Forgotten Light - Strange New Worlds VII

STAR TREK - Short Story  - Written by Frederick Kim
2000 B.C. / 200,000 B.C. / Year 0
Published June 2004
Read on September 15, 2025
Memory Beta

My first thought was, “oh brother, another Borg origin story.” The Borg, like Khan, are one of Star Trek’s biggest draws and thus a humongous dead horse to be beaten again and again in film, television, and especially fiction. 

I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this.

Picard and the Enterprise E crew (I’m supposing around the time of Star Trek: First Contact) are called to investigate the remnants of a dead world called Havarrnus which is thought to be the Borg’s original civilization. 

Picard is naturally troubled given his relationship with them. 

Let me just say here, I’ve placed this story at the front of the timeline because it is told from two distinct points in time, one of which pre-dates human history. That being said, if you haven’t seen any Star Trek TNG or any at all, I’d recommend waiting to read this until you get further along and see some TNG.

Most of the records of Havarrnus are destroyed but Picard finds remnants of a journal by one of it’s thinkers/politicians. 

I won’t retell the story here but I’ll just say that the depiction of a pre-Borg society as a sort of Rome before the fall is really well done and the writing is engaging and spectacular. 

Also of note: we get a mention of transparent aluminum in reference to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, as well as reference to a ship called The Archer, in reference to Star Trek Enterprise. 

Guinan says these wise words: “The only thing more tragic than a dead world is the legacy of a people who’ve forgotten who they are”.