Review: A Matter of Trust
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 31, 2012
Imagine a world where humans have reached the stars, and trade with other alien species in peace and harmony.  Such trade would require the use of large freighter type space ships to transmit goods between worlds.  But what happens when an accident happens, and the freighter is thrown way, way off course?  This is the very scenario played out by Doug Farren in Off Course.As the crew of the freighter ship Star-Pulse slowly appreciate the gravity of the situation, that is how far away from Earth they are, salvation is found on an inhabited planet in a solar system that mankind has never been to.  Meeting as cautious, distrustful strangers, humans and the spider-like Keldans must find common ground between the two species, as each group seeks to avoid doom. . .Off Course is a thought provoking novel that explores the issue of first contact, and the various implications that arise as a result.  Trust is a key element that the author deftly explores, and he visualizes a process of negotiation where each side takes small but definitive steps to show the other that the trust is well placed. Eventually, Doug Farren shows how rewarding trust and honesty with one another could be, in allowing each side to achieve its primary objectives.Off Course is a fantastic science fiction novel that avoids conflict and violence, resolving to use instead dialogue and truthfulness to move pass disagreements and misconceptions.  Its approach to first contact will surely be appreciated by Star Trek fans, and this novel is highly recommended to such readers.