Wednesday, August 28, 2024
After months of planning and preparation, the command shuttle of the IKV Executioner hurtled safely towards the Atlanta System on Wednesday, August 29, 2024. Arriving late at our temporary home coordinates, we disembarked and offloaded cargo in preparation for the next day.
Thursday, August 30, 2024
Kavura and Nayr snagged Garrett Wang, aka Harry Kim, for a quick selfie on Thursday. Blending in with the huMans that morning, I sported a “Sasquatch Odyssey” tee. The podcast is remarkable in that it teaches huMans about a hairy proto-human hominid living nearly unmolested on Earth. Silly huMans, they want to go into space but haven’t fully explored their own planet first. The recon mission was uneventful, but I did assist with setting up the Trek Track Room. I also got my badge to navigate the rest of the convention without issue. All was made ready for the 7 pm assembly “Encounter at Galleria 2-3: Star Trek Meetup” but we departed for food and rest.
Friday, August 31, 2024
I donned my new TAS (the Animated Series) uniform for the first day’s battle. I really loved the homage to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice throughout the Hilton Hotel. Beginning at 9:30 pm at the Galleria 2-3 in the Hilton, also known as the Trek Track Room, a volunteers meeting was held for all volunteers. Shortly after at 10 am, the “Welcome to Trek Track” event commenced, hosted by the honorable Garrett Wang.
I am not sure how many KAG members attended the Dragon Con this year, but I know that Nayr and Kavura were in attendance and contributed greatly to the programming of the Trek Track. They also oversaw the Star Trek portion of the Dragon Con parade.
I also know that Admiral Kolex of House QIHqem attended and assisted with the Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant (he moderated the Pre-Show and participated during the pageant) on Sunday. Notice the Dark Moon Fleet banner behind him. He also walked in my place during the Dragon Con Parade on Saturday.
Shortly afterwards the “Welcome to Trek Trak” panel, Nayr and Kavura set off with a group of people, including Federation members, on a “The StarPodTrek Walking Tour of All Things Trek at Dragon Con.” I had hoped to attend, but due to my warrior feet protesting the function, I was unable. At 1 pm I served at the “Nerd Trek Presents: The Science of Star Trek,” briefly, then being double booked hastened to the “Away Team Scavenger Hunt.” I served admirably as the guardian of the gate when the time to complete the hunt ended. I also proudly posed for the Klingon requirement for said hunt.
At 5:30 pm, Kavura (as a singing Klingon) participated in the “Subspace Rhapsody Picture Show & Sing-Along” at the Grand East Ballroom in the Hilton, which I am told was very successful despite skating on the edges of copyright infringement. Qapla’!
Meanwhile, my duties found me serving at the Hilton Salon where one of the “Walter Koenig Q&A” events was to be held. I cannot express how amazing that event was. I was instructed to follow my Tech supervisor, and got to go backstage and actually wait for Walter to appear. There I was able to see and speak with Garrett Wang, Trek Track host, briefly before departing into the main auditorium for further duties, but since we were overbooked with Trek Track staff, I gave up my microphone running to another due to my foot issues.
Garrett Wang was amazing with Walter Koenig. I always knew Garrett was a good man, but he was so kind, gentle and just GOOD with Walter, rolling with the nuances of their interaction and supporting him throughout. I was very impressed with his genuine humanity. I am grateful I got the chance just before the Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant on Sunday to tell him so.
Then at 9:30 pm Andy and I reported to the Trek Track room to prep for “Klingon Karaoke (Honor).” We did our respective set-ups: he with the technical folks and me with decorating and handing out song slips. We began late because of technical issues: a bad splitter. Eventually we got going and tried to move through the songs as fast as possible with little introduction. Money was collected for the Arthritis Foundation several times during the event. Due to Trek Track staff being up early that morning, we closed at the designated time of 1 am.
Saturday, September 1, 2024
The Dragon Con Parade is Saturday morning. They close down the streets of downtown Atlanta for the event. Tens of thousands come to watch and even more tune in to local television stations. The Star Trek section is a much-loved portion of the parade. Each year the Trek section is organized by Kavura and Nayr. I have rarely missed a parade, but this year the issue with my feet continued, so I gave up my parade ribbon to Admiral Kolex.
Instead, I reported early to the “Star Trek Kids Fest” programming in Galleria 2-3 and it was a wise move indeed. Event coordinator Michele Lord needed more assistance than she got. I worked very hard helping set up the various game stations. My own face-painting station was an easy part compared to the rich planning and myriad props for what Michele had planned. The Klingon Koloring Book that I created was featured on one of the activity tables. It was a rewarding and eye-opening experience to be there at the beginning instead of running in after the parade to do my schtick.
I pretty much had the rest of the day to myself, but I did sit in and assist with some of the other Trek Track room programming. Later this evening I reported to the Marriot’s Imperial Ballroom to help set up decorations for the “10 Forward Party.” At 10 pm the party commenced with excellent music (supplied by Tony and Lucy Boydson) and dancing. As usual, it was a huge hit! I stayed for a bit, met up with some old friends, danced and had a blast, but then met up with Andy and we departed for our hotel coordinates.
Sunday, September 2, 2024
[I swear temporal mechanics were being tampered with because this Dragon Con was whizzing by. I’m not the only person that noticed that.]
That morning at 10 am I reported to the Trek Track room to assist with “Star Trek: Lower Decks – Fan Discussion Panel.” I hung around the Trek Track room until about time for the “Star Trek Cosplay Photoshoot” about 1 pm.
It was hotter than Gre’thor outside the Hilton. Everyone in heavy costuming and makeup were truly suffering for their craft. I was not able to bear the heat long and had to leave early to go back to the coolness of the Hilton. But here are a few photos of Kavura, Nayr and myself. Many thanks to the lovely Tara Shile of Starship Tempest podcast for this and the group photo of Star Trek cosplayers.
Around 4 pm I was scheduled to assist with the Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant. I reported to the MSTU traditional location, the Courtland Grand Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel) to help set up. I installed the Dark Moon Fleet flag in its regular position as background to the podium. Then I assisted Lucy Boydston, pageant coordinator, with whatever she needed to have done. Set-up is a team effort, but my special emphasis was to help make sure the judges’ table and their decision-making table and chairs (behind the curtain) were set up and ready. I typically also help the contestants off stage during the pageant. This year I got to assist with the Antedean entrant’s hand makeup and nails.
At 5:30 pm the pre-show hosted by Admiral Kolex began. After the audience was warmed up, the pageant began. This year I was persuaded to act as one of two Klingon assailants in one of the contestant’s talent portion. Admiral Kolex did the brunt of the physical stunts, but I did my little part. It was fun and I hope it went over well. Someone remarked afterwards that they didn’t know I could do stunts. I guess I move fast for a 71-year-old.
The winner of the contest was Michele Lord’s daughter, Esther. She portrayed the Antedean (named Zarya) and after a great performance, she took the crown. Qapla’! I’m hoping she will join KAG as our first Antedean member.
Kavura and Nayr had a panel called “Strange New Worlds TOS Cheat Sheet” at 8:30 pm right before “Klingon Karaoke (Glory).”
I hung out in general until we started preparations for karaoke. As before set up included technical work, decorations, and giving out / collecting song slips. Klingon Karaoke was successfully launched on time and proceeded at a dead run much like the first night due to many song slips being filled out.
As on the first night, everyone had a really good time. Money was collected during several waves during karaoke and Daniel, our regular karaoke helper, took over announcing the upcoming singers during that time. Much love and appreciation to Daniel, Trek Track tech maven Alan, and of course Andy, for all they did to set up, run and take down the event. We closed at the designated time of 1 am due to staff tiredness (we were wore out).
Monday, September 3, 2024
Bright and early in my TOS uniform I reported for duty at 10 am for “Disability, Utopian Visions, and Imprisonment in Star Trek,” then “Writing Star Trek” at 11:30 am. After that it was lunch and then the final Trek Track offering “All Good Things – Closing.” It was so hard to believe Dragon Con was nearing its end. What a great event!
That evening I was privileged to attend the Dead Dog Party. Volunteers were served a great meal and had live musical entertainment. I can’t wait for next year.
We spent the night at the hotel and packed up the next day. I had hoped to visit my college friends, Rita and Alex, but I was feeling under the weather and did not want to risk making them sick. There were reports that people who worked the Trek Track had been diagnosed positive with COVID. Even more got sick after going home. Andy had had a booster, but I did not. I felt pretty bad after getting home and tested about 3 times, but it was only generic con crud.
I would like to request a battle notch for myself and all KAG members for participating in and contributing to Dragon Con 2024. We earned it.
IXL Brigadier Keela zantai-Septaric — CO, IKV Executioner, DSQ IXL Legate
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