Enigma

by Michael Jan Friedman

  “I am glad you are awake,” said the alien, his voice a dissonant jangling of stones. “After all, you are going to be a help to me.” He smiled, stretching his mouth from one side of his face to the other. “A big help.”

  Acknowledgments

  As usual, thanks are due to Margaret Clark, editor and irresistible force, who every day makes me gladder that I’m on her side; Paula Block, Executive Director of Publishing for Viacom Consumer Products, who allows me to write things she no doubt regrets in her more contemplative moments; and Scott Shannon, my publisher, whose support over the years has been so unflagging that I’ve secretly started taking it for granted.

  I’d also like to express my gratitude to…well, YOU. (Don’t look over your shoulder.) I’m talking about YOU out there, the reader. The Stargazer series has been an experiment in its approach to the Star Trek mythos, and like any experiment it’s been a bit of a gamble. But you’ve obviously responded to it, or you wouldn’t be reading this, now would you? So thanks. And don’t forget to pick up the dry cleaning.