This is the third and final episode of the "T'Pol" series. It's not a progressive story like the first two so listening to them isn't required, but it might be more rewarding to hear them first. It takes place directly after the second part, but I think of it as a nature documentary soundtrack (like the Planet Earth films) and our previous two main characters play just a background/supporting role. This is perhaps my most favorite thing I've done. Hopefully my mix and mastering are at least adequate.
Composed in 2015, programmed 2022, remixed/mastered January 2024.
Tracks:
Good Morning and Welcome - Light grows on the horizon, long blades of grass sway in the gentle new winds, birds begin singing. The first rays from the purple sun hit the valley, illuminating a land before time: Welcome to the 7th Planet. Our two explorers lift off to take in the sights from above.
Cyan Mountains - They're way up among the snowy peaks and cold (refreshing!), crisp air. This soaring range shines bright cyan-blue at certain times of the day due to its unusually rich copper deposits. T'Pol and the Pilot have a bit of brisk fun skiing down an impossibly steep slope with the help of their anti-grav boots.
The Little Ducktopussophant - Looking like a cross between an elephant and a duck, the young amphibious creature plays in a stream without a care in the world. He doesn't realize his family doesn't know where he is and are looking for him. Eventually they parade by and demand he get out of the water, but he refuses. So they leave him alone and march out of sight. He wishes they stayed and gets a little sad, and now his playing doesn't seem as fun as before. Fearing they really did leave him for good, he jumps out of the water to look for them. He scans the landscape and doesn't see them, but then in the distance his father steps out from behind the trees, followed by his mother, brother, and sister. The little ducktopussophant then happily runs toward his patiently-waiting family and joins them again.
Picnic Music - It's mid-day, a good time to pause. T'Pol and the Pilot set up a small picnic under a tree. Its wide canopy provides plenty of shade and pleasant rustling, perfect place for a meal and a nap. The occasional curious creature creeps up to check them out, usually losing interest within a few moments.
The Etchings of the Vanished Ko-Fe-Fe - They're footing it through a dense, damp jungle. For the first time on the 7th Planet, they feel a little uneasy. T'Pol perks her ears a few times because something might be following them. As they approach a slight clearing, they for sure hear it- getting closer. Quickly, they get to the clearing, just in time! ...for the little tree animal to jump out from the tree onto a large stone. He looks kind of like a squirrel monkey, and he's just another harmless, curious creature.
The little guy knocked away some dirt on the stone to reveal what looks like carvings. But to their knowledge, the 7th Planet has never been inhabited by an advanced species. What looks like just a large natural formation of stones is revealed to be that of intelligent design, and looks to be a sacred or ritual site. T'Pol notes that the carvings seem to suggest something strange happened to these people. As she begins verbalizing what the stones appear to suggest, they are immersed in a light emanating from the stones – as if projecting a film, but the surroundings are refreshed back to the time the carvings were created, and they see it all. These people were brought here a very long time ago against their will, and eventually forgotten by those who brought them. Technologically they were primitive; but spiritually they were very advanced. After generations of peaceful settlement they reached a crucial point in their civilization. There was a time when they became very agitated and violent toward each other. When it all seemed to finally come apart, and their civilization crumbling, it happened: The Crossing, depicted on the most prominent etching. All of their unpleasant experiences were symptoms of a great transformation. The last native carved the final symbols into the stones, and then he vanished, along with all of his people. The Ko-Fe-Fe had elevated to the spirit realm. They are the living 7th Planet.
After their intense experience, T'Pol wonders about the origins of the people. Perhaps there is a connection with her ancient guides and this Planet, perhaps that is why they sent her here...
Transit - It's nearly nightfall. That means rush hour. Animals, birds, insects are all moving in organized teams, some speeding in parallel, some intersecting and crisscrossing lanes, on their way to retire for the evening. The night shift is nearly ready to clock in. As the commute winds down, the usual last few birds and flying things who nearly missed the call make a dash to catch up with their flocks.
The View at Galaxy Lake - Under a clear, bright starry universe, the couple stand at the water. The far edge of the lake seamlessly merges with the sky, and the reflection is so clear and vivid that whole effect makes it seem as if you are floating in space. Even for these seasoned star-travelers, it's a sight for which they have few words.
One Light in a Cave of Crystals - The Pilot discovers an opening to a subterranean cave. They enter and what they find is a stretch of connected caverns, completely lined with crystals of all sizes, from pebbles to massive pillars. As a result, this produces a most scintillating effect - with a single light, the entirety of the cave is illuminated, even around corners they can't see, producing a kaleidoscope of ever changing colors and reflections.
A Walk through the Forest - T'Pol decides to take a twilight stroll into the forest, along a path carved out by the local creatures. Odd little birds and funny little animals populate these woods - with odd, funny little sounds and movements. Peaceful, enchanting, and meditative; the energy of the land seems to focus here.
Aurora - A vibrant light show of small, rapidly moving lights within large, slow-moving ones. As the day ends in the land of the purple sun, the planet reminds you she protects all who are here.
Goodnight from the 7th Planet - Under the stars, our familiar tune ("Circinus" from T'Pol2) in the form of a lullaby brings the evening to a dreamy close.
