Task Force Vanguard Redux

Over the course of the past six months, I have been migrating Full Speed Ahead's Task Force Vanguard trilogy from the old Ad Astra site to the new one. This trilogy—originally written in 2012 during a period when my co-author, Ardren, and I collaborated frequently—represents a significant part of our early creative endeavors. (I miss writing with Ardren) Despite my hectic schedule (that included over 13 months in Florida on work assignment, to give you an idea), we managed to produce a body of work that resonated with many. Back then, almost all of the United Trek authors were writing prolifically, and our characters even crossed over into other series like the Star Eagle Adventures and Star Trek: Gibraltar.

It’s hard to believe that 2012 was 13 years ago. To commemorate the time that has passed, I commissioned Pundus last year to redo all the covers for the trilogy. Their work, as always, was incredible. While the new covers retain the original intent, they now feature an artistic finish reminiscent of the classic Pocket Books covers—without the overt character depictions, obviously. Compared to my previous approach of rendering ships in 3DS MAX and compositing them into public domain Hubble images, these remasters are a step above and beyond in quality.

If you'd like to check out Pundus' other projects and amazing art, I invite you to head here!

When Worlds Collide

Re-lettering the new covers provided me with another opportunity: I was able to remove my real name from the artwork. A few years ago, while searching for employment after nearly a year of being laid off, I was twice turned down because recruiters found my fanfics—some of which is considered on the spicier side—through online searches of my name. One recruiter even kindly suggested that I either pull the content down or remove my name.

I chose the latter, which is why I now use McCovey Cove for all my fandom works. The “Lord” in my name is one I’ve earned over the years, as I’ve been recognized as a peer of the realm (an Earl) within The Royal Manticoran Navy fan organization for my service and contributions at various levels—from local groups to international communities. Since my peerage rank is subject to change, I opted for “Lord” instead of the title I held at the time, Baron.

If you enjoy a bit of internet sleuthing, finding my real name is no longer as straightforward as it once was—it now requires a few extra steps. Fortunately, most people respect my need for privacy.

Two Down, One to Go

At the time of this writing, I’ve successfully republished the first two stories of the Task Force Vanguard trilogy—"To Triumph and Not to Mourn" and "Mater Semper Certa Est."

The final installment, "Gens Una Sumus," takes a different turn. While the earlier stories focus on the preparations for assembling the task force, "Gens Una Sumus" thrusts us directly into the action. In this story, Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Kircheis and her Defiant-class ship, USS Gallant, are briefed on the existence of a mysterious wormhole exploited by the Rihannsu (Romulans). Concurrently, Kircheis is promoted to full Commander, forcing her to relinquish command of Gallant and leave the crew of characters we've come to know and love. She is then reassigned by the task force commander, Admiral Jellico, to the Ambassador-class USS Adelphi as her new executive officer, under Captain Millicent Toomey.

The transition to Adelphi is nothing short of a culture shock for Kircheis. Coming off her own independent command, she now faces a dramatically different leadership style. Captain Toomey, known for her intimidating approach rather than leading by example, makes it clear that any breach of protocol or hint of disrespect will be met with severe consequences—a stance confirmed when Kircheis inadvertently speaks too informally with the command staff. It quickly becomes apparent that the crew is extremely cautious about crossing their new commanding officer.

Amidst the looming task of investigating the reported wormhole, Kircheis must navigate these extreme and challenging circumstances. Her struggle to adapt to the new environment and to reconcile her recent promotion with the harsh realities of a ship under a strict command forms the crux of this final story.

I intend to post "Gens" in the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you'd like to catch up on our Vanguard stories available on the Ad Astra Star Trek Fanfiction Archive, use these links to do so:

• To Triumph and Not to Mourn
• Mater Semper Certa Est

As always, follow me on BlueSky for periodic updates, news, and other musings.