Foreign Foes

Star Trek: The Next Generation #31

by Dave Galanter, Greg Brodeur

The Hidran race and the Klingon Empire have been at each other's throats for seventy years, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard has been asked to do the near-impossible: take the "U.S.S. Enterprise(TM) to the planet Velex to mediate a treaty that will end the conflict between these two aggressive species. Things get off to a rocky start -- then turn deadly as the Hidran ambassador mysteriously dies, and kills a Klingon delegate as a last act of vengence.

When Lt.Worf is charged with the ambassador's assassinaton, and Commander Riker and Counselor Troi are trapped far below the surface of the planet, Captain Picard must not only act to save the Hidranas and Klingons from each other, but to save his Klingon officer from a hideous death sentence...

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Fiction, Fantasy, Ebooks, Media Tie In

276 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than usual for this series! Exciting, and with a convoluted plot!

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clever novel that has all the members of the crew involved in different elements of the overall plot. Normally one or two get cameos, but that's not the case in this book.

The book opens right in the thick of things with Riker trying to calm the Hidrans who are upset at Worf's presence. BACKSTORY: Twenty years ago the Hidrans drove the Klingons from their world, so there is no love lost between them. Picard is trying to mediate a treaty between the Hidrans and Klingons. Tensions only increase when a Klingon battle cruiser appears. Adding to the Enterprise's troubles is Geordi's body rejecting his implants, Riker and Troi ending up trapped in a mysterious location, and Data seems really focused on something unusual.

This novel reads like a lost episode with lots of surprises, action, and outstanding Picard speeches. The most interesting component of the novel, without spoilers, is what's causing problems for everyone. I did figure it out before it was revealed, but I was deep into the book before I started to put the clues together. The characters' dialogue is outstanding, with Picard sounding absolutely true to character, Geordi and Data fantastic, Crusher being wonderfully forceful, Riker and Troi hinting at the past while in dire situations, and Worf having to prove his Klingon-ness to other Klingons. In fact, the boldest move in the book comes from Worf. I wish he had done something as dramatic in the series.

A very fun read that has me excited to read the next Next Gen book from Pocket Books!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the interplay of the characters in this one and them having to deal with situations that they didn't ever encounter before. I can't think of too many times where Geordi had to battle Data and do it while completely blind - He was pretty awesome in this book. The plotline with Riker and Troi and their frustration with where they are had been done before but not with Riker and Troi bouncing off each other (not in that sense perverts). I did not expect this story to go the way that it did and so a book I had lower expectations for actually rose above. I have to note that I really enjoyed the minor character of the helmsman and the situations that he was put in and how he thought he was having the worst time - really led to some comedic moments.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another example of a Trek novel where good ideas are present...but the plot is less engaging than it should be, and the TNG crew feel very off-kilter as characterized. There's a lot of material to work with here, but in the end, all I remember is lots of "Mr. Riker" references, lots of shouting about honour and death, and a Beverley Crusher who sounds more like a cross between Doctors McCoy & Pulaski.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay TNG book. Most aspects of the story were believable and would have been worth an episode or two. I liked the interaction between Geordi and Data. 3.75/5

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, as I started reading this book for the first few chapters, I was disappointed in the writing style and the choppiness of the words the authors used. There really was no background at the start as in most Star Trek books, you were just thrown into the middle of a mission. Toward the middle half of the book it got better, both story and writing, so the average overall comes to three stars.
Basically, the foreign foes are the Hidran and Klingons who have a long history of fighting. Well, Picard and associates are sent to settle a crisis on the planet Velex. The Klingons need something from the Hidran and vice versa. Well, this planet already has a Federation prescence of scientists there, studying the field of so called grain. This grain however, rejuvenates ones health if eaten. Well, during the Hidran/Klingon proceedings, which are full of conflict, Worf apparently kills one of the Hidran ambassadors in private, and this sets the stage for Picard being taken hostage by the Hidran. Meanwhile, Riker and Troi, get beamed below ground into a maze of machinery, some of which start attacking them...and they have to figure a way out of there.
Aboard the Enterprise, Data is in command and one of the scientists from Velex gives him the grain and he trys it out.
Afterwards, Data has this premonition that Geordi and all Klingons are bad and he must destroy the Klingons in orbit around Velex and then take off to their homeworld Qo' NoS to settle matters there.
So, basically the book is a mystery in why Data is acting the way he is, and how can he be stopped...with Picard and most of the crew stuck on Velex with irritable Klingons and Hidrans about to kill each other. Only Geordi, without his VISOR, which malfunctions after beaming back from Velex can try and stop Data. He actually fails, but other things take place on the planet that may settle this whole conflict, and Picard must figure it out.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings. Geordi got to have a grueling adventure and I loved watching his mind at work. Picard's diplomacy skills shone - even though I find the whole political situation implausible. Riker's physical courage is over-the-top unbelievable. A fun read, better than I expected, but I just can't give it more stars or a stronger recommendation.

[Drac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid plot and decent writing. The dialogue especially sparkles. The whole crew gets to shine with more or less equal showtime. It felt like a typical episode of the series — not in the top 10 but definitely not painful to watch. Enjoyable, competent, and unobjectionable all around.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you've watched every TNG episode several times, what more can you do? You can read the books. A buddy of mine picked up Foreign Foes at a used book sale, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I loved having a another chance to hang out with Captain Picard and the gang.

[Nikki Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Star Trek book, wasn't sure what to expect but it had everything!
Picard being all "peace not war" while also still showing that he can kick butt.
Worf being proud and confident.
Geordie having fun.
Data pondering human nature.
Riker being...Riker

Lot of fun, thoroughly enjoyed.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, too much happening to keep up with. It's very chaotic and hard to read.

[Amy L’Abbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read and enjoyed it!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good TNG book. Very good use of the familiar characters, playing to their characteristics, presented with different circumstances: Picard with his diplomacy, Worf with his toughness, Geordi with his knowledge of the ship, and Data with his logic.
The plot flowed very well, but seemed to me to be rushed as it got towards the end. I think it could have been done at the same pace as the rest of the book with just as much engagement.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot of things happening in this book: Klingons, peace conference with a race who hate Klingons, a strange healing grain, a weird planet and Data acting oddly. I think that's the problem there's too much happening and it all seems rushed.

[Judith Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average star trek story. Fast paced and exciting.