and combat capabilities
are being tested
by an alien with designs
on both powers.
Gentlemen,
if we are pawns,
you're looking at one
who is extremely sorry.
I understand, Doctor.
I, too, felt a brief surge
of racial bigotry.
Most distasteful.
Let's find the alien.
You come with us.
Maybe we can prove to you
that it exists.
What is it?
Totally unfamiliar.
What do you want?
What are you doing here?
Reporting for duty, sir.
Duty? Did McCoy release
you from sick bay?
I released myself.
Then get back
to sick bay!
I'm fit and ready
for action.
Klingons almost
did me in.
I'm out to even the score.
I order you--
I'm obeying orders!
Kill the Klingons!
It's them or us.
Johnson!
Uh!
Fascinating.
During
Lieutenant Johnson's
emotional outburst,
his expression of hatred
and lust for vengeance,
the alien's life energy level
increased.
When the lieutenant
became unconscious,
the alien
lost energy.
It subsists
on the emotions of others.
This one appears
to be strengthened
by mental irradiations
of hostility,
violent intentions.
It exists on the hate
of others.
To put it simply.
And it has acted
as a catalyst,
creating
this situation
in order to satisfy
that need.
It has brought together
opposing forces,
provided
crude instruments
in an effort
to promote
the most violent
mode of conflict.
And kept numbers
and resources balanced
so that it can maintain
a constant state
of violence.
It's got to have
a vulnerable area.
We've got to get rid of it.
Then all hostile
attitudes on board
must be eliminated.
The fighting
must end and soon.
Or we're a doomed ship,
travelling forever
between galaxies,
filled with eternal
bloodlust,
eternal warfare.
Kang has got to listen.
We've got to pool
our knowledge
and get rid of this thing.
Kang.
Kang, this is
Captain Kirk.
Kang, do you read me?
Commander,
it's a trick!
Kang.
He won't answer.
The alien is affecting
his mind, Captain.
Soon it will become
so powerful,
none of us will be
able to resist it.
[Intercom Signal]
Scotty, sir.
The ship's dilithium crystals
are deteriorating.
We can't stop the process.
Time factor?
In 12 minutes,
we'll be totally
without engine power.
Well...
do whatever you can.
Kirk out.
And so we drift
in space
with only hatred
and bloodshed
aboard.
Now do you
believe?
Captain's Log : Star date ...
Armageddon.
We must find a way
to defeat
the alien force of hate
that has taken over
the Enterprise.
Stop the war now,
or spend eternity
in futile bloody violence.
There's no change,
Captain.
The dilithium crystals
are discharging.
There's nothing
we can do.
If I could talk to Kang,
somehow cut through
the Klingon lines,
make peace before
it's too late.
We have 9 minutes,
53 seconds to power zero.
There is, of course,
a logical alternative.
Kang's wife is,
after all, our prisoner.
Perhaps a threat.
Aye.
Now that's something
the Klingons would understand.
[Clicks On Intercom]
Kang.
Kang, this is
Captain Kirk.
I know you can hear me,
so don't cut me off.
We have Mara, your wife.
We talk truce now,
or she dies. Reply.
She has five seconds
to live.
Reply.
She is a victim
of war, Captain.
She understands.
He called my bluff.
You're not going--
The Federation doesn't kill
or mistreat its prisoners.
You've been listening to
propaganda fables. How much time?
8 minutes, 42 seconds.
So this was no trick?
It's the alien
that's done this.
We're
in its power,
our people
and yours.
We only wanted to stop
the fighting to save us all.
We have always
fought.
We must.
We are hunters,
Captain,
tracking and taking
what we need.
There are poor planets
in the Klingon systems.
We must push outward
if we are to survive.
There's another way
to survive--
mutual trust and help.
I will help you now.
How?
I will take you to Kang.
I will add my voice
to yours.
I wouldn't trust her,
Captain.
We can't get through
the