In Her Name: First Contact - Book Club Part 2

[Michael R. Hicks]

As the subject line indicates, this is the second section of the First Contact book klub - the beat(ing?) goes on!

Tidings of War: Chapters 9 through 12

The Aurora makes a rather spectacular return to human space. Did you think the Navy handled the situation well?

How did you feel about Sato being on the ship, alone, for months?

When Steph enters the story, did you have any suspicions or expectations about what sort of role she might play?

Okay, what did you think of my conniving way of coming up with the "Kreelan Empire" in the story?  

What did you think about President McKenna and her cabinet?

We get a closer look at the Kreelan builder caste. What did you think of what they were making, and how they were making it?

Did you think it surprising that the Keran ambassador brushed off the Terran offer of assistance?

Did anything in the briefing that Sato and the others gave to the senior Terran civilian and military leaders surprise you?

What were your impressions of Commander Morrison, captain of the TNS Owen D. McClaren? Did you have warm fuzzies for the ship's chances in combat?

Did you think Sato was a nut for wanting to learn to use a sword? And what about his unusual teacher?


When you're ready, move on to Part 3 >>>

[geoffthomas]

The Aurora makes a rather spectacular return to human space. Did you think the Navy handled the situation well?
Under the circumstances.  One would panic, if a large ship materialized next to your space station. 

How did you feel about Sato being on the ship, alone, for months?
I felt very sorry for him.  He had to deal with his being the only survivor.  But it also gave him time to prepare for convincing the human authorities that he was telling the truth.

When Steph enters the story, did you have any suspicions or expectations about what sort of role she might play?
Oh I think that the description of her red dress and heels started to give a clue.  But seriously, when a new character is introduced, one suspects that it is for a reason.

Okay, what did you think of my conniving way of coming up with the "Kreelan Empire" in the story? 
I thought it was pretty clever.  After all the Kreelan's were not yet communicating in "Standard", so someone had to name them.

What did you think about President McKenna and her cabinet?
It was a good thing that there was a strong individual in charge at this time, or it could have been over for the human race before they knew what hit them.  She proved that she was a good leader by having chosen a good team, mostly.

We get a closer look at the Kreelan builder caste. What did you think of what they were making, and how they were making it?
It was pretty impressive.  And again we are treated to the reality that a 100,000 year old civilization with all that time to develop technology would have progressed quite far.  I think it was clever to push the honor thing to having them limit themselves to similar technology to what the humans have.

Did you think it surprising that the Keran ambassador brushed off the Terran offer of assistance?
Well people are always placing pampering their own ego above even their own safety.  Not a big surprise. Nice for the plot, though.

Did anything in the briefing that Sato and the others gave to the senior Terran civilian and military leaders surprise you?

What were your impressions of Commander Morrison, captain of the TNS Owen D. McClaren? Did you have warm fuzzies for the ship's chances in combat?
I was pleased to see that the author did not try to allow any success to such a stupid.  The outcome of his actions was as it should have been.  Only an ill-prepared humanity could allow combat leadership to such an idiot.  But then I have seen that in modern day situations.

Did you think Sato was a nut for wanting to learn to use a sword? And what about his unusual teacher?
I think it was proper.  He knew that if he came into contact with the Kreelans again he should know how to use a personal weapon like a sword.  It was neat that there was the tie-in to his past life.

[Neekeebee]

How did you feel about Sato being on the ship, alone, for months?
The survivor guilt must have been unbearable!  It’s a good thing he thought of with productive ways to use his time.

When Steph enters the story, did you have any suspicions or expectations about what sort of role she might play?
I figured with a name like Steph, she had to be one of the good guys! 

Okay, what did you think of my conniving way of coming up with the "Kreelan Empire" in the story?  
That was pretty good.  It made me wonder how you came up with “Kreelan” for IHN?

Did you think it surprising that the Keran ambassador brushed off the Terran offer of assistance?
A little bit, but then after I thought about it, I could see some countries turning down U.S. military aid, for example, thinking it was just an underhanded way of trying to control them.

What were your impressions of Commander Morrison, captain of the TNS Owen D. McClaren? Did you have warm fuzzies for the ship's chances in combat?
He reminded me of Thorella.  (Had to go look up the name. )  Don’t have high hopes for the McClaren crew, but rubs hands in anticipation of seeing Morrison get what I hope is coming to him…


Did you think Sato was a nut for wanting to learn to use a sword? And what about his unusual teacher?
Not at all.  I think he’s still wincing from being humiliated by the young Kreelan who opposed him, and he also sees learning to use the sword as a way to honor his grandfather.  I thought it was fitting that his teacher was his grandfather’s student.  One thing though: I hope that wakizashi isn’t used for seppuku! 

N

[Michael R. Hicks]

The survivors guilt thing I suspect may play a role in the next book with one of the characters (you'll have a glimpse of that in the epilogue), but that's such an awful thing for people to deal with. A friend of mine in the USAF was one of the guys in charge of loading transport aircraft coming home from Iraq, and one of the things they had to do was prepare and load the bodies of the dead. He kept volunteering to go back, because he couldn't get it out of his head. He's retired from the service now, but it's still hard for him to deal with, even several years later.

Most of the characters in the books so far are creations that seem to have no connection with anybody I've ever known. But in this book, there are two: Morrison was one of them. I worked for a USN officer who was a lot like Morrison (although there was a blend of a few other less-than-stellar "leaders" whom I've known) - I simply can't imagine what it must have been like when he was captain of a ship (which he was at one point). Ugh. He's sort of the pointy-haired boss of the group, I guess. 

On the name - Kreela/Kreelan - I have no idea where that came from originally, LOL! I started the book so long ago - '91-ish - and I just don't remember. I think like most other things I write, it simply popped into my head and that was that. The story I wrote early in college that IHN was sort of based on used a different name, so it wasn't that, either. Hmph!

While I didn't consciously map out the character for President McKenna or the people in her cabinet, I've wondered from time to time if leaders aren't meant to be in a certain place at a certain time, in some ways. This certainly doesn't always happen, but particularly with WWII, it's hard to imagine the course of the war had there not been certain personalities in place. Beyond the political pros and cons, had we not had a president like Roosevelt, had England not had someone like Churchill, things could have gone very differently.  So we'll see how McKenna does in the next book, too...

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

As the subject line indicates, this is the second section of the First Contact book klub - the beat(ing?) goes on!

I have no idea what chapter I'm on.  I just keep reading ... another 2am meltdown.  Thanxalot.

Tidings of War: Chapters 9 through 12

The Aurora makes a rather spectacular return to human space. Did you think the Navy handled the situation well?

Yes, I did.  As Tesh-Dar pointed out, their messengers had never been believed before.  Have to give Ichiro credit for the way he handled himself and the preparations he made to convince the Navy that his warnings were legit.

How did you feel about Sato being on the ship, alone, for months?

Had to be tough, but then he showed himself to be even tougher.  He used the time wisely.

When Steph enters the story, did you have any suspicions or expectations about what sort of role she might play?

I keep picturing her in that red dress. 

Okay, what did you think of my conniving way of coming up with the "Kreelan Empire" in the story?  

You little conniver, you.

What did you think about President McKenna and her cabinet?

They did what should be done.  They looked at the evidence so carefully gathered and presented by Ichiro and knew they had to take immediate action.  Very impressive.

We get a closer look at the Kreelan builder caste. What did you think of what they were making, and how they were making it?

Ah, a new matrix.  If they can rebuild human/kreelan molecular structure, why not ships, houses, highways or anything else structural.

Did you think it surprising that the Keran ambassador brushed off the Terran offer of assistance?

This is what I expected from the Navy when the Aurora popped up.  Thank goodness they were smarter than that. 

I can understand it, in a way.  They are either afraid of the Terrans making up this threat to take over their planet, or they are so stiff-necked and rigid, they can't see the forest for the trees.  Which Spanish (or maybe Portugese) king was it that burned to death because when he clothes caught fire, it was against protocol to touch him?  Same thing.

Did anything in the briefing that Sato and the others gave to the senior Terran civilian and military leaders surprise you?

Don't remember.  Was that the one where the scientists spoke?  When the last one just before Sato spoke, I pictured that goofy scientist in the Roswell bunker with the long hair in ID4. 

What were your impressions of Commander Morrison, captain of the TNS Owen D. McClaren? Did you have warm fuzzies for the ship's chances in combat?

Not another Thorella!!!  But we have to have the bad guys, right?  No chance at all, really.  But you better not have killed off Ichiro.  I think he might be the "Reza" of this story.  Is Morrison the bad penny of this story?  He'll keep popping up?

Did you think Sato was a nut for wanting to learn to use a sword? And what about his unusual teacher?

He knew what he was doing and he was the only one with firsthand knowledge of Kreelan fighting tactics.  What was unusual was that he was intelligent enough to accept the teacher at face value, although of course, he wanted to at least know his name.  I didn't realize his mother and father were still alive.

[Michael R. Hicks]

I have no idea what chapter I'm on.  I just keep reading ... another 2am meltdown.  Thanxalot.

Any time!

You little conniver, you.

HA!

They did what should be done.  They looked at the evidence so carefully gathered and presented by Ichiro and knew they had to take immediate action.  Very impressive.

Amazingly enough, sometimes high-level leadership actually has a clue. This is fiction, but it *can* happen...!

Ah, a new matrix.  If they can rebuild human/kreelan molecular structure, why not ships, houses, highways or anything else structural.

Just wait...

I can understand it, in a way.  They are either afraid of the Terrans making up this threat to take over their planet, or they are so stiff-necked and rigid, they can't see the forest for the trees.  Which Spanish (or maybe Portugese) king was it that burned to death because when he clothes caught fire, it was against protocol to touch him?  Same thing.

OMG! I'd never heard that before. Good grief - the guy gets toasted because nobody's supposed to touch him? Brilliant...

Not another Thorella!!!  But we have to have the bad guys, right?  No chance at all, really.  But you better not have killed off Ichiro.  I think he might be the "Reza" of this story.  Is Morrison the bad penny of this story?  He'll keep popping up?

Unlike Thorella, Morrison isn't evil, just an incompetent a$$. No spoilers, though!

[Neekeebee]

I can understand it, in a way.  They are either afraid of the Terrans making up this threat to take over their planet, or they are so stiff-necked and rigid, they can't see the forest for the trees.  Which Spanish (or maybe Portugese) king was it that burned to death because when he clothes caught fire, it was against protocol to touch him?  Same thing.

Gertie, I just have to tell you that I love the historical tidbits you always toss into Book Klub discussions! 

N

[Michael R. Hicks]

Gertie, I just have to tell you that I love the historical tidbits you always toss into Book Klub discussions! 

N

Yeah, and the hats!

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Gertie, I just have to tell you that I love the historical tidbits you always toss into Book Klub discussions! 

N

Yeah, and the hats!

Under my awesome hats, I have a head stuffed full of useless information.   

[Michael R. Hicks]

Under my awesome hats, I have a head stuffed full of useless information.   

I don't know about the useless part, but it sure is entertaining!

[Ann in Arlington]

Haven't read other responses because I wanted my reactions 'uncolored'.  But my answers are colored below.

The Aurora makes a rather spectacular return to human space. Did you think the Navy handled the situation well?They seemed to follow protocol. . . . .it was certainly startling. . . . .first reaction might be to fire on it so it's good they didn't do that!

How did you feel about Sato being on the ship, alone, for months?  Well if it was a pleasure cruise it could be quite relaxing.  But he'd had a traumatic experience and was left to deal with it on his own.  A lesser man would have gone mad but he put his training to work and kept his mind busy to keep himself sane.  Good job!

When Steph enters the story, did you have any suspicions or expectations about what sort of role she might play?  I was pretty sure she'd be important. . .the way she came in made that clear. . . . I'd love to find out that Reza is the great great etc etc grandson of Steph and Ichiro.

Okay, what did you think of my conniving way of coming up with the "Kreelan Empire" in the story?  Grin  Actually, I thought it was quite clever and very neat. . .elegant, if you will.  Your fingers are pretty smart!

What did you think about President McKenna and her cabinet?  Typical I guess. . . I would probably have expected more disention. . .more flat disbelief of the story. . . .

We get a closer look at the Kreelan builder caste. What did you think of what they were making, and how they were making it?  It's consistent. . . . .leveling the playing field as they did in the arena. . . .and an extensionof the building witnessed by the Aurora crew.

Did you think it surprising that the Keran ambassador brushed off the Terran offer of assistance?  Not in the least. . . .I'd have been more surprised if they accepted it. . . . People have a huge capacity to ignore that which does not affect them immediately and if there's anything other than 100% trust between nations, they're always going to wonder about ulterior motives.

Did anything in the briefing that Sato and the others gave to the senior Terran civilian and military leaders surprise you?  I was surprised that the planet model was real.  I thought there might be a bit more about the Kreelan DNA -- compatible with human or not, etc.

What were your impressions of Commander Morrison, captain of the TNS Owen D. McClaren? Did you have warm fuzzies for the ship's chances in combat?  My husband had an XO just like that once.  Useless excuse for a human being;   I expect he won't last long in combat; JO's will come together as Ichiro said and ignore him and survive.  Of course, this will p*ss him off but he'll stupidly get himself killed.

Did you think Sato was a nut for wanting to learn to use a sword? And what about his unusual teacher?  Not at all, really made sense with what he'd been through in the arena. . . .I figured the sensei was connected from his past somehow. . . .

Now to go back and read what others thought. . . .

[Michael R. Hicks]

Okay, Ann, you're blinding me here! Sorry I didn't get back to these earlier, but have had my head in the sand working on Legend of the Sword. Not enough time. Grr...

The Aurora makes a rather spectacular return to human space. Did you think the Navy handled the situation well?They seemed to follow protocol. . . . .it was certainly startling. . . . .first reaction might be to fire on it so it's good they didn't do that!

I think they were too shocked to shoot at anything, although I'd wager their security conditions changed a bit afterward!

How did you feel about Sato being on the ship, alone, for months?  Well if it was a pleasure cruise it could be quite relaxing.  But he'd had a traumatic experience and was left to deal with it on his own.  A lesser man would have gone mad but he put his training to work and kept his mind busy to keep himself sane.  Good job!

I can't say that I'd envy him. It reminds me of the movie "Cast Away" with Tom Hanks: can't imagine what it would be like to be stuck alone on an island for four years! In Sato's case, at least he had things to keep him busy doing something useful...

When Steph enters the story, did you have any suspicions or expectations about what sort of role she might play?  I was pretty sure she'd be important. . .the way she came in made that clear. . . . I'd love to find out that Reza is the great great etc etc grandson of Steph and Ichiro.

Hmmmm....

Okay, what did you think of my conniving way of coming up with the "Kreelan Empire" in the story?  Grin  Actually, I thought it was quite clever and very neat. . .elegant, if you will.  Your fingers are pretty smart!

My fingers thank you for the complement!

What did you think about President McKenna and her cabinet?  Typical I guess. . . I would probably have expected more disention. . .more flat disbelief of the story. . . .

Well, I guess there was, although it wasn't articulated much in the story: a couple/few of her cabinet members resigned. But yes, had someone else been in her position, it very well might have been brushed off. Sometimes we get lucky, though, and have the right people in the right place at the right time. Of course, that gets offset somewhat by the things that happen later in the overall story with Borge & company.

Did you think it surprising that the Keran ambassador brushed off the Terran offer of assistance?  Not in the least. . . .I'd have been more surprised if they accepted it. . . . People have a huge capacity to ignore that which does not affect them immediately and if there's anything other than 100% trust between nations, they're always going to wonder about ulterior motives.

And I don't know if there's ever truly 100% trust between nations! Even our relations with our best allies can get a bit ugly over trade issues, if nothing else.

Did anything in the briefing that Sato and the others gave to the senior Terran civilian and military leaders surprise you?  I was surprised that the planet model was real.  I thought there might be a bit more about the Kreelan DNA -- compatible with human or not, etc.

Yeah, they got a bit of a shock with the globe, didn't they? And we may (or may not?) see more later about the DNA business. The ol' fingers can't cram *everything* into one book...!

What were your impressions of Commander Morrison, captain of the TNS Owen D. McClaren? Did you have warm fuzzies for the ship's chances in combat?  My husband had an XO just like that once.  Useless excuse for a human being;   I expect he won't last long in combat; JO's will come together as Ichiro said and ignore him and survive.  Of course, this will p*ss him off but he'll stupidly get himself killed.

It's incredibly how many of these sorts of people seem to be out there. Not all that many in terms of sheer numbers or percentage of the population, but they make such a horrible impression on everyone around them that they must just seem to be everywhere! Eww!

So how far have you gotten in your reading? Did you finish, or are still bouncing between books?