[Report This]Date: 27 Jul 2022 00:04 Title: Part 5 - Infiltration: 5
Okay... I'm really looking forward to a Tyrantus - Michael meeting. That's going to be just wild... And the chance to get to know more about these odd borg 3.0... Are the borg borg everywhere? Or could they be really, really weird in some universes?
Also looking forward to how Taz is going to manage Maya (or vice-versa.)
Maybe one-armed Michael can figure out how to get his remaining hand on the latinum he found...
Definitely a new high in CJ cliffhangers! Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: So many possibilities, you could fill a book with alternate universe interpretations of the Trek universe ... or you know, three.
[Report This]Date: 20 Jul 2022 00:41 Title: Part 5 - Infiltration: 4
Katanga's being a bit of an ass here. I kind of think he's nervous and doesn't know what to do being so far out of control. Which has to be a new situation for an old man. In this setting he's kind of playing the role of a Greek Chorus, informing the audience of the ethical considerations that Taz has to take into account.
And a good old Mexican standoff between Taz and Maya... They have 5 minutes...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Bit harsh on Katanga here, no? I think he simply remains true to his moral compass and his desire to cause as little harm as possible. Of course, all that feels like a rather moot point with the Borg armada swooping down on the place.
[Report This]Date: 20 Jul 2022 00:38 Title: Part 5 - Infiltration: 3
Nothing like a bunch of hotheaded rebels who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. They kind of remind me of the Palestinian People's Suicide Squad from Monty Python's Life of Brian.
Culsten sees yet another version of himself in a greater role of power just screwing up right and left. This is him if he followed Garla and relied on her to create his future. Running away from his family is the best thing he could have done not only for himself, but also for Garla.
It may take a few more universes for him to realize that all along, he's been living his best Lif.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Turns out the only group Culsten's Krellon People's Front hate more than the Outlanders is the People's Front of Krellon. Great take on Prime Culsten here, who has finally reached the point where he can't take it anymore. Lucky for him his little outburst turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
[Report This]Date: 20 Jul 2022 00:32 Title: Part 5 - Infiltration: 2
Interesting how this non-family keeps managing to be a family regardless of how they think they feel about one another. Really liking that Frobisher, after being presented as the antagonist early on in the series, is seen from another perspective as a family member. And Maya and Michael just can't get over each other in any universe.
Also really fun to get to know Matt, whom Michael had kind of put on a pedistal, is kind of an ass - which, recalling his earlier apperances, he pretty much is in any universe.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Yeah, the family dynamic in story was a lot of fun to write and explore. The role reversal is an interesting aspect of this, I thought, as is how people can be so different based on their environment. We didn't see much of Matt Owens in the prime universe, but he mostly seemed like a good dude. Different story here, although the poor guy has been through quite a bit in a very short time.
[Report This]Date: 01 Jul 2022 01:50 Title: Part 5 - Infiltration: 1
Yeah... Lif 3.0 and his insurrectionists are pretty much like the vast majority of insurrectionists. Incompetent to the point that they only survive because their oppressers are equally incompetent. Michael should have seen this one coming. Lif.3 has been feeding him a line.
Garla is magnificent as usual - and probably their main hope for getting out of this as Maya is unlikely to come to the rescue and Taz bedeviled by borg. It would be fun if Frobisher were to pull a rabbit out of his hat...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: The Lif Culsten's of the quantum-verse don't appear to be the most reliable individuals, do they? Glad Garla's still doing it for you. She's a lot of fun to write. A real action anti-heroine. As always, thanks for commenting.
[Report This]Date: 21 Jun 2022 23:05 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 7
And here come the alt-borg. But these borg are a bit wierd compared to borg prime. They seem a bit more emotional and they like to play with their prey. But then, they've probably assimilated everything interesting to them, so they have to be after something else.
And of course there's Eli and Xylion playing out a classic Spock/McCoy dance.
Nice badguy dance with Tyrantus looming over the Eagle's crew - again a classic. The less screen time he has, the more presence he has in the story. Kind of like the Operative in Serenity. Or Darth Sideous in the 2nd prequel.
Thanks! rbs
Author's Response: There's probably a lot of Borg back story we're missing in this universe. But a lot of their MO should seem familiar, certainly their tenaciousness, and obsession with 010 that was mostly established in a Voyager episode, of course. It was also a central theme in my other story The God Particle (shameless plug).
[Report This]Date: 21 Jun 2022 22:55 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 6
"Just give it a few good whacks..." Great scifi standard for wonky equipment on a boat held together with bailing wire and prayer beads.
Love Garla and Maya sparking off each other and Michael (not the most charming man in any universe) having to make peace between them. Which is about as safe as separating two tomcats in a territorial dispute.
And then again having to try to foster some sort of peace between his not brother and their not father. There is an understated humor running through this chapter.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: The difference between Garla and Ownes is that Garla simply isn't a team player. She adores Lif but she doesn't play well with others, especially other Alphas like Owens and Amaya. It creates a lot of, hopefully, entertaining tension. And yeah, Owens has quite a few balls to juggle here. Interesting observation about him not being very charming. I guess, that's true. He certainly isn't a Kirk or maybe even a Riker and falls closer on the Picard side of the spectrum.
[Report This]Date: 09 Jun 2022 17:01 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 5
Shades of Picard's dream in First Contact.. Sweet borgmare.
Bridge, we have a new problem: BORG! Clever little bugs not doing anything except tracking and recording your every move.
I like the idea that their presence would be enough to spark nightmares. And since we didn't see Tyrantus die - well - never count a mortal enemy dead until you break the spine off the skull casing with your own hands.
And then don't be too sure... Oh, and more Katanga, please...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Borg are about the perfect nightmare stuff, aren't they? And you gotta feel bad for Taz. First it was drug-induced fever dreams and now she's got the Borg fueling her nightmares. Girl can't get a break. Glad you enjoyed the First Contact call back, which for these characters is still a relatively recent event.
[Report This]Date: 04 Jun 2022 01:35 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 4
I actually like that Michael has rage issues - an Achilles tendon that makes him an interesting character and well explored in his various doppelgangers. A dysfunctional family is an interesting one.
I also appreciate the humor in this episode - implicit in Michael's frustration with his bizarre, cobbled not-exactly-prime family and explicit in Garla's pithy, gritty humor.
She is an excellent frenemy.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Thanks. I always try to keep Owens as human as possible. Sure, he's an all-pro starship captain, but he's got his flaws, too, as we've seen, and particularly when it comes to his family. He's made some poor decisions and now he's embroiled in the middle of the most bizarre family drama one can imagine. And, oh yeah, all of reality might get wiped out. I'm also glad you like the dynamic between him and Garla. These two are both very similar as well as very different from each other. An explosive mix, for sure.
[Report This]Date: 04 Jun 2022 01:31 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 3
I do love me some high-tech gadgetry. Holo-masks are far more convenient and maleable than prosthetic surgery. Speaking of toys - sweet gadget design and accompanying technobabble for the ECHO.
And So'Dan made a good command decision. Take a prisoner when you can...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Plus you get to do the cool Mission Impossible thing where you dramatically pull off the mask. Although, I don't think I've actually written that here. The ECHO is shamelessly stolen from very similar concepts. But I think it's a cool tool. It's certainly a great visual. You made a good point over at the TrekBBS. It's a bit gadgety, and one of those things that shows up once and then is never used again. Hopefully, I can find other uses for it in the future.
[Report This]Date: 18 May 2022 23:06 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 2
Tazla's showing some leadership chops that Xylion has yet to develop. Typical vulcan - follow the rules and logic be damned...
Really liking the drive in this chapter - it pulls the reader along through Tazla's POV. Definitely an agressive, take-charge character. Not easily kept down.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: The mark of a good leader is that they don't like when they are sidelined, forced to watch as others take action. Although there may be some other reasons for Tazla's anxiety here as well.
[Report This]Date: 13 May 2022 02:55 Title: Part 4 - Roundabout Route: 1
Garla just keeps calling it. A great frenemy - as both Maya and Fro are also proving to be. I'm a huge fan of well-written frenemies.
Lif seems to be VIP in every universe but his own. No doubt Lif Prime is a happier man than his various counterparts. As, apparently, is Michael - as much as the term happy could ever apply to him.
Really enjoying the Amagosa station - it's a setting that is a story character in and of itself. Particularly its rather grim and hopeless host and design.
And yet another CeJay cliffhanger...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: We'll have to see how having come face-to-face with other versions of himself is going to affect Lif. It's certainly not something he was prepared for. Of course, who would be? The theme of "what I could have been" is a big part of this trilogy.
[Report This]Date: 05 May 2022 20:08 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 12
More Katanga please... I think I asked that before. He definitely delivers the goods in this chapter. “Perhaps the universe is really coming to an end after all.” I was waiting for him to add - "Too soon?"
So Michael isn't really a very good borgeyman - he's just not really borg material. But did the destruction of his cube spell his demise? Sic Semper Tyrantus?
Interesting clue in Tazla's dream - is she actually still picking up borg fm 101? Really gripping dream sequence - I was thinking, wait - is Tyrantus actually a changeling?
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: I agree that Katanga has not had enough to do in QD since the first novel. A shame, that. As for Tyrantus' demise, it was implied in this chapter that he was merely a holographic projection. So we may not have seen the last of him.
[Report This]Date: 25 Apr 2022 20:48 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 11
Really liking these shorter, more focused chapters - particularly for action/impact. It really draws a line under the main point.
And this one is custom made to set up a throughline with my favorite of your characters - the cantankerous Katanga. I can't help but see veteran Brock Peters in that role - fighting fire with fire.
Really interested to see how Tazla morphs through this sequence...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Mixing it up with a little bit of action. I always liked the scene of Picard gunning down Borg with a tommy gun in the holodeck like some sort of bizarre sci-fi movie meets gangster flick. Hence Nora and the 49ers making use of projectile weapon hybrids. And Katanga gets another chance to show off his genius. Win-win. Thanks for the nice words.
[Report This]Date: 25 Apr 2022 20:42 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 10
So he knew Ledbelly but not the windjammer? I thought Michael had some some sailing... Well - it is a rather specific term. His guess about its meaning is quite amusing (some sort of sax?)
Far more amusing that Michael is starting to find Fro more likeable than this version of his own brother. A rich irony considering his many efforts to save the bro and thwart the Fro.
They do seem to keep running into themselves in each alt they visit.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Yeah, Owens may have been at least half-right here, since a windjammer is another name of the accordian-like instrument Leadbelly favored. Donners may have chosen to name her crew for both the sailing ship reference as well as the connection to Leadbelly, but obviously she has no interest admitting that much to him.
[Report This]Date: 11 Apr 2022 00:35 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 9
There has been a meme running about fandom about the borg farming humanity for ideas and only pressuring the species enough to drive technological and cultural growth.
These alt-borg seem to have a similar aesthetic - TyMike is similar to LocJeanLuc, suggesting these borg are willing to alter their MO when it serves their advantage. But given Michael's personality traits, that may not be as advantageous - his emotions are always really close to the surface.
So Tazla's getting nanited... maybe there is a Swiss Army Arm in her future...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Or one could argue that Locutus was always part of the Borg's standard MO, we just haven't seen it since on the screen. It makes a certain amount of sense when trying to assimilate a new race, particularly one has persistent as those pesky humans and their allies.
[Report This]Date: 11 Apr 2022 00:28 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 8
They're in Lead Belly and there isn't a 12-string in sight?
It's tremendously fun in this episode to see Michael liking Frobisher - the man he wanted to strangle for killing his brother - than this version of his own brother. And this at the same time he's coming to realize (thanks to alt-dad) how much each individual shares in personality with his various doppelgangers. His realization that Fro is part of his family is probably the most cogent message so far in the series.
Maya's closing comment sums up the entire theme, making this easily my favorite scene in the entire STEA - although it did take the entirety of the series to earn it.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Yeah, the emtions Michael is going through here are a somewhat complex and complicated. Then there is the matter of Amaya running around like a cut-throat mercenary. And, oh yeah, the little thing of trying to save an entire universe. Tough day. Thanks for the high praise. It's a fun chapter.
[Report This]Date: 07 Apr 2022 02:07 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 7
You will comply or you will be assimilated... That's a unique bargaining position with the borg. Quite fun that this universe's Michael is a borg. It just gets worse and worse for the alt-Mikes.
Really liking the failed borg - that's an opportunity the franchise kind of missed out on (although they had something similar during the Lore/Borg episode.)
I'm still hoping somewhere in the distant future Tazla will pop out an extra borg gadget in her arm - a legacy from this universe's borg. Although if this universe blips out, the device might blip out too...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Swiss Army Knife Tazla. I kinda like it. I'm pretty sure, however, she'd rather forget about this encounter, instead of keeping any mementos. Let's see if she'll get the opportunity.
[Report This]Date: 24 Mar 2022 02:46 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 6
<The situation was beyond bizarre in a time and a place where bizarre had become the new normal.> Great line.
I'm loving Michael wrestling with finding that he almost likes Fro 3.0 after a lifetime of hating the other versions - and not liking Matt 3.0, not trusting Jon 2.0 and being floored yet again by Maya... well I've lost count of how many versions of her have appeared.
But he's figured out the right song to sing for this version of Maya.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Thanks. We've heard a lot about the strange times we live in and how bizarre all our lives have become. But I have to say, as a writer of science fiction I find that things can always be a lot stranger than you think. Living through a pandemic and multiple lockdowns was one thing, dealing with alternate versions of yourself and people you know and love, now that's a trip.
Date: 24 Mar 2022 02:40 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 5
I'm really liking the shift in focus so that we stick with one branch of the Eagle gang for the entire scene. It really allows the scene to breathe - even with fast, action-packed sequences.
It also makes those CJ cliffhangers pop more.
There's a fun undercurrent with Star being taken by the borg as she already has a mechanical arm. Are they going to replace her prosthetic with another prosthetic? Or just soup up the one she already has...
That would be fun - Tazla not only packing an enhanced prosthetic punch, but a few little borg goodies as well. A Swiss Army arm.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: I certainly haven't invited it, but chapters that alternate between A/B plots and characters is a bit of a hallmark of the series by now. I always thought it worked well for the pace and as you say it allows us to really focus on various characters.
[Report This]Date: 24 Mar 2022 02:35 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 4
I'm a serious fan of these many versions of Frobisher. We first met him as a villain and this Fro seems more like a world saver. We've met an evil alt-Michael and Michael prime is beginning to realize he's currently dealing with a rather unsavory version of his brother and a probably dangerously unhinged version of his father.
There's some sort of quantum entanglement playing out with all these people - they keep encountering different versions of one another in one doomed universe after another. Einstein would have called it insanely spooky action at a distance...
By now Michael should by used to this trend of pretty much every Maya punching him or pointing weapons at him...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: There is no suprise that people love playing with alternate universes in fiction. There are so many fun story options to explore. It's even better when you can do it with a set of established characters that come with certain expectations. Very glad you are enjoying this and that you've been able to previously read some of the stories where many of these characters first appeared. And yeah, Maya punching (or kissing) someone is clearly a theme in this trilogy. Lastly, fun fact, I'm pretty sure Quantum Entanglment was an early working title for the trilogy.
[Report This]Date: 05 Mar 2022 09:16 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 3
I could drone on about the danger of putting nuclear weapons on drones... As always Katanga is a delight and is able to give the everyman perspective on the story.
Somehow I suspect the loss of the alt Dominion shipping could bring more complications, but I have to wonder what the alt borg are up to. Maybe in this universe they're good guys?
Yeah... somehow I don't think so...
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Drone on about drones while being pursued by drones. You know what? I didn't even make that connection when writing this.
[Report This]Date: 05 Mar 2022 09:09 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 2
I'm sure there's nothing more galling to Michael than going with a harebrained Frobisher scheme. It's really fun to see him having to rely on his alt-arch-nemesis. This Fro may not have killed Matt (yet), but he is just as prone to make insanely dangerous choices.
The scene also gives a sense that Matt was always an active, willing participant in his own demise. A really nice exploration of a character who has been living in Michael's head as St. Matthew for many years. The real thing is much harder to bargain with.
Thanks! rbs
Author's Response: Enemies make strange bedfellows. With the twist that this animosity is really just one-sided currently, thanks to the machinations of the quantum universe. I like your reexamination of Matthew Owens here. Of course, we don't know all that much about the original article, and yes, most of it comes from Michael's thoughts and recollections which most certainly are biased by the fact that he lost his brother in a tragic manner.
[Report This]Date: 01 Mar 2022 09:43 Title: Part 3 - The Escape: 1
I've observed before that there is no such thing as too much Katanga. Nice opportunity for Alendra to step forward for some character development.
This is one of those detective story, process chapters - pulling clues together - dependent on dialogue to keep it a light and fun read. Katanga certainly provides that.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Alendra is the most recent addition to this crew and she hasn't had too much to do yet, which is a bit of shame. Hopefully, I'll get to involve her more in future stories.
[Report This]Date: 16 Feb 2022 23:31 Title: Part 2 - Family of Strangers: 8
A more or less random collection of the Eagle's crew take down a squad of jem'hadar like a well-oiled machine. Speaks to the tremendous pressure the Eagle's crew has been under.
Garla continues to be a delightful character - badass and unpredictable. Lucky to have her along - but she was also part of the problem.
This Matthew might be more Frobisher than this Frobisher. I wonder if Michael is beginning to realize that Frobisher is so entangled with the Owenses that he is as inextricable as family.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Not sure about "well-oiled" but you can't argue with results. Glad you continue to enjoy Garla, she's a fun character to write. Here's a highly skilled woman who is used to be the leader of the pack and has been forced into the role of a follower. She clearly does not care for that at all.