Date: 11/16/2009 08:06 pm Title: Chapter Six
LOL, I loved that line from T'Ser: "Paybacks are a bitch, and so am I." After what I've seen of her toughness in CeJay's sory over at TrekBBS, I definitely have a much greater appreciation of what that means than before.
As for Sandhurst--this is interesting. I am finding myself wondering how much of his behavior under these circumstances is sincere, and how much of it may be an effort to cultivate a false impression with Diaz. If so, he's playing a very dangerous game, but one that could also pay off in a big way if it succeeds.
One of the things that (to my mind) made me think he was trying to cultivate an image of greater recklessness and amorality than he actually has is that he would claim there was no way a Cardassian representative would come to participate in these negotiations. If there were the potential of anything that would permanently solve the Maquis problem in their territory, I would think they would take an interest in it.
The other thing that got me thinking is the image Galmesh had in his mind of Sandhurst--exaggerated to a degree off the real thing. I am beginning to think Sandhurst is really aware of his reputation and the stories, and was playing it up deliberately.
Then again, I could be completely, 100% wrong.
[Report This]Date: 09/16/2009 02:16 am Title: Chapter Six
I'm tempted to say that Sandhurst might have missed his calling. The guy should have been a diplomat. I had no idea he was such a prudent negotiator. But I guess selling his Maquis-state plan to Kincaid and Diaz was just the easy part. Selling this to Command, the Federation and the Cardassians, now that's going to take some serious lobbying.
In the meantime we learn the full extent of Galmesh's surprisingly cunning plan. Or maybe not so surprisingly cunning considering that he's working hand in hand with a Romulan, of all people. Love the irony that she is his lover and enemy. That's poetic.
I didn't agree with T'Ser's call however to keep the Gallant back when Galmesh attacked. It felt a little bit like tempting fate. We're talking about Gibraltar after all, with this ship you never want to take any chances. I'm sure T'Ser will learn.
Terrific chapter but I do get frustrated that every other installment of yours includes a couple of words I've never heard before. A learning experience, I guess.
Date: 07/24/2009 10:15 am Title: Prologue
Oh man. The Maquis have finally crossed the line. They blew up a Border Service cutter which Starfleet is out for blood. Sandhurst is hated by the Maquis making him a great choice to lead the task force. He's one of the few people they know won't mess around.
Captain Ebnal is quite the hardass too. Willing to take a Galaxy into the Badlands, risky but would definitely send a message.
As for Galmesh, I see Pava or Solly gutting him like a targ as a way of getting even.
And the Maquis are being relocated. They are lucky they get to take stuff with them. If it had been the Klingons they would of simply bombarded the planet and left no one alive most likely.
Overall, very nice read. Keep it up and want to see more soon.
Date: 06/29/2009 10:59 am Title: Chapter Five
Very interesting--and man, I LIKED Gul Brelat! :-) To me, it's very easy to see why his superiors chose him for the task of accompanying Starfleet at the dismantling of the colonies...his personal history makes him much more willing to exercise restraint than I think some guls would have had, and that even had force become necessary, he wouldn't necessarily have been cruel and unusual. The fact that he was able to feel for the colonists--and yet I think he would also have used force if necessary--makes him just from that tiny snippet come across as a complex character and somebody I'd like to see more from.
Arakaki definitely got a lesson there in not judging people by the scales on their skin, I think...one that I suspect she'll carry with her.
It's also very interesting to see more of T'Ser's take on Sandhurst. I am very hopeful that will become more substantial respect as she spends more time around him. :-)
As for the Sandhurst-Lar'ragos dynamic...still liking that. You can definitely see that Sandhurst's resentment hasn't died. Hard to gauge what Pava thinks, though...if he regrets his actions, or simply regrets being on the outs with Sandhurst.
As for Ariel...God, I hope that comment about getting dirty--and all of the things Pava warned her about...are foreshadowing. Talk about somebody who has karma headed their way...boy, that makes her and Pava quite the pair.
[Report This]Date: 06/23/2009 01:23 pm Title: Chapter Five
Ordinarily I would say that it looks like as if the Maquis are finished, their colonies dismantled, their very homes gone, their forces no match for Starfleet's resolve.
Ordinarily I might sit back and enjoy Gibraltar kicking some butt for once without the usual and painful sacrifices.
But this is Gibraltar, we're talking about. So no matter how good things look right now, I know it won’t last. Looks like Galmesh will make sure of that.
Excellent stuff though. I'm totally hooked.
Date: 05/10/2009 11:08 pm Title: Chapter Four
Mwaaahahaha! I love Ebnal's little rant at the end there! And to think--the "governor" got it easy! Just imagine if that had been one Surtak Speros handling the "evacuation" of the colony... ;-)
I still want to see Ariel get her ass kicked, and badly. Someone seriously needs to wipe that smug grin off her face.
(Oh, and for a previous chapter--I have to say, I REALLY liked the interaction between Sandhurst and Lar'ragos...as someone that disliked Lar'ragos, somehow that coldness felt right.)
Date: 05/05/2009 01:14 pm Title: Chapter Four
I kinda like this guy too. Interesting, no shit character. That was a great chapter but I'm looking forward to a little more action. Fortunately, Gibraltar is involved so it won't be long in coming...
Date: 04/24/2009 05:16 am Title: Prologue
A very well done part. The Maquis are going to find that they've stirred up a hornet's nest--this isn't the old Starfleet they're dealing with.
I liked how Berkhalter dealt with the Maquis "Governor". As for Diaz, I have a feeling that Ariel is going to eventually regret the way she treated Diaz--Sabrina is neither an easy forgiver or forgetter.
Date: 04/23/2009 04:37 pm Title: Chapter Four
Heck of a chapter! First of Sandhurst's speech probably had to be made but damn he certainly means business. This is definitely a battle hardened Sandhurst we are dealing with.
Great characters all round. From our leading cast, the pairing of a century in Pava and Ariel, to our antagonists and bit part bad guys. It's all so well crafted and executed.
I'll be damned if I know where you are going with this, but it's gonna be a thrill.
[Report This]Date: 04/23/2009 12:51 pm Title: Chapter Four
Another fantastic chapter.
You gotta love seeing Starfleet going on the offensive for once. Not something you see every day. And these guys appear to be serious. God help the Maquis.
I really liked Diaz here unable to delude herself about the changed nature of the Maquis any longer. But still, it's hard to believe that she's lost all her loyalties to her former organization. We'll see.
As for Ebnal; he's something else alright.
[Report This]Date: 04/02/2009 01:40 pm Title: Prologue
I think Krysta is going to get bitten in the ass down the line for this. Will be interesting to see if the writer touches on this or I'm just reading more into it than I am...good material here!!!
Rob
[Report This]Date: 04/02/2009 05:16 am Title: Chapter Three
A riveting and painful battle sequences as the [i]Amberjack[/i] and her crew gave it everything they had. And yes, it might well have been a tactical error for Kincaid and Co. to take out that ship. The question arises though: Is Krysta making a tactical error as well by letting her feelings and emotions influence her actions? In some ways, she's Javert to Kincaid's Valjean.
Date: 04/01/2009 02:54 pm Title: Chapter Three
A rollicking chapter, with a lot going on.
First off, the Amberjack's fate was terrible with the crew facing horrible odds. her captain probably was over zelous in the first instance but what a way to go!
Sandhurst and Pava's reunion was one of those really awkard moments were a window would have been handy to either jump out or talk about the weather. Sandhurst used a cruel line against Pava, my hands fix things and yours break things. Quite a zinger. Cuts to the bone too in terms of their relationship. It will make things difficult for them to work together though Sandhurst probably deep down knows Pava is still someone to count on in a crunch situation like they are headed into.
Sandhurst's meeting with Kircheis is quite telling of his character and of the experiences he wants to spare the Gallant's captain. It speaks of the depth of his character and the complex history he has had.
Anyway, a fantastic chapter. With a lot of intrigue and motivations going on. Not sure they won't blow up in their face but that only makes for even more compelling reading.
[Report This]Date: 04/01/2009 01:43 pm Title: Chapter Three
Another terrific chapter all around.
The battle between Amberjack and the Maquis was tightly written and exciting to read ... well at least until it was clear that they were all going to die. At that point it just became kinda heartbreaking.
But they will not have died in vain as now the 'gloves are coming off'.
Loved the Sandhurst/Pava encounter. Looks like Donald isn't quite ready to make nice with our favorite El Aurian but hopefully that's going to be a temporary rift.
Sandhurst meeting Kircheis was fascinating also. I'm growing quite fond of the young captain of the Gallant. Sandhurst shows an almost fatherly concern here as he already predicts another emotionally distressing enconter with the enemy. This guy needs a break like Ariel Elannis needs a celibacy pledge
Date: 04/01/2009 12:48 pm Title: Chapter Three
OK, war is harsh-but the death of the Amberjack was especially vivid. This is coming along, with typically top-notch characterizations pulling the reader deeper and deeper. I can't wait for the next chapter.
[Report This]Date: 03/24/2009 03:12 pm Title: Prologue
A fantastic story so far and a lot of things to like.
Gibraltar gets to team up with some real muscle for a change. Something tells me it won't be quite enough to keep them out of real trouble.
Kincaid as a Maquis leader was a real surprise. Of all of Farragut's crew, he would have been the last I'd expected to join our favorite terrorist cell. But then again I never saw Eddington coming either.
And it looks like Gibraltar and company are going to get help from an old friend. I'm curious to see how Sandhurst will react to this unexpected reunion.
Date: 03/24/2009 11:54 am Title: Chapter Two
This cracked me up:
"Denial. It's not just the name of a runabout anymore."
The intrigue builds and the motivations for all aprties involved is becoming increasingly personal. Not a good thing in the end, despite Leone's opinion.
Date: 03/24/2009 11:17 am Title: Prologue
Very much liking the way T'Ser interacts with Sandhurst! I think this may be the kind of solid relationship that he needs with his first officer to really get this crew put back together after all the hell they've been through.
After reading a lot of Gibraltar stories, I must say I have really taken umbrage at the way the Gibraltar's crew and specifically Sandhurst have been spoken of, just as Sandhurst did. He's not amoral. If anything, I think the tough decisions he made weighed on him to a point where it almost broke him earlier in the series. He's NOT Garak, not by any means.
Which brings me to another point. I would LOVE to see Garak go up against Elannis. He's probably the only spy I think could take her down. And after her little performances with Diaz and Sandhurst, I would LOVE to see her taken down. I really enjoyed seeing Sandhurst stand up to her and deliver that ultimatum.
It's really odd, reading this. I've never liked the Farragut's crew, whereas I've always been a huge fan of Gibraltar, so I find myself mentally squaring off against the Farragut personnel and...actually rooting for the Gibraltar crew to cut them down to size.
Date: 03/24/2009 08:02 am Title: Chapter Two
We're getting glimpses into Ariel's motivations here. She sees Kincaid as betraying Krysta and her "family"--probably the most unpardonable sin to Ariel. Pair that with Sandhurst's sense of betrayal at Diaz joining the Maquis and then add in the desire of the Maquis to 'punish' Gibraltar and you have a combustible mix.
Kincaid impresses me as being a decent man who made a stand on principle, but, as the saying goes, he who lies down with dogs...
Date: 03/23/2009 04:51 pm Title: Chapter One
Great opener. Wondering just what touble Ariel will lead 'The Rock' into. Bound to bebig trouble considering we have Diaz back in the fray again. She always spells trouble for the UT Captains.
Loved the to and fro at the start between Sandhurst and T'Ser. Very warm and pleasant. The two of them have established a good working relationship. Here's to it continuing to be so.
Date: 03/23/2009 12:41 pm Title: Chapter One
Well done, if a bit racier than most Big G stories. I really like the way T'Ser is fitting in. As for this Weapon-something like the EMP torps the Border Service uses? You got me curious.
Date: 03/23/2009 12:21 pm Title: Prologue
What a cool way to handle prisoners! Very slickly written!