and 40 minutes
to deliver that consignment to Merak ll.
Beam me down to Vanna's
confinement quarters.
You're going back to Stratos
against government orders?
If Vanna doesn't have something
definite to gain for her people,
she'll die rather than turn over
that zenite consignment.
This is the only thing
that might convince her.
If you are apprehended deliberately
violating the high advisor's orders,
he will be within his rights
to have you executed, if he chooses.
If you’re suggesting that you contact
Vanna, the answer is negative, Spock.
- That goes for you too, Bones.
- I'll point out that a first officer...
is more expendable
than either a doctor or a captain.
Officially, yes. But this mission
is strictly unofficial.
Nobody's to have any part in it,
any responsibility for it, but myself.
That's an order, Spock.
You have the con.
Stand by till I contact you.
[Machine Beeps, Beaming]
Vanna,
I've brought you a gift.
There's a dangerous gas
in the mines...
that affects the development
of the Troglytes exposed to it...
for a period of time.
This mask will prevent
any further damage.
- Gas from zenite?
- Yes.
It's hard to believe something neither
seen nor felt can do so much harm.
That's true. But an idea
can't be seen or felt.
That's what's kept the Troglytes
in the mines all these centuries:
a mistaken idea.
Would all the Troglytes
wear these masks?
Yes. I'll see to it that the
Federation engineers construct them.
- Suppose Plasus does not agree?
- Plasus is not the whole government.
That is true.
But the city council
will not listen to Troglytes.
As soon as the zenite is delivered
to Merak II, I'll come back.
I'll request permission
to mediate for the Troglytes.
Vanna,
you must trust me.
I give you my word.
Centuries ago,
Stratos was built by leaders...
that gave their word that
all inhabitants would live there.
The Troglytes are still waiting.
zenite can be delivered in a few hours.
You won't have long to wait now.
Hours can be centuries,
Just as words can be lies.
Vanna...
you must trust me.
If you don't, millions of people
will die. A whole planet!
This zenite
is all that can save them.
This filter mask is all
that can save the Troglytes.
Trust me, please!
Very well, Captain.
I will trust you.
The consignment lies deep
in the mines...
in a place known
only to Troglytes.
I cannot direct you.
I must take you there.
You asked for my trust, Captain.
Are you unwilling to give yours?
[Footsteps Approaching]
It's the sentinel
with my refreshment.
[Footsteps Continue]
Wait! We'll need a transport pass
to leave the city.
[ Presses Button ]
- Midro.
- Vanna.
- Anka.
- You have returned.
And I've brought with me
a hostage. Seize him!
-We had a bargain. Why did you break it?
-Did you really think...
I would trust you, Captain?
- I'm not such a fool.
- I trusted you.
You thought you would trick me with your
talk of your filter and your unseen gas.
I don't believe you
any more than Plasus does.
Then you are a fool. These masks
will free you, just as I said.
Our weapons are our freedom.
And you’ve just furnished me
with two very valuable ones:
yourself and this.
Holding me won't help you. My men will
still come for that zenite consignment.
Without your communicator,
you will be hard to locate.
- They'll still come.
- Perhaps.
In the meantime,
taste of our existence, Captain.
Dig as the Troglytes do.
- As the Troglytes do.
- Without that mask, I haven't--
[ Grunts ]
With your bare hands, Captain.
[Spock] Captain's Log supplemental :
Star date 5819.3.
First Officer Spock reporting.
Captain Kirk beamed down
to Stratos to attempt...
to win the confidence
of the rebel Troglytes.
Unless he has made his escape
from Stratos to the mines,
his life is in danger
from the high advisor.
The captain has not
informed us of his progress.
For our part,
we must maintain silence.
We can be of no help to him