Star Trek: Cast No Shadow
{4.5/5} “Their great leader Kahless knew there was a turncoat in his camp, so he made them all stand with their backs to a huge fire. When the light from the fire fell on them, one warrior, who was a spy for Kahless’s brother Molor, had no shadow. Kahless declared that because the man was a traitor, his shadow itself had fled because he was such a disgrace.”
Star Trek: Cast No Shadow by James Swallow, published in 2011
A Betazoid counsellor visits Valeris every day, but she has no interest in talking with her. When a group of Klingon and Federation ships is destroyed, the Klingon ambassador reveals it’s likely the work of Klingon extremists who feel Klingons shouldn’t get help from outsiders. The Federation president sends a ship to help the Klingons in their investigation — Captain Sulu and the Excelsior.
This is a sequel to Star Trek VI, taking place 7 years later.
Kirk, Spock, and Sulu have important parts. But they aren’t present for the main action of the story. Valeris and novel-series character Elias Vaughn (he shows up much older on Deep Space Nine) are featured.
It’s about people who hold a grudge forever and people who, after many years, let go.
I’ve read 9 books by Swallow. I previously reviewed Star Trek: Picard — The Dark Veil. He also has stories in anthologies such as Star Trek: “The Mission” and Other Stories.