Author(s):	David Bischoff
Publisher:	Pocket Books
Series:	Pocket TNG #25
Published:	March 1993
Pages:	273
Stardate:	45223.4 (2368)
Reference(s):	ISBN 0671797476

Infected with a dangerous alien lifeform, the USS Enterprise is scheduled for destruction...

Summary

From the book jacket

While answering a distress call from a scientific station in a remote part of the galaxy, the USS Enterprise becomes infected with a mysterious alien life form which feeds on and transforms inorganic materials.

The Starship begins to gradually disintegrate, and Starfleet is forced to order its evacuation and destruction to prevent the dangerous infection from spreading throughout the galaxy. It's the end of an era for Captain Picard and his crew, who are scheduled for transfers that will split them up among different Starfleet vessels.

But even as the end draws near for the Starship Enterprise, Captain Picard begins to formulate a desperate plan to save his ship and preserve his crew – a plan that will force him to defy Starfleet orders and lead him to a confrontation with a malevolent alien force – which has the power to destroy the entire Federation.

Memorable Quotes

"Just move your butt a little; that's all it takes."

- Guinan, on dancing

Background Information

• This is the only Star Trek novel written by David Bischoff. It was adapted from a rejected Star Trek: The Next Generation episode proposal. He also co-wrote two Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes, "First Contact" and "Tin Man", the latter of which was loosely based on one of his own stories.

Characters

Jean-Luc Picard

William T. Riker

Data

Beverly Crusher

Deanna Troi

Worf

Geordi La Forge

Guinan

Reginald Barclay

Miles O'Brien

References

xenogeology

External link

• Grounded at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works