The Admiral’s Log: My Journey Through ‘Star Trek Online’ – Part LVI

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

A Voyage to Vulcan

‘Live long, and prosper.’
- Ambassador Spock 

One of my fondest memories when it comes to being introduced to the Star Trek franchise as a whole, was the first time that I ever saw Lieutenant Commander Spock on screen. Because there was just something magical about seeing an alien with pointy ears, who had a giant IQ that he wasn’t afraid to use, be accepted by his peers and be embraced as a valuable member of the Enterprise crew. But while there was a strange nerdy personal tie that I immediately shared with Spock, what mattered more about that opening introduction to this iconic character, is the sheer fact that he was the first ‘alien’ that mainstream audiences were able to properly get to know and well… I think he’s one of the big reasons this franchise is so darn popular.
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Because for the most part, aliens are often viewed as bad guys in science fiction since they tend to come down to Earth to rob us of our precious resources or enslave us because they can and while that does make for good storytelling, getting to see how other species live in Trek is something that is far more powerful and supremely unique. Because it does in essence, humanize these beings and allow for us to understand other cultures better, a message we can definitely use in modern times. But all commentary aside, the franchise does deserve serious credit for creating so many fictional species that feature a rich future history and Spock’s race is one that has captivated so many and that’s why I’m so supremely thankful of the fact that Vulcan is a place that one can actually visit in Star Trek Online.

For this allows for fans of the series to get up close and personal with one of the most important worlds in the Federation, one that helped guide mankind to interstellar travel in the first place and well, I won’t lie, beaming back down here again after all this time, more or less took my breath away. Because despite its stark and harsh nature, there is an odd beauty to this planet, especially when one considers that this desert like world, one that looks inhospitable at first glance, is home to a race of beings who embrace the chaos of the environment as part of their push to find peace and logic in all things. Something that is reflected in the physical design of the cities of Vulcan, since everywhere you go offers up some unique and magnificent architecture, the kind that I’ve yet to see replicated anywhere else in the game.

Which means, in essence, the Vulcans are one with their home, since the powerful statues and cathedrals and monasteries seem to be extensions of the world itself and that really does make for some stunning views. But truly, the magic of arriving on this world, is the sheer fact that you’re standing on Vulcan. The very world that helped to bring mankind out of its darkest hour, that guided our planet to become part of something greater and where legends like Spock once roamed and that… just brings out the geekiest part of you and it’s quite cool to traverse this ancient world and see the monasteries that feature incredibly steep hills to symbolize one’s quest toward logic and to set foot in an arena that appears to be straight out of The Original Series episode, ‘Amok Time’.

If anything, this is indeed one of the coolest places in the game to visit, one that quite frankly I need to see more often simply because it takes me back to that sense of wonder I experienced the first time I saw the planet on the original Star Trek. Plus, it’s a fine place to be reminded of Leonard Nimoy’s contribution to the role of Spock and the franchise as a whole, since there is a memorial to him that stands in the square and well, this planet really is a Trekker/Trekkie’s dream come true. But alas, there is a bittersweet element that comes with this particular journey. For there is only one planet left to explore in the galaxy, the one that now protects and defends countless others. But before we return to Earth and everything it has to offer, we will take a moment to explore one more important element in the game, one that made this journey possible, and the bridge of the U.S.S. Galactica is where we will pick up our discussion, next time. Until then.  

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