"'Debunk whatever wild theories the local population are throwing about...."
While we have briefly mentioned a civilian station in the sector previously, we have never really taken a closer look at it. Nor have we explored the possibility that Pioneer may be considered a rival destination for said station. Knowing that bogging episodes down in politics and much talking usually ends up in most people turning off, I wanted to look at this idea from a different angle.
At the start of the episode, we found the Hera en-route to Arcadia station, orbiting the moon of Strovis. It was said that multiple disappearances, including that of a Klingon team, have been blamed on mystical and unusual forces at work within a deep cave system beneath the surface of Strovis. Commander Menden was set to lead an away team to meet up with a known survivor aboard Arcadia, who would guide them through the caves. Upon boarding the station, however, they first needed to find him. For that, they would need the direction of
Station Director Rolum Rotum. Who looked suspiciously like Jenson.
*shakes fist*"'Y'all be crazy if you're thinking about going down in to those caves..."
Drunk, friendly and all too happy to help, Rotum pointed Menden and the team in the direction of Devlin West - a 'rogue' trader who was hesitant to discuss his experience in the caves. Having taken a quick liking to Jemma Etis, he revealed that he was with a would-be rescue party (there
was talk of a reward) who all vanished following a series of unusual events down below. He claimed to have escaped only through 'luck' - and could barely recall what became of the group. Claiming that the entrance to the caves was protected by a 'barrier' - he conceded to allow the away team to use his ship's transporters to beam down to a clear site. Though perhaps under a misguided sense of guilt... or a drink with Jemma when it was all over... he elected to join the team and point them in the right direction.
"'Isn't this fascinating?!"
Joining the away team in the caves was Doctor Michael Bennett - Asteroid Base: Alpha's original Chief Science Officer, now returned in a civilian capacity. He seemed to be having quite a good time of it. Though his gain appeared to be the crew's loss. Once in the caves, Devlin was able to take Menden's team to the location where he last saw his rescue party - a cavern complete with protruding, glowing crystals - emitting the most unusual energy readings. He described how there was a blinding light, screams... and then he found himself running for the nearest exit. Though nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be occurring this time around.
It wasn't long before they stumbled upon the apparent campsite for the Klingon team which vanished days prior. That's when things started to get a
little bit weird. It all began as Devlin disappeared behind a rockslide following a sudden tremor. This heralded the arrival of parasitic creatures, scuttling through the cave system and shooting in and out of the cavern where the crew were holding up. All the while, Captain Mason was attempting to contacting the away team - with little success. The first message could only be made out to involve the Klingons... followed by an order to abort the mission. But the team couldn't leave, as an energy barrier halted their progress.
"'The Klingon team did not exist..."
With the arrival of the Klingons in orbit, Mason was finally getting some answers about their missing force. But they weren't answers that she could easily relay to the away team. Nevertheless, McClintock, Layton and company were piecing it all together. The portable generator was at full capacity despite being operated for days on end. There weren't enough supplies or beds to accommodate the Klingon team. There was not a single indication that a Klingon had so much had stepped foot within the cave system. Either they truly vanished without a trace... or they were never there.
When further tremors brought the energy barriers down (not so much magic as forcefields), the team was able to leave the camp site. But not before a threatening voice ordered the team out - with physical attacks taking place on Sullivan, Young and Bennett himself. Yet they weren't life-threatening. When caught off guard, Etis was even attacked by one of the creatures roaming the caves - but upon pouncing, it fell right through her... like it wasn't even there. Whatever defenses had been established in the cave system, the tremors were knocking them over, one-by-one. All they needed was the finishing blow.
"'It was a hoax. It was a trap."
Returning to the energy crystals, the team encountered a being capable of directing energy blasts in their direction. But his appearance was distorted and voice becoming increasingly less threatening. The crew set about destroying the energy sources in the room, believing them to be somehow connected to the events of the day. They were right. The projections vanished, the barriers were lifted and the cave's artificial defenses were shut down. The voice that had been threatening them throughout their trip was revealed to have been that of Station Director Rotum. The story of the Strovis Caves had brought good business to Arcadia. Business which he intended to hold on to.
With Mason finally able to reach the team and confirm their speculation - they headed back to the beam-out site under the claim that the Hera's welcome at Arcadia had expired. On their way back, they encountered an injured and weary Devlin. Though the Director implied that Devlin was in on his scheme, he convinced the team that he had no part in it. Convinced - they returned to the beam-out site and back to Devlin's ship, where they could contact the Hera and beam back. Devlin himself remained aboard Arcadia for a little while longer - citing unfinished business with the Director
(No, not THE Director).The "luck" which Devlin spoke of had seemingly extended to the away team. Had it not been for the tremors causing the traps within to malfunction, perhaps they would have
actually disappeared within the caves. Though was it coincidence that it was Pioneer which dispatched a team to investigate? I think not. After all - think back on the original briefing....
"'With Pioneer closed for business, Arcadia is the most important trade hub in the sector..."
Arcadia's Director was perhaps not so lucky - as Devlin's ship departed the station amid a major security incident in the administrator block. Perhaps we will see Marks again one day. He never did get that drink with Etis. Besides, he still has her tricorder...
Despite it being reasonably difficult to really do more claustrophobic horror-esque roleplays, I still throw one in every season. Though the theories of outsiders were untrue and the caves were more holograms than demons, the crew were still lured in to a life-threatening situation for the sakes of giving Arcadia a bit more publicity. As Starfleet learned through their investigations - nobody had ever disappeared in those caves. Devlin was unwittingly placed on a rescue party formed through technology - to add just a bit of credibility to their story. It fooled the away team for long enough - but did it fool you, or was I the fool for trying?
Thank you all for attending - rate and discuss, above and below!
Trivia: - Early plans for this episode had it originally taking place within an alien village with more concrete displays of 'magic' - though it was always a hoax.
- Arcadia Station was referred to as Taren Station in previous episodes. Though I'm now aware that Taren was in fact the name of the ship.
- Costello was the original target for Devlin Mark's affections, with a much more persistent approach.
- At one point, Devlin was Son'a and lacked all niceties. Would have been a bit of a cold character. Even if he's untrustworthy, I wanted him to be reasonably warm.
- This is the first episode since S04E02 in which Pioneer does not feature.
- Mason was not originally part of the episode, hence her absence from the away mission. She was going to remain on Pioneer to meet with Leona following the events of the previous episode. This was (rightfully) cut for time.
Great episode, the best one of the season so far in my opinion. Even though the "claustrofobic horror" experience didn't work out quite as well with such a large group, there was enough to do and enough mystery to go around. There where atleast 3 theories as to what was going on from my point of view anyway, but the truth was rather refreshing and pretty funny aswell, so nice plot twist there.
Can't wait for next week, since you let on that it would probably be one of the best, if not the best, episode this season. We'll just have to see!
Also thanks everyone for attending! It was great to see more people there then the last few episodes!
Definitely one of my favorite horror SRP episodes. I really didn't know what to expect after the harvesters and green goo came into play.
And then, all of it was a ploy by a Peldari.
Well done.
10/10 would Bennett again.
But really though, I thought this was an excellent use of the Parasite model, as well as a pleasant M. Night Shyamalan-esque twist! Though my only wish was that some of the junior officers and side characters had separate adventures to go on. Perhaps if we had been split into smaller groups and terrorized it could have been scarier!
Other than that, good fun.
Just wait for the inevitable Devlin Marks miniseries.
Bonus trivia: this was the 50th episode of Asteroid Field..
Yeah, I didn't know that. Sort of missed it. That's 77 episodes for anybody that has been here since Asteroid Base started at TLO. 81, now though.
126 episodes if you're me. Which is just sad. 252 hours of... this.