Captain Strauss and the USS Blanchard: “Blast from the Past”

I'm typically not a fan of first person stories, but it works so well here. A damn good piece, though I can't help but wonder where the rest of the Bluefin's crew are at.

I half expected for Strass to appoint Lemas as the ship's Chief of Security at the end.

 

Thanks, Bry! I don't write in first-person often, but it seemed to fit this story. As to the fate of Bluefin's crew, I need to address that. I never finished "10 Hours," where Bluefin met her fate. I may just roll out teasers if I continue the Strauss/USS Blanchard stories. "10 Hours" has taken almost 4 years, thus far, so I won't promise its completion.

Lemas is serving in that role for now, but their TOE (Table of Organization and Equipment) calls for a Lieutenant to fill that role. SCPO Lemas would serve as deputy. She has her hands full as senior NCO, overseeing the enlisted crew.

 

That was wonderful. Thank you.

 

Thank you for reading and your kind comments!

 

Another excellent entry and a road down memory lane for many of us who've been fans of the Bluefin and her crew for years.

Solly is a truly tragic character and you can't help feel sorry for the big red guy. A nice little reunion story and although the reunion part was short and mostly painful, it was one hell of a read, only made more immediate and poignant by the first person narrative, which worked like a charm.

 

CeJay, thank you. It's interesting and challenging to revisit these characters after a decade has passed in their lives. I hope to revisit some other surviving characters from "The Little Ship That Could."

From the Bluefin series, Solly may be my favorite character. Definitely in the top three, along with Akinola and Strauss. While Akinola had his travails, his life became more peaceful after Bluefin. Sadly, not so for Big Red. He became swallowed up by grief, hatred, and vengeance. Tragic, indeed.

 

Wow. This was an amazing, feels-pulling story. Solly as depicted here makes me think of what would happen to a character of mine if he were to truly lose everything -- and he will come damn close. The note to Strauss, especially the "Do not try to find me" line... like a punch in the gut.

Also, vigilante justice and all, Solly would be an asset in my BtS universe to take down the father of my avatar, the man being perhaps the only red Orion to ever become a true Ahmet-sur.

 

Bluefin and the Border Service were my favourite when I stumbled into United Trek all those eons ago. Seeing this story, the interactions and Solly... oh my deities, the hurts. Thank you TLR from the bottom of my heart, thanks.