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Fandom pimp!
You guys, it has come to my attention that no one has yet signed up to write for the Seafort saga. UNACCEPTABLE, not least because it's one of my requests! I have realised that this is because no one has heard of it, so allow me to bring some sweet, unadulterated joy into your lives and tell you all about the brave Nick Seafort and his many ill-fated voyages.
Seafort Saga (aka the Hope series) by David Feintuch
First, let's have a look at our hero:
Isn't he just the most square-jawed young man you've ever seen?
Nick is born in Cardiff, at some point in the future (Wiki tells me it's 2177, but the timing is irrelevant in this series; suffice to say it is In The Future) into a world that is vaguely reminiscent of Victorian England, if Victorian England rolled out the Royal Navy across all institutions, whether on land or at sea. Nicky is, at fourteen, thrilled beyond belief to become a cadet at the Academy, and to eventually be shipped off on an interstellar voyage between Earth and several of its many dependent colonies. There are no aliens out there, as far as anyone knows, but space travel is difficult, time consuming, and eventually kills you: unless you start early enough and develop immunity to the plasma science, you develop melanoma. I suspect that this was introduced a hand-wavy reason to have a great many young men in neat blue uniforms, but I digress.
By the time we join Nick, he is seventeen and Senior Midshipman aboutHMS UNS Hibernia, which is not filling anyone with great confidence. He can't seem to wrap his brain around astronavigation, the second most senior Midshipman is older than he is, taller, better looking and more able to command a room, and Nick, we suspect, has yet to make the acquaintance of anything friendlier than his own hand.
And then a series of disasters robs Hibernia of all senior officers and leaves Nick in charge. He has to deal with rioting passangers, mutinous crew, a broken computer, ambushes and, finally, an alien life form no one has ever encountered before that he cannot understand. So far, so standard space opera. Where this one differs is just how gay-friendly the writer is. Those who have come across The Still - where a young prince must remain virginal and battle a variety of enemies, while being trained in mysterious ways by his mentor/lover - will not be surprised to read that Nick is similarly incompetent around women, and similarly unsure of whether he wants to have a relationship with one, or simply thinks it's the thing expected of him. The social and religious mores of Victorian England having been reproduced, and particularly amplified in the character of Nick's father (who appears to be a monk of some kind, to be honest), Nick is brought up to believe that homosexuality is wrong. However, his first love - his best friend, and the person he is most involved with as a pre-teen - is openly gay, and Nick is conflicted. Later on in the series, Nick spends a great deal of his time staring in wide-mouthed admiration at the various beautiful Midshipmen he has under his command, and a great many pages are devoted to detailed descriptions of just how beautiful and perfect they are.
This early on in the series, however, we have far less conflict and uncertainty. Nick is 17, he's trying to get laid - with a pretty schoolteacher - and meanwhile hijinks with his fellow bunkmates ensue. Sometimes, when they step out of line, they must be disciplined by being beaten over a barrel. It's, er, all very proper, I assure you.
Anyhow, once Nick takes command, he is torn between trying to remain friends with his former bunkmates - prettier than ever - or being the untouchable Captain. He quickly becomes exceedingly tortured and conflicted. He's kept in line by the brilliant Darla - YOU READ THAT RIGHT - who is the ship's computer, and isn't going to have any of his nonsense. Until things start to go wrong with her as well...
Basically, Midshipman's Hope is a fun, sexy romp, with some space operae thrown in. Nick is Very Serious and Earnest about things, and seems intent on self-flagellation. The world David Feintuch constructs is actually quite interesting from a post-colonial perspective, especially some of the self-justifications used to bring about regressive social rules (I'm looking at you, ConDems!). I do recommend giving it a shot, especially if you're a fan of slashy space operas, as it isn't hard going at all, and has some very endearing characters.
And speaking of AWESOME CHARACTERS -
OK, I don't actually have a picture of Edgar Tolliver, but I imagine that he looks something like this:
Edgar Tolliver is a Lieutenant in the God-damned Navy, and has no problems with bending you over the afore-mentioned barrel.
*cough*
I, er, had more coherent thoughts on him, but Tolliver and Nick roomed together at Academy and DO NOT GET ON when they meet again in the third book, Prisoner's Hope. Tolliver took too much pleasure in the hazing inflicted on earnest young Nick (being a sarcastic git even back then), and Nick is the type to bear a grudge. But after an accident leaves Tolliver demoted and sabotage leaves Nick crippled, the two must rely on each other to try to thwart a violent revolution on the biggest colony, Hope Nation. Tolliver is NOT IMPRESSED, especially aftr Nick pulls a spectacular stunt to try to prevent the annihilation of Hope Nation by the invading alien... fish. OK, no matter how many times I write that, it still looks funny. Why don't you look at the picture of Paul Bettany for a while.
Good? OK, then. Having accomplished that, Tolliver and Nick - on incredibly familiar terms (as in, Tolliver is by then allowed to touch Nick, which is a crime that normally carries a capital sentence, and to also talk back to him, occasionally call him by his first name, and any other number of little familiarities) - then have to spend several months locked together on the UNS Victoria journeying back to Earth. Once there, Nick will take up his position as Commendant of the Academy, hence the spiffy white uniform you see above on the cover of the fourth book, Fisherman's Hope.
You guys, this book is worth the price of admission alone. Tollier is his sarcastic, mocking best, smacking Nick down when he gets too self-righteous or setting him straight when he wanders off. When Nick risks himself in a stupid Kirk-esque manner at one point, Tolliver goes berserk trying to find him. By this point there is not a single person in the universe who can convince me that they're NOT shagging on a regular basis. Nick even seems to have been miraculously cured of his uncertain sexuality woes. We never really have long, heartfelt descriptions of Tolliver, just his constant, comforting presence as he tells Nick that he's being an idiot. Bliss.
Here, have some quotes:
After the midshipmen manage to turn off the gravity at Lunar base (my meddling with the gravitrons), and Nicky has fired someone -
My tone was glacial. "Tell him you're no longer employed at Naval Academy. Get out! Now, before I call Mr. Tenere to help!" Adam had recent experience in removing uncooperative superiors. I wondered if he'd find a posting anywhere, if I allowed that into his record.
Crossburn threw his notes onto the table. "You'll hear about this, sir. I'm not done -" He saw my expression, and fled.
For a moment all was silent.
"Very instructive, sir. I must remember that technique next time a middy -"
"Edgar, shut up!" He was truly impossible; why did I put up with him?
Jeff Thorne asked in a plaintive tone, "What, exactly, does a systems and maintenance officer do?"
I growled, "There's a manual someplace. Read it."
Tolliver said helpfully, "His main duty is keeping the middies away from the gravitr-"
"EDGAR!"
*
Later on, they're negotiating over some visiting VIPs. Tolliver is trying to reason with Nicky:
"Be reasonable. You can't tell them who to bring and -"
"Who runs this place?" I threw myself into my chair.
"I'm not quite sure, sir." Tolliver regarded me gravely. "Do we get hints?"
Jeff Thorne intervened before I could explode.
*
And, finally, when the shit hits the fan -
"Am I relieved?" Tolliver.
"What?"
"You put Thorne in charge. What will you have me do?"
"Go with me."
His tone was bitter. " I thought so. I'm at your orders."
I said gently, "It wasn't an order, First Lieutenant Tolliver. "
[...]
"I'll go. We started together. It's fitting that we end together."
*
Snark and loyalty - what more do you need??
Seafort Saga (aka the Hope series) by David Feintuch
First, let's have a look at our hero:
Isn't he just the most square-jawed young man you've ever seen?
Nick is born in Cardiff, at some point in the future (Wiki tells me it's 2177, but the timing is irrelevant in this series; suffice to say it is In The Future) into a world that is vaguely reminiscent of Victorian England, if Victorian England rolled out the Royal Navy across all institutions, whether on land or at sea. Nicky is, at fourteen, thrilled beyond belief to become a cadet at the Academy, and to eventually be shipped off on an interstellar voyage between Earth and several of its many dependent colonies. There are no aliens out there, as far as anyone knows, but space travel is difficult, time consuming, and eventually kills you: unless you start early enough and develop immunity to the plasma science, you develop melanoma. I suspect that this was introduced a hand-wavy reason to have a great many young men in neat blue uniforms, but I digress.
By the time we join Nick, he is seventeen and Senior Midshipman about
And then a series of disasters robs Hibernia of all senior officers and leaves Nick in charge. He has to deal with rioting passangers, mutinous crew, a broken computer, ambushes and, finally, an alien life form no one has ever encountered before that he cannot understand. So far, so standard space opera. Where this one differs is just how gay-friendly the writer is. Those who have come across The Still - where a young prince must remain virginal and battle a variety of enemies, while being trained in mysterious ways by his mentor/lover - will not be surprised to read that Nick is similarly incompetent around women, and similarly unsure of whether he wants to have a relationship with one, or simply thinks it's the thing expected of him. The social and religious mores of Victorian England having been reproduced, and particularly amplified in the character of Nick's father (who appears to be a monk of some kind, to be honest), Nick is brought up to believe that homosexuality is wrong. However, his first love - his best friend, and the person he is most involved with as a pre-teen - is openly gay, and Nick is conflicted. Later on in the series, Nick spends a great deal of his time staring in wide-mouthed admiration at the various beautiful Midshipmen he has under his command, and a great many pages are devoted to detailed descriptions of just how beautiful and perfect they are.
This early on in the series, however, we have far less conflict and uncertainty. Nick is 17, he's trying to get laid - with a pretty schoolteacher - and meanwhile hijinks with his fellow bunkmates ensue. Sometimes, when they step out of line, they must be disciplined by being beaten over a barrel. It's, er, all very proper, I assure you.
Anyhow, once Nick takes command, he is torn between trying to remain friends with his former bunkmates - prettier than ever - or being the untouchable Captain. He quickly becomes exceedingly tortured and conflicted. He's kept in line by the brilliant Darla - YOU READ THAT RIGHT - who is the ship's computer, and isn't going to have any of his nonsense. Until things start to go wrong with her as well...
Basically, Midshipman's Hope is a fun, sexy romp, with some space operae thrown in. Nick is Very Serious and Earnest about things, and seems intent on self-flagellation. The world David Feintuch constructs is actually quite interesting from a post-colonial perspective, especially some of the self-justifications used to bring about regressive social rules (I'm looking at you, ConDems!). I do recommend giving it a shot, especially if you're a fan of slashy space operas, as it isn't hard going at all, and has some very endearing characters.
And speaking of AWESOME CHARACTERS -
OK, I don't actually have a picture of Edgar Tolliver, but I imagine that he looks something like this:
Edgar Tolliver is a Lieutenant in the God-damned Navy, and has no problems with bending you over the afore-mentioned barrel.
*cough*
I, er, had more coherent thoughts on him, but Tolliver and Nick roomed together at Academy and DO NOT GET ON when they meet again in the third book, Prisoner's Hope. Tolliver took too much pleasure in the hazing inflicted on earnest young Nick (being a sarcastic git even back then), and Nick is the type to bear a grudge. But after an accident leaves Tolliver demoted and sabotage leaves Nick crippled, the two must rely on each other to try to thwart a violent revolution on the biggest colony, Hope Nation. Tolliver is NOT IMPRESSED, especially aftr Nick pulls a spectacular stunt to try to prevent the annihilation of Hope Nation by the invading alien... fish. OK, no matter how many times I write that, it still looks funny. Why don't you look at the picture of Paul Bettany for a while.
Good? OK, then. Having accomplished that, Tolliver and Nick - on incredibly familiar terms (as in, Tolliver is by then allowed to touch Nick, which is a crime that normally carries a capital sentence, and to also talk back to him, occasionally call him by his first name, and any other number of little familiarities) - then have to spend several months locked together on the UNS Victoria journeying back to Earth. Once there, Nick will take up his position as Commendant of the Academy, hence the spiffy white uniform you see above on the cover of the fourth book, Fisherman's Hope.
You guys, this book is worth the price of admission alone. Tollier is his sarcastic, mocking best, smacking Nick down when he gets too self-righteous or setting him straight when he wanders off. When Nick risks himself in a stupid Kirk-esque manner at one point, Tolliver goes berserk trying to find him. By this point there is not a single person in the universe who can convince me that they're NOT shagging on a regular basis. Nick even seems to have been miraculously cured of his uncertain sexuality woes. We never really have long, heartfelt descriptions of Tolliver, just his constant, comforting presence as he tells Nick that he's being an idiot. Bliss.
Here, have some quotes:
After the midshipmen manage to turn off the gravity at Lunar base (my meddling with the gravitrons), and Nicky has fired someone -
My tone was glacial. "Tell him you're no longer employed at Naval Academy. Get out! Now, before I call Mr. Tenere to help!" Adam had recent experience in removing uncooperative superiors. I wondered if he'd find a posting anywhere, if I allowed that into his record.
Crossburn threw his notes onto the table. "You'll hear about this, sir. I'm not done -" He saw my expression, and fled.
For a moment all was silent.
"Very instructive, sir. I must remember that technique next time a middy -"
"Edgar, shut up!" He was truly impossible; why did I put up with him?
Jeff Thorne asked in a plaintive tone, "What, exactly, does a systems and maintenance officer do?"
I growled, "There's a manual someplace. Read it."
Tolliver said helpfully, "His main duty is keeping the middies away from the gravitr-"
"EDGAR!"
*
Later on, they're negotiating over some visiting VIPs. Tolliver is trying to reason with Nicky:
"Be reasonable. You can't tell them who to bring and -"
"Who runs this place?" I threw myself into my chair.
"I'm not quite sure, sir." Tolliver regarded me gravely. "Do we get hints?"
Jeff Thorne intervened before I could explode.
*
And, finally, when the shit hits the fan -
"Am I relieved?" Tolliver.
"What?"
"You put Thorne in charge. What will you have me do?"
"Go with me."
His tone was bitter. " I thought so. I'm at your orders."
I said gently, "It wasn't an order, First Lieutenant Tolliver. "
[...]
"I'll go. We started together. It's fitting that we end together."
*
Snark and loyalty - what more do you need??
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(Btw, Tolliver is worth the price of admission alone, he's brilliant, and far more likeable than Nick, really!)
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(And don't worry about not writing, I figure asking for characters from the third and fourth books this late on pretty much excludes anyone not already familiar with them!)
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Btw, this is the series I've been trying to convince
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the sixth isn't very good either, and he's back on form with the seventh, which wraps it up, more or less. If you're interested in giving it a go, I'd start with the first, do the third and fourth, and skip to the seventh - all the fun, far less of the filler.Bah, I got the last two the wrong way around! The sixth, Patriarch's Hope, was the one I liked. Voices of Hope is also good, but has a bunch of new characters, whereas I'd have preferred focusing on the old ones. YMMV! (Irrespective of this, Tolliver remains awesome throughout.)
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The reason I really like Tolliver, though, is that he is most definitely NOT a project of Nick's. He's not a bully (Vax, Tyre), an addict (Thorne, Jerence), or spoiled aristocrat (Derek Carr). He stays pretty much the same throughout the books, and doesn't really need Nick to effect any major change in him. The one change Nick does effect is his demotion and subsequent misery, and I was furious with Nick about that, 'cause it was plainly obvious (to me at least) that it was Nick's pride that was gonna get them all killed, and Tolliver that saved all their lives. It's Tolliver who basically keeps him sane throughout the years, and who deals with a lot of the shit Nick deals out.
I'm thrilled to know I'm not the only one in the world who has wanted to read Seafort slash!
I may explode if someone doesn't write this soon. Or give up and do it myself...
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Damn, I really feel like fic now too...
I agree with you about the Philip Tyre thing being a fiasco. I guess I prefer to remember the Alexi of Prisoner's Hope, trying to start over again.
Oh yes, Nick was totally unreasonable at demoting Tolliver, and I think it was the same impulsive overreaction as his suspension of Vax after the first encounter with the fish. A pity that this time there was no one to set him straight about his behaviour.
I like that, in a world where most people seem to worship or despise Nick, Tolliver seems immune from the effects of that aura, and treats him like a mortal man. With most everyone else, I get the feeling Nick could overwhelm their judgment with the force of his moral certainty, but Tolliver won't hesitate to tell Nick when he's being an ass. So it's much more a relationship of equals. (And even Nick says, in Children of Hope, "We bicker like an old married couple.")
I may explode if someone doesn't write this soon. Or give up and do it myself...
You'll have at least one keen reader if you do. XD
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Ahahaha, I've been doing that too! Although I discovered that I'd got rid of Children of Hope in my last house-move (I thought I'd only given away Voices of Hope, but it looks like I was a little overzealous). Was it terrible? I remember not being terribly fussed about it, but I may have confused it with Patriach's Hope, which had minimal Tolliver. Although what Tolliver was there was so amazing ace, especially the conversation at the end, that my ovaries exploded. I can't remember CoH at all... do I need to re-buy it?
I guess I prefer to remember the Alexi of Prisoner's Hope, trying to start over again.
Yes, I liked him again at that point, although I didn't like Nick basically trying to rewrite Alexi into what he remembered of him, and was rather pleased that Alexi then went off to live his life instead of tying himself to Nick again.
Oh yes, Nick was totally unreasonable at demoting Tolliver, and I think it was the same impulsive overreaction as his suspension of Vax after the first encounter with the fish.
Oh, I'd forgotten about that! I was so pissed off about that too (Vax is my other favourite *g*), I wrote it off to his inexperience and youth - using the rules as a crutch when he doesn't know what to do - but but he carries on doing it, which doesn't say good things about Nick's impulse control over people whose lives he holds in his hands. I guess we should be lucky he didn't drag Tolliver to an airlock... :/
I would have LOVED to have an AU of Prisoner's Hope where Vax is around and is the one who looks after Alexi, and him and Tolliver basically clash over Nick, with Vax buying into Nick's martyr thing, and Tolliver calling him out on it, until Vax
lives happily ever aftergoes off with Alexi, and Tolliver goes off with Nick, and everyone has a happy ending.With nukes.With most everyone else, I get the feeling Nick could overwhelm their judgment with the force of his moral certainty, but Tolliver won't hesitate to tell Nick when he's being an ass. So it's much more a relationship of equals.
YES! Exactly. I loved the bits throughout Fisherman's Hope when Tolliver is calling him out for screwing with the cadets' heads, and making up programmes, and changing his mind and losing his temper and acting impulsively and basically not being a terribly good commander. I find it interesting that Nick basically isn't very good at his job, and it's just his knack for survival - normally by having someone throw themselves in front of a bullet for him - that makes him seem amazing. It's very Kirk-esque, if Kirk decided that God was punishing him for getting all his people killed all the time.
My favourite part in the entire series is when Tolliver turns up on Nick's bridge at the end of Patriach's Hope, and is a,, "your friends think you're an idiot, so I'm here to go into exile with you," and Nick's all, "oh, but then we must spend every evening together
shaggingreminiscing!" and they GO OFF INTO THE SUNSET TOGETHER.This may be why I got rid of Children of Hope, Patriarch's Hope gave me such sweet closure on those two I didn't want anything messing with it.
I may explode if someone doesn't write this soon. Or give up and do it myself...
You'll have at least one keen reader if you do. XD
Woohoo! *tries to tempt you into joining me in fic writing* AFAIK no one else has written for this series, so we could write the entire fanon on it... *dangles the pretty*
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Well, there's a fair bit of Tolliver in it, being very snarky, though he's often an antagonist towards the narrator, Randy Carr. (But it's only because he's protective of Nick...) On the other hand, Nick looks to have found Mrs Seafort Number Four, so there's not much riding into sunset for him and Tolliver. But I did like the alien contact part of it, and the idea of turning to peace after a long and bitter war (both tropes I am fond of). So for me personally, I'd rank it ahead of Voices of Hope and Patriarch's Hope, which I found pretty depressing.
I would have LOVED to have an AU of Prisoner's Hope where Vax is around and is the one who looks after Alexi, and him and Tolliver basically clash over Nick, with Vax buying into Nick's martyr thing, and Tolliver calling him out on it, until Vax
lives happily ever aftergoes off with Alexi, and Tolliver goes off with Nick, and everyone has a happy ending.With nukes.*___*
I realise I hardly know you, but I am tempted to ask you to marry me, because *yes*, that is perfect. I already love Prisoner's Hope - it's probably my favourite - but three scenes with Vax is just not enough! And while I love (and angst over) Nick and Vax's final scene on Orbit Station, I may be persuaded to trade it for more Vax and a happy ending.
I find it interesting that Nick basically isn't very good at his job, and it's just his knack for survival - normally by having someone throw themselves in front of a bullet for him - that makes him seem amazing.
I have the worst trouble sometimes working out whether we're supposed to believe Nick is doing the right thing or not - he makes awful decisions, and terrible things happen, but things turn out, and people love him for it. It is *perplexing*.
My favourite part in the entire series is when Tolliver turns up on Nick's bridge at the end of Patriach's Hope, and is a,, "your friends think you're an idiot, so I'm here to go into exile with you," and Nick's all, "oh, but then we must spend every evening together
shaggingreminiscing!" and they GO OFF INTO THE SUNSET TOGETHER.That was a great moment. Especially after all the people Feintuch ruthlessly killed off that book. (I didn't continue with the series for years after that, I was so scarred.)
Woohoo! *tries to tempt you into joining me in fic writing* AFAIK no one else has written for this series, so we could write the entire fanon on it... *dangles the pretty*
Ooh, I am tempted! I've never invented a fanon before. XD
(I have the vague impression that there used to be a few fics on the Seafort Saga fan sites, but those sites seem to have disappeared, and the only fic I'm able to find now is an Arlene Sanders story here. I think they were all fairly straightforward gen anyway.)
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Oh, I didn't much like Randy, maybe that's why I got rid of it. :|
I have the worst trouble sometimes working out whether we're supposed to believe Nick is doing the right thing or not - he makes awful decisions, and terrible things happen, but things turn out, and people love him for it. It is *perplexing*.
I know. Feintuch has this thing about really weird protagonists. His lead in The Still is *horrible*, I couldn't stand it. Nick x 1000000000, plus some whingeing. So maybe he *is* showing us a really crappy lead, just one who somehow magically ends up turning out ok in the end.
That was a great moment. Especially after all the people Feintuch ruthlessly killed off that book. (I didn't continue with the series for years after that, I was so scarred.)
YES. If Nicky loves them, they will die!
Ooh, I am tempted! I've never invented a fanon before. XD
*tries to make writer!self look appealing* Come and join me on the dark side...
Huh, I'd forgotten about that Arlene story. OK< there is ONE fanfic, but not the one I require!
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I am on a mission to get everyone reading them!
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Sadly, I can't participate in Yuletide this year as my schedule looks like it just got whoa more busy, but maybe another year!