Date: 18 Feb 2009 19:49 Title: Chapter 9
Extremely nice gambit on Sandhurst's part! I was grinning like the cat holding the canary when I saw what his plan was. Feel badly for the loss of the Phoenix, but am not too surprised the Gibraltar was still standing. Great stuff!
Author's Response:
Thanks. Sandhurst's happy his plan worked. Surprised as hell... but happy.
[Report This]Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:16 Title: Chapter 8
Sam...you have a true talent for building an during tension in your scenes. Brilliantly done sir.
Author's Response:
Many thanks! :-)
Date: 17 Feb 2009 19:35 Title: Chapter 8
Fascinating turn of events, with the Klingon presence and the mystery device being diciphered little by little. It does beg the question of, "Why not the Phoenix?"
Author's Response:
I believe it's because the crew of Phoenix fell behind on paying their insurance premiums... but that's just a theory. ;-p
Date: 17 Feb 2009 19:35 Title: Chapter 7
"Their autonomic systems continued to function. Heartbeat, respiration, digestion all uninterrupted by the viral contagion visited upon them. But all neural paths to their voluntary muscle groups had been destroyed by the pathogen. They were unable to move their heads or limbs, their eyes could not focus, they could not speak."
Oh, shit. Man, talk about pulling no punches and no honor in warfare.
Author's Response:
The insurgents are utilizing asymmetrical warfare in its most savage form, and the more casualties they cause, the better. I thought there was a definite creepiness factor in the design of that weapon.
Date: 17 Feb 2009 03:17 Title: Chapter 7
It's official. Ramirez Rocks.
Author's Response:
I think so, too. :-D
[Report This]Date: 16 Feb 2009 01:56 Title: Chapter 6
Okay, can I just say HELL YES!
Pava crushes me. The scene with Ramirez was perfection!!! Just perfection.
more please.
Author's Response:
Much obliged :blush: Glad you enjoyed their little combat-zone conversation in between the action.
Date: 15 Feb 2009 22:37 Title: Chapter 5
Wow - intense!
Author's Response:
Thanks. I wanted to show how quickly things can go horribly wrong when you least expect it. I'm glad to know that came across as intended.
Date: 14 Feb 2009 20:26 Title: Chapter 4
And that strange yet wonderful tick that Sandhurst has for command comes into play. Great way of introducing us to some new characters and they're incredibly real foundations Sam!
Author's Response:
I'm glad you enjoy the players in my story. I hope you like where the tale heads.
Date: 14 Feb 2009 17:58 Title: Chapter 3
It's always fun to read others' takes on what would have happened after the end of the Dominion War - this is certainly plausible and entirely frightening. But most of all I appreciate how brilliantly planned Urlak's manipulation of the Ferengi's position was made. It was surgical and precise - very, very Cardassian!
Author's Response:
As an ex-spymaster, Urlak is a bit more patient and cunning than your 'typical' Cardassian military officer. Though his methods of manipulation are perhaps a bit more subtle, they are nonetheless very effective.
Date: 14 Feb 2009 17:56 Title: Chapter 2
I've decided to go back over and read this here and that way I'll be able to provide my reviews on a chapter by chapter basis! As you already know Sam - Ramirez is going to be one of my faves I think. I love that this is not your "typical" Starfleet crew - in that there are already pre-existing anger and confidence issues...
Nothing wrong with a little fire right off the bat! I found myself hoping that Sandhurst would call her on the carpet and the "discussion" in the ready room did not disappoint!
Author's Response:
Yep, Ramirez has an axe to grind, and deservedly so. However, Sandhurst can't let her attitude interfere with the mission.
Date: 14 Feb 2009 09:25 Title: Chapter 6
Huh! The plot thickens; I'm kinda curious to see what happens to the Phoenix next. Great backstory, too, with your surface team.
So, Sam, are you gonna post the rest? ;-)
Author's Response:
I'm working on it. :-) I'm retooling the chapters as I post them, which takes a good bit of time. Your patience is appreciated. ;-)
Date: 14 Feb 2009 09:25 Title: Chapter 5
Talk about a warzone. Very realistically handled!
Date: 14 Feb 2009 09:25 Title: Chapter 4
You've got a pretty good mix of people, it seems, to start off with the senior staff -- no perfect folks, but strengths and weaknesses. Juneau looks really interesting at the moment, but then again, 'problem children' usually are. I also like how you noted that the horrors of war no longer have the same impact on Sandhurst they once did.
Continually good work!
Date: 14 Feb 2009 09:24 Title: Chapter 3
Wow, talk about a setup for disaster. I don't even particularly want to consider what's gonna end up going down with the Gibraltar. Great intro to a big threat!
Date: 14 Feb 2009 09:24 Title: Chapter 2
“I’m going to need you to be a bit more vague.”
Fabulous line! It made me laugh out loud. The introduction of the Gibralter was, of course, one of those moments where I grinned. Except for the somewhat derisive tone some of her crew was taking towards her -- the TOS fan in me got all indignant at that.
Shaping up to be a great story!
Date: 14 Feb 2009 09:23 Title: Chapter 1
Since it wasn't fair what was done to Hope Station, here's the feedback I left originally on Embers:
The organic nature you take right off with Sandhurst is a great start. He immediately comes across as being an individual, and not just a cookie-cutter one-off character. Right down to his former packrat mentality, and reluctant acceptance of command. And the anxiety that goes with a command.
The destruction of the Sojourner, for the most part, is horrific. I could only imagine the shock and terror that crew felt right before the vast majority of them were killed. You did a great job writing it, if it made me cringe and shake my head in shock like that.
Finally... hm. Broad-shouldered, black haired, (mostly) brown eyed, genius engineer. ::grins:: Case precedent suggests Sandhurst will be an awesome, awesome character.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I very much appreciate you taking the time to re-post your original feedback here.
Date: 03 Feb 2009 22:48 Title: Chapter 2
This is intriguing and exciting! Admittedly I have a soft spot for moments when a new team is formed. People roughing in, evaluating each other... And here you present such an unusual complement! An overweighed captain, who never wanted captaincy, an outdated vessel, a crew consisting of veterans and ensigns, and a lot of people who don't want to be there, plus an annoyed XO and Pava -- what a mix! Now send the Cardassians in and this simply gotta be good! :-D
Great job, and I adore the fluent flow of your prose.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much. My goal was to present an atypical Starfleet crew, a more average group thrust into situations over their head. I hope I've pulled it off.
[Report This]Date: 30 Jan 2009 22:07 Title: Chapter 2
Love the concept of the mothball vessel having to come out of retirement to help the Federation in its moment of need. But Sandhurst too is a character you're not too sure should be Captain - he's got engineering in his blood. Can he step up to the command chair?
A well written tale with fascinating characters and a dark tone. The Cardassian insurgents make for a chilling and frightening enemy.
Read it! You'll love it.
Author's Response:
Thank you for the kind words, Miranda Fave! I'm pleased you enjoyed it.