Mike Johnson: Picard: Countdown. With an unspeakable tragedy about to strike the homeworld of the Romulan Empire, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard undertakes a daring mission: leading a rescue armada to evacuate millions of Romulan citizens. However, not everyone is supportive of this mission, and the admiral faces some unexpected resistance when he tries to save everyone in danger, not just the Romulans.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome Mike Johnson, co-writer of Star Trek: Picard: Countdown, back to the show. We discuss how the comic trilogy came about, the inclusion of characters from TNG, Picard's new first officer, Tal Shiar operatives Laris and Zhaban, Admiral Picard during this time, the natives of Yuyat Beta, Romulan diversity, the machinations of the Tal Shiar, and wrap up with what Mike is working on now and where he can be found online.

At the top of the show we review Star Trek: Year Five #9 and respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 294: Pulling the Strings. News Star Trek Year Five #9 Comic Review (00:02:25) Listener Feedback (00:14:24)

Feature: Mike Johnson Getting Started (00:20:11) TNG Characters (00:27:21) Commander Raffi Musiker (00:32:12) Laris and Zhaban (00:35:36) Who is Admiral Picard? (00:38:01) Yuyat Beta Natives (00:41:58) Making It All Fit (00:46:00) Romulan Diversity (00:51:33) The Tal Shiar (00:55:42) More To Come (01:01:18) Final Thoughts (01:07:17)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Mike Johnson

Production Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)