Q-Squared
Encyclopedia
Q-Squared is a non-canon Star Trek
novel by acclaimed author Peter David
. It spent two weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in 1994.
Q-Squared was released in July 1994 as one in a series of "Giant Novels" for the Star Trek line from Pocket Books
. Although the novel was primarily based on and around the characters of Star Trek: The Next Generation
, this book was particularly notable for bringing together the characters of Q
from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Trelane from Star Trek: The Original Series
.
. He taps into the power of the continuum and uses this ability to tamper with time and reality, resulting in the intersection of three different parallel universe
s which are also referred to as time "tracks." Track A is a universe in which Beverly Crusher
's husband Jack never died, and now serves as captain of the Enterprise with Jean-Luc Picard
as his first officer; in this universe, Jack's son Wesley died as a boy and Jack and Beverly divorced. Track B is the traditional universe depicted on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Track C is akin to the more militaristic alternate universe shown in the Next Generation episode Yesterday's Enterprise
, where the Federation is at war with the Klingons.
Q, who had been charged with the task of "mentor
ing" Trelane (a task each "adult" Q must accept at least once for an "adolescent" Q), enlists the aid of Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D in the three different timeline
s in order to teach Trelane discipline, and eventually, to stop him from destroying the fabric of the universe by collapsing the alternate universes together.
When the tracks begin to merge, the characters from separate universes begin to appear to one another, sometimes with disastrous results. Jack Crusher confronts his ex-wife about the affair she is having with Track-A Picard; during the argument, which Track-B Picard witnesses, she is accidentally killed; additionally, members of Track C attempt to kill Worf, and believe all the members of the crew from the other two universes are really Klingon impostors.
Eventually, Q manages to overpower Trelane and the universes are once again separated, though not always perfectly (at the end of the novel, Track-A Data appears to be stuck in Track C).
Q also spends part of the novel lost in time and space, as the barrier around the galaxy; this relates to the original series episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before
".
s, or 'Tracks', each identified by a letter:
In addition, the final chapter of the book is called 'Derailment' (an obvious allusion to the derailment of a train), in which the various realities coalesce into a single timeline. This chapter ties all of the plots visited over the length of the book together, concluding with Q's final confrontation with the now-insane Trelane.
was originated by John de Lancie
in the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint". John de Lancie also provided the reading of the novel in the audio book
edition.
Peter David
previously wrote the novel Q-in-Law
for Pocket Books
. This novel also featured the main character of Q and was based in the continuity of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
and is perhaps best known through the film
s, television series
, and merchandise produced by Disney
.
In the universe of Track A, the bartender
in Ten-Forward is named Caryn Johnson, replacing the usual character of Guinan. In real life, Caryn Johnson is the birth name of Whoopi Goldberg
, who played Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
novel by acclaimed author Peter David
Peter David
Peter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
. It spent two weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in 1994.
Q-Squared was released in July 1994 as one in a series of "Giant Novels" for the Star Trek line from Pocket Books
Pocket Books
Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books.- History :Pocket produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in America in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing industry...
. Although the novel was primarily based on and around the characters of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
, this book was particularly notable for bringing together the characters of Q
Q (Star Trek)
Q is a fictional character who appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, as well as in related products. In all of these programs, he is played by John de Lancie....
from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Trelane from Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
.
Plot
Trelane, who first appeared in the original Star Trek episode "The Squire of Gothos", is revealed to be a member of the Q ContinuumQ Continuum
In the fictional televised Star Trek universe, the Q Continuum is an extradimensional plane of existence inhabited by a race of extremely powerful, hyper-intelligent beings known as the Q...
. He taps into the power of the continuum and uses this ability to tamper with time and reality, resulting in the intersection of three different parallel universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
s which are also referred to as time "tracks." Track A is a universe in which Beverly Crusher
Beverly Crusher
Commander Beverly Crusher, M.D. , played by actress Gates McFadden, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent spinoff films...
's husband Jack never died, and now serves as captain of the Enterprise with Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
as his first officer; in this universe, Jack's son Wesley died as a boy and Jack and Beverly divorced. Track B is the traditional universe depicted on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Track C is akin to the more militaristic alternate universe shown in the Next Generation episode Yesterday's Enterprise
Yesterday's Enterprise
"Yesterday's Enterprise" is the fifteenth episode of the third season of the science fiction television show Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode first aired in syndication the week of February 19, 1990...
, where the Federation is at war with the Klingons.
Q, who had been charged with the task of "mentor
Mentor
In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alcimus or Anchialus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.When Athena visited Telemachus she...
ing" Trelane (a task each "adult" Q must accept at least once for an "adolescent" Q), enlists the aid of Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D in the three different timeline
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
s in order to teach Trelane discipline, and eventually, to stop him from destroying the fabric of the universe by collapsing the alternate universes together.
When the tracks begin to merge, the characters from separate universes begin to appear to one another, sometimes with disastrous results. Jack Crusher confronts his ex-wife about the affair she is having with Track-A Picard; during the argument, which Track-B Picard witnesses, she is accidentally killed; additionally, members of Track C attempt to kill Worf, and believe all the members of the crew from the other two universes are really Klingon impostors.
Eventually, Q manages to overpower Trelane and the universes are once again separated, though not always perfectly (at the end of the novel, Track-A Data appears to be stuck in Track C).
Q also spends part of the novel lost in time and space, as the barrier around the galaxy; this relates to the original series episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before
Where No Man Has Gone Before
"Where No Man Has Gone Before" is the second pilot episode of the television series Star Trek: The Original Series. It was produced in 1965 after the first pilot, "The Cage", had been rejected by NBC. The episode was eventually broadcast third in sequence on September 22, 1966, and was re-aired on...
".
Parallel universes
The plot of this novel continually shifts among three different parallel universeParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
s, or 'Tracks', each identified by a letter:
- Track B is the normal Star Trek universe.
- Track A is a variation of the Trekverse, with several differences: James KirkJames T. KirkJames Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
's middle initial is R. Jack Crusher, who did not die under Picard's command, is commanding officer of the Enterprise-D. He and BeverlyBeverly CrusherCommander Beverly Crusher, M.D. , played by actress Gates McFadden, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent spinoff films...
are divorced; their son WesleyWesley CrusherWesley Crusher is a character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is Beverly Crusher's son and is portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, the character was a regular for the first four seasons. Afterwards, the character appeared sporadically. The character also appeared briefly in...
died in an accident while still a toddler. Geordi La ForgeGeordi La ForgeLieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge is a regular character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its feature films, played by LeVar Burton...
is a nurse in sickbay with cloned eye implants instead of his VISORVisorA visor is a surface that protects the eyes, such as shading them from the sun or other bright light or protecting them from objects....
. Jean-Luc PicardJean-Luc PicardCaptain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
, broken in rank by a court-martial after his failure to defend the Stargazer at Maxia, is Enterprises first officer. He and Beverly become romantically involved, with disastrous results when Jack discovers their affair. DataData (Star Trek)Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
is a "human-oid" (a positronic brain in an organic body), and is engaged in an ongoing affair with Tasha YarTasha YarLieutenant Natasha "Tasha" Yar, played by Denise Crosby, is a character in Star Trek: The Next Generation. In the fictional series, the character served as chief of security aboard the USS Enterprise-D for the first season....
. William RikerWilliam RikerWilliam Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
and Kira NerysKira NerysKira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
have been prisoners of the Romulan Star Empire for several years. Riker and Deanna TroiDeanna TroiCommander Deanna Troi is a main character in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and related TV series and films, portrayed by actress Marina Sirtis. Troi is half-human, half-Betazoid and has the psionic ability to sense emotions. She serves as the ship's counselor...
were married prior to his capture, and have a son who has never met his father. WorfWorfWorf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
is a Klingon warrior, who rescues Riker and Kira and kills the Romulan torturers. - Track C is a variant of the "Klingon war" timeline as seen in "Yesterday's EnterpriseYesterday's Enterprise"Yesterday's Enterprise" is the fifteenth episode of the third season of the science fiction television show Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode first aired in syndication the week of February 19, 1990...
", but one in which the Enterprise-D came across the Enterprise-CUSS Enterprise (NCC-1701-C)The USS Enterprise is a fictional starship that appears in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Yesterday's Enterprise". This Ambassador-class starship, under the command of Captain Rachel Garrett , is the fourth Federation starship to carry the name Enterprise...
several hours after it passed into the future, and thus could not be sent back to Narendra III in 2344 to prevent the war with the Klingons (the rift had closed and the C's crew were all dead).
In addition, the final chapter of the book is called 'Derailment' (an obvious allusion to the derailment of a train), in which the various realities coalesce into a single timeline. This chapter ties all of the plots visited over the length of the book together, concluding with Q's final confrontation with the now-insane Trelane.
Q Connections
The role of QQ (Star Trek)
Q is a fictional character who appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, as well as in related products. In all of these programs, he is played by John de Lancie....
was originated by John de Lancie
John de Lancie
John de Lancie is an American actor. He has been active in screen and television roles since 1977, though he is best known for his recurring role as Q on the various Star Trek series and as Frank Simmons in Stargate SG-1....
in the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint". John de Lancie also provided the reading of the novel in the audio book
Audio book
An audiobook or audio book is a recording of a text being read. It is not necessarily an exact audio version of a book or magazine.Spoken audio has been available in schools and public libraries and to a lesser extent in music shops since the 1930s. Many spoken word albums were made prior to the...
edition.
Peter David
Peter David
Peter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
previously wrote the novel Q-in-Law
Q-in-Law
-Plot:The Enterprise is assigned to diplomatic duty to host the wedding between two houses of the Tizarin, a race that lives only in space and engages in commerce. One of the guests is Lwaxana Troi, to represent Betazed. The time setting places it after the events of "Deja Q" and before "Q-Pid"...
for Pocket Books
Pocket Books
Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books.- History :Pocket produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in America in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing industry...
. This novel also featured the main character of Q and was based in the continuity of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Cultural references
In one sequence of the novel, Trelane brings to life the character of Winnie the Pooh, who was originally created by A. A. MilneA. A. Milne
Alan Alexander Milne was an English author, best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children's poems. Milne was a noted writer, primarily as a playwright, before the huge success of Pooh overshadowed all his previous work.-Biography:A. A...
and is perhaps best known through the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s, television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, and merchandise produced by Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
.
In the universe of Track A, the bartender
Bartender
A bartender is a person who serves beverages behind a counter in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. A bartender, in short, "tends the bar". The term barkeeper may carry a connotation of being the bar's owner...
in Ten-Forward is named Caryn Johnson, replacing the usual character of Guinan. In real life, Caryn Johnson is the birth name of Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
, who played Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation.