One worrisome thing is that some of those who support the old Cardassia considered sexual assault and torture to be acceptable. But...probably less often against Cardassians. So I would not count out all support for the True Way. But yeah, if I were the Detapa Council, I would remind people of that aspect of the attack, and often.
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-) Proudly F2P.Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
You have a duplicate segment (segments 2 and 3 of the post), and I think you meant to say "Akaria's granddaughter" in the last paragraph, based on everything else I've read.
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
So, now it's not just DS9 writers and Cryptic's staff that uses the Morn joke... : P
We had to work the silent chatterbox in there at least once...
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
Fantastic piece... I really liked Robyn Sherwood :cool:
Thanks!
[reader-mode] I'm really enjoying all the deceptively low-tech solutions the Moabites keep coming up with to get around some really obvious Star Trek problems.
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
[reader-mode] I'm really enjoying all the deceptively low-tech solutions the Moabites keep coming up with to get around some really obvious Star Trek problems.
Likewise :cool: But, the way the Moabites keep trumping other races like this, I do wonder if they are getting a little too hardcore and unbeatable... O_o
Likewise :cool: But, the way the Moabites keep trumping other races like this, I do wonder if they are getting a little too hardcore and unbeatable... O_o
patrickngo will have to answer that, but I see the MCDF Marines as the equivalent of present-day SEALs / SAS / Delta Force. Hardcore, definitely. Unbeatable? Nearly, thanks to a combination of superior skill and training. We might have to come up with an enemy special forces unit for them to match up against.
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
patrickngo will have to answer that, but I see the MCDF Marines as the equivalent of present-day SEALs / SAS / Delta Force. Hardcore, definitely. Unbeatable? Nearly, thanks to a combination of superior skill and training. We might have to come up with an enemy special forces unit for them to match up against.
Oh for sure, I can see the MCDF Marines as being elite forces, but for them to show up other militia to this extent... Not that I'm not enjoying it, but it almost takes the thrill of risk out of the scenarios, knowing that they're going to pwn whoever they come up against. For example, I really liked the scenes with Lisa at the school, and she would have been the only student with actual military experience. But, I would've liked the True Way to have eventually got the drop on her, and for her to have needed help from the main Cardassian militia... Even Superman can be brought down with a kryptonite shank
Lisa had another advantage at the school, though - the True Way assigned to that task weren't drawn from among their better fighters, probably because they assumed the kids wouldn't put up any significant degree of resistance. In that scenario, one trained soldier pulling a John McClane falls just within the bounds of plausibility, especially given some of the tactics she used.
As for Ngoc's group, well, there's something to be said for recruiting from among a group that doesn't expect to live very long anyway...
Lisa had another advantage at the school, though - the True Way assigned to that task weren't drawn from among their better fighters, probably because they assumed the kids wouldn't put up any significant degree of resistance. In that scenario, one trained soldier pulling a John McClane falls just within the bounds of plausibility, especially given some of the tactics she used.
As for Ngoc's group, well, there's something to be said for recruiting from among a group that doesn't expect to live very long anyway...
Oh for sure, not implausible, I just would've liked a little bit more of a sense that she might not make it, or the fear of being captured and subjected to 'Cardassian Hospitality', rather than a 'good guys always win' scanario
One note I would make: among the True Way commanders, Alyosha ended up matched against one of the more intelligent guls--Koheber. While Alyosha did end up winning his battle, Gul Koheber was smart enough to anticipate a) the possibility of resistance while still in the Eddy, which a cockier/dumber gul wouldn't, b) formulate responses to a number of potential opening gambits, and c) adequately train his crew to respond to those maneuvers. Which definitely speaks well of Koheber's tactical capabilities considering he was up against someone whose instincts (whether he really acknowledges it or not) are geared towards taking down sentient prey--even if Alyosha's using it in starship combat as opposed to ground.
Koheber was also not so fanatical as to be an idiot. He was an ardent nationalist, to be sure, but in a lot of ways he was only a few shades off from Gul Toran (the unfortunate CDF gul who was slaughtered by True Way soldiers on that Galor at Goralis). Without "knowing" him well, I get the feeling he had certain ethical boundaries that many others in the True Way did not keep. In another life, those two could have been friends.
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-) Proudly F2P.Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
One note I would make: among the True Way commanders, Alyosha ended up matched against one of the more intelligent guls--Koheber. While Alyosha did end up winning his battle, Gul Koheber was smart enough to anticipate a) the possibility of resistance while still in the Eddy, which a cockier/dumber gul wouldn't, b) formulate responses to a number of potential opening gambits, and c) adequately train his crew to respond to those maneuvers. Which definitely speaks well of Koheber's tactical capabilities considering he was up against someone whose instincts (whether he really acknowledges it or not) are geared towards taking down sentient prey--even if Alyosha's using it in starship combat as opposed to ground.
Koheber was also not so fanatical as to be an idiot. He was an ardent nationalist, to be sure, but in a lot of ways he was only a few shades off from Gul Toran (the unfortunate CDF gul who was slaughtered by True Way soldiers on that Galor at Goralis). Without "knowing" him well, I get the feeling he had certain ethical boundaries that many others in the True Way did not keep. In another life, those two could have been friends.
Absolutely. I think much of my enjoyment of that scene was that Alyosha's initial tactic was overcome by a skilled commander, and it was more like a chess match, than a quick arm-wrestle with an anticipated victor :cool:
The problem with the Lisa scene, I do apologize for failing to deliver here-I missed the gold-pressed-latinum rule of Action sequences-I blew it on generating the necessary tension and worry to make the sequence work.
sorry about that, folks.
I blew it again on the storming scene-I had a beautiful setup that I failed to deliver on. sometimes it works, sometimes it fails. I can only promise to try harder in the future.
I wouldn't say you blew it, just that the kickass 'we pwn everything' status of the Moabites is becoming predictable, and reduces tension, rather than increasing it (IMHO) For example, what happened to Glin Veska was not nice (and about all I expect of Cardassians) but, as she was just a newcomer to the story, it didn't have quite as much resonance as if that had happened to Lisa instead. That would've been a real kick in the guts... Scene ends on True Way bringing her down in a corridor, next scene opens with her being found in a state by rescuers... Wouldn't even be necessary to 'see' her being brutalised after all, suggestion is the most powerful tool, but for it to happen to a main character, would have real impact, both for the character, and for the collective that Moabites aren't invincible... As above, even Superman can be brought down with a kryptonite shank... Just a case of finding 'the right shank' and sticking it in the right place :cool:
I thought the storming scene worked out perfectly, no faults there at all :cool:
Absolutely. I think much of my enjoyment of that scene was that Alyosha's initial tactic was overcome by a skilled commander, and it was more like a chess match, than a quick arm-wrestle with an anticipated victor :cool:
There is a HUGE variety of skill levels among the True Way commanders, which is why you have some "chess matches" like the Strannik-Koheber fight, and some more foregone conclusions.
At least the way I see the history of the True Way, it has a mixture of more seasoned and capable commanders--people who probably joined the True Way AT that rank (as Koheber did), and others who ended up at the top either for political reasons in the organization, or by default because of a shortage of proven commanders like Koheber. So at least for how I write my own battles, that informs my approach...there will be some tough ones, and also some that go down easier. There could be nastier than Koheber out there, and there could also be absolutely stupid.
BTW, about Veska...keep watching her. Newcomer she may be, but from my perspective, she's worth continuing to follow from what I'm seeing so far. (I would also point out, in regard to your "all you would expect from Cardassians" remark, that the behavior the True Way is engaging in is not universally accepted by the Cardassians as a species.)
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-) Proudly F2P.Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
There is a HUGE variety of skill levels among the True Way commanders, which is why you have some "chess matches" like the Strannik-Koheber fight, and some more foregone conclusions.
At least the way I see the history of the True Way, it has a mixture of more seasoned and capable commanders--people who probably joined the True Way AT that rank (as Koheber did), and others who ended up at the top either for political reasons in the organization, or by default because of a shortage of proven commanders like Koheber. So at least for how I write my own battles, that informs my approach...there will be some tough ones, and also some that go down easier. There could be nastier than Koheber out there, and there could also be absolutely stupid.
That certainly makes sense. Somewhat like the Maquis... Some members were highly trained officers like Chakotay and Michael Eddington, others were academy drop outs like B'Elanna, and others were just everyday colonists doing what needed to be done... And indeed, political connections have historically been an opening for poor discipline/incompetence.
(I would also point out, in regard to your "all you would expect from Cardassians" remark, that the behavior the True Way is engaging in is not universally accepted by the Cardassians as a species.)
Indeed, it may not be universally accepted by other Cardassians, but, as we have discussed before, it was a common (miss)perception of Cardassians that they are 'all a bunch of rapists'... My point was not so much regarding the abuse that Veska suffered, merely that such a scene may have carried more emotional impact if it involved a more established character like Lisa or even Sel (not that I want to see that happen to any character, which is why I will never write the mission Amanda had to the MU, nor Ael's unfortunate experience at the academy) rather than a more unknown character.
We're not even halfway through our story yet - there's still plenty of time for our various heroes (Moabite included) to face mortal peril.
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
I'm finally caught up with this, and I have to say, I like where it's going so far. I've always been curious as to what Cardassia is like, post-Dominion War, and the amount of detail with which you guys are exploring that topic is quite interesting. I also like how you've written the True Way-- ie, as regular people who see the current democracy as chaotic, and Cardassia as being essentially under Federation occupation. In their own warped view, they see themselves as no different from Damar and the other insurrectionists from the Dominion War era.
Of course, as jonsills pointed out, they're hardly going to win hearts and minds by attacking, blowing up, and/or TRIBBLE every single civilian and CDF member they come across.
Incidentally, the battles (both ground-based and in space) have been very exciting so far. Lisa is absolutely terrifying, and I don't think there's been anyone in the collabs who has shown to be anywhere near her level of close combat badassery (with the possible exception of Rusty or K'tirr).
Comments
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-)
Proudly F2P. Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
[reader-mode] I'm really enjoying all the deceptively low-tech solutions the Moabites keep coming up with to get around some really obvious Star Trek problems.
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
Likewise :cool: But, the way the Moabites keep trumping other races like this, I do wonder if they are getting a little too hardcore and unbeatable... O_o
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
As for Ngoc's group, well, there's something to be said for recruiting from among a group that doesn't expect to live very long anyway...
Oh for sure, not implausible, I just would've liked a little bit more of a sense that she might not make it, or the fear of being captured and subjected to 'Cardassian Hospitality', rather than a 'good guys always win' scanario
Koheber was also not so fanatical as to be an idiot. He was an ardent nationalist, to be sure, but in a lot of ways he was only a few shades off from Gul Toran (the unfortunate CDF gul who was slaughtered by True Way soldiers on that Galor at Goralis). Without "knowing" him well, I get the feeling he had certain ethical boundaries that many others in the True Way did not keep. In another life, those two could have been friends.
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-)
Proudly F2P. Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
I thought the storming scene worked out perfectly, no faults there at all :cool:
There is a HUGE variety of skill levels among the True Way commanders, which is why you have some "chess matches" like the Strannik-Koheber fight, and some more foregone conclusions.
At least the way I see the history of the True Way, it has a mixture of more seasoned and capable commanders--people who probably joined the True Way AT that rank (as Koheber did), and others who ended up at the top either for political reasons in the organization, or by default because of a shortage of proven commanders like Koheber. So at least for how I write my own battles, that informs my approach...there will be some tough ones, and also some that go down easier. There could be nastier than Koheber out there, and there could also be absolutely stupid.
BTW, about Veska...keep watching her. Newcomer she may be, but from my perspective, she's worth continuing to follow from what I'm seeing so far. (I would also point out, in regard to your "all you would expect from Cardassians" remark, that the behavior the True Way is engaging in is not universally accepted by the Cardassians as a species.)
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-)
Proudly F2P. Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
That certainly makes sense. Somewhat like the Maquis... Some members were highly trained officers like Chakotay and Michael Eddington, others were academy drop outs like B'Elanna, and others were just everyday colonists doing what needed to be done... And indeed, political connections have historically been an opening for poor discipline/incompetence.
I'll certainly keep an eye out for her :cool:
Indeed, it may not be universally accepted by other Cardassians, but, as we have discussed before, it was a common (miss)perception of Cardassians that they are 'all a bunch of rapists'... My point was not so much regarding the abuse that Veska suffered, merely that such a scene may have carried more emotional impact if it involved a more established character like Lisa or even Sel (not that I want to see that happen to any character, which is why I will never write the mission Amanda had to the MU, nor Ael's unfortunate experience at the academy) rather than a more unknown character.
...Oh, baby, you know, I've really got to leave you / Oh, I can hear it callin 'me / I said don't you hear it callin' me the way it used to do?...
- Anne Bredon
Excellent :cool:
Of course, as jonsills pointed out, they're hardly going to win hearts and minds by attacking, blowing up, and/or TRIBBLE every single civilian and CDF member they come across.
Incidentally, the battles (both ground-based and in space) have been very exciting so far. Lisa is absolutely terrifying, and I don't think there's been anyone in the collabs who has shown to be anywhere near her level of close combat badassery (with the possible exception of Rusty or K'tirr).
" Look, let me go back in there and face the peril."
"No, it's too perilous. "
(rides off clapping coconuts together)
"he's as dangerous as a ferret with a chainsaw."