It would be a ten if you were continuing it. Very scary. Bester is not really a villain. He believes he is doing the right thing. Xander as Bester on the other hand is VERY scary. A teenager with that power. Snyder would be only the first.
Comments from author:
the thing is, Bester never abused his powers, he followed the rules and orders laid down by Psi-Corp.
-Tjin
Review By [Sandi] • Date [19 May 07] • Rating [9 out of 10]
Excellent story. I thought that you really caught the essence of Bester. I would like to know more about what happened on Halloween, though.
Bester is a villain, that does not understand that he is a villain. He views himself as a patriot. And like many patriots he will do anything to protect not only his brothers and sisters telepaths, but his beliefs in the way the world should be.
I can see what is left of him in Xander taking the Scoobies under his wing to protect them, however Bester-Xander would not allow anyone else to make the decisions. No matter what he had to do. Buffy, Giles and Angel better watch out. Hope you write more of this.
Comments from author:
Bester was fine with someone else making decisions, he followed the rules and orders of Psi-Corp the entire time.
it would just have to be someone he really REALLY Respected..
-Tjin
Review By [CeruleanRose] • Date [19 May 07] • Rating [10 out of 10]
This is an excellent story, although I would have preferred a little more detail on Alfred's adventures that night. I've always thought the most frightening thing about Al Bester is that he never considered himself to be a villain, and wasn't at all concerned with personal gain; in his own mind, he was a patriot fighting for the survival of his people against an enemy that would eventually destroy them if given the chance. To the loyal members of Psi Corps he was a hero, someone to admire and emulate. Although ruthless to his enemies, he cared deeply for his own, and was quite willing to risk his life to protect any telepath if it didn't endanger the Corps or the cause. Turn that dedication and ruthlessness around, give it a different goal to achieve and group to protect, and the villain could easily be portrayed as a dark hero.
I think Xander can appreciate that, having looked out of Bester's eyes, particularly if Al could reach Xander's mind while it was suppressed by the spell and leave a telepathic echo of himself there. (A dialog between the two of them would be fascinating.) Of course, a telepathic Xander would quickly ferret out Jenny's secret, but would he expose it or use it for his own ends? Will he seek out other telepaths to start his own Psi Corps? How would he view Dru; as a lost sister or an abomination? (I suppose it depends on whether her powers would let them connect telepathically.) If the former, would he care enough to try to heal her using the Dulac ritual and Angel? This could be the start of a whole new uber-X series. ;)
Comments from author:
many many good points, some i may use some i may not.
Bester was a man that Believed in a cause, totally and unflinchingly. Never for personal gain or to advance any agenda save for Psi-Corp (The only point being the deals he made to save his wife and the other Telepath's during the Shadow Wars.)
This is what made Bester so Dangerous, Xander having that Dedication above and beyond his own...
well, thats what got the plot bunny bouncing in the first place.
-Tjin
Review By [YademosEbyam] • Date [19 May 07] • Rating [9 out of 10]
Jewel
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