Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek: Defiant #12!
Star Trek has confirmed the parasitic aliens from “Conspiracy” are far more horrifying than fans thought. One of the franchise’s greatest dangling plot lines, the “Conspiracy” parasites have returned, ready for a full-fledged invasion of the Federation. The parasites make their first strike in Star Trek: Defiant #12, where fans learn the creatures are far more destructive and deadly than they initially believed.
Star Trek: Defiant #12 is written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Angel Unzueta. The issue opens with a text piece, resembling notes from Doctor Crusher, who has just finished an autopsy on Lieutenant Remmick. Remmick was the host for the mother parasite in “Conspiracy,” and fans learn about the horrifying damage the queen did to him.
Acknowledging there was not much left of him to examine, Crusher notes the parasite had destroyed entire parts of Remmick’s body, leaving him in excruciating pain that more than likely drove him mad.
The “Conspiracy” Aliens Are One of Star Trek’s Biggest Mysteries–And Biggest Threats
And Now They Have Returned to Destroy the Federation
“Conspiracy” was the finale to Star Trek: The Next Generation’s first season. A group of insect-like parasites infiltrated the highest echelons of Starfleet, in preparation for mounting an invasion. Their attempt was foiled by Captain Picard and Commander Riker, who, in a memorable scene, confront the mother parasite. Picard and Riker open fire on the parasite, destroying it in one of the goriest scenes in franchise history. Remmick, the host for the queen, exploded in a mess of tissue and brain matter. Furthermore, the parasites sent out a signal to their brethren, which acted as a beacon.
The parasite aliens never returned in any Star Trek television show or movie, making them one of the franchise’s greatest unresolved storylines. Now, Cantwell and Unzueta are continuing the story, bringing the parasites back and fulfilling the promise of one of The Next Generation’s best episodes. The aliens have taken over a remote Starbase, which is a beachhead for an invasion. Crusher’s notes at the beginning of the issue paint a gruesome picture of the parasites, and the toll they take on their human hosts. The parasites destroy their host bodies and do so in a slow and painful fashion.
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The “Conspiracy” Aliens Inject Body Horror Into the Star Trek Universe
They Take a Toll on Their Hosts
These revelations about the “Conspiracy” aliens heighten their body horror aspects. The damage the queen inflicted on Remmick was vast: portions of his insides had been liquified, as the creatures release enzymes that slowly destroy the host. A good portion of his body was destroyed by phaser fire, but the queen started the job. Crusher concludes her notes by pondering future incursions from the parasites, shuddering at the thought of what these creatures can do to their hosts. These aliens are one of the darkest races in the Star Trek universe, and now they have returned, more horrifying than ever.
Star Trek: Defiant #12 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
Star Trek: Defiant #12 (2024) | |
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