The Star Trek fandom is mourning this week at the news that Nichelle Nichols passed away from natural causes at the age of 89. Nichols played Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek series and in the first six movies, later becoming a recruiter for NASA and taking on a role in TV’s Heroes.
To mark the life of this incredible individual, the Star Trek Online community paused to hold vigil in her honor. In many places, online fans gathered to hold up torches, rename their ships, share memories, or create likenesses of the actress. MOP reader and industry vet Hikari Kenzaki kindly posted screenshots of one ceremony she attended in yesterday’s One Shots, shown above.
“Words cannot express the pain we feel at this loss,” Cryptic posted. “The world has lost one of its best and brightest lights today. Farewell, Nichelle. Thank you for breaking new ground, for brightening our hearts, and for always being a source of joy.”
It’s become a tradition that fallen Star Trek actors are memorialized in the online game in some way, shape, or form. It remains to be seen what Cryptic will do for Nichols.
In honor of Nichelle Nichols, we are holding a torch-light vigil in ESD. from sto
Words cannot express the pain we feel at this loss. The world has lost one of its best and brightest lights today. Farewell, Nichelle. Thank you for breaking new ground, for brightening our hearts, and for always being a source of joy. pic.twitter.com/Wp0Ybcr9Rs
— Star Trek Online (@trekonlinegame) July 31, 2022
