Dreadnought!
A stolen dreadnought and a unique biocode drive the plot.
Dreadnought! is a Star Trek: The Original Series novel by Diane Carey, written in first person from the perspective of Lieutenant Piper. It reached the New York Times best-seller list for paperbacks in May 1986.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Diane Carey
- Cover artist
- Boris Vallejo
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- Star Trek: The Original Series
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Pocket Books
- Released
- 1 May 1986
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The novel opens with Lieutenant Piper, a native of Proxima Beta, taking the Kobayashi Maru simulation at Starfleet Academy. After her simulated ship sustains heavy damage, she issues commands via a handheld communicator, causing the simulation's computer to crash. The simulator commander notes she came closer to checkmating the no-win scenario than any other candidate and informs her she has been reassigned to the starship Enterprise by special request. Piper briefly meets her friend and lover, engineering cadet Brian Silayna; they had been assigned to the same ship, but Silayna reveals that Captain Kirk, who observed the simulation, requested Piper's reassignment, so they say goodbye. Aboard the Enterprise, Piper meets her cabin-mates: a Gorn named Telosirizharcrede, a human from Earth named Judd "Scanner" Sandage, a humanoid from Altair Four named Merete AndrusTaurus, and a Vulcan named Sarda. Piper and Sarda have a history of animosity. Piper is summoned to the bridge and learns that the top-secret Federation dreadnought Star Empire has been stolen, and the Enterprise is dispatched in pursuit. Vice-Admiral Rittenhouse, head of the dreadnought project, pursues aboard the destroyer Pompeii. The Star Empire has transmitted rendezvous coordinates to the Enterprise, and Piper's unique biocode is needed to enable transmissions there. Later, AndrusTaurus explains that Sarda's talent for defensive weapons design was developed for offensive use by Starfleet, which Vulcans consider immoral; Piper, in ignorance, informed the academy staff of Sarda's talents, causing his embarrassment and ostracism. Piper and AndrusTaurus research Vulcan and decide to consult a Vulcan embassy specializing in human-Vulcan relationships.
Reception and characterization
Robert Greenberger praised the novel as a page turner, yet observed that once again a brave, plucky, courageous woman is essential to the story's success. Carey responded to that review. The protagonist, Lt. Piper, is often considered a Mary Sue. Greg Brodeur, Carey's husband and editor, noted that fan mail indicates everyone wants to be her.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published Dreadnought!?
Dreadnought! was published by Pocket Books.
Who illustrated Dreadnought!?
Dreadnought! was illustrated by Boris Vallejo.
Which book follows Dreadnought!?
Dreadnought! is followed by Demons.
More in Novels Based on Star Trek: The Original Series
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