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Star Trek SCE (ebooks) Novellas #24
Wildfire Book 2
The U.S.S. da Vinci's mission to salvage the U.S.S. Orion and the deadly Wildfire warhead has gone horribly wrong. Captain Gold and Security Chief Corsi are gravely injured, and the da Vinci is literally coming apart at the seams as it drifts further and further into the deadly atmosphere of a gas giant. Worse, the Wildfire device is armed and loose in the turbulent atmosphere, threatening destruction on a planetary scale.
Commander Sonya Gomez and what's left of her S.C.E. team must use all their skills to survive, complete the mission, and learn the deadly secret of the strange alien lights that will be either their salvation -- or their destruction!
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
David Mack
71 books667 followersDavid Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of 39 novels of science-fiction, fantasy, and adventure, including the Star Trek Destiny and Cold Equations trilogies.
Beyond novels, Mack's writing credits span several media, including television (for produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), games, and comic books.
Follow him on Twitter @davidalanmack or like his Facebook page.
Beyond novels, Mack's writing credits span several media, including television (for produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), games, and comic books.
Follow him on Twitter @davidalanmack or like his Facebook page.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 26, 2016
Intense two parter!
May 17, 2017
Star Trek: S. C. E.: #23 & #24 Wildfire by David Mack Why did it take 20 parts until SCE finally picked up speed, to actually get to the heart of it?!? What KRAD began in War Stories, is continued here: the SCE finally gets a living and breathing soul.
The daVinci is called for a rescue mission. The USS Orion launched a testrun of a device called "Wildfire" in the atmosphere of a gas giant which could change the fate of star (like the Genesis device did for planets), but something went wrong, and the Orion no longer replies to calls. At least the Wildfire-device should be salvaged since it could be used for more devious purposes. The team find the Orion derelict in the gas giant's atmosphere, and the Wildfire device primed for detonation - but before it can be disarmed, pretty much everything in the salvage operation goes wrong... and the daVinci itself faces destruction, and the crew certain death.
This was Mack's first solo work in Star Trek - and possibly, this is what he had envisioned for "Starship Down", the episode he wrote for DS9 and that this story is frequently referring to... and even back as a novice TrekLit-writer he knew how to shake up a series (although he went on to greater dimensions in later works). Interestingly, whereas he concentrates on the action later on, here he focuses on the personal stories, relationships, courage & heroism, and duty & self-reflection, which works astonishingly well. And I have to admit that I got a lump in my throat in part 2, quite a few times actually, yet it's strange that Gomez's reaction didn't move me half as much as Stevens's. But maybe that's going to change once I've read the aftermath-stories to come - and there's no doubt, that I'll continue with this series now. I simply can't stop here, hanging on the edge of grief and despair, without any of the emotional gratification of a good "what happens next". Well done, Mack.
I also appreciated the fact that the main character's death in this novel is a final one. We have a body that's been declared dead - so I'll expect consequences in the next stories (that have already been hinted at here).
Just a couple of factual nitpicks (which threw me out of the very emotional last chapter just a tiny bit):
A victim dying of suffocation due to CO2 intoxication without any outward pressure like strangulation etc. won't show any petechial bleedings on the face/sclera - simply because petechia are caused by the venous flow being interrupted while the arterial flow's still pumping blood into the tissue. And if there's no blockage in the venous system, there won't be any petechia.
And modern CPR uses a 30:2 rhythm (compression:breathing) regardless of the cause of the cardiac arrest, not 8:1 like it was described here - though, of course, since this was a case of CPR given pro forma, let's not be too strict about that.
The daVinci is called for a rescue mission. The USS Orion launched a testrun of a device called "Wildfire" in the atmosphere of a gas giant which could change the fate of star (like the Genesis device did for planets), but something went wrong, and the Orion no longer replies to calls. At least the Wildfire-device should be salvaged since it could be used for more devious purposes. The team find the Orion derelict in the gas giant's atmosphere, and the Wildfire device primed for detonation - but before it can be disarmed, pretty much everything in the salvage operation goes wrong... and the daVinci itself faces destruction, and the crew certain death.
This was Mack's first solo work in Star Trek - and possibly, this is what he had envisioned for "Starship Down", the episode he wrote for DS9 and that this story is frequently referring to... and even back as a novice TrekLit-writer he knew how to shake up a series (although he went on to greater dimensions in later works). Interestingly, whereas he concentrates on the action later on, here he focuses on the personal stories, relationships, courage & heroism, and duty & self-reflection, which works astonishingly well. And I have to admit that I got a lump in my throat in part 2, quite a few times actually, yet it's strange that Gomez's reaction didn't move me half as much as Stevens's. But maybe that's going to change once I've read the aftermath-stories to come - and there's no doubt, that I'll continue with this series now. I simply can't stop here, hanging on the edge of grief and despair, without any of the emotional gratification of a good "what happens next". Well done, Mack.
I also appreciated the fact that the main character's death in this novel is a final one. We have a body that's been declared dead - so I'll expect consequences in the next stories (that have already been hinted at here).
Just a couple of factual nitpicks (which threw me out of the very emotional last chapter just a tiny bit):
A victim dying of suffocation due to CO2 intoxication without any outward pressure like strangulation etc. won't show any petechial bleedings on the face/sclera - simply because petechia are caused by the venous flow being interrupted while the arterial flow's still pumping blood into the tissue. And if there's no blockage in the venous system, there won't be any petechia.
And modern CPR uses a 30:2 rhythm (compression:breathing) regardless of the cause of the cardiac arrest, not 8:1 like it was described here - though, of course, since this was a case of CPR given pro forma, let's not be too strict about that.
August 22, 2023
If ever a chapter of S.C.E. felt like a season finale, it was Wildfire Book 1. Book 2 is a worthy continuation that goes the extra light-year by having massive consequences for the cast. Among the dead are at least a couple names one my recognize more than casually, and as for the main one, they're given their due with beautiful flashbacks and lots of inner turmoil, not to mention everyone else's reactions. It got to me. I sobbed through the last few chapters, partly in grief, partly in the hope of relief, as this is Star Trek and it's not over 'til it's over. Writer David Mack manages to make me accept either outcome, which isn't a small feat. Otherwise, it's classic S.C.E., but more intense. The ship is crippled, there's lots to do to save even what's left, much of it cleverly done, and there's a crazy plan involved. The characters are well drawn, and many of them are unlikely to be the same by the time Book 25 rolls around. This could be the biggest, boldest and best story in the line.
July 22, 2017
The 2nd part of Wildfire. The Da Vinci has been really damaged, the death toll is high, and there are some worrying injuries. They have just 45 minutes to save themselves. This is a really good continuation of the Wildfire storyline. Do not get attached to any character here, it is moving, exciting and has twists you will not see coming. (NB you have to read book 1 first). It feels like this storyline is an excuse to reboot the series and get rid of a lot of characters. A very good read.
August 10, 2019
This made me cry. Very sad, but brought the last 24 books together quite nicely.
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September 6, 2016Wildfire was amazing. Written by David mack who wrote the DS9 episode Starship Down this is clearly the story he wanted to write back then. Dealing with a ship being utterly utterly messed up and what the crew would have to do to ensure survival is amazing and nothing short of horrific and brilliant at the same time.
July 14, 2012
A mayor chatracter dies .
September 15, 2013
Pretty good.
July 13, 2014
With this and the Khan books (amongst others) David Mack has solidified himself as one of the best Trek authors. An amazing end to a mind blowing tale.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews