Star Trek: The Fall: Peaceable Kingdoms by Dayton Ward
Synopsis:
Following the resolution of the fertility crisis that nearly caused their extinction, the Andorian people now stand ready to rejoin the United Federation of Planets. The return of one of its founding member worlds is viewed by many as the first hopeful step beyond the uncertainty and tragedy that have overshadowed recent events in the Alpha Quadrant. But as the Federation looks to the future and the special election to name President Bacco’s permanent successor, time is running out to apprehend those responsible for the respected leader’s brutal assassination. Even as elements of the Typhon Pact are implicated for the murder, Admiral William Riker holds key knowledge of the true assassins— a revelation that could threaten the fragile Federation-Cardassian alliance.
Questions and concerns also continue to swell around Bacco’s interim successor, Ishan Anjar, who uses the recent bloodshed to further a belligerent, hawkish political agenda against the Typhon Pact. With the election looming, Riker dispatches his closest friend, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth. But as Picard and the Enterprise crew pursue the few remaining clues, Riker must act on growing suspicions that someone within Ishan’s inner circle has been in league with the assassins from the very beginning.
Review:
The Fall miniseries comes to a close in this riveting conclusion. The suspense builds with Doctor Crusher meeting up with an old colleague to hunt for clues to the truth behind Ishan Anjar’s past. Meanwhile, Captain Picard has to bide his time and try to keep others from learning what his wife is up to. But Ishan will stop at nothing to protect his secret and the truth behind President Bacco’s death. Since we all knew by now that Ishan held some treachery and had something to do with misleading the investigation into Bacco’s death, I wondered if there would be any startling revelations. Thankfully, Ward doesn’t disappoint. There’s still a big mystery yet to be uncovered.
I was very happy with how things wrapped up. Though, it’s strange that Will Riker is an admiral stuck on Earth now. My favorite scene was at the end when Picard is given his new mission. It brought a sense of wonder and excitement for the future again.