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Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations #5
Shield of the Gods
An all new Star Trek e-novella featuring the fan-favorite Federation bureau the Department of Temporal Investigations!
The stalwart agents of the Department of Temporal Investigations have tracked down many dangerous artifacts, but now they face a greater, more personal challenge: retrieving a time-travel device stolen from their own vault by a rogue agent of the Aegis, a powerful, secretive group that uses its mastery of time to prevent young civilizations from destroying themselves. Blaming the Aegis itself for a tragedy yet to come, this renegade plans to use the stolen artifact to sabotage its efforts in the past, no matter what the cost to the timeline. Now the DTI’s agents must convince the enigmatic Aegis to work alongside them in order to protect history—but they must also wrestle with the potential consequences of their actions, for preserving the past could doom countless lives in the future!
The stalwart agents of the Department of Temporal Investigations have tracked down many dangerous artifacts, but now they face a greater, more personal challenge: retrieving a time-travel device stolen from their own vault by a rogue agent of the Aegis, a powerful, secretive group that uses its mastery of time to prevent young civilizations from destroying themselves. Blaming the Aegis itself for a tragedy yet to come, this renegade plans to use the stolen artifact to sabotage its efforts in the past, no matter what the cost to the timeline. Now the DTI’s agents must convince the enigmatic Aegis to work alongside them in order to protect history—but they must also wrestle with the potential consequences of their actions, for preserving the past could doom countless lives in the future!
112 pages, ebook
First published June 17, 2017
79 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Christopher L. Bennett
68 books219 followersChristopher L. Bennett is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, with a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in History from the University of Cincinnati. A fan of science and science fiction since age five, he has spent the past two decades selling original short fiction to magazines such as Analog Science Fiction and Fact (home of his "Hub" series of comedy adventures), BuzzyMag, and Galaxy's Edge. Since 2003, he has been one of Pocket Books' most prolific and popular authors of Star Trek tie-in fiction, including the epic Next Generation prequel The Buried Age, the Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations series, and the Star Trek: Enterprise -- Rise of the Federation series. He has also written two Marvel Comics novels, X-Men: Watchers on the Walls and Spider-Man: Drowned in Thunder. His original novel Only Superhuman, perhaps the first hard science fiction superhero novel, was voted Library Journal's SF/Fantasy Debut of the Month for October 2012. Other tales in the same universe can be found in Among the Wild Cybers and the upcoming Arachne's Crime, both from eSpec Books. His Hub stories are available in two collections from Mystique Press.
Christopher's homepage, fiction annotations, and blog can be found at christopherlbennett.wordpress.com. His Patreon page with original fiction and reviews is at https://www.patreon.com/christopherlb..., and his Facebook author page is at www.facebook.com/ChristopherLBennettA....
Christopher's homepage, fiction annotations, and blog can be found at christopherlbennett.wordpress.com. His Patreon page with original fiction and reviews is at https://www.patreon.com/christopherlb..., and his Facebook author page is at www.facebook.com/ChristopherLBennettA....
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 29, 2019
I just finished SHIELD OF THE GODS and I have to say that it may be my favorite of the Department of Temporal Investigations books so far. Its relative shortness doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The premise of a rogue AEGIS agent ("Assignment Earth") going rogue and attempting to eliminate a race that will go on to exterminate and enslave many other species. It's an interesting premise because when does a race deserve to lose the benefit of the doubt.
If someone could go back in time and eliminate the Roman Empire, what would that mean for humanity? So much of our modern society is based around their advancements but if you were a Gaul or Briton (or Jew) you might have a very unpleasant opinion of their behavior. I was fully expecting to see the possibilities of the race in the future or whether they eventually got their act together and joined the Federation. So much of Earth history is a violent and terrible time that I was surprised this "twist" was never explored.
The characters are enjoyable as always and I'm both sad as well as pleased with the Bittersweet Ending to one of my favorite DOTI characters. I was really rooting for him and a different character. Overall, this is a really solid entry into the series and I hope Christopher Bennett keeps writing these novellas.
9/10
If someone could go back in time and eliminate the Roman Empire, what would that mean for humanity? So much of our modern society is based around their advancements but if you were a Gaul or Briton (or Jew) you might have a very unpleasant opinion of their behavior. I was fully expecting to see the possibilities of the race in the future or whether they eventually got their act together and joined the Federation. So much of Earth history is a violent and terrible time that I was surprised this "twist" was never explored.
The characters are enjoyable as always and I'm both sad as well as pleased with the Bittersweet Ending to one of my favorite DOTI characters. I was really rooting for him and a different character. Overall, this is a really solid entry into the series and I hope Christopher Bennett keeps writing these novellas.
9/10
June 25, 2017
A good Star Trek story.
February 6, 2018
(Originally published at https://trekmovie.com/2017/06/28/revi...)
The trouble with time travel stories is that it seems all the good gags have already been taken. The brand-new ebook novella from Christopher L. Bennett, Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods, recycles gags and questions from influential time travel stories from the past, and puts them in service of a fairly straightforward plot, driven by lightly-sketched characters. The result is a pleasant stew that may not take you where no man has gone before, but will at least warm you up and taste fine on the way down.
Most Star Trek fans will remember the Department of Temporal Investigations from perhaps my favorite hour of Star Trek, ever – Deep Space Nine’s “Trials and Tribble-ations.” There we met Dulmur and Lucsly, two DTI agents tasked with determining if Benjamin Sisko and his crew violated any temporal laws. Other than having names that are anagrams of the protagonists in The X-Files, Dulmur and Lucsly were depicted as humorless drones, bureaucrats who had papers to file, boxes to check, and not much imagination.
I have to admit that I’ve never read any of Bennett’s previous Department of Temporal Investigations stories, but Dulmer and Lucsly have apparently been fleshed out through the series of two novels and two ebook novellas. However, they only play supporting roles in this novella. In order to help out new readers there is a Historian’s Note at the beginning of the novella, orienting the reader to its place in the recent canon of Star Trek novels. And there is a page of Acknowledgements at the end that informs the reader of where they may have seen these characters and organizations before.
Even without being familiar with the series the novella is well-written enough to keep me up to speed on events and the three main characters, DTI Agents Teresa Garcia and Meyo Ranjea, and the temporal criminal they are pursuing, former Aegis Agent, Daiyar. Daiyar wants to steal a Constructive Path Integrator and use it to construct a Time Drive, an add-on that can convert any warp-capable vessel into a time machine. Fed up with the Aegis policy of limited, careful interference in the timelines of species on the brink of radical change, Daiyar aims to make a huge change in the history of an entire sector, and perhaps the entire galaxy, in order to stop a genocidal alien race from coming to power, and in the process to get revenge for the death of someone she loved. Garcia and Ranjea are out to stop her, but personal entanglements between the three that they are not aware of will complicate matters in profound ways.
The novella contains some very frank discussions of the sexual lives of the three main characters, and in large part the plot moves along on the sexual complexity of Deltan relationships. This will be to the taste of some readers, and not to the taste of other readers. Reader, know thyself.
What did I like about Shield of the Gods? Bennett borrows elements from great time travel stories of the past, but he does so with clever nods to his donors. References to “a Varley extraction” (a tip of the hat to three-time Hugo Award winner John Varley’s short story Air Raid, which was the basis for the novel and movie Millennium) and “a Matheson-Solomon retroanticipation loop” (a clever nod to the best scene in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) were especially delightful. I also deeply appreciated where the novella landed in the end. After all the hand-wringing about trying to serve the Greater Good, the characters wind up trying to just do good. And that’s a fantastic and mature place to wind up.
Final analysis
With moderately interesting characters and plot elements that will seem very familiar to long-time science fiction readers, Shield of the Gods is not a must-read story. If you’ve followed the adventures of the Department of Temporal Investigations, you probably have an affection for these characters that I lack, and the novella will rank higher on your list than mine. If this is your first dive into this world, you may not be drawn in. The story does have its charms, however, and it has a satisfying ending. And it’s short! At less than 100 pages, it’s a quick read. I give it a slight recommendation.
The trouble with time travel stories is that it seems all the good gags have already been taken. The brand-new ebook novella from Christopher L. Bennett, Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods, recycles gags and questions from influential time travel stories from the past, and puts them in service of a fairly straightforward plot, driven by lightly-sketched characters. The result is a pleasant stew that may not take you where no man has gone before, but will at least warm you up and taste fine on the way down.
Most Star Trek fans will remember the Department of Temporal Investigations from perhaps my favorite hour of Star Trek, ever – Deep Space Nine’s “Trials and Tribble-ations.” There we met Dulmur and Lucsly, two DTI agents tasked with determining if Benjamin Sisko and his crew violated any temporal laws. Other than having names that are anagrams of the protagonists in The X-Files, Dulmur and Lucsly were depicted as humorless drones, bureaucrats who had papers to file, boxes to check, and not much imagination.
I have to admit that I’ve never read any of Bennett’s previous Department of Temporal Investigations stories, but Dulmer and Lucsly have apparently been fleshed out through the series of two novels and two ebook novellas. However, they only play supporting roles in this novella. In order to help out new readers there is a Historian’s Note at the beginning of the novella, orienting the reader to its place in the recent canon of Star Trek novels. And there is a page of Acknowledgements at the end that informs the reader of where they may have seen these characters and organizations before.
Even without being familiar with the series the novella is well-written enough to keep me up to speed on events and the three main characters, DTI Agents Teresa Garcia and Meyo Ranjea, and the temporal criminal they are pursuing, former Aegis Agent, Daiyar. Daiyar wants to steal a Constructive Path Integrator and use it to construct a Time Drive, an add-on that can convert any warp-capable vessel into a time machine. Fed up with the Aegis policy of limited, careful interference in the timelines of species on the brink of radical change, Daiyar aims to make a huge change in the history of an entire sector, and perhaps the entire galaxy, in order to stop a genocidal alien race from coming to power, and in the process to get revenge for the death of someone she loved. Garcia and Ranjea are out to stop her, but personal entanglements between the three that they are not aware of will complicate matters in profound ways.
The novella contains some very frank discussions of the sexual lives of the three main characters, and in large part the plot moves along on the sexual complexity of Deltan relationships. This will be to the taste of some readers, and not to the taste of other readers. Reader, know thyself.
What did I like about Shield of the Gods? Bennett borrows elements from great time travel stories of the past, but he does so with clever nods to his donors. References to “a Varley extraction” (a tip of the hat to three-time Hugo Award winner John Varley’s short story Air Raid, which was the basis for the novel and movie Millennium) and “a Matheson-Solomon retroanticipation loop” (a clever nod to the best scene in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) were especially delightful. I also deeply appreciated where the novella landed in the end. After all the hand-wringing about trying to serve the Greater Good, the characters wind up trying to just do good. And that’s a fantastic and mature place to wind up.
Final analysis
With moderately interesting characters and plot elements that will seem very familiar to long-time science fiction readers, Shield of the Gods is not a must-read story. If you’ve followed the adventures of the Department of Temporal Investigations, you probably have an affection for these characters that I lack, and the novella will rank higher on your list than mine. If this is your first dive into this world, you may not be drawn in. The story does have its charms, however, and it has a satisfying ending. And it’s short! At less than 100 pages, it’s a quick read. I give it a slight recommendation.
May 30, 2018
This story held my attention while I was reading it, but it didn't really leave me with much of an impression once I'd finished it.
Reading ebooks, I don't pay much attention to the cover: I only see that once, rather than every time I pick up a physical book to resume reading it. Similarly, with a series like this, I barely even notice the title; I just think of it as "DTI #5". Having said all that, "Shield of the Gods" is quite a poetic title. It fits in with the story (the text mentions the mythical version of Athena's Aegis) without giving much away.
There were some nice references in here, e.g. the holo-conference (also used in the "Gateways" crossover a while back) and the Bill and Ted quote. However, this book didn't really do anything with those references. It's not as bad as Dreamworks films (where recognition is a substitute for humour), and they did fit in with the story, but I'd prefer something new.
I don't know whether there are any more DTI stories in the pipeline, but this wraps up a few character arcs so they could reasonably stop here.
Reading ebooks, I don't pay much attention to the cover: I only see that once, rather than every time I pick up a physical book to resume reading it. Similarly, with a series like this, I barely even notice the title; I just think of it as "DTI #5". Having said all that, "Shield of the Gods" is quite a poetic title. It fits in with the story (the text mentions the mythical version of Athena's Aegis) without giving much away.
There were some nice references in here, e.g. the holo-conference (also used in the "Gateways" crossover a while back) and the Bill and Ted quote. However, this book didn't really do anything with those references. It's not as bad as Dreamworks films (where recognition is a substitute for humour), and they did fit in with the story, but I'd prefer something new.
I don't know whether there are any more DTI stories in the pipeline, but this wraps up a few character arcs so they could reasonably stop here.
September 10, 2019
Another great addition to the DTI saga!
But what is up with that Time Sadnessᵀᴹ TOTALLY out of left field!? I was expecting it in the last one, but got blindsided by it in this one.
Me while Teresa watched Ranjea's past recording:
It DID make me rather upset, though. I kind of felt like Ranjea gave up too easily on Teresa and his DTI life. I seriously felt the pain, sadness, and disappointment Teresa was feeling as she listening to Ranjea's account - and especially since they were talking about taking things to the next level at the beginning of the story! I was like, Dude! This sucks! You going to ditch your partner for this Daiyar woman who you've bonded with for only a few hours?!?!?! I mean I understand it is a Deltan thing, and Daiyar was a broken and sad individual, but still! It just seemed really disloyal to me. 😒
But I guess that is why I am 100% Vulcan. You NEVER let go of your human. Alien & Human Bonding 101!
At any rate, this was a fantastic story! I loved the "Prime Directive" discussion of its premises, as our heroes contend with the all powerful Aegis, as they try to define the ethics of interference through time. Given the variables of the two agencies and the context of the Star Trek universe, I don't really believe there is a hard or absolute answer to the dilemma - however, the concept that every living being deserves that initial freedom, regardless if that freedom leads to good or evil - I believe is correct and important to emphasize. Freedom, as it is being defined here (which is the agency to choose your own path *and* the right TO have that agency), necessarily includes pain and suffering. It is not anyone's place to try and take preemptive action against that evil at the cost of anyone else's freedom or life. No man or being in the universe has that kind of authority over any other man, or should ever have it, IMLTHO. It is a nice philosophical dilemma to contemplate, though.
(Now I understand why the author loves Isaac Asimov's End of Eternity so much!)
But what is up with that Time Sadnessᵀᴹ TOTALLY out of left field!? I was expecting it in the last one, but got blindsided by it in this one.
Me while Teresa watched Ranjea's past recording:
It DID make me rather upset, though. I kind of felt like Ranjea gave up too easily on Teresa and his DTI life. I seriously felt the pain, sadness, and disappointment Teresa was feeling as she listening to Ranjea's account - and especially since they were talking about taking things to the next level at the beginning of the story! I was like, Dude! This sucks! You going to ditch your partner for this Daiyar woman who you've bonded with for only a few hours?!?!?! I mean I understand it is a Deltan thing, and Daiyar was a broken and sad individual, but still! It just seemed really disloyal to me. 😒
But I guess that is why I am 100% Vulcan. You NEVER let go of your human. Alien & Human Bonding 101!
At any rate, this was a fantastic story! I loved the "Prime Directive" discussion of its premises, as our heroes contend with the all powerful Aegis, as they try to define the ethics of interference through time. Given the variables of the two agencies and the context of the Star Trek universe, I don't really believe there is a hard or absolute answer to the dilemma - however, the concept that every living being deserves that initial freedom, regardless if that freedom leads to good or evil - I believe is correct and important to emphasize. Freedom, as it is being defined here (which is the agency to choose your own path *and* the right TO have that agency), necessarily includes pain and suffering. It is not anyone's place to try and take preemptive action against that evil at the cost of anyone else's freedom or life. No man or being in the universe has that kind of authority over any other man, or should ever have it, IMLTHO. It is a nice philosophical dilemma to contemplate, though.
(Now I understand why the author loves Isaac Asimov's End of Eternity so much!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
I've owned this short story for a longish while, but I only got around to completing this series, and reading this book, this year. Somewhat problematic waiting so long. I remember the series, but barely. I'd probably have gotten more out of this story if I'd read it five or so years go.
What can I say about this story? It is a time travel story using some of the characters who had appeard as time agents on various Star Trek episodes. This story involves tracking down a woman who stole a time travel device from the Federation's version of a time agency, the Department of Temporal Investigations.
Not a bad story, but didn't really keep my interest, and, considering that it is the last story in this series, didn't really seem to be a good series end-book.
What can I say about this story? It is a time travel story using some of the characters who had appeard as time agents on various Star Trek episodes. This story involves tracking down a woman who stole a time travel device from the Federation's version of a time agency, the Department of Temporal Investigations.
Not a bad story, but didn't really keep my interest, and, considering that it is the last story in this series, didn't really seem to be a good series end-book.
January 18, 2018
There is a lot to recommend this latest entry in the Department of Temporal Investigations series. A huge plot in which civilizations hang in the balance is the backdrop to a very human, introspective story about how individual lives are affected by galaxy-spanning decisions. Overall, a lovely story that makes the reader empathize with the characters in the most surprising ways. An unexpected but touching resolution caps off the story, making me eager for more tales set in this somewhat unorthodox corner of Trek continuity!
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2018/01/S...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2018/01/S...
October 11, 2018
While this is an offshoot of the Star Trek television series I did enjoy the story line. It deals with the ethical use of power, consequences and accepting how history plays out. Exploring the possibilities of going back in time or forward in time, Christopher Bennett spins a tale of a rogue Aegis Agent bent on righting a wrong, how it could be achieved and how the humanizing element plays a role in the ultimate outcome. I look forward to his next book of the DTI series.
May 4, 2021
Introduction to the Series…
I came across this book by pure chance when it popped up in my Kindle reading list. “Star Trek: Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods” happened to be the first I read in the Temporal Investigations series, and honestly, it was not all that bad story-wise. It was at least enough for me to want to continue following the series.
I came across this book by pure chance when it popped up in my Kindle reading list. “Star Trek: Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods” happened to be the first I read in the Temporal Investigations series, and honestly, it was not all that bad story-wise. It was at least enough for me to want to continue following the series.
September 26, 2023
A good time-spanning tale
A good addition to the series, offering more depth to the characters and the lore and showing how difficult being a time agent is. A surprising twist at the end shakes things up, leading to the opening of new possibilities and direction.
A good addition to the series, offering more depth to the characters and the lore and showing how difficult being a time agent is. A surprising twist at the end shakes things up, leading to the opening of new possibilities and direction.
July 2, 2017
Temporal Headache
I suppose I need to give up temporal books. Just bouncing between time lines, handwringing on what to do and not to do.
I suppose I need to give up temporal books. Just bouncing between time lines, handwringing on what to do and not to do.
October 14, 2017
Homage to Bill & Ted
Good follow up from previous book. Look for a laugh in a take off from Bill & Ted's excellent adventure. LOL.
Good follow up from previous book. Look for a laugh in a take off from Bill & Ted's excellent adventure. LOL.
May 14, 2018
I really enjoyed the characters and the story.
December 22, 2021
I liked the story although I thought it was a bit of a soft ending.
August 10, 2022
A thingamajig has gone missing and Lucsly has to retrieve it before it does any temporal damage.
November 29, 2022
Harmless comfort food, as are (were?) all the Temporal Investigations novels.
December 27, 2023
Same as the previous two...in both good and bad ways.
April 13, 2024
I just became checked out when it came to this series. That being said, I wouldn’t mind a TV series baded on this organization.
January 28, 2025
A melancholy ending, with room left for a sequel. Still, quite enjoyable.
August 4, 2025
love the ending!
The ending is both sad and makes you think and opens up the possibility of future DTI books :)
Thank you!
The ending is both sad and makes you think and opens up the possibility of future DTI books :)
Thank you!
January 31, 2020
I will be honest here, I love the Department of Temporal Investigations books. I love how dense they can be, and how carefully Christopher L. Bennett constructed the theoretical framework for his time-travel stories. I will review the first books at some point, but this is the most recent one.
It build up on the previous two books, and tells an interesting story that is basically a tale of espionage. One reason I love this series is that it doesn't revolve around Starfleet. To many people equate the Federation with what we see of it in their exploratory/military reserve organisation, because that is all we get. This book directly references this confusion in a brilliant way.
I really recommend this one, it is a great continuation of the series, but you will want to read at least the first two books of the series first, to understand the underlying ideas...
It build up on the previous two books, and tells an interesting story that is basically a tale of espionage. One reason I love this series is that it doesn't revolve around Starfleet. To many people equate the Federation with what we see of it in their exploratory/military reserve organisation, because that is all we get. This book directly references this confusion in a brilliant way.
I really recommend this one, it is a great continuation of the series, but you will want to read at least the first two books of the series first, to understand the underlying ideas...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews