is encased
in a living mass...
who can find
no rest, no peace, no joy.
Then why haven't you introduced...
any of the new techniques
to sterilize men and women ?
Every organ renews itself.
It would be impossible.
Then let your people learn about
the devices to prevent conception.
The Federation will
provide anything you need.
But you see, the people of Gideon
have always believed...
that life is sacred,
that the love of life...
is the greatest gift.
That is the one
unshakable truth of Gideon.
And this overwhelming
love of life...
has developed our
regenerative capacity...
and our great longevity.
And the great misery
which you now face.
That is bitterly true, Captain.
Nevertheless, we cannot deny the
truth which shaped our evolution.
We are incapable of destroying
or interfering with...
the creation of that which
we love so deeply-- life...
in every form,
from fetus to developed being.
It is against our tradition,
against our very nature.
We simply could not do it.
Yet you can kill a young girl !
We're trying to readjust the life
cycle of an entire civilization.
You're killing your own daughter !
My daughter hoped to make you
feel the agony of Gideon.
But it was impossible.
No stranger could realize...
the horror that life can be here.
I will not beg for your
understanding of my personal grief,
nor will I parade it for you
to gain your cooperation.
My love for my daughter...
is too deep for display.
My pride in her runs even deeper.
My daughter freely chose
to do what she is doing,
as the people of Gideon
are free to choose.
The virus you need is very rare.
Who will provide it ?
You will stay.
Your blood will provide it.
Oh, no, sir, not me.
You have many methods available.
I've mentioned only a few.
I do not offer my life for
this purpose. I have many plans.
And I have hopes other
than death for Odona.
My daughter pleaded
with you to stay.
What was said...
and what happened between us
was for us alone.
She hoped you would love her
and wish to stay.
So that was your plan--
that I would fall
so under her spell...
that I would give up
my freedom...
and become a willing sacrifice.
Stay with us.
We're desperate.
[Communicator Beeps]
Odona's fever is rising.
She's calling the name
of James Kirk.
You see, you cannot
leave us now.
Go to her.
Exact duplicate...
of the Enterprise.
But completely inoperative.
Spock to Enterprise.
Spock to Enterprise.
Scott here, Mr. Spock.
I am speaking to you from
the bridge of the Enterprise.
You're where ?
On the bridge
of the Enterprise, Mr. Scott.
Those were the coordinates
you insisted on.
And they were correct.
I am on board an exact
duplicate of the Enterprise.
An exact duplicate
of the Enterprise ?
Is it in orbit, Mr. Spock ?
In orbit, Doctor ?
In a manner of speaking.
Gideon is in orbit,
and the ship is on Gideon.
Well, that's a beginning,
but what about the captain ?
I'm sure he's on board somewhere.
I'm picking up life readings.
Spock out.
[ Spock's Voice ]
Ship's Log: Star date 5423.8.
First Officer Spock reporting.
Obviously the Gideon's have
transported Captain Kirk...
onto this replica of the Enterprise
to so confuse his mind...
as to make him susceptible to
some extraordinary experiment.
It is my intention to locate
the captain and warn him...
before the experiment reaches its
conclusion, which logic indicates...
means the end of the captain's life
as he knows it.
[ Moaning ]
If you don't allow me
to bring Dr. McCoy down here,
it'll soon be too late
to do anything for her.
We have told you,
it is her wish and mine...
that there be no interference with
the natural progress of the virus.
Her death is unnecessary.
Even if she lives,
her blood will provide...
the same serum you need
as mine would.
No. Her death
at so young an age...
will let the people know for certain
that our life cycle can be changed.
It's the symbol that'll bring forth