(I'll Be) The Only Thing Between You and the Stars at Night Primer
Okay, so, I wrote this story so that it would be accessible to everyone in bandom, regardless of whether they’d never seen an episode of Star Trek, or they’d seen random episodes here and there, or they were die hard Trekkers. I think everything is pretty well explained throughout the fic without being too heavy on the exposition. But I thought you might like to see what the different alien species look like. Also, why this isn’t a crossover, there are cameo appearances by a few Star Trek characters, so I’ve included them, too.
Deep Space Nine:
This is the main setting for the story. It is a station in orbit of the planet Bajor. Until very recently (three years before the beginning of the story), the Bajorans were slaves to the Cardassians who practiced genocide, and the station was under Cardassian rule. Now Starfleet operates the station, though it is considered Sovereign Bajoran territory, and Bajorans are in charge of security.
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Bajorans:
Bajorans are humanoids and externally they are very similar to Humans. Their distinguishing feature is their nose, the bridge of which has between three and five ridges. When pregnant, Bajoran women sneeze often and repeatedly. All Bajorans also wear earrings that are of religious and social importance. Religion is the most important thing in Bajoran society and the Bajoran gods/prophets are real beings who interact and pass information, etc. to their people through an Emissary.
This is Major Kira, the Bajoran who runs DS9 along with Commander Sisko.
This is Leeta:
Here is Commander Sisko. He is Human. He is also the Bajoran Emissary, the head of Bajoran religion.
Vulcans and Romulans:
Originally the same species, the two split when the Vulcans decided to give up their violent, hateful ways. The Romulans relocated to Romulus and have evolved differently. Vulcans are recognisable by their severely arched brows and pointed ears, and are noted for their logic and cool, emotionless nature. They are a highly advanced society, the first to greet Humankind and welcome them into the warp age, and now the backbone of the Federation.
Here is a Vulcan
Romulans have a more pronounced, bony brow and similar ears to Vulcans. They are confrontational and warlike, and believe in the superiority of their species. They occupy a section of space known as the Romulan Star Empire, which is surrounded by a demilitarised zone. They often have a shaky-at-best mutual non-aggression pact with Starfleet. Think China.
Here is a Romulan
Cardassians:
Even fonder of war than the Romulans, and believing that they, too, are the master species, Cardassians are often known by the pejorative “Spoonheads” because of the spoon shaped ridges on their foreheads. They have grey skin and thick cords running up their necks. The Cardassians are often at war. Think WWII Germany.
Klingons:
Though they believe that ultimate honour lies in fighting and dying in battle, the Klingons do not fight just for the sake of fighting. They are a highly advanced culture and though in early Starfleet days they had a relationship with the Federation similar to that between Soviet Russia and the US, in modern times the Klingons are a helpful ally.
Known for their aggressive (though not necessarily violent) demeanour, Klingons are distinguished by several cranial ridges, and thick, curly hair. This is a full Klingon followed by a half Klingon.
Risians:
From the pleasure planet Risa, Risians are a very sexually adventurous species interested in exploration and, well, pleasure. Distinguishable from Humans by the small silver, gold or bronze disk on their foreheads.
Trill:
Perhaps the oldest, most sophisticated of the species in the Star Trek universe, the Trill are exceptional in that they take part in a symbiotic relationship. A limited number of Trill can train and compete for the honour of being host to a symbiot. In this way, the Trill host is able to access the memories and experiences of the previous hosts, and the symbiot is able to live several hundreds of years. Trills, whether joined or not, have small, dark spots along their hairlines that extend down their entire body. They are an adventurous people, interested in new experiences and other cultures.
Jadzia is a Trill joined to a symbiot named Dax.
Changelings:
As their name suggests, Changelings have the ability to assume any form into which they can stretch or compress their mass. The Changelings sent 100 babies into the universe in order to gain information in preparation for conquest, but several did not return. They live in the Gamma Quadrant, and with the recent discovering of the wormhole, they have been introduced to Starfleet. Now the Changelings, along with the Vorta and the Jem’Hadar have formed the Dominion, and are interested in conquering the Federation.
Constable Odo is one of the 100 Changelings. He landed on Bajor. His face is smooth and featureless because he took on his form when he was quite young, before he’d mastered his ability to change, and he has preferred to keep it that way.
Vorta:
Are a species indigenous to the same planet as the Changelings. The Changelings have genetically enhanced them to be loyal only to them. Vorta have hood like growths from their ears to their jaws, similar to a Cobra, and have purple eyes. They do not often die, but when they do, they have the ability to clone themselves, retaining memories. Sometimes the cloning process goes wrong.
Betazoid:
An enlightened race, capable of communication through telepathy, Betazoids are externally identical to Humans save the pigment of their eye, which is black.
Ferengi:
Interested primarily in the acquisition of wealth, Ferengi are known to be the barterers and swindlers of the galaxy. As of the time this story takes place, women are not allowed to wear clothing on the Ferengi planet, nor are they allowed to own property. Quark is DS9’s resident Ferengi, and runs a bar and grill.
Q Continuum:
Almost every being in the Q Continuum goes by the designation Q. They are omnipotent, omniscient beings who generally keep to themselves. There have been a few exceptions, the most famous being Q.
Appearing on the Enterprise, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, Q pretty much likes to fuck with everyone. He has made Enterprise play out his own fantasy version of Robin Hood, put the crew on trial for the crimes of humanity, killed and resurrected members, and most famously and worst of all, introduced Starfleet to the Borg, which led to the single most devastating incident in Federation history, the Battle of Wolf 359.
The other Q generally don’t approve of Q’s behaviour, and have reprimanded and punished him in various ways.
Some other races/characters mentioned. The pictures are pretty much all you need to know about them…
Doctor Julian Bashir:
Taresian:
Brunali:
Wadi:
Deep Space Nine:
This is the main setting for the story. It is a station in orbit of the planet Bajor. Until very recently (three years before the beginning of the story), the Bajorans were slaves to the Cardassians who practiced genocide, and the station was under Cardassian rule. Now Starfleet operates the station, though it is considered Sovereign Bajoran territory, and Bajorans are in charge of security.
[
Bajorans:
Bajorans are humanoids and externally they are very similar to Humans. Their distinguishing feature is their nose, the bridge of which has between three and five ridges. When pregnant, Bajoran women sneeze often and repeatedly. All Bajorans also wear earrings that are of religious and social importance. Religion is the most important thing in Bajoran society and the Bajoran gods/prophets are real beings who interact and pass information, etc. to their people through an Emissary.
This is Major Kira, the Bajoran who runs DS9 along with Commander Sisko.
This is Leeta:
Here is Commander Sisko. He is Human. He is also the Bajoran Emissary, the head of Bajoran religion.
Vulcans and Romulans:
Originally the same species, the two split when the Vulcans decided to give up their violent, hateful ways. The Romulans relocated to Romulus and have evolved differently. Vulcans are recognisable by their severely arched brows and pointed ears, and are noted for their logic and cool, emotionless nature. They are a highly advanced society, the first to greet Humankind and welcome them into the warp age, and now the backbone of the Federation.
Here is a Vulcan
Romulans have a more pronounced, bony brow and similar ears to Vulcans. They are confrontational and warlike, and believe in the superiority of their species. They occupy a section of space known as the Romulan Star Empire, which is surrounded by a demilitarised zone. They often have a shaky-at-best mutual non-aggression pact with Starfleet. Think China.
Here is a Romulan
Cardassians:
Even fonder of war than the Romulans, and believing that they, too, are the master species, Cardassians are often known by the pejorative “Spoonheads” because of the spoon shaped ridges on their foreheads. They have grey skin and thick cords running up their necks. The Cardassians are often at war. Think WWII Germany.
Klingons:
Though they believe that ultimate honour lies in fighting and dying in battle, the Klingons do not fight just for the sake of fighting. They are a highly advanced culture and though in early Starfleet days they had a relationship with the Federation similar to that between Soviet Russia and the US, in modern times the Klingons are a helpful ally.
Known for their aggressive (though not necessarily violent) demeanour, Klingons are distinguished by several cranial ridges, and thick, curly hair. This is a full Klingon followed by a half Klingon.
Risians:
From the pleasure planet Risa, Risians are a very sexually adventurous species interested in exploration and, well, pleasure. Distinguishable from Humans by the small silver, gold or bronze disk on their foreheads.
Trill:
Perhaps the oldest, most sophisticated of the species in the Star Trek universe, the Trill are exceptional in that they take part in a symbiotic relationship. A limited number of Trill can train and compete for the honour of being host to a symbiot. In this way, the Trill host is able to access the memories and experiences of the previous hosts, and the symbiot is able to live several hundreds of years. Trills, whether joined or not, have small, dark spots along their hairlines that extend down their entire body. They are an adventurous people, interested in new experiences and other cultures.
Jadzia is a Trill joined to a symbiot named Dax.
Changelings:
As their name suggests, Changelings have the ability to assume any form into which they can stretch or compress their mass. The Changelings sent 100 babies into the universe in order to gain information in preparation for conquest, but several did not return. They live in the Gamma Quadrant, and with the recent discovering of the wormhole, they have been introduced to Starfleet. Now the Changelings, along with the Vorta and the Jem’Hadar have formed the Dominion, and are interested in conquering the Federation.
Constable Odo is one of the 100 Changelings. He landed on Bajor. His face is smooth and featureless because he took on his form when he was quite young, before he’d mastered his ability to change, and he has preferred to keep it that way.
Vorta:
Are a species indigenous to the same planet as the Changelings. The Changelings have genetically enhanced them to be loyal only to them. Vorta have hood like growths from their ears to their jaws, similar to a Cobra, and have purple eyes. They do not often die, but when they do, they have the ability to clone themselves, retaining memories. Sometimes the cloning process goes wrong.
Betazoid:
An enlightened race, capable of communication through telepathy, Betazoids are externally identical to Humans save the pigment of their eye, which is black.
Ferengi:
Interested primarily in the acquisition of wealth, Ferengi are known to be the barterers and swindlers of the galaxy. As of the time this story takes place, women are not allowed to wear clothing on the Ferengi planet, nor are they allowed to own property. Quark is DS9’s resident Ferengi, and runs a bar and grill.
Q Continuum:
Almost every being in the Q Continuum goes by the designation Q. They are omnipotent, omniscient beings who generally keep to themselves. There have been a few exceptions, the most famous being Q.
Appearing on the Enterprise, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, Q pretty much likes to fuck with everyone. He has made Enterprise play out his own fantasy version of Robin Hood, put the crew on trial for the crimes of humanity, killed and resurrected members, and most famously and worst of all, introduced Starfleet to the Borg, which led to the single most devastating incident in Federation history, the Battle of Wolf 359.
The other Q generally don’t approve of Q’s behaviour, and have reprimanded and punished him in various ways.
Some other races/characters mentioned. The pictures are pretty much all you need to know about them…
Doctor Julian Bashir:
Taresian:
Brunali:
Wadi:
