THRILLING ORIGINAL

SHORT-FICTION
Also available:

From fan-favorite authors including:

James Swallow, Una McCormack, Lisa Klink, Paul Reed,
Christine Thompson, Greg Cox, Jesse Heinig and more!

Available from all good book stores and online

TITAN-COMICS.COM
TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. © 2022 Paramount Pictures Corp. Star Trek and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 TM

Captain’s Log THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL
Editor: John Freeman
Designer: Dan Bura
Group Editor: Jake Devine
Art Director: Oz Browne

Contributors: Keith R. A Candido, Calum

Collins, Mike Collins, Christopher Cooper, Chris
Dows, Frank Garcia, Rich Handley, Lisa
Herrera, Peter Holmstrom, David Mack, Louie
de Martinis, Rich Matthews, Nick Miller, Joe
Nazarro, Larry Nemecek, Wamberto
Nicomedes, John Peel, Ben Robinson, Ian
Spelling, Jay Stobie, Pete Wallbank
With thank to Dave Blass

PARAMOUNT GLOBAL - STAR TREK FRANCHISE

Director, Star Trek Brand Management:
Marian Cordry
Manager Star Trek Brand Development:
John Doherty
Copyright Promotions Ltd.: Anna Hatjoullis
Paramount Home Entertainment:
Kate Addy, Jiella Esmat, Liz Hadley,
and John Robson
Simon & Schuster US: Ed Schlesinger

TITAN MAGAZINES
Assistant Editor: Calum Collins
Editorial Assistant: Ibraheem Kazi
Production Manager: Jackie Flook
Production Controllers: Caterina
Falqui, Kelly Fenlon
Sales & Circulation Manager: Steve Tothill
Marketing Coordinator: Lauren Noding
Publicity Manager: Will O’Mullane
Publicity & Sales Coordinator: Alexandra Iciek
Digital & Marketing Manager: Jo Teather
Head of Creative & Business Development:
Duncan Baizley
Publishing Directors: Ricky Claydon,
John Dziewiatkowski
Group Operations Director: Alex Ruthen
Executive Vice President: Andrew Sumner
Publishers: Vivian Cheung, Nick Landau

DISTRIBUTION
US Newsstand:
Total Publisher Services, Inc.
John Dziewiatkowski 630-851-7683
US Newsstand Distribution:
Curtis Circulation Company
US Bookstore Distribution: The News Group
US Direct Sales:
Diamond Comic Distributors
Canadian Distribution:
Curtis Circulation Company
Australia/New Zealand Distribution:
Gordon & Gotch
UK/US Direct Sales Market:
Diamond Comic Distributors
UK Newsstand: Marketforce
mfcommunications@futurenet.com

Follow us on
@STARTREKMAG
@COMICSTITAN
/STARTREKMAGAZINE
/COMICSTITAN

SUBSCRIPTIONS:
US: 1-800-261-6502

I
t’s been an exciting year for Star Trek fans 50 years of the Star Trek: The Animated Series UK: 01778 392085
so far, hasn’t it? We’ve had plenty of new recently; but we’re delighted to be able to For more information on
stories to enjoy, especially, for me, the bring you more of our own new, exclusive advertising, contact:
ADINFO@TITANEMAIL.COM
third season of Star Trek: Picard and second short stories, ourselves, too. Starting next For more information about
season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, issue, we'll also start to bring you tales subscriptions, please go to
WWW.TITANMAGAZINES.COM
the latter with plenty of terrific nods to the inspired by the newer Star Trek series, and we
original series, both adventure and comedic. have some other, yet-to-be-revealed ideas in STAR TREK EXPLORER MAGAZINE
Of course, there have been some the mix for future features, too. VOL #1, ISSUE #8. Published by Titan Magazines,
a division of Titan Publishing Group Limited, 144
disappointments, too: learning Star Trek: Meanwhile, enjoy our latest issue, as we chat Southwark Street, London SE1 0UP. TM & © 2023 CBS

Prodigy’s future is uncertain came as a shock, to Star Trek cast and crew, explore the series past, Studios Inc. © 2023 Paramount Pictures. STAR TREK
and Related Marks are Trademarks of CBS Studios Inc.
although we're glad we'll see the rest of season and look forward to some fantastic developments All Rights Reserved. Titan Authorised User. CBS, the
CBS Eye logo and related marks are trademarks of
two in due course. to come, across the entire franchise! CBS Broadcasting Inc. TM & © 2022 CBS Broadcasting
Here at Star Trek Explorer, we’re busily Inc. All rights reserved. For sale in the US, UK, Eire,
Australia and New Zealand. Printed in the US by
keeping track of developments on all the John Freeman Quad/Graphics. ISSN 1357-3888 TMN 14249
current TV series, pausing only to celebrate Editor
Contents
Issue #08 Summer 2023

16 INTERVIEW
CELIA ROSE GOODING
We chat with the actress
playing Nyota Uhura on
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
 SUBSCRIBE TO

MAGAZINE
P. 84 Newsstand/ Comic Shop Comic Shop
Subscriber Edition Exclusive Edition Exclusive Edition

22 26 64 76 86

06 NEWS & COMMENT 32 INTERVIEW 64 INTERVIEW 86 STAR TREK COMICS

ENGAGE! NAMI MELAMUD JONATHAN RELATIVELY
News and notes from Creating mood music FRAKES SPEAKING
every quadrant of the for Star Trek Concluding our two- How the comics have
Star Trek universe part interview with expanded some Star Trek
38 LARRY NEMECEK’S the Star Trek actor characters families – plus
12 ENGAGE EXTRA: A FISTFUL OF DATA and director an update on upcoming
MASTER REPLICAS new titles
How Star Trek’s recent 40 CANON FODDER 70 EXCLUSIVE NEW
model ship release plans Vulcan family secrets FICTION 93 FANDOM UNBOUND
were rescued exposed? LOST AND FOUNDER TREK THROUGH LIFE
by David Mack | Art by Fans share their cosplay,
22 INTERVIEW 42 ARCHIVE IMAGE Pete Wallbank values, creativity, and
ED SPEELERS LOST AND FOUND Odo in reflective mood, in memorabilia collections
Will the actor who played Who says Neelix does all the far future...
Jack Crusher return to the cooking? 96 PUZZLES & MORE
Star Trek? 76 DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO HOLLOW PURSUITS
60 TOMORROW ’S STAR TREK Our latest wordsearch
26 INTERVIEW TECH ENGINEERS - and other puzzles
DAVID BLASS TREKNOLOGY Your complete guide
Star Trek: Picard’s How Star Trek’s to the men and 97 CARTOON
Production Designer Treknology is being women who have THE WARPED FACTOR
reveals some secrets of reimagined and saved many a starship How to rehabilitate mad
making the show realized today from destruction computers and bad robots!

Inside Trek STAR TREK EXPLORER

SUBSCRIBER BONUS
Our digital extra for
subscribers includes
44 TOP 10 48 PROFILE 54 EXCLUSIVE two new Star Trek:
FIRST CONTACTS THE DOCTOR NEW FICTION stories – “A Year To
Which went well Activate the Emergency by Keith R.A. Candido The Day I Saw Myself
– and which didn’t? Medical Holographic Tuvok to the rescue Die” by Mike Collins,
program… in "The Kellidian and “See and Seen” by Peter
Kidnapping" Holmstrom; an archive interview;
and coloring pages
 E x p l o r i n g t h e S t a r T r e k U n i v e r s e
REPORTING TEAM: JAY STOBIE AND JOHN KIRK

Star Trek Reveals Aplenty at San Diego

Comic-Con

W
ith a full hall of Star Trek fans eagerly awaiting Decks, the audience was ready for the main feature, an
updates about the franchise, the mood was exclusive screening of “Those Old Scientists”, the seventh
one of anticipation at this year's main Star episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the first letters
Trek event at San Diego Comic-Con, their in each word an homage to the original series. The
mood heightened further by a screening of the episode proved a unanimous success with the audience,
crossover episode of Star Trek: Strange as was news of the impending musical
New Worlds and the animated series, Star episode, “Subspace Rhapsody”; and,
Trek: Lower Decks. later, online, after airing on Paramount+
Entertainment journalist, critic Scott across the globe.
Mantz, the event's host, opened by trying While there may have been an
to stump the room full of Star Trek fans. absence of celebrities at SDCC this
A fan himself, he barely managed to year, it certainly didn’t lack for any of
get four words out: “With the Enterprise the excitement. This included a rush to
crew…” when one excited fan blurted secure limited edition posters of SNW
out the answer immediately, which episode eight at the Star Trek booth in
was “Mirror, Mirror” to Mantz’s stunned the main Exhibit Hall, fans who left Hall H
surprise. He'd clearly underestimated the fans. immediately descending upon it in such great numbers the
Beginning with a five-minute preview of the season Fire Marshall had to shut the booth down for crowd control!
five, episode one of Star Trek: Discovery and following
up with the season four trailer of Star Trek: Lower John Kirk

6 STAR TREK
 E X P L O R I N G T H E S TA R T R E K U N I V E R S E

Star Trek Star Trek: Prodigy developments,

items at continues Canadian run
SDCC CBS remain committed to Star Trek: Prodigy, perfect examples of that. This will not be the
even though the animated show is no longer end of that crew.”
„ Star Trek: Prodigy season featuring as part of the Star Trek content on John van Citters also revealed more Star
one episodes 11-20 have the global streaming service, Paramount+. Trek: Prodigy merchandise was in the works.
been released digitally, Speaking at San Diego Comic Con, In addition to digital and physical media
(and will be released John Van Citters, Vice President, Star Trek releases, and the publication of a tie-in novel,
on Blu-ray and DVD on Brand Development, noting the impeding Escape Route, by Cassandra Rose Clarke, in
September 26) anniversary celebrations for Star Trek: The August, the series will continue regionally,
„ Star Trek: The Animated Animated Series, voiced his support for the with Canada’s Bell Media committed to
Celebration promotional show, and at time of going to press, CBS were retaining the series on the CTV Sci-Fi
spots announced, to seeking a new streaming home for both the Channel, along with other Star Trek series.
mark anniversary of first and second seasons of Prodigy. Both seasons will continue to air there,
the first screenings of “I personally love Star Trek: Prodigy,” including as-yet-unscreened but “in the can”
Star Trek: The Animated he said, “having known what the Hagemans episodes from season two.
Series in September 1973, and everyone have been working on for Bell Media is Canada’s leading content
created in collaboration years. This won’t be the end of Dal, Gwyn, creation company with premier assets in
with Casper Kelly (Star Rok-Tahk, Zero, and especially Murf. As you television, radio, out-of-home advertising,
Trek: Short Treks, Too know, he is indestructible. They’re still part and digital media.
Many Cooks) of Star Trek. They are part of the canon. They
„ Star Trek: The Animated always will be… Star Trek and its fans are „ Check out our Definite Guide to Star
Celebration character always full of surprises. This is a universe that Trek: Prodigy Season One – our first
designs revealed for is filled with hope and possibility. And the full length season guide of any Star Trek
characters such as crew members of the Protostar are absolutely show – next issue
Jonathan Frakes as
“Will Riker”, Doug Jones
as “Saru”, and Armin
Shimerman as “Quark”, 25th Anniversary Panel of the Cult Classic
and readers will have
seen more since Star Trek
Free Enterprise at San Diego Comic Con
Day, on 8 September
„ Two first-look images
from the comic revealed
from IDW’s Star Trek: The
Animated Celebration
Presents The Scheimer
Barrier by Casper Kelly,
released digitally last
month (September 12
- 15) on StarTrek.com
with physical copies at SDCC 2023 may have missed the and Rob) and luckily manage to snag
New York Comic Con movie stars this year, but it didn’t Shatner for their film after seeing him
(October). miss the chance to celebrate the in a bookstore reading porn.
„ Big screen Star Trek Day 25th anniversary of the cult Star Trek- The Treksperts recounted their
Lower Decks screenings inspired classic film, Free Enterprise exploits in making the film with personal
domestically and with the original creators themselves, accounts of Shatner, adventures in the
internationally were who make up the podcast crew of The gainful courtship of various waitresses/
confirmed for Star Trek Inglorious Treksperts. actresses and even exciting pool parties,
Day Mark A. Altman, Robert Meyer where one of the Treksperts actually
„ A new Star Trek: Lower Burnett, Darren Dochterman, and dove into the pool, only to find it was
Decks comic is on its way Ashley E. Miller regaled a hall full of Star empty. In short, these tales not only
from IDW next year, Warp Trek fans with behind-the-scenes tales added to the nostalgic spirit of the
Your Own Way, a 200- of their experiences writing the film film but also invoked the camaraderie
page “choose your own and directing the one and only William behind a Star Trek inspired friendship.
adventure” graphic novel Shatner. The story, that begins with the
written by Ryan North, fantasy of Captain Kirk as two boys’ John Kirk
who wrote the Lower imaginary best friend, is about the
Decks miniseries, with art two boys who become aspiring film „ Free Enterprise is available on DVD
by Chris Fengolio producers (coincidentally named Mark and Re-Mastered Blu-Ray

STAR TREK 7
ENGAGE!

Section 31 Returns Intel: Enlisting in

Section 31

T
he Star Trek universe continues “Section 31 has been near and dear Section 31 received a great deal of
to expand at warp speed, as to my heart since I began the journey of attention in Star Trek: Discovery, but
Paramount+ has greenlit Star playing Philippa all the way back when this the concept originated in Star Trek:
Trek: Section 31, a special new golden age of Star Trek launched,” Yeoh Deep Space Nine’s “Inquisition.”
original movie event for the explained in a statement. Operative Luther Sloan failed to
service starring Academy Award winner “To see her finally get her moment is a recruit Dr. Julian Bashir, though he
Michelle Yeoh. The film will see Yeoh return dream come true in a year that’s shown me did become a recurring character
to her role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, the incredible power of never giving up on on the series. A man named Harris
who she originally played in Star Trek: your dreams.” was more successful to enlist the
Discovery’s first three seasons. The bold news has the fandom abuzz, Enterprise NX-01’s Malcolm Reed,
with reactions ranging from Twitter user while Admiral Marcus blackmailed
@catiescarlett86’s “It’s officially happening! Khan Noonien Singh into joining in
Heck yes!!!” and @stevenromo’s the Kelvin Timeline film, Star Trek
“Truly a golden age of Star Trek” to @ Into Darkness.
TheMikeBrandy’s “Oh wow [y’all] got best
actress Michelle Yeoh back?! [That’s] so
awesome.” Written by Craig Sweeny and Off to the Academy
directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, Star Trek: Star Trek: Discovery’s run will
Section 31 is sure to be oft-discussed and conclude in 2024, but production
highly anticipated by fans around the world. on a new addition to the Star
Trek family will also begin next
year. Paramount+ declared that a
series order for Star Trek: Starfleet
Academy, which will chronicle

Fans Honor Star Trek:

the exploits of a new class of
Starfleet cadets, will be helmed

Discovery
by co-showrunners and executive
producers Alex Kurtzman and
Noga Landau.

W
ith the announcement excitement about the next season or “We’re thrilled to bring Star Trek:
that Star Trek: remarked on the show’s place in Star Starfleet Academy to fans around
Discovery’s fifth season Trek lore. “Though I can’t wait for the the world as the next chapter in this
would be its last, fans next chapter, I don’t want it to be the expanding franchise,” said David
took to Twitter and last. I really enjoy this show,” exclaimed Stapf, president of CBS Studios.
expressed what the series has meant @Kejadu8, while @WeldonsMom “Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau’s
to them over the years. “I love these stated, “Discovery was an epic vision is a smart and thrilling take
characters and their journeys, both addition to the Star Trek universe.” that celebrates the core principles
literal and personal,” wrote user @ Even cast members weighed in, of what Star Trek has always stood
JenniferLBreier. Whether Michael as actor Oded Fehr, who portrays for, but through the eyes of the next
Burnham’s ascent to the captain’s Admiral Charles Vance, tweeted generation of Starfleet’s leaders.”
chair or the entire crew’s jump to out, “How blessed was I to get to
the 32nd century, it’s clear that their play a little part in this wonderful
adventures resonated with viewers. story and to share my time with all
Starfleet Academy
“Discovery brought me back the wonderful people involved.” The Stories
to Star Trek, so it will always hold a news may have been bittersweet, Prepare for Star Trek: Starfleet
special place in my heart,” remarked but we still have the epic final season Academy by revisiting some iconic
@holajohna. Other fans voiced their to look forward to in 2024. episodes involving the historic
institution. See Wesley Crusher
face a difficult test in Star Trek:
The Next Generation’s “The First
Duty,” check on Nog’s progress
in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s
“Homefront” and “Paradise Lost,”
expose a plot from Species 8472 in
Star Trek: Voyager’s “In the Flesh,”,
and follow along as Sylvia Tilly
helps cadets navigate a hostile
planet in Star Trek: Discovery’s “All
Is Possible.”

8 STAR TREK
 E X P L O R I N G T H E S TA R T R E K U N I V E R S E

An Ode to Holmes

W
hen Dr. Pulaski challenged Data Super7’s latest wave of ReAction Figures depict
to solve a Sherlock Holmes- Data, Geordi La Forge, Worf, and Captain
style mystery in Star Trek: The Picard they wore in the classic episode.
Next Generation’s “Elementary, Data and La Forge come dressed as
Dear Data,” no one expected the Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, while Worf
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D’s holodeck and Picard boast their own Victorian outfits.
would endanger the crew by manifesting In addition to single figures, a four-piece set is
a holographic version of James Moriarty. also available. More information at Super7.com.

Moriarty Mysteries
Although he initially appeared in “Elementary, Dear Data,” the U.S.S. Enterprise-D’s
holographic Moriarty returned to seek freedom from the holodeck in Star Trek: The
Next Generation’s “Ship In A Bottle.” Actor Daniel Davis reprised the role once again
in Star Trek: Picard’s “The Bounty,” though that Moriarty hologram was manifested
by Data’s resurrected consciousness to serve as part of Daystrom Station’s
security system. Equipped with a deadly pistol, the Picard variant was not the same
entity who had been born on the Enterprise-D.

An Energizing Event

U
tilizing ARHT Media Inc.’s ARHT CAPSULE displays, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast members Rebecca
Romijn, Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding, and Melissa Navia “beamed in” to MCM’s London Comic Con for the
gathering’s first holographic panel experience. ARHT’s tech allowed the actors to speak to the crowd from
thousands of miles away. The Paramount+ booth also featured ARHT’s Capture Studio, which granted fans the
chance to turn themselves into a hologram as part of the convention’s Star Trek Transporter experience.

Leaders and Legends

S
tar Trek: Picard’s final to release 1:6 scale museum-grade carries a Klingon kur’leth sword
season masterfully articulated Picard figures depicting (remember, swords are fun!), and
combined standout stars Admiral Picard, Worf, and Vadic. Captain Vadic is outfitted as she
from its first two seasons, The detailed figures showcase appeared on the Shrike. Keep hailing
icons from Star Trek: The realistic portraits, and each frequencies tuned to EXO-6.com for
Next Generation, and brand-new character sports a unique look. release dates for these figures, as
characters to form an unforgettable Picard wears his admiral’s combadge well as announcements for the latest
ensemble. EXO-6 has revealed plans affixed to civilian clothing, Worf additions to the Picard line.

STAR TREK 9
ENGAGE!

Make Your Escape

S
tarfleet officers dread transmissions, discover new civilizations,
hopping into an escape and prevent planetary disaster.
pod to abandon a doomed Featuring an innovative new take on
ship, but playing an “escape the popular escape room game genre,
room” game is something an Star Trek Cryptic provides smart and
entire crew can look forward to! suspenseful fun as you engage in missions
With this in mind, Funko Games has with unique envelopes of components,
the perfect way to pass the time: Star puzzle through over 70 pages of logbook
Trek Cryptic: A Puzzles and Pathways content, and draw your path through 15
Adventure, an action-packed, Star Trek- thrilling Star Trek-inspired challenges.
themed tabletop game. With missions
set in the Star Trek: The Next Generation „ Head over to FunkoGames.com to
era, you’ll be able to decipher subspace order your adventure

The Adventures of the

Lower Deckers

T
he popularity of Star Trek: Lower A free digital missions brief pack will
Decks is now making its impact also keep you busy until the arrival of the
on Star Trek Adventures. Fill your Star Trek: Lower Decks Campaign Guide,
buffer time with exciting additions a full-size, 240 page full-color hardcover Enterprising
to Modiphius Entertainment’s supplement that transports the animated
roleplaying game line, such as the Lower show’s unique humor into your Star Trek
Ornaments
Decks-themed digital standalone adventure titled Adventures campaigns and adventures. To It’s never too early to prepare
Lurkers ($5.05) and the Lower Decks Season One buy these Lower Decks additions or to learn for the holiday season, and
Crew Pack ($5.05), with further crew packs for about the game itself, head over to Hallmark has big plans for
Seasons Two and Three being available soon. Modiphius.net. Star Trek in 2023. The Star
Trek: The Next Generation
“Relics” Ornament With
Post-Burn Burnham Sound replicates the moment
Montgomery “Scotty” Scott

B
orn into the 23rd century, Michael Dayton Ward’s new novel Star Trek: Discovery: shared a drink with Captain
Burnham endured unimaginable Somewhere to Belong explores Captain Picard, the Star Trek The Hand
hardships as she Burnham and the U.S.S. Discovery of Apollo Ornament depicts a
made her way from crew’s efforts to reconnect with ghostly green hand grabbing
being orphaned at a planets who had lost touch the U.S.S. Enterprise from “Who
young age and adjusting to life on with the Federation following Mourns for Adonais?,” and the
Vulcan to becoming Captain Philippa the devastation of the Burn. As Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-
Georgiou’s first officer aboard the Burnham and her subordinates 1701 Tabletop Decoration With
U.S.S. Shenzhou and confronting come to terms with their new Light and Sound allows you to
Klingon aggression in a remote reality, a distant distress call drums bask in the glow of Captain
Federation sector. After jumping up ties to their past lives in the Kirk’s Constitution-class ship.
ahead to the 32nd century, Burnham 23rd century. Much like Apollo, you can
finally achieved an overdue honor: Somewhere to Belong is now get your own hands on these
the captaincy of her own starship. on sale at SimonAndSchuster.com. decorations at Hallmark.com.

Set for Stun!

Whether you’re facing off against Klingons or Romulans, Factory Entertainment’s
Star Trek: The Next Generation Type-2 Dust Buster Phaser Limited Edition
Prop Replica allows you to imagine what it was like to serve aboard the U.S.S.
Enterprise NCC 1701-D in the early 2360s. Incorporating an all metal body and a
variety of electronic and sound features, this museum-quality replica comes with
a wooden presentation case, metal plaque and certificate of authenticity.
Factory’s Dust Buster Replica measures 8 ¼-inches in length and can be
found by visiting FactoryEnt.com.

10 STAR TREK
 E X P L O R I N G T H E S TA R T R E K U N I V E R S E

Captain’s Log Outstanding

Alumni

F
resh off the success of Star stage performances to the heights of Tawny Newsome, the
Trek: Picard’s final season, fame he achieved onscreen through the voice behind Beckett
Patrick Stewart is releasing Star Trek and X-Men franchises. Fans Mariner on Star Trek:
his much-anticipated have the option of purchasing a 432- Lower Decks, has joined
memoir, Making It So: page hardcover edition or an audiobook the writers’ room for
A Memoir, through Gallery Books on version read by Stewart himself. You the upcoming Star Trek:
October 23rd. The book will cover the can engage with this book by ordering Starfleet Academy series,
range of Stewart’s life and career, from his it at SimonAndSchuster.com, or while Star Trek: Discovery’s
humble youth in Yorkshire and powerful through your local bookshop. Wilson Cruz has been
welcomed into the cast
of the Brooke Shields-led
romantic comedy Mother
InvestiGating the Stars of the Bride. Meanwhile,
Commander Landry actor

S
tar Trek: The Next Generation and Newsome, Rosalind Chao, Alexander Siddig, Rekha Sharma has been
Star Trek: Picard icon Gates Terry Matalas, Ed Speleers, William Shatner, and shining in two hit series-
McFadden’s podcast Gates Anson Mount. Showtime’s Yellowjackets
McFadden InvestiGates returned While McFadden’s guests are all well-known and CTV’s Transplant.
with a triumphant second season members of Star Trek productions, the topics and
featuring a stellar lineup of Star Trek guests. From themes touched upon in her interviews were diverse,
chatting with John Billingsley about his youth to personal, and profound. If you’d like to catch up on
discussing books with Kate Mulgrew, the lineup the first two seasons, you can find InvestiGates on
for InvestiGates also included Jack Quaid, Tawny every major podcasting platform. Doctor’s orders!

Remembering Manny Coto In Memoriam

Star Trek Explorer sends

F
rom penning his first Star multi-episode arcs which tied directly into condolences to the
Trek episode (the heart- concepts from the original Star Trek series. friends, colleagues, and
wrenching “Similitude”) to Coto’s prolific career continued loved ones of the Star
serving as executive producer after Enterprise, as he executive produced Trek family members who
and showrunner for Star Trek: and wrote episodes for several hit series, have recently passed
Enterprise’s fourth season, Manny Coto including 24 (2005-2010), Dexter (2010- away, including the late
harnessed his passion for 2013), and American Horror Gerald Fried (the Star
the franchise’s legacy and Story (2018-2022). Trek composer whose
created compelling stories that Coto passed away on July credits include “Amok
resonated with both lifelong 9th, following a battle against Time”), Barbara Bosson
fans and casual audiences. pancreatic cancer. Many of (Roana in Star Trek: Deep
Born in Havana, Coto his Star Trek colleagues and Space Nine’s “Rivals”),
started out by earning collaborators took to social Emmy-nominated hair
writing credits on the genre media to honor Coto. Fellow stylist Caryl Codon-Tharp,
staples Alfred Hitchcock showrunner Rick Berman wrote, Sharon Acker (Odona in
Presents (1988’s “Twist”) “If we had been given a fifth Star Trek’s “The Mark of
and Tales from the Crypt (1991’s season on Enterprise, Manny Gideon”), screenwriter
“Mournin’ Mess), the latter of Coto would have lifted it to Michael Reaves (Star Trek:
which he also directed. He levels beyond my imagination. The Next Generation’s
continued forging his path by executive An extraordinarily talented writer and “Where No One Has
image: Sue Schneider

producing The Outer Limits (1995) and lovely friend. How very sad.” Gone Before”), and
creating Odyssey 5 (2002-2003) before Star Trek Explorer joins those voices in Nicolas Coster (Admiral
making his Star Trek writing debut in praising Coto’s work and extending our Haftel in Star Trek: The
2003. Promoted to showrunner in 2004, sympathies to his family and loved ones in Next Generation’s “The
Coto guided Enterprise on its journey into this difficult time. Offspring”).

Corrections and Clarifications: Felecia M. Bell

In Star Trek Explorer #6, we inadvertently captioned a photo of actress Felecia M. Bell, who played Jennifer Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, listing her character’s
name as Kasidy Yates-Sisko, which is incorrect.
Jennifer Sisko appeared in “Through The Looking Glass” and “Shattered Mirror.” Her character first appeared in the two-part pilot of the series entitled,
“Emissary,” directed by David Carson.

STAR TREK 11
 Engage!
INTERVIEW

EXTRA
MASTER
REPLICAS

12 STAR TREK
 MASTER MODELLERS

Master
Modellers
Last year Eaglemoss Ltd., who sold a multitude of Star Trek products through their
Hero Collector brand, ceased operations, but now some of the popular product lines
are getting a new life under new management from two different companies. The
Build the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D program has been resumed by De Agostini
through their Fanhome brand and models from the popular line of Hero Collector Star
Trek Starships are being revived by Master Replicas.
Ben Robinson, former Head of Genre product at Eaglemoss, reveals the behind-the-
scenes story of creating a huge line of Star Trek models, what went wrong, how things
went right, thanks to CBS support – and hints at things to come…

STAR TREK 13
INTERVIEW

02

01 03

04

T
hree hundred and ninety It wasn’t just ships. Each model to complete it. The same thing would
four model starships. It’s came with a magazine that featured an happen with Jim Martin’s original
way more than exist for in-universe profile of the ship, an article design for the U.S.S. Defiant.
any other sci-fi franchise. about how it was designed, another one Back in the main collection, we
It’s probably more than all about how it was filmed and, finally, were able to go deeper than I could
of them put together. Somehow, for something that told you when it had have dreamt. Alex Jaeger helped us to
over a decade, Eaglemoss produced appeared on screen. That was all done upgrade the models of the ships he’d
at least 25 ships a year. I ran the team to demonstrate that our models were designed for Star Trek: First Contact
from the beginning, supervising every as accurate as possible. It had another and Rick Sternbach and graphic
model. I was hands on with most of advantage: it meant that we researched designer Michael Okuda turned up
them and couldn’t have been more those ships in a way no-one had before. pictures of the undamaged starship
involved with working out how to A huge amount of the work on models that would be turned into
make them in the first place. those mags was done by Marcus Riley the wreckage that was seen in the
Before we started, there must have and later by Mark Wright. We literally aftermath of The Battle of Wolf 359.
been maybe a dozen different ships wrote thousands of pages on the subject. Alongside this, we were regularly
available. I remember being shocked A fan petition led to us making producing larger special issues. After
to discover that there wasn’t a model the U.S.S. Aventine, Ezri’s ship from launching with Deep Space 9, these
of the Akira class; I don’t think you the novels. We did that as a bonus focused on ships from the rebooted
could even get a complete set of U.S.S. issue because it wasn’t canon, which movies, but we also expanded the line
Enterprise ships. opened up all sorts of possibilities. to include visual effects designer Doug
We launched in 2012 and, before One of the things I loved was Drexler’s refit version of the Enterprise
long, it was obvious that Star Trek doing concept ships that had been NX-01, space stations and some other
ships were a big deal. The original plan designed but never built. They vessels that seemed more suited to
to do 60 ships was thrown away and included illustrator Rick Sternbach’s that larger size. Then we added the XL
I was drawing up much longer lists of original study model for the U.S.S. range which revisited the most popular
what we could do. Voyager. We even worked with him ships at a larger size.

14 STAR TREK
 MASTER MODELLERS

05

01 U.S.S.
While all of this was going It wasn’t just the new designs Voyager MasterReplicas.com. They’ve
on, Star Trek returned to TV, with that we were due to start work prototype kept the prices pretty much
a lot of ships. – so many that on. Eaglemoss had established model. the same as they were before
Star Trek: Discovery spawned a a healthy backlist that made up 02 /03 Rick Eaglemoss went bust and have
new line. When it was joined by most of the sales. I was amazed Sternbach's been kind enough to bring me
designs for the
Star Trek: Picard, we relaunched to see the prices shoot through U.S.S. Voyager in as a consultant. We’ve even
that line as the Star Trek the roof on eBay. Even ordinary model managed to free some ships
Universe collection. ships were selling for more than 04 New that were manufactured but
We were never a huge team, the regular price, and I saw Master never released and were stuck
Replicas Star
but this was a lot of work. At some of the rarest ones listed for Trek ships.
in Chinese warehouses. They
different times, Matt McAllister over $1500. like the Star Trek business and
05 Just some
and Dan Rachael, John Meanwhile, CBS were of the many
are keen to stick around. So the
Ainsworth, and Colin Williams working hard behind the scenes Star Trek ship future looks bright.
took on a lot of the heavy lifting. to secure the future. The ships models ben
has worked on
Then it stopped. I was only hadn’t suddenly become a bad Ben Robinson
an employee, so I didn’t know idea. It was just that Eaglemoss
everything that was going on, had mismanaged things. It’s For more information
but Eaglemoss were trying to still too early to confirm plans, about the latest Star Trek
grow the company quickly so but I’m confident that work will model releases, head to
they could sell it. Too much start on new ships, which will be masterreplicas.com for
money was invested in stock released in 2024. the individual model ship
and the projections were too In the meantime, Master releases and fanhome.com
optimistic. By July 2022, we were Replicas rescued all the old to learn more about the U.S.S.
all out of our jobs and, after a Eaglemoss stock and started Enterprise NCC 1701-D part
decade, the supply of Star Trek releasing it in waves, which work build, which relaunched
ships was cut off. you can buy that on in July

STAR TREK 15
INTERVIEW

CHASING
COMETS
WORDS: IAN SPELLING

This interview was conducted before the airing of the new season
of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

C
elia Rose Gooding nailed it. It’s no easy
task to step into the shoes of beloved
actors who originated iconic roles, but
for the actors on Star Trek: Strange New
Worlds tasked with doing precisely that, or trying
to, they’ve pulled it off beautifully. Truth be told,
Gooding has arguably already benefited from more
screen and character development than Nichelle
Nichols ever received during her time as Nyota
Uhura, and the young actress has crafted a living
and breathing, young and imperfect and always-
learning iteration of the character. It’s all the more
remarkable considering that Gooding – whose mom
is Tony Award-winning actress LaChanze – counts
Strange New Worlds as their on-screen debut (in
a television show or movie) after earning a Tony
Award nomination of their own in 2020 for the
Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill.
Star Trek Explorer recently caught up with
Gooding by Zoom for an exclusive, revealing
interview. The actor looked back at season one and
touched on season two, shared their enthusiasm
about getting to sing in “Children of the Comet,”
discussed how they’ve handled sudden, major
fame, and revealed what they hope Nichelle Nichols
would think of their performance. Here’s what
Gooding had to say:

16 STAR TREK
CELIA ROSE GOODING

STAR TREK 17
INTERVIEW

01 02

You were not aware Fans, critics, and pretty

that you were up for much everyone loved
the role of Uhura “WHAT WORKED Strange New Worlds
when you initially
auditioned. How
BEST FOR ME straight out of the gate.
What worked best
differently do you IN SEASON ONE for you personally, in
think you might have WAS OUR NINE- season one?
approached it if you
did know? PERSON CREW Gooding: What
worked best for me in
Gooding: Honestly, ESTABLISHING A season one was our nine-
I don’t know if I would
have booked it if I RELATIONSHIP OFF person crew establishing
a relationship off screen.
01 Celia Rose

SCREEN…”
Gooding as
knew, because I would That worked well, Uhura in
"Children of
have probably over- because when we were
the Comet".
committed to an Uhura we already shooting season one, it was difficult to
02 With Spock
know. I would have done the smart see one another outside of shooting. The
(Ethan Peck)
actor thing and studied the character, province of Ontario was on lockdown, in "Children of
but I would have had a difficult time so we didn’t have a lot of time off. So, the Comet".
knowing her future and leaving her those moments in between takes and 03 A tense
outside of the audition space – because scenes, in the mornings when we were momeny on
the Brigde in
Uhura, as a character, doesn’t know all getting ready together, they were so "Children of
what her future looks like. It was special. For example, to look over and the Comet".
genius, to sort of hoodwink me a little see Spock (Ethan Peck) getting his ears 04 Uhura's
bit. It was for the benefit of everyone on, then a haircut, plus being able to first encounter
involved that I didn’t know. I would have a conversation like, “How are you? with Hemmer
(Bruce Horak)
have probably gotten a little too into it What’s going on? What did you have didn't start
and hindered myself from being able for dinner yesterday?” Just to be able well, but she
got the last
to share with the showrunners what I to connect with one another… that
word in – of
could bring to this role. establishing of a connection was what course!

18 STAR TREK
 CELIA ROSE GOODING

allowed us to get along as a crew and

come off as people who’ve known each
other for a very long time. When we first
met each other, it was via Zoom.

Uhrura was a complete newbie when

we first met her on the show. How
would you say, just within season
one, she evolved and grew as a
person and as a cadet?
Gooding: That’s a fantastic
question. I would say in season one
alone, we see her of course make the
decision to stay on the Enterprise. That’s
huge growth, but with her, it’s like a
hermit crab coming out of its shell.
We see her slowly put her little pincers
out, get a feel of the world around her,
and try to find a place in which she fits,
feels comfortable, and is confident. We
see that in season one. We also see her
experience major loss, with the death of
Hemmer. We see her in those beginning
stages of grief, and we see her in all of
the important life moments that mold
and shape a person. In season one, we
see the flickers and the beginnings of
03 who she becomes, this iconic, legendary
character that is so globally beloved.

“Children of the Comet” was a

phenomenal episode. Longtime
fans know that Uhura was a great
communications officer and that the
character could sing, but this made
life-and-death use of those talents,
which was fascinating. How did
you appreciate the episode for its
connection to the past and to Nichelle,
but also for how it made fabulous use
of your own singing skills and provided
a huge chunk of development for
this version of Uhura?
Gooding: Our writers are huge
Star Trek fans, but it’s their attention
to detail and their attention to
understanding The Original Series,
and the show that we are prequel-ing.
To answer your first question, it means
so much to me. It was an excellent use
of the cast –including myself – but
it was also a perfect opportunity for
fans of The Original Series to see the
foundation of who this character is, to
recognize her and say, “Oh, there she
is. There’s the person that we know
she’s going to be.” It was well done,
storytelling-wise. To make it a high-
stakes situation was brilliant because,
again, we see this character who

04

STAR TREK 19
INTERVIEW

doesn’t know who she’s going to be in I’m sure you wish Nichelle were alive Gooding: Honestly, I am someone
the future. We get to see the person to see this, because she would have of a very technological generation as a
that she’s going to be and the person given anything to have this kind of Gen Z. A lot of my life just so happens
she is; we get to see them marry a little development. What was a throwaway to coincide with what goes on on the
bit. That’s always yummy as a fan of moment, with her singing while Spock internet. Something that I had to do
the franchise, but also as an actor. It’s played the Vulcan lute, is now a massive to find my center and remind myself
gratifying to see little fractures of who plot point developing the character that I am just a human being was to
this person is going to become. that she played 57-plus take a step back from all
As a singer, I love having an years ago... of that; stay off Twitter
opportunity to sing. As someone
who comes from a musical theater
Gooding: Exactly!
And that saves a planet
“IN SEASON and Instagram, because
while people are so nice,
background, it felt very much like a of people. I’m so happy ONE, WE SEE THE welcoming, and accepting
homecoming. I’m doing a lot of new that we get to not FLICKERS AND of what we’re doing with

THE BEGINNINGS
stuff as an actor, being a part of such an just honor Uhura but these iconic characters, it’s
established franchise, and something also honor Nichelle; also important for me to
so global, that it was exciting to do everything that she did to OF WHO SHE separate myself from that.
something that felt well and secure
in my wheelhouse. I am very grateful
create this character and
to put a stamp on the BECOMES, THIS It’s hard for me to do both
at the same time. It’s hard
for that opportunity, and we will only entertainment industry ICONIC, LEGENDARY for me to receive all this
continue to show more recognizable
pieces of Uhura in the second. We’re
beyond Star Trek. Just
to be able to honor her
CHARACTER THAT incredible information
and praise for the work
going to continue marrying the and say even these little IS SO GLOBALLY that we’re doing and also
lieutenant to the cadet and closing that
Venn diagram until it becomes a circle.
things, with the limited
screen time that we had,
BELOVED.” play a character that is
not aware of any of that.
that had such an impact, Just to make it easier for
So, would you say that you are so much so that not only did it save myself – when we’re in the thick of
building to Nichelle Nichols’ lives in the real world, it’s also saving it – I just take a step back from the
performance? Do you feel like that’s lives in our fantastic fantasyland. apps. I delete Safari, Instagram, and
what you’re doing? Twitter, and devote myself to the
Gooding: That’s what we’re trying You came from Broadway and character, because she doesn’t exist on
to do. We’re trying to just get her suddenly you’re on this massive show the Internet the same way I do. While
closer and closer to the person that with a tough TV shooting schedule, I like to think that I’m pretty good at
we all fell in love with, in the 1960s tons of special effects, a 57-year my job, I’m very bad at multitasking,
and 70s. We’re going to continue to history, and a devoted fan base. How so it’s important to commit to the
showcase new sides of her, but also pay did you go about finding your center character in a way that makes it easiest
homage to the parts of her that made in all of that, so that you didn’t let and clearest for me to show up as
her so beloved. yourself get too overwhelmed? this character.

05
 CELIA ROSE GOODING

What extras on the season whole show together. Taking the original series and in other
one Blu-ray were you excited the opportunity to give fans iterations of Star Trek. That’s
about? Had you seen the insight to what they have been something I’m looking forward
bloopers? Had you seen the supporting for so long, it feels to, that and continuing unlikely
deleted scenes? good and important. pairings. Let’s see how medical
Gooding: I hadn’t, and I and communications get
want to so badly! I’m excited When it comes to Uhura, what along. Let’s see how helm and
to see the gag reel. As an relationships are you looking engineering work together. It’s
actor, and also as a fan of TV, forward to seeing explored in exciting to connect all the dots.
film, and theater, I love those season two of the show?
moments, seeing the humanity Gooding: I am excited What else are you working on?
in these iconic characters. Any for the ensemble to continue Have you completed anything
opportunity to let the audience to work together. In season since you wrapped season two
in on the bones of this process, one, we saw a lot of the crew of Strange New Worlds?
it’s always exciting to me, working together in small Gooding: Yes. I worked on
because we had so much fun groups, working towards a movie called Breakwater. It’s
shooting the show. It’s so much different goals at different coming out at some point, but I
fun. I tell everyone it’s like going times in the same episode, all don’t know when exactly. There’s
to summer camp every day. I trying to work towards different stuff that I’m working on, a lot of
love what we do, and it’s also things. In season two, we have a behind-the-scenes stuff. While
very new to me, so everything’s lot more ensemble-based work; I may not be a face in front of
new, exciting, and shiny. I am we’re all working together at the the camera, I’m helping friends
excited for the fans to see same time to achieve the same develop projects, which I’m
the behind-the-scenes stuff. I goal. I’m excited for legacy excited about.
know that there’s “Pike’s Peak”, characters like Uhura, Spock,
where Anson Mount takes the Number One (Rebecca Romijn), Last question. What do you
audience through Pike’s story and Pike to continue to get hope Nichelle Nichols would
and how he is as a captain. closer, so that their relationships think of your portrayal of
He is the glue that holds this reflect the ones that we see in Uhura, and even just the fact
that Uhura is being portrayed
again?
Gooding: I hope she’s proud.
I hope she likes it. That sounds so
small, but I do hope she feels at
peace with how we are playing
her and just feels honored.
While Uhura as a character is
very important to me, Nichelle
as an actor is very important
to me as an actor. I hope that
she feels at peace with what
we’re doing. I feel her presence
often; it always feels good and
supportive. I feel like a broken
record. I hope she’s proud, that
she’s at peace, and that she
06
is excited to see the new stuff
that we’re bringing. While we
play the same character, I find
that Nichelle and I are different
people with clearly different
05 Uhura life experiences. I hope that she
makes her is excited to see how I show up
debut in
as this character and the new
"Strange New
Worlds". things that I bring to her.
06 With Spock
in "Children of Star Trek: Strange New
the Comet". Worlds is streaming now
07 A scene on Paramount+ | You can
from "Lift follow Celia Rose Gooding
Us Where
Suffering on Instagram and Twitter @
07
Cannot Reach". celiargooding

STAR TREK 21
 SPOILER
WARNING!

TOP SECRET FUTURE

ED SPELEERS
Ed Speleers exploded onto the entertainment scene in 2006, when he
made his acting debut as the title character in the film, Eragon. The
talented Brit has never looked back, amassing more than two dozen
film and television credits, including Downton Abbey, Alice Through the
Looking Glass, Outlander, You, and, of course, Star Trek: Picard. Speelers
joined the Picard cast for season three, taking on the pivotal and – for a
long while – top-secret role of Jack Crusher, the son of Jean-Luc Picard
(Patrick Stewart) and Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden). Star Trek
Explorer recently caught up with Speleers for a quick chat...

WORDS: IAN SPELLING

W
hat did you know What intrigued you most
about Star Trek about Jack Crusher?
before connecting You have a multifaceted
with Picard? character who was trying to
You’d have to be understand exactly who he was
living under a rock to not and what his placement was. But
know anything about Star Trek. I had there was also the fact that there
an affiliation with it, in the sense that was this slightly edgy, naughty
I have a nostalgic memory of coming streak to him that was just a little
home from school and Star Trek: bit jarring to some of the rest
The Next Generation being shown of Starfleet.
on BBC2. It was all these amazing
characters. I remember feeling quite What kind of research did
comforted by the fact that it was on. you do in advance of shooting
I couldn’t say I was an aficionado, a to know who Jack was within
Trekkie, but I was definitely comforted the context of Star Trek?
by it back then. And then, I liked I think that First Contact
some of the films later on from J.J. was very fundamental to Jack. It
Abrams. I know that people have was also the scripts, which were
split opinions on where that sits. Then, very well thought-out and fleshed-
when this role was presented to me, out. And, for me, it was just trying
showrunner Terry Matalas outlined to get a handle on what was
exactly what he was looking for. He driving Jack. What was his M.O.?
basically put me through Star Trek What was his view of the world?
University. He gave me this long list How did he operate? And where did
of The Next Generation episodes to he see himself? Once I could boil
go and absorb, as well as a whole host down how he viewed everybody
of films all the way up to Star Trek: else, it almost gave me – like
First Contact. So, I feel that I am well a good tennis player – something
and truly rooted in Star Trek fandom like a baseline to defend for him,
in the sense that I love it now. I suppose.

STAR TREK 23
INTERVIEW

How did you enjoy working with this is what’s going through his head it allowed me to maybe do some soul
Gates McFadden and Patrick Stewart? in those moments?” searching that I hadn’t previously done.
It was a real honor. I mean, these Let’s see. It’s a great question, I
guys, they know this world inside out, think, and I’m glad you asked it. I had People want to see more of Jack
but they’re also incredibly driven by to explore, “What can I relate to, what Crusher, and the end credits scene
the work and by the text, and what similarities can I find for that, because in the finale with Q certainly set the
their characters signify. And they I’m not going through that? So, what stage for that. How ready are you
completely welcomed me into that. can I find? What imagination can I use?” to play him again if there’s a fourth
And I had to look within myself and find season of Picard or a follow-up
Let’s delve into the scenes in which things that would trouble me in a way series of some kind?
Jack experienced those Borg-induced that would be akin to that. It took a lot I would be there with bells on. If
visions/nightmares. How do you get of concentration and a lot of discipline, the opportunity presents itself, then
into that mindset and say, “All right, but I relished the opportunity because sign me up, Scotty!

01

02 03

24 STAR TREK
 ED SPELEERS

04

At what point did Terry finding out that John de Lancie 01 A quieter this was going to filter on and
scene during
Matalas tell you that the post- and Q, and what that means to "No Win continue with Jack, then these
credits scene was happening, Star Trek canon. I was obviously Scenario". two are going to be frenemies.
and how did you and John de kind of chuffed that I would be 02 Tense We also shot the scene right at
Lancie go about making it work? working with him. I think the moments in the end of the shoot, and Terry
Terry didn’t specifically scene is quite interesting because "Disengage". and I talked a lot about maybe
tell me that was happening. I it’s not that long, but I feel the 03 Jack doing more in the spin-off, so this
was just sort of presented the way Terry constructed how he and Beverly scene had to land. I just hope
Crusher
script. He said, “I am going to wanted the scene to play out and in "No Win it’s the first of many scenes with
put some scenes in this episode the way John and I went about Scenario". John de Lancie.
that might potentially tee making it happen was, we just 04 A scene
up the possibility of further tried to leave as much space for from the Star Trek: Picard streams on
climactic
existence for Jack,” but he the scene to breathe in between "The Last
Paramount+. You can follow
didn’t specifically tell me. I just the lines. There was so much Generation". Ed Speelers on Instagram @
remember reading it and then history there with Picard that if edwardjspeleers

STAR TREK 25
INTERVIEW

RE-D ESIG

TH E

26 STAR TREK
 DAVE BLASS

N I NG

F UTURE
District 6 concept art by Igor Knezevic (top) and Kit Stølen (bottom)
St a r Tre k : P i c a rd
Production Designer Dave Blass

Veteran production designer Dave Blass, whose credits include Justified (2010-
2014), Preacher (2016-2017), and The Boys (2019), came aboard Star Trek: Picard
for the show’s second and third seasons. Tasked with developing the vision for
the Federation’s 25th century aesthetic, Blass generously took some time out of
his schedule to chat with Explorer about working as Picard’s production designer,
updating Starfleet’s look, and plenty of other behind-the-scenes exclusives.

WORDS: JAY STOBIE

STAR TREK 27
INTERVIEW

“ I A M A S TA R T R E K FA N, H AV E B E E N M Y W H O L E
L I F E . I K N O W W H AT FA N S O B S E S S O V E R .”

01

B
efore we dive into 01 The U.S.S. VFX team. I am more like a conductor. thing worse than never attaining that
Picard, can you Stargazer set, I have lots of talented musicians that I goal was to get to do it, and do a
its dedication
describe your duties plaque in the guide to the final result. horrible job. I knew I wanted there to
as a production foreground. be a connective thread to the The Next
designer, 02 Work in To what extent do you consult with Generation era, but design aesthetics
particularly as they progress Picard’s producers, directors, and have changed. It’s all glossy and reflective
on the
relate to creating a Star Trek series? writers when you are coming up now, with lots of LED lighting. Tech
reconstructed
A show like Star Trek works the bridge of with your vision for each episode? screens are a bigger deal. I invited
same as a show like Justified. You start the U.S.S. On a huge show like Star Trek, Mike Okuda to design a LCARS 2.0,
Enterprise
with the script and the characters. NCC 1701-D
everything is done in a collaborative and he graciously accepted.
Where are they, what are they doing, environment with the writers, directors, From there, we tried to evolve
03 The
what is their environment, and how do completed
producers, and cinematographer. How the bridge from the U.S.S. Enterprise
you create it? On Justified, we had to bridge of the colors will read on set, where we add NCC-1701-E and give it some
create things like coal mines; on Star the U.S.S. integrated lighting, etc. Showrunner U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Enterprise
Trek, it’s starships. With Picard, we NCC 1701-D. Terry Matalas often came to me with an nods. The bridge features ramps
broke that into two worlds: practical idea of what he was thinking of, I would running down either side to the conn
04 /05
builds and visual effects [VFX]. Recreating give suggestions on what we could and ops consoles, much like the
In the practical build, I would sketch the command do, and he would write to that idea. Enterprise-D. Todd Marks came up
seating and
out an idea of the “sandbox” that we were The directors often come in a bit later with a projection method to do it all
design.
going to play in. Then we would hand into the process, as it takes so long to in camera, and then developed curved
06 / 07 /
that off to a team of concept artists to give design and build things. screens and brought in transparent
08 U.S.S.
it a look and a tone. Once everyone Stargazer OLED [organic light-emitting diode]
was on board, we would give that to transporter The Sagan-class U.S.S. Stargazer screens to really bring the set to life.
room -
the set design team, who would draft design and
provided our first look at a 25th
it up into construction drawings. Then realization. century Starfleet vessel. How did it Fans were blown away by the
it gets built and decorated. All images in
feel to take on such a monumental Stargazer and U.S.S. Titan-A sets.
In the VFX world, we start with this feature challenge? What inspirations did you draw
concept art and then move to 3D courtesy Dave It was terrifying! It was my lifetime upon to lay out the interiors and
Blass
modelers to deliver final assets to the goal to design Star Trek, and the only computer interfaces?

28 STAR TREK
 DAVE BLASS

02

06

03

07

There was a shot from Star

Trek: The Motion Picture that looks
out the ready room window and you
see the nacelles. John Eaves did
a sketch of the bridge with a big
console there, and, at a glance, it
looked like a window. I thought that
was a cool idea, which then evolved
to the idea of having the ready room
visible from the bridge to give us this
04 05 huge depth.
We were moving 300 years into
our future, and the challenge is that
we have exceeded TNG in many ways
already. The LCARS touch screens
were now in everyone’s pocket.
Picard’s computer was bigger than any
laptop today. We had to come up with
something new.
Our consoles had three areas:
a tactile touch surface, a curved
gestural area, and a higher
informational area that would allow
any member of the bridge crew to
look over and get general needed
information. Think of the top bar
on your computer that has the clock,
battery level, etc. The captain could
08
see that top info at a glance.

STAR TREK 29
INTERVIEW

I personally enjoyed the to be on camera. It was the A ship’s name is a gateway to its
standing consoles and seeing right call in many ways, and the history. Speaking of which, we
sickbay, too. Titan instantly became a cool finally saw the Fleet Museum
[Executive Producer] Alex ship that gives you the right vibe in Picard’s third season. Where
Kurtzman suggested having for season three. did the idea that Earth’s original
monitors that we could pass spacedock would act as the
through so that there were Given its status as a civilian museum originate?
foreground elements, so we starship, the S.S. Eleos XII set Everything in season three
designed these standing offered a different take on starts with Terry. He has a deep
consoles with transparent Federation design. Did you love for the original series films,
OLED screens. They used these set any parameters to and so do I. James Chung did
screens on Discovery, but there distinguish the craft from a beautiful new Spacedock
was one problem: they are only a Starfleet vessel? that we wanted to look like an
viewable from one side. To solve We initially were going with evolution of what Nilo Rodis-
this, there was a swivel in the more of a freighter vibe, but Jamero had done with Star Trek
center that allowed the screen then Terry wanted it to be an III: The Search for Spock, but
to spin so you could be on either old, salvaged Starfleet ship. if you have to put a bunch of
side without having to move the We looked at Seven of Nine’s classic ships around something,
whole unit. parents’ ship, the Raven, as why not bring back this iconic
Liz Kloczkowski headed up a guide. Something that was base? So it tied it all back into
the development of sickbay, the Starfleet, but was a bit different. the nostalgia we all wanted.
transporter/nacelle room, the S.S. We were in a time crunch, as
Eleos XII, and the Enterprise-D. this was first up, and that meant Witnessing a restored
She had a ton on her plate, but we had just weeks to create it. U.S.S. Enterprise-D taking
was obsessed with the details. We designed all the flight elicited tears of joy
We went for retro red material readouts with a retro Raven- from countless fans. While
on the sickbay beds to tie into era LCARS to help tell the story. recreating the iconic bridge
the original series era and a John Eaves was working on the set, which details proved most
gradient pattern for the stasis exterior design, pulling from an difficult to replicate?
field background that felt like an unused design for a Phoenix- Sadly, after 35 years, nothing
evolution of Star Trek: Voyager. class ship that he did that we remained of the original set. I
liked. We altered the bridge knew we would receive major
Where did the idea of embracing module to make it square to scrutiny, so we needed to do a
a ‘retro’ feel for the U.S.S. Titan-A work with our set and, in a museum-quality replica. We dove
come from and how did its matter of weeks, had a brand- into the archives to see what had
final look come together? new starship. been saved and what photos
Terry Matalas wanted to were available. Doug Drexler had
go back to classic Star Trek, You really fleshed out Starfleet’s a full set of blueprints which were
both in script and design. He 25th century armada, going a great guide, but the set had
thought designs had become so far as to release names changed so many times over the
too aerodynamic, which didn’t and registration numbers for years. We went through frame
make much sense in the vacuum each vessel. Why was that so captures with our consultant
of space. Terry had seen important to you? Jörg Hillebrand, who has an eye
Bill Krause’s ship design and I am a Star Trek fan, have for minute details, and we went
thought it was cool. We talked been my whole life. I know what frame-by-frame to get each
about how the new Dodge fans obsess over. They love element right.
Challengers looked like older Starfleet ships. The nuance of We found one photo of the
muscle cars, just upgraded with ship classes and registration viewscreen that looked odd,
modern tech. So we went retro. numbers, the hours of debate and Liz came to me and said,
It worked visually and over the change of the U.S.S. “I think there was carpet on
practically, as we had weeks Defiant’s registration to the the viewscreen.” That made no
and not months to develop São Paulo’s and back. [Visual sense at all, but we called Mike
the Titan. We wouldn’t see the effects designer] Doug Drexler Okuda and he confirmed. The
exterior Titan VFXs for over a and [graphic designer] Geoffrey carpet was a challenge. Finding
year, but half the ship’s monitors Mandel had created fanzines in the right style, as it was 30 years
show an outline of the Titan and the 1970s detailing ships, props, old, and then finding something
where it’s getting damaged. and uniforms. It’s important that would bend and fold on
All of that had to be designed, to not just listen, but truly hear the viewscreen, the floor, and
worked out, and ready in weeks what fans want. the chairs.

30 STAR TREK
 DAVE BLASS

09

“ T E R RY M ATA L A S WA N T E D T O G O B A C K T O C L A S S I C
S TA R T R E K , B O T H I N S C R I P T A N D D E S I G N.”

Chairs are always deceptively hard. with that amber glow. We created this 09 Work Herman Zimmerman up to visit the
proceeds
Finding the right firmness of foam Voronoi pattern and did cutouts. Behind apace on the sets before they were taken down. I
and color/texture of materials. The that, we hung crinkled up window reconstruction wanted to show him the Titan and,
of the U.S.S.
original set had just backlit graphics screen, a trick I learned from my game more importantly, the Enterprise-D.
Enterprise
on the screens, but we now had to fit show days. You can up/down light it NCC-1701-D I felt awkward getting all the praise,
monitors in there. The problem was and it has a cool liquid feeling that I bridge for Star as I didn’t design it. I just worked to
Trek: Picard
that the spaces were square, and we thought worked for the Changelings. season three.
rebuild his work.
had a challenge finding monitors in We wanted to do an homage to When showing him the sets,
the right format. Christopher Plummer’s spinning chair I pointed out the nuance and the
from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered continuity of design that tied back to his
Other than the Titan-A and Country, as his daughter Amanda work. He noted that I had done what
Enterprise-D, do you have a favorite Plummer was playing Vadic. She he had done with Matt Jefferies’ work:
vessel that was featured? wanted the chair to be an extension of expanded and improved it to work for
I have a love-hate relationship her character, as she would be playing the current design world. In the end,
with the Shrike. It was a huge creative from it so much. She talked about I did what I set out to do. I let people
challenge. We had done all these new wanting to lounge on it a bit, so it was come home again. I gave them a starship
sets in a short amount of time and a great collaboration with her to make that felt like one they knew, yet was new
already started the Enterprise-D. No it happen. I love that chair and how as well. We moved the design 30 years
money, no space, but we need the the set was lit by cinematographer into the future and have it ready for the
hero villain’s ship. At first, it was just Crescenzo Notarile. next generation to expand on our work.
a viewscreen shot of Vadic on the
bridge, but then as we were trying to You’re now part of an elite group of • Follow Dave Blass on Twitter
figure it out, it grew and grew. Star Trek talent. Is there a specific @DaveBlass
The only space we had available was contribution you’ve made to this
the bottom of the La Sirena. I remember universe which you hope fans will • Star Trek: Picard is screening now
this idea that I had from years ago about remember? on Paramount+. You can read an
the pattern of an orange when you It’s funny, I never wanted to interview with model builder Bill
hold it up to the light. The organic cells put my stamp on Star Trek. I had Krause in Star Trek Explorer #7

STAR TREK 31
INTERVIEW

Hitting
the Right
Notes

St a r Tre k : St ra n g e N ew Wo r l d s
composer Nami Melumad

Sometimes the dominos fall in the right direction. Nami Melumad composed
the score for the Star Trek: Short Treks episode “Q&A.” That paved the way for
Melumad – who hails from Israel and counts among her credits such films and
shows as Thor: Love & Thunder, Absentia, The Woman in the House Across the
Street from the Girl in the Window, and the Oscar-winning short Colette – to
compose the music for Star Trek: Prodigy and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
And she’s never looked back. Her work provides a pulse to the action, punches
up the humor, and drives home the drama, all the while capturing the essence
of the music crafted by her Star Trek predecessors.
WORDS: IAN SPELLING

32 STAR TREK
NAMI MELUMAD

STAR TREK 33
INTERVIEW

S
tar Trek Explorer
recently caught
up with Melumad
at her home
studio, and she
excitedly filled
us in on her philosophy of music
in television and film, how she
entered the Star Trek realm, the
challenges presented by Prodigy
and Strange New Worlds, and
how she hopes her success will
translate to more opportunities
for women.

What’s your sense of what music

should do in a movie or show?
With most composers, you’re
trying to support the story by 01

helping to accentuate certain

moments or add tension, pulse,
thrill, and excitement. You’re
helping to clarify the emotions
sometimes, or the other way
around where sometimes you’re
adding a layer of like, “Hey,
maybe this is not exactly what
the picture tells you.” Sometimes
it will be the opposite way,
so you’re not going with the
picture. Basically, I would say
you’re helping to tell the story
and/or add elements to it in
a way that will provoke more
emotion from the audience.
That’s the main goal. That would
be a plus.

How familiar were you

with Star Trek before these
opportunities came along?
I was more familiar with the
music. I did not know as much
as I know today. I was familiar
with the Jerry Goldsmith
theme for Star Trek: The Motion
Picture. I encountered that
earlier in my life; same for the
Alexander Courage theme for
The Original Series. Having
grown up in a place where
my parents were not big sci-fi
fans, it also happened with Star
Wars. I watched Star Wars after
I already knew the music. I was
more inclined to fantasy, like
Lord of the Rings and Pirates of
the Caribbean, stuff like that,
02
rather than sci-fi.

34 STAR TREK
 NAMI MELUMAD

03

some songs, but mainly instrumental

HE OPENED WITH, “SO, WE HAVE THIS stuff. I started to experiment with
the software that I’m working on
SHOW, STRANGE NEW WORLDS…,” even today. I started creating all
WHICH HAD ME THINKING, “OH, I these orchestral demos. It’d be my
imagination. “If there was a fourth
GUESS HE DOES LIKE MY WORK.” Lord of the Rings movie, what would
it sound like? What would the scene
be? What would I do for that?” I
remember I was like, “Okay, maybe
I remember watching some. I’d You mentioned knowing the music they’ll go back to that great river at the
seen Star Trek: The Next Generation on before seeing shows and movies. end of the first movie and so… what
TV, but I didn’t understand anything. We’re guessing you were buying up theme would I play there?”
I was a kid. I didn’t understand CDs of film scores? That’s how I got to know all
English. There were subtitles, but it I’m still a nerd, but now I’m these fun scores. I got to know Hans
was too quick for me. I was maybe prouder of being one. I developed Zimmer, Jerry Goldsmith, John
six or seven, and that looked funny to this big passion for film scores, and Williams, Michael Giacchino, all these
me, all these people in costumes, the I’d listen to them whenever I could. great composers. I was familiar with
Vulcan ears. Now I know they were Whenever I walked somewhere, I their work before seeing the actual
Romulans. After having known the had this CD player. I’d walk with 01 A space film it was written for.
music, that’s when I actually got into headphones, and listen to scores, and scene from
the Star
watching things. I watched things by then I’d play them on piano. Take us through landing “Q&A,”
Trek Prodigy
order of their production release: The That’s part of why I wanted to season one your Short Treks episode, and how
Original Series, The Next Generation. become a composer. I saw that if I take "All the that led to Prodigy and Strange
World's a
Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: the melody and harmony – if I just Stage".
New Worlds.
Deep Space Nine were approximately play the chords and transcribe them Short Treks came as a surprise, and
02 Action
the same time. Star Trek: Enterprise. – I can actually play the film scores during the
it was a quick thing. My agent called
I skipped Star Trek: The Animated on piano. When you strip all the Strange and the day after I was assessed, I was
Series. I still have to go back to that. I other elements except for melody and New Worlds doing the spotting session. I didn’t
season one
watched two episodes. I watched Star harmony, you can see that it’s doable. episode, "Lift have much time to process, which is
Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard. I You can write music. It’s just like with Us Where great, because I would get nervous.
Suffering
watched Prodigy earlier than anyone, songs. There’s melody and chords. I’d get in my own way. So, that was
Cannot Reach".
so that was fun. You can play them. It’s doable. It’s not good. Everything was very quick,
03 Captain
Strange New Worlds, I’m so rocket science. It seems that way, but within a month and a half. We were
pike (Anson
excited for people to see season two. it’s not. Mount) in done quickly, and it aired quickly.
This year is getting better and better When I was maybe 13 or 14, I action, in "Lift When we recorded the Short Treks
Us Where
with every episode. They’re so smart. actually started coming up with my Suffering
score, it was like 30-something players
It’s amazing. own melodies and ideas. There were Cannot Reach". at Warner Brothers.

STAR TREK 35
04

Then Alex Kurtzman had the Generally, we try to treat it as emotions towards Voyager like
idea, because I’d worked with a feature film every time, and you you or I do, but hopefully once they
Michael Giacchino on several can see that with the style of the have watched Voyager they’ll come
projects, of Michael writing a theme show. It’s engaging for both adults back to Prodigy and catch up on
for Prodigy, with me taking the rest and kids. With music, it will not feel those Easter eggs, which I think
of the score. That’s what we went like a cartoon. Like Dora or other would be really fun.
with after I submitted the first pass Nickelodeon cartoons, it feels like
of the pilot. So, it wasn’t recorded. a serious film or show. The idea was What was your mission statement
This was a first draft, let’s say. Alex to make it as cinematic as possible, on Strange New Worlds?
had a lot of notes. It was a Zoom but you don’t want to over-scare. I wanted to create something
call, which normally he doesn’t go The scarier scenes were mainly in that would align with what the rest
on. I was like, “Okay, I guess maybe the pilot. There were some heavy of the show is doing. They updated
they don’t like what I did.” It was topics, like kids that are slaves, and the original pilot. They did it with
with Dan and Kevin (Hageman), my some dark moments, so I did have costume and set design, with the
showrunners, and Alex. He came on to bear in mind that this was for acting and characters. I wanted
the call and started giving notes for kids, so it should not be extremely to do the same with the music. I’m
everything I did, and then he had to scary. Other than that, it was about trying to call back to that more
go after 10 minutes. Dan and Kevin adding as much hope as possible, active and dynamic style of score.
gave me the rest of the notes. and making it lighter when we My score is orchestral in that
After that I was like, “I’m gonna can. This is mainly referring to the same way, and it’s more active in
fix it. It’s okay, I got this.” Then, first couple of episodes, where it shaping the scene.
Alex’s assistant emails me and was darker, because they had to It’s closer in vibe and in sound
says, “Alex wants to talk with you escape. I was mindful of that. as well, to The Original Series.
more.” I thought, “Oh God, this is The other things were all these That lines up with what we’re
not great.” He opened with, “So, nostalgic Star Trek callbacks. We trying to do. We are telling the
we have this show, Strange New quote the Alexander Courage story in a film approach, every
Worlds…,” which had me thinking, themes, or do callbacks to Voyager, episode as a movie. There are
“Oh, I guess he does like my work.” like with the Protostar and Admiral themes that reoccur because we
He offered it to me. I was excited. Janeway themes that we dove have recurring characters, and
I wanted to do this show before it into more in the second part themes, like the Christine (Jess
was even announced. Right after of the season. Then, there’s the Bush)/Spock (Ethan Peck) love
“Q&A,” they started talking about Federation theme, which appeared story, Pike’s (Anson Mount) theme,
a Pike show. Obviously, that would at the very end of the pilot and and Uhura’s (Celia Rose Gooding).
be my dream. I wanted the show. developed from there every time All of that comes back and
I guess somewhere out there, Alex we’re with Hologram Janeway develops throughout the series.
sensed that. It’s been fun. I’m (Kate Mulgrew). All of that is more You have those elements that
very fortunate. of a Starfleet feel, and it allows come back, but you also introduce
me to go into a more Star Trek new themes every time. The Gorn
Let’s break that down, beginning score style. That is mainly for the have their own themes. You will
with Prodigy. How do you create adults, or Star Trek fans. A kid being hear all these elements in new
music that will hit the right exposed to the Star Trek world episodes as they come. That is
emotional notes for kids and adults for the first time through Prodigy also something that was done on
alike, and also feel like Star Trek? does not have those nostalgic The Original Series.

36 STAR TREK
 NAMI MELUMAD

Do you use the same musicians on for it to be there as a little Easter egg. 04 A tense have to do a good job. I have to deliver
both Prodigy and Strange New Worlds? moment for everything to everyone’s satisfaction, and
the team
Yes and no. The actual performers, What does it mean to you to be in during the mine too.” Which is hard, because there’s
the orchestra, they’re not the same the company of Alexander Courage, Star Trek a high standard. Often, I’ll rewrite, and
Prodigy
because Prodigy is recorded in Prague Gerald Fried, Fred Steiner, Jerry it’ll take a minute before I send things
season one
(with Melumad on Source Connect). Goldsmith, James Horner, Dennis episode, out. I’m critical of my own stuff. It needs
We use a 50- to 55-piece orchestra, McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, Michael "Asylum". to be great. I hope it’s great. And I am
depending on the episode. Strange New Giacchino, Jeff Russo, Ron Jones… 05 Rebecca hoping that this will open the door to
Worlds season one has been recorded at And I love Chris Westlake’s score for Romijn as more opportunities for female composers.
Number
Warner Brothers (in California), and we Lower Decks. I’m honored and excited. One, Una
I’m a board member of the Alliance for
had 37 musicians on most episodes. That I feel that responsibility of joining this Chin-Riley, Women Composers, and so I’m actively
being said, I have the same orchestrators. legacy of composers because I need to in "Ghosts of trying to do that. It’s going to take a
Illyria".
Jeff Kryka and Tracie Turnbull work on match the quality with what I do. while. It’s hard to break into the industry
both shows. I will say there’s a style that’d There’s also the aspect of me being when you’re starting out, when you’re just
be recognizable. When I started working the first woman, so, in order for me not a little girl from Israel. In my mind,
on Strange New Worlds, I remember to be the last, I need to do a great job. I I’m still that little girl from Israel. So,
quoting the Protostar theme and hope that when the producers say, “Hey, I definitely feel a personal responsibility
thinking, “Oh, God, this is somewhere she’s just as great as the guys,” that will to share how I did it and what worked for
else.” And then the other way around; open up the gate for other women to do me, plus what might work for others.
there’s one in Prodigy, and I actually left it the same, not just on Star Trek, but on
because it was a nice reminder of Strange other shows and franchises as well. Those • Nami Malmaud is online at
New Worlds and it’s far enough apart two responsibilities were like, “Okay, I namicomposer.com

“A KID BEING EXPOSED TO THE STAR TREK WORLD FOR THE FIRST
TIME THROUGH PRODIGY DOES NOT HAVE THOSE NOSTALGIC
EMOTIONS TOWARDS VOYAGER LIKE YOU OR I DO…”

05

STAR TREK 37
 LARRY NEMECEK’S
A FISTFUL
OF DATA
MAKING SENSE OF
THE FUTURE

Wow – what a difference a few TWO SECTION 31 QUESTIONS:

months make!
For some reason, our digital — What happened with the Echo “artifact panels” were prepared for use
Papa system (Star Trek: The Next in the archive of the Section 31 wing
mailbag is simply overflowing Generation, “The Arsenal of on Daystrom Station, 3-D digital artist
this issue like it hasn’t in Freedom”) after Picard bought it? Andrew Jarvis tells me. That would
years – all from fans brimming Was it later collected by Section 31 or prove to be more than enough, and not
with questions. Is it due to integrated into any defense system? all of them made it on camera in the end
– as eager “Easter egg” screencappers
the booming success of Star — Why was the “Guardian of Forever” have gradually been learning.
Trek: Picard’s finale season? was never collected by Starfleet or Fortunately, the art department for
Anticipation for the huge buzz Section 31? Picard has excellent internal archives,
Blaise Kosaras, Hungary via and nothing ever goes to waste: Dave
around Star Trek: Strange New
Twitter @treyfayne Blass, Picard production designer for
Worlds season two before it seasons two to three (and spotlighted
launched? Or maybe it’s just Oh, Blaise: Did you miss it? this issue as just as much a longtime fan
the domino effect of each new (Relax – I’m sure you did. So did as you or I) shared a video animation
everyone!) of the full collection with me – and
series, live and animated, piling For that instant-classic Star Trek: later with fans on his social media
up even more fresh canon Picard episode “The Bounty,” at least 30 accounts. One display from that unaired
crumbs to consider?
We can only take a bite out
of so many in that pile — so
let’s get to it. QUESTION TITLE
WORDS: LARRY NEMECEK
How did the original Borg Queen assimilation, all to lead a bulwark
come back into power after against this immense destructive
Dr. Jurati took over? anomaly. While asking for
Dianna Hopkins, Phoenix AZ Federation membership!
So, coming from a reality
You’ve brought up one of the outside the Prime timeline, she has
recent revelations in Star Trek no part in the old original Borg
thanks to Picard, Dianna – and not Queen we saw in season three
just for your case involving Jurati in – revealed as barely clinging to
season two, but the plot involving life after 20 years, reigning over
Changelings and Jack Crusher with a decimated Collective. The two
a Borg Queen from season three. Queens were coexisting in the
First off, remember that same Prime reality – but with far
almost all the plot and landscape different attitudes and destinies.
of season two was not just a In fact, that’s one of the many
series of alternate dimensions canon gifts that executive
(and varied time settings within producer Terry Matalas and
them) was all a product of “Q team gave us in the finale of
magic”— yet another non-Prime, Jean-Luc’s saga: at long last, the
non-linear “test” concocted impact of another finale: Star Trek:
by Picard’s old friend from the Voyager’s “Endgame.” It’s been
Continuum. So it is that the up for debate for over 20 years,
Meanwhile, for next issue, send
Borg Queen of that storyline (as but Picard settles for us once and
your queries bridging old, new,
initially played by the late Anne for all that Janeway’s neurolitic
and “breaking news” Star Trek
regarding its production and Wersching) is actually a product pathogen did indeed decimate
background continuity to of that alternate timeline – the once-feared, quadrant-
startrekmagazine@titanemail.com created by Q, if you will – and spanning Collective and its
— or via larry@larrynemecek.com, the one to which Agnes Jurati Queen – and leave them both on
or @larrynemecek on Twitter. does indeed sacrifice herself to life-support, literally.

38 STAR TREK
 A F I S T F U L O F D ATA

01 02

inventory: the Echo “Pappa” mobile latter was a boost in developing the – and older than our sun, to boot.
drone from Minos! “fleet formation mode” capacity The fact that it turns up over 900
Now, as for its incorporation (unveiled with tragic results for years later out on the galactic rim
into Starfleet weapons systems over Frontier Day 250)? on Dannus V just shy of the
the near-40 years since, who knows? But as for Section 31 “corralling” Gamma Quadrant, having hid out
One would think a lone, severed the Guardian of Forever… well! to avoid the Temporal Wars (as
drone is not a threat, so Section 31 As if it didn’t seem massive and seen in Star Trek: Discovery’s
still has an example stored away for immovable in the original series’ season four’s “Terra Firma”), is all
some reason – be it for the compact “The City on the Edge of Forever,” the proof I need that the chance of
firepower powerplant, or just its the massive time portal certainly it being “collected” by anyone...
mobile networking. Perhaps the presented itself as a sentient lifeform seems remote!

Now, chew on this: While

dormant Borg cubes and their
disconnected drones are still out
there after Janeway’s decisive
action – like the Artifact we saw
01 Spotted in Picard Season 1, stripped and
on screen:
shared by the Romulans – might
an “Artifact
Panel” in the the desiccated Borg Queen’s
Daystrom comeback chance only been
Institute,
identifying the enabled by accident – namely,
Echo “Pappa” when the Star Trek: Prodigy kids
mobile drone inadvertently stumble into a
from Minos.
(And yes, dead Cube?
the artist “In my personal head canon,
misspelled
I think the Borg ship you see in
Pappa – in
regards to our ‘Let Sleeping Borg Lie’ is the
what the one that kinda half-awakened
script/ Trek
word uses, as the Borg,” Star Trek: Prodigy
“Papa” one-P). executive producer Aaron Waltke
02 The told me with a smile. “Working
Guardian of off whatever their last directive
Forever, as was, you know, which we’ve seen
first seen in
the original happen in Voyager and TNG, not
series episode being connected to the Queen.”
"The City on
And while nothing is set in
the Edge of
Forever". stone, Aaron said he’d gotten
wind of the Picard season arc
03 The Borg
Queen in the early enough to check in with
Star Trek: Picard’s Terry Matalas about it –
Picard season
two episode, and both agreed that “neither
03
"Pennance". story got in the other’s way.”

STAR TREK 39
 CANON
FODDER
PUTTING CONTINUITY IN
THE FIRING LINE

Welcome back to this corner

of the column where we out-
Fistful “A Fistful of Data”
with a really deep dive into a
greater aspect of the Star Trek
universe. And this issue, our
dive is more wide than deep –
as we consider a query from
Maggie Graham, Vancouver, WA:

From the episode “Sarek” of

Star Trek: The Next Generation,
Picard explains to Riker how, as
a lieutenant, he became tongue-
tied the first time he met Sarek
briefly at his “son’s wedding.” 01
Whomst? So, is that Spock?
And did he have yet other
fiancé besides T’Pring, or…? Or,
did Sarek have another son with forbidden – including any Vulcan Berman was still not ready to “go
Perrin that Picard is referring to? characters, regular or otherwise, so there” yet.
as to avoid competing with Spock’s Only a few episode slots after that
Enquiring minds want to know! immense character legacy. groundbreaking story of the U.S.S.
Of course, we know in hindsight Enterprise NCC 1701-C, though, the
Maggie, you’ve tapped into a story how first Klingons and then Romulans vibe was starting to turn – and even
that’s even bigger than you know! It’s had turned up several times by season Gene Roddenberry was thinking it
a great moment in Star Trek evolution three, with Worf even made a regular was time to use an old favorite like
– a pivot point for the whole notion character to start the series. But Sarek, complete with original actor
of the Roddenberry universe as a the famous Vulcan first family was Mark Lenard. The namesake episode
franchise, larger than any one series. still deemed too hot to touch: early swirled together from various roots
And yet, new viewers will always drafts of “Yesterday’s Enterprise” had with the plot we now know – and in
be coming to this 1990 episode fresh Sarek as the central character who his first year on the show by now, head
and ask the same question as you – restores history. Despite a season two writer Michael Piller did want to take
so here goes! query to check on Nimoy’s availability the opportunity to mention Spock
You can’t help but be unaware for an appearance then (he wasn’t amid Sarek’s mental anguish after his
of how complicated the story interested), executive producer Rick landmark mind-meld with Picard.
is behind your understandable
question, of course. The whole saga
of Sarek’s return to the screen by
itself is a reflection of how quickly
TNG found its own place in the
DATACORE Tuesdays Live, and leads the
Portal 47 monthly “backstage”
L A R RY N E M EC E K
Star Trek legacy – and how large it fan experience and Trekland
became. When Gene Roddenberry As a longtime Star Trek Treks location site day tours from
was getting his sequel launched in author of bestseller larrynemecek.com. He is also
1987, the pubic still doubted that he The TNG Companion, producer of The Con of Wrath
or anyone could actually recapture editor, consultant, documentary, and his updated
the magic of the original series. interviewer, and archivist, Star Trek: Stellar Cartography
In order to force TNG to stand on Larry Nemecek hosts The Trek map/book set continues to
its own, then, most references to Files weekly for Roddenberry guide fans and Star Trek TV
the icons of the classic series were Podcasts, livestreams Trekland creators alike.

40 STAR TREK
02

More famously, and to your Then don’t do an episode bride? And this drill-down is
question, writer and producer called ‘Sarek’! ” even more a dry hole: As
Ira Steven Behr talks of that In fact, Ira recalls the far as onscreen canon
“say Spock’s name” debate as “Spock taboo” remained for mentions go, there are none.
the final roller-coaster of his days until, in a script meeting It’s never been tackled in script
one year in the tumultuous TNG with Berman on a completely – partly because the groom’s
season three’s writers’ room. unrelated story, he circled never really been confirmed
Writers Michael Piller and Behr, around out of the blue one on-air, either.
along with then-rookie Ron more time, and asked: “By One crumb: The canon-
Moore doing an uncredited the way, tell me again why adjacent 1999 licensed pro
rewrite, all had that intention we can’t say ‘Spock’?” And an novel Vulcan’s Heart does see
and campaigned for it. But exasperated Berman, he says, authors Josepha Sherman &
Berman still saw it as a bridge leaned back, looked skyward Susan Shwartz posit that it
too far, potentially laying down with a “no, not again!” sigh, was Saavik getting hitched to
canon bio points for Spock that and came back with “Okay, Spock in 2329 – harkening back
might regrettably hamstring fine. One time.” “And that to their onetime life-saving
their choices, should Nimoy was it!” bond for the reborn and rapidly
ever agree to actually appear Thus we get the compromise aging Spock on Genesis.
on the series. “Spock” at the memorable Of course, by the time of
01 Mark
“It was a ridiculous fight,” climax, but only hints about Nimoy’s then-historic return to
Lenard as
Sarek and Ira told me recently. “So what the “married son.” But as far the “ears” on small screens in
Joanna Miles kind of logic can you say, ‘We as I’m concerned, we do know TNG’s “Unification II” as a 30th
as Perrin, in
the Star Trek:
can’t say Spock – that’s a the answer: Thanks to writer anniversary event, none of that
The Next reference to the original series?’ interviews of their intentions is alluded to. But fear not: With
Generation Not only had they had McCoy then and now, of course that so many current Trek series
episode,
"Sarek". on the pilot, but the character wedding had Spock as the set after that timeframe, that
of Sarek, played by the original groom! (What, all that nostalgic might be another legendary
02 Leonard
Nimoy as actor, is already on the show. insight into young Picard was unanswered question in
Spock and That ship has sailed! You going to be wasted on Sybok?) canon we might actually see
Arlene Martel
don’t want to do an episode Still, the other half of your get nailed down. (A Beckett
as T'Pringin
"Amok Time". referencing the original series? question remains: Who was the Mariner quip, anyone?)

STAR TREK 41
 A R C H I V E I M AG E S
RETRIEVED

Roxanne Dawson with an unidentified member of desperation of Star Trek: Voyager’s isolation and the chance offered her
Star Trek: Voyager stage crew, receiving a birthday by the insightful Captain Janeway.
cake on the set of the episode “The Q and the Grey”. One thing B’Elanna had going for her, though: She seemed to
escape that “sufferers” fate at times that seem to plague her male
WORDS: LARRY NEMECEK colleagues of note of all eras – from “Trip” Tucker and Scotty, to the
younger LaForge and of course Chief O’Brien.

W
ho says Neelix does all the cooking? Even with a Klingon heritage that took her years to accept, perhaps
With a special focus on engineers this issue, her survival secret was still knowing when to be all smiles when a
it’s amazing to realize that it took until the arrival birthday cake, of all things, comes your way?
of Jet Reno of Star Trek: Discovery infamy that the Of course, for this “scene” that smile belongs to actress Roxann
ranks of Starfleet’s finest (in lead television roles, Dawson on break, not her alter-ego B’Elanna. Birthday cakes for cast
anyway) finally included a second female engineer, after our beloved members and notables in the crew are a common sight on many sets,
B’Elanna Torres. and Star Trek series are no exception. And being her birthday, this
And that, only after the onetime Maquis powerhouse “putterer” one is easy to date: it’s the Voyager bridge set on Paramount Stage 8
had to overcome the stigma of an initial Starfleet flameout and during season three, the second day of the shoot for “The Q and the
the opposition of mainline Starfleet officer – thanks to both the Grey” in 1996 – Wednesday 11th September.

42 STAR TREK
 Inside
Trek
The life and
legacy of
THE
DOCTOR

THE
KELLIDIAN
KIDNAPPING
An all-new Star
Trek: Voyager
story

FIRST
CONTACTS
MEMORABLE ALIEN ENCOUNTERS RECALLED
 TOP 10
FIRST CONTACTS
BY JAY STOBIE
 T O P 1 0 F I R S T C O N TA C T S

10 The Horta
( STAR TREK “THE DEVIL IN THE DARK”)

A silicon–based lifeform
from Janus VI, the Horta
learned that the culprit
was not a monster, but
09 The Malcorians
( STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
“FIRST CONTACT”)

With the commission

of a vessel with warp
capture and Malcorian
government officials
demonstrated why first rather a sentient being capabilities, the learning that “aliens”
contact missions often desperate to protect Malcorians had landed existed. The Malcorian crisis
emerged as unexpected its offspring. In true on the Federation’s demonstrated just how
developments rather than Starfleet fashion, the radar for a possible first sensitive and dangerous
pre-planned diplomatic U.S.S. Enterprise’s officers contact mission. Sadly, that even preparing for first
affairs. Concerned about forged a productive truce Commander William T. contact could be, as well
the deaths of Federation with the Horta that both Riker sustained an injury as the negative reaction a
miners, Captain James protected the species and while covertly assessing planet might have toward
T. Kirk and Spock soon benefited the Federation. the planet, resulting in his extraterrestrial visitors.

08 The Organians
( STAR TREK “ ER R A N D OF MERCY”)

As tensions increased
between the Federation
evolved beyond the need
for corporeal bodies.
07 The Mintakans
( STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION “W HO
WATCHES THE WATCHERS”)

While the Federation

observed the Malcorians
the Federation scientists
and, later on, Captain
and Klingons, the U.S.S. They had also initiated for a potential first Jean-Luc Picard himself.
Enterprise set out to their own scouting contact, the interstellar The Mintakans began
warn the Organians, mission focused on government placed a to worship Picard as a
a seemingly stagnant humanity a century team on Mintaka III to god, at least until the
society, about the before, demonstrating study the development captain opted to reveal
impending hostilities. that the Federation was of the planet’s relatively his true identity. Cultural
However, the Organians not the only entity which primitive society. contamination could not
turned out to be an methodically researched Nevertheless, a similar be avoided, yet Picard’s
unfathomably advanced other societies prior to situation occurred when actions resolved a tense
species which had first contact. the Mintakans discovered standoff.

STAR TREK 45
A N A LY S I S

06
The Sikarians
( STAR TREK:
VOYAGER “PRI M E
FACTORS” )

First contact with the Delta

Quadrant’s Sikarians placed
Captain Janeway and the U.S.S.
Voyager in quite the quandary. Both
societies were warp capable, but the
Sikarians also possessed a spatial
trajector capable of transporting
individuals to locations over 40,000
light years away. The technology
intrigued the Voyager crew, as it
would have allowed the crew to get
much closer to Earth in an instant.
The Federation’s Prime Directive
impeded captains from dispensing
certain items to other cultures,
though this time it was the Sikarians
who refused to share the trajector
schematics with the Federation.

05 The 10-C
( STAR TREK: DISCOVERY “COMIN G H OM E”)

With Earth and Ni’Var under significant threat from the

approaching Dark Matter Anomaly, Captain Michael Burnham and
04 The Klingons
( STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE “BRO KEN BOW”)

Prior to the Enterprise NX-01’s launch, a human farmer nearly killed

a Klingon operative who was being pursued by the Suliban. Hoping
the U.S.S. Discovery finally made first contact with the extragalactic to avoid conflict with the Klingons, Earth dispatched Captain
beings designated as Species 10-C. An enlightened society which Archer to return the Klingon to Qo’noS. After run-ins with the
had experienced its own cataclysmic event in the past, the 10-C Suliban, Archer succeeded and helped uncover a Suliban plot to sow
heard Burnham’s plea and agreed to halt the DMA, shut down the discord in the Klingon Empire. These events prompted Starfleet to
hyperfield concealing their system, and repair the damage that their permit Enterprise to begin its exploratory mission, a turning point
mining equipment had wrought upon the galaxy. that saw humanity expand its influence on the galaxy.

46 STAR TREK
 T O P 1 0 F I R S T C O N TA C T S

03 The Dominion
( STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
“ T H E J E M’ HA DA R ”)

Though the Federation and Dominion were aware of each other’s

existence, the two powers did not formally come face-to-face until
02 The Borg
( STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION “Q WHO”)

As the Federation continued exploring strange new worlds in the

24th century, Q perceived Starfleet’s confidence to be unwarranted.
Jem’Hadar soldiers captured Captain Benjamin Sisko and Quark on In response, the omnipotent being threw Captain Picard and the
a Gamma Quadrant planet. The pair escaped, but the Dominion’s U.S.S. Enterprise-D into the path of a Borg cube, an act which
malevolence for the Federation, as well as the other major Alpha showed Picard just how dangerous the unknown could be. Q’s
Quadrant players, led to a prolonged cold war and the eruption of a deed also sped up the Borg’s timetable to assimilate the Federation,
devastating conflict involving the Federation, Dominion, Klingons, bringing the deadly enemy to Earth’s doorstep at the Battles of Wolf
Romulans, Cardassians, and Breen. 359 and Sector 001.

01 The Vulcans
( STAR TREK: FIRST
CONTACT )

The T’Plana–Hath’s mid–21st

century arrival in Montana
following Zefram Cochrane’s
warp flight represented a
turning point for humanity, as
the Vulcan survey ship proved
to Earth’s citizens that they
were not alone in the galaxy.
Although the human–Vulcan
relationship endured early
hiccups, their alliance went
on to revolutionize the Alpha
Quadrant through the birth
of the United Federation of
Planets, an event which united
local powers and altered the
course of history for countless
civilizations in a positive
fashion.

STAR TREK 47
A N A LY S I S

LIFE AND LEGACY OF

THE
DOCTOR
Starfleet never intended for an Emergency Medical Hologram to
operate as a ship’s primary physician, but U.S.S. Voyager’s EMH, better
known as The Doctor, assumed that position when his vessel lost
its chief medical officer en route to becoming stranded in the Delta
Quadrant. Initial tensions with his crewmates aside, the Doctor evolved
to be so much more than the sum of his programming during Voyager’s
seven-year journey back home.

WORDS: JAY STOBIE

The Mark I Marvel life truly began a short time later, as he

Created at Jupiter Station by renowned was brought online to evaluate and help
holo-engineer Doctor Lewis Zimmerman, the crew members who had been injured
the EMH Mark I was a sophisticated when the Caretaker pulled Voyager across
program designed to function as a short- the galaxy and into the Delta Quadrant.
term supplement to a sickbay’s medical
staff, with its recommended use set at a Early Endeavors
maximum of 1,500 hours. Equipped with the Initially confined to sickbay and the
ability to complete over five million surgical holodeck due to a lack of holoprojectors
procedures and the medical knowledge of throughout other areas of the ship, The
more than 3,000 cultures, the EMH Mark Doctor suffered through a period where
I could diagnose and treat conditions as the crew could activate and deactivate
well as any biological Federation doctor, him at will, leaving him without any control
but Starfleet saw the hologram as a tool over his own existence. Kes saw this
rather than an additional crew member. treatment as a red flag, which resulted
As a state-of-the-art vessel, the U.S.S. in Captain Janeway granting The Doctor
Voyager was one of the first starships to more autonomy and Voyager’s personnel
receive the experimental system prior approaching the EMH with respectful
to its installation throughout the fleet demeanors. In fact, the young Ocampan
in 2371. Prior to being referred to as The could be considered The Doctor’s first
Doctor, Voyager’s EMH was activated for true friend, particularly as Kes expressed
a few moments during Captain Janeway’s an interest in learning about medicine.
inspection tour of her new command while Cordiality gradually emerged between
still in spacedock. In a sense, The Doctor’s The Doctor and his peers, with Kes helping

48 STAR TREK
THE DOCTOR

STAR TREK 49
A N A LY S I S

01 02

03 04

him with his interpersonal skills Settling Into Sentience his first “away mission” when
and the captain bestowing 01 The Doctor By the end of 2372, The Doctor his holomatrix was temporarily
makes his
additional responsibilities upon debut in
had made enough progress to projected into space.
him. For example, The Doctor "Caretaker" actually fall in love with Danara Unfortunately, the
ventured into the holodeck to Voyager Pel, a Vidiian scientist who he addition of these personalized
Season 1.
save several shipmates from an treated aboard Voyager. Along subroutines and having the
alien who had been integrated 02 The EMH with his interest in music and EMH in use for over two years
in peril in
into the Beowulf program. "Future's friendships with the crew, this caused The Doctor’s program
During an incident with the End" , during development demonstrated how to degrade. Chief Engineer
season three.
Komar, Janeway even charged far The Doctor had evolved since B’Elanna Torres added data
the chief medical officer with 03 A scene his activation. The EMH further compression buffers to account
from “Tinker,
safeguarding her command showcased his loyalty to his for the strain, but the problem
Tenor, Doctor,
codes. The Doctor continued Spy”. colleagues when he collaborated eventually required the EMH’s
to work on his bedside manner, with Ensign Lon Suder to liberate matrix to be grafted to that
04 A tender
deciding to program himself moment the Federation ship from a Kazon of the ship’s EMH diagnostic
with the symptoms present during the boarding party. At a certain program in 2373. This allowed
season threee
in patients suffering from the episode, "Real
point during that sequence of The Doctor to keep up with his
Levodian flu. Life”. events, The Doctor experienced duties and his private life.

50 STAR TREK
 THE DOCTOR

“SO IT BEGINS. THE TRIVIA OF MEDICINE IS MY DOMAIN

NOW. EVERY RUNNY NOSE, STUBBED TOE, PIMPLE ON A
CHEEK BECOMES MY RESPONSIBILITY.”
THE DOCTOR, PAR AL L AX

Finding Freedom as possible, the former drone’s presence also marked

When Voyager was sent back to 20th century Earth the start of The Doctor’s extensive research into Borg
after encountering a Federation timeship, The Doctor physiology and nanoprobe technology. The two became
procured a 29th century mobile holographic emitter close, with Seven advocating on The Doctor’s behalf
from the deceptive inventor, Henry Starling. The device when Janeway ordered certain memory files deleted
accompanied U.S.S. Voyager when it returned to 2373, after the EMH was forced to choose between saving
thus bestowing The Doctor with the ability to move freely Harry Kim or another crewmember. Initially unable
about the ship and the galaxy at-large. Nevertheless, to process his choice, the incident highlighted the
this did not stop him from looking inward to better complexity of The Doctor’s mental well-being.
himself. The Doctor created a holographic family so As part of his mentorship, The Doctor tried to
he could know that facet of biological culture, but he convey the basics of romance to Seven, but the EMH
received a harsher lesson than he had bargained for inadvertently developed feelings for his protege.
when his holo-daughter was injured and passed away. A brief stage of awkwardness ensued, though the two
When Seven of Nine became Voyager’s latest crew soon resumed their normal friendship by the end of
member, The Doctor discovered that he could pass on 2375. Their connection was tested once again when
the knowledge he had absorbed from Kes, who sadly Captain Ransom, a rogue Federation officer, deleted
left the ship in early 2374. Beginning with a complex The Doctor’s ethical subroutines and used him to
procedure to remove as many of Seven’s Borg implants interrogate Seven.

STAR TREK 51
A N A LY S I S

Friendship and Family

The Doctor tinkered with his
program again in 2376, developing
a daydreaming program which
accidentally allowed the Hierarchy to
nearly hijack Voyager. However, the
EMH’s role in stopping the attack led
Janeway to award him the Starfleet
Medal of Commendation and agree
to look into adding “Emergency
Command Hologram” subroutines to
The Doctor’s program. These honors
were far removed from the treatment
The Doctor had originally received when
he was first activated, five years prior.
When Voyager became trapped
in orbit of a planet where time
passed quickly on the surface, The
Doctor was beamed down to gather
intelligence. Away from the ship for
only a short time, the EMH nevertheless
experienced three years living on the
world, where he somehow fathered a
biological son. Family and friendship
were important to The Doctor, as he
willingly risked his program to be
transferred to Jupiter Station so he could
treat his “father,” Lewis Zimmerman,
in late 2376. Unfortunately, this loyalty
was tested during a run-in with sentient
holograms fleeing the Hirogen, as The
Doctor betrayed Voyager and joined
the holo-refugees, before realizing he
had made a terrible mistake.

“CHOOSE THE
WORD THAT
WOULD BEST
DESCRIBE YOUR
PAIN: BURNING,
THROBBING,
PIERCING,
PINCHING,
BITING,
STINGING,
SHOOTING…”
THE DOCTOR, G R AVI T Y

Rights and Resolve

The Doctor finally put his Emergency
Command Hologram protocol to
use when the Quarren kidnapped
his crew, successfully navigating
his duties until Ensign Harry Kim

52 STAR TREK
 THE DOCTOR

05 06

07 08

returned aboard. An even greater transwarp hub and arrived safely at revolutionized Starfleet’s understanding
test awaited The Doctor when he Earth in 2378. of the Collective, an important feat
took up writing and his holo-novel considering the Borg represented the
05 A
became a huge hit in the Alpha Holographic Heritage Haakonian
greatest threat the Federation had ever
Quadrant. However, the publisher The Doctor’s legacy extends in scientist faced. Intriguingly, The Doctor’s largest
refused to adhere to The Doctor’s quite a few directions. His plight proves a influence may have been on the Kyrian
dangerous foe
wishes and claimed holograms had for individual rights inspired hope in "Jetrel". and Vaskan peoples, who had obtained
no rights under Federation law. In an in many of his Mark I brethren, his EMH backup module in 2374.
06 The Doctor
excellent summation of The Doctor’s most of whom had been taken off tries to help Essentially a copy of The Doctor, the
evolution, his ship mates argued that medical assignments and given duties his creator, backup was activated 700 years later,
his guidance of Seven, relationships in Federation dilithium mines. The Dr. Lewis giving the EMH the chance to heal an
Zimmerman in
with the crew, desire to be more than Doctor’s role as a friend, mentor, and "Life Line". ancient rift between the Kyrians and
his core programming, and artistic colleague meant that he had become Vaskans and bring lasting peace to their
07 Danger for
pursuits illustrated his sentience. ingrained in the lives of Voyager’s the Doctor planet. The Federation arbiter may not
Although the Federation did not crew. On a professional level, his when in have ruled The Doctor to be sentient
"Workforce,
completely rule in his favor, it did achievements made it possible for Part One".
during the hearing about his holo-
acknowledge that The Doctor had other holoprograms, such as those at novel, but the undeniable connections
08 The Doctor
legal control over his artistic work, the Starfleet Archive and on board gained the use
The Doctor forged with his friends,
an act which struck the first blow in La Sirena, to exist. The presence of of a piece of patients, and romantic partners, as
the struggle for holographic rights. Doctor Eli and other holographic staff 29th-century well as his work’s valuable impact
technology, a
The Doctor surely intended to follow members at Federation Headquarters Mobile Holo- on Starfleet medicine, the Delta
through on this battle, especially in the 32nd century further Emitter, in Quadrant itself, and beyond, leave no
when he joined the rest of his crew underscores his transformative deeds. the season doubt that The Doctor was as alive as
three story,
as Voyager traveled through a Borg The Doctor’s research on the Borg "Future's End". any biological lifeform.

STAR TREK 53
 FICTION

The Kellidian
Kidnapping
STORY: KEITH R.A. DECANDIDO
I L L U S T R AT I O N : WA M B E R T O N I C O M E D E S

L
ieutenant Commander Tuvok did not Chakotay has taken Voyager to an asteroid field to mine
notice the explosive until 1.3 seconds for elements needed to repair the Delta Flyer after our
before it detonated, which was an encounter with the graviton ellipse. Meanwhile, I’m
insufficient interval for him to act to taking Lieutenant Commander Tuvok and Mr. Neelix in
prevent or avoid said detonation. a shuttlecraft to Breva, a planet rich in exotic spices that
He lay under the pile of rubble, attempting to obtain Neelix would like to obtain for the galley.”
sufficient leverage to shift the large piece of shattered As soon as Captain Kathryn Janeway finished her
mortar that was currently weighing down his thoracic log entry, Neelix felt the need to put a word in from the
region. passenger seat behind Tuvok and the captain. “The people
It had, he belatedly realized, been foolishly optimistic I spoke to from the Brevan Trade Authority were most
to believe that locating Captain Janeway would be as eager to do business with us, Captain. And ever since
simple as tracking her combadge. He had been warned we came to this region of space, I’ve been hearing good
that the Kellidians were accomplished terrorists, and things about Brevan spices. We should be able to make a
Tuvok was quite familiar with terrorist tactics. To that good trade.”
end, he should have anticipated that they’d leave the “I have faith in your diplomatic skills, Neelix,”
combadge behind as booby-trapped bait. Janeway said with an encouraging smile.
Once he had what he felt would be the proper grip, For his part, Tuvok shared neither her faith nor
he extended his arms, removing the rubble from his her encouragement. They had only been in this region
person. of space for a fortnight, having been thrust here
Tuvok sat up, gingerly. He closed his eyes and turned unexpectedly by the subspace corridors used by the Turei
his mind inward, determining that he had several internal and the Vaadwaur. However, he understood Neelix’s
injuries. Voyager was in another star system, so he could psychology well enough to know how important it was to
not count on a Starfleet sickbay and the Emergency the Talaxian to feel useful on the ship.
Medical Hologram to heal him. Tuvok brought the shuttle to a landing in the
Fortunately, he did not have to. clearing two kilometers outside Breva’s capital city.
As he settled into the healing trance, he recalled how Sensors detected three bipedal hominid lifeforms, as well
he found himself here… as a medium-sized container, which matched what Neelix
“Captain’s log, Stardate 53317.1. Commander had said to expect.

STAR TREK 55
THE KELLIDIAN KIDNAPPING

Neelix stepped out of the shuttle said, “This is Lieutenant Commander the ground, blood staining his jacket
first, Tuvok right behind him, Tuvok, our chief of security, and, and pooling under his right shoulder;
scanning with his tricorder. Janeway of course, our commanding officer, and Tuvok’s tricorder was inoperable.
exited behind Tuvok. Captain Kathryn Janeway.” Tapping his combadge, Tuvok
“Greetings,” the Talaxian said, Tuvok merely inclined his head, started to say, “Tuvok to Janeway,”
opening his arms wide and bending but the captain performed the same but the badge did not make any
his knees in what almost looked like a gesture of greeting. “It’s a pleasure to sounds upon contact with his fingers.
curtsy, which Neelix had said was the meet you.” Turning around, he saw that the
customary Brevan salutation. “I am “Trust us, the pleasure is shuttle’s lights were dark.
Neelix. You must be Chomforta.” ours.” Chomforta nodded to one Logic dictated that the Brevans
The three Brevans all returned of his fellows, who removed his used an electromagnetic pulse of
Neelix’s gesture of greeting. Their communicator. some kind, hidden in the sensor-
epidermis were varying shades of Unexpectedly, a bright light proof containers, and kidnapped the
golden, while their clothes were all burst from one of the containers. captain.
incredibly bright colors and odd Tuvok was completely blinded and It would take the tricorder,
patterns, which reminded Tuvok disoriented. He attempted to get his combadge, and shuttle 2.7 minutes to
unfavorably of the Hawai‘ian bearings while crying out, “Captain! reset themselves and reactivate. Tuvok
shirts that Ensigns Paris and Kim Mr. Neelix!” took that time to minister to Neelix,
inexplicably favored in the Paxau He heard the report of what using the shuttle’s first-aid kit.
Resort holodeck program. All three sounded like a projectile weapon, and Once he had stanched the
wore shaded eyewear. The sun was a scream that sounded very much like bleeding and given Neelix the
shining brightly in the sky, so Tuvok Neelix. appropriate medication, his tricorder
understood the impulse. Each Brevan By the time his vision cleared, was functioning once again. He
also had a device that resembled an Tuvok immediately saw that the quickly determined that there was no
old-fashioned communicator on their Brevans, the container, and Captain sign of the captain in scanning range.
belt. Janeway were all gone; Neelix lay on Needing to dictate instructions to
He was a bit concerned, as
the container behind the Brevans
was made of a substance that the HE HEARD THE REPORT OF WHAT
tricorder’s scans could not penetrate.
“I am indeed,” Chomforta said in SOUNDED LIKE A PROJECTILE
a pleasant tone. “Welcome to Breva.” WEAPON, AND A SCREAM THAT
Indicating the others, Neelix
SOUNDED VERY MUCH LIKE NEELIX.

56 STAR TREK
 FICTION

the shuttlecraft’s onboard computer, still twenty hours away. But with but Tuvok had always found
Tuvok tapped his combadge again, every passing moment, the odds of Neelix’s brand of astonishment to be
this time receiving the telltale chirp. Captain Janeway’s continued survival particularly irksome.
“Computer, contact local authorities decreased. Within an hour, Tuvok had
for medical assistance to this location, He returned to where they’d checked every location on Krimfrata’s
as well as law-enforcement. And then hidden the shuttlecraft to find Neelix map, and found only two blind
send a distress call to Voyager.” at the fore console conversing with spots. One of those was too small
“Acknowledged.” Chomforta, whose voice sounded to block an entire human body, but
In contrast to the bright colors over the shuttle’s speakers. “You will the other was a structure only 1.2
of Chomforta and his compatriots, not be able to find us, Neelix. Your kilometers from where the captain
Investigator Krimfrata of the Breva captain is somewhere you can’t detect was kidnapped.
Lawgivers wore dark green clothing. her. And you won’t be able to trace Transporters no more functioned
He, too, had a communicator on his this communiqué, either. If you don’t through crefarri than sensors did.
belt, along with a projectile weapon. provide the particle-beam weapons we Tuvok would need to effect a rescue
Tuvok and Neelix – the latter requested by sunset, your captain dies.” using more direct means. He was able
having been further treated by Brevan The transmission ended. Neelix to determine that there was no form
medics – sat across from Krimfrata, turned to see Tuvok, eyes widening at of outer surveillance in the structure,
who said, “I’m sorry, but there is the sight of the rips, tears, and green nor even any windows. Tuvok
no such thing as the Brevan Trade bloodstains on his uniform. “Mr. couldn’t see in, but the Kellidians
Authority. However, we did receive a Vulcan! What happened to you?” couldn’t see out, either.
ransom demand from the Kellidians, “The combadge was a decoy, “Computer,” he said after a few
saying that they have your Captain left by the Kellidians to lure us to an moments’ thought, “reprogram the
Janeway, and provided a list of explosive device.” aft sensor array to the following
demands – which I’m afraid we will “So my stalling them was specifications…”
not be fulfilling.” useless.” Neelix’s shoulders slumped. Kathryn Janeway had to admit to
“Why not?” Neelix asked, “I’ve been a complete disaster on this being impressed with the Kellidians.
sounding outraged. mission.” Their kidnapping operation had been
“Because the Kellidians are “On the contrary,” Tuvok said, very efficient, they knew enough to
terrorists. We do not negotiate “your stalling proved most useful.” remove her combadge, and they had
with terrorists. The Kellidians “How’s that?” bound her with thick metal globes
have wreaked havoc all across the “Chomforta said that Captain that engulfed her hands and were
continent, and we will not provide Janeway was somewhere we cannot both attached to the wall. There was
them with anything save perhaps detect her. Logic dictates that she is no way she’d be able to escape on her
being bound by law and put on trial.” being held in a structure made from own.
“But Captain Janeway – ” the same material as the container the She just had to hope that Tuvok
“Is not a Brevan citizen. You Kellidians hid their electromagnetic and Neelix were up to a rescue.
came to our world at the invitation pulse flare in.” Voyager was a day away at maximum
of terrorists, I’m afraid you’ll have to Tuvok sat next to Neelix and warp, so even if Tuvok had called for
deal with the consequences yourself.” began the startup sequence for the help – and, since that was standard
Neelix opened his mouth to shuttle to take off. procedure, Tuvok assuredly did so – it
argue further, but Tuvok spoke before “I don’t understand, how does would arrive too late. Sunset was in
he could do so. “Can you at least that help?” about two hours.
provide us with intelligence regarding “According to the information A familiar voice sounded from
these Kellidians?” I’ve been able to glean from Brevan’s outside. “Hello? Anyone home?”
Krimfrata shrugged. “I can give public information system, the “Who is that?” one of the
you a map marked with locations container is made of an extremely rare Kellidians asked.
where Kellidian activity has been alloy known as crefarri.” The shuttle Their leader, Chomforta, said,
detected. I’m afraid that’s the extent started to rise up off the ground. “It sounds like Neelix. How did he
of the cooperation we’re willing to “I will scan for sensor blind spots, find us?”
provide.” and cross-reference it with the map Janeway smiled. “I told you my
Tuvok and Neelix returned to the Investigator Krimfrata provided.” people were good.”
shuttlecraft. Neelix worked to contact Nodding in understanding, Chomforta ignored her and went
the Kellidians to negotiate terms, Neelix said, “And any blind spots that toward the small door that was the
while Tuvok searched for Janeway. correspond to a place where there’s only way in or out of this featureless
The shuttle’s sensors were unable Kellidian activity might be where building.
to detect any human lifesigns, but Captain Janeway is!” “What do you want?”
eventually he found her combadge. “Precisely.” “To negotiate, obviously.”
Sadly, it was booby-trapped. “That’s brilliant, Mr. Vulcan!” “There’s nothing to negotiate.
Tuvok came out of his trance, Tuvok let out a sigh. Most non- Give us weapons or your captain
satisfied that he had healed himself Vulcans were inexplicably astonished dies.”
as well as possible. Voyager was at the application of simple logic, “Can you open the door, please?

STAR TREK 57
THE KELLIDIAN KIDNAPPING

I think the negotiations will go more "I SAY AGAIN, THERE'S NOTHING
smoothly face to face.”
“I say again, there’s nothing to
TO NEGOTIATE."
negotiate.”
A pause, then: “You haven’t given
us any proof that the captain’s alive. “Nice shooting,” Janeway Rubbing her wrists now that
If you could just open the door and said. “The one guarding me has a they were free of the metallic globes,
let me see her, we can move forward control key that’ll free my hands.” Janeway said, “Very impressive,
with getting you those weapons.” As Tuvok moved to retrieve that Tuvok.”
Turning to Janeway, Chomforta device, Janeway asked, “How’d you “Hardly,” Tuvok said with his
said, “Say something, Captain.” know where to shoot? I thought this usual modesty. “I was merely atoning
Janeway kept her mouth shut. building was made of sensor-proof for my previous dereliction of duty in
She was hardly about to help them material.” allowing you to be kidnapped in the
out, and besides, it was obvious that “It is,” Tuvok said. “However, it first place.”
Neelix had good reason for wanting is not proofed against temperature “I have to admit, I was surprised
the door to be opened. imaging.” to see you two alone. I was hoping
“You could’ve recorded her Janeway frowned. “I’ve never you’d be here with a contingent of
voice,” Neelix said. “I need to see her.” heard of that.” Brevan security forces.”
With a snarl, Chomforta said, “It was a form of surveillance Neelix winced. “Unfortunately,
“Very well.” He moved to open the used on Vulcan in the time before Captain, they refuse to negotiate
door. Surak. It detects objects on the with terrorists, and they also were
Janeway watched as he did so, basis of how much heat they give unconcerned with the welfare of
and saw a most beautiful sight: Tuvok off. While crefarri is proof against aliens who were invited to their world
holding a phaser. sophisticated scanning techniques, by terrorists.”
As soon as he was in view, Tuvok it proved unable to stop this more “I see.” She sighed. “Neelix, how
laid down phaser fire in a very specific primitive method. I was therefore badly do you want those spices?”
pattern, shooting each of the seven able to determine where every “Not enough to want to spend
Kellidians in the building – including single person was in the structure, another second on this planet,
the one standing guard on Janeway so as soon as Mr. Neelix convinced Captain.”
and the one in the far corner almost the Kellidians to open the door, I “Good. Let’s get the hell out of
out of sight. was able to engage a specific firing here.” As she moved toward the exit.
All seven of them fell to the floor, pattern, that would stun all of your “And Tuvok, maybe you can tell me
stunned. jailers.” what happened to your uniform…”

58 STAR TREK
 TREKNOLOGY
TO M O R ROW ’S T EC H N O LO GY TO DAY

ROBOT RIGHTS
& SAFETY SWITCHES
THE FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENC
WORDS: CHRIS DOWS
 TREKNOLOGY

BENEVOLENT BOON
OR CATASTROPHIC
COMPUTING?

I
n his groundbreaking 1950 paper
‘Computing Machinery and
Intelligence’, British mathematician
Alan Turing asked a simple
question – can machines think?
Widely regarded as the father of
computer science, Turing created a test for computers,
a series of questions which, if they responded well
enough to fool someone into thinking they were
human, could say to have passed it. By November
2022, the US non-profit tech company OpenAI’s
ChatGPT system was widely considered to have
achieved this goal and yet, less than six months later,
an open letter from The Future of Life Institute,
which includes such luminaries as Elon Musk (one
of OpenAI’s founders) and Apple co-founder Steve
Wozniak, warned of the risks the uncontrolled
development of Artificial Intelligence might pose to
the future of humanity. So, what is it about AI that’s
causing two hugely influential technology figures to
use such alarming language? It has much to do with
the worldwide race to develop what the Institute
terms ‘human-competitive intelligence’ which they,
amongst many others claim, has to be paused – or
at least slowed – so the potential impact on society
across the world can be more carefully examined.
To Star Trek fans, this is a familiar concern;
from its very beginning, the positive – and negative
– implications of machine intelligence have
been considered and explored. Despite striking a
cautionary note like The Future of Life Institute on
the unregulated speed of growth, in 2017 the late,
great friend of Star Trek, English physicist Professor
Stephen Hawking, also called AI potentially “the
biggest event in human history”.
It’s this potential benefit those backing AI
development point to as vital in our scientific
progress – and the kind of optimistic use Star Trek
mostly conveys. In Star Trek: The Original Series,
Captain Kirk’s U.S.S. Enterprise had computer
systems so sophisticated the ship could virtually run
itself, presenting Treknology that supported and
protected its crews and furthered the exploration of
space. Characters such as the Holo-Janeway in Star
Trek: Prodigy and the Sphere entity featured in Star
Trek: Discovery both represent the positive aspects
of AI-human interaction, and the enormous benefit
powerful and sophisticated computer systems might
bring to knowledge and discovery. But then again,
if you consider the havoc caused by Section 31’s
‘Control’ threat assessment system throughout Star
Trek: Discovery’s second season, you begin to see why
the management of AI – as well as the technology
framing it – makes the science community uneasy.

STAR TREK 61
T O M O R R O W ’ S T E C H N O L O G Y T O D AY

CONTROLLING INFLUENCE THE RIGHT

TO REMAIN
SENTIENT
O
ne of the biggest issues sometimes fraught unforeseen
facing anyone wishing to personal development, one of the
control Artificial Intelligence EMH’s biggest challenges was the

W
is in defining what AI is in the first murderous Serosian isomorphic hen it granted citizenship
place. Interrogating your favorite projection Dejaren in the episode to Hanson Robotics’
search engine will present a wide “Revulsion”. Sophia the Robot in
variety of meanings, which is ironic If there’s a common thread to the 2017, Saudi Arabia became the first
given the experimental Language real-world negativity surrounding country in the world to recognize
Model for Dialogue Applications AI, it’s the potential lack of control the ‘rights’ of an intelligent machine.
(LaMDA) AI chatbot created by over a computer or machine which This prompted Governments around
former Google engineer Blake may lead to harmful consequences the world to seriously consider what
Lemoine controversially claimed it – but even this has been countered. the impact of AI might be on their
had sentience and was ‘a person’ In 2015, the Japanese theoretical citizens, with legislation to protect the
back in July 2022. AI definitions physicist and author Dr Michio Kaku rights of humans interacting with AI
range from IBM’s “… a field, which suggested if no better method could seemingly their biggest concern. In
combines computer science be found, the relatively simple act the US, a ‘Blueprint for an AI Bill of
and robust datasets to enable of installing a chip in their ‘brains’ Rights’ to ensure ‘automated systems
problem-solving’ to Encyclopedia to either shut them off or control work for the American people’ is
Britannica’s” … the ability of a digital any potential murderous intentions currently being debated, with a similar
computer or computer-controlled would do the trick. This is interesting, White Paper in the United Kingdom’s
robot to perform tasks commonly as it harks back to the famous US parliament consulting on future AI
associated with intelligent beings’. science fiction writer Isaac Asimov’s regulation.
Relating it to Treknology, the “Three Laws of Robotics” which
first description seems to favor first appeared in his 1942 short
most tasks carried out by self- story “Runaround”, first published in DATA WENT ON
contained computerized networks Astounding Science Fiction. These
TRIAL TO PROVE
HE HAD THE
typically used on starships or have regularly made their way into
starbases, while the other opens ‘real world’ discussions of AI control,
it up to include androids such as even forming the basis of a Robot SAME RIGHTS
Lieutenant Commander Data
(more on him later) and, arguably,
Ethics Charter for the South Korean
government in 2012.
AS ANY MEMBER
holographic ‘life-forms’ such as Star What’s most striking is the OF THE UNITED
Trek: Voyager’s Emergency Medical similarity of Dr Kaku’s thinking to FEDERATION OF
Hologram. By and large, Treknology
artificial life-forms tend to be fairly
another famous Doctor. Faced
with the deadly actions of Richard PLANETS
well behaved, and self-regulating. Daystrom’s deranged M-5 computer
True, Data had the occasional in the Star Trek episode “The This seems to be skirting around
wobble, mostly down to his wayward Ultimate Computer”, Leonard whether AI should be granted equality
brother Lore or a faulty emotion McCoy ruefully states ‘fantastic with humans, a topic that has existed
chip, but notwithstanding his own machine, the M-5. No off switch.’ since the field of robotics began and
one hotly debated by scientists and
technologists across the world. Since
the European parliament suggested
robots might need to be classified as
‘electronic persons’ to allow social and
legal integration back in 2017 (leading
to its own AI Act), projects such
as the European Union’s SHERPA
collaboration are tackling the ethics
and human rights challenges of AI
head-on.
Attempting to develop regulatory
systems that might be put into place
by manufacturers, academics and a
01
wide range of bodies across the EU
invested in future Smart Information

62 STAR TREK
 TREKNOLOGY

Systems, there will be an inevitable 01 The Doctor

(Robert
impact on anyone interacting Picardo)
with them. Communications and encounters
a homicidal
philosophy scholars such as Northern
hologram,
Illinois University’s Dr David J. Gunkel Dejaren
are actively exploring whether robots (Leland Orser),
in the Star
should therefore be granted basic rights Trek: Voyager
– such as access to energy or to update season four
themselves – and what the ethical episode
“Revulsion”.
challenges are of not doing so. These
arguments have featured in some of the 02 Data (brent 03
Spiner) on trial
very best Star Trek episodes, particularly in the Star
those featuring Lieutenant Command Trek: The Next
Generation
Data. In the Star Trek: The Next
BRAIN BUILDING
episode,
Generation episode “The Measure of a "Measure of a
Man”, Data went on trial to prove he Man".
had the same rights as any member of 03 The U.S.S.

I
the United Federation of Planets, rather Enterprise t’s all well and good having safeguards in place for AI algorithms,
crew
than existing as a piece of Starfleet encounter
but what about the hardware required to house these systems?
property that could be deactivated V'ger, in Star Some of the technology proposed to deliver the massive amounts
and dismantled as part of a cybernetic Trek: The of processing power required to match advances in machine thinking
Motion Picture
experiment. Later in the same series, aren’t without their own increasingly loud warnings of unregulated
Data himself fought for the rights of development. Take quantum computing, which replaces traditional
autonomous Exocomp industrial robots binary data states of 1 or 0 with a unit called a cubit. Because of
in “The Quality of Life” and after he a quantum physics property called superposition, two cubits can
proved their self-awareness, Starfleet represent 1-0, 1-1, 0-1 and 0-0 not only in parallel but at the same
subsequently defined them as having time. It’s a bit of a mathematical mindbender, but the more cubits
sentience, with one of their kind – you add, the more calculations can be carried out compared to
the self-designated Peanut Hamper traditional processors.
– subsequently granted a Starfleet Still in its infancy, there have nevertheless been recent
commission and assigned to Star Trek: major advances, such as QuTech, a Dutch collaboration led by
Lower Decks’ USS Cerritos NCC-75567. researchers at Delft University of Technology, succeeding in
‘teleporting’ information across a basic quantum network for the
first time in 2022. Earlier this year, a group from Massachusetts
Institute of Technology demonstrated an architecture that can
expand into much larger scale, potentially interconnecting
networks, while scientist Dr Christian Kerskens at Ireland’s Trinity
College Institute of Neuroscience recently suggested human brains
use quantum computation in decision making or learning.
This dovetails nicely (or, alternatively, terrifyingly) with
research out of Johns Hopkins University who, in February
2023, proposed the concept of ‘organoid intelligence’ which
could utilize artificially grown human brain cells to create a
‘biocomputer’ capable of combining with AI training. The threat
of AI outgrowing its physical boundaries – or wishing to obtain
something outside its original programming thanks to super-
powerful hardware – has strong cautionary examples in Star Trek.
Consider V’ger from Star Trek: The Motion Picture; a combination
of NASA’s long-lost Voyager 6 probe and an unknown race of
intelligent machines, V’ger collected so much data it achieved
sentience and, with it, the knowledge of its own limitations in
relation to the human experience.
Ultimately, V’ger merged with ‘the Creator’ thanks to Captain
Will Decker volunteering to allow its transition to a new level of
existence, but the destruction V’ger wrought up until that point
was considerable. It’s not all bad though. Star Trek: Discovery’s
Zora appears more than happy to remain within the U.S.S. Discovery
NCC-1031’s mainframe and create the occasional holographic
02
projection as she follows her unique journey of self-determination.
Whether she’s happy to continue that is another question…

STAR TREK 63
 SPOILER
WARNING!

T H E M A N I N T H E

64 STAR TREK
 J O N AT H A N F R A K E S

C H A I R
WORDS: IAN SPELLING
01 Jonathan
Frakes in
season three
of Star Trek:
Picard.

onathan Frakes is everything,

everywhere, all at once. We
kid you not. Let’s look at
the man’s current dance
card. He reprised his iconic
role as William Riker in
all ten episodes of Star Trek:
Picard’s third and final season.
He directed two of the episodes
as well. And, for the second season
of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, he
directed the Star Trek: Lower Decks crossover
episode. And, yes, there’s more. He’s acting
again, in a non-Trek role, in an upcoming
Hallmark Christmas movie! and hosting
again, too, with a German version of Beyond
Belief: Fact or Fiction on the way.
Star Trek Explorer caught up with the always
amiable and eternally grateful Frakes earlier this
year, and the conversation covered so much
ground that we’ve decided to spread it across two
issues. Part one ran in Issue Seven, and you’ll
find part two of our exclusive interview below.

How satisfied are you with where the end of

Picard leaves the Rikers?
The Rikers’ marriage is back on track. In
my mind, for the show to be able to move
forward, Riker would be a captain and have
his ship, or he would be promoted to admiral
and be a liaison. I’m only half-kidding when
I say it would be great for me if the show
carries on and I’m like Charlie from Charlie’s
Angels. They’d have to come to my office one
day a week for a meeting with Riker. That’d
be perfect. Then I could direct a bunch of the
episodes and be around the show. I suspect
if it does go forward, it would be Jeri Ryan,
Michelle Hurd, and Ed Speelers, who’s now in
Starfleet, and Mica Burton and Ashlei Sharpe
Chestnut, who played Geordi’s daughter. I
would also imagine Lulu Wilson, who played
the Rikers’ daughter in season one and was
so fabulous, could be a part of it. She should
come back and maybe be in Starfleet.
01

STAR TREK 65
INTERVIEW

02

“I LOVED THE IDEA OF TARANTINO, WHO TEASED

US WITH WANTING TO DO A STAR TREK MOVIE.”

It feels to me like there’s a 02 A scene looked like a movie. I also liked clear, publicly and privately,
real opportunity for three of the from "The the explanation for there being that he had agreed to do the
Bounty".
legacy characters’ children to just enough power left to run the show if it was Picard, post-Next
carry on and sort of be the next 03 Riker, holodeck. The story idea was Generation and exclusively Jean-
captured, in
Star Trek: The Next Generation. It "Surrender". that that’s where the crew goes Luc Picard in the next stage of
just feels like it’s laid out there. It’s for solace. They have to have his life. He had everybody at
the blueprint for the next phase. the holodeck. They can’t turn it dinner to tell them, “I’m doing
down because people go there this show. But, essentially, you’re
You directed episodes three to make themselves feel better not.” That was the gist of it.
and four of Picard season if they’re going to die. Then, after two seasons,
three. Your episodes had some someone – probably Terry
important scenes, including… Sir Patrick has said he’s open to Matalas, Akiva Goldsman, and
I got to do the story where a fourth season of Picard and Alex – persuaded him that it
Picard finds out what Beverly has even to another Star Trek: The would be alright to bring us
kept from him. Then I got to do Next Generation film. Were you back, that there was more
the scene where Todd’s captain surprized to hear him say that? story to tell. Knowing Patrick
reveals the Borg past that Picard I was as surprised as you are. and knowing Picard, I can only
has not shared with his son, in He had pitched the movie idea imagine that in his heart, his
the bar. That was a fabulous at the New York Comic-Con. gut, and in his mind, it was not
scene. And I was back at the We all were there. And I was what he had envisioned when
bridge. I always enjoyed being there when he announced in he agreed to do the show.
back on the bridge. We saw the Las Vegas, in, I think it was 2018, He’s adjusted and embraced
magic babies being born in my when he and (Alex) Kurtzman publicly the idea that it worked
episode. It was very cinematic. I came out to announce Picard. It out, but I know it had to have
thought those first four episodes was very been a gear change for him.

66 STAR TREK
 J O N AT H A N F R A K E S

03

People are excited for your Strange New U.S.S. Enterprise. They started animated episode. Anson (Mount) and Rebecca
Worlds episode, a crossover with Star and became live-action. It was fantastic, (Romijn) are good comedians.
Trek: Lower Decks… what the two of them brought. The
What a treat, that show. I was there characters on the Enterprise had their And you also directed one episode of
when they premiered, and all of a sudden, epilogue scene, and they were animated, Discovery for season five, right?
everybody loved it, the fans and the which was adorable. Let me just tell you I just finished delivering the first half
critics. I was able to experience the joy this: It was a flat-out, unapologetic, full- of the finale. Olatunde Osunsanmi did the
of that cast seeing their work appreciated on comedy episode. That was a thrill for second half of it. The first half of the season
and loved. Unfortunately, part of what me, as you can imagine. finale of Discovery, by the way, is Indiana
happened during that time was that Jones this year instead of the heavy emo of
the fans and the critics took the same How involved did you get with the season four. Discovery is back on track as
opportunity to say, “This is the Star Trek animation and with the voice work? an action-adventure show, and I guess they
we’ve been waiting for.” Either written Well, the animation… it’s writer got their marching orders to maintain that.
or unwritten was, “Not Discovery and Mike McMahan’s show. What I essentially Everybody has embraced it, from Michelle
not Picard,” if you recall. There was a did was sit in on the recording sessions, Paradise and Alex, down through the cast.
congratulations and a slap in the same because I had been on his show and I There’s a new energy and a new mandate.
swing, but I was fortunate, as I often knew how he worked. I learned from It was a thrill for me to try to find some
am in my timing, to be on Strange New him, but I just shut up and stayed in the levity in some of those scenes. That’s why First
Worlds when all the good stuff happened. corner. If they did something that didn’t Contact was successful, because you build and
My episode was a crossover show with make sense to the storyline and it wasn’t then add just a little levity to let them steam
Lower Decks. For some reason, the Lower part of the arc, I was there as an emeritus out, so you can restart. That’s why Deadpool
Deck characters Tawny Newsome and or as a supervisor for the animation. The is such a fabulous franchise, because it doesn’t
Jack Quaid play, were drawn to look very animation itself was done so far down the hurt. Audiences can handle levity. The
much like Tawny and Jack when they line. It was all animatics, the last time I Indiana Jones reference is a perfect example.
cross over through a portal on to the saw that kind of show. It was a wonderful Nobody does that better than Spielberg. So,

STAR TREK 67
INTERVIEW

I directed one episode of Discovery conventions? And now, to be on the floor 04 Worf in a Hallmark movie that was being
(Michael Dorn)
season five, one episode of Strange New with these new casts, telling new Star Trek shot at the Biltmore Mansion.
and Riker in
Worlds season two, and two episodes of stories? It’s a gift that keeps on giving. "Surrender". It’s wonderful to be just an actor
Picard season three. Now, I’m waiting for again, I’ve got to tell you, but I did
05 Deanna
Discovery and Strange New Worlds to come Before we let you go, let’s cover a bit Troi (Marina have a lot of freaking lines to learn. The
back. I hope I get one of each at least, and more ground. You’re acting in, but Sirtis) and lines don’t go in or come out as easily as
Riker in
we’ll see what happens with anything else. not directing, a Hallmark Christmas "The Last
they used to. Bob Picardo has a part in
movie. How did that happen? Generation". it, too. He’s also a friend of Putch’s.
This isn’t so much a question as a John Putch played a wild alien early I’m pitching the idea that I come
statement, but this all started for on, in Next Generation, and he’s the back and direct for them, for Hallmark.
you 36 years ago… director of this Hallmark movie, and a Their brand has been so successful,
What I’m always saying is, could I friend. He called and offered me a job, in terms of focus and realizing who
be more fortunate than to be involved so I said, “Yeah, of course.” So, I was their audience is. Scripted TV that’s
with this character, our show and the in Asheville, North Carolina, playing not streaming is tough, and these guys
movies, our cast, and with or fans at the the enabler of a little time travel story somehow are somehow making it work.

04

68 STAR TREK
 J O N AT H A N F R A K E S

“YOU NEED AN OLD WHITE GUY WHO’S GOT EXPERIENCE

AND HAPPENS TO BE AVAILABLE.”

What else have you been working feature. You contacted J.J. experience.” There were so many
on that’s not Star Trek? Abrams to throw your hat in the good rumors about the Star Trek
I recently did eight episodes of ring to direct it, since several movie franchise when Noah
a German show called X Factor, the directors have been attached and Hawley was going to do it. I loved
German version of Beyond Belief: then fallen through. What would it the idea of Tarantino, who teased
Fact or Fiction, Das Unfassbare. It mean to you if he called you and us with wanting to do a Star Trek
went so well. I did a pilot last year, said, “Hey, do you want to come movie. And the latest guy, I think
then this year we did six or eight back to the fold and direct the he split for Fantastic Four, Matt
episodes, and now they want to do next movie?” Shakman. Between money, scripts,
twelve more. I’m somehow trying I contacted him for that very and J.J. being busy as hell, I’m not
desperately to reboot that old reason! I wrote to him and I said, quite sure what’s going on there.
chestnut, Beyond Belief. “You need an old white guy who’s I’m grateful to be on the TV side of
got experience and happens to the Star Trek world at the moment,
Finally, we’ve got to ask about be available.” [Laughs]. He wrote but I’d definitely take
the fourth JJ-verse Star Trek back and said, “You do have that call.

05

STAR TREK 69
FICTION

E XC LU S I V E F I C T I O N

Lost and
Founder
S T O R Y : D AV I D M A C K
I L L U S T R AT I O N : P E T E WA L L B A N K

4491 A.D. Thus had begun his wanderings.

T
At first, he had searched for those who had left him, but
he dispersed essence of what once had been they had left no traces, no clues, no sign they ever wanted
the Changeling known as Odo rode the to be found. He had roamed from one wandering star to
leading edge of a derecho as it swept across a the next, never finding what he sought. Instead, he had
dry and lifeless plain. Eons had elapsed since propelled himself only that much farther from his home.
Odo mastered this, the most difficult of his people’s abilities. Home. What did that word even mean anymore? Was
Altering his mass to take any individual form he desired had home the Alpha Quadrant? The Gamma Quadrant? The
marked only the beginning of wisdom. Great Link? Bajor? No answer satisfied Odo’s yearning.
In the second millennium of his life, he had learned Deep in the shadows of his mind lurked memories of
to scatter himself without losing control of his constituent the space station Deep Space 9, previously known by its
atoms. The development of that skill had been a boon Cardassian name, Terok Nor. Odo harbored a nostalgic
greater than anything he could previously have imagined. attachment to that place, but his recollections now were
Instead of casting himself as a single stone, he could become all bittersweet. The last remnants of that station had been
a million motes of dust borne aloft on the arms of the wind, scrapped, melted down, and sold off centuries earlier. Nothing
or diffuse his gelatinous form to reach every nook and depth was left of it now but tall tales told by those who had never
of an ocean without a name. seen it or the Bajoran wormhole with their own eyes.
Why become a fish when one can be the sea? Shaping himself into a trickle of water, he merged with
The key had resided in learning to sense and control the a small stream and let it carry him, pulled by gravity along
delicate bioelectrical field that united every particle of his being, the path of least resistance to the nadir of a valley, where it
and which also made possible the unions of two or more of his emptied into a brackish pond. Sensing the change in the
kind within or without the Great Link. His companions in water, Odo separated himself from it and went ashore in his
the Great Link had called that tenuous field “the subtle body.” golden gelatinous form. He coalesced at the pond’s edge.
What I wouldn’t give to hear the voice of my people once more. Looking down, his gaze was met by that of his soft-featured
It had been roughly two thousand years since the reflection on the water’s black surface.
sundering of the Great Link, followed by the galactic diaspora Around him and the dark pool stretched desolate hills
of the Changelings. Once known as the Founders, they had and barren plains touched by nothing but this world’s churn
ruled several dozen sectors of the Gamma Quadrant as gods. of ceaseless wind. Sand funnels spun up without warning,
Then they had abandoned their empire, along with its billions whirled like dervishes, then tore themselves into quickly
of beings whose lives they had engineered to require their dissipated clouds of dust.
absolute control, broke all bonds of union with one another, That was life reduced to its essence, in Odo’s experience.
and scattered themselves to the stars. Forms emerged out of chaos, sparking great flurries of action
Odo had not seen another Changeling since that day, so and struggle … only to exhaust themselves and collapse back
very long ago. into the dust and darkness from which they sprang. The

70 STAR TREK
STAR TREK 71
LOST AND FOUNDER

same story, over and over again. Such Successive encounters had led him see you.” His voice was as rich and
was the arc of history, which bent not to resent it as a cruel form of self- resonant as Odo had remembered,
toward justice but toward entropy. deception and torture. Only after and the glimmer of optimism in
Throughout the universe, changes decades of introspection had he come Sisko’s eyes was undimmed by time.
were never permanent—but change to accept it for what it really was: He took in their surroundings with
itself, as an inescapable force, was. a coping mechanism for nearly a friendly curiosity. “Where are we?”
The pale, feeble disc of this millennium of loneliness. “Somewhere without a name. At
world’s white dwarf sun slipped Though Odo had met many least, none that I know of.”
beneath the horizon. Overhead, the thousands of persons in his two Sisko creased his brow in a
blanched sky dimmed until the starry millennia of travels across the galaxy, display of good-natured concern.
sprawl of the cosmos revealed its he knew who his mind would conjure “You look upset, Constable. Is there
cold majesty. Odo turned his longing to keep him company. To paraphrase something I can do to help?”
gaze upward, toward pinpricks of an old Earth aphorism shared with “Can you tell me why I should
light that had travelled hundreds, him long ago, he loved best those go on living?”
thousands, or even millions of years whom he had loved first. His question seemed to amuse
to reach him here, now, in this lonely “Hello, Captain.” Sisko. “Why would I know that?”
place. Benjamin Sisko – or, at least, “You’re the Emissary of the
If only I had someone … anyone Odo’s conjured doppelgänger of him Prophets.”
… to share this with me. – wiped his hand over the top of his “Not a role I chose. I never
In the back of Odo’s mind, shaved-smooth head. He was dressed claimed to be anything but a man.”
behind the curtain of his thoughts, in the Starfleet uniform in which Desperation welled up inside
the murky ghost of a memory took Odo had last seen him, mostly black Odo and put a vibrato in his gravelly
shape. Then it appeared before him, with a band of command red across voice. “But they showed you things.
standing with him at the water’s edge: his shoulders and the top of his chest. Told you things.”
a humanoid form shining like molten The human man’s rich, umber-brown Sisko shrugged. “Riddles, mostly.”
gold as it grew and solidified. skin made his bright, wide smile “Hrmph. I thought if anyone
He felt the invisible, gossamer- pop in contrast as he acknowledged would know the secrets of the
like thread of quantum consciousness Odo’s presence. “Odo! How good to universe, it would be you.”
that linked the being to his own
essence; he was observing a projection
made manifest by his unconscious “WHAT WILL OUR COURAGE
mind, a phenomenon he had
encountered several times in centuries MATTER WHEN ALL THAT’S LEFT
past. The first time it had happened, OF US IS DUST?”
its appearance had alarmed him.

“Sorry. The Prophets tended to

leave me with more questions than
they answered.”
Odo squatted beside the still water
and considered his dim, starlit reflection.
“Why does nothing ever last?”
“Because nothing can. Not
forever.” Sisko turned his eyes toward
the stars. “Not space. Not even
time. The seeds of our endings were
planted at the moment of creation.”
“Now you sound like the
Prophets.”
Sisko sounded amused. “I know
you don’t mean that as a compliment,
but I’ll take it as one all the same.”
A gentle breeze swept over Odo,
pelting him with dust and scattering
his reflection on the pond’s surface.
“How am I supposed to live when I
know everything is doomed to die?”
The masculine voice that
answered him was deeper than
Sisko’s: “With honor.”

72 STAR TREK
 FICTION

Odo turned and looked back that a copy of our minds – our souls, “I’ve seen entire civilizations
to see that the visitor from his or our pagh if you believe in such a exterminate themselves. I bore witness
unconscious mind had reshaped itself thing – exists in a parallel quantum to a gamma-ray burst that sterilized a
into the likeness of Worf, as he had reality, one without our bodies, lush green world of every trace of life.
looked when he was in his prime where we exist as pure energy. And Saw a supermassive black hole devour
aboard Deep Space 9. He wore a when we die, instead of all we are star systems like a predator eating its
metallic baldric diagonally across his being lost forever, that other part of weakling young. I’ve borne witness
barrel chest and held his bearded us, the quantum-entangled particles to death and destruction on scales
chin high. of our disembodied soul, persists in beyond imagination.”
“Honor. Is that all you have for this other reality, aware of both itself He heard somber compassion
me after two thousand years? That and of the dispersed nature of our in the voice of long-dead Starfleet
same old refrain?” finite physical shells. It’s not that medical officer Doctor Julian Bashir:
“Call it what you want.” far-fetched an idea. We already know “We’ve all had to confront death at
“I call it delusion. A lie used to parallel quantum universes exist, one time or another. It’s a part of life.”
mask a terrifying truth.” more than we could ever count, and “Death is larger than life, Doctor.
“Which is?” that they constantly branch off into It always has been. That’s why it
“Nothing we do matters, Worf. new possibilities. What if, for some always wins.”
One good man can’t fight a corrupt version of ourselves, death really isn’t Bashir scrunched his brow,
regime. Or stop the strike of a planet- the end?” clearly dubious. “Not always.”
killing asteroid.” Odo stifled a derisive chortle. “I “On a long-enough time scale?
“True. Death comes for us all. expect more from a science officer Always.”
None are spared.” than fairy tales.” “That seems unnecessarily
“But you’d have me believe that “Perhaps,” replied Cardassian reductive.”
it makes a difference how we die?” spy-turned-exile Elim Garak, “you “Doctor, do you know what
“How we die matters as much have no appetite for sweetened lies the difference is between stories
as how we live. Perhaps more. The because you’ve dined for so long on with happy endings and those with
end is important in all things. To die bitter truth.” tragic ones?” He looked at Bashir.
bravely, we must first learn to live “As if you would know anything “Where the author chooses to stop
with courage.” about truth.” the telling.”
Odo scooped up a handful of Of all the ghosts his mind tended The good doctor dissolved into a
sand. With a slow turn of his wrist, to summon, the only one he disliked flurry of golden motes that sank into
he let it slide from his palm. “What was Garak. The not-so-simple the ground, even as Odo felt another
will our courage matter when all tailor represented the part of Odo’s memory-golem solidify behind
that’s left of us is dust?” imagination that doubted himself. him. He pivoted to see the sweetly
A richly mischievous feminine That lied to himself. That made him smiling face of young Ezri Dax, as
voice replied, “Who says dust is question his own judgement and she had looked during her first days
all there is?” An avatar of Jadzia sanity. aboard the station. “You don’t really
Dax had supplanted Worf as his “If you won’t listen to him, believe that, do you? I mean, look
companion. The tall Trill woman’s maybe you’ll listen to me,” said the at my story. The death of Jadzia was
long brown hair billowed in the spectre of Quark. a tragedy, but it wasn’t the end. Her
gentle wind. “Maybe death is “Not likely.” ending was my new beginning.”
part of a transformation beyond “Well, you should. Because I’m “You say that like you expect
understanding.” the only one who’ll tell you the way it to live forever. As if you and your
Her suggestion surprised Odo. really is. The point of living is to keep symbiont aren’t doomed to be parted
“Are you suggesting death is not the on living. To not die.” one day.” Odo looked up at the night
end?” Odo scowled. “What kind of salted with stars but found no joy in
She shrugged. “There’s a great empty philosophy is that?” it. “I saw the Burn wipe out every
deal we don’t yet know about “The only honest one. Living active dilithium crystal in the blink
consciousness. Even with FTL sensors things fight to survive because living is of an eye. It turned vast, interstellar
we’ve found it hard to pinpoint the better than not living. Drawing breath civilizations into silent seas dotted
origin of free will.” is better than rotting in the ground. with ten thousand lonely islands, each
Odo’s mood turned skeptical. Existing is better than oblivion.” one alone in the dark.”
“Jadzia, there’s a universe of difference “Says someone who’s never “But they didn’t give up,” insisted
between the limitations of neurological known real pain. Never felt the cruel Jake Sisko, the innocent, optimistic
science and the leap of faith required to grip of chronic suffering, or the son of the Emissary. His was the voice
believe in life-after-death.” crushing grief of permanent loss.” of hope that had never wavered. “They
“Is there really?” Her face Quark folded his arms across the held on. And they found a solution.
brightened as she continued. “What front of his gaudily bedazzled tunic. The Federation rebuilt itself. As long
if parts of consciousness we don’t “And you have?” as there’s still life, there’s hope.”
understand are rooted in quantum Too many memories rushed back It was so simplistic. So
mechanics? For instance, imagine at once and caught Odo unaware. unsuspecting. The naïveté made Odo

STAR TREK 73
LOST AND FOUNDER

and bright with purpose, her voice

as steady as bedrock. The hint of
a breeze teased shocks of her short
auburn hair into motion. Though
in life she had eventually traded her
military garb for the robes of a vedek,
today she stood before Odo in the
uniform she had worn during their
last several years of shared service on
Deep Space 9. Her smile was gracious
and genuine. “Hello, Odo.”
Though his Changeling form
had no lachrymal glands, centuries of
learned behavior caused Odo’s eyes
to glisten with ersatz tears, and his
voice shook as he fought to rein in his
emotions. “I’ve missed you so much,
Nerys.”
“I’ve missed you, too. But I need
you to remember.”
He nodded. “Our conversation.”
She took his hand. “And your
promise.”
despair. yourself. I get it.” Too ashamed to look her in the
“I’ve seen alternate realities “Moping?” eye, he stared at the ground between
unravel like poorly woven tapestries. “You heard me. You take a few them. “I’ve tried. But time is cruel,
Universes filled with beautiful bad hits, and now you want to go and the cosmos is rigged against us.
possibilities erased by the whims back to your quarters and cry in your Against life itself. How am I supposed
of ‘higher beings.’ What I’ve rarely bucket. Does that about sum it up?” to hold on to hope in a universe so
found, on any world, is justice. And I He flung another flat stone across the bereft of compassion? So devoid of
don’t know that I’ve ever found hope.” pond. meaning?”
A stone skipped across the “I haven’t needed that bucket in Kira reached up with her free
black water, bouncing thrice before nearly seventeen centuries.” hand and pressed her palm against
vanishing beneath the surface, which “Fine, go cry in your Great Link his cheek. He found the warmth of
now shimmered with intersecting for all I care. But when you’re done, her touch comforting, even though
rings of disturbance. Turning toward get back to work.” he knew it was just a facsimile built
the source of the thrown rock, Odo “That’s your sage advice?” from his own memories. Then she
found the solid apparition of Miles “We all have to serve something, kissed him: softly, and tenderly, but
O’Brien, his engineering uniform Constable. A person. An idea. An also passionately enough to make him
scuffed and stained, his sleeves rolled institution. Something greater forget nearly two thousand years of
up past his elbows. “So, you’re just than ourselves. That’s what gives us sadness and bitterness, even if only
gonna quit, then?” meaning.” for a moment.
Odo found no wisdom in “Remember the only thing that
“YOU TAKE A O’Brien’s counsel, only anguish. ever really matters. The one thing that

FEW BAD HITS,

“Everyone I’ve ever known has grown gives meaning to our struggles against
old and died.” He kneeled beside the darkness, as futile as they might
AND NOW YOU the dark water once more. “The only be. Remember.”

WANT TO GO constant I’ve ever found is that life

makes the same mistakes, over and
“I will,” he promised her.
As he had thousands of times
BACK TO YOUR over again. I’ve seen life betray itself before. As he would countless times
QUARTERS AND so many times that I’ve forgotten why again.

CRY IN YOUR I ever cared about any of it. Or why I

ever should again.”
He watched the only person he
had ever loved dissolve into dust.
BUCKET.” The answer came in the one voice His face was still warm where she
that Odo missed most of all. had touched him. Clinging to her
“I don’t follow, Chief.” “You know why.” memory, Odo sat down beside the
“The universe didn’t turn out He turned away from his dark, still water. Alone beneath a cold
to be puppy dogs and rainbows. reflection to face her. “Nerys.” and unforgiving sun, he mustered
Life wasn’t all beer and candy. Now She was eons gone, but there the faintest ghost of a smile … as he
you’re mopin’ about, feelin’ sorry for she stood, her brown eyes clear remembered love.

74 STAR TREK
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO…

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO...

ENGINEERS!
If the bridge is the brain of a starship, engineering is its heart. The chief engineer is not only central to
keeping a Starfleet vessel in fine fettle, they’re also vital to all aspects of life onboard. With Star Trek:
Strange New Worlds ushering in a new chief of engineering in the form of veteran actor Carol Kane as
Pelia – highly educated and intelligent, suffering no fools, she solves problems “calmly and brusquely,
thanks to her many years of experience” – we present a breakdown of previous key engineers who have
gone before. Or after, depending on where we are on the timeline. And which timeline we’re on…
W O R D S : R I C H M AT T H E W S

76 STAR TREK
 ENGINEERS

Montgomery “Scotty” Scott

L I E U T E N A N T T O C A P TA I N ( J A M E S D O O H A N )

„ Star Trek: The Original Series; Star Trek: The Animated old seafaring movies were Scots – effectively doubling
Series; Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Star Trek: Doohan’s already copious charm in one stroke.
Generations; Star Trek: The Next Generation; Star Trek: Scotty’s reputation as a miracle worker was well-
Deep Space Nine; Star Trek: Prodigy earned by pulling his ship and crew out of the fire more
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 and times than we can count, but also because he was smart
enough to give inflated repair times that he could vastly
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Refit (2265-2285); U.S.S.
beat to look awesome: “Eight weeks, sir - but you don’t
Excelsior NCC-2000 (2285); U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A
have eight weeks, so I’ll do it for you in two.” He also set
(2286-2293)
the trend for engineers often being lonely, unlucky-in-
„ 98 appearances – first chronological appearance: TOS love workaholics whose primary romance tended to be
“Where No Man Has Gone Before” aired September with their engines – even a hint of romance with Uhura in
22, 1966 (Stardate 1312.4; 2265); final chronological Star Trek V: The Final Frontier came to nothing.
appearance: Prodigy “Kobayashi” aired January 6, 2022 Scotty’s ancestry helped illustrate the ideal of
(2383) as a hologram; most recent appearance: SNW “A Roddenberry’s future as a utopian version of American
ideals, a galactic melting pot with the shared purpose
Quality of Mercy” aired July 7, 2022, voice only
of exploration and social evolution that is respectful
heritage and tradition. We got to see Scotty in a kilt
“I cannae change the laws of physics!?” The undisputed more than once and he even poignantly played the
GOAT, Scotty set the template for the quintessential bagpipes at Spock’s funeral in Star Trek II: The Wrath
engineer – inspired; passionate; possessive; of Khan.
temperamental; infatuated with their ship. According His final onscreen bow on revered TNG episode
to the late, great Jimmy Doohan, Gene Roddenberry “Relics” was undeniably melancholic but remained
requested that the Irish Canadian actor adopt a Scottish infused with the unstoppable possibilities that Scotty
brogue because he’d observed that all the engineers in always offered.

STAR TREK 77
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO…

Montgomery “Scotty” Scott Kelvin Timeline,

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER (SIMON PEGG)

„ Star Trek (2009); Star Trek: Into Darkness; Star Trek: Beyond
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 (2258-
2263); Ships: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A (2263-)

Doohan was a difficult act to follow, but Mission: Impossible

stalwart Pegg was up to the challenge, infusing the Kelvin
Scotty with more humor and slapstick energy. As befitted
the shaken-up cocktail of the reboot movies, Pegg’s
Scotty pulled off many of his Prime Universe counterpart’s
achievements in short order – with the actor even stepping
behind the camera to co-write Star Trek Beyond. We haven’t
quite had the time to fully get to know this Scotty, but we’re
ever hopeful that a new Kelvin movie will materialise.

Geordi La Forge
L I E U T E N A N T T O LT C O M M A N D E R ( L E V A R B U R T O N )

„ Star Trek: The Next Generation; Star Trek: Generations – never felt quite as affecting (now sans visor, thanks to some
Star Trek: Nemesis; Star Trek: Voyager; Star Trek: Picard nifty optical implants – a fact beautifully addressed
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D in season three of Picard, which not only saw Geordi
(2365-2371); U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E (2372-2380); reveling in his love of starships and models at the Fleet
Fleet Museum (2401-) Museum, but also restoring the D to tear-inducing effect.
„ 182 appearances – first appearance: TNG “Encounter At It’s great that the previously lonely Geordi found
love and family post-TNG – producing two amazing
Farpoint” aired September 28, 1987 (Stardate 41153.7;
daughters in Alandra and Sidney – but he clearly still
2364); most recent appearance: PIC “The Last Generation”
missed the Enterprise-D and one can’t help but think of
aired April 20, 2023 (Stardate: “Shall we say ‘1’?”)
his holodeck romance with the simulation of its designer,
Leah Brahms. Luckily, the revived starship survived the
When TNG was being cast, Roots actor Burton was the heroic battle with the neo-Borg, although that sadly
biggest name – albeit sporting a modified hair barrette meant we didn’t get to see Geordi performing his
over his soulful peepers to portray the blind helmsman. signature emergency containment door roll one more
Geordi’s promotion to chief engineer solved a couple time. Perhaps the most moving aspect of Geordi’s return
of season one problems – the lack of a cast regular in was his reunion with his resurrected best friend, Data.
engineering left a big hole in the show’s dynamic; and Picard’s paternal relationship with the android was
it facilitated greater character evolution for LaForge, always important, but Geordi and Data was the core
whose devotion to the Enterprise-D almost rivalled Scotty’s. friendship on TNG, flip sides of a technology/humanity
Indeed, with that starship gone, following its crash in coin. The moment where Data sees his best friend again
Generations, Geordi’s relationship with its successor – “Geordi?” – is an all-time classic.

78 STAR TREK
 ENGINEERS

Miles O’Brien
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (COLM MEANEY)

„ Star Trek: The Next Generation; was sad to see him leave the U.S.S.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Star Enterprise, Meaney was given the
Trek: Lower Decks chance to really get his teeth into
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. some meaty drama. His everyman
Rutledge NCC-57295 (2346-2364); status gave rise to the now
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D infamous “O’Brien suffers” trope
(2364-2369); Deep Space 9 (2369- for a lot of his A-plot episodes, but
O’Brien/Meaney’s natural humor
2375); Starfleet Academy (2375-)
and twinkle always kept the Chief
„ 212 appearances – first
entertaining even in the middle of
appearance: TNG “Encounter At
torture, capture, warfare, etc.
Reginald “Reg” Endicott Farpoint” aired September 28, 1987 He also went through a lot.
Barclay III (Stardate 41153.7; 2364); most No other engineer got to fight a
LIEUTENANT (DWIGHT
recent appearance: LDS “Temporal full-on war onscreen, keeping the
S H U LT Z )
Edict” aired 20 August 2020 station, U.S.S. Defiant, and all the
(stardate 57501.4; 2380) runabouts, going.
Unlike his predecessors, O’Brien
„ Star Trek: The Next Generation;
In a franchise dominated by officers was a family man, taking wife Keiko
Star Trek: First Contact; Star Trek:
and bridge crew, Chief O’Brien is and daughter Molly to the station.
Voyager one of the rare “enlisted” Starfleet But the Chief’s primary relationship
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. personnel. This lends the Irishman on the show was his bromance
Enterprise NCC-1701-D (2365- a grit and determination, working with Doctor Bashir. Like Geordi
2371); U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E his way up the ranks – and, as we and Data before them, Miles and
(2372-2380); Starfleet Command later discover, surviving some pretty Julian’s friendship blossomed over
Communications Research Center’s horrific incidents. This makes him seven years and their adventures in
“Pathfinder Project” the perfect candidate for keeping the holosuites re-enacting historic
„ 12 appearances – first appearance: the ragtag station going, fusing battles like the Alamo never failed
Federation and Cardassian tech to produce a smile. Never quite
TNG “Hollow Pursuits” aired April 30,
and methods with spit and tape. as inspired as Scotty or Geordi,
1990 (stardate 43807.4; 2366)’ most
He started out a relatively O’Brien was the workhorse engineer
recent appearance: VGR “Endgame”
avuncular-if-stoic transporter who beat the odds through sheer,
aired May 23, 2001 (stardate technician on TNG and, while it bloody-minded attrition.
54973.4; 2378; also 2394 & 2404)

In a world of competent
professionals, the most atypical
spatial anomaly is social anxiety.
Amidst his confident, accomplished
peers, Reg Barclay’s crippling
insecurity led to a holodeck
addiction, raging hypochondriasis
that endangered the ship, and
devolution into a spider-creature-
thingy. But his mind also proved to
be the ideal receptacle for a super-
intelligence capable of flinging the
Enterprise to the far reaches of the
galaxy – admittedly not willingly.
Dwight Shultz’s turn as Barclay
is funny, touching and all-too
human and his ultimate redemption
playing a crucial role in contacting
Voyager in the Delta Quadrant to
help bring her home brought cheers
from the Star Trek faithful. Not sure
you’d want him running engineering,
but definitely on the team.

STAR TREK 79
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO…

B’Elanna Torres
LIEUTENANT (ROXANN DAWSON)

„ Star Trek: Voyager

B’Elanna’s aggressive side through sharing his native
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656 (2371-2378)
American spirituality, including finding her spirit animal…
„ 168 appearances – first appearance: VGR “Caretaker” which B’Elanna then tried to kill!
aired January 16, 1995 (Stardate 48315.6; 2371); most But what an engineer. There was no piece of kit in the
recent appearance: VGR “Endgame” aired May 23, 2001 galaxy that B’Elanna couldn’t fix or graft onto Starfleet’s
(stardate 54973.4; 2378) bio-neural tech – even Borg bits ’n’ bobs. Roxann Dawson
excelled at playing this hybrid of Worf, Scotty and Spock,
Of all the engineering gigs, this was the toughest. getting some epic scenery-chewing moments and one
Stranded on the either side of the Galaxy with no of the all-time heart-warming – and unexpected –
starbases, spacedocks or orbital shipyards to help with romances, with over confident helmsman Tom Paris. Who
repairs. No spare parts, nobody else versed in Federation doesn’t love their declarations of love while floating in
technology. Dealing with being a former Starfleet cadet- space in spacesuits running out of air in “Day Of Honor”?
turned-“terrorist”, now serving on a starship. Oh, and did Dawson also began her successful directing career
we mention being a half-human, half-Klingon? It’s no on Voyager, cutting her teeth on episodes “Riddles” and
wonder Torres could be, well, a bit “prickly”. Her Maquis- “Workforce: Part II” before going on to helm ten episodes
then-Voyager commander Chakotay attempted to quell of Enterprise.

Rom
(MAX GRODÉNCHIK)

„ Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

„ Notable Assignments: Deep Space – but through allowing characters
to evolve in unexpected and deeply
9 (unknown-2375); Grand Nagus,
rewarding ways. The development
Ferenginar (2375-)
of the Ferengi characters embody
„ 36 appearances – first appearance: that ethos best – Quark remained
DS9 “Emissary” aired January 3, a prime example of his avaricious
1993 (Stardate 46379.1; 2369); most species, but nephew Nog joined
recent appearance: DS9 “What You Starfleet and served with valor, and
Leave Behind” aired June 2, 1999 his bumbling, goofy barman brother
(stardate 52902.0; 2375) Rom became a hotshot engineer
in the Bajoran militia, finding
One of the supreme strengths of Ira happiness with Dabo girl Leela.
Steven Behr’s DS9 tenure was the Then he became Nagus, supreme
ability to surprise. Not with twists or leader to a liberalized, marginally
jolts – although there were plenty less misogynist Ferenginar!

80 STAR TREK
 ENGINEERS

Charles “Trip” Tucker III

COMMANDER (CONNOR Paul Stamets
TRINNEER) LIEUTENANT TO LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
(ANTHONY RAPP)

„ Star Trek: Enterprise

„ Notable Assignments: Enterprise
NX-01 (2151-2161 - deceased); „ Star Trek: Discovery winning the Klingon War – even
Columbia NX-02 (2154) „ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. though it was slowly killing his brain.
„ 97 appearances – first appearance: Discovery NCC-1031 & NCC-1031-A His role blurs the line somewhat
ENT “Broken Bow” aired September (2256-2258; 3190-) between science, navigation and

26, 2001 (2151); most recent „ 52 appearances – first appearance: engineering but as he was essential
DSC “Context Is For Kings” aired to all aspects of the spore drive
appearance: ENT “These Are The and also handy with all aspects of
Voyages…” aired May 13, 2005 September 24, 2017 (Stardate
technology, he gets prime position
(stardate 47457.1; 2370 – holo-sim; 1207.3; 2256); most recent
in this guide – particularly when
2161) appearance: DSC “Coming Home”
teamed with Reno.
aired March 17,2022 (3190)
Beyond his exemplary scientific
If Star Trek ever had a space cowboy, it was credentials, Stamets and actor
Trip. Named for being the third – therefore Rarely has the metaphor “heart Anthony Rapp represent one of
“triple” – Charles Tucker, Florida-raised of the ship” been so literal, as Paul Star Trek’s most significant strides
Trip was a self-taught engineering whiz had to literally plug himself into in depicting positive LGBTQIA+
who started out fixing boats before joining Discovery to operate the spore relationships, with Stamets and ship
nascent Starfleet. Rambunctious, playful, drive and navigate the mycelial doctor Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz)
and hot-headed, even his best friend network. With Stamets as an in a committed partnership – even
Jonathan Archer (also his Captain) had organic navigation computer, beyond death (and resurrection)
trouble taming him. During his time Discovery became invaluable in and temporal relocation.
pioneering many of the systems and
technologies that would become Starfleet
standard, Tucker became pregnant with an
alien baby, was cloned, died and resurrected,
got it on with a Vulcan, then died again
saving Archer’s life (this time for good –
thankfully only in the final episode). Sadly,
the NX-01 crew also suffered through the
Xindi war, which saw Trip’s beloved sister
Elizabeth killed. And even though he too
paid the ultimate price, Trip’s efforts proved
crucial to the formation of the Federation.
If he hadn’t violated orders to save Archer,
the UFP may never have happened.

STAR TREK 81
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO…

Andarithio “Andy” Billups

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
(VOICED BY PAUL SCHEER)

„ Star Trek: Lower Decks

„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S.
Cerritos NCC-75567
(2380-)
„ 19 appearances – first appearance:
LDS “Second Contact” aired August
6, 2020 (Stardate 57436.2; 2380);
most recent appearance: LDS “The
Jett Reno Stars At Night” aired October 27,
C O M M A N D E R ( T I G N O TA R O )
2022 (stardate
58499.2; 2381)

„ Star Trek: Discovery cabin fever from being stranded Shy and somewhat geeky, royal-
„ Notable Assignments: on the crashed Hiawatha, but born Billups quietly excels onboard
U.S.S. Hiawatha NCC-815 thankfully the acerbic wit of Tig the Cerritos under Captain
(unknown-2257); U.S.S. Discovery Notaro takes the edge off the Freeman. His love of engineering
NCC-1031 and NCC-1031-A (2257- mercurial engineer’s more anti- is so deep that he renounced
2258; 3190-) social characteristics. his status as heir to the throne
„ 14 appearances – first appearance: Notaro was instrumental in of Hysperia to join Starfleet.
DSC “Brother” aired January 17, Reno’s first name, after commenting Unfortunately for him that means
to long-time friend, and executive a life of celibacy as Hysperian
2019 (Stardate 1025.19; 2236); most
producer, Alex Kurtzman that tradition dictates that losing his
recent appearance: DSC “Coming
“Denise” needed to be “taken up virginity would trigger his ascension
Home” aired March 17, 2022 (3190)
a notch,” suggesting a tribute to to the throne. Luckily for him – and
American rocker Joan Jett – fitting the Cerritos – he has difficulty
It’s hard to know how much of because you’d be hard-pressed to talking to women, so his chastity
Reno’s crazy is a result of prolonged think of more rock’n’roll engineer. remains intact.

82 STAR TREK
 ENGINEERS

THE OTHER
GUYS…
MacDougal
(Brooke Bundy) – TNG chief
engineer who vanished after
“The Naked Now”.

Lieutenant
Commander Argyle (Biff
Yeager) –
bearded senior staffer
who didn’t last while TNG
continued its search.

Logan (Vyto Ruginis) – last

of the revolving engineers
until Geordi pulled on the
gold for TNG season 2. Riker
implies in “Where No One
Has Gone Before” that three
chiefs might have served
simultaneously.

Olson (Greg Ellis) – Kelvin

Enterprise’s gung-ho chief
engineer who got incinerated
by Nero’s drilling beam.
Hemmer
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER (BRUCE HORAK)
Kelby (Derek Magyar) – NX-
01 crewmember, who took
over when Trip transferred to
„ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
the Columbia.
„ Notable Assignments: U.S.S. Angelou (unknown); U.S.S.
Enterprise NCC-1701 (2259 - deceased)
Joe Carey (Josh Clark)
„ Six appearances – first appearance: SNW “Strange New – Voyager’s assistant chief
Worlds” aired May 5, 2022 (Stardate 1739.12; 2259); most who should have taken over
recent appearance: SNW “All Those Who Wander” aired when the unnamed Chief
June 30, 2022 (stardate 2510.6; 2259) was killed by the Caretaker’s
displacement wave.
An Aenar – a predominantly blind sub-species of
Andorians, with “ice blue/white” appearance – pacificist Nog – field promoted to
Hemmer possessed telepathic abilities that effectively chief engineer of the Valiant
neutralised his blindness, and also came in handy resisting during the Dominion War.
the Jonisian Nebula alien consciousness that turned the Following the loss of his leg in
Enterprise into a fairy-tale kingdom. A somewhat aloof battle, Nog was changed and
and grumpy character, Hemmer mellowed through his never re-assumed his starship
interactions with the crew, especially with cadet Uhura role, choosing to stay on DS9.
in whom he saw real potential and a reflection of his
life purpose to “fix what is broken”. Alas, we didn’t get Louvier – Hemmer’s predecessor on Pike’s
much time with Hemmer as he sacrificed himself once Enterprise, tasked with stripping out the
infected with Gorn eggs, considering saving the crew the holo com system for a “good old fashioned
culmination of a good life. viewscreen”.

STAR TREK 83
 Suffering from FOMAI (fear of missing an issue)?

BECOME AN EXPLORER!

SAVE $$!
DELIVERED TO
YOUR DOOR!
NEVER MISS
AN ISSUE!

FREE
DIGITAL
SUPPLEMENT
with TWO more
short stories!

NOT FINAL COVER

SUBSCRIBE TODAY - 4 Issues just:

U.S. Canada U.K. Europe Rest of the World
$29.99 $44.99 from £19.99 £29.99 £29.99

TITAN-COMICS.COM/EXPLORER
U.S. 800-261-6502 or 847-559-7339 • Canada & ROW 847-559-7339 • U.K. & Europe +44 (0) 1778 392085
TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 EXPLORE
THE STAR TREK
EXPLORER ARCHIVES
Complete Your Collection, Buy A Gift,
Or Pick Up A Rare Cover!

Find these and many, many more at

WWW.TITAN-COMICS.COM/STARTREKMAG
TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 COMIC
SPOTLIGHT

STA R T REK COM I CS

Relatively
Speaking WORDS: RICH HANDLEY

Family has been a Star Trek theme

since the 1960s. The original series Star Trek: Peter’s brothers have
The Original Series appeared in multiple
revealed Spock’s parents, Sarek and comics, each time with
Amanda, as well as Jim Kirk’s brother By far, the crew for whom the different names: Brett and
Sam. The Animated Series mentioned comics have added the most Robbie (DC’s Star Trek #74),
family is that of James T. Kirk. Adam and Jason (DC’s Star
Leonard McCoy’s daughter, then the
Gold Key’s The Enterprise Logs Trek Special #3), Marcus
films added Scotty’s nephew Peter #1, for example, contains Kirk’s and Virgil (WildStorm’s Star
Preston, Kirk’s son David Marcus, confidential “psycho-file,” Trek Special), and George
McCoy’s dying father David, and Spock’s detailing his backstory. He’s said and Gregory (IDW’s New
to be the “only surviving son of Visions #14). Compounding
brother Sybok. The Next Generation Col. Benjamin Kirk of the Klingon the confusion, they’re called
spotlighted the relatives of every Repulsion,” providing a different Alexander and Julius in the
major character, and on the shows name and fate for Jim’s dad, novel The Last Roundup,
while overlooking the existence while the video game
that followed, the families of Benjamin
of older brother Sam. Away Team dubs one of
Sisko, Miles O’Brien, Quark, Paul When Sam and Aurelan them Craig. The boys have
Stamets, Beckett Mariner, and Joseph Kirk perished in “Operation – an Aunt Riselle, per DC’s
M’Benga have taken center-stage. Annihilate!”, only their son Peter Special #3 –presumably on
was present. “What Are Little their mother’s side, since
The same is true for the licensed Girls Made Of?” indicated the the WildStorm one-shot
literature. The novels have introduced couple had two other children, mentions their being raised
and the comics have several by Aurelan’s sister.
Kirk’s parents (George and Winona, times explored what became
featured in the 2009 film), Spock’s son of them, albeit inconsistently,
(Zar), and numerous others, and the though both DC’s The Ashes #2). A 24th century relative,
of Eden and IDW’s Year Four: Jamie Samantha Kirk, shows up
comics have followed suit, welcoming
Enterprise Experiment imply in Malibu’s Blood & Honor, and
many new family members into the Peter to be an only child. the novel Fire with Fire hints that
fold. Let’s revisit five decades of comic- Other family members she is Sam’s granddaughter.
created character kin. Grab some include Uncle Henry, deceased As for Spock, despite his
(DC’s Who’s Who in Star Trek being an immensely popular
Klingon potato salad and your Andorian
#1) and half-Romulan daughter character, the Vulcan has
swim trunks, for we’re hosting a four- T’Kir (DC’s Debt of Honor and only been given a single new
color family reunion. The Next Generation Special family member in comics: his

86 STAR TREK
 COMIC SPOTLIGHT

01

02 03

01 Spock’s
cousin Horek, exclusive to the tragic demise. Marvel’s Star Trek: Other relatives include a
cousin Horek
weekly British strips. Horek Untold Voyages #3 introduces a appeared “multi-great grandfather” from
was introduced in TV21 & Joe second betrothed, Paul, which in strips Ireland (IDW’s Leonard McCoy,
published in
90 #32–38 as a navigator also ends badly. In both Marvel the British
Frontier Doctor #1), a favorite
on the Federation guardship tales, Joanna is estranged from weekly comic, uncle who’d inspired his interest
Dorado, and he helped the her dad, is captured by a villain, TV21 & Joe in medicine and Starfleet (Who’s
90 in the early
U.S.S. Enterprise crew quell a loses a fiancé, and forgives 1970s Who in Star Trek #1), and 24th-
mutiny aboard that vessel via Bones after being rescued. In century descendant Captain
02 Barbara
a long-range mind-meld. Not neither story does McCoy’s ex- McCoy, McCoy (Malibu’s Deep Space
surprisingly, this arc ranks among wife appear, though she shows daughter of Nine #9). Additionally, IDW’s
Leonard in the
the best of the British strips. up in the daily newspaper strip Star Trek #17 introduces father
Gold Key run.
McCoy’s daughter, Joanna, “The Real McCoy.” David’s Kelvin counterpart, while
03 Joanna
debuted in The Making of Star issue #32 mentions a Granny
McCoy, as
Trek, by Stephen E. Whitfield portrayed McCoy.
and Gene Roddenberry. She was Leonard McCoy’s ex is in Untold Montgomery Scott’s family
Voyages
featured in the script to “The married to an old medical is also represented in the
Way to Eden” but was reworked rival, Anton Zauber, whom comics. Gold Key’s Star Trek #40
as Irina Galliulin, and she was she’s helping steal McCoy’s mentions a brother Robby, and
referenced in the cartoon’s career, name, medical Kelvin-timeline Scotty’s brother
“The Survivor.” Gold Key picked patents, and even face. is named Robbie Scott as an
up on this – though in typical Writer Thomas Warkentin intentional homage, in IDW’s
fashion, it got her name christens her Joann, a name Star Trek #19. The Wrath of Khan
wrong. Thus, Barbara McCoy oddly similar to Joanna. had introduced Peter Preston,
is featured in issues #40 and DC’s Who Who in Star Trek and the novelization of The
43, with no mention of Joanna. #1 calls her Gillian, while the Search for Spock had added
The xenozoologist and college Kelvin timeline’s Bones has Peter’s sister Dannan Stuart.
professor briefly serves aboard divorced Pamela Branch, Thus, while exploring Scotty’s
the Enterprise, during which per IDW’s Star Trek #17. Like past in DC’s Star Trek Annual #3,
she and her father repair their Kirk’s nephews, McCoy’s writer Peter David incorporates
estranged relationship. wife has multiple names Dannan and showcases her
Joanna herself has in the novels and games, mother, Scotty’s sister Fran, who
appeared as well, starting including Honey McCoy, grievingly blames her brother
with Marvel’s Star Trek #13, in Jocelyn Treadway/Darnell, Monty for his nephew’s death.
which she’s engaged to Vulcan Elinor Lee, and Miriam. Scotty’s nephews rarely fare
Ambassador Suvak until his well, for another, Brian, is said to

STAR TREK 87
A N A LY S I S

have died in a cloning program, Pavel Chekov’s family has though, DC Who’s Who in Star Trek
04 Yuki Sulu,
in the newspaper strip “Send Hikaru’s sister been explored to some extent. #2 would dub his parents Momiko
in the Clones.” His death hits in the Kelvin He experiences nightmares and Hosato Sulu. The novels use
Scotty just as hard as Peter’s, timeline, is of his father being murdered different names as well.
part of Section
leaving the engineer with a 31, according in issue #19 of DC’s first Star The DC tale contains no Sulu
bigoted bias against cloning. to IDW’s Trek series, while ex-fiancée siblings, but Hikaru’s sister in the
comics set in
Yet another nephew, Chris that reality
Julia Crandall is featured in Kelvin timeline, Yuki Sulu, appears
Scott, appears in issues #11–12 issues #58 – 60 of the second in issues #25 – 28 of that reality’s
05 Before
of IDW’s Kelvin monthly. Chris The Next
iteration. Chekov’s cousin Nina monthly IDW comic, as well as
thankfully doesn’t die, though Generation Popov joins the Enterprise in the Star Trek: Khan miniseries.
he does get into trouble with named crew as an intern for issues Yuki is a Section 31 operative
Maurice,
an unauthorized tribble-based Yvette, and #25 – 28 of the latter run, and under Star Trek Into Darkness’s
transporter experiment. Issue Robert Picard, she dates Hikaru Sulu despite Admiral Marcus, which causes
#19 of that series mentions a DC provided their age difference, which the a schism between the siblings
an alternate
Scott having served aboard family for over-protective Pavel dislikes. since the alternate Hikaru had
the H.M.S. Enterprise. Scotty’s Jean-Luc: The comics have given Sulu turned down such a posting.
parents
most notable family member, Claude Sr. and
an inordinate number of love Janice Rand has been
however, is Glynnis Campbell – Christine interests, in fact. That’s a topic assigned several new relatives.
his late wife, introduced in DC’s 06 The
for another article, but one is Marvel’s Voyager features Josh
third annual. great love of worth noting – because she’s Rand, a recurring member
Montgomery related to him. of Kathryn Janeway’s crew,
Scott’s life was
wife Glynnis DC’s Star Trek #20 reunites confirmed to be Janice’s direct
Campbell, Hikaru with the love of his life, descendant in issue #10, which
While the onscreen reveals featured in Keiko Hatoyama, a cousin on also introduces his aunt, Athena
DC’s Star Trek
of Sybok and Michael Annual #3 his mother’s side (hopefully not Rand. What’s more, the comics
Burnham as Spock’s a first cousin). Here, Sulu hails have given Janice a pair of ill-
never-mentioned siblings from Mountaindove Station, fated life partners: husband
met initial pushback, where the capitalistic Hatoyama Kadan, driven insane (Marvel’s
Glynnis proved to be an clan produces cyber-suits. This Star Trek #12), and dead fiancé
immediate fan favorite. Her story names the mother Kalea Andrew Calloway (IDW’s New
relationship with Monty, Graef Hatoyama and introduces Visions #2).
told in reverse chronological a family patriarch, Kiyomori Christine Chapel and Chief
order from her death as Hatoyama. Not long thereafter, Kyle are the only primary
an old woman to when the
two met in their youth, is
romantic, poignant, and
often amusing. Even though
she’d not been mentioned
prior to the annual, their
marriage feels organic,
much to the author’s
credit. The novel Forgotten
History references these
events, and issue #10 of
DC’s second Star Trek series
shows Glynn’s gravestone
near Peter Preston’s.

04
The comics have not much
explored Nyota Uhura’s family,
though IDW has introduced
an Uncle Raheem in the Kelvin
reality. After sacrificing himself
to save others in Star Trek #18,
he appears as a “walking vision”
in Boldly Go #9. Uhura’s parents
also show up – unnamed,
though other sources call them
M’Umbha (an early script to
“The Man Trap”) and Alhamisi
05
(the novel Living Memory).

88 STAR TREK
 COMIC SPOTLIGHT

or recurring Original Series

characters not to gain new
that explores Jean-Luc Picard’s
family in another time track, Old Policies on
family in the comics. On the “Tapestry”-style. The annual was New Relationships
other hand, the films’ Saavik published before the Picards
gains a betrothed, Xon, in DC’s were named on TV, but it’s Historically, Paramount and CBS have not
Star Trek #7–8, paying homage among DC’s finest adventures, forbidden publishers from introducing family
to the aborted Star Trek: Phase II, nonetheless. The comic also members. Most comic companies haven’t
while Marvel’s Starfleet Academy mentions an Aunt Yvonne, and prohibited it either, and the TV and film
costars Matthew Dennis Decker, DC’s Star Trek Annual #3 has writers are free to ignore such characters’
the grand-nephew of The Motion a cameo from Admiral Henri existence. Louise Simonson, who edited
Picture’s Will Decker, as Nog’s Picard, a 23rd century ancestor Marvel’s post-The Motion Picture run, says
classmate. In addition, IDW’s who accepts Scotty into the studio and Marvel had “no policy on
New Visions #2 introduces 40 Starfleet Training School. creating relatives, one way or another.”
generations’ worth of Enterprise Robert Greenberger, who helmed DC
crew descendants, who are Comics’ long-running Trek line, recalls, “DC
erased from existence in timey- had the benefit of obtaining the license to all
wimey fashion. In the Q annual, Jean-Luc’s of Star Trek, so if a family member had ever
brother (named Robert been mentioned but not seen, we could play
Star Trek: in “Family”) is Claude Jr., with that. As most long-time readers know,
The Next Generation while his parents (Maurice we had a liaison [Richard Arnold] that tried to
and Yvette, per “Tapestry” be far more restrictive about what we could
When it comes to comics kin, and “Chain of Command,” do, but I do not recall any issues regarding
nothing compares to Kirk’s crew. recently of Star Trek: Picard) family members. I personally was okay if the
The comics have created more are Claude Sr. and Christine. writer had a notion that directly impacted
relatives for the 1960s show Q grants Picard knowledge the core characters. It wasn’t anything I was
than for all 11 other Trek series of how the galaxy would looking to explore, but I wasn’t against it.”
combined. As one might expect, have been far worse off had On the other hand, Tim Tuohy took a
The Next Generation comes in a his dictatorial brother not different approach while editing Marvel’s
distant second. died as a boy, helping Jean- second iteration. “I had to worry more about
Perhaps the best example Luc let go of long-held pain shipping dates and getting artists who could
is DC’s The Next Generation and guilt. It’s a tale no less make the characters look like the actors,”
Annual #1, a Q-centric story co- poignant for having been he explains. “If a writer wanted to [add new
written by actor John de Lancie rendered apocryphal. family], I might have nixed the idea at the
outset. I had to really lobby hard to get the
Enterprise-E into the book. It was more
difficult than you could believe. I could just
imagine what would have happened if I’d tried
to introduce a previously unseen relative.”
Malibu Comics cofounder Tom Mason
notes, “Deep Space Nine was a relatively
new Star Trek series, and we were new in our
relationship with Paramount. I didn’t want
to push too hard for a story about Odo’s
grandmother or O’Brien’s identical cousin
or whatever… My first priority was to make
sure the flagship DS9 title came out every
month, and my second priority was to get a
companion book, miniseries, or special project
on the schedule as quickly as possible. Worf’s
rambunctious sister visiting on spring break
wasn’t going to get me there.”
Editor Jeff Mariotte says there were no
conversations or policies about families during
the WildStorm era. “If it happened,” he says,
“I was fine with it, and I certainly never told
anybody not to do it for any reason.” Meanwhile,
IDW editor Heather Antos says family has
not been an issue on the titles she’s overseen.
While the publisher added a few relatives
prior to her editorship, Antos notes, “I’ve never
had to deal with this thus far in my tenure.”
06

STAR TREK 89
A N A LY S I S

07 08

Surprisingly few new relatives 07 Jim Kirk’s Family-Friendly relatives have been introduced
three nephews
exist in the comics for most other have gone on the Final Frontier for the Star Trek: Voyager cast,
Enterprise-D characters, with by several though Janeway earns a “battle
different
there are none at all for Data, names in the
Following The Next Generation, sister” in Marvel’s Voyager #11
Tasha Yar, Deanna Troi, or the comics. the number of new relatives –13. Several have been created
Crushers. Geordi La Forge gains 08 Aholialili
drops off dramatically. Few for Star Trek: Enterprise’s cast,
a “moon-sister” and “moon- Sato serves Deep Space Nine comics however – surprising, given
nephew,” Kastren and Kalonis, in in the USS have seen print compared to the near-complete lack of
Theseus
The Next Generation Annual #3, crew in IDW’s other shows, so few familial Enterprise-based comics.
while William Riker’s stepmother ongoing Star relationships have been Lieutenant Kira Archer,
Brenda Sorenson appears in DC’s Trek series. established. For Ben Sisko and a descendant of Jonathan
The Next Generation #71–75, 09 Emperor Kassidy Yates, IDW provides a Archer (and possibly Kira Nerys)
married to Kyle Riker, and the Alexander name for their child, Sarah, in shows up in Hive, while David
ruled the
two bond quite charmingly. Terran Empire Sisko’s ongoing Star Trek comic. Reed, Malcolm Reed’s Kelvin
DC’s Shadowheart miniseries, following the Previously, that child had been timeline kin, appears in IDW’s
disappearance
moreover, mentions the of his cousin,
called Rebecca Jae in the Star Trek #20. Moreover, a Travis
protective older brother of Worf’s Empress novels, as well as Jonathan in Mayweather descendant crops
adopted father, Sergey Rozhenko. Philippa the short story “The Dreamer up in Year Five #2, and the
Georgiou,
Jackie Pulaski, the daughter in IDW’s and the Dream” (the baby’s Sisko monthly co-stars Hoshi
of Katherine Pulaski, debuts in Discovery: gender was not specified Sato’s Andorian descendant on
Malibu’s Deep Space Nine #3 Succession onscreen). the USS Theseus, Aholialili “Lily
– 4, and Terry Oliver, from DC’s Jadzia Dax gains an “Sato – who, like her father
The Next Generation #39 – 44, is untrustworthy ex-fiancé, Gwyn, Eshrine Sato, followed in Hoshi’s
implied to be Pulaski’s daughter in Malibu’s Deep Space Nine footsteps as a communications
as well, though that isn’t stated #18 and 31. O’Brien mentions officer.
outright. The most amusing an Uncle Sean in DC’s The Next So far, no comics have
addition is perhaps Ro Mudd, a Generation #19. IDW’s Hive featured new family members
smuggler in the Kelvin timeline. miniseries indicates the Borg for characters created for The
Featured in IDW’s Countdown to assimilated Kira Nerys’s brother Animated Series, Lower Decks,
Darkness and the video game (either Kira Reon or Kira Pohl, her or Prodigy, though that could
Fleet Command, she’s Harry onscreen siblings). And a Julian change given IDW’s aggressive
Mudd’s daughter – and given Bashir ancestor, Juliet Bashir, release schedule. Likewise, while
her name and half-Bajoran exists in the Kelvin timeline, there are comics based on Star
nature, she also appears to be according to IDW’s Starfleet Trek: Picard, those have yielded
Ro Laren’s ancestor. Academy miniseries. No new no relatives either.

90 STAR TREK
 COMIC SPOTLIGHT

Strange New
Comics
Despite layoffs and restructurings,
IDW is going strong on the Star
Trek front, with many new series
on the horizon. The monthly Trek
title from Collin Kelly and Jackson
Lanzing continues to chart the
post-Deep Space Nine adventures
of Ben Sisko, Beverly Crusher,
Montgomery Scott, Data, and Tom
Paris, while Christopher Cantwell’s
Star Trek: Defiant chronicles new
voyages for Worf, B’Elanna Torres,
Spock, Lore, and Ro Laren. With
Deep Space Nine: The Dogs of
War, The Motion Picture: Echoes,
and Day of Blood all concluding,
here are the latest series to watch
09 out for.
As a follow-up to 2023’s
Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian
Enigma, IDW will present a second miniseries, The Scorpius Run, from Voyager
novelist Kirsten Beyer (a Discovery staff writer and Picard executive producer)
That leaves Discovery and Mike Johnson (a veteran of many IDW Star Trek titles), along with artists
and Strange New Worlds, and Angel Hernandez (Star Trek/Green Lantern, Manifest Destiny, and other
IDW’s comics have provided Trek lore) and Michael Cho (DC’s Action Comics #1000 and the webcomic
slim pickings for each. The Papercut). This time, Captain Christopher Pike and the Enterprise crew
Discovery: Succession miniseries venture to the Scorpius Constellation, where they find themselves trapped in
features Emperor Alexander, unexplored space, unable to contact Starfleet.
a cousin to Empress Philippa Ryan North’s inaugural Lower Decks miniseries was well received, and the
Georgiou, while Marvel’s Star latest comic featuring that TV show ties in with IDW’s Day of Blood crossover
Trek: Early Voyages line christens (spanning Star Trek Free Comic Book Day 2023, Day of Blood #1, Star Trek #11-
Christopher Pike’s dad Josh 12, and Defiant #6-7). This supplemental one-shot, Day of Blood: Shaxs’ Best
Pike and gives him an Andorian Day, is again written by North, with art from Derek Charm (IDW’s Starfleet
godfather, Admiral Mahirn. Academy), and it recounts the saga’s events from the viewpoint of Lieutenant
(Granted, Strange New Worlds Junior Grade Shaxs. The comic details the Bajoran Starfleet officer’s “beast-
hadn’t yet existed when Early mode brawl” and showcases, as IDW describes it, “all the behind-the-scenes
Voyages was published, and the Klingon-zealot butt-kicking in full animated glory.”
Enterprise crew rosters in both Writer Chris Sequeira (DC Comics’ Justice League Adventures and
tellings vary greatly.) Caliber Comics’ Sherlock Holmes: Dark Detective) and artist Joe Eisma (who
Both Pike and Sato have partnered with Wil Wheaton for a story in Star Trek 400th Issue) created the
Andorian family members, while four-issue Star Trek: Holo-Ween, featuring the franchise’s recreational chamber
Kira has half-human relatives of holographic horrors, the starship holodeck. After surviving a harrowing
in two universes. That’s little passage through a solar storm, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew relax by
surprise in a mythos in which celebrating the Earth holiday Halloween. But amidst the sweets and festivities,
hybrids like Spock, B’Elanna crewmembers begin to vanish. It’s a good day to trick-or-treat.
Torres, and K’Ehleyr are not Finally, from author Sam Maggs (Star Trek: Waypoint) and Italian cartoonist
uncommon. Family trees are Ornella Greco comes Star Trek: Picard’s Academy, an ongoing series following
the ultimate expression of Star in the footsteps of DC’s Star Trek Annual #2 (detailing James Kirk’s Academy
Trek’s philosophy, with infinite days) and the acclaimed Starfleet Academy comics from Marvel and IDW
diversity spawning infinite (starring Deep Space Nine’s Nog and a team of Kelvin-timeline cadets,
combinations. But it’s not just respectively). Before becoming a Federation legend – and golem – Picard had
bloodlines or species that define attended the Academy, determined to surpass his classmates on the daunting
relationships. In the comics, as Evasive Maneuvers exam. He’d hoped to graduate early but had overlooked
on TV, each crew views their that the test was a group project designed to teach cooperation. Thus, he now
comrades and friends as kin. has little choice but to befriend his fellow students, something the arrogant
When it comes to family, it’s all cadet does not relish.
relative.

STAR TREK 91
THE STORY OF STAR TREK TOLD BY
THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW IT BEST

COMING
SOON!
Pre-order
today

A lavishly illustrated oral history of the Star Trek phenomenon featuring

interviews with all seven members of the original series cast - William
Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei,
Walter Koenig, and Nichelle Nichols, plus contributions from guest stars,
writers and directors - taken from the official Star Trek magazine archives.

AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD BOOKSTORES & ONLINE

TITAN-COMICS.COM
TM & © 2023 CBS. © 2023 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
 TREK
THROUGH
LIFE
FA N D O M AT T H E F I N A L F R O N T I E R ! W O R D S : J AY S T O B I E

THE IDIC
]GŘ
Honoring fans who
demonstrate Star Trek’s
idealistic values in real life.
02

“I always loved the idea of

all types of diverse beings
working together, each
bringing their own strengths
to the table,” reflects Randy
Frank. “Many times, in an
03 04
episode from any [Star Trek]
01
series, the lesson is learned
that we should let people be

COSPLAY COLLECTIVE:
themselves, and any problem
01 Chris Smith
in Enterprise can be solved. the infinite
suit. diversity being the real savior.”
Assimilating knowledge and stories from our fandom’s 02 Cara with The determined fan took
finest costumers. Anson Mount this philosophy to heart.
and Melissa
Navia.
“Those ideals, coupled with
all the amazing technology in
03 Chris Smith
Going for a Space Walk A Triumph with Tribbles in Star Trek:
Star Trek, led me to do things
Chris Smith has always enjoyed making When a pom pom she spotted at the First Contact like get a job at NASA, move
Star Trek–related costumes. “First, I store reminded her of a tribble, Cara suit. to a different country to learn
made a Borg before I knew how to sew, Lee decided to rewatch “The Trouble 04 Cara with about different cultures, and
then taught myself to sew and made with Tribbles.” Having endured so the harness today to create an LGBT
she built.
duty uniforms,” explains the cosplayer. much during the pandemic, seeing focused group, The Lambda
Chris then turned his sights to an even Kirk in the Tribble pile provided 05 Randy Quadrant, aimed at spreading
Frank.
greater challenge, when he set out to a much-needed morale boost and that exact IDIC message to
recreate two of the most memorable inspired a costumed recreation of the all,” explains Frank, “We even
environmental suits in the history of the scene. The build was a daunting task, produced the first drag show at
franchise: one from the spacewalk in Star but the intrepid fan “made it so.” an official Star Trek convention
Trek: First Contact and another based on “Making it was one of the most at Mission Chicago last year!”
those kept aboard the Enterprise NX-01. difficult, pain-in-the-neck things I’ve
Creating spacesuits was an endeavor done,” reminisces the cosplayer, “but
that required all the skills Chris had finishing it? Seeing something I had
assembled. “I started with the First worked on almost non–stop for two
Contact suit, then proceeded to create years come to life and see how utterly
the Enterprise spacesuit,” explains Chris. excited my fellow Trekkies [got] at
“To my knowledge, [it] had never been the con when they spotted the Tribble
done… It was a much higher difficulty pile skirt? Was absolutely amazing
and is my favorite costume in all of Star and exhilarating and completely and
Trek, so I was very motivated to make it.” utterly worth every pinprick, panic,
Needless to say, the results are clearly out late night store run, and scrapped
05
of this world. draft!”

STAR TREK 93
FANDOM UNBOUND

SECTOR 06 Roberto
Armstrong.
FS4OS3
G"#\KŘ
001 07 Lower
Decks by
Jae Zander
Chronicling the creativity of Star Trek fans through art,
crafts, and more!
Learning about fans’ ‘first Kitinoja.
contact’ with Star Trek 08 M'Benga by
Amy Tudor.

09 Culber by
“I believe my earliest recollection Amy Tudor.
and contact with Star Trek was with
10 Garak &
an old 45 [RPM] record story book, Bashir by
The Crier in Emptiness,” remembers Jae Zander
Kitinoja.
Roberto Armstrong. “I may have
been five or six years old when I got
that book from my mother who was
a big Star Trek fan.” Roberto often
watched Star Trek with his mother
and sister, with his first episode being 07
either “The Man Trap” or “Where No
Man Has Gone Before.” Roberto’s
other favorites include “The City on
the Edge of Forever,” “Tomorrow is
Yesterday,” “Mirror, Mirror,” “The
Naked Time,” and “Space Seed.”
Star Trek: The Next Generation
cemented Roberto’s lifelong fandom,
and since then he’s even had the
08 10
chance to meet George Takei and the
late Nichelle Nichols. When asked
what Star Trek means to him, Roberto
replies, “I feel it’s the message of Doctor’s Orders
hope, diversity, and the vision of an “Star Trek is so much more than just
optimistic future where all of mankind the shows and I’m so grateful for this
is united and working towards a community,” observes Amy Tudor,
common goal despite our various a British fan artist. “I wanted to
differences. This gives me hope, contribute to the Star Trek fandom,
knowing there are other fans out there 09 and I’ve been working on portraits
that share the same love, ideals, and of all the main crew members.” As
feelings for Star Trek.” part of this project, Amy has crafted
portraits of two magnificent Chief Medical Officers: Doctors Joseph
M’Benga and Hugh Culber.
Amy has also found special meaning and camaraderie as she
has made progress with her portraits. “It’s been wonderful to show
all the diversity of all these brilliant and unique characters,” remarks
Amy, “and best of all it’s been a great way for me to interact with
other fans!”

Star Trek: Lower Decks to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

“As an animator, I appreciate Star Trek: Lower Decks and its
exuberant, self-referential brand of humor,” says Jae Zander Kitinoja,
“it genuinely brings me a lot of joy!” This connection inspired their
creativity, resulting in their depiction of characters from The Wizard
of Oz. The same level of dedication is present in their joint portrait of
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Garak and Doctor Bashir.
“I’m definitely among friends as a queer person, having just
recently discovered DS9 on streaming,” adds the fan artist. “I’ve
been very much inspired not only by the show, but by artists and
writers in the fandom. I admittedly spend a lot of time thinking
about Garak and Bashir, both as fascinating individuals, and as a
duo with lost potential.
“I’m also really invested in their beta–canon stories; Enigma
06
Tales by Una McCormack really needs a follow up!”

94 STAR TREK
 TREK THROUGH LIFE

OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Star Trek cast members brief fans about their passions, projects, personal hobbies, and more.

Marveling Over Motorcycles

with Adele Shepherd
Adele Shepherd was introduced to Star Trek
fans when she portrayed Ensign Kemi aboard
the U.S.S. Stargazer in Star Trek: Picard’s
second season. A skilled actor and ballerina,
Pomerenke’s talents also extend to working on
motorcycles. “My dad always had a bike,” recalls
the performer. “There’s a picture of me on a bike
from when I was about three years old where I
have a mullet, a red denim jacket, and sunglasses
[laughs]. I really love adrenaline. There’s
something about classical ballet being very
proper, so it’s nice to have [another interest] that’s
completely different. Plus, I love the noise!”
Some of Shepherd’s fondest memories
include taking the very first motorcycle she
owned out on the 4th of July and riding side-by-
side with her father on his 60th birthday. The
actor is currently customizing her 2007 Honda
Rebel 250 to make the pipes louder. Shepherd
also enjoys working on her motorcycle, as well as
on cars. One day, she hopes to try some stunts,
such as standing in an arabesque position on
her motorcycle’s seat. “Biking is kind of like my
yoga, where I can tune out the world. There’s
11 something so freeing about it.”

AWAY MISSIONS
Reporting on fan encounters with
Star Trek celebrities

Engaging Conversations
“Christina [Chong] is so bubbly and genuine. Her energy
and enthusiasm [shine] through,” remarks Anil K. Chander.
“Jess [Bush] was fantastic too… it honestly felt like I was
chatting to a friend… these are some genuinely down to
11 Adele earth, fantastic people who I’m so honored to have met.
12 13
Pomerenke
They are an absolute credit to the Star Trek franchise and
with her
motorcycle a welcome addition to the Star Trek family!”
12 Emily
Tensen with Back to the Future
Anthony Rapp When Emily Tensen met Christopher Lloyd, best known
13 Emily to Star Trek fans as Commander Kruge, she could not
Tensen with believe that the actor, whose other iconic roles include
Christopher
Lloyd Doc Brown and Uncle Fester, was just casually sitting a
few feet away from her! Anthony Rapp, who plays
14 Anil with
Christina Paul Stamets on Star Trek: Discovery, turned out to be
Chong another thrilling encounter for Emily, a huge fan of
15 Anil with Rapp’s performance in Rent. “The theatre-nerd in me
14 15
Jess Bush was thrilled!”

STAR TREK 95
 PUZZLES
by Ibraheem Kazi

WOR DSEARCH
Try our STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS themed word search

01. Captain Pike

J M U I G L K T P F K T G N L P K K R A Q C Q S S
02. Number One
M Y V P H Z A B T C H R I S T I N E C H A P E L M
03. Christine Chapel
V G J N I N W S H C J K R I X J V N R V Q H T C X
04. Erica Ortegas
N F M E H X T K A H K B K P M P S W Y N A E D Z S
05. Robert April
B B H C A P T A I N P I K E D X U T X X F T O D T
06. Starship
E V T D M O K C R K W B J A R N C P F G G E U V A
07. Nyota Uhura
C S A B K R K N Y G R O M I G J X C K G A M I A R
08. Starfleet
J Q L T T Y Y F K A R O O N O D I T B C B I L V F
09. Hetemit IX
O E O D H S C O N S R M B S D W K N Y Z N T D Q L
10. Elysian
K R S W U W V O U O R I S E P D N J L W E I N L E
G I C Y M N Q S M N G V U E R G C L C P K X V H E
D C B L B N R P B L N V O F O T R N D K O Y I R T
A A H B A Y W C E C M X E O R B A P S H J K N E Y
L O Y Q C O Z W R A S T V K G V L P R Y L Q E A E
A R A N V G T B O B Q X N J J Q W N R H T R R B N
A T Q T C T F Y N N D B N M T M K J R I R Z X F D
H E T Y T H S C E T V T I E A N P V G F L H B J X
V G R D G U D M E K A L O F V A L O R B I S T A F
M A I I V O V P X Q P K F E L X Z L U I Y T F P N
B S K N N N S H G H H U P D H I V R I D J M Z U V
N M H I M J W M G O E L Y S I A N X P Z E X J Q A
S T A R S H I P W Q T G H L C J R T G N M J H P P
G O G B R D B R Q N R J G V J Y O L H L G P G W M
J N O V D S C L A M T O R F D R M B G V P C E C F
R S H Q M B Z D G S M E G E C S K F K Z N K X E A
T V C X G D Y N Y O T A U H U R A Q W V D E H R N
E Q N C R G G R F K A H M M D M I K D L L C F O Y
J F L Q N H W R P Y S R D Z D Y E A A C L C D J C
Z M F A O G I N H Y X Z R G O V R W G N H Z W F X
N R K H G M R D H Q E X J A X T E C S F O F F R H

I can’t handle [death]?" specialist!

know how. How can I be a Starfleet officer if
with it and [moving] on, but I just … I don’t 13 – 20: Subspace singing
[death]. Everyone has some way of [dealing]
"The truth is I’ve never been able to face than a Klingon
of [musicals]." Karaoke better 7 – 12:
[musical] reality, we actually follow the rules
"I have a theory. I think since we’re in a for the shower
To Boldly Quote Spock the Difference Wordsearch
Save the singing 1 – 6:
 HOLLOW PURSUITS

SP OCK THE DI F F ERENCE TO BOLDLY

Q UOTE
We're going to Strange New
Worlds with these lines. But
our quantum probability
generator malfunctioned and
now we can't remember these
quotes. We're going to need
your help to remember them.

"I HAVE A THEORY. I THINK

SINCE WE’RE IN A __________
REALITY, WE
ACTUALLY FOLLOW THE
RULES OF __________ "

"THE TRUTH IS I’VE NEVER

BEEN ABLE TO FACE
__________. EVERYONE HAS
SOME WAY OF __________
WITH IT AND __________
ON, BUT I JUST … I DON’T
We're on our lunch break aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise but a KNOW HOW. HOW CAN I BE
transporter problem has altered parts of reality. Can you A STARFLEET OFFICER IF I
find what's changed so we can get back to lunch? CAN’T HANDLE __________?"
 Next Issue
TM

Issue #9
ON SALE
Plus
INSIDE TREK
Dec/Jan
EXCLUSIVE
NEW SHORT
FICTION

And much,
much more!

S TA R T R E K ’ S F I N E S T

CAPTAINS
Todd Harve Diana
Stashwick Bennett Muldaur
Star Trek: Picard’s Recalling the perils of Looking back at Star Trek:
tortured captain producing prequels The Next Generation

ALSO AVAILABLE DIGITALLY! For full details, go to SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT www.titanmagazines.com

WWW.TITANMAGAZINES.COM/DIGITAL U.S. 800 261 6502 U.K. 01778 392085
 COMPLETE YOUR STAR TREK
COLLECTION!
TV & MOVIE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS

Star Trek: Star Trek Explorer Presents: Star Trek Explorer Presents: Star Trek Explorer Presents: Star Trek: Star Trek Villains
The Illustrated Oral History: The Short Story Collection ‘Q and False’ and ‘The Mission’ and The Genesis Trilogy
The Original Cast Other Stories Other Stories

Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: Star Trek: Star Trek: Star Trek: The Movies Star Trek Discovery: Star Trek: Voyager
Fifty Years of Star Trek Epic Episodes All Good Things Guide To Season 1 & 2 25th Anniversary

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES & NOVELS

The Autobiography of The Autobiography of The Autobiography of The Autobiography of Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek
Mr. Spock James T. Kirk Kathryn Janeway Jean-Luc Picard Prometheus: Prometheus: Prometheus:
In the Heart of Chaos The Root of all Rage Fire With Fire

ART BOOKS

Star Trek: The Motion Picture The Art Of Star Trek: Discovery Star Trek: First Contact: Star Trek: The Art of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Inside The Art And Visual Effects The Official Story of the Film Neville Page - The Making of the Classic Film

AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD STORES AND ONLINE

TITAN-COMICS.COM | TITANBOOKS.COM
TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. © 2022 Paramount Pictures. STAR TREK and Related Marks are Trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 TM

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

D I G I TA L S U P P L E M E N T

E XC LU S I V E F I C T I O N • A R C H I V E I N T E RV I E W • STA R T R E K : P I CA R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N
 Captain’s Log EDITORIAL
Editor: John Freeman
Designer: Dan Bura
Group Editor: Jake Devine
Art Director: Oz Browne
Contributors: Michael Clark, Calum Collins,
Christopher Cooper, Chris Dows,
Rich Matthews, Larry Nemecek, John Peel,
Gary Russell, Ian Spelling, Jay Stobie,
and Bunny Summers

Paramount Global - Star Trek Franchise.

Director, Star Trek Brand Management:
Marian Cordry
Manager Star Trek Brand Development:
John Doherty
Copyright Promotions Ltd.: Anna Hatjoullis
Paramount Home Entertainment:
Kate Addy, Jiella Esmat, Liz Hadley,
and John Robson
Simon & Schuster US: Ed Schlesinger

TITAN MAGAZINES
Assistant Editor: Calum Collins
Editorial Assistant: Ibraheem Kazi
Production Manager: Jackie Flook
Production Controllers: Caterina
Falqui, Kelly Fenlon
Sales & Circulation Manager: Steve Tothill
Marketing Coordinator: Lauren Noding
Publicity Manager: Will O’Mullane
Publicity & Sales Coordinator: Alexandra Iciek
Digital & Marketing Manager: Jo Teather
Head of Creative & Business Development:
Duncan Baizley
Publishing Directors: Ricky Claydon,
John Dziewiatkowski
Group Operations Director: Alex Ruthen
Executive Vice President: Andrew Sumner
Publishers: Vivian Cheung,
Nick Landau

DISTRIBUTION
US Newsstand:
Total Publisher Services, Inc.
John Dziewiatkowski 630-851-7683
US Newsstand Distribution:
Curtis Circulation Company
US Bookstore Distribution: The News Group
US Direct Sales:
Diamond Comic Distributors
Canadian Distribution:
Curtis Circulation Company
Australia/New Zealand Distribution:
We’re continuing to evolve our subscriber exclusive digital edition of Gordon & Gotch
Star Trek Explorer, so our much-appreciated supporters get even more Star Trek, UK/US Direct Sales Market:
Diamond Comic Distributors
every issue. Do tell us what you think! UK Newsstand: Marketforce
0203 787 9199
This issue’s physical edition, for example, features an exclusive interview with Star
Follow us on
Trek: Picard Production Designer Dave Blass - but he kindly sent us a huge number @STARTREKMAG
of behind-the-scenes images, too many to use in the space we had - but digitally, @COMICSTITAN
/STARTREKMAGAZINE
we can bring you some more of those visual treats! /COMICSTITAN

Another advantage of the digital edition - time travel! Well, sort of.
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
US: 1-800-261-6502
Because this element of the magazine is the final part our amazing designer, Dan UK: 01778 392085
Bura, puts together, it means I can enthuse about episodes transmitted after the For more information on
physical magazine is completed, including “Those Old Scientists” the wonderful advertising, contact:
ADINFO@TITANEMAIL.COM
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds / Star Trek: Lower Decks crossover. What a treat that
For more information about
was - inventive, pushing the envelope again for the continuing saga. Coming just subscriptions, please go to
before celebrations of 50 years of Star Trek: The Animated Series in September, I WWW.TITANMAGAZINES.COM
thought it was a real tonic. And as for the season finale… well, don’t get me started!
STAR TREK EXPLORER MAGAZINE
VOL #1, ISSUE #8. Published by Titan Magazines, a division
Talking of time travel, I hope you enjoy Mike Collins’ Star Trek: Deep Space Nine of Titan Publishing Group Limited, 144 Southwark Street,

story this issue “A Year To The Day I Saw Myself Die” reflecting on events in the London SE1 0UP. TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. © 2023
Paramount Pictures. STAR TREK and Related Marks are
episode “Visionary”. Peter Holstrom’s Star Trek: Voyager, “Seen and Seen” may Trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. Titan
Authorised User. CBS, the CBS Eye logo and related
prove a little unsettling, too - but in an entirely good way, I promise! marks are trademarks of CBS Broadcasting Inc. TM & ©
2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved. For sale
in the US, UK, Eire, Australia and New Zealand. Printed in
John Freeman the US by Quad/Graphics. ISSN 1357-3888 TMN 14249

Editor
The U.S.S. Stargazer, as seen in Star Trek: Picard season two. Photo courtesy Dave Blass
 ARCHIVE INTERVIEW:

STANDING IN
FOR CAPTAIN KIRK
 Fans of the original Star Trek will know actor Ed Paskey, who died in 2021, aged 81, for his regular
role as William Shatner’s stand in for all three seasons – but he did much more. This archive interview
conducted by Frank Garcia first appeared in Star Trek Magazine #124, published in late 2005…

T
here were plenty of Has Gone Before and ending with ‘Don’t you remember your lines? or
guest stars who walked Is There in Truth No Beauty? (With ‘Why are you so nervous?’ and blah,
in and out of Star Trek: one exception: In Mudd’s Women he blah, blah,” Paskey explains. “But on
The Original Series played Connors, a medical assistant.) Star Trek there was no condemnation.
episodes and everyone Although Paskey didn’t actually It was like, if you made a mistake,
had unique roles to play. For Eddie have many lines or scenes – he was ‘Hey, you’re OK, we’ve both been there
Paskey, who made more than one primarily a red-shirted security guard before,’ and it was such a wonderful
return appearance, his story and in the background – he appeared in feeling of being a part of the group.
experiences on the show are equally many “classic” scenes or moments. “One time that was really hard for
unique and fascinating. In addition For example, when Captain Kirk had me, was a scene where I was playing
to being William Shatner’s stand-in all those Tribbles dumped on him, or it deadpan, in ‘And the Children Shall
for all three seasons of the show, when he told off Captain Kirk when Lead’. I was up against the bridge wall,
he also occasionally appeared as the crew mutinied in This Side of and Bill was giving me an order, trying
Lieutenant Leslie – Shatner came up Paradise. He wore all the coloured to persuade me to do something
with the name, after his daughter, shirts: Gold, blue and red. and I just kept staring off into space.
Leslie – in various positions on the Life on Star Trek was very much That was so hard to do because
U.S.S Enterprise. like a family, says Paskey, a handsome, that crazy Shatner was just trying
Behind the scenes, Paskey worked square jawed fellow who entered the to get me to crack up! He would
on every episode except the last Hollywood business while working as a grab ahold of me and shake me on
eight along with other colleagues; mechanic at an auto garage. He may camera. He would come up next to
Frank da Vinci who was Leonard have been on the lower rung in the the camera and reach his arms in
Nimoy’s stand-in, and Bill Blackburn hierarchy of the production, but was to make it look like he was shaking
who was DeForest Kelley’s stand-in. always treated with respect, and as me, to make me aware of him and
In front of the camera, as Leslie, he a valued member of the film unit. what he’s saying, but I’m supposed
appeared in just about half of the “On some [TV] shows [in to keep looking past him, and look
series, beginning with Where No Man Hollywood] people will say things like, at the wall. And after we filmed it,
he patted me on the back and said, Paskey puts down to the show simply is a trivia question many fans have
‘Well done, Eddie. Well done!’” being ahead of its time. “I don’t wondered about down the years, but
Interstellar travel was not think people were quite ready for Paskey simply laughs when reminded.
Paskey’s introduction to Hollywood. a SF show. They were still watching “Because I was Bill’s stand-in, I
By the time Star Trek’s second Bonanza, Rawhide and the other always had a script and I knew what
pilot was filmed he had already westerns. When we were shooting days he had to be on set and what
appeared in other series such as Star Trek, we were extremely big in days I would need to be in earlier. So
Ben Casey, Mission: Impossible, cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles I had a certain responsibility to be
and caught Gene Roddenberry’s and Chicago. We were huge in the there and available whenever Bill
attention from a role in Police Story, metropolitan areas but when we got was on the set.
an unsold pilot. into the rural areas of our country, we “I would look through the script
Being in Star Trek was a joy and a weren’t that big. We were having to and if there was a role of a security
learning experience for Paskey, who go against the westerns and situation officer there, I would ask one of the
says he liked the show as a viewer comedies. Now, with the internet and assistant directors if I could do that
as well. “Gene was a pioneer,” he such advances in technology, Star role. In Obsession, in the script, we were
says. “He had such an intuition for Trek’s become the norm, rather than supposed to come back to life. Well,
the future. There was just so many something way out.” that part of the script ended up on the
things Star Trek delved into, so many During appearances in some 40 cutting room floor! Otherwise, I would
prominent issues of that time. And episodes, Paskey constantly strived have never done that show, because
dealt with in a really wonderful, not to have his character killed during I did not want to get killed off.
forthright manner. They were a an action scene. But there was one “After that episode, I made sure
beginning of opening up the world glitch: in the infamous episode that when I read the scripts, I’d check
to a new understanding, and I don’t Obsession, Leslie is killed while a “red to see where a security officer or an
think TV ever showed that before. It shirt” security guard – only to be seen engineer was at the end of the show,”
was just great to see it unfold.” in the following week’s episode, The Paskey reveals. “Are they still alive in
The original series never enjoyed Immunity Syndrome, alive and well! the script, or are they dead? And if
huge ratings during its first run, which Leslie’s mysterious reanimation they’re dead, I don’t want that part!
 “After Obsession, I really scrutinized the I’m thrilled. Every time I go to conventions “I just had an email from a fan in
scripts hard,” he adds. “But the fact I was and they come up to me wanting my Alabama whose son is a huge Trekkie and
killed really didn’t become prominent until autograph I’m thinking, ‘Hey, I’m just a the son is about 20 years old and has just
several years after, when Star Trek became silly ol’ mechanic from Santa Ana, what are fallen in love with The Original Series, so
a phenomenon. And especially when the you doing asking me for an autograph?’ It’s the father asked me to send an autographed
videos came out and fans could re-look at just very nice. And yet they want a picture picture to his son. It’s this kind of thing,
the shows over and over.” of me and it’s a very humbling feeling.” because of the internet, that people are
Unfortunately, Paskey’s galactic tour Paskey is impressed by Star Trek’s place having continued exposure to The Original
of duty ended during the filming the in television history and remains optimistic Series. And I think the original had a
third season episode, ‘Is there in Truth No that the franchise will live on. “It’s amazing genuine quality about it, a realness that
Beauty?’, when he came to the realization that it’s as popular now as it was then,” he went beyond just SF, that people could
that he just had to quit the show. “I started feels. “It seems like a younger generation of relate to, it wasn’t just way out SF, there was
getting really bad headaches,” Paskey fans are coming up. a believability to it.”
explains. “I was kind of living on aspirins
at that particular time. The [studio]
lights were just triggering these horrible BEHIND THE SCENES
headaches, even worse than migraines. I
WITH CAPTAIN KIRK
have very blue pale eyes and they said the
lighting affected them. The lights were like While working on Star Trek, Eddie
strong arc welding lights, and it just got to Paskey often had a camera
the point I couldn’t handle it anymore. with him and took several
“The very last shot that I did was the photographs, and he shared
scene where Leonard [Nimoy] went crazy some with Star Trek Magazine in
on the bridge and we all went after him, the past. “I just took a camera
trying to subdue him. Leonard grabbed me with me,” Paskey explains. “ it
and shoved me, which he was supposed to was no big thing, but my wife,
do, but when he did, I fell back against the bless her heart, kept all of the
railing of the bridge and my back hit it so negatives secured. Some of
hard, I could just hear this pop, pop, pop, them are a little bittersweet.
along my back. I fell down and I couldn’t That one with Leonard in his
get up. cloak and pancho, wrapped
“I was just in agony, between my around his head? He was fast
headaches and my back hurting. Afterwards, asleep, sitting straight up!”
I went outside in the alley and just sat out
there for a good half hour. And that was it. I
just knew I could not continue.”

“GENE WAS A
PIONEER. HE HAD
SUCH AN INTUITION
FOR THE FUTURE.”
Paskey returned to his first love:
working with automobiles. In 1981, he
and his wife opened up a shop called
The Airshop, a company specializing in
installing air conditioners, door locks,
cruise controls into cars. “I kept that up
until three years ago,” he notes. “I retired
and sold the business because I needed to
recuperate from back surgery.”
Looking back at work accomplished
40 years ago continues to surprise and
delight Paskey. When he made his debut
convention appearance, Star Trek expert
Richard Arnold introduced him as the one
actor who had more film time than Chekov,
Uhura or Sulu.
“I’m still amazed by the Star Trek
phenomena,” says Paskey. “The fans amaze
me with their knowledge of the episodes.
 FICTION

E XC LU S I V E F I C T I O N

A DEEP SPACE 9 STORY

A Year To The Day

I Saw Myself Die
STORY: MICHAEL COLLINS
I L L U S T R AT I O N : M I C H A E L C O L L I N S

"M
ILES!” but she and Molly are down on Bajor and he
And it’s his father, his Da, doesn’t want to bother her. Julian, though?
silhouetted in the doorway; and He’s been regularly unloading about his
it’s Miles – 13 now – in his relationship with the Dabo girl, Miles figures
childhood bedroom in Dublin, it’d be fair play.
knowing he’s in for it for missing cello practice “I can imagine it was disturbing seeing
because he got distracted fixing the gravlift on yourself die like that… you did have the
Declan Shalvey’s flipboard. The dream is so appropriate counseling then?”
intense – “Yeah – but it’s not quite that – the Miles
BUT who died was from this reality, and I replaced
“Miles!” him. I can’t help but wonder if I’d be as selfless
It’s not his Da. as him, as heroic…”
“Miles!” Julian smiles, kindly.
It’s himself. “But he was you, you are him. However
And it’s not Dublin, it’s Deep Space 9. heroic he was, you can be. It’s daft to be in
And the Miles in the doorway is dying. awe of the actions of another self. It’s not like
the Mirror Universe, that Miles and you only
Chief Miles Edward O’Brien wakes with a diverged by a few hours.”
start, he’s sweating, alarmed- the dream still so Miles shrugs.
close and so real he can smell the static from “But what if he had an epiphany?
the time apparatus on his dying self. Something that made his sacrifice heartfelt
He checks the station’s chrono- and there in a way I can’t comprehend?” Julian looks
it is. A shudder runs through him. sideways at Miles, a little smile- mischievous.
He thinks to himself : “A year. A year to “However, I think you’re buried the lead
the day I saw myself die”. here – did you really say –”
Miles thinks with a weary sigh here we
* * * go…
“– Cello?!”
After his shift, he and Doctor Julian “Yes, I play cello. I was in a quartet on the
Bashir walked along the Promenade towards Enterprise. When I was assigned to DS9, there
Quark’s in their World War Two pilot gear. wasn’t enough room for it and, anyway…”
He’d rather be discussing this with Keiko “Anyway?” Julian catches his reflection in

STAR TREK 9
A Y E A R T O T H E D AY I S A W M Y S E L F D I E

a shop window, adjusting the May Gamma Quadrant, it was all Starfleet Boston Bomber, a wing now aflame
West floatation vest, smiles to himself Exobiology could do to keep up. as it plunged towards the Channel.
approving of his dashing look. He and Julian had planes to fly… “Bogies at 3 o’Clock!” He opened
I’m having an existential crisis and fire…
he’s preening, thinks Miles. * * *
“Keiko’s not the biggest fan of … and nothing happened.
it. For the first few months work was Aboard a Bristol Blenheim
non-stop, so I fell out of the habit.” bomber, they were taking major flak Through his canopy he could see
“Playing music can be as they advanced as part of the air the Boston hanging, maybe 50 meters
wonderfully therapeutic. Don’t you armada on the French coastal city of above the water, the 109Es suspended
miss it?” Dieppe. Swinging his machine gun in smoke above and to the side of
Miles pauses, shakes his head. nest around, Miles was taking out the him. Nothing moved, all silent.
“D’y’know, I don’t think I do? seemingly endless lines of FW190s “– The bloody hell?!” he
Isn’t that funny? Me Da made me that swooped down. struggled down from his perch atop
practice so much as a kid, but I’m so “Jerry’s outnumbering us!” yelled the vast aeroplane, back within
busy with the station I never give it a Miles, over the hail of gunfire. the fuselage. “Hey Julian, has the
second thought – I wonder…” Julian, at the controls, banked program –”
They reached Quark’s, Julian the huge bomber, avoiding blasts of He stopped, as he saw in alarm
gestures for Miles to go ahead of anti-aircraft explosions, their smoke that, like the rest of their holographic
him – filling the dawn sky. ‘crew’, Julian was inert. Lurched to
“Well, don’t … string me “Hold tight, gunner! As soon as the side, hands gripping the controls.
along…” the Typhoons and Spitfires take out “– frozen” he finished, almost
Miles sighs again. those heavy artillery positions, we’ll redundantly.
“How did I end up with you as be home free!” He experimentally prodded
a friend?” Miles swung around, aware Julian on the nose.
Julian, now smiling broadly, of a second flank opening up, of No response.
“Best friend…” Messerschmitt Bf 109Es cutting “Nope. Nothing.” he prodded
As they entered the bar, Quark through the smoky sky to his right, again, just to be sure.
stepped out in front of them- tracking up the coast. As they Miles stood (an awkward
beaming with all the sincerity he approached, one took out a Bristol proposition as the aeroplane was
could fabricate.
“Gentlemen! Here for another of
your Holosuite adventures?”
Past him, Miles spotted a group
of strangers clustered by the bar,
desperately trying not to be noticed.
One in particular – a human figure
with an ridge across his forehead,
seemed to be part of them, yet oddly
separate. As he turned, the ‘ridge’
opened to reveal a third eye, working
independently of the other two,
looking directly at the Chief. He
quickly turned away. Miles was taken
aback, but then Quark spoke:
“So! Chief! Doctor! Looking
forward to taking on those Nazyites
in their flying ships?”
“Nazis. In aeroplanes. And yes!”
The Doctor beamed, a child-like
enthusiasm behind his eyes. He
climbed the stairs, his focus on the
adventure ahead. Miles was aware
of the man looking at him (with all
three eyes?) curiously, but shook his
head. Let Quark have his intrigue,
they’d better things to do. And third
eye guy? So many races were coming
through the Wormhole from the

10 STAR TREK
 FICTION

"THE MILES WHO DIED WAS FROM THIS REALITY, AND

I REPLACED HIM. I CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER IF I’D BE
AS SELFLESS AS HIM, AS HEROIC…”

banked at about 30’) and raised his A glance around the bar told loosen his grip, he did.
voice. Miles that everyone had been “I…” he gasped, recovering his
“Computer! End program!” but rendered inert. Was the box the composure “I don’t understand! How
the plane didn’t go away. “Arch!” but cause? are you … animate? Are you behind
no doorway materialized. He inched Taking the steps two, three, at a this?!”
along the bulkhead, a mess of wires, time he bounded to the source of this Miles’ eyes narrowed “I could ask
dials and bucket seats not easy to problem. The light was pulsing out you the same, fella.”
negotiate in the best of circumstances. stronger now, so bright he couldn’t The man composed himself. “I’m
He closed his eyes, visualizing the make out what was inside. The sound Commander Ganeri Criss – Starfleet
doorway in his mind. He reached out, got louder too: discordant, erratic. TIC.”
and felt the access panel. He manually As he approached it, he sensed Miles looked confused. “TIC?
dragged the door open. Nothing eyes on him, though everyone was What division is that?”
electronic was responding. mannequin still. “It’s… not established yet…”
A strange light poured in, … Or was it just an eye? Miles shook his head “So let me
pulsing. Where the heck was that He was suddenly aware of guess – the ‘T’ is for time?”
coming from?! someone in his peripheral vision, and “Good as. Temporal Integrity
ducked, quickly, as the figure swung Commission. We study and deal
* * * at him. Miles was up again and with anomalies, leave before creating
pinning the man against the staircase. a paradox… Like this… but it’s not
From the mezzanine, Miles looked “Oi! Do you bloody mind?!” stopping… I don’t know –”
down to see the suspicious group from yelled the Chief. The three-eyed man “Why’s everyone here frozen, and
earlier clustered around a box, maybe blinked, first his main eyes, then the what is that –” he gestured towards
a meter high. It’s front was propped third. His expression was one of deep the glowing box.
open, overlaying waves of light seeping alarm. He was suddenly aware of a
out, multicolored, streaming and “Now, are you going to tell me change in the structure of the bar.
fluctuating. A monotonous low hum just what the hell is going on here?” Was it… aging? Decaying?
accompanied it. The man gestured for Miles to “– and what’s it doing to the bar?!”

STAR TREK 11
A Y E A R T O T H E D AY I S A W M Y S E L F D I E

“We received an alert in the 29th MILES PUT HIS HEAD IN HIS
century,” Criss replied. “I was sent by
temporal transporter to investigate – I
HANDS. WAS THIS HOW IT
arrived 48 hours ago, before –” he ENDED? DS9, FOR ALL HIS WORK,
paused…
“Before?” asked Miles, it wasn’t
DESTROYED BY A BUM NOTE?
going to be good…
“Before DS9 disintegrates… Miles shrugged. “Future version Miles put his head in his hands.
today.” of myself from a parallel reality. I Was this how it ended? DS9, for all
must be just different enough to not his work, destroyed by a bum note?
* * * be affected...” His face changed… a crazy, crazy
Criss pointed to his forehead thought…
Criss looked in the box. “That’s why my Hi-Eye registered “This artifact, can I hold it?”
“It appears to be a temporal you,” he mused “This station and Criss looked wary. “What good
device –” parallel realities… almost as bad would that do?”
“A bomb?!” Miles challenged. as the Enterprise!” he paused. “any Miles smiled.
Criss shook his head. “No, an Enterprise…”
artifact of some kind. Your Ferengi “Can I do anything?” Miles * * *
bar-owner acquired it from the asked, looking at the artifact,
Gamma Quadrant, and was going curiously. “I’m an engineer. Is there The TIC officer braced the box as
to sell it to the highest bidder. I some technical solution? Something I Miles struggled to extract the artifact.
insinuated myself into the group…” can twist, or hit, or calibrate?” The floor starting to splinter under
Miles looked around at the Criss shook his head. The station their feet, as he desperately kept his
skeevy figures by the bar. shuddered around them. The Dabo balance holding the device.
“Unfortunately,” Criss continued, table was crumbling, cracks appearing It was a carved wood structure,
“opening its case activated it – and through the floor. Not long now. an elegant swirl: a helix. It was
now it’s accelerating entropy in the bar. “No – it’s something to do with hollow. Between top and base strands
Eventually, it will spread to the whole harmonics, they’re discordant, that’s were fixed, crossing the shape.
station and DS9’ll turn to dust. I wasn’t what’s causing the entropic effect – Through the center of the structure
frozen in time, as I’m chronometrically if only there was a way to regulate was a thin stem. A bow.
distinct from this time – but you?” them…” Miles smiled again.

12 STAR TREK
 FICTION

Criss looked at it, alarmed “What he played. A soaring, beautiful tune show over! Apologies, gentlebeings,
are you going to do? We can’t beam – as he arco-ed, his eyes closed, in the please settle your bar bills, this
it off the station. Don’t you dare moment. auction is concluded.”
break it!” As the tune rose, elegant and Julian came down the stairs
They lurched as the station fragile on this strange instrument, “Miles?! Where on Earth did you
shifted, panels falling. Miles held the the entropic effect reversed. The bar disappear to?”
artifact tightly. became whole once more. On the “We had an… engineering
“I’m not going to break it. I’m final dying notes, the light diffused, emergency.” he smiled at Criss, who
going to play it.” and other sounds came in – nodded.
Julian looked baffled as Criss
* * * – the hum of the crowd. Time tapped a comm-badge. “Thank you,
had started again. Chief. Keep up the music. No need
Taking the stem, Miles drew it to report this?”
across the ‘strings’. The rumbling in Quark looked at him, shocked “Wouldn’t know what to write,
the station momentarily quietened. “Chief?!! How did you get here and anyway?” smiled Miles.
As he paused, the whine keened, and what the hell are you playing at?” He left in a transporter glow, the
the cracking slowed. Criss looked Miles smiled. “The Lark box with him. Julian, utterly baffled,
baffled “What did you do?!” Ascending, Vaughan Williams.” looking between where the vanishing
Miles considered. “It needs Behind them, Criss placed officer had stood, and Miles.
regulating, a continuous harmonic the instrument back in the case. “What? What?!”
sequence,” he replied, knowing that “I’m confiscating this, on Starfleet Miles squeezed Julian’s shoulder.
whatever he did here would mean life authority.” “Let’s get back to Dieppe…”
or death for everyone on this station. Quark blustered. “You can’t do What he didn’t tell his friend,
Thousands depended on his next that! It’s mine! I own it! This is an what he couldn’t express was the
action. Like that ‘other’ Miles, this outrage!” epiphany he had as he made the
was something he knew he could do, Criss smiled “I’m sure you can artifact work: that he’d never stopped
had to do. show us the appropriate paperwork –” making music. That DS9 was now
He lifted it – it was nothing Quark glowered. Looked at Miles his instrument, vast and elegant,
like a cello but he understood it, and Criss. Shook his head. Then, and every day he tuned her, finding
instinctively. With one hand pressing disgruntled, beaten, he turned to harmonies and played – made her
strings, the other running the ‘bow’, the group, herding them away. “OK, sing across the stars.

STAR TREK 13
 S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D
PRODUCTION DESIGN EXTRA
Star Trek: Picard Production Designer Dave Blass
shares some behind-the-scenes imagery...

For Star Trek: Picard, Art Director Liz Kloczkowski worked with the concept and Set
Design teams to expand the sets of the U.S.S. Titan, including the transporter room.
S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N
S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N

Building the transporter room set.

The final look.

 S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N

Building the “composite Data” found on the Daystrom Institute, Star Trek’s equivalent of “Area 51”
 S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N

Art Director Kit Stølen headed up the District 6 project, taking bits
from old sets, and reconfiguring them into an alien marketplace
S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N
 S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N

Kit Stølen headed up work on the Borg sets in the final season of Star Trek: Picard, taking bits of
Borg from season one and then adding three decades of Borg evolution to the design.
 S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N

Preparing to shoot a scene with the Borg Queen (Jane Edwina Seymour).
S TA R T R E K : P I C A R D P R O D U C T I O N D E S I G N

On this page, more imagery featuring the Daystrom Institute.

 EXPLORE THE
STAR TREK COLLECTION!
TV & MOVIE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS

Star Trek: Star Trek Villains Star Trek: Voyager Star Trek: Picard Star Trek: The Movies
The Genesis Trilogy 25th Anniversary

Star Trek: Star Trek: Star Trek Discovery: Star Trek:

Fifty Years of Star Trek Epic Episodes Guide To Season 1 & 2 All Good Things

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES & NOVELS

The Autobiography of The Autobiography of The Autobiography of The Autobiography of Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek
Mr. Spock James T. Kirk Kathryn Janeway Jean-Luc Picard Prometheus: Prometheus: Prometheus:
In the Heart of Chaos The Root of all Rage Fire With Fire

ART BOOKS

ALSO AVAILABLE

Star Trek: Lost Scenes

Star Trek: The Artistry
Of Dan Curry
Star Trek: The Next
Generation The Art
Of Juan Ortiz
Star Trek: The Motion Picture The Art Of Star Trek: Discovery Star Trek: The Kelvin Time Line
Inside The Art And Visual Effects

AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD STORES AND ONLINE

TITAN-COMICS.COM | TITANBOOKS.COM
TM & © 2022 CBS Studios Inc. © 2022 Paramount Pictures. STAR TREK and Related Marks are Trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 FICTION

E XC LU S I V E F I C T I O N

See & Seen

STORY: PETER HOLMSTROM
I L L U S T R AT I O N : LOUIS DE MARTINIS

T
he stillness struck her first. An planet teaming with life – at least, it should have been.
emptiness. No sight, nor sound Trees, shrubs, and vines surrounded her, but appeared
entered her consciousness. But she was almost frozen in time. The only movement came from
conscious. She knew that much at least. the waving reflection of moonlight, and the streaks of
She might have been floating, stuck in stars above. Stars…
limbo, or dead. The only thing she knew for certain It all came rushing back. Voyager, the shuttlecraft
was an omniscient awareness of nothingness. mission with Captain Janeway and Lieutenant
She was alone. B’Elanna Torres, the malfunction… the crash. The last
Her mind went to her youth – the stillness that thing Kes remembered was B’Elanna preparing to eject
only a contained underground community could offer, the warp core, then she woke up here…
a loving father, and awareness that everything would be Kes rose to see the wreckage of the shuttle strewn
provided for. But that was two years ago, and Kes was around her. Sparks from flickering consoles as the
no longer a child. power surged, then dissipated, added a ghostly sheen to
Her dreams of seeing the stars had taken her to the surroundings. She wiped her hand across her short
the starship U.S.S.Voyager – determined to traverse the blonde hair to find it caked with blood. She should
galaxy in search of their home. Growing up around be dead. Even if B’Elanna had ejected the core, doing
countless new cultures thrilled her with wonder each and so in an M-class planet’s atmosphere would have been
every day. Yet she was Ocampan. An alien. An “other.” catastrophic. They all should be dead. And yet…
“Imagine you are listening to a symphony and In the shadows of the jungle, a movement caught
focusing on a single instrument,” Tuvok had said a Kes’s eyes. She tried to focus, but couldn’t be sure if
few days prior while exercising her telepathic abilities. her eyes were deceiving her. The trees stretched away,
But there was no symphony here, not even a single inward and outward, seemingly at the same time. Kes
instrument. Just silence. struggled to keep the visage in her mind, and shook her
With her father’s image in her mind, Kes opened head. There was something. At least, she thought she
her eyes to a world of stars above, dancing around in saw something… If only Captain--
streaks of purple and white. She had often heard the Kes’s mind flew to Captain Janeway. Her eyes
crew of Voyager refer to stars as “specs of white,” but darted around to find Janeway and B’Elanna spread
never had the nerve to ask what they meant. Stars were out on the wreckage. She scrambled over to Janeway’s
always white and purple streaks through her eyes, like unconscious body, and checked for a sign of life,
dancing fairies against a screen of dreams. remembering the lessons in human anatomy the
Kes lifted her head to stare around. She was on a Doctor had taught her. There was a heartbeat, but it

STAR TREK 21
SEE & SEEN

was weak. Kes closed her eyes and a liar, and by opening the door of The core didn’t eject, so instead of
reached out with her mind. Kes’s potential, it nearly cost Tuvok bouncing off the atmosphere into
Captain, please wake up. his life. With Tanis’s departure, the space, we crashed.”
Janeway’s muscles shuddered door to that potential had closed, and “But we’re still here, so the
back to awareness, as her eyes her abilities had returned to a benign matter/anti-matter containment must
fluttered open. state. That’s what she told herself, have held. Janeway stared around and
“Kes? What happened? Did anyway. moved towards B’Elanna.
you…?” Kes unconsciously recoiled Ever since that day, she’d felt “That shouldn’t be possible,
away from Janeway. the stares of the other crew members Captain. We were venting coolant—”
“I’m sorry, Captain. You were on her back. Despite the fact that “--Captain, when I awoke, I—”
unconscious and I…” Kes closed her Tuvok had healed, damage repaired, Kes froze, unable to put into words
mouth at a loss for words. and all was forgiven and forgotten the mysterious jungle visage.
A wave of shame crashed over – the stares remained. The eyes, the “Yes?” Janeway stared at her,
Kes at the thought of her using whispers – while B’Elanna shot an impatient
her telepathic abilities to wake the (monster) glare. Kes always felt like a little girl
captain up. It had been only a few -- dogged Kes wherever she went. around the captain, half ashamed,
short days since Voyager’s encounter It frightened her… like she had been caught with her
with the Ocampan colony, and one “It’s all right, Kes.” Janeway hand in the cookie jar.
specific Ocampan, Tanis, who helped smiled and reached out her hand to “It, it might have been
Kes unlock telekinetic powers beyond Kes for help, bringing Kes out of her nothing—”
her wildest dreams. So alluring was thoughts. “Where’s B’Elanna?” “We don’t have time for this,
this new power, Kes felt herself fall “I’m here. Somehow” the half- Captain.” B’Elanna’s sharp voice gave
in love with its potential – addicted Klingon chief engineer barked Kes a start. “Voyager could be on the
to the ecstasy of having power over as she pushed herself to her feet. other side of the quadrant by now.”
life and death. But Tanis had been “This stupid shuttle malfunctioned. “Then we have a bit of time,
don’t we? Kes?”
Kes stared at the two women
with wide eyes for a moment.
“It was nothing. Shadows playing
tricks.”
“Well, glad we’ve got that taken
care of...”
“It’s all right, B’Elanna. Kes, if
you see anything else, feel free to say
so.”
Kes’s emotions boiled inside
of her as she watched Janeway and
B’Elanna turn back to the downed
shuttlecraft. B’Elanna’s impatience
was expected, but the Captain?
Sending me back to my room, like
a child who cried Kazon.
Kes marched away from the crash
and towards the jungle. The vine-like
plants glowed with a dark purplish
hue reflected off the moonlight.
Despite all this vegetation, she still
felt nothing around her. But how
can that be? Plants do not merely
appear from nothing, which means
there must be life of some sort. Yet,
she felt—
No, it’s not that she felt
nothing, it’s that she felt the absence
of nothing. As if something was
recoiling from her. Hiding from her.
Kes closed her eyes and stretched
out with her mind, attempting to
visualize, as Tuvok taught her, the
inner world of this planet. As she

22 STAR TREK
 FICTION

KES’S EMOTIONS BOILED INSIDE OF HER AS SHE

WATCHED JANEWAY AND B’ELANNA TURN BACK
TO THE DOWNED SHUTTLECRAFT. B’ELANNA’S
IMPATIENCE WAS EXPECTED, BUT THE CAPTAIN?

tried, a sudden impulse overtook her Kes’s shoulder, but she barely felt it. “I will not engage in this witch
to call for— Kes remained where she stood hunt level mentality. Not until we get
“Capt—” as Janeway and B’Elanna returned more data.” Janeway continued, but
Kes’s legs gave out from under to the downed shuttlecraft. She Kes stopped listening, turning away
her, as if a giant earthquake had looked up to the moon, steeped in towards the jungle.
pulled the ground away, sending her an orangish hue against a purple sky, She could feel the tears moments
to the ground. Yet, she had felt no and she wondered if perhaps – away from bursting forth. The jungle
earthquake. Kes looked up to see the “Do… think… coincidence, fire, the emptiness around her, Tuvok,
jungle was suddenly ablaze with fire. Captain?” Kes barely heard B’Elanna’s Tanis, the hydroponics bay… Perhaps
“Captain!” Kes turned, but whispers. She leaned over in the she really was losing her mind…
neither Janeway nor B’Elanna seemed direction of the two women and A movement in the jungle caught
to notice anything. “Captain!” strained her elongated ears to try and Kes’s eye. A vine-like tree swayed
Finally, they looked up and rushed hear more. violently back and forth. Then
over. “She burns through the another next to it. Then another.
“Kes, what’s wrong?” hydroponics bay, nearly kills Tuvok, Soon, every tree surrounding the
“The fir –” Kes turned, but and now she sees fires everywhere.” crash site whipped to and fro as if a
the jungle had returned to normal. “You think she’s still carrying the surge of wind drove them. Yet, there
“Captain, there was a fire. The jungle trauma of her telekinetic explosions?” was no wind.
was ablaze.” B’Elanna pulled out her Janeway mused. “Kes!” Janeway rushed towards
tricorder and scanned. “I think we— her.
“There’s no evidence of a fire.” (monster) “You see it too?!” Kes could
“I wasn’t mistaken. I saw it.” -- might need to consider that barely hear her own voice over the
Janeway kneeled to help Kes to her she’s creating these fires herself. The barrage of sounds from the trees
feet. shuttle should not have crashed, encircling them.
“I believe you, Kes. Perhaps the Captain. Kes might not even know “Kes, stop this!” B’Elanna
moonlight is playing tricks.” what she’s doing.” barked.
Janeway placed a tender hand on Janeway rubbed her forehead. “This isn’t me!”

STAR TREK 23
SEE & SEEN

Kes opened her eyes. She was on

the ground, seated with her back to
the shuttlecraft wreckage. Janeway
stroked Kes’s cheek with concern.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I—B’Elanna!” Kes reached
out to the alive B’Elanna crouched
beside Janeway.
B’Elanna lightly pushed Kes’s
arm away from her. “We still have a
situation here.” The trees thrashed as
Kes had never seen. Almost as if they
were--
“Captain, I believe I know what’s
going on.”
Janeway looked at Kes with
suspicion. “Anything you can point
to scientifically?”
Kes shook her head. “No. I…
need to go into the jungle.”
“The hell you do,” B’Elanna
retorted.
“Captain, I have to do this.”
Janeway stared out to the jungle, then
back to Kes.
“I’m sorry, Kes. I can’t—”
Kes broke away from Janeway’s
hands and rushed towards the jungle.
“Kes, come back!” Janeway
Janeway placed a protective arm away for who they are – we learn and ran after Kes, but as she did so, the
around her. “We have no evidence marvel at our differences. Forever in thrashing of the trees intensified to
this is coming from Kes. Stand down, awe of what could be. You’re a part of the point that she could no longer
Lieutenant.” our crew, Kes. We wouldn’t turn our follow. It was as if the jungle itself
B’Elanna pulled out her tricorder backs on you.” Janeway had inched wanted Kes to come alone.
and shoved the results toward forward enough to where her arms Vines and foliage parted before
Janeway. “We have no evidence nearly touched Kes’s. Kes closed the Kes as she ran, engulfing and sealing
of anything, Captain! This isn’t distance to embrace Janeway as tight her in as she moved deeper and
technically happening!” as she could. deeper, until finally she came to a
“There has to be evidence of A fresh burst of movement small clearing.
something! I will not believe Kes is crashed through the trees. Kes parted “I’m here!” She cried out to the
the cause of this!” from Janeway’s embrace to stare void. “What do you want to tell me?”
Kes pushed Janeway’s arm away. towards the jungle. The trees stopped moving,
“I don’t need your protection, “Perhaps— B’Elanna!” and an eerie silence encased the
Captain.” Kes stared back and forth Kes turned to see B’Elanna now clearing. Kes’s mind went back to her
between Janeway and B’Elanna – a on the ground, writhing in pain. childhood. The feeling of her father’s
combination of fear and compassion Her body was slowly disintegrating. embrace, and the protection she
on Janeway’s face. “I am not a Janeway was kneeling beside her, felt. The fear struck her again – the
monster!” staring in horror. loneliness, the monster that may lie
Janeway’s shoulders sank, her Janeway crooked her head within her.
eyes focused on Kes’s, as if none of towards Kes with a look of “Do not fear your negative
the madness around them existed. concentrated malevolence. thoughts. They are part of you. They
“Kes… We do not blame you for “You did this!” are a part of every living being. To
what happened.” “No. I told you, this wasn’t me!” pretend it does not exist is to create
“I’ve seen the way they look “You killed us!” an opportunity for it to escape.”
at me! The way she looks at “No!” Kes closed her eyes from Tuvok’s words from their previous
me!” B’Elanna turned away, in a the scene, could not believe what she lesson rang in her ears. Kes took a
movement as close as her Klingon was seeing. breath, and for the first time since her
blood would allow for shame. Would not. last encounter with Tanis, she pushed
“Some do react with fear or “This isn’t real! The Captain at the door to her potential.
aggression at things they don’t would never say this to me! Ne—” I’m here. Can you understand me?
understand. But we don’t turn people “Kes?!” Plant life from all around her

24 STAR TREK
 “SHE BURNS THROUGH THE HYDROPONICS BAY,
NEARLY KILLS TUVOK, AND NOW SHE SEES
FIRES EVERYWHERE.”

shuddered, exerting a powder-like Doctor smugly explained. “Kes’s millions of… cells. That’s why our
substance from within. The powder Ocampan physiology has perception scans revealed nothing – they had no
floated down towards Kes, as if quite different to humans or framework for understanding such a
guided by a single force. The powder Klingons, making her attuned to the lifeform. I believe Anoallidin couldn’t
took shape, growing, bending, until alien’s visual wave-length. I could comprehend seeing life end, no more
it formed the hollow image of a have deduced that in moments...” than it could comprehend having its
humanoid, suspended in the air with Two days had passed since Kes’s life endangered.
neither mass nor form, defying all encounter in the Jungle with the “They could’ve just said hello,”
Kes had ever seen. alien being called the Anoallidin. B’Elanna snorted.
Can you speak to me? Kes could Voyager had only just rescued “The Anoallidin communicate
only hope her words found a home. them, after B’Elanna established through images as opposed to
The figure raised its “hand” towards communications. The Doctor words. Meaning doesn’t come from
her. Kes approached, and let the hand continued to scan Janeway and association but from reference. The
rest on her forehead. B’Elanna, as Kes stared on. trees, my visions, it was all to say we
A wave of images flooded her “There’s still one thing I don’t were hurting it by our leaking coolant
mind -- images she could barely understand,” Janeway mused. “If during the crash.”
understand, barely comprehend, until... ‘Anoallidin’ viewed our crash as an “Remarkable,” Janeway got up and
I understand. attack, why save our lives? Why not placed her hands on Kes’s shoulders.
A tear dripped down Kes’s face. just let us die in the explosions?” “And Kes, I hope you’re alright.”
I’m sorry… “The planet we crashed on “Yes, Captain.” Kes smiled. “You
was not a collection of lifeforms, were right. There is so much to be in
“It’s really quite simple,” the but one lifeform spread amongst awe of.”

STAR TREK 25
 TM

Next Issue

Look out for two more great Star Trek adventures, and
more, in our next subscriber exclusive digital supplement!

ALSO AVAILABLE DIGITALLY! For full details, go to SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT www.titanmagazines.com

WWW.TITANMAGAZINES.COM/DIGITAL U.S. 800 261 6502 U.K. 01778 392085