Date: 20 Aug 2013 03:21 Title: His Last Breath
I hadn't read this one in a while, and it's still exquisite. I'm moved by so much of it, but this time through I especially liked the communication between McCoy and Spock, where they essentially agreed that they'd take care of Jim if they had to kill him to do it. So very true to all three men and the profound relationship between them. I know you wrote this a long time ago, but thank you again.
Author's Response:
As always, thanks ever-so-much for the kind words. I've been struggling with my writing of late, so sentiments like this help to motivate and inspire me.
Date: 02 Aug 2013 16:39 Title: His Last Breath
And oh WOW! There's a sequel! Just discovered it -can't wait to read that too!
Author's Response:
Yes, this led to a whole story arc. There are a number of pieces already, and more in the planning stages. See my profile for the correct order in which to read them.
Date: 02 Aug 2013 16:36 Title: His Last Breath
This was beautiful. Whenever I read a story with Spock ill/injured & time running out, you just know he'll be rescued in time. I was honestly expecting him to die in this story (maybe partly because of the title)! You wrote it so realistically, your characterisation is spot on, it's a pleasure reading all of your works, but this is well and truly my favourite.
Author's Response:
::bows:: Thank you, madam. So glad you found it believable, and enjoyable.
Date: 29 May 2013 06:39 Title: His Last Breath
Wonderful, as always.
Date: 25 Jun 2012 16:52 Title: His Last Breath
I tried to go to the drawing, but I couldn't get it from photobucket. Too bad for me--I often have my 14-yr-old illustrate my stories, too.
Thank you again for showing some of the mutuality between Kirk and Spock in this. I'm glad that Kirk himself brought it up--Spock isn't used to leaning on anyone, even Kirk, but he's not indestructible, and every now and then he needs help, too.
You have a gift for bringing out this ruthless willingness each of these three men has to use their affections against each other for the others' benefit. I don't know if I'm explaining that well...Kirk is perfectly willing to say "If you insist on dying, I'll die, too," and then counting on Spock's devotion to save himself for Jim's sake. McCoy will use it against each of them in order to save each of them or return them to health. It's one of the deep mysteries of this triad, and you always use it so powerfully.
Author's Response:
Not sure what the issue is with the drawing - I haven't tried to access it in a while.
That none of them liked to lean on each other was canon in the show - but that didn't change the fact that each was willing to sacrifice himself for the other. I figured it was about time the two knuckleheads admitted it - at least to each other even if they were reluctant to clue Bones in. ;-) And I understood perfectly what you meant. It does my heart good when readers 'get' what I'm trying to show. I agree - there are so many layers to this friendship; my goal with this and other works is to peel them back one by one - hopefully I'm accomplishing that on some level.
Date: 25 Jun 2012 09:08 Title: His Last Breath
I appreciate seeing Kirk as the strong leader and Spock vulnerable for once. I've just read a lot of stuff recently that seemed to paint Kirk as the weak human and Spock as the invincible Vulcan, and I think their relationship was much more equal than that. This scene was intense and poignant, and I'm dying to know what happens next.
Author's Response:
I think when Spock is someone's favorite character (guilty as charged) they like to portray him as invincible. I've tried to step away from that, and find the inherent vulnerability in both men - or all three if you add McCoy into the mix.
Date: 16 Nov 2009 23:22 Title: His Last Breath
Great stuff. The balance between showing the emotion between both men and later with McCoy in the mix too is hard for many to capture - except it seems for a certain cadre here on Ad Astra who seem like pros finding that balance and yet hiding the emotion and having the trio tread around each other at times on emotional tip-toes. Well McCoy maybe not so much with the tip-toes - he's more of an elephant stomp, stomp. But very good reading. again, you touch on the kernel of the heart, the friendship, the brotherhood, between our trio and Spock and Kirk in particular.
Author's Response:
::Bows:: thank you much! It was the relationship between the three, and especially the two, that captivated me at an early age. If I could pay homage to, and do justice to that, then I'm pleased, and tickled. ;-) And I'd classify McCoy as a T-Rex, but that's just me...;-)
Date: 16 Nov 2009 23:03 Title: His Last Breath
It strikes me as a novel approach to the stranded on a planet and Prime Directive concerns that can only be fixed by Kirk tearing his shirt in some fashion! Ha! But it does, in case that sounds sarcastic, because it read as very fresh and from the outset with the terrific cliffhanger moment - that was no hanger just a straight over the edge moment. That was a little OMG! cry right there. Needless to say, loved it. Then Spock's injuries and how Kirk decides to help remedy the situation. Not what we saw on the telly ever but it does read right. Kirk with his every breath will do whatever it takes to save Spock. Hee hee, and McCoy is usual self. Very good.
Author's Response:
LOL!! Once again, you've seen something that didn't occur to me. Leave it to our intrepid captain to save the day with nothing more than a strip of alien fabric. He is JTK after all. ;-)
Glad the 'cliff'hanger worked well - I was worried about it's placement, since we don't find out 'til much later why they're there.
As usual, thoughtful and helpful feedback. And thanks for getting this posted for this techno all-thumbs gal. ;-)