''Kirk squares off against the Klingons - in a battle he cannot win!''
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'''''Rules of Engagement''''' is a [[Pocket TOS]] novel – #48 in the numbered series – written by [[Peter Morwood]]. Published by [[Pocket Books]], it was first released in {{m|February|1990}}.
:''A sudden revolution on the planet Dekkanar brings [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} running to evacuate [[Federation]] personnel trapped there. But their orders from [[Starfleet]] are quite clear; the U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' is to assist in the evacuation, no more. No weapons are to be displayed, no [[deflector shield|shields]] raised, no shots fired.''
:''A sudden revolution on the planet Dekkanar brings [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} running to evacuate [[Federation]] personnel trapped there. But their orders from [[Starfleet]] are quite clear; the U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' is to assist in the evacuation, no more. No weapons are to be displayed, no [[deflector shield|shields]] raised, no shots fired.''
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:''Meanwhile, halfway across the [[Milky Way Galaxy|galaxy]], an experimental [[Klingon]] [[Klingon starship classes|warship]] sets forth on a mission of its own, a warship with hidden -- and heretofore undreamed of -- capabilities, commanded by a warrior who will stop at nothing to bring glory to his [[Klingon Empire|Empire]] -- and restore his own lost [[honor]].''
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:''Meanwhile, halfway across the [[Milky Way Galaxy|galaxy]], an experimental [[Klingon]] [[Klingon starship classes|warship]] sets forth on a mission of its own, a warship with hidden – and heretofore undreamed of – capabilities, commanded by a warrior who will stop at nothing to bring glory to his [[Klingon Empire|Empire]] – and restore his own lost [[honor]].''
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:''The Klingon ship's destination? The planet Dekkanar...''
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:''The Klingon ship's destination? The planet Dekkanar…''
{{review}}
{{review}}
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==Background Information==
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== Background information ==
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[[File:Koloth_(2268).jpg|thumb|right|A Klingon-Human fusion from the 2260s]]
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*[[File:Koloth, 2268.jpg|thumb|A Klingon-Human fusion from the 2260s]][[Peter Morwood]] is married to fellow Star Trek author [[Diane Duane]], with whom he co-wrote ''[[Rihannsu]]'' #2: ''[[The Romulan Way]]''.
* Written before the explanation of the [[Klingon augment virus]], the novel deals extensively with why Klingons from {{s|TOS}} looked differently from those of later eras. Specifically, the main Klingon character in the novel (Kasak) explains that he was an "Imperial Klingon" while those of the ''Original Series'' were "Klingon-Human fusions". Present at [[Deep Space Station K-7]] during the events of {{e|The Trouble with Tribbles}}, Kasak was blamed for the entire affair since he was "of pure blood" and "should have known better" even though he was only a [[midshipman]] at the time. The "Imperial race" Klingons are also mentioned in ''[[The IDIC Epidemic]]''.
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* [[Peter Morwood]] is married to fellow Star Trek author [[Diane Duane]], with whom he co-wrote ''[[Rihannsu]]'' #2: "[[The Romulan Way]]".
* James Kirk is depicted as a full [[admiral]] in the novel (contrary to the cover art), apparently having regained his flag rank after the events of {{film|1}} yet still commanding the USS ''Enterprise''. Most other novels set during the [[2270s]] state that Kirk remained a captain while commanding a second five year mission and only became an admiral again after accepting his [[Starfleet Academy]] position as seen in {{film|2}}.
* Written before the explanation of the [[Klingon augment virus]], the novel deals extensively with why Klingons from ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' looked differently from those of later eras. Specifically, the main Klingon character in the novel (Kasak) explains that he was an "Imperial Klingon" while those of the Original Series were "Klingon-Human fusions". Present at [[Deep Space Station K-7]] during the events of {{e|The Trouble with Tribbles}}, Kasak was blamed for the entire affair since he was "of pure blood" and "should have known better" even though he was only a [[midshipman]] at the time. The "Imperial race" Klingons are also mentioned in "[[The IDIC Epidemic]]".
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*[[File: Star Trek novel in Young Sheldon.png|thumb|The novel in ''Young Sheldon'']]The novel has made an interaction with a [[Star Trek parodies and pop culture references (live action television)|''Star Trek'' parody and pop culture production]] in 2021. In the television sitcom ''[[The Big Bang Theory#Young Sheldon (2017-)|Young Sheldon]]'' (Season 5, Episode 6: [[The Big Bang Theory#"Money Laundering and a Cascade of Hormones" (Ep. 06)|"Money Laundering and a Cascade of Hormones"]]) the main protagonist Sheldon Cooper was seen reading the novel.
* James Kirk is depicted as a full [[admiral]] in the novel (contrary to the cover art), apparently having regained his flag rank after the events of {{film|1}} yet still commanding the USS ''Enterprise''. Most other novels set during the [[2270s]] state that Kirk remained a Captain while commanding a second five year mission and only became an admiral again after accepting his [[Starfleet Academy]] position as seen in {{film|2}}.
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==Characters==
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== Characters ==
;[[James T. Kirk]] : [[Starfleet]] [[rear admiral]].
;[[James T. Kirk]] : [[Starfleet]] [[rear admiral]].
;[[Spock]] : [[First officer]] of the ''Enterprise''.
;[[Spock]] : [[First officer]] of the ''Enterprise''.
Line 37:
Line 39:
;Kasak sutai-Khornezh : Klingon captain.
;Kasak sutai-Khornezh : Klingon captain.
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==References==
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== References ==
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;IKS ''Hakkarl'' (KL-1017) : [[Klingon]] {{class|K't'inga}} [[battle cruiser]], automated and controlled from ''Tazhat''
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;{{mb|IKS Hakkarl|IKS ''Hakkarl'' (KL-1017)}} : [[Klingon]] {{class|K't'inga}} [[battle cruiser]], automated and controlled from ''Tazhat''
A sudden revolution on the planet Dekkanar brings CaptainKirk and the USS Enterprise running to evacuate Federation personnel trapped there. But their orders from Starfleet are quite clear; the U.S.S. Enterprise is to assist in the evacuation, no more. No weapons are to be displayed, no shields raised, no shots fired.
Meanwhile, halfway across the galaxy, an experimental Klingonwarship sets forth on a mission of its own, a warship with hidden – and heretofore undreamed of – capabilities, commanded by a warrior who will stop at nothing to bring glory to his Empire – and restore his own lost honor.
The Klingon ship's destination? The planet Dekkanar…
Excerpts of copyrighted sources are included for review purposes only, without any intention of infringement.
Written before the explanation of the Klingon augment virus, the novel deals extensively with why Klingons from Star Trek: The Original Series looked differently from those of later eras. Specifically, the main Klingon character in the novel (Kasak) explains that he was an "Imperial Klingon" while those of the Original Series were "Klingon-Human fusions". Present at Deep Space Station K-7 during the events of "The Trouble with Tribbles", Kasak was blamed for the entire affair since he was "of pure blood" and "should have known better" even though he was only a midshipman at the time. The "Imperial race" Klingons are also mentioned in The IDIC Epidemic.
James Kirk is depicted as a full admiral in the novel (contrary to the cover art), apparently having regained his flag rank after the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture yet still commanding the USS Enterprise. Most other novels set during the 2270s state that Kirk remained a captain while commanding a second five year mission and only became an admiral again after accepting his Starfleet Academy position as seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
