1 - 20 of 22 Works by ToasterBonanza
Navigation
Listing Works
-
Portrait of the Spyhunter as a Young Man - RECUT by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek - Various Authors, Star Trek, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
21 Jan 2026
Tags
Summary
The story of how The Investigator got to where he is.
Young Nikolai LeVanne is 29 and he just wants to do well. He is given the opportunity to improve through an experimental process. This one step leads him through a journey exposing the deep flaws of the civilian government he has promised to serve. Still, he is hopeful. It has to be worth the suffering. It must be worth the suffering.
Provides the political and social context that plays out in "Piper At the Gates of Dawn."
(Note: This is a revised version of "Portrait" which I had published a while ago and wanted to redo. I decided it needed its own thing or else none of the comments on the old one would make sense. Possibly getting rid of that old version once this one has been totally updated)
-
Worst Spies: Stars of the Vulcan Ranges by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Lower Decks (Cartoon)
28 Dec 2025
Tags
Summary
Story 12 of "Piper At the Gates of Dawn"
Our illustrious musicians have no choice--they are under the wing of the Investigator as he continues his sprawling work into finding real spies, the remnants of Section 31 who nearly destroyed everything. They're just gonna have to learn to be best friends, whether they like it or not.
SECOND STOP: VULCAN, HEART OF THE FEDERATION
How quickly time has passed! Already, Vudic's three-year censure has come to a close. He returns to his homeworld where he will reclaim his reputation and earn back his spot among Vulcan's Society of Artists. The Investigator has granted the four this kindness and for the first time, they have freedom.
But, they are being watched. The Investigator's work is leading him to a high member of the Vulcan government. He may have no choose but to use his wards as bait.
Series
- Part 12 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 798
- Chapters:
- 1/?
- Hits:
- 10
-
Playing With Dolls By Ear: Writing Notes on Star Trek by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors, Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager
11 Nov 2025
Tags
Summary
Not sure where to start with my works? START HERE!
Part treatise, part worldbuilding, part musings and ramblings about why I do the things I do. This will be updated as I add more, so also expect more tags and chapters.
Nov 5: updates made to "The Why of It" and "Governance" plus all of my notes on Vulcan culture
-
Worst Spies: Asphalt Jungles in The Klingon Empire by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
09 Aug 2025
Tags
Summary
Story 11 of "Piper At the Gates of Dawn"
Our illustrious musicians have no choice--they are under the wing of the Investigator as he continues his spawling work into finding real spies, the remnants of Section 31 who nearly destroyed everything. They're just gonna have to learn to be best friends, whether they like it or not.
SECOND STOP: OUTER RIM OF THE KLINGON EMPIRE
Doh'Val is returning to Klingon space after his disgrace on Homeworld, something he thought wouldn't happen again for many years. Attempting to clear Vudic's name has led the Investigator to Siff, the very edge of the Empire and an unspoken backdoor to Romulus and UFP space. The musicians are greeted as interesting curiosities, and Doh'Val's humiliation becomes intriguing rather than reason for disgrace. They are sought after as artists to share their work with the Governor's court.
However, invisible perils surround them. The siren song of high society threatens to lure Doh'Val away from his friends; Vudic's dalliance with a fellow Vulcan drives him further. A old flame from his past asks him to choose patriotism over friendship. What will he choose? And who is the mysterious impostor destroying their good name?
Series
- Part 11 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Worst Spies: Famous on Ferenginar by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
18 Jun 2022
Tags
Summary
Story 10 of "Piper At the Gates of Dawn"
Our illustrious musicians have no choice--they are under the wing of the Investigator as he continues his spawling work into finding real spies, the remnants of Section 31 who nearly destroyed everything. They're just gonna have to learn to be best friends, whether they like it or not.
FIRST STOP: FERENGINAR
It is the first time Krax has been back since leaving, before Female Emancipation. Before he left, he was certain he was alone. So, it is a shock to come back home and find a whole community of people just like him, all thriving under the new reforms. But the old parts of Ferenginar never went away. Liquidators are still looking for him, and being on Homeworld only makes it easier for them to find him.
But freed of all other obligations, the four musicians devise a plan. What's to stop them from performing for these newly emancipated people who are now free to create their own nightclubs? And while they're at it, they should finally give themselves a proper group name....
Series
- Part 10 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Tags
Summary
Another send-up to noir films of the 40s and 50s, named after the 1950 movie starring Humphrey Bogart. Spiritual sequel to The Romulan Dahlia.
It has been a few years since Jaro Vond, agent of the Romulan Star Empire and master of disguise, was confronted by the instrument of the Federation and begged for help. Every time they meet, no matter hir disguise, he sees through hir. Unable to read his mind, sie feels drawn to him despite hir best efforts. But over the years, they keep finding each other on planet Siff on the outermost rim of the Klingon Empire, the place where both of them could be assassinated. Why do they keep meeting? What does he want? And why can't sie walk away from him?
-
Tags
Summary
A gift to AvaCelt! We did a fic-trade and this was my end of it.
Inspired by "Death" by White Lies and the movie "A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night"
Esther feels like time is just running together. Her roommate Aviva agrees but in a way that makes it feel like she knows it better than Esther could imagine.
-
Tags
Summary
An homage to noir films of the 40s and 50s!
Nikolai LeVanne, instrument of the Federation, is on a visit to the outermost rim of the Klingon Empire. Planet Siff, far away from Qo'Nos and therefore beyond its meddling, the planetary governor does as she pleases. She needs a favor: There is a guest in her home that she finds very suspicious, and she wants Nikolai to spy. This guest--the presumed wife of a Romulan diplomat--is more than what she appears. A shrinking violet or an assassin? She is dangerous for him. He is dangerous for her too.
Note: Stand-alone for now, may get folded into a larger piece as part of "Piper At The Gates of Dawn"
-
An Account of the Occupation of Bajor by Seu Minjaral, The Bajorassian by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
27 Mar 2021
Tags
Summary
Story 9 of "Piper at the Gates of Dawn"
Inspired by the revelation that Vudic did have children (and failed to mention it before because, at the time, he "didn't think it was important"), Minjaral writes a letter to his friend's parents. Contained therein are compositions he wrote in celebration of the children's lives, a description of his life during the Occupation, and how he received, among other things, the great scar on his face.
(Note: This is another character study, written in memoir-style. Again, tried to make sure the tags were clear and safe to say, in Star Trek anything to do with the Occupation is bad news. This is not required for the overall plot and if you would rather skip it, you won't lose much.)
Series
- Part 9 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 6,106
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Kudos:
- 8
- Hits:
- 73
-
The Worst Spies You've Ever Met by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
26 Mar 2021
Tags
Summary
Story 8 in "Piper at the Gates of Dawn"
When choosing between morality and instinct, someone did not choose wisely. Luckily, that doesn't matter for the moment. Without warning, our four musicians are seemingly released and told there is just one more person they need to meet, this "Head Investigator" they kept hearing back.
The Head Investigator makes it plain: according to everyone--including five very large governments--one of them is a spy. Too much circumstantial evidence. The hard part is that no one can work out which of them is the spy and which ones were suckered into the plan. The Head Investigator, however, has a different idea: None of them are spies, and even if they were, they would be quite possibly the worst spies anyone has ever met.
(Note: For more on the investigator, check out Portrait of the Spyhunter as a Young Man)
Series
- Part 8 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Yetzer Ha Tov, Yetzer Ha Ra by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek - Various Authors, Star Trek
10 Mar 2021
Tags
Summary
Story 7 in "Piper at the Gates of Dawn"
The USS Maryam is celebrating the High Holidays! Anyone and everyone is invited, even those who are under harsh scrutiny but not yet arrested!
But Minjaral is the only one enjoying himself. His three friends are miserable, not just for the suspicions around them but also for their personal losses. Vudic's pon farr is rising to the surface, Doh'Val is still clinging to the one thread left of his old life, and Krax thinks he shouldn't have come at all. For the first time since The Breakup, they do something they thought they'd never do again: they talk to each other.
However, they must be careful. They are being watched. And they must decide between their morality and their animal instincts.
(Note: Jewish philosopher Maimonides elabroated on the rabbinic understanding of the yetzer ha tov (good impulse) and the yetzer ha ra (evil impulse) as being associated with constructs within ourselves. The yetzer ha tov was derived from moral and rational self. The yetzer ha ra was derived from wanting to satisfy our basic needs as animals)
Series
- Part 7 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Tags
Summary
Story 5 of "Piper At the Gates of Dawn"
Everything had been going so well....
Eleven months after the four of them decided to make music the likes of which no one had ever experienced, they were back together. Separated. Four interrogations room. Questions about their past, their whereabouts, who they knew and when. Nothing is adding up.
Four people who couldn't be more different all decided to come back together. But the real question: what made them split up in the first place?
Series
- Part 5 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Private Diary of Vudic, Son of Talok, Jalal by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
23 Feb 2021
Tags
Summary
Story 6 of "Piper At the Gates of Dawn"
Vudic is running out of time.
He delayed and delayed--and for what? Soon the blood fever will take him. In his delirium, he commits his dark desires to his diary, a desperate hope to evade the imminent.
(NOTE: This scene is the reason I chose to separate out the original fic. This is a character study and if you would prefer to skip it, this will have little impact on your understanding of the overall story)
Series
- Part 6 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
The Improbable But Not Quite Impossible by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
17 Feb 2021
Tags
Summary
Story 4 of "Piper At the Gates of Dawn"
Qapla! Doh'Val and Vudic successfuly convinced their two new associates to come to Doh'Val's Homeworld, Qo'noS, and perform in a series for his family patron. The year of harsh travel and danger and heartache--it was all worth it for this moment, four musicians from wildly different places all coming together to make something no one has ever seen before!
...That is, assuming, any of it works. And nothing could possibly go wrong after this...right?
Series
- Part 4 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Tags
Summary
Story 3 of "Piper At The Gates of Dawn"
Despite a series of wrong turns, our two musicians finally arrive at Bajor where they are welcomed into the home of a fellow academic. Everything points to Musician 52366 being here, somewhere. But what if the musician isn't real? Or worse, what if they're real, and the last person they would ever expect?
Series
- Part 3 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Bajor by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
25 Dec 2020
Tags
Summary
Story 2 in "Piper at The Gates of Dawn"
Hopeful about the possibility to discover the identity of their elusive Musician 52366, our two musicians have set their plans in motion to depart from Qo'Nos and travel across the galaxy to Bajor. But even the best-laid plans can go wrong, and despite not knowing each other very well, they must rely on each other to save their lives. In the course of these events, they learn about why were both drawn to music....
Series
- Part 2 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
The Talas Conference at Andor by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
24 Dec 2020
Tags
Summary
Story 1 in "Piper at The Gates of Dawn"
A young composer making his first professional journey outside the bounds of the Klingon Empire, Doh'Val's previous experiences had been only in childhood through his human father's family on Earth. Fate--or perhaps just a meddling acquaintance--brings him to meet another artist who shares his dream: there must be something greater for both of them beyond the cultures they find themselves locked into.
Series
- Part 1 of Piper at The Gates of Dawn
-
Star Trek: Parks and Recreation by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
14 Oct 2020
Tags
Summary
The year is 2320 and there has been a long stretch of peace for the Federation, leaving local governments to finally do all the public works projects that kept going on hold. A minor diplomatic complex on Earth, historic for being the first built in the region after the Federation's founding, houses consuls from the founding planets and four other worlds. The building is in need of updating, something the consuls and the Earth administrators have wanted for years.
However! The consuls can't agree on anything and have their own weird, complex relationships between each other and their staff, driving off every project manager. So it is up to a young Human post-doc in landscape architecture and a middle-aged divorced Vulcan building architect to go way outside their element and make these people agree on something. Will they succeed? Are Deltans afraid of hail? Does the landscape architect think the building architect is a snack? Come for the aliens, stay for the poetry!
-
Tags
Summary
Takes place five years after the end of "Portrait of The Spyhunter As a Young Man"
The Investigator, by sheer chance, makes contact with a very unusual ship and finds himself invited aboard as the ship's guest.
(Written with friend NoctumSolis)
-
Portrait of the Spyhunter as a Young Man by ToasterBonanza
Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Trek - Various Authors
09 Aug 2020
Tags
Summary
Complementary piece to "Piper At the Gates of Dawn."
The inner workings of government are opaque, and layers of complexity only obscure them further. Amid the lattice work of the Federation's government emerged a project to further their goals, a project meant to do great good. This is the story of the one who gave himself wholly and unflinchingly to this cause.
No one meant any harm. It just...happened.
+++
EDIT: Updated and reformatted with year dates for chapter titles