 While searching for the crew of a destroyed spaceship, the Enterprise discovers a planet whose oppressive government is a 20th-century version of Earth s Roman empire. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy meet the rebels, seemingly sun worshipers, but are quickly kidnapped by the regime. The missing Captain Merrick is revealed as the "First Citizen" and pawn of the regime, but he and the rebels ultimately help Kirk and company to escape. Back on the Enterprise, Uhura observes that the crew s understanding that the rebels are sun worshipers was not completely accurate.