Unfortunately, a new hardcover collection of imaginative “Star Trek” novels by a diverse crew begins from the pages of “Star Trek Explorer” magazine, a premium publication that publishes its final issue in December after 30 years of serialization. -A star science fiction writer is paired with an acclaimed illustrator.
“A year until the day I saw myself die and other stories” kicks off the holiday gift-giving season with a 96-page collection featuring 14 “Star Trek”-themed short stories collected for the first time by London-based Titan Books on December 10, and we have an exclusive excerpt. Share with fans to do
An early look at writer Una McCormack and artist Louie De Martinis’ “Jack of Diamonds” finds the character of Jack Crusher on the run in a propulsive story that takes place during the events of Paramount+’s “Star Trek: Picard.”
The official description of the book reads:
“The short stories in the book contain characters and situations from across the ‘Star Trek’ universe, including ‘Star Trek’, ‘Star Trek: The Animated Series’, ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, and ‘Star Trek: Deep’. ‘Space Nine’, ‘Star Trek: Voyager’, and ‘Star Trek: Picard’.
“This standalone story includes an adventure in the aftermath of ‘Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan,’ co-written by Mr. Chekov and Walter Koenig, a journey through Vulcan history, and a first-time appearance by Jack Crusher, Annika Hansen/ Seven of Nine, Captain Liam Shaw from ‘Star Trek: Picard.’”
Now lace up your joggers and check out the exclusive excerpt below.
“Diamond Jack”
Written by Una McCormack and illustrated by Louie de Martinis.
(It is set just before the events of ‘Star Trek: Picard’ and ‘The Next Generation’.)
Jack Crusher looked at the tall fence that rose before him and began to entertain the possibility that he might soon find himself in trouble.
“What’s going on, Jack?”
Jack was agile. Jack was fast. But tonight, the heavy bag on Jack’s back has slowed him down, and he will be cursed before he hands over his treasure. He went to great lengths to lay hands on them, and if their former owner wanted them back, he could offset them in his cold… Best not to go there. Best not to push his luck too far.
Jack considered the fence. On good days, they could climb these fences with the agility of long-legged Hylarian tree frogs. But tonight he had to pull himself up like a lump of lead from Tratian. In general, Jack preferred stylish vacations, but the purpose of the vacation was… hmm, run awayHe’ll have to settle for something fairly crude. He paused with one leg on either side of the fence to catch his breath. The air is oily and full of smog. This place was a garbage dump. Why has this place always been a dump? Where was his Lysian vacation?
“Jack! Talk to me!”
“please wait for a moment.” Jack muttered. He looked back through the darkness and the dirty orange lights. Had he lost them? No such luck. There was a pair of gazelles moving about, covering the ground between the bar where Jack had recently visited and where he was sitting now…
Scratch it. Jack was a gazelle. Those guys were fucking bastards. cheetah…
“why?” Jack muttered, pulling himself over the fence and falling heavily to the ground on the other side. “Are these people always so healthy?” right?”
“Jack! What’s going on?”
fit, and fast…
“great.” Jack lied, looking around for somewhere to go or hide. “Everything is fine. just… “It’s about examining the universe and my place in it.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
right. so. There’s nowhere to hide. Not here. Next option (actually just another option) – Run.
Jack ran.
“I was hoping… you are… You won’t notice… ”
“I am your mother. I notice everything. Like the fact that you’re running right now.”
She noticed everything and it was true. She was like an owl, his mother’s head moving slowly but covering 180 degrees and always catching him in the middle of some mischief or other… Not to mention annoyingly wise. Still, there were some things she’d never seen (god, Jack hoped she had) and some he didn’t want to mention. Like the fact that this little mission has – in fact – taken a turn for the worse and Jack is still not sure how he will get out of it…
“Who are you running from this time, Jack?”
“just… Trying to stay… right… ”
But he will be Get out of trouble. clearly. jack always I got myself out of trouble.
“Do you need anything from me?”
More or less.
Jack thought as he chose a direction and ran with all his might. Just don’t bark for a moment..
“Jack, you should have been back on board the Eleos by now. We can’t stay in one place for too long. “We cannot remain silent.”
Jack wasn’t sitting around. Jack was running like a reaper down this alley, the shouts of his former friends and drinking partners behind him. “This way! Go ahead and try it! We can catch him!”
Jack kept running for as long as he could. Until: “Ah.”
“Star Trek: Explorers Presents: One Year Until the Day I Saw Me Die and Other Stories” hits stores on December 10, 2024.
