A Matter of Taste

Someone asked me a while ago, "What sort of music do you like?" I began to run off a list of names.....Deep Purple...Black Sabbath...Guns 'N' Roses...Oasis...Beethoven...Wagner...Glen Miller. Upon hearing this a shocked look appeared on this man's face - Guns 'N' Roses AND Beethoven? How could this be?

Science Fiction - A Fan's Viewpoint

I like Star Trek, in all it's forms, be it classic, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine or Voyager. I have been watching it for as long as I can remember. I am a Trekkie.

The Nescafe Commercial

While watching television a few days ago, I saw the new Nescafe commercial, the new one with Chris Eubank as the lorry driver, picking up the hitch-hiker.

Letter to the Highways Department

With reference to your front page article about the Highways Department and their clampdown on the outdoor displays in Cromer, I myself have had recent experience of how petty they can be, and some might say, incompetent.

The Evils of Satellite Television

Before I go any further, I would like to go on record as saying that I was NOT paid to do this by Rupert Murdoch.

Corporation - Chapter Four

    Cautiously Watt and Jet moved through a further two floors of building, and they were surprised when they did not encounter any more resistance. Then after going down another flight of stairs they saw someone. As soon as they opened the door they saw a huge fat man wearing a white t-shirt standing along the corridor from them. He appeared to be holding two sticks but they didn’t look like any form of weaponry.

Corporation - Chapter Three

    The dining room of the Hilton Hotel had been rearranged at DiMambro’s request so the press conference could take place. Reporters from all over the media had gathered there awaiting the arrival of DiMambro. He did not keep them waiting much longer. Flanked by two men in black suits he seated himself at the top table. After adjusting the main microphone he began to speak.

Corporation - Chapter Two

    As predicted by Simon Kennedy forty-eight hours later a plane arrived at Heathrow Airport from New York. It carried the usual visitors and business people from across the pond, but it also carried one man who hoped to be staying in merry old England for some time. After checking through customs Giovanni DiMambro was greeted by Peter Oswald, also known to the Police as Gunner, the weapons expert.

Corporation - Chapter One

    It had been some time since Paul Solo had been summoned to the Home Office. The last time was when he was a Chief Inspector in the Police Force. Now he was listed as a current member of Anglo-Force, even though he had been on leave for the past month or so.

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter Four

    The wind swept through T’Chuka’s hair as he sat in a jeep that sped across the island towards the presidential mansion. All seemed to be going well until they suddenly had to swerve. They rammed into the grassy bank which lined the road. They had to swerve to avoid a man - Thundarr.
    The guards jumped out of the jeep as Thundarr approached them. T’Chuka was not far behind them as Thundarr took out his sword and destroyed the jeep. This was enough to send the guards scurrying down the long road, running for their lives. T’Chuka, however, was not scared as easily. From a position on the ground the Voltanian watched as Thundarr approached him. He was surprised when the Barbarian lowered his sword and extended his hand, helping him to his feet. Then Thundarr reached into his pocket and took out a small device that looked like a key. He handed it to T’Chuka.
    “You will need this.” he said. “It will deactivate the collars.”
    T’Chuka took the device and inserted it into his collar. There was a slight hum as the collar was switched off. It then fell off T’Chuka’s neck and hit the ground.
    “Who are you?” asked T’Chuka.
    “I am called Thundarr. The device I have given you will release the other prisoners. Use it to free them and overthrow the government of this island.”

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter Three

    President Richards sat in his office later that evening, his security advisors around him.
    “The one called Birdman tried to escape this afternoon. We had to put him in the cooler as punishment.”
    “How are the new arrivals getting on?” Richards asked.
    “They are not mutants like the others. One is from Voltania, the other claims to be from Scotland. As for the third we have no idea where he could be from. It seems like he’s not from this planet.”
    “An alien? You mean the one with control over fire?”
    Before his advisor could reply the lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness. It wasn’t just in the office that the power had failed, it had gone all over the island. Quickly Richards picked up his cell-phone.
    “This is Richards. What’s going on down there? Why is the power out?”
    The voice of the security guard sounded into Richards’ ear.
    “He just slipped by us sir. He knocked out three of my men before we could do anything. Then he knocked out one of the generators!”
    “Who?”
    “Thundarr sir. He just came out of nowhere!”
    Richards banged the desk with his fist.
    “Garner, take a full squad out to the power station. Get Thundarr! I want him dead!”
    The tall security advisor left the office, on his way to the power plant.

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter Two

    The journey across the Atlantic Ocean was a long one. It sometimes left Amarus wishing that his spacecraft had not been destroyed when he arrived on Earth. However, upon arrival in Ikotia their moods changed. They soon found the airport, and upon disembarking broad smiles appeared on their faces. McCloud was the first to disembark, and putting sunglasses on he looked around at what could only be described as paradise.

Refuge on Ikotia - Chapter One

     There had not been a debate in the House of Commons like this for years. The attack by members of Anglo-Force upon the Cyberdine plant was condemned by many members of Her Majesty’s official opposition. The most fervent critic was none other than Simon Harkes, the man responsible for pushing the Anglo-Force bill through Parliament in the first place.
    “Never before have I heard of an attack by a government organisation on the property of an overseas company. I am disgusted by the acts of Captain James Watt and his men.”
    The sound of many members shouting “here here” and waving their ballot papers sounded through the chamber. Then the Home Secretary, Simon Kennedy, rose to his feet and moved towards the ballot box.
    “I find the right honourable gentleman’s view somewhat ironic.” he said. “Because it was him who pushed the bill to give Anglo-Force full government backing in record time. Now he condemns them! How two-faced can you get?”

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Five

    Scotty walked through the engineering section, tool belt strapped to his waist. He did not look a happy man.
    “Careful with that crystal chamber!” he shouted. “And you! You’re using the wrong tool! I always say you should use the right tool for the right job!”
    Then Magus strode into the engineering room. He clapped Scotty on the back.
    “How are things going?” he asked.
    “These bloody dwarves don’t seem to have the faintest idea what they’re doing!”
    “Dwarves are considered the finest engineers in the galaxy!” said Magus.
    “That may be so.” said Scotty. “But they can’t reach half the controls!”
    “Just give them time Mister Scott.” said Magus.

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Four

    Commander James Winthorn sat in the Suffield Park pub in Cromer, still on shore leave and gazing into his glass of beer. Ever since he was rejected for the post of first officer on the Valkyrie he had been in a slight depression. He wondered where his career was going. He thought he had a better chance than anyone of getting that posting on the Valkyrie because he had served aboard her before and knew that ship like the back of his hand.
    As Winthorn sat brooding he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He could tell instantly that it was a woman’s hand. He turned round to see an attractive young woman wearing a Starfleet uniform smiling at him. It was someone he hadn’t seen in ages.
    “Sonya Gomez, what are you doing here?” he smiled.
    “Celebrating my promotion to lieutenant, and taking a bit of shore leave before I go to my next assignment, whatever it is!”
    “So am I.”
    Winthorn began to brood again.
    “I heard about you getting turned down for the first officer’s post on the Valkyrie. Tough break.”
    “Tell me about it.”
    “But I can understand them giving it to Sutek. He does know the ship, and I think it’s always good to promote from within.”
    Winthorn stared at Gomez.
    “You’re doing it again! Running on like a fifty cent watch!”
    “I know, but at times I just can’t help myself!”
    Then they heard a coughing noise behind them. They expected to see a burly looking man trying to get a drink, but instead they saw a man in the uniform of a Starfleet admiral.
    “Admiral Calevicchi!” said Winthorn. “I didn’t know you where here. Can I get you a drink?”
    “No thank you Commander. I came here looking for you, and for you Lieutenant Gomez. What are you doing tomorrow morning?”
    “Nothing.” replied Gomez. “We are still waiting for our postings.”
    “Good. Meet me outside the President’s office at oh-nine hundred hours.”
    “The President’s office?” said Gomez. “In Paris?”
    “The same one. He’d like to have a word with you about something, about your next assignment.”
    “What about it?”
    “I’ll let him explain. Good evening to you.”
    The Admiral then left them to their drinks. Gomez smiled.
    “This is great! Looks like we could be together on our next assignment!”
    Winthorn took his glass to his mouth.
    “Yeah, great!”

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Three

    The room was a mess. It looked like it hadn’t been cleared up for ages. Bits of computers and various engineering parts were scatted all over the place. You could hardly tell that someone lived in this mess, but live in it they did. The occupant of this particular dwelling was a retired Starfleet officer, and he lived here alone. On this day he sat at a computer terminal, the image of a starship warp coil chamber on the screen in front of him. He worked the computer as if he had been around them for ages, which he had. The only time he looked up was when he heard a noise outside his front door. He quickly picked up an old type phaser which was on a nearby table. Slowly he walked towards the door, phaser at the ready. Then he heard the noise again. There was definitely someone outside, but who? He hadn’t had a visitor in ages. He was now at the door and he pressed the panel next to it. The door suddenly opened and he pointed his phaser outside. There was indeed someone outside, two people in fact, and they didn’t take too kindly to having a phaser stuck in their faces. All the same, they raised their arms.

    “Come now Scotty! Is that any way to greet an old friend?”

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Two

    The Chancellor waited in a corridor as the Valkyrie’s transporter was energised. Soon Watt, Sutek and Magus arrived on the planet’s surface. The Chancellor greeted them warmly.

    “Captain Watt, it is a pleasure to meet you. Your grandfather has told me much about you during our talks.”

    “It is a pleasure to visit your fine planet.” Watt replied. “May I present to you my first officer Commander Sutek and Ambassador Phineas Magus.”

    “The legendary Ambassador Magus. I admire your work during the Monstron wars. Please, come this way.”

    They were soon shown into the council chamber where the President, the Doctor and Drathro greeted them. Magus and the Doctor soon renewed their acquaintance.

    “I would say it is good to see you again.” said Magus. “But I haven’t seen you since you regenerated. Which regeneration is this?”

    “Tenth.” the Doctor replied.

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter One

    The Lord High President of Gallifrey sat in his office, very involved of the day-to-day running of his planet and his people. It was while he was deep in thought that the Chancellor entered.
    “Lord President, young Drathro would like to speak with you.”
    The President looked up from his work.
    “Ah, Drathro. Please, show him in.”
    A few seconds later the door opened and a young man dressed in traditional Gallifreyan garb walked in. The President got to his feet and shook the young man warmly by his hand.
    “Drathro.” the President smiled. “It’s good to see you again. Please, sit down.”
    The two were seated opposite each other. Drathro began to look slightly uneasy.
    “I have a request to make of you Lord President.” he said. “During my time at the Academy I have read many of the Doctor’s accounts and journals. It is while doing this that I have grown to admire him greatly, and it’s because of this I have come here. I would like to travel the universe as he has done.”

Return of the Blob - Chapter Two

    O’Rourke put the shuttle on automatic pilot as she and Watt began to put on cold weather clothing. Watt was surprised when Magus did not do the same.
    “Aren’t you going to get kitted up?” asked Watt.
    “My dear Captain, I have visited Istarix many many times. There parts of that island that are far colder than Alaska. I will be fine.”
    After putting on her thick jacket O’Rourke seated herself in the pilot’s seat. She then pressed a button on the communications console.
    “This is shuttlecraft Copra calling the Alpha Tracking station, please respond.”
    Her words were greeted with silence, so she tried again to contact the station. She got the same result.

Return of the Blob - Chapter One

    Alpha Tracking Station in Alaska was the first tracking station set up by the United Federation of Planets on Earth. It’s main task was to monitor occurrences such as meteor showers and the like. On this day they were doing just that.

    In the main control room the station’s commanding officer Commander Adam DeSoto was overseeing the monitoring of a meteor shower that was hitting the ground only a few miles away from them. The science officer, the Vulcan Lieutenant Torak, was very intrigued.

    “Most meteor storms have a set pattern.” he reported. “This one seems to be very random, except for it’s landing pattern.

    DeSoto sat next to him and watched the screen intently.

    “Look at this.” he said. “One of them seems to be breaking away from the others.”
    The whole building then shook as the meteor hit the ground just outside the main building.
    “That was close!” said DeSoto. “Get your thermals on Torak. We’re going to take a look.”