"Comrade Richards, Tear Down That Wall"

The state of TIAH

June 12th, 2006

in 684, a scout arrives at The Beast's encampment and tells him that a small force of Christian soldiers from the local baron is headed his way. The prophet tells some of his people to present a show of surrender to the soldiers, exclaiming the horrors of his treatment of them. When they are mingled among the soldiers, The Beast will strike with his main force and they will turn on the soldiers. The strategy proves devastatingly effective, and all but a handful of the soldiers are killed. He sends them back to their baron with the triple-6 branded on their foreheads for the world to see, and tells them that he owns their souls now. Trembling with fear, they obey him without question.

in 1987, Comrade President Ann Richards, in a goodwill visit to Berlin, listens to the Russian Prime Minister say, “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. Comrade Richards, if you seek peace - if you seek prosperity for Soviet America and Eastern Europe - if you seek liberalization: come to the Berlin gate,” referring to the wall that kept East Berlin from being invaded by the surrounding monarchies. He went on, “Comrade Richards, open that gate. Comrade Richards, tear down that wall.” In one of the strongest statements ever of America's openness to the world's opinion, Comrade Richards allowed the dismantling of the German fortification to begin within the year, and a joyous Germany was reunited with their kin who had been under the benevolent protection of the Americans since the Great Patriotic War.

in 2017, in spite of the combined knowledge of their two races, the crew of the Quorato and the Eagle are unable to decipher the writing on the alien device that transported the Eagle to its current location. The captain of the alien vessel, Kikao, tells Commander Patterson, “We might need consulting scientists on homeworld. Amandara 14 only 2 days away, top speed.” Commander Patterson asks her counterpart, “Don't you have work to do out here, though? I don't want to take you away from your job.” Kikao insists, “Is no trouble, no trouble. You make us famous – first contact with other race since we meet P'Tar.” That statement shocks Commander Patterson. “You mean, you've met other aliens?” Kikao delightedly tells her, “Oh, yeah, we have federation, just like you Star Trek. We got Quarai, we got Emeriosan, and we got P'Tar, all big federation. Amandara system filled with life.” Commander Patterson felt a little twinge of jealousy for the strange creature; it was living a life of exploration that she had only dreamed of, and with better technology, to boot. And, where she came from a system that seemed to be dead except for earth, this creature's home was teeming with other races to share experiences with. She was brought out of her reverie by Kikao saying, “Hey, we got Emeriosan on board – not very friendly, but you wanna meet?”

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Contact to Star Trek. Place your answers in the comments and see the Forum for previous results. For more on 6 degrees games, click here.

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