Tucker McLeod, one of the two protagonists in the Flight of the Raven Series, was first conceived during the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” television show. McLeod was to be a Starfleet Academy classmate of Commander William Ryker who had served as a ship’s captain twice while Ryker was still a commander. Ryker and his classmates always viewed McLeod as a brash hothead, and he resented McLeod’s later success as a ship’s captain and commanding officer. Of course, during the TV episode I conceived of, Ryker saw that McLeod had matured and actually respected Ryker for his accomplishments in Starfleet.
The McLeod of the Flight of the Raven series is very close to the Star Trek character. McLeod is brash, unconventional and likes bending the rules. He is known as a decisive thinker and excellent leader and mentor. McLeod is considered among the best at nurturing both junior and senior officers, and an excellent tactician. A particularly creative problem solver, some believe his success owes more to luck than his intellect, but those who have worked closely with him disagree.
Tucker McLeod is the 2nd son of Terran and Saranite parents. His father was a university professor; his mother was an alliance NCO. He followed his brother into the Alliance Space Academy, graduating 3rd in his class, with special skills in tactics. He is also known to be a superb fighter pilot.
In terms of physical description, McLeod is of slightly over average height, generally slim and wiry. He has bronze skin and coarse wavy hair. McLeod holds black belt rank in several martial arts styles, and has taught Ryanjin Kenpo. He holds several awards, including the Alliance Meritorious Service medal, Double Platinum Whorl, Bronze Star, and the Federation Honor Cross.
In writing about McLeod and including him in the series, I conceived of a character at a crossroads. Still referred to by some as “Captain Thunder,” McLeod understand the “big picture” of interstellar conflicts, and also understands that solving conflicts creatively and with dialogue is superior to relying solely on warfare. He is also a career officer who has spent little time with his personal life, which he has only begun to regret, or at least question. On the other hand, he does have deep friendships. His best friend of course is Raina Wolfe. And he has several long term colleagues and friends in both the Star Alliance and the Central Federation. But even with those important relationships, and his significant professional accomplishments, McLeod wants something different, a significant career redirection. And that’s what Twin Worlds is all about.
