Author(s):	Diane Carey
Artist(s):	Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher:	Pocket Books
Series:	Pocket TOS Starfleet Academy #3
Published:	1 October 1996
Pages:	144
Stardate:	Unknown (2251)
Reference(s):	ISBN 0671000772

When space pirates threaten a famous scientist, Cadet Kirk comes to the rescue!

Summary Edit

From the book jacket

James T. Kirk was a "by-the-book" Starfleet Academy cadet. Until he had to throw the book away!

It was a simple shuttle trip -- just a quick hop to a nearby planet where renowned computer genius Richard Daystrom will give a lecture. But then a tractor beam forces the shuttle to land at a remote Federation outpost. Medical Intern McCoy, Ensign Spock and Cadet Kirk have been kidnapped by space pirates! They're outnumbered and outgunned. McCoy and Spock simply want to escape and alert the authorities. But Professor Daystrom is the real target, and his shuttle will be entering this region of space soon. For Daystrom's sake, The fiery young Kirk is determined to destroy the pirates' outpost -- even if he has to do it alone.

Background Information Edit

• Third and final book in the young reader-oriented Star Trek: The Original Series - Starfleet Academy series.
• According to the Pocket Books' timeline (as printed in What Lay Beyond), this story takes place in 2251.

Characters Edit

Canon characters listed below are linked to the main article about them. Non-canon characters are not linked, but those that recurred, appearing or being mentioned in more than one story, are defined further in Pocket TOS characters.

Regular and recurring characters Edit

James T. Kirk 

Starfleet cadet.

Kirk would be approximately 18 years old in this book, according to his 2233 birthdate referenced in the Star Trek Chronology.

Leonard McCoy 

Starfleet medical intern.

Spock 

Vulcan Starfleet ensign.

Richard Daystrom 

Scientist.

Mentioned Edit

Christopher Pike 

Starfleet captain.

References Edit

Starfleet Academy