We've reached the designated position
for scanning the coded directive tape.
Good.
We've both guessed right.
"Negotiations with the Klingon Empire on the verge of breaking down.
Starfleet Command anticipates a surprise attack."
We are to "proceed to Organia
and take whatever steps are necessary
to prevent the Klingons from using it as a base."
Strategically sound.
Organia is the only Class-M planet in the disputed area.
Ideally located for use by either side.
Organia's description, Mr. Spock?
Inhabited by humanoids.
A very peaceful, friendly people.
Living on a primitive level.
Little of intrinsic value.
Approximately class D-minus on Richter's scale of cultures.
Another Armenia, Belgium.
Sir?
The weak innocents
who always seem to be located on the natural invasion routes.
Captain, the automatic deflector screen just popped on.
- Body approaching. - Configuration, Mr. Sulu?
Phaser banks, lock on. Return fire.
Maintain firing rate.
One hundred percent dispersal pattern.
We hit him, captain. He's hurt.
Damage control, report to the first officer.
Captain, the other ship doesn't register.
Only drifting debris.
- We got him. - All hands, maintain general alert.
Hold battle stations.
Damage report, Mr. Spock.
Minor, captain. We were most fortunate.
Blast damage on Decks 10 and 11.
Minor buckling in the antimatter pods.
- Casualties are light. - Maintain surveillance, Mr. Sulu.
No contact, captain.
He blew up, all right.
Well, we've been anticipating an attack.
I'd say what we've just experienced very nearly qualifies.
Yes, it would seem to be an unfriendly act.
Automatic all-points relay from Starfleet Command, captain.
Code one.
Well, there it is. War.
We didn't want it, but we've got it.
Curious how often you humans manage to obtain
that which you do not want.
War or not, we've still got a job to do:
Denying Organia to the Klingons.
With the outbreak of hostilities, that might not be easy.
- Lay in a course for Organia. - Aye, aye, sir.
Negotiating with the Organians will be time-consuming, captain.
And time is the one thing we will have the least of.
Well, we won't get it by talking about it, Mr. Spock.
The trigger's been pulled.
We've got to get there before the hammer falls.
Ahead warp factor 7.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission: To explore strange new worlds,
to seek out new life and new civilizations,
to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Captain's log, stardate 3198.4.
We have reached Organia and established standard orbit.
No signs of hostile activities in this area.
Captain.
Unit XY-75847 report a fleet of Klingon ships in their sector, sir.
- What bearing? - Unable to ascertain, sir.
Mr. Sulu, have the phaser crews stand by their positions.
Full power deflector screens.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Spock and I are going down to the planet's surface. You're in command.
Your responsibility is to the Enterprise, not to us. Is that clear?
Perfectly, sir.
The Klingon fleet is in this quadrant.
We know that Organia will be a target.
If they should emerge--
- We'll handle them, sir. - You will evaluate the situation.
If there is a fleet of them, you'll get out of here, Mr. Sulu.
- But, captain-- - No buts.
You'll get to safety and alert the fleet. You will not attack alone.
Mr. Spock and I will be all right.
Mr. Spock.
Let's you and I pay the Organians a visit.
You'd think they had people beaming down every day.
Yes. Curious lack of interest.
Notice the ruins in the distance, captain. Quite large.
Yes. A fortress, perhaps.
- A castle. - Whatever it is,
it would seem to be inconsistent with the reports
we've been given on this culture.
Welcome.
Reception committee?
It seems so.
You are our visitors.
Welcome, welcome.
I am Ayelborne.
I am Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise,
representing the United Federation of Planets.
This is my first officer, Mr. Spock.
You're most welcome, my friend.
I would like to speak to someone in authority.
We don't have anybody in authority.
But I am the chairman of the Council of Elders. Perhaps I would do.
You people are in great danger.
Is there someplace we can go and talk?
Yes, our council chambers are nearby. Please.
Captain.
If you don't mind, I should like to wander about the village
and make some studies.
Of course, my friend. Our village is yours.
Captain?
Gentlemen, my government has informed me
that the Klingons are expected to move against your planet
with the objective of making it a base of operation
against the Federation.
My mission, frankly, is to keep them from doing it.
What you are saying, captain, is that we seem to have a choice
between dealing with you or your enemies.
No, sir.
With the Federation, you have a choice.
You have none with the Klingons.
The Klingons are a military dictatorship.
War is their way of life.
Life under the Klingon rule would be very unpleasant.
We offer you protection.
We thank you for your altruistic offer, captain,
but we really do not need your protection.
We are a simple people, captain.
We have nothing that anybody could want.
You have this planet and its strategic location.
I assure you that if you don't take action to prevent it,
the Klingons will move against you just as surely as your sun rises.
We will help you build defenses, build facilities.
We have no defenses, captain. Nor are any needed.
Gentlemen.
I have seen what the Klingons do to planets like yours.
They are organized into vast slave-labor camps.
No freedoms whatsoever. Your goods will be confiscated.
Hostages taken, killed. Your leaders confined.
You'd be far better off on a penal planet. Infinitely better off.
Captain, we see that your concern is genuine. We are moved.
But again, we assure you that we are in absolutely no danger.
If anybody is in danger, you are. And that concerns us greatly.
It would be better if you return to your ship as soon as possible.
You keep insisting that there's no danger.
I keep assuring you that there is. Would you mind telling me--?
It is our way of life, captain.
That's the first thing that would be lost.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
I'm a soldier, not a diplomat.
I can only tell you the truth.
If you will excuse us, captain, we will discuss your kind offer.
Yes, certainly.
Captain, our information on these people and their culture
was not correct.
This is not a primitive society making progress toward mechanization.
They are totally stagnant.
There is no evidence of any progress
as far back as my tricorder can register.
- That doesn't seem likely. - Nevertheless, it is true.
For tens of thousands of years,
there has been absolutely no advancement.
No significant change in their physical environment.
This is a laboratory specimen of an arrested culture.
Thank you, Mr. Spock. That might be useful.
We have discussed your offer, captain.
And our opinion is unchanged. We are in no danger.
We thank you for your kind offer of assistance,
although we must decline it.
And we strongly recommend that you leave Organia
before you yourselves are endangered.
Gentlemen, I must get you to reconsider.
We can be of immense help to you.
In addition to military aid,
we can send you specialists, technicians.
We can show you how to feed a thousand people
where one was fed before. We can help you build schools.
Educate the young in the latest technological and scientific skills.
Your public facilities are almost nonexistent.
We can help you remake your world.
End disease, hunger, hardship.
All we ask in return is that you let us help you. Now.
Captain, I can see that you do not understand us.
- Perhaps-- Excuse me, sir.
Kirk here.
Captain, a large number of Klingon vessels have just arrived.
- They're opening fire. - Positive identification?
Yes, sir. My screens are up. I can't drop them to beam you aboard.
Mr. Sulu, follow your orders.
Get out of here. Contact the fleet.
Return if the odds are more equal. Kirk out.
Gentlemen, you kept insisting that there was no danger--
That is correct, captain. There is no danger.
Ayelborne, eight space vehicles
have assumed orbit around our planet.
They are activating their material transmission units.
Thank you, Trefayne.
Can you verify that?
Negative, captain, but it seems a logical development.
Captain, since it is too late for you to escape,
perhaps we should do something about protecting you.
If you had listened to me...
We must be sure that you are not harmed.
Ayelborne, several hundred men have appeared near the citadel.
They bring many weapons.
How does he know that?
Our friend Trefayne is really quite intuitive.
You can rest assured that what he says is absolutely correct.
So...
...we're stranded here.
In the middle of a Klingon occupation army.
So it would seem.
Not a very pleasant prospect.
You have a gift for understatement, Mr. Spock.
It's not a very pleasant prospect at all.
Captain's log, stardate 3201. 7.
Mr. Spock and I are trapped on the planet Organia,
which is in the process of being occupied
by the forces of the Klingon Empire.
The Organians have provided us with native clothing
in the hopes that we may be taken for Organians.
Captain, our phasers are gone.
- Did you take them? - Yes, captain, I took them.
I must ask you to return them.
I'm sorry, captain. I cannot do that.
Were you armed, you might be tempted to use violence,
and that we cannot permit.
You, captain, will pass as an Organian.
And Mr. Spock...
Mr. Spock presents a problem.
He does not look like an Organian.
A Vulcan trader, perhaps.
A dealer in kevas and trillium. Harmless to the Klingons.
They know that Vulcan is a member of the Federation.
Vulcan merchants are not uncommon, captain.
It is a practical approach.
What about the rest of you?
We shall continue as before.
We have nothing to fear.
You have a lot to learn, sir.
And if I know the Klingons, you'll be learning it the hard way.
This is the ruling council?
I am Ayelborne, temporary head of the council.
I bid you welcome.
No doubt you do.
I am Kor, military governor of Organia.
Who are you?
He is Baroner, one of our leading citizens.
And he has no tongue?
I have a tongue.
Good.
You will be taught how to use it.
- Where is your smile? - My what?
The stupid, idiotic smile everyone else seems to be wearing.
A Vulcan.
Do you also have a tongue?
I am Spock.
A dealer in kevas and trillium.
You do not look like a storekeeper. Take this man.
Vulcans are members of the Federation. He may be a spy.
He's no SPY-
Well.
Have we a ram among the sheep?
You object to us taking him?
He's done nothing. Nothing at all.
Corning from an Organian, yours is practically an act of rebellion.
Very good.
So you welcome me.
Do you also welcome me?
You're here. There's nothing I can do about it.
Good, honest hatred.
Very refreshing.
However, it makes no difference whether you welcome me or not.
I am here, and I will stay.
You are now subjects of the Klingon Empire.
You will find there are many rules and regulations.
They will be posted.
Violation of the smallest of them will be punished by death.
We shall obey your regulations, commander.
- You disapprove, Baroner? - Do you need my approval?
I need your obedience.
Nothing more.
Will I have it?
You seem to be in command.
Yes.
I am.
I shall need a representative from among you.
Liaison between the forces of the occupation and the civil population.
Smile and smile.
I don't trust men who smile too much.
You, Baroner. You're the man.
Me? I don't want the job.
Have I asked whether or not you want it?
We Klingons have a reputation for ruthlessness.
You will find that it is deserved.
Should one Klingon soldier be killed...
...a thousand Organians will die.
I will have order.
Is that clear?
Commander, I assure you,
our people want nothing but peace.
We shall cause you no trouble.
I am sure you will not.
Take the Vulcan to the examination room.
You. Come with me.
I will familiarize you with your new duties.
What about Mr. Spock?
- You are concerned? - He is my friend.
You have a poor choice of friends.
He will be examined. If he is lying, he will die.
If he is telling the truth...
...he will find that business has taken a turn for the worse.
Take him.
You do not like to be pushed.
Very good.
You may be a man I can deal with, Baroner.
Come with me.
"From this day on,
no public assemblages of more than three people.
All publications to be cleared through this office.
Neighborhood controls will be established.
Hostages selected."
A somewhat lengthy list of crimes against the state.
You do not like them?
Well?
He is what he claims to be, commander.
A Vulcanian merchant named Spock.
His main concern seems to be
how he would carry out his business under our occupation.
Nothing else?
The usual.
A certain amount of apprehension regarding us.
His mind is remarkably disciplined.
You are sure?
I used force four,
which is sufficient to break down any pretense.
Very well, lieutenant.
Would you like to try our little truth-finder?
I don't understand it.
It's a mind sifter. Or a mind ripper,
depending on how much force is used.
We can record every thought.
Every bit of knowledge in a man's mind.
Of course, when that much force is used,
the mind is emptied.
Permanently, I'm afraid. What's left is more vegetable than human.
And you're proud of it?
It is a tool, a weapon.
Somewhat drastic, but very efficient.
Are you sure you're all right?
Perfectly, Baroner.
But it was an interesting experience.
All right, Vulcan, you may go.
But you are an enemy alien.
You will be under our scrutiny at all times.
If I have to warn you...
Not necessary, commander.
I understand you very well.
Return to your council, Baroner.
You will receive our official notifications
as soon as they are published.
In the meantime, keep the people in order.
It is your responsibility.
Or I Will be killed.
That is exactly right.
You Will be killed.
That mind sifter can't be all the terror they think it is.
It should not be underestimated, captain.
It reaches directly into the mind.
We Vulcans have certain mental--
Certain disciplines which enable me to maintain a shield.
Without those disciplines, there would be no protection.
I'll try and avoid it.
Out of the way, Organian.
I'm sorry, sir. We did not notice you.
Next time keep your eyes open, or I'll shut them permanently.
Captain.
I strongly suggest we direct our energies
toward the immediate problem:
Accomplishing our mission here.
You didn't really think I was gonna beat his head in, did you?
- I thought you might. - You're right.
But as you say, we still have a job to do.
We'll receive no help from the Organians.
Maybe. But sooner or later, they're gonna start resenting
how the Klingons run things.
If we could prove to them they could do something to strike back,
to keep the Klingons off balance.
Verbal persuasion seems to be ineffective.
Perhaps a more direct approach.
That's exactly what I had in mind.
Mr. Spock, did I or did I not see something
that looked like a munitions dump outside of Kor's headquarters?
You did.
I think it's time we did a little simple and plain communicating tonight.
A very meritorious idea, captain.
We're short of tools.
I'm certain the Klingons will provide whatever is necessary.
It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Spock.
Okay so far.
Sonic grenade?
- With a delayed-action fuse. - Good.
These crates contain chemical explosives.
They should make a most satisfactory display.
Six, five, four, three...
You were right, Mr. Spock.
A most satisfactory display.
Of course we blew it up.
Deliberately.
But that was violence.
We did it to show you could fight back.
That you don't have to be sheep, you can be wolves.
Terrible.
To destroy.
History is full of examples of civil populations
fighting back successfully against a military dictatorship.
We may not be able to destroy the Klingons, but we can tie them up.
Blow up their installations. Disrupt their communications.
Make Organia useless to them.
Our fleet will eventually arrive.
In the meantime, the battle is ours.
It can be a successful one.
Captain, I implore you never to do such a thing again.
Why?
Are you afraid of retribution?
Does your personal freedom mean so little to you?
How little you understand us, captain.
All I understand is that you don't have the backbone
to stand up and fight and protect the ones you love.
I speak of courage, gentlemen.
Does courage mean so little to you?
You speak of courage.
Obviously, you do not know the difference between courage...
...and foolhardiness.
Always it is the brave ones who die. The soldiers.
I hope you will continue to savor the sweetness of your life.
You disgust me.
What are you going to do with him, commander?
What is always done with spies and saboteurs.
He Will be killed...
...after he has had firsthand experience of our mind scanner.
There's no need to use your machine on him, commander.
I can tell you his name.
It is Captain James T. Kirk.
- Ayelborne. - What?
Captain of the USS Enterprise.
A starship commander.
And his first officer?
I had hoped to meet you in battle, but...
For some reason, he feels that he must destroy you, commander.
Just as you feel you must destroy him.
That's going to be rather difficult now.
Isn't it, captain?
What an admirable people.
Do you always betray your friends?
I didn't want you to harm him.
I'm sorry, captain.
It was for the best.
No harm would come of it.
I'm used to the idea of dying.
But I have no desire to die for the likes of you.
I don't blame you, captain.
Lock up the Vulcan.
Take the captain to my office.
We'll have a talk.
Before I do what...
...must be done.
You'll have a drink with me, captain?
No, thank you.
I assure you, it isn't drugged.
With our mind scanner, we have no need for such crude methods.
What do you want from me?
A very great deal.
But first I want to talk.
Just talk.
Do you think I'm gonna sit here and "just talk" with the enemy?
You'll talk.
Either here, now, voluntarily, or under our mind scanner.
The fact is, captain, I have a great admiration
for your starfleet.
A remarkable instrument.
And I must confess to a certain admiration for you.
I know, of course, that it was you who destroyed our supplies last night.
Something was destroyed?
Nothing inconsequential, I hope.
Hardly.
They were quite important to us, but they can be replaced.
You of the Federation,
you are much like us.
We're nothing like you.
We're a democratic body.
Come now, captain. I'm not referring to minor ideological differences.
I mean that we are similar as a species.
Here we are, on a planet of sheep.
Two tigers.
Predators. Hunters. Killers.
And it is precisely that which makes us great.
And there is a universe to be taken.
It's a very large universe, commander.
Full of people who don't like the Klingons.
Excellent.
Then it shall be a matter of testing each other's wills and power.
Survival must be earned, captain.
Tell me about the dispersal of your starfleet.
Go climb a tree.
I can get what I want through our mind scanner,
but there would be very little of your mind left, captain.
I have no desire to see you become a vegetable.
This friend of yours, the Vulcan...
...he seems to have the ability to block our scanner.
I think, perhaps, I will find out why.
I will have him dissected.
Your friend killed. You, a mental vegetable.
Not a pleasant prospect, captain.
But it lies ahead for you unless you tell me everything I want to know.
Twelve hours, captain.
It will take a lot longer than that, commander.
Longer than that, I will not wait.
I respect you, captain, but...
...this is war.
A game we Klingons play to win.
Take him to the cell with his friend.
And watch him closely.
No use, Jim. No way out.
How much of the 12 hours do we have left?
Six hours, 43 minutes.
If the Klingons are punctual.
I think we can count on them being punctual.
Blowing up the munitions dump wasn't enough.
If we get out of here, we've got to carry the attack directly to Kor.
These Organians...
They do not seem to understand.
- Most peculiar. - Nevertheless, our orders still stand.
We've got to make some attempt to neutralize the Klingon occupation.
We may not get the chance, captain.
These walls are very thick.
And there are guards every few feet down the hall.
There you are, gentlemen.
I trust you are in good health.
- Shall we go? - Go?
Yes, your captors plan to do violence to you.
That we cannot permit.
I came to take you away.
You turned us over to them.
You expect us to trust you now?
Is there really a choice, captain?
I offer you safety.
We can't stay here. This is the first place they'll look.
They will not come here, captain. You may believe me.
First you turn us in, then you get us out.
What are you doing now? Waiting for the Klingons to post a reward
so you can turn us in again and collect it?
How little you understand us.
Nor do we understand what happened to the guards at the citadel.
Do not concern yourself about them.
What happened to them?
Why, nothing happened to them, captain.
Nothing at all.
Commander.
Don't you see I'm busy?
The two Federation prisoners, they're gone.
You mean they've escaped?
I swear, no one was at fault.
The guards, ten of them, were constantly on duty
watching the cell.
When we opened it to give them food,
they simply weren't there, and there was no way out.
If you're lying to me--
I swear.
All right, lieutenant.
Implement special occupation order number four.
- Immediately. - Sir.
Is that all you can do? Smile?
- You are free, captain. - I wanna know how I'm free, and why.
Indeed, there are several questions
- I would like to ask as well. - This idiotic placidity of yours,
your refusal to do anything to protect yourselves.
We have already answered that question.
To us, violence is unthinkable.
Attention.
Attention, all Organians. Attention.
This is Commander Kor.
The two Federation prisoners have escaped,
obviously with outside aid.
They will be returned immediately.
So that you will know we mean what we say...
...listen.
Those are Klingon phasers. Take the door.
Get down, gentlemen.
In the courtyard of my headquarters...
...two hundred Organians have just been killed.
Two hundred of them.
In two hours, 200 more will die...
...and 200 more after that...
...until the two Federation spies are turned over to us.
This is the order of Kor.
- Did you hear them? - Yes, of course, captain.
But nothing has changed.
Well, Mr. Spock...
...it seems it's up to you and me.
It would appear so, captain.
The Federation has invested a great deal of money in our training.
They're about due for a small return. We have two hours to do it.
But only two. More Organians will die--
No, Mr. Spock. No more will die on account of us.
Where are those phasers?
I cannot tell you.
You've told us a great deal about how you hate violence.
Unless you tell me where those phasers are,
you're gonna have more violence than you know what to do with.
You mean you would actually use force?
It's entirely up to you.
Ayelborne, this is of no matter.
Perhaps you'd better let him have what he wants. He...
Very well, but it will do you no good.
They're in that cabinet.
Gentlemen, I have no great love for you, your planet, your culture.
Despite that, Mr. Spock and I are gonna go out there...
...and quite probably die.
In an attempt to show you that there are some things worth dying for.
There are only two of you against an army.
Don't you realize that what you intend to do will be hopeless?
Come on, Mr. Spock. Let's get out of here.
- Brave men. - Yes, but so foolish.
Interesting, however.
We cannot allow it.
To stop them is very bad.
It is necessary. They may harm one another.
Trefayne?
They will wait until darkness.
- Then? - Terrible, inconceivable. Savage.
We will wait.
Mr. Spock, can we get those two guards?
What would you say the odds are on our getting out of here?
Difficult to be precise, captain.
I should say approximately 7,824.7 to one.
Difficult to be precise?
7,824 to one?
7,824.7 to one.
That's a pretty close approximation.
- I endeavor to be accurate. - You do quite well.
Set your phaser on stun.
We're after the top dog, not the members of the pack.
Very good.
If the situation calls for it, we kill. Is that clear?
Clear, captain.
I'll take the one on the left.
Fire.
- It has begun. - Very well.
- It will be hard. - Prepare yourselves.
- No results, commander? - Nothing.
I cannot understand these people.
They know what death is, don't they?
They do not seem to be worried about anything.
Bad enough to be a military governor,
but to govern a population of sheep!
Very well, lieutenant.
- Round up 200 more. - Yes, sir.
Fools! Will I have to kill them all?
If you don't tell me what I want to know,
I'll kill you here and now. Is that clear?
Yes, yes.
Is Kor in his office down there?
Yes.
What about the hostages? Talk. Talk.
I am to gather 200 more.
To be killed?
Mr. Spock.
Well, what are the odds now?
Less than 7,000 to one, captain.
It's remarkable we've gotten this far.
Less than 7,000 to one.
Well, getting better, getting better.
Just stay where you are, commander.
You have done well to get this far through my guards.
I believe you'll find that several of them
are no longer in perfect operating condition.
So.
You are here.
You will be interested in knowing
that a Federation fleet is on its way here
at the moment.
Our fleet is preparing to meet them.
Checkmate, commander.
Shall we wait and see the results before you kill me?
I don't intend to kill you unless I have to.
Ah.
Sentimentality, mercy.
The emotions of peace.
Your weakness, Captain Kirk.
The Klingon Empire shall win.
Think of it. As we sit here, in space above us,
the destiny of the galaxy will be decided
for the next 10,000 years.
Can I offer you a drink?
We can toast the victory of the Klingon fleet.
You may be premature.
There are many possibilities.
Today we conquer.
Though if someday we are defeated...
...well, war has its fortunes, good and bad.
Do you know why we are so strong?
Because we are a unit.
Each of us is part of the greater whole.
Always under surveillance.
Even a commander like myself...
...always under surveillance, captain.
If you will note.
Cover, Spock!
Shoot. Shoot!
- What is it, Spock? - Inexplicable, captain. Extreme heat.
Not only the weapons, but the bodies as well.
We are terribly sorry to be forced to interfere, gentlemen...
...but we cannot permit you to harm yourselves.
What are you talking about?
We have put a stop to your violence.
You are stopping this? You?
All instruments of violence on this planet
now radiate a temperature of 350 degrees.
They are inoperative.
My fleet.
The same conditions exist on both the starfleets.
There will be no battle.
Ridiculous.
I suggest you contact them. You too, captain.
Your ship is now within range of your communications device.
Kirk to Enterprise, come in.
Captain.
I can't explain it.
We were just closing in on the Klingon fleet when
every control on our ship became too hot to handle.
Our power is gone.
Our phaser banks are dead.
Stand by, Sulu.
My fleet.
It's helpless.
What have you done?
As I stand here...
...I also stand upon the home planet of the Klingon Empire...
...and the home planet of your Federation, captain.
I'm going to put a stop to this insane war.
- You're what? - You're talking nonsense.
It is being done.
You can't just stop the fleet. What gives you the right?
You can't interfere.
What happens in space is not your business.
Unless both sides agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities,
all your armed forces, wherever they may be,
will be immediately immobilized.
We have legitimate grievances against the Klingons.
They've invaded our territory, killed our citizens.
They're openly aggressive. They've boasted that they'll take over
- half the galaxy. - And why not? We're the stronger.
You've tried to hem us in, cut off vital supplies, strangle our trade.
You've been asking for war!
You're the ones who issued the ultimatum
to withdraw from the disputed areas!
They're not disputed. They're clearly ours.
And now you step in with some kind of trick.
It is no trick, commander.
We have simply put an end to your war.
All your military forces, wherever they are,
are now completely paralyzed.
We find interference in other people's affairs...
...most disgusting.
But you, gentlemen, have given us no choice.
You should be the first to be on our side.
Two hundred hostages killed.
No one has been killed, captain.
No one has died here in uncounted thousands of years.
You're liars.
You're meddling in things that are none of your business.
Even if you have some power that we don't understand...
...you have no right to dictate to our Federation--
Or our Empire.
--How to handle their interstellar relations.
We have the right--
To wage war, captain?
To kill millions of innocent people?
To destroy life on a planetary scale?
Is that what you're defending?
Well, no one wants war.
But there are proper channels.
People have a right to handle their own affairs.
Eventually, we will...
Eventually you will have peace.
But only after millions of people have died.
It is true that in the future,
you and the Klingons will become fast friends.
- You will work together. - Never.
Your emotions are most discordant.
We do not wish to seem inhospitable,
but, gentlemen, you must leave.
Yes, please leave us.
The mere presence of beings like yourselves...
...is intensely painful to us.
What do you mean, "beings like yourselves"?
Millions of years ago, captain...
...we were humanoid, like yourselves.
But we have developed beyond the need of physical bodies.
That of us which you see is mere appearance...
...for your sake.
Captain, it's a trick.
We can handle them. I have an army.
Fascinating.
Pure energy.
Pure thought.
Totally incorporeal.
Not life as we know it at all.
But what about this planet?
The fields, the buildings, this citadel?
Conventionalizations, I should say.
Useless to the Organians.
Created so that visitors, such as ourselves,
could have conventional points of reference.
But is all this possible?
We have seen it with our own eyes.
I should say the Organians are as far above us
on the evolutionary scale as we are above the amoeba.
Well, commander, I guess that takes care of the war.
Obviously, the Organians aren't going to let us fight.
A shame, captain.
It would've been glorious.
Engineering to bridge.
Environmental control.
Scan bridge, three.
Engineering control.
Environmental control, affirmative.
Environmental control to bridge. All systems show green.
You've been most restrained since we left Organia.
I'm embarrassed.
I was furious with the Organians for stopping a war I didn't want.
We think of ourselves as the most powerful beings in the universe.
It's unsettling to discover that we're wrong.
Captain, it took millions of years for the Organians
to evolve into what they are.
Even the gods did not spring into being overnight.
You and I have no reason to be embarrassed.
We did, after all, beat the odds.
Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Spock. We didn't beat the odds.
We didn't have a chance.
The Organians raided the game.
We've reached the designated position
for scanning the coded directive tape.
Good.
We've both guessed right.
"Negotiations with the Klingon Empire on the verge of breaking down.
Starfleet Command anticipates a surprise attack."
We are to "proceed to Organia
and take whatever steps are necessary
to prevent the Klingons from using it as a base."
Strategically sound.
Organia is the only Class-M planet in the disputed area.
Ideally located for use by either side.
Organia's description, Mr. Spock?
Inhabited by humanoids.
A very peaceful, friendly people.
Living on a primitive level.
Little of intrinsic value.
Approximately class D-minus on Richter's scale of cultures.
Another Armenia, Belgium.
Sir?
The weak innocents
who always seem to be located on the natural invasion routes.
Captain, the automatic deflector screen just popped on.
- Body approaching. - Configuration, Mr. Sulu?
Phaser banks, lock on. Return fire.
Maintain firing rate.
One hundred percent dispersal pattern.
We hit him, captain. He's hurt.
Damage control, report to the first officer.
Captain, the other ship doesn't register.
Only drifting debris.
- We got him. - All hands, maintain general alert.
Hold battle stations.
Damage report, Mr. Spock.
Minor, captain. We were most fortunate.
Blast damage on Decks 10 and 11.
Minor buckling in the antimatter pods.
- Casualties are light. - Maintain surveillance, Mr. Sulu.
No contact, captain.
He blew up, all right.
Well, we've been anticipating an attack.
I'd say what we've just experienced very nearly qualifies.
Yes, it would seem to be an unfriendly act.
Automatic all-points relay from Starfleet Command, captain.
Code one.
Well, there it is. War.
We didn't want it, but we've got it.
Curious how often you humans manage to obtain
that which you do not want.
War or not, we've still got a job to do:
Denying Organia to the Klingons.
With the outbreak of hostilities, that might not be easy.
- Lay in a course for Organia. - Aye, aye, sir.
Negotiating with the Organians will be time-consuming, captain.
And time is the one thing we will have the least of.
Well, we won't get it by talking about it, Mr. Spock.
The trigger's been pulled.
We've got to get there before the hammer falls.
Ahead warp factor 7.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission: To explore strange new worlds,
to seek out new life and new civilizations,
to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Captain's log, stardate 3198.4.
We have reached Organia and established standard orbit.
No signs of hostile activities in this area.
Captain.
Unit XY-75847 report a fleet of Klingon ships in their sector, sir.
- What bearing? - Unable to ascertain, sir.
Mr. Sulu, have the phaser crews stand by their positions.
Full power deflector screens.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Spock and I are going down to the planet's surface. You're in command.
Your responsibility is to the Enterprise, not to us. Is that clear?
Perfectly, sir.
We thank you for your altruistic offer, captain,
but we really do not need your protection.
We are a simple people, captain.
We have nothing that anybody could want.
You have this planet and its strategic location.
I assure you that if you don't take action to prevent it,
the Klingons will move against you just as surely as your sun rises.
We will help you build defenses, build facilities.
We have no defenses, captain. Nor are any needed.
Gentlemen.
I have seen what the Klingons do to planets like yours.
They are organized into vast slave-labor camps.
No freedoms whatsoever. Your goods will be confiscated.
Hostages taken, killed. Your leaders confined.
You'd be far better off on a penal planet. Infinitely better off.
Captain, we see that your concern is genuine. We are moved.
But again, we assure you that we are in absolutely no danger.
If anybody is in danger, you are. And that concerns us greatly.
It would be better if you return to your ship as soon as possible.
You keep insisting that there's no danger.
I keep assuring you that there is. Would you mind telling me--?
It is our way of life, captain.
That's the first thing that would be lost.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
I'm a soldier, not a diplomat.
I can only tell you the truth.
If you will excuse us, captain, we will discuss your kind offer.
Yes, certainly.
Captain, our information on these people and their culture
was not correct.
This is not a primitive society making progress toward mechanization.
They are totally stagnant.
There is no evidence of any progress
as far back as my tricorder can register.
- That doesn't seem likely. - Nevertheless, it is true.
For tens of thousands of years,
there has been absolutely no advancement.
No significant change in their physical environment.
This is a laboratory specimen of an arrested culture.
Thank you, Mr. Spock. That might be useful.
We have discussed your offer, captain.
And our opinion is unchanged. We are in no danger.
We thank you for your kind offer of assistance,
although we must decline it.
And we strongly recommend that you leave Organia
before you yourselves are endangered.
Gentlemen, I must get you to reconsider.
We can be of immense help to you.
In addition to military aid,
we can send you specialists, technicians.
We can show you how to feed a thousand people
where one was fed before. We can help you build schools.
Educate the young in the latest technological and scientific skills.
Your public facilities are almost nonexistent.
We can help you remake your world.
End disease, hunger, hardship.
All we ask in return is that you let us help you. Now.
Captain, I can see that you do not understand us.
- Perhaps-- Excuse me, sir.
Kirk here.
Captain, a large number of Klingon vessels have just arrived.
- They're opening fire. - Positive identification?
Yes, sir. My screens are up. I can't drop them to beam you aboard.
Captain, it's a trick.
We can handle them. I have an army.
Fascinating.
Pure energy.
Pure thought.
Totally incorporeal.
Not life as we know it at all.
But what about this planet?
The fields, the buildings, this citadel?
Conventionalizations, I should say.
Useless to the Organians.
Created so that visitors, such as ourselves,
could have conventional points of reference.
But is all this possible?
We have seen it with our own eyes.
I should say the Organians are as far above us
on the evolutionary scale as we are above the amoeba.
Well, commander, I guess that takes care of the war.
Obviously, the Organians aren't going to let us fight.
A shame, captain.
It would've been glorious.
Engineering to bridge.
Environmental control.
Scan bridge, three.
Engineering control.
Environmental control, affirmative.