TOS Border Dogs - 1: "The Merlin"

[TrekkieMonster]

That, sir, was an absolute BLAST to read! Just fun as hell! I'm very impressed at your ability to keep up the first person noir narrative. Completely put me in mind of the days when I was addicted to Daschel Hammett books. I've enjoyed everything you've posted here, but this just strikes me as one of the most original approaches to Trek Lit I've ever read.

Loved the story, the crew, and your tips of the hat to on-screen references ("It's Blue.")

All I can say is thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[HyperionReborn]

A very satisfactory conclusion to an excellent tale. Looking forward very much to continuing adventures of the Merlin.

And as an aside, I'd like to note that I'm very jealous of how prolific a writer you are, TLR.

 

[Aaron McGuire]

A very exciting and tasty end to a great story. I love the relationship between Parker and Brooks. This'll be great series to follow.

Aaron McGuire

 

[DavidFalkayn]

This was very much a fresh approach to Trek fic, as TM pointed out. What I liked was that you took a period that sees hardly any play--the very early TOS era (Pike era) as your setting and you kept to the spirit of that era while working in some Next Gen elements such as making Mutt a Betazoid. Parker is cut in the same mold as Sam Spade and Brooks is simply great. As everyone else has said, it's very difficult to write first person well, and you did a good job. I hope this won't be the last we see of the Merlin and its crew.

Very nicely done!

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

Thanks for reading and the kind comments, everyone! Captain Parker, Brooks Erdon, Mutt and the crew of the Merlin will return at some point down the road. I've had too much fun with them to leave them on the sidelines for long.

In the meantime, a new Bluefin tale will be getting under way in a few days.

 

[Mistral]

Awesome. Tight, concise and it left me grinning( heck, I grinned all of the way thru). [crowd chanting] Merlin! Merlin! Merlin!

 

[CeJay]

An excellent pieace of work. As pointed out by my fellow reviewers, you have really perfected the first person narrative style in this story, making it an absolute pleasure to read.

My only piece of criticism is probably the same I mentioned earlier in this story and that is the fact that for a first time captain, Parker is either incredibly lucky or incredibly good. I actually think it is a mixture of both. I guess some people are just born to be captains ...

I'm of course hoping to read more of this soon but I understand how much effort it takes to work on two series at the same time. I'm just about to learn this myself.

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

Thanks CeJay. I think luck is on Parker's side (although he might disagree, considering his convoluted career path! ). But he does have the knack for command. In all honesty, he did a lot of things wrong in this story - primarily trying to be the Lone Ranger in tracking down Farmingham. His luck held, but he still has a lot to learn in that regard. I will try to get started on another Border Dogs story before long - I find that alternating between two story lines actually helps me. If I get mired down in one, I work on the other for a while. Then, I often get ideas/inspiration for the other. Very glad you enjoyed the Merlin's debut.

 

[Gibraltar]

Just an awesome story, especially considering it was done in the difficult first person narrative. A terrific cast of characters inhabiting a rarely seen part of the Trek universe during the TOS era. A compelling tale, filled with betrayal and suspicion, action and intrigue. Parker’s got one hell of a future ahead of him, provided he can survive his missions and his crew.

More, please… and quickly! Hey, it’s not like you’re writing multiple series concurrently or anything!

 

[Count Zero]

Gibraltar said:
More, please… and quickly!

I second that! I haven't commented on this story so far but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A hell of a read! :thumbsup: