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Uhura's Song

by Janet Kagan · 1985

Years ago, Lieutenant Uhura befriended a diplomat from Eeiauo, a land of graceful, catlike beings. The two women exchanged forbidden songs and promised never to reveal their secret. Now the Starship Enterprise must race to… more

16 quotes ★ 4.06 (2,779) Science Fiction

Quotes from the Book

so who's more adult- somebody who works like mad to avoid a problem or somebody who works like mad to solve it?
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we're looking for a planeet on the strength of a song. it's crazy I know, but its the only chance we have to do something useful." ...Evan Wilson said gravely "I think you're as crazy as Heinrich Schliemann - and you know what happened to him!" "What" ... "you don't know what happened to him?" she asked her blue eyes widening in astonishment."Ever read Homer's Iliad, Captain?" ... "I don't know what translation you read Doctor, but there was no Heinrich Schliemann in mine - or in the Odyssey." "That depends on how you look at it." smiling she settled back into her chair and went on,"Heinrich Schliemann was from Earth, pre-federation days, and he read Homer too. No, not just read him, believed him. So he set out at his own expense-mind you, I doubt he could have found anyone else to fund such a crazy endeavor - to find Troy, a city that most of the educated people of his time considered pure invention on Homer's part." "And?" "And he found it. Next time you're on earth, stop by the Troy Museum. the artifacts are magnificent, and every one of them was found on the strength of a song.
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Kagan's law of first contact,'You'll surprise you more than they will.
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You have no tail!" said Brightspot. her own whipped suddenly forward; she stared, first at it, then at Wilson."How do you manage?
3
Spock," (Kirk) said, "you're a sight for sore eyes!" "I fail to understand, Captain, what bearing my presence could possibly have on the condition of your vision... but I am pleased to see you.
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Blew it up his nose. That woman should have cards printed: 'Dr. Evan Wilson, Imaginative Medicine a Specialty.
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Never underestimate small things, Captain, they have to be meaner than larger ones to survive.
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Friends are friends,” Brightspot said, “whether I’ve known them for a long time or a short time.
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there is very little 'of course' when it comes to custom
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All right, Spock, I'll bite: why would she take up saber, quarterstaff and eating with chopsticks?" "To extend her reach.
It must be difficult to treat Mr. Spock when he's ill." "You're right. The combination of human and Vulcan makes it tricky. You should hear Dr. McCoy on the subject; you'd think Mr. Spock's physiology was devised simply to torment him.
It is impossible to work up a satisfactory anger at someone who so steadfastly refuses to reciprocate. You win, Mr. Spock; I give up.
I give her a lot of credit. She's one of the few humans I've met who could resist saying 'I told you so.' " "Such a statement would be quite unnecessary, Captain." "Spock, you've worked with humans long enough to know that simply because something is unnecessary doesn't mean it isn't done.
Spock stared hard at his tricorder, as if by sheer will he might force it to tell him the answer to his questions.
Between gasping breaths, she said earnestly, "I could... almost hear the captain give the command: 'Eyebrows on stun, Mr. Spock...
Dr. Wilson, you are incorrigible." Wilson grinned. "Yes, sir, and you're invited to incorrige me all you want, sir.

About Janet Kagan

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About the book

Years ago, Lieutenant Uhura befriended a diplomat from Eeiauo, a land of graceful, catlike beings. The two women exchanged forbidden songs and promised never to reveal their secret. Now the Starship Enterprise must race to save the Eeiauoans before a deadly plague destroys them all. Uhura's secret songs may hold the key to a cure, but the clues are veiled in layers of mystery. The plague is killing humans, threatening other planets—and Kirk must crack the code before the Enterprise succumbs!

Book details

First published
1985
Goodreads rating
4.06 (3k ratings)

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