Acknowledgements

 

In August 2000 I began writing a scenario set during the Bajoran Occupation for the Deep Space Nine Roleplaying Game.

Last Unicorn Games, publisher of the game system, had promised but not yet delivered a supplement based on the Bajorans - and the writers had stated they weren't planning on going into detail regarding the Cardassian Occupation years - so I decided to do my own research.

A bit of time on the Web revealed information regarding the Occupation existed but was scattered among a variety of sites, and what was available was often pretty sketchy. After finishing writing my scenario, I decided to put my notes together into a Web site, to be designed for access by others who appreciate the nuances of the Bajoran culture - one of the most well-developed non-human races ever to appear in the Star Trek genre.

After writing down all I had, I decided to go a little further and create a more comprehensive database. What I thought would take a couple of weeks, however, turned into something greater as I kept uncovering more and more tidbits of information. Eventually I modified my focus into creating a complete, comprehensive, completely canon sourcebook on the Occupation, using everything that has ever been officially mentioned about that dark era.

Eight months later, what you're reading is the result.

Because I've been strict about keeping aligned with established canon - I've only used information taken directly from broadcast episodes of Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation and Voyager - I consider myself a virtual historian, not a writer. As a result, I have many people to thank - people whose imaginations spawned the story ideas, and the Paramount employees who compiled the pieces of information together.

I've plucked bits of data from dozens of episodes, and I would like to express my gratitude toward the many authors whose characters you see in these pages. I would especially, however, like to thank the writers of what I consider to be the most important scripts, the ones that most served to establish the greatest development of the Occupation's background:

Rick Berman and Michael Piller for "Ensign Ro"

Lisa Rich and Jeanne Carrigan-Fauci for "Duet"

Peter Allan Fields for "Necessary Evil"

Gordon Dawson for "Shakaar"

Michael Taylor for "Things Past"

Bryan Fuller for "The Darkness and the Light"

Edmund Newton and Robbin L. Slocum for "Ties of Blood and Water"

Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler for "Wrongs Darker than Death or Night"

Michael and Denise Okuda also have my deep gratitude for their wonderful work putting together an incredible wealth of information titled, The Star Trek Encyclopedia: A Reference Guide to the Future. With thousands of entries, drawings and photos available in hardcopy or interactive CD-ROM, it is truly a labor of love that is indispensable for anyone wanting access to the wealth of data created during Star Trek's 35-year history.

It's a shame there are no bylines for the many "Technical Briefings" that have appeared in the various issues of "Star Trek: The Magazine." As a result, it's impossible to know exactly who to thank for the extremely well done articles on Bajor, Bajoran culture and the Occupation that appeared in issue 11 (March 2000) and issue 20 (December 2000). These magazines, officially approved by Paramount, are fantastic sources for blueprints, illustrations, story notes and other background details that have made the Star Trek universe come alive. Although the authors are unknown, I've made sure to clearly note where they have been quoted - although, in an attempt to maintain the suspension of disbelief throughout my writing, the publication has been renamed as the Federation scientific journal, "Sociological Studies of Intelligent Lifeforms."

Last but not least, I would like to applaud the efforts of Herman Zimmerman and Doug Drexler for their phenomenal Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Technical Manual. I could easily imagine their volume being studied carefully by students in the libraries and classrooms of Starfleet Academy, so I felt it would be highly inappropriate not to quote it - and directly name it as a source - at least a couple of times in my work.

"Remember Forever the Long Night" was intended as a tribute to what I consider to be the greatest long-running drama ever to appear on television. No profit to myself or anyone else is intended by this work. Instead, I only hope that it helps to keep the spirit of Star Trek, the Bajorans and the Occupation alive into the future.

And even more importantly, I pray that it helps in some small way to keep a real memory from ever fading.

Millions of people in our own world - the Jews - lived and died a half-century ago during one of the most horrible episodes of Earth's history. Their pain, suffering and eventual survival are mirrored time and time again by the fictional trials of the Bajoran people.

And it is a foolish fallacy to think that such acts are behind us. One only has to view the Amnesty International Web site to realize that government-sanctioned torture, imprisonment and death in the name of politics and prejudice continues today around the world.

Beyond the excitement and fun, the writers of Deep Space Nine repeatedly attempted to remind their viewers to always be vigilant, that unchecked power coupled with unchecked hatred results in unchecked misery.

If even one person who reads this work becomes intrigued by the subject material and is inspired to learn more about the true history of the Holocaust, or to learn the facts about the many unjustly punished citizens of the world today, my job will have been successful.

To quote an ancient Bajoran saying, "The truth never dies."

May you walk with the Prophets.

Eris Caver

jabaraeris@yahoo.com

June23, 2001

 

Postscript: I am open to any comments, be they applause or criticism, regarding my work, so please e-mail me at the above address if you have any thoughts to pass my way. After nine years as a journalist, I realize I am at times prone to typographical errors, and therefore I am quite used to receiving multiple streams of editing comments. With this in mind, please don't be shy at alerting me of any errors in grammar or lapses in clarity you might discover as you read my writings.

Also, it should be realized that this Web site is a work in progress, and I hope to alleviate its lack of photos in the near future. I welcome any assistance from anyone with any Web-programming experience who might be inspired to enhance the site's aesthetic appeal.

 

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