Infiltrator: Star Trek: Next Generation #42

"Infiltrator" is a very impressive book for being one of the numbered novels in the Star Trek The Next Generation line of novels. Sadly enough, this novel is the second and final Star Trek novel written by W.R. Thompson which is a shame considering how well this novel and the author's first novel, "Debtor's Planet" were written. It would be nice to see this author make a return to the Star Trek genre."Infiltrator," from beginning to end is an extraordinarily intriguing story, written with an excellent premise, superb plot setup and execution and very fast pacing, all combining to make for an excellent read in the Star Trek genre.The cover art for this novel is good, but still merely standard for the time in which this novel was published.The premise:As authors in the Star Trek genre are often want to do and most successfully carry out, this novel draws from the "history" of Star Trek by furthering the legacy of Khan Noonien Singh, the leader of the Eugenics Wars.During the height of Khan's reign on Earth, several of his followers left Earth to colonize the planet Hera and continue their experiments in selective breeding. After several centuries, the Heran's are ready to launch their plan for universal domination through genetics. The Enterprise comes into the picture and we soon learn that a Heran expatriate named Astrid Kemal is dubiously on board. We also soon learn that is it solely up to Captain Picard and the crew of the starship Enterprise to stop this plan before it comes to fruition.As stated above, "Infiltrator" is one of the more intriguing and better written numbered novels to be released in the STNG line. I highly recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}

Star Trek-The Next Generation: Infiltrator written by W.R. Thompson is a book about a selective breeding experiment on the planet called Hera.At the time when Khan Nooien Singh was being a tyrant on Earth, some centuries ago, a few of his followers decided to leave Earth and start anew. Thus, we have a race of genetically alter humans wanting to reek havoc across the galaxy. Now, enters Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise as the foil in the Federation plans to stop this insanity.Captain Picard enlists the help of an expatriate called Astrid Kemal to defeat this the plot hatched by these other superbeings. This book gives us a good look at what can go wrong with all good intentions, even those of superhumans. We see Number One, William Riker in the thick of things to stop the brink of galaxy-wide eugenics war and gives us a good look of what he is made of. With Geordi and Wolf things get pretty dicey and grim, but I can't tell out how this gets all resolved or I'll ruin the book for you.The narrative moves quickly and the character development grows, while the plot is forming and we get a well-planned adventure that will keep you engrossed till the ending. This is one of the better ST-TNG books where the lesser bridge crew do most of the action and clean-up what could be a galaxy-wide Khan on the universe.

I read this book several years ago while stranded in an airport with a six hour layover. We all remember "Khan" the super genius that enslaved half the world was resuced by Kirk ect ect. What if there was an entire planet of such super geniuses? It is a very interesting premise for a book and even when I read this book it impressed upon by the facts of why the federation so feared someone or something genetically enhanced. I also liked the fact(being 14 at the time) that a 14 year old was the key leader of the oppositions peace negotations. Also the whole "What if Riker is a desendant of these people" was very cool.

This book provided just the right balance between action and humor. I particularly liked the character of Astrid Kamal, a genetically enhanced woman descended from Khan. She handled her fear of being "a lab animal" quite well, and even managed to save the ship (surprise, surprise). Her attempts to learn proper insult technique were quite amusing. ("Go pet a tribble... just the thing to say to a kill-crazy Klingon. Damn, she really is your kind of woman, Worf!")

A great book. I found it hard to put down, but I eventually I did (when I finished:}). You would be well advised to read this excellent work. Recommend it to any and all of your friends