MoreTorqual3D

U.S.S. Archer #8 - The Last Option

Added 2025-01-30 17:48:01 +0000 UTC

As a phaser fight breaks out on the bridge and bodies fall, Commander Amanda makes a final desperate decision.

Thanks everyone for your patience while I finished this story. This last update is 26 frames and I could have broken it into two parts, however that would have ruined the suspense.

I've been working on this all month - just as an indication, the posing, lighting and camera work for each shot can take anything from 1-3 hours, then maybe 2 hours render time and maybe an average of 30 minutes' postwork.

This is now the longest story (110 pics) I have ever created, overtaking: Penelope - Working Late (Unfinished, 43 pics), Amanda Jones in the Cellar (30 pics), Ciara's Egyptian Nightmare (22 pics). And those were over 10 years ago, suggesting my best days were behind me... So I am very pleased to actually complete the story, and actually quite proud of it.

By the end, the complexity of the scenes (with 12 characters, props and SFX) started to overtop the memory of my GPU, making working difficulty. I really tested and found the limit of the new Daz PC. It's still pretty good though. Sorry once again for all those last 7 years of grey background pics - the old PC wasn't good for much more.

About the story itself, if you're not familiar with Star Trek lore, you might want to watch these two clips, which were of course my major inspiration.

Commander Amanda and this scenario were heavily styled on Lt Saavik (Kirstie Alley) and her Kobayashi Maru test, from Star Trek II.

https://youtu.be/IjW8XkqIwzQ?si=5miCzyngmeo7h26v

The final act, the Klingons, and General Tor'Qual were styled on Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) and the events of Star Trek III.

https://youtu.be/0nZlXngXB64?si=32YKunrzP7eCUw9u

And now, I'd really love to hear your feedback now it's finished. Was the story and its ending too dark? Were you hoping for a different ending? Are you hoping for some kind of continuation? Are you a Trekkie or is this all new to you? Did you like the ship battle scenes or were they an unnecessary distraction? Do you prefer long-form storytelling like this, where you might have to wait weeks for an instalment, or just short, regular, and varied posts? Who was the sexiest crewmember? OK, after Amanda, who was the sexiest crewmember? Was Amanda a good captain or was she a bad one? What do you think of the hairstyling? Should any of the girls keep their Star Trek 'do? What about Amanda's updo, should that become a regular, maybe for certain kinds of story (i.e. formal dress, action stories)? Or are you missing the bob? Would you like to see another Star Trek story in future, perhaps involving beaming down to a planet? What ideas do you have?

I'd really like to hear your thoughts, especially if you don't normally comment OR if you have enjoyed the story up until now without saying so.

I can tell you most sincerely that, as a 'Content Creator', my motivation to make art comes 90% from Supporter Feedback and engagement, and only 10% from the income that Patreon generates (although fair enough, that paid for my computer and all these 3d assets, so it's why I don't just post on deviantART!).

So do speak up!

Thanks once again for your patience and I look forward to showing you a couple of side projects I worked on while battling 'flu earlier this month.