Date: 02 Apr 2014 18:58 Title: The Burden of Command
I see a touch of Crusher here in that like all doctors she never sits easy in the command chair but once there she does her best. Like all captains having to deal with loss of crew and writing those letters home. A good piece, Rogue.
Date: 30 Mar 2014 02:36 Title: The Burden of Command
Very, very good piece. I love how Rhys is second-guessing herself, even though she seems to have a knack for command. And to receive it in such an abrupt and tragic manner - it just tugs at the heartstrings.
Admittedly, I'm strictly a TOS girl, so my understanding of joined trill is limited, but couldn't Rhys offer Teegan some encouragement and support?
I also liked the use of the counselor. Knowing her captain was an ex-doctor (okay, you're never really an ex-doctor, just one who no longer practices that craft as a profession) she knew she would have to tread lightly to get what she wanted. Seems to me the effort was more than successful, for with just a few words she provided Rhys with the motivation and fortitude to complete the uncomfortable task of notifying the families about their loved ones.
I can so see where it would seem cold and callous to a one-time physician to have to do it in such an impersonal manner. I, too liked the ending and excellent use of the challenge line - I think it tied the whole piece together nicely. Great job.
PS If you're a fan of Beverly Crusher, be sure to check out Mackenzie Calhoun's stories about her - he's our resident Crusher guru, and has done a lot to flesh out a two-dimensional character and make her someone we care about and identify with - even this TOS gal. ;-)
Author's Response: I don't think so. They've never gone into it in the shows that feature Trill. At most there's a ritual they can do to bring out previous hosts, which we saw Ezri Dax do in an episode of DS9 when they were hunting a murderer. There's also a ritual where aspects of previous hosts are placed into others so they can be interacted with. The symbiont is.. kind of a vessel for memory. If they have their own individual personality they've never went into it in a show. The risk they show is the new host being overwhelmed by the combined memories of all the previous hosts. Sometimes a new host will take on likes/dislikes of previous hosts, celebrate them even (Dax previously had hosts that were very good friends with Klingons, and presumably Ferengi; Jadzia Dax celebrated this and loved raktajino, Ezri Dax HATED raktajino). I'm a big fan of Beverly Crusher! The whole season of TNG where she was replaced with Pulaski doesn't exist for me. I'm definitely going to check those out. Thanks LBD!
Date: 26 Mar 2014 00:49 Title: The Burden of Command
Ok, so I think Captain Teeghan Rhys is some sort of honey trap character for me, because I am quickly avidly wanting to follow her story. The fact she is a Joined Trill (who slips into or slips out with memories of past hosts) plain pleases me as I adore exploring a Joined Trill character and had considered making one as a fitting captain for the next ship I create.
Secondly, the doctor made a captain after terrible choices, again plain simply sings to me. I love a character pulled in different directions as well as irreperably shaped and changed by their experiences as Rhys has. Switching from medical to the command track, cannot be easy and even if she displays a certain knack for it, I rather imagine that Rhys gives herself a hard time for showing skill in the job. Almost as though it is some kind of betrayal to her 'true' calling as a doctor, being charged with sending peole to their deaths or calling for actions that bring death on their enemy, all in violation of the Hippocratic Oath she swore. No wonder that she avoids the central seat. No wonder that she quickly slips back into the CMO role when the opportunity presents itself. No wonder then that she makes for the worst patient and fails to see her need to seek some measure of counselling, to open up to someone. And I guess this too is a major adjustment for her. Once she was the person people went to as a shoulder, as a support, as a confidente, as a guide or help in a moment of need. But that was as a doctor. Now she's a captain. Now people go to ehr with problems - expecting them to be solved not just heard and shared. And being captain suddenly makes you a suddenly lonely and isolated figure, hugging yourself in your captain's quarters. Excellent piece.
The book at the end of the story, it's a great way to fit the line of the challenge into the story and is very fitting in place and tone. However, the book itself being from Ch'rodei is one last bam! moment of this piece. Terrifically written piece. Great continued insight into Rhys. And into the counsellor, who could easily have just been a cookie cutter counsellor character. Instead we get a savvy operator who works the captain. Again, really well done. You are quite correct to be proud of it.
Author's Response: Oh wow! Thank you. That means quite a lot to me. I'm hoping that I can find this zone I get into when writing her for the Camp NaNoWriMo novel. I want to complete something big, and I hope I don't get in my own way as I continue with her. Sometimes when I write for Shephard I write as if I feel obligated to write for him because he was my first creation. When I get to give these insights into Rhys or Ril'el.. I feel like I'm writing for fun, and I hope I can keep that up for the bigger project and give people who are starting to like her something really good to read. I'm very grateful to have gotten the feedback about her that I've been receiving.
Date: 25 Mar 2014 23:59 Title: The Burden of Command
Nice use of the challenge line there.
You've given both Teeghan and Sefara character depth and while some of the inspirations characters shows you have being success in making them your own characters.
Well Done.
Author's Response: I'm hoping that when I attempt the novel, or more likely novella, I can develop her a little more. Especially her sass. I want to keep little facets of characters that inspired her, but I'm trying very hard to make her fully her own character. I try to think of it like.. "These are women she likely idolized as a young girl, and reading about them helped mold her."
Date: 25 Mar 2014 23:17 Title: The Burden of Command
Great read! You are rightfully proud of it. How in the world can we vote on these stories when there are so many good writers involved?
Author's Response: Thank you! And I have no idea, I've enjoyed EVERYTHING I've read. I'm very glad Admiral Shull pointed me here.
Date: 25 Mar 2014 05:47 Title: The Burden of Command
I've been wanting to read a bit more about this doctor turned starship commander. And now it turns out that the transition wasn't nearly as easy for her as it had appeared at the time. Considering what she's been through, that's perfectly understandable. You don't have too much time to think in the heat of the moment but let some time pass and it will hit you sooner than later.
Good thing Rhys has a proactive counselor who doesn't shy away from confronting the new captain about her feelings. And as they say, sometimes all you have to do is just talk.
Nicely done.
Author's Response: Thank you. It makes me very happy that you enjoyed it!
Date: 25 Mar 2014 03:38 Title: The Burden of Command
Oh! That's a fantastic way to respond to the challenge. I'm liking Teegan a lot, I'm finding.
Author's Response: Thank you, Jespah! When I started I was afraid it would be cliche.. but I enjoyed writing for her, she makes me think and relax at the same time. She's inspired by characters like Dax, Janeway, and Crusher who are some of my favorites.