Hi all.
At the request of dear old Commander La'ra, I'm posting my latest and best (IMHO) story here for your delight and delectation. I'm too tired right now to think straight, so I'm just copying Scottish Andy's layout (cause it looks prettier than the generic layout) and letting you have it.
Please please please give many and copious feedback, and let me know what you think of it. Read on, enjoy, and go see the rest of my stuff at Andy's site, Starbase23.net!
First Steps
By Jaeih t`Radaik
Introduction
Here begins the Starfleet career of 22-year-old Andrea Brown (later Yushikara). This is my first (of many) Andie stories and is just a 'feeling out' one, trying to get a handle on the characters created and fleshed out by La'ra. Only Andie and Bates are mine, and Bates was just a name. Kudos to La'ra for giving these people life.
Additionally, this story first appeared as a vague idea in my head based on Andie getting into trouble with her new first officer and her new captain defending her. A short brainstorming session with La'ra later and I had an outline and the characters. Unfortunately, I fell into a becalmed region of writer's block, only recently to emerge. Suddenly an explosion! A starting point, leading to an opening scene! Two new stories started and an unfinished one humming along. Look for the first chapter of a completed and revised 'Kestrel' at the end of September 2005.
Hey Guys, many and copious thanks for the responses!
Kieran: I'm glad you like my story, and that Andie reminds you of your Scottish blood. It means I'm doing it right, and people are actually identifying with my characters. Yay me!
As for the peacenik captain, do try to remember this is Starfleet, and a Starfleet of the 2270's after the Organian Peace Treaty. We're not only meant to be the good guys, we're supposed to be the nice guys too! Starfleet captains shouldn't be battle-weary veterans and/or wannabe Klingons with cooler ships. As for who Bates himself is, you should go read La'ra's Necessary Force and Migration, not to mention, of course, continuing to read this little morsel of delight right here!
J.Carney: What can I say but... WOW. That is one of the best reviews I've ever had. Admittedly, I've gone for more technically-oriented critiques, but it is really nice to get such a rave review! I thank you. You made my day.
As to the Confederacy remark, it is more of a catch-all, immediately "I know what you're talking about" term. La'ra not too long ago educated me about how different states have different variantions on the main Southern accent, so it was more inclusive (or vague) than just mentioning a specific state. Plus, it was a whole lot quicker than explaining this all out on an actual chapter post! Besides, I liked Will Smith's Wild Wild West where The Bad Guy wanted to give Britain back her original colonies in the states. You belong to us, boy! Rebellious teenagers, I don't know. *grin*
Also, it's a good job you know better! *grin* Yes, I did indeed paraphrase Lee Major's tag line from a cool show I watched a long time ago in my youth, called "The Fall Guy". The actual line is, of course,
"I'm the unknown stuntman,
who makes Eastwood look so good."
I find I like you, Carney. At least one other knows what I'm on about! So, rest assured that Andie's attitude gets a workout, and lots of really cool, fantastic, brilliant stuff happens in the rest of this story.
I'll post more later, maybe Monday (there are only 8 chapters and I want this to last). Stay tuned!