| Synopsis |
The space ship Discovery's mission is to find and chart the center of the universe. As Discovery approaches this point First Officer Andersen comes to the Captain with a problem. All of his hair, teeth and fingernails have fallen out. He thinks the course of Discovery has caused this but the Captain refuses to turn back. He tells Andersen to return his quarters and wait for the medic. When Medical Officer Atkins gets there he finds Andersen's body has shrunk but his head has grown to the size of a watermelon. He brings the Captain and Jocko the monkey (the ship's mascot) to see what has happened to Andersen. The Medical Officer tells them that Andersen is evolving. Jocko runs away from the sight but the Captain begins to change like Andersen. By the time he reaches the controls to turn the ship around he has completely changed and no longer cares about turning the ship. Eventually, all of the humans on the ship evolve to the point that they become energy that merges with the infinite cosmos. That leaves just one being left on the ship. |