The starship Voyageur! Who'da thunk it? Human beings did finally make it into space and us Indians were (are?) right there! I myself have always been a major sci-fi fan. I don't know if it was Star Wars or the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy that did it, but I've always wanted to make the trip into hyperspace, stick a babblefish in my ear, meet crazy aliens.

Chakotay is so cool. His people are Mayan and they have come a long way, baby. From the rubber trees of the jungle to the Delta Quadrant, in less than a millenium! And this from a people who resisted the intrusion of more technological societies...until the development of warp drive, which allowed them to leave Earth and find another planet where they could live in peace.

Chacotay is even more delicious up close than he is on the small screen! Oh sure, the fact that he is Number One --First Officer of the U. S. S. Voyager-- is kind of exciting. He's capable, honest and has integrity to spare. But Chacotay's most attractive quality is the nonchalent way he mixes his traditions with a technologically advanced, space-faring way of life. I mean, his sacred bundle contains a tricorder!

I'm not sure what to make of the Federation. On the positive side, they explore space without bothering other civilizations. The Prime Directive is basically a hands-off policy that states that Federation officers may not interfere with the natural evolution of the people they meet. But, that is still paternalistic. I mean, can't a people decide for themselves if they want a new technology? Sheesh.

Have you noticed this trend back to a single name? Like Tecumseh, Pocahontas or Madonna. I really thought it would go the other way. I thought people's names would just keep getting longer and longer, as people added their hyphenated maternal and paternal grandparents' names to thier birth certificates. Oh well, wrong again.

What is really cool about the future is how you can have a great job even if your face is tattooed.