Star Trek: Picard’s Past Comes Back to Haunt Him in ‘Available Light’

Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s past isn’t done with him yet in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light.

The upcoming novel is written by Dayton Ward, who shared the book’s official cover art for the novel to his blog today.

Here’s the cover:

And here’s the synopsis the novel:

“The past comes back to haunt Captain Jean-Luc Picard in this brand new thriller set in the universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Section 31, the covert organization which has operated without accountability in the shadows for more than two centuries, has been exposed. Throughout the Federation, the rogue group’s agents and leaders are being taken into custody as the sheer scope of its misdeeds comes to light. Now Starfleet Command must decide the consequences for numerous officers caught up in the scandal—including Admirals William Ross, Edward Jellico, Alynna Nechayev, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard who, along with many others, are implicated in the forced removal of a Federation president.

Meanwhile, deep in the distant, unexplored region of space known as the Odyssean Pass, Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise must put aside personal feelings and political concerns as they investigate a massive mysterious spacecraft. Adrift for centuries in the void, the ship is vital to the survival of an endangered civilization which has spent generations searching for a world to sustain what remains of its people. Complicating matters is a band of marauders who have their own designs on the ancient ship, with only the Enterprise standing in their way….”

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light takes place in the Star Trek novel series’ post-Star Trek: Nemesis timeline. Available Light picks up following the events of Ward’s previous Next Generation novel Hearts and Minds. The novel will also feature elements from Ward’s Star Trek: Section 31 novel Control.

The involvement of Picard and Section 31 in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light touches on two major threads in Star Trek television. Patrick Stewart recently began work on a new Star Trek series for CBS All Access that will see him reprising his role as Picard 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis, Meanwhile, Section 31 will return in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery.

Are you excited to read Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light? Let us know in the comments section!

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light goes on sale in April 2019.