Date: 13 Sep 2013 00:29 Title: Chapter One
There is so much win in this chapter. First, Paul. Who does exactly what a good first mate is supposed to do -- act as the cheerleader/disciplinarian of the crew. It's very nautical in tradition, and I love that. Then you have K'Reeg, who has a fascinating POV. Your inclusion of the disaster that happened (whether I think it should have scientifically or not!) is seamless and a good note, but obviously not the absolute center of the story. Nor should it be, because then you have the Shent. And a more scary group of not-lobsters I have ever seen. I absolutely love your villains -- they're terrifying. The description of their hunger, fascinating.
And then Beth. Who should be a Mary Sue... and yet, isn't. Who has her insecurities and her flaws, who had to earn her Captaincy even given just how talented and connected she is. Who had to overcome and triumph. Who still has misgivings, like all living, sentient beings do.
Can't wait to read more.
Author's Response: Aw - thank Steph! You and I both agree that the Hobus nova was relentlessly stupid. To be honest, I think I would have bought it if they had written it as a gamma ray burst. We KNOW what those are capable of - but whatever. They wrote is as a nova and the prime universe has to live with it. We're just lucky CBS put their foot down and said no to JJ when he and his team first presented the script that had ALL of it (Earth, Vulcan, Andoria - ALL of it) wiped out.
You're right, I hate to admit this - but the destruction of the two planets actually plays better for my books. Where before I was writing myself into a stereotypical "bad admiral" situation for Cassidy, having such a wonderful foundation for the Thraiin helps immensely with her tale - which, at the end of all of this, is who this is really about.