"Enterprise: The Romulan War"

[WarpGirl]

Some people find telepathy as a cop out. Frankly I'm not one of them. It doesn't have to be a constant thing, but I think it adds intimacy.

[Aikiweezie]

I hate fics that basically turn Trip into a Vulcan and that have T&T communicating telepathically rather than speaking to each other all the time. Wouldn't happen. And there's no precedent for that in Star Trek for bonds to work that way anyway.

Oops. I've violated the heck out of this one. In my own defense, Trip and T'Pol DID communicate telepathically in the series, in the white space. And that wasn't just speech, but had a three-dimensional visual element as well (complete with body language). I reason that if a bond has the bandwidth for full-duplex voice and tri-D video streaming, then simple telepathic speech should be a no-brainer. (Er, make that a TWO-brainer.)

Of course, I set it up so the average, garden-variety bonded couple was not capable of it. AND I should get extra points for never having turned Trip into a Vulcan.

Nothing personal, Transwarp. I guess it just really gets to me when writers try to change who Trip is fundamentally, and you don't do that in your work. Some writers, not you, have the two them morphed into some kind of new creature, with Trip especially losing his individuality. I think that would send Trip running and screaming! Back to the books, there's no mention of telepathy, even though they are separated. Although now that their bond is stronger they might be more capable of it in the next book

Like we've discussed before, the wole bond thing was never really explained very well or fully developed because the show was CANCELLED!!!!!

[WarpGirl]

Well that's what I mean, you can go overboard but it's not something that automatically has to happen. But I have to say that I do think Trip would value the bond and any telepathic connection between him and T'Pol. And I have a very practical reason, the bond and the accompanying telepathy can help them work through problems more efficiantly then spoken words can. Think about it, aren't there times where you're talking to a person (any person) and no matter what words you use you cannot effecitively communicate your point? It can be for a veriety of reasons, but we've all experienced it and it is frustrating. Sometimes even destructive. Now I realize that it would be bad story telling to have the bond and telepathic contact solve every conflict in TnT's relationship... BUT I do view it as a helper, and an asset. I think Trip would as well. After all, men do always wonder what's inside our heads. Trip is a fairly typical human male in that respect, confounded by women.

[honeybee]

Something interesting did surface on another board vis a vie the idea of Section 31 recruiting Trip. We meet Section 31 on DS9 - when they are trying to recruit Bashir, a Trip-like character in his openness and non-spy-like personality. They wanted Bashir for his medical skills and the fact that people liked him.

So, it seems that Section 31 did have a habit of recruiting non-spy types with special skills.

[Transwarp]

So, it seems that Section 31 did have a habit of recruiting non-spy types with special skills.

Perhaps, but did Bashir have to impersonate a member of another species, whose language he didn't speak and whose culture he knew nothing about? Trip did, and he wouldn't have lasted a day. Think about all the insignificant little cultural nuances you use when interacting with the people around you. Trip would have known NONE of those. The first time he picks up the wrong fork, or ties his shoes with the wrong kind of knot, or puts his belt on upside down, or flubs the Romulan equivalent of a handshake, he becomes suspect. Then a simple question nails him: 'Who won the Ch'askat world series, hmmm?'
And this is even assuming that somehow a universal translator (a technology in its infancy, if the series is to be believed) could be used without anyone around him realizing he wasn't speaking Romulan.
I just can't buy it. Martin/Mangels scenario is so fantastic as to be beyond belief. I read the books anyway, just to see how the TnT relationship developed, but I could never suspend my disbelief sufficiently to get into the story.

[Kotik]

@Transwarp: Couln't have put it into better words

[honeybee]

All well and good, as people have a right to their opinions. I happen to like the books - and I am not at all ashamed of the fact that I do. So, if you are reading this and happen to like the books (lurkers, et. all) - don't be afraid to step up! I want them to be successful because I like that they are continuing the story.

[Aikiweezie]

All well and good, as people have a right to their opinions. I happen to like the books - and I am not at all ashamed of the fact that I do. So, if you are reading this and happen to like the books (lurkers, et. all) - don't be afraid to step up! I want them to be successful because I like that they are continuing the story.

Despite my mild reservations about Trip successfully passing as a Vulcan, I can look past that. I like the books and LOVED "Romulan War!"

[Transwarp]

I happen to like the books - and I am not at all ashamed of the fact that I do.

Certainly nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, all it means is that your 'suspension of disbelief' mechanism is in better working order than mine!

[honeybee]

I'm just really grateful that the books raised Trip from the dead and continued the TnT romance in a big way. I don't want Martin or some junior editor at Pocket Books surfing into a heavily TnT message board and seeing nothing but negativity towards the books - as far as I'm concerned the RW is a love letter to TnT shippers and I am completely, totally appreciative of the effort.

So Martin, if you're lurking around - Thank you! Don't let us down. Write that happy ending you've teased for us in the book. I'll send copies to my friends for Christmas!

[Aikiweezie]

"So Martin, if you're lurking around - Thank you! Don't let us down. Write that happy ending you've teased for us in the book."

Yes, please!!!!!

By the way, I KNOW Andy Mangels lurks because he has stated so in an interivew. Don't know about Martin.

Discussion of "Romulan War" at TrekBBS is positive so far.

I also found this picture of Michael Martin, Andy Mangels and Connor Trinneer on Mangel's website. It's from 2002. I wonder if they've seen/spoken to him after Trip's "death."

http://www.andymangels.com/images/trinneer.jpg

[WarpGirl]

Honeybee we're not trying to hinder your enjoyment of the books. Sorry if it came across like that. But to continue on your Bashir analogy, Julian was also an augment. Genetically altered to be a super genius with superior phyisical capablities. Now, I don't deny that Trip has the potential to be a super genius on his own (despite the pandering of the show on that point). But Julian's "enhancements" made it possible for him to process information, and use his body in ways Trip just couldn't. So by that reasoning I can see Julian having an advantage over Trip in this particular concept. But even then I hated DS9, and Julian. So it wasn't the best concept to me even then.

[Transwarp]

So Martin, if you're lurking around - Thank you!

Yes, but next time, say something. I would have given you my 'Riker and the doughnuts' finale-fix for free!

[WarpGirl]

Poor Riker. But seriously that was hysterical.

[Silverbullet]

Honeybee, I am with you 100 percent. Also will join in any Ass kicking .

Doubt if my love for the characters of Trip and T-Pol is any secret so if the books have a fair amount of them in it I will continue to buy and read them.