The Inheritance of Kalakernion

The Inheritance of Kalakernion was the second part of the Category War anthology The Collective. It was a crossover with Big Finish's Bernice Summerfield series.

## Summary

Kalakernion; it's known as the death planet. And for a very good reason, most of the people who step foot on it never leave.

So that's why Bernice Summerfield has decided to visit the planet on an archaeological expedition. However, it appears that she isn't the only one visiting; an imperial ship has landed on the planet and its captain isn't interested in the mysterious temples of Kalakernion.

He interested in what's causing the deaths.

## Plot

Bernice Summerfield is currently working on Dellah; she is contacted by Irving Braxiatel with an invitation to an archaeological expedition to one of the temples on the planet Kalakernion; Bernice is initially wary after finding out that the planet is called the "death planet" however, Braxiatel reveals that the temple doesn't resemble any of the other temples on Kalakernion; however, it resembles a group of temples spread around the universe. Bernice decides to go, seeking to solve one of the greatest archaeological mysteries of the 26th century.

Almost as soon as the expedition's ship lands on Kerekernion, another ship enters the atmosphere of Kerekernion. The ship isn't like anything in the 26th century; however; Bernice recognizes it as a 64th century ship. It eventually lands around 500 kilometers away from where her ship landed. One of the members of the expedition; a native of the Tornado Nebula named Queex wants to leave; fearing the ship's inhabitants might be members of a Metalkind invasion fleet who could enslave them; however, Bernice manages to calm her down before a party from the other ship can arrive.

Once they do arrive they introduce themselves as Crol (a Morraxian) and Poseidon; the humanoid captain of the ship. Bernice recognizes Poseidon from her travels with the Doctor as the ruler of about 45% of the universe during the 64th century. After the leader of the expedition (Professor Unth of the Heran University) says that there was only one expedition cleared for the temple, Poseidon reveals that he isn't interested in the temple. He's interested in the name of the planet, or rather the origin of it.

Crol mentions to Poseidon that the temple could be related to the deaths and/or disappearances so Poseidon and Unth decide to send one person from each of their crews into the temple. With Poseidon sending himself and Unth sending Bernice (the most qualified of the team). After entering the temple, they quickly find a number of mysterious artifacts that Poseidon recognizes but Bernice doesn't. They then find a room which only contains a monitor and a door, Bernice opens the door; however, she finds nothing in the room. She then closes the door, Bernice and Poseidon then decide to search more; however; they quickly find that another shadow is trailing them. The shadow is revealed to be Lya-Ma; a Cylox that made the planet. It was sealed in the temple by the other Cylox; however; Bernice has freed him. Lya-Ma "thanks" Bernice by locking her and Poseidon in the temple and then leaves.

Poseidon calls to his ship (The Atlantica Ultima) and tells them about the detail of what has happened; that is when they reveal that he is on the ship. The fake Poseidon then morphs into Bernice and then into a monstrous cross between a Gargoyle and a Medusa before the call ends.

Bernice attempts to use some of the devices she brought with her to the temple (which includes a sonic trowel) to open the door; however; Poseidon just blows up the wall next to the door and they escape. Poseidon then realizes that the temple is a dimensional prison; and that the controls are on the top, Lya-Ma attempts to stop them; however, they reach the top and Poseidon reboots the prison, trapping Lya-Ma and returning some of the disappeared (who had been captured by the prison's systems due to a bug).

Poseidon and his crew then depart; leaving Bernice and the rest of the expedition to return to the expedition. However, since Bernice already solved the mystery of the temple the expedition doesn't have a purpose and they leave as well.

## Characters

* Bernice Summerfield
* Poseidon
* Admiral Crol
* Trityx Hydrium
* Lya-Ma
* Professor Unth
* Professor Queex

## References

* One of the temples is on the planet Sarra

## Notes

* The audiobook version of this story would be narrated by Chris Barrie, with Lisa Bowerman narrating Bernice Summerfield's lines

## Continuity

* The Cylox previously appeared in (DW: Instruments of Darkness)
* Poseidon is a major force during the 64th century (DW: The Kingmaker, Detour to Diacotha)
* Bernice mentions the Dagellan Cluster (DW: Death and Diplomacy), The *Titanian Queen* (NA: Ship of Fools), and Perfecton (NA: Oh No It Isn't!)
* Hera would be visited by Bernice Summerfield some time after the events of Inheritance (NA: The Squire's Crystal)