Diplomatic Act

Peter Jurasik &
William H. Keith, Jr.

Although he doesn't believe in outer space aliens, Richard Faraday plays a wise, peace loving one for his role on the television program Star Peace. His director believes he can be more realistic as Harmon, the Eldar, or wise ancient one. The Kluj are stationed on the moon and are official Watchers of humanity on Earth. The Kluj are certain that Faraday is really an Eldar or Naka-ja or Ptschai or Ancient One or Old Wise One - a race that disappeared millions of years earlier after creating the Galactic Unity.

The Unity was created as a guiding body to maintain peace among the thousand of beings throughout the Milky Way Galaxy. There are guidelines to determine when an emergent race is ready to be admitted to the Unity. The Human race still has another thousand years or so before they're ready - if they don't kill themselves first.

So the Kluj kidnap Harmon and put another Kluj in his place on Earth so no one realizes he is missing. Suddenly Richard Faraday finds himself on the Moon being questioned by a group of blue translucent aliens with three red eyes that run vertical along their "head". They aren't happy to learn that Faraday isn't a real Eldar. They needed an Ancient One to prevent the first war brewing since the creation of the Unity.

OK, this novel was going to be a bit of obvious humor and nothing special. I knew that before I turned to page one. It's part of a series that has books co-authored by popular television science fiction actors, in this case Peter Jurasik from Babylon 5 working with William H. Keith, Jr. The story plot on the back cover also lends credence to its humor.

Yes, it humorous, especially when the Klug on Earth, Dahnak, tries to figure out human actions and be realistic while replacing Faraday on the set of Star Peace. There's quite of bit of humor as Faraday finds himself kidnapped and meeting space aliens for real. The thing is, some of these aliens have make believe counterparts in Earth science fiction movies and shows. How can that be?

Diplomatic Act has more meat to it than I expected. It's not stellar science fiction, but it isn't bad for what it intends to be. It tends to plod some, especially in the middle. The plot and characters work well. The ultimate menace is surprising and cute while coming across seriously. Between Keith's writing skills and Jurasik's knowledge of Hollywood and the television business, they have put together an enjoyable book.