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John Jackson Miller: The High Country.     One of the joys of a new Star Trek series is when the literature is able to fill in gaps and create new adventures for the crew. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt are joined by author John Jackson Miller to talk about his new book, the first Strange New Worlds novel, The High Country. We discuss the timeline, the genesis, an event novel, as utopia's turn, willful blindness, everyone is trapped, you can't stop time, technology, use of characters, everything means something, what's next for John and our final thoughts.  In the news we have a new issue of The Illyrian Enigma to review!   News The Illyrian Enigma #3 (00:03:17)                  Feature: John Jackson Miller The Timeline (00:09:53) The Genesis (00:16:12) An Event Novel (00:33:16) As Utopia's Turn (00:38:46) Willful Blindness (00:44:01) Everyone is Trapped (00:46:01) You Can't Stop Time (00:52:34) Technology (01:04:12) Use of Characters (01:11:10) Everything Means Something (01:13:28) What is Next for John (01:17:19) Final Thoughts (01:23:12)        Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt  Guest  John Jackson Miller Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Rebels: The Conquered.     The mission of Captain Sisko was to help Bajor get ready for Federation membership so what better way to do that than to hand over the station to the Bajorians for sixty days to see if they are ready for the responsibility. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about the first book in a trilogy, Rebels: The Conquered. We discuss Emissary's Sanctuary, a strange mission, perspective, Quark has a point, Dax in command, the Founders, tone, our ratings and final thoughts.  In a jam-packed news section we talk about the release of The High Country, a new comic announcement and review three new comic issues.    News The High Country Release (00:03:32) New Comic Announcement (00:04:53) Resurgence #4 (00:07:39) Illyrian Enigma #2 (00:10:14) Star Trek #4 (00:13:38)                 Feature: The Conquered Emissary's Sanctuary (00:20:54) A Strange Mission (00:29:38) Perspective (00:37:19) Quark has a Point (00:44:55) Dax in Command (00:49:32) The Founders (00:53:20) Tone (00:55:16) Ratings (00:58:59) Final Thoughts (01:01:53)        Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt  Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Dark Matters: Cloak and Dagger. By the time that Star Trek: Voyager was released, there were not as many numbered books coming out for the series, so compared with The Next Generation or The Original Series, the amount of literature for Voyager seems miniscule. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about the nineteenth Voyager novel, Dark Matters: Cloak and Dagger. We discuss the needle's eye, the Shepherds, a mysterious character, disappearing act, it's short, bedfellows, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we have a lot of comics to review starting with Star Trek #3, Resurgence #3 and Trill, plus a book announcement. News Book Announcement (00:03:38) Star Trek #3 (00:06:52) Star Trek: Resurgence #3 (00:13:02) Trill (00:16:06) Feature: Cloak and Dagger The Needle's Eye (00:19:31) The Shepherds (00:23:02) A Mysterious Character (00:34:26) Disappearing Act (00:36:44) It's Short (00:41:28) Bedfellows (00:44:14) Ratings (00:46:56) Final Thoughts (00:50:17) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Guest David Mack Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

David Mack: Harm's Way. One of the beauties of tie-in fiction is the ability to fill in the gaps between episodes, giving authors the ability to show how characters deal with the aftermath of the life-changing events that don't always get seen onscreen in the next episode. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt welcome back author David Mack to talk about his latest novel for The Original Series, Harm's Way. We discuss working Vanguard back in, aftermath, is a beautiful lie beautiful, Spock, respect, the prime directive, the Klingons, just say no, the future and our final thoughts. In the news we review two new comics, issue two of Resurgence and the first issue of The Illyrian Enigma. News Resurgence #2 (00:03:56) The Illyrian Enigma (00:08:52) Feature: David Mack A Gentlemen's Agreement (00:13:50) Weaving Vanguard Back In (00:19:24) Aftermath (00:33:25) Is a Beautiful Lie Beautiful (00:42:29) Spock (00:50:01) Respect (00:56:32) The Prime Directive (01:02:06) The Klingons (01:05:27) Just Say No (01:15:32) The Future (01:22:39) Final Thoughts (01:43:43) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Guest David Mack Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Enterprise: The First Adventure. Every journey has a beginning which means the crew of the Enterprise from The Original Series had to become the family fans knew through working together, one mission at a time. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Enterprise: The First Adventure. We discuss the first mission, Kirk, Spock, Rand, Uhura, first contact, the Klingons, the vaudeville company, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we review Lower Decks third issue and the second issue of Star Trek. News Lower Decks #3 (00:03:22) Star Trek #2 (00:10:14) Feature: Enterprise: The First Adventure The First Mission (00:16:04) Kirk (00:20:52) Spock (00:32:00) Rand (00:39:34) Uhura (00:45:40) First Contact (00:47:29) The Klingons (00:52:04) The Vaudeville Company (00:54:22) Ratings (00:59:58) Recommendations (01:01:37) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Ship of the Line. One of the blessings of tie-in fiction is the ability of writers to fill in the gaps between episodes or movies in a franchise and Star Trek's literature has done that better than most. In this episode of Literary Treks Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt discuss Ship of the Line. We discuss back story, another gap, Madred, the Klingon villain, Picard's journey, Bateson's journey, Riker, diversity, it just ends, jargon, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news section we review the first issue of Star Trek: Resurgence, the comic lead-in to a new Star Trek video game. News Star Trek: Resurgence #1 (00:03:52) Feature: Ship of the Line Back Story (00:14:05) Another Gap (00:19:31) Madred (00:23:14) The Klingon Villain (00:26:09) Picard's Journey (00:29:23) Bateson's Journey (00:38:29) Riker (00:41:41) Diversity (00:45:31) It Just Ends (00:47:43) Jargon (00:50:11) Ratings (00:53:23) Final Thoughts (00:56:09) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Star Trek: First Contact: The Making of the Classic Film. Star Trek is one of the longest running franchises and yet the amount of reference books, art books and making-of books that come out is sorely lacking compared to something like Star Wars. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Star Trek: First Contact: The Making of the Classic Film. We discuss the presentation, after Generations, story points, new Enterprise, new Borg, finding a director, or ratings and final thoughts. In the news section we talk about the end of the Stargazer comic mini series as well as the Ferengi one-shot. News Stargazer #3 (00:04:36) Star Trek: Ferengi (00:15:39) Feature: Star Trek: First Contact: The Making of the Classic Film Presentation (00:20:54) After Generations (00:25:56) Story Points (00:31:11) New Enterprise (00:37:12) New Borg (00:41:58) Finding a Director (00:45:46) Ratings (00:50:30) Final Thoughts (00:53:12) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Warped. Star Trek books had a long history of event hardcover novels for The Original Series as well as The Next Generation, but for Deep Space Nine, the trend seemed to grind to a halt. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about the first DS9 hardcover, Warped. We discuss early DS9, a Bajoran coup, a license of freedom, the truth will set you free, a spiritual side, the voices our ratings and final thoughts. In the news second we look at the second issue of Lower Decks and the first issue of a new series called Star Trek. News Lower Decks #1 (00:03:17) Star Trek #1 (00:07:32) Feature: Warped Early DS9 (00:15:32) Bajoran Coup (00:22:24) A License of Freedom (00:31:49) The Truth Will Set You Free (00:37:25) A Spiritual Side (00:44:18) The Voices (00:51:16) Ratings (00:58:46) Final Thoughts (01:02:25) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Second Self. Star Trek: Picard lead to the end of the lit-verse for Star Trek which in turn has opened the doors for writers to fill in the gaps between the previous shows and the new series. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Second Self. We discuss the structure, living with the past, history, gritty, complexity of life, plain simple Garak, hope, hypocrites, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we have so much to talk about with new book news, two new comics coming, as well as our review of Stargazer #2, Lower Decks #1, Mirror War: Troi and Star Trek 400. News New Book News (00:02:56) Illyrian Enigma Announcement (00:05:28) Star Trek Defiant Announcement (00:09:20) Stargazer #2 (00:14:37) Lower Decks #1 (00:22:57) Mirror War: Troi (00:25:38) Star Trek 400 (00:28:24) Feature: Second Self The Structure (00:36:01) Living With the Past (00:42:46) History (00:51:45) Gritty (00:57:26) Complexity of Life (01:02:48) Plain Simple Garak (01:06:59) Hope (01:17:56) Hypocrites (01:25:03) Ratings (01:28:36) Final Thoughts (01:31:20) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

New Earth: Challenger. The mission that the Enterprise has had to help safeguard the colonists of Belle Terre has been harder and more taxing that anyone expected, yet it is about to come to a close, but not before one more unexpected challenge. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about the final book of the New Earth series, Challenger. We discuss Kirk and Spock, Uhura and McCoy, the criminal element, the USS Peleilu, a new starship, coexist, bringing all things together, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news section we look at two comics recently released, Mirror War #8 and the Star Trek: Picard comic set between seasons 2 and 3, Stargazer's first issue. News Mirror War #8 (00:03:13) Stargazer #1 (00:08:23) Feature: Challenger Kirk and Spock (00:21:20) Uhura and McCoy (00:29:27) The Criminal Element (00:32:14) The USS Peleilu (00:38:02) A New Starship (00:46:07) Coexist (00:50:25) Bringing All Things Together (00:53:35) Ratings (01:01:02) Final Thoughts (01:02:46) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Federation. Star Trek books and comics have been a backbone of the franchise from almost the beginning of the series, getting fans through many lean years when there was little hope of more stories being told onscreen. In this 350th episode of Literary Treks, hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt celebrate by talking about the beloved book, Federation. We discuss it being a monumental book, Cochrane, war, Thorsen, connecting the universe, bringing the generations together, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we discuss 350 episodes of the show and review Mirror War 7. News Episode 350 (00:01:51) Mirror War #7 (00:08:13) Feature: Federation A Monumental Book (00:12:46) Cochrane (00:16:50) War (00:30:07) Thorsen (00:34:55) Connecting the Universe (00:43:21) Bringing the Generations Together (00:47:08) Ratings (00:57:05) Final Thoughts (00:59:49) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

New Earth: Thin Air. The planet of Belle Terre has been through hell as have the colonists from the Federation but what was thought to be a random Klaud attack may have made the planet uninhabitable for life, forever unless the crew of the Enterprise can come up with a solution in a matter of days. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about New Earth: Thin Air. We discuss a new problem, bluffing, a sickness, the solution, a death, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we have two Mirror War comics to discuss, issue six and the one-shot, Sisko. News Mirror War #6 (00:03:10) Mirror War: Sisko (00:07:11) Feature: Thin Air A New Problem (00:13:04) Bluffing (00:20:01) A Sickness (00:23:57) The Solution (00:30:36) A Death (00:35:59) Ratings (00:40:11) Final Thoughts (00:42:39) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Daedalus's Children. The crew of the NX-01 finds themselves in a unique position, they're no longer in our universe and the one they find themselves in is hostile to the very proteins they need for survival, plus there is the possibility of the crew finding themselves in the middle of a civil war. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Daedalus's Children. We discuss the timeline question, writing style, an alternate universe, losses and gains, lasting peace, getting home, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news section Casey gives Matt his thoughts on the fourth issue of Adventures in the 32nd Century. News Adventures in the 32nd Century #4 (00:03:55) Feature: Daedalus's Children The Timeline Question (00:10:50) Writing Style (00:16:14) An Alternate Universe (00:18:55) Losses and Gains (00:26:41) Lasting Peace (00:37:08) Getting Home (00:39:47) Ratings (00:44:47) Final Thoughts (00:47:38) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

New Earth: The Flaming Arrow. The colony of Belle Terre seems to just get out of the frying pan, only to find themselves in the fire, which leaves the crew of the Enterprise the task of once again finding a miracle to save the planet. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt discuss the fourth book in the New Earth series, The Flaming Arrow. We discuss following up, a new threat, Kirk's romance, making "friends", no follow up, our ratings and final thoughts. Feature: The Flaming Arrow Following Up (00:03:35) New Threat (00:11:20) Kirk a Little Romance (00:20:22) Making "Friends" (00:25:15) No Follow Up (00:30:44) Ratings (00:33:54) Final Thoughts (00:36:50) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Daedalus. The crew of the NX-01 has come across an anomaly that baffles even T'Pol so of course they must investigate and that's were everything goes horribly wrong leaving Trip and Hoshi stranded with a group of aliens in the middle of a civil war and the Enterprise captured. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Daedalus. We discuss back with Enterprise, through the ringer, what happened, interesting parts, what will you do to survive, Trip's romance, the last revelation our ratings and final thoughts. In the news section Casey gives his review of the third issue of Adventures in the 32nd Century! News Adventures in the 32nd Century #3 (00:03:17) Feature: Daedalus Back With Enterprise (00:07:28) Through the Ringer (00:09:10) What Happened (00:16:51) Interesting Parts (00:22:30) What Will You Do to Survive (00:26:15) Trip's Romance (00:28:59) The Last Revelation (00:35:26) Ratings (00:42:18) Final Thoughts (00:45:36) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

New Earth: Rough Trails. It is out of the frying pan and into the fire for the colonists of Belle Terre as the Quake Moon situation has been resolved, yet it has left only half of the planet inhabitable, feeling more like Ceti Alpha V than the planet on the cover. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about New Earth: Rough Trails. We discuss Chekov, the romance, barbarians at the gate, no big three, a hard life, power and profit, our ratings and final thoughts. Feature: New Earth: Rough Trails Chekov's Terrible Day (00:03:54) The Romance (00:09:53) Barbarians at the Gate (00:15:15) No Big Three (00:23:59) A Hard Life (00:29:52) Power and Profit (00:38:30) Ratings (00:46:02) Final Thoughts (00:49:52) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

The Left Hand of Destiny: Book Two. The Empire has imploded as Morjod, backed by his mother, works to hunt down the resistance of Martok and his small band of followers so that they can remake the Klingon empire in their image. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing, Bruce Gibson and Casey Pettitt talk the final book in The Left Hand of Destiny duology. We discuss why Ezri is here, family, Klingon sickness, the enemy, a second coming our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we react to the news of a new book as well as review Mirror War #5 and Adventure in the 32nd Century #2. News Big News (00:02:20) Mirror War #5 (00:05:25) Adventures in the 32nd Century #2 (00:13:01) Feature: The Left Hand of Destiny: Book Two Why Ezri is Here (00:19:01) Family (00:27:33) Klingon Sickness (00:32:40) The Enemy (00:42:30) A Second Coming (00:48:10) Ratings (00:56:27) Hosts Matthew Rushing, Bruce Gibson and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

New Earth: Belle Terre. It has been a long road for the colonists to get from Federation space to their new home Belle Terre and unfortunately the problems are only getting worse. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about the second book in the New Earth series, Belle Terre. We discuss how we are feeling, getting to the new world, moon problems, Bones and the science team, no good choices, one solution, runaways, the moon solution, characterization, our ratings and final thoughts. Feature: Belle Terre How We Are Feeling (00:02:30) Getting to the New World (00:07:28) Moon Problems (00:14:34) Bones and the Science Team (00:18:18) No Good Choices (00:21:00) One Solution (00:23:54) Runaways (00:31:08) Moon Solution (00:35:35) Characterization (00:44:00) Ratings (00:46:30) Final Thoughts (00:48:18) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

The Left Hand of Destiny: Book One. As Deep Space Nine drew to a close, Worf challenged Gowron, defeated him in honorable combat and bestowed on Martok the chancellorship of the Klingon Empire which is where actor J.G. Hertzler and author Jeffrey Lang pick up the story. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing, Bruce Gibson and Casey Pettitt talk about The Left Hand of Destiny: Book One. We discuss our first time, too much war, the problems with politics, an unexpected enemy, a symbol, things we didn't like, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news section we review the Star Trek: Discovery comic, Adventures in the 32 Century, issue 1. News Adventures in the 32nd Century #1 (00:03:09) Feature: The Left Hand of Destiny: Book One First Time (00:09:43) Too Much War (00:14:07) The Problem of Politics (00:20:23) An Unexpected Enemy (00:27:21) A Symbol (00:37:43) Things We Didn't Like (00:50:50) Ratings (00:54:09) Final Thoughts (00:57:24) Hosts Matthew Rushing, Bruce Gibson and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

New Earth: Wagon Train to the Stars. What would make Admiral Kirk give up the desk after The Motion Picture, Diane Carey answers the question in the first book of the New Earth series, the promise of leading a colony expedition and the promise of new uniforms. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about New Earth: Wagon Train to the Stars. We discuss new worlds, more freedom, greed, working together, Kirk, another war, the writing style, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we review at two new comics, Mirror War: La Forge and Star Trek: Klingons. News Mirror War: La Forge (00:02:55) Star Trek: Klingons (00:08:24) Feature: Wagon Train to the Stars New Worlds (00:13:32) More Freedom? (00:22:09) Greed (00:27:24) Working Together (00:31:39) Kirk (00:36:29) Another War (00:41:53) The Writing Story (00:44:06) Ratings (00:49:50) Final Thoughts (00:52:20) Hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)