Difference between revisions of "Deneva Mind Parasite"

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[[Image:Neural parasite.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Beware of the buzzing noise!]]
[[Image:Neural parasite.jpg|thumb|right|Beware of the buzzing noise!]]
A parasitic organisms that consisted of a swarm of large pancake-like organisms.  The monster was featured in the [[TOS]] episode: Operation Annihilate!   
'''Deneva mind parasites''' are organisms that live in large swarms that prey on sapient beings.  The monster was featured in [[TOS]] "Operation Annihilate!"  


== Characteristics ==
== Characteristics ==
[[image:Neural parasite attacks Spock.jpg|thumb|right|A Denevian mind parasite attacking Spock!]]
The parasite is composed of numerous small, flat organisms.  In function, each individual organism acts like a large brain cell. The "cells" communicate by unknown means, allowing all of the organisms to act as a single, large entity. The parasite individuals make a buzzing noise and tend to avoid lighted areas.


The parasite is noted for it's large number of small pancake shaped structures.  In function each section of the parasites acts like a large brain cell and it attacks it's victims by making use of it's limited flight to latch onto the spinal column of the intended victim. The beings have a unknown means that allows all of the organisms to act as a single large entity.
They are capable of limited flight, and they attack by adhering to the spinal column of the intended victim and injecting tendrils that wrap around the central nervous system. The tendrils cause excruciating pain, which the parasite can vary in intensity. The gestalt mind of the parasite is able to communicate its desires to the victims, punishing those who try to resist its demands. This can lead to madness and/or death for victims who continue to resist despite the pain. Because of the mental disciplines practiced by [[Vulcan]]s, they are better able to limit and resist the control of the parasites.  


The parasites make a buzzing noise and tend to avoid lighted areas.
The creatures are not capable of manipulating objects and technology, but through their victims they are able to facilitate the infection and spread their species from planet to planet. How the parasite reproduces was not determined, as [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] decided that ending the infection was more important then studying its basic biology.  However, once they had been brought to Deneva they did spread until they had infected the entire population of the colony.


== Nature of their parasitic functions ==
==Cure and Destruction==
Due to the destructive and deadly nature of the parasites, Captain Kirk determined that the creatures had to be destroyed.  During the initial investigation on the planet Deneva, Mr. [[Spock]] was attacked and infected with one of the parasites.  Finding a cure to the infection had an additional personal connection with the captain of the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|''Enterprise'']], as among the infected victims were Kirk's brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.  Unfortunately, Kirk's brother, Sam, was found dead when Kirk arrived at the scene, and his sister-in-law died while under treatment on board the ''Enterprise''. 


[[image:Neural parasite attacks Spock.jpg|thumb|right|400px|A Denevian mind parasite attacking Spock!]]
After being infected by the creatures, Spock initially attempted to take over the ship, trying to send it out of the systemOnce Spock had used his Vulcan mental discipline to master his actions despite the pain, he was allowed to return to the surface to collect a specimen for study (the reasoning being that he was already infected, so no one else needed to be placed at risk).  
The creatures are not capable of manipulating objects outside of their own forms but using the tendrils that they inject into the nervous systems of their victims they are able to make use of the higher functions of the infected beings in order to facilitate the infection and spread of the species from planet to planetDue to their means of controlling the infected victims, the pain caused by the parasites leads to eventual madness and death of the victims.


Because of the mental disciplines of the minds and training of Vulcans, they are able to limit and resist the control of the parasites.   
The crew discovered useful information when a suicidal Denevan flew an automated one-man cargo ship into the Denevan sun to end his suffering. He was freed shortly before his ship was destroyed.  Kirk, Spock, and [[Leonard McCoy| Dr. McCoy]] were able to determine that high intensity light would destroy the creatures.  The theory was tested on a specimen, killing it. Spock then volunteered to be placed in the test chamber to determine if he could be cured, as the Denevan was.  The test succeeded, with the unfortunate side effect of Spock being blindedMuch to Dr. McCoy's regret, he soon determined that only ultraviolet light was required, making that blindness unnecessary.


How the creature reproduces was not determined as [[James T. Kirk| Kirk]] decided that ending the infection was more important then it's basic biology.  However once they had been brought to Deneva they did spread until they had infected the entire population of the colony.
To destroy the parasites, the ''Enterprise'' deployed  satellites to bombard the planet's surface with UV radiation, and they were used to exterminate the creature.  Unlike with the case of the [[crystalline entity]], no one seemed to care that they were making an entire species extinct.


== Cure and Destruction==
==Realism==
Dr. McCoy's claim that Spock would not have been blinded if he had been exposed only to UV radiation is incorrect. High-intensity UV radiation would be just as damaging to retinal tissue as broad-spectrum white light.


Due to the destructive and deadly nature of the parasites, Captain Kirk determined that the creatures must be destroyed.  During the initial investigation on the Planet of Deneva Mr. [[Spock]] was attacked and infected with one of the parasites.  Also finding a cure to the infection had a personal connection with the commander of the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)| Enterprise]] as among the infected victims was Kirk's brother, sister-in-law and nephew.  Unfortunately, Kirks brother, Sam, was found dead when Kirk arrived at the scene and his sister-in-law died while under treatment on board the Enterprise. 
It is also unclear how UV radiation from satellites was able to penetrate into the darkened basements and other hiding places of the parasites.
 
After being infected by the creatures, Spock initially was lead by the infected parasites to try and take over the ship trying to send it out of the system.  Once Spock had used his Vulcan mental discipline to control the manipulations of the creatures, he was allowed to return to the surface to collect a specimen for study. 
 
Using information that was hinted at when a suicidal Denevan, trying to prevent the spread by flying his single man ship into the Denevan sun, was freed just before his ship fell into the sun.  Kirk, Spock and [[Leonard McCoy| Dr. McCoy]] were able to determine that at a certain intensity light would destroy the creatures.  The theory was tested on the specimen killing it.  When testing to see if the same treatment would free an infected victim, Mr Spock was volunteeringly placed in the test chamber and the infection was destroyed.  The unfortunate side effect was Spock being blinded.  Much to Dr. McCoy's regret it was later determined that only Ultra-Violot light would have been actually required making that blindness unnecessary. 
 
To destroy the parasites, Kirk deployed Ultra-Violet generating satellites and they were used to exterminate the creature.  Unlike with the case of the Silicon Entity, no one seemed to care that they were making an entire species extinct.


[[Category: Star Trek]]
[[Category: Star Trek]]
[[Category: ST Monsters]]
[[Category: ST Monsters]]
[[Category: Alien of the Week]]
[[Category: Alien of the Week]]

Latest revision as of 20:45, 26 June 2017

Beware of the buzzing noise!

Deneva mind parasites are organisms that live in large swarms that prey on sapient beings. The monster was featured in TOS "Operation Annihilate!"

Characteristics

A Denevian mind parasite attacking Spock!

The parasite is composed of numerous small, flat organisms. In function, each individual organism acts like a large brain cell. The "cells" communicate by unknown means, allowing all of the organisms to act as a single, large entity. The parasite individuals make a buzzing noise and tend to avoid lighted areas.

They are capable of limited flight, and they attack by adhering to the spinal column of the intended victim and injecting tendrils that wrap around the central nervous system. The tendrils cause excruciating pain, which the parasite can vary in intensity. The gestalt mind of the parasite is able to communicate its desires to the victims, punishing those who try to resist its demands. This can lead to madness and/or death for victims who continue to resist despite the pain. Because of the mental disciplines practiced by Vulcans, they are better able to limit and resist the control of the parasites.

The creatures are not capable of manipulating objects and technology, but through their victims they are able to facilitate the infection and spread their species from planet to planet. How the parasite reproduces was not determined, as Captain Kirk decided that ending the infection was more important then studying its basic biology. However, once they had been brought to Deneva they did spread until they had infected the entire population of the colony.

Cure and Destruction

Due to the destructive and deadly nature of the parasites, Captain Kirk determined that the creatures had to be destroyed. During the initial investigation on the planet Deneva, Mr. Spock was attacked and infected with one of the parasites. Finding a cure to the infection had an additional personal connection with the captain of the Enterprise, as among the infected victims were Kirk's brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. Unfortunately, Kirk's brother, Sam, was found dead when Kirk arrived at the scene, and his sister-in-law died while under treatment on board the Enterprise.

After being infected by the creatures, Spock initially attempted to take over the ship, trying to send it out of the system. Once Spock had used his Vulcan mental discipline to master his actions despite the pain, he was allowed to return to the surface to collect a specimen for study (the reasoning being that he was already infected, so no one else needed to be placed at risk).

The crew discovered useful information when a suicidal Denevan flew an automated one-man cargo ship into the Denevan sun to end his suffering. He was freed shortly before his ship was destroyed. Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy were able to determine that high intensity light would destroy the creatures. The theory was tested on a specimen, killing it. Spock then volunteered to be placed in the test chamber to determine if he could be cured, as the Denevan was. The test succeeded, with the unfortunate side effect of Spock being blinded. Much to Dr. McCoy's regret, he soon determined that only ultraviolet light was required, making that blindness unnecessary.

To destroy the parasites, the Enterprise deployed satellites to bombard the planet's surface with UV radiation, and they were used to exterminate the creature. Unlike with the case of the crystalline entity, no one seemed to care that they were making an entire species extinct.

Realism

Dr. McCoy's claim that Spock would not have been blinded if he had been exposed only to UV radiation is incorrect. High-intensity UV radiation would be just as damaging to retinal tissue as broad-spectrum white light.

It is also unclear how UV radiation from satellites was able to penetrate into the darkened basements and other hiding places of the parasites.