here?
Rest.
We will talk.
You're very kind.
You are free to go about
and meet our people.
Thank you.
And thank you
for taking care of Dr. McCoy.
Not at all.
We shall make him well.
Mr. Spock.
No, thank you.
Leave us.
I'm curious.
How did the oracle
punish the old man?
I...
cannot tell you now.
There is some way the oracle
knows what you say,
isn't there?
What we say.
What we think.
The oracle knows
the minds and the hearts
of all the people.
I did not know
you would be hurt so badly.
It's all right.
I suppose we had to learn
the power of the oracle.
McCoy, there is something
I must say.
Since the moment l...
It is not in the manner
of the people
to hide their feelings.
No. Honesty is...
usually wise.
Is there a woman
for you?
No, there isn't.
Does McCoy
find me attractive?
Oh, yes.
Yes, I do.
I hope you men of space,
of other worlds,
hold truth
as dear as we do.
We do.
I wish you to stay here...
on Yonada...
as my mate.
But we're strangers
to each other.
But is not that the nature
of men and women...
that the pleasure is in
the learning of each other?
Yes.
Let the thought rest
in your heart, McCoy.
Incredible
as it may seem,
these people have no idea
they're living on a spaceship.
I wonder
how many generations
have lived out their lives
and been buried here
without ever knowing
that their world is hollow.
The people
in the fullness of time
will reach a new world--
Rich, green,
lovely to the eyes,
and of a goodness
that will fill the hearts
of the people
with tears of joy.
You can share
that world with me,
rule it by my side.
How long will it take you
to reach this new world?
Soon.
The oracle
will only say soon.
If you only knew
how I needed some kind
of future, Natira.
You have lived
a lonely life?
Yes.
Very lonely.
No more, McCoy.
There will be no more
loneliness for you.
There's something
I need to tell you.
There is nothing
you need to say.
But there is.
Then tell me
if the telling
is such a need.
I have an illness
for which there is
no cure.
I have one year to live.
Until I saw you, there was
nothing in my heart.
It sustained my life,
but nothing more.
Now it sings.
I could be happy
to have that feeling for a day...
a week, a month...
a year...
whatever the creators
hold in store for us.
Captain,
the oracle room.
The problem--
to get in.
I believe that I can...
The writing is definitely
Fabrini, Captain.
I recognize it.
Didn't the Fabrini sun
go nova and destroy its planets?
Yes. Towards the end,
the Fabrini people lived
underground, as these people do,
to protect themselves.
Some of them must have
been put aboard this ship
and sent
to another planet,
and these are
their descendants.
Now.
The oracle doesn't seem
to know we're here.
I wonder what alerted it
the first time.
Captain.
If I remember correctly,
the oracle's
reprehensible conduct
was initiated when Natira
knelt on that platform.
I think you're right.
Continue investigating.
The clue to the location
of the control room
must be around here
somewhere.
Nothing here
which would indicate
this is anything
but a planet.
There's no question
but that the creators
were to be considered gods.
This plaque
is a representation
of a star
and its solar system.
Eight planets, Captain.
That is the number
in the Fabrina solar system.
Then these people are
the descendants of the Fabrini.
No doubt they've been
on this asteroid ship
for 10,000 years.
[Door Opens]
Speak.
It is l-- Natira.
Yes, Natira.
It is written
only the high priestess
of the people
may select her mate.
It is so written.
The strangers among us--
the three visitors--
There is one called McCoy.
I wish him to remain here...
as my mate.
Does he
agree to this?
I have asked him.
He has not yet
given me his answer.
He must become
one of the people,
worship
the creators,
and agree
to the insertion
of the instrument
of