Stardate: Unknown

Stardate: Unknown is a gen Star Trek: TOS fanzine with five issues and was published in the UK. All fiction and art in the first issue is by Gerry Downes. 
In Universal Translator #1 (Jan/Feb 1980), Downes announces she will no longer publish Stardate: Unknown so that she could devote her time to writing novels. 
At one point, a zine called "Crossroads" was to have been published that would have contained all of Juanita Salicrup's Spock/Christine stories. See: Stardate: Unknown #6.
==Reissues==
In 2001, this series was republished by the Nut Hatch Press and Jane of Australia (Downes' daughter-in-law) as a tribute to Gerry Downes who had recently passed away. 
==On the Subject of K/S==
While the premise was touched on in these zines, they remained, by the editor's definition, gen. She comments on this topic in issue #4:
Gerry Downes' daughter-in-law, Jane of Australia, republished these zines after Downes' death in 2001. Jane of Australia addressed the K/S: 
==Issue 1==
Stardate: Unknown 1 was published in March 1976 and is 97 pages long. All stories and art by Gerry Downes. A second printing was published in July 1976, and a third printing in March 1977.
From a Nut Hatch poorly spelled flyer (by Gerry Downes' daughter-in-law Jane of Australia) in 2001, so many years later: "This issue features full-size type, but no "double spaced" paragraphs, and if there's "white space" in there, we can't find it! Beautiful writing, rich characterization, where each of the three stories pivots upon one of the three major characters. AMONG THE STARS is a McCoy piece ... romatic [sic] and joyous; THE COMING FLAME is very much a Spock piece; and NEBULA OF ORION focuses on Jim Kirk. NEBULA is a "gen" piece, there is no "slash" in this zine, but the fooundations [sic] are laid here for what is to come." flyer 
From the zine: 
* From the Editor and Fanzine Listing (2)
* Among the Stars--The Enterprise discovers the Trrwylans, a gentle, cultured race of winged humanoids who are being hunted to extinction by a neanderthal-Iike species that share their planet. The men of the Enterprise try to find a way to help them survive and McCoy finds a special closeness with the female, Llaria. (4)
*The Coming Flame--While doing survey work for a new Federation member, Spock is drawn into that planetʼs past, while his body slowly dies in this time. (36)
*Nebula of Orion by Gerry Downes--Kirkʼs mind is drawn to the entity that inhabits the nebula and his only chance of survival is in the meld instigated by Spock to draw him back. It is this story that Gerry bases her slash zine Alternative: The Epilog to Orion, the first K/S standalone ever published. It is reprinted in The Compleat Alternative. (64)
File:Stardateunart1.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardateunart2.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardateunart3.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardateunart4.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardate1art5.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardate1art6.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardate1art7.jpg|art from issue #1
File:Stardate1art8.jpg|art from issue #1
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1==
 
==Issue 2==
Stardate: Unknown 2 was published in November 1976 and is 103 pages long. Artwork by Scott Jeffrey, Tracy Scheinkman, Amy Falkowitz, Pat Stall, Marty Siegrist, Gee Moaven, Bill Peterson (3 black and white interiors), Michael Anderson, and Gerry Downes.
Regarding the Nut Hatch Press reprint: " Production challenges, including A3 copies and special "pro-rating" for a large "toner overblow" on some art pages, originally designed for an offset ink system and wreaking such havoc in photocopier toner that they must be budgeted at a greater per-copy cost..." flyer 
*Nessie by Gerry Downes (6) (reprinted from Berengaria #7, also in The Best of Scotty) 
*Reflections (poetry and art; various contributors) (12)
* Full Circle by Gerry Downes--Spock reaches out to help a troubled McCoy. (28) (reprinted in Computer Playback #1) (28)
* Fan clubs (36)
*Mate by Kathy Penland (38)
*The Movie, poem by Gerry Downes (41)
* Crossroads by Juanita Salicrup (42) (sequel is "A Grief Well Ended")
*Journey Into Fantasy by Poets Various (comp. winners) (86)
* One Last Time by Gerry Downes (suggested K/S) (90)
* poems by Karma Beck, Jane Aumerle, Laurie Haldeman, Sandra Gent, and Teri Meyer
File:Stardate2art1.jpg|art from issue #2, Amy Falkowitz
File:Stardate2art2.jpg|art from issue #2, Gerry Downes
File:Stardate2art3.jpg|art from issue #2, Pat Stall
File:Stardate2art4.jpg|art from issue #2, Gerry Downes
File:Stardate2art5.jpg|art from issue #2, Marty Siegrist
File:Stardate2art6.jpg|art from issue #2, Gee Moaven
File:Stardate2art7.jpg|art from issue #2, Gerry Downes
File:Stardate2art8.jpg|art from issue #2, Gerry Downes
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2==
==Issue 3==
Stardate: Unknown 3 was published in July 1977 and is 130 pages long. Art by Gerry Downes, Bill Peterson, Leslie Fish, Kathy Carlson, Connie DiFonso, Pat Stall, Signe Landon, Gee Moaven, Amy Falkowitz, and Marty Siegrist. 
From a later publisher: "134pp at Letter/A4 size, with A3/11x17 foldout art ... lavishly and beautifully illustrated as always.... This issue features full-size type, but no "double spaced" paragraphs, and if there's "white space" in there, we can't find it!" flyer 
 
* Tea Time by Jon Aiken (2)
* Reflections (poetry and art; by various contributors) (20)
* Winged Joy Soaring, Gloriously Uprising by Gerry Downes--Sequel to "Among the Stars" in the previous issue. It has been three years since the Enterprise encountered the Trrwylans and now Kirk and crew have been ordered to relocate the survivors to guarantee their continued existence. McCoy discovers the two new members of the species are his children. (40)
* A Grief Well Ended by Juanita Salicrup (87)
* Poetry: by Gerry Downes (Your Turn, Doctor), Juanita Salicrup (Conundrum), others, Art: William Peterson, Pat Stall, Signe Landon,and Gee Moaven
* Paved with Good Intentions by Gerry Downes--Kirk dreams he's gone to hell. (100) (reprinted in Computer Playback #1) 
* The Sword at the Gate by Jane Aumerle (117)
File:Stardate3art1.jpg|art from issue #3, Virginia Jacobsen, portrays Miramanee
File:Stardate3art2.jpg|art from issue #3, unknown artist
File:Stardate3art3.jpg|art from issue #3, Gerry Downes
File:Stardate3art4.jpg|art from issue #3, Marty Siegrist
File:Stardate3art5.jpg|art from issue #3, Pat Stall
File:Stardate3art6.jpg|art from issue #3, Gee Moaven
File:Stardate3art7.jpg|art from issue #3, Signe Landon
File:Stardate3art8.jpg|art from issue #3, Gerry Downes
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3==
 
==Issue 4==
Stardate: Unknown 4 was published in 1978 and is 102 pages long. Pre-production, Downes showed the original cover to Takei at a con and he signed it, which means ALL covers have the autograph across the front.
From Nut Hatch Press regarding the reprint: 'This is the first issue to feature reduced type and twin columns, and as is the rule, there are no "double spaced" paragraphs, and again, if there's "white space" in there, we can't find it!" flyer 
From the editorial: 
*Almost Home by Jon Aiken, art: Bill Peterson. Investigation of two black holes plus an encounter with Space: 1999. (8)
* Enterprise Incident by Isabel Real. Memos from Starfleet, parody. (22)
*Reflections (poetry and art; various contributors) (includes art 'Waiting' by Sandra Gent and more art by Alice Jones) (24)
*He's Your Brother, George, Only You Call Him Sam by Gerry Downes, art: Virginia Jacobsen. After Deneva, Kirk’s thoughts on the past with his brother. (44) (reprinted in Computer Playback #1) 
*Sing Silently, Stars ... We Sail On Into The Night by Frankie Jemison, art by Gerry Downes (54)
* Two Tickets, Please by Gerry Downes (56) (also in Warped Space #23 and Computer Playback #1) 
*A Bridge of Crystal and Light by Juanita Salicrup (artist — not certain) Spock and Christine’s marriage. (58)
*The Crew of the Enterprise in poetry and art various contributors, Pat Stall (84)
*A Wilderness of Arctic Characteristics by Gerry Downes, art by Gerry Downes--Kirk in storm. (94) (reprinted in Computer Playback #6) 
*The Last Battle by Frankie Jemison (artist — not certain) (98)
* Downes comments on a number of zines: Scuttlebutt, Showcase #4, Delta Triad #4, Interstat, Pegasus #2, Zebra Three, Warped Space, The Sensuous Vulcan, Mahko Root, and The Best of Pon Farr, Solar Sailors, Contact #4, R&R #4 and #5, The Turbolift Review, Beyond Orion #2, Sahaj Collected, Fantasia #2, Paradise, Side-Trekked, Galactic Discourse #2, Axanar see some of those pages. 
File:Stardate4art1.jpg|art from issue #4, Bill Peterson
File:Stardate4art2.jpg|art from issue #4, Bill Peterson
File:Stardate4art3.jpg|art from issue #4, Toni Hardeman?
File:Stardate4art4.jpg|art from issue #4, Alice L. Jones
File:Stardate4art5.jpg|art from issue #4, Virginia Jacobsen
File:Stardate4art6.jpg|art from issue #4, Gerry Downes
File:Stardate4art7.jpg|art from issue #4, Alice L. Jones
File:Stardate4art8.jpg|art from issue #4, Beverly Zuk, poem by Dotty Barry
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4==
==Issue 5==
Stardate: Unknown 5 is 162 pages long and was published in 1979.
*One Final Truth by Shirley Passman, art: Bill Peterson ("Kirk is chained in an alien dungeon, and Spock does NOT have rescue in mind.") (9)
*Reflections (poetry and art; various contributors) (24)
*The Visiting, by Elizabeth Dulac, Art: Shona Jackson (40)
* The Third Way by Frankie Jemison, art by deVera and Gerry Downes ("A different way to cope with Vulcan biology.") (43)
* Presenting the Enterprise (45)
*Amanda of Vulcan by Jean Lorrah, art by Beverly Zuk (reprinted in NTM Collected #2) (56)
*Not For Heroes Only by Jon Aiken (69)
*The Human Tear by Ginna LaCroix, art by Gerry Downes (also in Trek Encore #2) (69)
* A Port in Every Storm by Dotty Barry (74)
*A Time of Parting by Kate Hindes,art by deVera and Gerry Downes (99)
*Star Trek Episodes in poetry and art, various contributors (106)
*Sometimes It Takes A Walk Through Hell... by Gerry Downes, art by Gerry Downes (131)
* What if the 'T' in JTK Really did Stand for 'Tomcat' by Gerry Downes ("The Captain is missing and as Spock and McCoy hunt for him, they are constantly pestered by an unusually friendly cat.") (150)
*Cats by Elizabeth Marshall
File:Stardate5art1.jpg|from issue #5, Shona Jackson
File:Stardate5art2.jpg|from issue #5, William Peterson
File:Stardate5art3.jpg|from issue #5, Gil
File:Stardate5art4.jpg|from issue #5, Pat Stall
File:Stardate5art5.jpg|from issue #5, SB?
File:Stardate5art6.jpg|from issue #5, Melinda Shreve
File:Stardate5art7.jpg|from issue #5, Kathy Carlson
File:Stardate5art8.jpg|from issue #5, Gerry Downes
File:Stardate5art9.jpg|from issue #5, GAR
File:Stardate5art10.jpg|from issue #5, Pat Stall
File:Stardate5art11.jpg|from issue #5, Beverly Zuk
File:Stardate5art12.jpg|from issue #5, ERIC
==Issue 6, The Issue that Never Was==
In a 1978 personal statement, Gerry explains she has had massive quality control issues with a printing company, one of four of which she dealt with. She also comments on the sixth issue of the zine: "As things stand now, number 6 will be the last. Putting out the zine has become a hassle, the volume of correspondence is enough to make strong men weep, and assembly of the material has turned into an endless round of inquires, commitments, no-shows, illness, restructuring... I've even let myself down a few times. There is enough good material in some stage of preparation to give me confidence that the remaining issues will have a variety of high quality offerings. Beyond that, I shudder to think of starting over." from Scuttlebutt #5 in January/February 1978 
In a 1979 personal statement in Scuttlebutt, Gerry cites real life challenges have caused her to cancel the sixth issue. The material that was to appear in it would be published in Star Canticle #3, Galactic Discourse #3, and Nome. Also, "If Juanita Salicrup receives enough SASEs to warrant the cost of the project, she will publish the new stories in the 'Crossroads' series, along with the ones that appeared in 'Stardate: Unknown.'" 
From the zine news section of the September 1979 issue of Warped Space: "Due to a horrendous physical workload and financial risks involved in doing a fan zine, STARDATE: UNKNOWN #6 has been cancelled. Readers with s.a.s.e.s on file will receive an editorial/explanation, info on where the S:U6 material will appear and as many 'zine listings/reviews as Gerry can fit in just as soon as she gets it all together."
According to Universal Translator #3, "Crossroads" was to have had illos by Alice Jones, was to have been issued in two or three volumes in late 1980.
==External Links==
* Stardate Unknown at the Star Trek Annotated Fanzine Index
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Gen and Het Anthology Zines
Category:1976 Zines
Category:1970s Zines