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Star date 2712.4. The Enterprise is entering orbit around the planet Exo 3, the last known location of Dr. Roger Korby -- a researcher, and known as the 'Pasteur of Archaeological medicine'. It's been five years since Korby has last been heard from. Kirk and his crew are here to learn what might have become of him.
On the bridge with Captain Kirk, waiting anxiously but patiently, is Nurse Christine Chapel. Nurse Chapel was engaged to Korby some years earlier and has not lost her interest in him (though maybe the engagement and pending marriage is why he's hiding out, eh?). She's confident that Roger has found a way to survive the rigors of the planet's environment, hostile as they are.
From the science station, Mr. Spock reports on the surface conditions of the planet, "Ship's record banks show little we don't already know about this planet, Captain. Gravity is 1.1 of Earth. Atmosphere within safety limits."
"But the surface temperature of that planet is 100 degrees below 0.", adds Kirk.
Spock continues, "It may have been inhabited once, but the sun of this system has been fading steadily for a half million years."
Korby's last message had mentioned something about a discovery of underground caverns. Even through two previous rescue expeditions have failed to locate him, Christine is sure that Roger would have used the caverns and found a way to live.
As the ship is within communications range, Captain Kirk orders Uhura to transmit on all frequencies, try to raise Dr. Korby. Initially she is met with failure, however, as she turns to report no success to Captain Kirk the com equipment beeps and the bridge is rewarded with an acknowledgement from the missing scientist. Nurse Chapel closes her eyes in ecstasy and relief - much as one might do when they hear a loved one missed getting on a plane that had been reported crashed.
After the opening credits roll, we return to the bridge to find Kirk responding to Dr. Korby. He is informing the scientist that the Enterprise has landing coordinates and is preparing to beam down a rescue party. As Jim prepares to tell Roger about having Christine aboard, the man cuts in. He has made some startling discoveries and requests that the Captain beam down alone. The items might require an extraordinary decision from Jim.
Given pause to think and consider, Kirk agrees; but mentions that there will be two in the landing party, handing the com link over to Nurse Chapel. Christine greets her old friend and the exchange that takes place indicates that the feeling of gladness is shared by both. Roger agrees enthusiastically to have Chapel accompany Captain Kirk to the planet.
Beaming to a location just inside the entrance of a cavern on the planet (looks like the outside environment is kept out by a force screen of some sort), Jim and Christine look around. For all his excitement at meeting his old flame, Dr. Korby is nowhere to be seen - leaving the two to wonder if the landing coordinates were correct.
Kirk doesn't like mysteries and contacts his ship. He asks that two security men be transported down to their location. Spock asks if there is a problem. However, Kirk merely relays the man's delay in meeting them - "Probably nothing at all. Kirk out.", he responds. Shortly, the two additional personnel arrive.
One man, Rayburn, he instructs to remain on post at the cavern entryway. The other, Mathews, he orders to accompany them. They will begin to search Dr. Korby out.
They move deeper into the cavern - past and through man-made archways. Kirk and Christine leading -- Mathews trailing a short distance behind. The search is a short one, however. They soon are met by Dr. Korby's assistant, Dr. Brown (who Christine also seems to know well). Chapel hurries towards "Brownie", but stops short as a cry from Mathews splits the silence of the cave.
The trio rush back to the sound of the scream and gaze down into an opening in the floor. Mathews had apparently stumbled into this abyss. (Actually, this is rather doubtful as Christine had momentarily lost her footing and was rescued by Kirk at the same hole. Mathews was with them at this point and had seen the chasm. The security man was either extremely clumsy, incredibly stupid or was pushed to his doom).
"Be careful.", warns Brown grasping the captain's arm as Jim leans forward to peer into the opening. "There's no hope, Captain. It's bottomless. He must have slipped." (Yeah, right. And dogs don't fart!)
As the three consider the loss of Mathews, a short distance away a large being edges slowly, silently back through an archway. It is most certain that he had something to do with the security man 'slipping'.
Back at the crevasse, Kirk wants to know if there's a pathway down or the possibility of a ledge where his crewman might have been able to save himself. Brown informs him that no such possibilities exist. The man is definitely dead and urges them to accompany him to where Roger Korby is waiting. Brown heads off and Chapel makes to follow. Jim stops her for a moment, wanting to know how well she knows the man (he didn't seem to recognize her at first). Christine acknowledges knowing the man and offers that his living here for five years may have causes him not to remember her right away. Captain Kirk pulls out his communicator and contacts Rayburn at the cave's entrance, wanting to know if all is well there. Rayburn reports all quiet and asks if they are having any difficulties.
"We lost Mathews", answers Kirk, "Apparently an accident. Tell the Enterprise to have a full security party standing by. And we'll both report in at hourly intervals. If you and I lose contact, or if he [Spock] fails to hear from either of us, he's to beam the security party down immediately. Kirk out."
While Kirk and Rayburn have been exchanging information, our large friend who was lurking about the drop where Mathews had fallen is creeping up on the entrance security man. As Captain Kirk signs off, the being rushes Rayburn from behind and throttles him with one hand.
Having attended his duties for the moment, Captain Kirk and Chapel follow on after Dr. Brown's lead. As they walk along, the latter relates a little of what Roger has found during his researches in the past few years. "Doctor Korby has discovered that as their sun dimmed, the inhabitants of this planet moved underground from an open environment to this dark world. When you were a student of his, Christine, you must have often heard Dr. Korby remark how freedom of movement and choice produced the human spirit. The culture of Exo-III proved his theory. When they moved from light to darkness, they replaced freedom with a mechanistic culture. Dr. Korby has been able to uncover elements of this culture which will revolutionize the universe when freed from this cavernous environment."
The trio enter another chamber. This one having a lived in look -- obviously the quarters of the people working here. As the star travelers wait for their host, another woman joins them from an adjacent room. She introduces herself as Andrea, another member of Korby's staff. Nurse Chapel is a little put off by the younger woman and has tell-tale bits of green showing in her eyes and expression. Christine mentions that she was unaware of Roger having such an assistant. Andrea is disarming though and only mentions that Christine is exactly as Korby described her. It's no wonder that he missed her.
As Kirk asks where the elusive man might be, Roger joins the group. His manner and greeting (especially to Christine) are much warmer than from the other two. Christine and Kirk's worries seem to be put to rest for the moment.
Captain Kirk is cordial, glad to meet the famous researcher. Much of Roger Korby's writings were required reading at the Star Fleet Academy and Kirk has come to hold the man in high esteem.
Roger apologizes for not having met them earlier; his work had kept him away. As the two men become acquainted, Dr. Brown breaks in with news of Mathew's death in the pit, "The Captain lost a man in the caverns."
"What?", exclaims Korby. "How did it happen?"
Kirk prepares to speak, but Brown answers first, "The pit near the outer junction. The edge must have given way.", offers Brown.
Roger seems distressed at the information and apologizes to the Captain. "Perhaps if I'd been there -- I know the passages so well."
However, Captain Kirk gives no blame, "It wasn't your fault.", he states flatly as he opens his communicator. Jim tries to raise Rayburn at the cave entrance, but to no avail. As he radios for the security man, Kirk offers to see to any special needs the scientific group might have - and cargo requirements. But Korby does not have need of anything at the moment -- and wants Kirk's attention. "I'd prefer you waited captain. Please, till I've talked to you.", he says. Kirk continues to try to reach Rayburn.
"I've lost contact with my guard.", Kirk explains, "I must call my ship."
"No communications, Captain." Brown's voice is heard from another part of the room. Looking up, Captain Kirk sees that the other man has a phaser leveled at him. Surprise registers on Jim's face - dismay on Christine's -- who wants to know what's going on.
Again Roger apologizes, but explains that this is necessary. His discovery is of such importance that he cannot allow interference from the Enterprise's crew. He wants to convince Captain Kirk of it's worth before others are called in. Roger calls for Andrea, the young female assistant Nurse Chapel met before, and indicates to her to disarm the star ship commander. As she removes the Captain's phaser, Kirk grabs her hand and holds her between himself and Brown -- a human shield. Brown looks for a way to get at his prey, but Jim moves, keeping the girl between himself and the other man.
Pushing the girl aside, Kirk dives for the floor and rolls, coming up in a crouch, his phaser leveled at the other man. "Drop it.", demands Kirk of Brown. However, Korby's assistant makes as if to fire. Kirk fires first, hitting Brown squarely.
As Dr. Brown falls, stricken, the main door to the chamber opens and the largish man/being we saw before enters. Sizing up the situation in a moment, he rushes Kirk before he can bring his weapon to bear and raises him helpless into the air and against the wall. Roger and Christine look to Dr. Brown on the floor. Christine lets out a gasp. The hole in the man's abdomen reveals not tissue and flesh, but burnt circuits and wiring. Dr. Brown is/was an android.
"Enterprise from Captain Kirk. Come in. Do you read?".
On the bridge of the ship, Lt. Uhura is receiving the message and routes the connection over to Mr. Spock, temporarily in command of the vessel.
"Contact established with Dr. Korby.", continues Kirk's voice. The Vulcan replies, "We were becoming concerned, Captain. Your check-in time was overdue, and since we have not heard from your security team .... "
"No problem, Mr. Spock.", interrupts Jim's voice. "We'll return to the ship within 48 hours. Dr. Korby's records and specimens will require careful packing." At this point we see Captain Kirk sitting - a captive in Korby's domain. It is not Kirk who has been communicating with the ship, but rather Ruk, the large alien who we've seen several times before.
Mr. Spock, however, notices a difference in the voice. "Captain, are you all right?", he asks, "You sound tired."
In the cavern Korby warns Jim that if he cries out, Ruk may injure him. To at least wait until the two of them have had a chance to talk. Meanwhile Ruk makes a small adjustment to the communicator as Spock calls for an acknowledgement, is everything all right?
"Fine, Mr. Spock.", intones the being. "Dr. Korby has made some fascinating discoveries. All under control. Stand by for regular contact. Kirk out."
As Ruk puts the communicator aside, Roger looks to Kirk, trying to convince him that none of this is as ominous as it seems. He's a scientist. The universe knows his reputation.
"Yes, I know your reputation.", acknowledges Jim quietly. "The whole galaxy knows who you are and what you stand for. That's why all this makes no sense."
Korby continues. There's much the captain must learn before he can make a final judgement. As an example, Roger calls to Ruk, who then proceeds to imitate a vary of voices from different people. As Ruk finishes, Korby asks Kirk to give him 24 hours to convince the Captain of the importance of his discovery.
"Do I need to be a prisoner to be convinced?", objects Kirk.
Korby rationalizes, asking what would be the first action Captain Kirk would perform on returning to his ship. To report. He goes on to orate about discoveries lost due to superstition and misunderstanding. This must not be allowed to happen here. Laymen's ignorance and fear must not hold sway over new ideas.
Kirk, getting up and walking around Ruk asks, "A simple layman's question, Doctor. Where is my other crewman? Alive? Dead?"
"Ruk was programmed to protect my experiments.", answers Korby (obviously Ruk is an android as well). "The logic of his machine mind saw danger to me. Ruk destroyed them both." Kirk then asks if Ruk is an android like Brown. Ruk responds, almost proudly, "More complex than Brown. Much Superior. I was left here by the old ones."
Roger explains that Ruk was still attending the machinery in the caverns when the expedition first arrived on the planet. How many centuries he had been doing that - not even the android knew. With Ruk's help and the records Korby was able to find, Brown was built.
"You've convinced me, Doctor.", states Kirk. "You've convinced me that you're dangerous." Captain Kirk tumbles a chair between himself and Ruk, then lunges for the door. Ruk flings the chair out of the way and catches hold of the Captain's wrist before he can escape the room. Lifting him high, the android tosses Kirk against the wall, stunning him. "Ruk! No!", shouts Korby as the large being moves menacingly towards the fallen human.
Taking Kirk under guard, Dr. Korby joins Christine and Andrea in another room where the two of them have been conversing - Christine concerned about Captain Kirk's whereabouts. Andrea cannot understand how Christine can love Roger Korby without trusting him.
Joining them, Roger -- the Captain at his side, consoles his former love, "As you can see, uh, Captain Kirk is fine. He won't be harmed. The things at stake here simply make it necessary he doesn't send a report to the ship. I need time to explain and demonstrate -- to him and to you."
Korby looks at Andrea and remarks that they'll begin with her. Andrea moves over to where Kirk is standing and admits that she is also an android -- like Dr. Brown. Roger asks Jim if the workmanship is not life-like. The skin coloration and texture. Her flesh has warmth and even a pulse. Christine, like most women would be in a similar situation, believes this is a bit unnatural -- that is, for a man to make a android woman with such characteristics (let your mind roam here a bit). Korby declines her unspoken meaning though, saying that Andrea is only a machine. She has no emotional importance to him. She is incapable of such. She does as she is programmed to do. As an example, Korby orders her to kiss Captain Kirk - which she does. Then orders her to strike him. Andrea slaps Kirk across the face.
"You see?", pleads Korby. "There's no emotion in it, no emotional involvement. She simply responds to orders. She's a totally logical computer." (Hey, this would be a great girlfriend for Mr. Spock)
The Captain has problems with the explanation, though, and finds a chink in the other's logic. "If these mechanical things have no feelings and perform only as you program them, then why did Brown try to shoot me? Why did he", gesturing at Ruk who is holding him, "kill two of my men?"
By way of explanation (which I grant, I don't follow too well) Korby has Ruk take Captain Kirk to a complex machine where Jim is laid out, restrained, on one side of a large circular rotating table. On the other is a vaguely human shaped form which appears to be made out of a soft plastic or resin.
"This is how you make an android.", Roger states nodding to Andrea. Andrea reaches up and manipulates levers and dials on the machine's control board. As she does so, the table begins to revolve. Faster and faster it rotates. As it does so, the blank form begins to assume the form of Jim Kirk, perfect to every detail. When the table is halted, an exact physical duplicate of the Captain has been formed.
Korby prepares to duplicate the Captain's mental pattern next. When he's finished, the android double will possess all of the man's memories, attitudes and mannerisms. Kirk, hearing this begins to repeat to himself, "Mind your own business, Mr. Spock. I'm sick of your half-breed interference, do you hear.". Over and over so that the mental image is in his mind. Korby makes some adjustments, throws a switch, and a few moments later the process is complete. Asked to choose which of the men before her is the Captain, Nurse Chapel finds that she cannot. Both are identical.
A short while later Miss Chapel sits at a table to eat a meal prepared by Andrea. The android has been programmed to serve her as well as Doctor Korby now. She is joined momentarily by Captain Kirk. As Kirk seats himself he comments, "I'm more or less on parole, I understand."
Jim notes the expression on Christine's face and offers his understanding at her dilemma -- torn between loyalty to her captain and her fiancee´. But Chapel denies that particular problem. She indicates that she's not torn, rather she's puzzled by her friend. She tells him that Roger may seem to be doing something wrong, but he is Roger Korby. Kirk suggests that perhaps something may have gone wrong with the scientist's mind, however Christine shakes the comment off. She reminds Kirk that she knows Roger Korby very well - there's nothing gone wrong with his sanity.
Kirk takes a breath then asks Chapel -- if he gave her a direct order to betray her friend ..... She cuts him off, asking that Kirk not make her consider that choice. Jim desists. The nurse looks down at her plate and shakes her head, pushing it away saying she can't eat. Captain Kirk follows suit, pushing his plate away.
Christine tells him, go ahead and eat. Kirk merely looks up and levelly says, "Androids don't eat, Miss Chapel.", catching the woman by surprise.
"Even has your sense of humor.". Korby has just entered the other side of the room with the other Kirk (the real one) and Ruk. Captain Kirk walks to the table and seats himself next to himself.
Examining the duplicate closely for several seconds (to the amusement of Roger) Kirk finally exclaims, "Well, there's one difference between us. I'm hungry."
Android Kirk responds, "The difference is your weakness, Captain, not mine."
"Eating is a pleasure, sir.", counters Kirk. "Unfortunately, one you will never know."
Android Kirk paries, "Perhaps, but I will never starve, sir."
Weary of the game, Jim looks to Roger and inquires, "He's an exact duplicate?" Roger confirms this. A duplicate in every detail to include memories. Deciding to test the machine, Jim returns his attention to his alter-ego.
"Tell me about Sam.", demands the Captain.
"George Samuel Kirk, your brother.", answers the android. "Only you call him Sam."
Watching for discrepancies, Kirk states, "He saw me off on this mission."
"Yes.", agrees the android. "With his wife and three sons."
Kirk looks over to Korby with an irate expression and then continues, "He said he was being transferred to Earth colony 2 research station."
The android shakes his head. "No, Captain. He said he was continuing his research and that he wanted to be transferred to Earth colony 2."
Jim concedes the capabilities of the machine. He apparently cannot trip it up on its memory. Korby allows that there are some differences, but totally unimportant ones. He bids the android to leave the room - which it does. Returning his attention to Kirk, Roger asks if he understands now. The android duplicate that he's seen is only half the process. By taking it to its logical conclusion, a person's entire consciousness - their soul - could be transferred to a machine body. Virtual immortality is the result. This is the gift he offers the galaxy.
Captain Kirk responds that he offers mankind only programming. The same old promises made by Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar, Hitler, Ferris, Maltuvis. Korby argues that a human transferred to an android can be programmed for the better. Hate, greed, corruption can all be eliminated. Kirk is not convinced, "It can also be improved by eliminating love, tenderness, sentiment, the other side of the coin, Doctor."
Korby persists, telling Jim that no one ever need die again. Disease, deformities, even fear can be programmed away and replaced with joy. "I'm offering you a practical heaven, a new paradise, and all I need is your help.", insists the scientist.
"All you wanted before was my understanding.", counters the Captain. "You've created your own Kirk. Why do you need me?" As he converses with Korby, Jim has been loosening a piece of cord from one of the chairs at the table. Roger continues to outline his plan and explains that he doesn't want to replace the Captain, he created the android to impress him.
"I'm impressed, Doctor.", acknowledges Jim, "but not the way you think!" With this Kirk takes the cord he's worked loose and lunges at the other man, wrapping the rope around his neck. "Stand back, Ruk! I'll kill him!", commands Kirk as the large android moves to rescue his master.
Jim backs toward the door with Korby, Ruk following closely. As the Captain achieves the doorway, he throws his captive into the large being and escapes. Ruk looks to his master's condition and removes the rope as the human runs off. "Ruk ...", chokes Korby, "protect!". The android stalks off after the escaped man.
Rushing through the cavern, Kirk is pursued by Ruk, who is in turn followed by Nurse Chapel. Chapel calls after the android not to harm the Captain -- Korby had programmed him to obey her. Captain Kirk rounds a corner and hides behind an archway. Shortly his antagonist appears, but as there is no sound to follow, he pauses and looks around. With his ability to recreate voices, Ruk calls to Kirk (using the nurse's voice) to lure him out, telling the Captain that he can help him. Initially, Jim makes no response; however, as the android turns back the way he came, he whispers, "Christine, is that you?".
Kinda dumb you might say? Perhaps. But Kirk has remembered the machine's ability to duplicate voices and broken off a stalagmite as a weapon. His intention appears to be to entice the being toward him so that he can bean him.
Alas, such is not to be the case. Ruk comes up to where Kirk is hiding carefully. As the Captain strikes, the android grasps the weapon and wrests it away. Then taking hold of Jim, he pushes him backward - and into the precipice.
Well, this is a television series. William Shatner is the major star. We can't have him killed, now can we? Security men can come and go, but the captain must live on. Thus, Kirk manages to seize the edge of the chasm and save himself. Ruk looks down at Captain Kirk for several minutes, a hard expression on his face, then finally reaches down and hauls the man up. (Christine's order in effect?)
Returning to the Enterprise, we see the android Kirk leaving the turbo lift for his quarters. He passes by Mr. Spock who, surprised to see him, calls his name then follows after Kirk does not respond. Entering the Captain's quarters, Spock begins to address him. Android Kirk interrupts that they've finished ahead of schedule and that Dr. Korby has a large amount of cargo to beam on board. The android begins to leaf thru their destination schedule as Spock asks if he's going back down.
"Mind your own business, Mr. Spock. I'm sick of your half-breed interference, do you hear?", replies 'Kirk', letting the Vulcan in for another surprise.
"Yes, very well, Captain.", answers Spock
His pre-programmed response out of the way, android Kirk looks up at his First Officer and inquires, "You look upset, Mr. Spock. Is everything all right?"
The Vulcan confirms that he is okay and the Captain departs the room. However, Mr. Spock is still considering what he has just seen and heard. Android Kirk enters the turbo lift for the transporter and the planet surface to retrieve Korby and his project. Spock thinks for a few moments then calls security, asking about the status of the security landing party. Having confirmed that they are still standing by, Spock tells them to meet him in the transporter room after the Captain has beamed down.
In Dr. Korby's quarter on the planet, android Kirk has just given the scientist the destination list he took from the Enterprise. Having looked it over, he recommends planet Midas 5, a small colony with abundant resources, as the place to begin Korby's operation. Korby seems pleased with the android's work and compliments him.
In another room the real Kirk is stretched out on a bunk - obviously a prisoner again. The android Andrea enters the room to remove a tray of food left for the Captain earlier. As she takes the tray, Kirk calls to her and grasps her wrist. "Kiss me.", he orders.
The 'girl' does so, then after a moment's pause, moves to strike him. Kirk blocks the blow he expected to come -- and confirms that behavior patterns of the beings are generated from previous experiences. He then forces another, more passionate embrace on her - reimpressioning her programming (and perhaps awakening some part of the original Andrea's emotions?).
She pushes away after a bit, telling him, "No. I'm not programmed for you.". Then takes the tray and leaves.
Kirk begins to follow her out, but is promptly met by Ruk, who has been on guard outside the door. Kirk is pushed strongly back into the room. Ruk follows a short distance, a look of hate on his face.
"Emotion, Ruk?", queries Kirk. "You disapprove of Miss Chapel's orders to save my life?"
"To maintain your existence would be illogical.", states Ruk and turns to go.
Captain Kirk rises and asks, "Why? Can't your memory banks solve a simple equation like that?". The android ignores the prod and again moves to leave. Kirk takes his arm and follows, "What happened to the old ones, Ruk?"
Ruk stands for a moment, thinking, then finally admits, "It's so long ago."
Sensing an opening, Captain Kirk suggests, "Is it possible they built their machines too well... gave them pride and a desire to survive? Machines that wanted logic and order and found that frustrated by the illogical emotional creatures that built them?"
"Yes. The old ones. The ones who made us. They grew fearful of us. They began to turn us off."
Kirk pursues the subject, "Isn't it Korby who's creating the same danger to you all over again? Unlike you, we humans are full of unpredictable emotions that logic cannot solve."
"Yes.", responds Ruk, now remembering the past. "Yes. It had been so long ago, I had forgotten. The old ones here. The ones who made us, yes. Yes, it is still in my memory banks. It became necessary to destroy them. You are inconsistent. You cannot be programmed. You are inferior."
Kirk seems intent on opening a pathway to a potential volcanic eruption and whispers, "And Korby?"
Now on the roll, Ruk declares, "You came from the outside. You bring disorder here."
"The danger is Korby.", insists Kirk.
"I was programmed by Korby!", counters the machine, "I cannot harm him!"
"The old ones programmed you, too, but it became possible to destroy them!", reasons Kirk. (uh-oh, now you've done it Kirk)
A light comes on in the android's eyes. The light of discovery -- of understanding. "THAT was the equation!!" Ruk snatches Kirk, bringing a grunt from him. "Existence! Survival must cancel out programming!"
"That's it, Ruk!", confirms Kirk. "Logic! You can't protect someone who is trying to destroy you!"
Roger has picked this opportune moment to enter Kirk's cell with a request for his android. A most inappropriate time -- for Roger. Ruk lets Captain Kirk go and heads purposefully towards his former master. "You brought him among us.", the android accuses. "You brought the inferior ones. We had cleansed ourselves of them. Now you bring the evil back!"
Korby calls for Ruk to stop -- reminding the android of his programming. But Ruk has been 'unprogrammed' by Captain Kirk. He continues towards the researcher. Finally, Korby pulls out Kirk's phaser and fires, destroying the machine.
Walking over to Jim, Dr. Korby motions for him to leave with the still drawn phaser. As Kirk and Christine (who had come to the apartment in the company of the Doctor) walk, Jim speaks of the change in the man. Korby used to have respect for all living things. How can he explain that? They walk through a door into Roger's study, Kirk continuing to talk. As they enter the room, Jim jumps at the other man, struggling for the phaser. The sliding door catches Roger's other hand as it closes, but the scientist has the strength to fight off the Captain and free his hand.
We hear an electrical crackle as circuits short out. Nurse Chapel gasps as she sees Korby's freed hand. He is an android too!
Covering them with the phaser, Korby pleads, "It's still me, Christine. Roger. I'm in here.", he motions to the machine body. Christine is shaking her head in disbelief and horror. "You can't imagine how it was.", continues android Korby. "I was frozen ... dying. My legs were gone. I was -- I had only my brain between life and death. I'm still the same as I was before, Christine, perhaps even better."
As Korby pleads his case, a buzzer sounds. Korby moves to an intercom and calls for Andrea and informs her of someone's presence in the outer junction. Andrea states that she will find Ruk - but is stopped by Roger who informs her that Ruk has been shut off. "Find a weapon. Deal with it. Protect.", he orders. Andrea says nothing, but reaches on top of a computer stack, retrieving one of their older model phasers; then leaves for the caves.
Stepping out the door, she immediately runs into android Captain Kirk who has returned from the Enterprise. Each pause for a moment, then Andrea moves forward. Conditioned by the real Kirk she tells the android copy, "I will kiss you."
But the Kirk copy is not programmed for this. He simply tells her, "No." She is confused and asks, "You -- you will not?". Kirk begins to move on and declares, "It is illogical.". Andrea raises her weapon and burns the android copy into non-existence -- then makes her way to Korby's chamber where he is still trying to convince Nurse Chapel that he is not a monster.
As she walks in, she informs her master, "He freed himself, and I destroyed ...", see notices the real Kirk standing next to Christine, "Destroyed him." The truth of the matter dawns on her. Looking remorseful, she lowers her phaser and steps over to where Korby is standing.
"I'm -- not programmed for alarms.", she defers. "I listened to your instructions. They were misstated."
"She killed the android, Korby,", fills in Kirk, "same way you killed Ruk. Is this your perfect world, your flawless beings killing off one another? Aren't you doing exactly what you hate most in humans, killing with no more concern than when you turn off a light?"
Roger denies that he is a machine. The transfer was completed in his case. Inside the mechanical body is Roger Korby. Looking to Christine, he tells her he'll prove it to her and challenges her to test him. "Ask me to solve any ---", he pauses then tries again, "Equate --", looking confused he tries a third time, "Transmi ---".
Caught in his own computer like responses, he pleads with his former fiancee´ to let him prove himself. However, the nurse is now convinced that the man she once knew is dead.
"I am Roger Korby!", shouts the android/man. Captain Kirk challenges him to prove it. If there is any human left in him, give Kirk the phaser he holds. Initially Korby declines, however after repeating 'proved it' to himself several times, he meekly surrenders the device.
Turning to Andrea, who has been standing woodenly nearby, Kirk demands her weapon as well. But she is not so willing. She turns on the Captain and raises the gun, "No. Protect.". She holds the pose for a moment then slowly approaches Korby. She is struggling with new found emotions and is confused. She professes to love Roger and wants to kiss him.
Roger denies that she can feel love -- she is not human. But the female android continues to reach for him, wanting to be kissed. And as she draws close, Roger reaches for the phaser now held between the two of them, triggering it. The resulting beam disintegrates them both.
Epilog: From the outer caverns, Mr. Spock and the team of security men have just accessed Dr. Korby's quarters. As the door slides open, the Vulcan enters quickly and looks to his captain. "Captain, are you all right?". Then over to Christine, "Nurse?". Assured of the well-being, the First Officer then inquires as to the location of Dr. Korby. Looking away, Jim answers, "Doctor Korby -- was never here."
A short time later, all members of the crew have returned to the ship and are preparing to leave orbit. Mr. Spock walks from his station to the Captain's chair, where the latter was talking to Nurse Chapel.
Kirk looks to his friend and asks, "Something bothering you, Mr. Spock?"
"Frankly,", confesses the Vulcan, "I was rather dismayed by your use of the term 'half-breed', Captain. You must admit it is an unsophisticated expression."
"I'll remember that, Mr. Spock, the next time I find myself in a similar situation.", returns the Captain as he orders the Enterprise out of orbit and on to their next adventure.
