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RURA PENTHE TIMES ISSUE 15

CROMLECH ISLES FLEET

ISSUE 15 1

Welcome

3 Qapla! and welcome to Issue 15 of the Cromlech Isles Fleet Newsletter-keeping the group in touch with all things Klingon in Scotland, the North of England and Ireland. Hard to believe that we have reached 2 years already in May since the formation of our group. As always many, many thanks to everyone who has helped us get to where we are, by coming along to events, making charity donations, participating in chat, reading our newsletter, it is a team eﬀort. Starting oﬀ with just 4 crew members 2 years ago, I wasn’t sure if we would make it to 2 months, let alone 2 years, but here we are, still talking Klingons and Trek, and most importantly having fun together.

CONTENTS RAKTAJINO AND CHAT (KILMARNOCK) LIVERPOOL COMIC CON RAKTAJINO AND CHAT (ABERDEEN) DR WHO EXHIBITION CELEBRATION STAR WARS MEET UP WITH THE USS VALIANT (GLASGOW) 602 CINEMA CLUB BGCP COMIC CON (EDINBURGH) COMIC CON COMIC CON NORTH EAST/COMIC CON GLASGOW ORDER OF THE BAT’LETH AWARDS STAR WARS: THE EXPANDED UNIVERSE PICARD SEASON 3 REVIEW THE FIRST SCI -FI FAN COMMUNITIES DO YOU REMEMBER? STAR TREK EXHIBITIO N; EDINBURGH 1995 BABYLON 5 CHAT GROUP FUTURE PLANS FLEET DIRECTORY UPCOMING EVENTS

RAKTAJINO AND CHAT KILMARNOCK (Saturday April 1 st) A good catch up with Moira, Jim, and Robert (back in his hometown) at the local Weatherspoons (which has become our‘regular’meeting place for the Ayrshire Klingons. A chance to present Jim and Moira with recent award certiﬁcates for their work on behalf of the Fleet. Later, the Ayrshire Klingons met up again on Sunday April when Rober visited Alison in Kilwinning.

LIVERPOOL COMIC CON (Saturday April 2 nd) Our Fleet CO, Naomi, displaying her Cosplay skills as a Sith at the local Con in Liverpool, held at the Exhibition Centre.

RAKTAJINO AND CHAT ABERDEEN (Saturday 8 th April) Tying in with another Kilmarnock match at Pittodrie (will we ever win there!), Robert met up with Ian at the Weatherspoons for a good catch up, and chat about Aberdeen Klingons plans. 4

DR WHO EXHIBITION EDINBURGH (Sunday April 2 nd) Fair to say that the crew had fun at the Dr Who Exhibition, visiting at diﬀerent times, with the last trip on Sunday April 2nd.

CELEBRATION STAR WARS (Saturday 8th April) Incredible work from the ‘Duras Sithsters’, Amanda and Joanne, at the recent Celebration Star Wars Event at the Excel London. Always brave of course, to enter such an arena as Klingon Warriors

MEET UP WITH THE USS VALIANT (GLASGOW) TUESDAY APRIL 11 TH A long-standing date in the diary with Robert travelling through to Glasgow on diplomatic duties to meet with the crew of the USS Valiant (28 years and still going strong). Just a brilliant night, with lots of chat and fun and plans made for more regular ‘joint’ events between the 2 groups in future. Many thanks to the Valiant for their awesome welcome and hospitality on the night, with Robert presenting a specially commissioned mug to David (Valiant CO) with both logos, Valiant and Cromlech Isles on it.

602 CINEMA CLUB Over the last year or so our cinema group has been to see Robocop, Star Trek:The Wrath of Khan, Rocky Horror, Black Adam, Ant Man and the Wasp:, Black Panther, and more recently, Alien and Return of the Jedi on the big screen.

BGCP COMIC CON (EDINBURGH) Sunday May 7 th Laura, Robert, Thomas, Douglas, Stewart, Alan, and family, headed along to the (free) and rescheduled BGCP Con at the recently rebuilt St.James Centre in Edinburgh. A good selection of stalls, comics, and games. Fine turn out by the crew, and a good chance to catch up.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 3RD/4 TH (Comic Con North East, Glasgow Comic Con) So much going on for members of our crew on the weekend of June 3rd/4th,with JJ Smith attending the Yorkshire Comic Con, and meeting upwith Klingons (1st picture), George taking over the throne of Boba Feet at Comic Con North East, and Sam and Kevin joining the crew of the USS Valiant at the Royal Concert Hall for Glasgow Comic Con.

THE BAT ’LETH AWARDS:

3 Orders of the Bat’leth’s have recently been awarded to: Xander McEwan

For help and support

Steven Szyfelbain For fine work on Bat’leth construction, and flying the Klingon flag in the Highlands Qapla! 15

Irish Crew: For their fantastic cosplays and attendance at Cons in Ireland.

STAR WARS THE EXPANDED UNIVERSE

By the end of the 1980s, Star Wars

seemed to have become a thing of the past

Despite having only been 3 years since Return of the Jedi, The Star Wars Marvel comics ended in 1987, following the discontinuation of the Kenner Star Wars action ﬁgures in 1985. After that, it only seemed West End Games’ Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game was releasing Star Wars material regularly by 1989. So, by 1990, Star Wars seemed to be all forgotten. Indeed, even the Star Wars oﬃcial website mentioned the period between 1987 to 1991 as ‘The Dark Times’ 16

when fans feared that the franchise was dead. In 1990, the only notable Star Wars - related events were those concerning the tenth anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back . However, this all changed with the release of Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire novel. Released in May 1991, Heir to the Empire was a new chapter in the Star Wars franchise with an impressive extension to the franchise. Heir to the Empire introduced fan favorites Admiral Thrawn and Mara Jade to what would later be known as the ‘ Expan ded Universe and ﬁlled in the gaps in the story between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Even 32 years on, and with so many other SW stories having been written in that intervening period, Heir to the Empire still feels like the ‘gold standard’

In December of 1991, Dark Horse Comics then launched the Dark Empire comic book series, which expanded upon the presence of clones in Star Wars and featured a revived, cloned Emperor Palpatine. This new entry into comics following the end of the Marvel run would be followed by the brilliant Tales of the Jedi by

1992 brought the release of Super Star Wars on the SNES, a critically acclaimed side - scrolling platformer. The following year, Star Wars: X - Wing was released by LucasArts in February, while Sta r Wars: Rebel Assault was released in November 1993. These two games marked the beginning of Star Wars games developed and/or published by LucasArts. By the end of 1993, the Star Wars franchise was practically revived through novels, comics, and video games. This would only be the beginning of what would come in the rest of the decade. Interest in Star Wars continued to experience a resurgence by the mid - 1990s. Novels such as The Cour tship of Princess Leia, and video games, namely Star Wars: TIE Fighter , continued public interest in Star Wars . 1995 ﬁnally saw the 17

return of Star Wars toys, with Kenner releasing Star Wars action figures for the first time in 10 years. On VHS and Laserd isc, (remember them), the original Star Wars Trilogy was re released, allowing old and new fans to enjoy the adventures of Luke Skywalker at home. In 1996, the multimedia project Shadows of the Empire was launched with the novel’s release. The Shadows of the Empire project also saw tie - in comics, toys, and a video game that would become a template for future Star Wars events, including the release of the ‘new Star Wars movie’ at the end of the decade. The same year also saw the launch of StarWars.com, the franchise’s official website. In addition, 1997 heralded the foundation of the 501st legion , which would become the largest Star Wars costume fan group focusing on cosplaying Imperial characters from the franchise. In recognition of the fan group, Lucasfilm would later make them part of Star Wars canon, in the Clone Wars series. It’s difficult to imagine now in this era of Disney Star Wars, that there was ever a time when the franchise appeared to be struggling. However, until the publication of and breakthrough of Zhan’s books in the early 1990s, combined with the success of the video games around the middle of the decade, it could be argued that we wouldn’t have the continuing stories today.

Picard Season 3 takes viewers on an exhilarating and emotionally charged journey that expands upon the legacy of the iconic Star Trek character. With a more renewed focus and bold storytelling, it showcases the series' ability to evolve and most agree, is an upgrade and improvement upon the first two seasons of the show. One of the most commendable aspects of Picard Season 3 is the show's commitment to character development, (with the return of the beloved TNG crew). Jean- Luc Picard, portrayed masterfully as ever by Patrick Stewart, continues to be the heart and soul of the series. His journey in this season is both poignant and inspiring, as he grapples with his newly discovered responsibilities as a father, and confronts his past choices. The interactions between Picard and Jack are probably the centerpiece of the show, with their relationship clearly developing as the season progresses. . The ensemble cast, both new and returning, delivered strong performances, on the whole, throughout the season. Moreover, the addition of fresh faces, such as Isabella Rossellini and Oded Fehr, arguably injected the show with a renewed energy and brought a different dynamic to the narrative. Additionally, the returning characters from previous seasons were given ample room to shine, with good performances from Santiago Cabrera as Rios and Michelle Hurd as Raffi Musiker. The writing in Picard Season 3 aimed to strike a balance between thought - provoking storytelling and thrilling action, with the season exploring themes such as identity, redemption, and the nature of consciousness. The narrative arcs are well - crafted, and the pacing keeps the audience engaged, with each episode building upon the last, leading to a satisfying finale that ties up loose ends while leaving room for further exploration. Visually, Picard Season 3 is a visual feast for the eyes. The production design and special effects are top - notch, creating a vivid and immersive futuristic world. The attention to detail is evident, and the show's commitment to maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the Star Trek universe is commendable, particularly with the return of the Enterprise D.

While Picard Season 3 excels in many areas, there are a few minor ﬂaws worth noting. Some plotlines could have been further developed or explored in greater depth, as certain story elements felt rushed or underdeveloped. Additionally, the ﬁnal resolution of certain character arcs may not resonate with all viewers, leading to a sense of mixed satisfaction.

Overall, Picard Season 3 is a triumphant continuation of the series that will delight Star Trek fans and newcomers alike. With its compelling character arcs, thought - provoking themes, and stunning visuals, the season solidiﬁes its place as a worthy successor to the Star Trek legacy. While it may not be without its minor missteps, the season's strengths far outweigh any shortcomings, making it a must - watch for any science ﬁction enthusiast

EARLY SCI-FI FAN COMMUNITIES Long before the rise of social media and online forums, the first science fic on fan communi es laid the groundwork for the vibrant and passionate fandoms we know today. These early communi es, formed in the mid-20th century, provided a haven for science fic on enthusiasts to connect, share ideas, and celebrate their shared love for the genre. The birth of science fic on fan communi es was a testament to the power of human connec on in the face of a rapidly expanding and evolving genre. Through fanzines and correspondence networks, (par cularly in the le ers pages of the American magazine ‘Amazing Stories’ started in 1926, fans from around the world were able to engage in lively discussions, exchange stories and ideas, and form las ng friendships. These communi es fostered a sense of belonging and camaraderie among individuals who o en felt like outsiders in mainstream society, united by their passion for the fantas cal and the specula ve. Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of these early fan communi es was their pioneering spirit. Fans took it upon themselves to organize conven ons, publish fanzines, and create their own awards, all driven by their shared love for science fic on. These ini a ves not only provided fans with a pla orm to express their crea vity and showcase their talents, but also played a crucial role in fostering a sense of iden ty and legi macy for the genre as a whole. Furthermore, the influence of the first science fic on fan communi es on the industry cannot be overstated. Many fans who were once ac ve par cipants in these communi es went on to become prominent authors, editors, and filmmakers, shaping the future of science fic on. The interplay between fans and professionals created a unique rela onship that con nues to thrive, with creators ac vely engaging with their fan base and drawing inspira on from their feedback. However, it is worth no ng that the early fan communi es were not without their flaws and challenges. Exclusivity and gatekeeping were prevalent in some circles, limi ng access and representa on for marginalized voices. Nevertheless, as the communi es grew and diversified, efforts were made to promote inclusivity and create spaces that welcomed fans from all walks of life. The first science fic on fan communi es laid the founda on for the vibrant and inclusive fandoms that exist today. Their pioneering spirit, passion, and love for the genre created a sense of community. These communi es remain a testament to the enduring power of science fic on to unite and ignite the imagina on of fans around the globe.

DO YOU REMEMBER? STAR TREK EXHIBITION: EDINBURGH 1995

In 1995, the Star Trek Exhibition arrived in Edinburgh, bringing the franchise to life in an immersive experience. Stepping into the exhibition was like embarking on a journey into the final frontier, where fans of all ages could explorehe t rich lore and universe of Star Trek. One of the highlights of the exhibition was perhaps the attention to detail in recreating the iconic sets and props from the series. From the intricately designed Enterprise bridge to the alien landscapes of distant planets, every element transported visitors into the world of Star Trek. The authenticity of the displays, coupled with the opportunity to interact with actual costumes and props used in the shows, created a sense of wonder and excitement for fans of the time. The exhibition also provided a comprehensive look at the history and impact of Star Trek. Informative panels and displays traced the evolution of the franchise, from its humble beginnings to its cultural phenomenon status. The exhibits delved into the visionary ideas presented by Star Trek, such as its messages of diversity, exploration, and the power of science, inspiring visitors to contemplate the show's lasting influence on popular culture. A notable aspect of the Star Trek Exhibition was the inclusion of interactive elements that engaged visitors on a deeper level. Hands -on activities and simulations allowed fans to experience the thrill of piloting a starship or beaming down to a distant planet. These interactive features not only entertained but also encouraged a sense of active participation, immersing visitors in the Star Trek universe and fostering a connection with the show's themes and characters. . While the Star Trek Exhibition in Edinburgh was undoubtedly a memorable experience, there were a few minor drawbacks. The crowds could sometimes be pretty large, leading to long queues nda limited time to explore each exhibit thoroughly. Additionally, some fans may have desired a more extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia, but considering the limitations of touring exhibitions, the selection on display was still impressive. In conclusion, the Star Trek Exhibition in Edinburgh, 1995, was a captivating and immersive experience for fans of the franchise. From the meticulous recreation of sets to the informative displays and interactive activities, it offered a comprehensive journey into the world of Star Trek. While it had its minor limitations, the exhibition successfully celebrated the enduring legacy of the franchise, leaving fans with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for the visionary world Gene Roddenberry created.

With many of our group also fans of Babylon 5, it was recently decided to start up a Chat Room dedicated to discussion of the show. Lots of great memories and discussion had so far.

Klingon Com Badges: Still available for £4.99 from E-Bay (search for Klingon + Steampunk)

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ******************************

David John Smith: Winner of our ﬁrst SPFLfootball Predictor League. Qapla! Geo ‘Klingon’ Hutchinson: On his promotion to Mempa Fleet CO of the IKEF.

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FUTURE PLANS**************************

Klingon Kamping: A chance for the Fleet to get together under canvas at a venue in Scotland for a weekend of camping, with some‘challenges’ of course thrown in. (Date tbc) NERF Gun Challenge: We will be visiting the NERF centre in Ayrshire at some point in the summer for a day of foam bullet action The Klingons Take Hadrians Wall: A day of joining up with our forces south of the border to ‘take’ the Wall together. Gagh and Games in the Garden A BBQ (yes there will be Gagh!), and some board games together, all with a backdrop of a Klingon Bridge. Walking Group: A chance for Warriors to take on walks of varying distances and catch up for a drink afterwards. Online Gaming: Once we get a ﬁnal choice of game and console/format. Targ on Tour: Photos with our very own Travelling Targ...coming soon. Trip to Dublin: To meet up with our Irish Warriors

IMPERIAL XENO LEGION We don’t just appear as Klingons, but also as Borg, Cardassians, Bajorans, Andorians and more. Fancy joining our Imperial ‘Xeno’ Legion? (all you need is a photo of yourself as a Trek alien, (or indeed a character from Star Wars, Dr.Who etc) and you are in!

FLEET/SHIP DIRECTORY 26

FLEET CO Naomi Rubenstein XO Robert Richard IKV Drystorm

IKV Dal Riada (Glasgow)

IKV Des HoS

CO Naomi Rubenstein

CO: Sam Bell

CO: Geo Hutchinson

XO David Huttley

XO: Alison Stell

XO Neale Nobby Clarke

1st Oﬃcer: Jim Fairbairn IKV Dheathain (Aberdeen)

IKV Border Reivers (Edinburgh)

CO: Ian Struthers

CO: Robert Richard

XO: Niall Matthew

XO: Laura Kerr

Social Channels

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/proﬁle.php?id=100065006059785 Twitter @SKlingons Instagram scottishklingons2 Our ‘Travelling Targ on Tour ’

****************************NEXT ISSUE**************************** Klingon Fan Fics Will we ever achieve Warp Drive? Report from our Summer Activities Gaming Reviews And much more....

UPCOMING EVENTS

June Fleet 2nd Birthday Night (Glasgow) Fri 16th BGCP Con (M&D’s) Sat/Sun 24th/25th Cinema: Indiana Jones

July Raktajino and Chat/Cosplay Photo Shoot (Kilwinning) Glasgow Film and Comic Con (Sun 23rd) Gagh and Games BBQ and Board Gaming night (date tbc)

August Destination Star Trek (Birmingham) 18th-20th Cinema: Blue Bettle

September Raktajino and Chat (Kilmarnock) 17th Kilt Walk (Edinburgh) for Max Appeal

October Comic Con Scotland (Ingliston) Sat/Sun 7th/8th ‘Scottish Trek United’ event Rocky Horror on the big screen (Glasgow)

November Remembrance Day Event St.Andrew's/Christmas Night Out (Edinburgh) Sat 25th Cinema: Dune 2

December Cinema: Ghostbusters Secret Santa ‘Die Hard’ Catch Up (Glasgow) Whamageddon Contest Charity Drive (Toys and Food)