“Thank you, Ensign. Dismissed.”
The young science officer inclined his head before turning briskly on his heel.
The Commander returned his attention to his latest test results. They were frustrating, to say the least. Despite his ability to now visualize and extract catomic molecules from his patient, they remained impervious to his programming efforts.
He did not doubt that access to a wider range of samples would change those results.
It had to.
Billions of Federation citizens were counting on him, depending on him. Those tasked with protecting them had failed.
He would not.
The adventure will continue in
Star Trek: Voyager—Acts of Contrition
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This one comes with a great deal of gratitude to my readers. I’ve done what I can to forge a new path for the crew of the Starship Voyager and the fleet that accompanies her, but the enthusiasm with which this work has been received must be credited with its continuation. I appreciate each and every one of you.
Special thanks this time around are due to Mark Rademaker. I’m enchanted by his design for the Demeter. He keeps my footing sure when it comes to all manner of technical stuff, and any errors found here are my fault, not his. Also to my fellow writers who are always quick to answer my questions . . . Heather Jarman, David Mack, Chris Bennett, David R. George III, Mike Martin and Dayton Ward. David George’s encouragement as I began to map out our new direction was particularly insightful.
And extra special thanks to Malcolm for the quote.
My editors, as always, are a blessing, and their continued faith in me is a great gift.
My agent, Maura, is simply the best.
My family and friends sustain me, and their patience knows no bounds. My mother, Patricia, my brothers, Matt and Paul, my other mothers, Vivian and Ollie, never seem as surprised as I am when I learn I get to write another book for Trek. Lynne’s support is integral to every aspect of my life. Candy, Sam, Jen, Tina, Julie, Stephanie, and the amazing children they created that share my world inspire me daily.
Maggie is my second goddaughter and has grown into such an astonishingly caring, strong, and beautiful young woman. This book is hers and is dedicated with all my love.
Anorah, there simply aren’t words for what you have given me. The constant light and passionate joy are overwhelming most of the time. To know you at all is an honor. To be loved so completely by you is richness beyond measure.
David, my heart, your sacrifices are never forgotten, and your support makes our lives possible. I just cannot imagine who I would be without you.
Thank you, one and all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirsten Beyer is the author of Star Trek: Voyager: Full Circle; Star Trek: Voyager: Unworthy; Star Trek: Voyager: Children of the Storm; Star Trek: Voyager: The Eternal Tide; the last Buffy book ever, One Thing or Your Mother; Star Trek: Voyager: String Theory: Book 2: Fusion; the Alias APO novel Once Lost; and she contributed the short story “Isabo’s Shirt” to the Distant Shores anthology as well as the short story “Widow’s Weeds” to Space Grunts.
Kirsten appeared in the Los Angeles productions of Johnson Over Jordan, This Old Planet, and Harold Pinter’s The Hothouse, which the L.A. Times called “unmissable.” She also appeared in the Geffen Playhouse’s world premiere of Quills and has been seen on General Hospital and Passions, among other TV shows.
Kirsten has undergraduate degrees in English literature and theater arts and a master of fine arts from UCLA. She is currently working on the next Voyager novel, and when time permits, her first original novel.
She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, David, and their daughter, Anorah.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Cover art and design by Alan Dingman
ISBN 978-1-4767-3854-3
ISBN 978-1-4767-3855-0 (ebook)
Star Trek: Voyager - 042 - Protectors Page 38
