Date: 06 Jun 2012 12:19 Title: Chapter 36
Good teaser! The encryption is cracked but something really serious gets in the way of unraveling the mystery regarding the Tyndorans and possibly the Borg. It's really cool to see Beckley kiss-ass to but I personally think his attempts to make allies won't work out. Icheb already smells a rat...
Date: 20 Apr 2010 19:16 Title: Chapter 36
Oh God-red alert indeed, on multiple fronts. What's in the schematics unlocked? And what is Maren going to do? She should have run by sickbay, I think Bashir would have talked her through a lot of stuff.
Author's Response:
Interesting that you think Bashir would talk her through things considering how relationally awkward he could be in his DS9 days. I think Bashir does have a lot to offer in terms of lessons learned, but he hasn't had the chance to do that yet. As for everything else ... well, that's why there are more chapters. :)
Date: 01 Dec 2009 06:40 Title: Chapter 36
Beckley didn't disappoint. He handled both of them very well. I'll be very interested to find out exactly what intent he has for Maren. I think he knows he'll have a harder time manipulating or using Icheb. He's a jerk, but he's an interesting jerk.
Now I also find myself wondering about this device they've been given. Encrypted information, or a trap? This chapter was quite intriguing. Now I'm on to the next!
Author's Response:
Beckley's pretty impressed with Icheb. I think he's probably on the fence about Maren, but willing to keep exploring that avenue. He does know how to handle people when he wants to. Glad you find him interesting!
We'll see what happens with the device ... thanks for the review!
Date: 21 Nov 2009 15:59 Title: Chapter 36
Nice work! You did a great job of weaving the aftermath of the party in with the main plot -- and like real-life, made the real plot seem like an afterthought at times to Maren!
The walking, talking Mexican standoff between Icheb, Maren, and the Admiral was well done too.
Also, great description of a hang-over, reminds me of ST:6.
Kirk: "Anyone know anything about any abnormal neutrino emmisions?"
Chekov: "Only from the sides of my head."
Again, great stuff, and keep going!
Author's Response:
Yes, Maren's job was definitely in danger of becoming an afterthought to her as she was having her Chekov moment. Kind of hard to give the outside world your full attention when your head is pounding, your stomach is doing backflips, and you've just turned yourself into a bigger emotional wreck than you already were by making potentially unwise decisions while drunk.
Thanks for the review, I really appreciate it!
Date: 21 Nov 2009 13:10 Title: Chapter 36
Oh that's not a good feeling - the hangover, the guilt or the confused feelings about John and/or Icheb. And add to that a forgotten visit from the Admiral. Eek! Not a day to have a fuzzy day. Oh poor Maren. But again she continues to impress - even at this low point she rises above it and talks to Icheb amicably, she treats iwth the Admiral in her winning way and of course helps to crack a code. But I wonder how the kiss will affect things between her and John when they next meet.
But it seems with the ending as it is there's going to be higher concerns. What the devil have they discovered? Enough to cause concern and then we have the red alert all of a sudden and maybe the naswers are going to be all too apparent on the bridge. Damn this has gotten more and more fascinating. Terrific stuff. Mind you I had to read the last few paragraphs a number of times because the red alert alaram caught me out as I thought Icheb had called for it - but it turns out it was Adele on the bridge. Maybe my own fuzzy head explains my problem with that.
Then we have to dwell on our favourite Admiral. Interesting to get a little perspective from his POV. It gave a little glimpse into his thought processes. I love his reflection on his almost notorious standing among the crew as a highly visible Admiral aboard the ship and how that runs anathemato his SI training. It strikes as a very true and valid position for him but it's the fact that you follow up on it and actually mention it. Then there is how he weighs up how to approach Maren. It shows his keen mind and cool calculating nature. Fascinating. And of course our hero Icheb picks up on how the Admiral is chatting amicably and wins Maren over. Noted too Icheb's loyalty to Adele as he is keen to relay the information to the captain as he notes this behaviour.
All in all. Top notch stuff.
Author's Response:
Definitely not a good day to be fuzzy ... and it looks like it's about to get worse. We'll see how things go between John and Maren -- he did his best at damage control initially, but I think it might be hard for him to forget about what happened.
What have they discovered? You'll have to wait to find out. ;-)
The admiral is nothing if not cold and calculating. Icheb can be pretty cold and calculating when he needs to be, as well. His head is still full of Borg hardware, after all. His own analytical nature was working overtime in Beckley's presence once he noticed how different his behavior was in engineering than it had been at the advisory board meetings. He knows Adele is bothered by the admiral, and he's kind of curious as to why, considering Adele has insights he lacks, since she's an empath and he's most definitely not.
Thanks so much for the review!
Date: 21 Nov 2009 09:14 Title: Chapter 36
Beckley continues to be an intentional enigma to the crew as he spins his webs and forges relationships with others for the sole purpose of manipulation at some later date.
Wow, Maren's in a pinch with the John/kiss scenario. Though she's troubled by the fact that she enjoyed it, everyone involved in this equation should realize that the woman's been single for two years, and she's been assigned to a seven year mission. Unless she's planning on being a celibate shut-in for the duration of this mission, Maren's more-than-likely going to become involved with someone during the course of the assignment.
Her attraction to John is a natural extension of their existing friendship and the fact that he's always been there for her, whereas Icheb promised to marry her and then abruptly abandoned her without explanation.
Oh, yeah. This has the potential of getting ridiculously ugly, and fantastically entertaining. 
Author's Response:
Beckley is all about the manipulation, that's for sure.
I don't think Maren would feel half as guilty or worried about the situation if it wasn't John. She knows Icheb has very few real friends, very few people that he truly trusts. John is one of them. Moving on is one thing, but doing so with John would feel like a betrayal of someone she still loves very much (even though she's really angry at him and sort of hating him at the same time).
Thanks for the thoughtful review, Gibraltar!