Stardate 5501.2: The Enterprise investigates the disappearance of the science vessel Ariel, last reported investigating the planet Lactra VII. After Kirk’s boarding party finds the Ariel intact but abandoned, the Captain, Spock and Dr. McCoy beam down to the planet, where they are immediately detained by the native Lactrans. The Enterprise officers are held captive along with the only three surviving members of the Ariel’s crew, and though Spock discovers that the Lactrans are telepathic, they rebuff his apparently primitive attempts to communicate with them. Spock eventually manages to establish a more productive mental link with a very young Lactran, hoping to get it to bring the crew’s gear back. But when the escape attempt goes wrong, the Enterprise crew discovers that even a single Lactran can assume control of the ship.
written by David P. Harmon
directed by Hal Sutherland
music by Yvette Blais & Jeff MichaelCast: William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock), DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy), James Doohan (Mr. Scott / Lt. Arrex / Lt. Commander Markel / Lactran), George Takei (Lt. Sulu), Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura), Majel Barrett (Nurse Chapel / Lt. M’ress / Randi Bryce
LogBook entry by Earl Green