In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Operation Annihilate!, which aired on April 13, 1967, Star Date 3287.2.
The Enterprise goes to investigate the planet Deneva. Spock consults the computer and discovers. While approaching the planet, the Enterprise encounters a Denevan ship heading straight for the sun. The pilot flies into the sun, claiming he is finally “free.” On the planet, a landing party enters a building where they find hundreds of small creatures that look like plastic pancakes. The creatures do not register on the tricorder and are highly resistant to phaser fire. One of the creatures attacks Spock; despite his incredible pain, Spock escapes from the sick bay and attempts to take over the bridge before subduing and tranquilizing. However, he is subsequently able to bring himself under control. He goes to the planet to retrieve a creature for analysis.
An analysis of the alien by McCoy shows it to be a one-cell creature resembling a brain cell. It also seems to be part of a larger organism composed of physically separate parts. McCoy tries to find the agent responsible for killing the creature when the Denevan ship flew into the sun. The Enterprise consequently rings the planet with satellites (at 72 miles altitude), which bathe Deneva in ultraviolet radiation and kill the aliens. Meanwhile, Spock’s eyes recover, and his sight is restored because of the Vulcan inner eyelid.
Compliance Takeaways:
1. Leadership can require difficult decisions.
2. Data analytics will be key for compliance professionals going forward.
3. What is your triage program for internal reporting?
Resources
Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein
MissionLogPodcast.com
Memory Alpha
