Jellico begging for mercy for the cardassians - that's a classic moment that Ronnie Cox would love to portray. Really liking the character development for Hiroko and the opening sequence with her headed resolutely in the wrong direction to the bridge.

More unholy happenings on the Intrepid. I liked the scene sticking with Adol's POV until Aubery was reasonably conscious. So evidently the Intrepid and crew are now entangled with the Inth at some almost existential level. 

Cool idea using the probe - those are potentials that were underused and all too often overlooked in the franchise.

Thanks!! rbs

Really liking the portrayal of both Hiroko and Jellico. The test of a hero is the ability to recover from a punch and adapt to new circumstances. Their struggle coming to terms with it and working their way through it provides verisimilitude. 

Really great story design with the Fermi Paradox (and one of the most disturbing great filters - we'll call it the "Whack-a-Mole" filter... Even better that Aubrey is the proximate cause and has to find the solution. To the point that this would make a great plot for a standalone scifi story that you could sell if you were to wash the Trek elements out of it. (A massive undertaking, but one worth considering to reach a wider audience and possibly turn a buck.)

His rebound moment is a far more spiritual moment than that of Jellico and Hiroko - they're not culpable. He is. And if nebulae are known as potential exotic habitats, it's worse than genocide - it's ecocide - destroying the entire ecology. He definitely has a big sin to atone for - which sets up a great character arc. 

As I'm nearing the end of this, which appears to be the only posting for the series on Ad Astra, I'm hoping it is lodged somewhere else that I can interact with it without committing the sin of necroposting over on Trek BBS.

Thanks!! rbs

I think I've mentioned before that I really like the against-type casting of an orion counselor. Nice muddle with this character and another way to show the leadership characters in reverse angle. And it does seem like something is screwing with him...

Liking the triage in the wake of the battle, particularly the bit about dermal regeneration being secondary to life-saving. Very interesting that Peboda's first instinct wasn't sick bay. 

And loving the character of Zorek - the hero vulcan. Suprised that I haven't encountered his like in any other fanfic as he seems a logical potential in vulcan culture. (A bit envious I didn't create such a creature myself.)

Thanks!! rbs

Several gripping scenes, but most interesting the alien communication with Pal. Looks like the galaxy is about to pay for this big war between the Dominion and the Alpha Quadrant.

Jellico losing his mind - did not see that coming. Looks like everyone's on the edge of a big psychic break. But a few captains managing to hold on.

So Hiroko might be done for as well...

Thanks!! rbs

Looks like you reversed the Chekov "v" (although not something that actually happens with Russian accents - which Anton Yeltzen (RIP) made fun of.)

And Hiroko's love life disentigrates - another didn't make it...

Really liking your handling of Jellico and Zorek - not putting up with any intimation that the order will not go forward, but willing to change the plan a little to increase chances of success.

Nice portrait of Aubrey and crew at the moment of engagement. 

Thanks!! rbs

Nice intro to Aubrey - can't have a better foil than Jellico - easily one of my favorite series irregulars. I'm a big Ronnie Cox fan as well and I think he would be quite pleased that he created a character that reverberated so well that he's been utilitzed in countless fanfictions.

Really enjoying the reveal on Perboda and Kella and kudos for casting an orion as ship's counselor - not an idea that had occurred to me. Perhaps the only more counterintuitive casting would be a tellerite counselor - which gives me an idea...

And it seems like Perboda might have a haunting...

Reasonable chapter length - not quite bite-sized but a well-focused introduction to three characters.

Thanks!! rbs

Nice twist mid-story - Mom takes advantage of the first drunken andorian who walks by to slip away. Seems her decision to abandon the path of Surek has not made her very happy. But then, happy vulcans seems a contradiction in terms.

I'm amused to encounter another dangerously super-telepathic vulcan/betazoid hybrid - she's far better off than her counter-part in the STH series. This is a nice character study - almost more of the mother than the daughter. 

I've enjoyed Adol every time I've encountered him. Unfortunate that more of the Intrepid series isn't posted here as this format is particularly facile for tracking and interacting with serials.

Thanks!! rbs

I've probably said this before, but this is a beautifully written character vignette and certainly not just because of a fantastic and unexpected twist. Even though that was a pretty neat trick.

Fantastic prose and equally great dialogue make this a joy to read. It's not easy to write Vulcans but you do it splendidly.

Author's Response: A generous review----and greatly appreciated.

Another hefty Dominion War dose - again with compelling details and character povs, shifting scenes and only their narrow perspective to glean information about what is happening. It adds to the mystery and to the revelation of whatever is happening here, which is continuing to be puzzling and dangerous in feel and then compounded by the losses of the Battle and the imminient victory for Betazed. Terrific.

Damn-I was kinda sad to see Katorn die. He was a riot of awesomeness. I hope he found a way out of there-he's too good a character to die on the spot.

As for Adol and Doug-dude, it's looking bad. I don't know who these Inth are, but they seem pretty angry if they messed Doug up as bad. I hope the two get out of there before any permanent damage is done. As always, good stuff.

I want more. :)

Well calamity has indeed descended upon them - the disaster I sensed waiting in the air has come - though I'll be damned as to what to make of it! Brilliant stuff. The brillian, fun banter between the two quickly becomes shorthand communication in a battle of wills to beat the odds and the elements. Great interaction portrayed here as well as great drama of the unfolding ... whatever.

Man, what is going on in that nebula?! First the Genesis device seemingly misfires and then a terporal vortex? This can't be good.

Love the banter between the two characters featured here and I hope they don't die...but it seems they're right in the thick of something and it doesn't look good. Look forward to the next chapter. :)