Destination Trek
Stardate 47634.44 saw the last remaining members of the CuChlainn’s Away Team making their way from Dublin to Destination Trek in Birmingham. Truth be told, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect of this convention, so we were going with an open mind.
Now, if you haven’t been to a Star Trek Convention, it’s best explained as a Star Trek themed comic con. Lovers of the big bang theory who are visualising “The Bakersfield Expedition” quartet with Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj cosplaying Data, Jean-Luc Picard, a Borg drone, and Worf, well, yes, it’s a bit like that without the breakdown! Some attendees cosplay, some don’t, but those who do are amazing, and they bring the place alive for other attendees. Our own Away Team are such a talented crew, who embrace their inner Garak with the quality of their tailoring and attention to detail, and when we arrived in the Hilton Metropole Birmingham the Star Trek multiverse came alive. We walked through a side door and Klingons, Bolians, Bajorans, Ferengis and all sorts of races were interwoven with the Hu-mons, and we at once knew it was going to be a great day. Cosplayers make conventions. They are very friendly people, willing to pose for photos if asked, and they will happily share the finer details of where they sourced the materials for that bat’leth or buckle.
Cons are a strange mix of new friends you haven’t yet met, old friends that you know well and seemingly old friends that you think you know but you don’t at all, which are of course the actors. Within 15 minutes of arriving, and in the first room we entered, there were actors signing autographs, including the talented duo that were on my wish list to meet. I was trying to play it cool that I was going to meet Terry Farrell (Science Officer Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax), and Nicole de Boer (Lieutenant Erzi Dax) but in reality, my beaming grin betrayed that I was a little overcome by the Trill of it all. Both actors took time to chat in such a warm and friendly manner, and we discussed everyday things like Dublin, Irish parents, book clubs and the CuChulain. Our crew’s reputation had preceded me and when I offered my thanks and said goodbye, I was told “I’ll be in the bar later if you are still around!”
Coffee next, and along the way we start bumping into other members of the CuChulain away team, catching up on their exploits and admiring their cosplays. We found the crew’s base of operations (a corner of the bar) where everyone flowed in and out all day depending on what activities they were interested in or what was on the wish list. And there was a lot going on.
- USS Rikers Beard were displaying their wonderful set and had a Transporter talk
- Sci-Fi and STEM talks
- Fun events such as the Cosplay Masquerade and Quarks Mixology Masterclass
- Reading sessions
- A board games room
- A memorabilia auction
- Photo opportunities, meet and greets and autograph sessions.
It is not unknown for some of our crew to have very detailed spreadsheets arranged weeks in advance to ensure they saw everything they wanted to. Listening to the crew and catching up on their best moments it seemed as if everyone was having an enjoyable time, doubly so for those who had attended the Mixology Masterclass!
As timing is everything Ireland were playing England at rugby late afternoon, so the away team gathered around devices to cheer on the lads. We may have been representing many different alien races in cosplay but for once there as a little bit of slipping out of character as there was no mistaking the Irish hearts.
All too soon it was time for the last event of the evening, shore leave on Risa, so yet another costume change. Risa is a planet known for its beautiful beaches and the local’s hospitality, so what better place to party. The DJ wanted everyone on the dance floor; unsurprisingly a CuChulain contingent were first up as this crew love their con dances! In between we caught up with crewmates and new friends discussing the finer things of everything Trek and non-Trek. Eventually we had to jump in a taxi back to the airport and reality. Unfortunately, we didn’t leave enough time for that final change of the evening, back to regular clothes, so we brought a bit of the joy of Risa to the bemused airport security, while our crewmates continued their away mission.
