Dr.
Sevrin
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Irini Galliulin
Mary-Linda Rapelye
Tongo Rad
Victor Brandt
Adam
Charles Napier
Mavig
Deborah Downey
Lt. Palmer
Elizabeth Rogers
Hippie Girl
Phyllis Douglas
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The
U.S.S. Enterprise is in pursuit of a stolen star cruiser, the 'Aurora',
which is heading directly for Romulan space. Under the strain of the chase
its engines start to overheat and the six occupants are beamed aboard
the Enterprise just before the craft explodes. Kirk and Spock head towards
the transporter room, having been advised by Starfleet that one of the
group is Tongo Rad, who is the son of the Catullan ambassador with whom
they are currently in delicate treaty negotiations, and that the group
should be dealt with tolerantly.
The leader of the group, who have the appearance of 20th century 'hippies,
is a man called Dr. Sevrin who used to be a brilliant research scientist
in communications and acoustics on the planet Tiburon. Their philosophy
of 'One' is symbolised by an egg shape which they make with their hands
which Spock appears to understand as it has similarities with his own
IDIC beliefs. Spock explains to Kirk that the group has rejected the use
of modern technology, returning to more primitive basics, and is searching
for a paradise world that they call 'Eden'.
McCoy gives them a routine medical check-over and discovers that Sevrin
is a victim of the technological society that he has forsaken and is a
carrier of the artificial virus synthococcus novae, which could prove
potentially deadly to undeveloped planets. Despite his followers protests
Sevrin is put into isolation by Kirk which results in the captain being
branded a 'herbert' because of his being a stickler for regulations. Spock
tries to reason with Sevrin about his condition but concludes that the
man is insane. However, the Vulcan becomes curious about their quest and
carries out his own researches into the possible location of 'Eden'.
The rest of the group are allowed to mix with the ship's crew and are
impressed by Spock's virtuosity with the Vulcan lyre when he takes part
in a 'jamming' session. Chekov discovers that one of the group is a girl
called Irina Galliulin with whom he had a relationship before they fell
out when she dropped out of Starfleet Academy. Sevrin is 'rescued' from
his isolation by Tongo Rad and the group makes its way to an auxiliary
control room where they manage to gain control of the ship. Using the
results of Spock's research and calculations they plot a course towards
'Eden' which takes them directly through Romulan space. On arrival, Sevrin
uses his knowledge of acoustics to render the crew of the Enterprise unconscious
and his group travels down to the planet's surface in a shuttlecraft.
On regaining consciousness, Kirk takes Spock, McCoy and Chekov down to
the planet where they discover that the plant life, although beautiful,
is acid-based and deadly. The group of six are found sitting in the shuttlecraft,
nursing burns to their bare feet caused by the acidic grass. Sevrin's
insanity comes to the fore and, disregarding the intense pain, he runs
to a tree and takes a bite out of one of its acidic fruits which kills
him instantly. The rest of the group are taken back on board the Enterprise
and delivered to the nearest starbase where the various characters make
their farewells and Spock expresses the hope that they will one day discover
the 'Eden' for which they are searching. |
