[Report This]Date: 29 Jul 2020 16:25 Title: 7 - Agamemnon, 2372
Refreshing to see a positive spin on a ship's counselor. The counselor in Stargate Atlantis was a total washout. I was unaware that Ulians were telepathic. But then the only ones I recall seeing were seedy merchants in STNG. Interesting to see one serving in Star Fleet.
Also enjoyable to see a quartermaster - a role I didn't think of for STH (but with a crew of 35, not really needed as a separate role.) Good characterization on that individual. Again, good crisp visuals that really help put the reader in the story.
Thanks! rbs
Author's Response: Thanks, I'm glad you liked my counselor. He is certainly an integral part of the crew and also part of Maya's inner circle. In a break from tradition I also decided to make him a civilian rather than a Starfleet officer. Should you ever be interested in how Maya got her command, I recommend you check out the short story "And a Star to Steer her By" which is part of my vignette series "Crossing Over". It's not on Ad Astra but you can find it at StarEagleAdventures.com. That story pretty much works as a prequel to The God Particle.
Date: 03 Dec 2019 19:29 Title: 7 - Agamemnon, 2372
I'm thoroughly amused and kind of touched that people still worry about dying their hair! And that it's a mark in Holly's favor that he doesn't, because he's not vain about things. Also love the mention of the Border Service, and his reply about what her father must have said. LOL! That definitely fits.
The discussion about respecting the NCOs is also excellent. Very parallel to how you'd want a semi-military organization to run, I think. "There’s nothing like a good challenge to get you out of bed in the morning." Indeed!
It's damn nice to see mental health get acknowledged and a counselor being treated as an asset. I think that it's probably easy, especially if you've had bad therapy experiences or heard tell of them, to broad-brush the entire profession. And there are bad counselors out there! But there are also people who are, indeed, invaluable. And mental health is super important; Trek never did a very good job with that in canon, honestly. So, it's nice seeing someone tackle it better.
“I’m the counselor here. Leave the psychological buzzwords to me. That’s what I get paid for.” HA! Excellent.
I like that they kinda hash that out a bit there. Responsibility and attachment. Good stuff!
Author's Response: I hear you on the bad rep counselors tend to get. Part of that may have been due to the overly sensitive nature of Troi on TNG, especially in the early days of the series. There can be a lot of humor in dismissing your counselor, but I tried to go into a different direction here on purpose and make him an integral part of Donners' command staff and an important and valuable asset which is particularly significant, I think, for a rookie starship captain.
Date: 26 May 2012 20:54 Title: 7 - Agamemnon, 2372
You certainly can't say Amaya doesn't have a solid support system aboard the ship. A trusted confidant and a top-notch chief of the boat are nothing to sneeze at.
Excellent character moments here, proving once again that Amaya has a good head on her shoulders and has more than earned this command.