The Anvil U.S.S. Hephaestus: NCC-2004
ALWAYS ONWARD A MEMBER OF STARFLEET INTERNATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 2017
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Inside This Issue From the Ready Room
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XO Briefing
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30th Anniversary and Beyond
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Exploring Trek
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While on an Away Mission
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Ask the Terran
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The Hephaestus Redshirt Challenge
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Quotable Quotes
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Name the Season
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Reviews
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Star Trek News & More
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Ship’s Log
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Personal Log Special Report – Star Trek: The Cruise 14 Recommendations
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The Captain’s Top 10
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Crew Happenings
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STARFLEET Academy
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STARFLEET Marine Corps
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Anvil Focus Schedule
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Do You Know this Alien…
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Hunt for the Icon
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Name the ____ Answers
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Away Team and Activity Schedule
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STARFLEET Renewal Reminders
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Area Conventions & Exhibits
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USS Hephaestus Command Structure
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HEPHAESTUS is the Greek name for the Roman god of the forge, Vulcan. Birmingham has the world’s largest iron statue, that of the Roman god, Vulcan. We named our STARFLEET chapter the Hephaestus to give us ties to our city and to Star Trek, which has had its own Vulcan since 1966. Hephaestus forged armor and weapons for the gods. We create our own “armor and weapons” here, in our newsletter, so it is called The Anvil. Cover: Main Cast
of The Next Generation
Web Links STARFLEET www.sfi.org Region 2 www.region2.org USS Hephaestus - Group www.facebook.com/groups/Hephaestus2004/ USS Hephaestus – Page www.facebook.com/USSHephaestus/ Twitter www.twitter.com/Hephaestus2004 Anvil Back Issues www.issuu.com/ncc2004
Editor
MarkAdam Miller
Layout, Graphics and Publishing
Brenda A. Miller
NASA Reporter
Curtis Salors
Doctor Who Reporter
Matt Boyd
Field Reporter
James Davis
The Anvil, Issue 313 is the monthly newsletter of the USS Hephaestus, NCC-2004, of STARFLEET, The International Star Trek Fan Association. All terms and phrases from Star Trek are owned by Paramount Pictures Corporation, a division of Paramount Communications and all rights are reserved.
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From the Ready Room Greetings from your Captain, Now is a good time to get involved with the Hephaestus. We have a new Star Trek series coming out (Star Trek: Discovery), a parody of Star Trek (The Orville) and a lower membership cost to join STARFLEET. What a great time to be a Trekkie. We will be having a premier party for Star Trek: Discovery at my home on Sunday, September 24, 2017. I know some may not make it because it is a school/work night but we will make a go of it. Come prepared to have fun. I have added a YouTube channel that I will be doing the Ship’s Status report on as well as some introduction video’s to the Hephaestus and STARFLEET. If you have any pointers on how to use YouTube let me know. I have not figure out how to get a good link without a long string. For now, look up Hephaestus STARFLEET and it should take you right to our channel. I will also look into making it possible for others to add their video’s that would promote Star Trek, STARFLEET or the Hephaestus. I am always looking for writers for The Anvil. Check out the help wanted ad (pg. 18) to see how you can contribute.
As always, Live Long and Prosper and see you around the ship, Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller cohephaestus@bellsouth.net, www.facebook.com/groups/Hephaestus2004/
XO Briefing Greetings, It’s time for the Vote of Confidence for the Captain and y'all can send me the vote through my email at phillip3056@charter.net and put “Vote of Confidence” in the subject. This month marks the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I can't believe it has been 30 years since Patrick Stewart became Captain Picard and in command of the new Galaxy Class US.S Enterprise.
If you need me, I’ll be with Section 31, Lt. Commander Phillip Mangina, phillip3056@charter.netv
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30th Anniversary and Beyond By FCapt MarkAdam Miller Star Trek: The Next Generation is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It is surprising that we have traveled with the crew of the Enterprise D for 30 years. Since that time, we have seen three other series and nine other movies (four of the movies were before this) develop. We will also have another series premier two days before the actual anniversary which is September 26. Is this anniversary any different than the one we celebrated last year with the 50th anniversary of the original series Star Trek? I would say yes and no.
With this 30th Anniversary we will also see a new beginning of Star Trek in a format that is growing. This format is watching television on our own terms. The new Star Trek series, Star Trek: Discovery, will premiere on broadcast Television but the rest will be on CBS All Access. This is a subscription-based format so that you can view it on your computer, tablet or phone. As with TNG, Discovery is paving the way for a new audience to see Star Trek. It is nice that this is happening on the 30th anniversary of TNG. TNG missed the original series’ 20th anniversary because of a writers’ strike. Discovery will be a celebration of TNG with its new format. Star Trek Discovery may pave the way for Science Fiction that doesn’t make it in conventional ways.
Taking the NO answer first, it is not any different as we are still celebrating Star Trek for its staying power as a cultural phenomenon. Star Trek, at its heart, is a show that tries to bring about a hope for the future, a standard to live up to and a way of life to strive for. These elements are what has made Star Trek a household word and why it has been envisioned in 6 series, 13 movies, countless books, several different comic book series and countless fan clubs. This is a celebration that continues day in and day out for the fans.
So, a toast to Star Trek: The Next Generation and its commitment to ensure that Star Trek lives now and into the future. Others’ thoughts: Hey there, it is hard to believe it has been 30 years since ST: TNG first aired. Here's to the next 30. LLAP.
The reason this is different is because of what TNG brought to the franchise. The movies had shown some success but the networks were never sure if a series would be successful. TNG proved that Star Trek was viable as a series and would run for 7 seasons, more than double of the original series run. It also paved a new way to make television shows other than being on the big four networks (CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox). Shows like Babylon 5, Stargate SG-1 and Sliders might not have been made if it hadn’t been for TNG. Thanks to TNG, Syndication became a new route to allow shows that did not make the big four networks to still be broadcast.
– Fleet Captain Richard Childers, Region 2, Zone 2, Coordinator I remember when TNG came out. I was excited that [a] new show was coming out. TNG had a new ship and new crew and this time I got my dad into watching it with me. – Phillip Mangina, Jr., XO, USS Hephaestus My favorite episode of ST: TNG is Unification (S05E07 and 08). That is my favorite episode not because of the Romulans and the Vulcans. It is because it deals with Ambassador Sarek facing his mortality. Sarek is getting much older and he does not want to face the fact that he can no longer do what he once did. The other reason I like this two-part episode is, Spock is in it. Unfortunately, Spock
TNG also showed us that when Gene Roddenberry died the vision did not die with him, that Star Trek lives on in the hearts of the fans and will keep going as long as we dream about it. USS Hephaestus
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doesn’t reconcile his relationship with his father but he does get to have the feeling that he wanted from his father by mind melding with Captain Picard. That is a scene that I felt was touching. I like it whenever anyone from the original cast makes an appearance in any of the different versions of Star Trek.
could not have been a better person to play this role. The wild conundrums and weird things he would do with Picard and the crew would make me laugh all the time. Nowadays, de Lancie voices a character on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic who is very similar to Q: Discord. The way he sounds as Discord, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone in the MLP staff is a ST: TNG fan to get him to voice the funny character. I remember a few years ago when the Weather Channel started naming winter storms. When Winter Storm Q came to be in the winter of 2013, I couldn’t help but make a gag meme with de Lancie in character. For me, when it comes to ST: TNG, I’m all for the goofy and enigmatic Q. It makes me glad I got the Spock Vs. Q audio performances a few years ago.
– Matt Boyd, Ens 1st Class, USS Hephaestus ST: TNG is the ideal that I aspire to (and was inspired by) and I wish this was a universal goal. The unity and the harmony of the crew is the most important aspect of what made this so ideal for me. I liked all the characters, but became especially attached to a few, and I really sympathized with them in all their various scenarios. Whatever challenges came, they faced them together and sometimes even risked themselves to save the others. I think that having a Counselor on board was a key to the crew's well-being and I applaud the recognition and inclusion of the role from the show creators. Diplomacy was also a big focus of this series, which highlighted the priority of the improved protocols and attitudes toward meeting new races, though noninterference was not always the best option and it created a moral conflict for the Captain and crew. Dramatic tension came about from the external factors and not internally among the crew because it was the right mix of compatible people who had the values of integrity, respect and tolerance for all others. These are values I hold dear also and is my wish that they are passed on to the next generations for whatever extraterrestrial life they may one day encounter in our vast universe.
– Shirley A. Burton, USS Hephaestus Ambassador I grew up watching The Next Generation, it aired in 1987 when I was only ten years old. I wanted to start with my Top Five Favorite Episodes. Also, I will give a summary of why I love each episode. Believe me it was not easy to narrow it down to five! With the exception of 2 [or] 3 episodes they are all incredible. First: The Neutral Zone, this episode brings back the Romulans. I always liked them. Second: The Defector, it shows how deceptive and treacherous the Romulans can be (even with their own people). Third: The Hunted, it was a great commentary on a society’s treatment of war vets and PTSD. Fourth: The Mind’s Eye, this one was just a good psychological episode, which also demonstrates how the Romulans manipulate events in the galaxy from the shadows. Finally, the fifth: Redemption, Pt 1 & 2, we really got to see Klingon culture in depth. As TNG continued they continued to do this.
– CMDR Andrea Debrestian, USS Tiberius, Chief of Communications My favorite ST: TNG memory is Q! As someone who is known more as a Trekker than a Trekkie, I watched Star Trek: The Next Generation on a regular basis, but not every week. However, when it comes to my favorite memory…there’s no question of that wacky and crazy being from the Continuum, that crazy character known as Q. I swear John de Lancie
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As far as favorite characters, I love them all for different reasons. It would be impossible to pick my favorites. – Lewis Stockham, Crewman, Terran Empire
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Exploring Trek The August meetiong of Exploring Trek was on Time Travel. We discussed the 51 episodes and the 4 movies that delt with time travel. We also discussed the five different ways that time travel was created. This did bring up other movies like Back to the Future that dealt with time travel. Exploring Trek on your own: 1. Compare TOS: City on the Edge of Forever with Back to the Future. 2. Compare TNG: Time’s Arrow with Back to the Future, Part III.
Exploring Trek for the rest of the year: Exploring Trek Topics for the rest of the Year: September 28, 2017- TNG: Parallels October 26, 2017 - Star Trek: Discovery Check your calendars to help set up an Exploring Trek Dinner in November or December to celebrate the year. Also be thinking where you want to eat. Start thinking about what topics you want to explore next year as well.
Kingdom Comics – the place for all your Star Trek needs
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While on an Away Mission By Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller We’ve been investigating a body found on Vulcan of a young Amanda Grayson. This has led us in to exploring a possible broken timeline caused by the Vulcan Science Academy and their research of decalithium. We have not been able to solve all the problems but are able to make some recommendations to STARFLEET. STARFLEET Headquarters Top Secret: Chi level To: CS Robert Westfall, RC Ryan Case, Temporal Investigations From: Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller After careful examination of the Amanda Grayson body and looking into the closure of the investigation by the Vulcan Science Academy, I have come to the following conclusions: 1. Amanda Grayson’s body is from a timeline that is a breakoff of our own. 2. The break off is believed to be caused by a future event that is instigated by the Vulcan Science Academy, its use of Decalithium and experiments dealing with super nova’s. The event has not happened as of yet. The Vulcan Science Academy has shut down its research so it would be hard to determine when it will happen. 3. I speculate that because of an accident during that future experiment people were sent back in time. This is the cause of the break in the timeline (around James T. Kirk’s birth) found by our research probes. I also believe from our research that the people have tried to return to their own time. This is believed because the break in the timeline is 25 years before the age of the Amanda Grayson body’s age. Ms. Grayson’s death may be a cause of their attempt to return. 4. I would recommend that Temporal Investigations check all time anomalies against the data we have from the Amanda Grayson investigation to see if the time anomalies may be part of the broken time line. They should also be involved in any shipments of Decalithium in the Federation. Finally, they should be looking at any experimentations with Super Nova’s. I know most of this is speculation. Only time travel can prove any of this. Time travel is not possible because the time traveler would not be able to return to the present time but be lost in the broken timeline. I also wish to state that the Vulcan Science Academy is not trying to do anything wrong. I believe they just want to help cultures that might be harmed by Super Nova’s. This accident was an unforeseen problem. In service to the Fleet, MarkAdam Miller Fleet Captain of U.S.S. Hephaestus Special Agent for Temporal Investigations
If you would like a unredacted copy of the memo then submit an answer to either Name the Episode or Find the Icon to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net and I will send you the unredacted copy.
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Terran Empire News intercepted transcript
Ask the Terran By Crewman Lewis Stockman Dear Mr. Terran,
Dear Mr. Terran,
I have recently become captain of a ship. I stabbed my captain in the back, literally. The problem is how do I keep from getting the same fate?
Are all events and people the exact opposite(or reverse) in the Mirror Universe from the Regular(or Good) Universe?
Sincerely, Paranoid Captain
Sincerely, Curious Crewman
Dear Paranoid Captain,
Dear, Curious Crewman
My answer is twofold. First, find yourself 2-3 loyal bodyguards to protect you from the ambitions of others. I recommend those who helped in your installation as captain. Ensure their loyalty by rewarding them consistently. Second, trust no one! Since all your officers have henchmen, recruit spies among them. However, never trust their information completely.
It is true that some people might be opposite in character traits from their good universe counterparts, but not always. I have always found that their personalities tend to vary by shades. Also, their ambitions and passions tend to be unchecked (especially Humans). Now, events tend to be opposite, or rather the outcome is often the reverse of what occurred in the good universe.
The Hephaestus Redshirt Challenge I am excited that I am down 10 pounds since I started this challenge. Hopefully I can go down even more. I am drinking more water and pushing myself harder at work to have more energy. I am hoping more people can possibly join me for ideas for losing weight or where to go to walk and explore. – Lt. Phillip Mangina Jr. (1st Officer), Director, Hephaestus Red Shirt Challenge In August I got some exercise in while on vacation in Gulfport with Phillip as well as walking around at the IC. Conventions are a great way to get your walking in especially when you have to look for the room you need to be in. Maybe I need to schedule a convention each week to get my exercise in. LOL Keep an eye on the website for updates: https://www.facebook.com/Red.Shirt.Challenge/. – Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller, Trying to lose weight. (If you have a goal for weight loss, quitting smoking or getting something done then let us know what you are working on through the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Red.Shirt.Challenge/ so we can encourage you)
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Quotable Quotes Your Honor, a courtroom is a crucible; in it we burn away irrelevancies until we are left with a pure product: the truth, for all time." – Capt Picard, TNG: The Measure of a Man, S02E09
We were innocent. It will never be that way again." – Hannah Bates, TNG: The Masterpiece Society, S05E13
I know Klingons like to be alone on their birthdays. You probably want to meditate, or hit yourself with a painstick, or something." – Deanna Troi [to Worf], TNG: Parallels, S07E11
Actually, the issue at stake is patriotism. You must go back to your world and put an end to the Commies. All it takes is a few good men!" - Q, TNG: Encounter at Farpoint, S01E01/02
Darmok and Jalad... at Tanagra. [meant as a metaphor to fight a common enemy] – Dathon, TNG: Darmok, S05E02
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Name the Season
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Reviews Conventions Gump City Con – Review by Shirley A. Burton So, on August 12, 2017, Montgomery, Alabama, became the home of the first ever Gump City Con, the local convention which would host geeks, nerds, cosplayers, the works. It was held at the Alcazar Temple on the east side of Montgomery. Ever since that was announced back in November 2016, I jumped at the chance to volunteer because, let’s face it, how many times can a local convention come around in Montgomery? I got excited to volunteer and made sure I did my part to help make it a success. We had original Black Power Ranger, Walter Jones (who rode in my car the Friday night before), John Anderson (a Ravager in Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2), Tiffany Grant (voice actress for many different anime series), Don Teems (regular zombie on The Walking Dead), and Bruce Carr (the ultimate balloon art specialist) among others. I must admit I was nervous when I started helping out, but the rest of the volunteer team made sure I was able to do my part to make it a success. We had a few slight snags here and there, but after it was all said and done, we had more than 2100 attendees, which for Montgomery was a huge success. I was proud to have been a part of that success as a volunteer. I know for certain when they announce Gump City Con for 2018, I will volunteer again. The only thing I need to work on is making sure I don’t suffer a bad sinus headache like this year. Rating: AAAAA
TV Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Measure of a Man, Season 2 Episode 9 – Review by FCapt MarkAdam Miller It is hard to pick just one episode of ST: TNG because there are so many good episodes. This episode gives the best of what the concept of Star Trek is about. Star Trek is to me not only a series that tries to entertain but make you think about how you view life. It nudges you to think of ways to make life better for everyone. It does this through family interaction, conflict, and a bit of humor along the way. The Measure of a Man has all these elements. The episode is about what rights does Data have? Is he just a machine that has to do whatever STARFLEET tells him to do or does he have the right to make his own decision on what he does? Most of STARFLEET is of the opinion that Data is a machine that they can do what they want with. The problem is the crew of the Enterprise see Data as a sentient being and part of their family. The episode uses the court room motif as a way to look into the rights of Data. This has done well for Star Trek in the past like Star Trek episodes The Menagerie and Court Martial. The drama of the situation is played out to the very end when the judge Phillipa Louvois gives her ruling. Why this is classic Trek? The Measure of a Man gives a subtle hint on civil rights issues. Data is denied certain rights because STARFLEET views him as a machine instead of a sentient being. We need to look at our actions so that we are not curtailing certain rights because of a person’s color, sex or culture. It also has the family aspect as the crew gathers around Data and tries to defend him. Jonathan Frakes gives one of his best performaces in this episode when trying to do his job of defending STARFLEET’s position when he doesn’t believe that position himself. His grief at having to say Data is a machine is true Trek. Also, humor is in this episode with several aspects of how Data looks at human interaction. The best example of this is the interaction between Wesley and Data at Data’s going away party. Data ripping the gift USS Hephaestus
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wrap up after he has taken great effort to preserve it because Wesley tells him that he is missing the point of tearing the wrapping off. The humor here is what Star Trek had in a lot of its episodes: looking for humor in the human condition. This is one of the MUST SEE episodes for Star Trek: The Next Generation. It gives a good character study of Data, Riker and Picard. It also lets you get to be part of the family of the Enterprise. Don’t miss this episode. Rating: AAAAA
Star Trek News & More Star Trek: Discovery Star Trek: Discovery (DISC) is what most of the fan sites are covering at this time. A new trailer was released on Sept. 5th (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gw6V9fKLzc). Sonequa Martin-Green who stars as Michael Bumham in DISC has been on both The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and CBS This Morning. Expect more actors to pop up as well on these shows the closer we get to the premier date. Interviews with the actors will also be popping up on the web most notably like StarTrek.com. The most recent is Kenneth Mitchell who plays the Klingon, Kol, in the new show (http://www.startrek.com/article/kenneth-mitchell-on-discoverykol-and-becoming-klingon). I have not seen any magazines but they should be coming out in the next week. Do not miss our premier party Sept. 24, 7PM at the Miller’s in Helena. Contact the captain for directions. (www.startrek.com, www.treknews.net)
Doctor Who News – By Ensign Matt Boyd Hello Whovians! The countdown begins as we are only a few months away from the Doctor Who Christmas Special. This Whovian is excited to see it. Only a few things are known about the special and I’d like to keep it that way (at least to me). For those of you who haven’t caught up to current episodes I will keep this spoiler free. This Whovian is ecstatic to see the new season of Doctor Who especially since the new Doctor is female, which is Doctor Who history in the making. It has been said in the press that the companion will be male. In 1983 a Doctor Who film, The Five Doctors, came out. That film played in theaters, August 17th & 24th and got the RiffTrax treatment. Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett are giving their hilarious commentary over The Five Doctors. I missed it. Hopefully those who want to see it may want to look for it on Amazon Prime or Netflix but it isn’t guaranteed to be there. If you would like some reading material then check a book coming out February of 2018. The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Avatars of Intelligence is written by Sue Hampton. This series is a Lethbridge-Stewart spin-off adventure and features licensed characters created for Doctor Who by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln. Lucy Wilson doesn't want to move from London to sleepy south Wales. But when she arrives at her new seaside home, it doesn't appear to be as boring as she expected. Ogmore-bySea seems to be under the control of a mysterious and powerful force. But why is Lucy its target? And why, when students at her new school start to disappear, does no one seem to care? With the help of her new friend, Hobo, Lucy Wilson must assume the mantle of her grandfather, the legendary Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and defeat an invisible enemy before it's too late. USS Hephaestus
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Wrath of Khan 35th Anniversary Not only is it the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation but it the 35th Anniversary of Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. A Nationwide screening of the director’s cut will take place on September 10 and 13th along with an interview with William Shatner. It will be interesting to see the film on the big screen again. If you do attend the screening and want to tweet about it, Fathom Events ask that you use hash tag #WrathofKhan35th to talk about it on all social media. (www.treknews.net)
NASA News – The Euclid Spacecraft: An Away Mission to the Dark Side – By Curtis Salors (passenger) The Nations of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom have joined together to undertake a Mission to explore the dark universe (the dark matter and dark energy of the universe which exists only in theory and is invisible). The efforts of these countries, along with contributions from NASA, have conjoined to form the Euclid Consortium. Tagged "EC", the group consists of roughly 1450 members, most of whom are researchers in fields such as astrophysics, cosmology and particle physics. The group is concurrently designing and building the Euclid, as well as planning its subsequent Mission. Named after Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, the spacecraft's sole purpose is to explore the unknown and mysterious dark matter thought by Earthlings to make up most of the universe. The goals of the Mission are to form a better human understanding of something, the scientific observation of which, has been elusive to the iron-blooded race for as long as they have recorded history. The human-designed Euclid Spacecraft is currently under construction and will have a payload mass weighing 1,885 lb. when resting on Earth's surface. Once launched beyond Earth's atmosphere, Euclid will have a stunning capability to observe redshift and blueshift phenomena. Redshift and blueshift occur when a light source moves away from or toward an observer. When departing, light changes to a "redder" color which indicates to scientists that the light source is moving away (redshift). If the light source moves toward an observer, it becomes greener to bluer in color (blueshift). Through well-developed knowledge of redshifts and blueshifts, earth-dwelling humans have developed technologies such as Doppler Radar (used in terrestrial weather forecasting) and Radar Guns (used by Highway Troopers to detect speed limit noncompliance among road-traveling Earthlings). The Euclid will gather data on stars and galaxies that are resonating redshift, which means they are moving further and further away from Earth, thus implying and/or revealing the expansion of the universe. As Euclid explores the 'Dark Side', it's Mission will have the European Space Agency (ESA) as operator. Launch is scheduled for the year 2020. http://sci.esa.int/euclid/58777-first-euclid-flight-hardware-delivered/, https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/nasa-delivers-detectors-for-esas-euclid-spacecraft, http://sci.esa.int/euclid/, https://en.wikipediaorg/wiki/Euclid_(spacecraft), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshift, http://www.euclid-ec.org/, http://www.euclid-ec.org/?page_id=79 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_energy
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Seeing Stars Nichelle Nichols at Wizard World, Oct20-22, Montgomery, AL. (http://wizardworld.com/vip/montgomery) Robert Picardo – singing on The Planetary Post (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EtzSluMgzs)
(know of a sighting of a Star? Let you fellow crewmen know where they could have or can see Stars. Send you knowledge to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net)
Never Forget… Victor Pemberton – August 13, 2017 (age 85) Actor, Writer and Script Editor on Doctor Who, Pemberton’s legacy will be the invention of the Sonic Screwdriver. He was a British writer and television producer. His scriptwriting work included BBC radio plays, and television scripts for the BBC and ITV, including Doctor Who, The Slide and The Adventures of Black Beauty. Richard Anderson – August 31, 2017 (age 91) Mr. Anderson is best known as Oscar Goldman, boss and friend of The Six Million Dollar and The Bionic Woman. Those in Science Fiction may remember him from Forbidden Planet as Engineering Officer Quinn. Some may remember him as the Shell Answer Man (1976-82) for the Shell Oil Company. United Press International said Mr. Anderson “Always a chief, never an Indian.” Because most of his roles were of an authority figure. Condolences to family, friends and fans of Mr. Anderson. (Did I miss a news item or news item that might be of interest to your fellow crew members? Then write it up and send it to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net)
By Chill13(Crystal) on Deviant Art (https://chill13.deviantart.com/)
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Ship’s Log August 12, 2017 – August Social
IC Report
The August Social was a great success. Curtis Salors was able to get the conference room at the Best Western in Gardendale, AL for our use. It also allowed several people to go swimming. We had six visitors with a couple coming because of our participation in the Hoover Library Sci-Fi Fantasy Festival. We had a good discussion on STARFLEET and had two different games going during the night (A Star Trek Game and Bring Your Own Book). We also had a local artist, Frank Saunders, show his work. Several bought some of his work. We had pizza, chips, cookies and pop. Might get several new recruits from this Away Mission.
The International Conference for STARFLEET International, Inc. was held in New Orleans, LA. The conference ran from Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20th. Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller, CO; Lt. Commander Phillip Mangina, Jr. ,1st Officer; and Captain Brenda Miller, 2nd Officer were in attendance. One of the main topics discussed was how membership processing was being changed to better serve the membership. Membership Processing has been behind because of some confusion of what was not processed by the previous administration and changes to the database to better process the membership data. They hope to have Membership Processing up to date by end of August. Another point was the change in the price of membership. With a flat rate for everyone then people who had to pay more based on living outside of United States because of postage can now feel they are actual members and not a second-class member because of the price difference. STARFLEET is also doing away with the difference between correspondence chapters and meeting chapters. Because of the use of computers, they felt those terms are no longer valid for how the chapters are organized. These changes make all members part of STARFLEET without having to be divided by postage or type of chapter. We are united as one group.
Attendance: 25 people August 18-29, 2017 – STARFLEET International Conference (IC) The command crew went to the STARFLEET International conference which was held in New Orleans, LA. This was the first for our First Officer Phillip Mangina, Jr. It was a great conference. Our newsletter, The Anvil, won the Printed Newsletter of the Year and Brenda Miller received Red and Gold Squadron honors. Region 2 cleaned up this year in the awards. The Hephaestus congratulates Ryan Case, the Dolan Family and the USS Harry Mudd on their wins. Looking forward to 2018 IC.
As for our club, we were recognized for our newsletter as best printed newsletter in STARFLEET. Captain Brenda Miller was recognized for achievements in STARFLEET Academy by getting Red Squadron.
Attendance: 3 members of the Hephaestus August 24, 2017 – Exploring Trek Exploring Trek had a good night. We discussed Time Travel not only in Star Trek but other Sci-Fi programs as well. The discussion went well. We broadcast live on Facebook. Facebook did not cut out like it did on the July Exploring Trek. Still looking for a better way to record the meeting.
The 2018 IC will be in Minneapolis, MN and 2019 IC will be in St. Louis, MO Looking to see how we can have more members go to either one of these in the next years.
Attendance: 9 people USS Hephaestus
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Personal Log Special Report By Lt James Davis
James was unavailable to submit the next entry of his log because he was training Starfleet Academy cadets in the latest fighter shuttles.
Next month, shark-infested waters!
Recommendations By Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller What every away mission needs to have.
The Captain’s Top 10 Top Ten Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes (reprinted from The Anvil, April 2015) 1. The Drumhead – Season 4, Episode 21 2. Chain of Command (Part 1 & 2) – Season 6, Episodes 10 & 11 3. The Inner Light – Season 5, Episode 25 4. Darmok – Season 5, Episode 2 5. The Measure of a Man – Season 2, Episode 9 6. First Contact – Season 4, Episode 15 7. Rascals – Season 6, Episode 7 8. The Survivors – Season 3, Episode 3 9. Cause and Effect – Season 5, Episode 18 10. Symbiosis – Season 1, Episode 21 (22nd in production – Memory Alpha) These are just a few of my favorites. There are many more. Seasons and Episodes are from the IMBD so may or may not be accurate. USS Hephaestus
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Crew Happenings Social at Best Western, Gardendale
2017 IC Awards
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STARFLEET Academy STARFLEET Academy has changed its address: http://main.sfiacademy.org/ STARFLEET Academy is not only a place to learn about different subjects but also a place to get recognition throughout the fleet for academic accomplishments. One point of recognition is the Boothby award. This is given out for every 50 course you finish in the Academy. Currently Brenda Miller and James Davis each have a Bronze Boothby and Donald Arnold has four Boothby’s (Bronze, Silver, Gold & Latinum). Another award is Red, Blue and Gold Squadron which is given to the best student in each college each year. Red Squadron is for those 18 years or older that excel in a college. Blue is for those under 18 and Gold is for a family that has excelled in a college. This year Brenda Miller received Red squadron for excellence in the College of Animal Trivia and Miller family receive Gold Squadron for excellence in the College of Parallel Studies. In the past Donald Arnold has won Blue squadron in both 2015 and 2016. There is a top award for Squadron and that is Squadron Leader. Donald Arnold won the Blue Squadron Leader award in 2015. Accordingly, you can be recognized for your work in STARFLEET Academy. So, look up a college and go learn things. Then you too can have Boothby and Squadron awards. Live Long and Prosper
STARFLEET Marine Corps LGEN Neil Yawn has announced that as of 1 Dec 2017, he is stepping down from the positions of OIC 654thSG and the OIC 1st BN. LGEN Yawn stated that he had been in some form of command in SFI for over 25 years including: CO USS Hephaestus, CMO USS Hephaestus, Region 2 Chief Science Officer, 2nd BDE (Marines RC) 2nd BDE DOIC, 1st BN OIC (twice), & 1st BN DOIC. “It is just time for me to step down and give the younger ones a chance for command. No ill feelings between myself and anyone.” James, the DOIC, will assume command on 1 Dec 2017.
Semper Fi Beverly, the Prime Directive is not just a set of rules; it is a philosophy… and a very correct one. History has proved again and again that whenever mankind interferes with a less developed civilization, no matter how well intentioned that interference may be, the results are invariably disastrous. – Captain Picard, TNG: Symbiosis USS Hephaestus
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Anvil Focus Schedule
Do you know this Alien?
October: Romulans November: Q, omnipotent beings December: Bajorans (Feel free to send me an article on any of these topics. Your fellow crew members would love to know your thoughts on these.)
Hunt for the Icon Did you find the 5 lost red shirts and Porthos ? If you did not find them then they were: The Red Shirts 1. Pg. 1, XO Briefing, after the closure 2. Pg. 4, at the end of The Accidental Counselor article 3. Pg. 7, In the middle of the Hephaestus Red Shirt Challenge 4. Pg. 14, end of Captain’s Magic City Con Log 5. Pg. 17, end of STARFLEET Marine Report Prothos Pg. 15 lower right of the picture of Personal Log Special Report Five Galaxy Class starships are hidden in this issue. If you find them and send me where they are, I will send you the unredacted Away Mission memo. Send your answers to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net.
Name the Season Answers Row 1:
Maroon Unitard Season 2 - Season 5
Blue Dress The Price, Season 3
Dress Uniform Star Trek: Insurrection
Row 2:
Short Dress Encounter at Farpoint, Season 1
Goddess dress Hallow Pursuits, Season 3
Aqua Dress Season 3 - 5
Row 3:
Blue Uniform Season 6 & 7
Dark Grey Uniform Season 1
Grey/Purple Unitard Seasons 3 - 5
Grey/Black Uniform Voyager Series
If you have suggestions for new challenges or questions, then send them to cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Answer to Do you know this alien? (pg. 17) Koori (BarBara Luna), Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century She also played Marlena Moreau in Star Trek “Mirror, Mirror” USS Hephaestus
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Away Team and Activity Schedule Date Sep 2, 2017 Sep 9, 2017 Sep 16, 2017 Sep 24, 2017 Sep 28, 2017 Oct 7,2017 Oct 14, 2017 Oct 21, 2017 Oct 26, 2017 Nov 4, 2017 Nov 11, 2017 Nov 17, 2017 Nov, 2017
Event/Time Anvil Deadline Social – 7 pm Poker – 2 pm Tentative - ST: Discovery Premier Exploring Trek Anvil Deadline Social – 7 pm Poker – 2 pm Exploring Trek – 7pm Anvil Deadline Fall Feast – 2 pm Poker – 2 pm Exploring Trek (Dinner)
Location cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Mohney Mohney Miller Kingdom Comics cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Mohney Potts Kingdom Comics cohephaestus@bellsouth.net Mohney Miller TBA
ALL EVENTS AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE REFER TO THIS SECTION FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION
STARFLEET Renewal Reminders Boyd Family Carr Family Baxter Hicks Family Youngblood-Yawn Family Davis Family Bentley Stockham Potts Family Lathem
Looking for the following people to help with the Anvil:
09/17/17 09/19/17 09/24/17 10/03/17 11/30/17 12/01/17 12/21/17 03/02/18 03/07/18 03/14/18
Green Miller Family Arnold Mohney Family Bishop Petty Mangina Holsey Lindsay Family
News Repoters Wanted For Hephaestus Anvil
Reporters for the Following: Star Wars News (assigned) Dr. Who News (assigned) Firefly News NASA News (assigned) Latest Sci-Fi/Fantasy books
USS Hephaestus
10/12/18 02/26/18 04/19/18 05/10/18 05/29/18 08/02/18 05/15/19 05/30/19 10/10/19
Reviewers: Books, Movies Games, Conventions Convention Scouts: Someone to find conventions in a 2 3 hr driving distance of Birmingham. Write a short synopsis and give possible websites
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Area Conventions & Exhibits For additional Cons please check out www.southernfan.com/calendar.htm
October October 14-15, 2017 – Fal-Con, Montevallo, AL http://www.falconvention.net/ Fal-Con is a two-day convention celebrating anime, gaming and more! Located in Montevallo Alabama! October 20 – 22, 2017 – Wizard World, Montgomery, AL http://wizardworld.com/vip/montgomery Have an opportunity to meet Nichelle Nichols of the Original Star Trek. This is at The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center
January January 13-14, 2018 – BrickFair, Birmingham, AL https://www.brickfair.com/ Come see MOC (My Own Creation) Lego creations. Find interesting and hard to find Lego models. Also find fan created memorabilia.
Does The Anvil cover stuff that you are interested in? Did you disagree with a review or point of view in one of the articles? Did we miss some news article that you think should have been covered? The staff is looking for your feedback to help us send out something that you are interested in. Send your feedback to: cohephaestus@bellsouth.net
Local Attractions (Only events relative to Star Trek are shown, Check the website for more information) Alabama Theater – Birmingham, AL - www.alabamatheatre.com Birmingham Zoo – Birmingham, AL - www.birminghamzoo.com October 15, 19-22, 26-31 – Boo at the Zoo Make plans to head to the Birmingham Zoo for Boo at the Zoo presented by Wells Fargo! Watch as the Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions for 12 nights of Boo at the Zoo. New this year, come experience the excitement of the all-new Red Mountain Theatre Ghost Tour and Hayride* beginning at the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, and enjoy free games, strolling characters, Ghoul School, storytelling and inflatables on the new Henley Park event lawn.
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Be sure to come dressed in your favorite family-friendly costume to ride the Spider Slide, jump on the Eerie Express Pirate Train, see a Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Show, ride the ghost rollers, take a spin on the Scarousel, collect candy on Trick-or-Treat Lane and SO much more! Enjoy live music every night by Feel the Beat Entertainment as you boogie at the Monster Mash dance party under the Safari Peak. Boo at the Zoo presented by Wells Fargo is one spook-tacular event you won’t want to miss! McWane Center – Birmingham, AL - www.mcwane.org/ Friday October 13, 2017, 7 PM – 11 PM – McWane After Dark McWane After Dark is back and ready to celebrate Friday the 13th with spine tingling science. Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and enjoy the haunting sounds of our ghost DJ. Ghouls and gals will have a spooky-good time at this exclusive 21+ event where you can eat, drink, and be scary! What’s Halloween without a little MAD Science? Admission includes access to three levels of McWane Adventure Halls, light snacks, MAD science interactive activities, photo booth, drink ticket (good for one signature drink), 3 cash bars, and free parking. *parking subject to availability, deck closes at midnight October 27 @ 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm – An Evening at Hogwarts Calling all muggles: Grab your wizard robe and cross Platform 9 ¾ to McWane’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Enjoy a fish and chips dinner in the Great Hall before heading to class to explore the science of magic! Make your own wizard wand, concoct potions, attend flying lessons, and more! After class is dismissed, enjoy a special showing of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the IMAX Dome. It’s a magical night you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget your costume! Advance reservations are required. Call (205) 714-8414 Southern Museum of Flight – Birmingham, AL - www.southernmuseumofflight.org/ U.S. Space and Rocket Center – Huntsville, AL - www.rocketcenter.com /
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USS HEPHAESTUS COMMAND STRUCTURE Command Staff
Marines
MarkAdam Miller, Fleet Captain – Commanding Officer Phillip Mangina, Lt Cmdr – 1st Officer Brenda A. Miller, Captain – 2nd Officer
Neil Yawn, Lt General, SFMC Roy Green, Brigadier, SFMC (Reserves) James Davis, Capt, SFMC (Reserves)
Executive Committee
Medical
Sue Ellen Mohney, Captain Denby Potts, Rear Admiral Danny Potts, Admiral
Neil Yawn, Lt General, SFMC Andrew Boyd, Ensign 1st Class
Redshirts and Civilians Navigation
Pat Hicks, Fleet Captain Mark Lindsay, Captain Pamela Lindsay, Cmdr Nicole Bentley, Lt JG Donald Arnold, Ensign 1st Class Renda Carr, Ensign Brenda Tiner, Crewman 3rd Class Kendra Baxter, Crewman Timothy Carr, Crewman Michelle L. Lindsay, Crewman Trey Petty, Crewman Matthew Potts, Crewman Haley Youngblood, Crewman Karen Burtyk, Civilian Anya Davis, Civilian Carly Strickland, Civilian
Pete Mohney, Admiral
Sciences Roy Green, Fleet Captain – Archaeology and Anthropology
Computer Sciences Danny Potts, Admiral
Engineering MarkAdam Miller, Fleet Captain Brenda A. Miller, Captain Flo Hurst, Cmdr
Operations
Ambassadors
Sue Ellen Mohney, Captain – Chief of Ops, Counselor Brenda A. Miller, Captain – Ship Admin Assistant Lynnette Youngblood Yawn, Lt – Ships Galley Officer Kris Bishop, Crewman - Linguistics
Mike Burtyk, Civilian Shirley Burton, Lt Cmdr (Retired)
Cadet Training Communications
Katrina Mohney, Crewman Apprentice Tara Mohney, Cadet 1st Class Athena Youngblood, Cadet 1st Class Kimberly Davis, Cadet in Training
Brenda A. Miller, Captain Matthew Boyd, Ensign 1st Class James Davis, Lt Dennis Lathem, Crewman Curtis Salors, Civilian Lewis, Stockham, Crewman
Retired Dennis Evans, Fleet Captain Pat Simmons, Lt Cmdr
Security Roy Green, Fleet Captain – Chief of Security Intelligence Sandra Hosley, Lt USS Hephaestus
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For More Information Contact: Fleet Captain MarkAdam Miller 1204 Southwind Dr. Helena, Al 35080 cohephaestus@bellsouth.net
Lt. Phillip Mangina 3056 Fox Trail Fultondale, AL 35068 phillip3056@charter.net