This was really good. Read it all in one night! I really liked the way you wrote it!

Hello, just wanted to say I greatly enjoyed your story. It was satisfyingly original and the quality of your writing was a pleasure to read. Thanks very much, I'll be off to read your other stories now.

I just realized the part about "And carrots. Without fail, there's always carrots..."

Was that a reference to Atlantis: The Lost Empire?

The reason this even occurred to me is I'm watching it atm.

Fan-bloody-tastic story! Seriously! Reflection actually makes a good epilogue but I think you should turn it into a sequal to Circles of Hell.

You have a fantastic writing style and I was glued to my screen while reading both. I would love to read more of your work... especially if you continue on this story arc. Don't worry if it diverges from the show... after all every fan fiction is essentially AU... and you can add things in from the show as they develop.

Please write more. I would be thrilled to read about Rush waking up after getting back to destiny and reintegrating the AI... (I can't remember if you gave it a name but I've been thinking of it as Seeker, cos that's the ship it was on...) Think of the fun you could have with that... an AI and it likes Rush... on a ship where barely anyone can stand him... Young would be so pissed. Especially if it was able to take command of all Destiny's systems... and didn't recognize young's authority.

And click for the Author Alerts. Seriously.. you write it and provided it's a fandom I know, I'll read it. Fantastic work... I can't emphasize that enough!

Wow... just... wow :D

What a chapter! I loved the idea that the aliens had tinkered with Rush's DNA. I didn't expect that!

As always, you have Rush absolutely spot on, and I loved the character of the AI in this chapter. I see what you mean when you said you had created an original character, because it really does have personality and quarks of its own.

The ending was very tension filled and my heart was literally racing! Simply brilliant :D

As usual, your spelling and grammar is fantastic. The only gripe I have does not really relate to this story, but to your writing style overall. I have not mentioned it before because I have wanted to focus on the story, but I find your style of writing very hard to read. Its hard to explain, but it can be quite difficult to understand what's going on. It isn't clear sometimes.

Perhaps this is a good thing though, because it emphasises how confused and broke Rush is, and how he probably doesn't know what is going on most of the time. I don't know, but I personally don't find it very accessible. That's just my opinion :)

Other than that, you should be so proud of yourself, because this story is absolutely fucking fantastic! One of the best fan fictions I have EVER read, and I have read a hell of a lot. Your exploration of Rush's character was so dark and deep that it pulled me in like a black hole, and allowed me to understand the kind of horror that he was going through. But underneith that is a large element of hope, because Rush DID escape from the aliens and he is on his way back to Destiny.

Thank you so much for giving me the pleasure of reading this story. I will definitely be following your future work, SGU or not.

Talk to you later! :)

Mr Evil.

AUGH AUGH AUGH YOU'RE WONDERFUL.

Just pointing that out to start.

This was a great fic. I've loved following it, although there were a few points where I just wanted to find some freaky bug tech of my own and MAKE you sit down and finish it, whether you had time or not. Yeah. The hiatus was hard. Although it sounds like it was harder for you, what's this about a volcano?

I think my favorite part, possibly from the whole fic, was the scene at the end where he was escaping. The way you moved from description of the virus to the much grittier description of what was going on the physical, non-computer world, but at the same time linked them so neither seemed more real than the other, was genius. Because Rush would be thinking about what the virus was doing the whole time, and be thinking of it just as you’ve described here.

Ok. Wait. Starting at the beginning.

First thing I notice is the AI’s acknowledgement of failure, when he knew about the regeneration tech but not the… freakier regeneration tech. Of course everyone makes mistakes, but this had particularly fail consquences. You, and others, have said before that the Altereans are very self centered (after Jackson’s appearance in Human (episode four of the second half), which you’re going to love, I need to see the first shows even more XD), and I was glad to see the layers of response here. First of all, whether or not he’s an AI and feels stuff, the feelings are artificial and even after this long (probably longer, too, if we’re going for time without these specific feelings) a little disorienting. Then he’s an Alterean—how could he have done this? And then there’s the part of him that cares and now we’re in a whole new ballpark. YAY ANGST.

Nice attention to detail on the differences between his perception before and after the… I guess you could call it surgery? Altercation? Whatever. That thing they did to him. *also does not want to dwell on this* The carvings on the wall and the quasi-embroidery are my favorites. It comes back to the music thing—the deeper ones goes into this culture, the more they aren’t just completely military. It’s military power, but also a strong emphasis on personal appearance and art. The question is, are those two linked, or are the separate like the secret military control theory? (speaking of which, I’ll reply to your reply soon)

I love the AI. Thank goodness he caught on to human nature so fast.

“So terrifyingly insane that it might work” that is very Rush. I was worried when his automatic reaction wasn’t “heck yes let’s do all we can to pull one over on the tossers!” So it was nice to hear that.

You really do have to see Human. Watch these episodes quickly, the scene after the break with his hallucination of her could be directly from Human. In fact… I think you inadvertently quoted it directly. I’d need to go back and check.

Oh gosh, the music’s back. Love the music. And I’ve gotta ask – the WHOLE doctorate? I can paraphrase my last history paper, get all the facts right, at least, but doctorates are considerably longer than ten pages. A couple of writers have decided that in there fanon Rush has a photographic memory—are you one of them? I can’t remember. Hah. Irony.

Would curses translate into Ancient? Or has the AI started to learn a few of Rush’s more colorful expressions? Either way that was funny.

“The headache lingered, sapping his strength, and he'd already snapped at both the Keepers and the AI in the space of half an hour. The latter had dealt him a well deserved blow; the former had fixed him with a look of resignation and fallen silent.” Switch “latter” and “former”.

I already mentioned at the top that and why I loved the virus scene, I think. Love it. Awesome.

I loved the memory here. It was perfect. Yes, Gloria’s violin is officially cannon. And she plays wonderfully.

AI is DEAD? NO….. Except you wouldn’t keep him dead, would you? Rush can fix him. I have faith. *crosses fingers*

It’s been a wonderful read! Thank you for writing this. Well done. Give yourself a pat on the back!

-TLE

Ah, the story was UBER-AWESOME! Seriously, I was holding my breath while reading this last chapter! It all happened so fast in the end, you delivered the rush of the moment perfectly!

I really liked how the relationship between the AI and our good Doctor shifted in this chapter into something very much like friendship. How he confided in it about the remodelling and it was actually able to console him. People o through much, much less and begn doubting their identity but to be forced to doubt one's own humanity... a frightening thought. It's good that the AI managed to come up with what it said. And it actually showed something that in a living being might have been emotions... While reading, I was wondering if it was actually feeling or just acting. Either way, it was really cool.

It actually kept Rush sane. If it wasn't for its constant reminders that he was to stay coherent, he would probably succumb to total madness. And no one can blame him, after all this... He will never be the same man, he's now broken in so many ways... but stronger, as well.

And I wonder if he'll now like the goop on Destiny, with his tastes altered like that... And the smell. Oh God, there are SO many semi-clean people back on the Ship, I think he might die because of the stench!

I felt really sad when Rush found out that the sphere was damaged. Considering that he took it with him to Destiny, I think he must by now feel really attached to the AI. It feels like a spherical grave of sorts. Will he try to fix it? Is it even possible?

I think that the first idea of what the Bugs really are had been portrayed much more in the story, I sorta got used to thinking about them as xenophobic bastards.

I know what you mean, writing about Rush. He's a difficult character. Good and bad. Easy-going and strict. Lofty and boory, even. But it's a challenge that you faced and won, congratulations. You did a really great job and it's been a pleasure reading it. Really, really great. I hope you will go through with the post-fic, you have a devoted reader in me :)

When I had been reading this chapter, I was wondering what would I have done if I were to know that from now on my life will be an endless chain of torture and misery and realized that I would probably go insane then and there. I would let them beat me to death or leave me to rot or whatever. I would definetely not een try to do anything. And the goddamn hologram... it just kept adding. I thought that AIs are supposed to be inteligent but this one takes so long to understand that what Rush was doing was genuine and real and that he really didn't want to help the bastards...

I still enjoyed reading their conversation. A huge relief for Rush in this harsh environment to be able to talk with someone, probably.

And as soon as something good happens they pull this stunt on him... This must've been the worst moment of his life, when he realized that he was not wearing the though you didn't write what he felt at that moment, the emotions raged in this last sentence.

This chapter had everything: a bit of success, a bit of relief, some fear, helplessness and horror... Really great!

I liked the mention of TJ, it was very cute (I like word 'fondness', it associates with nice things in my mind). And so like Rush to blame the emotions on her being a woman! He has these weird views on certain things that are mostly viewed as bad but all in all, they are logical and - to a certain degree - make 's annoying and refreshing at the same time.

As the story progresses we can see how powerfull the Bugs are, how much wrong they are capable of doing. It's so noble of Rush to work against them, the decision must've cost him a lot. Especially that he's not exactly a selfless person. But he does realize that there isn't much coice there and he can at least do some good... It's a big thing to do.

In this chapter the AI was really pissing me off with its shortsighted ignorance of what Rush was doing. He was so ahead of it there!

I must say, I really love how Gloria is calling him Sweetheart. I think that's the sweetest endearment in English language. And SO not Rush. He's all but sweet :P

It's sad how helpless the guy can be in situations where his agility and stamina fail him. I can imagine the panic surge, I was afraid that they're gonna seriously hurt him when he got stuck like this. But I guess that what they did to his hand afterwards counts as hurting. I think I would never want to see my flesh melting, it would haunt me in my dreams. Creepy.

The music... The worst thing in a place like this! Gloria was a violinist so probably any kind of music would be an agonizing reminder for him. at least he has the imaginary Gloria there with him to keep him relatively sane.

But then, of course, comes another surprise, a new method of keeping him alive... this must've been heartbraking!

The AI is gone? No. I so liked him - he would have made such a good friend for Rush who seems to have none.

I really like how you ended this otherwise. The anticipation was endless - I could hardly wait to see it play out. And since your first story has Rush back on Destiny, I know he makes it, but I hope that in a future story, you will bring the AI back to life. I can only imagine the psychological damage that Rush will have to deal with and somehow think he would be almost obsessed to bring his friend back to talk to. The AI is the only one he could have an intelligent converation with on his level. Especially after all they'd been through - I hope he (AI) survivies.

I also liked Rush's mental conversations with his late wife. It shows how happy he use to be as compared to how he is currently - big difference. You can see just how far he's fallen.

I don't know why, but I like seeing Dr. Rush be tormented and you did a A job at it. I can't wait for your next fic.

~~ Celtic Lady

Great update this has been an adventure and a great one. I think that Dr. Rush could be a different person if given the right opportunity. Thanks

Wow! Another great chapter. I like how you have the AI now working with him - it sounds like they are both feeling a little bit of hope. Just enough to keep him going. I love how you show his pain and agony. Your writing really makes one feel for Rush and his situation. So hopeless. PLEASE HURRY AND WRITE MORE! It's such a good story!

You portray his accent so well and the ending is great! Can't wait to finish! : )

Great story, you are doing an awesome job with Dr. Rush's emotions and flashbacks. Thanks

Well, first let me tell you that the first draft of this review was a shining star in the review firmament. Then I tried to close a window and quit all of firefox. It was a truly gorgeous, page long review and it wasn’t even finished. So, I guess I’ll start trying to recreate it. Joy to the world.

Not my fault you didn’t get a review for Courage before #6 came out. I didn’t have internet access, and was planning to review… about now. Now I do have access. This should more or less cover both chapters. Thanks, btw, as the bits and pieces of this I could access on my phone were my main source of entertainment while waiting in line at Disneyworld. :-) (Oh, and sorry I haven’t responded to your replies, I just figured out how to do that. I will do so the next time I have a chance)

I loved these two chapters. Courage left me completely terrified, and #6 must be followed up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by #7, because I must know what’s going on. I’m very confused, and very glad to be so. This fic is quite the roller coaster, well done.

You said at the beginning of Courage that you weren’t sure where to begin it – but I think here, you made the right decision. Your cliffhanger from last chapter left the reader wanting to know what the technology was, how Rush would react, what the bugs wanted that Rush had only just figured out. Those questions could only be answered in the time directly following the end of Comprehension. The only other option was beginning with Rush somewhere else, after the fact, then flashing back to what had happened. Doing so would have taken a lot of immediacy out of the piece, when the reader should be on the edge of their seat. If you tell the story in flashbacks, no matter what, we know that the character ends up wherever they were before they started remembering.

Humph. The comment about TJ being emotional because she’s female is… interesting. A level of blunt honesty and willingness to offend people that is very Rush.

The music scene is great. I’m befuddled – are the bugs really just completely xenophobic, or is most of the population unaware of the lengths the military is going to to ensure prosperity? And while I’m asking about the bugs, how are they so advanced as to have the regeneration technology but unable to fix their own plasma-whatsits? Is it all ancient technology? Did they get it from other races? If any of these would give away later plot (or if you’re leaving it up to the reader, which I understand completely), just ignore my prattling. ;-)

Augh, missing nails. Almost made me lose my lunch. I can stand a bunch of ick, but not missing nails. That and guillotines. Two methods of torture/execution that completely squick me out. Yuk yuk yuk.

Alright, now I’m on #6. Nice chapter name, btw. :-)

“Hunk” might be a weird word choice on Gloria’s part? Unless she’s kidding. I don’t know, I think Rush is quite attractive for such a complete bastard (but that’s why we love him), but I always associate “hunk” with big, muscular guys. Not Rush. Dunno, up to you.

His freak out at the AI almost made me cry. Not really much to say, it just did.

Well, honestly I don’t have that much to say about this chapter except that I liked it a lot and can’t wait for the next one. The AI is a great character; I’m looking forward to seeing how his and Rush’s plan worked out given this obvious setback. Seems like the bit at the end has got to be the thing from Reflections – but I’m still not sure. I’ll just have to sit here hoping the next few weeks move quickly…

Overall, great chapters. Thanks for writing, keep it up!