Near the Romulan/Federation Neutral Zone, a long-lost philanthropist, Carter Winston, is discovered on board a damaged one-man vessel. He is reunited with his fiancée, Lieutenant Anne Nored, on board the U.S.S. Enterprise. Immediately following their reunion, Winston tells her that he has changed and can no longer marry her. The Enterprise computer reveals that Winston is actually a shape-shifting Vendorian. Winston eventually takes the Captain's form and orders Sulu to steer the Enterprise into the Neutral Zone. Kirk discovers the ruse and orders the ship out of the Neutral Zone.

Romulan ships, having been advised of the breach of the Neutral Zone, surround the Enterprise. The Vendorian, disguised as an Enterprise crewman, damages the deflector shield, which requires two hours to repair. Later, the creature reveals his identity to Nored, explaining that her former fiancé is dead but since he had absorbed so many emotions from human males, he indeed can love her.

The Romulans proceed to attack the U.S.S. Enterprise. Realizing that he has put his love in jeopardy by destroying the ship's shields, the shape-shifter forms himself into a deflector shield around the ship. After the Romulans retreat, the Vendorian reveals that he is a spy for the Romulan Empire, but he could not allow Nored to die in battle. Kirk informs him that he will stand trial but his efforts to save the ship will be considered. Nored tells him that he is much like her former lover and that he will enjoy life on Earth, perhaps even together with her.

Cast:

William Shatner as James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy as Spock
DeForest Kelley as Leonard H. McCoy
James Doohan as Montgomery Scott
Nichelle Nichols as Uhura
George Takei as Hikaru Sulu

Guest Cast:

Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Anne Nored
Majel Barrett as Lieutenant M'Ress
Ted Knight as Carter Winston
James Doohan as Romulan Commander
James Doohan as Gabler
Majel Barrett as Computer voice

Creative Staff:

Written By: James Schmerer
Director: Hal Sutherland