TAKE US OUT

Spacedock prepares for the Enterprise's departure, as it clears the bow of the ship and clears the moorings. The docking port goes dark. On the Bridge, a cacophony of activity rings, as the ship is near ready for departure. Uhura reports that docking control is ready. Sulu reports that helm is ready as well, and Ilia confirms their departure course has been plotted. Uhura reports again that the Yard Command is signalling clear. Kirk orders maneuvering thrusters, to which Sulu echoes, and then, Kirk orders to hold station. Soon, the lights on the hull of the Enterprise lights up. Afterwards, Kirk orders Sulu to take them out. The newly redesigned Enterprise majestically eases out of spacedock. As the Enterprise heads out of spacedock, Kirk orders departure angle on viewer. Soon, Scotty chimes in from Engineering, declaring that impulse speed is ready. Kirk orders Sulu half-impulse power and the Enterprise leaves the solar-system. Kirk soon reorders view ahead and the view changes to the forward view. The Enterprise soon zooms past Saturn and the other solar-system planets.

WARP SPEED

As the Enterprise continues to leave the solar-system, the captain makes a log entry.
Captain's Log: Stardate 7412.6
2.7 hours from launch. In order to intercept the intruder at the earliest possible time, we must now risk engaging warp drive while still within the solar system...
At this science station, Decker reports that assuming they have full warp capability, accelerating to warp seven will bring them twenty point one hours to within the intruder. Ilia confirms Decker's data. Soon, Dr. McCoy steps onto the Bridge to observe the senior officers in action. Kirk asks him if the new medical facilities meet with his approval, and as usual, McCoy quips that it's like working in a damned computer center. Kirk asks Decker if programming is ready and Decker responds that programming is set for standard warp entry, however, he still recommends him that further simulation is necessary. Kirk reminds Decker that every minute brings the object closer to Earth. Kirk contacts Scotty in Engineering, but the Engineer confirms with Decker that they need more simulation study. An agitated Kirk demands warp speed from Scotty and McCoy steps in to remind Kirk that he's pushing. His people know their job.

WORMHOLE

In Engineering, Scotty confers with his fellow engineer. He tells Scotty that he can't do any better. Scotty contacts Kirk and tells him that it's borderline on the simulator and he cannot guarantee it'll hold up. Kirk orders Scotty for warp drive and orders Sulu to accelerate to warp one. As the Enterprise enters warp speed, Kirk is about to ask Decker for something. He never finishes as the alarm klaxon sounds, and on the viewscreen, they enter a wormhole. Inside the wormhole, all hell breaks loose, as the space around them is distorted. Soon, everything malfunctions; from the helm controls to subspace frequencies. Decker reports that negative control from inertial lag will continue twenty-two point five seconds before velocity slows to sub-light speed. Soon, an object is detected at the heart of the wormhole. Kirk orders forcefields up full, but Ilia reports that navigational deflectors are malfunctioning and that directional control is inoperative. Decker reports that wormhole distortion has overloaded main power systems. Kirk asks for objects time to impact and Ilia reports twelve seconds. Kirk orders Chekov to arm phasers, but Decker orders him to belay that, much to Kirk's surprise. Decker rushes to Chekov's weapon station and orders him to arm photon torpedoes. As Chekov arms the torpedoes, Ilia gives the objects mass reading. Chekov then manages to aim the torpedo at the object and it is slow going due to the effect of the wormhole. Ilia continues to countdown the time until impact of the object as Decker orders Chekov to fire the torpedo. As Ilia counts down, the torpedo leaves the Enterprise and heads toward the object, destroying it immediately.

WE'RE OUT OF IT

When the object is destroyed, they escape the effect of the wormhole and everything returns to normal. Chekov reports that they're out of it and Decker asks Ilia of their current position. Soon, everything else begins to return to normal. Chekov then reports that there are no signs of damage and no casualties. But McCoy corrects his report as there are casualties, his wits, frightened out of with special meaning toward the captain. Kirk doesn't react, as he is still angry about his orders being disobeyed. Decker soon asks Scotty to report their status. Scotty says that in a minute, as they are still trying to pick up the pieces down there. Kirk is as demanding as ever, as he orders Scotty full warp speed immediately. Scott reminds him that it was the anti-matter balance that created the wormhole in the first place and if they don't correct it, it will happen again. Kirk reminds Scotty that the cloud is still out there, and they need to intercept it while still within range. After cutting communications with Scotty, Kirk orders Decker to his quarters angrily and McCoy asks him if he can tag along to defend Decker. After they leave, Ilia continues to look after Decker, worried about his well-being. She doesn't even realize that Commander Sulu has asked her a question. She confirms his report and continues to look after Decker.

KIRK'S CONFRONTATION WITH DECKER

As they enter Kirk's quarters, Kirk asks why his phaser order was countermanded. Decker reminds him that the redesigned Enterprise channels its phasers through the warp engines and when they went into rebalance, the phasers were automatically cut-off. Kirk then apologizes to Decker and says that he acted properly. Decker realizes that and apologizes to Kirk for embarrassing him. Kirk says that Decker saved the ship and Decker is aware of that. Then Kirk gets angry and bluntly tells him to stop competing with him. Decker asks permission to speak freely and is granted. He reminds Kirk that he hasn't logged a single star hour within two years; plus his unfamiliarity with the newly redesigned ship, puts the mission in jeopardy. Kirk then asks politely if Decker will nursemaid him through his difficulties and Decker reassures him he will. After Decker is dismissed, McCoy says that Decker may be right.
After Decker is dismissed, Decker runs into Lt. Ilia down in the corridor. Ilia asks if the captain was difficult and Decker answers, "no more than expected." He then says that he wasn't as difficult as seeing her again. He then says sorry to which Ilia asks, "For leaving Delta IV or that you didn't say goodbye." Decker then asks that if he had seen her again, would she have been able to say it, deducing the fact that they were intimately involved. Ilia says no and she turns and heads for her quarters.

McCOY VERSUS KIRK

After Decker leaves, Kirk tries to throw McCoy out but McCoy insists that as ship's doctor, he is discussing the commanding officer's fitness to command. Kirk tells McCoy to make his point. McCoy explains to the captain how he is the one who's competing, not Decker. He tells him that Kirk rammed Starfleet into getting this assignment, into getting the Enterprise back again and when it's all over, he never intends to give it back. Kirk then asks McCoy if he intends to keep her and McCoy agrees, saying that it's an obsession between him and the ship. And it's blinding him to realize the importance of his critical responsibilities and his behavior toward Decker is an example. Before McCoy can continue further, he is interrupted by a call from Lt. Uhura who reports that a shuttle is approaching Enterprise and wishes to lock on. Kirk asks for what purpose and Chekov cuts in, answering that it is a courier of some kind. Non-belligerency is confirmed. Kirk orders Chekov to see to it. He then returns to McCoy and says that his opinion has been noted and that if there's anything else. McCoy says that it depends on him and leaves Kirk bewildered.

SPOCK ARRIVES

A sleek Vulcan shuttle approaches Enterprise. Once close enough, the pod attached at the top of the shuttle detaches and latches itself onto the Enterprise's docking port. Chekov arrives at the airlock to welcome the newly arrived guest and to be diligent in security matters. The computer informs him that there is one person aboard, and that his identity is Starfleet, re-activated. Once the airlock doors open, Spock steps through, wearing his Vulcan robe. Chekov is astounded and Spock calmly and logically asks permission to come aboard. Still surprised, Chekov manages, "Granted, sir, granted!" As Spock boards the ship, the pod departs and heads back to the shuttle.
Spock soon arrives on the Bridge, much to the delight of the crew and Captain Kirk. He then turns to Decker at the science-station and asks for his spot. Decker immediately accepts. After taking some sensor readings, Spock informs the captain that he have been monitoring their communications with Starfleet Command and are aware of the engine design difficulties. He offers his services as Science-Officer, if the Exec has no objections. Kirk asks Decker and he is aware of Mr. Spock's qualifications. Kirk orders Chekov to list Spock's Starfleet record reactivated as science officer, both effective immediately. Soon, Dr. McCoy and Nurse Chapel arrive on the Bridge to greet Mr. Spock, but he doesn't react to them. Instead, he reacts to something out in space. Uhura tries to break the silence by saying that, "It's how we all feel, Mr. Spock." Mr. Spock quickly retreats to the turbolift, informing the captain that he wishes to discuss the new fuel equations with the engineer. Kirk welcomes him aboard but doesn't get a response, leaving both him and McCoy piqued.

WARP SEVEN

As the Enterprise continues to intercept the intruder, the captain makes another log entry.
Captain's Log: Stardate 7413.4
Thanks to Mr. Spock's timely arrival and assistance, we have the engines rebalanced into full warp capacity. Repair time less than three hours, which means we will now be able to intercept intruder while still more than a day from Earth...
In Engineering, Mr. Spock, Chief Engineer Scotty and an assistant repair their damaged warp core. It seems as if Spock is doing all the work, while Scotty and his assistant help out. On the Bridge, Sulu accelerates the ship into warp, annoucning each warp increments. They successfully reach Warp Seven without any hassels, and both Chekov and Kirk exchange a silent celebration.

REPORTING AS ORDERED

As the ship races toward the intruder, the senior officers meet in the Officer's Lounge to discuss Mr. Spock's interest in the intruder. When Spock enters the Officer's Lounge, he declares that he is reporting as ordered. Kirk tells the men to sit down. McCoy tells Spock that he hasn't changed a bit as he is warm and sociable as ever. Spock tells the doctor that he also remains unchanged, due to his predilection for irrelevancy is concerned. Kirk tells the men to sit down. McCoy and Kirk sit down, while Spock remain standing. Kirk then tells Spock that at last report he was on Vulcan, apparently to stay. He tells Spock to sit down. McCoy chimes in saying that Spock was on Vulcan going through the Kolinear discipline. Spock says that if McCoy is referring to the Kolinarh, he is correct. McCoy further explains that the Kolinarh, however it is pronounced, purges all remaining human emotions from half-breed Vulcans. Kirk also states that Spock broke the Kolinarh to join them. He then begs to Spock for him to sit down. After Spock slowly sits down, he reluctantly tells the captain that on Vulcan, he began sensing a consciousness from a source more powerful than anything he's encountered before. A thought pattern of pure exact logic. Spock believes that it may be coming from the intruder. He believes it may hold its answers. McCoy chimes in saying that isn't it lucky for him that they're happen to be heading that way. Kirk interrupts McCoy and says that he needs him, that they need him. Spock tells them that his presence is to their mutual advantage then. Suddenly, Spock goes into a trance, as he once again senses the intruder's thoughts. Kirk then orders whatever thought patterns that may recognize, he wants immediately reported, however personal they are. Spock acknowledges the order and wonders if there is anything else. Kirk dismisses him.

CONTACT WITH THE INTRUDER

As Kirk heads for the Bridge, Dr. McCoy interrupts him. McCoy wonders how do they know that if this superintelligence is as important to him as he says it is, Kirk finishes that he wouldn't put his own interest ahead of the ships. Kirk says he could never believe that. Kirk gets a message from Lt. Uhura who informs him that they have a revised estimate with the cloud boundary visual at three-point-seven minutes. Before Kirk can leave for the Bridge again, McCoy again interrupts, asking how do they know any of this. Kirk leaves McCoy without replying.
On the Bridge, the Red Alert light fills the room, as duty officers rush to their battle stations. Kirk orders full mag on viewer, and soon, the red alert on the viewscreen is replaced by the magnificence of the cloud. Kirk asks Uhura if she is sending the linguacode. Uhura says that she is continuing friendship messages on all frequencies. Chekov reports that all decks and divisions are on full red alert. Spock soon reports that they are being scanned, but Kirk orders him not to return scan, as it could be misinterpreted as hostile. Spock further reports that the intruder's scans emanate from the exact center and the energy of the type is entirely unknown. Uhura reports that there is no response to the friendship messages. Chekov wonders if they should go to battle-stations, but the captain says that they will take no provocative action. Decker recommends raising screens and shields, but the captain says that could also be interpreted as hostile. Kirk asks Spock of the cloud composition. When Spock announces that it has a composition of twelfth power, an astounded Mr. Sulu responds. Decker soon reminds the captain that they've seen what their weapons can and shouldn't they take every possible precaution. While he is telling Kirk, Spock tells the captain that he suspects that there is an object at the center of the cloud. Kirk reminds Decker that he will not provoke an attack and if that order isn't clear. Decker interrupts and says that it is his duty to point out alternatives. Lt. Ilia reports that they are five minutes from cloud boundary. Kirk tells Decker that it is duty to point out alternatives and stand corrected.

ATTACK FROM THE INTRUDER

Kirk orders Lt. Ilia to lay in a conic section flight path into the cloud center, bring them in parallel to whatever they find in there and orders tactical on viewer. As the viewer changes from the cloud to a tactical graphic, Commander Decker remarks that that measures twelfth power energy and that thousands of starships couldn't generate that much power. Behind him, Mr. Spock goes into a trance-like mode, as he again senses the cloud's thoughts. Decker turns around to get his opinion, when he notices Spock's blank face and prods him. Kirk turns around and asks Spock to explain, as Spock gets up slowly and moves toward them. Spock tells them that he senses puzzlement from the cloud, as they have been contacted before. "Contacted, how?" asks Kirk.
Before Kirk can get an answer, an alert klaxon alerts them to an incoming cloud weapon seen before. Kirk asks for an analysis and Spock reports that the alien weapon is a form of plasma energy and the guidance system is unknown, as well as it's composition. Kirk wonders if their new shields will hold, but Spock says that he doesn't know. When the weapon approaches, Kirk orders all decks to brace for impact. When the weapon hits, the screen goes green and the ship darkens. Kirk contacts Engineering and asks Scotty to report. Scott reports that systems are overloading, as the console sparks and makes him and his assistant jump back. Back on the Bridge, the alien weapon continues to hit the ship. Soon, the same bolt of energy that struck the Engineering console, leaps onto Commander Chekov's hand and singes it. As Chekov screams in pain, Kirk orders the medics to the Bridge. Both Decker and Ilia goes to Chekov to assist him, as Decker tells him that the medics are on the way. After the alien weapon attacks Chekov, the weapon disappears and Sulu says that the new screen held. As the weapon disappears, Nurse Chapel enters the Bridge and Uhura directs her to Chekov, who is on the floor in pain. As Chapel approaches Chekov and start taking out medical equipment, Lt. Ilia says that she can stop his pain. Ilia puts her hands around Chekov's shoulder and goes into a deep mental state. After a few minutes, Chekov's pain eases and he says, "Thank you," to Ilia.

ATTEMPTING TO COMMUNICATE

Dr. Chapel assists Chekov to Sickbay, as a Yeoman takes over for Commander Decker. As the others take Chekov to Sickbay, Spock gets the captain's attention and tells him that the intruder has been attempting to communicate. He places the communique on speakers and says that the alien uses a frequency more than one million megahertz. He says that at such high speeds, their entire message lasts only a millisecond. Spock says that their messages were too slow for them to be recognized and he is now programming their computer to send linguacode at their frequency and speed. He asks Commander Decker for his help, after he is let go from Commander Chekov's station. As Spock continue to program the computer, the cloud begins to emit a roar, as it prepares to fire another bolt at the Enterprise. Kirk urges Spock to hurry, but the logical Vulcan ignores the human captain's pleas. Sulu tells the crew that it's coming, as he sees the weapon approach closer and closer. Kirk contacts Engineering and asks Scotty what is happening to their forcefields. Scotty tells the captain that their shields are down seventy percent and they cannot withstand another attack. At that news, Kirk turns around to Spock, who is deeply engrossed in his programming to concentrate on his captain. Lt. Ilia shouts that they have fifteen seconds left til impact. An alarmed Kirk urges Spock to transmit their message now. When the weapon gets closer, Spock hits the transmit button and Decker confirms this. As the weapon is about to hit, it disappears, leaving the crew in disbelief and bewildered. The captain surmises that their friendship messages has been received and understood, and Spock says that that was a logical assumption on the captain's part.