STARDATE 2402.10
An ion storm in the area has conveniently presented the crew of the Essex the opportunity to enjoy an extended shore leave on Copernicus Majerus, a pleasant tropical planet that prides itself on its beautiful beaches. Though the storm raged throughout the sector, the ship’s low orbit allowed the planet's magnetic field to shield it from most of the damaging effects.
The chirping of the Captain's communicator disrupted a private moment he was having with a lovely exotic hostess. First officer Baxtor excused himself for the interruption and reported that the good doctor was "gone". Dr. Heronomous had not reported for duty and he was currently not on board the ship. Duty officers reported that he did not leave the ship either by transport, travel pod or shuttlecraft. Transport stations on Copernicus Majerus reported that they haven't received the doctor. With that, the captain cuts his shore leave short and returns to the ship.
Once on board, Curp took immediate steps to locate the trusted doctor.A search through the doctor's quarters showed that he has been there recently. The bed was unmade and looked slept in. Aside from a few personal effects and clothes, there was nothing in his quarters to indicate where he may have gone or what possibly happened to him. Tricorder scans indicated that the room had an unusual spatial continuity. A quick cross reference with the ship's computer showed a similar reading taken from the alien ship on the planetoid located in the Tarsis nebula (See Episode 4 "What's Cooking in McBride's Stew?").
The sickbay had several patients who are recovering from the Denebian flu. Dr. Sal Tipme had remained on duty in light of the Heronomous’ absence. He reported nothing unusual except for the unexpected disappearance of the chief medical officer. He recollected Dr. Heronomous telling him nothing unusual recently, though he had noticed him staying in sickbay for extended periods doing some ‘personal research’, pointing to the office. A thorough search of the office revealed a small box hidden secretly within his desk. In the box were what appeared to be two collars from the alien race that tried to invade the universe. One collar appeared to be intact with only minor sections removed for examination. The other was totally dismantled, its parts rattling in the bottom of the box. There was no record of the doctor's findings in the ship's medical log. Though his personal log may be of greater use.
Under orders from the captain, Chief Leone extracted the doctor's personal log. According to the doctor's record, he managed to stow the two collars from the Starfleet investigators after the incident in the Tarsis Nebula. Since then, the doctor has been slowly examining the collars to determine how they function. His findings show that the collars are mind amplifiers that transverse the dimensional barrier. The collar's multi-phasic qualities appeared to be inherent to the alien material and were used to focus the device for each victim. Apparently, people with weak psionic ability were not sensitive enough to be affected by the main device on board the saucer, and required the collar to amplify the device's effects.. The doctor's log also noted a strange effect during his research. Apparently, his prolonged contact with the collars had the side effect of causing his limbs to vanish. He noted several occasions where his hands, arms, and legs seem to become translucent for short periods of time. The last entry stated that he intended to bring the chief engineer and the science officer into his confidence.
Barlok's investigation of the time of the disappearance showed that the doctor vanished during a particularly intense period of the ion storm. The space time continuum happened to be weak at this time, and the doctor's unstable condition lead to his untimely disappearance. Barlok speculated that the doctor currently resided in a parallel dimension. He speculated that it was possible to retrieve the doctor, using the transporter provided that there were similar environmental conditions. In 12 hours, the ion storm would pass through a nearby star system where the gravitational distortions would allow the doctor to pass through. Their current position placed them 10 hours away at warp 6. Without hesitation, the captain ordered the crew back and set the Essex in pursuit of the ion storm.
Proceeding at maximum warp, the ship suddenly picked up a broken message that sounded like a distress call. The S.S. Alta McKinley, a large bulk transport, was under attack by Orion pirates. Curp had no choice but the assist the vessel, though precious time was slowly ticking away to save the doctor.
When the Essex came within visual range, the Alta McKinley was being bombarded by disruptor fire from two Orion Blockade Runners. With a new threat in the area, the orions turned to attack. Curp ordered a barrage against the lead ship. Lt. Flonaise was again demonstrated her sharp shooting skills, crippling the vessel with a single volley of phasers. Outclassed, the orions retreated.
The captain of the freighter was very grateful and requested further assistance with his injured crewmen. Apparently, the freighter's doctor was one of the injured and required immediate medical attention. Also, there was substantial damage to the vessel's engineering deck and would require immediate repairs to prevent a potential catastrophe. More time passes. After stabilizing the Alta McKinley, the Essex continued.
The Essex drove deep into the heart of the ion storm, pitched and rolled as the gravitational forces battered against the ship's shielding. Barlok calculated the best planet to orbit that would adequately recreate the conditions necessary to retrieve the doctor. Once ready, the ship's shielding had to be dropped to transport the doctor back on board. The storm tore through the Essex as the transport officer struggled to obtain a lock on the doctor. Lt. Flonaise barely kept the ship steady as the storm raged.
The good doctor found himself waking in the middle of the desert, still dressed in his sleeping apparel. The winds were constant, and the air dry, but, breathable. The sky was a bright red and two suns high overhead. As far as the eye can see were sand dunes, with wisps of blowing sand kicking up. There seemed to be no signs of life anywhere, and more importantly, no water. The doctor hoisted himself up, dusted off, and proceeded to the north. After walking a while, he saw evidence of a small encampment in the distance.
The camp consisted of a dozen or so leather tents surrounding a central pit of ash, presumably a communal fire pit. Beside each tent was a large animal that looks like a cross between a buffalo and a camel. The heads were large with two horns and large humps. Several of these beasts had reigns and saddles. There were also several carts, large enough to pack up the entire settlement. The are several dozen men, women and children mulling about in the center of the camp conducting their daily business. The females were wearing colorful toga garments. The men were less covered, a plain colored wrapped around their waists and headdresses similar to turbans. Some of the men carried wooden spears. It was two of these spear carrying men that approached the doctor, taking him to a large tent.
The chief was an older man, seated in the largest tent in the compound. The chief seemed very amiable, and offered the doctor food and water. Despite the obvious language barrier, Dr. Heronomous managed to convey to the chief that he was a man of medicine. The chief showed the doctor to a young man who had apparently broken his leg, which the doctor was able to quickly set, easing the young man's discomfort.
That evening, the tribe will held a feast in honor of their guest. There was be a wild beast of some kind roasting in the fire pit, and much merriment and dancing. The natives produced an animal skin filled a strong alcoholic beverage made from a local plant sap. Dr. Heronomous, not one to refuse the kindness of others, danced and drank until comfortably falling asleep late in the night.
The next morning, Dr. Heronomous was awakened by the sound of thunderous explosions coming from outside. The encampment had come under siege by some kind of mortar attacks, leaving craters throughout the camp. After several minutes the shelling stopped, and beam weapon fire lanced through the terrified crowd. Dodging the bombardment and sheltering the wounded, the doctor did his best to save as many lives as he could. In the distance, he saw a half dozen tracked vehicles with a dozen more foot soldiers beside them. The doctor, even at this distance, recognized the soldiers wearing the same suits as the aliens did inside the alien saucer (See Episode 4 "What's Cooking in McBride's Stew?"). The world vanished as the transporter room appeared in its place.
Obviously shaken by the experience, the doctor told the captain what had transpired, and the possibility that these aliens may eventually make another attempt to attack our galaxy.