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Star date 5029.5. Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr McCoy have beamed to the surface colony on Triakkis after having received a distress call. Upon reaching the colony they find the colonists lying dead in a group -- but wait! One is yet alive -- Professor Staurens. He climbs unsteadily to his feet and grimacing looks directly in the Captain's face. The Captain tries to get the man to recognize him but the professor just falls back to the ground without uttering a word . "He's dead, Captain.", reports McCoy who has rushed over to examine the fallen man.

As the landing party moves from body to body to examine each, Kirk finds a small vial clutched in the lips of one of the dead women. Handing it to Dr McCoy, the latter exclaims after sniffing the container, "Cyalatin!"

"Self-inflected?", questions Kirk. McCoy nods.

Taking up one the tri-corders found on the former colonists, the group plays back the last recording... "Must destroy ourselves! ...Alien upon us! The enemy from within! The enemy!"

Kirk is astounded. "All this ---- self-inflicted.", he remarks.

Just now a group of children, running and laughing join Kirk and his men. The biggest, who introduces himself as Tommy Staurens is the apparent leader. A little girl [Mary] pulls on Kirk's hand and demands, "C'mon, play with us." Kirk allows himself to he pulled forward and the children form a ring around him immediately playing 'ring around the rosey'. Kirk is too mystified to say anything.

Well, this is strange. We zoom ahead in time somewhat. The landing party has now buried the members of the colony. The children are standing with the crew, but say nothing -- do nothing. As if by cue they nudge each other and then run off to play again, laughing and squealing in childish delight.

Watching, Kirk observes. "No sign of grief... " "No Jim, no indication of any kind.", says Bones. "...or of fear?", continues Kirk. "They seem completely secure and unafraid.", declares the doctor. "And you insist that their behavior is a sign of traumatic shock?", follows Captain Kirk. "I don't insist, Jim; but I can't dismiss the possibility.", replies McCoy. Kirk just can't believe it. Both their parents are dead, yet the youngsters seem unaffected.

Spock observes, "Humans do have an amazing capacity for believing what they choose, and excluding that which is painful."

Captain Kirk calls out to the children who are still playing near-by, telling them that it's late and time to go up to the ship. The kids protest that they were just beginning to have fun (in the manner of kids everywhere); but Kirk merely shakes his head saying that he's sorry. They will go up with Dr. McCoy.

As McCoy leaves, Kirk joins his first officer. Spock remarks that the attack here was surely have been unprovoked. Jim, surprised, asks, "Attack? Mass-suicide is what it seems to be." "I stand corrected, Captain.", replies Spock. "Induced would be a more precise term. Induced by an outside force."

"An attack by an unknown assailant, on an uninhabited planet.", muses Kirk

[Later] Now on board the Enterprise, we find the kids with Nurse Chapel. Christine is handing out color coded cards which the visitors can use to get their favorite flavor of ice cream from the ship's commissary computer. Meanwhile, Kirk and McCoy are discussing the results of medical tests which Bones has run on the group from the surface. "The tests show no evidence of tensions due to lying -- they behave as if nothing had gone wrong. And they check out sound physically and there is no signs of foreign biochemical substance to account for their present state. I have no answers, Jim."

Kirk insists that there has to be an answer. McCoy tries to get the Captain to wait until the Enterprise gets to a Star Base hospital where the children can be checked out by a specialist in child psycology. But Kirk is having none of this. He declares that they will remain here until an anwser is found. McCoy gives in, but warns Jim that questioning could be harmful to the kids. Kirk answers that it could be worse if he does not -- and for the ship's crew as well.

Entering the recreation room where the youngsters are enjoying the last of their recent ice cream treat, Captain Kirk approaches the group and takes a dish of ice cream with them.

He begins to talk (in a round-about way) of the planet, Triakkis, and their parents. He finds that the kids didn't much care for the planet -- but claim that their parents did --- "Parents like stupid things!", declares one. The discussion turns to the parents caring for them. Kirk reasons that he's sure their parents loved them, that's why they took them [the kids] to Triakkis with them.

The young group is starting to look thoughtful when Tommy chirps up, "Busy, busy, busy ....."; and the others quickly join in. They run from the table and begin playing once again in childish delight. Kirk and Christine look on in wonderment.

As Nurse Chapel leads the group off to their quarters (It's been a long day, the Captain had told them), Kirk pulls Tommy aside. He wants to ask him some questions. Tommy follows Kirk back to the table.

Jim begins to ask him what he saw on the planet surface, to which Tommy just responds that Kirk was there. Asking of Tommy's parents, Kirk wants to know if the lad had seen them today. The youth replies that he had seen them -- they were upset -- they were always upset -- "just like you, Captain Kirk." Tommy's demeanor is somewhat challenging. Jim tries to reason that he's not upset with the kids. He invited them to the Enterprise. Why would he do that if he were upset with them. "You have your reasons.", answers Tommy.

Changing subjects, Kirk asks the boy if he isn't unhappy about leaving Triakkis. "That place? That's for adults.", Tommy sneers.

"Aren't you upset about leaving your parents?", asks Kirk. "My parents?!?", questions Tommy derisively. "They love it down there. Always busy ..... They're happy." Tommy had paused for a moment, but quickly recovered. He asks to leave for his quarters, he's tired he says. As the boy walks away Kirk is lost in thought.

We shift views to the kids quarters. They are in a circle with hands joined in the center, chanting, "Hail, hail, fire and snow. Call the angel, we will go. Far away, for to see. Friendly angel come to me.", as they move in a circle about their clasped hands. The group continues to do this until at last an apparition appears in the room with them -- the 'angel'.

"You have done very well my friends.", the image declares, "You have done what must be done. You have come aboard the Enterprise. Now our destination is a Federation settlement. Captain Kirk will undoubtedly choose a closer station. Do not let that deter you. Marcus XXII has millions of people on it. Nearly a million will join us as our friends. The rest will be our enemies. Together, with our other friends, who will join us, we will defeat our enemies as we defeated them on Triakkis. Million friends on Marcus will make us invincible. No one will tell us where to go, when to sleep, where to eat. The universe will be mine to command, yours to play in. To accomplish this great mission, we must first control the Enterprise. To control the ship, we first must control the crew. You know how to do that. That is your next task. And as you believe, so shall you do .... so shall you do. As you believe, so shall you do .... so shall you do ......" The alien fades from sight as the children have begun to pound their fists on the table.

Now on the bridge of the ship, Kirk has checked with Mr Sulu who confirms that they are maintaining standard planetary orbit. Spock enters the bridge with several computer tapes in hand. The First Officer informs Kirk that he has extracted certain 'non-scientific' hypothesis from the log tapes which the Captain may find of interest. Moving to the computer station he plugs in the first of the tapes. Staurens appears on the screen.

"Log date 5025.3", the tape begins, "Ever since our arrival on Triakkis, I've felt a certain growing feeling of uneasiness. At first I attributed it to the usual case of nerves associated with any new project. However, I found that the rest of my associates were also bothered by these anxieties. The only ones who not affected are the children. Bless them, find the whole thing an exciting adventure. Ah, to be young again."

Spock plugs in the next tape in the series. Staurens appears on the screen again, "5032.4. The feeling of anxiety we've all been experiencing is growing worse." The tapes fades......

Spock takes the tape out and tells Kirk that there is another portion which he believes that the Captain will find particularly interesting. Putting the tape in the slot, "5038.3. Professor Wilkins finished his excavation today. Although whatever civilization that might have been here was destroyed some natural catstrophe, it would appear that one of the race took refuge in the cave; and for our efforts we are becoming only more apprehensive ... as if some unseen force were ......." The screen displays static and fades rapidly out -- just about the time Tommy had entered the bridge and seen what Kirk and Spock were watching. Tommy had begun to pound his fist in the air.

Captain Kirk asks the vulcan what happened. Spock replies, "Unknown." and begins to manipulate dials and knobs on the panel, but to no avail.

Turning, Kirk comes face to face with the youth. Tommy asks the Captain if, when they leave here [Triakkis], he can take the group of children to Marcus XXII. Kirk replies that they will be taking the group to a Federation Star Base. Tommy protests that he has relatives on Marcus XXII. "I'm sorry, Tommy", Kirk answers, "Marcus XXII is not within out patrol area." Kirk calls to Spock and tells him that they will continue in his quarters. Tommy asks if he can remain on the bridge and watch. Kirk agrees to allow him that and leaves with the his first officer.

Walking around the bridge, Tommy moves over to where Sulu is maintaining orbit. Again he does the bit with the fist. Sulu shakes his head, looks down at his panel and adjusts the settings on the navigation board. The Enterprise leaves orbit.

Chekov, sitting next to Sulu apparently sees nothing amiss either. Tommy asks Sulu, "What is that?"

Sulu looking at the main screen smiles and tells the lad that is the planet, Triakkis (which he still 'sees' on the screen). "Will we see that all the time we stay here?", asks Tommy.

"Yes, we will.", says Chekov as if hypnotised. "All the time we're here." (Of course there is nothing on the screen now but stars. Tommy has caused Sulu to set course for Marcus XXII)

Uhura, glancing up from her station, calls out, "Mr Sulu! The screen! We're out of orbit!"

Again, Tommy beats the air with his fist. Uhura sits back and shakes her head. Looking at the screen again, she now also 'sees' the planet. She's confused.

In Engineering, another of the kids is working on Mr Scott's team, blinding them to the fact that they are not where they should be. Scotty enters the section and moves about checking readings. As he stands over one of his men he exclaims, "When did we change course?" The man replies, "We haven't changed course." Scott insists, "What do you mean we haven't changed course. Look at your bridge control monitor." The crewman answers, "We're still in orbit, sir." "Have ya gone completely blind?", demands Scotty -- growing annoyed, "That's not orbiting position."

Scotty reaches over to adjust the controls but the crewman sitting there warns, "Don't .... touch the controls. We must remain in this orbit until the bridge orders a change.", and grabs the Chief Engineers wrist.

The exchange continues until Mr Scott forceably throws the man from his station. Another crewman standing at the reactor panel comes to his fellows aid. Together they subdue Scott and continue with their 'duties'. The child responsible watches from hiding.

In the Captain's quarters Spock, McCoy and Kirk continue to watch the tapes of Staurens. "I'm being influenced to do things which do not make sense.", the image on the screen declares, "I even went so far as to call Star Fleet command to request a space ship to be used as a transport. It was only when I couldn't tell them what I wanted to transport that I began to realize that my mind was being directed. I decided to send a dispatch to Star Fleet -- warning them. God forgive us! Must destroy ourselves! Alien upon us! The enemy from within! The enemy!" .... and the tape ends.

Kirk turns off the viewer as Spock adds, "He never completed the entry, and the dispatch was never sent -- except for scenes of family life; games and picnics with the children -- that is the complete record. Whatever overwhelmed them must have done so with incredible speed, otherwise the professor would have provided details of the experience. He was an excellent scientist and tireless in his pursuit of the truth."

Kirk considers that is what destroyed him.

In agreement Spock says, "Possible, Captain. Evil does seek to maintain power by suppressing the truth." "Or by misleading the innocent.", adds McCoy. (Aha! The plot thickens --- like old gravy! What is considered more innocent than a bunch of children?)

Captain Kirk turns once again to his first officer and asks what do they know of the civilization that had lived here.

The Vulcan relates, that according to legend the planet was the home of a band of marauders who made constant war thoughout the system of Epsilon-Indi. After many centuries the destroyers were themselves destroyed by those they had preyed upon.

"That the end of it?", asks Kirk.

Spock answers, no, similiar to so many legends, this one has a disturbing ending. Supposedly the evil is waiting for a catalyst to come which will once again send it in motion across the expanse of the galaxy. Kirk wants to know if it is possible that the evil has found its catalyst.

"I was speaking of a legend, Captain.", Spock warns.

Jim acknowledges this, but allows that most legends have some basis in fact. He calls for the security detachment to beam up from the planet's surface where they have been since Kirk and his group returned to the ship with the kids. He wants to talk with the members of the detacement and find out whether the 'enemy from within' is still on the planet's surface, or now on the ship with them. (Yes, well we know where the alien is, don't we dear reader? Back in the cave --- NOT!)

We watch now as the Enterprise makes its way through empty space. Captain Kirk has just entered the transporter room where two security men are prepared to beam to the planet's surface. Jim is briefing the two on possible aliens and reporting procedures.

Kirk walks over to the transporter console. The technician stationed there sends the security men on their way. Kirk then tells the transporter operator to beam up the security detacement from Triakkis.

The man tries to do so, but no one materializes in the ship. Spock who has also been standing there, moves to the console. After a quick survey he announces that he is unable to lock onto the proper coordinates of the landing party -- it appears that they are no longer orbiting Triakkis.

Kirk looks up quickly, "That's impossible. If we're not orbiting Triakkis then the men I beamed down -- are dead!" (Oooops!)

Captain Kirk orders the bridge monitor screen activated. Any guesses on what he sees? Yep, just space and stars.

Kirk punches the intercom button and calls for the bridge; telling them that they are not orbiting the planet. Sulu (who still sees the planet on the screen) answers, "With all respects, Captain, you're wrong. I have Triakkis on my screen now."

"You're off course. I'm coming right up.", retorts Kirk and makes for the bridge.

On the bridge all five of the children have now gathered and are once again calling to the 'angel'. Kirk enters at a run and makes for the navigation panel. He pauses though as he hears the children doing their chant and sees the 'angel' appear on the bridge.

The alien speaks to the children as if Kirk and the crew were not even there. "Friends. We have reached a moment of crisis. The enemy have discovered our operation. But they are too late. They no longer control the ship. We do. We shall prevail. They will take us any place we desire. So, back to your stations. Maintain your controls. If resistance mounts, call upon their beast. Their beast will serve us well. The fear in each one of them is the beast which will consume him. Remember how it was on Triakkis? If they resist, so shall it be on the Enterprise. If you need me, call and I will appear. Our new goal is Marcus XXII. It is our new beginning. We must not falter."

The being fades as Kirk and the crew look on. Tommy orders the rest of the children back to their stations as he and Mary remain on the bridge. (Now, isn't that amazing. Kirk just lets them walk off. You might think he would take immediate action then and there! But no, he can't. We're only 27 minutes into a 40 minutes episode, so we can't end it just yet.)

Kirk orders the helmsman [Sulu] to disregard what he sees on the screen and to set a course for Triakkis. Tommy starts with the fist again and Sulu 'sees' an infinate tunnel of swords (pointing inward) appear on the screen in front of him. Moving to communication, Kirk orders Lt Uhura to send a signal to Star Base 4 telling them that they are bringing the children there and that he suspects them of being alien in nature. Uhura turns to send the signal but looking in a mirror on her console (Just like a woman! Never far from a mirror!), sees herself as an ugly old crone (Hey, that looks like my mother-in-law! When did she start acting in the Star Trek series?) and is unable to react.

The Captain seeing that his crew is not reacting, calls for Mr Spock to make the call to Star Fleet. He moves over to Sulu and asks why he hasn't changed course. When the helmsman does not answer (he's seeing those swords and sweating bullets), Kirk moves to make the change. Sulu pushes him back whimpering, "Captain, stay away from the controls. If you touch them, we'll be destroyed!"

From the communications console Spock inquires, "Captain. Why are we bothering Star Fleet?" Yes, they got control of the First Officer too. Kirk makes for Tommy who is standing there grinning. As the boy sees the Captain's intent he makes with his fist again. Now Kirk is affected. Anyone care to guess what he's afraid of?

"I'm losing command. I'm losing my ability to command. I'm losing the Enterprise."

Spock, who appears to have shaken off some of the alien's influence tells Kirk that they must get off of the bridge. Kirk can only wail about losing command. The Vulcan takes him by the arm and leads Kirk into the turbo-lift.

As they travel in the lift, Kirk appears to be getting worse. He grabs at Spock, who then whispers urgently, "JIM!" and we see a turnaround in the Captain. "I've got command." he repeats two or three times. "Correct, Captain.", assures Spock.

Spock and a newly confident Kirk emerge from the lift. Spock wants to know where they should go now.

"Auxillary control, my Vulcan friend.", replies Kirk. "This ship is off-course."

Entering the engineering section, Kirk finds Scotty along with members of his section. The Captain tells Mr Scott that he wants him to override the bridge and set course for Star Base 4. Scotty looks at him at if he just ordered the execution of his own mother.

"I can't do that sir.", he replies. "Why not?!", demands Kirk. "These are very sensitive instruments. I will not have you upset their delicate balance. We would all be lost -- forever lost!" Kirk looks over to one of the children who is making with the fist action. "Go away now. Go away or we'll kill you!"

Captain Kirk tries to reason with the Scotsman, but has no luck. He lunges for the controls, but is just as quickly jumped by Scotty and the others. Spock helps Jim throw off the others and the two of them back out of engineering.

Back in the turbo-lift, Spock tells Captain Kirk, "Captain. So long as the children are present, there is danger. They are the carriers."

"Spock, they're not the alien beings, they're children -- being mislead."

"They are followers. Without followers, evil cannot spread.", Spock answers.

"They're children!"

"Captain, the four hundred and thirty men and women on board the Enterprise and the ship itself are endangered by these -- children."

"They don't understand the evil that they're doing.", comments Kirk.

Spock returns, "Perhaps that is true. But the evil that is within them is spreading fast. And unless we can find a way to remove it...."

"... we'll have to kill them.", finishes the Captain.

Spock and Kirk exit the lift but are greeted by Chekov and two security men who declare that under order of Star Fleet, both Captain Kirk and Mr Spock are to be taken to the detention section of the ship and held. Kirk tries to reason with Chekov -- telling him that the order is false. But guess who's there. Tommy. Chekov draws his phaser and pleads with the Captain not to make him kill them -- he will if he has to.

Kirk argues more and more with his junior officer; causing him to become more confused by the moment. When the time is right Kirk and Spock strike. Tommy continues to try and maintain control, but in the end Spock and Kirk are victorious and the boy runs off. Captain Kirk tells Spock to take the three men to the brig and then join him on the bridge.

Captain Kirk returns to the bridge where all is peaceful -- except that Tommy is sitting in his chair and Mary is standing watch between the navigator and helmsman.

Kirk makes his way to his chair and tells Tommy that he will never make it to Marcus XXII. Kirk understands, and he will soon make the crew understand. Tommy and Mary object -- strenuously, but Jim pulls the boy out of his seat and lifts the girl, kicking, to the deck away from the helm. The kids tell Kirk that they are not afraid of him --- to which the older man answers, "Good. I'm glad you're not afraid of me. But your leader is afraid. What's he afraid of?"

"He's not afraid of anybody.", challenges Mary. Tommy adds, "He's not afraid of anything."

"Then let him show himself.", demands Kirk, "Bring him out. Let him prove to me that he's my friend and I'll -- I'll follow him to Marcus XXII and the ends of the universe."

"NO!", cries Tommy

Turning to Spock, who has just entered the bridge, Kirk orders the vulcan to play back the chant that the children used to call out the alien. The children's voices fill the bridge and soon the apparition appears -- about the same time the other three kids walk onto the bridge.

"The time has come to see the world as it is.", proclaims Kirk facing the alien.

"Who has summoned me?", the ghostly image asks. "I did, Cogan.", declares Kirk. "My beast is gone. It lost it's power in the light of reality. I command again and I ordered you here."

"No Captain. I command here. My followers are strong and faithful and obediant. That's why we take what is ours where ever we go."

"You take from those who do not know you.", observes Spock. Kirk adds, "And we know you."

"Then you know I must win, Captain."

"Not if we join together to fight you.", proclaims Kirk.

"Foolish! You will be destroyed. I would ask you to join me but you are gentle and that is a great weakness."

Kirk claims, "We are also very strong."

"Ah, but your strength is cancelled by your gentleness. You are full of goodness. Such as you cannot be changed. You are like the parents. You must be eliminated."

Moving over to the children, Kirk tells them that he has some pictures -- would they like to see them? The Captain tells Spock to play the tapes --- tapes that show the kids with their parents at a picnic -- all having a great time.

"I forbid it!", annouces the alien. "Why should you fear it?", asks Spock. "I fear nothing.", claims the alien.

The tape rolls and the kids begin to smile as they remember the good times they had with their families. The the tape changes; it shows all of the adults dead and the graves. Smiles fade and all eyes turn to the alien.

"They would not help transport us.", argues the 'angel' quickly, "They were against us. They have to be eliminated."

The younsters are now experiencing the grief of loss and beginning to weep. "You are my future generals. Together we can raise armies of followers. Go to your posts! The first great victories are upon us. You will see. We have millions of friends on Marcus XXII. We shall exterminate all who oppose us. Our purity of purpose cannot be contaminated by those who disagree; who will not cooperate, who do not understand. They must be anihilated."

Captain Kirk, now amongst the children tell them not to be afraid -- to look upon the 'angel' -- see him as he really is.

And of course the apparition has become ugly and disfigured, but is now powerless.

"I command you! I command you! To your posts. Carry out your duties or I will destroy you. You will be swept aside to make way for the strong."

Kirk looks to the kids and remarks, "How ugly he really is; Look at him!." (and he is ugly. His face kinda looks like the north end of a south-bound mule.)

"Death! Death to you all! Death to you all! Death .. to .. you .. all!", as the alien fades away.

Epilog: McCoy enters the bridge and sees the group of bawling kids with the Captain in the center, "They're crying, Jim.", McCoy observes (Sharp as a tack -- we can't fool the doctor, eh?)

"I don't know how it happened but it's good to see ..... we can help them now.", smiles Bones.

The fog has also lifted off of the crew -- their fears gone. Kirk has Sulu reverse course and head for Star Base 4. (Gentle but bright music is now in order as the credits roll.)