Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages

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You may be looking for the multimedia zine Epsilon Nine.

Zine
Title: Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages ("Epsilon Nine")
Publisher: Atlanta Star Trek Society
Editor(s): Owen Ogletree
Type:
Date(s): 1983-?
Frequency: bi-monthly
Medium: print
Fandom: Star Trek:TOS
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
front cover the January/February 1984 issue with a cartoon for ASTS by Warner Brother's artist Chuck Jones

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages was the newsletter for the Atlanta Star Trek Society.

It has a sister zine, of fiction and art: Linguacode.

V.6 N.3

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.6 n.3 was published in Jan/Feb 1984 and contains 6 pages.

  • a note that their president-elect has moved to another state and Owen Ogletree would continue on as president
  • upcoming club meetings
  • a Dixie-Trek 1984 meeting announcement
  • a Star Trek III movie update with a focus on the replacement of Kirstie Alley (Robin Curtis), whether Spock will appear, a walk-on role for Grace Lee Whitney...
  • "Is Saavik Spock's Daughter?" by Claudia Burton (part one of an article)
  • "The Future of Science Fiction" by Cathy Conrad (article that asks and discusses SF books and the question "Is science fiction a fad?")

V.6 N.4

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.6 n.4 was published in March/April 1984 and contains 10 pages. NOTE: this issue is incorrectly labeled "v.6 n.3."

front page of v.6 n.4
page from v.6 n.4
  • a report that their last meeting had a record number of attendees, events: a slide show called "Project Ullage: From Fiction to Fact on the High Frontier," a presentation on Japanese animation including sample video footage, a slide show on Omnicon '84 with photos of the new Doctor Who in costume. Each attendee's name was put in to a hat for a drawing to win a "free dinner with Mark Lenard at this year's Dixie-Trek."
  • a request "We are in need of articles and artwork for this year's edition of our club fanzine. Linguacode is printed once a year and contains material submitted by the ASTS members."
  • there was a note that Mark Lenard was "is all paid off, and Dixie-Trek is well on its way... The event should have a nice crowd because we have received group memberships from The Greenville Association for Star Trek, The United Federation of Trekkers, and Terminus TARDIS. This year's Dixie-Trek will feature a self-contained dealer's room, two movie rooms and a large video room with a projection screen television."
  • a movie update
  • several photo stills from the movie showing Kirk, Spock and Admiral Morrow, and Uhura, Chekov, Saavik, and Sarek
  • part two of the article by Claudia Burton, "Is Saavik Spock's Daughter?"
  • a review and criticism about the hour-long television special that recently aired, advertised as Nimoy's "personal look at Star Trek"
  • a fan's personal account of the launching of the space shuttle, Challenger
  • a letter from a fan who's discovered Doctor Who and encourages others to watch it
  • several other fan letters
  • some want ads

Reactions and Reviews: V.6 N.4

This is in response to Claudia Burton’s article "Is Saavik Spock's Daughter?"

Please consider the following two points against Saavik being Spock's daughter.

1. In "The Enterprise Incident," every moment that Spock was with the Romulan commander is accounted for carefully. Every moment while he was aboard her ship, anyway. They looked at each other. They even managed to touch hands. However, one would have a hard time convincing me that the violent Vulcan mating ritual could be accomplished by a mere touch of hands.

The only time available to Spock and the Commander would have been after they were both beamed aboard the Enterprise on route to the starbase. Alone, aboard the Romulan flagship, in performance of his duty, Spock might have considered responding to the Commander's overtures. Back aboard the Enterprise, in view of his human associates. Spock never would have allowed himself the luxury.

2. Everyone seems to have overlooked the problem of genetics. Spock was himself a half breed. His father contributed one "Y" chromosome carry Vulcan traits. His mother contributed an "X" chromosome carrying human traits. We can assume that Vulcan genetics worked much like our own, since we only know of two Vulcan sexes and since Vulcans and humans can interbreed. This leaves Spock an "XY" configuration as a male.

If Saavik is Spock's daughter, we must assume Spock bred with a Romulan female. Remember that Romulans are offshoots of the Vulcan race, so their biology should be practically identical. The Romulan would have two Romulan trait-carrying "X" chromosomes ("XX"). Now the female would have to contribute one "X" chromosome with Romulan traits ("Xr"). To make a girl we need "XX." All Spock can contribute is an "X" chromosome with human traits ("Xh"). We get a girl that is half Romulan-half human ("XrXh”)!

In fact, the only way Spock can sire a child with Vulcan characteristics (other than by a Vulcan wife) is for that child to receive his Vulcan "Y" chromosome ("Yv") and be a boy ("XYv")! So either Saavik is a(ahem) man in women's clothing, or she does not owe her parentage to Mr. Spock. [1]

V.6 N.5

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.6 n.5 was published in May/June 1984.

V.6 N.6

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.6 n.6 was published in July/Aug 1984 and contains 6 pages.

first page of v.6 n.6
  • Atlanta Star Trek Society Update ("Well, STAR TREK III (ST3) has finally come, and everyone seems to really love the film.")
  • information about the club's sixth annual picnic (at Murphy Candler Park, July 15th, "Look for the swimming pool on your right and park in the spaces near it. The picnic will begin at about 2:00 pm, and we will have hotdogs, hamburgers, and all the fixings, so be sure to show up hungry! Don't forget to bring your bathing suit, frisbees, and something to add to the meal.")
  • some letters by fans (comments about an article in v.6 n.3, the new movie)
  • information about the club presence at the tenth annual Atlanta Fantasy Fair (volunteer for at least three hours and get a free annual club membership)
  • cartoon in the "Spock Spot" series by Lila Cartledge

Star Trek Today, report by Cathy Conrad, topic was going to see The Search for Spock:

The first applause from the audience where I saw it was when Leonard Nimoy's credit as director appeared onscreen. I had some reservations when I heard he was to direct ST3, but this film is not a Nimoy ego trip. His direction was excellent, bringing out a richness of emotion from the actors. The movie is filled with frequent punctuations [sic] of droll humor that'll catch you off-guard and make you laugh. This in particular was a surprise; STI was a very serious film, ST2 an action film, yet ST3 has those qualities, humor, and more. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, I'd rate STI a 5, ST2 a 7, and ST3 a 9 and 3/4. I like Robin Curtis' portrayal of Lt. Saavik very much. She's a much better actress than Kirstie Alley. [... So, if you haven't yet seen ST3, see it at your next opportunity. It'll be the best $2.50 you'll ever spend.

V.7 N.1

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.2 was published in Sep/Oct 1984 and contains 6 pages.

first page of v.7 n.1
  • Atlanta Star Trek Society Update ("This is a little side note. You will find enclosed a flyer concerning a JAMES BOND festival at Oglethorpe University. This festival is being run by some ASTS members, and we would like to invite all other interested members to attend. Please look over the flyer, and if you are interested in JAMES BOND, come to the event and bring a friend, If you are not interested, please pass the flyer along to a person who is. Thank you.")
  • Star Trek Today by Cathy Conrad ("The tenth Anniversary Atlanta Fantasy Fair, held August 3-5 at the Omni Hotel and Georgia World Congress Center, was a must for Southern fans of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and/or STAR TREK. The Atlanta Star Trek Society sponsored a number of TREK events, and ASTRA (the Atlanta Star Trek Rediscovery Association) sponsored one.")
  • a Star Trek: The Search for Spock cartoon by Lila Cartledge (in the "Spock Spot" series)
  • Star Trek IV Report by Gene Roddenberry (long excerpts about Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, taken from the taped address described below)

A report on the last club meeting:

The ASTS club meeting was held on Friday evening of the AFF, This year it was rather abbreviated, due to the fact that long-suffering ASTS president Owen Ogletree, had lost his voice. The meeting consisted of general talk on STAR TREK, a description of the upcoming Dixie-Trek 5, and the playing of an exclusive taped address to the ASTS and the AFF by the one and only Gene Roddenberry. The address, valiantly procured by Owen Ogletree, was on the subject of STAR TREK IV among other things. The ASTS also sponsored the STAR TREK trivia contest, in which audience members wishing to participate were divided into two teams. They were then subjected to the most difficult TREK trivia questions this side of Aldebaran, and the members of the winning team received free memberships to the 1985 AFF and other perks. Late on Sunday afternoon, the Gene Roddenberry address was re-played as an appetizer for the ASTS slide show, titled "From the Pilot to STAR TREK III," Put together by ASTS member Ron Nastrom, the excellent slide show was accompanied by excerpts of soundtrack music from the TV series and three movies. Several episodes of STAR TREK in addition to the hilarious blooper reels were also shown at the AFF, in the Georgia World Congress Center’s large, comfortable theater. STAR TREK-related AFF guests included Robert Bloch, writer of "Psycho" as well as the TREK episodes "Wolf in the Fold, What are Little Girls Made of. and "Catspaw"; Howard Weinstein, author of the TREK novel "Covenant of the Crown"; and Mike Barr, writer for the TREK comic book series.

Atlanta Star Trek Society Update:

Welcome to the most enjoyable fan organization in the Southeast — the Atlanta Star Trek Society! Our club is now six years old and at present we have over 146 members. This makes us the oldest and largest STAR TREK group in Georgia. The ASTS is devoted to promoting communication between fans of STAR TREK and general science fiction — friendship and fun are our goals. This group is an amateur, non-profit organization; and its working members devote their spare time to it as part of their hobby. The ASTS has enjoyable monthly meetings, prints a yearly fanzine and this newsletter, and holds a large annual convention (more about these later). This club belongs to you — completely. Please feel free to give us your ideas whenever you wish. The ASTS is a democracy sponsored and given life by its members. We are very glad you have joined us. The members of the ASTS who do most of the dirty work in the club (planning meetings, running conventions, etc.) are called the Fellowship. It is very easy for a regular ASTS member who has some spare time to become a Fellowship member and really get involved. Just write or speak to Owen Ogletree (address on the back of this newsletter) about getting an application form.

V.7 N.2

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.2 was published in Nov/Dec 1984 and contains 6 pages.

first page of v.7 n.2

ASTS Special Article by Wanda Reed:

I just finished reading the fans’ reactions to STS in the October "Starlog." I am frankly shocked! This was the best of the three ST movies. How anyone can condemn Leonard Nimoy for this wonder is beyond me. I remember the endless letters to Paramount for any consideration of reviving the show; all my heart, apprehension when news leaks showed us what ST-TMP might be like; joy at the fact that someone listened to fen and that ST-TMP could be a reality; and then something akin to apologetic shame that the movie was less than it should have been. (Just recently I saw the special longer TV version of ST-TMP. What a crime they committed on us by editing out those twelve minutes!) Waiting in line to see "The Wrath of Khan," I met a friend coming out of the theater. He looked at all of waiting expectantly and gave a huge, meaningful smile, "It was really STAR TREK." The whole group cheered. We knew what he meant. ST3 was also REALLY STAR TREK." - see The Search for Spock for more of this review)

Atlanta Star Trek Society Update:

Well, if you missed our October party for any reason, you quite probably missed our best club party yet. We had over 55 persons in attendance, and we got 16 new members! If you did miss our October party, then make a special effort to attend our Christmas party. [...]. We have decided to [once again rent out the Post Creek apartments clubhouse] for our Christmas dinner as well. The party/dinner will take place on Friday, December 14, at 7:00 pm. Please come Co the event hungry and bring something to contribute to the meal (covered dish, dessert, soft drinks, etc.). Besides our big meal, we will also play some science fiction games, and watch the night's episode of V - The Series.

V.7 N.3

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.3 was published in Jan/Feb 1985 and contains 4 pages.

first page of v.7 n.3
  • Atlantic Star Trek Society Update (A lengthy description of new club volunteers for various functions such as editor, treasurer, party planner, con table organizer, and helpers at Dixie-Trek))
  • info about the next club meeting, info about the first full Dixie-Trek staff meeting
  • a review by Owen C. Ogletree, Jr. of the science fiction film "2010: The Year We Make Contact"
  • Doctor Who Questions and Answers ("Due to the growing numbers of new DR. WHO fans in the ASTS, we have decided to include a WHO column in the newsletter. Starting next issue, this column will be run by ASTS member (and DR. WHO expert) Bill Smith. It will include questions and answers about DR. WHO from ASTS members and/or any WHO topic Bill cares to discuss.")
  • several fan letters, one which addresses (and repeats popular fannish rumors) about salary negotiations with Nimoy and Shatner about the upcoming film, ST4
  • Star Trek IV Update ("On December 18, 1984, Paramount Publicist Eddie Egan told Owen Ogletree in a phone conversation that the situation with regard to ST4 has changed very much in recent days. Mr. Egan stated that ST4 WILL begin filming this summer (early July); and that Paramount executives expect the ENTIRE cast to return. (Mr. Egan would not comment on William Shatner directly.) In Eddie Egan's own words, "...it was really touch and go for a moment there.")
  • cartoon in the "Spock Spot" series by Lila Cartledge

Star Trek Today, a report by Cathy Conrad about a November 12, 1984 lecture by Leonard Nimoy at the University of Georgia Tate Student Center called "Confessions of a TREK Lover.":

About 900 people crowded into the Georgia Hall of the student center to listen to Nimoy, who's lectured lasted for a little over an hour. A question-and-answer session with the the audience followed, although fewer than half the audience members with questions were called upon. It was greeted by a standing ovation, with approximately 200 hands raised in a Vulcan hand salute. He replied in kind with the Vulcan salute, and went on to discuss his relationship with the character of Spock. He likened his relationship with Spock, and with his "love affair with STAR TREK," a love story in which boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy finds girl again in new conditions. This theme was omnipresent in his lecture as he traced his relationship with Spock from the early days of the tv series through the sluggish early 1970's period, to the reawakening of STAR TREK. He credited "Star Wars" with moving Paramount executives into action to produce new TREK material: "Hey, WE'VE got one of those!" Nimoy also talked about his book, "I Am Not Spock," whose negative title eventually sparked rumors that Nimoy was the one who was keeping STAR TREK from being revived. The title, taken from a chapter title for want of something better than "My Life With Spock," was perceived as Nimoy's own rejection of STAR TREK which was not, in fact, the case. Nimoy went on to discuss his frustration with the lack of real character interaction in the first STAR TREK movie; then STAR TREK II and Spock's death in it. He briefly discussed TREK III as well, and opened the floor to questions from audience members. [...] The lecture was informative, entertaining, and sometimes humorous. It was unfortunate that no reception was given for Mr. Nimoy afterward; a crowd of about ten people waited for him to emerge from his dressing room to meet him, and some to get his autograph on copies of his book, but he left through another door immediately following his lecture. It was a lecture well worth listening to, however, though not well publicized.

V.7 N.4

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.4 was published in Mar/Apr 1985 and contains 2 pages.

first page of v.7 n.4
  • Atlanta Star Trek Society Update ("This issue of EPSILON NINE is going to be a little abbreviated due to the size of o u r convention flyer that we have sent along with it. Please be sure to read over the Dixie-Trek flyer, and get your advance membership and hotel reservations in as soon as possible — it will be a weekend you won't want to miss! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the ASTS members who gathered at the Northlake Hilton last month to help mail out over 3,000 Dixie-Trek booklets. This was sincerely appreciated!")
  • Doctor Who Column (encourages fans in a letter campaign)
  • info about a upcoming Dixie-Trek meeting
  • info on the 1985 Atlanta Fantasy Fair
  • a cartoon in the "Spock Spot" series by Lila Cartledge
  • a short blurb for the Georgia Public TV Spring Fund Drive

From Star Trek Today by Cathy Conrad:

With the terror-stricken state of professional SF publishers in the world today, and the glut of hopeful new SF writers, I'd like to propose a possible solution for new talent to find an outlet. It may seem idealistic at first, but with the right management, it COULD work. The market for SF fiction is stabilizing and growing. SF is no longer the major risk-producing genre of popular fiction; the likelihood of slow returns is diminishing. If a publishing collective—made up of hopeful new SF writers, editors, artists, and publishers—could be formed, it would provide abase of experience for new professionals and showcase the creative, original, but as yet unappreciated works of new talent. [...] Two problems with this are immediately foreseeable: the captial [sic] for such a venture, and the notorious inability of some people in SF organizations to get along well enough to get the job done.’ The first problem could be solved by those hopefuls with the capital and the willingness to risk it for their work, and perhaps various fund-raising activities, and the rich, old relatives of SF fans (hopefully!). The second problem could be solved, or at least softened, by appointing some mild, diplomatic member of the collective to mediate disputes between other members. Send someone to the U.N. for a year to learn some techniques, if necessary!

ASTS Special Report by Linda Christman, titled "Leonard Nimoy Gets His Star," about Nimoy getting his Hollywood Walk of Fame star:

On January 16, 1985 at 12:30 pm in Hollywood, Leonard Nimoy was presented his star on the Walk of Fame. In attendance were: Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Majel Barrett, Gene Roddenberry, Harve Bennett, and producer Gary Nardino. A number of city officials were also present who had labeled the day "Leonard Nimoy Day." Mr. Nimoy was praised for his many talents... actor, director, writer, producer, poet, recording artist, and photographer, Mention was also made of his nomination for three consecutive years for Emmy awards for his portrayal of Hr. Spock. Immediately following the Star Ceremony, there was a short interview for many of the press members, and a reception at the Brown Derby for over 200 people.

V.7 N.5

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.5 was published in May/June 1985 and contains 4 pages.

first page of v.7 n.5

About "The Fellowship":

The ASTS would like to welcome a new Fellowship member/officer — Kathy was a regular member who wanted to become more involved in the business and workings of the club, so she joined our governmental body (the Fellowship). Please remember that ANY ASTS member can become a Fellowship member if they have the interest and the spare time to help run the club. We think our regular meetings should be for general fun and member socializing, and this is why our Fellowship BUSINESS meetings are held separately from regular, monthly meetings. If you want to become an ASTS Fellowship member, simply contact Owen Ogletree... It's just that easy!

About Dixie-Trek:

If you are a member of the ASTS, then you actually OWN a part of Dixie-Trek. This convention is made possible by the ASTS members. YOU provide the funds, the incentive, and the staff-power to run the convention. Dixie-Trek is a different SF convention experience for ASTS members because you are not just "helping out" with a SF con, you are helping run your own con. Profits from the con are used for charity and also re-invested in the ASTS in the form of better meetings, publications, and other member benefits. We want to thank you for this. But running a convention is a HUGE responsibility — and we are going to need your help in several ways:

(1) We need ASTS members available to work as staff at Dixie-Trek. If possible, please attend a general Dixie-Trek staff meeting Thursday night, May 16, at 7:00 pm inside the Northlake Hilton. We will put you with the person in charge of the staff area of your choice: Rob Crittenden/D. Denton — films; William Ragsdale — video; Owen Ogletree — security; Bill Smith/Ron Nastrom — guests; Richard Stubblefield — dealers; Cathy Morgan — pre-registration; or Linda Ogletree/Marilyn White — registration.

(2) If you CAN'T attend the above staff meeting, please check in with the registration desks at the con every once in a while to offer your help. We may get you to run a film, take a guest out to eat, and/or help set up a panel discussion. Helping is FUN — so keep in touch with our head staffers listed under #1 above.

(3) If you are planning to help out with the guests at the con, please have a credit card or cash handy to take the guests out. Save your receipts, and you will be reimbursed at the end of the con. To drive a guest, you must have full Georgia liability insurance.

(4) Please talk-up Dixie-Trek and bring an interested friend along. We need all the attendees we can get!

(5) Angelique Pettyjohn would like an almost "full-time" female companion to help her out at Dixie-Trek. If you are reliable and interested, call Owen Ogletree at (404) 962-8118 (24 hours).

From Star Trek Today by Cathy Conrad:

STAR TREK III was an overall improvement over ST2 cinematically, but in my opinion, that's definitely NOT the case with the novelization. ST2, in book form, is a fast-paced novel whose extra (i.e., not derived from the film) scenes had direct bearing on the material found in the movie- It did, in fact, clear up some of the mysteries not explained in the film, such as Saavik's background and how she'd come to know Spock. The extra scenes were also of a length that didn't slow down the progress of the story very much.

However, author Vonda McIntyre overshot her mark in the novelization of ST3. Extra scenes were overlong, oversentimental, and some were purely extraneous. A few scenes also stretched the believability of her characterizations. For example, the book cheerfully opens in the midst of Spock's wake (a WAKE? In the 23rd century? Wouldn't traditions have changed a little by then?). (A large wake, no less, including almost all of the crew.) Kirk muses that Spock wouldn't have approved of such emotional, illogical proceedings, and neither should've the editor of this book. My character perceptions of the main Enterprise command crew would permit perhaps a small, private wake of just the command crew. That is also the only setting I could see them indulging in the soused sorrow this novel has them inflicting on the rest of the crew, trainees included. Further grief-stricken passages such as those of Peter Preston's funeral and later Carol Marcus's grief over Del March only serve to numb the reader's sympathy and strain his patience.

For the best effect, start reading about 100 to 150 pages into the book — or wait and hope that the novelization of ST4 will be better.

V.7 N.6

Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.6 was published in July/Aug 1985 and contains 4 pages.

first page of v.7 n.6
  • info about club parties and meetings
  • Star Trek Today by Cathy Conrad is a con report for Dixie Trek, see that page
  • four photos from Dixie Trek
  • Doctor Who Column by Bill and Lucy Smith ("a few personal notes regarding the DOCTOR WHO events at Dixie-Trek 5)
  • a short review by Owen Ogletree of the film, "Cocoon"
  • a letter from Jon Pertwee ("Now that I have returned to London I would like to thank you all for your kindness and hospitality during our visit to Atlanta. I thought the conference was beautifully organised and impeccably run. I couldn't have enjoyed it more, Please don’t hesitate to ask me again as I would be delighted to make a return visit, (You have my) kindest regards.")

Atlanta Star Trek Society Update:

This issue of EPSILON NINE is going out complimentary to ALL 1,060 attendees of Dixie-Trek '85. This year’s convention was a fabulous success, and if you enjoyed Dixie-Trek we hope that you will also join the Atlanta Star Trek Society. Dixie-Trek was put on by the Atlanta Star Trek Society — Atlanta's oldest, largest, and most enjoyable media science fiction club. You don't even have to live near Atlanta to enjoy our publications and SF news — over 1/3 of our 200+ club membership resides outside of the Atlanta area. To join the great spirit of fun and friendship of the ASTS, see the membership coupon on page two of this newsletter!

References

  1. ^ from a letter of comment in V.6 N.6
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