Date: 26 Jun 2012 07:18 Title: Ripples - part two
This is so sad and tragic. The portrayal of Spock's grief is nearly overwhelming in its quiet intensity; it must have been extremely hard to write. I also appreciated hearing the comments of other crewmembers about their respect for Spock and their understanding of his love for the captain. The reflections about Scotty as an engineer, commander, and friend of all those involved were beautifully offered. I wish I knew what happened to Spock, but if McCoy doesn't know, then I can accept it.
Author's Response:
Absolutely. This and my two AU offerings on 'Errand of Mercy' were extremely difficult for me emotionally. These characters have been with me for a good portion of my life, so it was very draining to put them in harm's way or make them suffer. But I think this piece and the other two, while tragic, help to highlight the emotional bond between these three in a way it wouldn't have been possible to express otherwise.
What happened to Spock? It was a question I went round and round on with several beta readers - reveal it or not - but ultimately I felt it added to McCoy's despair at the end; helped us to feel it and identify with it since we as readers were as clueless as he was as to what became of his remaining friend.
Date: 26 Jun 2012 06:57 Title: Ripples - part one
Ack, it so easily could have happened that way! McCoy's voice is slightly different in this story than in your other ones...I assume that's because he's older and looking back on it. Good writing. And I really love both McCoy's reluctant affection and his total lack of jealousy at the bond between Spock and Jim. You portray both so skillfully, it makes it such a pleasure to read your stories.
Author's Response:
I agree - his voice is a little different - more cynical if that's possible, but I atttribute that to fifty years of guilt over what happened (cuz we all know he'd continue to blame himself), and fifty years without the friendship of two men who helped to shape the person he became. As he states at the end, the ripples that touched anyone as a result of this turn of events changed them forever - himself included. In that sense, I wanted him to be the McCoy we knew but not exactly.
And thank you for the kind words - there is always the worry that I see them differently than others do; so nice to have my vision of them validated. :D
[Report This]Date: 11 Dec 2011 03:24 Title: Ripples - part two
Oh, if McCoy only knew, he'd be horrified.
I was thinking as I was reading, that McCoy is in the perfect position to launch a lawsuit of some kind against T'Pau and/or T'Pring . It may be under Vulcan law, but Jim Kirk is a Federation citizen. Vulcan is part of the Federation, blah, blah, blah. At the very least, one passionate and riled McCoy could cause an intergalactic incident (followed by Earth getting assimilated by V'Ger, before doubled zapped by the whale probe, but we won't mention that :D). I could possibly have been watching far too much Boston Legal :D But yeah, if you wanted to take this further, we could watch McCoy take the Federation down.
Very interesting idea. I really like how you played all their emotions upon Spock's return to the ship. Particularly the talk between Spock and McCoy. Wonderfully written as always. I'm thoroughly enjoying catching up on your fic. It is great to see that you've kept writing while I was otherwise occupied.
As for 'It went bang'...I'm hoping I can start writing again, beginning with a last chapter rewrite. I haven't written anything in nearly two years and it will be fun to play again.
You've definitely dragged me back into the fandom.
Nutty
(must write some Trek :D)
[Report This]Date: 20 Feb 2011 07:12 Title: Ripples - part two
Wow, that was an AMAZING, alternate ending story. I so totally bought the premise lock, stock and barrel. This was a difficult story to read, so profoundly sad did I find it. Thank you for having the courage to write something that was painful, yet equally plausible as an outcome of the events of that day. I thought the evolution of McCoy's feelings and attitude towards Spock were so very spot-on and true to his nature. Scotty was simply beautiful.
A small note: I'm no TOS expert or anything, but I don't believe Spock was ever referred to as an "XO". Although, that is the equivelant Navy postion, in ST, he is the "First Officer."
Thanks again for crafting such a brilliant story.
Author's Response:
Thank you very much, Romanse. It was very difficult to write in terms of the tragic events that took place, but I never doubted McCoy, Scotty or the other members of the crew would be true to themselves in the wake of such a terrible situation.
As for XO, as a retired LCDR in the USNR, I can assure you the terms are interchangeable. ;) Merely poetic license on my part to avoid overusing 'First Officer' throughout the piece. I suspect it was never used in the show because at that time, network execs thought their audience was 'stupid,' and may have felt they wouldn't be able to draw the parallel between the two terms.
I even read somewhere that the shortened version of Aurelan's name - Lani - was dropped from the script because execs thought the public wouldn't know who Kirk meant since he called her Aurelan first.
Thank you again for the flattering praise of the piece and for taking the time to review - it's feedback like this from the readers that helps us authors improve. ;)
[Report This]Date: 23 Jan 2011 03:24 Title: Ripples - part one
Quite a gripping and tragic tale. Can't say I blame most of the regular compliment for transferring off. How "Amok Time" could have turned out is certainly no ordinary way for a ship to lose both her captain and first officer.
Author's Response:
Agreed. This would have been a most tragic way for the ship and her crew to 'fall apart.' Thank goodness we all know what REALLY happened. Glad you enjoyed the piece, and thanks for taking the time to review. :)