Tales of the Dominion War: Stone Cold Truths (NF) (Spoiler)

S P O I L E R

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I got the book today and I couldn`t resist: I put "A Time to Hate" aside
for now and started reading the NF story I have been looking forward to
for so long.

After having read it, I only have two minor complaints: I wish the story
would have been longer and I also think, the original title "Unhappy
Returns" is much better. "Stone Cold Truths" very much sounds over the
top to me, like a sensationalist headline in a tabloid newspaper. I
didn`t like it then and now, don`t think this is appropriate for what
the story is about.

Nevertheless, although I might like or dislike a cover or title of a
book or story, what counts at the end is of course the contents, not the
packaging and labelling. The story itself is excellent. After having
read PAD`s more recent non-Trek work, I was expecting something dealing
with the topic 9/11 in a more or less hidden way. I was a bit afraid it
might be a bit too much of a morality lesson in the form of hitting the
readers with a club, but to my relief it is much more subtle than that.
I very much agree with what PAD tells us here, namely the nature of war
and war heroes and first of all the question of truths, half-truths and
lies that lead to war and accompany wars.

PAD packages these topics in a very touching way, mixing a touch of
humour into it that emphasizes them. By no means is the humour in the
story inappropriate or feeling forced. NF is often accused to be over
the top, reading a war story now that is over the top by design in order
to make an important point, made me smile.

It also reveals some very interesting facts. In this story Kebron is 150
years older than when the Dominion War took place. Brikar must indeed be
a long lived race. It also shows us that eventually Kebron will have at
least a son. It is possible that a wife and other children are also
around at that time. I like that very much. I also don`t think it takes
anything away from following NF books set in "present" time. PAD is
always good for surprises but I just want to say, should this establish
that Kebron will be around in NF novels set "present time" until the end
of Calhoun, I think it might even add to it. Kebron very much sounds
like a wise man in this story but in spite of the refreshing differences
between him and his son, in many ways Kebron is still the same. I liked
that a lot. He certainly hasn`t lost his sense of humour.

NF certainly will deal with a lot more conflicts and I wouldn`t be
surprised at all if these will also be topics in other Trek book series.
I am sure, especially the "Third Great Earth-Romulan War" will be a
topic elsewhere as well and it must have been very ugly indeed. Then
there are the at least two conflicts I learned of when I read about
first information about "After the Fall". Not to mention the ugly
developments on Cardassia later. It certainly doesn`t look like it at
all that the Federation will now enter a period of peace after the
Dominion War is over.

Hm, Kebron killed his best friend, something that was connected to a
war, and got a medal for it! Of course PAD succeeded to whet my appetite
and I am wondering what happened, how and why he killed McHenry, because
this is the only conclusion I can come to. I also wonder what war they
were fighting at that time.

It is tempting to stay with "Tales of the Dominion War" but I will
return to "A Time to Hate" and finish that two-parter before I continue
reading. I am certainly looking forward to the other stories and of
course to more NF later this year!

Baerbel Haddrell