Date: 05 Oct 2014 11:22 Title: Chapter 8
Looks like things kind of worked out for Hissar, even if he didn't get to serve on a Galor as he had always wanted to. He's been given a role of quite a bit of responsibility on Terok Nor. But one would hope he won't spend to much time there, it didn't work out too well for the Cardassians after all.
Dukat is one of my favorite Trek villains as you can never quite tell what he's thinking. This is before his descent into madness but one can't help wondering if the spark is not already there.
An interesting and nuanced glimpse into pre-Dominion Cardassian society and its military. Well done.
Author's Response: Thank you, CeJay. I really appreciate the fact that you had the patience and good will to read this story, considering that the Cardassians are not your prime interest.
Hissar is not going to stay on Terok Nor forever. Still, Bajor will influence his future choices.
Dukat’s fan reception deserves a socio-cultural study of its own. I derive immense pleasure from browsing forums and fan archives and reading what people think of Dukat.
Date: 03 Oct 2014 00:14 Title: Chapter 7
Well that's a shame that the Dal has no choice but to desert. But the man is a true leader, sacrificing himself for the good of his crew.
Their cover story sure is comprehensive, if not a little complicated. Let's hope they practice enought to keep it straight.
Author's Response: Too bad, but still better than the other options. No cover story will stand a real investigation. The question is who carries out the investigation and what their vested interests are.
Date: 28 Sep 2014 23:43 Title: Chapter 6
This turned into a suprisingly philosophical excursion. And Tupolev is a man comfortable in his opinions, and more so, in sharing them. Or should I say sparring with them?
Sanders doesn't stand a chance and one might wonder if the guy is the right fit for this ship and this captain. Wouldn't be surprised if he were to start working on transfer papers soon.
Author's Response: Sanders is the future of Starfleet and he is likely to become just another Galaxy hot shot. Tupolev has the guts and wits to express his position and he is hardly interested in Sanders’ transfer papers. Just a reminder that life is not black and white.
Date: 27 Sep 2014 20:14 Title: Chapter 5
Kudos to Zabor, that man deserves to be a gul and in command. The way he got rid of his commander was quite inspired. And he showed off his tactical skills and ingenuity in the cat and mouse game with the Starfleet ship.
Tupolev is right, a well deserved victory.
Author's Response: He did not have a choice, leaving Sartan alive was not an option. Tupolev is too clever to jeopardize his crew and vessel because of a wounded ego.
Date: 26 Sep 2014 23:06 Title: Chapter 4
This encounter feels as if it's going to end in some sort of major disaster. Saratan isn't not just dangerously incompetent but also quite bit mad and I'm not sure if Hissar's and company will get a chance to enact the provisio which would see him stripped of command before he dooms their entire ship.
As for Tupolev, he's an interesting character. Rough around the edges, I like that he's not the most PC guy in a otherwise very PC Starfleet. You've taken it perhaps a tad too far with some of his word choices which one would think would no longer be in use in the 24th century considering how controversial they are today.
Author's Response: The reasons behind PC are noble but the term has acquired some disturbingly Orwellian nuances. Tupolev did not earn the nick “Shattermouth” for nothing. I don’t think that the 24th century is less hypocritical than the 21st century. No one wants to die heroically, that is for sure.
Date: 23 Sep 2014 22:45 Title: Chapter 3
So this ship is being run by the Obsidian Order and even Central Command prefers a hands off approach in order as not to wake the sleeping dragon. I suppose that explains quite a bit.
The conversation between these two men was quite enlightening on a number of other levels as well. But the discussion on alien women was pretty darn hilarious, especially Hissar's interest I them. The kid really does need to get out more.
Author's Response: Cardassian society is closed and rigid, so what Cardassians say and what they really think are often different things. Hissar has to come to terms with his own illusions and conservatism.
Date: 22 Sep 2014 00:15 Title: Chapter 2
Looks like our hero is in for a rough ride. This ship and crew are clearly nothing he had expected it to be and I too am somewhat surprises. I expected more of a military precision, more ethos perhaps, more pride. Clearly quite a bit is wrong on this ship and I wonder why.
Author's Response: Exactly. Aslan will discover the dark side hidden behind the ethos and the pompous public image.
Date: 20 Sep 2014 19:51 Title: Chapter 1
I don't tend to read a logo of Cardassian centered fan fiction even though there's suprisingly quite a bit of it. I can see why, the Cardassians are an interesting race, more nuanced than the Klingons and the Romulans, mostly thanks to their heavy presence in DS9. Getting a a glimpse at Cardassian home life here is very interesting, in particular the social dynamics of the less fortunate and poorer segments living in the less prestigious areas.
I am somewhat curious to see what kind of Cardassians Alsan will turn out to be and what life will be like for him on a military starship.
Author's Response: Thank you for reading my story. That is what I like about Cardassians, too – they are controversial and can offer a lot. As for Aslan, he is going to find out that things aren’t always what they seem.