Commander Spock is in command of the USS Enterprise, while they are
in orbit of Planet M-113. Their mission is routine medical examination of the only inhabitants
of the planet, Professor Robert Crater and his wife Nancy Crater. Routine that is, if only for
the fact that Nancy Crater is that one woman in Dr. McCoy's past...
Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy and Crewman Darnell beam
down to the dead ruin of M-113 to examine the Crater's. There is no one there to greet them and
Captain Kirk soon suggests to the landing party that they go inside. Before they go inside,
Captain Kirk suggests to Doctor McCoy that he bring his lady a flower, and picks up a shrub from
a nearby plant. McCoy quips that that is how Captain Kirk always attracts the ladies in his
life. Soon, the landing party moves into the Crater's accommodation. There is no one in the
accommodation as well. The crew starts to get worried. Soon, Nancy Crater walks in, unaware
that she has visitors among her. Dr. McCoy informs Nancy that they were beginning to get
worried about her, and Nancy explains that she was out picking flowers for him. Soon, Dr. McCoy
introduces the other members of his party. He introduces Captain Kirk first, and to Captain
Kirk's eyes, he sees an older woman. He then introduces Crewman Darnell, who also sees a
different person altogether. He sees a beautiful young blonde woman, and informs the doctor
that he sees a woman that he left on the Rigley pleasure planet. This offends the doctor and
the captain suggests that Darnell take a walk outside, to which he complies. Soon, the doctor
informs his old flame that they're here to see her husband, and she informs "plum" that she'll
go look for him. Kirk laughs when Nancy mentions the word "plum" and McCoy informs him that it
was his nickname that she gave him. When Nancy goes outside, she meets Darnell again, to whom
he sees a beautiful young woman. He tries to avoid her, but she follows him...
------
Later, the captain's log inform us that although unknown at the
time, each landing party member was seeing a different Nancy Crater.
Soon, Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy gets restless,
when Professor Crater doesn't show up. Professor Crater soon enters his accommodation, unaware
that he will be greeted by a landing party. When he sees them, he says that they don't want
them there, and tells them to go away and leave a provision of salt behind. Captain Kirk
reminds him that they are here to perform medical examinations, as provided by regulations, and
he will give it to them if they have to hold him down. The captain informs Dr. McCoy that he's
all his. Soon, the professor has no choice but to comply. The professor complies when he hears
the name McCoy, and wonders if it is the same McCoy that Nancy, his wife, has been mentioning
all these years. While Dr. McCoy examines him, Professor Crater presents his apologizes, as
Captain Kirk is still standing, and tells him to sit down. Dr. McCoy informs his captain that
Nancy hasn't aged a day, while Kirk continues to deny his sight, saying that she is still old.
Professor Crater believes that it is genuine care for the woman that makes McCoy see what he
sees. Soon, McCoy pulls out an old popsicle stick, scaring the aged professor. The Professor
wonders why McCoy has to pull out such an archaic devise if the machine can do most of the work
these days. McCoy reminds the professor that such an archaic devise is still good enough to
determine whether he has a healthy set of tonsils. Before McCoy can perform the physical, there
is a scream from outside, and Captain Kirk quickly pulls out his phaser and dashes out to the
scream.
Captain Kirk rushes out to where Nancy Crater
huddles over a lifeless body of Crewman Darnell. Dr. McCoy and Professor Crater follow suit.
McCoy puts a hand on Darnell and informs to Captain Kirk that he's dead. Kirk soon finds a
small pea like food in his mouth and finds red mottled rings around his face. Soon, Captain
Kirk asks Mrs Crater what happened. Mrs Crater informs him that she was out here picking a
flower, when she found Darnell dead. They all look at her as if they don't believe her. The
professor soon angrily informs Kirk that Darnell should've known better than to taste an
unknown fruit on an unknown world. Soon, Captain Kirk contacts the Enterprise and informs them
that are ready to beam aboard, and informs Professor Crater that they won't leave until they
have determined the cause of Darnell's death. Before they leave, Nancy asks the Professor if he
has procured their supply of salt. Captain Kirk reminds the Professor that he will give the
professor his supply of salt after they have dealt with Darnell.
Meanwhile, on board the Enterprise, Lt. Uhura
approaches Mr. Spock, who is checking her communications log. Upon seeing the communications
officer, he informs her that she put an error in her communications log and wrote down the
wrong frequency information. Uhura tells Mr. Spock that if she hears one more frequency, she'll
cry. Spock reacts strangely to Uhura's reaction and resentment to the word frequency. Uhura
notes that she was just starting a conversation. Uhura then asks Spock to tell her what a
beautiful woman she is and what Vulcan would look like on a lazy sunset with all those moons.
Spock reminds Uhura that Vulcan has no moons and Uhura informs him why she isn't surprised, and
goes back to her station. As she is going back, they get a call from the transporter room,
saying the landing party is back aboard, with one dead. Spock responds by saying acknowledged.
Uhura is flabbergasted at Spock's reaction, and Spock asks her to explain. Uhura informs Spock
that one of the dead could be Captain Kirk, the closest thing to a friend he has. Spock reminds
the lieutenant that the transporter room is capable of their duty and her concern will not
reflect that.
In Sickbay, McCoy has run an autopsy on Darnell and
informs Captain Kirk that he could find nothing physically wrong with Darnell and that he
should just walk out of here. Soon, Spock contacts Sickbay and informs the two that the plant
that was found in Darnell's mouth was a portia plant, with alkaloid properties, which is common
on Earth and could not have caused Darnell's death. McCoy then informs Kirk that his eyes may
be tricking him and will run another autopsy again. Soon McCoy once again romanticizes over
Nancy, and says that she hasn't aged a day since he left her ten years ago. Kirk angrily
reminds McCoy that how he doesn't care about how his love life situation is at the moment. He's
just lost a crewman and wants to know what killed him. McCoy recoils as Kirk storms out.
------
On the Bridge, Kirk gets a call from another starship captain who
demands a supply of hot-chilli pepper. Kirk then goes to Spock's station to get the final
analyses on Crewman Darnell's death, and Spock has confirmed that the plant that he took could
not have caused his death. Kirk soon asks Spock about the Crater's, and Spock explains to the
captain that they arrived here five years ago. They have been visited by numerous starships for
supply drop-offs, and Spock notes that visitations have dropped in the last few months. Soon,
Kirk gets a call from Dr. McCoy, who informs him that he has found something, but he doesn't
want to put it on speakers. Spock and Kirk head off for Sickbay.
In Sickbay, McCoy wonders if Kirk is in a mood for
apologizes, as he missed a vital part of his autopsy examinations earlier, mooning over his
love for Nancy Crater. Kirk says that he forgives and asks McCoy what he has found. Spock, who
has been studying the readouts, informs Captain Kirk that Darnell has no trace of sodium
chloride. Kirk doesn't understand. McCoy says that almost ninety-percent of our body chemistry
is made up of salt, in this sodium chloride. Darnell has almost no trace of it. That's what
caused his death, and he can come up with no suitable explanation as to how that could be.
Soon, Kirk asks McCoy if he will join him in the landing party to question Professor Crater.
McCoy obliges.
On the surface of M-113, Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy
questions Professor Crater. They are with two other crewmen, who is serving as the captain's
security guards. Captain Kirk questions Robert Crater on the whereabouts of his wife, as he
would like to question her again, and she is not in the cabin. Professor Crater reminds the
captain that he has better things to do than come here and arrest people. Kirk asks the
professor again, but this time more sternly. The professor remains silent. He soon goes to
Crewman Green and orders him to go search for her. He then goes to the other crewman and orders
him to beam up sample of the plant that Darnell took for Mr. Spock. The two of them complies.
Captain Kirk then goes back to the professor and informs him that for the duration of their
mission, it is best if both the professor and his wife find accommodation aboard his vessel,
until they can determine what has killed his crewman. The professor protests, saying that it
will interfere with his work. Captain Kirk wonders how, as it will be for only a few days. He
soon asks about salt, and why the two of them asked about them after they found Darnell's body.
The professor asks what is so mysterious about that, and reminds them that they only have a
limited amount left and they should drop off some more provisions, as stated by stipulations in
their regulations. Captain Kirk then informs him that he has no choice but to remain aboard the
Enterprise. While Kirk contacts Spock to arrange quarters for the two Crater's, Professor Crater
cunningly slips out of his accommodation. McCoy soon notes the professor's disappearance, and
the two chase after him.
Professor Crater goes after his wife and shouts
that he has salt. He soon comes upon a dead crewman, but ignores him. He continues to shout
after his wife, but with no result. Upon hearing Kirk and McCoy approach, the professor runs
off. Kirk and McCoy approach the spot where the professor was, and McCoy soon detects the dead
crewman. Kirk soon suggests that they beam back to the ship to search for the missing
professor, but McCoy protests saying that they can't leave Nancy down here. Kirk argues they
can't search for two people on foot, the ship's equipment can easily locate two people down
here. Kirk soon informs McCoy that they must find Crewman Green, and soon shouts his name.
Green doesn't respond. In fact, Green is lying dead and above is Nancy Crater. Nancy Crater
soon changes into Crewman Green. The new Crewman Green walks to where Kirk and McCoy is, and
when Kirk sees him, he asks if he saw what happened to the crewman. The doppleganger crewman
informs Kirk that he saw something attack the crewman, but doesn't specify. Soon, Kirk orders
the transporter room to beam them up.
Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy and the doppleganger Green
beam aboard the Enterprise. Kirk goes to the Transporter Technician and informs him that
there's a body down on the planet. The Technician informs the captain that he'll bring him
home. Soon Kirk orders McCoy to get some rest, and will inform him if they spot Nancy. The
three head out of the transporter room, as Kirk heads for the Bridge. Dr. McCoy heads for his
quarters, while the creature disguised as Crewman Green wanders around the corridors, looking
for salt.
On the Bridge, Captain Kirk orders Mr. Spock to
perform a planet-wide scan on two biosigns. Spock acknowledges... Below decks, the doppleganger
Green is still wandering around, looking for salt supply. Soon, Green spots Yeoman Janice Rand
with a food tray, by the Turbolift. He goes up to her, and his mouth waters, as he yearns for
salt. When Rand sees Green, she asks him what went on, down on the planet. Green doesn't answer,
continually looking at the salt-shaker. This confuses Rand. When Green tries to reach the
salt-shaker, Rand slaps his hand, in self-defense. Soon, the Turbolift doors open, giving Rand
the opportunity to make an escape. But, just as the doors close, Green jumps in... in his
quarters, McCoy is having trouble sleeping, as he contacts Bridge. Captain Kirk informs McCoy
that they have nothing to report, and orders him to go back to sleep. It is obvious that he
can't, and Captain Kirk suggests that McCoy take the red pills that he gave him a couple weeks
back. McCoy concedes.
Meanwhile, Yeoman Rand has stepped out of the
Turbolift and is heading for the biophysics department. Green is still following her, and Rand
quips that he should go chase a comet or an asteroid. Rand goes into the biophysics room, and
hands Sulu his tray. Sulu thanks the yeoman and Rand goes onto greet a live plant, Boghai. Sulu
soon asks Rand, why do they have to keep calling inanimate objects she all the time. Rand
suggests that the plant is not inanimate. Soon, Green enters the room, and startles Sulu and
Rand. When Sulu asks Green a question, Green doesn't answer, as usual. Green continues to go
for Sulu's salt-shaker, but when he approaches Sulu, the plant goes ape-wire and shrills in a
loud tone, which frightens Green. Green quickly departs the room, and Rand suggests to Sulu
that he's the only spook at the moment.
Green continues to search for salt supplies within
the same deck. Soon, he sees Uhura exiting from the Turbolift, and jokingly conversing with
several crewman, who has been looking at her. Soon, he changes into a young black crewman, and
Uhura approaches him, after letting go of the other men. Uhura soon runs into the new crewman,
and asks him if she knows him. The crewman answers that in a way she does. He states that she
was just thinking of someone like him. She retorts by asking him that if she's thinking of
someone, he presumes that he's the one who she's thinking of. Soon, the crewman starts talking
in Swahili, which really attracts Uhura's attention. The crewman soon goes for Uhura's neck and
Uhura is mesmerized by the crewman to react. Only the call of the captain, ordering her to the
Bridge, saves the lieutenant from falling prey to the same creature like the other victims.
When Uhura escapes from the creature, Green soon goes after another crewman that is within his
grasp.
On the Bridge, Spock reports to Kirk that that
either there is something seriously wrong with the ship's equipment, or that there are only one
life-form on the planet. Kirk asks Spock about Professor Crater's current predicament. Spock
explains to the captain, the professor is circling the planet, looking for something. Kirk
soon suggests to Spock that they should beam down and bring in Professor Crater. Kirk orders
Uhura to have the transporter keep a lock on them, so that they can beam back up before their
echoes die. Kirk and Spock head for the transporter room.
Back on Deck 5 of the officers deck, the crewman
continues to circle the deck. Soon, the creature comes upon Dr. McCoy's quarters, and then
changes into Nancy Crater herself. Dr. McCoy just comes out of his quarters, just as Nancy
finishes her transformation. McCoy informs Nancy that he's been worried sick about her and that
he couldn't sleep. The two soon go inside his quarters. McCoy informs Nancy how Captain Kirk
suggested to him that he should take the pills in his hands. Nancy suggests that he should
follow up on the captain's advise and informs him that she'll get him some water... Meanwhile,
in another section of the deck, both Sulu and Rand find a dead body in a corridor. Sulu
immediately contacts Sickbay for medical emergency...
------
The captain's log informs us that the killer is definitely aboard
the Enterprise, and that it can strike without hesitation. He also reports that he and Mr. Spock
have beamed down to the surface to get Professor Crater and some answers... On the planet, Kirk
and Spock are met by an agitated Professor Crater who informs them that they don't want them
there, and wish to be left alone. The professor also states that he is armed, and will use
whatever force necessary to get them off the planet.
Back on the ship, McCoy has taken the pill
suggested by Captain Kirk, thanks to Nancy's suggestion also. As McCoy tries to sleep, Nancy
strokes him, to make it easier. McCoy soon gets a call to the Bridge, and when he gets up,
Nancy calmly tells him to go back to sleep, as it is of no concern to him. Nancy soon heads for
the door, and before she exits, she transforms into Dr. McCoy.
On the planet, Kirk and Spock continue to question
Professor Crater on the whereabouts of his wife. The professor continues to reject Kirk and
Spock. Kirk informs the professor that they are worried about her safety, when Sulu cuts in,
saying that they found a dead crewman on board. Kirk orders Sulu to go to General Quarters
Three, while Spock looks for a way to apprehend Crater. Spock soon finds the dead body of
Green, and cuts in Kirk and Sulu. Kirk goes to Spock's position and discovers the body of Green
and is shocked when he sees it. Kirk explains to Spock that Green beamed up with them, and
Spock uses logic and informs the captain that something did. Kirk suggests to Spock that they
take the professor now, and as they move into position, the professor fires a round at the two.
On the Enterprise, McCoy reports to the Bridge as
ordered, as Sulu is trying to get reports on all decks from a general quarters situation. McCoy
soon asks Sulu, if a creature is giving him troubles. Sulu is stunned when he hears the word
creature, as he didn't know that they had a creature on board. McCoy explains to a bewildered
Sulu that all the creature is wanting to survive.
Back on the planet, Kirk and Spock try to get the
professor, who has shot at them. Kirk explains to Spock that he would still like to get the
professor, unharmed, but Spock warns Kirk that that would be impossible. The two soon formulate
a plan to bring him in safely. Kirk says that he'll set his phaser to full stun, while Spock
should set his to one-third. Spock soon sees an opening from which Kirk can distract the
professor. The two soon make their move toward their position. When the two have reached their
position, they signal each other with their communicator. Soon, Kirk yells out to the
professor who looks his way, when Spock fires his phaser, knocking the professor back. The
professor is stunned and feels whoosy, as Kirk takes his phaser.
Kirk soon asks the professor where his wife is. The
professor informs the captain that she died almost five years ago, and that she was the last of
her kind. The professor states that he is feeling dizzy, and Kirk explains that it is from the
stun setting of the phaser, and that he'll feel straight soon. Kirk asks the professor more on
the creature, and the professor soon explains that it needs salt to live, and Spock speculates
that that's the reasoning behind the red mottling on the victim's face. The creature also
belongs to the last herd of the buffalo on Earth. Kirk contacts Sulu on the Enterprise and
orders him to go to General Quarters Four, as it is definite that they do have a creature on
board and warns him that it can mimick everyone on board, himself, Green, anyone. The professor
reasons that it's trying to survive, but Kirk sharply reminds him that it's killing his crewmen
at an alarming rate.
------
On board the Enterprise, the ship is in General Quarters Four alert,
with all sections of the deck on full alert and sealed off...
In the observation lounge, Kirk and his senior
staff plan to capture the creature, not realizing that it's right under their noses, in the
form of Dr. McCoy. Spock soon reports that all decks have been sealed off and that salt tablets
placed at the end of corridors as bait, but so far, nothing or no one has approached it. Kirk
soon asks for the medical department's report, when McCoy doesn't respond. Kirk asks McCoy
again, and McCoy informs Kirk that the medical department's all prepared and have nothing
further to report. McCoy also informs the captain that they shouldn't capture it, as the
creature is simply trying to survive. Spock suggests that that is reckless concern as McCoy has
no idea what the creature looks like. Soon, Sulu reports that all decks have reported in,
although nothing or no one has approached its bait. Kirk orders Sulu to maintain current alert
status. Kirk soon asks Professor Crater if he'll help in apprehending the creature, and if he
knows how to look for it. The professor refuses to assist, believing that the creature has
every right to live, just with all the other creatures in the universe. He also informs the
captain that it has camelion like qualities, and is undetectable by naked eyes. Kirk soon makes
a plea bargain with the professor, saying that he'll forego charges up to this point, if the
professor assists them. The professor still doesn't say a word, as he knows the creature is
right under his nose. Then, Spock suggests to the captain that they use truth serum on the
professor to get the information they deserve. Kirk asks McCoy if that is feasible and McCoy
informs Kirk that he resists using it, but if it will get them the information. Kirk orders
McCoy to take the professor to Sickbay for the procedure. Spock, who is suspicious of McCoy,
says that he'll accompany them.
Later, Captain Kirk is rushed to dispensary,
where he finds Mr. Spock on the biobed. Spock says that it was McCoy, as he had his doubts
about him. Soon, Yeoman Rand finds the dead body of the professor. Kirk asks Spock if he's
alright, and Spock says that his blood if far different to that of humans, and that he was
lucky. He is nonetheless alright.
The creature returns to McCoy's quarters, changing
back into Nancy before entering. Nancy enters McCoy's quarters, acting all frightened. McCoy
has awoken from his sleep and comforts Nancy. Soon, Kirk enters McCoy's quarters with phaser in
hand, and some salt tablet. Kirk informs McCoy to get away from Nancy, as it isn't Nancy. McCoy
doesn't move, as he doesn't understand what's going on. Kirk urges McCoy to move, and insists
Nancy to come take the salt. McCoy tells Kirk to stop it, and that he's frightening Nancy.
There is soon an altercation with Kirk and Nancy, and Nancy manages to take the salt pills from
Kirk. After Nancy takes the salt, she advances toward Kirk, when Spock enters the quarters.
Spock informs McCoy to fire, but McCoy is flabbergasted and doesn't move. Spock goes up to
Nancy, and he repeatedly hits Nancy, forcing McCoy to feel sorry for her. Nancy soon changes
back into the creature and once again goes toward Kirk to suck the salt out of him. Spock
pleads with McCoy to fire the phaser, but McCoy hesitates. When McCoy comes to, he utters,
"Oh, God", and fires the phaser. The creature falls to the floor, but changes into Nancy one
more time, before it dies.
Back on the Bridge, the Enterprise prepares to
leave the dreaded memories of M-113 behind. Spock reports to Kirk that they are ready to
depart. When Kirk doesn't move, Spock asks his captain what he's thinking about. Kirk says that
he's thinking about the buffalo's on Earth, and the two men share a smile. Kirk soon orders
Sulu to leave orbit, and head toward their assignment. The Enterprise leaves
M-113...
