Date: 30 Sep 2014 01:04 Title: Chapter 3: Moving Too Fast
I love that they've turned this whole thing into a spectator sport. Then again, I have also been known to watch people compete at video games on YouTube, so I'm kind of an enormous nerd. I can't help feeling like there's something far worse than just the temperature and the storm in Maren's future.
This is the first story that I've read with Maren, and her tenacity and stubbornness is something that I find extremely relatable, so I'm liking her a lot so far.
Date: 30 Sep 2014 00:59 Title: Chapter 2: Conflict of Interest
Aw, man. What a terrible position for Icheb to be in... and Schmidt is truly a sadistic individual for setting up the test that way. Then again, in the normal course of duty, you can never predict what scenario you're going to face, or who you'll be put up against.
I really enjoy stories that put characters up against circumstances that push them to their limits, and it's clear that you're planning to do exactly that. I'm really curious to see where it all goes!
Date: 30 Sep 2014 00:51 Title: Chapter 1: Viewport in the Storm
Uhg, I would be in EXACTLY her predicament if I took this test. I HATE the cold. As such, I empathize really strongly with Maren. I would definitely try and wait out as long as I could in the relative warmth of the escape pod, and pray for the best for the last 24 hours. Then again, something tells me that there is no way this will be quite as easy as Maren hopes it could be.
Date: 30 Sep 2014 00:08 Title: Chapter 15: Do Quitters Ever Win?
This makes a lot more sense. And, really, it's correct. Maren is too driven, as is Icheb. Stuff like that gets you killed, and they're obviously far more valuable alive. Plus, sometimes, the best decision is to leave someone behind, or to surrender. I think Trek sometimes sold us all a bill of goods, that the heroes would always make a stand, or keep their freedom or their ethics or whatever. But sometimes those aren't the best of choices when it comes to the bigger picture. Actually, ENT seems to be one of the only times when someone (Archer) really tosses ethics in favor of a larger mission and a bigger picture. There are consequences and they are far from pleasant, but the objective is achieved.
Date: 30 Sep 2014 00:00 Title: Chapter 14: A World of Hurt
I like that, for Neil, the punch proves to be dissatisfying (often these kinds of things are).
Date: 23 Sep 2014 22:00 Title: Chapter 13: Caris
Okay, I admit, I was kinda wondering where you were going with this now that Maren survived her ordeal. But the little philosophical detour on the nature of Starfleet and how it's size has changed th way people deal with each other was quite interesting. It's just one man's opinion of course, a man who has lost a great deal to Starfleet and has grown cynical because of that, and yet his words to have a certain ring of truth to them.
Fortunately they didn't deter Icheb and Maren from their ambitions.
Date: 23 Sep 2014 00:01 Title: Chapter 13: Caris
Well that might just explain why the commander is the way he is. Still it explains Neil hate for Starfleet and the commander. Still it was interesting to hear Icheb views and replies to all those who criticise the Federation as being worse than the Borg for trying to force logic and assimilation on members.
Another cracking chapter from your Keyboard, well done.
Date: 22 Sep 2014 22:33 Title: Chapter 13: Caris
I gotta say, I don't see the Schmidt saving a shuttle full of people as reconciling too well to the sadistic creep out to torture Maren.
Author's Response:
Yep. He's not a simple mustache-twirling villain. There's a method to his madness. If you think about Neil/Schmidt/Caris in terms of Icheb/John/Maren, you'll have some idea of the emotional devastation that one event wrought on both men.
Date: 22 Sep 2014 00:57 Title: Chapter 12: Bad Blood
Okay, didn't see this emotional confrontation coming. Looks like this Neil fellow gets to say all those things Icheb has been wanting to shout into Schmidt's face, albeit without risking his own career doing so.
Your pushing the theme of Maren as a wunderkind genius pretty hard in this tale and I guess that's fine but here's a little hint for Schmidt: Next time your looking at putting a cadet through a gauntlet that could get them killed, don't do it in a place where you've got personal enemies hanging around.
Author's Response:
Heh. I'm sure if Schmidt had any idea Abbott was living in Alert, he'd have dropped Maren on Rura Penthe instead.
Date: 22 Sep 2014 00:41 Title: Chapter 11: Neil
Looks like Maren is not out of the woods yet. She'll survive, we know that, but what will be the consequences of her stubborness? Or is it Schmidt who went too far? I mean here's a man whose reputation reaches as fat as the North Pole. And for all the wrong reasons.
Date: 21 Sep 2014 22:58 Title: Chapter 12: Bad Blood
I like Neil. Bring him back!
Date: 21 Sep 2014 22:56 Title: Chapter 11: Neil
Ah, so Neil's got his own beef with Schmidt, who doesn't seem to have many allies.
Date: 21 Sep 2014 21:25 Title: Chapter 12: Bad Blood
So Schmidt had to leave Caris behind and Neil never forgiven him for that.
Was interesting to see a civilian scientist lay into the Commander and clearly from Schmidt reaction he did hit a nerve and a withdrawn or hidden pain.
Maybe I’m wrong but it seem to me from the body language that Neil own angry and pain at Caris lose means he can’t see why Schmidt did give the order it haunt him with pain of it own, perhaps this incident is why Schmidt feels he need to test the cadets this hard.
This story just seems to keeping giving and giving more plot twists, I look forward to see where you take us all next.
Good work as always.
Date: 21 Sep 2014 21:18 Title: Chapter 11: Neil
So we have more from this story. Are we going to find out Neil and Schmidt back-story I wonder? Anyway this bit flows well from your last chapter and we got to see that perhaps Schmidt doesn’t have a total heart of stone.
Still I was surprise that Icheb beam down without getting the right clothes I would have though he have taken the logical protection, but clearly despite being a lieutenant his youth and love means as you so elegantly put it is his emergency.
Date: 21 Sep 2014 20:41 Title: Chapter 10: Alert
Well then Maren made it (just) to Alert. This has a certainly being a survival test and half. You’ve manage all the way to Alert to keep us guessing if Maren will indeed pass this test on the first attempt, also will Icheb be able to keep his little help from the Schmidt? All in all an enjoyable read that being fun to follow and learn more about the key players of your stories.
Date: 21 Sep 2014 18:43 Title: Chapter 9: Thin Air
Well Maren has well and truly hit the crunch and you continue to turn the screws as the oxygen runs out on her. Still the hypoxemia scare up the ante well and then the collapse moment and the watching officers response remain true to form.
Another fine chapter in this tale.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 17:27 Title: Chapter 10: Alert
And she made it. Of course I never had a shred of doubt that she would. This was a survival test worth it's name and very nearly one Maren would have failed simply by not surviving.
All is well that ends well. Maren gets her moment of triumph and Icheb gets to serve with the woman he loves on future assignments. Not sure how well that'll turn out for everybody concerned.
Author's Response:
Oh, we're not finished yet, CeJay.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 17:19 Title: Chapter 9: Thin Air
Home stretch with the finish line in sight. It's all or nothing time. Unfortunately for Maren, nothing could mean death or serious injury.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 17:09 Title: Chapter 8: Hail Mary
Look at her go! There's no stopping her now. Even Schmidt has to admit he's impressed with her tenacity. My money is on her making it all the way to Alert.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 17:01 Title: Chapter 7: Fight or Flight
I like it. A lot of thought has gone into the technicalities here, how the EV suit works and how it is different too being in outer space, much more difficult in fact.
Schmidt continues to be a total douche and Maren is about to end up being more than a polar bears' toy. Good times.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 16:53 Title: Chapter 6: Breakfast at Tellarite's
Tough spot to be in for Icheb, no doubt. Not sure if John was any help, his suggestion seemed a bit extreme but perhaps it's their only choice if they want a future together in Starfleet. Unless Icheb is cooking up something else in that big Borg brain of his.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 16:30 Title: Chapter 5: Sunrise, Sunset
Maren O'Conner! Here I thouht you had bee raised in a good Christian home. And now to hear you swear like that. She probably gets that from JQ. And I guess the lesson here is, don't mess with Starfleet Academy.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 16:19 Title: Chapter 4: Level Fourteen
An almost prophetic warning here from the apathetic Schmidt. Perhaps he isn't entirely mistaken about Maren and Icheb serving on the same boat together, considering the trouble they'll get in once on the Tesseract.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 16:10 Title: Chapter 3: Moving Too Fast
With these kind of hacking skills, it almost makes you wonder how Maren ended up as 'just' a chief engineer. Looks like she should have joined Starfleet Intelligence. No computer around her is safe and clearly she's about to school an entire group of computer experts.
This young gal could probably take on Data in a computer hacking competition.
Author's Response:
Actually, I kind of like the idea of Maren and Icheb serving in SI later on. Or in an AU. *thinks*
Date: 20 Sep 2014 04:03 Title: Chapter 10: Alert
Oh, I hope we see Neil again. :)