accomplishing delivery will not succeed.
If the zenite is not delivered shortly,
I shall have to violate...
Plasus' order of noninterference and win
the confidence of the Troglyte leader...
- with the use of reason.
- That may not be easy, Jim.
Medical analysis indicates
the Troglytes are mentally inferior.
That's impossible. Troglytes accept
personal sacrifice, a common cause.
Mentally inferior beings
aren't capable of that.
Look, I've checked
my findings thoroughly.
Their intellect ratings
are almost 20% below average.
But they're all the same species.
Those who live on Stratos and those who
live below all originated on the planet.
Their physical and mental
evolution must be similar.
That is basic biological law.
That's true, but obviously the ancestors
of those who live on Stratos...
removed themselves from
the environment of the mines.
Therefore they avoided the effects
of certain natural growths.
Natural growths? What kind?
I had this zenite sample
sent up from the surface.
Now, unsealed, it would have had
detrimental effects on everybody here.
Incredible! zenite is shipped
all over the galaxy...
wherever there's danger
of plant bacteria.
No side effects
have ever been reported.
There are none after it’s refined.
But in its raw state, it emits
a odorless, invisible gas...
that retards the intellectual
functioning of the mind...
and heightens the emotional.
Therefore, it releases
a violent reaction.
And the mines
are full of that gas.
That's right. And the Troglytes
are constantly exposed to it.
Bones, the Disrupters,
Vanna, it seems impossible.
They've outwitted a highly organized,
scientific culture for months.
As part of the staff of Stratos,
Vanna was removed from exposure
for a long period.
It is likely that without such exposure,
the effect slowly wears off.
That's right. The other Disrupters
were probably removed from exposure too.
- Does the brain return to normal?
- According to findings, it should.
Can you neutralize the gas?
No, but a filter mask
should remove the exposure.
Find one. Meet us
in the transporter room.
This mask...
automatically eliminates all substance
injurious to humanoid life,
chemical as well as bacterial.
We have used these filter masks
frequently on--
And do you really expect me
to believe that that mask...
can achieve intellectual
equality for the Troglytes?
There's every indication that
the effect of the gas is temporary,
even after repeated exposure.
How can a mere filter accomplish...
what centuries of evolution
have failed to do?
Dr. McCoy has analyzed
the zenite thoroughly.
We've checked his findings through
the computer. They're absolutely valid.
And do your computers explain how
my ancestors, who also dwelt in caverns,
evolved sufficiently to erect Stratos
while the Troglytes did not?
Unequal evolution did not begin...
until after your ancestors
removed themselves...
from constant exposure
to the gas, Mr. Advisor.
Ah, preposterous!
There's no time to argue.
I propose to tell Vanna all about them.
I doubt whether even Vanna
will believe such nonsense!
This nonsense might mean
a great deal to the Troglytes.
I would like to offer them
a supply of these filter masks...
in exchange for
the zenite consignment.
I'm sorry, Captain.
Such an offer could only cause
more unrest among them.
I cannot allow it until our scientists
have checked the findings.
- That could take days.
- Are you afraid the masks will work?
Is that why you don't want
the Troglytes to try them?
You are here to complete an emergency
mission, not conduct tests, Captain.
I am here to get that zenite! If these
will help me get them, I'll use them.
And I forbid it!
Your Federation orders do not
entitle you to defy local governments.
This communication has ended.
My diplomacy
is somewhat inadequate.
It's pretty hard
to overcome prejudice.
- Doesn't give us much choice.
- Nor much time.
We have 1 0 hours