[Report This]Date: 07 Apr 2021 13:27 Title: 10/10 – “The End is Only the Beginning.”
Alas, the baryon particle sweep is the most embarrasing Trek blunder with basic physics. You don't want to remove all the baryon particles from your ship because that would involve removing all the protons and neutrons (thereby dissolving all of the molecules that make up the ship) as protons and neutrons are baryons. You wisely sidestepped this nuclear physics faux pas a little with the qualifier "dangerous baryons..."
Altee is a ripe bastard, isn't he? Visions of glory and empire - pretty much the generator of the worst behavior humanity (and its alien cousins) has on offer. And Dark Star's ruminations on mythology are both amusing and to the point.
A fun story and perhaps the kernel of tech for your QD series.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Thanks for making your way through yet another of my stories. I'm glad you managed to catch-up on this one as it will provide quite a bit of context to what's happening over in the QD-proper stories.
[Report This]Date: 06 Apr 2021 11:20 Title: 09/10 – “Now You See It, Now You Don’t”
All kinds of fun in this action-packed chapter. Holographic fleets - there's one I never thought of... I get up to all kinds of fun with holograms - but never a fleet.
Actually liking this quite ruthless, totally unleashed Star. Quite the resourceful, quick thinking villain. And, of course the inevitable Matt death, which appears to be unavoidable in any timeline...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Some things seemingly never change. Star is not a nice person in this universe. But Star didn't exactly start out as a nice person in the prime universe either. The question then becomes, what separates the two of them? Yes, it is mostly a philosophical one.
Date: 02 Apr 2021 13:23 Title: 08/10 – “All Together Now.”
I am seriously liking this Akinola - brains and guts. Really nicely fleshed out character.
Fairly interesting take on a civil war scenario - warring factions coming together in the face of a more powerful enemy. Which would be a first as in every civil war I can think of offhand, each side courted the available outside powers in an attempt to win their civil war. Which occasionally worked, in which case the war was sucessfully rebranded as a revolution...
But there is a remote possibility that warring humans might side with each other against powerful aliens. Theoretically...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: I think Jimmy Kimmel said it recently. In sci-fi movies humans always band together after an alien attack to save the world. After COVID it's become pretty clear that such a scenario is unlikely. Instead people are probably just going to fight amongst themselves and and ask the aliens to attack a different country instead. Here's to hoping that it wouldn't go that way ... also, that aliens will never attack.
[Report This]Date: 01 Apr 2021 13:42 Title: 07/10 – “We’re In Uncharted Territory Now."
And yet again, the other Owens brother cannot be saved. Some things are unavoidable in any timeline, it appears (a trope in garden-of-forking-paths stories.)
And I'm actually enjoying seeing that trope play out. It remains a staple of such stories for good reason - a sort of warning.
It seems this timeline has not been kind to anyone...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Oh boy, yeah, I feel for poor Michael. Having to witness his brother die is a starting to become a recurring theme. Regardless in what universe.
[Report This]Date: 31 Mar 2021 11:04 Title: 06/10 – “Et Tu, Brute?”
And reading the title for this one, I get Eddie Izzard saying "Et tu, you brute..."
And speaking of bloodthirsty brutes, Dark Star gets a star... Yeah - I've been waiting to use that one.
Really nice development of the characters of Sandhurst and Aubrey and an odd development both with the runaway Bluefin, but even more interestingly, the missing Eagle. Mysteries..
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Dark Star is pretty good. Wish I had come up with that one. I've got Dark Michael going though in another tale. More shout-outs here. Sandhurst is part of one of the finest Trek fictions out there: Sam Redfeather's Star Trek Gibraltar. Aubrey and Intrepid are part of the equally impressive Star Trek: Intrepid series by Galen Holcomb.
[Report This]Date: 31 Mar 2021 10:52 Title: 05/10 – “Whoever Draws First Blood...”
The moment I read Mutara Nebula, the alien shipmaster's voice from STIII jumped into my head "MUTARA???"
I actually read and commented on this one yesterday, but for some reason it appears the comment didn't take.
I really enjoyed the combat scene onboard the Bluefin - and the introduction of this Solly Brin and especially the characturization of Akinola. It appears this alt-Star is definitely a Dark Star...
Really a fun, lively fight scene.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Thanks for the kind words. A lot of credit in this story goes to creators of these characters such as The Lone Redshirt, the writer of the excellent Tales of the Bluefin series which includes the big red Orion.
[Report This]Date: 26 Mar 2021 11:52 Title: 04/10 – “Preserving the Future is a Full Time Job.”
Starting to look more and more like this is the setup for the alt-Owens that is currently rampaging his way through the mainline story.
If so, nice dovetailing and planning... I do like seeing a story plan come together.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Right you are. Interestingly (or perhaps not), this story was never planned to be part of the QD arch. It came together as an UT anniversary effort that I decided would fit in really well with my QD plans.
[Report This]Date: 25 Mar 2021 14:02 Title: 03/10 – “Meet the Guardians of Yesteryear.”
For some reason I'm picturing Michael Beach as Terrence Glover - a particularly charismatic actor. Probably because he played a similar role in the 4th season of Stargate Atlantis.
So the Fro bros are back with their harebrained scheme...
Yeah - this is definitely not going to end well... As Glover predicted..
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: I have to admit I had to look up Michael Beach but recognized him immediately when I saw him. I can totally see him as Glover. The character was created by my fellow UT writer Darkush, and I'm sure to run that by him at some point.
[Report This]Date: 24 Mar 2021 11:57 Title: 02/10 – “Welcome to the New Normal.”
So this is the alternate civil war timeline with the Preservers and the Guardians picking bickering over the remains of a borg-devistated Federation.
Interesting to have a look into how this version of the universe works.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: That's exactly right. You may recognize this universe from some more recent work.
[Report This]Date: 23 Mar 2021 19:19 Title: 01/10 – “This is Where it all Went Wrong.”
Well, that was a hell of an open... Talk about a 007 running start. I enjoyed the all-female bridge crew. Something rarely seen unless someone is making a meal of it.
And Locutus nonetheless...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Thanks, I do think there may have been a dude in that chapter. The crew of the Potemkin is courtesy of Michael Garcia and his Full Speed Ahead series which you can also find right here on Ad Astra. Of course, in his version, things didn't go quite as poorly as they did here. Also apologies for the artifacts in the chapter headings. Only recently realized this issue. This wasn't the case the time I posted the story. Like with a lot of these things here, its not an easy fix as any attempt at editing affects the entire chapter. I'll do a bit of house-keeping on here once QD is in the bag.
Date: 18 Jan 2018 23:43 Title: 10/10 – “The End is Only the Beginning.”
Altee is evil ... well, that's not surprising. Star still alive? Surprising. Something is definitely up and the transporter, for all the trouble it's caused, seems like it's going to be at the center of an even bigger storm soon.
Looking forward to seeing the continued adventures of things here.
Author's Response: Yeah, the story will definitely continue and we'll see these characters again down the road at some point. Really appreciate your reviews here and glad that you enjoyed this story. Hope you'll like what comes next.
Date: 18 Jan 2018 23:37 Title: 09/10 – “Now You See It, Now You Don’t”
WHOA ... Matt's gone. And Mike is devastated. Star seemingly got the last laugh ... she also seemed to sacrifice her ship and crew without much thought (typical). And that battle scene was fast and furious -- I figured she had a cloak.
I didn't think the Guardians had a tri-cobalt torpedo, though ... that's heavy stuff. And still, we're not closer to knowing what that prototype is really for either.
Author's Response: It all kind of blew up in their faces, didn't it? That's the thing about a dark universe. You get a dark ending.
Date: 18 Jan 2018 23:22 Title: 08/10 – “All Together Now.”
Well, that meeting ...could have been better. But at least everyone agreed that they needed to defend the defenseless -- they're not so far gone that they lost sight of that.
The real question is Star -- what's her deal? Who's she working for?
Author's Response: No doubt Star is the wildcard here. Better not lose track of her ... oh wait, too late.
Date: 18 Jan 2018 23:16 Title: 07/10 – “We’re In Uncharted Territory Now."
So, looks like the "super-weapon" isn't a weapon at all! Someone's been feeding false intelligence to both sides it seems, and that screams Nyberrite intereference, doesn't it?
Mike going to bat for his brother and being able to mend, if only a little bit, their rift was nice. The dialogue between him and Donners was crackling -- definitely quite a few hatchets to bury there (and Donners seems content to bury them in Mike).
Now, with a battle looming, can Owens talk down both sides before things get really ugly?
Author's Response: Glad you liked the character interplay here. Donners and Owens are interesting because they have some mix baggage in other realities as well, so their spat isn't all that surprising. And you know what they say about a woman scorned ... she'll try to take off your head with a phaser.
Date: 18 Jan 2018 22:42 Title: 06/10 – “Et Tu, Brute?”
Oh boy ... Star looks like a traitor (but don't judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes) and she's carrying some mighty interesting information in her databanks. She's also determined to see the mission succeed, costs be damned ... Sandhurst and Aubrey have a lot on their plate.
And that's not even dealing with Owens -- where is he? What's his plan? Trust is in short supply.
Author's Response: Sure looks like everyone is up to something here, huh? No worries, I'm sure it'll all end just fine ....
Date: 18 Jan 2018 00:10 Title: 05/10 – “Whoever Draws First Blood...”
That was quite the out-of-the-box thought process from Owens. Rather than just leaving the ship disabled, he staged a thrilling tactical assault (complete with PAVA) on the ship, and then had the balls to negotiate with the vessel's beaten captain?
That's bold. Ballsey. I like it ... he's trying to make sure there's no more bloodshed, no more loss of life. Star is a loose cannon it seems and Owens is trying to keep things from getting out of hand ... I question whether Sandhurst and the rest will give him too much slack, thoough. They already don't trust him.
Author's Response: It was a ballsy move, wasn't it? I don't think the prime-Michael Owens would have made such a call. Hell, he would probably never found himself in such a situation to be begin with. And yes, trust is in short supply here.
Date: 17 Jan 2018 23:39 Title: 04/10 – “Preserving the Future is a Full Time Job.”
Ohhh, super-weapons? I don't know, I question the intelligence on this mission. The scientists don't seem like the "build a doomsday weapon" type of dudes. The personal connection between the Owens brothers definitely adds a touch of danger to the mission.
Though Aubrey taking a shot at Admiral Owens was uncalled for, totally. That was out of line ... I was hoping Leone would come down harder on that.
Author's Response: Your skepticism serves you well. Michael Owens clearly isn't the most respected of captains in this timeline.
Date: 17 Jan 2018 23:29 Title: 03/10 – “Meet the Guardians of Yesteryear.”
Oh ... a bit of a romance between Donners and Glover. But what's the deal with this super-secret base, and this super-secret thing, that will "change the face of the galaxy"? All of it sounds like a Starfleet Intelligence brainchild that can't possibly work out. I definitely agree with the doubts presented here ... but I guess we'll see, won't we?
Author's Response: That old mantra that things aren't quite what they appear probably fits here.
Date: 17 Jan 2018 23:20 Title: 02/10 – “Welcome to the New Normal.”
Damn, the Federation is split down the middle and two differing ideologies are at war with one another. You have the war-hawk Guardians, who desperately want to fight off this Nyberrite aliiance (who appear to have allied with the Romulans and Klingons), and the Preservers, eager to maintain the peace and bring the Guardians back in line.
Certainly a lot of personal history between the various crews and captains ... nice to see some familair faces though in Gibraltar. How did things get this way? What happened at Betazed (something bad for sure)? Readining onward.
Author's Response: Yeah, a lot of bad blood here. I hoping to explore more of the history of this timeline in Quantum Divergence.
Date: 17 Jan 2018 22:59 Title: 01/10 – “This is Where it all Went Wrong.”
Holy hell, that's a dark timeline indeed! The ending was heartwrenching -- in a short time you built up the relationship and history between T'Cirya and Leone.
With the Enterprise assimilated and Leone having to leave her captain behind, I doubt this gets much easier for her and the Federation. Reading onward.
Author's Response: Thanks for the review. Yeah thinks are off to bad start here.