Twilight's End (Star Trek, Book 77)

Assisting the alien Dumada, who is attempting to make the stationary planet Rimillia spin on its axis, Captain Kirk is called upon to rescue a kidnapped scientist who is pivotal to the project. Original.

Unlike most planets, Rimillia does not spin upon its axis, so its day and night sides are subjected to perpetual extremes of hot and cold. Habitation has only been possible on a thin band of the planet's surface, until now.

Using gigantic impulse engines of unimaginable power, the alien Dumada intend to start Rimillia rotating, rendering the entire world fit for colonization. Yet some fear the enormous stresses involved may instead tear the planet apart.

Assigned to assist the Dumada, Captain Kirk must rescue a kidnapped scientist vital to the rotation project. But, once the giant engines are activated, Scotty must save Rimilli, and the U.S.S. EnterpriseTM from total destruction.