Publisher Description

An original novel set in the universe of Star Trek: Voyager from New York Times bestselling author Kirsten Beyer-and the sequel to Atonement and Acts of Contrition!

The Full Circle Fleet has resumed its unprecedented explorations of the Delta Quadrant and former Borg space. Commander Liam O'Donnell of the U.S.S. Demeter makes a promising first contact with the Nihydron-humanoid aliens that are collectors of history. They rarely interact with the species they study but have created a massive database of numerous races, inhabited planets, and the current geopolitical landscape of a large swath of the quadrant. When an exchange of data is proposed via a formal meeting, the Nihydron representatives are visibly shaken when Admiral Kathryn Janeway greets them. For almost a century, two local species-the Rilnar and the Zahl-have fought for control of the nearby planet Sormana, with both sides claiming it as their ancestral homeworld. The shocking part is that for the last several years, the Rilnar have been steadily gaining ground, thanks to the tactics of their current commanding officer: a human woman, who appears to be none other than Kathryn Janeway herself...

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Author Biography

Kirsten Beyer is the author of"Star Trek: Voyager"--"Children of the Storm", "Unworthy", "Full Circle", ?"String Theory": "Fusion", the APO novel "Alias--Once Lost", and contributed the short story "Isabo's Shirt" to the "Distant Shores" Anthology. In 2006 Kirsten appeared at Hollywood's Unknown Theater in their productions of Johnson over Jordan, This Old Planet, and Harold Pinter's The Hothouse, which the "L.A. Times" called "unmissable." She also appeared in the Geffen Playhouse's world premiere of "Quills" and has been seen on "General Hospital", "Passions", and the indie feature "Stomping

Excerpt from Book

Pocket Full of Lies 1 STARSHIP GALEN What were his exact words?" Seven demanded of Ensign Icheb. The newly minted young officer paled, highlighting the irregular red blotches burning his cheeks. "Commander O''Donnell said that I should not set foot in Lieutenant Elkins''s engine room again without a direct order from Commander Torres or Admiral Janeway." The Doctor lowered his head to hide his amusement. "And did you report this to Commander Torres?" Seven continued, simultaneously shooting the Doctor a warning glance. "Not yet," Icheb admitted. "You should do so at once," Seven suggested. "I was assigned to assist the commander. I do not believe she will find this evidence of my obvious inadequacy helpful," Icheb countered. "Commander Torres is fine, Icheb," the Doctor interjected. "I was with her a few hours ago. She is understandably exhausted, but not yet buckling under the stress of the inevitable sleep-deprivation the next several days will bring." "And she did order you to evaluate and rate the current operational efficiency of each fleet vessel''s engineering department," Seven added. "She should know how those under her command are responding to your input." "They''re not the problem, Seven," Icheb insisted. Seven took the padd that rested on the table next to Icheb''s untouched breakfast plate and read silently for a few moments. When the Doctor had joined Seven and Icheb in Galen''s small mess hall for an early breakfast they''d had the room to themselves. The entrance of Lieutenants Benoit and Velth signaled that alpha shift was about to begin. Icheb glanced toward Galen''s chief engineer, Benoit, who nodded in greeting toward the ensign. Seven sighed, returning the padd to the table. "While it is true that Lieutenant Elkins might find strict adherence to Starfleet protocols tiresome, the inefficiencies you have highlighted here are all accurate." As she continued, the Doctor reached for the padd and began to peruse it. "Regulations apply to everyone, whether they believe they know better or not. Lieutenant Elkins''s compliance is mandatory, not optional. And Commander O''Donnell should not prioritize placating the egos of those he supervises above requiring them to perform their duties appropriately." "Six hundred nineteen?" the Doctor gasped. Icheb''s and Seven''s heads instantly turned in unison toward the Galen''s holographic chief medical officer. "You cited Elkins for six hundred nineteen violations?" the Doctor asked. "Each violation contains a citation to the applicable regulation," Icheb noted. "I see that," the Doctor said. "But Icheb, surely the years you just spent at Starfleet Academy acquainted you with the chasm that exists between humans and perfection. Did it not occur to you to prioritize your findings and perhaps present Chief Elkins with a series of more manageable recommendations?" "While onerous, the requirements Starfleet places on engineers to constantly monitor every system under their purview are both necessary and attainable," Icheb replied. "Your Chief Benoit is proof of that. I found only twenty-six violations in his department and he accepted his review without question." "Galen is even smaller than Demeter," the Doctor reminded the ensign, "and she hasn''t seen near the action in recent months that Commander O''Donnell''s ship has. Never mind the fact that Chief Benoit has access to dozens of highly specialized holographic engineers who are programmed to perform their duties to regulation specs and to do so without the need for rest or the inclination to complain when a task is mind-numbingly boring." "Be that as it may," Seven said, "Icheb is performing an essential duty, and he should not be reprimanded for the failings of others." "Seven, do you want Icheb to succeed at his first assignment with the fleet?" the Doctor asked. Seven appeared momentarily stricken. "Of course I do." "And have you heard him refer obliquely and directly to his perceived failures up to this point? He didn''t ask us to meet him this morning to lie to him, or worse, to shift the blame for the challenges he is now facing onto others. He knows he is not living up to his or B''Elanna''s expectations. Our job is to help him find a way to do that." Seven sat back. "What do you suggest?" "For Icheb to be able to perform his duties effectively, he must gain the confidence of those he will interact with on a daily basis. Otherwise, his ability to function as Commander Torres''s personal aide will be severely limited." Turning toward Icheb with sincere compassion, the Doctor continued, "I know it is difficult. We could talk continuously for days and barely scratch the surface of the challenges I have faced over the years in establishing realistic expectations of our fellow officers and developing mutually respectful and productive relationships. But you don''t have time for that. Commander Torres has just given birth. She needs you to function as her eyes and ears for the next several weeks as she recovers and sees to the needs of her family. Your job is to make her life easier and worry-free, not to nit-pick her subordinates into defiance." "But--" Seven began. "And you," the Doctor continued, "do our young friend here no favors in suggesting that he is not, at least in part, responsible for creating discord. Being right is important. But that''s not the only thing being asked of him anymore. He also needs to be sensitive to the feelings of his compatriots and to the reality that none of them are going to be willing to submit to the overly officious will of a green ensign. Learning does not end when one graduates, Icheb. The coursework changes, but the process continues." "You are suggesting that I lower my expectations?" Icheb asked. "They are no more than I demand of myself." "I am suggesting that you not use your abilities, or Seven''s, as the only means of measuring performance. You were both raised by the Borg, a species that believed perfection was attainable. Those you are now supervising in Commander Torres''s stead were not." After giving this a moment to sink in the Doctor asked, "How many of the violations you presented to Lieutenant Elkins would you consider critical to ship operations?" Icheb looked to Seven before replying, "Twenty-three." "The magnetic constrictor retuning . . ." Seven suggested. "Twenty-two," Icheb allowed. "Take a revised evaluation directly to Commander O''Donnell as soon as possible, highlighting only critical suggestions for improvement. Apologize for wasting Chief Elkins''s valuable time and ask that the commander pass along your recommendations." "And if Commander O''Donnell refuses?" Seven asked. "He won''t," the Doctor replied. "He''s not questioning your position or authority, nor is he blindly defending his officer. He''s testing you. This is how you pass that test." "Is it your intention to give Icheb the same series of instructions in social skills you provided to me when I first came to Voyager?" Seven asked. The Doctor''s program paused momentarily as it attempted to access memories that no longer existed. The immediate chagrin on Seven''s face indicated that this lapse had not gone unnoticed. "Forgive me," Seven said quickly. "I was referring to a series of interactions that began on stardate 51652.3. You were attempting to assist me--" "It''s all right, Seven," the Doctor interrupted. Much as he was growing to treasure Seven''s attempts to provide him with the data about their early years together that had been purged from his matrix in order to simultaneously rid it of a Seriareen consciousness determined to steal his holomatrix, this was not the time. "Icheb needs to get to work, and you have a meeting aboard the Vesta to attend, don''t you?" "I do." "I believe the Doctor''s suggestions are valid," Icheb said as he rose from his seat and collected his full dish of fresh fruit and utensils. "Thank you both." "You are always welcome," Seven said. "Report back to me when you have spoken to Commander O''Donnell." "I will," Icheb promised. Seven followed Icheb with her eyes as he hurried toward the replicator to recycle his breakfast. "He''s going to be fine, Seven. It will take him some time to adjust. But he''ll get the hang of it. You did." "It is still difficult to watch someone for whom you care deeply struggle." "Don''t try to take it away from him," the Doctor suggested. Seven turned back to face him. "I won''t." As they rose to begin their duties, the Doctor asked, "Did the social lessons you referred to actually help you become better acclimated to your life aboard Voyager?" "They were extremely tiresome," Seven replied honestly. "And yes, they did." The Doctor smiled. He could not help but believe that no matter how much data he had lost when Xolani had attacked his program, nothing essential had been taken from him. VOYAGER Lieutenant Nancy Conlon was impatient for this meeting to end. Counselor Hugh Cambridge was the last officer required to sign off on her complete recovery from the incident of a few weeks prior that had left her briefly dead and temporarily comatose. Camb

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