Friday, April 01, 2011

Borg Collective

Remember when the Borg first beamed aboard the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D? Its 2265 and Q pays his good old buddy Jean Luc Picard a little visit. Mr omnipotence has quite the fun at Picard's expense and snaps his fingers. Suddenly the Enterprise-D is whisked out of the Federations comfort zone and hurled into the flightpath of a Borg cube. It always exciting exploring galactic space unless its uncharted Borg territory. Spooky stuff for the Enterprise kiddies.

Captain Picard's confidence takes a serious nosedive when it becomes apparent, that the Federation's mighty Flagship Enterprise is unprepared for the unknown Alpha Quadrant. Picard is quaking in his boots when out of the blue, cybernetically enhanced humanoids from the Delta Quadrant take a keen interest in the USS Enterprise-D and her crew. Of course Q shook up the Enterprise bridge crew to teach Picard a lesson who grovelled for forgiveness in the end. ("Q Who" TNG)





The Borg have one mission, one hive mind and belong to one collective. Do not cross the Borg unless pain is something you enjoy. The Borg collective seek only pure perfection. "We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile." The Borg became the United Federations of Planets most ruthless enemy with the loss of 39 ships and 11,000 lives at Wolf 359. Captain Jean Luc Picard's capture and assimilation by the Borg struck a killer blow at the beating heart of the Federation.

"Captain Jean-Luc Picard, you lead the strongest ship of the Federation fleet. You speak for your people."

"I have nothing to say to you. And I will resist you with my last ounce of strength!"

"Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours."

"Impossible! My culture is based on freedom and self-determination!"

"Freedom is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant. You must comply."

"We would rather die."

"Death is irrelevant. Your archaic cultures are authority driven. To facilitate our introduction into your societies, it has been decided that a human voice will speak for us in all communications. You have been chosen to be that voice."

The crew of the Enterprise-D are gutted when their rescue attempt discovers Captain Picard turned into a Borg! How could this be happening? LOL. Hundreds of thousands of Star Trek fans were glued to their TV screens for the trek ultimate climax wayback in 1990! Its seems so long ago now but I still remember this extraordinary episode with terrifying fascination. So began the famous Enterprise-D battle pitted against the Borg Collective. Everything now rested in Commander Riker's hands giving Captain Blackbeard an even chance to prove himself in the captain's chair. But what about Shelby? At first, I wasn't so sure about her either but Shelby's tactics gifted the Enterprise-D diehards with enough cutting edge technosteam to fight the Borg!

Which side had the superior firepower to obliterate the other ship? What about Captain Picard? The shocking Borg Picard calling the shots from the enemy Borg ship tested my trek allegiance to the core. At the time I thought I was the only one torn in half but my trekkie friends put me right. Best of Both Worlds has two part episodes (in Season 3&4) nominated for the Special Visual Effects Emmy, however the Enterprise's battle yielded little awards for the actors. This suspense thriller is one of my favorite TNG Trek episodes with its spine chilling music winning two Emmys for Star Trek The Next Generation.

Live Long and prosper, Star Trekkers.

Anya the Allasomorph


What is an Allasomorph? Who could have guessed that these females are in fact two bug eyed monsters!!!

All blazes breaks loose when these shapely lovelies beam aboard the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D. Take a hard look at the shorter allasomorph Anya from Daled IV. Don't you just want to give her a hug? Don't be fooled by her height either because beneath her skin lurks one mighty powerful lass. Yup, thats right. Anya is one mean, beastly governess who can shapshift and kick ass! In any case, she made me split my sides laughing!

While Salia and Anya appear to be normal sentient lifeforms all is not what it seems. These female bug eyes have strange transformational abilities according to the Galactic Zoological Catalogue. Salia is the future leader and last hope for uniting the warring factions on Daled IV. Anya is Salia's vigilant mother/protector and companion. In Star Trek TNG "the Dauphin" episode we discover just how dangerous this creature really is, when Anya changes her molecular shape and tosses Lt Worf around in a fight.


Owner/Creator Paramount Pictures and or CBS Studios.

Anya is touring the flagship Enterprise NCC 1701-D when she discovers a slightly contagious patient in sickbay. In Anya's mind the diseased Hennesy poses a significant threat to Salia's life. She demands action! "Kill the Patient, Destroy the Patient immediately!!!" Rather drastic wouldn't you say?

Dr Pulaski is horrified and tells her to cool her heels. Picard and Worf are understandably baffled by Anya whose mysterious transformation catches Worf completely off guard! Shapeshifting no doubt takes alot of effort but the trouble doesn't end there. Anya the bug eyed furry creature confronts Wesley in his quarters! Just when the poor Enterprise whizkid thought he had it made with the perfect dreamgirl! LOL She spooks the holy crap out of Wesley who been courting and drooling over Salia on the sly. But it gets even better when the young and beautiful Salia springs into a hairy, bug eyed shapeshifter too!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

A to Z Challenge.

Its the daily blogging A to Z challenge! 26 wee letters in the alphabet starting with A on April 1st. Sounds simple doesn't it?

Guess what my topics will be about? Now set your phasers on stun, sit back and engage your warped hive mind because its time for some trek delights. I discovered the A to Z challenge on Alex J Cavanaugh's blog. I'm hoping this trip doesn't overload my little grey cells too much or I'll be heading straight to Dr McCoy's sickbay for a good shot of Saurian Brandy. A good slug of the good stuff usually does the trick.

Meanwhile back in the Galactic realm of Star Trek reality, Spacerguy will attempt to expound on every letter in the alphabet for the month of April. Wheres Data when you need him?

Hey, Alex suggested using a theme and I know a good A to Z spin off. Remember the librarian MrAtoz from the planet Sarpeidon in All Our yesterdays? We could launch it as Mr Atoz's Trek Challenge!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Star Trekkin' across the Universe.



I love this original version of the Firm's song "Star Trekking across the Universe." So I've added the lyrics so you can join in the fun and sing along. What I can't figure out is what happened to the Klingons? Weren't they supposed to appear off the starboard bow? maybe they're hiding somewhere.... Enjoy your Star Trekking, Trekkers.


Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward 'cause we can't find reverse.

Lt. Uhura, report.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Analysis, Mr. Spock.

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know it,

not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward, still can't find reverse.

Medical update, Dr. McCoy.

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know it,

not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Starship Captain, James T. Kirk:

Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill;
we come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, men.

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know

it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, scrape 'em off, Jim.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward, and things are getting worse!

Engine room, Mr. Scott:

Ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, laws of physics;
ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, Jim.

Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill;
we come in peace, shoot to kill; Scotty, beam me up!

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know

it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow Jim!

You can not change the strength Jim of the engines.

It's worse than that, it's physics, Jim.

Bridge to engine room, warp factor 9.

Och, if I give it any more she'll blow, Cap'n!
Red Alert Red Alert
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward 'cause we can't find reverse.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward, still can't find reverse.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Battle TNG

The Battle is the ninth episode in Star Trek TNG written by Larry Forrester and Herbert Wright, directed by Rob Bowman. The USS Enterprise NCC 1701 enters the Xendi Sabu Star System where it waits patiently for three days at the request of a mysterious Ferengi message, "Stand by, Enterprise." Meanwhile Beverly is in the captains quarters aboard the USS Enterprise-D servicing a grouchy, bedridden Captain Picard completely drained from a unnatural headache. For a moment its looking real cosy between them. Picard's oratory defenses fail him making him powerless to spurn the advances of Beverly's Crusher's inept administrations. The Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise takes pleasure ordering the captain to sickbay. You can blame Q for the "inept" bit. Captain Picard puts on a big brave face and is prepared to accept his fate when Commander Riker's hail spoils all the good fun.


Picard "Duty calls doctor."

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The Ferengi are finally ready to talk shop with Picard who makes a quick getaway from Beverly's diabolical concoctions and she knows it! So off he goes to the bridge which gets Crusher temporarily off the hook. Consider, why doesn't the Chief Medical Officer just shoot the captain with a few drops of cordrazine which has been known to rejuvenate countless Starfleet mortals? I suspect Doctor Beverly was bluffing and wanted an excuse to well ehm...you know, roll about in the hay with her Captain!!...How very naughty of her, but you never know. Maybe just maybe, she gets off torturing her patients in a roleplay scenario...with the weaker ones who can't fight back! Hehe....Still, she doesn't give up hope on mon capitan and we see the two lovebirds meeting up later on in Sickbay for another round of Crushers "medical fakery."

Picard finally gets to talk with one of the beastly little Ferengi creatures calling himself "DaiMon Bok." The commander of the Ferengi marauder, Bok makes his sales pitch and arranges to rendezvous with the USS Enterprise and beamover in one hour. Its interesting to note Counsellor Deanna Troi cautions Picard that she detects "considerable deception on Bok's park and danger" I guess Troi is having a good betazed day! At last Bok presents Picard with his old Federation starship, the constellation class USS Stargazer last commanded by Jean Luc Picard nine years ago in Maxia Zeta.

I have to admit, its just too hard to swallow the Ferengis lame story with the little toads behaving themselves just totally out of character. Its all wrong. Counsellor Troi should have chimed in with "Captain the Ferengi toads are hiding something..." right? Ferengis are extreme capitalists at heart and beam straight aboard the USS Enterprise-D bridge. The mind twister here is why Bok donates the Stargazer for absolutely no financial gain? His unprofitable venture was enough to freak out his Ferengi playmates and violate the Ferengi Rules of Aquisition. It obvious to viewers everywhere that this little toad was definitely not on the level.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

I guess its a little difficult to fully appreciate the Ferengi approach to commerce ... wait I've changed my mind.... Actually trekkers, forgive me but I'm just having a laugh. One thing is certain, interpreting their facial expressions immersed behind all their makeup gew is a challenge for any dedicated trekker. At least "the battle" elevates their characters to a degree of prominence surpassing the Ferengi caricatures rolled out in Star Trek TNG in "the last outpost" episode. In the course of Picard's, Data's and Riker's exchange with the hob goblins it emerges that Bok's son was killed during a surprise attack when the Stargazer outwitted "an unidentified craft" with the exceptional 'Picard Maneuver.' The captain of the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D apologizes but alas his words are in vain and fall on the dumb ears of the Ferengi.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The game is afoot when evil DaiMon Bok played by Rob Bowman gifts Picard's old ship in an act of friendship at no cost to the Federation! Strange but true. Bok's greedy eyed companions are mortified but DaiMons peaceful overtures blows away Picard who can't take his eyes off the Stargazer. Lets face it, Picard isn't exactly firing on all thrusters. Dr Beverly Crusher has already applied a counteragent to "mask" Picard's headache but sadly it just doesn't do the trick. If only Dr "Bones"McCoy was around, I'm sure his Saurian Brandy would work wonders.

The entire bridgecrew of the flagship Enterprise actually entertain DaiMon Bok's bountiful Ferengi spirit. I mean whats the matter with them? Are the Enterprise bridge officers juiced up on crack cocaine? All except maybe Commander Riker who attacks Kazagos greedy capitalist beliefs to the extreme limit. "Enterprise now taking possession of the Stargazer, Kazago."The Ferengi first Officer has little choice but to part with his Federation prize.. "Granted Riker" But Riker persists. "Actually it was quite a bargain Kazargo, I thought the Ferengi always made a profit on things." beams Riker cruelly at the wolfish looking Ferengi. Kazago ends the transmission with a sickening growl from his stomach. The Enterprise takes possession of the USS Stargazer NCC 2893 "in honor of the hero of maxima" but the scoop just seems too good to be true.
Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The news overwhelms beleagured Jean Luc Picard who finds himself in Crusher's Sickbay with yet another setback. Meanwhile Commander Daimon Bok has been busy. The sneaky toad has hidden a glowing mind control device in Picard's old Stargazer quarters. The magic ball treatment is all part of Bok's elaborate scheme to mortally wound Picard for snuffing out his son! Bok boosts the signal controlling Picard nightmares with his glowing ball of evil. He nearly drives poor baldy beserk with headaches. Amid the chaos of mind control devices, Wesley's geeky predictions, forged Stargazer log entries, Riker and Data playing Detective Inspector Columbo, friendly Ferengi peace offerings and a nostalgic Starfleet captain, Bok's revenge plan to lure Picard aboard the USS Stargazer pays off.


Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The Hero of Maxima relives his past in a desperate struggle to save the Stargazer and her crew but sadly Picard loses all sense of reality. The Enterprise-D captain is aboard his old starship giving orders to former crewmates as they fight for survival in the battle of maxima. Next, Picard sets his sights on the USS Enterprise-D. Take a deep breath Trekkies because we're blessed to withness a sensational strategist sit into the Enterprises captains chair. Fortunately for the crew Commander Riker doesn't blow it. He knows about the celebrated Picard Manevuer used in the original battle allowing the Stargazer to be in two places at once with the attacker firing upon the phantom starship. Good old Riker fails to turn the Federation's flagship into a fireball....what a relief!!! and manages to seize the Stargazer in a tractorbeam before all hell breaks loose. Its a sweet ending when swashbuckler Riker emerges as the hero and seeing the captain Picard bounce back to reality after his trippy Stargazer sleighride.


Live long and Prosper, Trekkies.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Worf's Klingon Literature


















What type of literature does Lt. Worf from Star Trek The Next Generation enjoy reading?

1. The quotations of Kahless the Unforgettable.

2. Klingon love poetry.

3. Science fiction novels by Earth author Isaac Asimov.

4. The Irish Unification of 2024.

5. Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planet Development.

6. None of the above.

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkies and Trekkers!

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Lonely Among Us TNG

Lonely Among Us is the sixth episode of Star Trek The Next Generation written by D.C. Fontana and Michael Halperin directed by Cliff Bole. Stardate 41249.3. The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D beams aboard delegates from two alien civilizations in the Beta Renna system who have become deadly adversaries. Since achieving space flight the Seley and Antican lifeforms have naturally applied for Federation membership. In the Enterprise transporter room, Captain Picard, Commander Riker and Chief of Security Tasha Yar patiently await the arrival of the Seley delegation to beam up. The snake creatures materialize with the chief Seley delegate stepping off the transporter pad sniffing the air.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

"I'm Captain Picard, welcome aboard. We hope your journey will be pleasant and comfortable, arranging that will be my First Officer, Commander Riker."

Riker: "Welcome aboard. If you follow me, I will show you the accommodation that we....."

Chief Seley Delegate: "We can already smell the Anticans. They were taken aboard first?" Rikers mouth falls open in complete shock.

Picard steps in to the rescue: "Only because their world was first on this heading to Parliament."

Chief Seley Delegate:"Will our quarters be near the Anticans?" The creatures nervousness resonates throughout the transporter room.

Riker: "About one hundred meters appart."

Picard:" Is that alright?" Tasha Yar makes an effort to keep a straight face.

Chief Seley Delegate:"No! Unsatisfactory." The Seley delegate is extremely peeved about the guest quarters.

Riker:" I believe we can accommodate your wishes and rearrange the suite assignments."

Chief Seley Delegate: " And we must be upwind from the Anticans."

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Tasha Yar and Picard realize that the Seley and Antican candidates have a serious beef with each other which is in danger of spiralling out of control. Its the Enterprise's job to deliver the aliens safely to the neutral conference planet. The hope is Parliaments Peacemakers will get the aliens to play nice with each other before establishing ties with the United Federation of planets.

Meanwhile on the Bridge, Data's shortrange scanners detect a mysterious energy cloud closing in at warp speed. Captain Picard tweaks the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D flightpath in order to bypass the cloud so they can reach parliament on time. However all is not what it seems. Routine maintenance on the ships sensor assembly seems peaceful enough with Geordi reporting all sensor maintenance equipment online and functioning. Perfect! Right? Guess again!!!! The Enterprise's plight deepens when Data's bridge sensor scanners reveal absolutely no lifeform or matter readings emanating from within the energy cloud.

When the Enterprise sweeps by the edge of the mysterious space phenomena, something far-out happens. It changes shape and direction! Why the ship's sensors got it wrong only adds to the mystery. A sentient energy life pattern is accidentally snatched away from its natural habitat and absorbed through the USS Enterprise NCC1701-D energy systems. Clueless, Starfleet's finest continues on their way to Parliament. Alone and terrified the energy sentience tries to communicate with the Enterprise crew, alas it's met with resistance and very strange behaviour. The energy beings sentience is temporarily trapped in the Enterprise-D energy circuitry so it devises a plan to emerge with the human lifeforms on the Enterprise thing.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

During the sensor sweep of the mysterious cloud a blue energy surge attacks Lt Worf during his routine inspection of a sensor console. The energy being leaps into the Klingon sending him crashing to the deckplates unconscious with quite a wallop! This is a brilliant stunt played out by the great Klingon Warrior Lt. Worf aka Michael Dorn and is thrilling Star Trek to watch. Geordi springs into action and alerts Dr. Beverly Crusher who also gets a zap from the weird and mysterious entity. Equally weird is the fact no-one notices the Doctors oddball behaviour including the empath Troi. Finally, our sentient energy being discovers the Enterprise's computer intelligence with the help of Dr Beverly Crusher who nearly blew it. On the bridge Data spots her assessing Helm Control instead of using the Science Station for completing a medical report on Lt Worf "Mental Aberrations." Datas android innocence fails to detect the doctors seeds of evil and expose her as a baddie! Later on further warp power disruptions affect the Enterprise so Captain Picard leans over Geordi's Helm station which immediately infects him with a blast of blue energy. "Everything is fine now." The alien energy being has big plans for Picard. It intends creating a new lifeform by merging him with the energy cloud. Yikes!

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The bridge crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D are surprised when Picard diverts the ship back to the alien's energy "homeworld." Yep....its back to the cloud. Data logically points out "A mere change of direction hardly justifies mutiny." The Soong android refers to the great detectives credo, Sherlock Homes for the first time. "We must fall back on the old axiom that when other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable must be the truth." The Enterprise bridgecrew need to act fast in order to save Picard who has closed part of his mind to Counsellor Troi. Remember when Picard says:

"The search for knowledge is always our primary mission."

In my view Dr Beverly Crusher fails to assert her authority over Captain Picard as Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise when he first exhibited signs of alien possession in the Ready Room. Why didn't Beverly just whisk out her Medical Scanner and analyse Picards vital lifesigns?

Instead the good doctor goofs around with medical exams counting on Commander Riker to back her up "somehow." On the Bridge more chaos shocks the crew when Captain Picard announces his resignation in the face of Riker's defiant objection. The sentient entity being is responsible for sabotaging the ship, invading the crew and apologizes for killing Engineer Singh but its alien mind is resolute. So that leaves Picard to deliver the bad news to his senior bridge officers. But hey! what a speech even though its crazy B.S. Its so eloquent and dignified in substance that everyone is temporarily stunned into silence.

"Very soon after we had combined we had learnt much about each other. A passion for exploration and the unknown and we found we had similar dreams. It offered your captain a way to realize them beyond human expectation."

The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D bridge crew rise up against the captain but the sentient entity is ready for them with his secret jedi weapon. He immobilizes the entire bridge crew with blue flashes of lightning which gave him enough time to flee the ship.

Lets hear it now. Awwww (Please Captain don't go we need you!)


Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Captain Picard merges with the energy life pattern by beaming out as pure energy into the alien energy cloud. Don't you just love new lifeforms? Counsellor Deanna Troi senses something has gone wrong when Picard's energy
presence is abandoned by the aliens in the energy cloud. "The merging" with the energy patterns was a complete failure. Fortunately the captain's physical energy pattern was stored in the transporter buffer and because he was the last one to leave the ship.....Data, Riker and Troi are able to rematerialize the captain in body and spirit and proceed to Parliament minus one adorable Seley delegate.


Live Long and Prosper, trekkers.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Last Outpost TNG

In the fifth episode of Star Treks TNG, "the last outpost," the crew of USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D chases after a Ferengi marauder which has looted a T-9 Energy converter from a federation Outpost on Gamma Tauri IV. Captain Picard's mission establishes contact with Ferengi outlaws in orbit of a desserted planet which once thrived as a powerful space federation before its star went supernova. An electromagnetic power surge fires upon the Enterprise so Picard decides to fallback. Curiously both ships are seized by a powerful energy forcefield which drains their power systems and lifesupport paralysing them in the Delphi Ardu star system. The Ferengi's impressive spaceship design makes them appear technologically savvy to the Federation but all is not what it seems. Is it possible the Ferengi have immobilized the Starfleet's flagship with a vastly powerful weapon?

Image Owner/creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Worf " I say fight sir, theres nothing shameful falling before a superior enemy."
Picard "And nothing shameful in a strategic retreat either."

This episode is loaded with heroic metaphors. Riker "He will triumph who knows when to fight and when not to fight." Sun Tzu. Geordi Laforge shines briefly in Main Engineering as Chief Engineer when he rolls out a proficient plan which should have broken the Enterprise free from the forcefield trap at high warp. Fortunately, Deannas Betazoid instincts saves the day when she redirects everyones attention away from the Ferengi ship focusing instead on the Tkon planet. But time is running out and with the powerdrain constantly sapping the Enterprise's warp engines, Worf and Yar suggest going out in a blaze of glory.

Captain Picard nearly surrenders the USS Enterprise-D until Daimon Taar contacts him asking to be spared offering the lives of his first officers in return. A plan is eventually hatched when the Enterprise teams up with the Ferengi "traders" who value commerce above all else. The first Ferengi is played by Armin Shimerman who also plays a regular character, Quark, in Deep Space Nine. Away teams beams down to investigate the planet amidst the remains of a seemingly lifeless outpost some 600,000 years old.

Data reports tricorders are useless and dead communicator contact with the Enterprise means they're on their own. Fortunately a sleeping portal reawakens just in the nick of time materializing after the Ferengi surprise attack on the Enterprise away team. Portal is disappointed with the Ferengi's closed and warlike wisecracks accusing the "human criminals" of treachery and deceit. "and they shamelessly clothe their females...... inviting others to unclothe them, the very depth of perversion!!" Tasha Yar fends off Mardocks advances as he closes in on her. "Paws off Ferengi!"

Image Owner/creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

"Speak Barbarians Speak, who makes the Challenge? who will it be?" Portal63 transforms himself into a humanoid biped and challenges Riker to enter the Tkon Empire. Riker passes Portals test of courage by conquering his fear in the face of certain death with complete composure. Riker "Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy." Sun Tzu. The guardian of the Tkon empire is satisfied Riker has met his challenge with civilized common sense and releases their starships with full power restored to the engines. Something to write home about eh, trekkies?
Live Long and prosper!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Code of Honor TNG

The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D is on a mission to acquire a miracle vaccine needed to combat the deadly Anchilles Fever ravaging planet Styris IV. The crew enter Ligon II's orbit and finally get to meet its proud leader, Lutan who beams aboard with his delegates. Tasha Yar floors Lutan's right hand man, Hagon when he ignores the Chief of Security inspection procedures. I like how Yar easily disarms Lutan's secondary snatching the sample medicine out of his hands before the guy even gets near Picard. This makes a distinct impression on the Ligonian leader who has been watching "the strange aliens things" very closely. The captain arranges some friendly entertainment for the Enterprise's guests and presents Lutan with a 13th century horse from China's Song Dinasty which hopefully was replicated.

owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

"We of Ligon have been apprehensive about strangers. We're not as technologically advanced as you but we possess something you do not. A vaccine which has been found to be an effective antidote to your Anchilles fever. If you respect our custom and we see that respect, we will be friends and we'll make the antidote available to all who need it." A round of applause follows but its interesting to note how unconvinced Deanna Troy is by Lutans grand speech. This is when the councillor should have chimed in with "he's hiding something" but she mysteriously opted to stay quiet instead! Why? In a surprising move, Lutan's springs into action and deliberately kidnaps the Chief of Security from the Enterprise flagship.

Captain Picard's startled crew need to act fast in order to guarantee mission success but instead are paralysed with shock. Tasha has vanished to the surface without a trace. Picard faces a tough test but is weirded out by Lutans beserk behaviour and fires stupidly at the planet... A review of Ligonian tradition reveals Lutan has acted honourably but all is not what it seems. Heroism, tradition and strict codes of honor similar to Native American "counting coup" need to be observed if Picard is to obtain the vaccine, who beams down to the planet.

Image owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Tasha Yar reluctantly fights a death duel with Yareena, Lutan's wealthy wife for her position as "First One." In a greedy plot to swipe his wifes lands, Lutan declares he cannot part with Yar and pits the two women against each other with deadly hand spikes. The battle for power begins. Glee is written all over Lutans face who is secretly rooting for Yar. "The rules are known. Let combat continue until there is victory. It will not be interrupted." Fortunately for Yar, Yareena's weapon flys off her left hand striking a ligonian guard in the belly killing him.

Honor is eventually restored when Tasha strikes Yareena with a calculated killer blow poisoning her. Lutan in delighted and agrees to allow the transfer of the vaccine to the Enterprise. In a surprise maneuver, the Enterprise beams up Yareena, right at the point when she dies giving the Chief Medical Officer, Beverly Crusher, a chance to save Lutan's First One. Lutan is furious. Ligonian law dissolves their mating agreement instantaneously at the time of death. Yareena returns to life ruining Lutan's greedy plans. She ejects him from power and makes Lutan's right hand man Hagon her "First One" and leader of Ligon II with control over all her wealth and land.


Code of Honor is the fourth episode of Star Trek The next Generation written by Katharyn Powers and Michael Baron directed by Russ Mayberry.

Live long and prosper, trekkers.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Scotty's Laws of Physics

1. Call me Scotty. I may be captain by rank... but I never wanted to be anything else but an engineer.
2. Never let Mr Spock know exactly what your thinking... Vulcans are greedy for knowledge and want to read your mind.
3. Don't react when Klingons call Captain James T. Kirk a tin plated over bearing, swaggering dictator with delusions of Godhood. Keep your cool, sit down and finish your drink. Its simply not worth fighting about.
4. Don't be fooled by Shapeshifters. When in doubt speak in code and defeat your enemies with puzzles they cannot answer.
5. "Starship captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way. The secret is to give them what they need, not what they want.
6. A fused dilithium crystal converter defies the laws of physics when trying to repel Klingon warships. The warp engines will not restore power to the phasers and shields without additional dilithium. Fortunately raw crystal necklaces are just as powerful as the Dohlman of Elas's tears.
7. Never make fun of Scotty's Excelsior, insult something he cares about instead like the Enterprise.
8. Never confuse the emergency bypass control valve for the matter/antimatter reaction chamber with emergency transporter bypass circuits.
9. No woman has been known to win Scotty away from his beloved ships. Lt Carolyn Palamas, a pretty young officer serving in the Enterprise's Archeology and Anthropology department came close but the Greek God Apollo stole her affections.
10. Always stand up to Klingons who insult the USS Enterprise NCC 1701. Shes not a Garbage Scow and will never be hauled away as garbage. We're big enough to take a few insults but the Enterprise is a matter of pride worth defending. Stick to your phasers on this!
11. Picard's Aldebaran whisky packs quite a punch. The 24th century has synthetic commanders and synthetic scotch. Scotty is not impressed. In Relics, Data offers Scotty a real drink. Strong and alcoholic, Dr. Leonard H. McCoy would approve. A bottle of the green stuff will help solve complex engineering problems every time.
12. Mr Scott has said "You 'cannae beat the finest scotch in all the Galaxy." Montgomery's scotch whiskey.


13. Prewarp cultures are the forbidden fruit in the Universe. The Prime Directive forbids interference with their development. Contact with the natives is forbidden except for Captain Kirk....of course!
14. Never tell the captain how long it really takes to run a diagnostic or fix the dilithium crystal converter if you value your reputation as a miracle worker.
15. Wise up on the latest Engineering technologies in your Starfleet Technical Manual and forget about shoreleave unless ordered by the Captain.
16. A good engineer will always understate how much pressure a starship engine can take in his engineering log.
17. "Condition Green" is covert Starfleet code telling you that Captain Kirk is in trouble with the natives again.
18. Make sure to thank your Captain when ordered "Confined to quarters until further notice." This is a rewarding experience just for you. Hes giving you a chance to read up on your technical journals.
19. When the ship is in danger of blowing up, ignore Scotty's design specifications including the pressure variances in regulation 42/15. Mr Scott wrote it. "A good engineer is always conservative on paper."
20. Be prepared to brave the unknown and take risks with minutes to spare. A good engineer is capable of bypassing errant computers and jury-rigging malfunctioning warpdrives which will place you in peril close to high voltage currents, odd power surges, radiation, coolant leaks, exploding consoles and warpcore breaches.
21. A master engineer can tell how fast a starship is travelling by the feel of the deck plates.
22. Its the Chief Engineers job to know his starships engines inside out, so use your wits to chill the Captain and save the Enterprise in your own sweet time.
23. Deep down everyone knows Scotty.



Live Long and Prosper, trekkies and trekkers..

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