The Games of Magellan
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Games of Magellan |
| Publisher: | Bristol Star Fleet Registry |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Rod Summers |
| Cover Artist(s): | Rod Summers |
| Illustrator(s): | Rod Summers |
| Date(s): | April 1991 |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TNG |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Games of Magellan is a 43-page gen novel written by Rod Summers and edited by Jacqueline Comben. Rod Summers is the artist.
It was reprinted in serial format in Trexperts during 2000-2001.
Summary
The Magellan was one of the great mysteries of the Federation. The last of the deep space settler ships, her fate had never been properly established and in the two centuries since her disappearance, her story had faded into legend. When Captain Picard and the crew of the 1701-D responded to the Magellan's ancient distress signal, they had no way of knowing that soon they would be embroiled in a deadly civil war and a battle for survival. [1]
Sample Interior Gallery
Reactions and Reviews
The Enterprise responds to a distress call from a colony ship missing for over 200 years. Picard and his crew find that the society developed by the survivors is a perversion of the original intentions of the colonists. Two warring factions have evolved, and religious intolerance makes compromise impossible. To understand and deal with the problem three away teams are needed. Riker, Troi and Crusher contact the colony's rulers, Picard and Guinan the dissidents, while Data, LaForge and Worf investigate the remains of the ship.This story deals interestingly with the impact of immigration on an existing population, and the way incomers always find a reason to consider themselves superior. There are no pat answers offered, which is both realistic and refreshing, but there is the prospect of a better future. I enjoyed the story, though I felt that Rod could have developed his theme more in one or two places the action moved on when I wanted to know more background. It was good to see Picard being more actively involved, and also to see Guinan brought into the story with a good reason for her being there.
The illos, also by Rod Summers, are very dramatic and effective. I was especially impressed by the portrait of Worf, and the treatment of Data and Worf on the bridge, with a Ferengi on the viewscreen. The glossy cover features Picard, and attracts attention, although the type-face used for the title is one I dislike; I find it hard to read; otherwise an excellent story well told and well produced. [2]
The Enterprise is sent to investigate a 200-year old distress signal from a lost sleeper ship. On arrival, they find that the survivors had colonised a nearby planet. The group first to be contacted, led by Adam Ransom, heads a quasi-religious society based on what was called "The Life Games." Two members of the away team vanish, the remainder are rescued just before they are to be executed.Picard decides to beam down himself, taking with him Guinan: they are also kidnapped. Picard, Guinan and the two missing security personnel find themselves with the 'Dissidents' who are led bv David Henrik. .. A war between the two factions has been going on for over 80 years. Ferengi interest accelerates the problem and the war is reaching a climax, Genocide seems to be inevitable for one or both sides, An answer is found with a borderline violation of the Prime Directive: no other solution would work in time.
A good story but the ending was slightly abrupt. [3]