Insanity's
ChildInsanity's
ChildWhile on an exploratory mission to NGC-2548, the crew of the Enterprise encounter a race of beings dominated by a planet using a biogenetic monster of unbelievable power. Can Captain Chekov and his crew survive an encounter with a lifeform capable of rendering planets lifeless within minutes?
Enjoy this brief excerpt:
“Captain, Star System 112 is dead.”
Aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-B, Captain Pavel Andreievich Chekov turned with a scowl on his face toward Science One. “This I know, Mister Vasquez.” He said looking at the blackened globe of the outermost planet in the system. “Tell me vwhat I do not.” He paced back and forth in front of the mainviewer, glancing occasionally at the three science stations on the bridge’s starboard side.
The chief science officer of the Enterprise shrugged and shook her head in frustration. “There’s a strange quasi-organic radioactive residue on all the planets of this system. There are signs that there was a civilization on the fourth planet.”
“Specify: what kinds of signs?” He peered closely at the mainviewer, as if by closer inspection he expected to have a revelation.
“There’s an uninhabited communications relay station on a small moon in orbit above that world. The moon is a lifeless body without any atmosphere. Logic suggests...” She shrugged as she glanced to Lieutenant Commander Saavik.
“Logic suggests, Captain,” the chief tactical officer, “that there was a space-faring civilization on that planet.” The half-Vulcan half-Romulan raised an eyebrow as if she’d been forced to state the obvious.
“Captain, I’m detecting a buoy on the far-side of this star system,” reported Ensign Buchanan from Science Two.
“Confirmed, Captain,” said Saavik. “It’s approximately three light-hours from our present position.”
“Can you get me a visual?” he turned to face Lieutenant j.g. Escri.
“Negative, sir. Too small at this range. I could give you a graphical simulation based on sensor data,” the mechanical voice of the Illyrian’s voder intoned.
“Do so, Lieutenant.”
“It appears to be a warning buoy, Captain” reported Commander Uhura from Communications.
“How so? Are you receiving a transmission from it, Number One?”
“Yes, sir. It’s broadcasting in several languages. I can make out Tholian and Lyrian among a dozen I don’t recognize.”
“Visual or audio only?”
“Audio, sir.”
“On speakers, please, using the universal translator.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Attention: You are approaching a system deemed quarantined by the Cho-ta’M Directorate. Passage through this system is strictly forbidden under our mandate. Be warned: any trespass into this system will be considered a violation of interstellar law, punishable by destruction of your vessel.”
At the security station, Chief Security Officer Ch’terr’s plumage began turning crimson. The Skorr was flabbergasted. “Unbel-l-lievab-l-l-le! Captain, we—”
The avian was halted by the captain’s raised hand. “Ch’terr, this isn’t our territory. ‘Vwhen in Romania, do as the Romanian police direct you to...’” The captain’s voice trailed off, aware of the tittering he had somehow caused. “Lieutenant Escri, plot a course circumventing this star system by an additional two AUs.”
“Yes, Captain,” came the irritating voder-generated mechanical voice.
“Mister Saavik?” Captain Chekov called across his bridge to the tactical station.
“Sir?”
“I want to know whether or not this system was attacked, or whether some sort of interstellar catastrophe is responsible for this level of destruction.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied, and devoted herself to her assignment.
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