Comments on: p.247 (Chapter Eight)

By: Dwight Williams

Dwight Williams — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:34:57 +0000

Yep. Bradbury. Not sure of the story’s title, though…

By: Dwight Williams

Dwight Williams — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:33:16 +0000

How about both?

By: Elihias

Elihias — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:04:47 +0000

‘I saw a butterfly, flutter by…. ‘

‘I saw a Mie.. ‘ .. nope, just not going to work…

Eli.

By: glennnnn

glennnnn — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:24:19 +0000

Good points! Is it Tuesday yet???

By: glennnnn

glennnnn — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:20:50 +0000

Yes. They’ve made mistakes, but I look at them as a kind of “shoe-string” group. Given the circumstances, their lack of resources and knowledge in an unexpected environment they haven’t done so bad. They’re cautious. They don’t want to do anything they might all regret later. That’s very realistic!
It probably makes for a better story when you really have no idea what’s next.
If they were all more like Rambo I think that would completely ruin it.

By: Andrew Crisp

Andrew Crisp — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:19:42 +0000

A nice thought – but useless if the gear needed is in a spacedock a whole timeline away. Remember they didn’t even have a whole Survey Contact Team – Zan was added at the last minute to fill out their numbers (and presumably to keep him from “remodelling” the Jump Drive ^_^).

By: Andrew Crisp

Andrew Crisp — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:10:14 +0000

Just speculating here, but I think that the Miesti “infect” a potential slave with some kind of microbe (IIRC Patty was bitten or stung). This microbe then takes up residence and reproduces, spreading through either the brain or the spinal column, and linking up with the various neurons it comes in contact with.

This microbe network would become a kind of receiver – not sentient, just to relay commands from a Miesti to the slave. But the particular “transmitter” for Patty’s receiver is now, er, smooshed. The question now becomes, can another Miesti “tune in” to the receiver, or does Patty have to be re-infected for the Miesti to assume control?

Something else just popped up while I was writing this: If my “receiver” hypothesis is right, then the slaves might still retain their own personalities, but lose control of their limbs. It makes me wonder about the shouting the Rautani did when they ambushed Aria and Patty – might they have been trying to warn their would-be victims?

By: Maiazuru

Maiazuru — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:21:17 +0000

Well, they are rather unprofessional. Current scouting parties – civilian or military – would be better prepared than this.

I guess it makes sense if you take into account that human space seems to have been at peace a good, long while. They’ve lost our paranoia which, in this particular case, would have been helpful to have.

By: Maiazuru

Maiazuru — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:17:21 +0000

True, but still, a survey on an unknown, Earth-like world that seems to be dead? I’d have brough more gear, myself.

By: Stone Rhino

Stone Rhino — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:22:10 +0000

Finally down to the nitty-gritty and things come full circle. Like 1 + 1 = 4 !