Yes, there were those who would like to translate the entire works of Shakespeare into Klingon or who are actively translating the bible. But these caricatures no longer exist. There is a new breed of Star Trek fans known as Trekkers.

Trekkers are as varied as a bag of liquorice allsorts. They watch Absolutely Fabulous, can be politically correct, maybe even lead boring lives.

Not surprisingly, recent research in the United States by Paramount Television showed that the regular weekly audience of over 20 million consists of more high-income, college-educated viewers than the average American show.

My generation, who grew up watching The Six Million Dollar Man and reading Asimov's I, Robots, did not care about the cruel disparities. For us, science fiction is a way of life. We now snigger behind the backs of those who sneered when we see them fumble over new fangled technology such as 'the computer'.

The Trekkers (and the Trekkies) are responsible for the Star Trek phenomenon sweeping the globe.

The well-oiled machinery that is Star Trek now includes a merchandising franchise that is worth over US$2 billion (HK$15 billion). There are novels, over 60 million worldwide in print with new titles being released every month, a range of Star Trek comic-books (including 'graphic novels') a monthly magazine for series in syndication (except for the new Voyager series) board and computer games.

An important part of this machinery is the growing number of global Star Trek conventions, where the Trekkers and Trekkies meet.

In the US, there are at least four or five conventions every month, where the Star Trek alumni like James Doohan (Scotty) or Rene Auberjonois (Commander Sisko in DS9) appear. Over 200 conventions and conferences take place every year and there are hundreds of fan clubs worldwide.

The creator, Gene Roddenberry, former World War II aviator and Los Angeles cop, is considered a god by Trekkers. His genius was not merely in coming up with 'idea' but in developing the concept into what it has become.

In the pilot episode The Cage in 1964, Gene created a female second in command aptly named Number One (played by Majel Barrett who later became Majel Barrett Roddenberry), an innovation in the 60s. He put a black woman, an Oriental and a Russian (plus a sometimes sober Scotsman) on the bridge of the US Enterprise NCC-1701.

Gene Roddenberry paved the way for his prodigy Rick Berman. And after his death in 1991, Berman brought us Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), Deep Space Nine (DS9) and now, the wonderful Star Trek: Voyager.

Out of the TNG grew DS9, set in the background of the conflict between the Bajorans and the Cardassians. It is the number one rated drama in US syndication circles.

It is predicted that the whole Star Trek phenomenon can only get bigger, especially if Berman stays true to the vision of Roddenberry.

The latest instalment, Star Trek: Voyager, is already a shining example. The new series has been met with enthusiasm and will no doubt be successful. Star Trek: Generations has grossed over US$75 million after 19 weeks of release.

There could be countless spin-offs just from the characters in The Next Generation alone, such as 'Q' (played by the inimitable and brash Jon de Lancie) and The Borg (played by various mechanical parts attached to a human prop).

And the in the pipeline is a series on the early days of Captain Kirk and Spock during their time at Starfleet academy and how this develops into the well-known relationship on the bridge of the US Enterprise NCC-1701. The unwavering loyalty of fans will ensure Star Trek goes on and on until what we think is science fiction becomes science fact.

Huey Tan is a lawyer and a self-confessed Trekker