You don't see comedy done much in the Star Trek universe. Peter David can be very funny, but he has a style all his own and his humour is often based on that.

this was a short work clearly just played for laughs - the "fake" bit referencing In the Pail Moonlight either just a joke in poor taste or an unintended connection on my part. The plot wasn't much to write home about, but it was nice to pick up something set chronologically forward with some familiar faces.