Date: 12 Aug 2009 06:04 Title: Chapter 10
Lightner wanted action. "Beware what you wish for" certainly applies here! The mystery deepens. I'm really liking the pacing of this and the economy of words. You have a very tight story going on here.
Author's Response:
Much obliged. :) When I was writing it I agonized over whether I had too many plot threads going, but it ended up coming together rather well for me at the end.
Date: 12 Aug 2009 05:46 Title: Chapter 8
31. Section 31 perhaps? Now we know for sure the culprit for the planting of the device in the previous story, but we still don't fully know why.
It's not looking as though the partially fried scientist will be able to give a lot of answers to this greater mystery, but I suppose time will tell!
Author's Response:
Clues abound, but will any of the crew be able to piece them together? Thanks for the review!
Date: 12 Aug 2009 05:37 Title: Chapter 7
It's definitely looking as though the culmination of the research mentioned earlier didn't quite go as planned. Very creepy aftermath for the crew to have to explore. I like how the barren desolation of the planet underscores this.
Author's Response:
Thanks! That's certainly the ambience I was shooting for. :-)
[Report This]Date: 08 Aug 2009 17:31 Title: Chapter 3
I'm really enjoying this, the steady ratcheting up of tension and the overall mystery of just what might have happened. The chain of command is well portrayed. I'll be returning to this to read more chapters. I'm eager to see how you handle possible time travel issues.
Author's Response:
Thank you very much! GoC was one of my favorite stories to write, as it was a scenario I'd wanted to pen for a number of years. It's very much a mission that should have been tasked to a bigger ship with far better resources... but Gibraltar happened to be the only game in town that day.
Date: 03 Jun 2009 14:21 Title: Chapter 1
Another rollicking adventure! It's great to see how the crew is continuing to gel together, and see them continuing to rise to the occasion. I loved the Q aspects of the story (nice nod to the VOY episode "Q and the Grey")and the Baron definitely reminded me of Dr. Who. Poor Sandhurst has really been through the mill, though Pava isn't exactly getting off easy, either. Ramirez continues to really shine. And last but not least, the Section 31 aspects are most intriguing. I'm looking forward to learning more about their involvement and why in the coming installments.
Author's Response:
Thanks for the terrific review! I'm gratified that you enjoyed the story and hope you'll join Sandhurst & Company for their following adventures.
[Report This]Date: 13 May 2009 13:50 Title: Chapter 1
After a small hiccup, I read this piece in two sittings, gobbling it up as one would a bowl of treats that you just can't stop stuffing into your face.
It's a rare and glorious thing when as a reader you find yourself integrally connected to a character. What's so amazing about Geometries is that I found myself wholly attached to three of them. Sandhurst, Ramirez and Lar'ragos are simply three of the best original characters I've ever had the pleasure to get to know, to root for and to cry with. There is no "for a fanfic" caveat here. I mean in this about any set of characters I have ever read.
Sandhurst may see himself as being less than a "big" captain, but what he doesn't understand is that by the end of this book he has become one.
Ramirez also does an enormous amount of growing in this tale. I have said and will say again that Liana Ramirez is simply the best female Trek character I've seen. Her gender is never an issue, her capabilities in command are just like any other Starfleet officer. It's refreshing and bloody brilliant.
And then there's Pava Lar'ragos. I thought I was smitten before with Embers...but he stole my heart and continued to squeeze it long after I turned my reader off. He is an amazing character. I could read about him and his history forever. I want a series of Pava books. The insights we got of him in this incredible tale were crushing. He is redemption personified - he just doesn't know that yet. OMG I love Pava.
Gibraltar - this story rocked. When I read that it involved a Q "corpse" and that there was a tie-in with the Q Civil War I woke my husband up with my giddy laughter and excitement. The Baron was awesome! I must admit I haven't seen Dr Who in decades, so I never had a x-over mindset with him. It wasn't until I read these reviews that I realized there may have been a nod to another genre. Whatever, it worked brilliantly!
The writing, as always with you, is tight, clean, fast-paced and I'm especially happy to say, that with all the action going on in this story you never lost sight of the characters. I felt like I got more of them in this tale than I did before. Maybe it's because I know them a little better after Embers, but the insight given to them in Geometries (especially for Pava) was just so much fun.
Congratulations on an excellent story! Great plot, great characters, great action and just a ball to read!
Author's Response:
Thank you very much. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. :)
Date: 10 Mar 2009 18:04 Title: Chapter 1
I'm glad you mentioned in your review of "The Partisan" that there was some element of the Q war in this story, because I'm addicted to this stuff, so I came over to read it and found a BAD-ASS EL-AURIAN!!! Oh, man. I love me some badass El-Aurians. I'm a fan of Guinan, and given how weirdly powerful she is on occasion, I've always wanted to see more El-Aurians turn up, and more creative adaptations of a "listening" ability. Pava Lar'ragos was awesome. He is totally screwed in the head and I love him for it.
"The Baron" was a funny shout-out to Doctor Who. Hey, just admit it, he's from another dimension anyway. :-)
And the juxtaposition of this horrible devouring creature that everyone is terrified of with the bloody body of a soldier's brother cradled in his arms was really moving. I suspected, as soon as it was revealed that the creature was basically a zombie Q, that the Continuum would come to take him back, but the way you had them do it was very touching -- no lightshow, roar of voices, disembodied voices from nowhere, etc, just a man who was forced to kill his brother and grieves his loss.
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and commenting on the story.
Yes, the Baron was my attempt to subtly insert a evil Gallifreyan Timelord into the Trek universe. A rogue from another dimension whose run afoul of Starfleet.
I'm glad you like the homage to The Q and the Grey. I'd thought the idea of having an evil archetype use a 'Zombie Q' as a terror weapon might make a good plot device.
And thanks for the thumbs up on Pava. He's one of my favorites to write, as he's so at odds with himself at nearly every turn. All his goodwill notwithstanding, he's a trained killer who hates himself for being what circumstances (and his own choices) have made him.
[Report This]Date: 09 Mar 2009 23:44 Title: Epilogue
Well, I can sincerely and deeply hope that everyone gets help and recovers from this mess. It's an excellent story, but the darkness wears on for so long that the reader gets a bit emotionally exhausted by the end. Not that it's a bad thing -- it definitely conveys what you intend it to about the sheer level of constant alert and guard the crew goes through. But also there's definitely a relief when things come back to something like normal, too.
It is excellent, though. Consistently top quality, with great twists and turns, and compelling characters.
Date: 09 Mar 2009 23:43 Title: Chapter 22
It strikes me, for obvious reasons, that your engineer and mine have quite so much in common. Different people, but enough of the same traits that I enjoy the similarities. Pava continues to be one wicked fucker, but now for the right reasons at least. And here's sincerely hoping Sandhurst makes it back to something better than this; while there may not always be happy endings in real life, I hope this one is.
Date: 09 Mar 2009 23:43 Title: Chapter 21
Oooh, Pava's a mean SOB. And while I will take your wink and disavowing of any knowledge to face value, the black pillar made me cackle wickedly.
I sure hope Ramirez gets better than she's being threatened with.
Author's Response:
Me too, she's too good a person to have her career torpedoed by someone like Ixis.
Date: 09 Mar 2009 23:43 Title: Chapter 20
Well, it was definitely good to see the Baron get some back for it. I'm guessing it's the same Continuum as before; the no-interference rule is a neat twist on it. Good work, still!
Author's Response:
Thanks!
Date: 04 Mar 2009 01:08 Title: Chapter 19
If it time travels like a Gallifreyan, and it has a title like a Gallifreyan, and it regenerates like a Gallifreyan...
::grins:: I dunno if you meant the parallels between the Baron and the Master, but they're pretty undeniable. Before, I kinda brushed off the resemblance, but the regeneration was a clincher. So, was Doctor Who the inspiration?
And now, to see if the Gibraltar manages to pull this off.
Author's Response:
The universe is vast and contains, as the Vulcans so readily point out... infinite diversity. These realities coexist and on rare occasions, intersect.
However, I don't recall the word Gallifreyan appearing anywhere in this story. ;-)
[Report This]Date: 04 Mar 2009 01:07 Title: Chapter 18
I am so, so happy to see the Gibraltar coming back against a nearly-overwhelming force like that. Am also really glad to see the TI agent get swatted down like a fly.
Author's Response:
Things are still up for grabs here, but any advantage the crew can get (and for however long) is welcome.
Date: 04 Mar 2009 01:07 Title: Chapter 17
Maybe all that time living on the dark side has given Pava a unique insight. Also glad to see the Orion come to his senses.
Author's Response:
Kutav's nothing if not a survivor... and he's unwilling to bet his life on whether the Baron's a man of his word.
[Report This]Date: 04 Mar 2009 01:06 Title: Chapter 16
At least one thing is going well -- allies! Hopefully, they'll have a captain left to rescue.
Author's Response:
No kidding. Keep your fingers crossed.
Date: 23 Feb 2009 08:26 Title: Chapter 15
Ugh. Poor Donald. I wonder if the Baron there forgot to research the fact that physical torture is actually the least effective method. Then again, it looks more like he's in it for the fun.
Author's Response:
For the Baron, breaking Sandhurst is an exercise in power and intentional cruelty, but he does have a method to his madness...
Date: 23 Feb 2009 08:26 Title: Chapter 14
Seeing the Baron get utterly owned by Ashok's thoughtfulness just made my day. Awesome.
Author's Response:
Much obliged. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. ;-)
[Report This]Date: 22 Feb 2009 12:45 Title: Chapter 1
This is Gbraltar at it's best! Thanks for posting-I have enjoyed it not being spread all over the place!
Author's Response:
Thank you. I've had the opportunity to re-tool the story slightly and adjust some of the nagging things that bugged me about the 1st edition.
I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:07 Title: Chapter 13
Aw, man! So... we have a time traveller, a DNA mystery, a terrible evil, a special agent and the chapter ends with a monster.
Talk about a ride.
Author's Response:
Oh yeah... and the ride's not over yet!
Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:07 Title: Chapter 12
You sure know how to take a reader on a ride. First: I will be one unhappy camper if Plazzi get's knocked off before he gets to go home. Second: It was good to see Pava find some of his internal morality again, even if it seems to have been a long road for him. And three: Good job creeping me the Hell out and painting a really... really messed up picture.
Author's Response:
Glad to be of service! ;-D
[Report This]Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:07 Title: Chapter 11
Geez. I feel terrible for your crew here. Sandhurst having to order the lack of treatment for one person, to save a prisoner, and just the complete wrong of the situation. War's not pretty, but daaaaamn.
It's a great story and agonizingly realistic, but it also totally makes me happy I write in a much nicer (even when things get bad sometimes) period in Starfleet history.
Author's Response:
The post-war period is definitely a rough one for the Federation as a whole and Starfleet in particular. Fortunately, the horrors of war have helped prepare them for the uncertainties and moral ambiguity that pervades this dark era.
Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:06 Title: Chapter 10
Oh, shit.
I don't even know what else to say!
Author's Response:
Yeah, that's rather what I was thinking when I wrote it!
Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:06 Title: Chapter 9
Good stuff! Sandhurst's reaction to Shanthi's grief was extremely well-done; the backstory on Pava, as well, and the haunting line he was asked.
Author's Response:
I enjoyed being able to portray Sandhurst's empathy and compassion, and Pava's flashback was as disturbing to write as it was to read.
Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:06 Title: Chapter 8
Oh, AWESOME! Juneau going all secret agent on the EMH, then the discovery of the secret levels... just completely awesome.
Author's Response:
Much obliged for the kind words. :-)
Date: 21 Feb 2009 19:06 Title: Chapter 7
Eee! More mystery! I echo Ramirez's longing for the days of exploration, too. But the real interesting bit is, of course, the end with the mysterious staircase. I forsee the TIA being there... let's go see if I was right!
Author's Response:
Only 'time' will tell. ;-)