Star Trek: The Rings of Tautee
{4.5/5} “The bridge crew’s expressions were tight, focused. They knew there was a high risk in this rescue operation, especially since there might not be anyone left to rescue. They were willing to take the chance. They trusted Kirk. They always had.”
Star Trek: The Rings of Tautee by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch, published in 1996
Captain Kirk and the Enterprise have been ordered to the Tautee system, where all 15 planets have been destroyed — including the inhabited ones. The remnants of the planets have formed into rings, and there are waves of subspace interference coming from the system. Kirk is concerned that the Klingons might either be responsible or take advantage of the situation. On the other hand, the Farragut will be joining them and he’s looking forward to seeing Captain Bogle.
It’s about the value of bringing all your top people together to solve a problem. It’s about helping people who have made a terrible mistake.
It’s a fine story. Kirk has interesting conversations with the Klingons, the other captain, and the survivors.
I’ve read 8 novels by Rusch and 9 by Smith (plus 6 anthologies he edited). I previously reviewed the one they wrote with Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Star Trek: Voyager — Echoes.