U.S.S. Dudley

NCC - 1971

5. Infinite Evil

Stardate 44191.5

Searching for the missing USS Coventry on the remote world of Zeta Alpha VI the crew discover a strange phenomenon that could threaten all life.

“Captain’s Log, Stardate 44191.5. We have been at Warp for three weeks to reach the remote world of Zeta Alpha VI where the scientific survey vessel USS Coventry has gone missing. Leading the expedition is Professor Sorenson, one time friend of Lt. Commander Zeek; they served together twenty years ago onboard the USS Warrington on it’s ill-fated journey that cost the lives of over a hundred crewmates, an accident many blamed Professor Sorenson for.”

Lt.Cmdr Zeek chats with Commander Gann, revealing that Sorenson is obsessed with finding new energy sources. While many blamed him for the destruction of the USS Warrington he never faced any charges.

The surface is a mix of rocky outcroppings and dense jungle, and the storm is not as violent at surface level.

The group take the rocky route to find the USS Coventry. They come across an odd pit. The pit is totally black; no illumination shows anything from within. Around the rim of the pit are some crystals; Zeek examines them and they register as anti-matter, which should not exist without causing an immense explosion. The pit registers nothing.

The Away Team avoid the pit and continue. In the distance they see the crashed USS Coventry, just beyond the jungle. Poppius then spots a Starfleet uniform. There is no body, just some dust, and the uniform shows burn signs. Zeek deducts he came into contact with anti-matter and was atomised.

Two Starfleet security officers suddenly exit the jungle; seeing the Poppius and Zeek standing over the remains of their comrade they raise their phasers...

Professor Sorenson

Security Chief Lt. Harris takes Lt. Cmdr Zeek goes to see his old crewmate, Prof. Sorenson, the scientist leading the expedition and his assistant Mendoc. It is immediately obvious that Lt. Harris does not like or trust Sorenson, so does not stay. Sorenson claims the anti-matter crystals hold infinite energy, but Zeek is not convinced. Checking the research the crystals do seem to provide amazing energy, but Sorenson has not done any research on why they exist or where they come from.
 

Lt. Vec & Dr. Nat Bat go with acting Captain Brown to the Med Bay. Checking the comatose crewman Warrington his brain activity is at 500%, despite his coma induced position. Brown stats that tsuch activity would kill even a Vulcan. Dr. Bat queries the crystals,"Have they been examined for life signs" (Player obviously thinking of TOS episode "The Devil in the Dark"). Brown says they have not, so they head to see Sorenson.

Ensign Poppius helps with preparing for evacuation with crewman Johns and Lt. Harris. Outside the ship Poppius sees a glowing red outline in the nearby jungle. Lt. Harris, the veteran security chief, says it is the creature and asks Poppius to help him kill it. Poppius points out the creature has killed several crewmen, so running into the jungle would not be prudent, "Captain Ahab doesn't need to catch his whale today." (bonus points to the player for that line).

Poppius heads back into the ship and the ship is secured. Crewman Johns escorts Poppius to the makeshift quarters, passing sickbay where they hear a sound. They look inside to see the supposedly comatose Warrington sitting up. He glares at Poppius, his eyes glowing red!

Zeek and the Captain are convinced this is to do with the crystals, and they are found near the pit.  The Captain, Zeek, Poppius and Lt. Harris head to the pit while the others try to help any trapped crewmen.  The USS Dudley is contact and a request is made to send shuttles immediately.

Zeek concludes his studies of the pit and the anti-matter crystals, and the revelation is frightening.  These crystals are the residue of matter from an anti-matter universe, the pit is a doorway joining the two universes.  Any attempt to remove the crystals from the planet would surely cause the annihilation of those removing them.  The pit cannot be closed, and any attempt to destroy it could result in a catastrophe for the entire Alpha Quadrant and beyond!

The evacuation is complete.  Sorenson and Bat are found alive.  Starfleet is informed of the events and a quarantine is placed around the planet for a more qualified science team to investigate.  The survivors are taken to the nearest Starbase.

This story is a re-write of the Doctor Who episode Planet of Evil, right down to the inclusion of Sorenson.  I have made a twist on the anti-matter creatures, naming them The Infinite, with the intention of using them as a greater threat later in our series.