A man plunges a knife into the body of another man. He is apparently
quite shocked at this atrocious act. Soon, Captain Kirk is in the crowd of thousands as they
watch a theater performance being played out. When the man starts to speak, the man sitting next
to Kirk identifies the voice as Kodos, the Executioner, responsible for thousands of deaths.
Kirk is shocked to discover this disturbing truth.
------
The captain's log reports that they are in orbit of Planet Q as they
have been called to examine a new synthetic food developed by Dr. Thomas Leighton, Captain
Kirk's friend. Captain Kirk is furious as Dr. Leighton unwittingly lured the Enterprise
off-course as a ruse to let the captain identify the man as Anton Karidian, the actor, as Kodos,
the Executioner. Dr. Leighton was one of several witnesses to Kodos' atrocities committed on
Tarsus IV Colony. Captain Kirk reminds Leighton that Kodos died shortly after, and Leighton
insists that the singed body of Kodos has never been identified. He begs Kirk to reopen the case
that was never solved. Kirk is still angry as Leighton has drifted the Enterprise off-course
from delivering important medical supplies. He informs him that the case on Kodos remains closed
and informs Leighton that he is beaming back to the ship to determine how he'll enter this case
into the log.
Captain Kirk returns to the Enterprise, but is
still troubled by the accusations of Dr. Thomas Leighton. He sits in the Briefing Room
pondering his next move. He soon asks the Library Computer for help on the accusation. The
Library Computer soon reports that Kodos was responsible for over four-thousand deaths on the
Earth colony Tarsus IV. When Captain Kirk asks for information on Anton Karidian during those
years, the computer reports that there is no information prior to twenty-years during that time
on Anton Karidian. He soon asks the computer to photograph both Anton and Kodos simultaneously
and the resemblance is remarkable, which quells the captain's curiousity further. Soon, Mr.
Spock enters to inform the captain that they are ready to leave orbit. The captain soon asks
Spock for his logical advise about Dr. Leighton's state-of-mind. Spock comments that Leighton
is a reputable genious for the fact that he developed a new synthetic food supplement. Kirk
then informs Spock that he's beaming back down to get to the bottom of this and orders him to
delay departure until otherwise notified.
Kirk soon joins the welcoming committee on Planet Q
for the arrival of the Actor's tour. Kirk wonders where the host of the party is, and the
host's mistress informs him that he's gone for a while to get some supply for the party. Kirk
soon catches his eye on a young girl who was at an earlier performance. Kirk soon finds out
that she is Lenore Karidian, the daughter of the main actor that he's investigating, Anton
Karidian. The two soon strikes up a romantic conversation and Lenore asks the captain how it
feels to have all the power to control the power of his ship and men. The captain takes his job
very seriously and asks the daughter of Karidian about her role. She too takes her job
seriously. The captain soon asks Lenore where they will be playing next, and Lenore explains
that they will be playing at the Benecia Colony and Kirk wonders how they will get there.
Lenore explains that the Astroqueen ship will take them there. The captain soon suggests that
they get out of here, but Lenore suggests that that would be rude since the host isn't here yet
and that they've just got here. The captain offers to explain to the mistress of the host some
excuse and Lenore approves.
The two manage to get themselves away from the
party. Kirk and Lenore are able to get away from the party and enjoy the environment of Planet
Q. Captain Kirk and Lenore stroll the planet's outside area and soon Lenore attempts to romance
the dashing young captain. She attempts to coax the captain into revealing what its like to be
a starship captain. Kirk explains that he has certain powers that he have. Lenore attempts to
kiss Kirk, but Kirk spots a body nearby and knows who it is. It's Leighton. He's been murdered
for attempting to expose the secret of Anton Karidian.
Martha Leighton soon grieves for her dead husband
and pleads with Kirk to reopen the case, just as her late husband had done. She then goes out
of the room crying, leaving Kirk pondering. Kirk soon takes out his communicator and orders
Uhura to contact Captain John Daly of the Astroqueen ship. When John comes on line, Kirk
informs him that he'll personally deliver the Acting Tour to the Benecia Colony. John
understands and Kirk reminds him to keep this between themselves.
Kirk is back on the Bridge of his ship. Spock soon
reports that they are ready to leave orbit of Planet Q. Kirk doesn't budge, for he knows that
he'll be expecting a visitor. Uhura soon informs his captain that a passenger has boarded the
ship. Kirk orders Transporter Room to escort the passenger to the Bridge. Mr. Spock is curious
as to how Kirk knew that they'd be bringing a passenger aboard. Kirk reminds him that he is the
captain. Lenore soon arrives on the Bridge, along with an escort officer. Spock goes back to
his post. Lenore soon informs the captain that there transport has been delayed and that they
must make their next performance. Kirk offers to take the touring group to their next location
and Lenore gladly accepts. Lenore informs the captain that she will make arrangements for the
actors to beam aboard. Kirk welcomes her and she then leaves. Kirk soon orders Spock to set
course for the Benecia Colony, and Spock reminds the captain that that is three light-years
off-course. Kirk reminds Spock when his memory needs refreshing and soon the Enterprise leaves
orbit.
------
Once Lenore and her party are beamed aboard, the Enterprise sets a
course for Benecia Colony. Meanwhile, Captain Kirk has heaps of question in mind, such as, if
Anton Karidian is in fact Kodos the Executioner, as Dr. Leighton suspected. Kirk soon asks Spock
their ETA at the Benecia Colony. Spock reports that they will arrive at Stardate 2825.4, 1500
Benecia time. Kirk then goes to Spock's station and asks for Library Computer assistance. He
asks the computer to identify all the remaining victims of Kodos' atrocities and soon realize
that he, along with Kevin Riley, is one of them. He asks Spock to move Kevin Riley back down to
Engineering, but Spock reminds the captain that he just came up from Engineering. The captain is
furious at the Vulcan's curiousity and orders him to follow orders.
Piqued by the captain's irrational behavior, the
Vulcan science officer seeks out Dr. McCoy's counsel. Mr. Spock soon informs McCoy of the
captain's peculiar behavior. McCoy informs Spock that he trusts the captain's judgment and so
should Spock and that he doesn't particularly knows anything that goes around the ship. Spock
soon points out that the captain transferred Kevin Riley from Communications to Engineering
without any reason. McCoy points out that transfers happen all the time without his
acknowledgement. He then offers Spock a drink to which Spock refuses the alcoholic beverage.
While Spock ponders over the captain's rash
behavior, the captain meanwhile plays host to Lenore Karidian, by showing her around the ship.
He takes her to the Observation Deck where the Shuttlebay is situated. Lenore soon notices the
soft light and asks the captain if he ordered the soft light for this occassion. The captain
reminds Lenore that they try to duplicate the Earth's condition as realistically as possible.
Soon Lenore wonders how the captain feels about having all this power under his control.
Captain Kirk reminds Lenore that he has certain limitations with his powers. Lenore soon asks
Kirk about the women in his time and if machines of great magnitude has affected them at all.
Kirk insists that women will always be women. They soon share a kiss in the privacy of the
observation deck.
Troubled by the captain's strange behavior, and by
the doctor's lack of logical reasoning, Mr. Spock decides to investigate on his own. He asks
the library computer to correlate past archives on the connection between Kodos and Anton, and
the connection between its victims. The computer obliges. Later, Spock and McCoy walk the
deserted corridors and soon Spock informs Dr. McCoy of his findings. McCoy is still unconvinced
of Spock's findings and the captain's irrational behavior. Spock soon alleviates McCoy's
stubborness by informing him that the Actor's Touring Company were present when Dr. Leighton was
murdered and that the captain and Kevin Riley were both witnesses to Kodos' mass executions. He
also notes that Kodos exacted the terrible tragedy just as when food supply was running low on
the Earth colony Tarsus IV. McCoy swallows this information with great alarm.
Down in Engineering, Lt. Kevin Riley seems bored in
his new posting. He soon contacts the Rec Room and asks for reassurances that he isn't the only
soul left on the ship. The crewman in the Rec Room assures Riley that he isn't and he's
probably down there because he's done a bad thing. Riley soon overhears Uhura strumming her
instrument and requests a song, a love song to reassure that he's not alone. Uhura soon starts
playing, and Riley soon listens happily. While Riley listens, he doesn't realize that a shadow
lurks in Engineering, ready to do certain misdeeds. When Riley turns around from the untouched
food tray, the shadow squirts something into Riley's milk. Feeling thirsty, Riley unknowingly
drinks from the poisoned milk. Uhura soon finishes her song and asks Riley if he enjoyed it.
Riley cannot answer and asks for help, suffering from the effect of the poison.
In Sickbay, McCoy informs Spock that he doubts
he'll pull through from the effect of the poison. Spock reminds the doctor that Riley must pull
through, as he is one of the victims of Kodos. If Riley doesn't pull through, Captain Kirk will
be the next target.
------
The Enterprise slowly limps toward Benecia Colony and the captain's
log reports that the crew is deeply concerned regarding the condition of their crewmate, Kevin
Riley. Spock soon enters Sickbay to get a report on Dr. McCoy's findings. McCoy reports that
Riley was poisoned from a source called tetrilubisol. Spock wants the doctor to take his
findings to the captain, but the doctor is persistant on logging it before he does, but Spock is
in no mood for the doctor's illogical behavior.
The captain, meanwhile, is writing something on a
piece of paper when both Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock enter his quarters. McCoy hands Jim the paper
work on Lt. Kevin Riley and informs the captain that he was poisoned by tetrilubisol. The
captain isn't sure any more if Anton Karidian is in fact Kodos the Executioner. Spock says that
it is. Kirk is a little surprised, but Spock elaborates by saying that the Actor's Touring
Company was present at all murders, including the attempted murder of Kevin Riley. Kirk is
surprised that Spock took it upon himself to research the link between Anton and Kodos, and he
warns Spock to stay out of his way. McCoy insists that Spock is only trying to help him. Kirk
isn't so sure that he can help and wants vengeance instead of justice. McCoy reminds the
captain that that won't bring back the dead. Kirk is still unconvinced.
Later, Spock insists the captain that he arrest
Anton for attempted murder of Kevin Riley and murder of Dr. Leighton. Kirk isn't sure he can,
as he could be mistaken. Soon, Spock hears something within the captain's quarters. A low
humming noise could be heard and Kirk recognizes it as a phaser on overload. The two quickly
searches the room for the overloaded phaser, and Kirk contacts the Bridge to initiate a Code 2
Red Alert. Kirk orders Spock to get out of his quarters and seal off the section, but Spock
insists on assisting the captain. The captain manages to get Spock out of his quarters. Spock
hurriedly tells everyone to evacuate the section, while the captain desperately searches his
quarters for the phaser. He soon finds it concealed within the Red Alert capsule and manages to
get it out just in time. He then goes out of his quarters and dumps the phaser down a refuse
chute. The phaser explodes, knocking everyone out of their feet.
Angered by the latest incident, Captain Kirk storms
into Anton Karidian's quarters and asks him outright, "Are you Kodos?" Karidian says that he is,
if it pleases the captain. The captain then asks him to read out a passage made by Kodos the
Executioner, on a piece of paper that he was writing on earlier. Captain Kirk explains to
Karidian about the two incidents resulting in the near death of both him and his shipmate, Kevin
Riley. He dismisses those as accidents, but Kirk isn't entirely so sure. He orders Karidian to
read from the paper anyway, toward a comm-unit on the wall so that the computer identify his
voice. Anton soon begins reading from the paper, and soon Kirk realizes that he doesn't even
glance at the paper as he is reading this. This somehow assures him that he is Kodos and Kirk
stops his accusations and asks how Anton knew the lines without looking at the paper. Anton says
that he is an actor and that he learns his lines quickly. This doesn't convince Kirk and he
continually pounds on the breaking Anton. When Anton shouts, his daughter overhears and angrily
vents her displeasure of the treatment of her father toward Kirk.
In Kirk's quarters, Spock and Kirk match the voice
prints of Kodos and Antons. Spock notices the similiarities between the two, but the captain
isn't so sure. He can't have the computer determine a man's life, even if it accurately
recorded the actor's voice print. Later, in Sickbay, McCoy records a log on his computer
stating that Kevin Riley has sufficiently recovered from poisonous attempt. He doesn't realize,
however, that Kevin is overhearing his recording. McCoy makes a note that the attempt on
Kevin's life was made by Anton Karidian, whom the captain believes is Kodos the Executioner. He
is confining Kevin to Sickbay, for the safety of Anton. Overhearing this, Kevin Riley makes a
dash out of Sickbay.
------
As the Enterprise continues to travel toward Benecia Colony, the
Company of Actors perform a piece on Hamlet, as promised by Lenore Karidian during her brief
meeting with Kirk. When McCoy is about to go out of Sickbay, he is about to inform Riley, but
he notices Riley missing. Alarmed, he immediately contacts Kirk and informs him about the
situation. Kirk understands, and informs Security to search for Kevin Riley, who may be heading
toward the ship's theater, to seek revenge on Anton. The ship's Security repors that a phaser is
missing from the weapon's locker. The search is on for the armed and possibly dangerous Riley.
As the performance is being played out in the
ship's theater, Kirk goes to search for Riley. Riley is, in fact, not far from where Kirk is,
backstage of the theater. Kirk soon spots Riley, who has a phaser in hand, ready to commit
vengeance on Anton, whom he points out as Kodos. The captain warns Riley that he could be
mistaken, but Riley is adamant that that voice is Kodos. Kirk isn't sure and disarms Riley
before he could do any harm. He orders Riley back to Sickbay.
After Kirk successfully disarms Riley, Anton walks
off the stage after overhearing Kirk and Riley's backstage altercation. He is angered, as the
voice of Kodos comes back to haunt him. Lenore reassures him that it won't matter, as she has
silenced those who tried to stop him. Anton is incensed that his own daughter went out of his
way to commit acts of savagery, and that more blood fall onto his hands. Lenore assures Anton
that no one will be able to stop them, not even the powerful Captain Kirk who overhears this and
is prepared to make his arrest. Security guards armed with phasers join them, ready to take
Lenore and Anton into custody. Lenore soon coaxes her father to escape with her, and soon takes
a security guards phaser and runs off. The ship's theater soon becomes chaotic when they see
this and Lenore reminds Kirk and Anton that she knows how to use this. When Anton tries to
diffuse the situation, he comes in line of Lenore's fire and collapses. Instead of killing Kirk,
Lenore has killed her own father, and demands that he wake from this terrible nightmare. But,
it's no use.
Soon, the Enterprise is prepared to leave orbit of
Benecia Colony. McCoy soon enters Bridge to give Kirk a report on the condition of Lenore.
McCoy soon notes a saddness in Kirk's eye. He informs Kirk that Lenore will receive the best of
care in a mental institute. He also notes that Lenore believes that her father is still giving
performances, the sign of mental depression. He soon asks Kirk if he really cared for her. The
helmsman soon informs Kirk that they are ready to leave orbit and McCoy wonders if Kirk won't
answer him. Kirk soon orders the helmsman to engage warp factor one, which leaves McCoy with
his answer. The Enterprise soon departs for her next mission.
