Date: 17 Sep 2011 18:41 Title: Sick Day
"Well, shit."
That sets the tone of your story, for sure! That's not a reaction one would expect from Tomalak, based on what we saw of him on TNG. "Depressingly funny" would be the words I'd use to describe your story here. Or "darkly humorous."
Tomalak's exasperated attitude cracks me up at the beginning; it's as though he thinks whether or not one succumbs to the virus is a matter of strength of character. In some perverse way, I was glad to see him get his later, for thinking that way. ;-) (Not to mention he seemed to think that working himself to the bone was going to help him not contract the virus. Riiiiiiight. ;-) ) And being too proud to get the right medicine...oh, he brought that on himself.
I admit I also find it funny because I did that to myself once--refused to take time off of school when I clearly had the flu, and wound up with bronchitis. It shouldn't have taken that long for me to get better, but it was totally my fault!
I did like how Tomalak was able to use the fleet's dire situation to his advantage with the pirates. That was clever!
Date: 02 Sep 2011 21:40 Title: Sick Day
Hee, hee. How quaint to see the mighty befelled by sickness and by a streak of stubborness. Tomalak played it hard and fast to keep up appearances - not vanity but pride and duty I think. I dare say it rankled with him to see his finest officers and crew reduced to such a pitiful sight of vomiting on the bridge. Yuck! I liked the added complication of the trouble makers and Tomalak playing games with them despite his illness.
Date: 02 Sep 2011 05:16 Title: Sick Day
So, Romulan commanders aren't much better patients than Starfleet captains, are they? Administering medicine to himself, instead of going to his doctor?
The bridge full of unexperienced, scared uhlans was quite amusing, but seems like they managed. I hope Tomalak will remember about that during next crew evaluations.
It was nice to add to the story plot an additional one--a compication. That way a simple--although unpleasant-- and self-curing desease became a much more serious matter than just an inconvenience.
[Report This]Date: 01 Sep 2011 14:18 Title: Sick Day
This was a smartly-written tale, looking into the mind of how a captain, who is not functioning at the top of his game, is able to pull on the mantle of command and run his ship nonetheless.
The Romulan angle was interesting for me; made me want to pull out and reread all of Diane Duane's tales of the Rihannsu - something I haven't done for a number of years, now. ;)
A great entry for the challenge, QueensJenn; I'm so glad you posted it! :D