The First Virtue
Years before the USS Enterprise, a young Picard must prevent a war!

The First Virtue is a Pocket TNG novel – #56 in the numbered series, and the sixth and final novel in the Double Helix miniseries – written by Michael Jan Friedman and Christie Golden. Published by Pocket Books, it was first released in , and forms a prequel to the main Double Helix storyline.

Summary 
From the book jacket
An insidious plot for revenge has spanned several years in the life of Jean-Luc Picard, but how did this merciless vendetta get started? Like a double helix, curling back on itself, the final answer lies at the very beginning…A series of terrorist attacks have heightened tensions between two alien races, bringing an entire sector to the brink of interplanetary war. While Picard, captain of the , struggles to keep the peace, Lieutenant Commander Jack Crusher must team up with a Vulcan officer named Tuvok to uncover the hidden architect of the attacks, but the outcome of their quest would breed dire consequences for the future. Prologue 
Governor Gerrid Thul visits the Thallonian emperor, Tae Cwan. As a general, Thul had previously only entered the throne room during crowded gatherings, but now was invited alone. After being greeted by Cwan, handmaidens emerge and introduce Mella Cwan, sister of the emperor. Thul professes his admiration to the plain-looking woman, and asks for her hand in marriage, which Tae Cwan withholds. Tae Cwan states Thul, as a military man, is below royal standing, and is not trusted. Thul is insulted, but leaves in peace and vows to find a way to increase his standing, and power, in the Thallonian government.

 Chapter One 
Thul travels to a Reggana City tavern in commoner's clothes and hood.

 Background information 
 Two versions of this book's cover exist, one shows Picard and Beverly Crusher, the other shows Crusher and Tuvok. Both versions are anomalous, as Crusher only appeared on two pages in this book.
 The novel contains Chapter One of the serialized novel Starfleet: Year One.

Cover gallery

 Characters 
Jean-Luc Picard  Captain of the USS Stargazer.

Jack Crusher  Lieutenant Commander under Picard's command, second officer of Stargazer.
Tuvok  Ensign in Starfleet Security.
Gerrid Thul  Thallonian general.

Beverly Crusher  Wife of Jack Crusher, junior medical officer.
Mendan Abbis
Tae Cwan
Mella Cwan
Karl Broadnax  Captain of the Wyoming.
M'ketwa  Stargazer lieutenant.
Cabrini  Stargazer lieutenant.
Moore  Stargazer ensign.
Kirby  Stargazer ensign.
Philip Terrance  Space captain who made the first survey of Zebros IV. Possibly named for South Park characters Philip and Terrance.

References 
acch'ta  Substance which floated in the air as smoke in a Reggana City tavern.

Archaidae sector  Location of Zebros IV.

nightwood  Material the Thallonian throne had been composed of, preserved since the 14th century.

Reggana City

   starship.

Thallonian  Humanoid species. 
These aliens were created by Peter David for the Star Trek: New Frontier'' series.

  Federation starship commanded by Karl Broadnax.

Zebros IV

External link 
 

First Virtue, The

cs:The First Virtue
de:Die oberste Tugend