LOL! I'm imagining that no one was probably looking for drunken college-age kids on horseback that night, but that would have been an interesting twist to the tale! I might have to remember that for some point in the future... Thanks for the comment! The first part (Balancing Equations) was mostly about setting up the dynamics and introducing the plot. The real meat of the story starts next.
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 1 Definitely nice to see Scotty REALLY does have a connection with Corry. And I definitely feel sorry for Corry...that's got to be rough on him.
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 1 Yeah, Scott does, even if the whole friendship-thing is still kind of new for him. And definitely, yes, it's rough on Corry, who's never faced a serious trauma in his life to date. Thanks much for the comment!
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 2 Ha, good to see Scotty defending the kilt! And I am also glad to see a few signs of recovery in Corrigan.
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 3 Ouch, in more ways than one: definitely some hard lessons learned here. Let's hope they're able to find a way to have their friendship AND their professionalism as Starfleet officers at the same time, or else things are just going to keep getting rougher from here on out. Seems like Barrett's a little more understanding than he lets on, though--the better to make sure that everyone learns this lesson now before it can REALLY cost them later.
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 3 I've always wondered, a bit, why people only rarely tackle the entirely difficult position that comes up when duty to Starfleet conflicts with the loyalties of friendship. It's a great point you bring up here about it. And Barrett is. He's only a Commander, afterall, even though he's been in the service for a very long time. I don't dive into any set backstory about why he made it no further up the chain of command, but I imagine it was something parallel to the situation these cadets are in now -- loyalty to the 'Fleet, or loyalty to your friends? Thanks for a terrific comment!
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 4 Wow, man...you are just a master of interactions and ruminations! You've really managed to keep the emotions running high through this entire piece--I am really impressed!
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 4 I really appreciate that. I wrote the bulk of this story so many years ago now, that it's impossible for me to actually imagine how a person reading it for the first time will see it. It's good to know it's held up well, so thank you!
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 4 You're very welcome...the quality is outstanding.
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 4 Just finished catching up with this terrific story. I'm a sucker for TOS-era stories--especially those that take place prior to the start of the series. This is an incredibly rich story. Beautiful scenery painting--a detail all too often left out of fan fiction writing, strong characterizations--I agonized along with Scotty and the others as Corrigan began slipping into depression and now I'm hopeful as it appears he's beginning to come out of it--but as a changed man--for better or worse, only time will tell. You've also done an exquisite job in filling out Scotty's back history. And did I mention how I enjoyed your renditions of Belfast? There were several instances where I almost felt as if I was there. Very welll done!
Re: Arc of the Wolf: On the Nature of Wind - Part II, Chapter 4 Me too! I adore stories about our 'heroes' before they become all iconic and stuff. I'm actually kinda surprised that people don't write more of them -- it's a pretty neat time in Federation history (if you place the Four Year War there, which I do, and counting the real push for exploration outside that) and I'm never sure why more people don't tackle it. Believe it or not, Cor was never supposed to play a role past the prologue, except maybe as a background character. But, by the end of the prologue, became a sincere part of the story. Then again, this was never supposed to be a novel, never supposed to dive into more dramatic elements, and never supposed to take six years to finish. Art imitates life -- you never quite know what you're getting into until you're already there. ::grins:: Thanks so much! I've never been there myself, but I tried pretty hard to research the history of it, and the lay of the land. It's a city that's seen a lot of grief in its life, but still manages to survive. Your comments made my morning!
Outstanding writing. Even though we know very well that Scotty will survive the night and go on to be an exemplary officer, you do wonderfully at immersing the reader in his NOW, when things aren't so certain. Very well done.