James Kennedy posted a comment on Monday 7th January 2008 1:10am for Contact

Nice chapter. It's been awhile since I've read anything by Banks.

As far as ship suggestions are concerned, I'm going to borrow from Pink Floyd's
Another Brick in the Wall and suggest the following titles: We Don't Need No Education; We Don't Need No Thought Control; No Dark Sarcasm in the Classroom; and Teacher Leave the Kids Alone?

CaffeineAddict posted a comment on Monday 7th January 2008 12:45am for Contact

I must say that this is an intriguing idea, and surprisingly easy to follow considering I haven't read the other half of the cross-over universe, keep it coming.

and it's good to see you back, hope you found what you were looking for.

Jiapa posted a comment on Monday 7th January 2008 12:39am for Contact

I'm not familiar with Ian Banks' Culture novels, but I am thoroughly enjoying this story. I look forward to the perspective of a really different Culture on the magical world, and vice versa.

Thank you for writing and sharing!

Wolfric posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 11:35pm for Contact

It continues to intrigue me. Thanks for writing. W.

Novice posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 10:53pm for Contact

Oh, yes, I forgot to add my thoughts about possible names for the other two GCUs. How about Re-Interpreting the Facts and They Say Size Isn't That Important?

As for Dumbledore, and the other twelve witches and wizards who helped him send Harry's letter, I wonder if they're still recovering when September first rolls around?

Novice

a_wanderer posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 9:47pm for Contact

Facinating. I've only read one of the Culture books so have no real basis for comparison. One nit to pick: It's bear a child not bare a child.

NTP

fienx posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 8:41pm for Contact

I was worried when I first read the description of the story - "oh no, not another starwars type cross-over" but this is very good! Hope you keep up all the way to the end, although I have not read the Culture (?) series, this makes me at least tempted to go start (yet another) series. Good work!

J User posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 6:47pm for Contact

Well, if we aren't going to see any more Backwards Compatible any time soon (dammit), I guess this will make a decent substitute. It has the potential for similar hijinks, although since it's starting in first year, I guess we won't be seeing Luna yet; a pity, since when written decently she's a great deal of fun.

"To an external observer, you’d appear no different than anyone else on the planet." Sure, except for being unusually mature (both physically and psychologically), and in absolute peak physical condition. It's possible that - especially in a peer-group context like Hogwarts - that might make him stand out just a bit...

Of course, that's also discounting the effects of the "accelerated socialisation" program he'll be going through on the way there. That's one way to sidestep the usual conflict between an author's desire to have romantic relationships develop, and the fact that they're writing about eleven- and twelve-year old kids. Mind you, that'll only affect Harry, at least in the short term.

It will be interesting to see whether Hogwarts' ambient magic levels have any effect on Culture technology. I'd guess not; a lot of Culture gear seems to be biotech anyway, and even Very Serious magnetic fields only hold a knife missile in place for a while. (Besides, with Harry's likely time of arrival, he's probably going to need something on hand to kill a troll with.)

Nitpicking notes: you use "bare" and "bares" a couple of times when you mean "bear" and "bears", and there's a quite/quiet typo in there as well. Also, "irregardless" is not an English word - and if it was, it would mean the opposite of what you think it does. (It'd be a double negative.) The word you want is just "regardless", with no prefix.

Novice posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 6:06pm for Contact

The conversations between Harry and the Mind, and the Minds "conference", were both quite interesting. Especiallly since both made quite clear that the Minds have been trying to duplicate Harry's abilities - even using cloning - and Harry already knows it.

The Minds decision to try to get Harry to sexually mature at an accelerated rate, in order to see if any of his decendants will have those abilities, helps to show just how different the Culture is from views of the West's "mainstream" here on Earth. Likewise with the scene where Harry wakes Sma up.

From what I understand, being a Referrer (or even a Potential Referer) is a *big* deal - to the Minds at least - in the Culture. They're the ones who work with - instead of *for* or *under* - the Minds one things like long-term strategies, if I recall correctly.

So Harry's probably going to reach Earth on approx. Oct. 15th? I wonder how much problems bureaucrats will cause him when he tries to get into Hogwarts after the school year's already started?

In any event, thank you for the chapter. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next one!

Novice

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 6:00pm for Contact

I have to admit that I love your ship names. Somehow, I don't think Sheds Blame Like Water would work for one, though I will suggest it. *chuckle* How about It's Not -My- Planet as another name. Now, if you've got an explorer ship, I could see To Go Boldly But Not Stupidly as a name.

I like this story so far and I do wonder what Albus, or whoever delivered the letter, thought about the environment around Harry? Or if said deliverer had any idea -just- how far they'd traveled? The report they made would make interesting reading.

It should prove quite interesting to watch the interaction of a rather conservative Wizarding Britain and a citizen of the Culture. I rather suspect the misunderstandings and complications will be "fascinating".

James Barber posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 5:05pm for Contact

Hey this is a rather interesting ideal. And while it looks like you are using characters from another book for the culture, I'm not familiar with that author or stories, but it dont really seem to matter cause you give us the revelant data of the story so we can follow along. I am definitely going to be looking foward to further updates.

And oh yeah, I liked the communications between the I guess leaders of differnet what ships or stations? but being a guy I can definitely say that Harry would definitely enjoy practicing with girls and women. in fact I think his guardian sma should take him by the hand and they can practice together cause he definitely finds her attractive. But you might want to wait a little bit cause I was age 12 before girls went from my mortal enemies to absolutely fascinating!

Christopher Gilmore posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 4:44pm for Contact

This is an interesting story, even though I've never read (or heard of, prior to Chapter One) the Culture books. I'll have to look into tracking them down.

As for ship names, with one being It's Not My Fault, other obvious names are I've Got A Bad Feeling About This and Never Tell Me The Odds.

Jon Cottrell posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 4:13pm for Contact

as with you other works, very good

Tim Sullivan posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 4:11pm for Contact

The GCU Where Shall We Have Lunch and the GCU Dancing in the Rain.

Cuey posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 3:27pm for Contact

Great chapter. I think I am starting to pick up the Culture 'verse, but it seems complicated. Is there a website that you can recommend that has a good overview?

Matthew Sands posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 3:23pm for Contact

Ah, curse belated thoughts anyway.

So, how permanently drained of magic are Dumbledore and his pawns? Please say that he managed to get Snape, Fudge, and Umbridge somehow

Musings of Apathy posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 3:17pm for Contact

Excellent story. Just reading this chapter, in particular, makes me want to read the originating stories. I'll go look the books up now.

Thank you for writing.

Mike (MoA)

Matthew Sands posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 3:13pm for Contact

Looking good.

A thought for one of the ship names:

Sufficiently Advanced Technology

Particle_Accelerator posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 2:33pm for Contact

You know, I could have used an AI like the Minds when I was a teenager... conspiring to get me a girl, or several as the case may be! :D

The whole thing Oedipus Complex thing is a tad bit creepy though.

Loving the story so far, keep up the great work!

TomokiG posted a comment on Sunday 6th January 2008 1:49pm for Contact

Wow... that is a heck of an original plot. It's freshening that there are authors who can think something completely new and humorous.
I'm looking forward to read further chapters.

°TomokiG °