Star Trek: The Next Generation: Takedown
2 min read
Author John Jackson Miller‘s recent Trek novel Takedown centers on Captain Jean-Luc Picard and a seemingly renegade Admiral William T. Riker.
Miller, a life-long Trek fan, spoke about writing for the series that he watched as a child.
“The Next Generation was huge, as it gave me the chance to get into the series from the ground floor as a viewer,” said Miller. “All that time, I wrote my own comics and stories — a lot of science fiction. I got a journalism degree and a masters’ degree in Soviet Studies. My interest in international conflict was at least in part inspired by Trek’s allegorical stories.”
Like some other Trek authors, Miller tried his hand at Strange New Worlds. “My first licensed fiction attempt was for Trek’s Strange New Worlds,” he said, “didn’t make it in, but good experience.”
By 2013, the author had a novella (Star Trek: Titan – Absent Enemies) accepted and he was on his way. He explained the differences between Absent Enemies and his latest tale. “Absent Enemies I’d treated as more of a lighthearted TV episode,” he said. “Takedown had more the feel of a movie or a TV two-parter to me: a more ambitious story with a more serious feeling to it. The novel required more planning because I had multiple ships and crews.”
In Takedown, “Riker and Picard are dealing with a new dynamic now that Riker has been promoted to admiral,” said Miller. “They’ve been through hell together and back: and while they are set on opposite sides here, they’re constantly looking for ways to overcome the difference that’s arisen here. There are also significant themes of trust in the chain of command that come into play.”
Miller was pleased with his story, which came out last month, and the response to it. “I wanted to write a taut thriller, and it laced up nicely,” he said. “The response has been gratifying, and I appreciate that most readers are careful to preserve the secrets of the book. It’s a mystery novel, really; discovery’s half the joy.”
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Takedown is available at Amazon.
About The Author
Only in the Star Trek Relaunch Universe can you spend 15 years as a ship’s XO and then receive a promotion to the Admiralty.
I hope everybody complaining about the reboot movies is running out and snapping these books up like candy.
If y’all love the Primeverse like you say, well…
Agreed on the Admiral Riker thing, though…so weird!
Next up: Admiral Crusher –> WESLEY!
Yes, actually. After STID I realised the only way to get Trek was to start reading it. Started with the pre-nemesis books (which explained a fair few things, like why Worf was back in Starfleet, why Wesley had a uniform on, where Riker’s Dad and Troi’s mother were, etc), and went from there.
Use http://www.thetrekcollective.com/p/trek-lit-reading-order.html and go from there.
Riker turned down the captaincy several times early on on TNG. They gave up with him, then finally. After the events of Destiny, they needed plenty of new Admirals. After the events of The Fall they needed someone who wasn’t involved anywhere.
Riker was Picard’s XO from 2364 until 2379 – 15 years, but remember he’d been offered captaincy of the Drake, Aries and Melbourne by 2367. After that Starfleet punished him by leaving him as Picard’s lacky for the next decade. He was finally given a last chance, to captain the Titan, which he did for 6 years until 2385. That’s more time in the captain’s chair than Kirk had before he got Admiralled.
Have been! I have a small pile of Trek books in my closet waiting to be read.