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With the Vignette PERSPECTIVE now done...time to crank up the gas on the ALIEN: Manticore Sequel 'Out Of The Silent dark'.
I have chapter 01 done, roughed out, and a good start with Chapter 02.
I will say this as a spoiler:
The Lynx Kitten has 100% Script Immunity.
Like that's in any way a surprise to any of you. lol
I am pondering making a 'collection' of the Vigenttes that deal with Lyllith and her father, Dr. Rothmahnn.
What do the rest of you think? Would you like their specific Vigenttes made into a Collection?
I have tracked the Perfect Host down and will make time to read it...you reference to it has me Curious.
Curiosity impels Investigation :D
I am really glad you're enjoying this Vignette! To me it means my efforts at keeping the essence and flame of ALIEN alive are having an effect.
I do these works for The Fandom and for love of the franchise...so it's nice to know my efforts do help!
The issuu platform seems to optimize things for phones, so I can suggest you read there and download to keep from the Drive. If you try such, please let me know what your experience reading on Issuu was?
That said...
Thank-You!!! (HUG) You're very welcome and I am very glad you enjoyed this Vignette!!
SuperAlien Sturgeon was one of those sci fi authours from the 40s through 50s and beyond. Lots of good stuff but Perfect Host was different- written in the WW2 era.
dk I agree with you.
I haven't read The Perfect Host but if you recommend it I will surely read it.
I don't remember the titles of those two Ray Bradbury short stories, but I highly recommend them if you can find them.
Prey means continuance.
SuperAlien PERSPECTIVE is pretty killer and a bit of a departure from her norm! Sometimes risks yield the best output.
Have you ever read The Perfect Host by Theodore Sturgeon? If you like POV stuff, you should consider it- it's only about 40 pages.
Downloaded Perspective from Google Drive and read it. It reminded me of two short stories by Ray Bradbury, one written from the perspective of the killer, the other from the victim's.
It was Rest…until it was reason to not Rest.
That's how I imagined the xenomorph's ability to survive, like seen at the end of Alien. In Alien he actually killed the crew just to ensure his survival, not as a mindless killer. With the humans around his survival was in danger.
Thanks for sharing and don't stop writing.
I thoroughly enjoy your perspective and I must confess I have some hard time reading from my mobile phone, but that won't stop me.
Blackwinter-witch I am very humbled by your kindness and I wish you get better and over the unpleasant day, this tight knit nitpicking community needs you more than you might think.
Hug you back.
I would like to share a song with you, hope you'll like it, although the singer is most likely unknown to many outside Sweden, but people usually support fame and popularity more than talent:
BWW, in the extreme distances of deep space you will always need 3 coordinates to describe where you are. Everything else is just a line-of-sight description centred on an observation point. For example, let’s say you are in a lighthouse. The beam sweeps around and lights up an aircraft. The sweep angle is one coordinate, and if you tilt the light to hit the aircraft spot on, that’s another. You’ve got two angles (called azimuth and altitude).
To pin down the aircraft properly, you also need to know how far away it is. That gives you a third coordinate.
Trouble is, that coordinate system is centred on the lighthouse and wouldn’t be much use to an interstellar traveller.
There is a defined coordinate system called Galactic Coordinates, but be careful. It is centred on the Sun, and has nothing to say about how far away something is. A bit like the lighthouse coordinates, with the lighthouse shifted to the Sun (and no distance). It’s not a bad starting point, though. With two angles alpha and beta, add a distance to that and you can pin down the location of something anywhere in the galaxy with those three numbers. And with that coordinate system (let’s call it XNAV).
Why did I call it XNAV? Because that’s how future space travellers will navigate! What am I talking about, I hear you ask. Well... you know we have a bunch of satellites above us beaming down signals so that your phone knows where it is? In interstellar space there are loads of pulsars (rapidly spinning neutron stars) that beam out pulses of x-rays. Some spin a few times a second, and others spin hundreds of times a second. Here’s the neat bit: they spin so regularly they are like ultra-accurate atomic clocks. Some clever boffins have figured out that if you made a “GPS” receiver in interstellar space that listens out for pulsar signals, you would be able to work out your exact position in the Galaxy accurate to thirty metres. Which is pretty incredible when you think how stupendously big the Galaxy is.
If they share the same universe, that could cause all kinds of canonical havoc and fan push back. "Gotta keep 'em separated."
RBW has enough raw potential to stand fully on it's own. I would like to see it be treated and handled/developed as it's own, unique and distinct universe rather than connecting to ALIEN, BR and such.
If they try connecting, I worry that it will impose limits on what they can do, and handicap their being able to fully use the potential this series has in abundance.
TY!
...and I wouldn't say you spoiled anything, all you gave was a general and informative brief overview.
NP with that.
Blackwinter-witch RBW has obvious DNA of Prometheus and BR. I have only seen the 1st episode and will try to treat it as its own thing. After all, RS only wrote the first couple episodes I think. Just take it in as a good sci fi series.
I don't want to spoil, but PERSPECTIVE shows the ALIEN POV while hinting at its own form of intelligence/ethics that might be expanded on later. It's nice to finally hear from the Alien perspective.
The 'language barrier' I did enjoy while trying my best to work around it. :)
I also went through the story 3 comb-throughs in final proofing to remove any times where it went '3rd person' or had The Alien referencing itself as 'it'.
Readers I hope will have their own interpretations and such, then it makes the work more personal for them.
These Vignettes are an experiment...I don't know if anyone else is doing similar, so I'm winging it on my own as far as I know. :D
With this story, I wanted to give The Alien more credit for being intelligent, problem-solving, and capable of being much more than a mindlessly-rampaging critter for target practice.
Cameron turned The Alien into...just an interesting 'target' for shoot-em-up action.
I'm trying to take it back to what it is...something genuinely dangerous and from whom there is no safe place.
:D
I really hope that they do not try linking The Alien into RBW.
I'm going to expand the short story I have in the works 'ORIGIN' and put it up to be read...then the Fandom can choose and decide what origin-point they prefer for The Alien from all the possibilities being thrown around.
That said, ORIGIN will be a unique view of it's start in the universe.
Blackwinter-witch There does seem to be a language barrier and that is actually an interesting thing imo. It challenges the reader to really try to think or perceive the world as an Alien- and I like that readers may come up with different interpretations. For only 3 pages, it's tough to think of any comparable original sci fi writings.
Thank-You for the compliments and telling me how much you enjoy the Vignettes!!!
You're also quite welcome!!
When I was writing it, I kept looking over at a handwritten note which had Ash's statement about The Alien, and rode with that as my guide to keep the tone on-track.
I expect that some will have to re-read this or that segment, as there's a 'language-barrier' between how an Alien experiences life and translating that to something readable by Humans.
When I was writing the rough draft, I had to stop every couple minutes from confusing myself with the 'alien' descriptions and such. lol
Space is BIG
I refer you all to Douglas Adams and what he had to say regarding the bigosity of space. :D
Now, even with drones, probes and massive telescopes...lots of things can be hidden, say entire swathes of the galaxy we cannot see because nebulas block line-of-sight.
Probes, well say they sent out a few hundred...factor in operational lifespan, travel-times, and how few there are of them relative to the staggering number of stars and their systems.
Now, if their world was EM-silent, or just low-powered, you'd not detect the artificial EM signature of the civilization.
As Planet-4 has a frightening powerful ionosphere and magnetospehere and massive, high energy storms due to that...there's another couple of barriers to detecting any of planet-4's EM activity.
here's a shot of the Juggernaut exiting FTL...it looks like some kind of drop-out from a FtL type drive system...
I can see parallels with EI and Olmec heads...especially the Olmec.
What If, the Easter Island statues are done to honor/represent Non-Engineers...perhaps Rivals to The Engineers?
That would explain why they look so Different from an Engineer.
Excellent point about astronomy in Covenant!
I'm glad you pointed it out, as it saves me and other writers from making such an embarrassing mistake in the future.
I and others strive to get details Correct to the best of our ability, and knowing this is 'wrong' shows me for example that I need to learn how astronomical navigation would be done from a starship...or figure out something Plausible based off real science.
It hasn't come up in my works yet, but it'd be nice to have it worked out and at-hand.
Very happy you elected not to leave!!
I'll keep this short, I am having an unusually unpleasant day, health-wise so shorter will ensure clarity.
You've been a member here for a long time, and would be Missed. Also, as you said, home is where the hive is. :D
Well, this is your hive, and mine, ours...secreted away from the thunderous ramblings of the Uber-Franchises where we can trade our thoughts, further delving into the mysteries that tease us in the ALIENverse.
We are better for you having elected to stay with us. (HUG)
An interesting fact is that all the prominent features of the Orion constellation are very far away from Earth, many hundreds or indeed thousands of light years distant. This being the case, you could travel a fair number of light years from Earth and Orion would still look broadly the same as it does from here. But other nearby stars (such as Zeta Reticuli at a mere 39 ly) would appear to be in wildly different parts of the sky.
Therefore, if one is being charitable, you could make the case that the starchart being displayed on the Prometheus is being shown from some distant reference point. Who can say where that reference point is; it certainly doesn't have to be Earth or indeed where the Prometheus is currently located. You could very likely find a distant reference vantage point where Zeta Reticuli would appear in the sky as it does on the Prometheus starchart.
OK, I'm being charitable. But what I can't forgive is the script in Covenant, where the computer describes the origin of David's transmission as having a "Right Ascension of 47.6 and a Declension of 24.3 from our current location". This is just daft gobbledegook. For a start, astronomical coordinates have a Declination, not a declension. Declension is a grammatical term. Further, Right Ascension and Declination coordinates are centred on planet Earth, not from an arbitrary location in space. Slapdash!
What about the olmec heads?
It might be healthier to eat a moldy bread from a trusted chef than a hamburger. Or popcorn.
SuperAlien:
It depends on how we program them, I don't see why we should give them that ability. In reality it could be interesting but as far as the Alien Franchise is concerned I'm more interested in the Engineers because they seem more mysterious and alien. The androids no matter how fascinating some people find them, are too close to humans and that's why I'm against the idea of having David as the creator of the monster although I can see the reason behind that. He was more interesting in Prometheus when he just wasn't an asshole but he was too evil in AC.
Thematically David is interesting, story-wise I prefer the Engineers. If I would have to just pick one I wish that they would continue with the Engineers which would make more sense if we talk about continuing to explore who the one in the chair was and which is what Ridley wanted to look up in the beginning of the prequels.
“But we should let creators do their thing instead of winning constantly about one flaw or the other.”
I don't agree with that, they can do what they want but I also think that the audience have their right to let them know if we don't like it. If someone gives you a moldy bread and makes you eat it, would that be acceptable to you just because some of the cheese seems fine and just because the chef is famous? To me the answer would be no, and it's the same thing here. Just because Scott is involved with something and has done good movies before doesn't mean that we can't say no when he makes bad choices with respect to the good movies that he has made.
“Wouldn't that be a mean android?”
Not necessarily, it could be but it depends on how the criticism is being made. I understand your point but I think that people should be allowed to have different opinions. They could have androids in it because it worked in the other movies but it's too much about them, that's what I'm against. Not sure if I would be interested in a Star Wars-movie about Ewoks either even though they are cute.
Thoughts_Dreams androids can be very mean if given the choice and more terrifying than xenomophs. Imagine a world ruled by androids. Are we that far from it? Or do you prefer the engineers?
I think it is too late now to continue David's story and Ridley Scott understood that. That is one reason he chose to make Raised by Wolves.
But we should let creators do their thing instead of winning constantly about one flaw or the other. Honestly, I am grateful for every film Ridley Scott will helm and hope to be many.
Androids, replicants are the future and one day they will be making their own films. Imagine how it will be on an android forum when some will complain he doesn't want humans in the films, but better written android characters. Wouldn't that be a mean android?
The System was the Zeta Reticuli System, however that Star Chart is Incorrect as the Reticulum Constellation would NOT be Located where LV-223 was shown.
If we go by the Map that Holloway Pointed to then LV-223 is Located Bellow Gemini
There is a Margin of Error with THIS though as the Sky Map in Prometheus is NOT exactly Accurate.
SuperAlien
Trump, I think that he has different opinions compared to other people but I also think that it seems that he likes to be the boss and tell people what to do. When I said that I think that RBW is boring I meant it as to say that it's not my thing but if you like it then you're of course allowed to have that opinion. I think that I should have used other words but my opinion on it hasn't changed. Some people might like RBW, good for them but I don't. Nothing personal against you
My reason for getting that forced in my opinion about it is that if that show will do alright then it might mean a green-light for Ridley to continue on with his David-movies, and I don't want that. If some people like them good for them but I'm not fine with them being that much about David. He could work if they re-made him a bit and toned down his role which isn't to say that he couldn't be in it at all but that’s just my opinion.
“Some people simply enjoy being mean and I know you are not one of them…”
Thanks, I try to do my best but I also prefer if people tell me if I do or say something wrong, that is an opportunity to learn.
“...I am against comments that might prejudice the happening of any new film in the franchise...”
Not sure what you mean by that, can you explain a bit? I think that if people don't like what is being done in a franchise that they like then they should be allowed to critisize it, that can be said in different ways though and maybe that's where I failed. To voice different opinions is what discussions are for, right?
Scott could be involved with the visuals of the movie, he is really great at making things look good. I don’t throw crap on his ability to do that. What I dislike is his choice to make it all about David and to interfere with the story because writing and story-things is where I think that he makes a mess. This is not some I hate Scott thing, it is just that I think that even he should try to understand his limits. I am not good at everything, and neither is he.
He Ha Super Alien you must Wrote that at the Same Time as i was doing my Reply ;)
The Urns did seem to HIT a Barrier that was OVER the Plaza, maybe it was a SHIELD. But it Offered Little Protection.
I think the Engineers were Naive in their Technology and Protection of their Worlds, it would appear they had FELT as they Controlled the LEVEL of Advancement of the Worlds they VISIT they would ASSUME that a World that is Abandoned would NEVER see its Inhabitants be able to ADVANCE to become a Threat.
They maybe also are Naive to think that EVERY one of them Follow the Ways of the Engineers and so have LITTLE CONCERNS that another Faction of their Species would EVER come and USE their Technology against its OWN KIND.
And so maybe they NEVER really deemed it Necessary for Stronger Protective Measures.
Regarding the Shield then YES this was the Original Idea the Planet was Protected by Floating Technology at the Planets Poles that we assume is what Cloaked the Planet, but Certainly Prevented the Covenant Rescue Mission from taking Place until it was DESTROYED.
This was NOT included in Alien Covenant the Movie and instead its the STORMS that maybe Cause the Problem. But we cant RULE-OUT that the Planet has some kind of Cloak that MASKS what can be Detected from FAR OUT.
The Scorpion Ship acted as some kind of Border Control and when this SHIP was DESTROYED/DISABLED then it appears it RENDERED the Engineer Ships from being Unable to Leave the Planet.. but we cant Conclude this in the Theatrical Cut as the Scene of the Hanger with Multiple Juggernauts was removed.
Regarding the Silly Mistakes then a LOT of these Errors of Judgement and Stupidity are Plot Devices to ALLOW for a Certain THING to be shown or Happen. Sadly some Stupid Errors can be Rectified with a Reason and Good Thought such as STUPID ASH for allowing Kane on the Nostromo (which we had the Reason latter Special Order 937 so that was CLEVER Writing). But NOT every such Error of Ways for a Plot Device are as WELL Thought Out and Written.
The Drafts sometimes have more Detailed and Better Reasons for some Silly Errors made by the Characters.
As for Faris and Blowing Up the Lander, i think she was in Terror and Panicked and i would SAY she is NOT really Military Trained... and i think it was a Good Plot Device.
I think David's bombs got just fine because he was welcome, all the engineers gathered to see his arrival, the docking ship was ready for him. Somehow his arrival was known to the engineers.
I remeber there was a hypothesis that planet was shielded and that was the reason David could not leave with another Juggernaut from the undergound hangar, the ones seen in a deleted scene. He was not able to deactivate the shield.
But then we see the Covenant shuttle and the lander don't have any problems with any shield.
I am not sure if they missed the planet or the fact that it is habitable. Have to watch it again.
Thoughts_Dreams, without being political, do you think Mr. Trump is mean or he just has different opinions?
I think it is mean to say that something is garbage or boring, knowing that it will hurt some people feelings.
I do not judge you, I have my mean side as well, that's something I am not proud of.
Some people simply enjoy being mean and I know you are not one of them and my decision to leave would have been annihilated by a shot of scotch that unfortunately is out of reach for the moment.
I have nothing against you personally, nor against anyone else on this forum, I am against comments that might prejudice the happening of any new film in the franchise, in case anyone involved with the production does some fanbase research. They would be utterly confused and would wonder why bother if they could not please at least the hardcore fans?
I, for one, trust Ridley Scott, and I want him involved in the next film, at least that would guarantee we won't get the equivalent of The Predator or some Marvel Alien.
If the next film fails, I am afraid it will be the end of Alien.
Leto:
I agree that he should have reacted in a different way but then maybe people act different under pressure. Faris was kind of alright I think, at least she had some sort of personality, she was able to handle her thing until the monster showed up and she panicked. She was poorly written compared to the characters in the first three but compared to many of the characters in the movie I think that she did OK.
You mention the kind of hysteria but remember that she had just seen that thing bursting out and she freaked. Besides it chased Karine so it was surely lethal, no wonder why Faris panicked.
"They hate stupid annoying characters - give them stupid annoying characters!"
LMAO! That was fun but then how do you explain Prometheus? In a podcast they discussed the alien franchise and there they discussed the prequels and according to a documentary that they commented on Ridley seemed most concerned with getting it to two hours to get more showings. Even if the actors are alright, then so much can get cut out so they look like idiots in the final movie even if they are capable of doing good work. Both prequels suffer from characters that look like idiots but also if you look at an extended cut of Prometheus they dont look as bad. To me it seems that they cut too many scenes that make sense and that is either because of Scott and his bizarre fixation of cutting them down to two hours or the studio bosses having a messed up prioritization, I don’t blame the actors.
No. Tennessee is not just an example. We can understand that Tennessee is worried about his wife and is in a hurry to establish connection to the planet surface. But the presentation (and direction) is simply unfortunate. Instead of a person who goes crazy with anxiety and goes to extremes, we get a point of irritation. Instead of a decent husband and a space colonist - just an asshole shouting: "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw"
His wife - Faris, btw, the another annoying character in the AC. First, she hysteria over the radio, then dooms her friend to death, then fucking blows up the shuttle. I'm pretty sure Ridley knew about the characters problems in Prometheus, but he said: "They hate stupid annoying characters - give them stupid annoying characters!"
Leto: The same could be said about most of the characters to be honest. Not sure why you single out Tennessee like that but maybe you just gave an example. He had the same problem as most of the characters, he had no well-defined personality. Unfortunately to me at least he was just a guy in a hat. I don't blame the actors, the script probably lacked or that they cut out interesting character-parts.
