The USS Enterprise approaches a cold, desolate planet. On the
Bridge, Captain Kirk approaches Nurse Christine Chapel and tells her that they are entering
standard orbit and it won't be long. As Kirk takes his chair, he tells Christine that he
understands that she gave up a career in bioresearch to be posted on a starship. Uhura informs
Kirk that she is beginning to signal the surface. Kirk orders her to try all frequencies, as he
goes to Spock's station.
At Spock's station, Spock has a picture of Planet
Exo III up on his monitor, the planet they are orbiting. Spock tells Kirk that they already know
a great deal about this planet. He says that the planet's gravity is one-point-one to that of
Earth and the atmosphere is suitable for living conditions. Kirk points out that the temperature
is minus one-hundred degrees below zero and wonders if anyone could survive down there. Spock
doesn't answer as he doesn't want to hurt Christine. Spock switches the image of the viewscreen
to that of Dr. Roger Korby. Spock tells the captain that Korby is a pasteur of archaelogical
medicine. His translation of a medical record in the Orion ruins help revolutionize immunization
techniques for humanity. Kirk tells Spock that Korby's exploits were required reading at the
Academy.
As Kirk heads back to his seat, Uhura tells him
that there is no contact from the surface. Kirk orders her to run it for the second time. As
Uhura tries desperately to reach Dr. Korby, Nurse Chapel tells the captain that the last message
from him said that they discovered an underground cavern. Kirk says that that was more than five
years ago, and since that time they sent two expedition down to the planet and they found
nothing. He wonders if she believes if he is alive. Christine tells him that Roger is a
determined man and would have found a way to survive. Soon, Uhura tells them that she's run the
signal twice and nothing. Just when she gives up, she receives a signal from the surface. Dr.
Roger Korby's voice is heard as he makes contact with the Enterprise, stunning everyone
including Christine.
------
As the Enterprise continues to orbit Exo III, the captain's log
reports that they've made contact with Dr. Roger Korby. Dr. Korby has been found alive. The
captain believes that Korby's expedition found an underground cavern left by the former
inhabitants of this dying planet.
On the Bridge of the Enterprise, Captain Kirk tells
Dr. Korby he and his party are standing by to transport down to his co-ordinates. Dr. Korby
tells Kirk to beam down alone as he made startling discovery that he requires the captain's
extraordinary decision. Spock soon comes to the captain's side and remarks that it is a rather
unusual request. Kirk reminds Spock that the man making the request is Dr. Roger Korby. Spock
soon inquires to Nurse Chapel and asks her if the voice is that of Dr. Roger Korby. Christine
jokingly wonders if Spock has ever been engaged and tells him that it is Roger's voice. Kirk
tells Korby that he will beam down, however, there will be two of them. Soon, Christine reaches
out to her fiancee and greets him. After a brief pause, Korby recognizes the voice and agrees to
Kirk's request. Korby wonders if Christine is all right and Christine assures him that
everything is. Kirk tells Korby that they will be with him momentarily, as both Kirk and
Christine head down to the Transporter Room.
In the Transporter Room, the transporter technician
beams down Kirk and Christine to the planet... In a deserted part of the planet, Kirk and
Christine materialize, but they find the planet empty. Christine is confused as Roger said that
he would be waiting for them. Captain Kirk soon calls out Dr. Korby's name, only to be met by
silence. He tells Christine that they may have hit the wrong entry point. Kirk soon takes out
his communicator and contacts Spock on the Enterprise. He orders Spock to beam down two security
guards and Spock wonders what's wrong. Kirk tells him that there is some delay in meeting Dr.
Korby but it may be nothing. Spock acquiesces. Kirk soon tells Christine that these caverns are
quite deep and that Korby may have misestimated his meeting time. He tells her not to worry.
Soon, two security guards beam down to assist Kirk and Christine. Kirk orders Rayburn to guard
their entry point, while they and Matthews will search for Dr. Korby. Rayburn stays put as Kirk,
Christine and Matthews start their search.
Kirk, Christine and Matthews start their search for
Dr. Roger Korby. They make their way down the long cavernous tunnels, searching each room. They
soon come to a sloping descent, which Christine almost falls, but is caught by Captain Kirk. As
they make their way down the slope, a light comes on and a figure emerges from the shadows. Both
Kirk and Matthews reach for their phasers. Realizing that it may be Roger, Christine rushes out
to the figure, but Kirk holds her back fearing the worst. Soon, the figure turns out the light
to reveal his full form, as Christine recognizes him as Dr. Brown. After Christine tells Kirk
that it is Roger Korby's assistant, there is a scream from the top of the slope where Matthews
was standing.
When Kirk, Christine and Brown go to Matthews's
last position, Brown tells Kirk to be careful. Kirk wonders if there is a path down there or a
ledge. Brown says that it's bottomless, he assures him. As he says this, a mysterious figure
walks away from the scene of the crime. Brown says that it's unfortunate, terribly unfortunate.
Soon, Christine worries about Brown's behavior and asks him so. Brown tells her to explain and
Christine asks him if he doesn't recognize her. Brown waits then answers, Christine, worrying
Captain Kirk. Brown informs them that Dr. Korby was detained and that he got here as fast as he
could. Kirk looks down the ledge and says not fast enough. Brown says that Matthews is dead, as
he assures the captain. He then tells them that Dr. Korby will be waiting for them and that they
must move. Before they follow him, Captain Kirk asks Christine if she knows Brown well.
Christine tells the captain that being down here for long, Korby may needed a companion.
Before they follow Brown, Kirk contacts Rayburn at
the entrance and asks his status. Rayburn says that it is all quiet at the entrance point and
wonders what's going on. The captain tells him that they've lost Matthews. He orders Rayburn to
tell Spock to prepare a full security party. If Spock fails to hear from either of them, he is
to beam down the security party immediately. He then orders Rayburn that they should keep in
contact at hourly intervals. After the two closes their communicators, Rayburn is attacked by
the same mysterious figure that killed Matthews.
Dr. Brown, Christine Chapel and Captain Kirk move
through Exo III's elaborate cavernous tunnels to meet Dr. Korby. As they do, Dr. Brown explains
the history of Exo III's culture. Brown tells them that as Exo III's sun dimmed, the inhabitants
of this planet found these cavernous ruins. He explains that as they moved from light to dark,
they found ways to eliminate freedom to a more mechanistic way. Brown tells the two that Dr.
Korby found their mechanistic living which will revolutionize the universe, once freed from this
cavernous ruins.
Brown, Christine and Kirk soon enter a room and
await Dr. Korby. Soon, a beautiful woman enters from the nearby room and introduces herself as
Andrea. She goes to Christine and says that she must be Christine and that she is as how Korby
described her. She then goes up to Captain Kirk and presumes that he must be Captain Kirk of the
Starship Enterprise. Christine then tells Andrea that Roger didn't mention an Andrea. She then
tells Kirk that they appreciate him bringing her here. She then tells Christine what a beautiful
name Christine is and how beautiful she is and mentions how Korby missed her so. Kirk asks where
Dr. Korby is and as soon as he says it, a man approaches from the far corner of the room and
says that he is here and tells them that he was tied up. As he sees Christine, he goes up to her
and kisses her. After kissing, Dr. Korby apologizes to Kirk and introduces himself. Kirk tells
him that there's no need to apologize and certainly no need to introduce himself. Dr. Brown
tells Korby that Captain Kirk lost a man. Dr. Korby feels sympathy towards the captain and asks
how it happened. Brown tells him that the pit in the outer junction gave way. Feeling sorry,
Korby says that he should've been there as he knows the passages well. Kirk tells Korby that it
wasn't his fault.
Kirk soon contacts Rayburn at his post, but Rayburn
doesn't respond as he too, has been taken out by that mysterious figure. Kirk then tells Korby
that he must contact his ship and when he does, he tells Korby to list his personnel, cargo and
any other special needs. Korby begs him to listen to him first before making contact as he
indicates toward Brown. When Kirk fails to get a response from Rayburn, he tells them that he'll
contact the ship. Soon, Brown trains a disruptor on Kirk and tells him that there is to be no
communications. Kirk wonders what's going on and Korby explains that if he should bring down
more men, as there are things down here that can't be explained and that it is necessary for
their protection. Soon, he orders Andrea to take the captain's weapon and when Kirk asks what
he's doing, Korby says that soon he'll understand.
As Andrea tries to take the weapon, Kirk grabs hold
of her, takes out his phaser and aims it at Brown. As Kirk goes toward the door, he pushes
Andrea aside, rolls over and orders Brown to drop it. When Brown refuses, Kirk fires his phaser
at Brown as Brown falls down. As Brown falls down, the same mysterious figure that killed both
Matthews and Rayburn, enters and grabs hold of Kirk. When Christine looks at the damaged Brown,
she screams, as she reacts to Brown's mechanical nature. Kirk reacts too.
------
As the Enterprise continues to orbit Exo III, they receive a message
from Captain Kirk. Uhura informs Spock that the frequencies are open. Kirk informs Spock that
they've made contact with Dr. Korby. Spock tells the captain that they were beginning to become
concerned, since he was due to report in an hour ago and that they haven't heard from their
security men. On the surface, the same mysterious figure that killed both Rayburn and Matthews,
uses Kirk's voice to report back to the ship. Kirk tells Spock that they are fine and that
they'll beam back to the ship within forty-eight hours. He tells them that Dr. Korby's specimen
require careful packing. Spock soon notices the same discrepancy in Kirk's voice as he did with
Dr. Korby and asks the captain if he's feeling all right as he is sounding tired. Korby reminds
Kirk that if he moves or yell out for help, Ruk may injure him, indicating the tall figure. Dr.
Korby pleads with Kirk to hear him out and to trust him. Ruk tells Spock that everything's fine
and that Dr. Korby has made an amazing discovery. He tells Spock to stand-by for regular contact
and closes communication.
Dr. Korby says that this isn't a vain display.
Korby tells Kirk that he's a scientist and Kirk knows of his reputation. Kirk says that he knows
of his reputation and in fact, the whole galaxy knows, and that's the reason why all of this
makes no sense to him. Korby tells Kirk that he must be given a proper demonstration before he
gives a final judgment. Korby then prods Ruk to demonstrate. Ruk soon uses Andrea's voice to
repeat what she said to Kirk earlier. Ruk then uses Korby's voice to ask Christine if
everything's all right. When Korby asks Kirk if he sees his point, Ruk answers in Christine's
voice, saying that everything's all right. Becoming defensive, Korby tells Ruk that he is not to
mock Christine ever, or to disobey an order from her, finishes Kirk. Korby tells Ruk not to
disobey her orders. Korby says it's out of love and honesty and for trust for Christine. He asks
Kirk if he is convinced yet. Kirk wonders if he has to be a prisoner to convinced. Korby reminds
Kirk what his first duty as captain would be upon his return, report. He then tells him how many
experiments have gone undiscovered due to superstition, ignorance and of layman's inability to
comprehend.
Kirk says that those are simple layman's questions.
Kirk asks Korby what happened to his other crewman. Are they dead or alive?, he asks them. Korby
tells Kirk that Ruk destroyed them both. He further explains that Ruk's logical mind saw a
danger to his experiments. Kirk then asks if Ruk is an android like Brown. Ruk says that he is
much more complex than Brown. Korby adds that Ruk was left here by the Old Ones. For how many
centuries, even Ruk doesn't know. He explains that when they arrived, Ruk was still tending to
the machineries. With the records they could find and with Ruk's help, they built Brown. He then
asks Kirk if he is now convinced. Kirk tells Korby that he's convinced that Korby's dangerous.
He then throws a chair toward Korby and tries to make a run for it, but Ruk stops him and throws
him across the room. Before Ruk can finish him off, Korby stops Ruk.
In a different part of the room, Andrea visits
Christine, who is anxious to find out where the captain is. Andrea wonders why Christine is
unhappy as she is with Roger again. Christine wants to know where is Captain Kirk and Andrea
wonders if she is concerned with the captain. Christine says that she is concerned. Andrea then
wonders how Christine can love Roger without trusting him. Andrea then wonders why Christine is
bothered when she uses the name Roger. From the far side of the room, Roger enters and tells
Andrea that it is sufficient that Christine is bothered. He orders her to use the name Dr. Korby
from now on and Andrea complies. Korby apologizes to Christine for eavesdropping and indicates
that Captain Kirk is unharmed. Korby says that this is necessary so that he doesn't send any
reports to the ship as things are at stake here that make it so. He pleads with Christine to
give him to time to explain and demonstrate what's at stake here. He suggests that they start
with Andrea and Christine agrees.
Andrea tells everyone, that like Brown, she is an
android and wonders if everyone didn't know that. Korby asks if she isn't remarkable, as she has
life like pigmentation, variations in skin tone. Korby says that Andrea even has warmth, a pulse
and a physical sensation. Getting jealous of her fiancee's lust for Andrea, Christine says how
convenient. Korby goes up to Christine and tells her that Andrea is a computer, designed to obey
his orders. As a trained scientist herself, Korby tells her that she must realize that creating
a mechanical Brown and a mechanical Geisha would be no more difficult, finishes Christine. Korby
then says that he could never love a machine and Christine wonders if he did. Korby says that
Andrea is incapable of love as she simply obeys orders. He soon orders Andrea to kiss Captain
Kirk, which she does. He then orders her to strike him and Andrea does.
Korby then tells them that Andrea has no emotional
bonds between him. She simply follows orders, a logical thinking machine. He then asks Kirk if
he now understands. Kirk says that if these mechanical things simply does as Korby program it,
then why did Brown try to shoot him; why did Ruk kill two of his security men. He says that
there are many things here he doesn't understand. Korby says that he'll answer of all his
questions now.
Christine and Korby enter another room. In an
anteroom, Andrea man a sophisticated equipment. In the middle of the room is a large,
turntable style platform. Ruk places a dead dummy onto the turntable style platform in the
middle of the room. Christine looks on confused as Korby tells her that this is how you
make an android. When he signals Andrea, Andrea turns a few knobs and buttons. As Andrea turns a
few buttons and the table turns to reveal a naked Captain Kirk on the opposite side of the
dummy. Captain Kirk looks on frightened.
------
As the table on which Captain Kirk is on starts to spin wildly,
Christine looks on worriedly. Korby reassures Christine that Kirk isn't being harmed. As the
table continues to spin, Christine wonders what's happened to Roger. She reminds him that while
she was in his class, he wouldn't even dream of hurting an insect or an animal. While they
continue to make the android, Korby explains to Christine that if they had simply beamed onto
their ship with Brown and the others, it would have given them objects of curiosity,
beginnings of wild stories and foolish theories. After a while, Korby signals Ruk and Ruk pulls
a lever which makes the table spin faster. As the table spins, Korby tells Christine to watch
carefully. As the platform continues to spin, the dummy on the opposite side of Kirk is soon
replaced with an exact duplicate of Kirk. After a while, Korby signals to the team and soon
Andrea sets a lever which slows down the machine.
As the two Captain Kirk's lie in wait, Korby orders
Christine to choose which one is her captain. Christine tells Roger that they're exact and that
she honestly doesn't know. Korby soon tells Christine that with synthetic organs in place, they
merely synchronize his autonomic nervous systems with Kirk's memories. Korby moves toward the
controls and tells Christine that with the physical attributes in place, he'll give the android
Kirk's memories of Captain Kirk which will duplicate the captain's attitudes and abilities. The
android will be so perfect, it will be made to replace the captain. As Kirk hears this, he plans
to implant a message in the android. Korby orders Andrea to begin synaptic fusion. As Kirk's
memories are being transferred, Kirk plants a message for Spock telling him to mind his own
business and he's sick of his half-breed interference. After the memory transfer is complete,
Christine asks Captain Kirk if he's all right. Kirk says for the time being. Korby then tells
Christine to meet an android. The table turns around to let Christine see the android. The
android greets Christine in Kirk's exact voice.
In Korby's compound, Andrea prepares a scrumptious
meal for the Enterprise crew. Nurse Chapel enters the dinning room sees that Andrea has prepared
a meal for her. Andrea tells Christine that she is now programmed to please her also, as she
tells her to enjoy the meal she prepared for her. Andrea asks Christine if the food is pleasing
and Christine concurs. As Christine sits, Captain Kirk enters the room and takes a seat opposite
her. Kirk tells her that he is on parole, nonetheless. Andrea says that Korby suggested that
they have lunch together. As Andrea gives Kirk his food, Kirk tells Christine that she must be
torn between her fiancee and the captain. Christine tells Kirk that she isn't torn, and even
though what her fiancee is doing may be wrong, she still considers him her fiancee. After all,
she tells Kirk, he is Roger Korby. Kirk soon suggests that maybe Korby has gone mentally insane,
but Christine quickly dismisses this as she knows her fiancee well, and says that he is as sane
as the two of them. When Kirk suggests he order her to betray her fiancee, Christine rejects his
idea, saying that she'd rather have him push her off the same precipice that Matthews fell. When
Christine tells Kirk to go ahead and eat, Kirk tells her that androids don't eat, causing
Christine to react.
Korby says that the android even has the captain's
sense-of-humor as both he, Ruk and the real Captain Kirk enter the room. The real Kirk sits down
and says that there is one difference between them, he's hungry. The android tells him that
that's his weakness, not his. Korby tells them one at a time. Kirk tells the android that eating
is a pleasure, one that he'll never understand. The android agrees but reminds Kirk that he'll
never starve to death. Kirk soon asks that if it's an exact duplicate. Korby says right down to
every detail. Kirk soon asks about his memories. Kirk soon asks the android about Sam. The
android tells him that George Samuel Kirk is his brother and only he calls him Sam. Kirk says
that Sam saw him off on this mission and the android equally agrees, along with his wife and
three sons. Kirk says that Sam wanted to transfer to Earth Colony II for his research. The
android corrects KIrk by saying that Sam wanted a transfer to Earth Colony II to continue his
research. Kirk looks at Korby impressed. Korby says he might as well try and outsmart a
computer, but Kirk says he obviously can't. Kirk says they do have some interesting differences,
but Korby says totally unimportant ones. Korby orders the android to leave the room.
As the android leaves the room, Korby asks them if
they haven't figured the rest out yet. Not even his fiancee Christine has figured it out. Korby
says that what they saw was only half of what he could've accomplished. He tells them that by
transferring them completely, including their souls, he could've given them practical
immortality. Korby asks the captain if he can't see what he's offering. Kirk argues that it's
programming, a totally different word; but the same old promises made by Genghis Khan, Julius
Caesar, Hitler, Ferris and Maltuvus. Korby says that while in android form, they can do away
with jealousy, greed and hatred. But Kirk counteracts saying that this outforces love,
tenderness and sentiment, the other side of the coin. Korby says that no one ever need to die
anymore or suffer any kind of deformities. What he's offering is pure heaven and asks Kirk if he
is with him. Kirk thought that all Korby wanted from him before was his understanding. Korby
says that he needs a transfer to a planet colony with abundant raw materials, so that he can
start producing androids selectively.
During this time, Kirk's hands slip below the chair
to find a thread of rope he can use for his escape. Korby is certain that there are possible
planets among the captain's next route that can be sufficient for his procedure and he doesn't
want any suspicions aroused. Kirk reminds him that no one needs to know of his frightening plan.
Korby tells him that the android society must be carefully integrated into the world to avoid a
wave of hysteria in what he's doing is for the good of mankind. Kirk soon says that Korby's got
his own Kirk, why does he need him. Korby says that he didn't create the android to replace him,
but to impress him. Kirk says that he's impressed, but not the way he thinks. He soon lunges
toward Korby and strangles him with the loosened rope. As Ruk tries to rescue Korby, Kirk orders
Ruk to stay back or he'll kill him. Kirk continues to head toward the door, with Ruk in tow.
When Kirk reaches the door, he rushes out, releasing Korby.
As Kirk tries to escape his capture, Ruk goes to
his master to see if he's all right. Korby orders Ruk to protect and Ruk soon pursues Kirk.
Kirk tracks the maze of this underground cavern as Ruk follows closely. A worried Christine goes
to her fiancee to see if he's all right. But Korby shrugs her off. Soon, she goes after Ruk and
shouts to him that he is not to harm Kirk. She reminds Ruk that he is to obey her. Kirk soon
comes to the same junction that Matthews was killed and suddenly stops. Kirk sees a stalactite
in the cave. Breaking the stalactite causes Ruk to stop for a second at the entrance of the
outer junction. Using his android logic, Ruk uses Christine's voice to lure Kirk and asks where
he is. With the stalactite in hand, Kirk decides to draw Ruk to his position. When Ruk comes to
Kirk's position, Kirk reveals himself and strikes Ruk with the stalactite. But it's not enough,
as Kirk's offensive strategy fails and he is flung onto the ledge that Matthews fell from. Kirk
hangs precariously close to death.
------
As Kirk hangs precariously close to death, Ruk looks on, satisfied
that he has completed his task. Soon, Ruk's logical mind takes over as he decides to obey
Christine's order and hoists Kirk up.
Back on the Enterprise, as Spock works, Captain
Kirk walks by. Surprised by his appearance, Spock follows him to his quarters. As Spock enters
Kirk's quarters, he asks him if he finished ahead of schedule. Kirk works on his locker as he
tells Spock that Dr. Korby has considerable cargo to bring aboard and will need to go over their
destination schedule with him. When Spock asks him if he's beaming back down with the command
packet, Kirk angrily tells Spock to mind his own business as he's sick of his half-breed
interference. Spock realizes that something is wrong but tells the captain that he will mind his
own business. Kirk soon notices distress in Spock's voice and asks if everything's all right up
here. Spock says there are none. After Kirk leaves his quarters, Spock contacts his security
team and asks for their status. The team leader responds that they are standing by. Spock orders
them to meet him in the transporter room after the captain has beamed back down.
Back on Exo III, the android Kirk has delivered
Korby his command packet. He tells Korby that he looked it over and believes Midos V to be their
suitable planet. As Korby looks over the packet, he says that Midos is a small colony planet
with abundant raw materials and says that this will suffice. Korby tells the android that he did
an excellent job as Captain Kirk. The android thanks the doctor and says that he felt quite at
home on the Enterprise.
In his room, Captain Kirk rests. Andrea soon enters
to pick up Kirk's empty dishes. As Andrea leaves, Kirk orders her to kiss him. After kissing,
Andrea proceeds to strike Kirk, mimicking their earlier situation, but Kirk grabs hold of her
and starts to kiss her again with more passion this time. As they kiss, Andrea starts to have a
mental breakdown, as she says that she wasn't programmed for him. Kirk continues to caress her
and asks her what's the matter. He asks her if she's confused. Andrea soon shrugs off Kirk and
exits the room.
As Kirk follows Andrea, he is pushed back into the
room by Ruk and thrown back onto his bed. Emotions, ask Kirk to Ruk. He asks Ruk if he
disapprove Nurse Chapel's orders to save his life. Ruk says that to maintain one's existence is
illogical. Kirk asks why and wonders if Ruk's memory banks can't solve a simple equation like
that. As Ruk leaves, Kirk stops him and asks him what happened to the Old Ones. Ruk says that it
has been so long ago. Kirk then prods him further by stating that wasn't it possible that the
Old Ones built their machines too well. He then asks if the Old Ones's android was given pride
and a desire to survive; machines that wanted order and logic, only to be frustrated by the
emotional illogical beings that created them. Ruk agrees and says that the Old Ones grew fearful
of them and began to turn them off. Kirk then suggests that isn't it possible if Korby is
creating the same danger to them. He tells Ruk that unlike them, human beings are full of
unpredictable emotions that logic cannot solve.
Ruk then starts to remember and says to Kirk that
it had been so long ago that he had forgotten, but it is still in his memory banks. He tells
Kirk that it became necessary to destroy the Old Ones. He tells Kirk that he is inconsistant, he
cannot be programmed and that he is inferior. Kirk asks him what about Korby. Ruk says that Kirk
came from the outside and that he brings disorder here. Kirk says that the danger to him is
Korby, but Ruk counteracts by saying that he was created by Korby and that he cannot harm him.
Kirk says that the Old Ones created him too and that it was possible to destroy them.
This jogs Ruk's memory banks as Ruk says that was
the equation. He grabs hold of Kirk and says that existence and survival must cancel out
programming. Kirk pushes him further by saying that he cannot protect someone who is trying to
destroy them. Soon, Korby and Christine enter the room and Korby asks Ruk to do something for
him. Ruk tosses Kirk aside and advances on Korby. Ruk tells Korby that he brought him here from
the outside and that he brings chaos. Ruk tells Korby that they had cleansed themselves of
inferiority. Korby orders Ruk to stop but Ruk continues to advance on Korby. Before Ruk can move
in on Korby, Korby grabs his disruptor and fires at Ruk, making him vanish. Korby goes to Kirk
on the floor. He tells him that he had no choice and signals him to follow him.
As Korby escorts Kirk and Christine, Kirk wonders
how a man with all respect for life can destroy such life and how will he explain it to the
people of Earth. As they are about to enter a room, Kirk tries valiantly to grab for Korby's
phaser. In the ensuing struggle, Korby's hand gets caught in the door. When Korby frees himself,
his hand is damaged and his true nature is revealed. Korby himself is an android. Christine
reacts with fright, as Korby tries to reassure her that it is still him. He is in the android
form. He tells them they can't imagine it. He tells them that he was dying, his legs frozen. He
only had his brain between life and death. He tells them that this can be repaired, easier than
another man can set a broken finger. He tells them that he's in there and that he's still Roger
Korby, the same but perhaps even better. Christine asks him who is he. Soon, an alarm goes off
and Korby goes to answer it. He tells Andrea that there is a breach in the outer junction. Kirk
tells Christine that it must be Spock who has received his message. Andrea tells Korby that she
will alert Ruk. Christine tells Kirk that Spock will never find them in this maze. Korby tells
Andrea that Ruk has been shut off and orders her to deal with it. Korby orders her to grab her
weapon and protect.
After Andrea grabs the weapon and sets it, she
leaves the room she was in to do her job. In the corridor, she runs into the android Kirk.
Thinking it's the other Kirk, she tells him that she will kiss him. The android brushes her off,
saying no and that it is illogical. As Kirk continues on, Andrea fires her disruptor,
disintegrating him. Andrea then goes toward the room that Korby is in.
Korby explains to Christine and Kirk that he is
still Roger Korby. He has been transferred directly into android form, human, rational and
without any flaw. Soon, Andrea interrupts them saying that Kirk escaped from his room and she
shot him. She is stunned when she sees Kirk in the room. Andrea says that she was not programmed
for alarms. She tells Korby that she followed his instructions and obeyed them. Kirk realizes
that she killed the android and tells Korby. He asks Korby if this is his perfect world,
flawless beings killing off one another just as he did with Ruk. Isn't he doing exactly what he
hates most in humans, killing off one another with no more concern than turning off the light.
Korby tells them that he isn't a computer and to
test him. He asks them to give him any problems to solve, then goes into an android breakdown
mode by saying equate and transmit. He soon asks Christine if his damaged hand makes any
difference. Christine tells Roger that everything he has done proves that it isn't him. Korby
soon shouts that he is Roger Korby. Kirk tells him to prove it. If there's any human left in
him, he will hand over his weapon. Korby shakes his head, telling them that they will never
understand. He tells them that he constructed a perfect machine, tested it and proved it. Korby
soon stands down and Kirk grabs his phaser.
After grabbing his phaser, Kirk orders Andrea to
hand her weapon. Andrea disobeys and says she must protect. She soon turns to Korby and says
that she loves him and wants to kiss him. Korby says that isn't possible as she isn't human. As
Andrea proceeds to kiss Korby, Korby presses the trigger on the disruptor and the two vanishes.
Christine reacts as Spock's voice shouts to the captain. Captain Kirk calls Spock over and Spock
rushes in, with the security team. Christine cries over her dead fiancee as Spock looks on
confused. He asks them where is Dr. Korby. Kirk tells Spock that Dr. Korby was never here.
Back aboard the Enterprise, Nurse Chapel informs
the captain that she has made up her mind and that she is sure she is doing the right thing.
She leaves as Spock approaches the captain. Kirk tells Spock that Christine is staying with the
ship. Soon, Kirk sees that Spock is a little confused and asks him why. Spock explains that he
was rather dismayed by the captain's expression of half-breed. He must admit it is a rather
sophisticated expression. Kirk tells Spock that he'll try to remember that, the next time he
finds himself in a similar situation. He then orders the helmsman to steady as they go, as the
Enterprise heads toward its next assignment...
