Comments on "Joe"

[Alinestra Covelia]

Do we need to start a new Comments thread? What's the limit for a thread length?

Okay, a new episode is up. It's a bit on the short side, but what with exams this week and food poisoning last week, I've had my free time occupied by stuff lately. Never fear! After Thursday this week I shall be able to devote myself to completing this story and getting the whole darn thing off my plate once and for all.

I might even go so far as to post up this comments thread at the Enixine. Assuming no copyright infringements.

[Kassiopeia]

I have spent a year here and this is the first time I actually spotted Joe. Looks like I need to wipe my specticles clean.

Since you're saying that you will get the story finished in the near future, I could sit down and read it through, then read this thread and post my comments.

It just always somewhat depresses me to read works of fiction superior to my own (I managed to read the first page).

The thread length limit is 500, by the way. This thread is nowhere near it... I've seen one with 860 posts but that thread was, hmmm, 'an accident'.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Another post is up. There has already been one massively unsubtle passing reference to recent news. Keep your eyes open for another one.

And welcome to Kassiopeia! It's good to know that I have another reader, but I also hope you aren't disappointed with the story!

[Alinestra Covelia]

Right, now that the Southsea midair plane collision has been sorted out, it's time for some diplomatic maneuvering in the United Nations Assembly Hall. Thrill to the sight of dodges and feints, gasp in wonder at the counterattacks and boycotts, laugh out loud at the tariffs and treaty violations galore!

I have just over two weeks to finish this story. It celebrates its second birthday on the 19th July 2002 so I'd better get hopping.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Another update again!

Darn, 4th of July already

:fireworks hurray:

I might not be able to finish the story before its second anniversary, especially as I'm going down to Kunming and Hainan Isle (<- big clue here) for a week.

Well, after the anniversary I have two days before I leave China. Understandably, after that updates might be a bit hard to do. Stay tuned for more!

[Alinestra Covelia]

Right, I'm back and the updates should come faster now.

[fluffy]

Just wanted to say I'm enjoying the story, and found the UN assembly parts some of the most convincing so far - good work!

[Alinestra Covelia]

Just posted another episode. I'll be working on this through to tomorrow - I'd really like to finish the story before its 2nd birthday, which is the 19th July. Check back often to see whether or not I succeed.

After the whole thing is finished, I plan to put a series of explanatory posts on this thread to explain some of the hidden themes of the story. This might also allow for readers to provide constructive criticism. This in turn might also allow for me to alter the finished product so it might one day be fit for publication (cross fingers).

[Alinestra Covelia]

...and another one.

[Alinestra Covelia]

...and another...

I know that I'm running a considerable risk here by referring to events that are "canon", ie already well established in the past of the SMAC setting. However, I am taking Michael Ely's work "Journey to Alpha Centauri" as my guideline and I have tried to remain stringently loyal to that piece of writing.

Only one minor detail differs - I have tinkered with the confrontation between Sheng Ji Yang and the hostage taker, Anakkala. Michael Ely originally chose not to explain or elaborate on how the Chairman was able to escape from capitivity, and I thought it would be interesting to try to explain this seemingly miraculous escape through the rational application of science.

Otherwise, all other details, including Garland's final moments on board the Unity, are left unchanged from Ely's script. Genius needs no modification

[Alinestra Covelia]

...and another...

Time for the Commissioner to give the tearjerking "indeed, I did..." speech.

Damn and blast. I'm not going to make it before the story's second birthday. Never mind - at least I hope to finish it before I leave the country.

I'd estimate at most eight more episodes before the story's about wrapped up, and that includes the epilogue, too. Keep on reading!

[Alinestra Covelia]

More damn and more blast. Looks like I'm not going to finish it before I leave China, either.

Well, have another episode - those of you who are still reading - and I might or might not be able to write the ending after I get to America safely.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Whew! That was a long flight! But getting the upgrade from Economy to Business class made the trip much easier to endure, I can tell you.

Here's another episode of Joe. There will be more to come, but I might be a bit patchy still.

[Sovereign]

Whoaaaaaaaa!!!


I've been reading Joe for a few months now, and the suspense in your latest chapter is so thick I can stir it with a fork!


Keep up the grrrreat! work



by the way, are you planning on writing any other fic's? or is this a "one time only" run?

[Alinestra Covelia]

Sovereign, if you think the suspense is heavy now, just you wait until I actually get back to writing about the Council vote... in about two episodes' time!

I'm sure all my readers are very bored by the machinations of Council right now. Let's take a quick diversion to what Joe himself is getting up to...

Next episode up soon.

As far as other fan fics go, I have written one (1) other SMAC fan fic. In fact, that was one of my first posts on this forum - it was about two and a half years ago or so, and I don't remember the exact title but it was called something like "James Bond 2100: From Hiveria With Love".

Needless to say, it was a spoof. I wonder where that thread got to in the end? Maybe it got recycled.

I have a few vague ideas of sequels to this piece of work, but let's finish this one first and then write them, eh?