Fortnightly Writing Competition! SCI-FI (Winner announced)

[Oddysseus]

Everyone had great entries this time.

The first two paragraphs of AtelierGames's piece really drew me in, but it got a little confusing at the end. Still- astronauts visiting earth is a pretty big cliche, but he still made it interesting. Impressive.

Ashmc2's piece was more like an overview for a game rather than a story. But it was very detailed- obsessively so. I think if the journal contained an encounter with each of the zombie types, where the author nicknames them (and writes vital stats on the side), it could be a very interesting story. And there has definately been serious thought put into it - just because the contest is over doesn't mean the story has to be.

I think Darius's had a really great concept - it's always fun to read the ranting's of a crazy person's journal. But it really left me in the dark as to what happened to the first crew - apparently they died, but where are the bodies? I'm assuming they disintegrated (otherwise they would have traces of virus in them, and the Captain would be proven right). I guess they figure that the Captain flushed them into space or something, but more detail should be given as to what happened. But I loved some of the lines, like "the fury of the eye."

And who doesn't love haikus?

But (as the votes so far have shown) there was a clear winner in this contest: discordance. Astronauts dying on a distant world is a story that's been told before, but the way this story was told almost luxuriated in its hopelessness. Not only are both characters doomed, but the entire human race will inevitably be wiped out by ravenous bug creatures. The most that can be hoped for is that our bug conquerors will appreciate our sacrifices. The style was very pared-down, with great details - and dualnames was right about the last line. Very unique story - and so it definately gets my vote.

(also, and this has nothing to do with anything, but reading it again just now, I feel like there could be some romantic subtext between the captain and the other guy - like when he touches the captain's face, especially. On the other hand, I am very tired. But I like this deeper level my insomnia has allowed me to discover.) </rambling>

[discordance]

(also, and this has nothing to do with anything, but reading it again just now, I feel like there could be some romantic subtext between the captain and the other guy - like when he touches the captain's face, especially. On the other hand, I am very tired. But I like this deeper level my insomnia has allowed me to discover.) </rambling>

I actually thought of the narrator as female. So make of that what you like

[Dualnames]

(also, and this has nothing to do with anything, but reading it again just now, I feel like there could be some romantic subtext between the captain and the other guy - like when he touches the captain's face, especially. On the other hand, I am very tired. But I like this deeper level my insomnia has allowed me to discover.) </rambling>

I actually thought of the narrator as female. So make of that what you like

And sir, you are thy winner! Great entries people!! Discordance the flame is passed to you!

[discordance]

Yay! I swear to use my new power for good and not evil!

[Oliwerko]

What's with the new topic? I want my fortnightly dose! 

[discordance]

It seems my determination to use my powers for good has led to my not using them at all. I'll come up with something soon, I swear