Doctor's Orders

Star Trek: The Original Series #50

by Diane Duane

When Dr. McCoy grumbles once too often about the way the U.S.S. Enterprise™ ought to be run, Captain Kirk decides to leave the doctor in command while he oversees a routine diplomatic mission. Kirk beams down to a strange planet nicknamed "Flyspeck" to negotiate its admission into the Federation, leaving Dr. McCoy to enjoy his new authority.

However, the doctor soon learns that command is a double-edged sword when Kirk disappears without a trace. Desperately trying to locate his captain, McCoy comes under pressure from Starfleet to resolve the situation immediately. Matters go from bad to worse when the Klingons arrive and stake their own claim on Flyspeck.

Then another, more deadly power threatens them all, and suddenly Dr. McCoy and the Starship Enterprise find themselves pitted against an alien fleet in a battle they have no hope of winning.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Star Trek Original Series, Media Tie In, Space Opera

291 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Diane Duane has been a writer of science fiction, fantasy, TV and film for more than forty years.

Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.

She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.

Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."

(From her official website)

Reviews

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what the doctor ordered!


CALLING DOCTOR MCCOY!

This is a very entertaining novel.

Certain elements on the story are a bit forced to make the premise to work, but I am not complaining since the book offered just what I wanted to read...

...a story where Dr. McCoy is in command of the USS Enterprise!

"Bones" is now who gives the orders in the Starfleet's Flagship!


ROUTINE DIPLOMATIC MISSION? REALLY?

The Enterprise arrives to Muscae IV, a world who is nicknamed "Flyspeck".

Captain James T. Kirk needs to supervise, down in the planet's surface, what is supposed to be a routine diplomatic mission...

...yeah, right...

A routine diplomatic mission?

In Star Trek???

You can bet your gold-pressed latinum bars that hardly will be a routine diplomatic mission!

Kirk disappears! (See? What I just told you!)

Leaving "Bones" in command of the ship and now Starfleet is demanding for results and fast!

Sure, there is Spock, BUT part of the fun of reading this novel is that since Kirk gave official command of the Enterprise to McCoy, Spock can't releave him of command without a reasonable motive. And you know how strict was Spock following procedures in the times of The Original Series.

Starship Command isn't as fun anymore as "Bones" thought to be.


THE BIG CHAIR

Maybe the book it isn't so profound or dealing with a subject about social critique...

...but if you are looking for an amusing novel of Star Trek with cool action and smart humor...

...this is your book!!!

Especially if you are fan of Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy and you want to see him how he deals with commanding decisions on the "big chair".

Give it a chance to the book and I am sure that you won't be disappointed.

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I was skeptical that this book, given to me by a friend, would be worth the time, having been previously disappointed by other Star Trek novels. I also didn't think much of the idea of a medical doctor ending up in command --- didn't seem realistic, probably because of my prior experience in the military. However, this book was worth the time.

It really was a fun read. The seemingly unrealistic idea of how McCoy ends up in command of Enterprise is convincing, and this book, as its plot unfolds, really captured the magic and originality of the original TV series ---- the fascinating events and unique, thought-provoking situations faced by Enterprise and her crew, the interaction between the intelligent intuition and informed emotions of McCoy vs the dispassionate logic and objectivity of Spock as they work together to save their ship, rescue Kirk, and accomplish the mission assigned by Star Fleet.

An enjoyable book to read, especially if you enjoyed the original Star Trek. Definitely worth the time!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent TOS novel, especially for those who are McCoy fans like myself. It's great fun to see the good doctor walk a mile in Kirk's shoes as he's thrust into command and forced to make life and death decisions on the Enterprise's bridge, rather than just sickbay. Beyond that there's an intriguing newly discovered alien world presented here, 1212 Muscae IV, with three very distinctive non-humanoid sentient species - one akin to bags of motile fluid, one tree like, and one ephemeral and extraordinarily enigmatic. The first half of the story follows the crew as they attempt to establish basic communications and relations, and it's kind of fascinating to see some of the linguistic and anthropological challenges they face, those that get glossed over or skipped entirely in television episodes or movies. To top it off there's some riveting action as well, played out through an epic space battle where Bones' mettle is put to the test against the Klingons and a marauding band of Orion pirates. Trek novels don't get much better than this!

[Irrlicht · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can’t tell you how much in love with this book I am.

I just… totally am.

I don’t know the first thing about Diane Duane. I haven’t googled her (yet), I haven’t read any articles about her or “short cv’s” at the end of her books, but from what I got from her stories, she is – well, she must be – an avid McCoy fangirl (just like me).

Her McCoy is spot on. I can’t imagine how anyone else could have written him any better.

And in Doctor’s Orders we can even see him absolutely shine in a situation, or better in situations, he’s usually not it. Read: acting captain of the USS Enterprise.

He’s forced to deal with a new planet, three new species, Klingons, Orion pirates, and he’s allowed to have (self-) doubts.

And while focussing pretty heavily on McCoy, Diane Duane also manages to include Spock, Uhura, Sulu and Chekov, who have actually something to do (plus helping Bones with his new command – not that he needs much); and last but not least Kirk, who deals with the whole ‘let's-include-the-new-species- in-the-Federation’ thing negotiations all on his own. And brilliantly.

All in all a wonderfully balanced book about allies and enemies and how they sometimes become both at the same time.

[Chris Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mostly passed on these Star Trek books back in the day because I was interested in more complicated books. But now, 35 years later, I find myself really missing the original Star Trek. As I write this, only three of the main actors are still alive. So, I find myself seeking out these old books, looking for more stories in the spirit of the original Star Trek. No reboots or updates for modern audiences, just more of what I loved. The quality of these books varies greatly, but Doctor's Orders is definitely one of the best I've read.

The premise of making Bones the captain stretches credulity. I find it very hard to believe a senior officer would be unable to take command in a crisis. However, my criticisms of the book end there. It has everything you'd want from a Star Trek story. Away missions, Klingons, space battles, interesting aliens that would have been hard to represent on 60s television, and morals about how to get along with different peoples and cultures. The story focuses mostly on McCoy and Kirk, but there's some Spock in there, too. For fans of the original Star Trek looking to pick out some of the better novels, I really can't recommend this one enough. 4.5/5

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one - and I feel a bit bad rounding down, but hey ho!

The character driven bits were very lovely, and seeing McCoy in charge was very sexy. And when Kirk comes back at the end, also very, very sexy.

But there was sooo much science? And tactics? And they seemed to go on for a very long time. Like, you’d never get this much confusing detail in an episode.

Also, the whole reason for McCoy taking charge was so flimsy (in a hilarious way) that it kind of distracted me. It would have made a lot more sense for Spock to be missing with Kirk and that’s why he was stuck in command lol.

So many nice bits though!

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best ST:TOS tie-in novel I've read so far. Not only are Diane Duane's characters perfectly in-character, the story itself is rather intriguing.

Dr. Leonard McCoy is entrusted the Enterprise temporarily and what should've been a boring day in the captain's chair turns out to be much more complicated. Now, he has to deal with three weird alien species, a missing Kirk, Starfleet bureaucrats, the Klingons and Orion pirates. I also loved Kirk and the ;At's discussions of the nature of right and wrong which offered me some interesting and rather eye-opening insights.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those instances where you have to be careful what you wish for. It’s billed as a simple survey mission and even a few snags don’t amount to much more than extra paperwork. So Kirk feels totally comfortable making McCoy put his money where his mouth is and leaves McCoy in command of the Enterprise. It’s meant to be an hour or two but Kirk disappears and then things get worse.

McCoy is out of his element but he does what he can. He relies on the expertise of his crew, and they support him, even when McCoy js doubting himself and wishing he could get relieved. Spock and McCoy are especially good together and I loved seeing how McCoy handles facing a Klingon commander. A fun, very true to the show, story that I’m going to love reading again.

[Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

he story focuses on Doctor McCoy reluctantly taking the helm of the Enterprise while Captain Kirk joins the away team on a newly discover planet where he subsequently disappears. There is a lot to like about this book. The author builds a strange world with three evolved species, all of them completely original and fascinating. The character portrayals are picture perfect – Bones is sarcastic and irritable, and Spock is officious and pedantic. It’s no surprise that commanding the star ship turns out to be far more complex and dangerous than expected when Kirk disappears and Klingons and space pirates pose deadly threats. This is one of the top Star Trek books that I’ve read and on the Star Trek book scale I give it five stars.

[Mae Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this one is just... It's such a Star Trek premise - that is, a premise that exists because these overprotective, certified-genius Starfleet officers are actual children without an ounce of common sense or self-preservation instincts.

To set the scene:
- New planet with three species that aren't quite understood yet
- Federation wants them to join up, sends Enterprise
- Jim isn't supposed to go down, despite REALLY wanting too
- Linguistics, Sciences, and Medical have a LOT of work to do
- McCoy is overworking, not sleeping, not eating (bad bad BAD)
- Jim decides to force McCoy to take a break by giving him the conn
- He uses making sure Spock is taking breaks as an excuse to beam down
- Jim never finds Spock, goes frolicking, and disappears from the ships sensors
- GUESS MCCOY'S IN CHARGE NOW

It's not my favorite Star Trek novel, but it's good. The alien species are fascinating, as you'd expect from Duane, and it's awesome that McCoy gets time to shine that he so rarely does. I think the main reason I didn't like it more was that a lot of the story was tactical discussions and battles - I'm more into the ones that focus on species, culture, and character interactions. (Even though the characters were very well written, McCoy is extremely isolated throughout the story, so personal character interactions are few and far between.)

Still, a fun story with an interesting premise, featuring McCoy intimidating a Klingon captain and gaining a new appreciation for what it means to command.

[Kreg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just the thought of "Captain Bones" brings a smirk, and there were several nice comic moments in the story, in particular when dealing with the Klingon Captain. When they asked about where the legendary Kirk was, McCoy just hinted that he'd taken over command - which gave him more respect from the Klingons.

One of the key elements of the story proved to be a major sticking point for me however. When Spock returned and McCoy tried to turn command over to him, Spock indicated that it was not possible since Kirk left him in command, only Kirk could therefore 'relieve' him of that command. That goes against logic, and likely several other regulations - Kirk left McCoy in command supposedly for one shift, in a non-emergency. Once a real emergency was declared, or the first officer returned then by all rights Spock would have been in command! McCoy could have even given command to Scotty or Sulu since both have more command experience. Leaving an inexperienced officer in Command in an emergency only endangers the ship and crew.

While overall the story was decent, that one point kept nagging at me.

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diane Duane has a good feel for the Star Trek characters. This book is no exception.

When Dr. McCoy grumbles about something to Kirk, Kirk decides to leave McCoy in command as he goes down to the "routine" diplomatic mission.

As McCoy sits down in the command chair he mutters " I'll get you for this".

Of course, any reader can predict that the routine mission will be nothing but and it is soon up to McCoy to save's Kirk's neck! It is nice to have a Star Trek book with a good focus on someone besides Spock and Kirk. It is nice to have the spolight on Mccoy for a change.

Recommended for sf fans, Star Trek fans---especially fans who have Dr. McCoy as a favorite character.

[Bearcatgary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Enterprise visits a planet with 3 different forms of sentient life all which have evolved independently. The goal of the mission is to learn more about the planet’s denizens and to hopefully get them to join the Federation. Kirk leaves Bones with the con as he beams down to the planet. Most of the book is about how McCoy handles the crisis that follows. It’s nice to get to see how Bones handles a command position. I feel the book is a little weak in that the personalities of the crew aren’t exactly portrayed as we’ve all grown to know. Also, the plot isn’t the best. I’d probably recommend skipping this one.

[Brayden Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please tell me in an alternate universe somewhere McCoy gets his own ship for more than two days. If only he was in a command track. He would work wonders from the chair. He was one thing leaders should be: uncomfortable. Leading isn't easy and it shouldn't be, but lead he did. He knew how to take advice and knew when to take action. This book was absolutely thrilling in that regard. one might even say it was "nuts" .. On another note the story itself surrounding Flyspeck is also well crafted and interesting to behold. Definitely a well deserved rating.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Duane has been one of the top Star Trek novelists for decades. This 1990 release hits so many of my personal high points:

1. A focus on Dr. McCoy (who typically doesn't the same amount of attention as Kirk and Spock)
2. Diplomacy with a curious planet
3. Good science / technobabble
4. Forays into philosophical discussions about Starfleet, the Federation, and life in general
5. A high-quality but not-too-protracted space battle

An all-around excellent story.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

baby’s first diane duane was ssssoooooo good. she’s got the banter the worldbuilding the philosophical grappling the character work the dialogue the connection despite differences. the platonic care!!!!! god i’m enamored. i wish more trek books were like this and less blowing shit up. this is what i love about star trek literature 😭 so much

[Mrklingon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a treat - not sure how many times I've read this, but it made for a great read while visiting WDW!

[Pu$$y Master · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal,hilarious, never been done before. I love it when they put that man in situations

[Alison B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely TOS novel where the good doctor finds himself in command of the Enterprise! Definitely a recommended read for Trek fans, especially McCoy fans. Easy reading, fun premise and well executed.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted here at Anime Radius.

There are benefits, of course, to being a writer of tie-in novels for a science-fiction series. You get to play with your favorite characters in a story that is of your own creation, for one. There is also no limitation on what kind of scenarios you can dream of as opposed to in the show – which means no budget limitations, so the planets and aliens and other myriad things can be as fantastic and expensive-looking as you can muster them to be. One can only imagine the excitement of writers like Laurence Yep and J.M. Dillard when they realized the expansive Trekverse was open for development via the written word in ways the television series could not due to technological limits.

With Doctor’s Orders, Diane Duane has presented us with a story that could have very well been the plot of a TOS episode, were it not for the fact that it is so unfilmable. The CGI capacities to create on screen such creatures as the ;At or the Ornae are only now being fully realized; they were only a fleeting pipe dream back when Trek was on TV. It is through Duane’s captivating and intricately detailed writing that we can see the ;At and the Ornae and the Lahit fully in our minds, in ways our television set can’t really deliver. Obviously, Duane enjoys writing about the brave new world that is Flyspeck, letting us see it through the eyes of the Enterprise crew, who like us are new to the ways of Flyspeck’s people and must start from scratch. In some places, however, Duane’s love affair with her own creations threaten to overshadow the Trek crew, but she knows when to tone the ecological exploits down a notch when it becomes clear that characters must be put first.

As for those characters? When it comes to the crew, it is McCoy who is truly the star of the show, whether manning Sickbay or taking control of the helm of the ship. Duane does a great job at displaying Doctor McCoy in all his grumpy irritated self, while still staying the same clever-minded country doctor that has made him such an invaluable asset on board the Enterprise for so long. It’s McCoy’s unique ways of dealing with both Starfleet and the Klingons during the crisis that makes those specific scenes so gosh darn fun to read. His foil in is the narrative is Kirk, who is still the charming and witty hero fans remember from the series; regrettably, the story calls for Kirk to fade into the background for a good deal of time so McCoy can have a chance to shine in the captain’s chair – still, when we catch up with James, he handles his unusual situation in a very typical Kirkesque manner (which I won’t spoil, as it will give the fun away). The rest of the Enterprise crew is there, and although they are much in tune character-wise, they serve more as a backdrop for the main story. Note: if you really hate it when authors spell out character’s accents phonetically, you will find Chekov’s dialogue to be less headache-inducing than you’d imagine. Other than addressing Kirk as “Keptin” and the whole v-to-w thing (and claiming yet another thing as a “Russian inwention”), it’s the first time I’ve seen Chekov’s Russian accent spelt out in such a way that it doesn’t grate on the nerves.

Overall, there’s one word that can sum up Doctor’s Orders and it is fun. Everything is so much fun to read – the action, the adventure, McCoy as Captain, exploring the new planet, everything! Even with all the anthro-technobabble flying about from practically every character’s mouth, it never weights down the story or keeps it from being interesting. Is the notion of introducing a new planet into the Federation new? Not really. But when Duane gets her hands on it, and gets to throw poor Bones into a whopper of a mess in the process, what you end up with is a great read for any like-minded Trek fan.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book plays with the flow of time and causality which I find fascinating. It also delves into the worldviews of three species radically different from humans.

[Miles Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When McCoy whinges once too often about how tough his job is, Kirk leaves him in command of the Enterprise during one of the crew's more interesting and challenging First Contact missions. When the Klingons and the Orion pirates turn up, the good doctor is forced to readjust his comfort zone. The way in which he does so makes for a light but extremely amusing read.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story is not nearly as broad in scope as her critically-acclaimed Rihannsu series, Doctor's Orders is certainly a very well-written and interesting story by Diane Duane. The inhabitants of Flyspeck are interesting, and their world and way of life go far beyond what we are used to in the "planet-of-the-week" world of televised Star Trek. The characterizations, especially of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are spot-on, and Duane is truly able to capture the voices of the characters. Secondary characters such as Uhura and Sulu are similarly well-represented. I recommend Doctor's Orders, especially to fans of McCoy, of which I am one.

Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/01/d...

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duane does it again. She has such a great grasp of the characters and it brings you right into the story. The premise of how the doctor was put in command was kind of weak so that's why this book isn't quite perfect. However, I liked their mission and the planet and the inhabitants that it held. The story was a lot of fun and it was interesting to see McCoy in that position and how much it stretched him. The book was great with just a could tripping points that made it not quite perfect.

[Andrew Beet · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really did like the story of mccoy being in command i like the cat and mouse chase between the enterprise and the klingon ship. also i liked the idea that the alien race in the book can put people a week ahead in time and then bring them back. also you can tell that mccoy is not really cut out for command overall very good book from a good author

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite Star Trek novel to date and not just because McCoy is my favourite (if anything, it makes me harder to please than your average reader). It’s a pretty simple story but I prefer that to having too many plot twists and turns just for the sake of filling pages. McCoy is very much in character and it’s such an enjoyable read that I’m sure I’ll be reading it again.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on a planetary survey, Kirk places Dr.McCoy in command of the 'Enterprise' and promptly disappears. Caught up in Starfleet bureaucracy and a Klingon incursion, McCoy must keep the 'Enterprise' on an even keel and find Captain Kirk.


Duane really captures DeForest Kelley's McCoy and has written a wonderful McCoy centred novel.

[JoyfulK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an excellent plot, and writing that captures the idiosyncrasies of the main Star Trek characters as well as the quirks of their relationships. Definitely worth reading for any fan of the original series.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane Duane is my favorite Star Trek author. Hands down. And a novel that focuses on Dr. McCoy--what could be better? Anytime my favorite character gets the spotlight I'm happy.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best Star Trek book I've read. Great and BELIEVABLE characterization, good plot, and the science wasn't complete tech-babble. What more do you want? More Diane Duane plz.