In Review: Star Trek: The Last Starship #11 – Kirk & Sato Unite

Synopsis: After decades of struggle, Sato, Kirk, Agnes, Zed, and Valqis have come back together—united to save the Federation from the trap that is the Emerald Chain closing in around them. The tension is high; trust is at an all-time low and has been broken before. They’ve been through hell, and not always on the same side. But Dr. Zed sees a path toward healing.They’ve all been wrong. They’ve all made mistakes. Now, and only now, does the crew of the U.S.S. Omega have the chance to make it all worth it. Despite Solara and her demented protégé Osyraa circling ever closer aboard the Emerald Chain flagship, the crew of the Omega are going to build T’Galatheon Gate—and save what little is left of Starfleet..for those who will follow in their footsteps.

The Story

In this penultimate issue of The Last Starship, Captain Kirk and Admiral Sato are reunited, but must navigate their different approaches to command if they are to unite what remains of the Federation. Dr. Zed helps them with his audacious creation, the completed T’Galatheon Gate. By creating a singularity the Federation armada can hide inside, it gives them a chance to regroup, resupply and make repairs.

Kirk suggests the armada fly together as a single force, while Sato favours a more cautious approach. Neither realises that the Emerald Chain has been listening in on their plans. But after killing Solara and seizing control of the Chain, Osyraa may have given them an unexpected advantage. Her inexperience as a leader and her hubris could give Kirk and Sato the fighting chance they need.

The issue ends with both sides poised to engage in a massive battle, setting things up brilliantly for the finale.

Artwork

Adrián Bonilla produces some great art on this book. The panels showing Kirk and Sato making their plans convey both the tension between them and the seriousness of the situation. The standout, though, is the double-page splash of the T’Galatheon Gate after it is activated. Its striking mix of cyan blues gives us a fantastic view inside the singularity the gate creates. The double-page spread showing the Federation armada flying in a solid formation is also nicely done.

Overall

This is a really strong issue that sets the stage for a huge conclusion, both in the scale of its space battles and in their consequences. Amid the serious business of planning for battle, though, there are quieter character moments. Kirk talks to Jurati about all he has seen during his years in space as they sit inside the singularity, awed by its beauty.

We also get a lovely exchange between Sato and Valqis, who explains that her piercings are a way of remembering those who came before her. Sato suggests that there might also be room to look towards a more hopeful future, rather than remain trapped in the darkness of the past and the memory of those they have lost.

This sequence is a lovely reminder that, however dark things may seem, there is still hope and a light burning at the end of the tunnel. It captures Star Trek’s enduring message of hope beautifully.