A Private Little War

The U.S.S. Enterprise is sent to the planet Neural to gather vegetation samples, were years ago, Kirk had headed a planetary survey and became friends with one of the planet's leader, Tyree. Looking forward to renewing that acquaintance, Kirk is shocked when Spock is shot by natives using flintlock rifles -- a technology they should not have possessed for many more years.

Kirk manages to get Spock back on board the U.S.S. Enterprise, then seeks out Tyree on the surface. During his search, Kirk is attacked by a mugatu, a dangerous indigenous animal. Kirk is taken into Tyree's care and cured of his wounds by Tyree's, Kanutu witch doctor wife, Nona.

Kirk learns from Tyree that the villagers have been supplied with the flintlocks by the Klingons. Nona schemes to make her husband a great leader and to force him to fight back against the villagers -- something Tyree has refused to do. Kirk won't launch an offensive for the hill people, but offers to equal the odds and offers Tyree his own flintlocks. Tyree refuses. Nona plays on the bond she created with Kirk during his healing and steals his phaser. Wishing to demonstrate the superior power of this new weapon, Nona appears before the villagers. However, before she can use the phaser, the villagers kill her.

Deep in grief, Tyree finally finds, vengeance, reason enough to fight back and accepts Kirk's offer of the flintlocks. Knowing the Federation will have to match the Klingons offer for offer to keep the balance of power, Kirk and McCoy leave the planet to its unhappy fate.

Cast:

William Shatner as James Tiberius Kirk™

Leonard Nimoy as Spock™

DeForest Kelley as Leonard H. McCoy™

James Doohan as Montgomery Scott™

Nichelle Nichols as Uhura™

Walter Koenig as Pavel Andreievich Chekov™

Guest Cast:

Michael Whitney as Tyree

Nancy Kovak as Nona

Booker Marshall as Dr. M'Benga

Janos Prohaska as Mugatu

Majel Barrett as Christine Chapel™