Horta Creature

The creature seen here was the main star attraction in the episode " Devil in the Dark" in Star Trek The Original Series. The "Horta" was a creature of deep passion from the depths of converging caverns on Janus VI She was a protector, capable of striking in a flash with lightening stealth, melting all and everything that was in her path.

She was also a highly intelligent lifeform, suffering from great pain and tormented with memories of sorrow and loss. The Horta is a remarkable, durable creature of the caves and readied herself to exact punishment on those who were ruining her childrens future. One by one, the miners of Janus VI started to die.

Copyright belongs to
Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Alpha Memory


This episode is filled with interesting characters, ranging from a panic stricken guard whose left abandoned in the caves on watch to a blunt, tense, almost angry Administrative Head /Chief Engineer fed up of watching his men dieing. This is a great episode. Tensions and emotions are running high because people are fearing for their lives.

Emotional outbursts are commonplace with even the logical Mr Spock having a few for himself, over Kirks safety. This is a charged exciting storyline that just sweeps you up and takes the viewer on a trip of discovery along with Kirk, Spock and the rest of the baffled miners. There is a mystery here to be solved and no one has any answers, which is why the USS Enterprise 1701 is called to the rescue!


Copyright belongs to
Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Alpha Memory


Spock is fascinated by the object on the Chief Installations Managers desk and picks it up. Theres a curious expression on his face. He asks the chief

"Mr Vandeburg, What is this?"
"Its a silicone nodule, theres a million of them down there of no commercial value." comes the reply, rather bluntly.

"But a geological oddity to say the least. " says Spock examining the nodule closely in his hands. "Pure silicone?" enquires Spock calmly
"A few trace elements, look we didn't call you here so you could collect rocks"




Copyright belongs to
Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Memory Alpha




Vandeburgs appalled by Spocks carry on and is now looking at Kirk. Clearly, his nerves are on edge and Spock so far, hasn't done anything to inspire the chief. Theres an almost amused look on the captains face. If the Janus VI crisis wasn't so serious, these two, Spock and Vandeburg would be funny.- Kirk sees the need to lower Chief Vandeburg's blood pressure.

"Thankyou Mr Vandeburg, we'll need your complete cooperation"
"You'll have it, Just find that creature or whatever it is, I've got a quota to meet!" Vandeburg leaves the room.

Copyright belongs to
Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Memory Alpha



Kirk is determined to end the bloodshed and find the creature. He reminds the security detachment that they are:

" dealing with a silicone creature from the deep rocks"
So much is unknown about the "Horta" at this stage.
Kirk is harsh. He has to be. The security guards are standing to attention.

"You will proceed from level to level" - searching for the creature " and remember 50 people have died, I want no more deaths"
"Except the bloody thing" blurts out Chief Engineer unhappily.
Captain James T. Kirk continues,

"So it is wounded and twice as dangerous, stay in pairs, if you see it, concentrate your phaser fire at what appears to be its head. Concentrate it, maintain it. It is definitely resistant, if it can be hurt, it can be killed.

Administrative Head and Chief Engineer of the mining facility. Mr Vanderburg.
"When that creature appears men die"
" I don't know what this butchering monster is, but I know what its doing"
"Except that bloody thing"
"I'm concerned with my people here Kirk, they're being murdered, now you find that monster and kill it!"
Copyright belongs to
Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark" Memory Alpha



Human activity mattered little to the Horta until that faithful day of heartbreaking discovery. There was a lasting peace on the Horta Homeworld for thousands of years. So why did the Horta resort to murder? She was the mother of her race, left behind to care for her unhatched little ones on Janus VI.

The Horta came from a time when thousands of her kind lived. Every 50000 years, all but one Horta passes on, who cared for the next generation hatchlings. This natural environment underground was their nursery "chamber of the ages" which until recently had been undisturbed for millenniums.

One day as the silicone caretaker went about her business, disaster struck. The sound of equipment could be heard, which her finely tuned senses picked up on. Panic stricken and engulfed with feelings of Hortadread for the welfare of her little ones safety, the Mother Horta rushed to the Chamber of the Ages.

Smashed eggs could be seen in the cave. The murderers had left. The Peace on Janus VI was over.

I hope you enjoyed reading. Live Long and Prosper!


Spock and Kirk discover a newly cut tunnel in the last two minutes after the Horta fled after their first encounter.
Copyright belongs to
Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Memory Alpha

Northern Star Trails Park Algonquin.

This could be a wormhole. Any minute now, there could be a starship blazing through the stars, scorching the night sky with its impulse engines except i think the camera man was asleep for that part, sorry no ship...but you can picture her can't you? Looked at another way, picture a spaceship in pursuit of an enemy vessel heading towards earth past, traveling at warp speed and this temporal vortex opens up in front of the crew sucking them in.. The captain calls for red alert, engages defense shields and demands,

"Sammy, I'm going to need all the power you can muster, mister"


Star Trails Algonquin Park
Image Owner/Creator Warner Strauss on Flickr

Meanwhile Lieutenant Data chirps up from communications,

"Captain  Nine Billion all Borg!"

"Duh what?"

Its new territory now. A few clicks behind, the good guys ship is rendered powerless by the arresting space phenomenon and is pulled in by the menacing whirlpool of sparkling stars. The Borg have vanished and Earths timeline has drastically changed. Borgs everywhere - not a human to be found! Spinning out of control our heroes are caught up in the gravitational pull of the vortex...One by one, starship systems shut down as main power is lost due to the overloading of the ships engines. The chief Engineer slams her into reverse and desperately trying to escape the gravitational pull. Its too late, the magnetic star trails of Algonquin have engulfed the entire ship.


High above in the sky is the Northern star which shines bright and never moves. This image is not to be mistaken for an artists impression either. Its a real photo of Northern Star Trails in Algonquin Park. The trees look alive with reflection of the light in the night sky. Imagine being there at night on your own!

Dr McCoy's Medical Miracles

Dr Leonard H. McCoy is the chief medical officer of the USS Enterprise 1701. He is an emotional, illogical, country doctor who doesn't mind having the odd sip of Saurian brandy between patients. Sorry about the illogical bit, blame Spock. Dr Mc Coy also called "Bones" affectionately by Kirk, is highly respected and as of 2267, had earned the Legion of Honour, and was decorated by Starfleet surgeons. Spock, however would invariably antagonise McCoy, refering to the good doctors concoctions, magic potions and latest victims.

" I am an accomplished Scientist devoted to logic..." Spock has declared to Kirk and McCoy
So what did that make Dr McCoy? he's a man of science too, highly qualified and decorated.
Spock is well known for his statements of logic and analyical prowess like the one above. Which he has unashamedly announced in front of Dr McCoy. Was Spock having fun at the doctors expense? How much of the human is speaking out? Was Spock actually enjoying himself? McCoy has countered Spocks own brilliant attestments of logic with a healthy dose of scepticism.

"In a pigs eye!" stirs McCoy, hoping for an emotional outburst from Spocks human half.
"That is a human emotion " is Spocks clever response.
"You bet your pointed ears, it is!" Comes the warm human reply from Bones. The camera focuses and we see a look of astonishment on Spocks face and the famous arched eyebrow is raised.



The copyright of the these images
belongs to Paramount Pictures.
Source: Star Trek T.O.S.
Memory Alpha


Left alone Spock and Mc Coy would love to torment each other to bits using humiliating jibes and tear downs. When these two are at each others throats, with Kirk as referee, it makes for great laughs. I wonder does Spock ever breathe a deep sigh of relief and say "Great" (to himself)when DrMcCoy leaves the Bridge to go back to his Sickbay. But that would be so human and illogical.

Personally, I think Spock knows that Dr McCoy is on to him. Poor Spock is half human and half vulcan and our good 'ole Dr Sea Bones doesn't let up on this. The cool calm exterior of our first Officer, doesn't fool the ship's Chief Medical Officer. Deep inside, McCoy knows Spock is struggling with the stern discipline of Vulcan Logic and the emotionalism of his human side, which Bones has played around with occasionally, much to the vulcans embarassment.



Some of Dr McCoys Medical Miracles included the well known handheld
1)medical scanners. These were used to take readings of a persons vital lifesigns. The device itself is cylindrical in shape. In the image opposite is a pair of hands and a medical tricorder. The right index finger is resting on the silver scanner, which is then taken out and used to diagnose.


Image copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha


2)Medical Diagnostic Bed with the overhead scanner. Its been rumoured that NASA were facinated with the orange bed covers in The Uss Enterprise 1701 Sickbay and at the time had a good look at them. Here you have 24th century biobeds .


Image copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures.
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha.


3) A Surgical support frame is equipped with a sterilization field, cardiostimulator and other inbuilt support functions for surgical procedures which assist the surgeon when operating. Here you can see a 23rd century biobed with overhead scanner also. Usually there is a cute nurse on standby also to help in the surgical procedures. It looks like the patient is ambassador Sarek, another of the good doctors victims. We all know whose words those are!


Image copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures.
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha.


4) Dr McCoys Hypospray! Never beams down without it. This medical instrument was used by Mc Coy to administer "stimulants" such as cordrazine to Lt Sulu, who suffered serious electrical burns on the Enterprise Bridge in 2267 This device later became an inspiration to "real world engineers" who have since invented medical devices based on these designs.

5) Cordrazine. Lifesaving medical wonder drug treatment, used to treat life threatening illnesses, burns etc. Beverly crusher administered 25ml of this drug to Worf in a last ditch effort to save his life when , (as Q has put it- entertainingly) under the inept ministrations of the Doctor Crusher - everything else failed.




6) Psychotricorder-This is an instrument used to record past memories. Kirk ordered a 24 hour regressive memory test on Chief Engineer Scott, to help clear him of murder on Argelius II in 2267. Chief Engineer Scotty. Wolf in the fold has an especially humourous aspect to it. Scotty is always not far from the crime scene and that "voice" just cracks me up.


Image copyright belongs to Paramount pictures.
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha.


7)Dr McCoy's Biocomputer was an independant piece of computer technology capable of analysing and isolating complex medical problems/viruses etc and obtaining a vaccine using totally logical means. The computer doesn't have an interface with the Enterprises computer, so the results have to be fed via the communicator to the sickbay labs above where a formula is processed.

Wow you read this far! Thanks for stopping by. Live Long and Prosper Trekkers!!

Khan Noonien Singh is a Dynamic,Powerthirsty, Ruthless, Notorious Superhuman

Khan Noonien Singh the ex-prince of Earth's millions, how that must have hurt. Genetically engineered and Superhuman, this merciless, charming, cutthroat was on a quest for revenge. People who stood in his path were eliminated with the flick of a phaser or at a given command. He was ruthless, calculating, mentally superior, aggressive and ambitious. The perfect respected, ruthless, leader.

There was a time from 1992 to 1996 when Khan was the ruling prince of millions on Earth. Where there was chaos, the prince offered order. He was a popular tyrant who ruled fairly and was worshipped by one quarter of the planets population. Khan's fellow super humans meanwhile were busy changing the balance of power on earth, fighting and enslaving the population. Except for Khan's corner of the world, hostile warring became part of daily life.

Eventually Khans luck ran out. For four years, the supreme commander, His Excellency, dictated order to his Kingdom of People on Earth. In 1996 Earthlings opposed the super humans. Khan was stripped of power, defeated and humiliated, along with his remaining sworn to die subjects. They evaded capture by fleeing the planet aboard the S.S.Botany Bay.

The starship displayed here is USS Enterprise NCC-1701 constitution class. After her historic five year voyage, she returned intact to Earth. Kirks gallant crew of explorers rose to the status of living legends, with a following of fans in their millions, well known across the galaxy today.

Spaceflight gained popular momentum on Earth with these powerful Federation vessels in service. Starfleet Command had to swallow their secret plans to decommission this twenty-five year old Federation Flagship due to the fact that the Enterprise had become legendary. The Admiralty approved a refit for political reasons giving the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 the full green light! Soon word spread throughout subspace. Starfleet's Core of Engineers were being dispatched to the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701! The Enterprise refit was official now and no longer a joke at Starfleet Academy. Scotty's beloved engines were being pryed apart by engineering outsiders. The Core Engineers carefully decommission vital mechanisms of the warp engines in which matter and antimatter are combined safely eliminating any danger of a warp core breach. Another Engineering team moves in and installs the new FWG-1 warp engine components under the watchful eyes of Scotty who scrutinizes their every move. Captain Kirk's Enterprise was in dry dock, and was living proof of an outstanding success story in the eyes of the enchanted people of planet Earth. It was important no-one goof this up because at the time the Enterprise was a remarkable symbol of hope for all humanity.



Image Copyright Belongs to
Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Instead of dismantling the ship, Starfleet finally approved Enterprise's refit which was long overdue. Since 2190 when she was launched into the mysterious depts of space and the great unknown, the USS Enterprise 1701 couldn't spare the time for a full refit. Instead she returned to starbases to have her systems periodically repaired and updated. Four overhauls were carried out but now the ship technologies were obsolete. Chief Engineer Scott and the Starfleet Core of engineers oversaw refit of Enterprise. Leeding Engines Ltd were chosen and given the contract to install the new FWG-1 warp nacelles which replaced the old Shuvinaaljis Warp Technologies Model FWF-1 nacelles which had faithfully served the Enterprise for the last 25 years.

Federation Starships, Federation Planets, Federation Star bases, Federation Spy posts, Federation Involvement, Federation do-gooders and overhead fluttering in the breeze the flag of the UNITED FEDERATION of PLANETS. All of this pomp and ceremony, Khan couldn't have cared less. His days of leadership brought him back to a daydream when it seemed he had the power to control millions. Khans Kingdom predated even the mighty Federation. However, Khan's current location on Ceti Alpha V bugged him the most. The planets twin Ceti Alpha VI blew up and affected the orbit of Ceti Alpha V turning it into a barren sand heap. The living conditions were horrible for Khan and his dear wife who died a slow death traced to one of the planets indigenous lifeforms. The Ceti Eel. The Ex-Prince of Earth and ruler of Ceti's sand dunes couldn't fathom why Captain Kirk did not check on their progress. Khan vowed to escape Ceti's dunes before he and his Botany Bay followers perished on Ceti Alpha V for good.

When The USS Enterprise NCC 1701 first encounter Khan and eighty of his crew on a sleeper ship, the SS Botany Bay, Captain Kirk's landing party awakens them from their cryogenic deep sleep into the 23rd century. That was Kirk's first mistake. Khan attempts to take control of the USS Enterprise and when he fails in his bid to murder James Tiberius Kirk, Khan is exiled to Ceti Alpha V. Kirks Enterprise deposits Khan, a now stripped, powerless leader of nothing along with his loyal band of subjects, who accompany him to the new fruitful, bountiful planet. Marla McGivers goes with Khan to be his wife with ambitions of creating a new civilisation and starting a family which all turned to dust six months later. The ex-ruler had a dream of creating a new world order, which was destroyed forever more when Ceti Alpha VI blew to to bits.

Kirk is furious and demands:

What is the meaning of this attack?

Where is the crew of the Reliant?

Khan attempts to influence Chekov after Terrell vaporises himself, but like a true human weakling, Pavel Chekov collapses in a heap. I suppose I shouldn't be too hard on him. The Ceti Eel crawls its way out of his ear, smearing its body along the ground making its mark. Pavel had the Ceti Eel wrapped around his Cerebral Cortex which meant he was easily affected by Khan's power of suggestion. Starfleet's finest were struggling to control their emotions of disgust at the mere sight of the Ceti Eel with eventual gasps of revulsion deciding the the creatures fate. Kirk points his phaser and vaporises Chekov's slimey tormentor. Grabbing the wristband device, Kirk yells,
"Khan , you bloodsucker, you'll have to do you're own dirty work now! do you hear me? do you?"

Earths thoughtful Tyrant of world order is swamped with feeling towards Kirk. Circling high above the planet in the Reliant, Khan has good reason for pause and is in deep reflection. His eyes roll in his head in sheer awe and wonder at Kirks continuous lucky escapes. Khan decides to keep Admiral James T Kirk talking until he gets the co-ordinates of the Federation's Genesis "Doomsday"Device and beams it aboard the Reliant.

"KIRK! Kirk you're still alive - my old friend...." affection can be heard in the Princes voice.

"Still OLD FRIEND! You've managed to kill just about everyone else, but like a poor marksman, you keep missing the target!" responds Kirk , clearly enraged by Khans wrathful ways.

"Perhaps I no longer need to try! I shall leave you as you left me marooned in the centre of a dead planet....buried alive!" declares an avenged Khan who says no more.

"Khan...Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannn!!"

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkies, Niners and Trekkers!

USS Enterprise in Asteroid Field

On her five year mission, the USS Enterprise 1701 commanded by Captain James T. Kirk with Mr Spock as his Second Officer, encounters a massive asteroid belt but rather than go around it, she decides to phaser fire her way through the space debris. This is one of my favourite desktop wallpapers which I found on an excellent Star Trek Wallpaper Website. Just point and click at the Enterprise 1701 and she'll take you right there!

(0r you can save to your photos/ images folder and set as a Desktop Wallpaper from there.)

Live Long and Prosper Trekkers! Enjoy Your Star Trekking!