Date: 13 Jun 2014 21:21 Title: Chapter 4
That. Was. Freaking. Epic! I imagined the two Marens would have differing views on how to handle the Borg, given their individual experiences but yikes, Mirror Maren is one bad-assed, determined bitch. And I wonder, was Prime Maren just plying JQ with platitudes about being the only one who could successfully unleash the virus, all the time intending to rescue her counterpart without implementing the destruction of these super-scary Mirror Borg? Does she really understand these counterparts? Methinks they're even more ruthless that the Prime Universe Borg. Seems like a decision she might not be qualified to make...
Date: 12 Jun 2014 06:52 Title: Chapter 4
Yikes...that would explain the Andorian's earlier remark about "vampires." That is just...freaky. What in the world WOULD force them to evolve into that? crazy stuff
Date: 08 Jun 2014 19:09 Title: Chapter 4
Wow. A stellar chapter here Sarine. The tension and action got ramped up. As did the scary vibes of the Borg. Seems the vampire fangs of the nightmare are their actual way of assimilating people. Eebies. Jeebies. Anyway, so many similarities and so many differences all serving to create a fascinating Mirrorverse. The one thing I dislike about Mirror Universe stories is the complete Mirror of things - the same characters in the same roles on the same ships, etc. However, it is a story telling conceit and one we can overlook. Especially as we see a non-Assimilated Seven and a janeway channeling a 'Orange is the New Black' queen bitch vibe.
The ending was whoah, MU-Maren setting it down clear that she is different to PrimeMaren and is willing to comtemplate genocide. Love that you take the moment to have this argument between the Marens. It's a little confusing. Only a tad. Perhaps one differentiation method to conside is to have the MU-Maren called by her surname moreso than her first. One suggestion. Otherwise, onwards to the ending. Yipes.
Author's Response: Thank you! Really means a lot. The vampire Borg were totally NOT in the original version of this, they just kind of came about as a way of making the Borg even SCARIER than they are otherwise. I mean assimilation fangs? (shivers) :) As I said to FB, the Janeway queen bitch bit has a little hidden Easter egg to it - the Cardassian is actually supposed to be this universe's Seska. I so wish I had thought of differentiating the Marens by surname, especially since Maren is married and has a different surname to OUR Maren. Doh! May have to go back and edit this!
Date: 08 Jun 2014 10:59 Title: Chapter 4
Such harsh character cruelty but it does all add to the story and it was very nice to see some other familiar faces.
But Janeway keeping a Cardassian as her concubine? You’re letting her inner bad girl out there.
Interesting first face to face meeting of the two Marens.
Author's Response: The MU being the MU, harsh character cruelty is kind of par for the course! :) The Cardassian is actually supposed to Seska, but I couldn't think of a way of revealing it in story which would make sense.
Date: 05 Jun 2014 22:24 Title: Chapter 4
Wow. The Borg are some nasty SOBs in this universe. You describe the process of assimilation and the atmosphere of it all with such deft, CS. You just sucked me into the scene and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to see how this ends.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! Glad you liked it, hope the Maren on Maren scene wasn't too confusing! Yay Vampire Borg! :D
Date: 05 Jun 2014 21:47 Title: Chapter 4
Well, this has taken a rather nasty turn. Of course, vampire Borg, very, very scary. Certainly the stuff of nightmares, but this is the Mirror Universe, after all.
It is a little confusing to follow which Maren is which. I realized in the end that it was the MU Maren who was still standing. I am not certain exactly how you could make things clearer, though. Hairstyle? Darkness in one and not the other? More Borg tech? I don't know, just throwing things out here.
Author's Response: Yeah, I wanted to differentiate the Borg in this universe from the ones in ours and what is scarier than regular Borg? Vampire Borg! Ha ha ha! (evil laugh) :) Sorry about the confusing, not sure either how to make it clearer beyond calling one of them MU Maren! :D Basically in the scene where they are both there, the Maren whose POV we are in is the MU Maren, shown by the fact that she remembers being in this universe's version of UZ. Thanks for the comment!
Date: 05 Jun 2014 21:07 Title: Chapter 4
So ... PU Maren's device IS working? Both Marens seem pretty with-it. Or did PU Maren fix MU Maren's device before she woke up from regeneration?
And holy confusing mental images, Batman. Two Marens, both Borg, arguing over a screwdriver and the fate of the Hive. I think my brain is broken. (Maybe next they'll be duking it out over Icheb.)
I cannot imagine how this is going to end. Does MU Maren even know how to make the virus work? Did Maren just get assimilated for nothing? What is she going to DO?AHHHHH so many questions. I hope I don't have to wait long for answers!
PS Seeing Janeway all MU badass and Annika Hansen having never been assimilated was a cool treat. I wonder how Harry Kim gets along on her ship, what with all the treachery and sex.
Continued awesomeness.
Author's Response: Sooo... Yeah, MU Maren repaired it, we just didn't see it. I would have liked to have developed this chapter more, included some intermediary scenes and expanded on their recovery but with the Saturday deadline, I had to cut some stuff! Same for the two Marens, more of a needs must. I was worried it might be confusing, but beyond calling MU Maren MU Maren not sure how to make it clearer. Maybe I'll go back and rework it one day, hopefully it is not too confusing? Glad this has left you with questions!!! Ha Ha Ha! Answers coming up later today. Thanks for the continued comments!