Mission Gamma Book Four: Lesser Evil

Going no where really slowly.

Star Trek- Deep Space Nine: Misssion Gamma-Lesser Evil written by Robert Simpson is the fourth in a series of four books of Mission Gamma. This series started out with "Twilight, then This Gray Spirit and Cathedral" all richly written with a very descriptive narrative. Now, comes the fourth in this series and it does tie-up some of the loose ends found in the first three books. But, this volume also sets up the continuation of the series relaunch by incorporating items that need to be resolved in the future.I found this to be very clever from the author's point of view too guarentee the continuation of the series. As you know from reading the earlier volumes in the Mission Gamma Series that there are two distinct plots within this series. One on Deep Space Nine and the other on the Starship Defiant. Colonel Kira Nerys in this book is in a dangerous chase into the heart of the Federation as she is in hot pursuit of a killer. The second plot revolves around Commander Elias Vaughn and the Defiant crew as they make it back through the wormhole to Deep Space Nine and makes a startling discovery. Vaughn's discovery shakes him to the core, as the truth is unvailed as to what was behind his tragic mission in the Gamma Quadrant. Now, you have Nerys and Vaughn both searching indepentantly for the truth.This book has some really good set-up to continue the series and good action-adventure. The set-up of the characters was excellent in these first three books and it carried through to this volume making for some very interesting reading.There is doubt cast on the final outcome of the Gamma Quadrant mission by Vaughn and Nerys' seeks to avenge a crime that has some very far-reaching implications... what is the secret that could divid the Alpha Quadrant?This is an excellent well-written series and is highly recommended. The next books in this series are; "Rising Son and Unity" both written by S.D. Perry and the "Lives of Dax" written by various author's is coming out in Mass Paperback in January of 2003. The next books to arrive at my door are the Star Trek "The Brave and the Bold" series of two books. Looks like I'll be reading TREK for awhile... See you around the galaxy... warp-on... engage.

Wow.Okay, I know most people that love the epic qualities of DS9 also love Babylon 5. That show's creator would often warn fans via the 'net that an upcoming episode would be called a WHAM! episode, where the viewer finds out everything she knows is wrong, but then it's all right again. Worlds live, worlds die, the universe is never the same sort of stuff. Good becomes evil, cats like dogs, two plus two is five sort of stuff....P>Hunh unh. The first three books ... well, heck stuff going back to the earliest days of The Next Generation, really ... was all just setting up the dominoes. This book topples them, or starts to. Everything you know is wrong. Black is white. Good is evil, and evil good.<p>Robert Simpson gives us one of the most heart-pounding, action-filled, revelation-studded, plot-thread tying (and KNOTTING) episodes of Deep Space Nine I've ever wat ... uh, read. No contemplative chapters of characters resolving old wounds, or helping complex societies avoid civil wars here. All the emotions ... and there's some deep stuff going on here, folks, especially with the Vaughan family ... are painted in very broad strokes, an abrupt change from the first three books, which took a 'slow burn' approach for the most part. But it works, giving you almost a 'sweeps episode' flavor where many stories get resolved in the midst of incredibly tense action scenes. The incredible (and for many fans of the early days of the show, triumphant) ending to this book leaves the reader in just the right state of mind during the long wait til the next book in the series: salivating, hungering, demanding more of this good, good stuff.<p>What a smash up ending to a series of books I was starting to lose interest in ... but like the TV show it's based on, the DS9 relaunch series of books knows just how to reel you right back in.

This book is just... ugh. It's beyond words. The entire Mission Gamma series is beyond words. It has gone beyond my expectations and I believe it's surprised many people. Yes, this book is smaller than the others but that doesn't mean it's less of a book. This book will leave you guessing, it will stun you, it will go beyond what you've heard about it, it's simply one of the best books you could spend your money on unlike that snore fest of a new Shatnerverse that was released earlier. This book is not the finale to the DS9 Relaunch, its a turning point so don't expect it to wrap up every single little thing. Yes, you're going to be left with wanting more but that's what is supposed to happen! Rising Son and Unity come out next year and if they can top off these past four books they bravo to them. It's short, far from simple, and it hits certain things right on the head and delves down to the point. To quote Nigel Powers from Austin Powers in Goldmember, it's not the size that matters, its how you use it. Simpson certainly showed he had a great ability to use this short, condensed book to cover a lot. You'll like it, get it. DS9 finally runs into the Borg... and another big Trek enemy returns FINALLY that will just make you cry at the end because you have to wait until next year to find out what happens! It's worth your time, read it.

So many times a series starts off with a roar and ends with a whimper. This is NOT the case here. Reading this book was a truly satisfying experience that left me hungry for more. Lesser Evil is a fast-paced, action-packed book that answers some questions for readers while at the same time leaving them with new ones to ponder. We get more insight into Vaughn and Prynn's past and get a chance to spend some time with the Sisko family. The Defiant crew is reunited with some old friends and old enemies as some startiling and ominous discoveries are made in the Gamma Quardant. My only complaint is that this book is shorter that the first 3 in the series which made the storytelling feel a little rushed at times (I would have like to see the flashbacks with Vaughn a little more fleshed out, but whatever). Still, the fact that I finished the book in a day speaks to the book's overall quality and it's ability to hold a reader's interest (You GO Robert Simpson!). This truly is the eighth season of Deep Space Nine. Whoever is in charge of structuring the overall plot of the DS9 relaunch has captured the complexity and richness of this particular corner of the Star Trek Universe to a tee. I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

It doesn't get much better than this in the world of Star Trek in print. What an incredible conclusion to this DS9 series. Whatever you do don't read any spoilers, and if you have a weak heart, have your medication nearby.