Over the last few months, I have read 3 novels, and 2 collections of short stories edited by Karina Fabian. Prior to that there had been a n 8-year gap in my reading one of her offerings. That was truly my loss. And I am making up for lost time. I cannot seem to put her books down. I have read these, and already picked up 4 others. Those I have added to my reading queue. I have read some of her contributions in anthologies and love her short form fiction. I love her religious themed fiction. But this offering is something completely different. It is the second in here Space Traipse Trilogy. I grew up watching reruns of Star Trek the Original Series, and the animated series during its original run. I have long been a fan of the shows and when much younger read many novelizations. I loved reading the old James Blish Star Trek stories. Reading the stories in this volume and the first book took me back to that early reading, but with a much more humorous slant. These stories are part homage, part satire, part commentary, part parody, and they are a whole lot of fun!
These stories follow the further adventures of the captain and the crew of the HMB Impulsive. The descriptions of the main crew members are:
• Capt Jeb Tiberius: A good ol’ boy from Texas whose religion requires firm buttocks.
• First Officer Commander Phineas Smythe: His uncanny ability to win Rock-Paper-Scissors-Redshirt-Alien means he can pick his away missions.
• Chief Engineer Commander Angus Deary: The first person to reverse the polarity by 90 degrees.
• Xenologist and Ship’s Sexy, Loreli: A plant-based life form with a perfect figure, she keeps up ship morale – and ratings.
• Chief of Security, Enigo Guillermo Ricardo Montoya Guiterrez LaFuentes: Raised on the UGS The Hood, where gang war is a cultural right, he’s not afraid to shoot a fellow crewman. That’s what stun is for!
• Ops Officer Ensign Ellie Doall: Fresh from the HMB Mary Sue, she can so just about anything all on her own – and often does.
• Transporter Chief, Dolfrick Dour: By the manipulations of technology, he reduces people to their most basic elements and rematerializes them elsewhere. Is it any wonder he’s 23rd Century Goth?
The cast breaks the fourth wall in a most Dead Pool like manner. The stories in this volume are:
Lone Star
Amock Time
The No Brainer
Ad Astra – A Space Traipse Movie Review
At the beginning of the book we are told:
“Space: By Keptar, there’s a lot of it. And it’s chock-full of stuff to do and people to meet. These are the adventures of the HMB Impulsive. Its mission: to explore worlds, to seek out anomalies, and to boldly do what no one else has the guts to do! And you know that we’re the ship to do it. Don’t believe me? Hold my beer!”
Join the crew as they navigate the minefields of space, time, and place. And also, family. Find out what happens when Xenologist and Ship’s Sexy, Loreli and Chief Security Office Enigo decide to attempt a relationship. The episode Amock Time is written so well and and in homage to a most excellent episode of Star Trek The Original Series. There is a reference to Saint Danika Wash, of whom I wish to know more. And when the captain meets some distant family it is not all BBQ and sweet tea. Four excellent stories or episodes.
This is a wonderful collection of tales. I said it before and even more so after the second volume it is great for fans of trek, fans of parodies, or people who just love great science fiction stories. The tales reminded me of Spider Robinson’s Cross Time Saloon books in many ways. It is a great ensemble crew. More interesting adventures. Is is a whole lot of fun.
Many of Fabian’s earlier works and Anthologies are out of print, but they are well worth tracking down. I suggest you grab these new stories I am sure you will be entertained. I am already working on the third collection; I grabbed the Season 3 the day it released. Give this volume a try, I am certain you will be entertained. It is a whole lotta fun in a small package.
