Changes: The Sky's the Limit

Latest revision as of 14:38, 27 October 2022

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

For the similarly titled comic book, please see Star Trek: Sky's the Limit.

The Sky's the Limit is a Pocket TNG short story anthology – marking the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation – edited by Marco Palmieri. Published by Pocket Books, it was first released in October 2007.

Summary

From the book jacket

Redefining a familiar universe for a more modern time, Star Trek: The Next Generation introduced Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the officers and crew of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, and the worlds of the twenty-fourth century to a new legion of Star Trek® fans. In the two decades since, viewers and readers have embraced these heroes, thrilled to their personal achievements, their shared victories, their passionate loves… and mourned their painful losses.

Celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this landmark series by joining these now-legendary characters for all-new adventures: fourteen stories that span the time from before their earliest voyages through their missions on board the Enterprise-E – untold tales of intrigue, action, insight, and exploration, as told by:

Christopher L. Bennett – Greg Cox – Keith R.A. DeCandido

Bob Ingersoll & Thomas F. Zahler – David A. McIntee – Scott Pearson

Michael Schuster & Steve Mollmann – Susan Shwartz

Amy Sisson – James Swallow – Geoff Trowbridge

Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore – Richard C. White

Excerpts of copyrighted sources are included for review purposes only, without any intention of infringement.

"Meet with Triumph and Disaster": by Michael Schuster & Steve Mollmann. Set in 2363.; During the commissioning ceremony for the new USS Enterprise-D, Thomas Halloway – shortly to become captain of the Galaxy-class starship – leads a group of dignitaries on a tour, and comes to a crucial decision regarding his future.

"Acts of Compassion": by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore. Set in season one, shortly after "11001001".; An urgent call from a Cardassian acquaintance leads Beverly Crusher and Natasha Yar into a precarious situation aboard a Galor-class destroyer, as mutiny and deception threaten the lives of three Starfleet Intelligence officers captured by the Cardassians.

"Redshift": by Richard C. White. Set in season two.; Katherine Pulaski's attempts to develop a medical rapid-response team cause friction on board. But an encounter with an alien ship, and a subsequent assault on the Enterprise, could prove to be the making of both.

"Among the Clouds": by Scott Pearson. Set during the latter half of season three.; A civilization's distress beacon transmitted from a dead starship leads Geordi La Forge into a dangerous encounter with a group of survivors living within the atmosphere of a gas giant.

"Thinking of You": by Greg Cox. Set in season five, concurrent with "New Ground".; A simple mission – transport Lwaxana Troi to a diplomatic summit – presents Reginald Barclay and Ro Laren with a unique holographic challenge when terrorists strike.

"Turncoats": by Susan Shwartz. Set in season six, immediately after "Face Of The Enemy".; Stefan DeSeve contemplates his future after his return to the Federation, and when an unexpected complication from the mission threatens the Enterprise, the defector glimpses a chance for redemption.

"Ordinary Days": by James Swallow. Set in season seven, concurrent with "Journey's End".; Wesley Crusher, standing against Cardassian oppression and Federation abandonment of his home on Dorvan V, considers his life to date, and is helped to see the possibility of another path by Lakanta.

"'Twould Ring the Bells of Heaven": by Amy Sisson. Set between "All Good Things..." and Star Trek Generations.; Deanna Troi's first command mission develops unexpected complications when what begins as a simple astrophysics experiment in a gas giant's ring system results in serious damage to Data, and threatens to destroy a nearby outpost.

"Friends with the Sparrows": by Christopher L. Bennett. Set several months after Star Trek Generations.; Data's newly-installed emotion chip causes problems as a xenoanthropologist attempts to develop a diplomatic relationship with the Children of Tama.

"Suicide Note": by Geoff Trowbridge. Set between Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection, sometime after DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight" but before DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges".; Jean-Luc Picard is given the opportunity to keep a promise, during an intelligence summit on Romulus.

"Four Lights": by Keith R.A. DeCandido. Set between Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek Nemesis, sometime prior to DS9: "Field of Fire".; During the Battle of Ricktor Prime, Picard comes face-to-face with his past, when a distress beacon from a Cardassian ship leads to the capture of one Gul Madred.

"'Til Death": by Bob Ingersoll & Thom Zahler. Set in the weeks prior to Star Trek Nemesis.; An attack during an archaeological expedition to a long-lost Fabrini colony leaves William T. Riker near death, and contemplating how to say "goodbye".

"On the Spot": by David A. McIntee. Set during the epilogue of Star Trek Nemesis.; With repairs to the USS Enterprise nearing completion, Spot deals with her new situation – as does Worf – and both encounter an attempt to sabotage the starship.

"Trust Yourself When All Men Doubt You": by Michael Schuster & Steve Mollmann. Set during the epilogue after Star Trek Nemesis.; Picard considers the best wisdom to impart to the newly-promoted Captain Riker, and recalls the advice he was given upon taking command of the Enterprise – by one Thomas Halloway.

Memorable quotes

"Omicron Theta. Tripoli. What? The crew on the bridge. When the Satarran scan occurred… Holmes in the drawing room. The Dancing Men. Sato with the Anticanna!"

- Data, awakening after being programmed to think like a Tamarian

Background information

The anthology contains a excerpt from the Tokyopop manga Kakan ni Shinkou – the complete story "Forging Alliances".
Fred Bronson was originally announced as a contributor, with a story title of "Now You See Her…", but was forced to withdraw due to other commitments.
Season four is the only era of TNG not represented in the book. Presumably, this slot would have been filled by Bronson's story.
On the anthology's title page, the fifth city listed under Pocket Books is Farpoint, the location of the Enterprise-D's first mission.
Cover art by Stephan Martiniere.

Characters

Thomas Halloway (β): Upon the commissioning of the Enterprise-D, Halloway chooses to turn down the captaincy, in order to stay close to his family. Halloway later perishes aboard the USS Melbourne at Wolf 359, after taking the ship out of Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards in a half-constructed state.

External link

The Sky's the Limit at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works

Previous novel:	Series	Next novel:
Q&A	Pocket TNG Unnumbered novels	Before Dishonor

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{realworld}}
+{{real world}}
-{{Sidebar novel|
+{{sidebar novel
-| image             = The Skys The Limit cover.jpg
+|image        = The Skys The Limit cover.jpg
-| Editor            = [[Marco Palmieri]]
+|editor       = [[Marco Palmieri]]
-| Artist            = [[Stephan Martiniere]]
+|artist       = [[Stephan Martiniere]]
-| Publisher         = [[Pocket Books]]
+|publisher    = [[Pocket Books]]
-| Series            = [[Pocket TNG]]
+|series       = [[Pocket TNG]]
-| Published         = {{d|16|October|2007}}
+|published    = {{d|16|October|2007}}
-| Pages             = 400
+|pages        = 400
-| Year              = [[2363]]; [[2364]]; [[2365]]; [[2366]]; [[2368]]; [[2369]]; [[2370]]; [[2371]]; [[2374]]; [[2375]]; [[2379]]
+|year         = [[2363]]; [[2364]]; [[2365]]; [[2366]]; [[2368]]; [[2369]]; [[2370]]; [[2371]]; [[2374]]; [[2375]]; [[2379]]
-| Stardate          = ''Various''
+|stardate     = ''Various''
-| ISBN              = 0743492552 (trade&nbsp;paperback)<br />ISBN 141655470X (eBook)
+|ISBN         = {{ISBN|0743492552}} (trade paperback)<br />{{ISBN|141655470X}} (eBook)<br />{{ASIN|B000UZQJHI}} (Kindle)
 }}
+{{disambiguation|the similarly titled comic book|Star Trek: Sky's the Limit}}
-'''''The Sky's the Limit''''' is an anthology of fourteen short stories in celebration of the 20th anniversary of ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.
+'''''The Sky's the Limit''''' is a [[Pocket TNG]] short story anthology &ndash; marking the [[20th anniversary]] of {{s|TNG}} &ndash; edited by [[Marco Palmieri]]. Published by [[Pocket Books]], it was first released in {{m|October|2007}}.
-==Summary==
+== Summary ==
-From the book jacket:
+;From the book jacket:
-:''Redefining a familiar universe for a more modern time, ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' introduced [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]], the officers and crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D| NCC-1701-D}}, and the worlds of the [[24th century|twenty-fourth century]] to a new legion of ''Star Trek''&reg; fans. In the two decades since, viewers and readers have embraced these heroes, thrilled to their personal achievements, their shared victories, their passionate loves... and mourned their painful losses.''
+:''Redefining a familiar universe for a more modern time, {{s|TNG}} introduced [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]], the officers and crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D| NCC-1701-D}}, and the worlds of the [[24th century|twenty-fourth century]] to a new legion of ''Star Trek''&reg; fans. In the two decades since, viewers and readers have embraced these heroes, thrilled to their personal achievements, their shared victories, their passionate loves&hellip; and mourned their painful losses.''
 :''Celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this landmark series by joining these now-legendary characters for all-new adventures: fourteen stories that span the time from before their earliest voyages through their missions on board the ''Enterprise''-E &ndash; untold tales of intrigue, action, insight, and exploration, as told by:''
-::''[[Christopher L. Bennett]] - [[Greg Cox]] - [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]]''
+::''[[Christopher L. Bennett]] &ndash; [[Greg Cox]] &ndash; [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]]''
-::''[[Bob Ingersoll]] & [[Thomas F. Zahler]] - [[David A. McIntee]] - [[Scott Pearson]]''
+::''[[Bob Ingersoll]] & [[Thom Zahler|Thomas F. Zahler]] &ndash; [[David A. McIntee]] &ndash; [[Scott Pearson]]''
-::''[[Michael Schuster]] & [[Steve Mollmann]] - [[Susan Shwartz]]''
+::''[[Michael Schuster]] & [[Steve Mollmann]] &ndash; [[Susan Shwartz]]''
-::''[[Amy Sisson]] - [[James Swallow]] - [[Geoff Trowbridge]]''
+::''[[Amy Sisson]] &ndash; [[James Swallow]] &ndash; [[Geoff Trowbridge]]''
-::''[[Dayton Ward]] & [[Kevin Dilmore]] - [[Richard C. White]]''
+::''[[Dayton Ward]] & [[Kevin Dilmore]] &ndash; [[Richard C. White]]''
 {{review}}
+=== Contents ===
+;"Meet with Triumph and Disaster" : ''by [[Michael Schuster]] & [[Steve Mollmann]]. Set in [[2363]].''
+:During the commissioning ceremony for the new {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, [[Thomas Halloway]] &ndash; shortly to become captain of the {{class|Galaxy}} starship &ndash; leads a group of dignitaries on a tour, and comes to a crucial decision regarding his future.
+;"Acts of Compassion" : ''by [[Dayton Ward]] & [[Kevin Dilmore]]. Set in [[TNG Season 1|season one]], shortly after {{e|11001001}}.''
-===Meet With Triumph and Disaster===
+:An urgent call from a [[Cardassian]] acquaintance leads [[Beverly Crusher]] and [[Natasha Yar]] into a precarious situation aboard a {{class|Galor}} destroyer, as mutiny and deception threaten the lives of three [[Starfleet Intelligence]] officers captured by the Cardassians.
-:''By [[Michael Schuster]] & [[Steve Mollmann]]. Set in [[2363]].''
+;"Redshift" : ''by [[Richard C. White]]. Set in [[TNG Season 2|season two]].''
-During the commissioning ceremony for the new {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, [[Thomas Halloway]] - shortly to become captain of the {{ShipClass|Galaxy}} starship - leads a group of dignitaries on a tour, and comes to a crucial decision regarding his future.
+:[[Katherine Pulaski]]'s attempts to develop a medical rapid-response team cause friction on board. But an encounter with an alien ship, and a subsequent assault on the ''Enterprise'', could prove to be the making of both.
+;"Among the Clouds" : ''by [[Scott Pearson]]. Set during the latter half of [[TNG Season 3|season three]].''
-===Acts Of Compassion===
+:A civilization's distress beacon transmitted from a dead starship leads [[Geordi La Forge]] into a dangerous encounter with a group of survivors living within the atmosphere of a [[gas giant]].
-:''By [[Dayton Ward]] & [[Kevin Dilmore]]. Set in [[TNG Season 1|season one]], shortly after {{e|11001001}}.''
+;"Thinking of You" : ''by [[Greg Cox]]. Set in [[TNG Season 5|season five]], concurrent with {{e|New Ground}}.''
-An urgent call from a [[Cardassian]] acquaintance leads [[Beverly Crusher]] and [[Natasha Yar]] into a precarious situation aboard a {{ShipClass|Galor}} destroyer, as mutiny and deception threaten the lives of three [[Starfleet Intelligence]] officers captured by the Cardassians.
+:A simple mission &ndash; transport [[Lwaxana Troi]] to a diplomatic summit &ndash; presents [[Reginald Barclay]] and [[Ro Laren]] with a unique holographic challenge when terrorists strike.
+;"Turncoats" : ''by [[Susan Shwartz]]. Set in [[TNG Season 6|season six]], immediately after {{e|Face Of The Enemy}}.''
-===Redshift===
+:[[Stefan DeSeve]] contemplates his future after his return to the [[Federation]], and when an unexpected complication from the mission threatens the ''Enterprise'', the defector glimpses a chance for redemption.
-:''By [[Richard C. White]]. Set in [[TNG Season 2|season two]].''
+;"Ordinary Days" : ''by [[James Swallow]]. Set in [[TNG Season 7|season seven]], concurrent with {{e|Journey's End}}.''
-[[Katherine Pulaski]]'s attempts to develop a medical rapid-response team cause friction on board. But an encounter with an alien ship, and a subsequent assault on the ''Enterprise'', could prove to be the making of both.
+:[[Wesley Crusher]], standing against Cardassian oppression and Federation abandonment of his home on [[Dorvan V]], considers his life to date, and is helped to see the possibility of another path by [[Lakanta]].
+;"'Twould Ring the Bells of Heaven" : ''by [[Amy Sisson]]. Set between {{e|All Good Things...}} and {{film|7}}.''
-===Among the Clouds===
+:[[Deanna Troi]]'s first command mission develops unexpected complications when what begins as a simple astrophysics experiment in a gas giant's ring system results in serious damage to [[Data]], and threatens to destroy a nearby outpost.
-:''By [[Scott Pearson]]. Set during the latter half of [[TNG Season 3|season three]].''
+;"Friends with the Sparrows" : ''by [[Christopher L. Bennett]]. Set several months after {{film|7}}.''
-A civilization's distress beacon transmitted from a dead starship leads [[Geordi La Forge]] into a dangerous encounter with a group of survivors living within the atmosphere of a [[gas giant]].
+:Data's newly-installed [[emotion chip]] causes problems as a xenoanthropologist attempts to develop a diplomatic relationship with the [[Children of Tama]].
+;"Suicide Note" : ''by [[Geoff Trowbridge]]. Set between {{film|8}} and {{film|9}}, sometime after {{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}} but before {{DS9|Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges}}.''
-===Thinking of You===
+:[[Jean-Luc Picard]] is given the opportunity to keep a promise, during an intelligence summit on [[Romulus]].
-:''By [[Greg Cox]]. Set in [[TNG Season 5|season five]], concurrent with {{e|New Ground}}.''
+;"Four Lights" : ''by [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]]. Set between {{film|9}} and {{film|10}}, sometime prior to {{DS9|Field of Fire}}.''
-A simple mission - transport [[Lwaxana Troi]] to a diplomatic summit - presents [[Reginald Barclay]] and [[Ro Laren]] with a unique holographic challenge when terrorists strike.
+:During the [[Battle of Ricktor Prime]], Picard comes face-to-face with his past, when a distress beacon from a Cardassian ship leads to the capture of one [[Gul]] [[Madred]].
+;"'Til Death" : ''by [[Bob Ingersoll]] & [[Thom Zahler]]. Set in the weeks prior to {{film|10}}.''
-===Turncoats===
+:An attack during an archaeological expedition to a long-lost [[Fabrini]] colony leaves [[William T. Riker]] near death, and contemplating how to say "goodbye".
-:''By [[Susan Shwartz]]. Set in [[TNG Season 6|season six]], immediately after {{e|Face of the Enemy}}.''
+;"On the Spot" : ''by [[David A. McIntee]]. Set during the epilogue of {{film|10}}.''
-[[Stefan DeSeve]] contemplates his future after his return to the [[Federation]], and when an unexpected complication from the mission threatens the ''Enterprise'', the defector glimpses a chance for redemption.
+:With repairs to the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E}} nearing completion, [[Spot]] deals with her new situation &ndash; as does [[Worf]] &ndash; and both encounter an attempt to sabotage the starship.
+;"Trust Yourself When All Men Doubt You" : ''by Michael Schuster & Steve Mollmann. Set during the epilogue after {{film|10}}.''
-===Ordinary Days===
+:Picard considers the best wisdom to impart to the newly-promoted Captain Riker, and recalls the advice he was given upon taking command of the ''Enterprise'' &ndash; by one Thomas Halloway.
-:''By [[James Swallow]]. Set in [[TNG Season 7|season seven]], concurrent with {{e|Journey's End}}.''
+== Memorable quotes ==
-[[Wesley Crusher]], standing against Cardassian oppression and Federation abandonment of his home on [[Dorvan V]], considers his life to date, and is helped to see the possibility of another path by [[Lakanta]].
+"''[[Omicron Theta]]. ''[[USS Tripoli|Tripoli]]''. What? The crew on the bridge. When the [[Satarran]] scan occurred&hellip; [[Sherlock Holmes|Holmes]] in the drawing room. The Dancing Men. [[Hoshi Sato|Sato]] with the Anticanna!''"
+: - '''Data''', awakening after being programmed to think like a [[Tamarian]]
+== Background information ==
-==='Twould Ring The Bells of Heaven===
+* The anthology contains a excerpt from the [[Tokyopop]] manga ''[[Kakan ni Shinkou]]'' &ndash; the complete story "Forging Alliances".
-:''By [[Amy Sisson]]. Set between {{e|All Good Things...}} and {{film|7}}.''
+* [[Fred Bronson]] was originally announced as a contributor, with a story title of "Now You See Her&hellip;", but was forced to withdraw due to other commitments.
-[[Deanna Troi]]'s first command mission develops unexpected complications when what begins as a simple astrophysics experiment in a gas giant's ring system results in serious damage to [[Data]], and threatens to destroy a nearby outpost.
-===Friends With The Sparrows===
-:''By [[Christopher L. Bennett]]. Set several months after {{film|7}}.''
-Data's newly-installed [[emotion chip]] causes problems as a xenoanthropologist attempts to develop a diplomatic relationship with the [[Children of Tama]].
-===Suicide Note===
-:''By [[Geoff Trowbridge]]. Set between {{film|8}} and {{film|9}}, sometime after {{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}}.''
-[[Jean-Luc Picard]] is given the opportunity to keep a promise, during an intelligence summit on [[Romulus]].
-===Four Lights===
-:''By [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]]. Set between {{film|9}} and {{film|10}}, sometime prior to {{DS9|Field of Fire}}.''
-During the [[Battle of Ricktor Prime]], Picard comes face-to-face with his past, when a distress beacon from a Cardassian ship leads to the capture of one [[Gul]] [[Madred]].
-==='Til Death===
-:''By [[Bob Ingersoll]] & [[Thom Zahler]]. Set in the weeks prior to {{film|10}}.''
-An attack during an archaeological expedition to a long-lost [[Fabrini]] colony leaves [[William T. Riker]] near death, and contemplating how to say "goodbye".
-===On the Spot===
-:''By [[David A. McIntee]]. Set during the epilogue of {{film|10}}.''
-With repairs to the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E}} nearing completion, [[Spot]] deals with her new situation - as does [[Worf]] - and both encounter an attempt to sabotage the starship.
-===Trust Yourself When All Men Doubt You===
-:''By Michael Schuster & Steve Mollmann. Set during the epilogue after {{film|10}}.''
-Picard considers the best wisdom to impart to the newly-promoted Captain Riker, and recalls the advice he was given upon taking command of the ''Enterprise'' - by one Thomas Halloway.
-==Memorable Quotes==
-"''[[Omicron Theta]]. ''[[USS Tripoli|Tripoli]]''. What? The crew on the bridge. When the [[Satarran]] scan occurred...[[Sherlock Holmes|Holmes]] in the drawing room. The Dancing Men. [[Hoshi Sato|Sato]] with the Anticanna!''"
-: '''Data''', awakening after being programmed to think like a [[Tamarian]]
-==Background Information==
-*The anthology contains a excerpt from the [[Tokyopop]] manga ''[[Kakan ni Shinkou]]'' - the complete story "Forging Alliances".
-* [[Fred Bronson]] was originally announced as a contributor, with a story title of "Now You See Her...", but was forced to withdraw due to other commitments.
 * [[TNG Season 4|Season four]] is the only era of TNG not represented in the book. Presumably, this slot would have been filled by Bronson's story.
-*In the novel's inner title page, the 5th city listed under Pocket Books is Farpoint, the location of the Enterprise-D's first mission.
+* On the anthology's title page, the fifth city listed under Pocket Books is [[Farpoint]], the location of the ''Enterprise''-D's first mission.
+* Cover art by [[Stephan Martiniere]].
-==Characters==
+== Characters ==
-;[[Thomas Halloway]] ({{mbeta|Thomas Halloway}}) : Upon the commissioning of the ''Enterprise''-D, Halloway chooses to turn down the captaincy, in order to stay close to his family. Halloway later perishes aboard the {{USS|Melbourne|Nebula class}} at [[Wolf 359]], after taking the ship out of [[Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards]] in a half-constructed state.
+;{{mb|Thomas Halloway|[[Thomas Halloway]]}} : Upon the commissioning of the ''Enterprise''-D, Halloway chooses to turn down the captaincy, in order to stay close to his family. Halloway later perishes aboard the {{USS|Melbourne|Nebula class}} at [[Wolf 359]], after taking the ship out of [[Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards]] in a half-constructed state.
-<!--
-==References==
-;[[CANON REFERENCE]] : Description of mention from novel.
+== External link ==
-;NON-CANON REFERENCE : Description, no non-canon links.
+* {{mbeta-title}}
--->
-==External link==
-* {{NCwiki-title}}
 {{Novel nav
 |series      = [[Pocket TNG]]<br />Unnumbered novels
-|prev        = ''[[Q&A]]''
+|prev        = ''{{dis|Q&A|novel}}''
 |next        = ''[[Before Dishonor]]''
 }}
 [[cs:The Sky's the Limit]]
-[[Category:Novels|Sky's the Limit]]
+[[Category:Anthologies|Sky's the Limit]]