Episode Synopsis

TREKCORE > TAS > EPISODES > THE TERRATIN INCIDENT > Synopsis

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

The U.S.S. Enterprise receives a garbled message while exploring the dead supernova, Arachna. The only comprehensible portion of the signal, which emanates from the star Cepheus, is the word "terratin." Upon investigation the U.S.S. Enterprise encounters a planet of crystalline structure, barraged by volcanic activity. While in orbit, a flash of light passes through the ship, paralyzing the crew.

Then the crew begins to realize that all organic matter on the ship is shrinking; all body molecules are degenerating. Spock calculates that in a matter of minutes the entire crew will stand centimeters tall. By using man-made ladders, the crew gets to the bridge consoles and use their collective strength to press the transporter buttons. Kirk transports to the planet's surface and immediately grows to full size, since the transporter can change all matter to previously detailed size and shape. While on the planet, Kirk encounters a miniature city, but is shortly beamed back to the ship by the transporter's automatic settings.

Upon returning, he discovers that his crew has been transported off the ship to the planet surface. Kirk threatens the miniature city, demanding the crew's return. The leader informs Kirk that the lightning attack was the only way to get the attention of the starship, because their city is being threatened by volcanic activity. Spock discovers the Terratin natives to be mutated descendants of a missing scientific expedition; the survivors had named the planet Terra Ten. The crew is transported back to the ship, but since the Terratins cannot be restored to their original size, they and their entire city are beamed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise to be taken to a more stable planet.