Star Trek: The Q Continuum

Production

John J. Ordover at Pocket Books conceived the trilogy. Cox was uncertain he could write nine hundred pages but accepted after rewatching all Q episodes. The poetry in the novels was written by Karen Palinko. Some printings included a facsimile signature from the author.

Plot summary

Betazoid scientist Lem Faal claims to have found a way through the Galactic Barrier, and the Enterprise is sent to assist. Q takes Picard on a journey to the young Q's distant past, revealing the barrier was built to contain a malevolent entity called 0. A fragment of 0's consciousness had merged with Faal, who was promised immortality for opening the barrier. When 0 enters the galaxy, Q, the Q Continuum, and the Calamarain unite to defeat it.

Did You Know?

• The Science Fiction Book Club released a similar edition with a different cover in 1998, also titled The Q Continuum.
• Cox said, in Voyages of Imagination (2006), the poetry included in the novels was written by Karen Palinko.
• Cox responded to a fan question on TrekBBS about the omnibus with: 'I remember writing [the novels] a trillion years ago.'