Star Trek: Tesseract -- Part II

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction' started by kes7, Jun 20, 2010.

  1. kes7

    kes7 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Gul Rejal -- Right on both counts! Icheb's finally getting off the fence. He's thought since Part I that he had made a mistake, but he didn't fully realize WHAT the mistake was and what the cost was until now. He wants to fix it for sure. And yes, Lakwa is living with some pretty horrifying memories, and sure enough, those pesky emotions crop up at the worst of times. Thanks so much for reading, and for your comments both here and at Ad Astra. :)

    mirandafave -- Thanks so much for the really thorough and thoughtful review. They really did love each other once. I'd say they still do. But a tremendous amount of damage has been done at this point, obviously. Interesting that you agree that Icheb does not have the right to show Maren his affection at this point. Do you think Maren herself would agree (you know, if she weren't out cold)? As for Lakwa ... yes, she's insightful. There's a reason her crew is willing to go along with this whole mutiny thing and line up behind her. She's very scarred (not just physically, obviously), but she's come out of her Borg experience with her core personality essentially intact, and it's not a bad one. We'll learn more about her and Malik as time goes on, but I'm glad you find her compelling so far. As far as Icheb's homeworld -- yeah. That's going to be interesting, I think, when he finds out. He's got some seriously conflicted feelings about that place to begin with. We'll see what happens. Thanks again for the fantastic review.

    Diogenes -- Wow. ALL I can say is THANK YOU. I am really kind of speechless. Not only did you write some incredibly wonderful things, you specifically hit on things that I have tried so hard to do and worried over extensively, especially continuing Icheb's and Julian's arcs in a natural way. And the fact that you love Treklit so much and still would set that aside to read a chapter of this ... seriously, just thank you. You made my entire day -- maybe my entire month. You are wonderful. :adore: (...and I hope you had a good Thanksgiving, too!)
     
  2. CaptainSarine

    CaptainSarine Commander Red Shirt

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    Hi Kes!

    Sorry been so long since I posted a comment (I have gotten up to date on my comments on adastra as well, if you want to check them out) but I'm glad this was the chapter I got back in the saddle for!

    Icheb seems to be doing some of the growing up that he needs to do, opening up to the people around him and giving them access. Notably Doctor Bashir. I'm a huge Julian fan, and it was nice to see him here as the mentor figure, offering some sage advice to this younger man in the affairs of love and loss. Our resident Borg has a little bit of an awakening, as Bashir helps him to see that drawing away from Maren may not have been the best idea. The good doctor and the captain make a good team (no I'm not looking to start an Adele-Bashir shipper group, I'm just saying! :) )

    Lakwa's POV was heart rending, giving us a glimpse of the sort of damage the Borg Resistance awakening inflicted on the collective and on the individual Borg. I'm not sure if the fact that the Resistance is based around the Unimatrix Zero mutation was already clear, I think it was but I can't be sure, but it jumped out at me because I was just watching the VOY episodes where Unimatrix Zero makes its first appearance. Either way, you did a great job of painting this picture of her and she comes across as an intriguing, attaching character.

    And now Tesseract has reached the spot where the Sol and the Luna should have been. How long is it going to take to find them? Will Icheb be faced with more heartache as JQ's situation deteriorates?

    Can't wait for more!!!
     
  3. CeJay

    CeJay Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Ah the Maren/Icheb soap opera continues. Sorry, I know you don't like that term. But boy oh boy are these two people in constant physical and/or emotional distress or what? It's getting harder and harder to imagine them both on a little cottage with white picket fences, living happily ever after.

    But then again there appears to be hope for Icheb and a cure. Not from Bashir but Lakwa may be able to come through with something here. Even though I don't entirely trust her yet. And clearly neither does the captain. Good, she's playing it safe. We'll have to see how that's going to work out this time.

    Good stuff here.
     
  4. kes7

    kes7 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Hey, Captain Sarine! Nice to see you back. :cool: Thanks for the reviews both here and at Ad Astra. I'm so glad you are enjoying Julian, as I know you are a fan. He and Icheb have a little bit in common, particularly in the background to this universe, so we may see more of that mentoring dynamic ... but we also may see Julian learn (or re-learn) a thing or two from Icheb. I'm also happy you liked the scene with Lakwa. Yes, the Resistance was born out of Janeway's actions in Unimatrix Zero. But there's a lot more to it than that by now. This was a tiny glimpse at the origins, though. As for JQ ... wait and see. Thanks again for the comments.

    CeJay -- I can live with the soap opera moniker, as long as it passes for primetime and not daytime. :p But yeah -- those two have definitely been served a crap sandwich with a side of crap so far in this story. As galactic explorers trying to save entire worlds, I doubt whether they are really the picket fences type ... but who knows, if they somehow survive this mission, reunite and live happily ever after, maybe they'll be ready for a nice boring life in the suburbs. :lol: I guess we'll see what happens. As for Icheb and his condition ... Lakwa said she'll try. No promises. But yes, maybe a little bit of hope.
     
  5. milo bloom

    milo bloom Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Just checking in, still reading and still very entertained.
     
  6. Enterprise1981

    Enterprise1981 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Daytime soap operas? Those are still on TV? ;)
     
  7. KimMH

    KimMH Drinking your old posts Premium Member

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    I have to agree with Diogenes - I tend to confuse Tesseract with Simon&Schuster 'verse because your characters are so compelling and your work is so consistently good. I dabble a little and can turn a pretty phrase once in a while but to create such a complex TesserVerse with so much nuance and deliver so strongly every time is beyond enviable - you've created a reality that is as wide and fascinating and heartbreaking as our own. Thank you for all the hard work and love you've put into this.
     
  8. kes7

    kes7 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    oldstredshrtevr, if I could, I would hug you right now. :adore: I'm having a terrible day and your comment made it so much better. I'm extremely flattered that you think so highly of my characters and story, and I promise to try and have more for you soon. Christmas craziness has been holding things up, but I'm trying!

    milo bloom, I'm so glad you checked in. Happy to see you're still with us!
     
  9. KimMH

    KimMH Drinking your old posts Premium Member

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    It was such a wonderful treat to be able to catch up here - I've been swamped by RL and only able to pop in and out - never long enough to hang onto the edge of my seat properly!

    Consistency eludes me so I admire it in others - I do believe you should be getting paid MONDO big bucks for your efforts and the pleasure you give us all!
     
  10. kes7

    kes7 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    CHAPTER ELEVEN

    USS Tesseract -- Bridge

    The mood on the bridge was tense. Iden stood frowning at her console, surrounded by several other officers with expressions ranging from cautious concern to outright fear. As Icheb entered the room, she looked over at him, her azure features creased with fatigue and worry.

    “Report, Lieutenant Nix?” he asked as he walked to her side and peered at the holographic display in front of her. “Where is the captain?” he added, glancing around at the bridge crew, currently made up of mostly junior officers. With much of the regular bridge staff injured or off ship, that left Icheb, Iden and Adrian Keller as the only senior staff on deck.

    “She was in with Admiral Beckley,” Iden replied. “She’ll be here in a minute.” Icheb nodded in acknowledgment. “Look,” Iden said, pointing to the display. “During our last drop out of slipstream, long-range sensors picked this up. It’s right where the last secure transmission from the auxiliary ships came from. Does it look familiar to you?”

    Icheb narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the display. He carefully reached past Iden to tap the controls and get a few different views. Grimly, he nodded and exchanged a glance with Iden. “Set a course for the perimeter of the subspace damage,” he told Adrian, who nodded, looking tight-lipped and pale. Icheb tapped his combadge. “Icheb to Security. Please escort Lakwa from diplomatic quarters to the bridge immediately.”

    As security was acknowledging the order, the bridge doors parted again, this time admitting the captain. She looked like she was expecting the worst. “What’s going on?” she inquired, with a weary look in Icheb’s direction.

    “Lieutenant Nix found an area of subspace damage in the vicinity of the last known position of our auxiliary vessels,” Icheb explained. “The damage is interfering with our sensors. It will be difficult to know what lies within that area until we are considerably closer to it.”

    “Can you modify the Astrometrics sensors to get a better look?” Adele asked.

    Icheb frowned slightly as he quickly considered the question. He shook his head. “As short-staffed as we are, by the time the modifications were complete, we would already be in range. I’ll have engineering send someone, but I don’t expect it will make a difference.” He quickly tapped his badge and passed the request along to Lieutenant Telek. “I’ve called Lakwa to the bridge,” he told Adele. “Perhaps she will have more insight into what we have found.”

    As if on cue, the bridge doors slid open one more time, and the newly-minted leader of Resistance Vessel 1473 was escorted through by two heavily armed guards.

    Icheb directed the cyborg’s attention to Iden’s display. “We are traveling toward this area of subspace damage at slipstream. I am hoping you can tell me what caused it.”
    Lakwa gazed at the display quietly for a moment. “I can tell you precisely what happened,” she said. “One of our vessels was destroyed.”

    “How can you tell?” Adele queried.

    “The area and pattern of the subspace destruction is consistent with damage to the power core of one of our vessels. It rarely happens, but when it does, the damage is irregular and scattered like this. The detonation of one of our weapons would have been significantly more focused.”

    “What about our ships?” Adrian Keller interrupted sharply from across the room. All eyes turned to look at the pilot, who had turned from his console to fix the resistance Borg with an angry glare. His face was flushed pink with worry and frustration. “What does the area and pattern of the subspace destruction tell you about our missing ships?”

    Lakwa met his gaze without visible emotion. “Nothing,” she answered flatly. “However, if they were in close proximity to the vessel at the time of its destruction, it is likely that the damage was extreme.” She turned to Adele. “I am certain you will wish to investigate this matter at close range, but I recommend caution. It is possible there are other cloaked vessels in the area. It is likely they would see you as a threat. If you will permit me access to my vessel, I can use our sensors to scan for them.”

    Adele shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. We’re not at that level of trust yet. Icheb,” she said, turning to her exec. “Can you interface with their vessel?”

    Icheb shook his head. “No, Captain. But Malik did indicate that a device to allow me to do so could be integrated with my own implants relatively easily.” He swallowed hard and forced himself to go against his own instincts. “I had refused, but I’m willing to try if it helps retrieve our people safely.” He glanced at Lakwa questioningly. She nodded.

    “The procedure is simple,” she said quietly. “It will take only minutes.”

    Icheb looked over at Adele, who gave him a long, appraising look. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked him.
    Icheb hesitated only a moment before nodding. “It’s the option that presents the least risk. This way, I can be the only one on the Resistance vessel. A minor medical procedure is an acceptable price to pay to gain sole access to their sensor technology.”

    Adele held his gaze and nodded. “All right, Commander, Lakwa. Let’s do this, and quickly. The sooner we know what we’re headed for, the better.”

    *****

    Resistance Vessel 1473 – inside docking bay, USS Tesseract


    For a long, anxious moment, Icheb doubted his ability to succeed at this mission. As he activated his new neural link, a wave of dizziness took hold of him. He quickly grabbed the side of a nearby console to ensure he stayed upright.

    It had been years since he had experienced such a comprehensive neural interface. The feeling of being one with the sophisticated technology that surrounded him was both surreal and somehow achingly familiar. He shoved aside his memories of the Collective and tried to focus on the task at hand. “Connection established,” he reported over the comm.. “I should have full access to the vessel’s systems.”

    Full access to the vessel’s systems.
    He was suddenly acutely aware he was in direct control of something so powerful the Federation had banned it at all costs. He could almost feel Omega’s power, even though the containment chamber was on some sort of regeneration or standby mode, and the ship’s systems were running on auxiliary power provided via a hastily adapted tether to the Tesseract. The temptation to activate the chamber with a simple thought, to experience particle 010 on a much deeper level, was huge. He managed to refrain from doing so. Still, the sensation of being so intimately connected with this ship was almost overwhelming.

    “Acknowledged,” came the reply from Adele. “Can you activate the sensor grid?”

    “I will attempt it,” Icheb replied. He mentally scanned the myriad systems until he found the one he needed. He unconsciously held his breath as he established a connection with the sensor array and commanded it to power up. He was again disoriented as data began pouring into his cortical array. Without a cortical node to process it properly, it was difficult to sort it quickly enough to comprehend. He consciously tried to slow the connection down, and met with limited success. He still had significant trouble assimilating the information, but at least it wasn’t making him so dizzy. He noticed that some of the visual/tactile displays had activated around the compact control chamber, and carefully walked over to one of them, finding that maintaining his balance required slight effort. “Sensor grid is online;” he told Adele, “however, there is more data coming in than I am capable of processing.”

    On the bridge of the Tesseract, Adele looked over at Lakwa. “Advice?” she asked the former drone.

    “He is at a disadvantage,” Lakwa said quietly. “Most of the technology that would help him interface more efficiently with the vessel was extracted from his body. Instruct him to limit his access to one sensor type at a time. That may help him.”

    Adele activated the comm. again. “Lakwa suggests you limit your interface to one sensor type at a time. Can you do that?”

    Adele thought Icheb’s voice sounded slightly unsteady as he replied. “I will try,” he said. She could sense his shakiness. She hoped he would be all right. It made her nervous to think of the young ex-drone’s mind being directly tied into the systems of an unfamiliar and highly superior ship. She wondered if he was in danger, or if he could somehow put their ship at risk. At the same time, she wondered how much valuable information he would be able to provide them with when he finally disconnected.

    “It’s working,” he reported a moment later, sounding noticeably steadier. “I’m connected to the subspace sensor array and attempting to calibrate the sensors.”

    A moment later, the comm. activated once more. “I’m not picking up any Resistance vessels in the vicinity of the subspace damage. I am picking up a faint energy signature from within the damaged area. It appears to be Federation.”

    “Just one?” Adele asked pointedly. She glanced over at Adrian Keller, who was doing an admirable job of continuing to control their flight while silently falling apart with worry for his wife and young children. He kept his eyes fixed on his display, but she could tell he was listening with anxious attention to every word exchanged.

    “It’s difficult to tell,” Icheb admitted over the comm.. “This interface is unfamiliar, the energy signature is weak, and the subspace damage is interfering with these sensors, as well.”

    “Can you activate their communications systems? Try to hail them? Look for a distress call?” Adele asked.

    “Unknown,” Icheb replied. He sounded distracted. There was another pause, then he came back with, “Negative. The interference is too great.”

    “Ask him if he can tell how deep inside of the damaged area the readings are coming from,” Lakwa interjected.

    Adele nodded. “Icheb, Lakwa wants to know how far inside the damaged area those readings are coming from.”

    There was a pause, and then the answer. “Approximately the center,” he answered, then delivered the bad news they had all instantly realized was coming. “Without the ability to travel at warp through that area, it will take more than a day to reach that location.”

    For a long moment, no one said anything, then the comm. activated one more time. Adele could sense her exec’s wariness before he even spoke. “I have an idea,” Icheb said, “but I doubt you will approve.”

    Adele sighed, feeling almost resigned. She activated her comm.. “Try me.”

    *****

    USS Tesseract – Captain’s Ready Room


    “I already told you. Absolutely not.” Adele was firm as she faced her slightly disheveled exec in the privacy of her ready room. He wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer, and it was beginning to make her more than irritated. It was starting to feel as if her entire senior staff had serious issues with insubordination.

    “I can control the vessel,” he argued. “I’m certain of it. It is far more capable at high sublight speeds than our own. I can be there quickly, and report on the situation – even attempt a rescue, if necessary.”

    “By yourself?” Adele was skeptical. “I didn’t even like you tying your brain into their systems to use their sensor array, and you want me to let you go off and be one with their whole ship – Omega and all – flying alone through uncharted, hostile space? I know we’ve had our differences, Commander, but I’m not ready to toss you out an airlock just yet,” she said wryly. “This entire idea sounds like a potential suicide mission to me, and I won’t let you do it. My intent is to save your life, not end it prematurely.”

    Icheb’s usually neutral demeanor was starting to slip, and he was becoming as visibly frustrated as Adele could tell he felt. He leaned forward in earnest, his facial features tight with intensity, and continued to press his case. “The ship is designed to carry mostly cybernetic crew,” he explained. “In the event I am forced to use the vessel to evacuate our people, its life support resources will be strained enough without the addition of extraneous crewmembers.” His voice grew more urgent. “I believe I am capable of controlling the ship’s primary systems alone,” he pleaded. “You won’t be far behind me if I need you. But every hour counts, Captain. Please allow me to do this.”

    Adele sighed. “Without a cortical node, you couldn’t even process all the sensor data properly,” she reminded him. “What if something goes wrong? What if you come under attack? How will you control an unfamiliar ship’s defensive and tactical systems while also controlling propulsion, maneuvering, and everything else? Not to mention, if something does go wrong, it won’t just be you we risk losing. If we’re anywhere near you, we’re at risk, as well. Icheb, I realize you want to assist our people more quickly, and so do I. But this is a bad idea and I’m saying no. Bring it up again and you’ll be spending some quality time in confinement for insubordination.”

    Icheb wisely shut his mouth, but only for a moment. To Adele, it felt like his mind was in overdrive. She had ordered him to disconnect from the Resistance ship’s neural interface the second he had proposed his ill-advised plan, and ever since then, he had seemed strangely excited, almost manic. She suspected whatever information had been dumped into his head by the computer on that ship had simply been too much stimulation for her young exec to handle, and part of her was waiting for the inevitable crash after the high. She was torn between being grateful for the advantage his access to the more advanced ship gave them, and wondering if she should deny him that access in the future for his own safety and theirs.

    “What about tying our own systems to their power source?” he suggested a moment later, changing tactics. “We can use the added power from the Omega particle to boost structural integrity and our impulse speed. We could reduce our transit time by several hours.”

    Adele looked at him incredulously. “That power source shouldn’t even be here,” she said levelly. “I’m not tying it into our systems on a whim. Besides, I can’t even imagine the modifications needed to make something like that work. Even if I gave the go-ahead, it would probably take Telek longer to figure how to make the modifications than it’s going to take us to reach our ships.”

    “Telek doesn’t have to do the modifications. We can use Borg technology,” Icheb protested. “It wouldn’t be difficult. Any member of the Resistance could simply make the correct modifications by infusing the necessary systems with nanoprobes. It would take minutes instead of hours.”

    “You want me to let the Resistance assimilate Engineering?!” Adele almost laughed aloud. “Report to sickbay,” she ordered him. “I want Doctor Bashir to take a look at you.”

    “Captain --” Icheb started to protest, but he was cut off.

    “I’m not kidding, Commander,” Adele said firmly. “Report to sickbay or I’ll have you taken there. Think about what you just asked me to do. I do believe in my position, you would share my concern.” She looked at him pointedly.

    Icheb looked as if he would like to protest further, but he seemed to think better of it and headed for the door. “Very well, Captain,” he said politely, as he left the ready room.

    Adele stared after him for a moment, then shook her head. “Dismissed,” she said quietly. She took a moment to collect her thoughts, then contacted engineering. She needed a second opinion. As worried as she was about her exec, she couldn’t simply ignore what he had suggested if there was any chance it would save lives.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2010
  11. mirandafave

    mirandafave Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    So they finally locate the Sol and Luna - only they don't they only detect one! Things should be looking up but they still remain desperate as they are a long way being able to get to them because of the subspace damage.

    The solution to getting to them quicker as given by Icheb seems a bit extreme from the normally reserved and restrained XO. However, the startling development of how the connection to the neural interface is affecting Icheb is subtle but clear. And it bodes not well for things for him. I can only suspect that the effects are akin to a drug. He is to degrees a relapsed addict given his past connection to the Collective. This taste of what he could process as a super intelligent person has to be stimulating and overwhelming. And then there is the chance to know Omega as well. Damn. Frightening temptations for Icheb and could cloud his future judgements re: offers from the RBorg.

    However, for Adele the options forwards are limited. Trust the RBorg; use Omega; allow partial assimilation of Tesseract. WTF? I doubt any of those options appeal to her. And now she cannot be sure of her XO.

    Damned fascinating developments.
     
  12. Gul Re'jal

    Gul Re'jal Commodore Commodore

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    Adele has some more decisions to make. And choice between a bad option and a bad option. It's not easy to be a captain, is it?

    We know a little bit what happens with Luna and Sol but I wonder if something more didn't happen after our last "look inside".
     
  13. Enterprise1981

    Enterprise1981 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Hmmm, some very tough decisions. Oyugo seems determined not to defy the Omega Directive. But she hasn't yet enforced either. I guess we'll have to wait and see how long it takes find Sol and Luna without following Icheb's suggestions.
     
  14. KimMH

    KimMH Drinking your old posts Premium Member

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    a fascinating take on a person interfacing with a ship (James T Kirk's secret desire!)

    I've found the idea fascinating for a long time and the Omega aspect makes this a dangerous scenario. If Icheb can interface with the resistance ship so can every other borg enhanced being. It makes the danger of using Omega in such a wide application a quandrant wide threat.

    Let's hear what Shane Beckley has to say about that! :devil:
     
  15. kes7

    kes7 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    mirandafave -- Thanks so much for the comments. :) I really like your analogy comparing the neural interface to an ex-drone being like drugs to a former addict. The thing about Icheb is, he never had a choice. Not even once. He was sent to the Borg by his parents, the Borg had their way with him, and when he was damaged, they cut him off. He wanted to rejoin the Collective, but Janeway convinced him it was impossible. Then the second time around with his parents, all of those decisions were out of his hands, too. This is the first time he's been exposed to something similar to what he "lost" since he's been an adult in charge of his own destiny. It's going to have an impact. It remains to be seen how large that impact will be.

    Gul Re'jal -- We'll see what happens with the Sol and Luna. Things weren't looking so good for them the last time we saw them. As for Adele, yeah. Her job is not an easy one at all. She's barely had a chance to breathe since this mission began. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

    Enterprise1981 -- That's an interesting observation you made, that Adele seems to be trying to ride the fence regarding Omega. She hasn't blown it up, but she's not eager to use it just yet. I think your assessment is accurate right now, but we'll see how her attitudes might develop given more time. Thanks for the comment!

    Oldstredshrtevr -- Haha. You're always looking for the Admiral. ;) We will indeed see what he thinks about things soon. As for Icheb -- yes, perhaps he's living Kirk's dream, in a way, but then again, we've also seen the high price he's paid for the ability to do it. As always, thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
     
  16. CeJay

    CeJay Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Yeah, I figured that hooking up an ex-drone to a Borg vessel would probably not be a good idea. Adele better be careful that she doesn't lose control over her first officer here. And Icheb best remember that he is already on thin ice for lying about his condition and various other questionable calls.

    There are going to be heaps of paperwork Adele will have to complete after this mission is over.

    Good stuff.
     
  17. Gibraltar

    Gibraltar Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    You’ve really upped the ante here, kes7, and to wonderful effect! Your characters are coming into sharp focus as the readers come to know them better with each passing chapter.

    Adele’s in one hell of a situation. What remains of her senior staff is riddled with competing loyalties, either to one-another as in the case of Icheb and Maren, or to an outside source as Icheb struggles with the seductive pull and potential life-saving promise of Borg technology.

    Though this mission is barely underway, they’ve already lost one and possibly both of their auxiliary starships, not to mention having suffered dozens of casualties among irreplaceable crew. How fraught with danger will this mission be, seeing as they’ve barely set foot into the Delta Quadrant and the crew of Tesseract has not only already been savaged, but they’re now playing fast and loose with some of Starfleet’s most inviolable tenants? :eek:
     
  18. kes7

    kes7 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Yikes, CeJay! I just saw this! Sorry for the delay in replying, and thanks so much for the review. Yeah, Icheb is on all kinds of shaky ground at the moment. He knows that, but we'll see whether it makes a difference in his choices. And yes, paperwork ... I think Adele has quite a bit of that to do already! :eek:

    Gibraltar, long time, no see! So glad you're back and posting again. Yeah, Adele has a real mess on her hands, doesn't she? Her XO is being torn in so many directions at once he can't see straight, her second officer is dead (of course, she doesn't know that, yet), her reliable Vulcan is off ship, and her crack engineer is cracked in the head (both literally and figuratively) in sickbay. And the auxiliary ships are a whole other mess. We'll see what happens. Glad you're still enjoying it. Welcome back, and thanks for the comment!

    I've got the next chapter 80% done. So there should be more coming in the next few days. :)
     
  19. Enterprise1981

    Enterprise1981 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    And a dead second officer to boot. I trust Ryzal is next in line all the while retaining his positions as chief tactical and security officer. And seven more years of this??? I remember during my freshman year in college dreading having to take the same hike between the train station and the main campus down one steep hill and up another everyday for the next four years. Of course, that was before completion of the new student center making that walk far less strenuous.
     
  20. KimMH

    KimMH Drinking your old posts Premium Member

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    just popped in to see if another chapter is on the horizon. the holidays can be holy heck with little peanuts in the house and everything else you're juggling - hope you'll be able to put one up soon!