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| + | [[File:Reader tube with removed instrument of obedience.jpg|thumb|The instrument of obedience removed.]] |
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| − | The '''Instrument of obedience''' was a circular device implanted sub-dermally in the temple of each of the inhabitants of the [[asteroid]] [[Yonada]]. Anyone who strayed from the strict religious doctrines of Yonada could experience pain inflicted through the instrument; repeated offenses could cause death in the individual. ([[TOS]]: "[[For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky]]") |
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| + | The '''instrument of obedience''' was a star-shaped device that was implanted subdermally in the right temple of each inhabitant of the [[Fabrini]] [[asteroid]]-[[spaceship|ship]] ''[[Yonada]]''. |
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| + | At some point during a Fabrini's life, the instrument was inserted by a hand-held mechanism operated by the high official. This event marked the individual's becoming one of the People of ''Yonada''. Presumably all those born on ''Yonada'' underwent the ritual. Outsiders could as well, since [[Leonard McCoy]] underwent this initiation in [[2268]] following his brief resignation from [[Starfleet]]. |
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| − | For millenia, in order to become one of the people of Yonada, one had to submit to the insertion of the Instrument. As the [[Oracle of the People]] indicated, it was intended to prevent the Yonadans from committing sacrilige or offending against the people or the creators. |
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| + | [[File:Natira prepares to implant the instrument of obedience.jpg|left|thumb|Natira prepares to implant the instrument of obedience]] |
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| − | This device apparently monitored an individual in an undetermined manner for offesive behavior and thoughts. Examples of such behavior included questioning the Oracle, reading the sacred [[Book of the People]], or even climbing the [[mountain]]s. At the onset of any forbidden behavior or thought, the instrument would begin to glow and cause momentary pain. If one persisted, the pain increased and death resulted in a matter of minutes. |
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| + | The instrument apparently monitored an individual in an undetermined manner to detect offensive behavior, including (but not limited to) questioning the [[Oracle]], engaging in any of various acts defined as sacrilege, or speaking (and presumably believing) things that contradict the official doctrine of the faith. |
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| + | Offenders experienced pain inflicted through the instrument; repeated offenses caused increasing pain and eventually death. When operating, the device glowed red brightly enough to be seen through the skin. The Oracle monitored and probably operated the instrument, as it was aware of offenses requiring punishment. |
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| − | It was learned by the [[landing party]] from the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']] that the asteroid was constructed by the [[Fabrini]] as a multi-generational [[colony]] vessel in order to save a remnant of their people from an impending [[supernova]]. The survivors were to be guided by a powerful [[computer]], but this computer developed a flaw that led to it setting itself up as the "Oracle", as well as the creation of a repressive theocracy. The use of the instrument of obedience by the Oracle choked off the Yonadan's freedom of thought and expression and ensured that the people would never know that they were actually passengers bound for a new home. |
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| + | [[File:Instrument of Obedience.jpg|thumb|McCoy is stricken by the instrument of obedience]] |
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| − | [[Doctor]] [[Leonard McCoy]] had married the leader of the Yonadans, [[Natira]], and he was bound to accept the instrument. By reading the Book of the People, McCoy learned the secret truth of Yonada – and nearly died as a result. Fortunately, [[Commander]] [[Spock]] and [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] were able to remove the instrument from McCoy and Natira before any permanent damage resulted. |
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| + | The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} [[landing party]] learned that the ''Yonada'' was constructed to save a remnant of their people from an impending [[supernova]]. The Oracle was presumably installed at that time and given suzerainty over these people. |
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| + | During the ritual that implanted an instrument and made him one of the people, McCoy learned the location of the ''[[Book of the People]]''. Correctly surmising that it contained the information necessary to locate the control center, a prerequisite for returning ''Yonada'' to its proper course, McCoy called his former commander and told him where to look for the book. For this act of sacrilege, the Oracle used McCoy's instrument to inflict horrible pain, rendering the doctor unconscious. Only [[Spock]]'s timely intervention in removing the instrument saved McCoy from permanent harm or death. ({{TOS|For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky}}) |
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| − | Once the true nature of Oracle was discovered and this knowledge was accepted by Natira, the instruments were removed from the remaining inhabitants and the flaw in the computer was corrected. |
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| − | + | == See also == |
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| + | * [[Neural servo]] |
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| + | |||
| + | == Apocrypha == |
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| + | The novel ''[[Ex Machina]]'' posited that the devices were initially created to keep convicted criminals from behaving in an undesirable manner, and were only implanted in such individuals. The novel further posited that the winners of an internecine struggle a few thousand years after ''Yonada''{{'}}s launch reprogrammed the Oracle and gave it authority over the people of ''Yonada''. ''Ex Machina'' explained that this group of Yonadans felt the need to take drastic actions to ensure the colony's survival, and they created a framework that suppressed violence and replaced individual initiative with dogma. The plan succeeded, since the Yonadans survived to disembark, but their theocratic past created conflicts between those who wished to retain the Oracle and those who felt it had served its purpose and wished to discard it. |
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| + | [[Category:Technology]] |
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| + | [[Category:Punishments]] |
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Revision as of 04:26, 9 January 2015
The instrument of obedience removed.
The instrument of obedience was a star-shaped device that was implanted subdermally in the right temple of each inhabitant of the Fabrini asteroid-ship Yonada.
At some point during a Fabrini's life, the instrument was inserted by a hand-held mechanism operated by the high official. This event marked the individual's becoming one of the People of Yonada. Presumably all those born on Yonada underwent the ritual. Outsiders could as well, since Leonard McCoy underwent this initiation in 2268 following his brief resignation from Starfleet.
Natira prepares to implant the instrument of obedience
The instrument apparently monitored an individual in an undetermined manner to detect offensive behavior, including (but not limited to) questioning the Oracle, engaging in any of various acts defined as sacrilege, or speaking (and presumably believing) things that contradict the official doctrine of the faith.
Offenders experienced pain inflicted through the instrument; repeated offenses caused increasing pain and eventually death. When operating, the device glowed red brightly enough to be seen through the skin. The Oracle monitored and probably operated the instrument, as it was aware of offenses requiring punishment.
McCoy is stricken by the instrument of obedience
The USS Enterprise landing party learned that the Yonada was constructed to save a remnant of their people from an impending supernova. The Oracle was presumably installed at that time and given suzerainty over these people.
During the ritual that implanted an instrument and made him one of the people, McCoy learned the location of the Book of the People. Correctly surmising that it contained the information necessary to locate the control center, a prerequisite for returning Yonada to its proper course, McCoy called his former commander and told him where to look for the book. For this act of sacrilege, the Oracle used McCoy's instrument to inflict horrible pain, rendering the doctor unconscious. Only Spock's timely intervention in removing the instrument saved McCoy from permanent harm or death. (TOS: "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky")
See also
Apocrypha
The novel Ex Machina posited that the devices were initially created to keep convicted criminals from behaving in an undesirable manner, and were only implanted in such individuals. The novel further posited that the winners of an internecine struggle a few thousand years after Yonada's launch reprogrammed the Oracle and gave it authority over the people of Yonada. Ex Machina explained that this group of Yonadans felt the need to take drastic actions to ensure the colony's survival, and they created a framework that suppressed violence and replaced individual initiative with dogma. The plan succeeded, since the Yonadans survived to disembark, but their theocratic past created conflicts between those who wished to retain the Oracle and those who felt it had served its purpose and wished to discard it.