The Role of Zephram Cochrane
by
> Why do you think Zefram Cochrane is revered all over the galaxy?
We were talking about Zephram Cochrane and the founding of the Federation.
The Earth is at the emotional center of the Federation. There would be no federation without the Vulcans, the Andorians and the Tellarites - but these people would never have founded the Federation without Earth.
The Earth of Star Trek is not the same as the Earth of today - It's different. Therefore there must have been a change
In Jay-Trek this change is motivated by the "Post Atomic Horror", WWIII and other such insanity. The cultures societies and governments of Earth collapse unable to function - and the people of earth long for something that will work...
What they need a is a plan. What they need is permission to feel like they are allowed to build their new future world ...
The Role of Cochrane
In Jay-Trek it works like this -
Earth of the 2080's -
Zephram Cochrane: "Hey everyone. I invented a Warp Drive. Buy one today! Operators are standing by! Easy terms!"
People of Earth: "We need a Heroic Figure to lead us to a new age!"
Cochrane: "Where? Does he want a Warp Drive?"
People of Earth: "A Visionary who can pursue a vision despite terrible obstacles!"
Cochrane: "Buy a warp drive! Think Missile silos are CHEAP!?"
People of Earth: "Yes, a Leader who can open the door to a new age!"
Cochrane: "You people are starting to scare me..."
People of Earth (Mumble among themselves): "Well, the discovery of sentient life in the galaxy was a historical event - major new age there."
The decision is made
People of Earth: "LEAD US OH, COCHRANE!"
Cochrane: "What? Huh? Look it, was just a damned warp drive! Weird Physics booga-booga! What do I know about leading-"
Little Girl near the front of the crowd: "It will be a world of justice!"
People of Earth: "YES, Oh COCHRANE, lead us to a world of Justice!"
Cochrane: (Really scared now) "Ummm, errrr." (Looks around wildly) "People of Earth ... Build a world of... uh ...Justice!"
The people of Earth quickly build a world of Justice. "Like this Great Cochrane?"
Cohrane: "Um. Sure. Great. That's fine."
People of Earth: "COCHRANE HAS LEAD US TO AN AGE OF JUSTICE!"
Cochrane: "What? I have?"
People of Earth: "Now lead us to world of plenty, oh Great Cochrane!"
Cohrane (Disbelieving) "Emmm, okay, this is going to be a little tougher.."
People of Earth: "We Support you Unreservedly, oh Great Cochrane!"
Cochrane: "People of Earth! Build a world of Plenty!"
(Years of hard work ensue)
People of Earth "Does this please you, oh great Cochrane?"
Cochrane: "You people ROCK!"
People of Earth: "WE ROCK! COCHRANE ROCKS! WE ALL ROCK!!!"
(Big parties ensue)
People of Earth: "Oh Great Cochrane! Help us rehabilitate our Ecology!"
Cohrane, dumbstruck: "Oh, err ugh, Let me think about that one. Hmmmm."
Vulcan staffer from the embassy slides up and slips information into Cochranes Hands. "Perhaps you will this helpful."
Cochrane holds up information, upside down, then right side up. "What if we do this?"
People of Earth: "Cochrane is a GENIUS!!!"
Ecological scientists: "Well, not that way. But if we did it this way and like this over here..."
Cochrane: "I don't want to hog all the credit. Listen to the wise words of the scientists and let it be done."
(Years of hard work ensue)
People of Earth: "We make progress! We're helping Earth to heal herself! Cochrane! Lead us!"
Messenger from Earth Dome arrives: Cochrane opens the message - One silver bullet and a note "Your first and last vote."
Cochrane: "I eschew Political Ambitions!"
People of Earth: "HE RISES ABOVE PETTY POLITICS! TRULY THE LEADER OF OUR AGE!!!"
Earth Dome (strained smile): "Thank you for being our elder statesman, Doctor Cochrane."
Cochrane: (Even more strained Smile) "People, things are working okay today - let's not rock the boat too much."
People of Earth: "COCHRANE IS A VOICE FOR WISE MODERATION!!"
Cochrane: "I love these people."
Earth Dome: "Yes, Aren't they great?"
-----
Years Later
Random person of Earth 1: "Oh, Great Cochrane Approve of my child Zephram!"
Cochrane: "This is a girl."
RPofE1: "She could have no greater honor!"
Random person of Earth 2: "Oh, Great Cochrane, Does my recipie for Spaghetti Sauce contain too much oregano? Lead me, Oh wise one!"
Cochrane: "Screw this, I'm outta here."
-----
Even more Years later
People of Earth to Vulcans: "Did we mention how cool Zephram Cochrane was?"
Vulcans: "Yes. Yes, you did."
PoE: "Because he really is."
V: "As you have said."
PoE: "He saved us all!"
V: "On numerous occasions."
PoE: "We're having a cool Cochrane Day Party!"
V: "And the location will be-"
PoE: "At Cochrane School, in Cochrane City, at the Corner of Cochrane Avenue and Sloane Street."
V: "The usual place, then."
PoE: "Did we mention how cool Cochrane was?"
V: "Indeed you did."
and so on...
Disclaimer: Paramount owns all things Trek. I claim original characters and
situations in this material for me.