Return to Talos IV (If Memory Serves)

by Paddy Tye, First Edition Creative Manager

14th June 2019

Previously on Star Trek...

"A ship in trouble making a forced landing, sir."

"It comes from the Talos star group."

"Their call letters check with a survey expedition."

"My name is Christopher Pike, commander of the space vehicle Enterprise."

"Our destination is the Talos star group."

"There's a canyon to the left, we can set you down there completely unobserved."

"I think it's time to show the captain our secret."

"This is Vina. Her parents are dead. She was born almost as we crashed."

"This is all some sort of trap."

"Are you real?"

"Perhaps they made me out of dreams you've forgotten."

"Is there any way I can keep them from probing my mind and from using my thoughts against me?"

"I can't help but love you."

"Let's get back to the ship."

"I can't. I can't go with you."

A love story revisited after 55 years. In 1964, Gene Roddenberry produced "The Cage" and introduced the tragic love story between Pike and Vina. The Talosians gave her an illusion of beauty to hide her injuries. Later they would do the same for Pike when (years later) he too was injured, trapped in his own disfigured body.

In 2019, both CBS and The Continuing Committee chose to revisit those events. Star Trek: Discovery re-explored Pike and Vina's destiny. As did The Continuing Committee with The Cage and new mechanics based around Talos IV.

Investigate Quarantine is a new mission which represents the very first mission, Talos IV. Despite not being a mission with a Federation icon (appropriate given the Starfleet Regulations prohibiting travel to Talos IV), it forms a centerpiece for a new Federation deck, based around Christopher Pike and his crew.

The new objective General Order 7 (much like the Talosians appearance in Trek) is three-fold.

Firstly, you can violate Starfleet regulations and allow your Federation crew to attempt Talos IV.

Secondly, Pike inspired a certain loyalty amongst his crew, and as such you can summon either him or a crewmember who names him in lore when needed (in place of a card draw). This sort of "dial-a-skill" ability has proven useful within Klingon TNG decks (Officer Exchange Program) or Cardassian Support Personnel decks (Dominion War Efforts).

Thirdly, you can use the Spock approach and use that extraordinary loyalty to get your captain all the way back to Talos IV and let the Talosian illusions allow Captain Pike to live in peace, free from his injuries.

"Captain Pike has an illusion, and you have reality. May you find your way as pleasant."

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