A Time to Kill (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (Mass Market Paperback)

Federation president Min Zife has a problem. During the Dominion War, the Federation sold advanced weaponry to the ruler of Tezwa to establish a fallback option in case the war went badly. Unfortunately, the ruler of Tezwa, Kinchawn, is a power-mad zealot who is willing to go to war with the Klingons to satisfy his own material needs. This would be very bad for Zife, as any war between the Klingons and Tezwa would reveal the weapons on the Klingon doorstep, sparking a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Unfortunately, Kinchawn uses the weapons to wipe out a fleet of Klingon ships and almost takes out the Enterprise as well during a diplomatic mission to calm hostilities. The Klingons want blood, and the Enterprise is sent to try and resolve the crisis before the Klingons can discover what's there. Captain Picard must find a way to neutralize the weapons as well as neutralizing the Klingon fleet that's been sent to conquer Tezwa, all at the same time. How will he do this? It will take coordinated attacks to prevent the guns from firing on Tezwa, as well as a little help from Ambassador Worf on the Klingon homeworld to stop the Klingons. If one thing goes wrong, the Federation will be plunged into a war that will weaken both parties, leaving everything open for the Romulans.

A Time to Kill is quite intricate, almost too much so. Enterprise personnel must disable all six guns at the same moment, and Worf must come through at the same time. If even one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. Yes, the assault teams have their problems and setbacks, causing what tension there is in the novel, but everything ends up being a little too convenient. One thing that doesn't quite work out leaves a plot point for the next novel, but otherwise it feels a little unrealistic. I felt this would be the case when the situation was set up, so by the time it actually happened, I had grown used to it and went along for the ride. Thus, it's not a major problem. It's just something that's mildly annoying at the time.

Otherwise, A Time to Kill is a non-stop thrill ride, full of tension. The book has very short chapters, adding to the intense feeling. The chapters jump from one assault team to another, back to the Enterprise, to the President's office, as well as to another secret organization that's watching all this from elsewhere. There is a lot at stake, which just adds to the tension. It's almost like a music video, never giving the reader time to relax. The only parts that seem to drag a bit are the ones on Qo'nos, but that's only in relation to the rest of the book. I found Worf's attempts to do what Picard needs him to do to be duller than the events on Tezwa.

The book is very plot-driven, but Mack does do a good job with the characters as well. Dr. Crusher is still considering the offer to assume the position of Head of Starfleet Medical, and she's hurt that Picard hasn't come to her about it. Picard, meanwhile, is hurt that Crusher hasn't come to him to talk to him about it. This does seem a little bit "high school," but it doesn't come out that way in the book (well, not very much). Instead, the book examines their relationship as it has gone throughout the years of the television series and the movies. It's actually quite effective.

Even better is the characterization of the assault teams. We get to see a lot of new characters in action, and we're given some meaty looks at them. Most impressive (though a bit clichéd), is Razka, a reptilian non-commissioned security guard who acts like most sergeants do in war films. He's experienced, he's gruff, and he gets the job done. He is stereotypical, but I still found myself drawn to him. Maybe it was the scales. The other security officers are also given a lot to do. One thing this series has been wonderful with has been the security officers. They are not just nameless redshirts, and they aren't treated that way, either. We are starting to really get to know some of them, and while some of them die, some of them don't. Since the characterization of them is so good, it actually hurts when one of them does die.

One annoying aspect of characterization, however, was Zeitsev, one member of the mysterious organization that is following all of these events. His superior officer, a Vulcan, is evidently very attractive and he has a crush on her, despite her being a lot older than he is. This crush does nothing in this book except detract from the character. I hope it becomes a plot point somewhere in the next two books, as otherwise it just stands out as a grating character trait with no purpose.

This entire series has been a slow starter, but the last three books have been wonderful. They keep the reader coming back for more, wondering what's going to happen next. The end of A Time to Kill leaves a nice cliffhanger as well as a possible opportunity to comment on current events. We'll see what A Time to Heal gives us. I know I'm reading them as fast as I can.

David Roy