{"product_id":"debtors-planet-star-trek-wr-thompson-9780671883416","title":"Debtors' Planet: Star Trek | W. R. Thompson","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family: inherit; color: #333; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 20px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eWhen a Vulcan space probe reveals that the Ferengi are advancing the people of Megara from a primitive agricultural state to a technological society, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the \u003cem\u003eU.S.S. Enterprise-D\u003c\/em\u003e are ordered to intervene. In \u003cstrong\u003eDebtors' Planet\u003c\/strong\u003e (Book #30 in the numbered \u003cem\u003eStar Trek: The Next Generation\u003c\/em\u003e series), author \u003cstrong\u003eW. R. Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e weaves a cerebral sci-fi adventure involving predatory financial traps, hidden galactic masters, and corporate corruption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eBook Overview \u0026amp; Core Themes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eTransporting an unlikely Federation ambassador—a ruthless twentieth-century businessman—Picard discovers that the Ferengi are mere hired hands turning the hardworking Megarans into a militarized threat. As Lieutenant Commander Data engages in financial and cybernetic sleuthing to decode complex trade schemes, the crew must stop hidden conspirators from using the planet as a weapon against the Federation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eKey areas examined within this work include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eIntricate financial, legal, and cybernetic investigations led by Lieutenant Commander Data.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eExploration of Ferengi trade law, predatory debt traps, and economic manipulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eThe diplomatic challenges of transporting a 20th-century businessman turned Federation ambassador.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eGeopolitical maneuvering and sector defense against rogue militarized factions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eW. R. Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e is an American science fiction author who gained prominence through his hard sci-fi stories and novellas published in \u003cem\u003eAnalog Science Fiction and Fact\u003c\/em\u003e magazine during the 1980s and 1990s. His expertise in technological realism, political dynamics, and detailed world-building allowed him to bring exceptional analytical depth to his expanded universe \u003cem\u003eStar Trek\u003c\/em\u003e novels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eCore Audience \u0026amp; Intended Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStar Trek Expanded Universe Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e An essential numbered paperback release (#30) for fans dedicated to maintaining complete Pocket Books TNG runs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCerebral \u0026amp; Hard Sci-Fi Readers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perfect for readers who enjoy economic intrigue, legal sleuthing, and complex political thrillers over pure ship-to-ship combat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLieutenant Commander Data Fans:\u003c\/strong\u003e A standout featured story highlighting Data's android analytical processing and tactical problem-solving abilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 15px; font-size: 0.95em;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left; width: 35%;\"\u003eFull Title\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eDebtors' Planet (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Book #30)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eAuthor(s)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eW. R. Thompson\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePublisher \u0026amp; Imprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003ePocket Books (An imprint of Simon \u0026amp; Schuster)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eJune 1, 1994\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eBinding Format\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eMass Market Paperback (PB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePrint Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e288 Pages\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eLanguage\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eEnglish\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eISBN-13 \/ ISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e9780671883416 \/ 0671883410\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePrimary Genre (BISAC)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eFIC028000 \/ FICTION \/ Media Tie-In\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eSub-Genres (BISAC)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eFIC028040 \/ SPACE EXPLORATION; FIC028010 \/ ACTION \u0026amp; ADVENTURE\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eItem Condition\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003ePre-Owned \/ Very Good\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e4.25 x 0.75 x 6.75 inches | 5.1 oz (approx. 0.32 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions About Debtors' Planet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhat is the primary narrative plot, economic intrigue, and galactic conflict in Debtors' Planet?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eIn Debtors' Planet, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D are assigned to oversee a complex diplomatic and economic mission to Megaira, a world locked in predatory financial obligations to the Ferengi Alliance. When Lieutenant Commander Data uncovers suspicious financial manipulations, the crew discovers that a rogue faction of Ferengi and corrupt planetary leaders are using debt traps to covertly build a massive militarized fleet, threatening Starfleet and the geopolitical stability of the sector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eHow does author W. R. Thompson feature Lieutenant Commander Data and legal\/financial sleuthing in the narrative?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eThompson integrates intricate economic, legal, and cybernetic investigative elements into the narrative. Lieutenant Commander Data takes center stage as he analyzes massive, convoluted financial ledgers and trade agreements, utilizing his android processing power to trace hidden transactions, decode corporate espionage schemes, and outmaneuver shrewd Ferengi business strategists at their own game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhere does Debtors' Planet fit within the internal timeline and publishing history of Star Trek: The Next Generation literature?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003ePublished in June 1994 as Book #30 in the numbered Pocket Books Star Trek: The Next Generation novel series, the story is set during the show's prime later seasons (aligning with Season 6 and Season 7). It stands as a self-contained expanded universe adventure that expands on the franchise's exploration of Ferengi culture, trade law, and interstellar diplomacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eHow is this novel received by Star Trek expanded universe collectors and sci-fi tie-in readers?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eThe novel is praised among classic Star Trek tie-in readers for its cerebral approach to sci-fi storytelling. Rather than relying solely on space battles, Thompson crafts a compelling mystery centered around corporate corruption, economic philosophy, and tactical problem-solving, capturing the authentic dialogue and high-minded ethics of the television series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhat unique authorial background and speculative fiction credentials define W. R. Thompson?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eW. R. Thompson is an American science fiction author who gained recognition for his hard science fiction stories and novella contributions to Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine in the 1980s and 1990s. His background in detailed world-building, political analysis, and technological realism enabled him to craft distinctive, research-driven tie-in novels within the Star Trek expanded universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003c!-- BUST-DOWN BOOKS DISCLAIMER --\u003e\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #f4f6f8; border-left: 3px solid #2c3e50;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eCondition Notice: Pre-Owned \/ Second-Hand Product\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll books, box sets, and multi-volume collections\u003c\/strong\u003e offered by Bust-Down Books are sold in pre-owned, used, and second-hand condition, unless explicitly designated as new in the individual product listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Details \u0026amp; Grading:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrevious Ownership:\u003c\/strong\u003e These items have been previously owned, handled, and read. As such, copies may exhibit typical signs of shelf wear, including but not limited to minor creasing, scuffing, edge wear, bent page corners, remainder marks, or spine softening. Paperback editions may show crease lines along the spine, cover edge wear, or minor curling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings \u0026amp; Personalization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Items may occasionally contain inscriptions, library stamps, owner names, marginalia, or highlighting. Individual item descriptions reflect significant deviations from standard acceptable condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplemental Materials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Secondary and digital components—such as publisher access codes, CD-ROMs, bonus inserts, registration keys, or workbook activity pages—are not guaranteed to be included, active, or unredeemed unless specifically stated in the product description.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Sale Doctrine \u0026amp; Non-Affiliation Statement:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAll items sold on this platform are original, lawfully acquired copies being resold under the protection of the First Sale Doctrine (codified under U.S. copyright law, 17 U.S.C. § 109, and applicable international equivalents permitting the secondary resale of lawfully manufactured goods).\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eBust-Down Books, LTD. is an independent, secondary-market bookseller. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, or sponsored by the original authors, copyright holders, publishers, or trademark owners of the titles offered for sale. All registered trademarks, author names, book titles, and publisher imprints remain the sole property of their respective owners and are used strictly for nominative identification and descriptive purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": [\"Product\", \"Book\"],\n      \"name\": \"Debtors' Planet (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Book #30)\",\n      \"author\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Person\",\n          \"name\": \"W. R. Thompson\"\n        }\n      ],\n      \"isbn\": \"9780671883416\",\n      \"sameAs\": \"0671883410\",\n      \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n      \"numberOfPages\": 288,\n      \"publisher\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Pocket Books\"\n      },\n      \"datePublished\": \"1994-06-01\",\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780671883416.jpg?v=1793522347\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/debtors-planet-star-trek-wr-thompson-9780671883416\",\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"6.99\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/UsedCondition\"\n      },\n      \"about\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC028000 \/ FICTION \/ Media Tie-In\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC028040 \/ FICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ Space Exploration\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC028010 \/ FICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ Action \u0026 Adventure\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the primary narrative plot, economic intrigue, and galactic conflict in Debtors' Planet?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"In Debtors' Planet, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D are assigned to oversee a complex diplomatic and economic mission to Megaira, a world locked in predatory financial obligations to the Ferengi Alliance. When Lieutenant Commander Data uncovers suspicious financial manipulations, the crew discovers that a rogue faction of Ferengi and corrupt planetary leaders are using debt traps to covertly build a massive militarized fleet, threatening Starfleet and the geopolitical stability of the sector.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How does author W. R. Thompson feature Lieutenant Commander Data and legal\/financial sleuthing in the narrative?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Thompson integrates intricate economic, legal, and cybernetic investigative elements into the narrative. Lieutenant Commander Data takes center stage as he analyzes massive, convoluted financial ledgers and trade agreements, utilizing his android processing power to trace hidden transactions, decode corporate espionage schemes, and outmaneuver shrewd Ferengi business strategists at their own game.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Where does Debtors' Planet fit within the internal timeline and publishing history of Star Trek: The Next Generation literature?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Published in June 1994 as Book #30 in the numbered Pocket Books Star Trek: The Next Generation novel series, the story is set during the show's prime later seasons (aligning with Season 6 and Season 7). It stands as a self-contained expanded universe adventure that expands on the franchise's exploration of Ferengi culture, trade law, and interstellar diplomacy.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How is this novel received by Star Trek expanded universe collectors and sci-fi tie-in readers?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"The novel is praised among classic Star Trek tie-in readers for its cerebral approach to sci-fi storytelling. Rather than relying solely on space battles, Thompson crafts a compelling mystery centered around corporate corruption, economic philosophy, and tactical problem-solving, capturing the authentic dialogue and high-minded ethics of the television series.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What unique authorial background and speculative fiction credentials define W. R. Thompson?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"W. R. Thompson is an American science fiction author who gained recognition for his hard science fiction stories and novella contributions to Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine in the 1980s and 1990s. His background in detailed world-building, political analysis, and technological realism enabled him to craft distinctive, research-driven tie-in novels within the Star Trek expanded universe.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Bust-Down Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67853737558331,"sku":"0671883410","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780671883416.jpg?v=1793522347","url":"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/debtors-planet-star-trek-wr-thompson-9780671883416","provider":"Bust-Down Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}