"Okay," said Kirk as he sat down at the long briefing room table. Mr. Spock, Uhura, Scotty, Chekhov, and McCoy were gathered around.
"Here's what we know about the problem. Starfleet Command has reported a dangerous gaseous anomaly headed directly for Earth. It's actually the same anomaly we encountered some months ago, but now it's posing a significant threat. Designed to initially appear as a harmless natural phenomenon, the cloud is actually a highly sophisticated weapon devised by the Romulans." He brought up a diagram on the computer viewscreen. "The weapon consists of artificially-constructed particles that feed on G2 electromagnetic energy – the same kind of energy radiated by Earth's sun. The body is both highly maneuverable and extremely dense. If we allow it to reach Sol, it will expand until it completely covers the sun's surface. It will feed on the life-giving energy our sun radiates permanently, meaning disaster for Earth and the entire solar system.
"Our mission is to neutralize this threat. It won't be easy. Phasers and photon torpedoes have no effect. A Federation science vessel has already been destroyed attempting to stop the cloud. They detonated an anti-matter explosive in the cloud's path, and the energy rebounded. So, it's up to us to think of a new plan fast because it's speeding up by the hour.
"I'm transmitting all our data to your individual consoles right now – any ideas? Comments?
"Has anyone tried to communicate with it?" asked Uhura. "Artificial or not, there's the possibility of sentience. Even so, perhaps we could uncover the system originally used to program the anomaly. If we know how the Romulans encoded the weapon with its mission, maybe we could command it to stop, or to self-destruct."
"That's a good point, Lieutenant," said Kirk. "But that will take time, and time is something we do not have."
"Perhaps we could create a weapon to contain the anomaly," piped up Chekhov.
"Explain."
"Vell, the previous attempt to destroy ze cloud resulted in a power surge that backfired on the energy source. If we could create a sort of shield, or containment field that would evenly and simultaneously surround the weapon, then it would have no opening to attack from. If the cloud attempts to release an energy ray, that ray will bounce off the anti-matter shield and rebound on itself. And if the weapon doesn't fire on itself, the shield will eventually consume the gas, also eliminating the threat. Either vay, ve vin."
"That could work," considered Kirk. "Spock: any suggestions?"
"The Ensign's plan shows promise," commented the Vulcan. "But it will require a number of highly complex astrometric calculations. As you have already pointed out, Captain, we have little time. If Mr. Scott and all available science officers assist us, we should finish in time."
"Great!" said Kirk. He stood up abruptly. "Assemble a team and get to work straight away. I'll be on the bridge expecting regular updates. Meeting adjourned!"
The science team got to work immediately. It wasn't long before they had a set of working equations to construct the anti-matter shield enclosure. As soon as Starfleet Command gave their approval, Enterprise launched her defense.
The anti-matter missile blasted forth from Enterprise's cannons at light speed, leaving a trail of glittering photons in its wake. Just before impacting with the malevolent cloud, the missile exploded into millions of self-directed anti-matter pods, each of which flew to its assigned location in the forming shield. As soon as the last pod fell into place, the tiny projectiles exploded into powerful clouds of orange anti-matter dust. The anomaly was completely surrounded.
"It's vorking!" cried Chekhov happily as the anti-matter web began to evenly constrict the anomaly into a dense, red mass.
"Sensors indicate that the anomaly's outer layer of particles is disintegrating," commented Spock from the science station.
"Excellent!" said the captain. "Continue monitoring. Hopefully we'll be able to . . ." A thunderous shockwave suddenly rattled the bridge.
"Report!"
"Captain, the anomaly's remaining particles are adapting," noted Spock. "They are now emitting a counter radiation that's eroding the anti-matter net."
"Can we compensate with an anti-matter charge, while the cloud is still weak?" cried Kirk.
"Negative, Captain. Sensors indicate that an anti-matter beam would cause the same rebound effect that destroyed the Silver Arrow."
"Well, we've got to think of something fast!"
But there was no time to think of anything. The net suddenly collapsed, sending a massive shock wave over the ship. Sparks flew from consoles, smoke billowed from damaged systems, and bridge officers were thrown to the deck.
When the emergency lighting came on, Kirk was horrified to see Spock sprawled across the floor on his stomach. He was unconscious and bleeding profusely.
