Spock, Messiah!
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| Author |
Theodore R. Cogswell Charles A. Spano, Jr. |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Star Trek |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Published | September 1976 |
| Pages | 182 |
| Preceded by | Spock Must Die! |
| Followed by | The Price of the Phoenix |
Spock, Messiah! is the second original novel based on the universe of the American television series, Star Trek. It was co-authored by Theodore R. Cogswell and Charles A. Spano, Jr., and was the first Star Trek novel to be published since 1970's Spock Must Die!. Cogswell had been an experienced author at the time of publishing, and invited Spano to co-author the book with him after he was approached by editor Frederik Pohl. It was later republished with new cover artwork in 1993. The novel was poorly received by fans and was criticised by critics for being exploitative and inaccurate.
The USS Enterprise visits the planet Kyros to observe the population and test a new telepathic implant. The people living on the planet traditionally cover their faces, and the devices allow the user to mentally link with a member of the populace, accessing both their memories and instincts which will allow the crew to walk around the planet freely. Something goes wrong when Ensign Sara George becomes sexually promiscuous. Following an away mission to the planet, Spock refuses to return to the ship and declares himself to be the messiah of the planet. He threatens to destroy some important crystals on the planet which are needed by the ship. The crew discover he was linked to a fanatical lunatic named Chag Gara. Due to an increase in radiation output, the Enterprise must leave the area sooner than expected, but cannot leave without the crystals. It is discovered that George damaged Spock's implant; after hers is fixed, she returns to the planet with Kirk, Engineer Montgomery Scott and Ensign Pavel Chekov.
This team tracks down Spock, who flees when he sees George. The first attempt to subdue him fails, and a second attempt has Kirk dressing as a gypsy to follow Spock. The team is captured by Spock's disciples, but after a demonstration of technology by the Starfleet crew, they are allowed to live. George performs a striptease for their captors, and seduces the Messiah. She realises that it is not Spock, but instead Chag Gara. By knocking him unconscious, Spock is revived and returns with the away team to the Enterprise.
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