KIRK [RECORDING]: Captain's log, stardate 5928.5.
We've received a distress call from scientists on Camus II
who are exploring the ruins of a dead civilization.
Their situation is desperate.
Two of the survivors are surgeon Dr. Coleman
and the leader of the expedition, Dr. Janice Lester.
-What's wrong? -Exposure to radiation.
What form of radiation?
Nothing I've ever encountered.
Janice… you must remain absolutely quiet.
Those are doctor's orders, not mine.
Tricorder picking up faint life readings approximately 700 meters from here.
Help will have to be immediate.
[GROANS]
Perhaps your presence will quiet her.
-I hoped I wouldn't see you again. -I don't blame you.
The year we were together at Starfleet is the only time in my life I was alive.
I never kept you from your space work.
Your world of starship captains doesn't admit women.
-It isn't fair. -No, it isn't.
And you punished and tortured me because of it.
I loved you.
We could have roamed among the stars.
We'd have killed each other.
It might have been better.
KIRK [NARRATING]: Space: the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission, to explore strange new worlds,
to seek out new life and new civilizations,
to boldly go where no man has gone before.
You had your chance. You should have smothered the life in me.
They would have said, "Dr. Lester
died of radiation poisoning in the line of duty."
Why didn't you do it? You always wanted to, didn't you?
You had the strength to do it.
But you were afraid. You were always afraid.
Now Janice Lester takes the place of Captain Kirk.
I already possess your physical strength.
Only this Captain Kirk is not afraid to kill.
[MOANS]
Now you know the indignity of being a woman.
For you this agony will soon pass, as it has for me.
Quiet! Quiet!
Believe me, it is better to be dead than to live alone in the body of a woman.
It's better to be dead.
[FOOTSTEPS]
Dr. McCoy. Your report.
Nothing could be done.
Was it radiation as suggested?
No, I believe it was celebium. Dr. Coleman disagrees.
To be specific is essential, because the treatment of celebium…
Did you notice any unusual symptoms?
Nothing at all. She was unconscious.
Dr. Lester is near death.
Perhaps the shock of knowing what happened to her staff is the problem.
I'm sure it is.
Beaming her up to the Enterprise will be less harmful.
I don't know. I'm not sure.
Captain Kirk to the Enterprise. Kirk to the Enterprise.
Mr. Scott, sir.
Prepare to beam the landing party aboard plus two others.
Have a medical team standing by to receive the patient. Captain Kirk out.
Prepare to beam aboard.
Dr. Coleman, accompany the patient to the sickbay.
Mr. Spock, take the ship out of orbit.
Resume designated course.
Dr. McCoy, you and Dr. Coleman seem to disagree on diagnosis.
Not entirely. We both agree it's radiation.
Dr. Coleman isn't prepared to say what form.
Will it affect your arriving at a correct treatment?
It's crucial.
Well, this is especially disturbing to me for… personal reasons.
-I didn't know you knew her that well. -It's been a long time since I saw her.
I walked out on her when it became serious.
You must have been very young at the time.
Youth doesn't excuse everything.
-It's a very unhappy memory for me. -I didn't realize that.
-I shall do everything in my power. -Thank you very much.
Dr. Lester… is a very lucky young person to have escaped.
Yes, very lucky. Very lucky.
[GROANS]
-Just began. -You'd better put a stop to it.
If you allow her to become conscious, she'll know what happened.
-Probably no one will believe it. -Probably?
That's all we can ask for.
How can death be explained now?
-I tell you it can't continue. -You killed every one of the staff.
You sent them where the celebium shielding was weak.
Why didn't you kill him? You had the perfect opportunity.
There wasn't enough time.
I gave you every minute you asked for.
He hung onto life too hard. I couldn't…
You couldn't because you love him. You want me to be his murderer.
Love… him? I love the life he led.
The power of a starship commander.
-It's my life now. -I won't become a murderer.
You are a murderer!
You knew it was celebium and could have treated them.
You're a murderer many times over.
Jim, what are you doing here?
I thought my presence might quiet her. It's the opposite.
It's nothing to do with you. It's a symptom of radiation illness.
Tests show there's no signs of internal radiation damage.
Didn't Dr. Lester's staff become delirious before they died?
Yes, Captain.
Dr. Lester could be suffering from a phaser stun as far as I can detect.
Dr. Coleman, Dr. McCoy's had a great deal of experience
with radiation exposure on board the Enterprise.
I am guided by his opinion.
Dr. Lester and her staff have been under my supervision for two years.
If you don't follow my recommendations,
responsibility for her health or her death will be yours.
Dr. McCoy, I have to take you off the case and turn it over to Dr. Coleman.
You can't do this. On this ship, my medical authority is final.
Dr. Coleman wants to assume responsibility.
-I won't allow it. -It's done.
Dr. Coleman, your patient.
-Didn't you suggest sedation? -Yes, Captain.
It's not necessary. Can't you see she's coming around?
-Dr. Coleman. -Nurse, administer the sedative.
A sedative is not wise at this time.
Nurse Chapel, you have your orders.
Nurse Chapel, follow your instructions.
I'm… relinquishing command of the Enterprise.
Oh, no, bad dream. Bad dream.
Kirk is returning to consciousness in the body of Janice Lester.
The Enterprise is proceeding to its next mission on the course set for it.
The years I spent studying every detail of the ship's operation will be tested.
With a little experience, I will be invulnerable to suspicion.
At last I attained what is my just due: command of a starship.
All the months of preparation now come to fruition.
-Course, Mr. Chekov. -127, mark 8.
Mr. Sulu, set speed at warp factor 2.
Warp factor 2, sir.
Mr. Chekov, plot a course for the Benecia Colony.
Course to Benecia 373, mark 8.
How long to the colony at our present speed?
-48 hours, sir. -Mr. Sulu, set course for the colony.
-373, mark 8. -Aye, sir. 373 mark 8.
That will delay our work at Beta Aurigae. It means reversing course.
We must take Dr. Lester to where she can be treated.
May I point out that Starbase 2 is on the direct route to our destination?
-How long to Starbase 2? -72 hours, Captain.
24 hours too long. Dr. Lester's condition is increasingly serious.
-Continue present course. -Aye, sir.
If the diagnosis of Dr. Lester's illness is the critical problem,
then the Benecia Colony is not the place for her.
Their medical facilities are primitive.
-They will have to serve. -Starbase 2 is equipped.
And staffed with specialists
to determine exactly what is wrong with the doctor.
-Is that not crucial to your decision? -Thank you, Mr. Spock.
The facilities will be of little use if she's dead.
Time is of the essence. Continue present course.
At maximum speed, Starbase 2 would still meet the emergency.
Captain, shall I advise Starfleet Command of the change of plan?
No change of plan has been ordered. Arrival at Beta Aurigae will be delayed.
Our gravitational studies will not suffer and a life may be saved.
That is not unusual procedure for the Enterprise.
Starfleet will have to be notified
that our rendezvous with the Potemkin will not take place as scheduled.
If you'd concentrate on areas for which you are responsible,
Starfleet Command would have been informed already.
Since the captain usually deals directly with Starfleet in these matters,
I assumed that my suggestions might be deemed interference.
Inform Starfleet of the delay, Lieutenant. Continue present course.
Increase speed to warp factor 6.
I'll let my record speak for me.
Why are you being so defensive? There's no implied criticism of you.
That is not why I'm here. Dr. Coleman's record states that he's incompetent.
That's the opinion of an individual.
That is the opinion of Starfleet. I checked.
Dr. Coleman was removed from his post for administrative incompetence.
He has no administrative duties.
As well as flagrant medical blunders.
Promotions and demotions can be politically maneuvered.
Not in Starfleet Headquarters, Captain!
And certainly not in the surgeon general's office.
I'm afraid the order will have to stand.
Dr. Coleman's experience with what happened on the planet
had to be the deciding factor here.
I'm sure you can appreciate that.
I appreciate that you had a decision to make.
I also find myself in that position now, Jim.
I'm asking you to report for an examination.
Why? What do you base that on?
Development of emotional instability and erratic mental attitudes
since returning from that planet.
You'll never make that charge stick. Any fool can see why you're doing this.
I'll let Starfleet Command be the judge of my motives.
I won't submit to this petty search for revenge.
But you will submit to Starfleet regulations,
and they state that the ship's surgeon will require examination
of any crew member that he has doubts about, including the captain.
[COMMUNICATOR BLEEPS]
-Captain Kirk here. -Sulu here, Captain.
Starfleet is requesting additional details on the delay.
I'll be right there.
Pulse pressure
blood count, all body functions normal, then why am I here?
Dr. McCoy?
Dr. McCoy…
-Quiet would be best for you. -Where's Dr. McCoy?
-I'm in charge now. -Bring Dr. McCoy at once.
He is in command of medicine here.
He was taken off your case by Captain Kirk.
By Captain Kirk?
It was done for your own protection, Dr. Lester.
I am not Janice Lester. She did this to me. How can I make you understand?
Janice has driven herself mad with jealousy, hatred and ambition.
Nurse Chapel, bring Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy to me at once.
They must believe I am not Janice Lester. I'm imprisoned in her body.
She is suffering from the delusion of being Captain Kirk.
I am not Janice Lester!
The paranoia has been developing for six months.
The radiation has intensified it. She must be kept sedated.
-Shall I prepare a mild sedative? -Of course.
You are insane, Dr. Lester.
KIRK [RECORDING]: Captain's log, stardate unknown. I have lost track of time.
I am still held captive in a strange body and separated from all my crew.
I must have sounded quite mad to you before.
What you've been through would break most of us.
I'll be all right now. Could I see your Dr. McCoy?
That's against Dr. Coleman's orders.
Is a visit by that very kind Mr. Spock to be allowed?
Perhaps before we reach the Benecia Colony.
Isn't the Enterprise to rendezvous with the Potemkin at Beta Aurigae?
First we have to let you recuperate at Benecia.
You'll feel better if you have a little.
Well, I'll try. Thank you.
It's good. Thank you.
Could I finish it slowly, Nurse Chapel?
-Well… -I promise I'll be good.
I'll be right back.
I'm glad you're feeling so much better.
These tests should help me pinpoint Jim's illness.
Good. Knowledge of the captain's behavior is spreading.
The crew is becoming increasingly tense.
What worries me most
is that Jim seems unaware something is wrong with him.
We've got to make him realize it's serious before treatment can begin.
I'm afraid that is a forlorn hope. The illness appears to be primarily mental.
One of us should be able to get to him.
I keep looking for an approach, but the speed of the illness makes it difficult.
Perhaps the surgeon general should be alerted.
Headquarters are only interested in results of specific tests.
All we have are our opinions.
Are you sure the captain will comply with your order in this state of mind?
I'll lose my medical authority to enforce it.
Doctor, we are treading on very thin ground.
Actions such as these might be misinterpreted.
Then so be it. Our responsibility is clear.
Whatever happened to the captain
took place in the short space of time he was alone with Dr. Lester.
A conversation with her might shed some light.
It's worth a try. You try to get to Dr. Lester while I examine Jim.
Well, gentlemen. I'm here, Doctor.
Spock, Bones, help me. Don't let them lock me away.
I've got to talk to you.
Jim!
She might have killed someone.
Put her in isolation. Maintain a 24-hour watch.
No one, absolutely no one is to talk to her without my permission.
-How is the doctor? -She regained consciousness.
-I have a few questions to ask her. -Did the captain order it?
Why should he? They are my questions. I am ordering it.
He said no one is allowed to speak to her.
Has such an order ever included his senior officers?
No, sir.
Mr. Spock, I think the captain meant a guard should be present.
By all means, Lieutenant.
That's enough. That's enough.
Your heart will last forever, Captain.
-How am I otherwise? -In the pink as usual.
Liver, kidney, blood count, metabolic rate,
everything, even your glands, functioning at their usual efficiency.
Good. I hope you're as pleased about it as I am.
Don't get dressed yet.
You said I was in perfect condition.
Physically.
Another test isn't necessary.
The Robbiani dermal-optic is crucial.
It reveals the basic emotional structure. You had one once before.
I need another to compare with that previous test.
There should be no change in your dermal-optic reactions
to the color wave lengths.
Over here, Captain.
Complete life-entity transfer with the aid of a mechanical device?
That's what it must have been.
Such total transfer has never been accomplished with complete success
anywhere in the galaxy.
It was accomplished long ago on Camus II.
-I'm a living example. -That is your claim.
As yet it is unsubstantiated by any… external evidence,
or objective tests.
Nevertheless, Spock, it is the truth I'm speaking.
Now lower your arms and open your eyes.
At this moment, Dr. McCoy is examining
the captain for psychological changes.
If any facts are uncovered, that would be acceptable evidence.
The only kind which is acceptable to Starfleet
and the crew of the Enterprise.
Spock, when I was caught in the interphase of the Tholian sector,
you risked your life and the Enterprise to get me back.
Help me get back now.
When the Vians of Minara demanded that we let Bones die,
we didn't permit it.
That is true. The captain did not.
However, those events have been recorded.
They could have become known to you.
You are closer to the captain than anyone in the universe.
You know his thoughts.
What does your telepathic mind tell you now?
I believe you.
However, my belief is not acceptable evidence.
Evidence must be factual. Dr. McCoy may be of help.
Come with me.
I'm sorry, sir, but Dr. Lester cannot leave here.
Are you satisfied with the results of the test?
There is no evidence of any disorder.
I can't violate the captain's orders.
-He is not the captain. -You're as mad as she is.
You're to leave here at once. I follow orders.
Certainly, Lieutenant. We all must do our duty.
Security guard!
No hard feelings, Bones. You did your usual thorough job.
I'm sure everything's going to be all right.
[BLEEPING]
-Captain Kirk? -Captain Kirk here.
Escape attempt by Dr. Lester.
Captain Kirk to security. On the double to Dr. Lester's room.
Quite all right. Everything's under control.
Phasers.
A repetition of your physical violence is not called for… sir.
No physical resistance will be offered.
Attention, all personnel. First Officer Spock has been placed under arrest.
He has conspired with Dr. Lester to take over the ship from your captain.
A hearing will be immediately convened
to consider the charges and specifications
of a general court martial
on the charge… of mutiny.
KIRK [RECORDING]: Captain's log, stardate 5930.3.
The results of Dr. McCoy's examination have given me complete confidence.
My fears are past. I shall function freely as the captain.
I am captain of the Enterprise, in fact.
Surely you must have more than that to go on.
I have stated my evidence.
Telepathic communication with Captain Kirk's mind.
Your evidence is completely subjective.
We have to have evidence that we can examine out in the open.
You haven't had evidence from the chief witness.
The real subject of this investigation is kept locked away and in isolation.
Why, Captain?
She's dangerously insane. We've seen the evidence.
She is dangerous only to your authority, sir.
Mr. Spock.
My authority has been given to me by Starfleet Command.
Only that high authority can take it away.
The witness, sir. Bring on the witness. Let your officers put the questions.
-Have Dr. Janice Lester brought here. -Aye, sir.
Dr. McCoy, while Mr. Spock was busy with his plot, what were you doing?
Examining you.
You were concerned about my health, emotional and physical.
-Is that correct? -Yes, that's correct.
Instead of trying to destroy me, you were searching for ways to help me.
Dr. McCoy, for the record, will you tell the court your findings?
The captain is in good physical condition.
His emotional state is comparable to the time he assumed command.
Thank you, Dr. McCoy.
Mr. Spock, were you aware of Dr. McCoy's findings?
-I know them now. -What have you to say… now?
I am disappointed and concerned
that there is no objective evidence to support my position… so far.
Dr. Coleman, if you're required here, we'll call you.
We appreciate you being here.
Everyone is aware that you have been subjected
to inordinate emotional stress.
We'd hoped to avoid any further stress, but Mr. Spock disagrees.
In his opinion, your testimony is important
in determining the merits of this case.
Since we are solely interested in arriving at a just decision,
I'm going to have to ask you a few more questions.
I'll try not to upset you.
You uh… claim… that you are… Captain James T. Kirk?
No. I am not Captain Kirk. That is very apparent.
I claim that whatever it is that makes James Kirk a being special to himself
is being held here in this body.
However, as I understand it, I am Dr. Janice Lester.
[ALL LAUGH]
That's very clever, but I didn't say it.
I said the body of James Kirk is being used by Dr. Janice Lester.
Oh. A subtlety that somehow escapes me.
I assume that this switch was arrived at by mutual agreement.
No. It was brought about by a violent attack by Dr. Lester
and the use of equipment she discovered on Camus II.
Violence… by the lady, perpetrated on Captain Kirk.
I ask the assembled personnel to look at Dr. Janice Lester
and visualize that historic moment.
Can you tell me why Dr. Janice Lester
would agree to this ludicrous exchange?
Yes. To get the power she craved.
To attain a position she doesn't merit by temperament or training.
And, most of all, she wanted to murder James Kirk,
a man who once loved her.
But her hatred of her own womanhood made life with her impossible.
Are you prepared with witnesses? One will do.
There is only one issue here.
Is the story of life-entity transfer believable?
This crew has been to many places and witnessed many strange events.
They are trained to know what seems to be impossible often is possible,
given the scientific analysis of the phenomenon.
Have you ever heard of a case such as described by Dr. Lester?
Not precisely, no.
Assuming that you are correct in your belief,
do you expect Starfleet Command to place this uh… this uh… person
in command of the Enterprise?
I expect only to reveal the truth.
If I am not captain, and knowing she will not be allowed to serve as captain,
then you would be captain! It is inevitable.
Give it up. Return to the Enterprise family. All charges will be dropped.
And the madness that overcame all of us on Camus II
will fade and be forgotten.
What will become of Dr. Lester?
Dr. Lester will be cared for always.
It is a responsibility I owe her from the past.
No, sir, I shall not withdraw a single charge that I have made.
You are not Captain Kirk. You have ruthlessly appropriated his body,
but the life entity within you is not Captain Kirk.
You do not belong in charge and I shall do everything in my power against you.
Play back those last two sentences from Mr. Spock's tirade.
'You do not belong in charge. I shall do everything in my power against you.'
You heard the statement. Do you understand its nature?
I do. And I stand by it.
It is mutiny! Deliberate, vindictive, insane, in its base!
But mutiny as charged. Dr. McCoy, Mr. Scott, you heard it.
I call for an immediate vote by the powers granted to me as captain.
A recess is declared to be followed by a vote.
An immediate vote before our chief witness can be left to die
on an obscure planet with the truth inside her.
Silence! You will be silent!
A recess has been declared. No discussion.
When I return, we will vote on the charge of mutiny.
The evidence presented here is the only basis of your decision.
-Scotty. -Doctor.
Doctor.
I've seen the captain feverish, sick,
drunk, delirious, terrified, overjoyed, boiling mad.
But up to now I have never seen him red-faced with hysteria.
I know how I'm going to vote.
I've been through this with Spock.
He's not being scientific and neither are you.
It may not be scientific, but if Mr. Spock thinks it happened, then it is logical.
Don't you think I know that? My tests show there's nothing wrong with him.
That's the only fact Starfleet's going to be interested in.
Headquarters has its problems and we have ours.
And right now the captain of the Enterprise is our problem.
They're going to call for the vote in a few minutes.
Let me put one last question.
Suppose you vote with me in favor of Spock.
That means two votes to one and Spock is free.
What do you think the captain will do?
-I don't know. -You know all right.
It'll stick in his craw.
He'll never accept it.
-We don't know that. -I tell you he won't.
Then, Doctor, that's the time we move against him.
-We'll have to take over the ship. -We're talking about mutiny, Scotty.
Aye.
Are you ready for the vote?
Yes. I'm ready for the vote.
Play the tape of the conversation in the corridor.
Aye, sir.
Then's the time we move against him. We'll have to take over the ship.
-We're talking about mutiny, Scotty. -Aye.
-Are you ready for the vote? -Enough. We know what was said.
Enough to convict you of conspiracy with mutineers. You are so charged.
The sentence: death.
-Starfleet forbids the death penalty. -Senior officers turning against me?
The death penalty is forbidden. With one exception.
General order 4. It has not been violated by any officer.
I am responsible. The execution will be immediate. Go to your posts.
Go to your posts.
Mr. Lemli, take them to the brig. Prepare for execution.
Go on!
He must be mad if he thinks he can get away with execution.
He wouldn't order an execution even if he were mad.
-It isn't the captain. -What difference does it make?
Will we allow an execution?
If security backs him up, how will we fight him?
I'll fight them every way I can.
Inform all sectors of my decision.
Have each send a representative to the place of execution.
-How far to the Benicia Colony? -Scanning range.
Plot coordinates for orbit.
Lock into coordinates when orbit is accomplished.
Internment will take place on Benicia.
You have received your orders!
You will obey my orders!
You will be charged with mutiny.
You will obey my orders or… or…
For a moment I… I thought I was up on the bridge.
Perhaps you were.
It's possible the transference can be broken.
-If it happens again, I'll fight to stay. -The bridge is where you belong.
To accomplish that, each of us must be ready to seize any opportunity
to break out of here and attack.
-The transference is weakening. -What happened?
For a moment, I found myself with the prisoners.
I will not go back to being Janice Lester.
You must help me prevent it.
The only way to prevent it is by the death of Janice Lester.
-You must carry out the execution. -I can't.
The crew is in mutiny.
You must kill her for me.
I have done everything else for you.
-But I will not murder for you. -Then do it for yourself.
If Kirk doesn't die, we'll both be exposed as murderers.
Does that give you any choice?
The dosage should be doubly lethal.
It is.
To prevent conspiracy, you will be removed to separate cells.
If there's any resistance, you'll be given a sedative until you learn cooperation.
Dr. Lester will be first.
Follow Dr. Coleman.
May I point out, Captain…
Kill him!
Kill him! [YELLS]
I've lost to the captain!
I've lost to James Kirk! I want you dead!
I want you dead! I want you dead…
I'm never going to be the captain.
Never.
You are… You are as I loved you.
Kill him.
Can you do anything for her?
I'd like to take care of her.
Of course. Come with me.
I didn't want to destroy her.
I'm sure we all understand that, Captain.
Her life could have been as rich as any woman's, if only…
If only.