Reviewer: Miranda Fave Signed [Report This]
Date: 21 Apr 2010 18:33 Title: Chapter 51

As she did, Icheb noticed she kept one hand very close to her weapon.

The mission from the off had a lot going on for it - headed back to the Delta Quadrant and facing the real possibility of facing danger and opposition to Voyager's path through it. With this clear indication that indeed Voyager's actions have had severe ramifications among the Borg we are seeing in earnest just what a challenge lies ahead. But more than that, at a personal level, this tale threw a very humane and adept emotional navigator of people in Adele, a widow thanks to the Borg, to an ex-Borg drone with extreme difficulties navigation emotional issues and most of them his own interpersonal relationship with the Chief Engineer! So the two of these people would have to learn to work together and learn how to trust each other. At the opener here it seems Adele is wary still but by chapters end it is surprisingly all of the anguish and possible grief to her command that Icheb's and Maren's relationship potential held that helps to confirm Adele's assessment of the situation and to seemingly begin to trust Icheb. But boys at what a time!

With the dire pronouncement that the Borg are coming - not just for the Tesseract but the AQ as well. We're ending with the story coming full circle in terms of Adele and Icheb trying to trust each other and in terms of the events of Endgame and indeed Icheb's arrival on Voyager. There's a great - what is 'symmetry' the word? - synergy anyhoo - to it all.

The irony of their chosen designation was not lost on him, and with a cynical smirk, he thought to himself, I guess someone forgot to tell them that resistance is futile.

The Admiral is of course creepy as always. And though his motivations are still unclear - what we see here is that there are more players in this than we might believe and he remains a mysterious and potentially dangerous element. Regardless of that, his line and smirk is cold and chilling and so awesome.

Maren taking on the junior officer and then the surviving drone and showing it her face by pointing out Telek's neat trick of taking her out. But the chilling thought of whispering Dena. Very mysterious. What does it mean? Why is she rememberingher previous life. What lies behind that? Questions, questions and questions.

At least we see Maren and Icheb reunited together. A neat scene. A lot of emotional undercurrent but here and now wasn't the place to indulge in it. And after the news Icheb breaks - I'm not sure when the time will come. But deftly dealt with. This relationship, its ups and downs continue to fascinate and interest despite the greater story surrounding them. So a story dealing with characters and emotions still at its core despite the big ending we are getting here.

The Borg are coming. Resistance may be futile - and certainly when it comes to book two, trying to resist it will be futile! Terrific stuff!

Author's Response:

Resistance IS futile.  Don't even think about trying to resist book two.  ;-)  (Please?)

I like how you saw symmetry/synergy in all the various plotlines.  I've actually tried for that from the beginning -- I like symmetry and circles and completion and puzzle pieces fitting together.  So if I've given that feeling here, that makes me really happy.

I also like your analysis of the Icheb/Maren situation and how, despite what a disaster it is for Adele on a professional level, it also helps her to relate to them and trust them (particularly Icheb).  Because really, although the circumstances are very different, these feelings both the 'kids' have are painfully familiar to Adele.  She's been young and in love, and she's had her heart broken by a loss beyond her control.  So she identifies with these two more than she might like to admit even to herself.  Glad you liked their reunion here.  That was one of those scenes I rewrote in its entirety three times before feeling satisfied.  Lots of emotion and no time to really speak ... plus all the people watching them ... I'm sure they'll face some of their issues head on in book two, but like you said, it'll be hard to find the right moment.  Lots going on!

And then there's One of Fifteen.  Why DID she whisper "Dena?"  I guess that's one of those things you'll have to read book two to find out.  (Or just say you want to be my beta, still, and then you'll find out before everyone else!)

Thanks for the comments and assistance on this chapter!