This is incredible scifi stuff!

You write your Spock so eloquently. Can't wait to read more

Wow this is amazing. One of the most exciting star trek TOS stories I've read so far. Can not wait to read more. Wonderful job

This is my second time reading this story. Excellently done!

Very good story! Love Charlene and Scotty! Loved Spock and Nyota becoming a couple! Would have loved Spock and Nyota with children. Do not understand how Annie became Herald when Nyota spent more time with Herald than Christine! Loved the story!

I love this story. This is my third time reading it but I do not think I have reviewed it before. I think the AU you created was fascinating. I enjoyed your extensive use of vocabulary and poetry. This was so well written!

I know this story is old. But I was fortunate to stumble upon it. It was beautiful. You have a great talent with words. I am honored to have read this. Loved the Spock and Nyota interactions. I also loved the interpretation of the whole crew and the heartbreaking but wonderful death/rebirth of Orianna's essence. Wonderful job!

The description in the paragraph beginning, 'In the aftermath of a death, once the sick-room has been straightened,' was so evocative and spoke so vividly to the memory of bereavement. The semi-religious overtones of ' a tombstone for an empty tomb' were beautifully conveyed. 'I am sorry, my little sister,' had me in tears.

I've finally finished, having to tear myself away to deal with real life before dashing back for much more rewarding unreality. Thank you so much for this, it's been a wonderful experience - and I'm glad the 1701 universe got to know what happened, I was feeling bad for Kyle's partner and Uhura's sister. Thank you above all for introducing me to new poetry, re-acquainting me with old favourites and taking me to snowy summits in your story!

'L'Envoi' has to be the most apposite quotation of all the ones you've used:
'To sleep thro' terms of mighty wars,
And wake on science grown to more,
On secrets of the brain, the stars,
As wild as aught of fairy lore;
And all that else the years will show,
The Poet-forms of stronger hours,
The vast Republics that may grow,
The Federations and the Powers;'
This fits so horribly well with what has been done to poor Orianna and I appreciated the links with the TOS episode in the code-name for the proto-type; I now understand your reference to the 'sand bats of Manark IV' - sorry, I'm slow!

The confrontation with her 1701 self was heart-wrenching, having to be an active participant in letting her old self go was so sad.
'Old faces glimmer'd thro' the doors,
Old footsteps trod the upper floors,
Old voices call'd her from without'
and she can never see them again.

The parallels between Uhura and the Herald are so subtly done, I really appreciate how you introduced them before you ever made us, or Uhura, aware of its existence. The water imagery has been so telling and keeps reminding me of Millais' Ophelia.

Loved the TOS quote, and Uhura in the Leila role, and the way 'Marianna In the South' suggested that there was more between 1860-A Spock and Newt than McCoy assumed.
"Is this the form," she made her moan,
"That won his praises night and morn?"
The cliffhanger was wonderfully wrought, especially in the heart-wrenching question of sentient beings. 'What am I?'

‘I watch thee from the quiet shore;
Thy spirit up to mine can reach;
But in dear words of human speech
We two communicate no more.’
How incredibly apt. All your quotations are so wonderfully apposite once I tracked them down; not only those you printed but their following lines fit in so well with the story and all dreamy of in your philosophy, Horatio. I loved the symbolism of the flower and the doll.

I've skimmed this before but what a pleasure to read, and savour, it properly. There are so many layers to this story, it's like working on an archaeological dig uncovering them. Besides the original and intricate plot, there are the Georgian/Victorian naval references and, glory of glories, the poetry to add further delight. Not only is it a pleasure to encounter a fellow afficionado of A,LT but the little snippets worked into the text, 'the fearful symmetry of her skull' make your work a very green and pleasant land. Thank you.

This was a very thrilling and different concept. Well written and great characterization. Thanks for sharing!

aaaaah that ending was really creepy.