It came from "A Captain's Name"

[Bry_Sinclair]

From a comment raised in another thread here, an idea suddenly popped into my head, so I thought it might be fun to share.

Star Trek: Miranda's Tale

In 2267, onboard the U.S.S. Miranda, the ship's new crew make ready to explore the outer reaches of space, and the inner depths of their own hearts.

Captain Lana St. John – Commanding Officer
Young, beautiful and brilliant, she has sacrificed a great deal to get to where she is at now—especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Commander Sharathorr “Thorr” ch’Ortha – Executive / Chief Security Officer (Andorian)
A brave and dashing warrior, he has a long and proud heritage to live up to. A man of great honour and few words, he is the quintessential ‘strong silent type’.

Lieutenant Commander Darius Drake – Chief Engineering Officer
The handsome and charming Chief Engineer, he can melt hearts as easily as he can repair an antimatter flow convertor.

Lieutenant Commander Kahlan Marz – Chief Medical Officer (Centaurian)
A highly-intelligent and compassionate man, whose bedside manner and wisdom are open to all who seek it.

Lieutenant Yuriko Akashi – Chief Helm Officer
Cool, steely and sultry, she has had an impressive career, and an equally impressive string of lovers. Now she has her eyes set on only one man: Darius Drake.

Lieutenant T’Penna – Chief Science Officer (Vulcan)
Cool, calm and logical, she has always been baffled by her emotional shipmates—which has led to many problems with ‘fitting in’. This is the latest in a long line of assignments; can someone on the crew help her to better understand emotions?

Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyler – Chief Navigation Officer
He woke up in a hotel room on Deneva with no recollection of who he was or how he got there. ‘Tyler’ was the name he used to sign into the hotel the night before, aside from that he knows nothing else of his past. [This is not Jose Tyler from “The Cage”]

Ensign Daisy O’Connell – Chief Communications Officer
Born on a small Midwestern farm, she dreamt of life in space. Naïve and inexperienced in all things, she has much to learn about Starfleet, life and love.

Petty Officer 1st Class Samson Cole – Captain’s Yeoman
Captain St. John’s trusted aide and confidante, having served together for several years, he knows her better than she knows herself.

 

[admiralelm11]

The U.S.S. Miranda, I presume is the lead vessel of the Miranda class, correct? This should be interesting to read once it sets sail. You have an interesting crew selection.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I really like the crew. I look forward seeing this developed into a story.

 

[mari]

The Trek version of a bodice-ripper? Reminds me a bit of Susan Grant's Borderlands series. Do you have particular pairings in mind already?

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I envision a love triangle between Captain St. John, Commander Drake and Lieutenant Akashi. Daisy will have a series of crushes (including Thorr, Drake and Doctor Marz). I also saw Yeoman Cole being the one to crack T'Penna's Vulcan nature. Not sure yet on the actual pairings, unrequited loves, etc.

I have come up with a bit of casting for the crew though, for those that are interested:
CAPT Lana St. John – Hilary Swank
CDR Thorr – Alexander Skarsgard (Enterprise-style Andorian makeup)
LT CDR Darius Drake – Gerard Butler
LT CDR Kahlan Marz MD – Daniel Craig
LT Yuriko Akashi – Kelly Hu
LT T'Penna – Charlize Theron (as she appeared in "Aeon FLux")
LT JG Tyler – Bobby Quinn Rice
ENS Daisy O'Connell – Adelaide Clemens
PO1 Samson Cole – Michael Ealy

 

[mirandafave]

I'm liking the fun sound of this. Jane Austen eat your heart out.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I can imagine a lot of TOS "soft focus when looking at hot women" shots

I've never actually read any of these kind of books, so anyone with any advice? It's worth a crack at least.

 

[mari]

I read two kinds of books: Star Trek novels and trashy romance. (That's a lie actually, but those are my favorites.) The best stories have both external conflict (politics, battles, etc.) and internal (anything emotional, interpersonal) -- and remember, just because you are making out on the bridge does not mean the Romulans aren't out there causing trouble.

So, generally speaking, same rules as any other genre.

If you have any questions about the details... I've also written quite a few dirty stories. Big tip: keep count of hands. Two normal humans have only four between them.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

If you have any questions about the details... I've also written quite a few dirty stories. Big tip: keep count of hands. Two normal humans have only four between them.

Best tip I've ever heard! I'll definately keep that in mind.

Will have to see about developing this a little more. Just been thinking if I should set it instead in the TMP era (get all the strapping young men into the skin-tight jumpsuits so they can all experience Decker's Pecker Syndrome) or keep it in TOS timeframe (so all the women are in minidresses and go-go boots).

Decisions decisions.

 

[CeJay]

Minidresses and gogo boots every time!

But seriously, I'd be interested in this either way. I kinda enjoy soap opera style Trek stories as long as there is a story in there somewhere and the characters are compelling enough.

 

[Rat Boy]

More TOS is always good.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Just because it wasn't seen in TMP, doesn't mean that the miniskirt didn't make it into the uniform redesign

A concept for Captain Lana St. John:

 

[CeJay]

OK, sold.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

So what does everyone think:

The Original Series timeframe (starting around 2267)

or

The Motion Picture timeframe (starting around 2272)

 

[Jamee999]

TOS. For the uniforms, if nothing else.

 

[Rat Boy]

Damn! With those thighs, she looks like she could crush a man to death.

 

[CeJay]

TMP sounds very interesting, particularly because I've never read any fiction I can remember from that era.

But yeah, I gotta admit, I'm kinda partial to TOS as well.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Damn! With those thighs, she looks like she could crush a man to death.

She goes through Thigh Masters the way way Kirk goes through women.

And now for something completely different:
Seeing as how the stories would be very much character based/driven than situation based/driven, I did have a ponder that basing it on a station might work better.

As for the Era, I'm totally with you on this CeJay. TOS is a great timeframe with lots going on, but TMP has never been touched (aside from the film), so it is pretty much a blank canvas.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

If I did go the station route the character would be adjusted so:

• Thorr would serve just as XO
• Akashi could take over as Security Chief or maybe Intelligence Officer (if the latter I'd need to devise another character for Security)
• Tyler would become the Tactical Officer

 

[mari]

I like the TMP idea. I'm generally a TOS fan, but there's so little we know about the TMP era you could really do a lot with it. Also, if you've got men in skintight jumpsuits and women in miniskirts, I'm all over that.