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"A Small Matter of Faith" was the 56th and last issue of DC Comics' first series of comics based on The Original Series. It was the last of ten stories written by Martin Pasko and the fourth of five stories illustrated by Gray Morrow. It was published by DC Comics in 1988.

Description[]

The regular crew gets a break and Martin Pasko and Grey Morrow serve up a mission from Kirk's first five-year tour of duty aboard the Enterprise. This time, the crew gets mixed up with a flock of religious zealots and the ideological debates aboard the ship will make for some interesting reading.

Summary[]

Captain's log, stardate 3547.2
This appears to have been our week for medical emergencies. Due to subspace interference from Berthold radiation, I have been unable to contact Starfleet Command for authorization to respond to a priority one distress call from Dr. Pitkin of the Starfleet Veterans' Hospital on Lavinius V — received two solar days ago. Thus, on my own authority, we have diverted from our present assignment in the Beta Aurigae system, and are now in standard orbit over Lavinius V. I am confident my decision poses no threat to the 19 crewmen beamed aboard two solar days ago — casualties from the USS Defiant, disabled during a routine patrol. I must note for the record that, as expected, Dr. McCoy has taken vigorous exception to my decision.

One of the Defiant personnel is former Enterprise yeoman Tonia Barrows. She is afraid they won't make it to the radiation clinic on Starbase 27 in time to be cured with sandovalyn, but Christine Chapel assures her that they're en route at maximum warp. But Captain James T. Kirk diverts the ship to Lavinius V, which has requested emergency medicines. The transmission was a ploy, and a group of terminally ill, but highly-experienced veteran Starfleet officers led by the "faith healer" Lieutenant En-Lai beam aboard, storm the ship, disable the crew, and commandeer the bridge.

En-Lai has heard the legends of incurably sick being healed by the radiating energies of a non-corporeal "Lady of Calydon", and he's taking his patients to a place where she appears. McCoy remains frustrated, as Barrows' life hangs in the balance if they can't get to Starbase 27.

Captain's log, stardate 3549.8
En route to the planet Calydon, we are encountering an ion storm. I am apprehensive about how it will affect our efforts to regain control of the Enterprise

Spock researches the circumstances and realizes that images of the enigmatic Lady of Calydon resemble En-Lai. Suspecting a connection that will save the lives of the radiation victims, he convinces Kirk to abandon efforts to regain control of the ship. McCoy is unconvinced, but En-Lai cures a hairline fracture in Kirk's shoulder faster than is medically possible.

Captain's log, stardate 3550.1
Despite the storm and En-Lai's increasing agitation, we have reached Calydon. I have beamed down to the surface to prepare for the incredible event we now believe will take place there.

At Calydon, large numbers of sick and injured have amassed near the site where the Lady is known to appear. As the Lady begins to materialize, the sick start to riot. En-Lai feels her presence calling to him. Spock uses the ship's phasers to stun a three-kilometer radius around the shrine, knocking out the rioters. En-Lai, his people, and the sick Defiant personnel are beamed down. En-Lai and the Lady reconnect. They are halves of a tandem lifeform, and they have rejoined in order to complete their life cycle and die. Healing emissions from the Lady have healed everyone on the surface, including En-Lai's followers.

Captain's log, supplemental
We are leaving Calydon with the reverend En-Lai's newly cured followers in custody. They must stand trial for their part in the commandeering of the Enterprise. But, as they were instrumental in verifying the existence of the Calydonian healing beings, a discovery of great import to the Federation, I am making a formal recommendation to Starfleet Command that clemency be considered.

References[]

Characters[]

Regular characters[]

Pavel ChekovJames T. KirkLeonard McCoyMontgomery ScottSpockHikaru SuluNyota Uhura

Other characters[]

Tonia BarrowsChristine ChapelEn-LaiLady of CalydonJabilo M'BengaMalesa NorabiPitkinRakaarHaak Trobisunnamed USS Enterprise personnel (2260s)unnamed Humansunnamed races and cultures
Referenced only
FitzpatrickGodDavid Andrew McCoy

Starships and vehicles[]

USS Enterprise (Constitution-class heavy cruiser) • spacecrafttruck
Referenced only
USS Defiant (Constitution-class) • USS Hood (Constitution-class)

Locations[]

Institutions[]

Starfleet Veterans' Hospital
Referenced only
Sanctuary of FátimaSanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Outposts and stations[]

Referenced only
Starbase 27

Planets and planetoids[]

CalydonLavinius V
Referenced only
Daran VEarthElba IIKazar

Stars and systems[]

Referenced only
Alpha CentauriBeta AurigaeCalydon

Races and cultures[]

Alpha CentauranCalydon speciesHumanLavinianVulcan

States and organizations[]

StarfleetStarfleet CommandUnited Federation of Planets

Science and classification[]

baffle platebiobedcommunicationsconncoordinatesdisruptorhospitalhypnosishypospraylibrary computerlife-support wheelchairmedical tricordermedicinephasershieldstasisstunsubspacetechnologytri-ox compounduniversal translatorwarp engine

Ranks and titles[]

admiralcaptainchaplaindoctorFederation Starfleet ranks (2260s)first officerlieutenantpreacherprospectorrankreverendStarfleet rankstrader

Other references[]

assignment patchasylumbeamBerthold radiationBoard of Inquirybookbridgebriefing roomcaptain's logchapelchurchcivilizationdistress callengineeringgalaxygasgravitational fieldgroundhoghomeworldhospitalhourhullhull breachion stormlifeformlogicmattermugatooutpostparsecplanetpriority onequadrantquartersradiationradiation poisoningsandovalynsickbaystar systemstarbaseStarfleet regulationsStarfleet uniformStarfleet uniform (2265-2270)stasisstasis weapontechnologytransporter roomtrialwarp factor (warp eight) • year

Chronology[]

circa 1960s
Lady of Calydon first appeared on Calydon, healing a shipwrecked pilot
23rd century
  • As a youth, abandoned En-Lai was rescued by a trader on uncharted planet
  • En-Lai served as a chaplain aboard the USS Hood
  • En-Lai developed mysterious healing abilities while the Hood was in the Calydon system
2267
En-Lai commandeered the USS Enterprise for a trip to the Calydon system

Appendices[]

Related media[]

Background[]

Images[]

Connections[]

Timeline[]

published order
Previous comic:
#55: Finnegan's Wake!
Who Killed Captain Kirk?
TOS comics
(DC Comics, Series One)
Next comic:
final issue
Previous story:
Taking Shape
Stories by:
Martin Pasko
Next story:
final work
chronological order
Previous adventure:
Communications Breakdown
Memory Beta Chronology Next adventure:
Wolf in the Fold

External links[]

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