The USS Yourship is tasked to transport archaeologists who have just completed a dig on Tau Xenis III, a planet where a previously advanced civilization once thrived, but then collapsed for unknown reasons. The archaeologists are very excited to have recovered seemingly advanced technology from the ruins, which is also being transported aboard. The centerpiece of their collection is a glowing orb- the only technology still functioning- though its purpose is unknown. As the Yourship returns with the archaeologists and their collected relics, strange things begin happening. Crewmember's fantasies begin manifesting in impossible ways, with no apparent downside. But as the crew begin obtaining their wildest desires, their interest in their duties naturally wanes. Can the crew solve the riddle of these occurrences before these dreams-coming-true become a nightmare that no one will ever wake up from?
Starting Point: The USS Yourship is tasked to transport archaeologists who have just completed a dig on Tau Xenis III, a planet where a previously advanced civilization once thrived, but then collapsed for unknown reasons. The archaeologists are very excited to have recovered seemingly advanced technology from the ruins, which is also being transported aboard.
End Goal: Yourship's crew deduce that the source of these desired manifestations is the glowing orb artifact, and destroy it despite the fact that it was granting them everything they desired.
Story points that must be passed?:
I) The USS Yourship is tasked to transport archaeologists who have just completed a dig on Tau Xenis III, a planet where a previously advanced civilization once thrived, but then collapsed for unknown reasons. The archaeologists are very excited to have recovered seemingly advanced technology from the ruins, which is also being transported aboard.
II) During a dinner in the archaeologists' honor, a subspace message comes in that is forwarded to the dining hall. The message states that the Federation Archaeological Society has unanimously voted to grant every member of the team a 'Golden Shovel' award for outstanding achievement in the field. This is apparently a much-coveted award, and they are all very happy to get it.
III) Elsewhere on the ship, things start going right for other members of the crew. Commendations roll in. Promotions abound. Messages from family come in with good news. Engineering experiments bear unexpected fruit. Lovestruck individuals suddenly get positive feedback from the objects of their desire (via fully convincing simulated persons.) Those that always wanted their own commands have entire ships manifest for them, with Starfleet orders to take the Captain's chair. Commanding officers already in charge get accolades, and new crewmembers are transferred in who are remarkably pliable and skillful. Everything goes well for everyone.
IV) Some members of the crew gradually get the sense that things are too good. The good fortune is incredibly improbable. All around them, people are derelict of their duties as they receive everything they ever wanted, without trying. Begrudgingly, the duty-oriented crew begin to investigate the cause of all this unexpected good fortune.
V) Eventually, it becomes clear that the fortuitous events began occurring when the glowing orb artifact was brought aboard. An investigation of the other artifacts gradually makes things clearer. The ancient civilization of Tau Xenis III was made up of happy people. Amazingly, impossibly happy. They had everything their hearts desired. And so, desiring nothing more, they simply lost themselves in their happiness and their society ground to a halt. This is clear in recovered statuary, paintings, and other artifacts. The one recurring theme is the orb, the last great creation of their civilization before it ceased to exist. It is shown in all the artifacts of happy people, with happiness flowing out of the orb, manifesting great things for everyone. Much of the recovered art seems to be made by a single, prolific artist who is noted in the writings left behind as being clinically depressed. It is likely he was among the only people on the planet who remained unhappy enough to continue making art... until he finally took his own life, as attested by the final entry in his recovered journal. Because he was the only unhappy person left, once he was gone, the entire civilization apparently crumbled to dust thanks to everyone believing they had everything they wanted.
VI) The situation is all the more grim when it turns out that the Orb seems to be powered by the thoughts of sentient creatures nearby. The more creatures, the more powerful it becomes. If it is brought to a populated Federation world, its reach would be incalculable.
VII) One or more crew members decide to destroy the orb (methodology is unimportant) causing all of the great and wonderful things that happened to everyone to disappear. It is suddenly revealed that none of it was real. They were only falsifications and constructs created by the orb, telling and showing people what they wanted to hear or experience. The archaeologists regret losing the orb artifact, but they finally agree with the actions taken, realizing the orb might have destroyed Federation civilization just as it destroyed the natives of Tau Xenis III.
Departments: (To make sure everyone has something to do.)
- Flight: The specific actions of this department are less important than the personal dream-come-true experiences of the officer or crewman in question. In the end, anyone or multiple people might break free from their fantasies and eventually destroy the orb.
- Engineering: The specific actions of this department are less important than the personal dream-come-true experiences of the officer or crewman in question. In the end, anyone or multiple people might break free from their fantasies and eventually destroy the orb.
- Operations: The specific actions of this department are less important than the personal dream-come-true experiences of the officer or crewman in question. In the end, anyone or multiple people might break free from their fantasies and eventually destroy the orb.
- Security and tactical: The specific actions of this department are less important than the personal dream-come-true experiences of the officer or crewman in question. In the end, anyone or multiple people might break free from their fantasies and eventually destroy the orb.
- Medical: The specific actions of this department are less important than the personal dream-come-true experiences of the officer or crewman in question. In the end, anyone or multiple people might break free from their fantasies and eventually destroy the orb.
- Science: The specific actions of this department are less important than the personal dream-come-true experiences of the officer or crewman in question. In the end, anyone or multiple people might break free from their fantasies and eventually destroy the orb.
Note: This mission is an intentional homage to the great Sci-Fi film 'Forbidden Planet.'