Breakdowns (Spoiler)

S P O I L E R

*

*

*

*

*

*


After the dramatic events in "Wildfire" I was kept wondering where
S.C.E. will go from here. Most stories in "Breakdowns" deal more or less
with the aftermath, how certain characters come to terms with what
happened. There is one story I find pretty poor and disappointing but
the others are very good to excellent:

HOME FIRES

I liked that story a lot. I could understand Corsi very well and it was
amusing and touching at the same time how Stevens simply invited himself
and accompanied her when she visited her parents. He showed that he
really cared and I think this story brought them even closer together.
Stevens helped her to find her confidence again and she in return
convinced him to stay with the S.C.E. This was very much the return of
the old "core breach" Corsi with the more vulnerable interior. I am
curious how this relationship will develop in future.

I very much liked Corsi`s parents, also her father. It is great that
Stevens` stunt also brought father and daughter together again after
such a long time. After having read Aldo`s story, I could understand
him. In his grief he looked for someone to blame and Starfleet was the
natural target. I very much agree with Corsi and don`t think Ross asked
anything unreasonable from the brothers Corsi. That the mission ended so
tragically was first of all due to a mistake that looks very avoidable
and silly in hindsight but I can understand that especially under
pressure, mistakes can be made.

I liked it that Corsi didn`t give up this time and kept reaching out to
her father and he finally opened up. I think Corsi`s own recent
experiences allowed her to emphasize better what her father went through
and Aldo finally understood what motivated his brother and what
motivates his daughter. It is a classic example of how tragedy can form
bridges and bring people together.

It will be interesting to see if Duffy`s death will hold Corsi and
Stevens back should their relationship become more than friendship
because of the risks or if they will adopt the attitude to see it as a
reminder that life is precious and that also relationships should be
enjoyed as long as possible.


AGE OF UNREASON

The story already rubbed me the wrong way from the very beginning. I
don`t think it is a good idea to start a story with a chapter featuring
two characters I immediately disliked intensely. I very much hate the
stereotype of the barbarian who is obsessed with honor and violence, has
the built of a cupboard with a square face combined with the typical
revealing outfits to show off his male attributes. This is not a "god" I
would find attractive in any way. The advisor was turned into the
complete opposite cliché. After I finished the first chapter I didn`t
care what he had done and why he was killed. It wasn`t explained well
anyway. I am very much aware that Tarak was not supposed to be likeable
but when you introduce a villain as a counterpart to the good guys, he
should at least be someone you find interesting. I just found him
disgusting.

Chapter two also didn`t start well. Carol Abramowitz is lost in thought
when a "breathtakenly handsome" man talks to her. Her glass shatters on
the floor and although especially this character is not known for
talking about her feelings to anyone she behaves like a shy immature
schoolgirl, enchanted by his good looks she is THIS close telling a
stranger about her loss, her most intimate feelings. (Maybe she indeed
did so later because at the end of the story, she intends to go after
this handsome stranger). It felt like reading a piece of bad fan fiction
and it certainly didn`t help to find Abramowitz more likeable. She lost
a lot of my respect in that scene but I must add that she has never been
one of my favourite S.C.E. characters anyway.

Martin Mansur is also nothing more than a cliché and like Tarak, not a
good one. The "evil, power hungry and mad scientist" immediately comes
to mind. It just bored me.

The mystery in this story is about a powerful technology that is overly
phantastic and would fit better in a fantasy novel. I admit that I was
somewhat curious where this would go but it didn`t help that all the
twists and turns were not only overly complicated, they were also not
explained very well. After a while I simply didn`t care any more. I
doubt it that I would have finished the story if it would have been a
full sized novel.

To put it mildly, I was not impressed.


BALANCE OF NATURE

This is the story I definitely enjoyed most in this book. I always liked
Pattie or P8 Blue but this is the first time this character got so much
attention and we learn much more about her background. I loved it how
Heather Jarman described her world, her people, the Nasat, and her
culture. It was a fascinating read to me and I often tried to imagine
how a civilization would look like that is built in gigantic trees,
surrounded by an untouched wild jungle.

I also found it very interesting what the author revealed about Nasat
mentality and society, also how also these elements are part of a puzzle
that leads to the solving of an intriguing mystery. The idea of Nasat
quiets, how they are treated and that Pattie is one of them touched me a
lot. Heather Jarman showed very well Pattie`s strength and courage. As a
youngster she got the chance to grow beyond her limitation and she
embraced it with a passion, it seems. Pattie returned to her people with
a pretty unique perspective for a Nasat. Not only did she motivate and
guide her people to find out what happened, she became a bridge not only
between her and Starfleet but also between the Nasat and the long
forgotten Citoac. Nevertheless, Pattie didn`t turn superwoman in this
story but remained a modest, gentle, very likeable person who was
struggling with her own self doubts due to the stigma of being a quiet.
It is certainly one of the most powerful character stories I have read
so far in S.C.E.

Hopefully the Nasat learned the lesson of how important it is to keep
history alive, how important it is not to forget. I was wondering for a
while if the damage might have been done by another sentient species
living nearby but well hidden. But I would never have guessed the true
nature of the Nasat quiets.

I also like her two "soft" friends, the Betazoid and Vulcan. I liked it
how Heather Jarman described their friendship and the special
relationship they have with Pattie.

I am hoping for more, not only about Pattie, her people and her two
friends but also new Star Trek stories written by Heather Jarman.

BREAKDOWNS

I think this story is a perfect epilogue to "Wildfire" and it definitely
delivered more than I expected. My personal perspective was admittedly
clouded by my feelings I have about the decision to kill off Duffy.
Although on a rational level I accept the story for what it is and
understand why it was written, I found out that I was not honest when I
assumed in the past that I made my peace with it. At least not
completely, it seems. Already at the start of the story I had a good
idea what will follow and I just sighed: Moving speeches, a lot of
regrets and sad faces but with the inevitable conclusion that life has
to go on and that these deaths should only forge the survivors together,
determined to continue their mission with the SCE. And for that Duffy,
my favourite character, had to go? With the recent decision to split up
Exri Dax and Julian Bashir, I am even more unhappy about the loss of the
Duffy/ Gomez pairing.

Not in the best mood, I continued reading. The exchange between Gold and
Scotty already made me smile and then the part about Gold`s family
started. I forgot my misgivings and just enjoyed this gathering. Gold
definitely has a colourful family! To me this is something a bit alien
because my family has always been very small. First of all, I am hoping
to read more about Khor in future. Him and Freser, that was funny. But
first of all, I liked reading about his Klingon viewpoint of what
happened. It was a nice example how different cultures can learn from
each other.

I liked it that the next part was looking in more detail at the families
of the deceased. That Gold decided to visit them all personally if
possible on Earth is something that deserves respect and the different
reactions were very interesting to read. That not everybody reacted
rationally is understandable and Gomez is no exception here. That part
of the book immediately reminded me of Aldo Corsi`s problems with
Starfleet in Home Fires which I just read. It showed his wisdom and
maturity that Gold was able to help Gomez to sort out her feelings and
make sense of her loss.

Like the touching scene at the end of "Rogue" when Hawk`s parents did
not only mourn the loss of their son but also celebrated his life and
remembered him with fondness, it was a nice touch to add such a scene
here as well. The Galvan VI survivors are now its own family, something
I can understand very well.

Christie Golden introduced a conflict between the Delta Quadrant
veterans and the rest of the crew - which disappeared in the, so far,
latest book but I will have to wait and see what she has in mind for the
future. I am hoping that Gold won`t have similar problems.

For the most part, I enjoyed the book and should I have problems again
with Duffy`s death I promise to remember that I can still enjoy books in
which not only Calhoun and Shelby but also Riker and Troi are a couple.
And I hope at least that will never change .


Baerbel Haddrell