Paperback, 320 pages
English language
Published Aug. 9, 2013 by Tor Books.
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE . . . UNTIL THEY STARTED COMPARING NOTES
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starship's famous senior officers.
Life couldn't be better . . . until Andrew begins to realize that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) sadly, at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed.
Unsurprisingly, the crew belowdecks avoid Away Missions at all costs. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is . . . and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance …
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE . . . UNTIL THEY STARTED COMPARING NOTES
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starship's famous senior officers.
Life couldn't be better . . . until Andrew begins to realize that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) sadly, at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed.
Unsurprisingly, the crew belowdecks avoid Away Missions at all costs. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is . . . and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.
This was a very enjoyable story. The main storyline is funny enough and would have been good for a 4 star. It starts as a satire on old school Star Trek and it develops and paces well, without meandering or slumping. Even some of my favourites have this problem, so this is a big plus.
The codas made the book more than your regular Sci-Fi satire, adding a layer of metaphisics and even a bit of romance.
