THE WRIGHT STUFF
Vol XX No 4 The Official Newsletter of the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk NCC-1659 Jul / Aug 2009 C O N T E N T S
A VIEW FROM THE CATBIRD SEAT ...... 3 J.R. Fisher SCIENCE REPORT ...... 3 Elaine Pischke FIRST OFFICER AND OPERATIONS REPORTS ...... 4 Larry Pischke SHORE LEAVE REPORT ...... 4 Meg Hale FROM THE KITCHEN ...... 5 Volume 20 - Number 4 Lynn Stone is a publication of the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, the VOYAGER - DEALER'S CHOICE ...... 6 Raleigh, N.C., chapter of STARFLEET, an Brad McDonald international STAR TREK fan organization. This publication is provided free of charge to COMPUTER OPERATIONS REPORT ...... 6 all chapter members in good standing. John Troan Subscriptions for non-members are $12.00 per UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 10 year (six issues). Please address all corres- pondence to CATBIRD Publications, 5017 Glen Forest Dr., Raleigh, N.C. 27612. This publication is a non-profit enterprise and is not meant to infringe upon any copyright or trademark held by Paramount Pictures, Gulf & Western, or any other holder of STAR TREK copyrights or trademarks. Unless otherwise noted, ENTIRE CONTENTS ARE COPYRIGHT © 2009 CATBIRD Publications, THE WRIGHT STUFF. Nothing in whole or in part may be used without the written permission of the publisher. THE WRIGHT STUFF assumes all material submitted for publication is gratis. The publisher and editors reserve the right to edit all submissions.
Publisher ...... J.R. Fisher Editors ...... Jane Fisher John Troan
TOOL BOX: Pentium IV-3.0GHz; HP LaserJet 1200 & DeskJet 722C; Lotus WordPro; Adobe Acrobat. IMAGES - Title Banner Wright Flyer from NASA/Ames PAO photo archive; U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (USN CV-63) from navicp.navy.mil; Constitution class cruiser from gwu.edu/~rljones/khawk. IMAGE - Featured Front Page Shuttle Discovery rolls out to Pad 39A for the Aug 24 launch to the International Space Station. A View From the Catbird Seat By J.R. Fisher
Summer is almost they cannot afford, and gather age information and we need to have a over and we are and gender appropriate winter very forthright discussion at our trying to wrap up clothing for children in desperate need September meeting regards all of the some of our of such before winter gets here. above. I know that some of you will projects. Please We are working on getting the not be here for that meeting, but I bring a can of food computers from an organization that hope you will share your thoughts with to the next meeting reconditions older machines and that me between now and then. in September as we conclude our it may take time to work out the details This is a project that will cover efforts to gather food for the food as far as what we can do besides several months as I am sure bank, and any cash donations will be provide money. searching our closets and drawers will appreciated as well. I will take the There are thirty children who are take time. We will strive to provide as food and cash to them the following in need of just about everything from much as we can from our own homes, week. toiletries to winter coats. There are 18 but obviously we will have to tap other As of this writing, August 16th, we girls and 12 boys in the group. Sizes sources to make any significant have completed the radio play for all that are needed are as follows. impact on their situation. Individuals but a few characters. Anthony will try may make purchases if they so desire very hard to collect the missing voices y Girls: Small, medium, large or may contribute monies to the ship before heading off to Dragon Con for y Women's: 4, 6, 8, 10 to be used specifically for this project. the Labor Day weekend. Everyone's y Girls' shoe size: 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2, Depending upon our success, we may cooperation would be appreciated. 7, 7 1/2, 8 feel the need to tap the treasury to At our next meeting, we will read y Boys: Small, medium, large and achieve our goals. one of Brad's stories in character just comparable shirt sizes It is time, once again, to show the for the fun of it. y Boys' shoe sizes: 7 in half sizes up world that we have the Wright Stuff. It Several of the crew attended the to 11 is the selfless acts of individuals and IC in Greensboro and had a good groups of individuals which have time seeing old friends as well as All appropriate toiletries for both made this country great. It is what will making a few new ones. The genders would also be appreciated. sustain us through this dark time in Bonaventure should be congratulated The questions arise as to how our history and make us great again. on an excellent effort. much of each size do we need and Esse Quam Videri Our new projects for the fall will just how many "outfits", for lack of a (To Be, Rather Than to Seem) include raising money to help some better word, should we be attempting needy kids get the computers that to provide? Obviously, we need more Science Report By Elaine Pischke
Once again, NASA will be building ever? The building, which the number of people in the breaking new ground, this time will mostly be used as an office building, as well as the location of literally, on August 25th. That’s the building, but will also house some those people, and adjust day when construction will begin research and engineering units, temperatures accordingly. Ever on a new building at the Ames will utilize solar panels, geothermal been in a hot, crowded conference Research Center in California. energy, fuel cells, a water room for a meeting? Sustainability What makes this remarkable is recycling system, and even Base will automatically up the a/c that the building, to be named technology derived from NASA's to accommodate for the body heat. Sustainability Base, will be one of human and robotic space And the building will do all this the greenest buildings built to exploration missions. The without using any net energy. The date. Steve Zornetzer, Associate building’s computer system will building will, in effect, power itself. Center Director at NASA Ames, monitor the weather around the Sustainability Base is scheduled to says that, as long as NASA is building and adjust the interior of be completed in 2011. planning to build an the building accordingly, even environmentally friendly building, capturing nearby breezes to cool why not make it the greenest the building. It will also monitor
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 3 JUL / AUG 2009 First Officer and Operations Reports By Larry Pischke
First Officer country, has ADHD. After Apollo 11, for now. Lift a glass and toast those the moon just couldn’t hold our with the Wright Stuff on the Shock! Surprise! Disbelief! I attention anymore. Space seemed to anniversary, and look back fondly at know what you’re all thinking. Yes, bore us. We weren’t whooshing the end of an era. it’s been a while since I’ve written anywhere. Mercury, Gemini, anything to be published. Well, your everything had been leading up to probation is now over. I have been Apollo and the moon. That was the Operations ordered to contribute from now on, so destination. President Kennedy said deal with it. it, and it was our duty to him to fulfill it. It seems you can’t get away from This is also a monumental issue me now! I am pulling double duty, th There was nothing on the map because it is the 40 anniversary of marked “Next.” stepping into the Operations chair – or the landing on the moon by Neil Oh, sure, there was the Skylab, is that squatting? Anyway, this used Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Just and the shuttle, but they weren’t going to be my office a long time ago, so it’s imagine, 40 years ago this month, anywhere; there was no destination. just a question of finding out where representatives from this planet Skylab went round and round, then whoever took over from me put managed to set foot upon another fell down. The shuttle was envisioned everything. celestial body, and promptly began as a cheap hauler (HA!) – take stuff For those of you who want to polluting it…. up, bring stuff down. There was no know, I did see Star Trek and I did not Think of the time frame from Kitty destination. like it. I won’t go into the details in this Hawk to Tranquility Base. Now think And with no destination, and no article. Maybe another one at a later of the time frame from Tranquility clear vision or mandate, the bean date. If you really want to know Base to now. Seems we’ve lost our counters stepped in. before then, ask me. I will ask you way. We could’ve been to Mars by I can go on and on – and probably one question though: What the heck now. Heck, we could’ve been a lot of will at a later date. But lets stop here is red matter?? places by now. The government, the Shore Leave Report By Meg Hale
It's hard to believe the annual This year's Star Trek guests were Sunset Boulevard, with a "dead" body Shore Leave convention in Maryland from Voyager -- Robert Picardo, who floating in the hotel pool (and being is 31 years old this year. plays The Doctor, and Ethan Phillips, unceremoniously shoved aside by Those decades saw the original better know as Neelix. Jason Momoa swimmers), and a deluded Captain Star Trek series give rise to spinoffs and Rachel Luttrell from Stargate: Kirk in the Gloria Swanson role, that have their own devoted followers, Atlantis also attended, and were very convinced he is to star in the new Star films both good (The Voyage Home), entertaining when they spoke together Trek film ("I played Chris Pine -- was I and bad (The Undiscovered Country), about their experiences on the show: good in the role?"). In honor of this and the deaths of some of the original It seems Jason had a little fun hiding year's guest, the riffed episode was stars. Just when a lot of observers Rachel's chair on the set. Writers' from Voyager: the one where the believed the franchise was dead, it got panels included Ann C. Crispin, Doctor's programming goes haywire, a jolt from the reboot released this Robert Greenberger, and Keith and his daydreams take over his life. year, which was simply titled, Star DeCandido, who was royally roasted Mystery Trekkie Theater is always Trek. (One of the panels at Shore on Saturday night. The traditional laugh out loud funny, but it's Leave was called "Oh Thank Heaven, Shore Leave Blood Drive and bittersweet because it's also the end for Star Trek XI"). Shore Leave has Maryland Food Bank Drive raised of Shore Leave. When it's over, the evolved through it all, though the Hunt money and supplies for worthy only thing left to do is pack and say Valley Inn's evolution may leave causes. good-bye. something to be desired: take one The icing on the cake, for me, is The new year will be here soon look at the Blair Witch-style twig art always Mystery Trekkie Theater 3000, enough, and by January or February, hanging in the bar, or the neon blue, which takes place Sunday evening. the guest list for Shore Leave 32 will yellow and green photos of corn silos As with the original Mystery Science be firming up. Who will they have? hanging outside the Hunt Ballroom, Theater 3000, it starts with a skit. Someone from Star Trek XI -- the real and you'll know what I mean. This year's skit was a takeoff on next generation -- who knows?
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 4 JUL / AUG 2009 From the Kitchen By Lynn Stone
The Vulcan Atmosphere. That is an under-described experience. The temperature is bad enough but the continued heat exposure never lets up. What humans don't absorb, the rocks do, so to humans it is quite oppressive both day and night. The Vulcans seemed to quietly enjoy the human struggle as the away team from Archer's Enterprise continued to try to adapt. The drenched team came back and with a request for the chef to concoct something cold and light while everyone took showers. Chef came up with this elegant, soothing and flavorful salad.
Citrus Lettuce Salad y 1 pkg. living Bibb lettuce, washed and spun dry y 2 half cup plastic containers of red grapefruit sections (save juice) y 1 avocado, thinly sliced y 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled y 1/3 cup dried cranberries y 1/4 cup sliced red onion y 1/4 cup toasted, broken pecan pieces
Citrus Dressing y 1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice y 2 tbsp. honey y 1 tsp. Dijon mustard y 3/4 tsp. salt y 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper y 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Combine grapefruit juice, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in bowl. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Toss with salad. This dressing can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 5 JUL / AUG 2009 VOYAGER - "Dealer's Choice" By Brad McDonald
ACT THREE EXT. BORG PLANET - MORNING INT. BUILDING #1 - BEACON (OPTICAL) CONTROL ROOM FADE IN: Tuvok used his phaser from a Inside, they find a vast array of EXT. SPACE - BORG PLANET - distance to blow the opening equipment, controls, regulators, etc. VOYAGER IN ORBIT (OPTICAL) mechanism. With the door open, The room is large and, as they enter, Tuvok leads the way, checking for they fan out and begin to take INT. VOYAGER - BRIDGE - ON problems with a scan. Then he readings once more. JANEWAY motions the others in. TUVOK JANEWAY TUVOK (indicating machine) An impression of many? It appears to be safe. This is the source of the Chakotay, do you read any signal. other life on that planet or PARIS not? What about five minutes from CHAKOTAY now? Continue your analysis. Once CHAKOTAY we've finished, we'll leave. All readings show zero life TUVOK forms, but as I have stated, I can not predict the future. It As the group continues its work, many of these buildings are is beyond my ability. Chakotay keeps an eye on everyone, shielded. especially Seven. CHAKOTAY Janeway thinks for a few beats, then: Seven, any change in your KIM impressions? Commander? I've got JANEWAY something here. Very well, lets find the SEVEN beacon. Get your work done No. He takes a few quick steps to Kim's and get out of there. side. CHAKOTAY Impressions or not, I'd like to Let's go in. On your toes KIM keep this operation short. people. This technology is incredible, years ahead of anything from the same time. The team moves into the building, phasers drawn. Computer Operations Report By John Troan
Computer Operations is starting The next challenge was servers and consolidate several a massive refit that I hope will last discovering that the preassembled systems onto a single computer. for a while. four-cell pack wouldn't fit as-is. The (This is called "virtualization.") The first step is replacing the "cure" is to pull apart the old & new The key is that instead of using battery packs in the UPSes that gets packs and simply swap-out each of Linux or Windows on a physical Comp Ops through power outages. the four cells, then repackage the piece of hardware, I create a "virtual I discovered -- the hard way -- that cells together before shoving the machine" (VM) and do the one of the battery packs had died. whole thing back into the UPS case. installation on it. With powerful When checking the second pack, I And even if the manufacturer says enough physical hardware, I can found that it wasn't long for this you can replace (and reconnect) the build several virtual machines on world either. After a call to my batteries with the UPS plugged in, each physical machine and each account manager -- yes, I buy you don't want to. Trust me. VM only sees the other VMs as enough to have a regular account The second step in the refit is being a completely separate manager -- the replacement battery replacing the servers that host, computer. Companies have been packs were on their way. (I also among other things, the Kitty doing this for a few years, but I can added another UPS to the order to Hawk web site. Prices for computer now dip my toe into this new area. protect some other electronics parts have dropped so much that I Back to the fun...... elsewhere at home.) could build two brand new monster
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 6 JUL / AUG 2009 Chakotay gives him a slight a while, it may help us against JANEWAY disapproving look. the Borg, but it just might help Very well, Commander. us too. You're on your own. Give us CHAKOTAY a yell if you need help. Good You had something to report? INT. VOYAGER - BRIDGE - ON luck, Janeway out. KIM JANEWAY Oh yes, the transmission. It's INT. BORG PLANET - BUILDING #1 - JANEWAY more than a simple beacon. BEACON CONTROL ROOM Any chance you can help our Our own beacons send out a current situation with what Chakotay surveys his away team, basic carrier wave which set you've found? then looks at Tuvok. standards for time, navigation and communication. TORRES' VOICE CHAKOTAY Given time to study it all, who Let's divide our resources. CHAKOTAY knows? And this? TUVOK JANEWAY Agreed. Would you care to SEVEN I'm not sure we have that name my team, Commander? It does that, but it also acts as much time. For now, continue CHAKOTAY a carrier wave for basic Borg your research. You take Paris and Torres language, and a control for and head west, then sweep their behavior as well. INT. BORG PLANET - BUILDING #1 - north. I'll take Kim and Seven AS BEFORE Tuvok has picked up on the and head east, then sweep conversation and is now standing CHAKOTAY south. We will each cover a nearby, ready to report. Captain, permission to 180 degree sector, a half expand our search kilometer in radius. Stay in TUVOK parameters. visual range of the other team I concur. Based on our limited members, understood? knowledge of the Borg, I JANEWAY'S VOICE would say this complex Define, 'expand'. All of the away team members nod in controls the basic operational acknowledgment, then the groups CHAKOTAY instructions for the Borg assemble and head off to their work. A closer examination of the collective. surrounding structures may DISSOLVE TO: CHAKOTAY give us a better picture of A command center? what all this is for. BORG PLANET - EXTERIOR - MIDDAY SEVEN TUVOK The Borg do not have a I agree, we have incomplete Tuvok's group is spread out with central command. However, data regarding its purpose. Torres in the center, Tuvok and Paris this place is unique. I do not on either side, within eyesight but JANEWAY'S VOICE know of another. distant. Paris finds something Very well, Commander. But at interesting and due to the distance, he CHAKOTAY the first sign of trouble... uses his comm badge. Captain? You getting all of CHAKOTAY this? PARIS We'll get out quickly. You wish (tapping badge) We hear Janeway's voice with a bit of to keep the open channel? Paris to Tuvok. I think I found static. the main power source for the INT. VOYAGER - ON JANEWAY JANEWAY'S VOICE beacon. An artificial Your transmission is a bit JANEWAY singularity device. Small but rough, but I wouldn't miss it Afraid you might say more than enough for its for anything. something I shouldn't hear? intended purpose. CHAKOTAY'S VOICE Tuvok can be seen in the distant B.G., NEW ANGLE No, but it's a lot like having but we hear his response over the Torres is still taking readings, but is your mother along on a date. comm badge. also excited by what she has seen. There's a bit of nervous laughter on TUVOK'S VOICE TORRES the bridge as Janeway bits her lower (restrained) Captain, this technology lip and stifles her own laugh. Note the location and represents a great opportunity continue your search, for us. If we could study it for Lieutenant.
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 7 JUL / AUG 2009 PARIS CHAKOTAY JANEWAY Understood. Is the entrance secure? (moving) We have a unique situation Paris breaks the connection, then KIM here. The Borg planet is wide comments quietly. No Commander. It reads just open, we can do what we like the other building. No PARIS want. Question is, what do we force fields or detection (continued; to self) do? I have a few ideas of my equipment. Try to contain your own, but I'm open to excitement. CHAKOTAY suggestions. We'll be putting Let's go in, carefully. all our cards on the table, so BORG PLANET - MIDDAY - NEW to speak. But ultimately it's my The door it opens easily and they ANGLE decision, dealer's choice. enter without trouble. Deployed in a similar manner, with Janeway then sits. Chakotay in the center, the group is BUILDING #2 - INTERIOR - AWAY moving slowly, engrossed in their TEAM'S P.O.V. (OPTICAL) ON TUVOK work when Kim becomes excited. Inside the open space we see an Tuvok sits forward and steeples his KIM appearance similar to the interior of a fingers. (tapping comm badge) Borg ship, but no Borg are present. TUVOK Commander, I've picked up I recommend further some unusual readings. They ON THE TEAM investigation, for as long as it parallel wave forms similar to We see the reaction of the team. is safe to remain. Given our those in Seven's regeneration current situation, I fear it will process. KIM not be long enough. However, Just like Seven's regen unit. Seven has overheard the any information we can gather conversation and stops to listen. She SEVEN could provide a useful insight can be seen in the distant B.G., just Not quite right, Ensign. into the technology and past Chakotay. abilities of the Borg. Since we are not sure if we will CHAKOTAY NEW ANGLE - ON SEVEN encounter then again, it could What do you mean? prove most beneficial. Seven is still bothered by her SEVEN impressions. She is now focusing on Look behind you, AS BEFORE several disjointed images of her past Commander. These are the and new, unfamiliar ones. We can Janeway is surprised by Tuvok's original generation units. hear the others speaking. Caught up comments. in the new findings, no one notices. Chakotay turns to see what Seven is JANEWAY looking at. She seems captivated, CHAKOTAY'S VOICE Just study and nothing else? almost in rapture, but pained too. Regenerative? You mean TUVOK Borg are nearby, NEW ANGLE - AWAY TEAM'S Investigate and learn as much regenerating? POINT OF VIEW (OPTICAL) as possible. We can analyze KIM'S VOICE our data later as time permits. Now we see many units of sealed I don't know, but it might glass cylinders which contain Torres is troubled by Tuvok's explain Seven's impressions. humanoids in various stages of Borg recommendation. Maybe we should investigate. conversion. They are arranged in TORRES CHAKOTAY'S VOICE order from the simplest to the most If we're allowed to. Captain, 'Into the valley', is that it Kim? complex and in various stages of we may run into the Borg Actually, I agree. We're still completion. tomorrow. not picking up any life signs, SEVEN'S VOICE but lets go slow and play it TORRES We have found the birthplace safe. (continuing) of the Borg. Suppose we don't learn BUILDING #2 - EARLY AFTERNOON enough to make a difference. INT. VOYAGER - CONFERENCE I say we make the difference ROOM now. Destroy this planet! Chakotay studies the building, it is Present are Chakotay, Torres, Paris, Wipe it out! Cut heir signal off large but ordinary. Kim, Seven and Tuvok, all seated. and leave them helpless. Janeway is pacing the room.
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 8 JUL / AUG 2009 SEVEN TORRES' VOICE checkup, before you return to That may not be possible. Afraid of being stung? duty. TORRES KIM Janeway rises again. All it takes is a small matter/- Very much so. JANEWAY antimatter device-- (continuing) ON CHAKOTAY SEVEN For now, we investigate. (interrupting) Chakotay stares down Torres then Tuvok, Kim and Seven will I was speaking in general intercedes on Kim's behalf. continue their analysis of the terms. The Borg collective technology. To ensure against CHAKOTAY has redundant units to ensure a surprise attack, we'll set up Kim has a valid point. If we against such a possibility. a picket line. We can use our destroy the technology here in shuttles to extend our sensor The room becomes silent, Janeway any part, we could be biting capability. Once we have a prompts the discussion. off more than we can chew. better understanding of the My own thinking falls along JANEWAY systems, we'll reconsider our similar lines. We are one ship. Any other thoughts? Mister options. Tom, you'll be in Our primary duty is to return Paris? You're being unusually charge of the shuttles. I want the crew safely home. On the quiet. Normally you're full of... a detailed plan of operations way, we explore. We engage (beat, smiling) in fifteen minutes. Tuvok, you in battle only to defend ... opinions. will lead the away mission ourselves or while assisting with a full security team. Paris is amused and relieved at her others. Attacking the Borg choice of words. does not fit those Chakotay is about to protest, but parameters. Or am I wrong? Janeway cuts him short. PARIS I agree with Torres, to a JANEWAY ON JANEWAY degree. I think we should Commander, I want both of us destroy the beacon and call it JANEWAY to remain on board. If the a day. We should focus on No. You're not. Borg do return, we must be bringing our ship back to full (long beat) prepared. One of us will be at power. We're going to need it, However, when I accepted the Conn at all times. regardless of what we find. command of Voyager, one of Dismissed. the standing orders I received Janeway reflects a moment, then Everyone leaves to begin their work, concerns the Borg. turns to Kim. except Chakotay. Janeway Command has decreed that approaches him once the others are JANEWAY any Captain who is presented gone. Ensign? with an opportunity to inflict damage on the Borg, must do JANEWAY Kim looks uneasy and seems so. Therefore, we are Unhappy with your reluctant to speak. obligated to do something. assignment? KIM CHAKOTAY Permission to speak freely? CONFERENCE ROOM - NEW Not really, just curious as to ANGLE JANEWAY your reasoning. I think Kim is That's what this meeting is TUVOK right. We may stir up a for. A free and open We do not know exactly how hornet's nest. And by the way, exchange of views. our actions will affect the I'm not fond of being stung Borg. We may not do either. I think you're wrong on ON KIM anything that will do them this one. harm. Speaking of harm, are KIM Without waiting for a response, you well Seven? I say we take the readings we Chakotay exits, leaving a very have and leave. Quite frankly, SEVEN surprised Janeway. I'm afraid of what the Borg are Well enough. Off her reaction... capable of. If we disturb this Janeway is not so sure. place, they may come back in FADE OUT. force. Maybe all we'd be JANEWAY doing is poking a stick into a When we're finished here, I END OF ACT THREE hornet's nest. want the doctor to give you a
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 9 JUL / AUG 2009 Upcoming Events
Sep 5 4 p.m. Ship Meeting Triangle Factory Outlet (same place as Aug)
Oct 3 4 p.m. Ship Meeting -- Location TBD 11 Articles due for the next Wright Stuff
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR STARFLEET STATUS IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID YOUR KITTY HAWK DUES, PLEASE DO SO ASAP
THE WRIGHT STUFF U.S.S. KITTY HAWK P.O. BOX 52112 RALEIGH NC 27612-2112
THE WRIGHT STUFF PAGE 10 JUL / AUG 2009