[Report This]Date: 20 Jan 2010 22:15 Title: Chapter 15
And so we get the final explanation for what Gibraltar is facing... And it's a Q! Woah, so not expecting that. I think it's a great idea, though. Can't wait to see how the good ship is going to handle it!
A nice scene with Ramirez on her way down to the planet, which both gives us insight into her feelings of responsibility towards the younger hands of this crew, along with a more indepth look into what Starfleet sacrificed during the Dominion War. I love the way you handle these character moments, and it is really interesting to imagine the long term ramifications - no more Picards or Janeways, pure explorers whose first love is that thrill of discovery.
Nice to see the Tark-Juneau confrontation that has been building finally take place, as well.
Great job!
Author's Response:
Ramirez takes her job as a resource and instructor for the ship's junior officers seriously, and the loss of a number of them on this mission already is only pouring salt into the wound caused by the loss of the Phoenix under her command.
As for the Zombie-Q... yes, quite literally anything is possible where a creature of such unimaginable power is concerned.
[Report This]Date: 20 Jan 2010 22:01 Title: Chapter 14
What an awesome end of chapter! Assist me and live, interfere and die! Love it!
A really interesting opening, as well, with the very sci-fiesque encounter and further vision of the officer seemingly vaporised in the previous installment. You gave it a real Arthur C Clarke edge to it, or maybe Baxter. Thought that was really well written.
And interesting to get some further background on Sandhurst, although Pava shouldn't have forced his hand that way.
Can't wait to see what comes next!
Author's Response:
I'm glad the scene with Dunleavy in the other dimension came across well. Pava definitely stepped over the line with Donald, but as he's just come out of a defacto coma, he might deserve a bit of slack. But only a bit. ;-) Thanks for commenting!
[Report This]Date: 20 Jan 2010 21:48 Title: Chapter 13
I love this book! Really Gibraltar, top notch, top notch.
As I was reading this chapter, I was thinking back on all the - numerous - Star Trek novels I've read and how this could so be a published novel.
As for the chapter itself - I loved the interaction between Sandhurst and the Baron, who comes across as a very assertive villain, and slightly moustache twirling as Ramirez pointed out. I also thought the conversation between Sandhurst, Ramirez and Taiee worked really well, with a nice little interjection at the end there from Lar'ragos throwing everything in a new direction. I could totally commiserate with Sandhurst as his head started to hurt - mine was too!
And then we get more action scenes down on the planet as everything goes to hell. Juneau's come back about ordering Tark to cease fire was so cool, really made me smile!
Anyway, excellent work as usual!
Author's Response:
Thank you for the wonderful compliments. It's great to know you feel the book is publish-worthy. :-) Strangely, the scenes in the story where the crew is trying to solve the puzzle of Pierosh II are some of my favorites.
[Report This]Date: 15 Jan 2010 17:28 Title: Chapter 12
Raining BLOOD! Oh man, that so can't be good.
Another good chapter, with a welcome return to Pava's dark past, which I love. Good to see him awake and active, again though.
I forgot to mention in my review of the last chapter that I really loved the little scene with Juneau and Tark, showing the obvious difference since Juneau's alterego returned. This was carried over nicely here to this chapter as well.
Good stuff
Author's Response:
Yes, when it starts raining blood, that's clearly a sign things may have taken a turn for the worse. ;-) The Tark / Juneau(Operative) dynamic was a fun one to write, seeing as the two of them are forced to cooperate under extreme circumstances. As for how it progresses... well, you'll just have to see.
[Report This]Date: 15 Jan 2010 17:20 Title: Chapter 11
Oh woah... What a decision Sandhurst just had to make. I can understand the logic behind it, but that must have killed him.
A great couple of scenes here, both the taking of the bridge (when you said the crystal laser beam sliced through Ramirez' arm I thought it had actually cut it off! Phew!) and the battle in engineering. Intense.
And the situation with the Baron gets more and more intriguing. Is he the One spoken of by the creature trapped on the planet?
Great stuff!
Author's Response:
Fortunately, Ramirez and the others (notably young Lightner) met violence with violence and overcame the ship's attackers. But this is far from over...
Thanks again for the reviews!
[Report This]Date: 12 Jan 2010 11:50 Title: Chapter 10
Oh. My. God. How intense was this?!
Again, hugely impressed by your writing skill, you really painted a dark, gritty picture of this attack and its aftermath. The killing of Qawasami and Weatherly was brutal, real brutal.
One of the other things I noted and thought was really well done was the captain's little joke about no pressure and the fact that it fell completely flat - I thought that was really realistically portrayed.
Best. Chapter. Yet!
Author's Response:
Many thanks. I've occasionally worried that the bridge attack scene here was a bit too graphic, but I really wanted to portray the brutality of the enemy the crew is facing. I'm glad to know it came across well.
[Report This]Date: 22 Dec 2009 12:58 Title: Chapter 9
Ooh intriguing. Who is this Baron and how did he have the power to save the ahmet and his men from their ship?
Really good job portaying Sandhurst helping Shanthi.
Looking forward to seeing where all of this is going.
Author's Response:
The Baron... well, let's just say, he's complicated.
As for Sandhurst and Shanthi, sometimes there's nothing you can say to ease a person's pain. Sometimes all you can do is just be there for them.
Thanks for the review!
[Report This]Date: 21 Dec 2009 17:34 Title: Chapter 8
Wow. A spatial rift?! Cool!! :)
I really liked the opening to this chapter, with the POV of Ensign Lightner - he seems like a really interesting part of this crew, with the same difficult path as the rest, and some baggage to deal with.
And I am getting seriously interested by the character of Olivia Juneau - I want to know what this alter-ego is and whether she is aware of it!
Another cracking chapter!
Author's Response:
Much obliged. :-D I'm gratified that you're enjoying the story.
[Report This]Date: 21 Dec 2009 12:43 Title: Chapter 7
Well done on creating another tense situation, as well as an interesting dynamic in this away team. The macabre feel of the investigation was well rendered, sending little shivers down my spine at some points (people fused to chairs and tables? Ew!!! :) )
Author's Response:
The away team scenes were a great deal of fun to write, and replete with little character moments that help to reveal the nature of the characters.
[Report This]Date: 21 Dec 2009 12:42 Title: Chapter 6
I love the alterego you have created for Juneau and am so intrigued to see where that is going.
More, though, I absolutely adored the dream/memory of Lar'ragos - so well written, the world building was amazing and it was such a surprise to see this side of our character.
Another top notch job. You are an absolutely fantastic author and, in the words of Wayne, I am not worthy!!! :)
Author's Response:
Thanks for the compliment! :-) Yes, Lar'ragos has a long and tortured past, and here we begin to see why the mission to Lakesh effected him so deeply... the Klingons are an uncomfortable mirror to hold up to one's self. As for Juneau's alter-ego, well, you'll just have to wait and see.
[Report This]Date: 21 Dec 2009 12:40 Title: Chapter 5
Another great chapter, especially that little hook at the end. Gibraltar is in a difficult situation here, and has suffered once again from the attack of their assailant. I loved how you went back oh so briefly to the Orion ship just in time to see them all die as a consequence of this attack, and of the control of this strange entity. What is his link to the dark man? I can't wait to find out!
Author's Response:
Mysteries within mysteries as the crew begins to peel back the first of many layers to this complex situation. I'm glad you're enjoying the slow reveal.
[Report This]Date: 21 Dec 2009 12:38 Title: Chapter 4
A great action packed chapter here. I am constantly amazed at how much you manage to fit into one chapter. Things that a lot of the time other writers (and I include myself in this) would spread out over two or three goes into one, and yet it never seems rushed.
An interesting situation you have created, and I am intrigued as to what is actually going on on Pierosh.
Glorious!
Author's Response:
Many thanks for the kind review. I'm pleased the pacing doesn't come across as rushed. :-)
Date: 19 Dec 2009 06:11 Title: Chapter 10
Damn...brutal and quick, this mission has turned from weird to deadly in a heartbeat. Top notch stuff.
Author's Response:
The Orions aren't known for their subtlety or their mercy, as the crew of the Gibraltar has discovered. Thanks for the kind words. :-)
Date: 19 Dec 2009 05:39 Title: Chapter 8
Hell...a spacial rift in the middle of a planet? That's bad. Very, very bad.
Author's Response:
As Ted might have said, "I think strange things are afoot on planet Pierosh II." ;-)
Date: 19 Dec 2009 05:30 Title: Chapter 6
Pava's memories certainly don't seem happy at all. And there seems to be a lot more going on them most people know on the ship...interesting.
Author's Response:
He has a very checkered past, and quite a lot to atone for.
Date: 19 Dec 2009 05:20 Title: Chapter 4
Well....that's not good, is it? Subspace weaponary is a big no no. Tsk tsk.
Author's Response:
A very big no-no, to be sure. Things that make big holes in space itself are definitely no bueno.
Date: 19 Dec 2009 05:02 Title: Chapter 2
Well, certainly an interesting adventure in store for the crew I think; I see they're starting to come together as the days move on. Let's hope this adventure doesn't end quite as badly as the last.
Author's Response:
Yes, let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we? ;-) Thanks for the review.
[Report This]Date: 08 Dec 2009 00:12 Title: Chapter 3
An intriguing chapter here, especially with the intervention of the Vault. I love this new factor of temporal incursion.
Look forward to the follow up.
Author's Response:
I'm glad it's still drawing you in. :-)
[Report This]Date: 06 Dec 2009 00:06 Title: Chapter 2
Ooh! A missing ship, a guilty XO, a Security officer with what seems like a possible mental breakdown of some kind... This is shaping up to be one hell of a mission!
Author's Response:
Take a messed up crew, add a mystery, some angst, perhaps a dash of PTSD, and shake well! ;-) Sounds like a recipe for trouble.
[Report This]Date: 05 Dec 2009 15:01 Title: Chapter 1
An intriguing opening chapter. I liked the picture you painted of the small crew aboard the runabout, especially the commanding officer trying to find her feet. And way to wet our appetite for what is to come with the mention of this scientist and the spectre of Genesis and Omega.
Author's Response:
Thanks for the review. Yes, a great many things have been set in motion in this chapter. Glad to have you onboard for GoC!
[Report This]Date: 12 Aug 2009 08:06 Title: Epilogue
This was a great sequel to the first story. I've stayed up far later than I ought and enjoyed every minute of it!
Author's Response:
Many thanks for your reading both stories in a single night and offering so much commentary. I'm very pleased you enjoyed Geometries, it was an awful lot of fun to write.
Date: 12 Aug 2009 08:01 Title: Chapter 22
It was good to see the overweening Ixis put in her place, and your portrayal of Sandhurst's PTSD rang very true. This has been an extremely enjoyable read thus far.
Author's Response:
Thank you for the review! I'm glad Sandhurst's post-traumatic issues came across believably.
Date: 12 Aug 2009 06:54 Title: Chapter 15
It's a shame they really did need him to try to figure out what was going on. Drek like the Baron deserve little more than a quick, clean death to spare the rest of us their machinations. Excellent plot twists!
Author's Response:
The Baron is a bad, bad man, indeed. Unfortunately, he has the intellect and the cunning to back up the checks his ego writes, which spells very bad fortune for anyone standing in between he and his goals.
Date: 12 Aug 2009 06:42 Title: Chapter 14
Ashok may not be a miracle worker, but he's a damned savvy engineer. I like him more and more every time I see him.
Author's Response:
Thanks, he's growing on me, too.
Date: 12 Aug 2009 06:27 Title: Chapter 12
Just one word. Yikes!
Author's Response:
That's certainly very close to what Tark was thinking... though his ran somewhat more towards the four-letter variety of exclamation! :-)