Greg Cox delivers a fun and exciting novel that really ties itself into the continuity not only of The Original Series but its films, while also acknowledging the events that would later occur in The Next Generation. It also brings back Gary Seven and Roberta Lincoln from the episode Assignment: Earth.

In 1969, Gary and Roberta, and Gary’s feline companion, Isis, are troubled to see that something in future history has been altered. The book opens on Khitomer as depicted in the climax of The Undiscovered Country, readers will recognize some of the fialogue, but things take a troubling turn when Captain Spock is assassinated at the event!

It seems another one of Gary’s companions, this one working in the 23rd century in Romulan space has sent a distress signal about his complex being invaded by a Romulan Tal Shiar officer and she’s altered future events.

Gary, Roberta and Isis use Seven’s technology to travel to the future and find themselves aboard the NCC-1701 during Kirk’s original five year mission. Keeping their mission secret from Kirk and his crew, Gary is determined to get the Enterprise deep into Romulan space to reach the location of his injured fellow.

Things aren’t going to be easy once the Enterprise finds itself in Romulan space. It finds itself under assault, and on the run, which helps get the ship and Seven closer to their target.

Kirk is less than sure he can trust Seven, but as things escalate Kirk and Gary find themselves working together, hoping to stop the Tal Shiar plot, though Kirk doesn’t know what it is, and Spock is left in command of the Enterprise with Roberta at his side trying to defend the ship from a Romulan attack.

With time travel coming into it, there’s some fun possibilities of how things will play out, will Seven be able to stop the future assassination of Spock, restoring future history? Will Captain Kirk survive the self-destruct Gary has set for the hidden base? And will Roberta have a groovy time in the 23rd century?

It’s a wonderfully fun book, there are also a lot of pop culture references throughout, hinting at some of the events that Gary Seven, Roberta and Isis are involved in; there’s a James Bond reference, there’s a nod to Roddenberry’s The Questor Tapes, all manner of things.

Cox also makes sure to tie in all kinds of continuity, and consequently tells a really fun story that lets Seven and Roberta have as much of the spotlight as Kirk and Spock. I really liked this one and am looking forward to seeing what else Cox delivers in the Trek-universe.

Assignment: Eternity and other Star Trek novels are available now from Simon & Schuster… Boldly go!