Oblivion

Oblivion is a Star Trek: Stargazer novel – the fourth novel in the series – written by Michael Jan Friedman. Published by Pocket Books, it was first released in .
== Summary ==
;From the book jacket
:In 1893 a time-traveling Jean-Luc Picard encountered a long-lived alien named Guinan, who was posing as a Human to learn Earth's customs. During this "first encounter," Picard saved Guinan's life, a favor she would never forget.
:Five centuries later, Captain Picard, now commander of the Starship Enterprise, brought Guinan aboard as the ship's bartender. The hope was that her wisdom and inner peace would provide a moral grounding for Picard's crew as they experienced the dangers of space.
:Because he hadn't yet made his trip through time, Picard had no knowledge of his nineteenth-century meeting with Guinan.
:But he did remember a different first encounter with the mysterious El-Aurian – a tumultuous adventure in which Picard and Guinan would risk their lives in a maze of interplanetary intrigue, with the future of the known universe at stake.
:This is the story of that fateful meeting, and of a Guinan very different from the woman we think we know – a person wracked by pain and longing, shaken to the roots of her soul.
:A Guinan who yearns for oblivion.
== Memorable quotes ==
She stared at Picard a moment longer, as if caught in some strange kind of inertia. Then, in a voice as weary and defeated as her eyes, she said, "You've got hair."
It was a bizarre observation, to say the least. "Apparently so," he responded.
The woman's eyes narrowed. "You don't remember…?" Her voice fell like a wounded bird.
The captain looked at her. "Remember what?"
Her brow puckered. "No," she said with something like resignation. "Of course you don't."
== Background information ==
* In the episode Guinan tells Ro Laren that "a very long time ago I got into some serious trouble too, and I mean serious, and I'd probably still be there, if I hadn't trusted one man." This book explains what Picard did to help Guinan, and explains much of the backstory for their friendship.
* During their mission, Picard and Guinan encounter a younger Enabran Tain, who shall go on to become the father of Elim Garak, a prominent recurring character in .
== Characters ==
;Jean-Luc Picard : Captain of the 
;Guinan
;Gilaad Ben Zoma : First officer of the Stargazer
;Cole Paris : Ensign on the Stargazer; brother to Owen Paris
;Enabran Tain : Prominent member of the Obsidian Order on Cardassia
== References ==
; : A vessel under the command of Captain Picard
;El-Aurian
;Yridian
;Klingon
;Orion
;Tellarite
;Oblivion : An orbital city
== External link ==
* 
Category:Novels