In February of 1972 the Enterprise continued to boldly go. Dark Traveler was written, once again, by Len Wein, featured art by Alberto Giolitti and another painted cover by George Wilson.

The Enterprise is on her way to the Sigma system when they pick up a strange energy burst in a barren system. The burst solidifies itself into a hooded being, sitting in the captain’s chair on a very bizarre looking version of the Enterprise bridge.

Referring to himself as both Traveller and Nomad, the figure refers that after spending sometime among the Organians, he needs the Enterprise to take him home. He seizes control of the ship with his powers, and blasts Scotty with a staff weapon.

He is intent on getting home, a place he recalls as a utopia. He shares concerns that he feared the society had become too stagnant, so he left to explore the galaxy, seeking more, learning all that is learnable.

The Enterprise races to Nomad’s homeworld, under the being’s control. But once they reach the planet, Nomad returns power to the crew, and promises them the ship will be returned safely to its original mission.

Before the Enterprise returns to its journey, Spock reminds them of their mission to seek out new life and new civilizations. So our heroic trio of Kirk, Spock and McCoy insist on beaming down to Nomad’s home planet.

When they do, they find that the utopia Nomad remembered has been destroyed! It seems the robotic servants rose up against the inhabitants (shades of Cyberdyne systems!). When they come under attack, Nomad’s staff weapon is able to save them.

But surprise, surprise, they all get captured (again) by the robots, and it’s revealed that Nomad’s brother, Niklon is the one controlling the robots. He’s felt physically deficient when compared to the rest of society, so he’s turned against everyone.

Unable to contact the Enterprise, the foursome are thrown into a cell. It doesn’t take long for them to organize a jail break. And the rest of the prisoners join Kirk and company to attack Niklon.

Once Niklon is defeated, Nomad promises to work for the betterment of his people, and the Enterprise soars onward as the Human Adventure continues…

Honestly, this was better than the pirate story, but it wasn’t great. Each story, no mater what seems to have the same beats, strange signals, capture, escape. I get that each tale needs to be self-contained, and you only have so many pages, but despite their trappings, most of them end up being very similar.

Let’s see if the tropes continue next time when things go badly during The Enterprise Mutiny.