Penname: CeJay [Contact]
Real name: CJ
Member Since: 24 Mar 2009
Membership status: Member
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Gender: male
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Reviews by CeJay
Summary:

PART EIGHT OF NINE

 

Episode 23 - JAG Wars - Now the flagship of a new fleet of ultra-fast Prowler Class patrol vessels, the U.S.S. Hunter and its new captain are on the front lines of growing strife within the Federation...

 

Episode 24 - A Trillian Problem - The U.S.S. Hunter's new captain is about to be tested in back-to-back police actions on the Vulcan and Andorian colonies on Weythan and on Trillus Prime...

 

Episode 25 - I Dream of Shiva - While Captain Dolphin stands trial for his actions on Trillus Prime, a terrifying new religion is taking hold deep within the Romulan Star Empire...


Chapters: 50    Table of Contents
Categories: Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Expanded Universes
Characters: Bashir, Julian, Crusher, Wesley, Doctor, The, La Forge, Geordi, Worf
Genre: Action/Adventure
Warnings: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Character Death, Violence
Series: Star Trek Hunter
Completed: Yes    Word count: 49666    Read Count: 47985
[Report This] Published: 16 Dec 2020 Updated: 27 May 2021
Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 18 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 10: Episode 23.9 - JAG Wars: The Trillian Ultimatum

Okay, the Federation is going to hell in a hand basket (I've just realized I don't even know what that means) but the most stunning aspect of this chapter? An orderly, even amicable, transfer of power?! What? I'm clearly far too jaded.

Anyway, Ivanovic in charge. This oughta to be entertaining. At this point I wonder if he'll be the prez to oversee the end of the UFP.

Author's Response:

I'll have to look it up - I don't know either... Yeah - isn't that a cool idea - the president and president-elect working together in a crisis?

Who would have thought a former stooge for organized crime and foreign intelligence operatives would end up president?

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 18 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 11: Episode 23.10 - JAG Wars: Space Superiority

Somebody is shifting priorities and adjusting to new conditions on the ground as if he'd been sitting in the big chair for years, rather than days.

What made me grin a little here was the fact that essentially we're still talking about a JAG ship full of lawyers. A long time since these guys litigated anything without the use of their phasers. Desperate times ...

Author's Response:

There is another courtroom drama left in this story... It turns out if you're in the position of pointing guns at people, knowing the law can be rather useful.

Dolphin's life was a disaster - fired by the D.A., run out of Harvard, reviled by millions for his dissertation about hybrids, nasty divorce, estranged children... Then he set foot on the USS Hunter and within 5 minutes was in the captain's chair running a rescue - ordered to take command by a captain he had never met. 

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 19 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 12: Episode 23.11 - JAG Wars: The Venus Incident

Somebody call Bowie. That song should be Life on Venus.

Interesting hypothesis about teaming life on that planet and certainly something that would be very cool if true in the real world.

As for its fate, looks like everything is falling apart, including the solar system. Wonder what this place'll look like after everything is said an done. Not pretty, I venture.

Author's Response:

I've not heard a lot of theoretical exobiologists talking about Venusian life, but I think it might be possible. It would have to be silicone-based, which presents far fewer potential chemical combinations than carbon. I have seen a few presentations about the relative potentials for terraforming Venus as opposed to Mars. 

The Rebellion is definitely starting with a bang...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 20 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 13: Episode 23.12 - JAG Wars: First Strike at Weythan

Well executed surgical strike with some political trickery strewn in for good measure. Getting suspicious though. This all seems to have gone too well.

Author's Response:

The Federation Strikes Back...

Rebel movements generally don't have the kind of scratch to pay for mercenaries...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 22 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 14: Episode 23.13 - JAG Wars: Sanctuary

Man, racism stinks, no matter what planet you're on. This Federation you're painting is a depressing place. Good thing there are a few good men (and women) left to fight the good fight.

Author's Response:

Men, women... and beasts...

There were hints in DS9 about racial problems within the trill population. Civil strife and internecine warfare always accompany the decline of empire...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 25 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 15: Episode 23.14 - JAG Wars: Emergency Powers

These two make quite a double act, almost a shame to break it up again.

Also good to see some resolute action from politicians, although we already knew Ivanovic is a man of action. Now, what's the next crisis?

Author's Response:

Glad you enjoyed this one! I don't think it's too much of a spoiler that an important new assignment awaits the soon-to-be Former President Rodriguez. Also glad you're enjoying the Ivonovic character arc.

And there are a few more shoes to drop...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 26 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 16: Episode 23.15 - JAG Wars: Venus First

Uh, nasty and a threat impossible not to take seriously. Still, my assumptions is that Starfleet and the Federation won't bow down to terrorist threats. Let's see how this plays out.

Author's Response:

After all of the morally ambiguous characters in STH, it was quite fun to cut loose and write a few unapologetically scenery-munching villains. Yeah - these guys are not nice people. 

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 26 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 17: Episode 24.1: A Trillian Problem - The Arduous Work of Heroes

Neat whimsical musings by Dolphin. Quite appropriate and certainly a reminder not just of how much things have changed but also of the unique individuals that made up this crew.

Author's Response:

Glad you got a kick out of that little passage. It very nearly violates my first rule - never let the reader catch you writing. 24.1 and 24.2 were originally one chapter. But the 2nd half got so heavy with exposition that I needed to cut the first part free to let it stand on its own.

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 27 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 18: Episode 24.2: A Trillian Problem - The Dream Team

"It is a dream, Kenny,” Johnny replied. “But yes, it’s real..."

That line is an instant classic. Calls to mind Inception.

A lot of deliberations here on serious issues. Thinking man's Trek.

Although if the new president needs to convene advisors via dream tech on tough issues, he probably needs to get better advisors. Or maybe find a way to get the likes of Dolphin and Canada on his staff. Poor Kenny has enough on his plate to write speeches for the president-elect, methinks.

Author's Response:

"Thinking man's Trek" is easily the best compliment this series has received - Thanks for the kind words!

Ivonovic is accomplishing a lot in this scene. He's a great speechwriter - he hardly needs anyone to write speeches for him. But by putting Kenny's name on the most momentous public address in 200 years, he cements Dolphin's reputation as the most influential ethical philosoper in Star Fleet. Which in turn keeps powerful admirals like Riker and Chekov from interfering with Ivonovic's pet troubleshooter.

Canada is also a tremendous find for Ivonvic. As a police intelligence executive for the City of Trantor, Canada is entirely independent from Federaion and Star Fleet intelligence and is in a position to tell Ivonovic what his own agencies aren't telling him.

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 29 Apr 2021 Title: Chapter 19: Episode 24.3: A Trillian Problem - Rumor

A great little interlude. Intense and visceral, not to mention messy as all hell.

Also, who would have guessed the Trill are such phenomal jerks? Jeez.

Author's Response:

Glad you enjoyed this little bit of blood and gore... Just for the trill of it...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 01 May 2021 Title: Chapter 20: Episode 24: A Trillian Problem

Looks as if Dolphin is well versed with the problem with Trills, that now seems to rear its ugly head.

Author's Response:

Lawyers do their homework... 

I am tempted to title this episode The Trouble with Trills...

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 04 May 2021 Title: Chapter 21: Episode 24.4: A Trillian Problem - The Pool of the Symbionts

Couldn't help but be reminded of Deep Blue Sea here. Attack of the killer ... Symbionts? Well, let's hope not, and that Jet's fate is not as grim Sam Jackson's was. In fact, this could end up well for everyone involved.

Author's Response:

Deep Blue Symbiont Pool...

There's far more to Jet than appears... The wild ones have big plans for her. But they're not the only ones..

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 06 May 2021 Title: Chapter 22: Episode 24.5: A Trillian Problem - The War of Fog

Great job of making the mundane ... Weather control stations ... Exciting. In a crisis you make use of the tools you've got to hand, I suppose. Grounding enemy forces due to inclement weather conditions is certainly a good use.

Author's Response:

Glad you enjoyed that little twist. Weather control sattelites were mentioned in Trek, but we never got to see one.

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 09 May 2021 Title: Chapter 23: Episode 24.6: A Trillian Problem - The Temple at Aiden on Saketh

I've probably said this before, but one of the most impressive hallmarks of STH, are the suprisingly sudden shifts in tone and apparent theme.

This last chapter read more like something out of Dungeons and Dragons rather than Trek. Not to mention was creepy as hell.

Author's Response:

Caught me.. I was a Dungeon Master long ago... Thanks again for the kind words!

Glad you enjoyed this creepy precursor to Episode 25 - I Dream of Shiva

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 09 May 2021 Title: Chapter 24: Episode 24.7: A Trillian Problem - General Hialal Mulaax

My theory on the Trill military going completly insane was that these were made up of frustrated unjoined Trill desperate to be joined. Wrong. And rather concerning that they are led by a joined Trill who are supposed to be wiser thanks to all that extra experience (in fairness I haven't written joined Trills as particularly wise either. Exhibit A: Tazla Star)

Interesting that the real master mind behind this may be a very old symbiont perhaps driven crazy by not having had a host in a very long time. I can guess which host it has joined with now.

Author's Response:

I'm always pleased when my story turns out to be more complex than anticipated. It's as much a civil war among the symbionts as among the trill... And the priesthood is squarely in the middle of it - not just selecting hosts, but prohibiting hundreds, maybe thousands of symbionts from being joined.

I am amused by the congruence of Star (particualrly Dark Star) with Mulaax. Wise doesn't necissariily mean nice... And symbionts are greedy for new experiences - even at the expense of their host.

You're not wrong about the Traxx symbiont's choice for a host. And boy is Traxx in for a surprise...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 11 May 2021 Title: Chapter 25: Episode 24.8: A Trillian Problem - Cinqronicity

Not sure if the content warning was necessary, although admittedly it's a bit of an uncomfortable read. Not in a bad way. The parallels to a sexual assault are quite apparent but the way it is presented here, as a old symbiont forcing itself on a young host is more parasitic than sexual. In any case, a fascinating allegory and a clever twist at the end I didn't see coming.

Author's Response:

I really appreciate your comments about this one. I can't tell you how much work went into revising it until it really met my vision and kept those sexual overtones to a minimum. 

It's also why I flipped this chapter with A Good Snooze - which, until recently, followed this chapter, but now precedes it. Which is probably why you skipped over it.

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 12 May 2021 Title: Chapter 27: Episode 24.9: A Trillian Problem - The Hammer and the Anvil

Uh, Mulaax may have a point here. If there are many more Trill as shortsighted as he and his followers, it might not be difficult to whip up some anti-Starfleet/Federation sentiment. Let's hope rational minds prevail but never underestimate mob mentality.

Author's Response:

It is a classic strategy when faced with a technologically superior foe - Saddam Hussein famously used it: The Human Shield gambit.

Well, in this case, Trillian Shields... 

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 13 May 2021 Title: Chapter 28: Episode 24.10: A Trillian Problem - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed...

Short but intense. I suppose these guys better start listening to Jet, including Starfleet. She may have just the inside information to bring an end to this madness.

Author's Response:

Glad you're enjoying this sequence. Elaine's threat to the priests is a reference to my favorite line from Babylon 5.

Programming note: I have moved "A Good Snooze" again - actually to its original location, so it's now 24.13.

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 15 May 2021 Title: Chapter 29: Episode 24.11: A Trillian Problem - Traxx and Spies

Welcome to my world, Captain Dolphin. Is what I was thinking when he was talking to Jet. Not always easy to follow the intricacies of this tale. Although the complexities remain impressive.

Also, neat ruse with fog and the troops. Now we get to hunt a spy? Fun.

Author's Response:

Glad you got a kick out of this one!

Between his small task force, an andorian freighter and a few dozen Star Fleet cadets (mostly trill) who were on home-leave on Trillus, Dolphin has less than 300 people to stop an army of nearly 30,000.

Jet is playing that hackneyed time-travel game - I've met him, but he hasn't met me yet... Actually it was Penelope who met Carerra. His first meeting with her lies ahead...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 16 May 2021 Title: Chapter 30: Episode 24.12: A Trillian Problem - Sacred Ground

If there is one thing you can count on, it's that Ivanovich will give an impassioned speech. Say about the man what you want, but I suspect he does love the sound of his own voice.

Regardless, this feels like the right move. You don't negotiate with terrorists. You pay them off in secret.

Author's Response:

"You pay them off in secret..." Wish I had thought of that! 

Those terrorists will be back in Ep 26, along with one of their sponsors...

You definitely have the measure of Ivonovic. STH is replete with speeches and he gives most of them..

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 18 May 2021 Title: Chapter 31: Episode 24.13: A Trillian Problem - A Good Snooze

This plot line has all the hallmarks of a classic, maybe slightly twisted, sitcom. The Adventures of Old Man Crusher and Alien Bob. I'd certainly watch that.

Author's Response:

Really powerful characters, for some reason, just make for easy-to-write comedy. Cue Q from the queue... 

I had a hard time placing this chapter - it could go into any number of locations after Jet is captured and before her speech. Finally settled on this location for pacing purposes.

Glad you enjoy these guys slowly gathering...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 19 May 2021 Title: Chapter 32: Episode 24.14: A Trillian Problem - It Takes A Village

Done in by the fog. You'd think 24th century warfare would be a bit more resilent to weather conditions thanks to precise sensor technology and other visual aids. Then again, the Trill are not known for a military powerhouse.

Enjoyed seeing Hunter's tactical squad back in action.

Author's Response:

Special Vulcan satellite fog. Used for cleaning radiation leaks and paving over plotholes...

Yeah - they're driving Howitzers down gravel roads at 10 mph.. they only think they're a military power.

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 22 May 2021 Title: Chapter 33: Episode 24.15: A Trillian Problem - Tribunal Justice Cisl Mreek

The famous Tellarite charm at work. I think a judge is just the perfect occupation for a Tellarite and Mreek clearly excels at it.

Author's Response:

Imagine tellerite cops.... "Scram - it's the pigs...."

The mild-mannered Cisl Mreek will romp in the next episode. Glad you got a kick out of her!

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 24 May 2021 Title: Chapter 35: Episode 24.17: A Trillian Problem - The Tears of a Clown

That's certainly an interesting way to write an emotional scene. Emotions by proxy. I have to admit though, Imoginettes may be one of the most unique races I've come across. Well done.

And yet, the most disturbing part of this chapter for me? They still have WASPs in the 24th century.

Author's Response:

Thanks for the kind words!

I doubt WASPs are going away anytime soon... I deliberately chose for Kenny to be a WASP to punctuate his controversial dissertation on hybrids. To have what is mischaracterized as an exhortation about racial purity coming out of a German-American with blonde hair and blue eyes...

Thanks!! rbs

Reviewer: CeJay Signed Liked
Date: 26 May 2021 Title: Chapter 34: Episode 24.16: A Trillian Problem - The Children of Rising Sun

The presidential tag team is at it again.

I have to say the massacre of hundreds of children is probably one of the most astonishingly heinous crimes I've ever read in Trek fan fiction.

Well written as usual, but not at all fun to read.

Author's Response:

STH is nothing if not a roller coaster. 

Hopefully the rest of the episode will be a more pleasant read...

Thanks!! rbs