Star Trek: New Frontier
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Star Trek: New Frontier is a Star Trek novel series created by John J. Ordover and Peter David and published by Pocket Books. The idea behind it was to create a Star Trek book series with its own continuity and not one that is purely reactionary to the television shows. Nearly every story of the series is written by series co-creator Peter David.
[edit] Origins
According to David "The basic concept was John Ordover's, as was the notion of using several already existing characters. I fleshed out the concept and created the original characters."[1]
First published in 1997 as a serial consisting of four short novels, New Frontier is set in the Star Trek: The Next Generation universe, but in the wholly unexplored Sector 221-G, home of the recently fallen Thallonian Empire. The books generally follow the adventures of Captain Mackenzie Calhoun and his crew aboard the U.S.S. Excalibur.
Starting the series with a combination of new characters and former Next Generation guest stars, this gave David the opportunity to create his own corner of the Star Trek Universe. Over the years the series has become very popular and critically well-respected to the point that other authors have begun to reference characters and events from the New Frontier continuity, and New Frontier has even been involved in several major crossover events with the novels based on existing television series. The series even inspired its own action figure (one of Mackenzie Calhoun), something no Star Trek novel has done before.
Since the series is written almost exclusively by Peter David, the series shares a sense of humor and irony that is common to many of his writings. The books often take a slightly different tone than many of the other Star Trek novels, often being more violent and sexual than most of the other books. The series is also very willing to affectionately poke fun at its parent series. Another unusual quality is (among Star Trek books) the series' unique ability and willingness to allow the characters to grow, change, and even die (or otherwise leave the series).
New Frontier may be considered a turning point in the publishing of Star Trek novels.[who?] Encouraged by the freedom that this allowed and the popularity of New Frontier, the Star Trek editors started several new series over the years with varying degrees of succeess. Similarly, authors have taken advantage of this new freedom for the post-series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine relaunch and Star Trek: Voyager relaunch along with the post-film novels based on Star Trek: The Next Generation, including the spinoff Star Trek: Titan.
Although Peter David has authored nearly all stories in the New Frontier continuity, since he does not own the rights to the series, Pocket Books could theoretically give the series to another author, or even to a rotating series of authors. However, they have shown no indication of doing so, and at last announcement David is scheduled to be the author of any upcoming New Frontier novels.
[edit] Books
[edit] Main Series
Unless otherwise noted, all of the following novels, short stories, and comic books were written by Peter David.
- #1 - House of Cards
- #2 - Into the Void
- #3 - The Two-Front War
- #4 - End Game
- The first four novels have also been published in a single hardcover omnibus edition by Pocket Books, entitled simply Star Trek: New Frontier.
- #5 - Martyr
- #6 - Fire on High
- The Captain's Table Book 5: Once Burned
- Star Trek: The Next Generation #55: Double Helix Book 5: Double or Nothing
- Double Time (graphic novel) (with artists Mike Collins and David Roach)
- #7 - The Quiet Place
- #8 - Dark Allies
- #9 - Excalibur Book 1: Requiem
- #10 - Excalibur Book 2: Renaissance
- #11 - Excalibur Book 3: Restoration
- Gateways Book 6: Cold Wars
- Gateways Book 7: What Lay Beyond (anthology): Death After Life
- #12 - Being Human
- #13 - Gods Above
- #14 - Stone and Anvil
- #15 - After the Fall
- #16 - Missing in Action
- Cutting Ties (Mirror Universe novel in Obsidian Alliances)
- No Limits (anthology written by various authors, including Peter David)
- Tales of the Dominion War (anthology): Stone Cold Truths
- Tales from the Captain's Table (anthology): Pain Management
Several of these stories have also been reprinted elsewhere.
[edit] Additional Novels
Other novels have included or even focused on characters that star in the New Frontier universe. Because some of the characters originated in Star Trek: The Next Generation, some of these novels were actually released months or years before the first New Frontier book. Some of these books include:
- Star Trek: The Next Generation books:
-
- Vendetta by Peter David (featuring Shelby under her previous assignment with Captain Korsmo on the U.S.S. Chekov)
- Triangle: Imzadi II by Peter David (featuring Shelby and Korsmo on the Excalibur)
- #56: Double Helix Book 6: The First Virtue by Michael Jan Friedman and Christie Golden (happens in Thallonian space)
- #61: Diplomatic Implausibility by Keith R. A. DeCandido (featuring a New Frontier cameo)
- Before Dishonor by Peter David (featuring a Calhoun cameo)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation: Starfleet Academy books (for young readers):
-
- #1: Worf's First Adventure by Peter David (featuring Soleta, Zak Kebron, and Mark McHenry)
- #2: Line of Fire by Peter David (featuring Soleta, Zak Kebron, and Mark McHenry)
- #3: Survival by Peter David (featuring Soleta, Zak Kebron, and Mark McHenry)
- Other Star Trek books:
-
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Gateways Book #3: Doors Into Chaos by Robert Greenberger (features Calhoun and Shelby in another perspective on a sequence shown in Cold Wars)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Gateways Book #4: Demons of Air and Darkness by Keith R. A. DeCandido (features Calhoun and Shelby in another perspective on a sequence shown in Cold Wars and Doors Into Chaos)
- Star Trek The Lost Era: Catalyst of Sorrows by Margaret Wander Bonanno (featuring Dr. Selar)
[edit] Comic Books
- Star Trek: New Frontier: Double Time by Peter David, Mike Collins and David Roach, Wildstorm, Nov 2000.
- Star Trek: New Frontier: Turnaround, issues #1-5 by Peter David and Stephen Thompson, IDW Publishing, commenced Mar 2008.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Mackenzie Calhoun
Captain Mackenzie Calhoun (born M'k'n'zy of Calhoun) is a member of the Xenexian species, a species that for years was under the rule of the Danteri species. (Xenexians closely resemble humans, with purple eyes being the major distinguishing feature.) Calhoun led the Xenexian revolution that freed them from the Danteri, a revolution that ended before Calhoun turned 20. After a visit from Stargazer captain Jean-Luc Picard, whom he had seen in a hallucinatory vision prior to the meeting, Calhoun left his homeworld and joined Starfleet. After a falling out after the events surrounding the death of his captain on the USS Grissom, Calhoun left Starfleet, but was lured back by Picard and took command of the Excalibur. His cowboy-like command style sometimes irks his co-workers (particularly Shelby and Jellico), but he has always been able to get the job done.
Peter David has stated that the character of Commander Quentin Stone from his 1991 Next Generation novel, A Rock and a Hard Place unintentionally turned out to be an early draft of Calhoun.[2] Mackenzie Calhoun is the only non-TV Star Trek character to be the subject of an action figure. The figure comes with a sword and is highly detailed. James Cawley, who plays Kirk in Star Trek: New Voyages, made a guest appearance in the Star Trek: Hidden Frontier's episode "Vigil" (season 6, num. 605) as Mackenzie Calhoun.
[edit] Elizabeth Shelby
Lt. Commander Shelby first appeared in the Star Trek: The New Generation episodes "The Best of Both Worlds Parts 1 and 2", where she was played by Elizabeth Dennehy. Shelby was assigned to the U.S.S. Excalibur some years before New Frontier under the command of Captain Korsmo. She was romantically involved with Captain Calhoun during her time at Starfleet Academy. When the series began, she served as the first officer of the Excalibur under Captain Calhoun, and their relationship was decidedly platonic, but she has since married Captain Calhoun, been promoted to her own command as captain of the U.S.S. Trident, and been promoted again as an Admiral serving over the sector.
[edit] Burgoyne 172
Burgoyne 172, a member of the Hermat species, is neither exactly male nor exactly female, but is instead a combination of the two (as such, the character is generally referred to in the NF books and comic books by the merged personal pronoun "s/he"). Originally Burgoyne served the Chief Engineer of the Excalibur under Captains Korsmo and Calhoun, but has since received a promotion, and now holds the position of First Officer on the current ship bearing that name. Burgoyne has become romantically involved with Dr. Selar, and together they have one child.
[edit] Dr. Selar
Dr. Selar originally appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Schizoid Man", where she was played by Suzie Plakson. See the linked article for more information.
[edit] Robin Lefler
Robin Lefler served for a time on the U.S.S. Enterprise (where she appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes "Darmok" and "The Game", played by Ashley Judd). Lefler was later assigned as a navigator for the Excalibur. During this time she finally rediscovered her missing mother, Morgan. She later married Si Cwan and settled with him on a planet in the Thallonian Empire, where she served as a Starfleet Ambassador. The first issue of the "New Frontier: After the Fall" comic series shows Robin now ruling the Thallonian world and pregnant with Si Cwan's child.
[edit] Zak Kebron
Zak Kebron is a Brikar. He first appeared in the young adult Starfleet Academy novels, where he was shown as attending the Academy with Worf (his roommate), McHenry, and Soleta. Kebron's species has a thick hide, are incredibly massive, and have a very long lifespan. They do not undergo their version of puberty for many years (by human standards), and Kebron underwent this phase while serving on the Excalibur. Originally the security officer, the metamorphosed Kebron (whose personality has become far more open, caring and verbose since his transformation) now serves double-duty as counselor on the current Excalibur.
[edit] Mark McHenry
Like Kebron, Mark McHenry first appeared in the Starfleet Academy novels, where he was depicted as having many odd behaviors. He also has since demonstrated an uncanny ability to find his position in space without the aid of navigational instruments, which aided him as the Conn officer on the Excalibur. It was since discovered that these abilities were due to his parentage: His great-grandfather was the Greek god Apollo. Since discovering the source of his abilities (which have expanded significantly from what they first appeared), he has left his post on the Excalibur.
[edit] Soleta
Soleta was the third of the characters that originated in the Starfleet Academy novels. Soleta is half-Vulcan and half-Romulan. She served as the science officer of the Excalibur for many years until her true heritage was revealed. Soleta then allied herself with the Romulan Empire and served as captain of the Spectre. However, after the Romulan emperor was assassinated during a coup (depicted in the film Star Trek Nemesis), Soleta has changed her ship's allegiance to the Thallonians.
[edit] Si Cwan
Si Cwan was once a ruler of the Thallonian Empire, until that Empire fell. His commitment to justice was surpassed only by his sense of his own importance. He had a commanding presence and was renowned in physical combat. He served for a time as an ambassador on the Excalibur before the creation of the New Thallonian Empire, which he ruled with his Nelkarite rival, Fhermus. He eventually married Robin Lefler, who served as Starfleet ambassador to his empire. He met his death at the hands of Fhermus.
[edit] Admiral Edward Jellico
Admiral Edward Jellico originally appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes "Chain of Command Parts 1 and 2" (as played by Ronny Cox), at which time he held the rank of captain. As the series began, Jellico was the admiral serving over Sector 221-G. He had a rather hostile relationship with Calhoun, although this relationship has softened over the years.
[edit] Janos
Janos was originally described as a Mugato, but (at the request of Pocket Books) his species was later described as a mutation of an animal species. Although he served for a time as a security officer on the Excalibur, Janos eventually devolved from sentient to bestial. He currently resides on the world where he was originally created and is no longer an active member of Starfleet.
[edit] Kat Mueller
Commander Kat Mueller originally served as the XO of the Excalibur (used here to mean the equivalent of the first officer for the night watch), but later became the first officer (and eventually captain) of the Trident. She sports a scar similar to Mac's, as well as being a former lover of his. She also had a brief affair with Si Cwan.
[edit] Arex
Arex originally served on the U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Kirk (as portrayed in the animated Star Trek, where he was voiced by James Doohan) as a security officer. The three-armed, three-legged officer was stuck in time until he was later recovered by Starfleet. He currently serves as the chief of security on the U.S.S. Trident.
[edit] M'Ress
M'Ress (also portrayed in the animated Star Trek, where she was voiced by Majel Barrett) served with Arex on the U.S.S. Enterprise as a communications officer. Like Arex, she was stuck in time for nearly a century and eventually joined the crew of the Trident as a science officer. She had some difficulty adapting to the new time period, which was not helped when she was mind-raped by another member of the crew. She has since adapted well, and now serves as chief science officer on the Trident. M'Ress is a Caitian and has many cat-like features, including pointed ears, a mane, and a tail.
[edit] Kalinda
The younger sister of Si Cwan. (Her name was spelled "Kallinda" in many of the early books in the series.)
[edit] Moke
The adopted son of Mackenzie Calhoun. Like McHenry, his parentage includes a godlike being, from which he inherited some control over the weather.
[edit] Xyon
The first Xyon was the son that Mackenzie Calhoun didn't realize that he had. Xyon briefly traveled with the Excalibur (where he became romantically involved with Kalinda) before faking his own death. He later resurfaced when Kalinda became engaged to another individual. After the original Xyon faked his death, the offspring of Burgoyne 172 and Dr. Selar was named after Xyon. Due to his nature as a Vulcan/Hermat hybrid, the second Xyon possesses an incredible intellect but has aged rapidly; his lifespan would seem to be brief compared to either of his parents'.
[edit] Morgan Primus
Robin Lefler's mother. She bears a resemblance to Nurse Christine Chapel, Number One, and Lwaxana Troi (all played by Majel Barrett). Her seemingly immortal body was destroyed during an attack by the Greek gods, but her mind was integrated into the Excalibur computer, where it remains.
[edit] Takahashi
Romeo Takahashi (or "Hash") serves as the conn officer aboard the Trident.
[edit] Tania Tobias
Newly assigned to the Excalibur, originally from David's Starfleet Academy novels. She suffered a trauma at her previous post on the "worlds within worlds" project which occasionally causes her to break out in uncontrollable panic attacks.
[edit] Ships
The New Frontier series has followed the course of several different ships.
[edit] U.S.S. Excalibur
The original Excalibur is the ship featured in the silhouette on the New Frontier logo. It was an Ambassador-class starship. The Excalibur's commander just prior to the start of New Frontier was Captain Morgan Korsmo, an old Academy class mate of Captain Picard, who was killed fighting the Borg. Command of the ship then passed to Captain Calhoun. Captain Calhoun was believed dead for a time when the Excalibur was destroyed, but upon his return he was granted command of another ship of the same name, this one Galaxy-class.
[edit] U.S.S. Trident
The Trident was the second command of Elizabeth Shelby, after the Exeter. Like the second Excalibur, it is a Galaxy-class starship. Shelby served as commanding officer of the ship for only a few years before she was promoted again to become Admiral of Sector 221-G (where the Trident was serving alongside the Excalibur), at which time her second-in-command, Katrina Mueller, became captain of the ship.
[edit] U.S.S. Exeter
Elizabeth Shelby was promoted to Captain of the Exeter in Restoration, the 11th novel in the series. Later under the command of Captain Alexandra Garbeck
[edit] References
- ^ Peter David (October 2003). WHAT'CHA WANNA KNOW?.
- ^ Peter David (June 2006). WHAT'CHA WANNA KNOW?
[edit] External links
- Guide to Star Trek: New Frontier
- Star Trek: New Frontier article on the Non-canon Star Trek Wiki
- Star Trek: New Frontier article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki
