Penname: PSGarak [Contact]
Real name:
Member Since: 01 Aug 2009
Membership status: Member
Bio: I've loved Star Trek most of my life. Growing up, I pretty much lived and breathed the original series. I can remember getting in trouble for sneaking out of bed to watch reruns on late night TV. It was the first TV show that ever made me cry.

Deep Space 9 made me fall in love with Trek all over again, for different reasons. Of all the Trek races, the one that seized my imagination the most was the Cardassians. As is usual for me, I found the ambiguous villains and gray (literally) anti-heroes more compelling than the supposed good guys. It's a theme I'll probably explore in one way or another all my life.

Ambiguity is a comfortable state for me, my natural state: neither black nor white, good nor evil, straight nor gay. I prefer the shades of gray.
Gender: undisclosed
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Reviews by PSGarak
Prophets and Loss by Gibraltar    Rated: T      Reviews (64) 
Summary: Past Featured Story

Part Three of the Star Trek: Gibraltar series.

Captain Sandhurst volunteers his ship and crew for a Federation mission of mercy led by Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise. They are headed back into the Briar Patch in order to stop the slaughter of the Son’a and Ba’ku at the hands of the Alshain. This once powerful race, recently allied to the Federation during the Dominion War, is now bent on ethnically cleansing their newly acquired territory. The crew of Gibraltar discover that the situation is both more complicated, and more tenuous than anyone had imagined.  The story includes cameos of Dnoth's USS Independence and David Falkayne's USS Sutherland.


Chapters: 20    Table of Contents
Categories: Next Generation, Expanded Universes
Characters: Ensemble Cast - TNG, Ensemble Cast - USS Gibraltar
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Mystery
Warnings: Violence
 Series: Star Trek: Gibraltar
Completed: Yes    Word count: 71866    Read Count: 17596
[Report This] Published: 07 Apr 2009 Updated: 26 May 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 21 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Crimson eyes? :-O Are these people in the grips of a Pagh Wraith? That would explain a lot...

Wow!

Author's Response:

Yes indeed... but there's a catch!

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 21 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Again, such a multi-layered chapter, and yet no confusion. You handle multiple levels of action with clarity and precision. This must truly be a bitter pill for a man like Picard to swallow. Of course, I can't wait to see how the Bajorans and Pell will interact.

Author's Response:

Thank you :blush:  I'd worried that the chapter was too busy, and I worked to try and keep the various plot threads clear and distinct... I'm glad it came across as intended.

Picard went into this situation hoping to make peace, but now he's faced with the possibility of having ignited a war.  A bitter pill indeed for a man with the heart of an explorer and the soul of a diplomat.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 14: Chapter 13

The atrocities continue to mount in this ever escalating skirmish with Starfleet on the verge of open warfare. It seems to be a situation of damned if you do, damned if you don't. I was worried R'Voss would be too tempted to take action in that situation. It's a shame he continues to ignore the excellent counsel he is getting from the Klingon. It's going to bite him, I'm sure.

I confess I had a snicker at poor Lightner's expense, too.

Author's Response:

Good thing the kid's got a thick head! ;)

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 15: Chapter 14

You weren't kidding when you said Pagh Wraith with a twist. Pagh Wraith with a messianic complex, scary beyond words.

Sandhurst once more proves why he so richly deserves his command, if not a bigger, better ship. Excellently played on his part, and excellent writing on yours.

Author's Response:

Many thanks!  Sandhurst can indeed be a force to be reckoned with when his creative juices are flowing.  And yes, this pah-wraith is unlike any we've seen previously, which bodes dark tidings for Bajor and its people.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 16: Chapter 15

Mmm. I hope Ramierez doesn't come to have reason to regret not putting Shanthi in Sickbay and getting him counseled. He's not in a good state. People feeling like that can be extraordinarily volatile.

Also, although I understand Sandhurst's reaction to what Pava did, I don't completely agree with it. It's one of those areas where I find myself with a more Cardassian mindset.

Excellent chapter. I had completely forgotten that Guinan was also El Aurian. Interesting reminder.

Author's Response:

Indeed, though this was a case of Pava doing what was necessary at the time, Sandhurst is viewing the action through the prism of a person who was recently tortured and emotionally scarred by the experience. 

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 17: Chapter 16

First of all, it's always fun to see Riker taken down a peg when he gets on his holier-than-thou high horse, so go Pava!

Secondly, in regards to the Alshain plans, oh crap!

Lastly, I loved the brief interlude between Pava and Guinan. A lot of information conveyed in a small amount of space. Awesome stuff there.

Author's Response:

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.  Thanks for commenting. 

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 18: Chapter 17

Your grasp of tactics never ceases to amaze as well as entertain. That was a bloody brilliant way of getting rid of the mine field and the blockade. I hoped against hope that these powerful weapons mentioned were included, but it was not to be.

Picard's moment with Anij was very touching. I felt for both of them.

Author's Response:

It was a brutal tactic, and one Shelby was obviously pained to have to use.  Unfortunately, the Alshain didn't give her any other choice. 

And thanks, I was aiming for short and sweet with that Picard/Anij scene, glad to know it came across as intended.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 19: Chapter 18

It's good to see that cooler heads prevailed in regard to the Alshain. Jellico. Grrr. Never have liked the man or his tactics, but I can't really argue with the results. The night people must do their work so the day people can live in peace.

Author's Response:

Yes, his plan was underhanded, dangerous, and ultimately very costly.  But... it may have been worth it, depending on who you ask.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 28 Sep 2009 Title: Chapter 20: Epilogue – Tidying Up

Really nice end and way to wrap it all up. Leaves just enough questions unanswered for future installments. I look forward to the next. The crew and ship have become something of an addiction, a must read!

Author's Response:

Thanks once again for the thoughtful reviews.  :)  I'm pleased you enjoyed the story.

Basil by Gumnut    Rated: K+      Reviews (7) 
Summary: Spock, are you sure about this?
Chapters: 1    Table of Contents
Categories: Original Series
Characters: Kirk, James T., Spock
Genre: Humor
Warnings: Adult Language
 Series: None
Completed: Yes    Word count: 1254    Read Count: 576
[Report This] Published: 08 Apr 2009 Updated: 08 Apr 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 04 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Basil

I love the little twist at the end. Gotta say, Kirk was braver than I'd be. This was fun!

Word Gets Around by Lady Drace    Rated: K+      Reviews (2) 
Summary: Garak finally decides that Dukat has gone quite far enough and gets his revenge, with the help of the chatterboxes on the station.
Chapters: 1    Table of Contents
Categories: Deep Space Nine
Characters: Bashir, Julian, Ensemble Cast - DS9, Garak, Elim
Genre: Humor, Romance, Slash
Warnings: Adult Situations
 Series: None
Completed: Yes    Word count: 5951    Read Count: 652
[Report This] Published: 11 Apr 2009 Updated: 11 Apr 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 04 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I'm not usually a slash fan, but I found myself laughing several times during this. Poor Quark, victim of his own proclivities and Garak's machinations. It's hard to feel too sorry for him when he often makes his own messes. Very amusing take on the Dukat/Garak enmity.

Facet by Mistral    Rated: T      Reviews (4) 
Summary: One night I saw upon the stair,
A little man who wasn't there....
Chapters: 1    Table of Contents
Categories: Deep Space Nine
Characters: Ensemble Cast - DS9
Genre: Drama
Warnings: Adult Situations
 Series: None
Completed: Yes    Word count: 2037    Read Count: 436
[Report This] Published: 14 May 2009 Updated: 14 May 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Aww, cool. I'm glad that Sisko got the chance to see his child. Really nice twist on "A Christmas Carol".

Realpolitik by Lavanya Six    Rated: K+      Reviews (6) 
Summary: Nero blamed the Federation for his people's misfortune. But what if his assumption wasn't entirely unfounded?
Chapters: 1    Table of Contents
Categories: Alternate Original Series, Deep Space Nine, Crossovers
Characters: None
Genre: Drama
Warnings: None
 Series: None
Completed: Yes    Word count: 2148    Read Count: 540
[Report This] Published: 22 May 2009 Updated: 22 May 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Realpolitik

Oh, wow, really, really interesting! I never would have pegged the identity of the spy to be who it was. However, I could see it as a natural outgrowth and development of that character under certain circumstances. I liked this very much!

Backup by Gibraltar    Rated: M      Reviews (31) 
Summary: Past Featured Story

Part Four of the Star Trek: Gibraltar series.

Gibraltar is ambushed during a routine convoy escort, and engages in a desperate fight for survival in a treacherous asteroid field.  Who is behind this unprovoked attack, and will help arrive in time?  This story is a crossover with TheLoneRedshirt’s Tales of the USS Bluefin.


Chapters: 12    Table of Contents
Categories: Expanded Universes
Characters: Ensemble Cast - USS Gibraltar
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama
Warnings: Violence
 Series: Star Trek: Gibraltar
Completed: Yes    Word count: 26324    Read Count: 10780
[Report This] Published: 26 May 2009 Updated: 01 Jun 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 01 Dec 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

You weren't kidding when you said this next installment jumped right into the action. What a great start! I really don't like to imagine what it took for Pava to overpower an Andorian. The antennae in the teeth said it all.

Author's Response:

Pava does what he has to in order to win.  Often, it isn't pretty... but it's nearly always effective. Thanks for the review.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 01 Dec 2009 Title: Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Oh, good! It has been a long time since I've come across a satisfying Maquis tale. Already, I'm totally hooked and enjoying the crossover aspect as well. I have a feeling these two captains will have a lot to talk about once they're able to grab a moment. I also have a feeling that will be a while in coming.

Author's Response:

Oh, you have no idea...  ;-)

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 04 Dec 2009 Title: Chapter 3: Chapter 3

It was really fun to see Ashok get some action in this time around. I knew the Bolian had it in him. And wow, Ro and Maxwell, eh? This really is going to be one hell of a bumpy ride for Sandhurst and crew. Ouch!

Author's Response:

Yeah, there are definitely some Maquis big-guns involved in this caper, which doesn't bode too well for our heroes!  Thanks for the review!

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 04 Dec 2009 Title: Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Lightner really isn't going to be happy to find out his brother is involved in all of this, is he? I suppose in some ways, though, he knows that ship sailed a long time ago, at least he seems to. Very creative use of the tractor beam, there. It's always the tactical details that really make your action scenes stand out. Well done!

Author's Response:

Much obliged.  :-)  Desperate times breed creativity, especially where the Border Dogs are concerned.  And yes, Lightner is going to be a bit... peeved at his brother.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 04 Dec 2009 Title: Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Uuuuggghhhhh, a Bird-of-Prey on the way and the crews of the ships for the moment none the wiser. This can't be good, particularly given who's at the helm.

Once again, Sandhurst proves that he is willing to go balls to the wall to save his people and his ship. His rank is well earned for certain. Pell is no slouch, either, but I have yet to see a Bajoran woman who is!

Author's Response:

Donald's a determined man when it comes to his ship and crew... though under the circumstances I'm not sure that's to his advantage right now. 

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 04 Dec 2009 Title: Chapter 6: Chapter 6

I imagine the folks of the Bluefin aren't used to getting breaks like that. It has to be a rare thing for Border Patrol. They were right to be wary.

Pava ATE the antenna? Hasn't he heard that it's better to save in case he gets hungry later?

Author's Response:

Ha!  Pava's never been a delayed-gratification sort of guy anyway. ;-)

Five Things That Never Happened To Kira Nerys by Rocky    Rated: K      Reviews (17) 
Summary: A look at 5 separate AU's involving the title character.
Chapters: 5    Table of Contents
Categories: Deep Space Nine
Characters: Kira Nerys
Genre: Alternate Universe
Warnings: None
 Series: None
Completed: Yes    Word count: 6849    Read Count: 3212
[Report This] Published: 06 Jun 2009 Updated: 06 Jun 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Justice

This could so easily have been Kira but for circumstance. Despite being the one who was second in command on the show, she had a great deal of mistrust and anger for the Federation. Very interesting AU take that wasn't too far from the truth.

Author's Response: There were definite echoes of this in Kira, especially the first season. I'm glad this story worked for you. Thanks for the feedback!

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 2: Fortitude

Again, but for a small twist, this could have been how it went down, if Sisko wasn't "The Sisko". You have a deft hand with AU believability, keeping core tenets of the characters even while changing the circumstances.

Author's Response: Thanks! Yes, this was basically pre-"revelation" Sisko, acting as the Starfleet "voice of reason". (One can imagine his disbelief if told, pre-discovery of the wormhole, how his thinking would change over the next few years.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 3: Hope

All I can say is that I'm glad it didn't go down that way! I think it was very touch and go for Odo for a while, though. He certainly could have made that decision. And then Kira would have been forced to do just that. Really well written.

Author's Response: Thanks! Yes, in "real life", it probably would've have happened this way.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 4: Faith

Ha! Nice twist at the end. I didn't see that coming.

Author's Response: Glad to hear it! It wasn't easy, sticking to just ranks and not using names at all.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 5: Charity

Really nice. You nailed Garak's way of speaking. I could easily see this play out in my mind as I read.

Author's Response: I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks for this, and all of your other feedback. It's greatly appreciated.

Reflections by Rocky    Rated: K      Reviews (7) 
Summary: A missing scene from season seven's "When It Rains..."
Chapters: 1    Table of Contents
Categories: Deep Space Nine
Characters: Kira Nerys
Genre: General
Warnings: None
 Series: None
Completed: Yes    Word count: 885    Read Count: 391
[Report This] Published: 07 Jun 2009 Updated: 07 Jun 2009
Reviewer: PSGarak Signed
Date: 26 Aug 2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I liked this. I always imagined it was a very difficult thing that Kira did, particularly in light of the fact that Damar killed Ziyal. I would have liked to see more focus on that in the show, but they were under a time crunch. I think you really captured Kira's voice here. Very well done.

Author's Response: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the story.