it hurt much?
You won't even know
it happened.
You still have a reading
of Parmen's blood, don't you?
Of course.
Parmen possesses
the highest order
of psychokinetic ability,
and Alexander the lowest
in the same
environmental conditions.
The probabilities
are that Alexander
was born with some
biochemical deficiency
relative to Platonius.
I'll run both
their samples
for a full comparative
tricorder test.
And if our theory
works out,
we've got a weapon.
One significant difference between
Parmen's blood and Alexander's
is a concentration
of kironide
broken down
by a pituitary hormone.
Kironide.
A high-energy source.
That could be it.
The pituitary hormones
confirm the hypothesis.
They also regulate
body growth.
Oh. You mean,
the same thing
that kept me
from having the power
made me a dwarf?
Yes.
It's also obvious
why Parmen
kept this little
utopia secret.
Anyone coming here
and remaining long enough
would acquire the power.
Exactly.
McCoy...
there must be a quick way
of building up a concentration
of kironide in our blood.
It'll take some doing.
What are we waiting for?
What is it, Bones?
Even if the kironide
reaches the desired effect,
it may not help us escape.
Yes. There are 38 of them.
That's true,
however the psychokinetic
power is not additive.
If it were, considering the
Platonians' hostile propensities
two or three of them
would have combined forces
centuries ago
and deposed Parmen.
He's right.
You know, Parmen says
each has his own
power frequency.
When they've tried
to combine their powers,
it never worked.
I'm ready.
Let's not waste time.
Give us double the concentration
in Parmen's blood.
The time factor concerns me.
It may take days
or even weeks
before there's enough build up
to be of any benefit to us.
Yes.
What about Alexander?
Since the kironide's injected
directly into his bloodstream,
it should work
on him as well as us--
even better because
he's acclimated.
Oh, no.
Not after what
they've done to me.
Why not?
You might take
Parmen's place
and run
the whole planet.
You think that's
what I want?
Become one of them,
become my own enemy?
Just lie around
and have things done for me?
I'll move around for myself.
If I'm going to laugh or cry,
I'll do it!
You can keep
your precious power.
All I ask is one thing.
If you do escape,
take me with you.
Drop me anyplace they never
heard of kironide or Platonius.
Alexander--
[Kirk]
Nurse. Lieutenant Uhura.
I guess we weren't
sufficiently entertaining.
Are we glad to see you.
We were forced in the transporter
and beamed down.
It was like becoming
someone's puppet.
I thought
I was sleepwalking.
I couldn't stop myself.
[Laughter]
Captain, what is it?
What's going on?
[Laughter]
Spock, do you feel
any effect
of the kironide shot?
I did experience
a slight flush, Captain.
So did l.
Let's try a simple test.
Concentrate on raising
this plate of fruit.
Nothing.
[Laughter And Applause]
Fellow academicians,
2,500 years ago,
a band of hearty vagabonds
arrived on this barren,
rough-hewn planet.
There was
a desperate hardship
of backbreaking toil.
And then
a divine providence
graced our genius
and our dedication
with the power of powers.
And through it, our every
need instantly materialized.
We thereupon determined
to form
a utopian brotherhood.
This night is indeed
a festive occasion,
for tonight, we welcome
into that brotherhood
its first new member.
Not yet, Parmen.
You have to convince
the doctor first.
They'll never do it, Jim.
Doctor, please.
You have destroyed
the festive mood of the ladies.
We must recapture it at once.
I know.
What would be better
than a serenade from
the laughing spaceman?
[Laughing]
"
" Take your young ladies
and value your wine "
" Be watchful of young men
in their velvet prime "
" Deeply they'll swallow
from your finest kegs "
" Then swiftly be gone "
" Leaving bitter dregs