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. :)
Date: 20 Sep 2014 01:56 Title: Chapter 10: Alert
MAREN FTW! Fuck you Schmit. Lose your commission. Let the VOY crew at him.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 01:53 Title: Chapter 9: Thin Air
WHOA. Holy crap, she's running in the frozen wasteland! Tense scene; like the audio alerts being disabled by Maren (seems to be SOP for Starfleet in the situation) and Schmidt continues to be a dick. I hope he gets grilled for this.
Date: 19 Sep 2014 01:45 Title: Chapter 9: Thin Air
Ah - yeah - Schmidt is gonna get his ass handed to him on a plate.
Date: 17 Sep 2014 23:01 Title: Chapter 8: Hail Mary
Well it getting to the real serious stage where Maren stubbornness might get her through the test but at what cost?
Good to see Schmidt isn’t a full sadist and does have a human side somewhere inside. I do kind of wonder what his back-story is; especially that final line “That her recklessness could very well get her killed someday?†seems telling.
I think three stun polar bears was a shock for the observation crew and long with Maren reduce airflow to try and make Alert before sun down.
As always you’re done a fine job and I like that you’re how you keep me engrossed in these characters and their collective tales.
Date: 17 Sep 2014 22:37 Title: Chapter 7: Fight or Flight
Well at least polar bears aren’t extinct by 24th Century. Lol
Still you continue to make this an interesting read and look into the inner working of the young Maren and Icheb mind.
Still unless Schmidt has hidden holo-projectors this has to be a bit of bad luck for Maren. Now the real survival pressure is on our bold heroine. Still as always I am looking forward to see how she get out of this.