Reviewer: Robert Bruce Scott Signed [Report This]
Date: 02 Sep 2020 15:51 Title: Part 2

One of the stories least explored is the toll of morally questionable acts on the actors. ST tends to come off a bit preachy on these. Good exploration of this impact so far.

Very timely as we are quite complacent about the collateral damage of our increasing drone program.

I also appreciate any glimpses of future Earth and particularly future Africa. 

Thanks!! rbs

Author's Response: Oh yeah, this story is all about the impact of your actions. I tried hard to avoid the soap box dilemma in this tale. It's for the reader to decide who is wrong or right. Or maybe its not even that binary at all.

Reviewer: Miranda Fave Signed [Report This]
Date: 25 Apr 2014 15:28 Title: Part 2

Sometimes smart people are the dumbest. Sometimes those protesting they are protecting society and nation are doing things so abhorrent as to be the antithesis of said society and nation. Vincent is the rallying call for that charge and of course is impassioned in his railings. Kerra is dumbstruck at the carnage and at how a possible means of defending lives without putting unneccessary lives on the line has been subverted by the tactics employed. And then there's Rhory, the sweet innocent first year cadet is certainly no longer innocent.

I loved the spy game trick of serial transporter transits and the secret location. And then the reveal of the installation and its make up is such that we are shocked to discover Rhory's own role in this debate, shockingly so when the latter target transpires and is carried out. It was deftly handled and very effective.

Back on topic of the debate, it is shocking. One could argue at how it is young minds like Rhory's making these decisions. But they're just the analysts and one group feeding the choices to those who make the decision. However, it is telling that they deal only in the analytical data of the whereabouts of the strikes and don't get into the intel about what is on the ground.

In terms of the real life parallels, this is well executed. It isn't contrived and fits in-universe but has a strong message within. Even with the training schools and the possibility that such schools might be seen as legitimate military targets - pre-emptive strikes almost you can imagine a strategical mind thinking. And the truth of the matter is that it is young recruits who are staffing these drones in real life, who are sifting through the data and who are at an end of making or executing the calls. They don't get their hands bloodied or dirtied and that can either make them far too clinical about the strikes or they'll feel the blood on their conscience forever more.

A terrific tale. And I love the story telling premise of it to be honest.

Author's Response: Yeah, I probably let myself influence a little bit by Ender's Game when it comes to the massive amount of responsibility which rests on Rhory's shoulders as well as on those of his barely much older colleagues. I'm assuming that Starfleet at some point realized that young minds are the brightest when it comes to analyzing intelligence data. I wouldn't rule out however that SI has many different think tanks and not all of them are wet behind the ears cadets. Really glad you enjoy this.

Reviewer: SLWalker Signed [Report This]
Date: 15 Dec 2013 21:58 Title: Part 2

Ohhh, God. Yes. Yes, this. Yes, you're really fricken good, CeJay. You bring home the reality and the pain with the delightfully even eye -- of course, the strategy of taking out a general, but what about the collateral damage?

Author's Response: The cost of war at its ugliest. Really appreciate the kind words here. Thank you very much.