Retreat to the Heights
Hemel Lassie
After his sudden resignation from Cal Sci, Charlie retreats to a cabin he has owned for some years on Mount Baldy. No one in his family knows of the cabin. Larry does, but he is safely on the ISS. Amita has not yet been told. After all, it took Superman quite a while to take Lois Lane to HIS Fortress of Solitude. Why should Math Man be any different?
Charles Edward Eppes, late professor of Cal Sci, oft used expert by the FBI, NSA, CDC and more members of the alphabet soup of government agencies than he was allowed to tell ANYONE, sat on the rocky outcropping just outside his private little cabin up high on Mount Baldy, contemplating yet another beautiful sunset. From his high peak he had excellent views of every sunrise and sunset that wasn't shrouded in clouds or blocked by morning mists. It was one of the reasons he had chosen this spot to purchase land. Much later, he had designed and built his comfortable little bachelor's pad in the sky. From the open door of his cabin, powered by a used vegetable oil generator, his I-pod docking station stereo was playing the song by CHICAGO, when Peter Cetera was still the lead, if he recalled aright.
Charlie found himself singing along.
"Everybody needs a little time awayI heard her sayFrom each otherEven lovers need a holidayFar away from each otherHold me nowIt's hard for me to say I'm sorryI just want you to stayAfter all that we've been throughI will make it up to youI promise toAnd after all that's been said and doneYou're just a part of me I can't let goCouldn't stand to be kept awayJust for a dayFrom your bodyWouldn't want to be swept awayFar awayFrom the one that I loveHold me nowIt is hard for me to say I'm sorryI just want you to knowHold me nowI really want to tell you I'm sorryI could never let you goAfter all that we've been throughI will make it up to youI promise toAfter all that's been said and doneYou're just a part of me I can't let goAfter all that we've been throughI will make it up to youI promise to"
When Charlie wiped tears from his eyes after the song ended, it wasn't because he was thinking of Amita, nor even of his mother who had always loved that song and the group, Chicago. He was thinking of a little girl lost, a girl that a far younger Charlie had wanted to help, and a girl he had searched for after one of Don's cases had triggered his memories of her. That girl he had never been able to find the rest of the story on. Did her life end sadly and tragically, or had someone else been there for her when he had not?
He drew much peace from the fact that THIS time, Charles Edward Eppes HAD made a difference. He had persevered against the establishment and done what he thought right and his help had made a REAL difference. Because he helped her, even if it had caused him to resign a job he had once loved with all his heart, he knew he had saved the lives of many of his (now) former students. When he had seen the sketches on the edges of her paper for his Mysteries of the Universe Contemplated in Mathematical Terms seminar, he had known this was a young woman desperately crying out for help.
The vivid sketches of a woman in infantry style fatigues wielding a sub machine gun and tossing grenades off the roof of the highest building on the Cal Sci campus while the dead and dying lay scattered below in brightly drawn colored and graphic gore had shocked and frightened him and the campus security officers he had turned them over to…after removing her identifying information. They pressured him for her personal information, but he had stood firm. She needed personal handling…and personal handling he had given her.
When she refused to go to counseling, he took that burden on himself as well. She had trusted him and been willing to see him, but only in private. Yes, he knew he was technically breaking a campus rule when he closed the door to hallway for their counseling sessions, but it was a tactic he had used frequently when his students or grad students were shy or paranoid of someone overhearing their work and theories; and, he had never been reported to the Dean before.
The professor did not even WANT to know who had reported him this time. What mattered was the fact that, even after he had explained his actions; and, Mary assured them that their private session never became inappropriate or overly familiar. Even though, she had produced documentation from both the Rabbi of the shul she had joined and the professional psychologist and psychiatrist backing up the fact that she was on meds and could safely remain in school, the board had persisted in charging Charlie with inappropriate contact with a student and called him to appear before them.
That was the action that had prompted his outraged resignation. He had perfect peace about the decision, but he knew it would shock many on the campus, his father and brother, the FBI team that was like a second family and many, many of his friends. He was not looking forward to explaining himself. He only knew his decision was final and he did not intend to change it for any one.
It truly was a matter of personal integrity. He smiled as he remembered finding amongst his papers as he closed out his office the old membership in the Northern California based Star Trek club, the U. S. S. Defiance. He hoped the words of the leader, an actual real life lawyer named Gary Scott Decker, would prove sufficient to garner some understanding from his family when they learned of his decision.
Somehow he knew his Dad would be okay with his choice. Don, though, that was a tougher nut to crack. Don would want him to stand up to the Board, have his day of court and seek vindication. Would the words written by another so long ago, serve to help Don understand that he was taking a stand, but choosing to withdraw from the fight?
It was the only choice he felt comfortable with, being, by nature, a peaceable man. He had a sword. He could and would draw it if he must, but when the so-called 'enemies' were really friends guilty only of a misunderstanding or some kind of malicious intended manipulation by the 'complainer, unidentified by request', he had no desire to draw blood in armed conflict. Against a child molester or anyone harming his loved ones, yes, he could and would do bodily harm to protect them, but against friends? Never. That was not the purpose of the Sword he called and thought of as DEFIANCE.
Part 2 of Chapter One
Charlie walked into his cabin and pulled the framed version of the Defiance Welcome Aboard, Shipmate that he had brought with him as a kind of touchstone. This was a reassurance that his stand held meaning and purpose and that the principles had strong, well nurtured roots, not only in his family heritage, but even in a recreational group like a Star Trek fan club.
The page was yellow because that was how it was printed. It did not look all that aged. The edges weren't even tattered. He had placed it in a frame just before leaving for his retreat…or was this really a strategic ADVANCE into his future. Well, time would answer that question, wouldn't it? He knew there was still a club in the Sacramento area called the USS Defiance, although he had no idea for sure who the current captain was. He knew Gary Decker was still a lawyer in the state in good standing. He wondered how time had changed his physical appearance. He had always cut a rather magnificent figure, combining his Star Trek uniform with his Scottish heritage Kilt. Charlie just might have to take time to visit Sacramento and say hello to old friends in the not too distant future.
U.S.S. DEFIANCE, NCC-1717-D
FLAGSHIP OF THE FOURTH FLEET
Fleet Captain Gary Scott Decker, Commanding Officer
Post Office Box 597777 Sacramento, CA 956XX-XX10
WELCOME ABOARD, SHIPMATE!
These can be some of the most stirring words In STARFLEET. for they signal the beginning of one of the greatest adventures available to anyone In science fiction fandom. and certainly to anyone who Is a fan of Star Trek®.
As Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the U.S.S. Defiance, Flagship of Region 4, STARFLEET, it is my proud duty and honor to welcome you aboard as a new or renewing member. Defiance Is the largest starshlp In the Region, which encompasses the States of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, with an ever-growing membership. As of the third quarter of 1994, we have In excess of 175 on our Ship's Roster. Next to the U.S.S. Eaglethe oldest ship in STARFLEET, Defianceis the longest continuously-operating ship In the Region, and Is the fifth-oldest ship of the line In the Fleet, world-wide. Our slsler ship, U.S.S. Joshua, out of Dallas. Texas, Is the Flagship of Region 3, and our sister ship In K.A.G. is the I.K.V. Death Angel.
Defiance has a proud history and tradition of leadership In fandom generally. Some of her members comprised the earliest Incarnation of Star Trek® fandom in the Central Valley of California, S.T.A.R. (Star Trek® Association for Revival) In the 1970's. In STARF1EET, Defiance has been a leader since she was commissioned a ship of the line In August of 1982. Defiance recently won Runner-Up honors as STARFLEET's 1994 Chapter of the Year. The first C.O. of Defiance.Rob Lerman, Is now the Fleet Admiral and Commander, STARFLEET. while her second C.O., Janls Moore, Is now a Vlce-Admiral In STARFLEET and Regional Coordinator of Region 4. It Is Janls' flag which Defiance is soproud to carry as Regional Flagship.
Defiance members, such as yourself, come from all walks of life, and the ship Is a living, breathing testament to what we call Gene's Dream, the bright, hopeful vision of the future so eloquently, forcefully and dynamically expressed by Gene Roddenberry in one of the greatest creations of American popular culture. Star Trek®. At the same time, Defiance celebrates the roots of humanity which bind us all together, and makes no apologies for acknowledging the spirit of honor, dedication and duty In the military, especially the Naval, traditions which are so often depicted In the Star Trek® television series and motion pictures. Yes, we are all embarked on a voyage of discovery, but we are not so foolish to deny, for example, the Marines' place, too.
All Ships general business meetings, by way of Illustration, are called to order by the ringing of the Ship's Bell, and all new business Is Introduced by the question, "What do you have for us this evening. Colonel?" — directed to the Officer In Charge (O. I. C.) of the Marine Strike Group (M.S.G.) aboard Defiance, the 23rd M.S.G., or "Royal Highlanders." The 23rd proudly wears the Black Watch tartan, and marches In the numerous parades which Defiance enters every year under both the Royal Scots and Cross of St. Andrew banners. Defiance members constanfly find themselves at various area Scots Games and Renaissance Pleasure Falres, and recently two of Defiance's Klingon members were knighted by Mary. Queen of Scots.
Defiance's recognition of the historical antecedenrs of STARFLEET took on a new meaning when I was sworn In as C.O. In January of 1994. Previously. I had been appointed an honorary Legal Officer In the United States Navy Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) Corps by the Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy. Rear Admiral Thomas C. McCandry. January 1994 saw Defiance'sC.O. recognized as an honorary Captain in the U.S. Navy. Also, a Naval Officer's Sword was first unveiled as the symbol of command aboard Defiance, and the Credo of Defiance (the name of the Captain's sword, too) was first recited. The Credo, in just a few lines of poetry, embodies the spirit and essence of the Ship, and concludes with the Ship's Motto: "Stand As One Defiant" --or. In the Latin phrase which borders the Ship's Flag, In ProvexatioL//)um/A6s»re(abbrcvlated, "IPVA").
My name is Defiance.
Where others cower, I inspire.
Where others hesitate, I soar.
Where others yield. I challenge.
Where I lead, others follow.
Draw me not in haste,
For what I start, I finish.
The naked stars tremble In my sight,
For they know
That the one who wields me.
And those who follow my blade,
Stand as One Defiant.
"Standing as one" Is a watchword on Defiance. Election of officers takes place every year, so
members are not only encouraged to take on positions of responsibility, they are given ample
opportunity to advance In rank and position
— and even to take the Center Seat. The club is committed to the concepts of Total Quality
Management (T.Q.M.), In harmony with I.D.I.C. (Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations),
so that each member of the crew may explore, to the greatest extent he or she can or desires
all that being a member of one of the most dynamic and prolific Star Trek® fan clubs In the
world has to offer. And yet, at the same time, the principles of teamwork and constant
communication are paramount. Projects are undertaken with the "buddy system" in mind,
to borrow from the workings of the United States Marine Corps. Committee work and inter-
communlcation, using club "telephone trees" are both strongly encouraged. In this fashion,
Defiance members learn to work with each other, and through this mutual interdependence no
one person is ever saddled with all the responsibility for any particular project without also
being able to turn to a crewmate for guidance or assistance. Defiance members frequently
interact with members of the other area STARFLEET and science fiction and fantasy clubs as
well, at conventions, on community service projects, and just to socialize at parties. By such
bridge building, we can, all together, promote to the fullest extend, the vision of Gene's
Dream — and have a lot of fun in the process! Do not be surprised if, in that same
process, you find friends who will last a lifetime.
Welcome! The Human Adventure Is only beginning. You already have a front row seat.
Now, get up and Join In the journey.
Yours in Service To The Fleet,
Gary Scott Decker (Flt. Capt.)
Commanding, U.S.S. DEFIANCE, NCC-1717-D
His favorite part was still THE POEM that also served as the club's Credo and the Ship's Motto: "STAND AS ONE DEFIANT" – or, in the Latin phrase which borders the Ship's Flag, IN PROVOCATIO UNUM ABSTARE.
"My name is DEFIANCE.
WHERE OTHERS COWER, I INSPIRE.
WHERE OTHERS HESITATE, I SOAR.
WHERE OTHERS YIELD, I CHALLENGE.
WHERE I LEAD, OTHERS FOLLOW.
DRAW ME NOT IN HASTE.
FOR WHAT I START, I FINISH.
THE NAKED STARS TREMBLE IN MY SIGHT.
FOR THEY KNOW
THAT THE ONE WHO WIELDS ME,
AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW MY BLADE,
STAND AS ONE DEFIANT."
(Dear Reader…please note. The U.S.S. Defiance does indeed still exist, but this is a historical document from the 90's, so please disregard the addresses as they have been reduced to fictional characters Thank you. For those who are friends of Defiance from days gone by and wish to remember old days of glory and share in new adventures, please contact me directly via PM or e-mail. Thank you. Sylvia Mohr Bartlett
Might some think such a high calling too far for a bunch of Star Trek fans too reach for? Star Trek fans included Larry Fleinhardt, a recent passenger and participant in the NASA shuttle mission and former resident aboard the International Space Station. He knew many professors at Cal Sci were also Star Trek fans. The U S Navy had actually borrowed from the design layout of the bridge of the USS ENTERPRISE from the first series when redesigning bridges on their ships. Star Trek fans weren't the jokes some tried to make them out to be…many had gone on to become serious scientists, astronauts, geophysicists, futurists and, yes, mathematics professors. And, well, Charlie recalled the high personal price paid by some of the original members of Defiance during a dark period in fandom recalled under the name the McGinnis wars. He wasn't sure now if that was the correct spelling, but he remembered the true details all too well.
For a group of 'kooky Trek fans', Gary Decker and his group had led a charge against genuine illegal activity and they had won the day, but many had paid a high personal toll. Still he was certain most of them would say, to this day, the fight had been worth the cost they paid. That was true of his decision too. He went and took down an old picture of himself hiking nearby trails and hung proudly this document he had come to treasure once again as a touchstone. Charles Eppes had taken a stand, and from this stand there would be no retreat.