They had the shirts, badges and insignias- but no weapons to protect themselves.
"Tonight I feel about half naked," said David Jarrett, a member of the the Abilene Star Trek fan club.
These members of the star trek USS Diamondback left their phasers on purpose to the first annual Star Trek Next Generation event held at the Century Theater.
"We deemed it inappropriate," said Clark Trainham, the club's captain.
"It makes my character, who i am better, but id rather step back and step down and not scare any others," said Jarrett.
They would have normally brought a phaser pistol, however after one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history they chose to leave them behind.
"It's out of respect, I want it to be a peaceful situation , I want it to be a family situation," said Jarrett.
Now they're afraid that it may become a habit they'll have to get more used to.
"Well it concerns me when I hear the news media going overboard and maybe suggesting that people shouldn't dress up at theaters or in other public places," said Glenda Stephenson, another member.
Glenda Stephenson has been a star trek fan for years and doesn't to have to pay for another persons actions.
"If you go by what one crazy or disturbed person does, no matter how terrible it is, we can change our lifestyle," said Stephenson.
In fact, fans say the series promotes the very values against the incident.
"You have to be able to separate you know the two realities," said Trainham.
The costumes may be all out of fantasy but- the message they want to send is very real.
"It's all about, you know, people with like interests, getting together and having a good time," said the captain.
The club participates in various charity events to raise funds specifically for autism.
They meet every third Sun. of the month at Betty Rose's BBQ on Rebecca Ln. at 7 p.m.
Members say they welcome anyone interested in joining.
"Tonight I feel about half naked," said David Jarrett, a member of the the Abilene Star Trek fan club.
These members of the star trek USS Diamondback left their phasers on purpose to the first annual Star Trek Next Generation event held at the Century Theater.
"We deemed it inappropriate," said Clark Trainham, the club's captain.
"It makes my character, who i am better, but id rather step back and step down and not scare any others," said Jarrett.
They would have normally brought a phaser pistol, however after one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history they chose to leave them behind.
"It's out of respect, I want it to be a peaceful situation , I want it to be a family situation," said Jarrett.
Now they're afraid that it may become a habit they'll have to get more used to.
"Well it concerns me when I hear the news media going overboard and maybe suggesting that people shouldn't dress up at theaters or in other public places," said Glenda Stephenson, another member.
Glenda Stephenson has been a star trek fan for years and doesn't to have to pay for another persons actions.
"If you go by what one crazy or disturbed person does, no matter how terrible it is, we can change our lifestyle," said Stephenson.
In fact, fans say the series promotes the very values against the incident.
"You have to be able to separate you know the two realities," said Trainham.
The costumes may be all out of fantasy but- the message they want to send is very real.
"It's all about, you know, people with like interests, getting together and having a good time," said the captain.
The club participates in various charity events to raise funds specifically for autism.
They meet every third Sun. of the month at Betty Rose's BBQ on Rebecca Ln. at 7 p.m.
Members say they welcome anyone interested in joining.
