1262. Futures, Part OnePUBLICATION: Star Trek: Early Voyages #12, Marvel Comics, January 1998
CREATORS: Ian Edginton and Dan Abnett (writers), Michael Collins and Greg Adams (artists)
STARDATE: 2389.4 (follows the last issue)
PLOT: While the Enterprise is effecting repairs at planet Algol, Number One is offered command of the USS Nelson, but she declines. Turns out Pike needs her to command the Enterprise anyway, since he's beings ent on a secret mission. Her mentor during this period will be Admiral Robert April. Meanwhile, Colt and José are on their "date" down on the planet where they pick up an artifact at the "Well of Tomorrows" a sort of oracle for the heroes of Algolian myth. In the bauble, José sees himself as a captain (in the Movie Era). Colt sees nothing. She secrets the bauble to the ship to examine it further, and an active tricorder scan transports her in time to the Movie Era where she is arrested as an intruder...
CONTINUITY: Algolians were seen in both Ménage à Troi and Qpid (they are not seen here, only their planet). Admiral Robert April, the Enterprise's previous captain, last appeared in issue #1.
DIVERGENCES: See previous issues (stardates).
PANEL OF THE DAY - Breaking the warp barrier
REVIEW: It occurs to me that I haven't read a Star Trek time travel story in a while. This looks to be a good one, with potential homages to others versions of the Enterprise crew, and Mia Colt is a fun, spunky character. I want to go on that tour with her. Is the lack of a future for her a bit of foreshadowing? Is she on Kirk's Enterprise or somehow on José's foreseen command? That's all for next issue. This issue is only half-concerned with the time travel story. Number One's possible departure turns out to be much ado about nothing, but isn't without its uses. Looks like it sparks off an arc where she will be in command (we get out cake and eat it too). And will Sita keep bucking for a promotion? As a possible choice for the next first officer, she's got a lot of growing up to do. The dynamics could be interesting. Too early to tell on Pike's secret mission. Speaking of Pike, I'm struck at how level-headed and serious he is. We're so used to Kirk's lighter touch that it's become the standard for the "cowboys" of the TOS era. So props to the writers for making him a distinct, if pretty joyless, character. We'll see how the older Robert April stacks up.
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