Probably one of the most angsty Christmas stories I have ever read. At the same time I'm glad we got this additional insight into the character of Tom Paris (at least in your universe). Thank goodness Nicole was able to get a message through because I think he needed all of that short message.

This is my favorite of all your stories, even though it's the hardest to read. It's just note perfect, and for me epitomizes why so many people write Voyager fanfiction, even this many years later. The show by itself was entertaining, and fine, but really was a wasted opportunity. They had so many great characters to work with (the captain trying to hold to her principles w/out the support of the infrastructure she'd always relied on, the rebel leader forced to operate under the rules he'd long ago rejected, the brilliant engineer that's never belonged anywhere, and on and on). My favorite character, of course, is the bitter ex-con suddenly given the second chance he never thought he'd have. And you write him so well, especially in this piece. And that last line! Kills me every time. Thank you!

I definitely want more.

I always love your dark Tom pieces and I love how you structured this one around the rules for captivity. Very nicely done!

I can tell you put a lot of thought into this story. An enjoyable read!

Wow. A touching story indeed. And well did Tom Paris survive. How something like this never found its way into published canon, I do not know.

What's not to like about this (aside from Tom's predicament, obviously)? Just amazing. This was like a black night sky with a few bright stars. Bleak but not hopeless with Macintosh, Gummy bears and "What would be the chance that a disgraced and washed-up former Starfleet pilot with a criminal record would ever fly a starship again?" providing some hopeful moments.

The best bits IMO:

"Starfleet Protocol for Officers in Captivity" rules, observation of Tom being "Philosophical, practical and cynical, all in one nice and tidy package." His thoughts that:
"And if the world momentarily disappeared behind a white vapour cloud, then that was a bonus." and wanting to "to follow his thoughts down those drain slots in the floor"

The "Vulcan Dictates of Poetry" quip, and "Club Fed experience", injecting a bit of sarcastic humour.

"His silent expectation that the new guy would come to Chegweth's attention was as repugnant as it was nauseating," and "Maybe it had been because whatever would come through it in the night was no more and no less than he deserved …?" and "a flood of relief and guilt and impotent rage wash over him and turn into shame." - particularly resonant of that horrible shameful relief of the bullied when another victim comes along to take some of the abuse in their stead.

So much planning and timing needed, just to take a shower! I hate to think of what Tom might have gone through in "rehab-aka-prison" because he was known to be an Admiral's son. This, sadly, fits. Since Tom hadn't actually betrayed anyone in the Maquis at this point, Chegweth must have been one who joined the Maquis for the fighting rather than for principle. Too bad that he might actually have been one of the Maquis who survived!

This is a special story. Thanks for sharing.

This is, perhaps, my favorite of all of your stories - and they are all wonderful. The title and epigraph promise so much, and the piece absolutely delivers. Thank you so much for this!

Wow. That was pretty epic. And just dark-and-light enough to reflect his emotions, and to show just where certain elements of his personality came from. I can't believe it took me this long to actually commit to reading it. But the rules are great, and the constant repetition and recitation of said rules was comforting and impacting. And now I have no idea what I'm saying. But you did well, that's the moral of my story :P

Very stark and uncompromising vignette of prison life, and what's going on in Tom's mind as he tries to keep it from pulling him under. Great fic!

Oh Alpha, you've done it again! Brought me to tears and yet so leaving me hopeful at the end of this masterpiece with visions of just how far he'll come throughout the rest of this beautiful universe you've created. Especially poignant after having attended a presentation on International Humanitarian Law the other day and thinking of all who are just trying to survive in the world with their own rules of hope.

This was beautiful even though it was sad. Nicole's note
and gummy bears were a perfect reminder that there was still
hope. The last line brought tears to my eyes - "Rule #1:
Survive. There's always hope." Loved it!

This is a bleak Christmas.
The litany of rules that Tom uses as a lifeline, also serves as our guide through his personal hell.
Uncompromising and compelling.

I very much enjoyed this. Not only does it give us a glimpse into Tom's life, but it gives us insight into his view of Starfleet after experiencing the not-so-shiny aspects of it. I also love your use of language; the repetition and the rules really drove home how much we were inside his head, and how much he's been affected by Starfleet. Thanks for such a good read.