A major complaint of Star Trek fans is that the franchise appears to be stuck in the past. Enterprise takes place at the dawn of the Federation while Discovery is set a decade before the Original Series. This means they have the issues of prequels which is too much setting up of obvious stuff and messing up continuity (witness how Discovery’s tech is so much better than the “later” eras). The big issue is how this ignores the huge potential of a “future Trek.” Fans would love to see the outcome of the Dominion War with the galaxy shifted about and what happened to the major characters. Thankfully, Simon & Schuster have answered that with their massive Expanded Universe of Trek novels. Officially sanctioned by the show’s producers, they have showcased the years following the movies and TV shows in amazing detail.

Obviously, the books have advantages over a live-action version. They don’t have to worry about actors being unavailable and can bring back characters long forgotten. They can go far more in depth to show the feelings of the characters and more time to let new characters come to life. And with an unlimited special effects budget, they can truly go all out in action sequences. The books have crafted their own continuity that has brought beloved characters back, made some surprising changes and moments that can put the TV shows to shame. Many Trek fans follow them but others can be surprised at the changes the books have brought about. Here are 20 major things from the Trek EU fans may not know to show how the last decade and half has changed the entire Trek universe.

20 ROM AND NOG BOTH MADE GOOD

At the beginning of Deep Space Nine, Rom is simply Quark’s idiot brother and Nog is his conniving son. Both transformed majorly over the course of the show. Nog became the first Ferengi to join Starfleet and proved himself in battle. After showing off as a genius engineer, Rom ended up becoming Grand Nagus of the Ferengi. The books show that both men do pretty well afterward. Rom moves the Ferengi to finally give women equal rights and thus allowing millions of new Ferengi deals to be made. This makes them more successful than ever before to the point they join with the Federation. Rom also continues to be married to Leeta and raising a family.

Nog also does great. He overcomes the issues of losing a leg in battle and continues to rise up the ranks. He also inspires other Ferengi to join Starfleet and be more than just crooks. Nog makes history as the first Ferengi to command a Federation ship and a decorated officer. Amazing as it sounds, father and son each helped transform their entire species for the better.

19 BASHIR SAVED A SPECIES…AND LANDED IN JAIL

When one saves a species from extinction, you’d expect them to be given a medal. Instead, Julian Bashir landed in jail. The Andorians had long been in conflict with the Federation and made worse by some clashes over the years. Their scientists had discovered a genetic disorder preventing births, meaning the entire species would be extinct in 200 years. The Federation decided to not interfere not only because of the Prime Directive but seeing it as removing a major threat. Bashir, of course, could not let this happen.

Against orders, Bashir worked in secret to develop an anti-toxin to fix the birth defect. Always the smart type, Bashir resigned from Starfleet first so he couldn’t be court-martialed. He stole a ship and spread the cure across the Andorian home world. Bashir turned himself in and was imprisoned for a bit. Eventually, he was pardoned but dismissed from Starfleet. Bashir used his new status to infiltrate Section 31 and destroy it. In the process, he was put in a comatose state and treated on Andoria as a hero.

18 LEONARD JAMES AKAAR

In the TOS episode “Patterns of Force,” the Enterprise crew saves the life of the pregnant wife of the chieftain of the Capella. She gives birth to a son that she names after Kirk and McCoy (which inspires Spock’s priceless observation that “you’re both going to be insufferably pleased with yourselves for at least a month!”) It had long been assumed by fans that Akaar simply took over as ruler of his planet. Instead, the novels reveal Akaar was inspired to join Starfleet himself and served under Captain Sulu.

By the post-series novels, Akaar is now a major ranking admiral in Starfleet. He is a big figure in several books, an imposing man who has proven himself as a warrior. He often works with the DS9 crew and oversaw Bajor finally becoming part of the Federation. He eventually became the Fleet Commander for the Federation with everyone respecting his orders. He may be a forgettable character in the show but in the novels, Akaar more than makes his two namesakes proud.

17 Q SUFFERED A BIG LOSS

You would never expect a human reaction from Q. After all, the arrogant omnipotent being boasts about being so above humans and treating them as ants. The novels have continued that with one having Q manipulate Picard into a meeting with another pack of omnipotent beings known as “They.” The absurdity of these two all-powerful forces bickering just causes Picard to laugh. Q also raised his son, who was key to helping Janeway come back to life and even saw her as his “godmother.”

This became a huge issue when the Omega Continuum threatened the entire universe, including the Q. Q’s son, inspired by Janeway’s bravery, sacrificed himself to save all of reality. This angered Q, who blamed Janeway for filling his son’s head with foolish ideas and warned her that he was now her enemy. He seems to have calmed down but Janeway should watch out. A grieving father with the power to wipe out galaxies with a snap of his fingers is something to keep you awake at night.

16 DATA GOT A NEW BODY

The biggest move of Star Trek Nemesis was the apparent death of Data. The android sacrificed himself to destroy a massive Romulan ship with his colleagues mourning him. Even then, there were hints there might be a way to come back. An earlier model of Data, code-named B-4 (“before”) had been discovered with the indication he might be used as a replacement. It was revealed that Data’s creator, Noonian Soong, had upgraded his mental patterns into B-4. Soong now used that to get Data a brand new body, this one more human-like than his old one.

Data spends time working with other androids and getting used to his new form (which even has the ability to “age” physically). He continues to work and eventually ends up becoming captain of the Enterprise. While still understanding human nature, Data’s rebirth has made the android more human than ever before.

15 SECTION 31 WAS FINALLY DESTROYED

For decades, the ultra-top secret Section 31 had been the dirty shame of the Federation. A covert ops group that answered to no one, Section 31 claimed they were doing the harsh work needed to keep the Federation safe. In reality, they shattered every rule Starfleet was founded on. Assassinations, brainwashings, coups, even genocide were all part of their daily routine. Several officers like Ben Sisko loathed the group and how too many in Starfleet were willing to turn a blind eye to their actions.

In a series of novels, it appears Julian Bashir has finally lived out his dreams of being a spy by accepting a job for Section 31. In reality, Bashir was working to destroy the organization from within. He waited for Section 31 to commit itself to a plot that would instigate civil war with the Andorians, not caring how thousands would die in the process. With aid from Data and a reporter, Bashir exposed Section 31 to the public in a scandal that forced the Federation President to resign. Thus, the darkest side of the Federation was finally crushed.

14 GARAK BECAME CARDASSIAN PRESIDENT

When we last saw Elim Garak, the former spy turned tailor is dealing with the devastation wrought on his world by the Dominion. For several years, Garak did his best to rebuild Cardassia, wanting to finally enjoy a quiet life. But fate had other plans. Garak debated Laxwana Troi at Starfleet Headquarters on asking aid for his world which impressed many people. Garak was thus named Cardassia’s ambassador to the Federation and doing his best to redeem the name of his people.

When a new Cardassian Castellan was to be elected, Garak was worried a major candidate would return Cardassia to the ways that destroyed it. He thus decided the only option was to run for office himself. Garak acknowledged the irony that politicians could come up with dirty tricks that would put the Obsidian Order to shame yet still handled it. He ended up winning and making bold moves to help Cardassia rebuild. Amazing as it sounds, the one-time Cardassian exile ended up becoming the leader his homeworld needed.

13 DS9 WAS DESTROYED

Through countless attacks and conflicts, Deep Space Nine had always stood strong. But even the best battle stations reach a breaking point sooner or later. For several years, DS9 was a key meeting point for dignitaries across the galaxy with the wormhole drawing attention. A fun twist was that Quark changed his bar into a Ferengi embassy as part of a money-making scheme. The station was used to attacks of all kinds but still unprepared when a sect of Androian terrorists planted anti-matter bombs across the fusion core.

The crew might have been able to disable the bombs on their own. But in a classic case of bad timing, the Breen picked that moment to launch an attack. Realizing they couldn’t stop it all, the station was evacuated moments before being blown to pieces. The Federation and Bajor agreed the station was badly needed and so a replacement was under construction fast. Its grand reopening was marred by the assassination of the Federation President. Looks like DS9’s bad luck continues in any form.

12 VOYAGER HAD A ROUGH HOMECOMING

The final seconds of Voyager had the ship, after years of hardship and agony, managing to finally reach Earth. That was a natural kicking-off point for a new series of books which explore how the crew react to being back on Earth. At first, it’s terrific with a heroes’ welcome and crewmembers reuniting with family and friends. However, the Dominion War had led to some trepidation about Voyager’s role in the galaxy. The Doctor is also not pleased that he’s being denied the rights of an individual. His quest to prove he’s a person inadvertedly sets up a huge “hologram rebellion.”

The former Maquis are jarred Starfleet still wants to persecute them for their crimes despite how the war is long over. Torres also deals with the fallout of the Klingon Empire being changed. Worse is Seven of Nine and Icheb coming under suspicion as former Borg. When a Borg plague hits, everyone blames Voyager for it. It turns out a new Borg Queen is being born and the crew unite to stop her. Things settle down after that yet the books showcase how returning to Earth just started a new voyager for the crew.

11 ODO RULED THE DOMINION

In the finale of DS9, Odo joins the “Great Link” of the Founders to cure his fellow Changelings of a deadly virus. This pushed the Founders to end the massive war with the Federation. Odo stayed with the Founders as he tried to sway them from their ways and convince them “solids” were equal beings. The Changelings soon discovered a great alien called the Progenitor had created them eons ago and awaited its return. Instead, the Progenitor was destroyed. Heartbroken, the majority of the Changelings chose to end themselves.

Thus, Odo found himself basically running the Dominion. Thanks to how the massive empire was set up, it wasn’t too hard and Odo actually relished the chance to move them from their harsher ways and make things better. He joined his old DS9 buddies from time to time and eventually became an ambassador from the Changelings to the “solids.” It was a strange journey as the former outsider ended up transforming his people for the better.

10 RIKER GOT HIS COMMAND

The opening of Star Trek Nemesis has two moments fans had waited years for. First, Will Riker and Deanna Troi finally get married. Second, Riker has decided he’s had enough of being first officer and has accepted a captaincy to his own ship. The Titan series follows Riker taking up command of the title vessel as it explores the Gum Neubla. While most of the crew are original character, Riker does get help from Tuvok. He and Troi also try to have a family although their life is soon marked with personal tragedies.

Riker was good in command but surprised when he was suddenly promoted to Rear Admiral. Riker chafed being in an office position and suspected something was foul inside the Federation. He worked to expose a corrupt Federation President and soon talked his way back into command. He continues to lead the Titan and prove at last that “Number One” could be a top-notch leader in his own right.

9 PICARD AND CRUSHER GOT HITCHED

All through TNG, the relationship between Jean-Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher was a highlight. Crusher had been married to Picard’s best friend but obviously there were feelings between them. They flirted and bantered but seemed better off as just friends. Yet fans couldn’t deny there was something serious there. In one of the earlier post-movie TNG novels, Beverly is captured by Romulans and Picard defies orders to rescue her. It forces Picard to finally admit he’s been in love with Beverly for years and she feels the same way.

The two decided to tie the knot in a fine ceremony attended by all their former crewmates. Despite her age, Beverly also bore Picard a son. Crusher eventually becomes captain of her own medical ship although she does return to the Enterprise from time to time. While they can be busy on their own lives, Crusher and Picard remain a top notch couple to reward fans for following them for so long.

8 VOYAGER RETURNED TO THE DELTA QUADRANT

One would think the crew of the Voyager would want absolutely nothing to do with the Delta Quadrant again. They had been stuck there for years on a long and desperate journey home that cost them majorly. The fact the other galaxy was light-years away from home seemed to hamper any chance of going back. However, the more recent Voyager novels show that Starfleet refitted the ship with a new slipstream warp drive that would allow them to get to the Delta Quadrant faster. Needing to expand following a Borg attack, the Federation ordered Voyager there.

Chakotay had been in command for a while but eventually resigned from Starfleet to handle living on a new colony. The ship has made contact with numerous new civilizations, including the Delta Quadrant version of the Federation. While some characters are new, Harry Kim is second officer and the ship is back to its old journey of discovery.

7 THE ROMULAN EMPIRE BECAME DIVIDED

The opening scene of Star Trek Nemesis has the Romulan High Council wiped out thanks to a deadly weapon. This was the beginning of a plot by the mad Shinzon to instigate war upon the galaxy. The novels showcase that this short-lived coup ripped the Empire in half. The backlash of Shinzon’s attack led to the economy cratering and the loss of numerous territories. Eventually, the Empire became divided. Half of it was willing to ally with the Federation in order to rebuild. The other half (under an Empress) went back to their old conquering ways as a military force.

The Romulans have continued to rebuild but all their efforts were for naught. A scientist named Nero discovered their nearby star was about to go nova. Despite the attempts to aid by the Federation, it went supernova which basically destroyed the Romulan Empire as anyone knew it. This drove Nero to go back in time to attack the Federation which created the “Kelvin Timeline” of the recent big-screen movies. Once a major force, the novels have reduced the Romulans to a broken people.

6 SISKO RETURNED

In the grand finale for DS9, Ben Sisko sacrificed himself to destroy Gul Dukat and save Bajor. He was found to be with the Prophets, the aliens inside the wormhole, who wanted him to join them. Sisko told his wife Kassidy that he wasn’t sure when but “I will be back.” Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the novels made that come true. For a time, Jake was on a galaxy-wide search for a way to restore his father while Sisko could make visits to characters in their dreams to give advice.

Sisko finally returned to save Bajor from a deadly threat. For a time, he preferred being with Kassidy and starting a new family while also serving as Bajor’s Emissary. He did rejoin to face a new Borg threat and turned down a promotion to admiral as he preferred being a “hands-on” guy. Now back to exploring the galaxy, Sisko is still the tough commander but his experience has opened his mind to how wild the universe can be.

5 RO JOINED DS9

The original plan for Deep Space Nine was that Ro Laren would be its second-in-command. A former Bajoran prisoner, she had joined Starfleet and was a good officer on the Enterprise. However, actress Michelle Forbes turned down the idea of joining a TV show and so the producers created Kira. Ro later joined the Maquis and that was the last seen of her in the show. The books reveal that Ro had survived the Cardassians wiping the Maquis out and spent time in prison. She was eventually pardoned to join the Bajoran military.

Ro was soon pulled into aiding the Federation and reinstated as an officer. She joined DS9 as its new chief of security. While she and Kira could clash, they deeply respected one another and Ro proved her loyalty. Eventually, she ended up becoming commander of the newly rebuilt DS9 and having a relationship with, of all people, Quark. Thus, in an odd way, the original plan came to life after all with Ro taking charge on the space station.

4 THE TYPHON PACT

In the wake of a huge Borg invasion, the Federation was on the ropes and many other races were hit hard too. Over the centuries, the Breen, Gorn, Tholians and Tzenkethi have all clashed with the Federation. With things so chaotic, they realized working together was in their best interests. Joining with the more militant half of the Romulan Empire, they became the Typhon Pact, an organization aiding each other in controlling their part of space against the Federation.

The Federation was concerned enough to get the other half of Romulus to join them in a new alliance. It didn’t take long for conflict to start as several elements of the Pact embarked on attacks that included destroying Deep Space Nine. The Pact is more effective using economic means to undermine the Federation. As the current books stand, it’s not open war yet but it seems this alliance is set on dragging the Federation into a new conflict.

3 JANEWAY PULLED A SPOCK

Leave it to Kathryn Janeway to find a way to emulate a Starfleet legend. After returning to Earth, Janeway handled her life as an admiral, doing her best to aid her former crew and enjoying being back home. When a new Borg threat emerged, Janeway, as a Borg expert, was called in. She boarded a ship only to discover too late that the Borg had taken it over. Janeway herself was assimilated and turned into a Borg Queen. Janeway managed to fight off the control long enough to allow the Borg to be wiped out before dying of her wounds.

What no one realized at the time was that the female Q would capture Janeway’s spirit for a “traveling companion” across the universe. When a major battle threatened to end the universe, Q allowed Janeway to be restored to life in order to stop it. Janeway continued on as an admiral and even a relationship with Chakotay. It just shows not even death itself can stop a determined Janeway.

2 THE PARASITES RETURNED

The first truly good TNG episode was season 1’s “Conspiracy.” Picard discovers Starfleet has been infiltrated by strange alien parasites who control their hosts. He manages to expose them but there were hints that others were out there. The series never followed up on this although the ideas would inspire both the Borg and the Founders. In several of the post-show DS9 novels, the Parasites are shown to have been waiting in hiding while the galaxy was knee-deep in things like the Dominion War. They then finally moved in with a plot to take over Bajor.

It was a tough battle and paranoia was high. At least Changelings can be found out by blood tests but even the Parasites’ own hosts were unaware they were being possessed. At one point, a massive “Queen” threatened to unleash parasites to take over all of Bajor. It took a returning Sisko and the power of the Prophets to end the threat and show how deadly this long-forgotten enemy could be.

1 THE BORG WAR

The culmination of the Trek EU is the “Destiny” trilogy. After years of countless defeats, the Borg have finally had enough. They no longer care about assimilating humanity or time travel shenanigans. Instead, they decide to just go and wipe out every organic being they can find. So instead of just a single cube, entire Borg fleets attack the whole galaxy in waves of pure destruction. Even a combined alliance of forces can barely hold them back with one battle making Wolf 359 look like a preschool scuffle. Only the discovery of a long-ancient species can save the day.

It’s only three books but it packs in massive action and sells the horror of the Borg like never before. It culminates in a huge move that wipes away one of the greatest forces in all of Trek lore. It also has a stunning aftermath with Starfleet losing 40 percent of its forces and 65 billion inhabitants across the galaxy killed. The Borg went out with a bang in a conflict that put the Dominion War to shame.