Aphelion

This story had me from the first line -- one of the best opening lines I've ever read, and one that breaks (or at least bends) a major rule, as well, by seeming to address the reader directly. Writers have to be careful about breaking the fourth wall, but it can be made to work, and it does, here.

The plot was very spare, but the description was excellent, and despite there being only two lines of dialog in the whole thing, the characterization was very good, and the action proceeded naturally and smoothly. The sense of mystery is solid and pervasive. The narrator's curiosity seems perfectly natural, and her mild obsession doesn't feel out of place. Her conclusion about the event is logical, while leaving the questions who and where unanswered.

There were some technical errors, but not many.

All in all a very good job. I liked it.