The third issue of DC Comics’ Star Trek series was on spinners for April 1984 and continued the story begun in issue one. Once again it featured a cover by George Perez, Tom Sutton on pencils, Ricardo Villagran on inks, and Mike W. Barr writing the story… Errand of War. This was the first DC Trek comic I bought as a kid.

Stardate: 8150.7

There’s no splash page as we dive into Errand of War, we see Kirk and the bridge crew watching as the Klingon Emperor declares war following the Enterprise’s destruction of their wormhole station.

On the Klingon planet, is it Qo’noS? it’s not named, we discover that the Emperor is being controlled by,,, is that an Excaliban as featured in The Savage Curtain? Are they manipulating people and events? Is this a large scale experiment like the one Kirk and crew faced so long ago?

Kirk confers via subspace coms with Admiral Turner, the man who gave Kirk back command of the Enterprise in issue 1. Kirk points out that thanks to the Organian Peace Treaty that declarations of war between Klingon and Earth are expressly forbidden. Kirk wants to take the Enterprise to Organia but Turner refuses and orders the Enterprise to monitor the Romulan Neutral Zone, effectively sidelining Kirk.

Kirk wonders if there’s something wrong with Turner, and asks Saavik to investigate the transmission but it’s legit. As the Enterprise warps, we see that yup, something is wrong with Turner. He too is being manipulated by the Excalibans.

Now we check in with some of the new supporting characters. Nancy Bryce and the Klingon, Konom are walking in the ship’s gardens. There seems to be something developing here. But it may be hindered by the fact that they are being observed by the angry Bearclaw and some of his like-minded peers.

Kirk and McCoy are sharing a drink, worrying about war and Turner’s attitude. They’re worried. As they debate about a course of action, the Enterprise receives a transmission from Starfleet. It looks as if the Klingons have destroyed medical station with no survivors. Apparently before the wormhole station was destroyed.

It also shows a Federation counterattack, and you can see anger and anti-Klingon sentiments being stirred up on the Enterprise, especially amongst the younger crew. But McCoy and Kirk see it for what it is, mere propaganda.

Kirk orders the transmission cut off, and orders Sulu to get the Enterprise to Organia. As the Enterprise warps through space, anger is rising on the Enterprise, and some of the crew have a target for it, Konom.

When Starfleet attempts to contact the Enterprise, there’s a nod to Trek II as Kirk tells Uhura to message them that their chambers coil has overloaded. And when the Enterprise arrives at Organia, the planet is… gone? No. It seems to be hidden behind some strange energy field, and not too far away… a couple of Klingon cruisers.

Combat ensues, and as an aside, I love how the Enterprise is drawn here. The artists have really tried to be as close to the designs, and characters, and outfits as they can, and the NCC-1701 looks lovely here.

One of the cruisers is disabled, and tumbles too close to the field and is destroyed. The other maintains its attack on the Enterprise. Kirk delivers a one-two punch with photon torpedoes and phasers, crippling the other ship, and beams the survivors aboard before it can collide with the energy field encompassing Organia.

Captain Kor (from Errand of Mercy) and his men arrive on the Enterprise. Kirk shows Kor the Federation transmission about the Klingon attack, and the Federation’s reply.

Kor isn’t sure what to believe, but reveals that he was sent to Organia by the Emperor. To keep others away.

As the two puzzle over their orders, an Excaliban announces itself, and warns them not to interfere, or they will be doomed! Which will lead us to issue 4 as we boldly go towards being…

Unlikely Allies!

I have to be completely honest about this… I am loving this series. It’s well-written, has solid artwork, and it is determined to be Trek. It’s interweaving its narrative with known characters and established canon. I don’t remember enjoying it this much as a kid, but coming to it now, and seeing it decades on… damn this fun.