Date: 29 Oct 2013 00:16 Title: Chapter 11
That is a weird discovery by the Excalibur crew, I do wonder what the secret of the NX shuttlepod is and why was the girl in it to start with.
You keep adding to the mystery and keep building the questions for this story, here hoping McAfee starts to find her answers.
Still as always you got a good story telling balance going on with the landing party and the rescue shuttle.
Good to see that McAfee realise she need to set the rules down early to these under her command.
Nice to see the Captains Yeoman wants to prove his worth to McAfee will be interesting to see how she react to that discovery.
Date: 07 Oct 2013 22:08 Title: Chapter 11
A survivor in an outdated shuttle which has also somehow weathered this attack. I'm thinking there is something about outdated technology that might become the key to this negative energy mess. Question is, what exactly and how can it help McAfee and company?
Date: 06 Oct 2013 18:24 Title: Chapter 10
So the mystery deepens, the anti-energy object is so alien that T’Nir can’t only make some basic observations and generate more questions than answers but for now at least the Excalibur knows how close it can get before experience power failure and what would happen to the human exposed for more than ten minutes.
Still some good thinking by the captain and the communication officer might allow more information and a chance to resolve it the anti-energy ship is hostile or just an unfortunate accident.
Still this is a good story and an enjoyable read so far, and I hope we will get some more chapters soon.
Author's Response: FalseBill,
Thanks for reading and your kind comments. I'm gratified that you are enjoying the story. Another chapter will be up soon.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 18:12 Title: Chapter 9
So can Espinoza realize in time not to engage and get back and rescue the landing party. Worrying that it’s only the shields that are stopping the anti-energy from draining the Excalibur.
Chang is right high heel go-go boats aren’t meant for running in.
I think she might be working on cracking the tough nut that is Mr. Forrester.
Well the McAfee and R’Shraan conflict has finally show it first sign of starting.
Still I think the captain has handle it well, and her self doubts about how this first mission is going are realistic and add to the character believability.
Good to see Mr Forster remaining the junior offices to worry about the cold before none-existent predators.
Yes how does one counter a phenomenon that shouldn’t exist?
Well done another excellent chapter.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 17:55 Title: Chapter 8
A good and interesting scene between R’Shraan and Captain McAfee, you succeeded in giving the colony history without turning it too much into a data dump scene. So I give you kudos for doing that.
I do think that perhaps Espinoza should of tried harder to stop the Captain beaming down but then it is TOS era, when Captain always goes down first.
Then the scene of slowly exploring the outpost and finding the bodies, and the little signs that all the powers sources have failed, including the local vegetation.
Then an excellent choice of a cliffhanger with the Excalibur seeming to lose power.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 17:45 Title: Chapter 7
So the captain did take her doctor advise about wearing the other uniform on rare occasions then, A good scene well play poor Lt. Collins, I could well imagine his rabbit caught in the headlight expression at seeing the Captain in her “cocktail waitress” uniform.
Poor Ibrahim, he left it a little to late to call Starbase 27, poor Doctor Tammy Howard she made a key discovery a little to late, here hoping the Excalibur crew find those results when they get there.
I’m really enjoying the banter between Grace and Kim kind of similar to Kirk/McCoy and very entertaining.
So they're now on course for Canaris IV and their first mystery.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 17:20 Title: Chapter 6
Good use of Captain Log to update events since the last chapter.
Not quiet sure what to make of the Andorian issues with dominant females, but it is interesting to see how it develops.
Nice to see Dr. Cheng make the point about the use of both uniforms and remind the Captain that she does intimidate her crew. Did love the line if you worn feather so would I.
So the captain has mummy issues, well that might explain something about her trying to be a tomboy and being an ex-starfighter pilot.
Seems she firmly in the no families on starships mould, and given her farther worries about her, it seems to make sense.
Nice touch and an interesting pair of scenes with Kieran and his father on the Bridge and in the quarters over the pocket watch. Let hope the GWR watch makes it home after five years.
Poor Salem science Station on Canaris IV, clearly should be calling Starfleet first before going to active scans, why do I think the first mission for the Excalibur is about to come out of the left field.
Still you doing a good job of keeping me interested in this Captain and her crew.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 17:04 Title: Chapter 5
So luck smiles on Grace and gives her a helm officer if not a science officer.
Another character with a back-story that show why he is still an Lt. Commander, nice to see despite the truce, McAfee resents Kirk been the youngest ever Captain in Starfeet.
Interesting choice of names for the Excalibur shuttles but surprisingly fitting.
So the Captain was a star fighter pilot in the past, well that explains heads up take no prisoners attitude, I wonder if Lt. Collins will ensure a star-sabre is assign to the Excalibur for the Captain?
So Mr. Phillipe doesn’t like being called a miracle worker, I wonder what his back issue with Scotty is?
The honour guard for McAfee first arrival was a nice touch.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 16:30 Title: Chapter 4
So Mr. Espinoza has a past with the Cairo and beaten up a Wife/Daughter beater prisoner, must of got good reports from his old CO, for McAfee to take the risk on him. Still it always good for the crew to have someone who follows his consensus and not just orders blindly.
That was an interesting idea on old ship being retro-upgrade to explain the seemingly random NCC numbers that the Constitution class seem to have.
But having to sacrifice the bowling alley for a rear torpedo launchers, that just so unfair on the crew ;)
This command crew is coming together and we beginning to see the interactions at this the first senior staff briefing.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 16:09 Title: Chapter 3
Now Gracie has the hardest job of a Captain, she got to assemble a command crew from scratch. Well taking her personal aide as her Captain Yeoman is a logic and sensible move.
Nice descriptive work with Engineer Phillips on the workbee touring the carcass of the Excalibur. Good to see the Lexington repaired and ready to go out once more under Commodore Wesley, like adding that small dinner and McAfee doing a compare and contrast between the two men.
Then the imply hard work of trying to find a first officer, I must admit I did think that was one role Starfleet command would force a pick on her, perhaps that why Commander Raul Espinoza has just walked in.
Still this is a very enjoyable read.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 15:55 Title: Chapter 2
Now that is at though-full scene with Gracie answering the question from the cadet about not using the self-destruction to stop M-5. I think Gracie handle the situation well and gives an intelligent answer and give the credit something to think about in return.
Was an interesting scene waiting in the admiral front office and commander Fournier accidentally annoying Gracie was amusing.
Then the Admiral talking his own sweet time to explain to her why she is being offered the command of the Excalibur.
Using fung shui to justify the need was an odd choice but it does seem to work in context for the Admiral.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 15:37 Title: Chapter 1
Good choice to start in Captain McAfee sour mood march back to her Academy office. It clearly helps to establish her dark mood.
You do a job in a few words to paint a picture of her office. Having Jim turn up to apologise and show her that the cocky youth who beat her to centre seat of the Enterprise has matured into the leader who deserves that placement.
It did feel a real awkward cease-fire between two people who clearly have ultra-competitive about getting the same job.
Gracie finding the power to forgive, shows her maturity as well.
Though I must admit that it does feel just like Kirk to drop the hint hat she might be about to get her dream after all and then beam out without revealing anything.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 15:08 Title: Prologue
Interesting Prologue, does a good job of helping to establish Captain Grace McAfee.
Showing her warm character by her protection of her father.
Nice choice of setting the archaeological dig and the survey ship, as it help show hoe distant Grace has become from exploration command.
I do love the father/daughter relationship and then having to explain to the Andorian V’Shaali, that it is a sign of affection despite appearances. It a nice summary of the ultimate computer battle exercises as a royal cluster-frak.
Easy to read writing and it all flows nicely and helps sets the scene for the coming story.
Date: 06 Oct 2013 12:35 Title: Chapter 10
Communications reestablished but crisis far from averted. Now another question needs to be answered. How could there possibly have been a survivor to this devastating attack? And will he or she provide the answers McAfee and crew so desperately need?
Find out next week in another exciting episode of The Lady and the Sword.
Date: 03 Oct 2013 00:18 Title: Chapter 8
Ooooo, very ominous. And Chang's diagnosis, all the life energy sucked out of her body, feels very much like TOS era Trek. You're doing a great job of capturing that nostalgic feeling.
Date: 02 Oct 2013 00:01 Title: Chapter 7
And so Excalibur is finally on her way and already heading for her first challenge. The negative energy ship is quite an ingenious idea and is bound to give McAfee and crew a run for their money.
Also meant to say that I really like your in-universe explanation for the seemingly impractical dress code of the era. It makes sense that there are races out there in the Federation with different cultural sensitivies which not only create some additional tension for McAfee but also serves as an apt metaphor for more contemporary gender issues and conflicts.
Author's Response: Thanks, CeJay - I had difficulty imagining the captain of a starship running around in a mini-dress, so I compromised by giving Grace the leeway to wear alternate uniforms (like Kirk with his wrap-around tunic and Picard with the gray turtleneck and suede jacket.) The original women's uniform as seen in "The Cage" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" made much more sense to me. I decided to blame the dress issue on the Tellarites and Andorians as they were portrayed as either rude or arrogant in the original series.
More coming very soon.
Date: 26 Sep 2013 22:24 Title: Chapter 4
Okay, so I cheated a little bit. I've read all the chapters up to this one in one go but only leaving you a review on this chapter. In my defense I've read this story before. And yet, I had almost forgotten all the things that took place leading up to McAfee assuming command. I especially enjoy the way you have weaved this all into TOS canon, including a brilliant cameo by an excellently contrite Kirk himself.
Great stuff all around. I'm looking forward to rediscovering this story almost as much as seeing it continue where you had left off.
Date: 26 Sep 2013 02:56 Title: Chapter 3
Good banter between Collins and McAfee. You've definately set up a mystery with Espinoza. I'm curious where he came from? It's definately enough to keep mre reading. Good work!
Author's Response: Mick - thank you for your kind comments! More coming very soon.
Date: 26 Sep 2013 02:53 Title: Chapter 2
I loved Grace's last line at the end. She was very professional, and yet enthusiastic at the same time. I liked your explaination of the sexism in Starfleet during the TOS era, and it was nice to see Nogura start to change that from within.
Date: 26 Sep 2013 02:49 Title: Chapter 1
I could really feel for Grace now knowing her connection to Captain Harris, it made a great way for the reader to care about not only her, but Harris as well. I could almost hear Shatner's voice as I read Kirk's lines especially and the end of the chapter.
Date: 26 Sep 2013 02:46 Title: Prologue
It is good to see this story again is right. I liked the interaction between Grace and her father, and it does give us some insight into her. I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Date: 25 Sep 2013 13:21 Title: Prologue
It's a bit of a switch for me, reading something set in the TOS timeframe... I have to admit to never really watching anything else than TNG and beyond (just recently picked up some older movies)
I like the introduction it gives us a taste of Grace and sets the stage nicelye ^_^
Author's Response: Thank you! Most all of my other stories are set in the TNG and Post-Dominion War time-frame so I have to adjust my thinking when I write.
Date: 25 Sep 2013 12:46 Title: Prologue
Great to see this one again. It's one of my all-time favorite stories of yours. Not only is it set in the too often overlooked TOS era, it also deftly dismisses the silly notion set forth in that series that women weren't able to command starships.
Author's Response: Thanks, CeJay. I decided to dust this one off, make a few minor edits, and move forward. The story had hit something of a dead-end but I think I have a way forward so new content will be posted after the older stuff is up.