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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. |
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