Kirk is stranded in an alternate timeline as the fate of Human existence hangs in the balance!

First Frontier is a Pocket TOS novel – #75 in the numbered series – written by Diane Carey and Dr. James I. Kirkland. Published by Pocket Books, it was first released in August 1995.

Summary

From the book jacket

While testing a new shielding device, the USS Enterprise is caught in the middle of a Klingon/Romulan battle. The Enterprise crew rescues a lifepod, and they are confronted by a Klingon who claims to know nothing of Human existence. Convinced the Klingon is telling the truth, Captain Kirk hurries to Starfleet Headquarters in search of answers. But upon arriving on Earth, the Starship Enterprise crew finds that Earth is a vast jungle-like paradise where large, reptilian animals rule, with no signs of Human life anywhere. Kirk must travel to the past in search of the key to the mystery, or face the destruction of the Human race.

Memorable quotes

"Mankind isn't a plague on Earth, any more than the Federation is a plague in space. We of all people should be ready to admit we've done some good out there."

- James T. Kirk, regarding the impact Humanity has had on the galaxy

"Earth, the cornerstone of the Federation completely barren of intelligent life."
"This has been the wish of countless human beings for centuries. A pristine Earth, untouched by the hands of men, free to grow, live at its own pace-"
"Only the wish of those who regard intelligence as a contaminant. I don't."

- James T. Kirk and Leonard McCoy, regarding an Earth untouched by Humans

"A world without intelligence is a primitive place Doctor, not an enchanted place. Intelligence is a part of the advancing scheme of evolution. Without it, nature reaches a plateau very quickly and does not progress beyond raw survival. The full flavor of possibility goes unsavored. And that... is a true shame."

- Spock, to Leonard McCoy, regarding the downsides of an Earth untouched by Humans

"Everyone goes to war with everyone eventually, captain. No one can resist trying to take what the other has. Sometimes it is done without weapons through sheer power of authority, but it always happens."

- Roth, to James T. Kirk, regarding his request to remain neutral in the Klingon's conflict

"The captain and I formed a theory about the Guardian, that time travel flows like a river, with currents that carry us along certain patterns and spirals toward critical points"

- Spock, to Dale Bannon, about the workings of the Guardian of Forever

"I could still be in the midst of being crushed to death by that cosmic string and ripped apart by time distortions. This could be the last imaginings of a dying mind. What do you say to that?"
"Captain... I... see no evidence for that line of thinking at all..."
"Well, you wouldn't, since I'm inventing you."

- James T. Kirk and Spock, regarding their time displacement issue

"I'm a doctor! Do you think I sent in for a main-order certificate?"

- Leonard McCoy, to James T. Kirk, after Kirk questioned McCoy's knowledge of dinosaur anatomy

"You are a brave man"
"I am a desperate man. They're often the same."

- Oya and James T. Kirk, regarding the danger of Kirk's attempt to correct the timeline

Background information

• Story is set after the events of TOS: "The Omega Glory".
• The concept of dinosaurs from Earth eventually developing intelligence later appeared as the Voth in VOY: "Distant Origin".

Characters

James T. Kirk

Spock

References

Andorians

A species enslaved by the Klingons or Romulans.

Clan Ru (β)

Troodon species transplanted from Earth before the extinction of the dinosaurs who later gained sentience. Efforts at aggressive expansion in the galaxy were thwarted by the Federation. Attempted to alter time, preventing the evolution of Humanity and the formation of the Federation by deflecting the asteroid responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, this resulted in the Clan Ru developing on Earth and destroying themselves in nuclear wars before reaching the stars. Convinced against changing the timeline when their alternate future is revealed to them.

USS Exeter

A starship involved in simulated battle with the Enterprise.

USS Farragut

A starship involved in simulated battle with the Enterprise.

Melkotians

A species starving to death.

Orions

A species destroyed by the Klingons or Romulans.

Tellarites

A species destroyed by the Klingons.

Tholians

A species destroyed by the Klingons or Romulans.

External link

• First Frontier at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works