and Klingon custom uniquely positions him to ease unrest in the colony. However, someone lurking just beyond planetary orbit has no intention of letting him succeed. Launching a surprise attack, an anonymous Klingon vessel reduces much of Dantar IV to rubble, causing Worf flashbacks to the massacre that killed his own parents when he was six years old. The Dream Team must repair Dantar IV's damaged phaser cannons to prepare for a return of the Klingon hostiles, or everyone on the planet will be incinerated. Can Worf and his friends prove their mettle as Starfleet cadets by surviving this disaster?
The mixture of races on Dantar IV has been volatile from day one. Avoiding violence in such a scenario requires a cool head and willingness to empathize with people you may have nothing but contempt for. These aren't Worf's natural strengths, but he enrolled in Starfleet Academy to make the most of his life, and doing so routinely takes him out of his comfort zone. This is the case even when dealing with the human members of the Dream Team. "He was aware that there were subtleties to human emotions that he was not yet grasping, indeed, perhaps would never grasp. But to remain stubborn in all matters until he did understand them—whenever that time might come—would leave behind him a long road of hurt emotions and feelings. That was no way to live." Frustrating as it often is, Worf wants to be a voice of conciliation between the Federation, Klingons, and whatever unknown alien forms may wait in deep space, and his determination will go a long way toward that goal.
Line of Fire is a small step down from Worf's First Adventure, in part because it lacks a true ending. It just trails off into Survival, the final book of this trilogy that kicks off the longer Starfleet Academy series. I expect Survival will answer lingering questions from this book, such as why the Klingon invaders targeted Dantar IV. I appreciate the inclusion of a character named Paul Dini in Line of Fire, presumably to honor the comic book writer of the same name. I was also amused by mention of the grain quadrotriticale, a subtle reference to "The Trouble With Tribbles", probably the most iconic episode of the original Star Trek television series. These first two Starfleet Academy books haven't been riveting, but they're a nice diversion for Star Trek: The Next Generation fans, and I look forward to volume three.
Blistering hot weather engulfs the cadets as soon as they teleport from their ship to Dantar IV. Federation administrator Paul Dini welcomes them and Professor Trump to the planet and introduces them to Klingon administrator Khard, who has brought three younger Klingons to Dantar IV to help improve communication between the races. Gowr, Kodash, and K'Ehleyr are taken aback to see a Klingon like Worf in a Starfleet uniform, and Worf is equally affected by the sight of his first female Klingon, K'Ehleyr. Displaying the problem-solving intelligence that got him into Starfleet Academy in the first place, Worf sets to work finding solutions to the grievances between the Federation and Klingon colonists. His success rate is impressive; tensions disappear, and the Dream Team will soon be able to head back to Earth.
Gowr, Kodash, and K'Ehleyr's judgmental stares are unnerving to Worf. They seem to regard him as either a social freak or moral coward, but there's no denying his excellent work on Dantar IV; Worf's understanding of both human and Klingon custom uniquely positions him to ease unrest in the colony. However, someone lurking just beyond planetary orbit has no intention of letting him succeed. Launching a surprise attack, an anonymous Klingon vessel reduces much of Dantar IV to rubble, causing Worf flashbacks to the massacre that killed his own parents when he was six years old. The Dream Team must repair Dantar IV's damaged phaser cannons to prepare for a return of the Klingon hostiles, or everyone on the planet will be incinerated. Can Worf and his friends prove their mettle as Starfleet cadets by surviving this disaster?
The mixture of races on Dantar IV has been volatile from day one. Avoiding violence in such a scenario requires a cool head and willingness to empathize with people you may have nothing but contempt for. These aren't Worf's natural strengths, but he enrolled in Starfleet Academy to make the most of his life, and doing so routinely takes him out of his comfort zone. This is the case even when dealing with the human members of the Dream Team. "He was aware that there were subtleties to human emotions that he was not yet grasping, indeed, perhaps would never grasp. But to remain stubborn in all matters until he did understand them—whenever that time might come—would leave behind him a long road of hurt emotions and feelings. That was no way to live." Frustrating as it often is, Worf wants to be a voice of conciliation between the Federation, Klingons, and whatever unknown alien forms may wait in deep space, and his determination will go a long way toward that goal.
Line of Fire is a small step down from Worf's First Adventure, in part because it lacks a true ending. It just trails off into Survival, the final book of this trilogy that kicks off the longer Starfleet Academy series. I expect Survival will answer lingering questions from this book, such as why the Klingon invaders targeted Dantar IV. I appreciate the inclusion of a character named Paul Dini in Line of Fire, presumably to honor the comic book writer of the same name. I was also amused by mention of the grain quadrotriticale, a subtle reference to "The Trouble With Tribbles", probably the most iconic episode of the original Star Trek television series. These first two Starfleet Academy books haven't been riveting, but they're a nice diversion for Star Trek: The Next Generation fans, and I look forward to volume three.
September 12, 2016
Entertaining and fun...but not quite Star Trek as I've come to expect it.
January 23, 2024
As a Klingon raised by humans and the first one to attend Star Fleet Academy, Worf is in a unique position. He is proud of his Klingon heritage while totally loyal to the Federation. In this book, we get a look back into his days as a cadet, where he must learn to work and play well with others. Being a Klingon, playing well generally means intense physical action.
Dantar is a planet where a social experiment is taking place. A colony where humans and Klingons live and work has been placed there and it is being disrupted, both internally and externally. A group of Federation cadets that includes Worf has been dispatched under the guidance of Professor Trump, a well respected international diplomat/scholar. When they arrive, there is a small delegation of Klingons from the Empire and Worf encounters an adult Klingon female for the first time. He reacts in a manner similar to how a human teenage male would react.
The story is well done and gives the reader some background on Worf as a young man as well as his experiences as a cadet in Star Fleet Academy. It would have been a difficult time for him, as he would have to learn how to interact with creatures of other species, their cultures as well as deal with elements of the Klingon civilization that he had only read about. Worf must also learn when to take orders as well as give them.
Viewers were introduced to the characters of Star Trek The Next Generation as full members of the crew of the Enterprise. While it is understood that they attended the Star Fleet Academy, there is very little knowledge of how they performed and adjusted in that environment. This book gives us some critical background on the making of the Worf of the Enterprise.
Dantar is a planet where a social experiment is taking place. A colony where humans and Klingons live and work has been placed there and it is being disrupted, both internally and externally. A group of Federation cadets that includes Worf has been dispatched under the guidance of Professor Trump, a well respected international diplomat/scholar. When they arrive, there is a small delegation of Klingons from the Empire and Worf encounters an adult Klingon female for the first time. He reacts in a manner similar to how a human teenage male would react.
The story is well done and gives the reader some background on Worf as a young man as well as his experiences as a cadet in Star Fleet Academy. It would have been a difficult time for him, as he would have to learn how to interact with creatures of other species, their cultures as well as deal with elements of the Klingon civilization that he had only read about. Worf must also learn when to take orders as well as give them.
Viewers were introduced to the characters of Star Trek The Next Generation as full members of the crew of the Enterprise. While it is understood that they attended the Star Fleet Academy, there is very little knowledge of how they performed and adjusted in that environment. This book gives us some critical background on the making of the Worf of the Enterprise.
February 22, 2018
The second volume in this trilogy sees the cadets of Worf's First Adventure on an arbitration mission to a human/Klingon colony world where everything has gone pear-shaped. On the bright side, the story continues to zip along and on the very bright side, Worf meets K'Ehleyr for the first time and I always enjoyed the pair of them, so points for that. It's a shame, however, that the plot relies on adults being idiots. The colony is struggling, mostly with race relations, and the best solution Starfleet can come up with is to send first year cadets to arbitrate (admittedly under the supervision of an experienced officer) - as if a high-tension population that values its independence is going to appreciate being told what to do by a bunch of kids. But of course it all works out, because the adults are brain-dead until teenagers are there to fix their lives for them - the engineering student, Tania, solves the ongoing power problems by realising that some power couplings are defective, for example. Which, great, but this seems like basic stuff the colony's scientists could have checked for themselves, had they had the two brain cells necessary to run a simple diagnostic...
June 26, 2018
The 'Trek comfort food binge continues!
Now that David has established his characters (which he'll reuse later in New Frontiers), he can start using them in real plots. Honestly, if it wasn't for the abbreviated length (it's just over 100 pages) and the illustrations, I'm not sure I would know it's a YA novel. It doesn't talk down to it's readers, nor does it shy away from dealing with actual issues. This one revolves around Worf's mixed heritage. It's easy and predictable, but it wouldn't be light reading if it wasn't. This series is a lot better than I expected so far.
Now that David has established his characters (which he'll reuse later in New Frontiers), he can start using them in real plots. Honestly, if it wasn't for the abbreviated length (it's just over 100 pages) and the illustrations, I'm not sure I would know it's a YA novel. It doesn't talk down to it's readers, nor does it shy away from dealing with actual issues. This one revolves around Worf's mixed heritage. It's easy and predictable, but it wouldn't be light reading if it wasn't. This series is a lot better than I expected so far.
September 17, 2020
To be continued... I'm looking forward to the next installment. This super quick read was great. Zak's misplaced overconfidence and Mark's quirky attributes are highlights of the series so far.
I admit that I have to keep reminding myself that Worf is still a cadet in these stories. Much of his personality is already well formed at this age apparently.
There is a parallel between the situations that lead to both Worf's adoption by humans and this first mission.
The introduction of K'Ehleyr was an unexpected surprise!
I admit that I have to keep reminding myself that Worf is still a cadet in these stories. Much of his personality is already well formed at this age apparently.
There is a parallel between the situations that lead to both Worf's adoption by humans and this first mission.
The introduction of K'Ehleyr was an unexpected surprise!
March 19, 2020
I really don't like this decision to break a story into multiple parts, then publish them as separate books. If one doesn't have all the required books, then the story is incomplete, and that serves no purpose. Here again, we have a fairly decent story, but it's incomplete, as it ends in a to be continued line. Absolutely silly.
Luckily, I have the next book, but I despise this kind of thing. Not happy with these starfleet academy books, even if the stories are mildly amusing.
Luckily, I have the next book, but I despise this kind of thing. Not happy with these starfleet academy books, even if the stories are mildly amusing.
September 10, 2022
I think this is not quite as strong as the first book but it’s still a very entertaining read. There is a lot of interpersonal conflict happening. This is not a hallmark of TNG but I think it can be argued that cadets still have things to learn before they become the more evolved Starfleet adults we’re used to.
November 23, 2017
I managed to order this through inter-library loan despite not knowing how to type and mostly just willing the book to materialize through the screen. It ends on a cliffhanger I have never had resolved.
August 4, 2021
Looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy c:
January 5, 2022
An und für sich eine interessante Geschichte und gut geschrieben. Aber das offene Ende, das nicht zum Rest der Reihe passt, ist ärgerlich.
June 14, 2025
7.5/10
-Plot:+1
-Characters:+1
-Setting: +1
-Writing style:+1
-Pacing:+1
-Originality:+1
-Ending: +.5
-Emotional impact:+0
-Overall enjoyment: +.5
-Would I Recommend / Reread:+.5
-Plot:+1
-Characters:+1
-Setting: +1
-Writing style:+1
-Pacing:+1
-Originality:+1
-Ending: +.5
-Emotional impact:+0
-Overall enjoyment: +.5
-Would I Recommend / Reread:+.5
October 26, 2010
I've read many a Star Trek book: The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine and more, some less good, some outstanding and though this one is relatively short and targeted for young adults I enjoyed it over the majority of the former. It is swift-moving, provides excellent details and is succinct and too the point rather like watching a good episode of the famous series. Very glad I picked up and will try to find the next installments. I particularly like reading about a young Worf and learning more of his background and personality. He is one of my all-time favorite characters.
September 8, 2011
Peter David continues his trilogy about Worf’s times at Starfleet Academy. The first book was very light on plot, as the idea was only to introduce the setting and give room for the character play associated with Worf’s integration. Now we get a more plotted outing about a colony shared by Klingons and the Federation. The story is rather simple, but it works out well, ending with a nice cliffhanger. And as David still concentrates more on characterization than on young adult clichés, the result is a very readable adventure.
March 5, 2011
These old trek books for teens are like comfort food for me. I was in my teens when I began watching trek, and I would go out and buy the novels and the magazines and the comic books all the time. It just feels like home when I pick one up.
I liked seeing a young Worf tackle his new starfleet identity and his klingon identity. It's not one of the best trek books I've ever read (I believe that would be Q Squared or A Stitch in Time) but it kept me amused.
I liked seeing a young Worf tackle his new starfleet identity and his klingon identity. It's not one of the best trek books I've ever read (I believe that would be Q Squared or A Stitch in Time) but it kept me amused.
August 31, 2014
Worf is sent with his team of cadets to a colony planet to help a mediator. Klingons and humans are not getting on in the first joint colony. This is a quick moving plot and all the characters are well written. The illustrations are good, and help tell the story for those who need the help. It is interesting that one of the characters introduced here is destined to become Worf's partner. A good read.
August 23, 2013
This continues where Worf s First Adventure left off, so in many ways didn’t feel like a separate novel. On the other hand were I reading it to enjoy the illustrations, or reading it to someone else, I suppose I could stop to appreciate it more.
The ending was quite interesting, and now of course I have to go to bed with the third one tonight…
The ending was quite interesting, and now of course I have to go to bed with the third one tonight…
October 5, 2022
I realize that this is intended for middle school or high school children, and therefore length of a book is a concern, but the thing I really dont like is..." to be continued". I read close to 70 ST novels, and this is the first one I remember that was not self contained. The story was ok, not great, but it went quick and was entertaining.
Want to read
May 9, 2010Uno d elos libros que me pille en mi incursion a londres. Novela juvenil con personajes de Star Trek Nueva Generacion. Una de las curiosidades es la aparicion de Zak Kebron, unos de los personajes propios de David que luego recupero para su serie New Frontier. Una joyita.
November 10, 2016
A very easy read, I am reading anything that is Trek and I do find myself enjoying these star fleet academy books. It's interesting to see Worf in this environment. Being the only Klingon in starfleet and having to deal with the obstacles he is presented with.
June 22, 2010
The second Worf book with a good cliffhanger ending. The Vulcan girl is the best character, but the whole ensemble is excellent.
June 12, 2014
Book 8 of my summer reading. Why did it have to be continued ? Wish it could have all been one book.
February 4, 2017
Ugh! To be continued ending, but overall great book and continuance of the series.
April 12, 2018
A good middle-grade book. The story about Worf with his Starfleet cadet group was good. Peter David always tells a compelling yarn.
November 7, 2018
The second part to a truly fun and amazing series begins and I believe that you should read these
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews