A Frequently Asked Questions Guide To The Post-Generations TNG AU Series, Starting Over

(First questions culled from reader commentary; Please send yours to Rob4654@webtv.net )

1 - Apart from the obvious What-If, what were the origins of this
series?

One was my frustration about how Kirk's death was handled--my hardly solitary frustration. Another was my idea for a 'Final Fight' type game featuring 'Generations'. I thought that if you finished the game as Kirk, you'd get to see him live. But when an RPG-type Gen game came out, and JTK still didn't have a shot at survival, I gave up on that thought.

Originally, I meant to write an alternate ending, not an AU. I was merely going to have Picard bring the body back, rather than laying it where he did. But I was in a Twilight Zone kind of mood, and so the twist was that Kirk survived, by virtue of being the one who went after the missile.

2 - Will Kirk save the post-TNG cosmos?

Nahhh. He's a man, albeit one of great talent--but only a man. His presence, though, will not be without wide-ranging consequences, good and bad. The DS9 Dominion Arc will be different--just wait and see.

3 - Why so much humor?

Its needed. ST stories, by definition, get grim all by themselves--witness the suicide storyline in 'Captain And Crew'. I know I can get campy, because space and life in same will eventually slap me back--sometimes hard.

4 - Why are the stories non-linear?

 Because I'm not always prepared to tell them in one line. For example, in Book One, I hinted that Wesley had met the Ancient Destroyer version of Peter Kirk. That turned into 'The Infinite Paths', which will probably get its own FAQ, one day. Doctor Crusher's revealed imprisonment by the Dominion turned into 'Bev And Jim'. Deanna's relationship with Kirk has provided about four decent drabbles and a separate story.

5 - Where do the relationships stand?

I believe in Imzadi, with the usual road bumps. The rest---goes as it will. Stay tuned--especially to Jim's role as Deanna's stepfather.

6 - How big will this 'universe' get?

One day, I hope to have it as broad and as wide as Ancient Destroyer, although SO's impact on Voyager will probably be minimal.

7 - Is SO a stand-alone AU?

Not precisely. In its past lies another series of stories, called 'The Never-Ending Battle', featuring M*A*S*H*/Sci-Fantasy XO's. These lead to Hawkeye, Margaret, and Radar becoming Starfleet officers in the 24th Century. Plus, I'd be lying if some of the spirit of the 4077th hasn't leaked into all this. Finally, this AU has definite ties to another, but I can say no more at present.

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