Date: 19 Jul 2013 02:12 Title: Chapter 10
And now the tendrils of the story are starting to come together. And what has Icheb been offered? I am thinking it is something like full reassimilation, in an effort to save his life but what Malik had wanted was for his own selfish purposes. Can Lakwa save Icheb without making a devil's bargain?
Date: 30 Nov 2010 12:43 Title: Chapter 10
After all of the crap, angst and difficulties that has been thrown at Icheb and Maren since the Tesseract's journey has begun, it is easy to forget that the two of them did have happier times and they had a love they thought unbreakable. We see here that Icheb remembers it, he remembers Maren staying by his bedside and he would like to sit in vigil by hers. But he recognises that he cannot do that. He feels he does not have the right to do so. I think he can be admired for recognising that. It seems as if he is trying now to make ammends for his past poor decisions. Lying to the Admiralty and leaving Maren all seemed good ideas at the time, and he had good reason for believing he was making the right choices. Alas it all coming back on him.
But he is beginning to make the changes needed. He is opening to Bashir about his condition, and opened in other ways to reveal a little of his heartache to the good doctor too. One wonders about Bashir's words and how much he is speaking about his own situation. But we also see that Icheb goes to Lakwa and seeks a solution to his condition. But he does so with the condition of not sacrificing the Borg free part of himself. What that means for his future chances of survival, I don't know.
Then the stuff from Lakwa's pov. Wow. Really impressive and insightful. We see her think about the Borg, about Malik, her own decisions in betraying him, the future of the RBorg faction, her own life and how changed/mutilated/brutalised it has been because of the Borg. In amongst all of this she can recognise that Icheb loves and is loved by Maren. She sees the way in which he has been accepted and is a part of something. And that gives her pause, gives her hope, that she may also be a part of something and have a life, a love, a future, a home.
And on the topic of home ... Icheb's. How much more bad news can he be delivered? And how will he react to the news when he does hear it? All this while out there JQ is fighting a desperate fight to survive and one imagines that the call to the bridge will reveal how that struggle has played out for all concerned. Continued excellence.
[Report This]Date: 29 Nov 2010 22:10 Title: Chapter 10
Nice little chat between Icheb and Bashir, especially this bit:
I suggest you learn to accept it. People take risks for the people they care about all the time – especially in our line of work. You can’t control the way she feels about you. You can’t force her not to love you … least of all when it’s so obvious you feel the same way.
He's sure speaking from his own experience. And that was his major character flaw: becoming too emotionally involved, not that there's anything entirely wrong with that. As chief medical officer, he can get away with making promises he can't keep. When a first day intern on "Grey's Anatomy" did that, the lesson was never promise a patient anything.
And speaking of a patient with whom Julian became too emotionally involved, it's a good segue into Lakwa's internal conflicts between having to betray a friend and doing the right thing.
Author's Response:
Thanks, E1981! Julian is speaking from his own experiences for sure, but he's also conflicted about the advice he's giving. Yes, he's an idealist and yes, he has a history of getting emotionally involved, but he's also had to learn to cut some ties he would rather not have cut because of circumstances beyond his control. So Icheb's situation strikes a chord with him, even though it's quite different from his own. We'll see more of his past in later chapters, though. Thanks for the comment.
Date: 29 Nov 2010 05:06 Title: Chapter 10
Oh man...Icheb again passing on that much needed part for him and then asking for an alternative solution. I can understand his feelings-certainly the less Borg in him the better-but he kinda needs it to live. I hope an alternative solution can be found.
I also wonder when the news that his homeworld is gone will be told-I forsee it having an effect on him...not sure what though.
Great chapter, good stuff.
Author's Response:
Oh, you think Icheb might have a reaction to his homeworld being gone? ;-) We'll see. We'll also see what kind of alternatives can be found for his survival, if any. Maybe none. Decisions, decisions, for our poor friend Icheb.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. :)
[Report This]Date: 29 Nov 2010 04:35 Title: Chapter 10
Finally Icheb starts to see that turning on his heel and leaving Maren without a word of explanation was not exactly the best solution. He didn't want her to worry and watch him slowly die, but those feelings not only didn't disappear from her heart, he added worry where he was, what was happening to him and why he left her like that. From bad to worse.
Borg enhanced intellingence or not, he still needs to learn a lot about feelings and relations with other people, especially people who are close to us.
Can't at least some of implants be removed from Lakwa's body? It could help her with her emotional turmoil and constant reminder of what she was, what had been done to her and what she lost (and how!). It could be like drawing a line and maybe a little help in healing of her soul.
Author's Response:
Yeah, Icheb's starting to get it. Maren always knew exactly why he left, but it was harder on her for the knowing. If you read "Triangle Theory," one of my shorter pieces, you'll see what she thought about it (and maybe understand her a little bit better, as I know you're not a fan).
Icheb really does have a lot to learn. That's a major part of this story -- Icheb growing into the person he will be. He's not there yet, and has a long way to go. But he's taking some steps here.
As for Lakwa, wait and see. She may yet go down that path, but it's one she's been prevented from taking until now.
Thanks so much for the review. :)