History Recap / StarTrek25thAnniversary

A message arrives from Starfleet Command indicating that the U.S.S. ''Masada'' has failed to report in. The ''Enterprise'' travels to their last known location - Beta Myamid - to investigate the matter, but encounters a [[SpacePirates pirate ship]] instead. The pirates attempt to drive the ''Enterprise'' out of the area, but after a brief fight [[BullyingADragon they are forced to withdraw themselves]]. The ''Enterprise'' tracks the retreating pirate ship to the vicinity of Beta Myamid, where it locates the U.S.S. Masada intact.\\

When Kirk hails the ship, he is answered by Cereth, an Elasi pirate captain from the planet Menalvagor whose clan has spent the last three years waging a criminal/terrorist campaign against Federation targets [[VillainWithGoodPublicity under the guise of political revolution]]. Cereth announces that he has hijacked the Masada and [[HostageSituation taken her entire crew hostage]]. He demands that the Federation agree to [[PrisonerExchange release 25 of his compatriots]], held in a Federation prison for heinous acts of piracy and murder - [[SuicideAttack or else he will destroy the ship]]. Kirk attempts to convince Cereth to beam over for negotiations, but Cereth sees through the ruse (knowing he would have to drop his shields to beam over, and thus be open to a boarding action). Kirk is forced to acquiesce to the demand, if only to buy some time.\\

Studying the records in the ''Enterprise'' computer, Kirk discovers the Masada's [[OverrideCommand prefix code]] and uses it to drop the Masada's shields for a brief moment - long enough to beam himself and his away-team into the ship. They arrive to discover severe signs of battle, and detect a powerful [[BrokenBridge energy field blocking entry into the ship's bridge]]. After reviving a downed Masada crew-member, Kirk and Spock begin to formulate a plan to assault and take over the bridge without giving the Elasi time to execute their hostages. First they assault the brig, where most of the Masada's crew are being kept behind a forcefield, and take out two of the pirates in the process.\\

Examining the brig carefully, Spock discovers that the forcefield to the hostages' holding cell has been [[BoobyTrap booby-trapped]] with a powerful bomb. He disarms the bomb, releasing the hostages. The now-freed crew-members reveal a sneaky way to disable the forcefield protecting the bridge, but Kirk instead opts to trust Spock's engineering skills. He instructs Spock to repair the Masada's damaged transporter system, so that it can be used to beam the entire away-team onto the bridge for a [[DynamicEntry surprise attack]]. They scrounge many scrap pieces and tools from the disheveled corridors of the Masada, and Spock manages to [[MacGyvering jury-rig the transporter]] for a single use.\\

Kirk and the team beam themselves onto the bridge, taking the pirates completely by surprise. Despite his ruthlessness and cunning, Elasi Cereth is forced to acknowledge that [[WorthyOpponent he has been bested by Kirk's ingenuity]], and surrenders himself and his fellow terrorists over to Kirk. An ''Enterprise'' security team beams over to take control of the Masada, and the mission ends in a resounding success.

The team hikes up the mountains towards the "haunted" mines, but halfway there they are suddenly ambushed by [[EerilyOutOfPlaceObject a trio of Klingons]]. After a short firefight, the Klingons are all stunned. Curiously enough the ''Enterprise'' chimes in to report that it had detected the phaser fire - but no disruptor fire (the Klingons' preferred and only type of firearm). Furthermore, upon examining the fallen Klingons Spock discovers that they are not real - but rather [[AmbiguousRobots organic constructs]]. Kirk collects the severed hand of one of these fake Klingons for later study, while [=McCoy=] collects the required plants and the team retreats to the colony to synthesize the medicine.\\

While the away-team is exploring the ship, [[WhatAnIdiot Mudd himself causes no end of trouble]]. Messing with the ship's sick-bay apparatus he accidentally breaks a container of unknown gases, [[ChemicallyInducedInsanity triggering a violent paranoid psychotic reaction in himself]] which [=McCoy=] must cure him of. Later on, he messes with the now-accessible computer in an attempt to download its valuable information, but instead only manages to [[LethallyStupid wipe the entire database clean]]. Finally, the shoddy life-support system he had installed on board begins to malfunction, [[TooDumbToLive threatening the lives of both himself and the away-team]].\\

Returning to the ''Enterprise'', Kirk takes the ship to the planet Vardaine, guessing that the "fake" ''Enterprise'' would be found there. Vardaine is a Federation world, but its government [[FalseFriend does not see eye-to-eye with the Federation]], and its culture respects different values from the Federation's lofty ideals - dabbling in [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke eugenics]], refusing to share technology, foulting human rights, and rejecting a Federation inquiry into their violations. As expected, the ''Enterprise'' encounters [[EvilTwin its twin ship]] near the planet.\\

Returning to the ''Enterprise'', Kirk takes the ship to the planet Vardaine, guessing that the "fake" ''Enterprise'' would be found there. Vardaine is a Federation world, but its government [[FalseFriend does not see eye-to-eye with the Federation]], and its culture respects different values from the Federation's lofty ideals - dabbling in [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke eugenics]], refusing to share technology, flaunting human rights, and rejecting a Federation inquiry into their violations. As expected, the ''Enterprise'' encounters [[EvilTwin its twin ship]] near the planet.\\

After completing this "test", the team find themselves in a room that is clearly of alien origin and was never discovered by the Klingons. Inside is a machine [[UnusualUserInterface operated by colorful gems]] that, when placed in the correct sequence, call forth an entity called "Bialbi", an ancient alien caretaker. Bialbi decides to arbitrate in Quetzecoatl's case, teleporting Vlict into the room and confronting him with charges of genocide. Kirk intervenes, and manages to [[SaveTheVillain convince Bialbi to spare Vlict's life]] if Vlict promises to drop the charges against Quetzecoatl. Vlict agrees to this exchange, and Bialbi decrees that the Klingons will must never return to Hrakkour.\\

While the surgery is taking place, additional Klingon warships arrive at Zamphor, commanded by Admiral Vlict Kenka - high commander of the Klingon fleet. As Kirk tries to convince him that Quetzecoatl is not to blame for whatever happened to Hrakkour, it becomes clear that [[GenocideFromTheInside Kenka himself is the one who purged the planet]] of all life ([[WhereIWasBornAndRazed including his own family]], who were the ruling family of that planet), simply because Quetzecoatl's philosophy of peace [[MercyKill had "corrupted" them all]]. Kirk wants to refuse Vlict's demands for extradition, but Starfleet contacts the ''Enterprise'' to let them know that the Organians had decreed that Quetzecoatl must face trial in a Klingon court. Fortunately, they had also decreed that Kirk could act as a representative at the trial. The ''Enterprise'' departs to Hrakkour for the proceedings.\\

Upon beaming over to the Ark-7, the away-team discovers that the Romulans have holed themselves up on the lower deck. Spock and [=McCoy=] delve into the station's records, and discover that the scientists had [[FreakLabAccident accidentally developed a virus]] called "Oroborus" that is [[SyntheticPlague deadly to both Romulans and Vulcans]] - which means that [[TickingClock Spock is now also infected]]. According to the station logs, the scientists - [[{{Pacifist}} avowed pacifists]] - [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone intended to destroy both the virus and the research that led to its creation]], but the Romulans attacked before they could do so.\\

On the asteroid's surface, Kirk and team discover a [[DoorOfDoom massive door]] leading into an underground complex. Using his recently-acquired knowledge about numbers sacred to the old Lucr culture, [[ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish Kirk manages to guess the access codes to the base's two outer doors]], and the team enters the facility. However in the meanwhile, the problems up on the ''Enterprise'' begin to compound: Both the phaser banks and the tractor beam system - [[TickingClock necessary to counter any potential missile launches from the base]] - have apparently succumbed to a ComputerVirus that was uploaded to the ''Enterprise'' when it scanned the asteroid. Uhura, displaying remarkable knowledge in computer science, begins looking for solutions to the problem.\\

The team rushes down to Sickbay, one of the few accessible parts of the nearly-destroyed ship. There they find Brittany Marata, an old acquaintance of Kirk's from the Academy, dying on a medical bed. [=McCoy=] treats her to the best of his abilities, but with her [[LAstWords last breath]] she [[MistakenForMurderer accuses the]] ''[[MistakenForMurderer Enterprise]]'' [[MistakenForMurderer of destroying the]] ''[[MistakenForMurderer Republic]]''.\\

The team rushes down to Sickbay, one of the few accessible parts of the nearly-destroyed ship. There they find Brittany Marata, an old acquaintance of Kirk's from the Academy, dying on a medical bed. [=McCoy=] treats her to the best of his abilities, but with her last breath she [[MistakenForMurderer accuses the]] ''[[MistakenForMurderer Enterprise]]'' [[MistakenForMurderer of destroying the]] ''[[MistakenForMurderer Republic]]''.\\

The U.S.S. ''Republic'' (the ship that IronicEcho fought a mock battle against the ''Enterprise'' [[IronicEcho at the very start of the game]]) reported twelve hours ago that [[DistressCall it was under attack]]. The ''Enterprise'' arrives to investigate, but finds the Republic heavily damaged and adrift. Sensors detect only two crewmembers still alive on board, and no other ships in the area. Kirk hurries to beam over to the ''Republic'' in the hope of saving any survivors.\\

After completing [[JustifiedTutorial a simulated training exercise]] against the U.S.S. ''Republic'', the ''Enterprise'' receives a message from Starfleet Command. They are asked to visit Nikolasi, a colony on the planet Pollux V, where [[SpaceAmish Federation settlers belonging to an isolationist but harmless religious sect]] have reported being attacked by "[[HowUnscientific Demons]]" near their hafnium mines.\\

The U.S.S. ''Republic'' (the ship that fought a mock battle against the ''Enterprise'' at the very start of the game) reported twelve hours ago that it was under attack. The ''Enterprise'' arrives to investigate, but finds the Republic heavily damaged and adrift. Sensors detect only two crewmembers still alive on board, and no other ships in the area. Kirk hurries to beam over to the ''Republic'' in the hope of saving any survivors.\\

On the ''Republic'', the situation is grim. The last crewmember alive on the bridge dies moments before the away-team arrives. The ship has no power, save for what little is keeping the life-support systems active. Accessing the last Captain's Log, the team hears a baffling report of another Constitution-class starship attacking the ''Republic'' for no apparent reason.\\

The team rushes down to Sickbay, one of the few accessible parts of the nearly-destroyed ship. There they find Brittany Marata, an old acquaintance of Kirk's from the Academy, dying on a medical bed. [=McCoy=] treats her to the best of his abilities, but with her last breath she accuses the ''Enterprise'' of destroying the ''Republic''.\\

With the entire crew dead, Kirk resolves to try and restore power to the ''Republic'', while the ''Enterprise'' moves off to assist a trader vessel transmitting a distress code in the vicinity. The away-team scrounges up several components and links the still-functional impulse engines into the ship's power-routing system. Next, they manage to unjam the malfunctioning door to the Auxiliary Control Room (which is in much better shape than the ship's primary bridge), where they find tapes containing several ship's logs as well as a functioning reader. The logs describe the ''Republic's'' battle with two cloaked (but not Romulan) ships near the Vardaine system, which caused her some damage. When the ''Republic'' then encountered the ''Enterprise'' it asked for Scotty's help with repairs, but instead the ''Enterprise'' opened fire and defeated the ''Republic'', leaving it in its current state.\\

Due to heavy damage to the ship's computer, Spock has to hook up his and [=McCoy=]'s tricorders to the computer, allowing him to route power to the ship's shields. As soon as he does this, an Elasi pirate ship suddenly de-cloaks on the main viewscreen, apparently having waited in ambush for the ''Enterprise'' to move far enough away. The Elasi Captain demands that Kirk send information from the ''Republic's'' computers about the same terrorists that the hijacker of the ''Masada'' failed to retrieve (in episode 2, "Hijacked"). Kirk asks for more time, seeing how the ''Republic's'' computer is heavily damaged - and the Elasi agrees.\\

Kirk considers firing the ''Republic's'' last torpedoes at the Elasi ship, but the Fire Control System indicates a jam in the launch mechanism. Unfortunately, the torpedo bay is inaccessible due to a hull breach. Instead, Kirk and the team opt to use the transporter, which they hook up to a portable power pack found in a corridor near Main Engineering. Ensign Kije, the [[RedShirt security officer]], volunteers to transport to the weapons room, where he unjams the doors of the torpedo tube and is beamed back.\\

The team returns to the Auxiliary Control Room and Kirk contacts the Elasi Captain. He explains that the ''Republic'' cannot transmit the information, and asks the Elasi captain to beam aboard to collect it himself. The Elasi falls for the ruse and drops his shields, whereupon Kirk fires two torpedoes at the Elasi ship, disabling its weapon systems. The ''Enterprise'' rushes back, and the Elasi cloak their ship and disappear.\\

Returning to the ''Enterprise'', Kirk takes the ship to the planet Vardaine, guessing that the "fake" ''Enterprise'' would be found there. Vardaine is a Federation world, but its government does not see eye-to-eye with the Federation, and its culture respects different values from the Federation's lofty ideals - dabbling in eugenics, refusing to share technology, flaunting human rights, and rejecting a Federation inquiry into their violations. As expected, the ''Enterprise'' encounters the twin ship near the planet.\\

The fake-''Enterprise'' is commanded by Dr. Ies Bredell, a man whose illegal practices had been exposed by Kirk a decade earlier when he was serving on the U.S.S. ''Farragut''. Bredell is holding a grudge, and having created a replica of a Constitution-class vessel based on stolen blueprints, he has named it ''Enterprise-2'' and has vowed to take his vengeance on Kirk by destroying his ship - the real ''Enterprise''.\\

As battle ensues between the two identical vessels, two Elasi pirate ships de-cloak and join the fight. Despite the odds, the well-trained crew of the ''Enterprise'' manage to come out on top, destroying all three foes.\\

Once the battle is over, the ''Enterprise'' receives a message from Starfleet summing up their performance during the entire game (the fourth year of the ''Enterprise's'' "five-year mission to explore strange new worlds", etc.). Thanks to their stellar performance, Starfleet has decided to grant the crew some shore leave. The story of the ''Enterprise's'' fifth year continues in ''[[VideoGame/JudgmentRites Star Trek: Judgment Rites]]''.

Consulting with Spock and the ship's computer, [[DoingTheResearch Kirk learns a great deal about the ancient history and cultures of Proxtrey]]. The inhabitants of this world, once divided into two primary cultures, nearly destroyed themselves in a nuclear war a millennium ago, and are only now beginning to return to their previous level of technology. The current culture is very religious, and considers the asteroid in question to be their god of war, whom they call "Scythe". Kirk also learns that one of the warring cultures of the planet before its holocaust used [[AlternativeNumberSystem the trinary system (base-3)]] in their mathematics.\\

On the asteroid's surface, Kirk and team discover a [[BigScaryDoor massive door]] leading into an underground complex. Using his recently-acquired knowledge about numbers sacred to the old Lucr culture, [[ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish Kirk manages to guess the access codes to the base's two outer doors]], and the team enters the facility. However in the meanwhile, the problems up on the ''Enterprise'' begin to compound: Both the phaser banks and the tractor beam system - [[TickingClock necessary to counter any potential missile launches from the base]] - have apparently succumbed to a ComputerVirus that was uploaded to the ''Enterprise'' when it scanned the asteroid. Uhura, displaying remarkable knowledge in computer science, begins looking for solutions to the problem.\\

A Federation satellite orbiting Proxtrey, a planet in the Alpha Proxima system, reports strange energy readings from a nearby asteroid passing near the planet. The ''Enterprise'' is sent to investigate clandestinely, seeing as the inhabitants of Proxtrey are a non-spacefaring culture.\\

Consulting with Spock and the ship's computer, Kirk learns a great deal about the ancient history and cultures of Proxtrey. The inhabitants of this world, once divided into two primary cultures, nearly destroyed themselves in a nuclear war a millennium ago, and are only now beginning to return to their previous level of technology. The current culture is very religious, and considers the asteroid in question to be their god of war, whom they call "Scythe". Kirk also learns that one of the warring cultures of the planet before its holocaust used the trinary system (base-3) in their mathematics.\\

Upon reaching the asteroid, initial scans reveal that it houses an ancient nuclear missile launch facility built by the Lucrs - one of the two ancient warring cultures of Proxtrey. Spock quickly surmises that this base may have been what destroyed the civilization on the planet below, and that the asteroid may in fact be Proxtrey's old moon - knocked out of orbit during the war. Based on this hypothesis, he deduces that the missile base may have become active again once the Proxtrians on the planet below re-invented the radio, and that it may now be preparing to fire its remaining missiles at Proxtrey.\\

On the asteroid's surface, Kirk and team discover a massive door leading into an underground complex. Using his recently-acquired knowledge about numbers sacred to the old Lucr culture, Kirk manages to guess the access codes to the base's two outer doors, and the team enters the facility. However in the meanwhile, the problems up on the ''Enterprise'' begin to compound: Both the phaser banks and the tractor beam system - necessary to counter any potential missile launches from the base - have apparently succumbed to a computer virus that was uploaded to the ''Enterprise'' when it scanned the asteroid. Uhura, displaying remarkable knowledge in computer science, begins looking for solutions to the problem.\\

Inside they find a solid door with a keycard lock, and a mineshaft with a large laser drill. Spock scans the keycard lock and inputs the shape of the desired keycard into the laser drill, firing it to create a template. Kirk places some rocks from the asteroid's surface on top of the template, and Spock uses the drill again to melt them, creating a duplicate of the keycard. This allows the team to open the locked door. While they do this, Uhura and Transporter Chief Kyle manage to remove the virus from the ''Enterprise'' computers by attacking it with a Klingon computer virus. However the affected systems are still damaged, and will not be able to assist if the base launches its payload.\\

After completing this "test", the team find themselves in a room that is clearly of alien origin and was never discovered by the Klingons. Inside is a machine [[UnusualUserInterface operated by colorful gems]] that, when placed in the correct sequence, call forth an entity called "Bialbi", an ancient alien caretaker. Bialbi decides to arbitrate in Quetzecoatl's case, teleporting Vlict into the room and confronting him with charges of genocide. Kirk intervenes, and manages to convince Bialbi to spare Vlict's life if Vlict promises to drop the charges against Quetzecoatl. Vlict agrees to this exchange, and Bialbi decrees that the Klingons will must never return to Hrakkour.\\

While the surgery is taking place, additional Klingon warships arrive at Zamphor, commanded by Admiral Vlict Kenka - high commander of the Klingon fleet. As Kirk tries to convince him that Quetzecoatl is not to blame for whatever happened to Hrakkour, it becomes clear that [[GenocideFromInside Kenka himself is the one who purged the planet]] of all life ([[WhereIWasBornAndRazed including his own family]], who were the ruling family of that planet), simply because Quetzecoatl's philosophy of peace [[MercyKill had "corrupted" them all]]. Kirk wants to refuse Vlict's demands for extradition, but Starfleet contacts the ''Enterprise'' to let them know that the Organians had decreed that Quetzecoatl must face trial in a Klingon court. Fortunately, they had also decreed that Kirk could act as a representative at the trial. The ''Enterprise'' departs to Hrakkour for the proceedings.\\

Kirk and his away-team beam down to Zamphor, and immediately encounter a powerful alien being calling itself "Quetzecoatl". As it turns out, this being is in fact the ancient Aztec god of the same name. When confronted with the Klingon accusations of genocide, and the atrocities committed by the Aztecs in his name, Quetzecoatl becomes angry and teleports the away-team into a pit elsewhere on the planet to "learn the error of their ways".\\

The away-team use their ingenuity to escape the pit, and follow a path of insect-powered lights deeper into the jungles of Zamphor, hoping to locate Quetzecoatl again. They pass several obstacles along the way, including an angry Aztec priest of Quetzecoatl as well as a giant squid monster lurking in the river underneath a fallen-log bridge. They finally arrive at Quetzecoatl's abode inside a dilithium crystal cavern, only to discover that Quetzecoatl was testing them to see whether they are truly as advanced as they had appeared to be at first.\\

At his abode, Quetzecoatl inquires about the fate of the Aztecs and laments the brutal evolution of their religion, claiming that his message of peace and self-sacrifice had simply been subverted. He speculates that the same thing must have happened to the Klingons on Hrakkour. Shaken by this revelation, Quetzecoatl expresses his desire to give up his powers - which are bestowed by a gland at the top of his spine. He asks Kirk to undergo surgery on the ''Enterprise'' to remove the gland. Kirk agrees, and the team beams back to the ship together with Quetzecoatl.\\

While the surgery is taking place, additional Klingon warships arrive at Zamphor, commanded by Admiral Vlict Kenka - high commander of the Klingon fleet. As Kirk tries to convince him that Quetzecoatl is not to blame for whatever happened to Hrakkour, it becomes clear that Kenka himself is the one who purged the planet of all life (including his own family, who were the ruling family of that planet), simply because Quetzecoatl's philosophy of peace had "corrupted" them all. Kirk wants to refuse Vlict's demands for extradition, but Starfleet contacts the ''Enterprise'' to let them know that the Organians had decreed that Quetzecoatl must face trial in a Klingon court. Fortunately, they had also decreed that Kirk could act as a representative at the trial. The ''Enterprise'' departs to Hrakkour for the proceedings.\\

At the courtroom on Hrakkour, it quickly becomes evident that Vlict intends to find Quetzecoatl guilty at all costs, to cover up for Vlict's own genocidal actions - which were not approved by the Klingon government. Citing his own honor in the past when encountering Klingons, Kirk manages to convince Vlict to allow him and his team to go through the "Test of Life" originally prepared for Quetzecoatl to determine his guilt. \\

Kirk and the team are transported to an old section of the Klingon mines under Hrakkour. First, they must defeat an entity of pure electricity blocking their way forward, which Kirk does by melting some iron ore and coating a support beam with it, then throwing it at the monster. After that, they contact the ''Enterprise'' to overcome a lock that appears to have been tampered with specifically to kill anyone trying to open it.\\

After completing this "test", the team find themselves in a room that is clearly of alien origin and was never discovered by the Klingons. Inside is a machine operated by colorful gems that, when placed in the correct sequence, call forth an entity called "Bialbi", an ancient alien caretaker. Bialbi decides to arbitrate in Quetzecoatl's case, teleporting Vlict into the room and confronting him with charges of genocide. Kirk intervenes, and manages to convince Bialbi to spare Vlict's life if Vlict promises to drop the charges against Quetzecoatl. Vlict agrees to this exchange, and Bialbi decrees that the Klingons will must never return to Hrakkour.\\

While the away-team is exploring the ship, [[WhatAnIdiot Mudd himself causes no end of trouble]]. Messing with the ship's sick-bay apparatus he accidentally breaks a container of unknown gases, triggering a violent paranoid psychotic reaction in himself which [=McCoy=] must cure him of. Later on, he messes with the now-accessible computer in an attempt to download its valuable information, but instead only manages to wipe the entire database clean. Finally, the shoddy life-support system he had installed on board begins to malfunction, threatening the lives of both himself and the away-team.\\

When the Enterprise finally returns, Kirk confronts Mudd over his blunders - which have possible criminal ramifications - and coerces him to agree to donate five of each alien artifact found on the ship to a Federation research institute. Mudd protests but finally agrees, and the away-team beams back to the ''Enterprise'', with Kirk holding in his pocket a partial copy of the alien computer's databases that he had cleverly downloaded earlier.\\

After sending their mission report back to Starfleet, Uhura informs Kirk that she had made travel arrangements for Stella Mudd to meet her long-lost husband on a nearby Starbase - as a small punishment for his misconduct.

The ''Enterprise'' is ordered to investigate reports of increased Elasi pirate activity in the Harlequin system. The ship arrives there just in time to interrupt a pirate attack on a small scout vessel. The scout takes the opportunity to slink off while the ''Enterprise'' drives the pirates away. After the battle, the ''Enterprise'' tracks the scout's ion trail to the nearby Harrapa system, where they discover the scout's pilot - the infamous Harry Mudd - staking claim to a derelict vessel of unknown alien design. Mudd requests the ''Enterprise'''s protection from further pirate attacks, which Kirk is inclined to refuse at first, but Mudd protests that he is a Federation citizen and cannot be denied their protection. Nevertheless, Kirk insists on boarding the derelict himself to investigate whatever it is that Mudd had found on the ship, and to determine why the pirates have been coming after him.\\

The away-team arrives in the derelict's cargo bay, where they discover Mudd rummaging through an incredible collection of alien artifacts. He admits to have been selling some of the more useful items around the sector, claiming them to be his own inventions. Kirk locates several interesting items and discovers that they can be combined. When he does so, the result is a dangerous hand-held weapon - explaining why the pirates have been so keen on finding the source of Mudd's merchandise.\\

The ''Enterprise'' leaves the vicinity to chase off several approaching pirate ships, leaving Kirk and his crew to explore the derelict further. They discover a unique, functional weapon system on board, and decide to later install it on the ''Enterprise'' to boost its firepower. They also discover an alien computer system, and after determining the aliens' mode of thinking, manage to decipher the controls and access the memory banks. Inside is a treasure-trove of information about the aliens themselves, as well as data on medical technology far advanced beyond the Federation's capabilities.\\

While the away-team is exploring the ship, Mudd himself causes no end of trouble. Messing with the ship's sick-bay apparatus he accidentally breaks a container of unknown gases, triggering a violent paranoid psychotic reaction in himself which [=McCoy=] must cure him of. Later on, he messes with the now-accessible computer in an attempt to download its valuable information, but instead only manages to wipe the entire database clean. Finally, the shoddy life-support system he had installed on board begins to malfunction, threatening the lives of both himself and the away-team.\\

The bulk of the mission involves Kirk and crew [[DiongResearch attempting to research a cure for the virus]] themselves. After some trial and error, it turns out that the virus is [[WeaksauceWeakness vulnerable to ammonia]]. [=McCoy=] synthesizes a cure using the station's advanced scientific machinery, and injects it into Spock. Additionally, Kirk synthesizes a small quantity of a substance called [=TLTDH=], essentially a Romulan/Vulcan [[KnockoutGas laughing gas]], which he releases into the station's ventilation system to [[InstantSedation knock out the dying Romulans]] barricaded on the lower deck.\\

[=McCoy=] proceeds to [[SaveTheVillains inject the dying Romulans with the cure]] and free the hostages. The scientists explain to Ardea Preax that the virus was developed completely by accident, and that they had intended to destroy it all along. Thanks to Kirk's valiant attempt to cure the Romulans despite their hostile action, the Romulan commander [[WorthyOpponent accepts this explanation]] and agrees to stand down and return to Romulan space.

Romulans have crossed the Neutral Zone and attacked the Federation Research Station Ark-7. This station, headed by none other than Dr. Carol Marcus (Kirk's OldFlame) studies molecular biology and the origins of life itself. The ''Enterprise'' is sent to investigate, and upon arrival is immediately attacked by a Romulan Bird-of-Prey. After defeating the ship (which self-destructs to avoid capture) the ''Enterprise'' finds another Bird-of-Prey already docked at the station. The station itself is broadcasting an automated biohazard warning. The Romulan ship's commander, Centurion Ardea Preax, accuses the Federation of using the Ark-7 to develop biological weapons against the Romulan Empire. His crew is holding the station and its scientists captive, and he warns that other Romulan ships will be arriving soon to destroy it.\\

Upon beaming over to the Ark-7, the away-team discovers that the Romulans have holed themselves up on the lower deck. Spock and [=McCoy=] delve into the station's records, and discover that the scientists had accidentally developed a virus called "Oroborus" that is deadly to both Romulans and Vulcans - which means that [[TickingClock Spock is now also infected]]. According to the station logs, the scientists - avowed pacifists - intended to destroy both the virus and the research that led to its creation, but the Romulans attacked before they could do so.\\

The bulk of the mission involves Kirk and crew attempting to research a cure for the virus themselves. After some trial and error, it turns out that the virus is vulnerable to ammonia. [=McCoy=] synthesizes a cure using the station's advanced scientific machinery, and injects it into Spock. Additionally, Kirk synthesizes a small quantity of a substance called [=TLTDH=], essentially a Romulan/Vulcan laughing gas, which he releases into the station's ventilation system to knock out the dying Romulans barricaded on the lower deck.\\

[=McCoy=] proceeds to inject the dying Romulans with the cure and free the hostages. The scientists explain to Ardea Preax that the virus was developed completely by accident, and that they had intended to destroy it all along. Thanks to Kirk's valiant attempt to cure the Romulans despite their hostile action, the Romulan commander accepts this explanation and agrees to stand down and return to Romulan space.

A message arrives from Starfleet Command indicating that the U.S.S. ''Masada'' has failed to report in. The ''Enterprise'' travels to their last known location - Beta Myamid - to investigate the matter, but encounters a pirate ship instead. The pirates attempt to drive the ''Enterprise'' out of the area, but after a brief fight they are forced to withdraw themselves. The ''Enterprise'' tracks the retreating pirate ship to the vicinity of Beta Myamid, where it locates the U.S.S. Masada intact.\\

When Kirk hails the ship, he is answered by Cereth, an Elasi pirate captain from the planet Menalvagor whose clan has spent the last three years waging a criminal/terrorist campaign against Federation targets under the guise of political revolution. Cereth announces that he has hijacked the Masada and taken her entire crew hostage. He demands that the Federation agree to release 25 of his compatriots, held in a Federation prison for heinous acts of piracy and murder - or else he will destroy the ship. Kirk attempts to convince Cereth to beam over for negotiations, but Cereth sees through the ruse (knowing he would have to drop his shields to beam over, and thus be open to a boarding action). Kirk is forced to acquiesce to the demand, if only to buy some time.\\

Studying the records in the ''Enterprise'' computer, Kirk discovers the Masada's prefix code and uses it to drop the Masada's shields for a brief moment - long enough to beam himself and his away-team into the ship. They arrive to discover severe signs of battle, and detect a powerful energy field blocking entry into the ship's bridge. After reviving a downed Masada crew-member, Kirk and Spock begin to formulate a plan to assault and take over the bridge without giving the Elasi time to execute their hostages. First they assault the brig, where most of the Masada's crew are being kept behind a forcefield, and take out two of the pirates in the process.\\

Examining the brig carefully, Spock discovers that the forcefield to the hostages' holding cell has been booby-trapped with a powerful bomb. He disarms the bomb, releasing the hostages. The now-freed crew-members reveal a sneaky way to disable the forcefield protecting the bridge, but Kirk instead opts to trust Spock's engineering skills. He instructs Spock to repair the Masada's damaged transporter system, so that it can be used to beam the entire away-team onto the bridge for a surprise attack. They scrounge many scrap pieces and tools from the disheveled corridors of the Masada, and Spock manages to jury-rig the transporter for a single use.\\

Kirk and the team beam themselves onto the bridge, taking the pirates completely by surprise. Despite his ruthlessness and cunning, Elasi Cereth is forced to acknowledge that he has been bested by Kirk's ingenuity, and surrenders himself and his fellow terrorists over to Kirk. An ''Enterprise'' security team beams over to take control of the Masada, and the mission ends in a resounding success.

At the end of the tunnel, the team reaches what appears to be a massive alien life-support facility, [[HumanPopsicle currently keeping a large number of creatures in suspended animation]]. Figuring out that the machine is waiting for another eclipse that will never come, Kirk solves a puzzle embedded on the side of the machine, which requires aligning the planet with its sun and moon to form an "eclipse" pattern. This triggers the alien facility, raising a chamber from the floor, out of which climbs a strange reptilian creature that greets Kirk. The creature identifies itself as a Nauian - one of the original inhabitants of the planet - and tells the story of how his people put themselves into suspended animation in order to survive the ice-age caused by a meteor storm eons ago. He also explains that the machine is capable of scanning the minds of any potential intruders, [[IKnowWhatYouFear learning their greatest fears]], and creating organic constructs to resemble those fears and [[|ScarecrowSolution drive the intruders away from the facility]]. Unfortunately, the key that disables the machine is missing, and it cannot be turned off - [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters potentially posing a risk even to the Nauians themselves]].\\

Returning quickly to the mountain, Kirk and crew finally enter the mines and discover the door that the colonists spoke of, [[DoorOfDoom a massive metal door of advanced make]], blocked by rubble from the avalanche. Carefully clearing the rocks away with their phasers, the team discovers the trapped miner underneath, just barely alive. [=McCoy=] treats the miner and [[OnlyMostlyDead resuscitates him]]. With the door now cleared of obstacles, Spock discovers a [[LockedDoor hand-print identification panel]] next to the door. Kirk surmises that the panel might be opened using the hand of the fallen "Klingon", and has Spock repair it back at the colony. Sure enough, the hand opens the door, leading into a tunnel going deep into the mountain.\\

After healing the injured man, Kirk questions some of the colonists who've encountered the "demons" near the mines, and hears stories of a variety of different mythical/demonic beings attacking the miners. Each miner appears to have been attacked specifically by an evil creature from his own religious beliefs. Additionally, Brother Stephen relates the history of the planet to Kirk: Its moon was destroyed in a cataclysm many millennia ago, and meteor strikes [[ApocalypseHow caused the planet to undergo an ice age]] which has just recently begun to wane. He also explains that this is one of the rare planets in the galaxy that used to experience a full solar eclipse when its moon was still around. Finally, Stephen shows Kirk his collection of trinkets picked up from the surrounding area by various colonists, some of which he believes indicate that the area used to be inhabited by an alien culture of some sort.\\

Upon reaching the planet and beaming down, the crew are warmly greeted by the colonists, but are informed that a recent encounter with a "[[{{Hellgate}} gateway to hell]]" down in the mines and a subsequent mysterious avalanche had left one of their miners buried under fallen rocks. A rescue team was sent, but it was attacked by "demons", with one man severely injured. [=McCoy=] examines that injured man and determines that he is developing a serious infection, the cure to which is not available in the ''Enterprise'''s medical supplies. Fortunately, Brother Stephen, an amateur scientist among the colonists, points out that [[HealingHerb a plant that grows near the mines]] may be synthesized to produce the required medicine.\\

After completing a simulated training exercise against the U.S.S. ''Republic'', the ''Enterprise'' receives a message from Starfleet Command. They are asked to visit Nikolasi, a colony on the planet Pollux V, where [[SpaceAmish Federation settlers belonging to an isolationist but harmless religious sect]] have reported being attacked by "[[HowUnscientific Demons]]" near their hafnium mines.\\

After healing the injured man, Kirk questions some of the colonists who've encountered the "demons" near the mines, and hears stories of a variety of different mythical/demonic beings attacking the miners. Each miner appears to have been attacked specifically by an evil creature from his own religious beliefs. Additionally, Brother Stephen relates the history of the planet to Kirk: Its moon was destroyed in a cataclysm many millennia ago, and meteor strikes caused the planet to undergo an ice age which has just recently begun to wane. He also explains that this is one of the rare planets in the galaxy that used to experience a full solar eclipse when its moon was still around. Finally, Stephen shows Kirk his collection of trinkets picked up from the surrounding area by various colonists, some of which he believes indicate that the area used to be inhabited by an alien culture of some sort.\\