The Truth About Tribbles, Part 2

"The Truth about Tribbles, Part 2" was the twelfth issue of IDW Publishing's ongoing series of Star Trek comics. The issue consisted of the second part of The Truth about Tribbles, a loose adaptation of, as adapted from the original by writer Mike Johnson. Issue art was by Claudia Balboni, with colors and lettering by Ilaria Traversi and Neil Uyetake, respectively. This series premiere was edited by Scott Dunbier, with Roberto Orci credited as creative consultant.

Summary
While Kirk and Spock fight the tribble-eating predators on Iota Geminorum IV, Scott and Chekov try to disarm the bomb. With help from Uhura, the bomb is disarmed. Then, there is trouble.

Admiral Pike contacts the Enterprise. The tribble that Scott and Chekov had beamed to Earth has caused trouble. San Francisco is overrun with tribbles. Scott's nephew has been court-martialed. With San Francisco under threat, Kirk and Spock decide to find a solution.

Under the threat of demotion, Montgomery Scott explains what has happened. He hopes to use transwarp beaming to bring Admiral Archer's Prized Beagle back. He thought about sending the tribble back to his nephew to test his theory that Porthos's atoms were still in the void. Scott did not know that his tribble could cause or that he had violated quarantine protocols. Spock wonders whether the Klingons were justified in destroying the tribbles. Scott suggests contacting Spock Prime, but Spock refuses. Just then, Yeoman Rand contacts Captain Kirk. Tribbles have over-run the engineering department which is on lockdown.

At sickbay, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy try to find a way to solve the tribble's super-fast reproduction. No solution yet, but Dr. McCoy notices that the tribble has something that looks cartilage that is capable of absorbing food. Just then, the tribble dies of old age. This explains the fast reproduction. Knowing that the tribble that is causing trouble was not reproducing on Delta Vega, Spock decides to replicate the conditions. Scott tests Spock's hypothesis with a sneeze. Keenser nearly causes trouble. The test is a success.

Captain's Log, Supplemental.

''Thanks to Commander Spock's deductive skills we managed to contain the proliferation of creatures on the ship. The frozen specimens were beamed back to the surface of Iota Germinorum IV with no apparent ill effects. Engineering has been restored to full function. We await word from Starfleet on the status of the infestation on Earth.''

Pike contacts Kirk. The tribbles have been neutralized with a cryo-spray. The tribbles are being investigated by Starfleet Intelligence. Mr. Scott will not be demoted, but he could probably end up that way if he starts another blunder like that again. Scott's nephew will be facing academic probation. Pike suggests that Kirk keep a close eye on the crew next time. McCoy has been unable to resurrect the dead tribble they still have.

Montgomery Scott has clearly had a bad day for sure. He is on notice. To make matters worse, Chekov will not help Scott this time because they caused so much trouble. Just then, Admiral Archer's Prized Beagle is back.

Characters

 * • •  •  •  •  •  •  •  • Chris Scott • Keenser

Spock Prime

Locations

 * San Francisco

Shipboard locales

 * USS Enterprise: bridge • transporter room • engineering • sickbay

Planets

 * Earth • Iota Geminorum IV

Delta Vega

Stars and systems

 * Iota Geminorum • Iota Geminorum system

Stellar regions

 * Milky Way Galaxy

Races and Cultures

 * Human • Vulcan • tribble

Klingon

States and Organizations

 * Starfleet • Starfleet Academy • Starfleet Intelligence • Federation • Klingon Empire

Technology and weapons

 * bomb • communicator • cryo-spray • phaser • starship • transporter • transwarp beaming

Ranks and titles

 * captain • commander • lieutenant

Other references

 * spontaneous asexual replication • xenobiology • allergies

Chronology

 * 2258: Spock Prime notices the tribble.
 * 2259: Enterprise visits Iota Geminorum IV.

Background

 * This story takes place eight years before its prime timeline equivalent (, set in 2267).


 * Iota Geminorum IV is mistakenly called Iota Germinorum IV throughout the comic book.

Related Stories

 * - This is a loose adaptation of the eponymous episode.


 * - Spock Prime and Delta Vega are mentioned.


 * - Yeoman Rand appears this comic.


 * - Admiral Pike appears in the comic and gives advice.