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"Let the dead rest in peace" (story)
worffan101
Member Posts: 9,518 Arc User
I've been threatening to do this for a while, and now I am. TRIBBLE grades, I've got a fanfic to write!
This is based on "Dust to Dust", the recent anniversary mission. It deals with what I see as mass crimes against sentient life committed by the Kobali government. The subject matter is by necessity rather dark, and deals with summary execution, crimes against sentient life, and other serious issues.
Credit to Cryptic Studios for the mission that formed the basis of the story, and the game that I must say is still a lot of fun even after the ragefest of DR (which I found overall enjoyable despite some major issues).
Cast:
Crew of the chMR Kholhr:
High Admiral Dtrel: Linda Hamilton circa Terminator 2.
First Omektikallan: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Subcommander Zel: Kevin Michael Richardson.
Subcommander Jak: John Barrowman.
Science Bekk Mintakallan: Wil Wheaton.
tongbûrz JohKghan: Jim Cummings.
Others:
Captain Harry Kim: Garret Wang.
Kobali Prime. Two weeks ago.
Lyndsay was conflicted. JhetLeya wasnt.
Lyndsay looked at Harry in there, and most of her wanted to let him rest. JhetLeya just wanted to give him a new life.
And the worst part was that Lyndsay and JhetLeya were one and the same.
She shuddered, moving away from Harrys corpse, half-mummified by exposure to space and random particles and radiation.
JhetLeya wanted to do it. JhetLeya bought everything the Kobali taught. Lyndsay Ballard didnt.
Lyndsay/JhetLeya had wondered about that strange duality for a while. Shed talked to a few others wo were questioning QNels order; a soldier called Mhereteya, a Hanchon whod spent a lot of time around Klingons, and a couple who she knew were ex-Vaadwaur. None of them remembered their old lives, but they did feel that duality, their personality seemingly at war with something else, a voice of idle happiness and taking pleasure in simply being Kobali.
Mhereteya, who had training in molecular biology, was sure that there was something in their brains that caused that. The order, though, denied all access to the virus save to replicate it and use it, as had been the custom for centuries. JhetLeya/Lyndsay would bide her time, though. She already had an ally in a top Hanchon, and two healers who still thought mostly like Vaadwaur. There was definitely something to that, the fact that some Kobali thought in different ways.
For now, though, there was nothing that she could do. And there was still Harry, the duplicate Harry, lying there, dead
Damn. She knew that he would be rebirthed, no matter what she did. Better to do it herself, to accept that moral cancer that would gnaw at her for the rest of her life, than to let that damn obstructive TRIBBLE QNel get Harry, even a copy of Harry who soon would be just another Kobali.
Then JhetLeyas thoughts took over, and she was excited to bring her old crush back to life, to make him Kobali so they could live happily ever after
Jenolan Dyson Sphere. Delta Quadrant.
Two weeks later.
High Admiral? You needed me?
Riov Kim. Good to see you. Get to your ship, were going hunting.
Yessir, the Human replied with a salute.
<We hunt Vaadwaur,> signed a burly female turak standing by the Rihanha as the High Admiral buckled on her sword. <They hunt the vlaj dich ohn Kobali despite our treaties. Our orders are to hunt them, disable their ships, and secure the shrine on the vlaj dich ohn Kobalis world.>
Again? groaned Kim, signing it as he spoke. Damn. I was hoping that those hypocritical TRIBBLE had finally just complied and given the Vaads back their people.
Raenasa gave QNel and the Kobali one last chance, said Dtrel with a shrug. They lie, get our people killed, and contribute exactly nothing to our alliance. We give them a ship and one chance to not be hypocrites, then we cut them loose and make overtures to the Vaadwaur. Or whats left of them, anyway.
I see, said Kim. First, good to see you. He saluted the massive JemHadar on the Rihanhas other side.
I am honored, rumbled the JemHadar. I would be pleased to die with you at my side.
Glad to hear it, I guess. Kim to Rhode Island, one to beam up!
Dtrel to Kholhr, three to beam up.
No coms contact with the surface, Zel reported. There is a ship in orbitlooks like that new battlecruiser Command was helping them with.
Right, muttered Dtrel. Kadel, take chMR Temer on the starboard flank. TrRehu, up above, provide covering fire. Kim, port flank, try to distract them with a couple of gravity wells. With the exception of rhRhiyrh Ael, were mostly light ships, so break formation if they try a polaron barrage.
Aue, rekkhai, confirmed Kadel, her Faeht-class warbird slipping up alongside as three cloaked ships and a Federation science vessel using active sensor masking swooped towards Kobali Prime at high impulse.
Kim, wheres Tuvok? Wheres the fleet, for that matter?
Tuvoks on a coms-silent mission into former Krenim space. The Alliance fleet is mostly in drydock or split up across the sector. We might have Klingon reinforcements in thirty minutestheyre pushing maximum warpbut dont hold out for it.
Of course. Because anything reasonable would of course be too lucky for me. First, weapons hot.
A pack of five Vaadwaur escorts was swarming around two disabled Federation Excelsior-class medium cruisers and a malevolent-looking ship running Kobali transponders. Dtrel took it in with a glance at her TacNet.
Kim, attack pattern Sisko One. TrRehu, attack pattern tThavrau Three. Kadel, up to you. First, Zel, get us ready for a singularity jump and transfer shield power to engines.
Ready at your command, reported Omektikallan.
Now!
Space tore as Kholhr blasted out of its cloak, a blitzekrieg of blue-green plasma fire tearing into the rear arcs of three Vaadwaur escorts as Rhode Island opened with a frontal volley on another ship. Above, a sleek Aehlal-class battlecruiser slipped out of its cloak and spat green fire, tearing again into the Vaadwaur ships.
They are coming about for an attack, said First Omektikallan calmly, as the Vaadwaur ships closed in.
Jump us.
Zel pressed a button on xir console, and Kholhr folded space, jumping forward as a gravity well swelled in the tortured space-time fabric, trapping the three escorts as they raced in.
Turn us!
The little warbird spun like a top in space and opened fire, racing back towards the Vaadwaur escorts while spewing green fire at their nacelles. Two went dark, their engines, weapons, and shields offline as they signaled their surrender.
Damn! Theres one on our tail! Zel shouted, cursing in an untranslated language that mightve been Cardassian. Shields down to 42% and dropping! Hull structural integrity has been damaged, theyre warming up a polaron barrage!
Kadel, get that ship!
Temer decloaked, spearing the Vaadwaur vessel on paired beams. The escorts engines flared and died.
A shot from the Rihan battlecruiser took down the last escort in the gravity well, and a cutting beam from Kholhr, still running at high impulse, took down the last one before it could do more serious damage to Rhode Island.
Mintakallan, any more enemy contacts?
Clear, sir! the Ferasan reported.
Good. Begin beaming down commando teams. Kim, you come with me and my squad. Omek, Zel, JohKghan, Jak, with me.
All here? asked Dtrel.
Yessir, Kim hissed back.
Right. Its just the six of us against about a hundred Vaadwaur in this section of the trenches alone. JohKghan, Zel, take point with me; Omek, Jak, cover us with Kim.
Understood, rumbled First Omektikallan. We shall be victorious. Praise OdoItal!
Move out.
They made it through two intersections before the first transporter pod spat a pack of Vaadwaur soldiers out in front of them.
Take them down! barked Dtrel, rolling into a crouch and shooting a Vaadwaur soldier in the lung with her Federation-made TR-116 rifle.
JohKghan leaped up onto the side of the trench in one powerful leap, holding on with a hand and her tail as her other hand set her plasma rifle to full auto and opened fire. The Nausicaan and JemHadar hung back and took sniper shots with Kim, Omektikallan calmly humming a hymn under his breath.
The Vaadwaur returned fire. Dtrel swore and ducked as a polaron blast scorched her arm, Kim yelping behind her as a blast got a little too close.
One of the Vaads, this one a commando in an officers uniform, got close to Zel; the Breen cursed in Tzenkethi of all languages and kicked him in the groin. The Vaadwaur retaliated, grabbing Zel by the helmet and trying to twist
Dtrel shot the Vaadwaur in the chest and he flew backwards. Zel screamed.
The other Vaadwaur fell, as Dtrel realized what had happened. Zels helmet was in the dead Vaadwaurs hands, and the Breen was covering xir head with xir arms, screaming in a voice that was a lot higher than xir normal tone.
My face! Zel howled. My face! That motherf*cker took my face!
Dtrel motioned the others to cover her and picked up the fallen helmet, offering it to her officer as Kim and JohKghan ran upor rather, Kim sprinted and JohKghan leapt. Zel whimpered; there wasnt any blood, but the Breens reaction wasnt physical, but psychological.
Here, enarrain. Get it back on, quick.
The Breen looked up, eyes terrified. Xe--always xe, not he or she, always the indeterminate--grabbed the helmet out of Dtrels hands and shoved it back on, audibly exhaling with relief as it locked back on.
Thank you, sir.
What the hell youre a-- Kim started, but then Zel turned, with as close as a Breen helmet could get to a death glare, and he quieted with a gulp.
I am Breen.
Xe turned, sent a volley from xir disruptor into the Vaadwaur transport pod, and moved down the next trench in silence as the pod exploded.
Cover us, and stay back, snapped Dtrel, hustling after the Breen.
She caught up after a few steps, her Rihan physique carrying her faster than most humanoids.
Those maglocks need to be replaced, dont they?
Yeah. Been meaning to do it for three months, but
I know, Zel. This mission.
We all need some shore leave, sir. Between this war and the Vaadwaur
I know.
Ill be glad when were back to patrol duty.
Never thought Id hear you say that. Dtrels gun took out a Vaadwaur transporter pod before it could activate.
Its been a miserable couple of months, Commander.
Have to agree there. First! The temples up ahead. Were going to have to do a frontal assault on the Vaadwaur forces at the gates.
Form up, ordered First Omektikallan shortly and quietly. Kim, with the Admiral. Third, Fourth, with me. Fifth, covering fire.
On it, the Nausicaan replied. Kim double-checked his phaser rifle and pinned himself to the trench wall beside Dtrel.
Ready for this? he asked.
Always, said the Rihanha. Oh, and dont you f*cking dare refer to Zels body beneath the suit even again.
Understood, sir, Kim replied. My bad, I was just startled.
Good, Dtrel replied. Omek, ready?
Ready, the JemHadar hissed back.
On three. One. Two. Three!
They hauled themselves up, Dtrel making the movement in one fluid tug, opening fire as she did so and sending a Vaadwaur scout flying. The turak leaped up and rolled to the ground, her powerful legs carrying her easily into a bit of cover provided by some crates as Vaadwaur weapons fired past.
Subcommander Jak drew his tongue across one of his tusks and pulled himself up on the far side of the trench as he opened fire with his own disruptor, sending Vaadwaur diving for cover. Zel grabbed Kim, and Human and Breen ducked behind a stack of crates of their own, joined moments later by Omektikallan.
On three, Dtrel snapped over the hiss of weapons fire. One. Two. Three!
They popped up, and blazed off a volley. Two Vaadwaur screamed as they fell; three more dropped without a sound.
How many? hissed Kim.
<Two technicians, it appears,> JohKghan signed back.
Zel, Kim. Jak, cover them!
Kim signed to the turak, who flipped another sign back almost too fast for the eye to follow. Kim sent a signal of confirmation back, then held up three fingers. Then two. Then one.
Jak sent another volley back at the enemy, and Human and beast-woman popped up to take down the last two Vaadwaur with deadly accuracy.
Kim, get us in, Dtrel ordered as the motley crew moved up to the temples doors. First, Jak, keep an eye on things out here, beam down a few commando teams. Zel, JohKghan, you two are with me and Kim because I trust the Kobali as far as I can throw a charging Denebian girallon.
I can crack this code, Harry reported. Never seen it used this way, but I know it.
Where have you seen it?
On my ships. Its a security algorithm that I designed while I was on Voyager.
to be continued...
This is based on "Dust to Dust", the recent anniversary mission. It deals with what I see as mass crimes against sentient life committed by the Kobali government. The subject matter is by necessity rather dark, and deals with summary execution, crimes against sentient life, and other serious issues.
Credit to Cryptic Studios for the mission that formed the basis of the story, and the game that I must say is still a lot of fun even after the ragefest of DR (which I found overall enjoyable despite some major issues).
Cast:
Crew of the chMR Kholhr:
High Admiral Dtrel: Linda Hamilton circa Terminator 2.
First Omektikallan: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Subcommander Zel: Kevin Michael Richardson.
Subcommander Jak: John Barrowman.
Science Bekk Mintakallan: Wil Wheaton.
tongbûrz JohKghan: Jim Cummings.
Others:
Captain Harry Kim: Garret Wang.
Kobali Prime. Two weeks ago.
Lyndsay was conflicted. JhetLeya wasnt.
Lyndsay looked at Harry in there, and most of her wanted to let him rest. JhetLeya just wanted to give him a new life.
And the worst part was that Lyndsay and JhetLeya were one and the same.
She shuddered, moving away from Harrys corpse, half-mummified by exposure to space and random particles and radiation.
JhetLeya wanted to do it. JhetLeya bought everything the Kobali taught. Lyndsay Ballard didnt.
Lyndsay/JhetLeya had wondered about that strange duality for a while. Shed talked to a few others wo were questioning QNels order; a soldier called Mhereteya, a Hanchon whod spent a lot of time around Klingons, and a couple who she knew were ex-Vaadwaur. None of them remembered their old lives, but they did feel that duality, their personality seemingly at war with something else, a voice of idle happiness and taking pleasure in simply being Kobali.
Mhereteya, who had training in molecular biology, was sure that there was something in their brains that caused that. The order, though, denied all access to the virus save to replicate it and use it, as had been the custom for centuries. JhetLeya/Lyndsay would bide her time, though. She already had an ally in a top Hanchon, and two healers who still thought mostly like Vaadwaur. There was definitely something to that, the fact that some Kobali thought in different ways.
For now, though, there was nothing that she could do. And there was still Harry, the duplicate Harry, lying there, dead
Damn. She knew that he would be rebirthed, no matter what she did. Better to do it herself, to accept that moral cancer that would gnaw at her for the rest of her life, than to let that damn obstructive TRIBBLE QNel get Harry, even a copy of Harry who soon would be just another Kobali.
Then JhetLeyas thoughts took over, and she was excited to bring her old crush back to life, to make him Kobali so they could live happily ever after
Jenolan Dyson Sphere. Delta Quadrant.
Two weeks later.
High Admiral? You needed me?
Riov Kim. Good to see you. Get to your ship, were going hunting.
Yessir, the Human replied with a salute.
<We hunt Vaadwaur,> signed a burly female turak standing by the Rihanha as the High Admiral buckled on her sword. <They hunt the vlaj dich ohn Kobali despite our treaties. Our orders are to hunt them, disable their ships, and secure the shrine on the vlaj dich ohn Kobalis world.>
Again? groaned Kim, signing it as he spoke. Damn. I was hoping that those hypocritical TRIBBLE had finally just complied and given the Vaads back their people.
Raenasa gave QNel and the Kobali one last chance, said Dtrel with a shrug. They lie, get our people killed, and contribute exactly nothing to our alliance. We give them a ship and one chance to not be hypocrites, then we cut them loose and make overtures to the Vaadwaur. Or whats left of them, anyway.
I see, said Kim. First, good to see you. He saluted the massive JemHadar on the Rihanhas other side.
I am honored, rumbled the JemHadar. I would be pleased to die with you at my side.
Glad to hear it, I guess. Kim to Rhode Island, one to beam up!
Dtrel to Kholhr, three to beam up.
No coms contact with the surface, Zel reported. There is a ship in orbitlooks like that new battlecruiser Command was helping them with.
Right, muttered Dtrel. Kadel, take chMR Temer on the starboard flank. TrRehu, up above, provide covering fire. Kim, port flank, try to distract them with a couple of gravity wells. With the exception of rhRhiyrh Ael, were mostly light ships, so break formation if they try a polaron barrage.
Aue, rekkhai, confirmed Kadel, her Faeht-class warbird slipping up alongside as three cloaked ships and a Federation science vessel using active sensor masking swooped towards Kobali Prime at high impulse.
Kim, wheres Tuvok? Wheres the fleet, for that matter?
Tuvoks on a coms-silent mission into former Krenim space. The Alliance fleet is mostly in drydock or split up across the sector. We might have Klingon reinforcements in thirty minutestheyre pushing maximum warpbut dont hold out for it.
Of course. Because anything reasonable would of course be too lucky for me. First, weapons hot.
A pack of five Vaadwaur escorts was swarming around two disabled Federation Excelsior-class medium cruisers and a malevolent-looking ship running Kobali transponders. Dtrel took it in with a glance at her TacNet.
Kim, attack pattern Sisko One. TrRehu, attack pattern tThavrau Three. Kadel, up to you. First, Zel, get us ready for a singularity jump and transfer shield power to engines.
Ready at your command, reported Omektikallan.
Now!
Space tore as Kholhr blasted out of its cloak, a blitzekrieg of blue-green plasma fire tearing into the rear arcs of three Vaadwaur escorts as Rhode Island opened with a frontal volley on another ship. Above, a sleek Aehlal-class battlecruiser slipped out of its cloak and spat green fire, tearing again into the Vaadwaur ships.
They are coming about for an attack, said First Omektikallan calmly, as the Vaadwaur ships closed in.
Jump us.
Zel pressed a button on xir console, and Kholhr folded space, jumping forward as a gravity well swelled in the tortured space-time fabric, trapping the three escorts as they raced in.
Turn us!
The little warbird spun like a top in space and opened fire, racing back towards the Vaadwaur escorts while spewing green fire at their nacelles. Two went dark, their engines, weapons, and shields offline as they signaled their surrender.
Damn! Theres one on our tail! Zel shouted, cursing in an untranslated language that mightve been Cardassian. Shields down to 42% and dropping! Hull structural integrity has been damaged, theyre warming up a polaron barrage!
Kadel, get that ship!
Temer decloaked, spearing the Vaadwaur vessel on paired beams. The escorts engines flared and died.
A shot from the Rihan battlecruiser took down the last escort in the gravity well, and a cutting beam from Kholhr, still running at high impulse, took down the last one before it could do more serious damage to Rhode Island.
Mintakallan, any more enemy contacts?
Clear, sir! the Ferasan reported.
Good. Begin beaming down commando teams. Kim, you come with me and my squad. Omek, Zel, JohKghan, Jak, with me.
All here? asked Dtrel.
Yessir, Kim hissed back.
Right. Its just the six of us against about a hundred Vaadwaur in this section of the trenches alone. JohKghan, Zel, take point with me; Omek, Jak, cover us with Kim.
Understood, rumbled First Omektikallan. We shall be victorious. Praise OdoItal!
Move out.
They made it through two intersections before the first transporter pod spat a pack of Vaadwaur soldiers out in front of them.
Take them down! barked Dtrel, rolling into a crouch and shooting a Vaadwaur soldier in the lung with her Federation-made TR-116 rifle.
JohKghan leaped up onto the side of the trench in one powerful leap, holding on with a hand and her tail as her other hand set her plasma rifle to full auto and opened fire. The Nausicaan and JemHadar hung back and took sniper shots with Kim, Omektikallan calmly humming a hymn under his breath.
The Vaadwaur returned fire. Dtrel swore and ducked as a polaron blast scorched her arm, Kim yelping behind her as a blast got a little too close.
One of the Vaads, this one a commando in an officers uniform, got close to Zel; the Breen cursed in Tzenkethi of all languages and kicked him in the groin. The Vaadwaur retaliated, grabbing Zel by the helmet and trying to twist
Dtrel shot the Vaadwaur in the chest and he flew backwards. Zel screamed.
The other Vaadwaur fell, as Dtrel realized what had happened. Zels helmet was in the dead Vaadwaurs hands, and the Breen was covering xir head with xir arms, screaming in a voice that was a lot higher than xir normal tone.
My face! Zel howled. My face! That motherf*cker took my face!
Dtrel motioned the others to cover her and picked up the fallen helmet, offering it to her officer as Kim and JohKghan ran upor rather, Kim sprinted and JohKghan leapt. Zel whimpered; there wasnt any blood, but the Breens reaction wasnt physical, but psychological.
Here, enarrain. Get it back on, quick.
The Breen looked up, eyes terrified. Xe--always xe, not he or she, always the indeterminate--grabbed the helmet out of Dtrels hands and shoved it back on, audibly exhaling with relief as it locked back on.
Thank you, sir.
What the hell youre a-- Kim started, but then Zel turned, with as close as a Breen helmet could get to a death glare, and he quieted with a gulp.
I am Breen.
Xe turned, sent a volley from xir disruptor into the Vaadwaur transport pod, and moved down the next trench in silence as the pod exploded.
Cover us, and stay back, snapped Dtrel, hustling after the Breen.
She caught up after a few steps, her Rihan physique carrying her faster than most humanoids.
Those maglocks need to be replaced, dont they?
Yeah. Been meaning to do it for three months, but
I know, Zel. This mission.
We all need some shore leave, sir. Between this war and the Vaadwaur
I know.
Ill be glad when were back to patrol duty.
Never thought Id hear you say that. Dtrels gun took out a Vaadwaur transporter pod before it could activate.
Its been a miserable couple of months, Commander.
Have to agree there. First! The temples up ahead. Were going to have to do a frontal assault on the Vaadwaur forces at the gates.
Form up, ordered First Omektikallan shortly and quietly. Kim, with the Admiral. Third, Fourth, with me. Fifth, covering fire.
On it, the Nausicaan replied. Kim double-checked his phaser rifle and pinned himself to the trench wall beside Dtrel.
Ready for this? he asked.
Always, said the Rihanha. Oh, and dont you f*cking dare refer to Zels body beneath the suit even again.
Understood, sir, Kim replied. My bad, I was just startled.
Good, Dtrel replied. Omek, ready?
Ready, the JemHadar hissed back.
On three. One. Two. Three!
They hauled themselves up, Dtrel making the movement in one fluid tug, opening fire as she did so and sending a Vaadwaur scout flying. The turak leaped up and rolled to the ground, her powerful legs carrying her easily into a bit of cover provided by some crates as Vaadwaur weapons fired past.
Subcommander Jak drew his tongue across one of his tusks and pulled himself up on the far side of the trench as he opened fire with his own disruptor, sending Vaadwaur diving for cover. Zel grabbed Kim, and Human and Breen ducked behind a stack of crates of their own, joined moments later by Omektikallan.
On three, Dtrel snapped over the hiss of weapons fire. One. Two. Three!
They popped up, and blazed off a volley. Two Vaadwaur screamed as they fell; three more dropped without a sound.
How many? hissed Kim.
<Two technicians, it appears,> JohKghan signed back.
Zel, Kim. Jak, cover them!
Kim signed to the turak, who flipped another sign back almost too fast for the eye to follow. Kim sent a signal of confirmation back, then held up three fingers. Then two. Then one.
Jak sent another volley back at the enemy, and Human and beast-woman popped up to take down the last two Vaadwaur with deadly accuracy.
Kim, get us in, Dtrel ordered as the motley crew moved up to the temples doors. First, Jak, keep an eye on things out here, beam down a few commando teams. Zel, JohKghan, you two are with me and Kim because I trust the Kobali as far as I can throw a charging Denebian girallon.
I can crack this code, Harry reported. Never seen it used this way, but I know it.
Where have you seen it?
On my ships. Its a security algorithm that I designed while I was on Voyager.
to be continued...
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
We already know that the Kobali virus screws with your mental state, and Ballard showed really...unusual decision-making both in VOY and in DR, and frankly all of the Kobali are like robotic spokesmen for being Kobali.
It's a little creepy, but I hope that you like it.
Based on the Cryptic mission "Dust to Dust". Morgan t'Thavrau appears courtesy of starswordc.
Cast:
Crew of the ch’M’R Kholhr:
High Admiral D’trel: Linda Hamilton circa Terminator 2.
First Omek’ti’kallan: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Subcommander Zel: Kevin Michael Richardson.
Subcommander Jak: John Barrowman.
Science Bekk Min’tak’allan: Wil Wheaton.
t’ongb
No, I did not bring in SHLIFFG as I did in my last multipart solo fic. He will be back soon.
This entire story is dedicated to Monty Oum. He made me laugh, and the instructions on the Rooster Teeth website said to do something creative for him. I hope that this is creative enough to be a fitting tribute.
Cast:
Crew of the ch’M’R Kholhr:
High Admiral D’trel: Linda Hamilton circa Terminator 2.
First Omek’ti’kallan: Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Subcommander Zel: Kevin Michael Richardson.
Subcommander Jak: John Barrowman.
Science Bekk Min’tak’allan: Wil Wheaton.
t’ongb
anyway I enjoyed the storyand looking forward to reading more on D'trel and her crew.
Not going to comment on anything else, though. No good would come of it, seeing as you are quite a stubborn defender of your stance against the Kobali.
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
Actually, Mem Alpha says that Threshold was before Deadlock. Since I never saw VOY when it initially aired (due to being 5 when it ended), I trust Mem Alpha.
On the second bit: Well, I'd say please hit me with any negative thoughts that you have, but then again turning this into ANOTHER Kobali argument thread isn't really a good thing IMHO. So yeah, if all of your other thoughts are "the Kobali are nice, peaceful people!!!!!", maybe not talking about that is a good thing.
Huh. I could have sworn Threshold was mid-series.
Oh, my thoughts are far from "the Kobali are nice, peaceful people!!!!!", as you put it. I think I'm with gulberat on this one - they're in a bad situation, and their handling of it is beyond terrible, but the assumption that their intentions are outright malicious...
One problem seems to be in a difference in opinion as to why Ballard made the choice she did in Ashes to Ashes, as well as the cause of Keten's statement that he can't remember stuff. Given your stance on that particular matter, your belief that the Kobali and their virus are malevolent is a logical one, and one I would support.
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
having a television that has access to netflix comes in handy - i'm currently watching my way through voyager, paying close attention to certain episodes
#LegalizeAwoo
A normie goes "Oh, what's this?"
An otaku goes "UwU, what's this?"
A furry goes "OwO, what's this?"
A werewolf goes "Awoo, what's this?"
"It's nothing personal, I just don't feel like I've gotten to know a person until I've sniffed their crotch."
"We said 'no' to Mr. Curiosity. We're not home. Curiosity is not welcome, it is not to be invited in. Curiosity...is bad. It gets you in trouble, it gets you killed, and more importantly...it makes you poor!"
NP man, it's VOY season 2, best to just forget the whole thing and move on.
Yeah, I'd say that for most of the people; I mean, the soldiers at least are pretty honest in the few negotiations you have with them, but Q'Nel lies so much that I can't take anything he says at face value.
I saw a planet of people who absolutely love being Kobali and can't imagine why anyone WOULDN'T want to be Kobali. They are in a bad situation because of their attitudes and their war crimes against the Vaadwaur, but they react to this--and this is a big beef I have with them--the same way Neelix reacted to Voyager when he was in a tough spot. By lying like a dog.
Q'Nel, to me, is basically a big purple hairless Neelix. He lies, he's sanctimonious, he lies to get us into an alliance, he's hypocritical, he lies while we're allies...pretty much the same TRIBBLE that Neelix does. Only this clown's in charge of a planet.
Yeah, I blame the memory loss on the virus, given that Kobali Kim clearly states that he is losing memories as he becomes more Kobali. With Ashes to Ashes, I felt that there were two ways to read it; abused child going back to her abusers because they are vainly attacking the people protecting her, or brainwashed woman going back to the brainwashers because she can't think differently anymore.
Hope that explains my reasoning (also, I am willing to have this debate, as it doesn't look like it'll turn into a ragefest).
That said, I'd say the thing she said to Keten was pretty much spot on. She couldn't go back to her old life - between what memories of her past she'd lost, her new appearance and her new anatomy, she'd be facing an inability to enjoy some of the things she used to enjoy at the very least, with possible discrimination and no (known) way of reversing the effects. Under those circumstances, I'd be seriously considering doing the same thing - the fact that the Kobali were also threatening to destroy Voyager would just seal the decision.
Jhet'leya had the potential destruction of Voyager, Keten has the fact that he's been dead for decades and replaced by himself, sort of. In a way, his decision to go back to Kobali Prime was a more carefully considered one, forced by circumstances rather than firepower.
As for Q'Nel... I can see why he's lying through the nose, given the Kobali's history of being shunned by the other Delta races. Doesn't justify it, but it does explain why he's doing it. From what you've said, I think we can agree that, under better circumstances, the Kobali as a people would be no worse than various other Milky Way races.
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
As this is (as far as we know, that is) deeply ingrained into the pathogen's modus operandi, I have to ask if you consider that to be part of the execution, or...?
Edit: By the way, I probably won't be able to reply to your answer for a few hours, if not longer - just thought I'd give you a heads up. :P
Infinite possibilities have implications that could not be completely understood if you turned this entire universe into a giant supercomputer.
I do consider that to be part of the execution. There are better ways to do it, given Trek tech levels.
Ironically given the subject matter, I am of two minds about the outcome.
On one hand, although I am not the biggest assisted suicide fan, I can see where a Romulan would oblige someone who was asking for it. And I *did* actually believe while playing the mission that there was a chance that final cutscene with Ensign Kim was building up to either suicide-by-cop, or his turning his weapon on himself. And I would have liked to see Jhet'leya forced to bear the full penalty of guilt for what she did. I know that either of my captains would have had a lot of trouble with just killing him on request like that, however, and would have wrestled greatly with the decision.
Berat may have wanted to try treating him, on grounds that Cardassian biotech is arguably superior to the Federation and he might have a better shot at recovery in the Union, or at least with a Cardassian-led treatment team, given some of the techniques the Obsidian Order used on its deep-cover agents. (Of course this would have to be done with utmost care since the last Ensign Kim knew, Cardassia was at war with the Feds and known for terrible medical abuses. :-/ ) Alyosha and Berat both would have advocated much more strongly for Ensign Kim to be remanded to Federation custody, at least hoping that he might find some of his pain eased by having someone STAND UP FOR HIM far more strongly than the Cryptic mission allowed us or Captain Kim to do.
So yeah, that is a very thorny issue, and one I think "even" Alyosha, with his beliefs, would recognize is terribly complex.
The thing definitely I don't agree with though is killing a high-ranking Kobali officer. While I am sure you found that personally satisfying, I think the "real world" consequences of doing that are so severe that it would not have been worth the trouble. I think it would have both marked the Romulans as savages in the eyes of some of the Delta Quadrant races (I think for instance, the Benthans would have considered it an inappropriate vigilante response, and even though I know you don't care about them, it also would've cost the Talaxians, who are likely to judge the act emotionally and compare it to Gaul's treachery), and also have potentially sabotaged RR relations with the Federation, which IMO the Republic is too weak to be able to afford. Indirectly that could also cause political tensions to rise between the Feds and Klinks if the Rommies are pushed out of neutrality.
That doesn't mean there shouldn't be serious repercussions for what the Kobali did...but I think an on-the-spot execution was out of line and that maybe the words "delayed gratification" would have been key.
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Yeah, you have a point...but the bit that wasn't shown onscreen because I felt that it interrupted the flow of the story, was D'trel hailing Command on the way back, the Benthans and Klingons overriding Federation concerns on the Alliance, and tr'Kererek giving D'trel orders to "remove" Q'Nel.
Knowing full well, of course, that said removal would be brutal, direct, and permanent.
Furthermore, I've previously established that the Republic has repeatedly put the Kobali government on notice, saying that one more lie would be an unforgivable treaty violation. The Republic is legally justified in breaking any alliance that they have with the Kobali, and IMHO the Benthans are beyond fed up with the sentient-rights violations on top of that (the Benthans are harsh but not evil; operating under Alliance laws, which probably include basic sentient rights provisions, the Benthan Guard is going to be super angry at the Kobali). And of course the Klingons still want to stick a big one to the Feds, and they quite likely see the Kobali as beyond dishonorable. Even if the Federation objects, they're going to get overruled and the Republic's going to get their way.
Now, the Talaxians are another matter--they have no space power to speak of, they require outside military help on basically everything, their culture openly values laziness, and their population is a few hundred thousand, tops. Even if they protest, nobody but the sanctimonious hippie Feds will take them seriously.
D'trel is going to get chewed out by D'tan, although tr'Kererek, being carefully complicit, isn't going to be too angry. She DID basically just get Eldex openly on the side of the Alliance or at least up for a lasting peace, by removing the major obstacle for peace and replacing him with a more conciliatory figure, after all.
Of course, the talk show hosts will rip her apart, but she really doesn't care about that anymore.
tl;dr: The bit that I didn't show because story flow had the Benthans, Klingons, and Romulans leading a faction in the Alliance that won a vote to send D'trel to punish Q'Nel for his repeated and unrepentant violations of sentient rights, serial war crimes, and obnoxious mendacity. D'trel will catch a lot of heat, especially with the Federation, but she probably will get off relatively lightly.
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But since we have SO little material on the Benthans, I can see where a different interpretation might have arisen. I would say your interpretation would have been best supported by showing how the decision was reached among the allies (to include theirs) so that we know why they are deviating from their usual MO, which is to arrest for trial and judicially-administered punishment.
Out of universe though...the lack of faction specific dialogue gives one the impression the Feds have the leading say in the alliance and that the power and command structure isn't equal. If you are writing from a different assumption that makes your work easier to see taking place. Whereas I happened to be writing from the assumption that the rules of engagement and command structure in the DQ were explicitly biased towards the Feds. It is not necessarily good how Cryptic handled it even though I consider there a plot case to be made that the Klingons were officially rendered irrelevant in "Surface Tension." I am simply pointing out how those two core assumptions can affect the story direction. Seeing a bit more on how your version of the Alliance worked might have grounded D'Trel's actions further.
Just to be clear again this is NOT saying there is any need to change your plot...just some thoughts on how to increase some readers' acceptance of your version.
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The Benthan Guard--I see them like Dalinar Kholin from the Stormlight Archive (which I highly recommend to you, gulberat). They are good, moral people, but hard, passionately devoted to their ideals, yet still practical.
I literally thought "What would Dalinar do?" when I was considering how the Benthans would go.
I may write a political scene as a companion piece to this. That would be pretty fun, actually...
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I can't see chapter 2 or 3 either, or at least only up to the cast lists. Were they removed by the mods? If so, they haven't left any "edited by" line, and I didn't think it was possible to do that without.
What's the "necro" rule for, anyway? On some other forums I use, posting on a previous thread about the same subject, however old, rather than starting a new one, is actively encouraged - keeps too many threads from being started on the same topic and makes it easier to find the information you're looking for.
Your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother's, and yours.
I dare you to do better.
I'm inclined to considered fan fiction threads exceptions to the necro rule when somebody is trying to comment on the actual story. See what wombat says here about the Foundry subforum.
The only explanation I ever saw was that it's meant to keep people from dredging up old arguments that nobody else is actually interested in continuing with.
(There's an old xkcd strip I wanted to post here but I couldn't find it. Something about the life cycle of a forum thread.)
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