 The potential Federation-member planet Gideon accepts to negotiate, but only with captain Kirk; when he should be beamed down to the planet, he finds himself alone on the ship, or rather an apparently empty copy in the same orbit, but bruised during a 9 minutes memory laps. Then he finds Odona, who asks why he brought her to his ship; she was transported from an auditorium when a feeling of asphyxiation started, but believes on another planet- they are suddenly somewhere else in space. Gideon s ambassador Hodin is informed by Spock, who is denied permission to search for Kirk s whereabouts on medical grounds and told a thorough search found him nowhere. Only Spock has the self-control to stand the infuriating insinuations, and gets permission to exchange visitors to test the transporter; a Gideon High Council member arrives safely, but Spock is refused permission to come in missing Kirk s place. Odana enjoys being alone with Kirk because her home planet is overcrowded extremely, then kisses him- the screen fills with watching greens masks, next people, then turns blank again. They were secretly observed by the Gideon High Council, which now appears and separates them in custody for interrogation. Starfleet command still refuses permission to intrude in Gideon after Spock reports the captain must be near the High Council chamber, but he decides to go anyway, alone...