This second entry in the S.C.E. series, written by series co-creator Keith R.A. DeCandido, involves a powerful computer known as Ganitriul, upon which the inhabitants of the planet Eerlik have become completely dependent. Star Trek fans may assume that the story will involve the artificial intelligence turning against its creators, as we have seen in numerous Star Trek episodes, but DeCandidio subverts these expectations. When Ganitriul begins to malfunction and sends out a distress call to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, the threat to our heroes comes not from Ganitriul, but from an extremist sect of Eerlika who want to destroy the all-powerful computer housed on their planet's moon. Perhaps because they've seen too many Star Trek episodes about artificial intelligences turning against their creators?
This novel was something of an improvement over the first book in the series, primarily for its focus on character development, particularly in regards to 110, the Bynar whose partner was killed in the previous book. I also liked that Captain David Gold of the starship da Vinci was involved in the action more directly this time around, showing that he is not just a glorified chauffeur for the S.C.E. crew. Geordi LaForge is still around, on temporary loan from the Enterprise, although he doesn't have much to do in this novel, and I suspect his presence may have been required to justify his prominent appearance on the cover.
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