Joseph Orlando posts
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Files: 353
AAG - Chapter 65!
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope this next year brings you even more happiness and joy than the last.To all you guys wanting Gothic to leave Kessik IV at slipstream speeds, your wish has been granted! Unfortunately, because you've been reading my story for a million plus words now, you kno...
Chapter 65 - Teaser!
Still working on this chapter, but wanted to drop the teaser before the new year. My plan was to write all day and ideally finish the chapter, but then I had an emergency estate planning appointment. Guy is 89 and having brain surgery on Friday and needed everything completed by tomorrow, so the d...
Chapter 64 - Dress Inspiration Honorable Mention 1
Keep in mind, Gothic was yoinked from his home dimension in 2016, so he has no freaking clue who Sydney Sweeney is. I can think of a few ways to work her in, but I sometimes wonder how he has time to work during the day with all the sex he's probably having.
AAG - Chapter 64!
This chapter was hard to finish, but very fun to write. I hope you'll find it worth the wait. I want to say a whole lot more, but I also don't want to spoil anything, even inadvertently. You'll understand what I mean when you've finished the chapter. As always, let's discuss ...
Chapter 64 - Early Teaser 1!
Hope you guys enjoy this early teaser from Chapter 64. I've been working on chapter 64 all weekend and will tomorrow as well. The chapter should be out probably end of next week or a little after._____“My Lord has questions for you, slut,” Lauren growled. “I think you’re holding someth...
Chapter 63 - The inspiration for the pre-interview dancing.
Yes, in the back of my mind I was picturing a version of the dancers in the 1987 movie, The Running Man.______Did his two senior officers really need to giggle quite so much while watching it?And did the show truly require nearly naked men and women dancing provocatively between segments? What possi...
Chapter 63 - The trouble with laser weapons in Star Trek
I just stumbled upon and watched TNG's Season 2, Episode 5, Loud as a Whisper and I found myself once again pondering laser weapons in the Star Trek universe and having a hard time reconciling them with the more traditional Star Trek weapons. No matter how you slice it, laser weapons, at least ...
Chapter 63 - Frost/Nixon Interview
It doesn't fit the circumstances of Gothic's interview perfectly, but the famous Frost/Nixon interview was in the back of mind as I wrote chapters 62 and 63. The embedded video here is from the 2008 movie where Nixon says the famous line. If you've never seen the movie, it's worth...
Chapter 63 - What is "Mission Creep?" p. 2
This term, I think, perfectly applies to Starfleet when you compare the organization from even 100 years ago to the present.
Chapter 63 - What is "Mission Creep?" p. 1
“Ah,” Data interjected quietly. “I believe our term for this phenomenon is ‘mission drift’… or perhaps ‘mission creep.’”“I’m unfamiliar with that term, Data,” Crusher admitted.“Ideally, an organization’s mission should guide both its grand strategy and its day-to-day choi...
AAG - Chapter 63!
I hope you guys like chapter 63, the interview from last chapter will have a huge effect on Gothic's life (and the quadrant) going forward, in ways you will see in-chapter and many that you won't. As you'll see, it was important to me to show how people reacted (in this case in real-time...
Chapter 63 - Teaser!!
I'm sorry about the delay guys. Work and life has been overwhelming and I truly appreciate all those people who messaged asking if I was ok. I am ok, truly, but just overwhelmed.I've been working all weekend trying to finish chapter 63 and have made some great progress. My goal is to have it...
Chapter 62 - The shipyards of the Federation
Picard took a breath, his expression carefully neutral. “I am the captain of a single Starfleet vessel, even if it is the flagship. Matters of fleet logistics, design, or shipbuilding fall far outside my official authority.”That was a weak response to my ears and likely to everyone watching, but...
Chapter 62 - The Stargazer Legacy
"The first vessel that I served on as captain was called Stargazer. It was an overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams. In every measurable sense, my Enterprise is far superior. But there are times when I would give almost anything... to command the Starg...
Chapter 62 - The USS Stargazer
“I don’t doubt their dedication for a second, Captain,” Tessa replied smoothly. “But my question wasn’t about the valor of their crews or their lives of service, doing the best they can with antiquated starships—it was about whether it makes sense to send those crews into danger aboard o...
Chapter 62 - "Freedom isn't free..." p2
An American idiom paraphrased from a quote by Thomas Jefferson.
Chapter 62 - "Freedom isn't free..." p1
“There’s a lot we can do—in the short-term, mid-term, long-term. Some things will be harder than others, but only if we have the will to see it through,” I said, deliberately sidestepping the question. I’d already given them a lot to absorb all at once, maybe too much. “There’s a power...
Chapter 62 - The interview chair
I shifted a little in the comfortable purple cushioned chair that had been set up on a stretch of flat land in the Black Flats on the planet, glancing at an identical chair across from me. The chair was definitely in the futuristic, Star Trek design-chic, almost like a throwback to the Kirk-era capt...
Chapter 62 - What is an uttaberry?
Jarvis helpfully brought up a scan report in my HUD. Tyr had completed a chemical analysis of the liquid the second it had been brought out. The drink had been identified as uttaberry juice—a tart, blueberry-like fruit native to Betazed, often used in crepes and pies. Either she was simply a fan o...
Chapter 62 - Tessa's Dress
The ‘journalist’ in front of me wore a bright, inviting, but calculating smile—one meant to charm, to disarm. I recognized it for what it was: a weapon as finely tuned as the rest of her. Her outfit was a masterclass in dual-purpose design—somewhere between an evening gown, overskirt, and fo...
Chapter 62 - "Damn the torpedoes!"
Tessa leaned forward, eyes intent. “Why do you think that is, Admiral?”I hesitated noticeably, aware this interview would have far-reaching consequences—both positive and negative. Sharing such candid thoughts at a private reception in Ten Forward, even amid influential company, was one thing....
Chapter 62 - The voice of the people...
“There’s a proverb from ancient Earth that guided my thinking,” Moss said. “It says, ‘The voice of the people is the voice of God.’ My administration and I deliberated carefully, and we decided the most legitimate, transparent path forward was to place the decision directly in the hands ...
AAG - Chapter 62!
At 23,376 words this is the longest chapter to date, guys. It's also an experiment of sorts. I wanted to challenge myself, to stretch my writing skills, and what started off as a single scene in this chapter became the ENTIRE chapter. Once you read it, I think you'll understand why I coul...
Chapter 62 - Teaser!
Trying something new this chapter, guys. I think you'll find it pretty interesting. :-)______The Black Flats. Kessik IV.I shifted a little in the comfortable purple cushioned chair that had been set up on a stretch of flat land in the Black Flats on the planet, glancing at an identical chair ac...
Some things you just have to say yes to
Being a part of Starfleet means joyfully experiencing other cultures, after all.
Chapter 61 - What is the USS Hathaway?
Actually one of the cooler episodes of Star Trek to be honest and a very minor nod to the fact that Starfleet is, in fact, a military organization, rather than an exploratory organization with military-style ranking.
Chapter 61 - Now witness the firepower...
I am considering changing this section to where Q basically forced the words out of Gothic's mouth....as it might be funnier that way. Any thoughts? Should I do it?______“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce: collaborative fire mode.”Most of the audience stared at me, expressions ra...
Chapter 61 - Admiralty Poll!
Should I change this scene to have Q basically take control of Gothic's body to say this?______“Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station!” I proclaimed, before coughing sheepishly. “Er... I mean, orbital defense net.”I turned back toward the hologram, ...
Chapter 61 - What is a forced plasma beam and who uses it in the Star Trek universe?
As far as I know, the only races featured in Star Trek that used forced plasma beams as weapons are the Ferengi....and the Borg. Isn't that an interesting thought?? If the Borg use it, with all the insanely advanced technology they have access to, that's a bit of an endorsement of its effica...
Chapter 61 - The Ferengi Hand Phaser
“I see you’ve chosen to field phaser energy weapons,” Martok remarked, his tone carefully measured. “We Klingons, of course, favor disruptor-based weapons. Each technology, however, has its own strengths and weaknesses. There is no shame in this choice.”“You’re absolutely right, Genera...
