Hall of Mirrors

Oct

2018

Review – Inside Information

A Nostalgic Review of Inside Information

Inside Information brings the In Between Days Series in line with Star Trek: Discovery.

Background

On the Discovery, a young crewman knows something no one else does. His ancestors have visited him in his dreams, and they have told him there’s a way to get home. And this young crewman is Douglas Malcolm Beckett. But he’s changed his name to Hayes.

Douglas Jay Hayes Beckett (Steven Culp) – image is for educational purposes only

Plot

For the ghosts of Douglas Jay Hayes Beckett and Charlotte Lilienne O’Day Beckett, it’s irresistible. Their descendant is in peril and he’s afraid. So they enter his dream state and they comfort him. But they also let him know that he can get home if all else fails.

For one of the great patriarchs and one of the great matriarchs of an enormous dynasty, the chance to help one of their own will always be on the table. And so Doug and Lili arrive, in mists and clouds and mystery.

Family Tree

Doug the younger is the son of Jay Hayes Beckett. Jay is the son of Joss, who is Doug and Lili’s first born. Doug the younger is also of interest because he’s born on December 3, 2229, giving him the same birthday as Douglas Jay Hayes Beckett. The difference, though, is 127 years.

Doug the younger’s sister, Lilienne Melissa Beckett, is born in 2230. In Fortune, Q shows her to Lili.

But the tree goes on and Doug the younger also connects to Barnstorming. In 2265, he marries Penny Webb. Their son, Steven Hayes, is born in 2270. He marries Lucy Kimura. Steven’s daughter, Lilienne Charlotte Hayes, is born in 2309. During Play, Time Out, and Overtime, Lilienne is one of the thirteen living descendants of Doug the elder.

Barking Up The Muse Tree | jespah | Janet Gershen-Siegel | Lili| Naomi Watts | pregnant-Inside Information

Lili (image of Naomi Watts is for educational purposes only)

Their son, Jay Neil Hayes (born 2307) has a daughter, Sheilagh. She marries Don Porter. Their daughter is Tamsin Jennifer Porter, another of the thirteen.

The Thirteen

Doug the elder’s thirteen living descendants in 2379 are:

Douglas Daniels, born in 2305 (also Lili’s descendant via Malcolm Reed)
Michael Daniels, born in 2341 (also Lili’s descendant via Malcolm Reed)
Lilienne Charlotte Hayes, born in 2309 (also Lili’s descendant)
Ariana LaForge, born in 2337 (also Lili’s descendant, via both Doug and Malcolm)
Edward LaForge, born in 2322 (also Lili’s descendant, via both Doug and Malcolm)
Geordi LaForge, born in 2335(also Lili’s descendant, via both Doug and Malcolm)
Misty Dana MacKenzie, born in 2329 (Melissa Madden‘s descendant)
Martin Douglas Madden, born in 2322 (Melissa Madden’s descendant)
Jay Neil Hayes, born in 2307 (also Lili’s descendant)
Sheilagh Hayes Porter, born in 2331 (also Lili’s descendant)
Tamsin Porter, born in 2354 (also Lili’s descendant)
Tina Reed O’Connor, born in 2291 (also Lili’s descendant via Malcolm Reed)
Kevin Reed, born in 2344 (also Lili’s descendant via Malcolm Reed)

Story Postings

Inside Information on Ad Astra
Inside Information on Fanfiction.net
And Inside Information on Wattpad

Rating

The story has a K rating.

Upshot

Doug the younger even refers to The Human Pioneers of Lafa II, neatly bringing Norri into the fold. It was a quick story, tossed off fast. But it ties the story together even more, and the family lives on, from generation to generation, and from series to series.

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Feb

2017

Portrait of a Character – Spock

Spock Origins

Spock (Zachary Quinto version)

Spock. The character is, of course, canon.

Portrayal

As in canon, the character is played by Zachary Quinto when younger and by Leonard Nimoy when more mature.

Spock (Leonard Nimoy version)

Personality

Aloof and seemingly afflicted with a superiority complex, it is easy to see why he vexed McCoy so much, in both timelines.

I write both versions in the Eriecho series and try to reconcile the two. The elder version tells Uhura that she was an important person to him but not a lover. The younger version is a bit baffled by the prime version and even more baffled by Sybok.

Relationships

Nyota Uhura

This relationship, in the JJ Abrams universe, is canon. I kind of like the idea of this happening, that two highly intelligent people might have something in common. Nyota is a particularly gentling and calming influence as Amanda Grayson, in this timeline, is dead.

T’Pring

There is not much to tell, although this is a canon relationship from the Original Series.

Mirror Universe

The Mirror Universe version is canon. Ruthlessly efficient and as intelligence as he is here, I write the MU version before the canon episode. As Kirk’s chief henchman, he just wants to stay out of the way while the dirty work is done.

Mirror Universe Spock (Leonard Nimoy)

Quote

“I spoke with Spock Prime, and he asked whether Sybok lived. It brought a memory to the surface. Sybok visited us once, when I was about three years of age. I have the slightest of memories of him. Father says that Sybok only visited that one time. And Father also says that he believes Sybok remains among the living. Nyota, he may be a living Vulcan who has not yet been accounted for.”

Upshot

I like this character but I suspect I don’t do him justice. Then again, that is hard for anyone to do.
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Feb

2017

Review – Mirror Masquerade

Mirror Masquerade?

Mirror Masquerade Background

The idea was to cross over, and I am pretty sure that was the original prompt. And so I decided to cross over between the Original Series and Enterprise. However, the twist would be to add the Mirror Universe in for some spice.

Plot

Mirror Masquerade

So much like in Concord and Crackerjack, and The Continuing Adventures of Porthos – The Future Cat, a temporal situation is encountered. And a lot more like Theorizing and Day of the Dead, two people switch places. Although in this instance, it is Travis Mayweather and Hikaru Sulu. So for the purposes of this story, it was the TOS Hikaru Sulu, although it could just as easily have been the Hikaru Sulu from the Kelvin timeline.

For both men, so long as the switcheroo holds up, their lives improve, although Sulu ends up doing better. In the Mirror Universe, any advantage is a good one. Sulu finds someone who interests him – Preston Jennings. This establishes, in my fanfiction universe, that Hikaru Sulu is bisexual is not gay, which was a deliberate call out to Takei’s well-known homosexuality. Travis sees an immediate improvement in his life as he gets away from Empress Hoshi. It feels like it is going to be a win-win all around. But we just can’t have that. There has to be some reason it all happened.

And then, of course, it’s time to undo it all and pull the rug out from under them. Sorry, fellas.

Story Postings

Mirror Masquerade on Ad Astra
In addition, Mirror Masquerade on Fanfiction.net
Also, Mirror Masquerade on Wattpad
Mirror Masquerade in Hall of Mirrors context
Also, Mirror Masquerade on Wattpad

Rating

The story is Rated K+.

Upshot

The idea of shifting bodies in time is always a fun one, although I confess it isn’t always so easy to figure out a plausible explanation for the trade. I am running out of ideas here!

Uh, help?

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Feb

2017

Portrait of a Character – James T. Kirk

James T. Kirk Origins

Kirk (Chris Pine version)

James T. Kirk. The character is, of course, canon.

Portrayal

As in canon, the character is played by Chris Pine when younger and William Shatner when more mature.

Kirk (William Shatner version)

Personality

Daring, impulsive, and intelligent, the TOS version is easier to take as a leader. The JJ Abrams version often seems bratty and out of control. While the TOS version is sometimes overly sure of himself, he never really seems to be cocky.

One thing to remember is that TOS was written for Kirk. Every episode revolves around him and it is always his POV, even when a storyline centers around Spock, McCoy, or even Scotty or Nurse Chapel.

Relationships

TOS Kirk has numerous relationships, too many to list here.

Carol Marcus

In canon, they fall in love and she has his child (prime timeline only).

Kaitaama

This is the only ‘relationship’ (it’s more like a hookup) I have written for him.

Mirror Universe

Mirror Universe Kirk (William Shatner)

Mirror Universe James T. Kirk is canon.

We do not really see the MU Jim. As I write him, much like other men with the Y Chromosome Skew, he’s always looking for sexual conquests.

About all we really see is him arguing, but we see all of the denizens of the Mirror Universe complaining and threatening. He does not seem like anyone special, a fact that is played up for Jonathan Archer in the Enterprise MU episodes.

Quote

“Starfleet is looking to us, to go exploring. Everybody wants peace, and I’m all for that, but you gotta understand something. That means actually doing something with our time. We are supposed to be getting all of the things done that we couldn’t, while we were dealing with the likes of Nero and Khan. We’re all glad that they’re gone, and I can understand the interest, but Starfleet can send one of their slower ships for that, right?”

Upshot

I was so sick of him at the end of TOS that I didn’t really want to write about him or watch him much. The truth is, I tend to watch TOS with an eye toward McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, or Chapel more than Kirk. The JJ Abrams version is often kind of whiny. At some point, I hope I can come to peace with this character, as he is, as Spock would say, fascinating.

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Jan

2017

Portrait of a Character – Nyota Uhura

Nyota Uhura is a character that changes with the times.

Origins

Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldana version)

The character is, of course, canon.

I have always loved this character’s quiet competence. She was also perhaps the first actress I ever saw who worked under the hood of a display, with a screwdriver, as wires sparked. It meant, to me, that she was not just another pretty face and she had more going on. She was an important and valuable member of the crew and not just some eye candy.

Portrayal

As in canon, the character is played by Zoe Saldana when young and by Nichelle Nichols when more mature.

I was particularly thrilled when, in the Kelvin timeline films, she showed her competence by making it clear she could speak Romulan. This was a great check back to Hoshi and also to what communications people really should be doing in space.

Uhura (Nichelle Nichols version)

In the Original Series, she was always the calming presence on the ship. Also, if you heard her voice, you knew that, no matter what, everything was going to be all right.

For young girls growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, she proved that you can be young and beautiful and feminine, but also powerful, intelligent, and adventurous. I hope Ms. Nichols knows just how many people she inspired.

Personality

Friendly and kind, Nyota is almost the mother hen of the ship in either timeline. She is its heartbeat.

Relationships

Spock

Like a lot of fans, this relationship seems a bit odd but maybe it can work. So in the Eriecho series, I give their relationship some play.

Mirror Universe

Mirror Universe Nyota is also canon.

MU Nyota Uhura (image is for educational purposes only)

Quote

“It is, and maybe I’m not helping things by calling you sir. Still, uh, I want you to know that, in this timeline, there’s something between us. And I was wondering, in your timeline, was there ever anything?”

Upshot

I do not write enough of her, and I mainly write her in the context of the JJ Abrams timeline. I should revisit her.

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Jan

2017

Review – Eight

Eight was a labor of love.

Background

So this is a mixed bag of stories intended to fill in a few small gaps and inconsistencies or untold stories. And the truth is, I was most likely the only person who ever noticed or gave a damn about these little untold moments or inconsistent bits. No problem. Because it is always important to keep writing. Hence I was able to do so with this small set of exercises. Furthermore, it may serve as an introduction to my work for some people.

Eight

As a gift for the Chanukah holiday (to myself), I decided to write eight little family-centric stories taking place within my various universes. The various characters would interact, or not, but the main idea was for each story to be related to family somehow.

Plot

So even in the future, and regardless of species, it is all about family. Home and hearth abide, even in space.

Hence the stories cover In Between Days, the E² timeline, the Daranaean Emergence series, the Eriecho series, The Times of the HG Wells, Hold Your Dominion, and there is also a second HG Wells story which focuses on Levi Cavendish and Otra D’Angelo. Hence this story brought together a number of somewhat disparate timelines and casts in order to give a reader some perspective on what I write.

Story Postings

Eight on Ad Astra
in addition, Eight on Fanfiction.net (full series)
also, Eight on Wattpad (as part of Later Days)
Eight on Wattpad (full series)

Rating

The story is Rated K.

Upshot

Unfortunately, I am not so sure if anyone can relate to this series of stories as well as I can. Hence maybe they’re more like inside jokes? I don’t know.

These stories. And these worlds. Plus these timelines. And the same number of universes. And in all of them, home and hearth abide.

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Jan

2017

Portrait of a Character – Soval

Soval gives me mixed feelings.

Origins

Soval

The character is, of course, canon.

A lot of fans are not too impressed with the portrayal of Vulcans in Enterprise. For me, I loved it. I always found them to be far too perfect, and when the Original Series was running, I was a lot more likely to side with McCoy or Kirk than Spock. This may have carried over a bit, but either way, it was a refreshing change, to me, to see Vulcans with feet of clay and less than stellar motives.

Hallelujah!

Portrayal

As in canon, the character is played by actor Gary Graham. The actor embodies the character well and it is difficult to think of another inhabiting him so well.

Personality

Standoffish like most Vulcans, he seems to be genuinely moved when Admiral Forrest sacrifices his own life to save a, perhaps, friend.

Relationships

His relationships are not really on screen. In Biases, I bring a human woman into his household. But Bridie Kelly is not a love interest at all. So I really hope nobody ‘ships them.

Mirror Universe

Mirror Universe Soval is also canon. Intelligent and resourceful, he is one of many Mirror Universe characters who is just plain in a bad place. As I write the Mirror, it boasts a violent military dictatorship. Not an easy place for an unemotional person.

There isn’t a lot on him in canon except that Archer became xenophobic hence he’d be in some peril. So this would make life even more difficult even if Jonathan Archer had lived. The way I write the Mirror Universe, Hoshi Sato is successful in murdering Archer.

Mirror Universe Soval

Quote

“I am one hundred and forty-two years old. That is almost a logical observation.”

Upshot

I have never written Mirror Universe Soval, so maybe it’s time I should.

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Dec

2016

Portrait of a Character – Treve I

Treve I is a hero alien.

Origins

Lili needed a way and a reason to stay in the Lafa System at the end of Reversal.

Portrayal

Portrait of a Character – Treve I

Treve I is played by actor Jude Law. I like this handsome actor, and I feel he would make an interesting, high class alien.

Personality

Pushed to succeed at a young age, Treve knows something horrible is happening to his mother, Yipran, but he is powerless to stop it. Because he cannot protect her, he instead concentrates on protecting his two younger siblings – his sister, Yimar; and his brother, Chelben.

Relationships

Pamela Hudson

Treve and Pamela get together at the end of Fortune. They date during Saturn Rise, and eventually marry. He is the anchor of her life.

Jennifer Crossman

In the Mirror Universe, Treve and Jennifer hook up during Reversal. By the time of Fortune and He Stays a Stranger, they are still together.

Mirror Universe

Just as posh in the Mirror, Treve is caught between a rock and a hard place and is pushed to kill Jennifer. He refuses and they become outlaws, eventually camping with Tripp, Beth, Chip, and Lucy, and their children. Even as a poacher dressed in rags, he still has the clipped accent of a failed diplomat.

Quote

“I – Polloria – I was a child when you, you came into our lives and Mother became ill. I have done my best to accept you. And I am, I am glad that Mother will not actually be killed, although if she were at all conscious it might be something she’d wish. But killing this alien? Cannot we put her back as we usually do?”

Upshot

Determined to do the right thing even when others around him are note, Treve is a good guy who, in our universe, dies fairly young, and is childless on both sides of the pond. But that doesn’t stop him from doing good for people.

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Dec

2016

Portrait of a Character – Janice Rand

Janice Rand deserves better than canon gave her.

Origins

This character was removed from canon way too prematurely. Hence I try to remedy that with fanfiction.

Portrayal

Grace Lee Whitney appearing at a science fiction convention in Houston, Texas, United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As in canon, Janice is played by the late actress Grace Lee Whitney.

This lovely and bright actress got a raw deal. Why? Because the show runners wanted Kirk to be the bachelor captain with a girl in every port. So Whitney’s fatal flaw was having chemistry with him that was a little too good.

She was unceremoniously let go from a job that she loved and, by all accounts, was good at. I so wish that hadn’t happened. I think Whitney could have stayed with the show throughout its run.

Personality

Subservient but also smart, Yeoman Rand could have gone further. I have always felt there could have been a lot more to her; also her character arc should have been better. But the times and the network were in the way.

Relationships

James T. Kirk

So as I write her in the Mirror, she and Kirk have a real relationship, pre-Marlene Moreau.

Mirror Universe

The truth is, right now, the only way I am showing Janice is in the Mirror, where she was never a part of canon.

Portrait of a Character – Janice Rand

As a result, in my fan fiction, she is Captain James T. Kirk‘s Captain’s Woman right before Marlena Moreau.

And Marlena can’t stand the competition.

Janice’s fate is to be stabbed to death by Marlena in the latter’s inexorable rise to power, which leads to the first MU episode ever, Mirror, Mirror.

Quote

“Marlena Moreau!”

Upshot

I so should write more prequel action with her. I bet she would be more assertive and sexy in the Mirror Universe.

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Nov

2016

Portrait of a Character – T’Pau

T’Pau is important all around. This is in the prime universe and also in the Mirror Universe.

Origins

This canon character is from TOS and is also a part of the Star Trek: Enterprise Vulcan arc.

Portrayal

Portrait of a Character – T’Pau (image is for educational purposes only)

As in canon, a young T’Pau is played by actress Kara Zediker.

I liked this portrayal a lot more than the one in the Original Series. This T’Pau has passion and fire, even as an allegedly emotion-free Vulcan.

Personality

Ruthless and efficient, in canon she is more than ready to force Captain Archer to submit to a mind meld if he won’t go willingly. Hence I see no reason for her to be any different in fan fiction. As a result, this is one headstrong person in either universe.

Relationships

Kefris

Thrown together several times, she and Kefris bond at least a little bit over their shared fates.

Mirror Universe

Portrait of a Character – T’Pau (image is for educational purposes only)

In the Mirror, because Vulcans are an oppressed species, I write her as a slave.

This is the main place where I write T’Pau. In Temper and also in He Stays a Stranger, the characters call her someone who performs calculations and looks things up for the Empress.

So without my naming her, she is one of the two Vulcans referenced (Kefris is the other) in Escape. They survive the shuttle crash that kills the Mirror Melissa Madden and leaves Andy Miller bereft. This drives his arc in the Mirror.

Quote

As of the writing of this blog post, I don’t have a quote from her!

Upshot

While mentioned peripherally but barely on screen, I should do more with this character.

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A Nostalgic Review of Inside Information

Background

Plot

Family Tree

The Thirteen

Story Postings

Rating

Upshot

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Portrait of a Character – Spock

Spock Origins

Portrayal

Personality

Relationships

Nyota Uhura

T’Pring

Mirror Universe

Quote

Upshot

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Review – Mirror Masquerade

Mirror Masquerade Background

Plot

Story Postings

Rating

Upshot

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Portrait of a Character – James T. Kirk

James T. Kirk Origins

Portrayal

Personality

Relationships

Carol Marcus

Kaitaama

Mirror Universe

Quote

Upshot

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Portrait of a Character – Nyota Uhura

Origins

Portrayal

Personality

Relationships

Spock

Mirror Universe

Quote

Upshot

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Review – Eight

Background

Plot

Story Postings

Rating

Upshot

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Portrait of a Character – Soval

Origins

Portrayal

Personality

Relationships

Mirror Universe

Quote

Upshot

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Portrait of a Character – Treve I

Origins

Portrayal

Personality

Relationships

Pamela Hudson

Jennifer Crossman

Mirror Universe

Quote