This was powerfully, and wonderfully written. I love the rescue scenes, and the bit with Elizabeth Denner, was scary, and familiar. I loved inclusion of the Farragut, and Garrovick, and that Jim actually served on her, though I'm unsure where he'd found the time, or how that works with classes. Now, deep breath, I'm going to say the unpopular thing, and admit I was relieved that they'd left Jim being such a jerk out of the movie. I much preferred Gaila either helping him voluntarily, or him only using his own hacking skills to get through the Maru test. Despite this preference you made his struggle believable, and part of his growing process which I appreciate, maybe part of a regression to his troubled youth, and his obsession with his father's death.

The part that really bugs me, is I can't see him taking advantage of her when she's so vulnerable. But then she doesn't really come across as that vulnerable in the movie. As for Uhura, I'm going to say I wanted to slap her, which won't be popular either. She had every right to defend her friend. But... Her timing couldn't have been worse, and kicking someone when they're already down, brings her down to his level doesn't it? Shrugs. The problem with strong female characters is that when they are wrong, they are obnoxiously wrong. And I know because we have several in my family, grins. This is brilliantly done. Thank you for sharing it. -SB