Warpath (Spoiler)

S P O I L E R

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A lot has been written about Warpath already. Nevertheless, I want to
add some comments as well. I have read some of the earlier ones but
there is so much that I probably missed, also some of David Mack`s, the
author of this book. It certainly helped that I read spoilers first
because it made some of the reading experience less confusing and
certain parts more enjoyable. Nevertheless, I don`t think I "got"
everything and that is not a pleasant feeling.

Already when I read the spoilers about the several Kiras or her
lookalikes and two Iliana Ghemors I was struggling to wrap my mind
around it. I love reading spoilers. A lot of what I read about "Warpath"
is very interesting and appealing. But what is treated as surprising is
first of all about true identities. I never liked this gimmick to give
characters different names and then reveal somewhere down the line who
that person really is. And the more I read about the involvement of the
Mirror Universe I wondered, why doing it simply and straight forward
when you can be as complicated as possible?

This part of the book reminded me a bit of the series Lost. Hidden
twists in personal histories, surprise meetings and developments,
keeping people guessing about unravelling mysterious events and places,
that is part of it what makes Lost so interesting to me. But I really
don`t want to see this concept repeated in Trek to that degree. Contrary
to when watching Lost, I often felt lost reading this book. Sometimes I
wondered if I am simply too stupid to "get" it. Some mystery solving,
some guesswork is fine, even desirable, but "Warpath" was WAY over the
top. There are stories that look like violence for violence`s sake to
me. Especially the last quarter of the book was Lost Squared to me:
confusion for confusion`s sake.

Fortunately there are many other topics in "Warpath" but I must admit,
my enthusiasm suffered somewhat while I was waiting for the book
although I was confident, even if I should dislike that aspect of the
book, there is a lot to enjoy.

I was right. Now that I have read the book my opinion about the "Lost"
aspect hasn`t changed (I will get into the details later) but I enjoyed
the rest of the book very much indeed. The excerpt that has been shown
on the net was a very powerful teaser. David Mack has always been very
good at it to show violence in a very realistic, gritty but not
bloodthirsty way, including how it affects the victim as well as family
and friends. I admit it, I was shocked about what had happened. I was
wondering when Taran`atar would snap and become a threat but I didn`t
expect THIS.

I wasn`t worried about Kira which does not mean that what happened to
her didn`t affect me. Kira has always been my favourite female DS9
character and I certainly feel an emotional connection with this
fictitious character. Nevertheless, as we have seen with Picard, having
an artificial heart is usually no problem at all if regular maintenance
is taking place. My guess was from early on that Kira will pretty much
be all right at the end and I was right.

With Ro, I was far less optimistic. I remember the episode with Worf but
it was also said he survived because of his Klingon physiology. What I
found much more interesting is how doctors first bypassed his injuries
with some technology that allowed him to walk. Not very well but he was
walking. I didn`t expect it to read that Ro will really be totally
paralyzed from her injury down at the end. First of all, the cord is not
totally severed so that this alone should enable her to have or regain
some sensations and functions. My guess was that Ro will walk again but
within limitations. Maybe she will need crutches in future or at least a
walking stick.

Then I reached the part in which Tarses presented his cure and I
immediately had very mixed feelings about this. This was my comment
after I read the teaser: "Of course there could be a magic wand
somewhere telling us that it is possible now to regenerate nerve damage
after all, something I doubt from what I could see and read so far. Or
that some Borg technology like the famous nanoprobes that are good for
so many things, can enable this, something like that. That would be too
simple and I don`t think that is what will happen. Hm, I wonder how
having to deal with such a disability will affect Ro`s career. Dealing
with it won`t be easy but it is possible - I know."

I was right. The word "Borg" wasn`t mentioned (I think) but I am sure,
the principle behind this cure is at least related to the Borg
nanoprobes. I enjoyed the part Tarses played. I am actually glad it was
him and not Bashir who developed this technique and his reactions were
interesting to read. (By the way, when Bashir told Tarses that he was
presenting a preganglionic fiber and not a postganglionic nerve I had to
laugh. Great!) It is also a logical technological development and on a
certain level, it is nice that the terrible Borg threat can now and
again also be used for helping people. Nevertheless, it feels like an
easy way out. I later wondered after reading the teaser if Marco and the
authors of DS9R would really go so far and leave Ro with a disability.
The longer I thought about it, the less likely it seemed. It would make
it difficult to write allowing Ro to stay as security chief and would
get in the way. On the one hand, having a security chief with a limp,
someone with some physical disability, would be something new in Star
Trek to explore. (Geordi quickly changed into a human with super sight)
On the other hand, especially because I am disabled myself, it is not
something I wish on anyone and I am glad that Ro is recovering so well.

The way David Mack wrote the friendship between Ro and Quark was very
moving indeed. It is one of my favourite parts of the book. To a lesser
degree I went through the same trauma Ro experienced and I could
understand her so well. It was very realistic and it brought back some
memories I don`t like to dwell on too much. I enjoy their relationship
very much. A very close friendship between a man and a woman must not
always be about being lovers. I think it is one of the most interesting
friendships in the Trek book history and I can`t wait to read more about
it in future books!

I admit it, when I read about it that Taran`atar was mind controlled, I
wasn`t happy about it. But I changed my mind after having read the book
and agree to the explanations given in discussions I remember. It makes
a lot of sense and I think the book was indeed very clear about this:
Taran`atar never considered his original programming as slavery but as
the order of things. After he realized that the Founders are not gods he
still doesn`t think of what they did to him was wrong but he is now able
to understand what slavery is, now that he is being controlled by
someone else.

I like this move. First of all, it makes Taran`atar different from the
typical Jem`Hadar. It also allows this character to grow in new ways
than we have seen before in Jem`Hadar. There is more room for surprises,
too. What happened in "Warpath" is showing an ongoing struggle inside
him which also means, it is also an ongoing process of what decisions he
will eventually make whenever the hold his new master has on him is
broken.

I am very curious where this new path will lead Taran`atar. I very much
agree with what Vaughn thought when he went after him: At least to a
certain degree he was responsible for his actions. He made choices that
have consequences. I can`t imagine that Taran`atar will return to the
position on DS9 after what happened. Not only because of what he did but
also because I can`t imagine that he would want to. At best there might
be some sort of alliance if it is beneficial for both sides.

From what I have seen, one reason why Taran`atar attacked Kira with such
ferocity and also reacted so strongly towards her image when he was with
Prynn in the Klingon ship is the conflict inside him, that on the one
hand, he feels the programmed need to obey her but on the other hand, it
is a woman with that face who imprisoned his mind, who made him her
slave.

The part of the book in which Bashir and Nog discussed the ethics behind
breaking the mind control was very interesting. I think it was right to
look at Nog`s personal problems with Jem`Hadar again but it was also
right to present a Nog who is able to control these feelings and look
rationally at the consequences their actions could have. Some of what he
said definitely made me think. Unfortunately one aspect was missing in
this discussion: Bashir`s speech about his Hippocratic oath, his
scruples about creating a device that would alter a sentient being`s
brain function reminded me of what Bashir did to Kurn in "The Sons of
Mogh" and Sloan in "Extreme Measures". Speaking of hypocrisy, Nog should
have mentioned this as well. I must admit, I am very disappointed that
this opportunity wasn`t used. Not only would it have been very
interesting to read about Bashir`s position but also, it shows a Bashir
who seems more moral and clean in this book than he really is.

I can understand why some readers have mixed feelings about the story
dealing with the relationship between Vaughn and his daughter Prynn.
They finally found a beginning of an understanding, a new more positive
direction and on some level I think adding this additional drama feels a
bit like overkill. But these feelings disappeared pretty quickly because
it is a very moving, dramatic story, a mix of characterization and
action I found very appealing. I always liked Prynn but reading how she
handled her captivity , how she dealt with Taran`atar and how she saved
her father, I enjoyed this a lot!

I remember some of the discussion if Vaughn should have been at least a
bit hopeful instead of immediately assuming the worst. Leaving combadges
behind in order to confuse your enemies is a very old trick indeed but I
think what first of all counts is that Taran`atar brutally attacked Kira
and Ro, leaving them critically injured. I don`t think Vaughn had any
reason to believe that he would treat his daughter any better. On top of
that, I think Vaughn has fallen prey to his guilt complex, thinking that
he doesn`t deserve a happy family live although he so very much wants a
good relationship with his daughter. On a certain level, he is expecting
that only bad things happen when it is about his family. Even if there
is some glimmer of hope, he tends to overlook it and focuses on the bad
news.

As much as I liked it and definitely the positive conclusion, I think
that should be enough. I am hoping that Marco and the DS9R authors will
now allow Vaughn and Prynn to build a positive relationship. I think
Vaughn deserves a break. I know, life isn`t fair, but nevertheless -
please!

Not only did I like the way Quark cared for Ro but also Sisko`s visit in
sickbay and his discussion with Dax. Hm, this book definitely leaves me
with the impression that it is indeed over between Bashir and Ezri. I
don`t think they have any scene together and don`t even think of each
other the way even close friends do. On top of that, Ezri is now
thinking of moving on and what she said about leaving made a lot of
sense to me. Dax is thinking of transferring on a Luna class ship - is
that a strong hint that Ezri Dax will become part of the Titan series? I
would love that although it seems that my hopes that Bashir and Dax
might repair their relationship is really only wishful thinking. On the
other hand, I am tired of the childish bickering and the back and forth,
the way they are written in some books. If I would have the choice
between these two options, an end of this relationship is preferable.

Now I want to try to make some sense of the parts of the book that left
me lost. Sisko`s part in this conversation was very interesting indeed.
I already expected it from the beginning that Sisko won`t spend the rest
of his life living a quiet retirement on Bajor. I was waiting to find
out what plans the Prophets have for him.

As expected, the Prophets reminded me very much of Babylon 5`s Vorlons.
I will probably be told that I am wrong but I want to give it a try
anyway. Sisko will function as the Emissary but Kira is his "hand" as
well as the hand defending the Celestrial Temple and the faith. There
will be a conflict in which not only Bajor but also the Ascendants and
the Eav`oq will make a claim on it.

Defending the Prophets and the faith also means defending both against
twisting who they are and what they teach into something that it is not
meant to be, for example as an instrument of power and oppression. Here,
in real life, religion is so often misused for gaining power and as an
excuse for violence, injustice and oppression.

Kira already passed an important test in that regard by staying faithful
to her beliefs no matter what the leaders of the church in question
dictated. She was expelled but nevertheless, she defended the true
meaning of what the Prophets wanted to teach.

The vision also speaks of possible alliances, of reaching out to the
other powers involved in this struggle, meaning that the Bajoran faith,
the Bajoran Gods can also be "shared" with others. How to accomplish
this, how to defend the spirit of the faith at the same time, that is
the big question. How can this be done without starting a war - if it is
possible at all? This is indeed the beginning of a new path whenever
Kira reaches this point. If the Eav`oq will indeed be allies and the
Ascendants the enemies at the end, I guess we will see. My feeling is,
the Prophets see this as a strong possibility in the flow of time but
knowing DS9R, I am expecting surprises and twists along the way.

That the Intendent got killed would have been a surprise to me if I
hadn`t read the spoilers. Nevertheless, that part of the book still had
some impact on me. It was probably even a good idea because I got pretty
tired of that character in DS9 on TV. This Kira lookalike who is now
impersonating her seems more dangerous to me. I will probably be able to
take her more seriously than the Intendent.

Without reading the spoilers I would never have guessed who is who
concerning the two Iliana Ghemors. Even when I wrote this review, I had
to go back to another thread (in the Trek BBS) and look it up: The
Mirror Iliana Ghemor is a Cardassian, not surgically altered, yet
concerned for the life of Captain Kira Nerys. She tells Vaughn and Prynn
that Gul Dukat (our Dukat) was the mastermind behind Iliana`s surgical
alteration, the one who is now impersonating the Intendent.

I would have guessed it would have been the other way round because this
arrangement seems even more complicated to me. I don`t even want to
start speculating about the how and whys behind this scenario.

Anyway, I want to end this long review on a positive note: It is - for
the most part - an excellent book that I enjoyed very much. Hopefully
the next book will be able to give me the explanations and background I
need so that I will feel less lost.

Before I really finish, I can`t resist to add to mention something minor
but something I couldn`t miss as a NF fan and be happy about: I am
hoping we will meet the young Thallonian Ensign in the security
department, Jang Si Naran, again.


Baerbel Haddrell