Date: 27 Jan 2013 11:37 Title: Chapter 6
For some reason Lar'ragos steals every scene, even when he's dreaming, though I wonder if what he is dreaming bears any relation to this threat (in the real world) or the development of the story, or if it is a chance to throw in some character development?
Date: 15 Jul 2012 00:07 Title: Epilogue
Ok, just finished it on my way home on a KC-10, and can I just say...everytime you kill off a character, a little piece of me screams "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Granted, Dunleavy came back, but still, it was one of those "AH! NO!" moments for me, lol. LOVED the image I got of The Rock standing on her end, without her nacelles, floating above the planet surface. And Olivia's alter...and the Q...I'm kinda figuring, but could you clarify, this episode takes place during their "civil war" that we saw a little of in Voyager?
Once again, absolutely incredible, it was difficult to put it down at all. And the timeship (and Pava, at the end) resemblance to another certain show was pretty fun to read. Looking forward to the third one!!
Author's Response:
TemplarSora, thank you for the wonderful feedback!
Yes, the conflict between the Q ‘brothers’ was a result of the civil war we saw in Voyager’s ‘The Q and the Grey’ but as I figure the Continuum existed outside the constraints of normal time, the wounded Q was not only thrown into a parallel reality, but was thrown into that alternate reality's distant past as well.
I hope you enjoy Prophets and Loss as much as you enjoyed Geometries. :D
Date: 25 Jun 2012 18:08 Title: Chapter 5
"Sandhurst did a full rotation in his chair to assess the condition of the bridge and crew"
For some reason this conjures up to me an image of a man spinning around in his chair and it's so funny! The man goes round, swivels round; I just think it would look so comical!
This plot gets stranger you know, some kind of trapped energy being, that man in the last scene. You definitely have a flair for the surreal, makes a nice change from the almost non-stop action scenes.
Author's Response:
The action in the story ebbs and flows, but I like to think that it's surreal throughout! Thanks for the commentary. :)
Date: 25 Jun 2012 17:59 Title: Chapter 4
Ashok's in deep doo; the ship only managed warp 8.3...
Nice use of those Son'a subspacial weapons. Plus Kutav is shaping up into a nice little villain, Orion as well... There's something you don't see every day.
Author's Response:
Kutav's less a full-fledged villain than an opportunist whose got a strong sense of which way the wind is blowing at any given moment. I'm glad you like the character, as he's always been a favorite of mine.
Date: 25 Jun 2012 17:43 Title: Chapter 3
Sandhurst man, I still feeling he is tentatively learning how to be a captain. But a least he did the right thing letting Ramirez sort out Lar'ragos. Though I doubt she will get through to that grizzled, paranoid old wreck...
The parts involving the Temporal Investigations Agency were fun to read, somehow whether in film or book, temporal stuff (related or otherwise) always comes off as interesting to me. Nice little irony with that Past Prologue book; a book of the future about the past...
Author's Response:
Lar'ragos has lots of layers, as you'll soon discover... but grizzled, paranoid old wreck is not too far off the mark. ;)
Date: 11 Jun 2012 18:56 Title: Chapter 2
I always like Pava, and with each story a new mystery abounds; like all those scars and stuff. Of course I guess with him being a soldier for a very long time, he would have taken all sorts of crap. No wonder the poor bloke is uncomfortable with checkups. I enjoyed that scene with Sandhurst slaving away on the treadmill. You burn that pudge up Sandhurst, burn it you fatty! Poor Sandhurst, I'm surprised he's fit to command after that gruelling session of exercise (I'm thinking mental tiredness caused by excessive physical exertion).
Author's Response:
Ha! "Burn it you fatty!" That's likely what Ashok was thinking. :-p After what happened to the crew in 'Embers', Sandhurst is thinking (rightfully so) that being in better physical condition might be of significant benefit.
Date: 05 Jun 2012 11:16 Title: Chapter 1
"Tark laughed appreciatively" isn't that a bit cold-blooded even for a Tellerite? Lar’ragos may seem paranoid but given his background he is sadly right: the Federation is vulnerable to attack by other aggressive species. But I think Lar'ragos underestimates the will of other Federation members to defend 'paradise' no matter what the cost.
It was clever of you to use a holodeck program to start the story; you had me fooled there for a moment! Mildly intriguing last scene; I presume it sets up the plot for this story. Some mad science experiment about to go wrong but some powerful (and shady) people/factions/groups have vested interests in it.
An interesting opener to your second Gibraltar story...
Author's Response:
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. This is a very different story from Embers, but one that reveals a great deal about many of the crew.
Date: 10 Apr 2012 00:28 Title: Epilogue
wow just finished this story. what a great ending. its a shame that they are loosing the CSO. I thought he was a good character. But a show like this needs to have those kind of losses if you ask me. Also there are several unanswered questions. Will Sandhurst return, what effect will this have on him. Will Pava return and what will happen with Ramirez; at least this time the ship didn't explode under her. Great work! Can't wait until read the next one.
Author's Response:
I'm pleased you enjoyed this story so much. And Plazzi will still be around for awhile yet, seeing as Starfleet hasn't dropped the stop-loss order. This is one of those stories that will have consequences for everyone involved for a long time to come.
Date: 07 Apr 2012 18:05 Title: Chapter 15
see, i was saying in my last review that Sandhurst needed a holiday, and it just so happens that he does get away from it all. Although I don't think he went to Risa like I suggested.
I love the way you do your combat scenes, they give us so much and yet don't allow the pace to slow down. giving us everything we need, speed, description and an adreneline rush.
The bad guys in this are also very creepy. Takes a lot to make me shiver, but the baron certainly does. and what a great twist on what the planet's pet is. Perfect.
Author's Response:
Thanks! And no, being taken prisoner by the Baron is certainly no Risan holiday.
Much obliged for the compliments on the combat scenes.
Date: 06 Apr 2012 14:57 Title: Chapter 1
hmm... is there going to be an episode where Sandhurst goes on holiday, because with everything you throw at sandhurst he'll need about 2 months on risa and a new fan every episode.
I'm still trying to figure out who is on which side - completely boggles the mind on that one.
Its turning out like an excellent episode again. The combat scenes were fantastically done. brilliant writing. If I had a star system I would give it 6/5 (not a typo).
wish i could read more tonight, but feeling the call of the bed.
Author's Response:
I'm happy you enjoyed the combat sequences. The Orions and the Baron are playing for keeps, and Gibraltar's poor crew is just trying to keep up.
Date: 04 Apr 2012 07:07 Title: Chapter 9
I've read from chapter 1-9. Spent about 2 hours up last night reading a couple of chapters, then realised the time and had to get off to sleep. Excellent story. Still have no idea what is exactly going on, which certainly grips the reader more. Yet again you seem to have brought out a fantastic story.
Author's Response:
I'm glad the story pulled you in so effectively, and I apologize for the sleep deprivation! ;-)
Date: 24 Jul 2011 09:53 Title: Epilogue
A nice wrap-up to a fantastic, gut-wrenching, yet very satisfying story! Once again you are a vivid writer and you certainly have a way with words. This one burned a deeper mark in my mind then the first story. The Gibraltar really went through some brutal moments this time around that made me twist and turn as a reader. I think what I like most about Geometries of Chance is that it really has a boyish-adventure-quality to it, which I personally tend to like more.
I also liked how you teased us with references to the characters from the shows we all love, like Commander Shelby, Counselor Troi and Ezri Dax, but without actually involving them. This is extremely tempting to do as fan writers, but I think it pays off to hold off on doing that until you've developed your characters sufficiently. That being said, I'm STILL looking forward to seeing Shelby in action in the later adventures!
If I only had one suggestion, it would be to explore those tortuous moments even further. For example, you came up with a very inventive torture device for Captain Sandhurst and we see that he is scarred from it, but I would have liked to see even more as to what he went through emotionally, so I could more deeply understand his pain. Twist the knife even more!
Congrats again, and nicely done! I'm inspired once again to explore greater depths of my own characters.
Author's Response:
Thank you for the fantastic reviews of the story. I’m pleased you enjoyed the tale. Sandhurst’s agonies at the hands of the Baron will continue to haunt him for some time, as the continuing stories will convey. And yes, I intentionally held off showing any canon characters until the third story, to give me more time to find the voice of my own characters first.
Thanks again.
Date: 24 Jul 2011 09:27 Title: Chapter 22
A very touching conclusion to see Captain Sandhurst being cared for by his crew. I didn't realize how scarred he was from his experiences with the Baron. I'm genuinely glad that he'll be getting the best help that the Federation can give him. If there is one person that can help, it's certainly Counselor Troi! Here's hoping that Ramirez won't have to follow through on her promise...
Author's Response:
Donald's been through a lot, and as a result, the outocme of his treatment and his return to duty are uncertain. I'm right there with you on Ramirez not having to bring the hammer down on Lar'ragos.
Date: 24 Jul 2011 09:02 Title: Chapter 20
Lar'ragos may have felt no satisfaction from taking down the Baron, but I certainly did! An exciting and satisfying chapter.
Author's Response:
I'm glad you enjoyed the scene more than either of those characters apparently did. ;)
Date: 17 Jul 2011 13:57 Title: Chapter 19
Wait...what just happened with the Baron?!
Author's Response:
Something old became... something new. ;-)
Date: 17 Jul 2011 13:38 Title: Chapter 18
Whoa, didn't see that coming! Shapeshifters are so handy. The Baron got it easy. He deserved a lot worse.
Author's Response:
I agree wholeheartedly...
Date: 03 Jul 2011 12:18 Title: Chapter 17
Awww...I want to see Captain Shelby!
Author's Response:
Ha! Sorry, you'll have to wait for Prophets and Loss to see Shelby in action!
Date: 03 Jul 2011 11:47 Title: Chapter 16
A rather unique and inventive method of torture...one can imagine the possibilities...especially from someone as insidious as the Baron. And Jean-Luc Picard may be part of the "big-leagues," but if Sandhurst makes it through this...he'll have my respect and admiration.
Author's Response:
Yes, the Baron's a very bad man, indeed. And here's hoping Donald lives long enough to earn your respect and admiration!
Date: 19 Jun 2011 12:12 Title: Chapter 15
A very interesting couple of chapters...you really established the Baron's power, intelligence, and villainous intentions here. How Sandhurst and his crew will face up to him with creatures of near god-like power at his fingertips, I guess we will have to wait and see...
Author's Response:
The Baron is a foe that would give the crew of Picard's Enterprise trouble... so to say Gibraltar's crew is overmatched is an understatement.
Date: 19 Jun 2011 11:46 Title: Chapter 14
Oh boy, Sandhurst is in a bind now...
Date: 05 Jun 2011 09:35 Title: Chapter 13
And the pieces really start coming together in this chapter: the DNA-manipulated Baron, the reason for the brutal Orion attack, the mysterious 'omnimorphic' entity, time-traveling...made my head spin like Captain Sandhurst's! But well worth the wait.
Author's Response:
Indeed, Sandhurst's trying his best to muddle his way through the complexities of this mystery.
Date: 05 Jun 2011 09:11 Title: Chapter 12
Whoa, raining blood?! Both gory and disturbing...
Date: 15 May 2011 11:36 Title: Chapter 11
Wow, I think my view of the Orions have been permanently changed! A exciting and vivid chapter. An extraordinarily difficult choice that Captain Sandhurst had to make...I'm not sure what I would have done in his place. But that's what makes him a good captain.
Author's Response:
It was a gut-wrenching decision, to be sure, and one he's certain to replay in his mind again and again.
Date: 01 May 2011 17:44 Title: Chapter 10
Ah, MIT graduates still up to no good...even in the 24th century! I'd be a little apprehensive of anyone with dual doctorates in quantum mechanics and dimensional theory. Keep that guy in the classroom.
And the action really picks up in this chapter...poor Ensign Qawasimi!
Author's Response:
Dr. Benghazi is something of an enigma, only one of many associated with this mission. However, I think the crew would agree with your assessment. :D
The Orions were not pulling any punches, to be sure. Ensign Qawasimi and the others killed and injured in the attack deserved better. Here's hoping there's some payback waiting for them in the wings.
Thank you for the review!
Date: 17 Apr 2011 19:59 Title: Chapter 9
Seems like whatever is down there is causing chaos at the biochemical level as well...and it's nice to see this side of Captain Sandhurst.
I'm glad you brought up the point about personal weapon systems becoming so light and easy to use that it feels like a kid's toy. This is a blessing on one hand, but can be dangerous if an actual kid can wield it or if the user is reacting reflexively on instinct. Technology enables us to do so much but also increases our vulnerability to human error. Especially with something that suggests 'pure carnage'!
Author's Response:
Sandhurst does have a compassionate side, he's simply been far too busy recently to let it show much. And the guns in the hands of the Orions are big, heavy, clunky, and undeniably dangerous. Thanks for the review!