Topic: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans  (Read 75075 times)

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Offline Scottish Andy

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #120 on: July 13, 2007, 02:05:20 pm »
Okay Smithy, I'm all caught up again.

A really excellent story. I still think it is more Star Wars-themed than Star Trek, but your characters are great, very real-seeming people to me and I love coming back for more.

I didn't notice anything bad in the sections you were worried about, so I'd say, "don't worry about it." :D

I have to say that, for the last chapter(s);
1) I'm surprised Smithy' team and Harriman are so "all right" about helping out the Roms after just fighting a huge war with them not too long ago.
2) You sure gutted the Roms as a mahjor interstellar power. Our "Resident Rom" proponents (:D) won't be happy with that...

Okay, now put up some more!
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Offline Governor Ronjar

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #121 on: July 15, 2007, 10:00:43 pm »
The Romulans were always the #3 badguy...even when there were only two to go around...

waiting to see how many mail-bombs I get this week...
--thu guv!
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Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #122 on: July 18, 2007, 01:58:07 am »
Yes, nerfing the Romulan fleet completely was a decision I made a long while ago. Given their spectacular uselessness over the years - the D'Deridex never seemed much cop, and those Norexan (?) class sips in Nemesis were handed their arses on a silver platter almost immediately while the Ent-E hung on in there - along with them basically trying to wipe out the Federation and the Klingons in the Gatrellian war it was time to punish them. Badly.

So, I destroyed their entire fleet and crippled their empire. Let's see you act all smug and superior now, you pointy eared bar stewards ;D

Will post some more later in the week. Got a mountain of work to catch up on after taking a few days off for Grandpa's memorial and funeral. Plus one of my weasel co-workers decided it would be a corking idea to keep funnelling work off onto me through her manipulation of one of the management drones so she could look like she was getting all her work done. She will experience retribution on Friday though. I may or may not have something to do with the almighty dressing-down she's scheduled for  :angel:
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Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #123 on: July 22, 2007, 05:17:15 am »
***********

Chapter 6 - Death's Shadow (part 4)

***********
USS Tigermoth-A
9th June 2395
1210hrs EST
Captain's Quarters

"Captain's log, stardate 71294.2. Romulan representatives have met with Federation officials. The meeting did not go well, thanks mainly to our President. The Tigermoth is currently heading for Earth, and I am heading for a confrontation with Maxwell once more."

Smithy saved the recording and closed down the terminal, his eyes riveted on the window and the red streaks of transwarp flight. He heard the door open, and saw his wife's reflection. "Dave called?"

"Yeah." Lisa crossed the room to sit next to him. "He asked if you'd mind not doing anything that would get you arrested."

"No promises." Smithy shook his head. "I expected this. It shouldn't have happened, but I expected it. How has the Federation reached the point at which the Council can be completely subordinate to the whims of a madman in president's clothing?"

Lisa gazed at her husband. "It's not just him though. Is it."

"That a statement or a question?" Smithy faced her. "No. It isn't just him. This....all of this....it feels like Robert Metcalf. I don't know how....but despite blowing the sod up I know I haven't seen the last of him." He gingerly stood up, straightening out his protesting knee. "I'm going to meet Maxwell. I am going to ask some questions of him. And I'm probably going to punch him in the face. I'll need you to get me out of whichever holding cell I get thrown in."

Lisa smiled. "Alright. Holler when you need the pick-up."

***********
SOD Command Centre
California, Earth
1524hrs EST
Conference Centre


Maxwell stood at the window, surveying the courtyard. Men, his men, marching in the monthly parades. All the pomp and ceremony missing from the outdated and obsolete Starfleet. The new order was well underway to being completed, with himself as it's leader. The prospect made him almost giddy.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Maxwell spun around. Smithy stood there, leaning against the doorway. Behind him the two guards lay on the floor. Maxwell shook his head. "You shouldn't have done that, James. That would be assault."

"Yep. And I'm not done yet." Smithy pushed off the edge of the door allowing it to shut, and walked slowly over towards Maxwell. All traces of his limp were absent, something that was taking a lot of concentration to achieve. "You refused to offer any protection to the Romulans. Now why would you do that, John? You think the Romulans will let that pass? Once we've fought off the Andromedans, the Romulans will rebuild just as they did after the Romulan War. It might take a century, but they will be back. And they will explode out of their home system hungry for vengeance."

Maxwell fought down the urge to shrink back. "They won't get the chance. After Special Operations has won this war we will make sure the Romulans will never pose a threat again!"

Smithy frowned at that. "You'd really send ships into Romulan space as a first strike? You're even more crazy than I thought." He shook his head. "Not that what you say matters of course, given how utterly useless the new SOD ships have proven to be so far. And while judging by that courtyard you appear to have built an impressive army of brainless little drones, you still couldn't go quite that far."

Maxwell's eyes flashed with anger. "Would you like to put me to the test, James? You might find an answer you weren't expecting."

Smithy grinned mirthlessly. "Oh....I think you'll find I'm expecting all kinds of answers, all of the time. Your 'benefactor' can tell you that much."

The other man's face wore a look that was equal parts confusion and alarm. "What are you talking about? What benefactor?"

"Don't lie to me, John. That just annoys me." Smithy half-turned as if to leave, before spinning straight back and planting his fist square in the middle of Maxwell's face. He stared down at him. "Tell him I'll find him. And this time I'll end things for good, one way or the other." He turned to face the group of SOD security forces who had just burst into the room. "Afternoon lads. Here to show me to my cell?"

Maxwell struggled to his feet behind him. "Shoot the bastard! Shoot him!"

Smithy shook his head. "Not today." He tapped his comm badge three times. "See you soon." He dissolved into the transporter beam.

***********
1601hrs EST
President's Office


Maxwell dismissed the doctor with an angry wave, staring at himself in the mirror. If I had full control, you'd be dead by now James. No-one will ever do that to me again. He crossed back over to his desk, and activated the computer terminal. "Secure-One. Activate communications link."

"Working. Link active."

He tapped in a few commands. "Sir....I have news."

"What....is it John?"

Maxwell leaned in close to the screen, lowering his voice even though he was alone and on a secure channel. "Captain Smith. He knows."

"This was expected. Nothing has changed yet, John. We are still on course, and soon you will have the power to kill him. Does he know where I am yet?"

Maxwell shook his head. "I don't know. I don't think so, he mentioned something about setting out to find you. Could he do that?"

"He is capable of many things. That...is not one of them. Still....I shall take precautions. Thank you for letting me know." The screen went blank.

Maxwell sagged back into the chair and let out a half-sigh, half-sob. Despite the reassuring words, he was worried. I....we....have worked too hard for the plan to be ruined by him. I need a plan.

***********
USS Tigermoth
1630hrs EST
Bridge

Smithy stepped out onto the bridge of his ship, noting the near-emptiness with satisfaction. Finally, people were actually obeying orders and getting some rest. On a nice, boring run like this flitting between Antares to pick up sensor relay drones and out into space to drop them off, all at transwarp speeds, the ship needed very few people actually operating her. Computers had come on in leaps and bounds, as had most starship technology.

He rubbed at the knuckles he'd felled Maxwell with, annoyed at himself for doing that. Temporary satisfaction notwithstanding, he knew just how stupid he'd been to do that. There had been no real need to rattle Maxwell's cage, he could have simply made his plan against the president in secret. Instead, he'd gone charging in as usual and let Maxwell know in no uncertain terms that his days were numbered.

And his benefactor. Smithy had no idea how to find him, but he knew it was going to take some work. He sat, closed his eyes, and cast his mind out. You're out there. I know you are. I'll find you. I'll find you and stop you. I'll....find....you.

***********
***********

Short chunk to end Chapter Six. See you all next week sometime.
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Offline Commander Maxillius

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #124 on: July 22, 2007, 12:47:45 pm »
Wow, great work!!  The Federation's really gone to hell in a handbasket hasn't it?
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Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #125 on: July 22, 2007, 02:34:42 pm »
Wow, great work!!  The Federation's really gone to hell in a handbasket hasn't it?

Things might just get a whole lot worse before they get better. The Andros haven't brought their A-game to the party yet  ;D

Plus - it's 2395. Those legendary crews from the various TV series are retired now. All the Federation has is Harriman, Sheehan and Smithy with his Tigermoth crew. K-Fo is sat at home enjoying retirement and the quiet life (with that little tantalising thread that might just pull him back....;)), S'Tasik is dearly departed at this point (killed in the Imperial conflict)....and an incompetent, reasonably psychotic, utterly unlikeable smegger is in charge.

Now, how the hell do I dig my universe out of that hole?
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Offline Commander Maxillius

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #126 on: July 22, 2007, 04:55:48 pm »
Can't wait to see how it unfolds! 

Maybe the  Romulans could save the day? ;)
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Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #127 on: July 22, 2007, 05:09:15 pm »
Can't wait to see how it unfolds! 

Maybe the  Romulans could save the day? ;)

Heh, doubt it. I pretty much mauled that fleet of theirs unfortunately. I don't think they'll be back this year....not in numbers anyway. But, you never know....;D
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Offline Governor Ronjar

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #128 on: July 22, 2007, 09:29:34 pm »
Your Fed Prez aint based on good ol' Gee-Dub-Ya Bush, is he?

Still liking!

--thu guv!
'It's a lot of hard work being a mean bastard...' --Captain Eric Finlander, CO USS Bedford (The Bedford Incident)

'Jaken...are you pretending to be dead?' --Lord Sesshomaru, Inuyasha.

Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #129 on: July 23, 2007, 08:07:08 am »
Your Fed Prez aint based on good ol' Gee-Dub-Ya Bush, is he?

Actually, he isn't. But I'd be interested to know just how many people think he is ;D

Maxwell is very much a composite of several people I've had the misfortune to encounter, a couple of whom are politicians. The madness is notched up a bit, as is the complete cowardice. Metcalf is the same - a composite of several people, with some traits exaggerated to provide a half-decent target for my characters to beat.

Still liking!

--thu guv!


Jolly good  ;)
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Offline Commander Maxillius

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #130 on: July 23, 2007, 12:23:19 pm »
Dubya isn't that bad, and I think that if you were to punch the President in the face, he'd get up and hit ya back.

This guy (Maxwell) needs to be ended.  He's ruined the Federation :(
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Offline Governor Ronjar

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #131 on: July 23, 2007, 04:18:22 pm »
'It's a lot of hard work being a mean bastard...' --Captain Eric Finlander, CO USS Bedford (The Bedford Incident)

'Jaken...are you pretending to be dead?' --Lord Sesshomaru, Inuyasha.

Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #132 on: July 23, 2007, 04:21:59 pm »
Dubya isn't that bad,

 :laugh:

--guv

Could be worse.....John Kerry could be in charge. Ugh.....
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Offline Governor Ronjar

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #133 on: July 23, 2007, 04:35:44 pm »
We haven't had a good presidential candidate in my life time. Save MAYBE for Reagan...but he was still a Republican. [not that I really like one over the other]

--guv again
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'Jaken...are you pretending to be dead?' --Lord Sesshomaru, Inuyasha.

Offline Commander Maxillius

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #134 on: July 23, 2007, 05:08:32 pm »
We haven't had a good presidential candidate in my life time. Save MAYBE for Reagan...but he was still a Republican. [not that I really like one over the other]

--guv again


true. 
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Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #135 on: July 26, 2007, 02:10:05 am »
Quick update - getting close to happy with the first parts of Chapter 7 now. Will try and get the start of the chapter posted by the weekend.
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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #136 on: July 29, 2007, 06:39:41 am »
***********

Chapter 7 - The Blast Of War (part 1)

***********
USS Tigermoth-A
5th July 2395
0610hrs EST
Bridge

"Captain's log, stardate 71361.6. The sensor network we have been helping to lay out for many weeks is almost completed. My science officers are completing final calibrations of the last unit, and setting up our own sensors to interface with the network."

Smithy stretched out both his legs, grimacing at the sharp stab of pain from his left knee. About time I got this damn leg sorted. As soon as this is all over, Starfleet can consider me on leave for a few months. A sudden chill swept over him.

James. Can you hear me, James? Can you feel my presence?[/b]

Metcalf. Smtihy closed his eyes. He'd gone a whole fortnight without thinking about him, he'd been that busy with other things. Another thought struck him. Lisa. He punched the intercom.

***********
Captain's Quarters
0612hrs EST

Lisa awoke with a start, the images of her nightmare still fresh in her mind. The engine room of the old Tigermoth, the sudden jolt sideways that had pitched her against the rail around the warp core, the rail giving way....and this time, James not being there to save her. Instead, she fell.

She got up, and turned on the replicator. "Water, chilled." She managed to force a few sips down, her whole body trembling.

"Bridge to Commander Smith. You alright hon'?"

Lisa tapped the comm panel next to the bed to activate it. "Yeah....I'm fine. You get a twinge?"

"Just a bit."

Lisa smiled at that. "Always looking out for me. Well, now that I'm up - has the sensor network come on-line yet?"

"We're just about to give it a try. You coming up?"

"On my way." Lisa closed down the connection, and pulled on her off-duty uniform. On her way out she paused by the mirror, staring at her reflection for a moment. It's him. It must be.

***********
Bridge
0620hrs EST


Smithy leaned on the bridge rail next to Ops. "How long?"

"Another minute, sir. Just need to get this emitter calibrated and then we can link it in." Winchester tapped away at his console, dialling the last sensor drone into the now-complete network.

Smithy turned as his wife stepped out of the turbolift. He headed for the relative privacy of the rear of the bridge, and lowered his voice. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sure." Lisa shook her head. "It's him, isn't it? I keep having those nightmares, always about that first time on the old ship. When you and Metcalf had your first big showdown. I'm in the engine room, when that first big hit came in. I go over the rail, and this time you aren't there to grab me and haul me back. Last time I had that kind of nightmare was during the Gatrellian war. Before that, it was after the ISC had attacked with his help."

Smithy nodded. "He's calling. He knows that I can't find him, that I'll have to wait for him to make a move. Which puts us on the back foot....despite his insanity, he's clever."

"How did he survive though? I saw what was left of him....he can't have been alive." Lisa shuddered at the memory, partly from remembering the weeks afterwards of her husband struggling to pull through from the injuries he'd taken and partly from the sight of Metcalf post-explosion.

"The Nexus. He went in, and left an echo. That echo must have found a way out." He turned back to Ops. "Winchester?"

The younger man turned to face him. "Ready for power-up on your signal, sir."

Smithy and Lisa headed for their seats. "On my mark, then." Smithy settled in, his gaze locked on the main screen. "Hit it."

A beat, then the screen began to fill with sensor data. As the crew watched, the Alpha Quadrant took shape. Every star, every planet, every major installation withing the range of the network was visible on the Tigermoth main screen. Smithy grinned. "Well, whaddya know? Certainly seems to work."

Winchester scanned his telemetry. "Response time is good, range is exactly to spec, everything is in focus....yep....I think we got it, captain."

Riggs glanced back at her board as it lit up. "Admiral Harriman on the line, sir. He says that Antares has a clear picture as well."

"Tell him to wave out of a window, we could probably see it from here." Lisa squeezed Smithy's hand. "Reckon that just tipped the balance a little back towards us?

"Well, it should certainly give us a little more warning about incursions in our space." Smithy shook his head. "Still....the Alpha Quadrant is not the galaxy. Did Dave say whether the Klingons okayed the extension of the network into their space?"

"They have, we just need to build a bunch more sensor units. We'll start on that soon, if other events don't precl-

*FLASH*

"Same type of destruction as before, sir. Juding from the debris, I'd say none of them got a decent shot in."

"I take it there's no sign of the attacking fleet."

"Not a damned thing. No residual traces of their engine activity, barely any trace of their weapons fire, beyond the wrecks."


*FLASH*

"-ude it." Smithy blinked. What had he just seen? "Riggs, get me a secure line to Antares. Patch it through to my quarters when you have it." He stood. "You coming hon'?"

"I'm not on duty for another couple of hours."

"Right. Riggs, you have the bridge."

***********
***********

Right, short bit to get the Chapter 7 ball rolling.
RIMMER: Step up to Red Alert.
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Offline Commander Maxillius

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #137 on: July 29, 2007, 07:17:09 pm »
but but but... more?????  :)

You certainly have a way with cliffhangers :P
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Offline Scottish Andy

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #138 on: July 30, 2007, 10:43:40 am »
He certainly does! Love your *FLASH*es. Very... real.

Looking forward to more.
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Offline James Smith

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Re: ST: Tigermoth - Return Of The Andromedans
« Reply #139 on: July 30, 2007, 01:33:29 pm »
but but but... more?????  :)

You certainly have a way with cliffhangers :P

He certainly does! Love your *FLASH*es. Very... real.

Looking forward to more.

See, it's odd. I don't comment on much on here, but I do read it all. There are people on here who, IMO, write waaaaaay better than I do. And it always surprises me to see the nice comments that my writing draws. Not that I'm staring at the metaphorical tonsils of a gift horse. It's certainly enjoyable to get a good reaction to my work, even more enjoyable than writing it in the first place ;D And given that I tend to write it while consuming vast quantities of alcomahol, that should say something!*

The *FLASH* is meant to emulate two things, really. One - the interludes that DS9 took when they wanted a character to talk to The Prophets. The other thing is the technique that the TV show NUMB3RS uses to cut to Charlie Eppes' internal thought process. If you imagine a sort-of combination of those two....bah. It makes sense in my head!

And therein lies the problem wiith my fanfic. I can describe stuff all I want, but at the end of the day, I'm bound by the limitations of the written word and my own level of operating with that restriction. Actually showing the action....that would be the Holy Grail. But, with the sheer amount of work involved....I have a huge amount of respect for the people making particularly good fan films in the Trek universe, I really do.

I do wish I was a good enough writer to really show you all what I see in my head when I read these stories back  :)




* - I may, or may not, be ever-so-slightly drunk right now.
RIMMER: Step up to Red Alert.
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