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Star Trek: To Reign In Hell by Greg Cox
01/12/2006 . Source: Laura Kayne 
pub: Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster. 374 page paperback. Price: $ 7.99 (US), $10.99 (CAN). ISBN: 0-7434-5712-5. Buy Star Trek: To Reign In Hell in the USA - or Buy Star Trek: To Reign In Hell in the UK  check out website: www.simonsays.co.uk
The name Khan Noonien Singh will be a familiar one to any fan of 'Star Trek: The Original Series'. First appearing in the episode 'Space Seed', he quickly became a very popular character, leading to the making of the second Star Trek film: 'The Wrath Of Khan'. Now Greg Cox has continued his story, bridging the gap between the events of the episode and the film to comment on what may have led to his actions in Star Trek II.
Following the events in 'The Wrath Of Khan', Kirk, Spock and McCoy travel to Ceti Alpha V where Khan and his followers were relocated by the Enterprise some twenty years earlier. Khan dreamt of building a new world in which to reign, along with Lt. Marla McGivers of Starfleet by his side. It is already clear to Kirk that something went wrong and, on the surface of Khan's planet, they quickly discover the remains of Marla and details of disaster after disaster which eventually drove Khan to madness.
The decision to live with Marla, different as she is from the rest of Khan's genetically enhanced followers, immediately creates tension in the camp, eventually leading to rebellion and civil war. That is not the only problem they face, though, as they work to fight savage wildlife, parasitic insects, harsh weather conditions, a lack of resources and a harsh environment caused by the destruction of Ceti Alpha VI. Throughout all this, Khan and Marla try their best to make the colony thrive. There are marriages and children, new homes and a gradual improvement in conditions and food resources. This prosperous time doesn't last long, though.
They struggle onwards, desperate for help and not understanding why Starfleet has never checked on them since the explosion of Ceti Alpha VI. Years pass and circumstances get worse but Khan never gives up on his vision or on his people. He channels all his strength and energy into survival. But their numbers continue to dwindle against the elements, the wild animals and the rebels and when they can't manage survival, Khan begins to latch onto revenge to keep him alive. Revenge against James T. Kirk for abandoning them on Ceti Alpha V in the first place. When the USS Reliant finally appears, Khan takes his chance to escape Ceti Alpha V and find Kirk.
Cox makes a compelling case and story for the years between 'Space Seed' and 'The Wrath Of Khan' and how the events of those years led to the character of Khan seen in the film. It is a tale quite distinct to many within the Star Trek universe for several reasons. First, the crew of the Enterprise, in fact all Starfleet itself with the debatable exception of Marla McGivers, is largely absent from the story. Kirk, Spock and McCoy are in the book very briefly and only really as a framing device put in around a story told in flashback.
Another reason why 'To Reign In Hell' is unusual is for the situation the characters are put into. This is no Federation society, not even an emerging colony. Instead, the society Khan and his followers are forced to create and the way they live and interact with each other has much more in common with the early twenty-first century or even early than the twenty-third. Khan's people are a product of the twentieth century and remain so. There is prejudice, rivalry, bitterness, anger and jealousy, killing and violence and civil war. There is no real happy ending.
Nevertheless, 'To Reign In Hell' is a well-written, entertaining story and an interesting character study as well as an engaging look at some possible results of Kirk's actions in 'Space Seed', which should appeal to fans of the original series and of the always compelling character of Khan Noonien Singh.
Laura Kayne
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