Date: 04 Nov 2009 03:51 Title: Epilogue
Very creepy and very HPL. Especially disturbing in that the Pagh Wraiths weren't even truly players in this. Bonus points for O'Brien not being the chew toy. Having dabbled in eldritch cosmic horror fic, I know a good story when I see one, and this was good.
Author's Response: Thank you very much! HPL was of course a huge influence for this story. I can't get enough of that pulp style horror and proto-sci fi. I read it as an early teen and again as a much older adult, and this time around I had a much greater appreciation for the genius of Lovecraft and those who wrote in his Mythos. O'Brien suffers enough as it is, it seems, so I felt no need to contribute to that. I'm glad you enjoyed, and I appreciate the review.
Date: 21 Aug 2009 06:31 Title: Epilogue
Wow...very creepy indeed.
So does Jake have to always keep that artifact with him now, to keep the energy being at bay?
And I do like that the s'lghths turned out to be good people even though stern--at least some of them.
Author's Response: In theory he does. They might find some other way to keep it away, but if he ever found himself without protection, it would come for him again and try to consume him.
I'm not a fan of cookie cutter villain races, so I wanted them to have some variety to their motives. Their back story got pretty huge in my head, but I didn't feel it would serve the story to put too much of it in. The s'lghths themselves wouldn't want to go into some long dissertation of their history as they find the whole cultist incident deeply shameful.
I'm glad it was creepy. That's what I wanted! Thanks for the feedback!
Date: 20 Aug 2009 21:14 Title: Epilogue
A fitting, if chilling, finish.
Author's Response: There was no way I could give this a happy, shiny ending. >:)
[Report This]Date: 20 Aug 2009 21:13 Title: Chapter 9
Wow that was cool. I am not sure what the aliens were about exactly but I got what you were driving at. A really good read.
Author's Response: I took a lot of inspiration from Lovecraft. Being one of the precursors to modern science fiction, he contributed so much to building the genre. I always felt his Mythos would be a good fit in the Trek universe, particularly with DS9 and the mysticism of the Bajorans. For any who are very familiar with his works, you guys may recognize the mysterious Harbinger and even have some idea of who, or what, was going to come through that portal. (It wasn't Cthulhu.) But there's no knowledge of the Mythos necessary to understand the story. I'm really happy you enjoyed it!
Date: 20 Aug 2009 21:05 Title: Chapter 8
From bad to worse...
Date: 20 Aug 2009 20:51 Title: Chapter 7
OK, I'm starting to see where you might be going. Certainly, there are some clues here.
[Report This]Date: 20 Aug 2009 20:38 Title: Chapter 6
Wow, he killed the nurse? And that thing was real? Its got to have something to do with the statue!
[Report This]Date: 20 Aug 2009 20:17 Title: Chapter 5
Jeez, what is going on? Your writing is intense-I found my own breathing increase as i read. Good job!
[Report This]Date: 20 Aug 2009 20:14 Title: Chapter 4
The Garak we know and love-with a spark of compassion. What the heck is going on?
Author's Response: Garak is wondering the same thing. hehe
Date: 20 Aug 2009 20:07 Title: Chapter 3
Brief and to the point. What are you setting up? I wonder...
Date: 20 Aug 2009 20:03 Title: Chapter 2
Something wicked this way comes...
You really portrayed Jake's emotions well. It felt real, y'know? Good job.
Author's Response: Thanks! I (vaguely, because I'm old as dirt) remember what it was like being a teen. Anger was so much easier to tap and deal with, and it was easier to lose oneself in fantasy than face up to a difficult reality or fear. I'm glad it rang true for you.
Date: 20 Aug 2009 05:32 Title: Chapter 7
Uh-oh...has Cthulhu just docked at the station? That was the first thing I thought when I saw that alien word...
From a few chapters earlier--I REALLY thought you had an interesting look at Garak there. Could it be, perhaps, that there is at least one (pathetically beaten) better angel of his nature somewhere in there? It almost seemed like that crack in his shell, the fact that he responded so quickly not to save his own life, but to take care of Jake, Nog, AND the Bajoran girl, disturbed him.
Perhaps because giving that "angel" a real voice would mean having to reflect on his own life in a way he really, really does not want to.
Overall, I am truly amazed by this story and how quickly you managed to come up with it and write it, thus far! (Of course, PLEASE do not feel you must maintain any particular speed, especially with you being sick. I'll be here whenever you're ready.)
Author's Response: Hmm, Cthulhu in a space ship. That would be interesting! They're just really ugly aliens. Really, really ugly.
With Garak it's so hard to say. That's a theme I hope to return to in time with him. I can't leave that hanging as a plot thread, so perhaps in another story down the line, he'll figure out why he saved the kids. I have my own theory, but I'm not telling yet.
This was one of those stories that pretty much wrote itself. I had a nightmare which gave me the kernel of it, and then it just started flowing. I had no idea it would be so long, and I hope it doesn't suffer for the length. One day soon, I'll have to give O'Brien more than a bit part. I think he may have felt a little left out this time around.
Now that it's finished, I can rest easier. The medicine the doc gave me is amazingly helpful. Thanks for the concern and consideration, and thanks for the wonderful review!
Date: 19 Aug 2009 20:09 Title: Chapter 1
Don't know where you are going but it sure is a unique start.
Author's Response: Thanks! I hope you like where it went. I had fun writing it.
Date: 19 Aug 2009 15:16 Title: Chapter 1
Oh creepy. I love the slow, normalised approach you took here. A slow burner with an unusual turn. There's every chance that thses little things are no harm at all but then I doubt there'd be a story in it. ;)
But I love the sudden downpour of this infestation that is alarming and creepy. And I think given the way you've introduced it, means to say you have got plenty more of this to come with a lot of creeps and scares.
The Sisko / Jake relationship was wonderfully portrayed to. Spot on, with nice visualisation and reactions in the chapter of the pair. Jake embarrassed by the Emissary title and of course coupled with typical teenage mood. Loved too how over dinner they bonded more so, chatted more freely. Food and dinner is important to their relationship - we see that onscreen and given the importance food would have to Sisko's dad as a chef no wonder then they enjoy the sharing of a meal. I know a small point but one I thought I'd comment and congratulate you on. It's in the detail as they say.
I also loved the Bajoran festival and ritual and I wonder if this is linked in anyway to it. But it seemed very spiritual and Bajoran like though I don't recall seeing the like before so I don't know if canon or not. But the feeling it evoked and the manner in which Sisko's fatherly instincts and widower grief manifested in it was nicely done. Very well done PSGarak.
Author's Response: My own particular take on horror is that it is most effective set against the backdrop of the mundane and comfortable. It's the sense of being jolted out of a good place and pitched into somewhere terrible and the idea that it can happen at any moment that gets me going with it. I always enjoyed the Sisko family, and I loved the portrayal of the father/son relationship on DS9. It was one of the most natural, realistic family dynamics I've ever seen on television. It was really important to me to try to highlight that and of course the food connection. As you said, that was always important to them, too. The festival info for Bajor was canon. I tried to flesh it out a little more, but the details came from the show. I know a lot of people didn't care for the Bajoran mysticism and faith, but I found it a strength of DS9, not a detriment. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and to review. I really appreciate the feedback!