Summary: ST:09 reboot of original episode Operation Annihilate. While investigating reports of mass insanity that seems to be spreading throughout a system the crew stop off at Deneva, while there they come to face with the terrible truth behind the insanity, can they stop it and what price will be paid if they do.

Authors Note: I've always loved this episode even including the fake plastic organisms that are flying round on fishing wire and the wonderful overacting in certain scenes (if you have seen the episode you'll know what I mean).

I have gone for a Zombie horror slant on the episode so I'm going to rate it fairly high for this though there shouldn't be anything worse than about an episode of Walking dead. I have based some of the parasites attributes to a lovely fungus called Cordyceps which actually exists and can modify the host behaviour (look it up on Wikipedia (shudder)) I think it matches the original idea of the parasite quite well but as it's alien I've added some intelligence, I've also added that the reproduction is a little like the Aliens in Alien. Also gonna try adding lots of Angst and Hurt/comfort (sorry Spock you're not going to have fun for a while).

I don't ship Spock\Uhura as didn't see it in the original so though I will write some interaction it will be more friendship, also I don't write slash, any interaction between Spock, Kirk and McCoy is written as deep brotherly friendship (really deep and well hidden in Spock and McCoy's case) but if you want to read it as pre-slash I won't stop you.

Bonus Hugs to anyone that catches references to the original show.

Phew on with the show.

Kirk rolled over onto the edge of his bunk, rubbing his eye sleepily, what had woken him? The chirp from his comm unit broke through the sleepy haze, he blearily opened his eye and glared at the offending item, then reached over and answered it, glad it wasn't the video one as he was sure he had pillow creases down the side of his face. "Kirk here." Uhura's voice responded "Sir you wanted to be notified when we reached the Beta Portilin system"

Kirk sighed and blinked trying to remove the fog from his vision and let out a non-committal "hmm?" He could sense Uhura's amusement through the line even though he couldn't see her "You wanted to be notified…" when he didn't respond she prompted "Starfleet wanted us to investigate as we have lost contact with the Denevan research station?"

Deneva, yes that was it he tried to make himself sound as awake and authoritative as possible, well, authoritative as much as he could when he could sense the glee coming from the bridge area "Thank you Lieutenant, I'll be up shortly" he moved to close the channel but her amused voice broke through again "Aye, Sir. Shall I have Mr. Spock come fetch you?"

Honestly one time he had rolled over and gone back to sleep and they would never let him forget it, he could still remember the 'I am Vulcan therefore do not find this amusing' look on his first officers face when he had stopped by to collect the Captain only to find him fast asleep, half hanging off his bunk and drooling into his pillow.

He tried to keep the belligerence out of his voice as he heard someone snort in the background "No thank you Lieutenant, I'm on my way" he sat up and looked down at his crinkled gold shirt, crap he'd fallen asleep in his uniform again "well gimmie 5 minutes and I'll be there, Kirk out". He felt a small amount of vindictive pleasure jabbing the disconnect button hard before she could respond.

He stretched letting his shoulders pop then stood and surveyed the room.

There was a small chess set sitting half played on the edge of his desk with a few pads neatly stacked next to it, the last thing he remembered was going through the crew evaluations with Spock. Being Captain of a Starship was awesome, the paperwork it entailed not so much. He'd been getting sleepy his eyes heavy as he'd tried to concentrate on the pad in front of him one among many spread out haphazardly over his desk. Spock had asked if he was ok... then he'd woken up in bed. He looked at his bunk; his shoes were neatly placed at the end side by side with the laces tucked in. That was not how he ever left his boots, he was lucky he could normally find them as he usually kicked them off across the room as soon as he could preferring to walk round his cabin in socked feet. Which only meant one thing, Spock had put him to bed, his stoic, logical, Vulcan first officer had removed his boots and tucked him in. He rubbed his face in embarrassment it was gonna take a while to live this down, although he couldn't help the small amount of warmth that resulted in the knowledge Spock cared enough to not leave him sprawled on his desk with a crick in his neck. He quickly moved to the dresser, pulled out a fresh uniform and removed the current one, he sniffed. He didn't have time for a shower, he moved quickly to the bathroom, eyeing the door on the adjacent side which lead to his First Officer's quarters and headed to the sink. He grabbed a wash cloth quickly wiped himself down, deodorant, teeth and he was back out pulling a black undershirt and gold tunic on as he stuffed his feet into his boots, not bothering with the laces. He could tie them on the way to the bridge.

The turbo lift doors opened as he got to them showing Spock waiting inside, "Captain, Lieutenant Uhura suggested I come assist your arrival on to the bridge" Spock was definitely laughing at him as his eye roved over Kirk's appearance.

"Aww Spock I didn't know you cared" he grinned and moved into the turbo lift. Spock pressed the control for the bridge as Kirk took in Spock's appearance, he looked immaculate as always, well turned out looking like he wasn't functioning on the same 3 hours sleep Kirk was. Kirk shifted straightening his collar and shirt while pushing his left boot further onto his foot so he was no longer standing on the heel. Spock watched out the corner of his eye not being able to prevent the small quirk of lips. "If you would like I can stop by your quarters to awaken you so that you have ample time for sustenance and morning ablutions before alpha shift is due to begin"

Kirk blinked processing the long words, "Are you saying I need a shower?"

Spock quirked his eyebrow at him as the lift doors opened "Yes" he simply said before heading to the science station.

Don't have emotions my ass…that Vulcan was laughing at him…a lot.