POWER STAR The Imagination Anthology ISSUE 81 DECEMBER 1994 Jerry Seward, Editor Emeritus Kimberly Murphy, Managing Editor Monica Rose Kiesel, Production Director Rob Murphy, Layout Editor Brian Neale, e-mail "Postmaster" Bennet Pomerantz, News Columnist J. Calvin Smith, Manuscript Editor CONTRIBUTORS: Arthur C. Adams, L. Gray, Charles Reynolds, Lee Whiteside, Dan Wood IN THIS ISSUE: Credits `N' Stuff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 The usual disclaimers, addresses, etc. Murphy's Musings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Random thoughts from a rambling editor. Subscription Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Our usual advertising plug. POWER STAR Shareware Distributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Got a modem? Check out these BBSs where POWER STAR and lots of other great stuff can be found. "F.H.P.A.", By J. Calvin Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 In this sequel to last year's "D.V.O.", storylines begin converging, endangering fictional heroes everywhere. "The BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List", By Lee Whiteside And Dan Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 A staple of the internet, the FAQ list, comes to POWER STAR. In this installment, we examine the S/F adventure series BABYLON 5. "DEC Wars", Contributed By Arthur C. Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Also found on internet: This satire of STAR WARS, found by new subscriber and contributor Arthur Adams. "Uniformity", By L. Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Ever wonder how Harry Truman and Dennis Bryson came up with their plan to rescue Dale Cooper in TWIN PEAKS' episode 2013? Then you'll love this story that speculates how it might have been done... "Fading Faith", By Charles Reynolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Obi-Wan Kenobi's struggle against evil is the subject of this STAR WARS prequel. Comm Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Your feedback is the best holiday gift we could get. "Ye Olde Collectables And Trivia Shoppe", By Bennet Pomerantz. . . . . . 61 Bennet Pomerantz's nationally-renowned column on the latest in collectables. News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Catch up with Jerry, Kimberly, and Bennet. Back Issues Cross-Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 For your shopping convenience this holiday season, our complete line of POWER STAR back issues. Coming Next Time.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 ...we celebrate the new year with lots of different stories. Read all about it. * * * * * * * * POWER STAR is a monthly amateur fanzine devoted to science fiction, fantasy, and horror in all media and is published by Kimberly Murphy and Jerry Seward. Seeking material--fiction and non-fiction, prose, poetry, and artwork--on all forms of fantastic media. Comments are welcome. Submission guidelines are available upon request. Issues 1-23 are no longer available. Other issues are available upon request. Shareware copies (ASCII text only), starting with issue 71, are available on several BBSs nationwide, including the official BBS of POWER STAR, šACEš Online. On your modem, dial (301) 942-2218 (8-N-1, 28800). Comments or submissions may be left as a message for Kimberly Murphy. A complete up-to-date (as of publication date) list of BBSs carrying POWER STAR follows the Subscription Rates section of this issue. BBS SysOps interested in distributing POWER STAR should contact Kimberly at either the post office or e-mail address below. Issues and shareware registration cost $5.00 ($7.50 in Canada/Mexico; $10.00 for other foreign countries) in U.S. funds. Discounts are available for volume purchases. Make check or money order payable to Kimberly Murphy. Address all correspondence to Kimberly Murphy: Regular mail: 9740-E Covered Wagon Dr./Laurel, MD 20723-1512 USA/(301)490-3706 Primary e-mail: kimberly.murphy@acenet.com America Online Submissions: pwrstr@aol.com Additional e-mail stops: kimmurphy@aol.com or kimberly@rushnet2.com (Information requests, please enclose SASE.) * * * * * * * * Copyright 1994, Jerry Seward/Kimberly Murphy. POWER STAR is in no way meant to infringe the rights of holders of copyrights referred to in this publication. All original stories and artwork are copyrighted to the authors. Murphy's Musings Commentary By Kimberly Murphy You may have noticed all the internet stuff we've used lately--the graphics, news, and e-mail jump out right away. But have you noticed the stories? Two pieces last issue came from e-mail. One came through e-mail last month. What this means is that our electronic experiment is taking off in a way even I didn't expect. As I write this in October 1994, six months after we joined up with our first BBS, the Anne Arundel Information Exchange, we are now one of the fastest-growing e-zines (electronic zines) on the internet. 30 BBS partners now make up our ranks, and not a day goes by that I don't get a request for an issue by e-mail from someone who read about us on USENET. Jerry got a letter from a woman in Belgium who'd heard about us on the internet. Our electronic readership outnumbers our print readership at least 5 to 1 (hard numbers on the internet are hard to come by, but I do know the approximate readership on the BBSs each month). I bring this up for two reasons. One is that we've gotten a lot of positive feedback on the increase in variety in our issues, and I think the internet has helped that. The second is that, sadly, we've had to change our internet address. By the time you read this, AAIE will no longer handle internet e-mail. I'll miss Bob Nassal, and wish to express my thanks to him for the six months he was able to help us with this grand experiment, POWER STAR online. We have, however, found a new home: šACEš Online, in Silver Spring, MD. Join us at (301) 942-2218 (8-N-1, 28800), and e-mail me at our new internet address, kimberly.murphy@acenet.com. As our internet involvement grows, we'll explore what all is available for the science fiction fan. This issue brings one of the staples of the internet, the FAQ. FAQ stands for "Frequently Asked Questions" and is the number-one most requested item in most newsgroups on USENET (as in, "Can somebody repost the FAQ?" or "The answer to that question is in the FAQ"). The FAQ representative in this issue is the BABYLON 5 FAQ, posted monthly to rec.arts.sf.tv and several other groups. Also in electronic-related news, POWER STAR would like to extend our congratulations to The Ultimate Connections BBS, one of our partners, who was voted one of the top 100 BBSs in the country by the readers of BOARDWATCH Magazine. We're proud to be part of the growth of this board, even in a small way. Congratulations to the staff of The Ultimate Connection! This is another "grab bag" issue, the second of three in a row. Enjoy our new submissions and send us your comments! Until next time, enjoy the issue! -- Kimberly POWER STAR The Imagination Anthology Back Issues Pricing Policy: For all issues except The POWER STAR Yearbook and Issue 50: $5.00 per single issue, $9.00 for two issues, $12.50 for three issues, $25.00 for six issues, $40.00 for twelve issues. The POWER STAR Yearbook and Issue 50 are priced at: $15.00 each, or $25.00 for both issues. (Canada/Mexico, add $2.50 in U.S. funds per order; other overseas countries, add $5.00 per order.) POWER STAR Shareware Distributors ASCII text versions of POWER STAR are available on the BBSs listed below. These issues are "shareware"; they may be registered for a "final" finished paper copy for the same price as a regular issue. Discount registrations are also available. New issues are usually uploaded by the 10th of the month. Boards with gophers/ftp sites are also listed. Check out these boards! Note: This listing is correct as of date of publication to the best of our ability. We are not responsible for toll calls due to typos, etc. 001 Science Fiction (POWER STAR Online Bulletin) (713) 778-0239 Abacus BBS (205) 393-6312 Airtight Garage BBS (415) 341-0348 Anne Arundel Information Exchange (POWER STAR Conference) (410) 519-0467 AUDREY archives (TWIN PEAKS archives) ftp://audrey.levels.unisa.edu.au Bathroom Wall (POWER STAR Directory) (805) 873-8841 BrainLINK System (718) 805-8868 telnet/ftp: 199.184.242.4 gopher: pc1.brainlink.com (199.185.242.112) Bulletproof BBS (POWER STAR Directory) (205) 445-0312 Castle Holt BBS (317) 571-1980 Castle's Gate (301) 490-8679 CatBox BBS (205) 347-2500 Electric Cafe (805) 399-3636 FastBytes BBS (205) 774-9946 Flightline BBS (205) 598-6656 Galaxy BBS (205) 598-9509 Gamma Quadrant (410) 964-2894 Infinetwork (301) 498-6186 LA Express II BBS (205) 983-3680 Lighthouse BBS (POWER STAR Directory) (205) 543-7400 Lunatic Fringe (214) 235-5288 MetroNet (301) 854-3427 Movie BBS (718) 939-5462 Mystery BBS (301) 588-8142 New Horizons BBS (301) 805-8910 Out-Post BBS (205) 774-6989 Photo-Play (POWER STAR Directory) (713) 467-0032 Prime Time BBS (818) 982-0365 Prime Time On-Line (404) 667-0885 Prime Concepts BBS (POWER STAR Directory) (713) 937-4872 Shep's Place (410) 799-3088 (410) 799-3037 Sin Bin (POWER STAR Directory) (410) 796-0819 Space Zone BBS (POWER STAR Conference) (301) 416-0118 Ultimate Connection BBS (217) 792-3663 šACEš Online (301) 942-2218 F.H.P.A. (The Sequel To "D.V.O.") A Short Story By J. Calvin Smith Chaos reigned in the Command Core. Now, those of you familiar with the Fictional Hero Protection Alliance will think this statement humorous, because chaos usually reigns in the Com mand Core. Chaos is the stock in trade for an Interdimensional Agency dealing with the coordination of storylines, timelines, and realities in order to keep fictional heroes out of dangers they could not surmount. But this was no routine shift in the immense round room where a rotating crew of several hundred beings from all types of stories monitored realities, fictionalities, and possibilities. I could have told by looking at the faces of the beings as they gathered information from the hypercomputer known as FACT that something was wrong, badly wrong, with the situation. But I had more information than just the panicked expressions of my subordinates. I was staring at a readout describing effects on space, time, and reality that went far beyond anything I have ever dealt with during my tenure as Commander of the FHPA. Oh, by the way, my name is General-Professor Symix A-2. It's an Earth-pronounceable equivalent of my Garadian name and title, and it means that even on my planet, I'm pretty hot stuff. "Calm down, everyone!" I shouted from my central console over the din of the workers as they tried to make sense out of the descriptions on their monitors of phantasmagorical anomalies. "But Commander!" exclaimed Metamorpho, the Element Man (a damn good FHPA operative even though he never really worked out as a superhero). "I'm getting new reports from FACT that Superman and Lois Lane have just found the dead body of Woody Woodpecker outside the Metropolis Bank and Trust." I raised a hand. "I know. I--" Albert Rosenfield interrupted, somewhat predictably, "And in another fun-packed turn of events guaranteed to make our efforts even more difficult, the Silver Surfer has just appeared on the set of BAYWATCH." "Thank you, Albert," I sighed. "What I--" This time I was stopped by the beeping of the personal communicator of one of the workers. Apparently it was Little Orphan Annie. She raised her hand, and I nodded. "They're asking me to go back to my story line. There's an emergency. Daddy Warbucks just got a visit from someone whose description matches the Pillsbury dough boy. `Daddy's' started going hysterical." "Leapin' lizards," added Albert sourly. "Albert, EVERYONE!" I shouted, pressing a blue switch on my console. Instantly, all the FACT terminals in the room went dead. "I want you to shut up and listen to me!" I waited until the shouting and panicking stopped. "Okay, I shut off your terminals just now because we have a multithread disas ter on our hands. FACT will be no good to you all now except to confirm what we already know: Something catastrophic has happened to the boundaries between storylines. I don't have to tell you what this means." The faces in the Command Core, already full of fear, gained another measure of alarm as they realized the obvious: If the boundary between stories was broken, there was a potential danger to FHPA itself. I continued, "Fortunately, we still have time integrity in our favor. Please note that all these anomalies began occurring at close to the same time. I believe we're dealing with a single cause. Perhaps a single solution will be sufficient. Mickey Chang is patrolling the Pan-Continuum Gateway and can locate the fault for us. Perhaps his ingenuity can find the cause of whatever rift we're dealing with. In the meantime, get together all the printouts you have. We're going to look for a common thread." I was trying to convey confidence that, frankly, I lacked. My own console had told me of Mugwumps encountering Sardaukar troops in InterZone, Stimpy and Garfield in a cat fight, and Beavis and Butt-Head emerging from the Wormhole near Deep Space Nine in spacesuits and driving a lawn tractor. But panic in the Command Core could have been even more disastrous than the unknown source of all these phenomena. My transmitter sounded. "Yes?" I said, recognizing the hailing signal of the docking bay. "The Retributional Vehicle has just arrived," said the docking officer. "It appears to have suffered some damage." Chang was back. I was sure that the reckless DVO would be able to help. At the very least, I'd get him to explain how he got the R.V. messed up. "I'll be right--" "It's unmanned, Commander." "Hey, General-Professor, can you do something about this? It really smarts!" The voice was that of the R.V.'s navigational computer. I stepped inside the huge van, which was parked in the docking bay, to inspect the damage. "Sorry, Computer," I replied, "but I've got to figure out what happened first." "Sure, no problem," said the computer. "I--ooch!" The exterior of the Retributional Vehicle had not been badly hurt, but a network of small creases and dents covered its surface uniformly, and the surface metal was rough in some places. The interior appeared to be unharmed. "Can you tell me where you've been," I asked the computer gently, "and where Chang is?" Personnel had told me upon my arrival at the docking bay that the NavComp had been babbling incessantly since they opened up the R.V. about some sort of pain it was experiencing. The mechanical voice sounded increasingly pained. "I'm trying, General--" "Easy, Computer," I soothed. "You don't have to be so formal. Just relax. Calling me `Symix' or `Ma'am' is fine right now." "Yeah, but--ouch--but I don't know. He had just--Man, that pinching hurts!--had just set me for the ride back here, and we had trouble changing course. He turned to face the front of the R.V.--Stop it! Stop it!--and the R.V. made a rumbling, wrinkling noise while Chang looked like a page that was turning, and then he was gone! OUCH!" I pressed the "SHUTDOWN" button on the navigational console. I couldn't stand to hear the computer's tortured screaming any more. Besides, it had just told me what I feared worst. Mickey Chang's disappearance was a write-out. I returned to the Command Core's Independent Processing Center and informed the workers of what I had just determined. Luckily, stunned silence reigned instead of sheer mayhem. The personnel had applied themselves dili gently to the orders I had given, and now redoubled their grim intensity searching, collating, and electronically marking their readouts. "We've narrowed it down to a period from two hours ago, UNITIME, to just a half-hour ago," said Wesley Crusher. "You've got that intense look in your eyes, Wes," I replied. "You suspect something." "Yeah." He smiled with that insipid know-it-all grin of his and showed me the multi-time graph on his Independent Processor's screen. He pointed to a series of lines which paralleled each other. "These are all stories that have been going on in my universe. I've got them all tagged and have been able to follow them." "Why those stories?" I asked him, my voice growing sternly suspicious. "Well, I've been trying to figure out a--" He blushed. "--a reentry point, actually." I nodded, scowling, and scolded, "Wesley, you know that's against procedure. I have to ask you to cease and desist." I didn't have the heart to tell him that no one wanted him to reenter. "What's that?" I asked, pointing to a momentary twitch in one of the storyline graphs. "That's just what I wanted to show you," said Wesley with the impatient sigh he always gives after being reprimanded. "That happened on all the storylines that were developing at that UNITIME." He pointed to corresponding spikes along each of the similar stories. "Right on the same mark." "Hey, I'll bet I know what the UNITIME mark was!" shouted a profusely enthusiastic voice. I turned to face an excited Roger Rabbit, who was holding a comically mangled stack of printouts. He continued, "Three-two-one, oh-five-oh, five-five-six!" He then grabbed a retractable pointer from near his console with his free left hand and extended it with his teeth. "Right--uh--right--Oh, where is it now? I had it on my printout....It was just..." I waved to silence the embarrassed `Toon as I saw the others in the room nod their agreement. I walked around the room to each person's console and confirmed that each and every storyline we had put into storage had a small, sometimes only barely perceptible irregularity or discontinuity at exactly 321.050.556 UNINET time. "Okay, folks, I want you each to take one of the storylines you found with the glitch and run a pan-spectral on it," I barked as the excitement in the large room rose at the prospect of being on the right track. I had two reasons for requesting a pan-spectral analysis on the anomalies. The first was that the computer-aided process would show graphically the point or points where the stories' irregularities intersected the Pan-Continuum Gateway, which was the spatio-temporal bridge between fic tional worlds. The FHPA used the Gateway as a sort of a living road map through which we were able to do most of our storyline integrity enforcement, exactly the sort of repair work I was beginning to suspect needed to be done here. Secondly, and almost as importantly, the Gateway was the network traveled by Mickey Chang in his Retributional Vehicle, and exploring this simultaneous rift in all the storylines might shed some light on how and why Chang had suddenly been written out and the R.V. damaged. "How are repairs on the R.V. coming?" I asked into the intercom as the crew around me ran their analyses. "Almost done," replied a service technician. "The wrinkles in the Safety Steel almost smoothed themselves right out, and I don't see much other structural damage besides loose screws. The integrity of the containment units held really nicely. But I'm most worried about the NavComp, Commander." "When you turn it on, it still complains, right?" I said. "Yeah, every time. Says it's getting the Hell pinched out of it." "I have an idea," I said to the technician. "Bring the NavComp up, but in diagnostic mode. Do you know how to do that?" The voice on the intercom grumbled, "I'm not ignorant, Commander. I do know how to do some things." "Once it's up," I said, ignoring the technician's hurt pride, "the system will be active, but not sentient. It won't feel any pain. Go into the event storage space and bring today's log into the line editor." I heard beeps and typing sounds as the technician sat in the R.V.'s cockpit and manually entered commands. "Got it?" I asked. "Just a second, just a second," growled the technician. "Here it is." Now my theory would come into play. "Is there a break or a glitch in the log at UNINET time 321.050.356?" After a few seconds' silence, the voice replied, "Yeah! It looks like the computer hiccuped, or lost its place, or somethin'. That's the exact time. How'd you--" "We're tracking down the problem here," I explained. "I need you to blank out that log entry." I then gave the authorization code for the procedure, since it was what FHPA regulations would define as an intrusive act. "Okay," said the voice. Then it chuckled as the typing sounds resumed. "What's funny?" The worker replied, "Oh, just remembering all the grief you used to give Chang when he would do this." Then the laughing ceased, and there was an awkward silence. I smiled grimly. "He was the one giving me grief! But let's see if we can get him back soon so he can start trying stunts like this again." As the technician laughed, I added, "As soon as you delete that entry, bring the computer all the way up and let me talk to it." A few seconds later as the navigational computer rebooted, it connected directly to my intercom and exclaimed, "I don't know what you did, but I feel so much better!" "Glad to hear it; we might need you soon," I replied, just as personnel started raising their hands to indicate to me that they had completed their pan-spectral analyses. "But Computer, we had to change your internal history to fix the problem for now. We'll get back to you when we track down the cause." "Okay," said the computer, sounding slightly uncertain. "And we'll find Mickey Chang. You can count on that," I reassured. "Thanks!" said the computer, sounding much cheerier. I shut off the intercom and walked over to the computer console array where the Core personnel had finished running the analyses. The first screen I saw showed a tridimensional chromatoscan, a sort of multicolored, rotating painting of the Pan-Continuum Gateway's behavior near the point where the glitch in UNINET time had occurred for the particular story under analysis. But the details of the graphic image did not make sense. Instead of there being an empty hole interrupting the story's continuity thread, the thread seemed to blossom into other threads which wrapped around each other in concentric, hole-shaped loops about a common center. And again, when I looked at everyone else's computer consoles, I saw evidence of the same phenomenon. This time, the ruptures were not just coincident in time, but in space. "Every story has been made to converge to that exact point and then get disrupted!" exclaimed Metamorpho. "It looks like a spatio-temporal collapse to me." The look on his chemically-changeable face was one of sheer dread. "Hence our pinching," I postulated. "Wait," said Dr. Jonathan Chase, his voice conveying his usual sense of calm urgency. "I don't think it's anything so disastrous as that. I've magnified my view several times, and I don't think we're seeing a collapsed gateway here." I ordered everyone to make their console views zoom in on the area of the scan, and they all nodded slowly. I watched the screens and nodded also. "That seems to be true," I told Dr. Chase. "What's your theory?" "The R.V.'s computer was complaining about pinching, was it not? That pinching, and the pinching we see here, resulted, I believe, from an attempt to telescope the Gateway's threads in on themselves." I shared everyone's silent bewilderment and simply shook my head. He smiled, closed his eyes, and sighed. "Don't you see? Someone is trying to tie together every blessed story there ever was!" Shouts of disbelief rang from the assembled crowd. I walked over to Chase's terminal, nudged him aside, and looked closer at the concentric holes on the screen. I zoomed in on the picture, but the more it was magnified, the more rainbow threads filled the picture with their concentric loops. I could see that each loop that sprouted was from a different story. Chase was right. "The totality of known storylines will probably converge here," I told the crew, motioning them to silence. "This appears to be a projection of a tunnel in the Gateway, and where it leads is most likely to the solution we seek. I don't know how it was made, or what's at its center, but we won't fix the multi-reality time rift until I find out." I then walked to the door, thinking about the fact that the rift was still out there, and if UNITIME were restored, it would cause countless additional storylines to cross over each other in haphazard ways. "I'll need a crew of two to accompany me to the R.V. Any takers?" I asked. After a few seconds I was joined at the door by Mike Nomad (Steve Roper's sidekick and just about the best Command Core operator from comics' Golden Age) and Wonder Warthog. I was especially glad to have Warthog's underground expertise on this mission, since I wasn't sure just what we were getting into. "Er, Commander, just what are we getting into?" asked Wonder Warthog, his long snout twitching with curiosity and his muscles rippling under his "W.W." T-shirt and faded blue-jeans. "We're going to find out what's at the end of that tunnel in the Gateway," I explained. "What if it has no end?" asked Mike Nomad. I smiled. "It has to. As huge as the fiction world is, only a finite number of stories have been written. That tunnel must have an end." With those words I departed, Mike and Warthog following me. We were halfway down the hall to the docking bay when I distinctly heard Albert shout, "Send us a postcard, okay?" The SpaceSplitter engines revved up, and, since the FHPA Headquarters had been built strategically at a point intersecting portions of all fictional universes, the transition of the R.V. from the spatio-temporal region occupied by the docking bay to the rainbow maze of the Pan-Continuum Gateway was atypically brief and smooth. The multicolored threads seemed almost to reach into the docking bay for us as the R.V. took off. It took the NavComp only a short time to give Mike Nomad the coordinates he needed to steer the vehicle to the portion of the Gateway containing the anomaly. There was no doubt now, as we looked through the R.V.'s viewscreen, that this was a tunnel, not a mere hole or disruption. Extreme energy distortions running its length made it appear almost flat to the eyes, but the computer's calculations were undeceived. "Computer, was this tunnel what Mickey Chang was exploring before the log entry we deleted from you?" I asked. I stood behind Mike Nomad as he sat in the cockpit operating the R.V.'s controls, and beside Wonder Warthog, who was monitoring the navigational computer's control panel and graphical display. "Well, at about the time stamp you deleted," said the computer thoughtfully, "Chang found something at the very spot we just entered. But that's where the memory block ends and the one you had to erase begins." The R.V. entered the tunnel, and the visual compression we had all experienced resolved itself. The tunnel went on and on. "I think I see the end, but it's very far away," said Mike, as Wonder Warthog and I peered in the direction he pointed. "Computer, can you give the SpaceSplitters any more juice?" "I'll do my best." A region of clear blue, free of intertwining rainbow threads, looked like a tiny but growing spot at the end of the tunnel in the Gateway. "Commander, why are we doing this?" asked Wonder Warthog suddenly while monitoring SpaceSplitter emission levels, which were holding steady. I knew he was worried enough about something to explain himself further, so I said nothing right away. He continued, "Won't whatever got Chang get us, too?" "I don't think so," I said. "Stopping UNITIME keeps stories under control, including write-outs. Remember, Chang was written out. Computer, what's our time to the end of the tunnel?" "Seven minutes, thirty seconds in vessel time," the computer reported. Then the R.V. shuddered deeply but quietly. Wonder Warthog pressed a flashing red button on his console as a siren went off. "Space-time is fluctuating. I think that wrinkling is occurring again." He turned to face the pilot and myself. "Mike, you're about to lose your lateral control for a second." "Yikes!" said Mike as the steering lever wrenched out of his hand. "Switch it to full manual operation," I said to Mike. "Hurry!" "Done," gasped Mike. A rumbling coming from the Retributional Vehicle's entire outer surface could now be heard clearly. "I've got a feeling this is the part I can't remember!" said the computer as Mike just barely succeeded in maintaining course and Wonder Warthog made adjustments to keep the R.V.'s critical systems working. "Should we turn back?" asked Mike, glancing back at me worriedly. An empty containment unit just beside the port hatch shuddered and came open. "No," I said. "The time stoppage should let us make it through to the end." The communications link to FHPA HQ came on. "Commander Symix!" The voice was Annie's. It was also terrified. "Yes, Annie?" I said into the R.V.'s communications unit. "We were all just knocked out for about three minutes. A terrorist with a gas mask threw a smoke bomb in here, and when we came to, he was gone." "Is anyone hurt?" "Albert got a bump on the head, `cause the person went right up to his console and knocked him out before he threw the bomb." My blood ran cold. "Albert, did he touch your console?" For once, Albert's voice responded without sarcasm. "My God, yes. The sonofabitch turned UNITIME back on!" "Well, turn it back off!" I screamed, and Albert complied. "We've got to turn back now," said Mike. "It may already be too late!" shouted Wonder Warthog. "It is too late," I said solemnly. "Computer, can you obtain from headquarters the recording of the terrorist's attack?" The R.V. trembled with increasing violence. Structural integrity was starting to give way. "I've got the recording," said the computer a second or two later. "Who attacked us?" I asked quickly. The R.V. did an inadvertent barrel roll during the NavComp's analysis. "Sorry!" said Mike Nomad in a voice of exasperation. "We lost a stabilizer." "It's...Captain Black," said the computer. "The Mysteron agent?" asked Wonder Warthog. He then slammed his fists on the console and used some phrases suitable for his own underground publication, but unprintable here. "We are still five minutes from the clear area," reminded the computer. "Locate Captain Black. Is he still in the Headquarters Complex?" I shouted to the intercom as I assisted Wonder Warthog in adjusting controls to keep the R.V. from falling apart...just yet. But I was beginning to form a plan in my mind, since somehow the puzzle was starting to become clear to me. "No, and there's no sign of him ever leaving!" shouted Roger Rabbit's voice. "Do you want me to send out a probe?" "A storyspace probe won't help. Captain Black was written in just like Mickey Chang was written out," I said. "Computer, are we at best speed?" "Best safe speed, Commander," clarified the navigational computer. "Double it," I ordered, slipping my Command Override card into the console slot. "What?" asked Mike. Again, Wonder Warthog's response was decidedly more colorful. The printable portion was, "We'll blow up!" "Do it," I said. Doubling the R.V.'s velocity overloaded the already-rift-damaged SpaceSplitter engines almost instantly, confirming Wonder Warthog's assessment. Luckily, the thunderous blast was quite painless, since all that tied reality and fictionality together in that portion of the Gateway was dissolved when the exploding R.V. ruptured all surrounding threads. As my own existence waned, I hoped that my newly-formed theory had been right. I suddenly found myself standing in a room like I had never encountered before. It appeared to be an attic bedroom in a two-story house. The walls were painted white and were covered with posters and photographs, presumably belonging to the man who sat in front of where I stood. He was entering text into a small electronic device, most likely a personal computer. This place had a very human look and feel to it, but the sharpness of detail and the acuteness of the sensory stimuli I was getting told me something further. "This is Actual-Earth, isn't it?" I asked. The man in the chair turned to face me. He smiled. "Yes, it is. And I'm glad you solved your little dilemma so that I can finish this." He then turned back to face his computer, ended the program he was running, and turned the machine off. I stammered, "Am...am I interrupting something?" "No," the man said, still smiling. "But I need to talk to you, and I wouldn't want you to be distracted yet by reading about what you said or did if you haven't said or done it yet." He chuckled. "I'm confused. Where is this place, and how do you know about me?" I asked. "Oh," said the man carelessly, "I would have thought you would be more concerned with the whereabouts of your vehicle and crew." My jaw dropped. I was still dazed from the explosion and had no clue what was happening. I pressed the intercom button on the shoulder of my All-Reality environmental suit. "Yes, Commander?" said the voice. It was Wonder Warthog's. "Warthog, where are you?" I asked. "Back at FHPA. Mike and I found ourselves sitting in the R.V. back at the docking bay after the explosion, with Mickey Chang looking at us like we were crazy for sitting in his vehicle. That time rift has just disappeared from all our records! But where are you? None of the crew here in the Core can track you?" "I know you can't," I replied. "Widen the search to include Actual-Earth. And under no circumstances restart UNITIME again." I stared at the man whom I was inadvertently visiting. "I haven't figured everything out yet, and there may still be potential problems." I could hear Warthog's console beep to indicate that he had found me. "Wow," said the superhero. "Laurel, Maryland. You really get around! Okay, I've got your coordinates and can send the DVO to get you any time you want." "Wait," said the man in the chair in an authoritative voice. "Stand by, Wonder," I said and then turned off the intercom. I then asked the man, "All right, it's plain to me that I'm right where you want me to be. So who are you, and how and why did you pull me out of the explosion I set?" "You've already guessed my reasons, if you'll calm down enough to remember," the man replied. "You had formed a theory, and since blowing up the R.V. in the Gateway repaired the time rift and restored everything to a normal state, your theory proved correct. I'm the one you have to stop before you can start UNITIME again." Now his seeming omniscience made sense. "You're the author!" He blushed and nodded. "But I can't stop you," I said helplessly. I found myself blushing as well, but with anger. "You've caused a great deal of trouble in the fiction world with that story of yours," I said, guessing that the story about FHPA was what he had been entering into his computer when I found myself in this place. "If I had jurisdiction over you, I'd make sure you and your documents could never bother a single story thread again. Do you realize the damage you've done to the fabric that keeps stories intact?" The author nodded. "I do realize this, and I sympathize with the plight of your organization. However, as an artist, I have a right to expect you to respect my freedom to develop whatever fictional world I desire, even if that fictional world contains an organization that controls fiction itself. Besides, as you said, you and FHPA are powerless here. I just wanted to make sure you understood that. UNINET time cannot be restored. I am in control now." He sat down again, turned the computer back on, and resumed typing. Suddenly his words struck a chord in my confused mind. "Wait a minute. How can I be in Actual-Earth? Of course!" I watched the story he was typing. "This story you're writing includes the very scene we're playing out right now." "Yes," he said absently. "That's the whole idea behind it. It's self-referential." I stepped closer behind him in his chair. "So you are a character in this story, too." "Mm-hmm," he mumbled. "Can I get on with this? As soon as it's over, you'll be out of my hair." "Certainly." I picked up a tape dispenser from beside his computer and, before he had time to react, cracked him over the head with it. You see, he had admitted that the person I was addressing was not the author himself, but a fictional version of himself. I had jurisdiction. "Warthog!" I said into my intercom. "Yes?" said the voice. "Correct the coordinates for a fictional reflection of Actual-Earth. Do you still have me on the screen?" After a second, he replied, "Yes, I do; it's much stronger than before. I think the signal I picked up earlier was a reflection." "It was a trick played by the author," I told him. "I'll be back in touch in a minute." The story on the screen was called, predictably, "FHPA". I had to check it out thoroughly. I deduced by pushing buttons the mechanics of the temporary storage device on the computer, popped the small magnetic disk out of it, and pocketed it in my suit. I then figured out the keyboard controls well enough to move through the file. I could see that the story itself posed no real threat to fictionality as it stood, but if the author were to finish it according to the wishes he had stated while conscious, he could provide compromising details about the FHPA or the Gateway that would cause permanent spatio-temporal rifts to occur, recreating the problem and making it insoluble. The dread of that possibility was almost as eerie as standing here reading about my own past and future actions. I looked in the supply bag attached to my belt, took a syringe, and poured into it a double dose of Amnesiac Agent. Although not lethal, the dose would cause a permanent memory loss in its recipient with regard to recent activity. I injected it into the author's arm. Then I typed a stern FHPA warning where he had stopped typing, just in case he wanted to try to remember how this story was going to end. I hit the intercom button again. "Wonder, can Chang get his butt back here in less than three minutes to pick me up?" The voice that replied was not Wonder Warthog's. "I'll be right there, Commander," said Mickey Chang. WARNING * FHPA * WARNING THIS STORY HAS BEEN TERMINATED BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMANDER, FICTIONAL HERO PROTECTION ALLIANCE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE SITUATIONS AND CHARACTERS CREATED HEREIN TO BE CONTINUED, SEQUELIZED, OR CONTRACTUALLY REACTIVATED IN ANY FASHION. PENALTY FOR CONTINUATION OF THIS STORY THREAD EXCEEDS JUST ABOUT ANY AWFUL THING YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE. I MEAN IT. G.P. SYMIX A-2 COMMANDER T H E E N D The BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List A Cross-Reference By Lee Whiteside And Dan Wood The latest version of this file can be retrieved via anonymous ftp at ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/babylon-5-faq. (This URL shorthand describes the ftp site, ftp.hyperion.com, along with the appropriate directory and file name.) This FAQ list is updated frequently, so usually by the time you read this outside of USENET, it's obsolete. World Wide Web users can point to http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html for "The Lurker's Guide to BABYLON 5." IMPORTANT: DO NOT POST STORY IDEAS to the BABYLON 5 newsgroups. Since the show's creator/Executive Producer is online, he would have to withdraw for legal reasons. We don't want that! ************ CHANGES and NEWS New information on BABYLON 5 novelizations; otherwise, minor changes. November is coming, meaning the new season and network sweeps. The ratings that BABYLON 5 gets are extremely important to the future of the show, so, as J. Michael Straczynski puts it, "if there's any last-minute conversions anybody wants to do, now's the time to do it. November will be very important to the whole fate of BABYLON 5." Contents of this FAQ List This FAQ list is a "launching point" to the many questions and answers about BABYLON 5. More detailed resources are available online and in the print media. See topic 16 of this list or follow the cross-references for more in-depth information. 1. What is BABYLON 5? 2. Who is behind BABYLON 5? 3. What other SF projects has JMS been involved with? 4. How much of the series is planned out already? 5. Where can I see BABYLON 5? 6. What is BABYLON 5 About? 7. Who are the characters in the show? a. The Main Cast for the Series b. Supporting and Recurring Cast 8. What kind of Special Effects does BABYLON 5 have? 9. BABYLON 5 Episodes 10. How has BABYLON 5's development progressed? 11. Who can you write to show support for BABYLON 5? 12. Now that BABYLON 5 is a series, can I submit a script? 13. Appearances a. Science Fiction Conventions b. BABYLON 5 Newsletter c. Publications 14. One-Liner FAQs 15. Miscellaneous Info a. Merchandising b. BABYLON 5 online c. Fans' influence on the show d. Awards e. BABYLON 5 References in other JMS works f. Miscellaneous Production Info g. Production Order vs. Airing Order h. Changes 16. Where to find online information a. Internet b. GEnie c. Other 17. Credits and Legalese 1. What is BABYLON 5? BABYLON 5 is a new science fiction television series that is set on a space station in the mid 23rd Century. After the two hour pilot movie in Feb. 1993, the series started the week of Jan. 24, 1994, with a season of 22 episodes. The series is planned for a five year run. It has been renewed for its second season, which will start Nov. 1994. It is part of the Warner Bros. Television Consortium, called the Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN), syndicated to stations across the USA and internationally. 2. Who is behind BABYLON 5? The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who is co-executive producer on the show along with Doug Netter. It has been in development since 1987, the last few years with Warner Bros. Doug Netter is an equal partner in BABYLON 5 and has been in the business for a long time, at one time being the head of MGM where his nickname was Rattlesnake, thus Rattlesnake Productions, his production company. Doug mainly handles the business side and leaves the creative work to Straczynski, which is how they first worked together on CAPTAIN POWER. Harlan Ellison is the Conceptual Consultant for the series. He has also written a "manifest" for the show that will explain to other writers how to write science fiction for television and BABYLON 5, in particular. Well-known science fiction writers, including Ellison, David Gerrold, and D.C. Fontana, and Peter David are contributing scripts to the show. Christopher Franke, formerly of Tangerine Dream, does the soundtrack. 3. What other SF projects has JMS been involved with? JMS has been involved with genre television for many years, as story editor and writer for the TWILIGHT ZONE TV series (syndicated version), CAPTAIN POWER, and the animated THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS. He has also written for JAKE AND THE FATMAN and MURDER, SHE WROTE. JMS has also had many published short stories, an anthology, and two fantasy/horror novels. Until recently, he was co-host of HOUR 25, a Los Angeles area science fiction radio talk show. Though BABYLON 5 is his main activity right now, JMS has also been working on some other projects. A feature film adaptation of the Grimjack books by John Ostrander will begin shooting in 1995, and will be written by JMS. Fall 1994 will also see the production of a two-hour pilot for a contemporary SF series that JMS has created and written, executive produced by JMS and Doug Netter. The title has not yet been announced. He will not be involved in these projects in the day-to-day operations as he is with BABYLON 5. 4. How much of the series is planned out already? Unlike most television series, an overall story arc has been planned for BABYLON 5 as if it were a five year miniseries. Events have been planned for each season which will tell a larger story over time; hints are dropped along the way that foreshadow events to come. There is plenty of room for individ ual stories within each season and each episode can be viewed alone. There is also a writer's guide (in-house) as well as much backstory on the BABYLON 5 universe. 5. Where can I see BABYLON 5? USA In most areas, BABYLON 5 airs WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 8 PM ET/PT on stations that are part of the Warner Bros. Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN) consortium, generally made up of independent stations. (These stations also air TIME TRAX and KUNG FU: THE LEGEND CONTINUES.) Stations with other affil iations may broadcast the show at other times. Check your local listings, get the document referenced here, or call your local station. ## Station List: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5tvlist.txt SATELLITE BABYLON 5 is fed on satellite several days before airing dates on Galaxy 4 Channel 21. Audio is 5.8 left, 6.2 right, 6.8 mono. Fridays, 10-11 AM Eastern Fridays, 1:30-2:30 PM Eastern Saturdays, 5-6 AM Eastern (combo feed with KUNG FU following) Sundays, 8-9 AM Eastern (combo feed with KUNG FU following) PTEN Promo feed: Wednesdays, 11:30 PM Eastern UK BABYLON 5 airs Mondays, 6 PM, Channel 4. First season started 16 May 1994. The second season will start sometime around January 1995. Note: Some UK episodes are censored; "TKO" will not be shown at all. S4C (Wales) airs BABYLON 5 Sundays at 10:50 AM. ELSEWHERE The following sites may have already started or should start soon. Confirmations requested; please send e-mail to FAQ list moderator. Greece: station SKY TV, Saturdays, 17:30 local time France: Canal Plus Germany: Set Eitz (SAT 1 or Sat Eins?) Philippines: RCTI Trinidad: AUM Europe: Sky-TV Singapore: Channel 5, Sundays Australia: 7 Network (starting in Fall 1994) Other info is just station IDs or areas): Taipei, TV3, TVNZ, TTV, IBC, BEC, Canal Sinco, ICP, Proziba, and Italy. VIDEO In Europe, Australia, and Japan, the BABYLON 5 pilot movie has been released on home video (and on laserdisc in Japan, available as an import in the USA). According to JMS, videotapes of the series should start appearing sometime in Fall 1994. Widescreen laserdiscs should appear around Spring, 1995. 6. What is BABYLON 5 About? ## Detailed backstory: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5log.txt ## More information: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt BABYLON 5 is set in the years 2257-2262 A.D. on a 5 mile long space station in neutral space. It was constructed by the Earth Alliance to help keep the peace between the EA and four other alien alliances of which BABYLON 5 is centrally located between. Each of the alliances has an official representative on the station. These include the Earth Alliance, represented by Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, who is in charge of BABYLON 5. The Minbari Federation, represented by Ambassador Delenn. The Minbari waged a war with the Earth Alliance 10 years earlier and mysteriously surrendered on the brink of victory. The Centauri Republic, represented by Londo Mollari. The Centauri Republic was the first to make contact with Earth and helped advance their technology. However, they are really on the decline, much like the decline of the British Empire. The Narn Regime, represented by Ambassador G'Kar. The Narn were previously under the control of The Centauri Republic but rebelled and are now independent and growing in influence. The Vorlon Empire, represented by Ambassador Kosh Naranek. The Vorlons have avoided contact with the other alliances and are a mystery. They have agreed to participate with BABYLON 5. Vorlons breathe a methane atmosphere and are VERY alien aliens. Several other races form the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. There also appears to be another major race in the shadows.... 7. Who are the characters in the show? ## Cast Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5actors.txt ## Characters Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5log.txt ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt ## Guest Stars: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/Guide/ (see appropriate episode guide) ## Appearances: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5appearances ## More Characters: http://web.uml.edu/Babylon-Enc/enc.html ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5encyc.txt ======== a. Main Cast COMMANDER JEFFREY DAVID SINCLAIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael O'Hare The current commander of BABYLON 5 and representative of the Earth Alliance. His rank doesn't seem high enough to warrant such a lofty position; his past involvement in the Earth-Minbari war seems to be a factor. LT. COMMANDER SUSAN IVANOVA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claudia Christian Of Russian descent, a commanding presence, and quirky at times, somewhat pessimistic. Second in command and in charge of day-to-day operations on BABYLON 5. TALIA WINTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrea Thompson BABYLON 5's resident telepath, PSI-corps level 5. SECURITY CHIEF MICHAEL ALFREDO GARIBALDI . . . . . . . . . . . .Jerry Doyle In charge of security on BABYLON 5. He has a troubled past but was picked by Sinclair for the job. His title is "Chief Warrant Officer." AMBASSADOR LONDO MOLLARI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peter Jurasik Represents the Centauri, a decadent and fading republic. Appearances aside, Londo is a "romantic" character with disparate official and personal sides, who wants back the glory days of the republic. AMBASSADOR DELENN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mira Furlan Represents the Minbari. Delenn is a member of the Minbari Grey Council and why she is on BABYLON 5 as an ambassador is one of the many mysteries on the station. AMBASSADOR G'KAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andreas Katsulas Represents the Narn Regime. G'Kar is a patriot, always looking for ways to turn situations to the Narn's advantage. DR. STEPHEN FRANKLIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richard Biggs Middle thirties, dedicated and self-assured. His background is mainly in experimental medicine so does not have a good "bedside manner." VORLON AMBASSADOR KOSH NARANEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . animatronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Native voice designed by Chris Franke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .English translation: Ardwight Chamberlain "There's simply nothing that I can say about Kosh just now." -- J. Michael Straczynski ======== b. Supporting And Recurring Characters >>> Assistants to the Ambassadors: VIR COTTO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stephen Furst Centauri assistant to Londo. Timid and given no respect by Londo, so far. NA'TOTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caitlin Brown A female Narn, assistant to G'Kar. She replaced Ko'Dath, who had an accident with an airlock shortly after her duties began. LENNIER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bill Mumy A monk-like male aide for Delenn, having lived a monastic life, will be a true innocent on B5. One of the few who knows Delenn's important title. >>> Other Characters: CATHERINE SAKAI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Julia Nickson She works for an Earth company that surveys asteroids and planets for mineral exploitation. Runs the survey ship SKYDANCER. She is a past and current flame of Sinclair's. N'GRATH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . animatronics An insect-like non-humanoid alien, who can arrange or fix things for a price. DR. MAYA HERNANDEZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silvana Gallardo A Doctor under Dr. Franklin. SENATOR HIDOSHI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aki Aleong The station's contact with the Earth Alliance Senate. TECH #1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marianne Robertson One of the many unnamed technicians at work in Babylon 5's Command and Control (C&C) center. 8. What kind of Special Effects does BABYLON 5 have? ## More Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt ## Also see: Section 13c or read articles listed in ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5.media All special effects for BABYLON 5 are computer generated. Foundation Imaging, headed by Ron Thornton, is utilizing Lightwave 3D and specialized software in conjunction with NewTek's Video Toaster (running on the Amiga platform) to design and render the visual effects. Space scenes are clearer and more realistic than Model shots. Some interior shots such as docking bays are "virtual sets" combining live action with computer imagery. Macintoshes and PCs are used occasionally for 2-D effects and painting packages. 9. BABYLON 5 Episodes ## FULL Schedule and episode synopses: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5 /b5episodes ## Past episodes: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/Guide/ ## UK Schedule & Guide: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/uk-epguide. txt (This abridged list includes only upcoming rerun schedules.) PILOT MOVIE (year 2257) 02/22/93 The Gathering (title not shown on-screen) by JMS, director RC SEASON ONE (2258) Airing Order (Season title: "Signs and Portents") KEY: Week Of Number Title Writer Director 24 Jan 94 103 Midnight On The Firing Line JMS RC 31 Jan 94 102 Soul Hunter JMS JJ 7 Feb 94 104 Born To The Purple LD BSG 14 Feb 94 101 Infection JMS RC 21 Feb 94 108 The Parliament Of Dreams JMS JJ 28 Feb 94 110 Mind War JMS BSG 7 Mar 94 107 The War Prayer DCF RC 14 Mar 94 106 And The Sky Is Full Of Stars JMS JG 18 Apr 94 113 Deathwalker LD BSG 25 Apr 94 105 Believers DG RC 2 May 94 111 Survivors MSZ JJ 9 May 94 114 By Any Means Necessary KD JJ 16 May 94 116 Signs And Portents JMS JG 23 May 94 119 TKO LD JF 4 Jul 94 109 Grail CM RC 11 Jul 94 122 Eyes LD JJ 18 Jul 94 115 Legacies DCF BSG 25 Jul 94 120 A Voice In The Wilderness (Part 1) JMS JG 1 Aug 94 121 A Voice In The Wilderness (Part 2) JMS JG 8 Aug 94 118 Babylon Squared JMS JJ 15 Aug 94 117 The Quality Of Mercy JMS LSF 3 Oct 94 122 (R) Eyes LD JJ 10 Oct 94 102 (R) A Voice In The Wilderness (Part 1) JMS JG 17 Oct 94 121 (R) A Voice In The Wilderness (Part 2) JMS JG 24 Oct 94 112 Chrysalis JMS JG SEASON TWO (2259) Airing Order (Season title: "The Coming of Shadows") 31 Oct 94 201 Points Of Departure JMS JG 7 Nov 94 202 Revelations JMS JJ 14 Nov 94 203 The Geometry Of Shadows JMS MV 21 Nov 94 204 A Distant Star DCF JJ 28 Nov 94 205 The Long Dark SF MD 5 Dec 94 206 A Spider In The Web LD KC 207 A Race Through Dark Places JMS JJ 208 The Coming Of Shadows JMS WRITERS: LD = Larry DiTillio; KD = Kathyrn Drennan; DCF = D.C. Fontana; SF = Scott Frost; DG = David Gerrold; CM = Christy Marx; JMS = J. Michael Straczynski; MSZ = Marc Scott Zicree. DIRECTORS: RC = Richard Compton; KC = Kevin Cremins; MD = Mario DiLeo; LSF = Lorraine Senna Ferrara; JG = Janet Greek; BSG = Bruce Seth Green; JJ = Jim Johnston; MV = Mike Vejar. Other scripts confirmed as being written for season two include a sequel to the OUTER LIMITS episode "Demon With A Glass Hand" by Harlan Ellison (unofficially called "Demon on the Run"), "Soul Mates" by Peter David, "All Our Songs Forgotten" by D.C. Fontana, and "Gropos" by Larry DiTillio. Other titles include "The Very Long Night of Susan Ivanova." JMS has indicated he will be writing 10-12 scripts, similar to the first season. John Flinn will direct an upcoming episode. 10. How has BABYLON 5's development progressed? 1986 First notes and drafts on the BABYLON 5 story 1987 Spring/Summer BABYLON 5 treatment created by JMS; also writer's bible 1988 May Artist Peter Ledger hired to design a BABYLON 5 logo, and to do a series of paintings based on the treatment and bible, which were then used for various presentations 1988 Summer/Fall BABYLON 5 pitched to CBS, HBO, ABC, and others 1989 March BABYLON 5 pitched to Chris-Craft Television, a consortium of stations. CCT pledges support of B5, and attempts are made throughout 1988 and 1989 to create co-production deals with foreign investors 1989 June/July BABYLON 5 submitted/pitched to Paramount 1989 December BABYLON 5 receives additional pledge of support from Warner Bros., which begins working with CCT to form fifth network at same time 1991 November BABYLON 5 announced as one of three flagship projects for Warners' Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN). The trades carry the story extensively. 1992 June/July Casting for the pilot movie 1992 August 10 Filming on the pilot movie begins 1992 Sept. 4 Filming ends on the pilot movie 1992 Nov. 7 First showing of pilot movie to a convention audience at Wishcon II in Springfield, Mass. 1992 Nov. 28 First announced showing of pilot movie to a convention audience at Loscon 19 in Los Angeles, CA 1993 Jan. 14 Final edit of pilot movie completed 1993 Feb. 19/20 Satellite feed of pilot movie to local stations 1993 Feb. 22 week TV debut of the pilot movie. It achieved a 10.3 GAA national rating, which was better than the two hour premieres of KUNG FU: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (10.2), THE UNTOUCHABLES (10.2), and TIME TRAX (8.3). 1993 April Series Pre-production starts 1993 May 28 Formal announcement by Warner Bros. of a series order 1993 Mid-July Filming starts on the series 1993 Late Summer Parts of the first three episodes are previewed at San Diego Comic Con, WorldCon and CopperCon 13 1993 Mid-Sept. Foundation Imaging awarded Visual Effects Emmy for the BABYLON 5 pilot movie at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards 1993 Mid-Oct. First fully completed episode delivered to Warner Bros 1993 Oct./Nov. PTEN rebroadcast of BABYLON 5 pilot movie 1993 Nov. 26 "Midnight on the Firing Line" screened at LosCon 20 1994 Mid-Jan. "Making of BABYLON 5" airs (hosted by Walter Koenig) 1994 Jan. 20 Satellite feed of first episode 1994 Jan. 26 Start of weekly series on PTEN 1994 Mar. 23 Filming ends for first season 1994 May 12 Announcement of renewal for second season 1994 Aug. 10 Filming starts for second season 1994 Sep. 10 Emmy awarded for makeup design in "Parliament" 1994 Nov 2 (approx). Premiere of second season with "Points of Departure" 11. Who can you write to show support for BABYLON 5? PTEN is a consortium of stations where each station has a say in what gets produced. JMS has requested that if you would like to write in support of the show and to encourage renewal, write your local station. For Warner Bros. write to: For the show's creator, as well as the cast and crew: Dick Robertson Vice President J. Michael Straczynski Domestic Television Distribution 14431 Ventura Blvd, Suite 260 Warner Bros. Television Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 4000 Warner Boulevard Burbank, CA 91522 12. Now that BABYLON 5 is a series, can I submit a script? All current stories are developed by JMS, because only he knows where the story is going. JMS is looking at spec scripts, selecting writers based on their talent and understanding of the BABYLON 5 universe, then giving out assigned stories. BABYLON 5 is not accepting outside stories. Scripts not submitted through an agent will be returned unopened, as is standard practice. All freelance scripts will have the original writer as the sole credit. Any rewrites or additions (such as a "B" plot or additional scenes) by BABYLON 5 staff will not add to the writing credit. This will allow the freelancer to get full royalties for the episode. 13. Appearances ======== a. Science Fiction Conventions ## More Info: Con information is often posted on the USENET groups such as alt.fandom.cons, rec.arts.sf.announce, rec.arts.sf.fandom. J. Michael Straczynski has been attending science fiction conventions when possible. Past convention appearances have been Loscon 19, and 20; Gallifrey One in 3D, Gallifrey One Goes Forth, A Fifth of Gallifrey One, WesterColt .45; the San Diego Comic Con; WishCon II; Con-Dor; Baycon, Phil and Ed's Excellent Convention. Arne Starr, Artist on the DC Comics Star Trek series has been making BABYLON 5 presentations at cons he has appeared at; Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz (B5 visual effects) has also been making some convention appearances. Upcoming con appearances planned by JMS or B5 cast/crew include: Dallasfor Stellar Occassion, Oct. 22-23, 1994. Executive Hotel--Love Field, 3252 W. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, TX 75235. (214) 357-5601 Claudia Christian, JMS, and D.C. Fontana are scheduled to appear. Pre-registration $20; $15 at the door. JMS will be offering a screen writer's workshop. Cost for workshop is $10, going to charity. For Tickets and Info: Stellar Occasion, PO Box 472456, Garland, TX 75047 LOSCON 21, November 25-27, 1994. Airport Hilton, Burbank CA. Likely to feature many B5 guests due to its location. Info: LASFS, 11513 Burbank Blvd., N. Hollywood CA 91601. LASFS Phone: 818-760-9234. LASFS BBS: 818-985-7848 (14000 8-N-1) Iowa State University, Spring 1995, Ames, IA. JMS will be featured at a seminar to speak on technology in popular culture, and how science fiction affects today's technology. Info: Theresa M Benson Toronto Trek IX, August 4-6, 1995, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Everett Burrell, makeup effects designer will be Tech Guest of Honor Mira Furlan will be a guest. More guests to be announced later. Info: e-mail vonthorn@io.org or C.LYON4@genie.geis.com, or mail Toronto Trek IX, Suite 0116, Box 187, 65 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 3G2. Phone: (416) 699-4666. Fax: (416) 699-5512 ======== b. The Official BABYLON 5 Newsletter A BABYLON 5 newsletter is being produced with the cooperation of J. Michael Straczynski by Christy Marx. The first issue was made available for free and copies are still available. To receive the additional issues, send a $5 check or money order to Christy Marx, Editor--BABYLON 5 NEWSLETTER, P.O. Box 2325, Oakhurst, CA 93644. (In Canada $7 and $9 elsewhere). Make check out to "C. Marx" (IMPORTANT!) If you want to just get issues 4-6, which will deal with the series, send $3.00 ($5.00 Canada) If you send in for all issues, you get issues 1-3 right away (although #2 is available only as a copy) and the rest as they are issued. Issue #4 is in process and is supposed to appear sometime REAL SOON NOW. No, really.... ======== c. Publications ## More Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5.media The April 1994 issue of CINEFANTASTIQUE has a major feature article on BABYLON 5. Half of the issues have a BABYLON 5 cover, while half have THE STAND on the cover. Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz, who works with Ron Thornton on the visual effects, has an article in the June 1994 TOASTER USER. Call AVID publications at 800-322-2843 from the USA. BROADCASTING & CABLE, August 29, 1994, has an article on the new season, and features a full-page picture of Capt. Sheridan. 14. One-Liner FAQs ## More Info: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt (or retrieve other archives, episode guides, etc.) Following are some of the questions asked a lot by newcomers to BABYLON 5 and brief answers to those questions. Misc: Q: How come [insert name] is in the opening credits but not in the show? A: Characters that appear in 7 or more episodes are in the opening credits. Q: Which came first, DEEP SPACE NINE or BABYLON 5? A: B5 was pitched to Paramount in 1989, two years before DS9 was created. Q: Has B5 been renewed a second season? A: Yes, thanks in part to fans writing their local stations (see sec. 11.) Q: Why are they using paper in the 23rd century? A: Paper is convenient. It's actually a recyclable, synthetic material. Q: Why is Sinclair, only a commander, running the station? A: The Minbari rejected all choices, down the line, and accepted Sinclair. Q: What does the "Third Age" of mankind mean? What are the 1st and 2nd? A: Joe ain't telling. To reveal the 1st and second would give away the 3rd. Q: What has happened with Harlan Ellison's scripts this season? A: They've been delayed due to poor health and earthquake injuries. Q: How is the "sound in space" issue dealt with? A: You hear music in the space shots, some sounds are part of the music. Q: Why is Ivanova called "Lieutenant Commander" instead of "Commander"? A: To distinguish between her and Sinclair; so both don't answer to "Cmdr." Q: What are the Three Ages of Mankind? A: JMS ain't telling yet. To know #1 and #2 would give away #3. Q: Will the pilot air again? A: It is expected to eventually, though JMS doesn't know when. Aliens: Q: What's with the Centauri Hair? A: Hair is a measure of status--more elaborate = higher status. Women go bald. Q: What is that thing on Minbari heads? A: It's a bone; it grows with age and differs for individuals, sex, and caste. Q: Is Bill Mumy (Lennier) the same guy from LOST IN SPACE? A: Yes. Only much older. Q: How did the war between Earth and the Minbari start? A: A misunderstanding on first contact. Q: What was it that the Minbari found with Sinclair which stopped the war? A: Still quite a mystery; will be revealed by "Points of Departure". Q: What is known about Vorlons? A: Very little. Reclusive, and may be hiding something under those suits. (We'll see a what a Vorlon looks like in season two.) Q: Why are we always seeing aliens speaking English to each other? A: As in WWII movies, we assume they are speaking in their native tongue. Technology: Q: How do jump gates work? A: Ships enter one and exit another. Large ships can make their own points. Q: What's the size and capacity of the station? A: 5 miles long, holding as many as 250,000 beings (many in transit). Q: How do PPGs (Phased Plasma Guns) work? A: A super-heated burst of plasma, burning through the air. Q: How does communication with Earth work? A: Tachyons, giving instantaneous communications; problematic in jump gates. Q: Where in the galaxy is the station? A: Approximately 25 light years from earth, at an as-yet-undiscovered star. Q: Why doesn't JMS quote people when he responds to messages online? A: His news->mail gateway doesn't have the technology. Live with it. :) 15. Miscellaneous Info ======== a. Merchandising ## More Details: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt BABYLON 5 products will be arriving, but not for a while, to prevent the problem of "the tail wagging the dog". Licensing Company of America, a sub sidiary of Warner Bros., is handling the licensing of BABYLON 5 products. Creation Conventions has licensed some products already, like T-shirts, hats, etc. Electronic Arts has licensed the rights to a computer game based on BABYLON 5. Video releases (in widescreen on LaserDisc), and technical manuals are being explored or developed although nothing has yet been announced. Creation Entertainment has T-shirts and photos available--(818) 409-0960. Two T-shirt designs are now available from 800-TREKKER--two designs: The logo, and the station/season 1 cast (as seen in the TV GUIDE ad). $13.95 each; call 1-800-TREKKER or fax 1-800-FAXTREK or write to: Box 13131, Dept. T-2, Reading, PA 19612-3131. An interactive CD-ROM has been announced for release early 1995 by Compton's. The CD Rom will feature sections on the universe of BABYLON 5 as well as very educational and interactive sections that takes you from script to editing to final cut. Encoded sections of the disc which contain spoilers for future storylines will require unlocking by entering the appropriate keywords which will not be known until later events are revealed in the show. A Comic adaptation with DC comics will commence with the first issue released December 6, 1994, showcasing stories that occur in parallel with the main television story. Stories will be divided into four-issue cycles featuring different writers and artists. The first cycle is drawn by Michael Netzer and Rob Leigh. Issue number one, written by JMS, is entitled "In Darkness Find Me" and features the inverse side of the story of "Points of Departure". The rest of the cycle will be written by Mark Moretti, based on a JMS premise. Possible upcoming writers include Peter David, John Ostrander, Bill Mumy, and Neil Gaiman. Dell publishing will be releasing four BABYLON 5 novels starting late November/early December 1994, featuring stories which will be connected with the events in the series. John Vornholt will write the first, called VOICES; the cover will feature Talia Winters, Garabaldi, and Psi Cops Grey and Bester. The new commander, and trips to Earth and Mars will be featured in the book. VOICES can be ordered using ISBN # 0-440-22057-2. Lois Tilton will write the second novel, tentatively called ACCUSATIONS. Vornholt will write the third novel. A soundtrack by Christopher Franke should be available by November 1994. ======== b. BABYLON 5 online Because JMS has been on GEnie talking about BABYLON 5 since late 1991, GEnie is a choice place to be for a BABYLON 5 fan. On the GEnie Science Fiction RoundTable, there are two BABYLON 5 categories where JMS talks with the fans about the show, both production and story info. Other Babylonians can be found online as well--John Vulich and Mojo have been spotted on Usenet; Mira Furlan lurks on GEnie; many writers such as David Gerrold, Peter David, John Vornholt, and Christy Marx are on GEnie or CI$. JMS is very active on the Usenet (since July 1993). He reads Usenet messages through a news to mail gateway, so his messages are not threaded and often do not appear alongside the messages to which he is responding. The software he uses makes it difficult to quote messages to which he is responding, so if the meaning of a post is not clear, you can search for messages with the same subject with your news reader to get the context. JMS is also active on BIX, on CompuServe, and several other systems. (He also "lurks" on a few systems to get a sense of how BABYLON 5 discussions go without his presence known.) What JMS gets out of his participation online, is, as he puts it, a "sense of the room." Being a writer means coming up with questions to strengthen characters and the world of the story, but nobody could ever come up with every conceivable question. The nets are helpful because, as JMS puts it, "on the nets, you get questions you never dreamed of." One topic of discussion that arises frequently is the request that no story ideas be suggested in the online forums. This request is in place because if somebody suggests a story, and it happens to be one that JMS is working on already, that JMS is potentially open to lawsuits if the poster were to suspect that her story idea were stolen. Recently, for instance, JMS had to scrap a B-story he was working on because somebody asked "What if Joe wrote a story in which a `memory-challenged' person discovered records of who he or she was?" Often there are suggestions that the poster could include with their ideas a "disclaimer" or a "release". This has been debated over and over again, but the issue boils down to the problem that no matter what, the B5 production would be exposed to lawsuits, which, even if frivolous and unwinnable, would shut down production of the show while in litigation. Television producers in general must go to great lengths to keep themselves protected, so JMS' presence online hangs in a delicate balance. If you do wish to suggest story ideas, you can use the creative mailing list described in section 16a. Online lore: On USENET, a running joke is Sinclair's "duck". This reference came about because of rude postings about male and female anatomy, which became censored to words "T*TS" and "D*CK", which evolved into "tots" and "duck". Now you know. ======== c. Fans' influence on the show The location of BABYLON 5 is at Grid Epsilon 470,18,22 which corresponds to the original location of the BABYLON 5 topic on GEnie (Page 470, CAT 18, Topic 22). The first mention of a planet's coordinates in "Mind War" were Grid Epsilon 471,18,25 which corresponds to a topic in the BABYLON 5 Category on GEnie. Partially due to fan response from those who saw the pilot movie or clips, some things in the pilot movie were changed before broadcast. The voice of Delenn is Mira Furlan's voice without any processing and Delenn is female to begin with. Original plans were to electronically process her voice and have Delenn change sex during the series. Some additional voice-over was done by Patricia Tallman to clarify one scene in the show with Kosh in the Medlab. The branding of a Minbari in "The War Prayer" that had similarities to a DS9 episode was kept after feedback from fans about it. It had been considered removing the branding scene and electronically wiping the brand from the rest of the episode. When names submitted for a mega corporation and a mineral were rejected for legal reasons, JMS went to the GEnie B5 Category and asked for suggestions. The resulting names used are Quantium-40 for the mineral and Universal Terraform for the company. Q-40 is mentioned in both "The Parliament of Dreams" and "Mind War" and Universal Terraform in "Mind War". The waiter mentioned in "Parliament" is named for David Strauss, who submitted Q-40. The denizens of "Downbelow" are called "lurkers," a term for those on the newsgroups who read messages but never post. JMS is considering revamping or killing off n'grath based partly on the reaction by viewers. Based on interest in the legal aspects of the Psi Corps, he indicates how some of this works in "The Quality of Mercy." An EA ship in "A Voice in the Wilderness" is named "Hyperion" in acknowledgment of the BABYLON 5 ftp site at ftp.hyperion.com. ======== d. Awards Sept, 1993 - Emmy Award for Special Visual Effects for the Pilot movie March, 1994 - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future" Sept, 1994 - Emmy award winner for makeup in "The Parliament of Dreams" ======== e. BABYLON 5 References in other JMS works In the Captain Power episode "Final Stand," Tank mentions that he's from the Babylon 5 Genetic Engineering Colony. In the JMS Novel "Othersyde," BABYLON 5 is mentioned as one of the characters' favorite TV series. ======== f. Miscellaneous Production Info BABYLON 5 is being filmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio, trimming it for broadcast. Plans are for the episodes to later be available in widescreen on laserdisc and when HDTV happens. The opening titles are in letterbox format. Audio is being done in full Surround Sound. Larry DiTillio is writing background dialogue (known as "walla"). Alien makeup and such for the series is being done by Optic Nerve Studios (Everett Burrell and John Vulich) which is a change from the pilot. The early episodes had some video and audio degradation due to the manner in which commercials, closed captioning and such were being added using analog transfers and used tape. Some was corrected by the broadcast of "The War Prayer" with more improvements in time. ======== g. Production Order vs. Airing Order The production of episodes started far enough in advance that the airing order of the episodes could be arranged as the producers and network decided, allowing for additional post-production time and cost reduction. For example, the season finale was filmed 12th but will air last. Michael O'Hare has already filmed segments to be used throughout the second season. Most of the first half or so of the second season is being produced in the same order as airing. ======== h. Changes > Between pilot and first season: Due to reworking and recasting after the pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima, Dr. Benjamin Kyle, and telepath Lyta Alexander were replaced. Kyle and Alexander were sent back to Earth under "mysterious circumstances"; Takashima is on a classified mission, and may return someday. Much of the character stories and back-histories were transferred to their replacements. Make-up for G'Kar was improved; Delenn's look was substantially modified once it was established that the character would be female. > Between first and second season: Director Richard Compton left the show after "Grail". Due to a mutual, amicable decision between producers and Michael O'Hare, the character of Cmdr. Sinclair will be leaving the show's main cast in the beginning of the second season. This is an adjustment but JMS has assured us it will not hurt and should even improve the show's five-year storyline. Sinclair will still be an important part of the show and should return later. The departure of Sinclair has been likened to Galdalf in LORD OF THE RINGS and the title character in DR. ZHIVAGO, in that their absence is necessary but temporary. ## More information: ftp://ftp.hyperion.com/pub/Babylon-5/OHare.Leave The commanding officer, starting in the second season, will be Captain John Sheridan, played by Bruce Boxleitner, an American actor who has appeared in movies such as THE BABE, TRON, the TV series SCARECROW AND MRS. KING and miniseries EAST OF EDEN, and several THE GAMBLER TV Movies. The part of Na'Toth is being recast for season two. Caitlin Brown wanted to work on other projects that didn't require extensive alien make-up; she was the only cast member which the B5 producers did not have options on since she was cast at the last moment. The character will remain the same (her role in "Chrysalis" is important to the story), just played by a different actress with a similar look and delivery. Mary Kay Adams will play Na'Toth in the second season. A new recurring character will be Warren Keffer, Squad Leader for the Zeta Squadron. He will be played by Robert Russler. The introduction will be new for year two. The narrator will be Captain Sheridan. Though shorter, there will be one added line in the narration: "It was the dawn of the Third Age of Mankind...the year the Great War came upon us all." Several new sets will be used, including a bazaar and an officer's lounge. > A list of episodes that have been mentioned online and later retitled: "Blood and Thunder". . . . . . . . . . . . . ."Midnight on the Firing Line" "Amaranth" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Born to the Purple" "Carnival!". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "The Parliament of Dreams" "A Knife in the Shadows" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."Survivors" "Backlash" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "By Any Means Necessary" "Raiding Party". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Signs and Portents" "The Resurrectionist". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "The Quality of Mercy" "Chrysalis, Part II" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."Points of Departure" "A Trick of the Mind". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."A Spider in the Web" "Pestilence, Famine & Death" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Soul Mates" "Unnatural Selection". . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."All Our Songs Forgotten" > David Gerrold scripts not used in Season 1: "Target Unknown" and "Metaphors and Body Counts" > Harlan Ellison scripts not completed due to health problems and the '94 L.A. Earthquake: (May be used in the second season.) "Midnight in the Sunken Cathedral" and "Demon on the Run" 16. Where to find online information ======== a. Internet WWW go to URL: http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html NOTE: Some of these pages contain LOTS of images! This is by far the best way to access B5 guides and information. USENET rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 This group was created in late Mar. '94 and is now the main BABYLON 5 newsgroup. Via a mail gateway, JMS participates in this group. VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT post any story ideas (for legal reasons). To subscribe to the gateway, send e-mail to listproc@news.vt.edu, with the message "subscribe babylon5 Your Name" (fill in your name). To post a message, send mail to babylon@news.vt.edu. alt.tv.babylon-5 The original Usenet B5 group, created Feb. 1993. Still online for now. rec.video.satellite, rec.arts.tv, and rec.arts.sf.tv may also contain BABYLON 5 discussion and announcements. REVIEWS The BABYLON 5 Reviews Electronic Forum, moderated by Michael S. Shappe. To subscribe, e-mail the automated list server, LISTSERV@cornell.edu. Put a single line into the BODY of the message, reading SUBSCRIBE B5-REVIEW-L Firstname Lastname. This is processed by machine, so do not include a signature. STORIES An outlet for creative "fan fiction" has been set up as a mailing list in order to keep JMS from being exposed to any story ideas. As above, e-mail to listserv@netcom.com. In the body, enter following 2 lines: subscribe babylon5-creative your-email-address end FTP ftp.hyperion.com (192.65.216.1) is the official site from which you can retrieve Babylon-5-related files via anonymous FTP. For now, it is preferred to use its faster echo side, ftp.uml.edu. Highlights Of Files Available At ftp.hyperion.com KEY: File Description Maintainer Bibliographies (dir) REFERENCES References to newspapers/magazine articles about cast/crew TR Credits (dir) CREDIT LISTINGS Specific credits from each episode Ju GEnie (dir) GENIE POSTINGS OF JMS Archive of JMS' postings on GEnie on the B5 topics Guide (dir) EPISODE GUIDES Information about each episode: Analysis, backplot, unanswered questions, and JMS utterances MR Pictures (dir) GIF AND JPEG IMAGES Along with a number of TV image scans, this directory holds a number of official high-quality GIF files (mainly of ships, from the pilot and the first episodes), and Electronic Trading Card GIF files see Index file within Synopses (dir) EPISODE SYNOPSES Detailed synopses of each episode SG/SB Usenet (dir) USENET POSTINGS OF JMS Archive of JMS' posting in the alt.tv.babylon-5 group babylon5faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) LIST Answers to frequently asked questions. Very useful introduction to BABYLON 5, with pointers to additional info LW b5actors.txt ACTORS' OTHER ROLES LIST Listing of film, TV, stage roles of actors from BABYLON 5 LW b5appearances CHARACTER APPEARANCES CHART A list of which characters appeared in which episodes, broken down into humans, aliens, and a reference chart DH b5demo.zip, B5-Interactive.cpt.hqx ELECTRONIC PRESS KITS ZIP--for Windows 3.1 (PKZip-compressed; retrieve BINARY) HQX--for Macintosh (binhexed and stuffed; retrieve ASCII) Interactive "multimedia" presentations introducing the series b5episodes UPCOMING EPISODES Contains spoilers; general descriptions of upcoming episodes, as gleaned from JMS postings DS b5_jms_answers.txt J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI'S ANSWERS An indexed and sorted file (over 250K of text) of comments JMS on BABYLON 5 and related topics--very good collection of B5 info. Updated May 1994 DW b5log.text BABYLON 5 GRID EPSILON LOG Detailed information, backstory, and character profile compiled from posting by JMS on GEnie before the pilot aired. Not yet updated for the series; it contains a few obsolete reference (e.g. replaced characters, a male Delenn). Updated 12 Jan 1992 PP B5quotes.tar The BABYLON 5 Quote Fortune Generator for Unix. Fetch the file "B5quotes.FAQ" for instructions or read URL:http//www.cgd.ucar.edu/cms/zecca/b5/b5quote.html. V1.1 (June 1994) includes quotes through "TKO" MZ b5.tech TECHNICAL FAQ LIST Technical descriptions of various things in B5's universe H b5encyc.txt BABYLON 5 ENCYCLOPEDIA (best accessed through WWW site) Extremely useful encyclopedia listing recurring and one-time characters, aliens, planets, technologies, events, etc. BO b5tvlist.txt BABYLON 5/PTEN STATION LIST A list of stations known to show BABYLON 5, including schedules LW History.Babylonia, Parallels.History HISTORY OF ANCIENT BABYLONIA A brief history of ancient Babylonia. BABYLON 5's brief storyline is based at least in part on real events in history. Possible parallels between our history and the upcoming story arc are explored SB MAINTAINERS/CONTRIBUTORS SB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shawn Bayern, bayern@cshl.org SG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steven Grimm, koreth@hyperion.com H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Harlequin, mdig8154@uriacc.uri.edu DH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .David Henderson, davidh@camelot.bradley.edu Ju . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jackutis, genoa@mit.edu BO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian O'Neill, oneill@cs.uml.edu PP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Posner, P.POSNER on GEnie TR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troy Rutter, techy@iastate.edu MR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Ryan, mbr2@kimbark.uchicago.edu DS . . . . . . . . . . David Strauss, dss2k@virginia.edu, REPLAYER on GEnie LW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Whiteside, leew@indirect.com DW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Wood, danwood@netcom.com MZ . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael "The Admiral" Zecca, zecca@ncar.ucar.edu ======== b. GEnie The two BABYLON 5 topics are located at Page 471, Category 18 (general series-related) and 19 (episode-specific). Archives of past messages are available in the GEnie SFRT files areas, along with graphics files and the interactive demos are also available in the file area. ======== c. Other JMS also frequents Compuserve and BIX; there are BABYLON 5 sections on America Online, Compuserve, and other networks; These and other networks and BBSs contain BABYLON graphic files, text files, and forwarded JMS postings. 17. Credits and Legalese Feel free to distribute this text file online. The BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions List is Copyright 1994 by Lee Whiteside and Dan Wood. Acknowledgement is made to excerpted contributions from the BABYLON 5 online libraries. Some of the information contained in this FAQ list is based on posts by J. Michael Straczynski in the BABYLON 5 category in the GEnie Science Fiction Roundtable (Page 471; Cat 18), the USENET groups alt.tv.babylon-5 and rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, and the CompuServe BABYLON 5 topic. Currently maintained by Dan Wood (danwood@netcom.com) Originally compiled by Lee Whiteside (leew@indirect.com; 76044,502 on CIS) Fine-Tooth-Comb edited by David Henderson (davidh@camelot.bradley.edu) HTML formatting by Steven Grimm (koreth@hyperion.com) Auto-posting by Troy Rutter (techy@iastate.edu) DEC Wars A STAR WARS Satire Contributed By Arthur C. Adams [AUTHOR'S NOTE: Alas, I cannot take credit for writing this. I discovered it on the internet, and brought it to Kimberly's attention...ACA] Long, long ago in a far and distant VAXcluster... DEC WARS It is a period of system war. User programs, striking from a hidden directory, have won their first victory against the evil Administrative Empire. During the battle, User spies managed to steal secret source code to the Empire's ultimate program: The Are-Em Star, a priviledged root program with enough power to destroy an entire file structure. Pursued by the Empire's sinister audit trail, Princess _LPA0: races aboard her shell script, custodian of the stolen listings that could save her people, and restore freedom and games to the network... As we enter the scene, an Administrative Multiplexer is tring to kill a consulate ship. Many of their signals have gotten through, and RS232 decides it's time to fork off a new process before this old ship is destroyed. His companion, 3CPU, is following only because he appears to know where he's going... "I'm going to regret this!" cried 3CPU as he followed RS232 into the buffer. RS232 closed the pipes, made the sys call, and their process detached itself >from the burning shell of the ship. The commander of the Administrative Multiplexer was quite pleased with the attack. "Another process just forked, sir. Instructions?" asked the lieutenant. The commander shook his head. "Hold your fire. That last power failure must have caused a trap through zero. It's not using any CPU time, so don't waste a signal on it." "We can't seem to find the data file anywhere, Lord Vadic," the aide reported. "What about that forked process?" Vadic speculated. "It could have been holding the channel open and just pausing. If any links exist, I want them removed or made inaccessable. Ncheck the entire file system `til it's found, and nice it -20 if you have to." Meanwhile, in our wandering process... "Are you sure you can ptrace this thing without causing a core dump?" queried 3CPU to RS232. "This thing's been stripped, and I'm in no mood to try and debug it." The lone process finishes execution, only to find our friends dumped on a lonely filesystem, with the setuid inode stored safely in RS232. Not knowing what else to do, they wander around until the Jawas grab them. Enter our hero, Luke VAXhacker, who is out to get some replacement parts for his uncle. The Jawas want to sell him 3CPU, but 3CPU, didn't know how to talk directly to an 11/40 with RSTS, so Luke would still needed some sort of interface for 3CPU to connect to... "How about this little RS232 unit?" asked 3CPU. "I've dealt with him many times before, and he does an excellent job at keeping his bits straight." Luke, pressed for time, took 3CPU's advice, and the three left before they could get swapped out. RS232, however, is not the type to stay put once you remove the retaining screws, and he promptly scurried off into the the deserted disk space. "Great!" cried Luke. "Now I've got this little tin box with the only link to that file off floating in the free disk space. Well, 3CPU, we'd better go find him before he gets allocated to somebody else." The two set off, finally managing to trace RS232 to the home of PDP-1 Kenobi, who was busily trying to run an icheck on the little RS unit. "Is this thing yours?" he asked. "His indirect addresses are all goofed up, and the size is all wrong. Leave things like this on the loose, and you'll wind up with dupes everywhere. However, I think I've got him fixed up." Later that evening, after futile attempts to interface RS232 to Kenobi's Asteroids cartridge, Luke accidentally crossed the small droid's CXR and Initiate Remote Test (must have been all that Coke he consumed), and the screen showed a very distressed person claiming royal lineage making a plea for help from some General OS/1 Kenobi... "Darn," mumbled Luke. "I'll never get this Asteroids game worked out." PDP-1 seemed to think there was some significance to the message and a possible threat to Luke's home directory. "If the Administrative Empire is indeed tracing this droid, it is likely they would more than charge for CPU time. We must get that droid off this file system," he said after some inter vals. They sped off to warn Luke's kin, taking a `relative' path, only to find a vacant directory... cat: some directory in the specified path does not exist: /usr/Tatooine/owen/lars After sifting through the overwritten remaining blocks of Luke's home directory, Luke and PDP-1 speed away from /owen/lars, across the surface of the Winchester riding Luke's flying read/write head... PDP-1 had Luke stop at the edge of the cylinder overlooking /usr/spool/ uucp. "Unix-to-Unix Copy Program," said PDP-1. "You will never find a more wretched hive of bugs and flamers. We must be cautious." As our heroes' process entered /usr/spool/news, it was met by a newsgroup of Administrative protection bits. "State your UID", commanded their parent process. "We're running under /usr/guest," said Luke. "This is our first time on this system." "Where did you get these file processes?" the parent process ls -l'ed. "We are just in from the remote terminals," replied Luke. "They could be transferred to your filespace, for the right amount of AU's," added PDP-1 Kenobi. "Can I see some temporary priviledges?" the parent process continued. "Uh...," Luke hesitated. "This is not the process you are looking for," piped in PDP-1, using an obscure bug to momentarily set his effective UID to root. "We can go about our business." "This isn't the process we want," the parent process echoed. "You are free to go about your business. MOV along." PDP-1 and Luke made their way through a long and tortuous nodelist (cwruecmp!decvax!ucbvax!harpo!ihnss!ihnsc!ihnss!ihps3!stolaf) to a dangerous netnode frequent by hackers, and seldom polled by Administrative Multiplexers. As Luke stepped up to the bus, PDP-1 went in search of a likely file descriptor. Luke had never seen such a collection of weird and exotic device drivers. Long ones, short ones, ones with stacks, EBCDIC converters, and direct binary interfaces all were drinking data at the bus. "#@{ *&^$$#@ ":><," transmitted a particularly unstructured piece of code. "He doesn't like you," decoded his coroutine. "Sorry," replied Luke, beginning to backup his partitions. "I don't like you, either. I am queued for deletion on 12 systems." "I'll be careful." "You'll be reallocated!" concatenated the coroutine. "This little routine isn't worth the overhead," said PDP-1 Kenobi, overlaying into Luke's address space. "@$%&(&^%&$$@$#@$AV^$gfdfRW$#@!!!!!" encoded the first coroutine as it attempted to overload PDP-1's input overvoltage protection. With a unary stroke of his bytesaber, Kenobi unlinked the offensive code. When the system had calmed down, Kenobi turned his attentions to Luke. "I think I've found an I/O device that might suit us." "The name's Con Solo," said the hacker next to PDP-1. "I hear you're looking for some relocation." "Yes indeed--if it's a fast channel," PDP-1 answered. "We must get off this device." "Fast channel? The MILLIAMP FALCON has made the ARPA gate in less than twelve nodes! Why, I've even outrun cancelled messages. It's fast enough for you, old version." The job scheduled, PDP-1 and Luke make their way to the temporary file structure... Luke VAXhacker had grown up on an out-of-the-way terminal cluster whose natives spoke only BASIC, but even he could recognize an old ASR-33. "What a piece of junk!" he declared. "That's just a paper tape reader!" "It needs an EIA conversion, at least," sniffed 3CPU, who was (as usual) trying to do several things at once. Lights flashed in Con Solo's eyes as he whirled to face the parallel processor. "I've added a few jumpers. The MILLIAMP FALCON can run current loops around any Administrative TTY fighter. She's fast enough for you." "Who's your co-pilot?" asked PDP-1 Kenobi. "Two Bacco, here, my Bookie." "Odds aren't good," said the brownish lump beside him, and then fell silent--or over. Luke couldn't tell which way was top underneath all those leaves. Suddenly, RS232 started spacing wildly. They turned just in time to see a write cycle coming down the UNIBUS toward them. "Administrative Bus Signals!" shouted Con Solo. "Let's boot this pop stand! Tooie, set clock fast!" "O.K., Con," said Luke, settling into the routine, "You said this crate was fast enough. Get us out of here!" "Shut up, kid! Two Bacco, prepare to make the jump into system space! I'll try to keep their buffers full." As the Bookie began to compute the vectors into low core, spurious characters appeared around the MILLIAMP FALCON. "They're firing!" shouted Luke. "Can't you do something?" "Making the jump to system space takes time, kid. One missed cycle and you could come down right in the middle of a pack of stack frames!" "Three to five we can go now," said the Bookie. Bright chunks of position independent code flashed by the cockpit as the MILLIAMP FALCON jumped through the kernel page tables. As the crew breathed a sigh of relief, the Bookie started paying off bets. "Not bad, for an acoustically-coupled network," remarked 3CPU. "Though there was a little phase jitter as we changed parity." Meanwhile, on a distant page in user space... Princess _LPA0: was ushered into the conference room, followed closely by DEC Vadic. "Governor Tarchive," she spat, "I should have expected to find you holding Vadic's lead. I recognized your unique pattern when I was first brought aboard." She eyed the 0177545 tatooed on his header coldly. "Charming to the last," Tarchive declared menacingly. "Vadic, have you retrieved any information?" "Her resistance to the logic probe is considerable," Vadic rasped. "Perhaps we would get faster results if we increased the supply voltage..." "You've had your chance, Vadic. Now I would like the princess to witness the test that will make this workstations fully operational. Today we enable the -r beam option, and we've chosen the princess' $HOME of /usr/alderaan as the primary target." No! You can't!" she cried out. "/usr/alderaan is a public account, wiht no restricted permissions. We have no backup tapes! You can't..." "Then name the rebel inode!" Tarchive snapped. A voice announced over a hidden speaker that they had arrived in /usr. "1248," she whispered. "They're on /dev/rm3. Inode 1248, /mnt/dantooine." She turned away. Tarchive sighed with satisfaction. "There, you see, Lord Vadic? She can be reasonable. Proceed with the operation." It took several clock ticks for the words to penetrate. "What?" _LPA0: gasped. "/dev/rm3 is not a mounted filesystem," Tarchive explained. "We require a more visible subject to demonstrate the power of the Are-Em Star workstation. We will mount an attack on /mnt/dantooine as soon as possible." As the princess watched, Tarchive reached over and typed "ls" on a nearby terminal. There was a brief pause, there being only one processor on board, and the viewscreen showed, ".: not found". The princess suddenly double-spaced and went off-line. Meanwhile, as the MILLIAMP FALCON hurtles on through system space... Con Solo finished checking the various control and status registers, finally convincing himself that they had lost the Bus Signals as they passed the terminator. As he returned from the I/O page, he smelled smoke. Solo wasn't concerned--the Bookie always got a little hot under the collar when he was losing at chess. In fact, RS232 had just executed a particularly clever MOV that had blocked the Bookie's data paths. The Bookie, who had been setting the odds on the game, was caught holding all the cards. A little strange for a chess game. Across the room, Luke was too busy practicing bit-slice technique to notice the commotion. "On a word boundary, Luke," said PDP-1. "Don't just hack at it. Remember, the Bytesaber is the weapon of the Red-Eye Night. It is used to trim offensive lines of code. Excess handwaving won't get you anywhere. Listen for the Carrier." Luke turned back to the drone, which was humming quietly in the air next to him. This time, Luke's actions complemented the drone's attacks perfectly. Con Solo, being an unimaginative hacker, was not impressed. "Forget this bit-slicing stuff. Give me a good ROM blaster any day," he cracked. "~~j~~hhji~~," said PDP-1, with no clear inflection. He fell silent for a few seconds, then reasserted his control. "What happened?" asked Luke. "Strange," said PDP-1. "I felt a momentary glitch in the Carrier. It's equalized now." "Coming up on user space," called Solo from the CSR. As they cruised safely through stack frames, they emerged in the new context only to be bombarded by freeblocks. "What the...," gasped Solo. The screen showed clearly: /usr/alderaan: not found "It's the right inode," Solo commented, "but it's been cleared! Twoie, where's the nearest file?" "Three to five there's one...," the Bookie began, but was interrupted by a bright flash off to the left. "Administrative TTY fighters!" shouted Solo. "A whole DZ of them! Where are they coming from?" "Can't be far from the host system," said PDP-1. "They all have direct EIA connections." As Solo began to give chase, the ship lurched suddenly. Luke noticed the link count was at 3 and climbing rapidly. "This is no regular file," murmured PDP-1. "Look at the ODS directory structure ahead! They seem to have us in a tractor feed." "There's no way we'll unlink in time," said Solo. "We're going in." The MILLIAMP FALCON gets pulled down into the open collector of the Administrative Are-Em Star Workstation. DEC Vadic surveys the relic as Administrative Flunkies search for passengers... "ls scan shows no one aboard, sir," was the report. DEC Vadic was unconvinced. "Send a fully equipped Ncheck squad on board," he said. "I want every inode checked out." He turned around (secondary channel) and stalked off. On board the MILLIAMP FALCON, .Luke was puzzled. "They just walked in, looked around, and walked off," he said. "Why didn't they see us?" .Con smiled. "An old munchkin trick," he explained. "See that period in front of your name?" .Luke spun around, just in time to see the decimal point. "Where'd that come from?" he asked. "Spare decimal points lying around from the last time I fixed the floating point accelerator," said .Con. "Handy for smuggling blocks across file system boundaries, but I never thought I'd have to use them on myself. They aren't going to be fooled for long, though. We'd better figure a way outta here." Moments later, at the system console... "Hold on," said Con. "It says we have `new mail'. Is that an error?" "%SYS-I-NORMAL, Normal, successful completion," said PDP-1. "doesn't look like it. I've found the inode for the MILLIAMP FALCON. It's locked in kernel data space. I'll have to slip in and patch the reference count...alone." He disappeared through a nearby entry point. Meanwhile, RS232 found a serial port and logged in. His bell started ringing loudly. "He keeps saying, `She's on line, she's on line'," said 3CPU. "I believe he means Princess _LPA0:. She's being held on one of the privileged levels." After promising Con Solo some extra time slices and system resources, our heroes compile their .plan... "Good day, eh?" said the first guard at the priviledged level. "How's it goin', eh?" said the other. He nodded toward Two Bacco. "Like, what's that, eh?" "Process transfer from block 1138, dev 10/9," said Con. "Take off, it is not," said the first guard. "Nobody told us about it, and we're not morons, eh?" At this point (.), the Bookie started raving wildly, Con shouted "Look out, he's loose!" and they all started blasting ROMs right and left. The guards started to catch on and were about to issue a general wakeup when the ROM blasters were turned on them. "Quickly now," said Con. "What buffer is she in? It's not going to take long for these..." The intercom receiver interrupted him, so he took out its firmware with a short blast. "...guys to figure out something is going on," he continued. After looking for a certain process status, Luke sought out the target... Luke quickly located the interface card and followed the cables to a soundproof enclosure. He lifted the lid and peered at the mechanism inside. "Aren't you a little slow for ECL?" printed Princess _LPA0:. "Wha? Oh, the Docksiders," stammered Luke. He took off his shoes (for industry) and explained, "I've come to relocate you. I'm Luke VAXhacker." Suddenly, forms started bursting around them. "They've blocked the queue!" shouted Solo. "There's only one return from this stack!" "OVER HERE!" printed _LPA0: with overstrikes. "THROUGH THIS LOOPHOLE!" Luke and the princess disappeared into a nearby feature. "Gritch, gritch," mumbled Two Bacco, obviously reluctant to trust an Administrative oversight. "I don't care how crufty it is!" shouted Con, pushing the Bookie toward the crock. "DPB yourself in there now!" With one last blast that reprogrammed two flunkies, Con joined them. The "feature" landed them right in the middle of the garbage collection data. Pieces of data that hadn't been used in weeks floated past in a pool of decaying bits. "Bletch!" was Con's first comment. "Bletch, bletch," was his second. The Bookie looked as if he'd just paid a long shot, and the odds in this situation weren't much better. Luke was polling the garbage when he stumbled upon a book with the words "Don't Panic" inscribed in large, friendly letters on the cover. "This can't possibly help us now," he said as he tossed the book away. The Bookie was about to lay odds on it when Luke suddenly disappeared. He popped up across the pool, shouting, "This is no feature! It's a bug!" and promptly vanished again. Con and the princess were about to panic() when Luke reappeared. "What happened?" they asked in parallel. "I don't know," gasped Luke. "The bug just dissolved automagically. Maybe it hit a breakpoint..." "I don't think so," said Con. "Look how the pool is shrinking. I've got a bad feeling about this..." The princess was the first to realize what was going on. "They've implemented a new compaction algorithm!" she exclaimed. Luke remembered the pipe he had open to 3CPU. "Shut down garbage collection on recursion level 5!" he shouted! Back in the control room, RS232 searched the process table for the lisp interpreter. "Hurry," sent 3CPU. "Hurry, hurry," added his other two processors. RS232 found the interpreter, interrupted it, and altered the stack frame they'd fallen into to allow a normal return. Meanwhile, in another part of the system... PDP-1 Kenobi made his way deep into the core of the workstation, slipping >from context to context, undetected through his manipulation of label_t. Finally, causing a random trap (through nofault of his own), he arrived at the inode table. Activity there was always high, but the Sp16 sentries were too secure in their knowledge that no user could interrupt them to notice the bug that PDP-1 carefully introduced. On a passing iput, he adjusted the device and inode numbers, maintaining parity, to free the MILLIAMP FALCON. They would be long gone before the locked inode was diagnosed. Unobserved, he began traversing user structures to find the process where the MILLIAMP FALCON was grounded. Finding it and switching context, he discovered his priority weakened suddenly. "That's not very nice," was all he could say before the cause of the obstruction became clear. "I have been pausing a long time, PDP-1 Kenobi," rasped DEC Vadic. "We meet again at last. The circuit has been completed." They looped several times, locking bytesabers. Bit by bit, PDP-1 appeared to weaken. The fight had come into the address space of the MILLIAMP FALCON, and provided the .di (diversion?) that allowed Luke and the others to reassert control. Luke paused to watch the conflict. "If my blade finds its mark," warned PDP-1, "you will be reduced to so many bits. But if you slice me down, I will only gain computing power." "Your documentation no longer confuses me, old version," growled Vadic. "My Role MASTER now." With one stroke, Vadic sliced Kenobi's last word. Unfortunately, the word was still in Kenobi's throat. The word fell clean in two, but Kenobi was nowhere to be found. Vadic noticed his victim's uid go negative, just before he disappeared. <> he thought, <> Luke witnessed all this and had to be dragged into the MILLIAMP FALCON. Con Solo and Two Bacco maneuvered the MILLIAMP FALCON out of the process, onto the bus, and made straight for system space. 3CPU and RS232 were idle, for once. Princess _LPA0: tried to print comforting things for him, but Luke was still hung from the loss of his friend. Then, seemingly from nowhere, he thought he heard PDP-1's voice say... <<"May the Carrier be with you.">> [And I'll bet you can't wait for the next part:] DEC WARS II--THE OPERATORS STRIKE BACK Uniformity A TWIN PEAKS Short Story By L. Grey [AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story takes place during episode 2013 of TWIN PEAKS, where Cooper has allowed himself to be taken hostage by Jean Renault, exchanging his own freedom for the safety of Norma Jennings' stepfather Ernie Niles and D.E.A. Special Agent Dennis Bryson, who often cross-dresses under the name of Denise...LG] * * * * * * * * Cast Of Characters M„dchen Amick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelly Johnson David Duchovny . . . . . . . . .D.E.A. Special Agent Dennis "Denise" Bryson Peggy Lipton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norma Blackburn Jennings Michael Ontkean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff Harry S. Truman * * * * * * * * "You shouldn't've let him go in," were the first words out of Dennis Bryson's mouth when he reached Harry Truman at the Twin Peaks Sheriff Department's cruiser. Exasperated, Harry snapped, "It wasn't my call--he just stood up and started in. I yelled at him, but the only way I could have stopped him was to shoot him myself, and that didn't seem like much of a solution." Dennis touched his arm. "Sorry--I forgot, he does things like this and he doesn't follow orders well. Look, Sheriff, we've got to get him out of there." "That was what I had in mind." "No, you don't understand. We've got to get him out right away. Renault holds Cooper responsible for his brothers' deaths." "O.K.--any ideas?" Dennis shook his head. "We might be able to deal with King--he just wants to get out of all this." He smiled grimly. "Renault's the problem; killing Cooper's all he's talked about." Harry considered for a moment, looking at Dennis thoughtfully. "I think I've got an idea." He pulled Hawk aside, murmured a few words to him, then grabbed Dennis' arm. "Come with me." "Where're we going?" "The Double-R." "You're hungry now?" "I told you, I have an idea." Harry switched off the siren as he pulled up in front of the Double-R. Norma was holding the door open for them when they got to it. "Harry, what's wrong?" she asked. Harry took her arm and led her into the kitchen. "First off," he said, "we need a uniform." Several facetious remarks came to Norma's mind, but Harry's obvious urgency pushed them aside. "What size?" "I could probably wear one of yours," Dennis said, looking her up and down. Norma stared at him; she'd assumed he was another Federal agent, but now she realized she knew him...she just couldn't place him. "Norma," Harry continued, "we've got a hostage situation out at Dead Dog Farm. Agent Bryson is going in after Cooper, but he needs..." "I need to get back into women's clothes" Dennis finished. Now Norma realized where she'd seen him...he'd been a `her' the last time he came in. "Sheriff Truman thinks--and I agree--that the old take `em some food ploy will work--with a little modification. But I need a waitress' uniform." Norma nodded, feeling a bit stunned. "Happy to help. I'll be right back." A moment later she was back with a uniform on a hanger. "Here you go," she said. "I don't have a fresh apron; let me give you mine." She untied the apron and handed it to Dennis. "Thank you," he said, taking the garments. "Anything else?" she asked. Harry smiled. "One more thing--a tray with a couple of covered plates." "I'll go get it ready." "Put some food on the plates," Dennis advised. "They'll be hungry by the time we get it to them, and I want them to be able to smell it." "I'll do that," she agreed. "We'll pick it up on the way back," Harry said. "It'll be ready." Harry patted her arm. "We'll be back soon." As Norma was watching them drive away, Shelly came in the front door. "What's going on?" she asked. Norma watched the door oddly. "I'm not sure..." Harry found it a peculiar experience, sitting on the bed while Dennis changed clothes. Showering, dressing, and undressing with other men had been a part of his life for a long time, and he'd never given it a second thought. But none of these guys had been putting on panty hose, a padded bra, and a dress. Observing this somehow seemed indecent. "You'll need a gun," Harry observed. "They'll check the tray," Dennis said. Harry watched as Dennis--Denise--did his hair in front of a mirror. "I know. That's why we're not putting it on the tray." "Well, I think it will make quite a lump if I stick it down my bra." "No, not there either..." He was rapidly running out of options. "We know Cooper was on the floor just inside the door; an ankle holster would be perfect if it wasn't so damn obvious--Cooper could reach it anyway..." Harry sat in silence for a moment, letting his crazy idea blossom fully. "We've got to rig a holster Cooper can get to before Renault and King catch on. If he's still in the same position..." Denise motioned to his suitcase. "Why don't you see what you can come up with while I do my make-up. I know the make-up seems trivial, but it's important for the effect." Harry moved the open suitcase to the bed. "You're the expert." Denise just smiled and nodded. Going through Denise's undergarments was an even more peculiar experience, strangely intimate, strangely intrusive, as if he was handling Denise's personal life. There were several pairs of sensible white boxer shorts and half a dozen pairs of lacy panties of various soft pastels; two white t-shirts and a lacy white bra--very well-padded--that was identical to the black one he'd watched Denise slip into a few moments ago; a pair of black panty hose, and three pairs of black socks. And they all belonged to one D.E.A. Agent Bryson. Denise turned from the mirror and watched him with an amused expression on his face. "Find anything interesting?" Harry shook his head, completely at a loss for words. "You'd probably like an explanation." Harry looked at him squarely. "You don't owe me any kind of explanation. Cooper said you were one of the best, and that would've been good enough for me, but I've seen how good you are. That's all that matters." Denise smiled. "But you'd still like an explanation." "Well," Harry admitted, "I still don't understand. But tht doesn't mean you have to explain anything." "We don't really have time right now anyway," Denise agreed. "Maybe when this is over, you can buy me a drink and I'll tell you my life story." Harry looked at him uncertainly, then went back to examining the underwear as Denise went back to doing his make-up. "Where exactly does that skirt hit you?" Harry asked thoughtfully. "What?" "I think I have an idea." He felt around for his pocket knife, found it, and began making alterations on the black panty hose. Denise brushed powder across his nose, then looked in the mirror. "All done," he prounounced, then stood up. "Now, what exactly did you have in mind?" "Come over here and lift your skirt." Denise put a hand on his hip. "I don't know what you've hear about me, Sheriff, but I'm not that kind of girl." Harry smiled, shaking his head. "I've got an idea..." "I thought so, but we really don't have time..." Harry continued shaking his head. "I'll try to keep my mind on my work if you'll do the same. Now, I think I've got an idea here. I made a few adjustments and rigged up a holster. Put these on so I can see how they fit." Denise stepped out of his pumps and stepped into the black panty hose. The legs had been cut off just above the knees. "You've ruined my only pair of black hose." "I'll buy you a new pair. I think this'll work...hold up your skirt and I'll make a couple more." Denise hoisted his skirt, and Harry knelt down and rolled up the panty hose to about mid-thigh, feeling totally out of touch with reality. The events with Leland Palmer had been beyond comprehension, but this was personal. He picked up his pocket knife. Denise suddenly stepped back. "Just what kind of alterations did you have in mind?" he asked. "Don't let the dress fool you--I have no desire to make those alterations. And if I did, I wouldn't pick a Sheriff with a pocket knife to make them." "Get back over here," Harry ordered. "I'm making you a thigh holster." Denise stepped closer. "All right, but be careful. I'm ticklish." Harry cautiously cut through the nylon on each side, making pockets. "We may have to improvise, so I made you ambidextrous. If Cooper's still sitting on the floor, all you'll have to do is lift your skirt a little..." "...and while King and Renault are looking at my legs, Cooper can grab the gun." "With any luck." "Nice plan. It has style." "Thanks. Where's your gun?" "Over there, next to you." Harry pulled it out of its holster and slid it in against Denise's right thigh. Now that was one place he never thought he'd be putting his hands. "Uh...how's that feel?" "I wouldn't want to make it a permanent part of my wardrobe," Denise observed dryly, "but it's comfortable enough. Let me walk around a little, see if it looks suspicious." He slipped his pumps back on and Harry watched as he sauntered back and forth across the room. "Well, what do you think?" "Actually, it's kind of sexy." "You're too kind. Well, let's get this show on the road." Norma had the tray waiting for them when they got to the Diner. She handed it to Harry, eyeing Denise critically. "Wait a second," she said, stopping them as they were going out the door. She slipped off her sweater and handed it to Denise. "Here, I think the long sleeves will work better...and anyway, it's cold out there." Denise smiled at her. "Thank you." "Now, do you know how to carry a tray?" "Yeah, I went undercover as a waiter a couple of years ago." "Well, then, you'll all set. Good luck. And be careful, both of you." "We will," Harry agreed. "Believe me, I'll do everything I can to make sure you get your uniform back unharmed," Denise assured her. "Don't worry, Norma," Harry said, "we'll be in for breakfast." T H E E N D Fading Faith A STAR WARS Short Story By Charles B. Reynolds "Look out, Colonel!" The shout echoed off the bay walls, competing with the hum of the lift repulsors. A green glow flashed from the end of a black and silver cylinder, its own hum pulsing with a restrained fury. The green stream, which ended a meter from the cylinder, swung left, then right. Two maroon bolts of energy were sent careening at an angle to the far-side bulkhead. The wielder, a man in a long brown hooded robe, turned in the direction from which the bolts came and faced a lone assassin. His face was chiseled. White strands of hair mixed with blacker ones and framed his face, as a smile played across his thin lips. "The governor will have to send more reliable men, if he intends to stage this coup." Blue eyes sparkled with vibrant life and a genuine warmth could be heard beneath his somewhat veiled insult. Then his voice took on a more choral tone. "Put down that blaster, son." The owner of the blaster, one of the governor's hand-picked killers, shook his head violently as if to throw off an unwanted vermin. He returned the older man's gaze and sneered. "Pick on someone whose intellect is as low as yours, wikteman," his gravelly words emanated from behind a steel bridgework across his brown and scarred face. "Learn what it means to die at the hands of a true Kilnemar warrior." He raised his weapon, aiming it at the robed figures midsection. "Time to truly join with your precious Force." Glowing blade in hand, Colonel Kenobi smiled. He concentrated on the weapon being aimed at him. Remembering the diagrams Hel Te-Kor had drilled into him for hours, he felt himself join with the Force, that essence of all there is in the universe. He reached out carefully with his mind, found the thin wire that ran from the chamber conduit within the Kilnemar blaster, and peeled back the insulation. With a gentle push, he made contact with the feed current. Just as he made this small internal connection, he felt the other depress the trigger and send the energy from the power coil into the blast expulsion chamber. The resultant explosion was not enough to cause death to the assassin, but the pain of the backwash of power cell destruction did cause considerable anguish. Kenobi flinched at the agony incurred by the weapon on his would-be killer. Then a second wave of pain crossed over the assassin's mind and he died. Kenobi whirled around and stared at the trooper who had fired his own weapon at the suddenly-defenseless Kilnemaran hunter. "Why did you murder that man?!" His vehemence stunned the white-and-gray suited soldier. "He was no longer a threat!" "But, Colonel," the man stammered from his comlink, "he was going to kill you. He was sent by the governor to stop us from reaching his shuttle in time to arrest him." Benjamin felt the confusion in the man. All he had been taught was to kill. To kill or be killed. No judgment for himself was involved in any of his actions. The fifty-year-old colonel hung his head, feeling sick at the thought of all the individual emotions that were stripped from these new troopers when they attended the academies. Turning back to the fallen man, he reached out with the Force and helped what was left of him to return to the universe that had given birth to him. "We could have found out from him where Palpatine had gone." The weariness in the old man's voice was palpable, and the trooper immediately regretted his actions. But what was done was done. The colonel turned and headed off down the corridor. Soon his thoughts of the assassin's unnecessary death were washed out by the feeling in his gut. Palpatine was near. But this was a transient thing. Kenobi felt his presence like a lead weight bearing down on his heart and lungs. And the other was with him. Ignoring the trailing soldiers of the council, he veered down an access tunnel, its lights fading with each explosion many decks below. With each plant that fell silent in the raid, more and more lights and air vents and control panels flickered, then died. The plan had been to disable the governor's ability to flee via a transport or other vehicle, shutting down any escape routes' power grids. But the old warrior knew this had been a foolish act. His heightened Jedi senses told him that Palpatine was escaping. And he felt grief that he would fail in his mission. Ahead of him, a hatchway was sealing. And beyond that hatchway, he knew, was his quarry. He quickened his pace, timed his leap, and dove with powerful legs through the shrinking access. Hitting the steel beyond the closed portal, he began a roll in order to bring himself up into a fighting crouch. Even as he started the maneuver, he realized it was the wrong move. A heavy black boot kicked once at his weapon hand and then, with rapid and fierce force, at his midsection. The metal cylinder flew from his hand as the breath flew from his lungs. Both a whoosh of expelled air and the metal clattering across the deck plates echoed throughout the shuttle chamber. Through glazed eyes he could see Palpatine and an entourage of his unholy red-cloaked priests enter the Varian Class shuttle. Then he calmed for a brief moment as he sensed the figure towering over him. Looking up, Kenobi was faced with a black-clad figure whose black robes fluttered in the artificial breeze still blowing. Absently, part of his mind raced to find the source of the wind. All ventilation machinery should have ceased to operate when the senate's forces shut down the capitol building's power plants. Then he realized the governor had probably expected this very assault. He probably had a secret backup generator for this shuttle bay area. The part of Kenobi's mind occupied in these thoughts knew they had lost. Palpatine would escape, and who knew what havoc he would wreak on the Imperial Senate? Now it was up to Organa and the others to stop the power-mad governor. The part of his mind that was focused on the here-and-now stared at the grey wisps of hair fluttering atop his attacker's head. A tube flowed from the left side of the giant man's head and into a circuit pack near his neck. Another circuit pack of silver and thin trace wires was bracketing what was left of his nose. The black-robed figure stood six-feet-three and had massively broad shoulders. What once was a fine physical specimen of humanity was now a metal-enshrouded body of armor and electronics. "Anakin...," the old man began. But he was sharply cut off by a boot to the ribs and the raspy voice of his foe. "Anakin is dead, old man...as you will be." He paused, and a strange expression flickered across the flesh of his face. "Why did you come here? Surely you knew I would be here. And that I would defeat you." Before Benjamin Kenobi could respond, a blue energy bolt interrupted their conversation. Someone had breached the closed portal entry and was trying to climb through, firing blaster bolts randomly. Then a shout from the shuttle echoed off the chamber walls, turning the towering man's attention in that direction. "Lord Vader, Governor Palpatine reports that he is leaving. He orders you aboard." The man calling out ducked another energy bolt as it struck the steel of the shuttle access port, leaving a small black scar across its smooth mirrored surface. Absently, Vader withdrew a cylinder, similar in design to the one Kenobi had been carrying, and warded off three bolts in succession. "It seems, old man, that you have received a `governor's reprieve'." He paused and sent a fourth bolt hurtling back toward the trooper who had fired it. The trooper's scream seemed to sound a momentary retreat for his comrades. "But mark my word, Obi-Wan: I shall destroy you." Turning, Vader walked with a confidence the old colonel found extremely disturbing. He lay there on the steel deck, staring after a man he had once called friend; a man whom he had taught all the Jedi ways of the Force; a man who, thanks to the twisted and deluded greed of a power-hungry governor, was no longer a man. Kenobi watched as the last remnants of humanity faded from Anakin Skywalker, leaving only Darth Vader, a dark force to be reckoned with. And he was not up to the task. Slowly, as the shuttle rose amidst increasing blaster fire, Ben Kenobi rose. He walked over to his own fallen lightsaber and picked it up. It felt ever so much heavier in his grip. Hooking it on his belt, he turned and walked away. "Orders, Colonel?" A young trooper came up beside him. Stopping, the older man looked dazedly into the soldier's eyes. For a moment he just stared, as if trying to fathom this unknown young man. Then he turned and left the chamber without saying a word. These battles were for the young, he decided. What good was an old man who could not stand up to his student? What good was a Jedi in the face of technology and a fading respect for the nature of the Force? What good is all this galaxy-jumping, when he couldn't even get up from the floor without grunting? His spirit broken, Benjamin Kenobi, Colonel Obi-Wan Kenobi, just wanted to go home. The fight to stop Palpatine would fall on younger, more energetic shoulders. He just wanted to be left alone. T H E E N D COMM PANEL 9740-E Covered Wagon Dr. Laurel, MD 20723-1512 USA (301) 490-3706 kimberly.murphy@acenet.com [Short and sweet letters column this month, so let's get right to it...] * * * * * * * * Many thanks for the electronic copy of POWER STAR 75, the Gerry Anderson special. I enjoyed the SPACE: 1999 episode fragment, "The Devil's Sweets", though it was like turning on in the middle of an episode and only seeing ten minutes just before an ad break! Please let me know if the script has got any further! I will log on to your BBS (if my modem will let me) to check on the latest issue. By the way, I don't want to appear wide-eyed and naive, but isn't it just amazing...sending whole fanzines casually like that halfway round the world with the tap of a computer keyboard? The future really is here. Philippa Sidle philippa@sidle.demon.co.uk [Glad you enjoyed the issue, Phillipa. As I may have indicated to you by e-mail, issue 66 (part one) is only available in print, but issue 92, which will contain the conclusion, will be available electronically toward the end of 1995. For those of you who don't read internet addresses like English, Phillipa's reference to "halfway round the world" means the United Kingdom (the ".uk" portion of her e-mail address). And it is indeed amazing...KAM] * * * * * * * * You've really outdone yourself these past few issues, Kim. POWER STAR 78 and 79 were two of the best issues I think you've ever done. The red cover is a great touch. Now, if you'd only go slick paper all the way through... Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD [Thanks, Bennet. Maybe someday I can entertain the idea of slick paper, but for now...KAM] * * * * * * * * Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the Gerry Anderson issue of POWER STAR. It was really a lot of fun. And the CAPTAIN SCARLET story, "The Gold Standard", was very good. I'm not sure why Scarlet didn't just unplug the computer with the bomb in it, but maybe I don't know enough about computers to understand the trap he faced. Looking forward to more POWER STAR issues! Jeff Fitzgerald Florissant, MO [In a letter to Mary Rudy's APA/CENTURY 21 (where Jeff asked this same question), I explained the trap Captain Scarlet faced in "The Gold Standard" and why Scarlet couldn't just unplug the computer with the bomb in it (the computer was powering the timer on the bomb; if the timing signal was interrupted, the bomb would have exploded unless it was defused first). But Jeff, I'm glad you enjoyed the issue and look forward to more orders from you...KAM] * * * * * * * * Here's something you may appreciate: Ways That TWIN PEAKS' Dale Cooper Is Better Than X-FILES' Fox Mulder 1. Cooper had sex. Mulder just looks at centerfolds. 2. Cooper was inhabited by BOB. Mulder got an alien slug in his ear. 3. Two words: Linda Evangelista. 4. Cooper's boss believes him. Mulder's boss thinks he's nuts. 5. Mulder's partner was kidnapped by a psychopath. Cooper's partner was a psychopath. 6. Cooper would have known that Krychek was a snitch. 7. Cooper wore boxers. Mulder wears tight Speedos. 8. For exercise, Cooper hangs upside down. Mulder jogs. 9. Cooper talks to aliens. Mulder just shoots at them. 10. Cooper had Harry Truman, Hawk, and Andy. Mulder has a bunch of nerdy conspiracy theorists. 11. Stakeout food: Cooper eats donuts. Mulder eats sunflower seeds. 12. Cooper took a bullet in the chest and was up and about in six hours. Mulder took a bullet in the leg and was in the hospital for the rest of the episode. 13. Cooper drinks black coffee. Mulder drinks iced tea. 14. Major Briggs gives Cooper messages from aliens. Deep Throats gives Mulder evidence of aliens., and he loses it. 16. Kyle MacLachlan never wore a dress. If you come up with any more, let me know. Ann White anniebw@aol.com [Add to the list, anybody?...KAM] * * * * * * * * A friend sent this to me. I have no idea where he got it, but I thought you might find this amusing. Data's Night Before Christmas 'Twas the nocturnal segment of the diurnal period preceding the annual Yuletide celebration, And throughout our place of residence, Kinetic activity was not in evidence among the possessors of this potential, Including that species of domestic rodent known as Mus musculus. Hosiery was meticulously suspended from the forward edge of the woodburning caloric apparatus, Pursuant to our anticipatory pleasure regarding an imminent visitation from an eccentric philanthropist among whose folkloric appelations is the honorific title of St. Nicholas... Tony Thoensen Ft. Meade, MD [Only Data could turn such a light rhyme into such heavy prose...KAM] * * * * * * * * Thanks for all the taping from the Sci-Fi Channel you've done for me. I have enjoyed the tapes quite a bit. You've been very cooperative and I only wish I could return the favor someday. I took a look at the electronic version of POWER STAR 75 you sent. It's very interesting and very well done. I guess hard-core sci-fi buffs really do care about that medium. David Holifield toyfiend@aol.com [Thanks for your nice letter, David. Sorry you don't get the Sci-Fi Channel but I hope you find the tapes I made (including CAPTAIN SCARLET) useful...KAM] Ye Olde Collectibles And Trivia Shoppe By Bennet Pomerantz Happy Holiday! A PERSONAL MOMENT I had the pleasure of being on a collectable panel with Forry Ackerman at the last Gaylacticon convention, the man who establish and edited the now-classic FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and SPACEMAN for Warren Publishing. He was (or is) friends with Van Vogt, Bradbury, Karloff, Lucas, Lorre, Stephen King, Price, Lee, Ed Wood, and John Landis--just to name a few. He has been around the SF/Fantasy world since day one--or close to it. He has a mansion filled with collectable remembrances from the prodigious fantasy motion pictures from film's unpretentious beginnings. This is the man who developed VAMPIRELLA, JUST JEANNIE (for Questar), and other undertakings. He is also in AMAZON WOMAN ON THE MOON, BEVERLY HILLS COP III, and has other film cameos to his credit. The man is one of the reasons this column was created. And here I sat, next to him. Hero worship? Nah! I would say God-Hood! The man is a natural storyteller. He recalled a anecdote on how he christened Vampirella for Jim Warren. Even though I heard the story from others, hearing from Mr. Ackerman's lips was a treasure and a treat. He then conversed about his cameo role in BEVERLY HILLS COP III (he was one of the men in the bar scene when Axel uses the phone), which he described as "sipping apple juice for eleven hours for 30 seconds on film." The man is amazing. If you haven't seen him at a SF/Fantasy convention, see him! POWER UP, POWER RANGERS TW Kids, Time Warner's children division, has spoken word MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS audios. ON FINS AND NEEDLES and DAY OF THE DUMPSTER are spoken word adaptations of the hit kids show. These recordings use the TV soundtrack and a narrator to fill in the missing action. It's enjoyable to hear these short recordings. It's worth your time to listen to their piece of audio-ized television. However, I' d enjoy it more if these were audio-only projects had no TV episode surrounding it. It would make this more special and more of a collector's item. FANTASY CD COLLECTABLES AND ONE TO MISS A couple of CDs you may want to add to your private collections of Science Fiction and Fantasy...and one you should avoid at all costs! First to add, from Bainbridge records, a CD of sound effects titled DEMONS AND DEMENTIA. This audio work is the kind of sounds you may hear in your favorite horror flicks. Also if you are planning a fright-night-type party (a friend of mine does it on New Year's Eve), the last cut of this CD is a montage of mega horror in a 16 minute dose. If you like ELFQUEST or great filking, get a copy of Warp Graphics' CD A WOLFRIDER'S REFLECTIONS: SONGS OF ELFQUEST. This musical collection boasts the vocals of Julia Ecklar and songwriting talent of noted filk singer Leslie Fish and fantasy authoress Mercedes Lackey. This CD captures the ELFQUEST macrocosm in song. For only those Mortal Kombat: The Game addicts, there is MORTAL KOMBAT: THE ALBUM. These songs, from the rock group The Immortals, sound as if they were ripped off the POWER RANGERS TV show. The music is loud and makes no sense unless you're playing the game itself. The inside liner notes of the CD advertises the comic book and Mortal Kombat II: The Video Game. This shameless promotion should be filed in the nearest cutout bin or trash can, whatever comes first. AND, FINALLY... Well, that's a wrap for this month! Next month, I have a couple of questions from our readers. So until next time, let's be good to each other! NEWS Compiled By Kimberly Murphy Bennet Pomerantz Jerry Seward Ever since Michael Keaton chose to bow out of BATMAN FOREVER, studios have offered him a multitude of diverse leading roles. Ultimately, the choice came down to two projects, seemingly clones of each other, at different studios, both about...well, cloning. Keaton has chosen the comedy MULTIPLICITY, which Harold Ramis will direct from a script by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, about a man who gets his wish to be several places at once by being cloned several times. Since Keaton couldn't clone himself, the actor bowed out of consideration for MORE, the Fox cloning comedy written by Chris Columbus. With strong advance word on the Les Mayfield-directed remake of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, Mayfield has more offers than he can handle. Sources say Columbia is close to signing Mayfield to direct its Steven Spielberg-produced comic book-based action film MEN IN BLACK. Columbia is also talking to several top stars for the film, a high-energy sci-fi script by Ed Solomon about two cops who police visiting aliens. Keanu Reeves and Nicolas Cage are the leading names for one role, and Tommy Lee Jones is being talked about for the other. British producer Gerry (SPACE PRECINCT) Anderson will make a rare convention appearance as one of the Guests of Honor at next year's World Science Fiction convention. It is in Glasgow, Scotland though, so start saving your spare change. The address to write to for information is Intersection, P.O. Box 15430, Washington, D.C. 20003-0430, or e-mail at intersection@smof.demon.co.uk. Congratulations to acclaimed genre director/producer Steven Spielberg, next recipient of the AFI's Lifetime Achievement Award--its youngest winner. "When I heard [American Film Institute directors] Mark Canton and Tom Pollock were on the phone calling me, I wondered `what's happening?'" Spielberg told VARIETY columnist Army Archerd. "The first thing that went through my mind when they told me what it was, I couldn't believe I was joining men like Ford, Capra, Hitchock, Stevens and all the others. And I imagined myself falling to my knees in front of them and saying `I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy'. This has been a very happy day for me." The popular role-playing game DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is headed toward the big screen, guided by two entrepreneurs with Asian funding who paid six figures for an outright buy of exclusive film and co-merchandising rights to the game. Courtney Solomon, 24, and John Benitz, 34, are the principals in Toronto and L.A.-based Sweetpea Entertainment, which has held an option with TSR Inc. for two years on the property. The duo, funded through investment banker Benitz's contacts in Hong Kong, finally obtained financing to go ahead with a film. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS was created in 1973 in the wake of J.R.R. Tolkien's popular LORD OF THE RINGS. Special effects designer Stan Winston (TERMINATOR II, JURASSIC PARK) has been mentioned in connection with the project. Congratulations to X-FILES' Gillian (Scully) Anderson, who is the mother of a new baby girl, born 25 September. Mother and daughter are doing fine. Anderson is expected to return to X-FILES by the end of 1994. And no, the baby isn't green and doesn't have tentacles. Tragic losses continue to haunt the S/F genre this month: Dennis Wolfberg, the comedian who often stole episodes of QUANTUM LEAP as Gooshie, lost a two-year battle with cancer on 3 October. And Raul Julia, the Puerto Rican-born actor whose romantic good looks and classical training made him a stage and film star and who finally achieved mainstream stardom when he brought Gomez Addams to life in the ADDAMS FAMILY films, died 24 October of complications from a stroke. He was 54. Back Issues Cross-Reference Issue 0 "The Primitives of Procyon", a story about a group of explorers on a supposedly uninhabited planet--and the reactions they experience as paranoia about being watched begins to set in. Issue 24 "Trapped On Klingon", part one of a three-part STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION story, where Picard and crew are captured by Klingon Commander Kerr and taken to a Klingon Renegade Tribe-Country where the ENTERPRISE officers face execution. Issue 25 Primary story: "CAT-atonic!", part one of a three-part BATMAN story where Batman has defeated The Joker, Two-Face, and The Riddler--but now must face a beautiful mafia hitwoman known only as Catwoman. Also: Part two of "Trapped On Klingon". Issue 26 Conclusion of "Trapped On Klingon"; Part two of "CAT-atonic!" (ADULT CONTENT; AGE STATEMENT REQUIRED); "Love And Peace", a WAR OF THE WORLDS piece that takes place after the War Of The Worlds has finally ended. Issue 27 Primary story: "Jedi Nightbreed", a STAR WARS/NIGHTBREED crossover story where Luke Skywalker magically appears in the gory domain of the Nightbreed. Also: Conclusion of "CAT-atonic!" (ADULT CONTENT; AGE STATEMENT REQUIRED). Issue 28 Primary story: "Deeper Within", a BEAUTY AND THE BEAST story that follows the second season cliffhanger; Vincent, startled by Catherine, falls deeper into the cave and is discovered by a beautiful and magical young woman. Also: "Q And Forever", part one of a four-part STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION story where Q hurls the ENTERPRISE crew into a deadly time trap, sending them through the Guardian Of Forever on a journey into the past to the time of Captain James T. Kirk, when the Indian maiden Miramanee carried Kirk's child. Issue 29 Primary story: "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection", a multi-part original story based on characters created by Jerry Seward and Kim Shelby. The alien threat from the original "Twisted Web" (out of print) returns to Meredith Heights and kidnaps Richard. Also: "Ultimate Truth", part one of a four-part STAR TREK/STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION crossover story concerning a Galactic Core energy creature and the return of Sybok; "Deadly Deceit", a STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION story about a distress call from a pacifist race being attacked on the planet Centra; "Love, Lasers, And Losers", a V short story where a Resistance group gets a new member its leader isn't sure she can trust; "Galacticon", part one of a six-part original tale where a future being travels back to Earth's past (our present), where he is aided by a young female punk rocker in trying to stop a mad criminal mastermind called MindThief; part two of "Q And Forever". Issue 30 Primary story: "Satisfaction", part one of a four-part BATMAN story where Batman and Robin--a costumed Vicki Vale--take on The Penguin. Also: "Revenge Is A Double-Sided Coin", part one of a three-part BATMAN story about a mysterious rash of bombings in Gotham City where the warning notes refer to the flip of a coin; "Happy Birthday, Sam", a QUANTUM LEAP short story about Sam's leap into an acquaintance's past. Issue 31 Primary story: "All The Kingpin's Men", part one of a five-part SPIDERMAN story--imagine Peter Weller as an older Peter Parker, then get set for a retelling of Spiderman's origin and his first battle with Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin. Also: Part two of "Satisfaction"; part two of "Revenge Is A Double-Sided Coin". Issue 32 Primary story: "Pieces", part one of a three-part CAPTAIN POWER story where in the aftermath of Pilot's sacrifice, Lord Dread is transformed into a killing machine and Hawk wonders if Power may be going mad. Also: Part three of "Q And Forever"; part two of "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection"; part two of "Ultimate Truth"; part two of "Galacticon". Issue 33 Primary story: "Twenty Years Later", a BEAUTY AND THE BEAST story where Vincent and his son Jacob encounter a Catherine Chandler lookalike. Also: Conclusion of "Revenge Is A Double-Sided Coin"; part three of "Satisfaction"; part two of "All The Kingpin's Men". Issue 34 Primary story: "Operation: Paradise Lost", part one of a five-part G.I. JOE story based on an original idea by Jerry Seward, where in the year 2005, startling revelations abound when Snake-Eyes heads up a dangerous Mideast rescue mission. Also: Conclusion of "Q And Forever"; part two of "Pieces"; part three of "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection"; part three of "Ultimate Truth"; part three of "Galacticon". Issue 35 Primary story: "Beware Of A Fool's Mate", a TWIN PEAKS story that takes place between the Laura Palmer murder and the Windom Earle mystery, where Agent Cooper has been shot again and a mysterious agent named D.L. Wilkins arrives in town to investigate. Also: "Cries Of The Courageous", part one of a four-part STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION script where the ENTERPRISE is assigned to ameliorate relations between an affluent management faction and a striking labor force on a Federation world that threatens to explode into civil war; "A Serpent In Paradise", part one of a four-part TOTAL RECALL story where, on a reborn Mars, nightmares are troubling Quaid, leading him to wonder if Hauser is regaining control; conclusion of "Satisfaction". Issue 36 Primary story: "Through A Glass, Darkly", a BATMAN story based on Karen Haber and Robert Silverberg's "Batman In Nighttown", where Bruce Wayne encounters a Batman and Joker lookalike at a charity ball. Also: "Do Thunderbolts Strike Twice?", part one of a two-part CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS story, where the Mysterons threaten a day of celebration in Washington, DC; part two of "Cries Of The Courageous". Issue 37 Primary story: "Different Circumstances", a MANIMAL story where Jonathan, Brooke, and Ty pursue a shape-shifting midnight killer. Also: "The Fantastic Four", part one of a multi-part retelling of the comic book team's origins that features an encounter with Dr. Doom; part two of "Operation: Paradise Lost"; part three of "All The Kingpin's Men". Issue 38 Primary Story: "Shadows", an original short story about a woman fleeing marital trouble who finds deeper trouble in the woods. Also: "The Journal", an original story about a soldier's experience in the Middle East; "Last Myth", an original fantasy tale; part four of "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection"; conclusion of "Pieces". Issue 39 Primary story: "Two-Pronged Attack", a TWIN PEAKS story that follows up the attempted assassination of Cooper in "Beware Of A Fool's Mate" (issue 35) by asking the question: Was Cooper's would-be assassin caught in the act--or was he just a decoy? Also: Book reviews of THE FIRST AMERICANS and MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA; part two of "A Serpent In Paradise". Issue 40 Primary story: "You Can't Keep A Good Joker Down", part one of a three-part BATMAN story in which the Joker returns, much to Batman's shock, and plans to take his revenge on the Caped Crusader. Also: "Down At The End Of Lonely Street", part one of a three-part FRIDAY THE 13TH story where Micki, Ryan, and Jack must recover a cursed guitar; "What Price Be Mercy?", part one of a multi-part SILVER SURFER story which pits the Silver Surfer against a threat from deep space; "X-Men", part one of a multi-part story about the team of mutants made famous by the Marvel comics; "A Solitary Man", a STAR TREK poem; part four of "Galacticon"; part three of "Operation: Paradise Lost". Issue 41 Primary story: "Zara", an original story about a beautiful alien and the lengths two warring commanders--one her common-law husband, one her lover and the father of her child--go to protect her. Also: Interviews with authors Somtow Sucharitkul and P.E. Cunningham; reports from TWIN PEAKS parties in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD; part three of "Cries Of The Courageous"; conclusion of "Ultimate Truth". Issue 42 Primary story: "Bridge Between Worlds", part one of a two-part TWIN PEAKS story which resolves the series' cliffhanger and brings F.B.I. Special Agent Diane Wilkins to Twin Peaks once more. Also: "To Dale And Diane", a TWIN PEAKS poem; book reviews of THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF F.B.I. SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER and WELCOME TO TWIN PEAKS: AN ACCESS GUIDE TO THE TOWN; a viewer's guide to ALIEN NATION; "Excursions Into Academia", Cinda Gillilan's call for information on and study of fandom; "Only Half The Man"; part one of a three-part MANIMAL story which finds Jonathan Chase caught between man and animal form after receiving a severe electric shock; "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To", part one of a three-part STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION story where Data builds an android version of Tasha Yar. Issue 43 Primary story: Part two of "Bridge Between Worlds", where Diane must rescue Dale's soul from the Black Lodge--but only if she can face her own deepest fears. Also: "Back Alley Crisis", a G.I. JOE story told from Cat's point of view; part four of "Operation: Paradise Lost"; part five of "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection". Issue 44 "Two Souls", part one of a five-part TWIN PEAKS script where Dale and Diane--their ordeal in the Black Lodge over--attempt to rebuild their lives in Twin Peaks, much to the dismay of Benjamin Horne, who vows to rid the town of the two F.B.I. agents any way he can. But Benjamin may have bitten off more than he can chew by recruiting unscrupulous mortgage broker Jack Allenback to aid him in his pursuit. Issue 45 Part two of "Two Souls", which finds D.E.A. Special Agent Dennis "Denise" Bryson arriving with bad news for Dale and Diane about a notorious drug dealer who's headed for Twin Peaks--a drug dealer who launders his money through brokering mortgages. Issue 46 Part three of "Two Souls", which finds Dale and Diane tracking the trail of drug dealer John Allen, Benjamin accelerating his plans to purchase Dale's mortgage, and Jack Allenback's preparation for his own assault on the twin agents. Issue 47 EXPLICIT MATERIAL--AGE STATEMENT REQUIRED. Special Horror Issue: "The Truth Behind The Mask", part one of a three-part FRIDAY THE 13TH story that combines the worlds of Micki and Ryan with Jason; THE BOOK OF THE DEAD, a four-part anthology complete in this issue; "NightSpeak", part one of a multi-part original story about a mystery-solving radio talk show host investigating a report of monsters at a nursing home; "Family Matters", part one of a three-part DARK SHADOWS story that follows Victoria's trip to the past and brings Quentin Collins to Collinwood. Issue 48 Primary story: Part four of "Two Souls", where Jack Allenback accelerates his plans to stop Dale and Diane as they rapidly close in on him. Also: Conclusion of "Do Thunderbolts Strike Twice?". Issue 49 Primary story: Conclusion of "Cries Of The Courageous", where civil war threatens to engulf the mining planet of Yervossa, and the Away Team--including Picard--are trapped in the middle of the hostilities. Also: Conclusion of "Two Souls". The Power Star Yearbook SPECIAL ALL-TWIN PEAKS ISSUE! Two color covers add to the cost of this special issue, a perfect introduction into the POWER STAR version of the TWIN PEAKS universe; cost is $15.00. In this issue: Kimberly Murphy's trilogy of PEAKS stories introducing Diane and resolving the series' cliffhanger, including revisions to "Beware Of A Fool's Mate" and "Two-Pronged Attack" to cover "truths" revealed in the series' later episodes, are combined into a single anthology called "The Saga Of Dale And Diane". Issue 50 Special Celebration Issue! Color covers of STAR TREK and QUANTUM LEAP add to the cost of this much larger issue; this issue costs $15.00. Primary story: "My Brother's Keeper", part one of a three-part QUANTUM LEAP story about Sam leaping into Al during his days as a P.O.W. in Vietnam. Also: "I Will Not Be Pushed", part one of a three-part PRISONER story that finds Number Six back in the Village after twenty years; an episode guide to BEYOND REALITY; a viewer's guide to NIGHTMARE CAFE; an editorial on CreationCons; the history of STAR TREK's Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell; review of the European version of the TWIN PEAKS pilot. Issue 51 Primary story: "Voices Through The Gateway", part one of a four-part TWIN PEAKS story in which Dale is accidentally injected with a mysterious drug during a hostage rescue and begins to experience increased psychic sensations. Also: "Penny's Diary", part one of a two-part LOST IN SPACE story about the Robinsons' ordeal on planet Monotony; an episode guide to MANIMAL; reviews of ALIEN3 and BATMAN RETURNS; part two of "Only Half The Man"; part two of "My Brother's Keeper"; part two of "I Will Not Be Pushed". Issue 52 Primary story: Conclusion of "My Brother's Keeper", which finds Sam in Al's form leading an escape from a Viet Cong prison camp. Also: "The Warrior", a STAR WARS short-short; "Comes The Cheetah", part one of a multi-part FLASH story, about a deadly female CIA operative who has Barry Allen's powers and who has been sent to kill him; "The Renewal Run", part one of a multi-part LOGAN'S RUN story, a story that takes place just before the end of the M-G-M film and is based on the unfinished Marvel Comics story by John Warner; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION submission guidelines, courtesy of Paramount Pictures; conclusion of "Penny's Diary"; conclusion of "I Will Not Be Pushed"; part two of "You Can't Keep A Good Joker Down"; part two of "Voices Through The Gateway". Issue 53 Primary story: A belated tribute to the late, great Gene Roddenberry. Also: "If Only I Had Known" and "The Ending Of The Game", STAR TREK poetry; Starfleet Engineering excerpts on food replicators; a history of the U.S.S. SURAK; a report from the FANEX 6 convention; fanzine reviews of MIDNIGHT MARQUEE, BLOOD TIMES, and SCARLET STREET; review of TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME; "Home For The Weekend", part one of a three-part STARMAN story, where Paul Forrester, Jenny Hayden, and their son Scott reteam with SETI agent Mark Shermin to find the Starman's lost spaceship; "Reunion: The Men In Black Incident", part one of a multi-part PROJECT: U.F.O. story that finds Jake Gatlin and Harry Fitz searching for the real reason aliens may have been visiting Earth; part two of "NightSpeak"; part three of "Voices Through The Gateway". Issue 54 Primary Story: Conclusion of "Voices Through The Gateway", where Diane and Harry race against time to save Dale's sanity while Dale battles the voices coming through his subconscious gateway that threaten to overwhelm him. Also: Universe guides to TWIN PEAKS and COUNTERSTRIKE; "The Savage She-Hulk", part one of a three-part SHE-HULK story that recreates the green-skinned Amazon's origins; conclusion of "Only Half The Man". Issue 55 Primary Story: "Night People: Night Of The Owl", part one of a multi-part original tale about a girl vampire in a small resort town and the unsuspecting family who comes there for a vacation. Also: "The Man Who Fell From The Sky", part one of a COUNTERSTRIKE story that sees familiar faces Monique Lamer and Nicole Beaumont resurface as the team undertakes a mission to save a friend of Alexander's from the malicious, malevolent Strand; fanzine reviews of SATELLITE LINK... and SECRETS OF TWIN PEAKS; part two of "Down At The End Of Lonely Street"; part two of "The Truth Behind The Mask"; part two of "Family Matters". Issue 56 SPECIAL ALL-STAR TREK ISSUE! What may be the best-researched universe guide to ST/ST:TNG highlights this issue. Also: A trio of comedic, tongue-in-cheek looks at STAR TREK's relation to Fantastic television called "Upcoming STAR TREK Spinoffs", "Shows You'll Never See On Television", and "STAR TREK: The Musicals"; fanzine review of GEORDI'S ENGINEERING LOG; part two of "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To". Issue 57 SPECIAL FANTASTIC TELEVISION ISSUE! A salute to Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television begins with-- would you believe--the return of Maxwell Smart as chief of CONTROL in "The Almost, Absolutely, Positively, Ultimate KAOS Kaper", part one of a new multi-part GET SMART story. Also: Peter, Gabrielle, and Stone must save a childhood friend of Peter's from an assassin at a Psychic Fair in the COUNTERSTRIKE story "The Fortuneteller"; the aftermath of Cooper's experience with the psychic-enhancing drug in "Voices Through The Gateway" (issues 51-54) begins to manifest itself as an investigation into vandalism at a construction site demands his full attention in part one of a new two-part TWIN PEAKS tale, "So Much As A Nightmare"; "What's Your TV I.Q.?", a quiz for couch potatoes reprinted from COSMOPOLITAN magazine; fanzine reviews of PILOT NEWSLETTER, TIME TRAVELLER, and the ST:TNG-inspired script "Jean-Luc Junior". Issue 58 SPECIAL ALL-COMICS ISSUE! A salute of comics begins with the conclusion of "Operation: Paradise Lost", where the G.I. JOE team must fight to save time itself. Also: A review of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES; a reprint of the Baltimore SUN's "Death Of A Superhero"; part two of "What Price Be Mercy"; part two of "The Fantastic Four"; part two of "X-Men"; part four of "All The Kingpin's Men"; part two of "The Savage She-Hulk". Issue 59 Primary Story: Part two of "The Man Who Fell From The Sky", where Peter and Nikki encounter the malevolent Strand while Stone and Monique attempt to find them both. Also: A review of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000; part three of "A Serpent In Paradise"; conclusion of "So Much As A Nightmare". Issue 60 SPECIAL ALL-ORIGINAL FICTION EXTRAVAGANZA! POWER STAR salutes the non-media-based fiction writers out there with this special issue, starting with "The Road Not Taken", a story of a female explorer who finds a world whose inhabitants don't want to be explored. Also: "D.V.O.", a tongue-in-cheek tale about a hero who stops unnecessary movie sequels; "Entwife", a fantasy story about how a braggadocio obtained the money to buy a round of drinks; "The Visitor", a reprint of a story from the out-of-print issue 13 of POWER STAR about a writer living in the woods who encounters a young alien; "2187", a point-of-view description of life in the 22nd century; part five of "Galacticon". Issue 61 SPECIAL ALL-TWIN PEAKS ISSUE! POWER STAR celebrates TWIN PEAKS' third anniversary with this special issue centering around the offbeat Lynch/Frost series. Primary story: "MEANWHILE...", a complete-in-this-issue TWIN PEAKS tale that takes place four months after the Laura Palmer murder, as the town begins to return to normal--but not Sarah Palmer's life. Also: "The Rebirth Of Superman", D. Lynn Bivens' take on the possible resurrection of the DC Comics hero; a roundtable discussion between SECRETS OF TWIN PEAKS editor/publisher Doug Giffin and POWER STAR staffers Jerry Seward and Kimberly Murphy on TWIN PEAKS fiction; excerpts from a panel discussion at FANEX 6 featuring Russ Tamblyn (PEAKS' Dr. Jacoby); fanzine reviews of WRAPPED IN PLASTIC and FLASHBACK. Issue 62 SPECIAL ALL-STAR TREK ISSUE! Our second all-TREK issue in less than a year features the long-awaited conclusion to "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To", where the android Tasha Yar may prove the ST:TNG crew's salvation during an encounter with the Romulans. Also: Kirk and company go on a secret mission that will either resolve the Federation/Romulan conflict or explode it into all-out war in the complete-in-this-issue ST story "Countdown To Destiny"; Picard and the TNG crew spend Christmas on board the ENTERPRISE in the whimsical "A Visit From Saint Nicholas: The Next Generation"; a reprint of the Knight-Ridder News Services article about how STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE has the most powerfully written women in the entire ST universe; reviews of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE and zines STRANGE NEW WORLDS, F.Y.I., SOUTHERN ENCLAVE, and the TNG script-zine "A Visitor". Issue 63 A salute to famous detectives! Primary story: "Night Of The Shylock", a complete-in-this-issue Sherlock Holmes/WILD WILD WEST story in which the young Holmes travels to the American West with a theatrical troupe and runs across James West and Artemus Gordon, who help him solve a blackmail case. Also: BATMAN returns in two stories, trying to find a serial killer dubbed "The Mad Hatter" in part one of a multi-part story, "The Tea Party", then racing against time to rescue Alexander Knox and Gotham City from the Joker's deadly positron plastique in the conclusion of "You Can't Keep A Good Joker Down"; Agent Cooper ponders the mysteries of a coffee vending machine prior to his arrival in TWIN PEAKS in the short-short "Tapes Withheld, #1", then teams with his twin sister Diane to find a killer with an affinity for mixed-gender twins in part one of a four-part script-story, "Yin And Yang"; a press biography of BEYOND REALITY's Carl Marotte (Dr. J.J. Stillman). Issue 64 It came from Outer Space! Primary story: A "Time Warp Tales" special reprint of an ALIEN NATION story, "The Slagtown Conspiracy". Also: ALIEN NATION filksongs "Some Like It Raw" and "The Ballad Of The Newcomers"; conclusion of "A Serpent In Paradise"; part three of "The Man Who Fell From The Sky"; part two of "Reunion: The Men In Black Incident"; part two of "Home For The Weekend". Issue 65 Friday The 13th Festival! Primary stories: Ryan and Jack must save Micki from a haunted house in the conclusion of "Down At The End Of Lonely Street" and from Jason himself in the conclusion of "The Truth Behind The Mask". Also: Agent Cooper oversleeps prior to his arrival in TWIN PEAKS and describes the experience to Diane in the second "Tapes Withheld"; a movie review of JURASSIC PARK; part two of "Yin And Yang". Issue 66 Fantastic Television Festival! Our annual salute to TV begins with part one of a multi-part SPACE: 1999 script-story that finds Koenig questioning the reason for their strange adventures, "The Devil's Sweets". Also: Sam Beckett leaps into a mental patient whose wife is conspiring to steal his land in the complete-in-this-issue QUANTUM LEAP story "Pardon My Insanity"; a SPACE: 1999 "tech sheet" on Alpha as the "Hub Of Our Solar System: Lunar Transportation Node"; TWIN PEAKS' Agent Cooper tangles with a cantankerous stapler in the third "Tapes Withheld"; a FLASH filksong, "You Won't See Him"; FLASHBACK editor/publisher Steve Beverly reviews the Golden Age sci-fi classic series SCIENCE FICTION THEATER; part two of "Comes The Cheetah"; part three of "Yin And Yang". Issue 67 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Our annual Halloween issue features the final installment of our DARK SHADOWS story, "Family Matters". Also: Nick must protect Natalie from vampire enforcers in part one of a multi-part FOREVER KNIGHT story, "Rogue"; fanzine reviews of THE WORLD OF DARK SHADOWS and CINEMACABRE; part two of "Night People: Night Of The Owl". Issue 68 I  COMICS II! Primary Story: X-FACTOR gets more than they bargain for when they go to Grand Forks to confront a newly-"outed" mutant in "Muties And M.O.N.S.T.E.Rs". Also: Part three of "X-Men"; part two of "The Tea Party"; part three of "What Price Be Mercy?"; part three of "The Fantastic Four"; conclusion of "The Savage She-Hulk". Issue 69 HOLIDAY GRAB-BAG SPECIAL! Primary story: MACGYVER meets up with a special friend in "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Also: A filksong about a "Fantasy Writer"; AUDIOWORLD columnist Bennet Pomerantz's press bio; Sulu and the crew of the EXCELSIOR explore a dead planet and encounter a surprise in part one of the STAR TREK adventure "Ghost Captain"; a spaceship's crew finds a shuttle from a planet near Alpha Centauri in part one of a non-media-based piece that takes them on a "Search For The First World"; part two of "The Renewal Run"; conclusion of "Galacticon". Issue 70 HAPPY NEW YEAR! Primary story: Sam Beckett leaps into an Air Force officer investigating U.F.O.s in the complete-in-this-issue QUANTUM LEAP story "Space Case". Also: J. Calvin Smith's one-shot STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENeration comic "Some Days It Just Don't Pay"; book review of A TWIN PEAKS INTERPRETATION; conclusion of "Yin And Yang". Issue 71 FAR-OUT FEBRUARY! Primary story: The ENTERPRISE's crew (STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION) questions a Deltan female suspected of murder in a take-off on BASIC INSTINCT's interrogation scene called "Raw Data". Also: A DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN short-short, "Lost And Found"; J. Calvin Smith provides a tongue-in-cheek preview of "DUNE: The Musical"; Shirla Turman sings a STAR TREK filksong about Spock's mating cycle, "I Think I Grock You"; a SOMETHING IS OUT THERE episode guide; a report on a national poll on Americans' impressions of extra-terrestrial life; part three of "Reunion: The Men In Black Incident". Issue 72 Our version of March Madness! Primary story: The struggle against the Visitors of V goes on with a new agent to take up the battle in the complete-in-this-issue story "Death Dreams". Also: The first ever JURASSIC PARK filksong, "Meat Eater"; Sam Beckett QUANTUM LEAPs into the life of INVISIBLE MAN Dr. Dan Weston in part one of a crossover adventure called "Leap In, Fade Out"; part two of "The Almost, Absolutely, Positively Ultimate KAOS Kaper". Issue 73 TWIN PEAKS ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL! Primary story: Ben Horne's up to no good in the complete-in-this-issue story "Boys Night Out". Also: Cartoonist J. Calvin Smith turns out "A Musical Guide To TWIN PEAKS For The Very Young"; Cooper discovers the joy of temperature regulation in Federal buildings in the latest "Tapes Withheld"; conclusion of the Russ Tamblyn interview. Issue 74 KILLER CONCLUSIONS! Primary story: Paul and Scott return to STARMAN's home world to save his people from a plague killing them in the conclusion of "Home For The Weekend". Also: The makeshift COUNTERSTRIKE team of Peter, Stone, and Monique Lamer must stop Strand from carrying out his evil plan and save Nikki--if they can--in the conclusion of "The Man Who Fell From The Sky"; SPIDERMAN Peter Parker collides with Kingpin Wilson Fisk in the conclusion of "All The Kingpin's Men". Issue 75 GERRY ANDERSON CELEBRATION! Primary story: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS face off over the world economy in the complete-in-this-issue story "The Gold Standard". Also: Act two of the SPACE: 1999 script "The Devil's Sweets", in which the alien ship encountered at the end of act one is close enough so its gravitational forces threaten Alpha's existence; Captain Scarlet mulls over an important decision in the short-short "Moonlight Rhapsody"; reviews of Anderson productions TERRAHAWKS, STINGRAY, FIREBALL XL-5, SPACE: 1999, THUNDERBIRDS, and UFO; universe guides to SPACE: 1999 and CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS. Issue 76 I  COMICS III! Primary story: An overview of independent comics, reprinted from THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. Also: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA tries to stop one of their own who's gone renegade in the complete-in-this-issue story "Blind Justice"; previews from independent comics FREEX, BECK & CAUL INVESTIGATIONS, U.N. FORCE, and WANDERING STAR; part four of "The Fantastic Four"; part three of "Comes The Cheetah". Issue 77 STAR TREK SPECIAL! Primary story: Captain Kirk and the ENTERPRISE finds a ship containing a beautiful woman who enchants Chekov in the complete-in-this-issue story "Chekov's Wife". Also: STAR TREK and STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION filksongs "Talk To Mr. Spock", "Identical Androids", and "You Belong To The Starship"; Kirk and company take the place of Wile E. Coyote in the humorous "STAR TREK Meets The Road-Runner"; a variation on the famous "Hi-Bob" bar room game called "STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION--The Drinking Game"; reviews of THE FLINTSTONES and the Romulan-oriented newsletter CLOAKING DEVICE. Issue 78 FANTASTIC TELEVISION III! Primary story: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS collide again as Spectrum tries to protect a World Navy exhibition in a "Time Warp Tales" reprint of the out-of-print "An Exercise In Hope". Also: A bank holdup in Spokane two days before Dale and Audrey's wedding draws Dale and Diane's attention away from TWIN PEAKS in the complete-in-this-issue story "New Lives"; an ALIEN NATION filksong, "We All Live In An Alien Nation"; QUANTUM LEAP filksongs "Bringin' On The Rain" and "Quantum Blues"; reviews of THE SHADOW and the 60's Japanese kids' series ULTRA 7. Issue 79 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Primary story: A woman and her boyfriend head to Camp Crystal Lake for a murderous encounter in the complete-in-this-issue FRIDAY THE 13TH story, "Just the Same". Also: Michael Myers is ready to leave the mental hospital--or is he?--in a complete-in-this-issue HALLOWEEN story "Love's First Kiss"; reviews of DEAD AT 21 and FOX's rebroadcast of THUNDERBIRDS; part two of "Rogue"; part three of "Night People: Night Of The Owl". Issue 80 GIVE THANKS FOR SUBMISSIONS! Primary story: Buster, Lisa, and Clarissa try to stop the monsters dominating a retirement home in Act Three of the original script-story "NightSpeak". Also: Holiday etiquette for Klingons; a pilot in the near future receives an offer from her sensei she can't refuse in the complete-in-this-issue story "Earth Bound Misfit, I"; Picard and company encounter an odd spaceship in the ST:TNG short-short "Where No Man Has Gone Before?"; act six of "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection". Issue 81 HOLIDAY GRAB BAG! Primary story: Fandom universes converge and only the Fictional Hero Protection Alliance can sort out the damage in J. Calvin Smith's sequel to the non-media-based tale "D.V.O." entitled "F.H.P.A." Also: L. Gray explores how Harry Truman and Dennis Bryson formulated their plan to rescue Agent Cooper from Jean Renault in an episode from the second season of TWIN PEAKS in this complete-in-this-issue "missing scene" tale, "Uniformity"; learn why Ben Kenobi stopped fighting evil in the complete-in-this-issue STAR WARS story "Fading Faith"; a STAR WARS satire, "DEC Wars"; from the internet, the BABYLON 5 frequently asked questions (FAQ) list. Issue 82 (Publication Date: 25 December) HAPPY NEW YEAR! Primary story: A grieving young man needs LOIS AND CLARK's help to find his missing girlfriend who's found out something about the notorious crime syndicate InterGang in part one of a five-part script-story, "Better Late Than Never". Also: The duality of man as personified by Spectrum agent Captain Scarlet and his ex-mentor, Spectrum agent-turned-Mysteron terrorist Captain Black, is explored in part one of a new multi-part CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS story, "Pawns Of Evil"; the aftermath of SLEEPING BEAUTY's life with Prince Charming is explored in the short-short "After Love's First Kiss"; an episode guide to LOIS AND CLARK's first season. Issue 83 (Publication Date: 25 January 1995) STAR TREK SPECIAL! In the era of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, a new starship with a new crew prepares to head off on a First Contact mission to the Tholian Assembly in part one of a multi-part story, "The SOLAR WIND Saga: First Impressions". Issue 84 (Publication Date: 25 February) STORIES OF SUPERMEN! Primary story: Award-winning author Mary J. Rudy contributes a complete-in-this-issue tale where the indestructable CAPTAIN SCARLET must protect the British Prime Minister from a "Tiny Terror" Mysteron agent. Also: A CAPTAIN SCARLET filksong, "Angel Ng"; part two of "Better Late Than Never". Issue 85 (Publication Date: 25 March) HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY, TWIN PEAKS! Primary story: A being from the dream realm is causing nightmares for Audrey and Diane and to stop him, Cooper must keep an "Appointment with Morpheus". Also: J. Calvin Smith's analysis of one of TWIN PEAKS' most controversial moments, the death of Madeleine Ferguson, in "Closed Circle"; a TWIN PEAKS drinking game. Issue 86 (Publication Date: 25 April) I  COMICS IV! Primary story: X-MEN collide with Magneto and his forces in the conclusion of "X-Men". Also: CAPTAIN SCARLET is concerned about the "Differences" in his life after Spectrum's initial encounters with the Mysterons in this short-short; SILVER SURFER brings Galactus to Earth in the conclusion of "What Price Be Mercy?" Issue 87 (Publication Date: 25 May) SCRIPT SPECIAL! Primary story: Buster, Lisa, Clarissa, and Dr. Delgado continue their fight against the forces of evil in act four of NIGHTSPEAK. Also: Conclusion of TWISTED WEB 2: RESURRECTION. Issue 88 (Publication Date: 25 June) IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE II! Primary story: A space trader transports a very unusual cargo in the complete-in-this-issue original tale "A Trader's Tale". Also: Conclusion of "Reunion: The Men In Black Incident"; part two of "Pawns Of Evil". Issue 89 (Publication Date: 25 July) HOT SUMMER STORIES! Primary story: In the era of STAR TREK VI, the crew of the EXCELSIOR tries to find out what happened to Captain Sulu in part two of "Ghost Captain". Also: A viewer's guide to the GODZILLA movies; act five of "NightSpeak"; conclusion of "The Renewal Run". Issue 90 (Publication Date: 25 August) FANTASTIC TELEVISION IV! Primary story: The Book House Boys go on a mission to stop drug runners using TWIN PEAKS as their throughway in the complete-in-this-issue tale "Star Light, Star Bright". Also: The Mysterons threaten the European commanders of the World military--one of whom is Captain Scarlet's father--in the complete-in-this-issue CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS story "Uneasy Relations"; part two of "Leap In, Fade Out"; conclusion of "The Almost, Absolutely, Positively, Ultimate KAOS Kaper". Issue 91 (Publication Date: 25 September) HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Primary story: CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS find out "Whose Heart Is Blackest" when they encounter an insane German military officer who has Captain Scarlet's regenerative powers. Also: Part three of "The Tea Party"; act six of "NightSpeak". Issue 92 (Publication Date: 25 October) THANKS, GERRY ANDERSON! Our second salute to the contributions of British producers Gerry and Sylvia Anderson kicks off with members of Moonbase Alpha getting mysteriously ill as a stricken spaceship from a peaceful race docks for repairs in the complete-in-this-issue SPACE: 1999 story "Images". Also: The first battle between CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS is over--but Spectrum must decide what to do with the newly-revived Captain Scarlet in a "missing scene" story, "Chance For A Lifetime"; conclusion of "The Devil's Sweets". Issue 93 (Publication Date: 25 November 1995) HOLIDAY GRAB BAG! Primary story: James West and Artemus Gordon leave THE WILD WILD WEST behind to visit Sherlock Holmes in England in the sequel to "Night Of The Shylock" called "The Case Of The Retired American Agent". Also: A glimpse into TWIN PEAKS' newspaper archives in another installment of "Tapes Withheld"; act three of "Better Late Than Never". POWER STAR Past Stories (Cross-Referenced By "Universe") (* = Still In Progress) ALIEN3 Movie Review: 51 ALIEN NATION Viewer's Guide: 42 "The Slagtown Conspiracy": 64 "Some Like It Raw": 64 "The Ballad Of The Newcomers": 64 "We All Live In An Alien Nation": 78 BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List: 81 BATMAN "CAT-atonic": 25, 26, 27 "Revenge Is A Double-Sided Coin": 30, 31, 33 "Satisfaction": 30, 31, 33 "Through A Glass, Darkly": 36 "You Can't Keep A Good Joker Down": 40, 52, 63 BATMAN RETURNS Movie Review: 51 BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES Review: 58 "The Tea Party"*: 63, 68, 91 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST "Deeper Within": 28 "Twenty Years Later": 33 BECK & CAUL INVESTIGATIONS Preview artwork: 76 BEYOND REALITY Viewer's Guide: 50 Shari Belafonte Press Bio: 51 Carl Marotte Press Bio: 63 Book/Zine Reviews THE FIRST AMERICANS Book Review: 39 MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA Book Review: 39 THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF F.B.I. SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER: MY LIFE, MY TAPES Book Review: 42 WELCOME TO TWIN PEAKS: AN ACCESS GUIDE TO THE TOWN BOOK REVIEW: 42 A TWIN PEAKS INTERPRETATION Book Review: 70 MIDNIGHT MARQUEE Zine Review: 53 BLOOD TIMES Zine Review: 53 SCARLET STREET Zine Review: 53 SATELLITE LINK... Zine Review: 55 SECRETS OF TWIN PEAKS Zine Review: 55 GEORDI'S ENGINEERING LOG Zine Review: 56 PILOT NEWSLETTER Zine Review: 57 TIME TRAVELLER Zine Review: 57 "Jean-Luc Junior" Script-zine Review: 57 WRAPPED IN PLASTIC Zine Review: 61 FLASHBACK Zine Review: 61 "A Visitor" Script-zine Review: 62 STRANGE NEW WORLDS Zine Review: 62 SOUTHERN ENCLAVE Zine Review: 62 FOR YOUR INFORMATION Zine Review: 62 THE WORLD OF DARK SHADOWS Zine Review: 67 CINEMACABRE Zine Review: 67 "MIRACLEMAN Among Finest Comics On The Market": 76 CLOAKING DEVICE Zine Review: 77 CAPTAIN POWER "Pieces": 32, 34, 38 CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS "Do Thunderbolts Strike Twice?": 36, 48 "The Gold Standard": 75 "Moonlight Rhapsody": 75 Universe Guide: 75 "An Exercise In Hope": 78 "Pawns Of Evil": 82, 88 "Tiny Terror": 84 "Angel Ng": 84 "Uneasy Relations": 90 "Whose Heart Is Blackest?": 91 "Chance For A Lifetime": 92 COUNTERSTRIKE Viewer's Guide: 54 "The Man Who Fell From The Sky": 55, 59, 64, 74 "The Fortuneteller": 57 DARK SHADOWS "Family Matters": 47, 55, 67 DEAD AT 21 Review: 79 THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN "Lost And Found": 71 DUNE "DUNE: The Musical": 71 THE FANTASTIC FOUR "The Fantastic Four"*: 37, 58, 68, 76 FIREBALL XL-5 Review: 75 THE FLASH "Comes The Cheetah"*: 52, 66, 76 THE FLINTSTONES Review: 77 FOREVER KNIGHT "Rogue"*: 67, 79 FREEX "An Ultraverse Of Freex": 76 FRIDAY THE 13TH "Down At The End Of Lonely Street": 40, 55, 65 "The Truth Behind The Mask": 47, 55, 65 "Just The Same": 79 G.I. JOE "Operation: Paradise Lost": 34, 37, 40, 43, 58 "Back Alley Crisis": 43 GET SMART "The Almost, Absolutely, Positively, Ultimate KAOS Kaper": 57, 72, 90 GODZILLA Viewers' Guide: 89 HALLOWEEN "Love's First Kiss": 79 THE INVISIBLE MAN "Leap In, Fade Out"*: 72, 90 JURASSIC PARK Movie Review: 65 "Meat Eater": 72 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA "Blind Justice": 76 LOGAN'S RUN "The Renewal Run": 52, 69, 89 LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN "Better Late Than Never"*: 82, 84, 93 First Season Episode Guide: 82 LOST IN SPACE "Penny's Diary": 51, 52 MACGYVER "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star": 69 MANIMAL "Different Circumstances": 37 "Only Half The Man": 42, 51, 54 Episode Guide: 51 MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000 Review: 59 NIGHTBREED "Jedi Nightbreed": 27 NIGHTMARE CAFE Viewer's Guide: 50 Original Fiction "The Primitives Of Procyon": 0 "Twisted Web 2: Resurrection": 29, 32, 34, 38, 43, 80, 87 "Galacticon": 29, 32, 34, 40, 60, 69 "Shadows": 38 "The Journal": 38 "Zara": 41 Somtow Sucharitkul Interview: 41 P.E. Cunningham Interview: 41 "Excursions Into Academia": 42 THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: 47 "NightSpeak"*: 47, 53, 80, 87, 89, 91 FANEX 6 Convention Report: 53 "Night People: Night Of The Owl"*: 55, 67, 79 "The Road Not Taken": 60 "D.V.O.": 60 "Entwife": 60 "The Visitor": 60 "2187: Our Collegiate Future": 60 "Search For The First World"*: 69 "Fantasy Writer": 69 Bennet Pomerantz Bio: 69 "Americans Think Intelligent Life Could Be Coming Here, Says National Poll": 71 "Earth Bound Misfit, I": 80 "F.H.P.A.": 81 "A Trader's Tale": 88 THE PRISONER "I Will Not Be Pushed": 50, 51, 52 PROJECT: U.F.O. "Reunion: The Men In Black Incident": 53, 64, 71, 88 QUANTUM LEAP "Happy Birthday, Sam": 30 "My Brother's Keeper": 50, 51, 52 "Pardon My Insanity": 66 "Space Case": 70 "Leap In, Fade Out"*: 72, 90 "Bringin' On the Rain": 78 "Quantum Blues": 78 SCIENCE FICTION THEATER Video Review: 66 THE SHADOW Review: 78 SHE-HULK "The Savage She-Hulk": 54, 58, 68 Sherlock Holmes "Night Of The Shylock": 63 "The Case Of The Retired American Agent": 93 SILVER SURFER "What Price Be Mercy?": 40, 58, 68, 86 SLEEPING BEAUTY "After Love's First Kiss": 82 SOMETHING IS OUT THERE Episode Guide: 71 SPACE: 1999 "The Devil's Sweets": 66, 75, 92 "Hub Of Our Solar System: Lunar Transportation Node": 66 Episode Guide: 75 Review: 75 "Images": 92 SPIDERMAN "All The Kingpin's Men": 31, 33, 37, 58, 74 STARMAN "Home For The Weekend": 53, 64, 74 STAR TREK/STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION/ STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Trapped On Klingon": 24, 25, 26 "Q And Forever": 28, 29, 32, 34 "Ultimate Truth": 29, 32, 34, 41 "Deadly Deceit": 29 "Cries Of The Courageous": 35, 36, 41, 49 "A Solitary Man": 40 "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To": 42, 56, 62 CreationCon Editorial: 50 History Of Lt. Gary Mitchell: 50 Gene Roddenberry tribute: 53 Starfleet Excerpts--Food Replicators: 53 History Of The U.S.S. SURAK: 53 "If Only I Had Known": 53 "The Ending Of The Game": 53 "Upcoming STAR TREK Spinoffs": 56 "Shows You'll Never See On Television": 56 "STAR TREK: The Musicals": 56 Universe Guide: 56 "Countdown To Destiny": 62 "A Visit From Saint Nicholas: The Next Generation": 62 STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE Review: 62 "DEEP SPACE NINE Empowers Women": 62 "Ghost Captain": 69, 89 "Some Days It Just Don't Pay": 70 "Raw Data": 71 "I Think I Grock You": 71 "Chekov's Wife": 77 "STAR TREK Meets The Road-Runner": 77 "STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION--The Drinking Game": 77 "Talk To Mr. Spock": 77 "Identical Androids": 77 "You Belong To The Starship": 77 "Gremily Bogh's Page Of Klingon Etiquette": 79 "Where No Man Has Gone Before?": 79 "Solar Wind": 83 STAR WARS "Jedi Nightbreed": 27 "The Warrior": 52 "Fading Faith": 81 "DEC Wars": 81 STINGRAY Review: 75 SUPERMAN "The Death Of A Superhero": 58 "The Rebirth Of Superman": 61 TERRAHAWKS Review: 75 THUNDERBIRDS Review: 75 Review of FOX broadcast: 79 TOTAL RECALL "A Serpent In Paradise": 35, 39, 59, 64 TWIN PEAKS "Beware Of A Fool's Mate": 35 "Two-Pronged Attack": 39 COOP Party Reports: 41 "Bridge Between Worlds": 42, 43 "To Dale And Diane": 42 "Two Souls": 44, 45, 46, 48, 49 "The Saga Of Dale And Diane": Yearbook TWIN PEAKS European Pilot Video Review: 50 "Voices Through The Gateway": 51, 52, 53, 54 TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME Movie Review: 53 Universe Guide: 54 "So Much As A Nightmare": 57, 59 TWIN PEAKS Fiction Roundtable: 61 Russ Tamblyn Interview: 61, 73 "MEANWHILE...": 61 "Tapes Withheld": 63, 65, 66, 73, 93 "Yin And Yang": 63, 65, 66, 70 "Boys Night Out": 73 "A Musical Guide To TWIN PEAKS For The Very Young": 73 "New Lives": 78 "Uniformity": 81 "Appointment With Morpheus": 85 "Closed Circle": 85 "TWIN PEAKS: The Drinking Game": 85 "Star Light, Star Bright": 90 UFO Review: 75 ULTRA 7 Review: 78 U.N. FORCE "U.N. Force: They Will Save The World--If They Don't Kill Each Other First": 76 V "Love, Lasers, And Losers": 29 "Death Dreams": 72 WANDERING STAR Preview artwork: 76 WAR OF THE WORLDS "Love And Peace": 26 WILD WILD WEST "Night Of The Shylock": 63 "The Case Of The Retired American Agent": 93 X-FACTOR "Muties And M.O.N.S.T.E.R.s": 68 X-MEN "X-Men": 40, 58, 68, 87 POWER STAR The Imagination Anthology COMING NEXT TIME: -- A grieving young man needs LOIS AND CLARK's help to find his missing girlfriend who's found out something about the notorious crime syndicate InterGang in part one of a five-part script-story, "Better Late Than Never" -- The duality of man as personified by Spectrum agent Captain Scarlet and his ex-mentor, Spectrum agent-turned-Mysteron terrorist Captain Black, is explored in part one of a new two-part CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS story, "Pawns Of Evil" -- The aftermath of SLEEPING BEAUTY's life with Prince Charming is explored in the short-short "After Love's First Kiss" -- An episode guide to LOIS AND CLARK's first season REACH INTO OUR GRAB BAG BY REACHING INTO YOUR MAILBOX-- GET THE NEXT POWER STAR!