This mission was planned by the Ravens CAG, Colonel Leonidas Ranson using an idea from our last mission Operation Green Haze and the irradiated Tylium on Planet EM.
Mission Plan:
ATTENTION ON DECK! At Ease!
Well Folks, The Cylons Are about to attempt some Trickery on us; Guess what? It's THEY who are about to get 'Punk'd'!
After the Last Op at planet 'Green Haze', The Scientists at the Ministry of Defense Have pieced together A Puzzle Concerning EM Irradiated Tylium; Not only could the Stuff Create Havoc with Colonial Military Vessels, If Secretly Slipped in with Normal Tylium, In a big enough Amount, It can be used As A Poor man's Dirty Bomb, With Devastating Results!
Further Intel Has Discovered That the Cylons have Loaded Two Standard Tankers With the Stuff; And, They intend to Transfer the Crap to two Colonial Civilian Freighters That have Almost been Reported Missing; Their Registries Still Being Active:
Colonial 6619-B, Registered with A Private Shipping Firm on Gemmenon, and:
Colonial 4108-H, Of Libran Fuel Industries Inc; Last Reported Leaving Ragnar Anchorage.
These Two Civilian freighters Obviously have been Hijacked by Cylon Infiltrators to be used in A Terrorist Attack on A Colonial Military Target; Loaded With the Hot Tylium, They could be used to Not only Destroy A Target, but also the Spread of the Tylium could Seriously Disrupt DRADIS and Communications for a Substantial Period of Time, Leaving The Affected Sector(s) Vulnerable to Cylon Attack.
Intel picked up by Stealth Spy Drones Have indicated A Cylon Build-up 25 Parsecs Past the Red Line, in the Kintara Sector. The Most Recent Recon Flight by the Raven Air Wing has revealed old type Cylon Basestars and Tankers.
Even though these are Older Ships from the First Cylon War, They are still Useful; And, Off to the Side, The recon flight Found the Two Civilian ships.
After this Location was pinpointed, it was found that the Closest Colonial Military Post of Importance was Listening Post TARTARIS, Which has A Direct Link to Fleet HQ on Picon;
This Post Is VITAL to Detecting Any Cylon Threats to the Colonies; The Deduced Plan is for the Cylons to Bring the Freighters with the Hot Tylium to the Station, Then Ram the Station, Destroying it, and Blacking out The Entire Sector with the Spread of Irradiated Dust; The Cylons would have Kicked in the Door, and Walked in.
However, We now have the Opportunity to Turn this Around on them; Our spy drones have Pinpointed A possible Location Where the Cylons will transfer the Hot Tylium from the Tankers to the Civilian ships; The Raven Air Wing will Pop in Just before they Begin the Transfer; We will destroy one of the Tankers, and Capture the other; Meanwhile Two MARDET Teams will Liberate the Civilian ships, and Return them to Colonial Space.
As this Transpires, The Lead MARDET Team Will Place a 10kt Nuclear device on the Cylon tanker, Then they will Pilot the Ship Back to The Cylon task force in the Kintara Sector, Which will be Waiting To Move in once the Station is destroyed; The Team will Activate the device, Put the Ship on Auto-Pilot, And Quickly Egress With the Raptors; As the Tanker Gets into the Middle of the Cylon force, The Device will Detonate, Disabling The Cylon Base Ships.
Timing is going to be Crucial; however, if things go Right, We can turn back a potential Wolf at our Doorstep.
Leonidas, CAG
Briefing:
(Port Flight Deck) ATTENTION! As You Were!
OK Folks, We Now have the Toasters Right where we Want them; Spy Drone one Has Placed them At the Point where they Are going to Transfer the Hot Tylium to the Civvies; We're going to Crash that Party Within the Hour; Remember, We Kill one Tanker, Leave the Other; MARDET Team One will Be Taking that Back to the Cylons with A Little Surprise!
You Know Your Assignments; Get the Job Done.
(Over the PA) "ATTENTION FLIGHT CREWS: RAVEN HAS REACHED LAUNCH POINT; PILOTS, MAN YOUR PLANES; SET CONDITION TWO THROUGHOUT THE SHIP"
That's Our Cue, SADDLE UP!
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Major (Salutes): MARDET Teams are assembled in Raptor bays. Security, Fast Response and Damage Control Teams are at "Stand to" in assigned areas. Your Raptor 316 and mine 317 are standing by with Sapper Raptor 350M.
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
(returns salute)copy that...looks like a good day to take out the trash
weapons check complete
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Roger that Major.
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
Nice job
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Chaplain "Prometheus": Corpsmen request and CAG approved you to move to port landing bay in triage area to aid and comfort those incoming wounded in the "expectant" category.
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
NCOIC to all MARDET away Teams: Load your craft and report when ready.
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
(Skyblaster) Team Two UP.
(Bonecrusher) Team Three UP.
(Merlin) Sapper Team UP.
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Copy. Team One is UP. Major, Your Teams are loaded and ready.
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
tac; Blindsword: Monitor HOT ZONE for any Cylon ships and keep n eye on the colonial ships. if they so much as float sideways i want to know...
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
Blindsword; Tac: Copy that if they move will inform...
Chief; comms are garbled again
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG TO SHOOTERS: PREPARE TO LAUNCH WHEN READY; MARDET RAPTORS CLOSE HATCHES AND SECURE CARGO.
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
CAG and CIC: Per orders "package" was switched to "simple" and not "messy".
Hatches secure.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Roger That: It will still make A Big Mess.
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
MARDET Teams ready to launch.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG LAUNCHING
"Spartan Three Ready to Go"
"MINOTAUR LEAD LAUNCHING"
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
Raptor 343 fuelled and awaiting orders
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG to Flight Deck Clear Raptors for Launch
"HAMMERS AIRBORNE"
"Spartan Section Five has Cleared"
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
OH Frak!!! how does this thing work again.. (Holding MP7)
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"Blue Squadron Clear and Forming Up"
"Perseus Twelve Having Problems, Foul Tube"
Me
Flying Tigers ready to launch...
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"SPARTAN SECTION SEVEN ON YOUR WAKE"
"319 Air Borne, DRADIS on"
Me
Reamer to Tigers...launch when ready...over...
Reamer launches and takes position along with Flight 1...
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG to 343, You are Clear, Any Contacts?
Me
Let’s get formed up Tigers, over.....Copy that Maj Sir....
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
MARDET ready to launch
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
You Are Clear, Mardet
Me
Hitman to Reamer, over....go ahead Hitman....
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
MARDET Launching.......clear.
Me
We're ready for the fireworks Sir....over...
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
raptor 316 ready for go
Me
Copy that Hitman... where's everyone else?
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Team One trailing Perseus Sdrn, Teams two and three trailing Minotaur Sqdrn.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"Red Dog to CAG, Squadron Clear and Formed"
Me
They're getting into formation.....Hotwire here Sir ready to kick some chrome butt....Sir...
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"318 to CAG, About 30 KM to Target, Picking up Fain DRADIS"
Me
OK, keep alive and be ready, over.....
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
MARDET; BLINDSWORD; let’s try to keep it by the numbers
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
Roger that Major
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
Raptor 343 awaiting launch clearance
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
'CAG to 343, How's DRADIS Looking?
You Are Clear.
Me
OK Stargazer....keep your eyes open.....over....
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
Yes Sir
That's why they call me Stargazer
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Copy Major
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
343 airborne, dradis clear
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG to Picket Raptors, Assume Positions
"BLUE LEADER TO CAG,HAVE TARGET IN SIGHT ,CLOSING"
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
343 acknowledged
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Roger, Cag To Flight, WEAPONS HOT,LET'S GO!
Me
Copy that Col.....we're itching to let em have it Sir.....
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
MARDET stay with your Viper Squadrons
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
" Blue Lead to Hammer Lead, will Surround First Target, You Set up Firing Perimeter, Acknowledge"
"Roger That Blue Lead, Moving Strike Raptors into Positon"
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
TEAM !: BLINDSWORD; lock n load
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"MAEDET TWO, Closing In on Target"
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
317 and 350M acknowledge
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"Perseus Six, On your Left!"
Me
My Dradis is lighting up.......looks like we have company.......Yeah.....
Multiple explosions......Yeah...take that for Booster.....
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
TEAM1...there’s something moving if it’s moving n shiny drop it
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Tanker under way, FTL jump in 5...4...3....2...1...jump....
Me
Great shooting Tigers......
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
Thanks Major
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
scratch 1,2, 3 Ol boys
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"MINOTAUR LEAD, BOTH CIVVIEs SECURED, LEADING THEM TO THE RED LINE,OVER"
Roger that, Good Luck!
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
316; team lead, ltes ride
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Flash Cylon attack by stay-behinds defeated. On course on schedule.
Me
Any more Bogies on Dradis?....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG TO PERSEUS LEAD, ASSIST WITH ESCORTING CIVVIES, OVER
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
Dradis sweep shows clear
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
'Roger That, Joining Minotaur’s"
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
something feels off....where’s that base
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG SPLASH TWO, THAT'S FOR BOOSTER GOLD!
Me
OK Tigers....get back into formation and look sharp....there could be more Cylons out here.....
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
CAG and Major, due out of jump in two mikes, will come out and set full standard speed to target while we load and jump away. All personnel on tanker load 317.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG TO FLIGHT, CYLON PACKAGE HAS ADVANCED,HOLD POSITION UNTIL MARDERT TEAM ONE RETURNS
Me
Three O'clock Reamer.....a couple Raiders jumping away.....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Roger That Team One, Standing By
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Prepare to exit jump.....now.
Me
Copy that Hotwire....keep your eyes open....over...
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Jump complete, setting throttle, exiting to 317..........317 away. Timer set, manual backup trigger on 317.
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
316 on final approach to 2nd tanker
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Section For--Two Trying to Get Away, Wax them!
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
316 final jump.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"DEAD AND GONE!"
Cag to 343, Has Debris Spread Far to Our Area?
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Moving away, Enemy not evading tanker, time on target....5...4...3…2..1....BOOOOOOM!!!!! 317....jump, jump, jump.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Report Any Disruptions
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
317; 316; on ur 6
smooth as silk
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
343....debris shows normal spread pattern. Approaching your position
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"318,We still have some Chunks In our Zone, Rad Limits within Norm"
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
CAG and CIC: view from a distance it’s beautiful.... nothing but major debris field expanding rapidly. Assessment photos in the bag, Jumping to your location....now.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Confirm Package Delivery?
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Confirm, major candy-gram shared by all recipients.
Me
WhoooHoooo.......Yeah that ought to teach the Cylons a lesson or two.....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Roger That! Outstanding! Will Hold Until You Catch Up
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Jump to rendezvous complete. Request permission to enter the pattern.
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
Oh I took a side sample its weapons grade ore
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
320 Patch Me Trough to Ship
"320,LINK UP CONNECTED"
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Thanks for giving my guys a ride Mik Mo.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG TO RAVEN PACKAGE DELIVERED, REPEAT PACKAGE DELIVERED; Waiting on Formation to Catch up, Mopping up Stragglers
10:45 PM
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
MARDET 2 & 3 have been recovered.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"Raptor 32to CAG, Civvies have Just Crossed the Red Line, They're Back Home"
Me
Looks like we're all clear CAG Sir...
Just scrap as far as the eye can see Sir....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Cag to Flight, Finish the Rest, And Let's Go Home
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
317 &350M in the pattern...on final....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"RED DOG TO CAG! YOU GOT ONE DIVING DOWN ON YOUR TOP!"
Me
OK Tigers you heard the Col....finish playing with your toys and let’s head back to the Raven....over....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
HAH! SLASH THREE!
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
316 nestled in
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
Roger That Major!!!
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
343 Any More?
Me
Anyone get hit? Over.....
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
a little singed
Me
No Sir....they didn't lay a finger on us Sir....over......Great work Tigers....Chief Beaton will be amazed....
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
A couple pieces of debris left a couple of scratches. That's all
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Blindsword, all MARDET accounted for, two severely injured in sick-bay, no damage to craft. Have some intel data and equipment from the tanker, in decontamination.
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
343 on approach...requesting landing clearamce
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Cag to Flight, Head for Home
Me
Copy that CAG Sir!!!
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"Raven to 343, Hands on, Call the Ball"
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
copy that aar wen they ae secured
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Two more wounded on 343, thanks for the ride Mik Mo.
Me
OK Tigers don't crowd the landing Bays.....call the ball and get aboard....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Cag to Raven, We have Wounded Coming In, Alert Medic Team to Stand By
Me
Flight 2 landing.....Flight 3 right behind you Hitman......
10:52 PM
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
RAVEN; total of 4 wounded 2 severe 2 not
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
CAG to Raven, Requesting Hands on
Me
Reamer coming in.....mag lock on.....Look Chief.....no scratches on your deck this time....LOL....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
"Roger CAG, Call the Ball"
Me
You Pointy Nosed Viper Jock....watch your mouth.....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Speed 113,I have the Ball
Me
OK Chief....next time its combat landings for ya....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Skids Down Secure Maglock "Maglock Secured"
"Spartan Section Two,Aboard"
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
Back aboard Major
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
316 on board
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
"Home is the sailor home from the sea, and the hunter home from the hill......" All Mardet accounted for.
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
'Section Five Minus one, Aboard"
Me
OK Tigers let’s put our birds to sleep and go and check out the wounded in sick bay before we head to the ships lounge.
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
I have the ball...
343 skids down
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
(Climbing From Viper) OK People Let's Make Sure we Check Our Rads; There was Some of that Stuff Around!
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
Mik Mo, your first tab in "Joe's" is on me.
Me
Yes Sir Colonel.
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
343 secured, evacuating wounded
Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez
gonna take a rad shower...n get some rack time
Me
Rads within normal range Sir....we'll go through decon just in case Sir....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
(Spartan pilots Just Standing Around…Not Believing Booster was Gone) Guys, Just Get Checked out, Now, We Can Mourn Later "Yes Sir"
Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock
Thanks Ice....keep the Ambrosia flowing!
Paul "Iceworm" Oakley
The Major was on the Cylon barge, no telling what we need to wash off from there.
You're welcome Mik.
Me
Pilots yelling and pushing....can we get this line moving....it’s always the same after every mission....decon takes so much time away from hitting the lounge....
Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson
Damn It! Well, I'll Go make My Report; Meet You Guys in the Lounge.
Me
We'll save a bottle for you Sir!!!
Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto
I have an early day tomorrow, so I have to hit the rack
Wishing you the best and much happiness on your birthday! Just remain the way you are. Do not ever change for being the kind of person that you are: WONDERFUL, SWEET AND CARING!!!!
JUST IN TO FLEET SCUTTLEBUTT CENTRAL: Anonymous Fleet sources hint that a new Raven mission is in the works. Cancelled leaves and stores loading indicate a party with fireworks is in her future. Must be important as Raven is embarking before her soon-to-be-commissioned Gunstar, the Trireme, joins the Battle Group. History shows Raven prefers Saturday night actions as the Cylon fleet is in port on liberty then. Asked about the rumors, PR Rep Martok said: "A vital mission, impossible odds, and a ruthless enemy, what more could we ask for?" Stay tuned for more news and MUCH more scuttlebutt. FSC out.
Well folks, I just wanted to quickly post these photos here. I finally got the chance to inspect the new Raven Challenge Coin for the general membership. I have to say, it turned out pretty awesome. Now these coins compared to the BFC Raven Command Challenge coin, is available to the general membership. Only 100 of these coins were made for now.
First off, I would like to thank the following people who helped at the Raven table:
Paul Oakley- Gunny was with me throughout the whole entire four days.
Steve Tweed- My XO who came all the way from Wisconsin and helped out for two days. It was a pleasure to finally meet him in person.
Tim Riley- The Raven Cylon Command Centurion Member. I was glad to see him doing what he love best once considering what he recently went through on a personal level. I know she is smiling down on you seeing you doing what you love doing with her. As always, Tim attracts a lot of people as he walks around.
Tony and Cherie Leach-What a surprise indeed was this for Cherie from her husband Tony. He surprise her with coming to Comicpalooza to meet Jeremy Renner. Thank you for coming all the way from Oklahoma and hanged out at the Raven table allowing me to enjoy a little bit of what the con has to offer. I was able to meet and get Stan Lee's autograph and Jeremy Renner. So mission accomplished on my part on that aspect. And Cherie and Tony, you both are a riot LOL!!!! I was watching my oldest son during the first group dinner laugh at Tony as Tony tells stories about Cherie! :-)
Many thanks to all those who dropped in and said hello- new members George Mellis and his friends, Rob Tipton, Gayle Jackson and her family and others......
The Raven was also represented at the Tulsa Comic Con and was headed by Raven Communications Officer Shane "Ogre" Coble. Shane just went through a recent shoulder surgery so I was a little reluctant him doing a lot of work manning the Raven table at the Tulsa Comic Con when I saw him make a post with in regards about the Tulsa Comic Con. Shane and I spoke on the side that as much as I appreciate him wanting to represent the Raven at the Tulsa Comic Con, I rather not have him do it because he should be recovering from his shoulder surgery. But he kept re-assuring me he can handle it. So I finally said, okey....I will do what I can to support you. I made him promise that he will take it easy while doing it. I then send him some promotional items for the Raven, BFC and Galacticon 4. And it looks like it was a success as well. I would like to make a note per Shane's report to me, that special credit goes to Jill Horton for helping out at the Raven Tulsa table and she is not even a member. To Jill, thank you very much for helping at the table! I agreatly appreciate that. And to Chris Rowe, the convention director/promoter for the Tulsa Comic Con, thank you for inviting our group and having us at your con once again.
It was indeed a twin convention appearance for the Raven Battle Group this past weekend. But the highlight between the two cons was everyone having fun, meeting new members in person, meeting my XO for the first time in person and my one and only good friend Miguel Rivera, coming down to surprise me the way he did. I have not seen him in over two years since we saw each other last at Galacticon 3. We were texting each other before I arrived at the convention site. He was telling me and the kids to have fun. But little did I know what is about to transpire. I finally arrived at the Raven table with the rest of the display that is suppose to be put on the table. Then as I was talking to everyone that was there, I heard someone say to me from my left side " Hi!" It took me a little bit to realize that it was Miguel in the flesh. When it finally dawn on me, I just dropped whatever I was doing and went towards him and gave him a hug. Out of all the things I can find to hit him with for being sneaky, I ended up grabbing a ball cap hat LOL. Him and I have been through a lot together in the science fiction community. We went through our own set of ups and downs together and our friendship was tested and even put to the limit. But in the end along with time, we reforge a much stronger friendship which is solely based on our experience with science fiction political BS and drama. We promise each other to never let scifi drama or scifi political BS, to ever put a wedge in our friendship ever again. We both believe what we do on the side should be fun, not to be taken too seriously and should not let the ficticious rank get to ones head. It is only for the enhancement of ones experience in that scifi community. We both know and have seen that there are a lot of people out there that are just like that. And they take the fun out of things. All of us have lives outside the virtual world of battlestars, cylon basestars, vipers and raptors. And that real life event is more important than anything else. Real life should not be mix with what is not real. And that is what Miguel and I have learned through our unpleasant experience in the past. We both swear that we will NEVER ever allow a repeat of that kind of experience ever. A couple of beliefs him and I both share are as follows:
1. We believe in quality vs. quantity in membership wise
2. It is not all about the ficticious rank.
3. It is about the members
4. It is about having fun
5. It is about helping other members in need
The one highlight I will never forget that made my jaw dropped out of surprise was, being promoted to Rear Admiral by the BFC Fleet Admiral.
( Thank you for the gorgeous RADM pins Miguel )
I was not expecting that at all. I have always been the kind of person just satisfied being the behind the seen kind of person. If you notice, I do not even use the rank that comes with being the CO of the Raven on my profile page. I am quite content using DragonLady or Raven Actual. I can just be as effective and do kickass work by just remaining simple. I do not need long titles or signature lines for people to know who I am. I am known through the scifi community as DragonLady. And I am satisfied with that. But like Sgt. Hillman said to me on the side, I better get used to the crew calling me Admiral DragonLady because that is who I am now. :-) :-) All I can say is, I will try my best to get used to it and be worthy of that rank. :-)
And to everyone who had a hand in the surprise celebration that took place for me over the weekend, THANK YOU SO MUCH from the bottom of my heart especially the POINT man, Iceworm! AHEMMM!!!!! And yeah, yeah! You told me you were only following orders. :-) I have to start keeping an eye on you LOL. But thank you so much for everything.
( Iceworm, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this hat. The simpliest gift sometimes makes the best gift of them all. I am really tickled by this and cannot stop smiling at it :-) )
Miguel, thank you my friend for such a wonderful surprise. I know you were only here for one day but to me, that is worth more because we made the best of the time we had together. It was truely indeed a memorable weekend for me. It felt like good old times when were together on the Aries going to conventions and manning the table together. The Aries will always hold a special place in my heart for she was my first baby and creation when I was her CEO. And that will never change even though I have the Raven now. The Aries and Raven will forever be linked together because of you and me. The Aries will be the big older sister ship to the Raven. As far as the Raven group, everyone here sure knows how to have fun no matter where we are. This Memorial Day weeked, it was Houston and Tulsa NOW OFF TO GALACTICON 4 for the Raven Battle Group!!!!
As you all may recall I have taken upon myself to go back to school and get myself a degree or three. I set myself up with a plan to get to where I really wanted to go in life and I am proud to say that stage one of this journey is almost complete.
What I was doing was going to a "For-Profit" School to get my Associates in Criminal Justice. By the end of June of this year I will have completed the requirements to fulfill that degree and will graduate with the fall classes sometime in October or November. (Instead of doing a grad class of like 5-6 a month, they do a spring session and a fall session). I will graduate with a 3.96 GPA most likely in the top 10 percent of my class and be eligible for any and all honors not Medical based at the school.
In September I will start phase 2 of my plan and go back to Brown Mackie College for my Bachelors Program in Criminal Justice and I will keep you all up to date on that progress as well.
So that is my update, If you need any work done on the Main Raven site (Looking at you Squadron Commanders) leave me a message here or email me personally at j.phillips0328@gmail.com with a subject called Raven Web Site.
I hope everyone is doing well. This is my after action report from attending Comicpoolza on Friday the 22nd. I was there only one day due to other commitments. I still had a great time and while there I got to meet members of the Battlestar Raven. Whom I have chatted with via the internet as well spoken over the phone with. A great bunch of folks what can I tell you everyone was having a blast. At the Convention there was lots to see and do as you walked around. I look forward to doing it again whenever the opportunity presents itself and my schedule is a bit more free.
After action report time. I was there to enjoy the convention and look forward to making new friends as well recruit for Colonial Defense Forces, Battlestar Fan Club and let’s not forget the Colonial Cylon Alliance. After all when I am at any function I do my best to represent every community I can. The Battlestar Raven table looked great the setup was a team effort no doubt. First on the scene was Paul Oakley who did the initial set up with Tim Riley aka “Cylon Tim” catchy name I love it! As well as Steve Tweed. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Paul, Tim and Rob aka “Spectre” a great guy I met at Galacticon III. It was a great time being able to talk about Battlestar Galactica as well as other Sci FI genre. There was a gentleman named Doug I didn’t catch his last name. He was writer and he also joined us for some Sci Fi talk a nice humble guy I wish him all the best. He Doug that is loved the character Harley Quinn. As I had walked around the convention I purchased two beautiful art rendering and came back and presented it to Doug as a gift. The man was blown away and shook my hand. He offered me a free book and I decline it’s what I do love surprising people.
Speaking of surprise I was on a secret mission there. A few people knew of my pending arrival. I was there to surprise my friend Cherry Oclima. I had texted her to have a great time at the convention and she had replied. Little did she know I was just a few feet away from and I said HI!!. She turned and looked. It finally hit her I was there in the flesh and she jumped for joy gave me hug. She then preceded to hit me with a ball cap!! I guess she was truly happy HAHAHA!! I don’t like to commit to an event and then have to disappoint people so I always just make contact with one person only. This time it was my point man Colonial Marine Paul Oakley.
Prior to dinner I switched hats and stood up as Fleet Admiral Rivera of the BFC. I got everyone's attention b/c I like going big or just go home and everything I do has purpose or else I wouldn’t bother. Everyone's attention was on me and I appreciated their time. Especially those who came from a great distant to be part of the event. I called up Paul Oakley, Tim Reilly, Steve Tweed and George Mellis. Each of them I presented with an Award to show my appreciation for them supporting the Raven as well as representatives of the BFC Fleet! I shook hands and got a photo op going b/c I documenting things.
Finally, we were also there to celebrate Cherry Oclima time in military active duty service. She is very humble person. I asked Steve to remain standing since he is Raven XO. I asked Commander Cherry Oclima to stand. I then pulled out a framed certificate. I begun to read and let just say her expression was awe striking as well as her crew. I HEREBY PROMOTE YOU TO THE RANK OF REAR ADMIRAL!! I presented her with the certificate Steve and i stood there so we can be photographed together as part of the promotion ceremony. CONGRATULATION!! Hell I even presented her with collar rank insignia as well a Colonial cubit.
She has been trying for the lone time to get a duty blue uniform, but they cost so bloody much. I called in a few favors and got one which I wear. She can wear it until something which is more screen accurate comes along and is also truly affordable. Just hard to spend a great deal of money on cosplay you only wear 4 times a year so it’s understandable. She was floored when I presented her with the uniform. Thank you all for reading. I apologize for the long report, but I am sure you would agree it was worth reading. Please enjoy the photos and please post here.
PHOTOS::
Fleet Admiral Rivera Reading Awards Order of the Colonies and Good Conduct. Not pictured George Mellis. Last two photos of Rear Admiral Cherry Oclima receiving promotion ~Salutes!~
Hello fellow colonials. Galacticon is taking applications for volunteers for this years con in Seattle. Volunteers are needed in most areas of the show. Anyone interested should go to the link below and sign up.
Volunteering is a great way to be part of the convention and see it from a new perspective. Volunteers get to be part of the behind the scenes craziness that is Sci-Fi conventions and get some cool perks for helping.
**BBOOMM!! A bright flash of light and seen emerging is the Battlestar Aries in rotation as she executes a combat jump. As the ship continues it’s a rotation a lone Viper is seen launching moving away at high speed. Again a flash of light as the mighty warship vanishes. The Viper is heading towards the former Atlantia. Permission has been granted Viper touches down and lowered into the hangar. Deck crews rush to the Viper and secure it as the canopy opens and the helmet is removed. To reveal none other than Admiral of the BFC Fleet. He climbs down shakes hands with several of the deck gang and in his flight suit proceeds to the CIC! As the door opens he enters and attention on deck is yelled out! ATTENTION ON DECK! The Admiral walks in and looks around the entire CIC carefully.
He looks at the Communications Officer and says, “Effective immediately I assume command of this Battlestar please note the time and date in the ships log.” He then stands center room and hand salutes everyone. As he says, “I am here with you all to get us back on the map and fully operational it will take time. With your help and commitment we will make it happen, SO SAY WE ALL!!”**
Attention, Attention… If you are an “Honorary Member” here and NOT actually part of the ship crew all messages and orders to be assigned and carried out DO NOT apply to you. I am here to get this ship and it personnel fully operational. In order for that to be successful I have to be dealing with the assigned crew directly. I thank you all for understanding and full cooperation. Remember as a, “Honorary Member” you do not have actual shipboard duties or assignment unless specifically ask or assigned by the ship Commanding Officer. May the Lords of Kobol bless you all.
Attention! Crew of the Battlestar Solaria formerly Battlestar Atlantia. I want to take a few minutes of your time to put out some information. I am Miguel Rivera the Fleet Admiral of the Battlestar Fan Club it is a great honor to be among you. I look forward to working with you all as we bring the Solaria into a fully operational state. My email is CAG_VF84@yahoo.com. I will be contacting you all shortly via email communications. Next I will be developing a Command Staff and also the different areas needed in order to ensure the ships success. However, all of this will not succeed unless you are willing to step up and be involved in the process. Remember this ship is not mine it is OURS! One person can never hope to just make all things happen it a takes a group of people with heart, determination and commitment in order to over adversity.
Once I have sent the emails out to everyone. I would like everyone to individually contact me. I can see who actively onboard ship is and who may need to be recalled back from shore leave. Anyone requesting extra time on leave due to a personal nature please let me know. Everyone in certain positions will have duties to perform as well as be responsible for the day to day ship operations and crew participation. I know we all have real life things to deal with, so do your very best to partake in ships activity.
Finally once I hear from you all and establish the crew we will move forward from there. I look forward to hearing from you all ~SALUTES~ Carry on please. If you are actual crew please post to here i and on the Battlestar Solaria forum page.
As the infected pilots recover in the Galactica's infirmary, the maverick shuttle pilots brag up their victory in the Officer's Club. Starbuck and Apollo are relieved to hear that the bridge crew has detected an unknown blip trailing the Galactica fleet, just beyond tracking range. At first, Tigh approaches Apollo about leading a recon patrol to see what's out there. Then Serina appears and insists she is assigned as Apollo's wingman. In the confusion, Starbuck launches in Apollo's fighter. Apollo takes after Starbuck, followed by Serina.
The Cylon lure works. A slew of their raiders descend on Starbuck's ship before he knows what hit him. Without a shot fired, Starbuck is lost at the void's fringe. Aboard the Cylon Basestar, Lucifer and the Centurions escort their catch to Baltar. It is here that we learn of Baltar's plan to approach Adama with this new hostage as a peace offering. The encounter is as much a surprise to Lucifer as it is to Starbuck.
On the Galactica's bridge, Apollo cannot resist staring into the scanner, hoping to see Starbuck's Viper reappear. Serina consoles Apollo, but he still cannot accept that their comrade could disappear so suddenly. Serina presses on for marriage, saying that the predicament they are in may never end, and Starbuck would've wanted them to move on. As Adama performs the "sealing" ceremony on the Galactica's amphitheater deck, Tigh notices a star appearing. If Adama is right, the planet orbiting that star is Kobol: the birthplace of the human race.
Lucifer reports that the Galactica has been sighted approaching a dead planet orbiting a lone star. Baltar figures out what is happening and orders his personal craft readied. Lucifer cannot accept Baltar's confidence in approaching the humans with a peace plan.
On the planet's surface, Adama wants camp set up on a site of pyramids, a sphinx and other great ruins he suspects were once the thriving city of Eden, "the first to fall" on ancient Kobol. Apollo and Serina are grateful to have a dead planet to themselves for a honeymoon. As the warriors ready to bivouac among the ruins, Adama orders a guard to be posted.
As Adama, Apollo and Serina probe the pyramid "temple", which turns out to be the tomb of "the ninth Lord of Kobol," they discover an elaborate protective access system, which can only be opened by a Medallion from the Council of Twelve. Apparently, the ninth and final lord returned to Kobol to die after the thirteen tribes left to form new colonies beyond the void. The writings in the temple reveal the "last days" of this civilization. As Adama pays his respects to the dead, Baltar appears, wearing his own Medallion. When the traitor greets Adama as "old friend", the beleaguered Battlestar commander lunges for his enemy's throat.
Baltar insists he has been defamed by these treason charges. He tells of how he has seen the Cylon seat of power in chaos; how the Galactica could strike their capital and devastate the Cylons. Adama hisses to Baltar: "you have the tongue of an angel, and the soul of a serpent." Apollo takes Baltar into custody.
Back on the Basestar, a Centurion is paged to Baltar's throne room... to find Lucifer perched on the pedestal and ready to declare Baltar's peace envoy a failure. Though the Centurion is certain Baltar will deliver the Galactica fleet to Cylon, Lucifer is "thinking out loud" about why he was not chosen to be the new Imperious Leader over his "IL-group" competition; perhaps a military victory under his command might change his stature. "What is your command?" the Centurion asks.
On the planet's surface, the rookie warriors are enjoying their open-air evening on Kobol, when Starbuck appears. Apollo orders the warriors to ready themselves and demands that Baltar explain what is going on. When Apollo takes the traitor back into the tomb to talk to Adama, Serina notices that the sunlight is intensifying. As the light beams into the tomb, it is caught by Adama's Medallion. the focused rays activate the temple chamber's secret mechanism, and a deeper chamber is revealed. Once inside, Adama discovers more writings of what happened here. But then the tomb begins to shudder: the Cylons have begun a bombardment of the ruins.
Starbuck and Athena begin launching a counter-strike from the camp. On the Galactica, Boomer and some of his fellow warriors report for duty. "Lieutenant, obviously you can't even stand", Tigh warns Boomer. Boomer replies "The Viper is flown from the seated position, sir." Just when all seems lost for Starbuck and Athena, Boomer and company rout the Cylon attack. On Kobol, the Cylon attack nearly kills those left in the tomb. Adama is just about to learn of the thirteenth tribe when a Cylon attack shatters the tomb, leaving the writings destroyed and Baltar trapped under the rubble. While Adama's party try to free Baltar, they eventually give up and abandon him. The traitor vows to get even with Lucifer, "you have not heard the last of Baltar!"
Back on the surface, Adama, Serina and Apollo are reunited with Starbuck and Blue Squadron when Cylon infantry guns down Serina. She is mortally wounded but evac'ed to the Galactica before Apollo and Boxey say good-bye. Apollo now must rear the little boy on his own.
A Second Look This BATTLESTAR outing makes splendid use of John Colicos as Baltar, and the phenomenal robot Lucifer, animated by Felix Silla and voice by Jonathan Harris. The duel of the titan egos on the Basestar takes a strange turn, mixing doses of comedy with treachery. The sight of the IL-Cylon on Baltar's throne approaches farce. But the show belongs to Colicos' Baltar, whose con-artist tour-de-force comes into full bloom on Kobol.
The notion of a star appearing overhead at the very moment when Apollo and Serina are sealed was well played, if a bit too coincidental. When later Baltar apologizes to the air for defiling the ancient crypt, and then begs Adama to "use your power... get us out of here", the whole Kobolian mystery is a bit over the top. It is not clear if the show's makers want us to believe that Adama is tracing the footsteps of history for a well-grounded cause, or if his quest is based on some magic from the dead. One good thing is clear: Adama's Medallion beat Indiana Jones' staff-jewel laser to the Well of Souls by a few years. :-)
Missing from the Sci Fi channel "syndicated" version of this episode was a nice shot of Starbuck's Viper on approach to the Basestar. Other scenes seem chopped down to allow for commercial time. The explanation for Boomer's sudden recovery isn't adequate, either. Way too abrupt. This detracts significantly from the serialization aspect of the series. Speaking of which...
This episode underscores the serialized, soap-opera nature of the series does work well when it is allowed in the oven for long enough, and with the right ingredients. "Part 2" capitalizes on all the events that came before and does well on its own.
Jane Seymour turns in an improved portrayal of Apollo's bride, Serina. Too bad it was her swan song in the role. She was really starting to make something with it. But what was she doing out there on recon probe? That whole scene almost made a farce out of Starbuck's abduction. It's like Mom insisted on following Dad on his trip outta town. "Can I have the keys to the station wagon?" More proof positive that the show's makers did not take the war and military aspects of the series as seriously as they should have.
Spectacle Value Maren Jensen gives a nice cameo appearance as Athena, ready to fight the Cylons: fluffy hair, makeup and all. If Calvin Klein ever needed a female fighter pilot for a designer jeans ad campaign, Athena would be the lady. Speaking of ladies, at least the "girl" demeaning was toned down. Too bad they had to dub in those silly "Eeeee!" screams when the Cylons attacked the camp. Maybe showing one of the ladies hopping into the turret atop a land-ram would've been a better use of footage. They didn't even have to show the turret firing; just one lady ready to fend off the attackers while the others get clear to their fighters. But this was 1978, after all.
This two-part story cemented the status of Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict as stars of the show. Make no mistake, even though some remember it as "BATTLESTAR PONDEROSA", Apollo and Starbuck are at the top of the characters list.
While this episode recycles some space and combat footage, the real spectacle is the focus of the plot: the ancient ruins. Every Kobol scene was effective, shot and performed better than anything thus far in the series. Even the Cylon attack worked beautifully. That great success also fuels the confusion behind what the series is trying to communicate about this quest for thirteenth tribe: the physical manifestations seem to suggest the quest is based on ancient heritage, while the magical/legendary aspect suggests mysticism.
The other great thing about GALACTICA is the music. The score here was much better than in "Part 1." This series championed the power of music, even freezing an occasional touch of Colonial pseudo-disco in time. It is a treat to listen to.
IF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA WERE NEW TODAY:
This episode would be the most viable. Even though the Cylons have definitely worn out their welcome by now, the quest and the pursuit are tightly bound in a drama that works well against the backdrop of ancient ruins. Despite this, I also just watched a STARGATE SG-1 rerun of "The Fifth Race," in which Colonel O'Neil is accidentally "programmed" to make contact with the Askard race in another galaxy by reconfiguring the Stargate portal. Ironically, STARGATE seems to borrow from BATTLESTAR's theme of ancient mystery, underdog exploring the unknown, and the serialization of drama. Maybe now, if the older franchise is revived, it can learn from its younger student. STARGATE goes a step further by layering its cosmic history. It isn't just found in ancient historical texts in one place or time. The cosmos is much bigger than that. "The Fifth Race" shows us multiple legacies that are ongoing and more complex. What if this thirteenth tribe branched off, settling in more than one place? Or what if the thirteenth tribe intermarried with another race, and turns out not to be human anymore? Or what if it turns out that the Galactica unknowingly is leading the thirteenth tribe, and will ultimately settle on Earth? Or what if Earth is humanity's point of origin, which then spread to Kobol, and lost track of its roots? (Maybe the Great Colonies are thousands of years in humankind's future.)
They would have to do a better job depicting the abyss.
If they ever got their hands on another casting coup like Jane Seymour, they had better not let go of her. Mistakus collossus!
They would have to be a little more clever with their allegories. Some say the series reminded them of the Mormon legacy. Others say it was derived from THE AENID by Virgil. There is also a whiff of the original American colonists arriving from England to escape persecution under the Crown. This was impossible to define in one year's slate of episodes. If a revival were to champion an agenda, it would have to choose a direction (or directions) to go in and be more thorough in defining them.
They would also have to be more careful how they treat regular characters, like Baltar and Lucifer. Even a non-serialized drama cannot show scenes like the one with Lucifer on the throne or the one where Baltar is trapped in the tomb without showing how they are reconciled. Irresponsiblus galacticus!
They should do what is necessary to lure Patrick MacNee back to the show, if only for brief appearances and/or voice-overs. The introductory "There are those who believe..." narrative is best kept alive, and delivered by him.
TIDBITS & NITPICKS
Neat: the Cylons are supposed to still be hidden in the void, yet there are stars everywhere.
Apollo's plea to Adama to flee Kobol "while the star is still dormant" makes it clear that Kobol is in the heart of the abyss, not its far edge. So why do we see so many stars there? Does the abyss mask a wormhole or something that sends the ships across hyperspace to emerge in a new galaxy, a la "The Long Patrol" and "The Hand of God"? This is never fully established, one way or another.
Kobol must have a peculiar rotation. When they go into the tomb, it is day, when Starbuck reappears, it is night. When Adama unwittingly opens the tomb's deepest chamber, it is as if mid-day is near. When the Cylons attack, it is night again. If these sudden changes occur because of the fluctuations in the star, it's a miracle this world isn't in an ice age.
It makes no sense... ... for Apollo to allow his green pilot-trainees to make planetfall with their Vipers. They don't need fighter-craft down there, much less that many pilots. ... for the Cylons to attack the ruins, not the Galactica first. ... for so many pilots to be with their ships on the planet, and then Boomer and his squadron launch with even more ships from the Galactica. I don't think they are supposed to have that many Vipers at this stage in the series.
Again, in order for the "endless" nature of this void to make any sense, all craft in the Galactica and Cylon fleets, especially fighters, must be capable of at least the speed of light, if not several times that speed. The generic term "lightspeed" must apply to varying magnitudes of faster-than-light travel.
Nice to see that Sara Rush's "Woman on Duty" is instead listed as Rigel. She made a nice little supporting cameo in "Part 1", and again in "Part 2". She delivers a professional sounding "launch when ready." Too bad we don't get to see more.
Even though Hatch's Apollo and Benedict's Starbuck get the top billing, everyone else still gets the best lines, from Athena needling Starbuck to get into battle, to Adama's parting shot to Baltar "It seems your friends have sealed your fate as well as ours." And the best scene in this episode was when Baltar first appeared in the tomb and Adama lunged at the traitor. Lorne Greene still had some action in him! :-)
You have to love the charitable nature of Adama and his family. There's Baltar, a guy who would make Hitler look like a pussycat, trapped under that rubble, and Adama, Apollo and Serina are risking their lives and giving themselves a hernia just to save that crazy, corrupt S.O.B. That's compassion of Biblical proportions!
This interview took place about 15 years ago between myself & Grace Lee Whitney & I'm dedicating this retooled version to her memory.
I think everyone will find that we had a very interesting talk!
You'll note that this has a very conversational look about it, because this is the direct transcript of our discussion (thanks to Joe Beaudoin from Battlestar Wiki for doing it!).
I don't think there is anything that I would have changed about it, except that I made some unflattering remarks about "Galactica 1980"...at least my thinking has revised a bit about that, though I by no means think it's Shakespeare, but I do think of it a little more fondly now, so apologies to any & all Galactica 1980 fans out there (if you exist!).
Otherwise we covered a lot of topics and I hope you enjoy...it was nice to haul this one out and give it something of a reboot!
This is in dedication to Grace Lee Whitney...Grace, you are going to be missed!
Shawn: How did you get started in the acting field?
Grace: Actually, I started as a performer more than an actor. I was a singer and a dancer at school; and I was also a writer, I wrote some lyrics for songs and stuff. I performed them at school, and got on the stage and I really loved it. So I've been pursuing stage and performing all my life, and I did theater a little theater while in school, and then started signing [stage] and performed there. Then I went to Chicago and became a model. Then, upon becoming a model, I did, again, a Miss Chicago Contest and had to sing and dance for that. And then went to New York and auditioned for George Abbot and got into a show called "Top Banana" with Phil Silvers as an understudy and that's when I started acting. I got taught by Jack Albertson and, actually, he was my first teacher. He worked tirelessly and I went on a couple of times for the leading lady, and I just loved it. I migrated a little bit west and got into film. My first film was "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, and that one became the movie of the century--the comedy of the century. So that was my first film endeavor, and I was spoiled from then on in.
I was introduced to Billy Wilder; Billy Wilder was the director, he got many academy awards for "Some Like It Hot", and then got several academy awards for "Irma la Douce" also. So he helped my career. He called several directors, and told them that I was a good bet; and to hire me to do different shows so I did about a hundred shows. But ninety shows, I guess, before I got "Star Trek". And then I got "Star Trek", before I got "Star Trek" I did "Outer Limits", which was also another classic, with Carroll O'Connor and Barry Morse of "The Fugitive". And that was a wonderful experience. I got with Gene Roddenberry in "The Lieutenant", and Gene found me and put me into another pilot that he did called "Police Story".
Not the one that got filmed, actually, but the "Police Story" that he did, but never got filmed-I mean, never picked up as a series. It was filmed, but DeForest Kelley and I were in that together. It was a different Doctor and a different Yeoman in "Star Trek", and when the show got picked up by NBC, they wrote the doctor out and put DeForest Kelley in and wrote the yeoman out and put me in. And that's how we got our roles in the show... and the rest is history, and I've been doing it ever since. I did Voyager--
Shawn: Right, the "Flashback" episode.
Grace: Yes, the "Flashback" episode, and we were trying to get the Excelsior off the ground. I talked to Bob Justman about it; and I talked to a lot of people about it. It was a brainstorm of mine when we were doing Voyager, and I said to George [Takei] that we ought to do a mini-series of the Excelsior and we can do it like every three months. Do one episode every three months, for the fans and bring in a guest star from one of the other shows. We thought that was a great idea, and have been pushing for it ever since. So, I don't know if it's ever going to go, but seems very good to me.
Shawn: Actually, I was going to ask you that question: How'd you rate the chances of an Excelsior series, even like a regular weekly series?
Grace: Well, I don't think we can do it weekly, because I think it wouldn't hold up weekly. But it would hold up monthly. You know like what they do with the mini-series.
Shawn: Like a tele-movie or something like that?
Grace: Yeah. And that way it would probably pick up a lot of ratings, because I wouldn't be every week, it would be every couple of months or every three months or something. I think they did that with other shows. It would kind of be like a soap opera.
Shawn: Exactly. Like an ongoing mini-series?
Grace: Like an ongoing saga of the Excelsior. The Excelsior Saga, you know. And have that and just keep going. But I don't know, Paramount is not open to that. I think Paramount wants "Star Trek: 90210".
Shawn: I heard that bandied around a little bit.
Grace: Or I call it "Melrose Space".
Shawn: I think a lot of people feel that way.
Grace: Yeah. The really young kids, but I don't know if that will get off the ground or not. I have a feeling it will. And, if it does, I'm very happy about that. I think the new blood in Star Trek is always good.
Shawn: Maybe even a mix of both [new and old blood]?
Grace: A mix of both-absolutely!
Shawn: Which is kind of the best of both worlds.
Grace: Yeah, why couldn't they do that? They could do that, and that would be just great.
Shawn: I think that probably what bothers people quite a bit, is that this also has happened with Battlestar Galactica, they want to see the original characters, and they don't see where the problem lies because the fans want that, and the studios have an impression that all young faces are what sells. And that is not necessarily true.
Grace: No it's not true. Not true at all.
Shawn: Also, I was going to ask about your book. That's of some interest there as well.
Grace: I'm trying to get a teleplay for the book. Actually, I missed it by a few years, there was an era where they did [stories of] women who were down and out and came back; and versus where women who were down and out and never did come back. Which they also did, and then they got sick of that and stopped doing it.
And that was right when my book came out. So I almost have to wait. You know, Oprah Winfrey was very interested in my book, and I almost got on her show as "Book of the Week". Then she decided to go with the golfer; I don't know if you ever saw that series she did on women down and out, women who have and fallen and come back. She did a series called "In The Spirit" and she did a whole lot of shows about women who found God and were resurrected, so-to-speak, from the gutter. And one of mine was one of those she chose [after] one of her readers said, "Read this book, it's very powerful." So she interviewed me, but she picked a young golfer, a pro golfer as the "Book of the Week". And did her interview instead of mine, and I was just devastated-because I came very close to being the pick of the week! And if I had, my goodness! You know, I'm sure I would've had a movie done already-with Heather Locklear. I've already sent the book to Heather Locklear, and I wanted her to play me. I called Bill Shatner and asked him, and he said, "Well, she can't shine your shoes, but she'll be good." Which I thought was a very nice compliment coming from Bill. So that's kind of where we are, and it still may be picked up. I wanted Leonard [Nimoy] to direct, but Leonard is just kind of getting to the point where he doesn't want to work that hard. You know people say to me, "What do you do with your time?" And I tell them, "Well, I'm kind of semi-retired. I do Star Trek conventions, but other than that, I just built my own house. I'm living very quietly, and very relaxing[ly] with my horses and animals, and nature. I'm kind of just retired. So it's a wonderful life I have, but I would go back to work if the Excelsior had a chance. Or, I hear that there's going to be some sort of remake of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". So I'm kind of hoping to do a cameo in that They've already interviewed a couple of stars.
Shawn: Like just a totally different cast?
Grace: No, it's just going to be re-cut and redistributed. And that would be really nice for me to do a cameo, you know because I've come so far since 1979. I got sober in 1981, so my whole sobriety, which is almost 20 years, has been eventful. I have done a lot of work, and that would be really good for me to do a cameo on this side of my life, as opposed to the other side. The other side is very traumatic. So, I don't know, there's a lot of things in the work. I'm just open to everything. I'm all over the universe; I have invitations to go to every country there is. So it's a very exciting life. And George Takei is also doing the same thing. George is running all over the universe also; we do a lot of conventions together.
Shawn: There's actually one coming up very soon, September in New York.
Grace: Yeah, in New York and I've been with Tim Russ for the last two conventions. He's doing a lot of Trek conventions too. So it's a very nice life, and hopefully Star Trek will keep going and I'll get someone to write a script for my book, and I'll be able to submit it and see what happens. The timing may not be exactly right. So you have to kind of go with the flow.
Shawn: So, you see yourself going on Oprah at some point?
Grace: Definitely. They have kept it open. The producer told my publisher that they still have me in the file. They haven't thrown me out, by any means. That could be really good. So, we'll see, I'm just kind of like living a day at a time, and doing my thing; and doing conventions and speaking. I speak a lot all over at hospitals and where people are incarcerated for alcoholism and drug addiction. So I'm very busy. I'm into the mainstream of life. I see a lot of stars whenever I go. I was just in FantastiCon in LA. William Campbell [who played Koloth and Trelane in TOS] was there. I think Richard [Hatch] was there, no, I guess Anne [Lockart] was there; Jerry Doyle was there from Babylon 5. And Bruce Boxleitner was there-we didn't have many Star Trek people there for sure.
Shawn: That's unusual. Usually there are a few it seems at each show.
Grace: The Star Trek people are getting upset with the cons; they don't pay them anything. And they just don't want to do it for nothing anymore. It's not like they don't do it for nothing, you know, they get big bucks for this sort of thing, but this guy doesn't want to pay. So this particular one isn't going to get them. The Grand Slam in April and that had everybody, because they give us the speaker fee. And so you're able to get the stars to come out.
Shawn: You obviously had to recoup losses or at least make the trip worth their while.
Grace: My gosh, yes! Nobody is going to get on a stage and speak for an hour and sign autographs for nothing. The guys promoting them are making good money, they charge money to get in.
Shawn: Of course, you have people flying in from far away.
Grace: Well nobody, not in Grand Slam, as everybody lives in LA.
Shawn: That was close. But you do have situations, of course, where you might have the DragonCon in Atlanta where people actually have to fly in.
Grace: It cost big bucks just to fly everybody in from LA. That was a big con. That cost a lot of money!
Shawn: Well, at least, too, they cover the airline fees, and hotel, and that type of thing.
Grace: That just costs a lot of money. How did the promoter [Ed Kramer] do at DragonCon?
Shawn: I really don't know. I presume pretty well, it's pretty much a success every year.
Grace: Oh, good. I'll do it again next year. I hope I can com next year, because I sure did well.
Shawn: It's a good show, it seems like it's really a hit with the fans. Definitely brings a lot of business into it.
Grace: Yeah, and I got a chance to see Adam West [original Batman/Bruce Wayne] and my other friend, Yvonne Craig.
Shawn: This year Bill Mumy was there, Angela Cartwright, Andreas Katsulas was there, so just a lot of different faces. They have some basic--I shouldn't say basic people, but people that come there every year, then like every year change out a few people just to spice it up a little bit.
Grace: Well, it's great to see everybody from all the different shows. Gosh, it's the only time I ever meet the actors! I see them on the screen, but I never actually get to smooch with them. That's what's fun. I just love it. I love going to see all the actors and going around to the tables. June Lockhart and I do a lot of shows together, and it's just fun, lots of fun and Annie too. I see Richard many times, so it's good. I just think it's a great way to live.
Shawn: This might be of interest to people as well, now your addictions in the past and the coming to terms with that definitely had an impact in your life, as far as the way you look at things now.
Grace: Yeah, in your addiction your very focused on self, on medicating and getting away from the pain, or running from problems or not taking responsibility for your life; or this man did me wrong or this woman did me wrong.
You're very focused on that and I was very focused on my career, trying to get ahead and, which of course, would've been fine if I hadn't had the compulsive behavior. I had a lot of compulsive behavior, which was, I don't know, it's just something you do against your own will--you can't really control yourself. Once you become addicted, it's like if you've ever known cigarette smokers [that's what it's like]. I am totally baffled by people who smoke themselves to death. It's just the craziest thing, if you're going to do something booze yourself to death or use drugs--but cigarettes that seems like the stupidest thing to do. It's just crazy. I just didn't realize that alcohol had such a hold on my life, I was a party girl and I loved parties. And Hollywood thrived on it of course; we all know that Hollywood is probably the biggest party town in the world. We call it Hollyweird.
A lot of people out there [are into parties], and it is the place to go if you want to get into the fast lane. So, I had to come out of the fast lane, which was a big change in my life and go to a higher power and be compliant in order to get sober. The last 19 years has been going through that process a day at a time; not putting my career first, using my career as a privilege, it's a privilege to be an actor and a privilege to be part of Star Trek. But that's not who I am. Who I am is a child of God, who is seeking to do His will and help other people; and not be so centered on myself. And if I can get out of myself, off of myself, and into other people and help in the community, and help other alcoholics and other women, battered omen, women that are addicted to drugs--there's a lot of crack cocaine up here and amphetamines--[and] try to help these people find their own way. It counts. Everyday it heals me just a little more. And I've seen what it looks like and I don't want to go back there. Therefore, I stay sober one more day because it is a progressive illness. Once you cross the line, the disease progresses even though you don't drink, or you don't use prescription drugs--you know, we have a lot of women that are addicted to prescription drugs. So we have to find a way to get off of those things, and face life on life's terms. In other words, you have to deal with life in reality, and [that's] very hard to do for an actor.
Shawn: Because you, obviously, spend so much time acting.
Grace: It's all fantasy. I have such a vivid imagination that it just about kills me on a daily basis. And I have a vivid imagination because I'm an actor! So I have to try and find the difference between reality and fantasy, and turn one off and turn the other on, and vice versa. And before, I couldn't do that. I was totally into fantasy most of the time, most of my life! I was always dreaming in the other world. It was an interesting journey, very interesting. I'm glad that I had to go through it, because it's given me an outlet for my book, for being able to work well into my sixties. I don't have to sit home and retire because I have something to say based on my own experience.
And that allows me to go out and keep my speaking engagements going. I go out and speak in hospitals and schools. I bring the books in and I sign them. I go to bookstores--Barnes & Noble and Borders-- and they set up a speaking time for me; I speak from 7 to 8 at night and then I sign books, and fool around and talk o people, have coffee. It's really a lot of fun, because the Star Trek people are all over. And the fans have really supported me!
Shawn: I think they'd definitely like to see your character come back.
Grace: They would. Janice Rand has always been a favorite character, and she always will be. They [the Powers That Be] never killed her off or did anything. They may have zapped me out of the universe for a few hours or a few years, but they brought me back. I wasn't killed off, so I can surface anywhere. Especially as Commander Rand on the Excelsior, which would be a perfect place for me. We're hoping that maybe, even if we get a movie of the week, [it would be] very nice [to do] one episode. A one hour movie.
Shawn: That's like the way the Columbo thing goes. Maybe do it even quarterly.
Grace: Wouldn't that be great!?
Shawn: It would be! It would be very good. I think the fans would really enjoy that.
Grace: I think they would love it! And we can get some of the original crew in there before they all die. Before we all die, you know.
Shawn: Unfortunately, DeForest Kelley is gone.
Grace: I know.
Shawn: But James Doohan...
Grace: Well, Jimmy's getting ready. He's way up there. He's 80 years old. I just went to his birthday party.
Shawn: How's he doing?
Grace: He's doing great. He's had a baby.
Shawn: That's what I hear.
Grace: Which is kind of encouraging!
Shawn: Yeah, I guess so! If he can do that at 80 it is.
Grace: My goodness! That's pretty good for the engineer!
Shawn: Actually, most of the cast is there. It's kind of unfortunate that John Colicos, who was actually in Richard's trailer, [Battletstar Galactica: The 2nd Coming], hoping and wanting to reprise his role there [as Lord Baltar], passed away earlier this year. Which is really, really bad.
Grace: That's a shame.
Shawn: He was, I believe, 72.
Grace: That's not very old.
Shawn: He suffered I a series of heart attacks. And it is too bad, as obviously you want to see those people back in those roles again.
Grace: Sure! Of course!
Shawn: Which is kind of the point. I think people are so interested in these revivals, that they don't want to go 20-30 years and not see these people back. And when finally studios come around to it then, you know, people DO pass away. If you're talking 30 years then there's a difference, and I think that's the reason why there's such an urgency with a lot of people. At least with the fans to get these things done, whether it's for Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica or whatever.
Grace: Yeah, I hear ya! And I talk to the fans when I go to these conventions, [so] I know what you're saying. They REALLY want the original people.
Shawn: That's what I keep getting.
Grace: Because that's what they want! And I don't know why the studios are so stubborn. I think maybe because the studios are run, a lot of times, by such young people. And they just look at us as being "too old for the job". You know a lot of execs are very young.
Shawn: I guess you may know better than I do.
Grace: They're not old like they used to be pictured, with gray hair and glasses sitting there. They're young kids. It's kind of amazing!
Shawn: So you think that, maybe, their perspective on it is that "young sells"?
Grace: Yes, I do.
Shawn: Which is not really true, you know.
Grace: Well, I think that they'd like to keep it that way!
Shawn: They may think this, but that's not necessarily true. Maybe in some certain circumstances, but not with these shows. I think, again, that the original characters sell. But I don't know what it'll take to get that across to them.
Grace: There's definite interest in the original casts of these shows.
Shawn: Yes, oh yes. All over the place.
Grace: Even Batman and stuff like that?
Shawn: I think probably more in the sci-fi genre. Like there was a clamoring to see Bill Mumy in the Lost in Space movie, and that didn't happen. And a lot of people didn't like that. They saw the fact that they had a few people getting cameos and they would have rather seen more of the original cast and more substantive roles. And that just didn't happen, but I do see that a lot--and even hear it. As, obviously, the websites I participate in, I get a lot of e-mail from people saying, "You know, we want to see the original characters and we want to see it the right way." That theme is always played and, you know, time after time when we begin polling and that type of thing. When we talk about the alternative in doing, like with Battlestar, doing the show with the original cast, with maybe some new faces--as opposed to a whole new cast-- overwhelmingly the support goes to the first notion. They don't want to see other people taking those parts over. They see the characters as the person who played them.
Grace: Wasn't there a remake of Battlestar Galactica?
Shawn: Yep. The 1980 version, but, again, that went on air without the original cast. The only original cast members were Lorne Greene and Herb Jefferson. But their roles were kind of pushed to the side and they concentrated on the new characters who were, well, not the old ones, and that's what the people wanted. I think it went on for thirteen episodes and it was just awful.
Grace: Oh that's a shame!
Shawn: That's the whole thing, again that's an example.
Grace: At least when they redid us--The Next Generation--it became a hit.
Shawn: Right, and of course, you had completely separate characters, too. It wasn't--
Grace: --It wasn't the same characters, right.
Shawn: Right. And, in a way, this was almost- -
Grace: --Almost the same characters, I see with different faces.
Shawn: Yeah, it wasn't--
Grace: Oh, the same names?
Shawn: Not the same names, but they might as well have recast the characters. They reused the same character types. So they tried to get away with it a little bit differently that way. Yeah, two separate things, and that's what people want [the original characters]. The original cast and themes. They really do. It's entertainment, but I think people get well wound up about it mainly because they grew up watching this. So it's part of their childhood memories, I know it is for me. I grew up watching these shows and I'm very attached to them because of that.
