Mission to Horatius

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Mission to Horatius
OCLC
40742101

Mission to Horatius is a novel based on the American

Whitman, and was the first original novel based on the series; the first novel for adult audiences, Spock Must Die!, was not published until February 1970. Mission to Horatius details the adventures of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise
investigating where a distress signal had originated, resulting in them engaging with several different human colonies.

The novel was written by

Uhura. Gene Roddenberry intervened, stating that he would rather call off the publishing deal than see the property harmed. It was corrected, but Roddenberry was still dissatisfied with the novel. As Whitman had gone out of business years earlier, Pocket Books
was able to re-publish the book in celebration of holding the Star Trek license for 20 years.

Plot synopsis

The U.S.S. Enterprise is headed to Starbase 12 for shore leave, supplies and repairs. Food is running low and the engines need servicing. A distress signal diverts the ship to a solar system on the outer edge of explored space. Upon hearing of the emergency mission, Dr. McCoy expresses his concern about the mental health of the crew to Kirk. In Dr. McCoy's opinion, the Enterprise has been on patrol for such a long period of time that the crew is in danger of developing a form of space madness known as cafard.

Upon reaching the NGC 400 solar system, the Enterprise crew comes across three planets populated by different human settlers who had been unhappy with the social or political order of Earth. One planet has reverted to a Stone Age state, another has a mid-20th century technology while the third maintains a level of technology capable of space travel and advanced weaponry.

Kirk and crew must determine who sent a distress signal and the nature of the emergency. Along the way, they encounter a warrior society, a planet where drugs are used to control the general population and a culture consisting of an elite class with clones handling the day-to-day chores required by society.

Production

The first works of fiction based in the

Whitman in 1968, and the only original novel to be published while the original Star Trek was still being broadcast.[2]: xi  It was written by Mack Reynolds,[3]: 339  and illustrated by Sparky Moore.[4]

Issues with the novel were first raised with the producers of the television show by

spiritual. Roddenberry wrote of his concern with the project on November 14, 1967, to Desilu Business Affairs, saying that he agreed with Lucas' comments, and that Star Trek "is a valuable property worth protecting and I personally would rather blow a deal like this than see the property harmed."[3]
: 340  Despite corrections, Roddenberry wrote a five-page dissection of Mission to Horatius describing what he felt was wrong with the novel.

The first original Star Trek novel for adults,

Paramount Studios held the rights to the book as Whitman had gone out of business. He added "It was selling for $50 at conventions. So why not do a reissue? It was the first Star Trek novel ever done and the first one I read."[2]: 131  Pocket Books bought a second-hand copy from science fiction author Dayton Ward to complete the reproduction.[8]

Reviews

Most reviews are lukewarm although criticism of plot developments or characterizations are usually muted by an acknowledgment the book was aimed at younger readers.[according to whom?]

References

  1. ^ Hoffman, Jordan (February 20, 2013). "One Trek Mind: 10 Facts About First Trek Tie-in Novel". Star Trek.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4165-0349-1
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-451-45440-5
    .
  4. ^ "Books and Phamplets Including Series and Contributions to Periodials: Current and Renewal Registrations". Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series. 23 (Part 1, Number 1, Section 1). Library of Congress Copyright Office: 927. January–June 1969. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  5. ^ This was not an inaccuracy, the term is used with that meaning in Roddenberry's non-fiction volume The Making of Star Trek published in 1968
  6. ISBN 978-1-84631-317-2
    .
  7. ISBN 978-0-89689-637-6
    .
  8. ^ Ward, Dayton (June 30, 2011). "Ten for Ward #1 – Ten Favorite "Old" Star Trek Books". StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2016.

External links

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