Plot

With a war with Klingons raging, Kirk and Spock attempt to resist an occupation of a planet with incomprehensibly placid natives.

War! The Klingons and the Federation are poised on the brink, and then war is declared. Kirk and Spock visit the planet Organia. Organia, inhabited by simple pastoral folk, lies on a tactical corridor likely to be important in the coming conflict. Whichever side controls the planet has a significant advantage. But the Organians are a perplexing people, apparently unconcerned by the threat of the Klingon occupation or even the deaths of others in their community. Finally, Kirk and the Klingon commander Kor learn why, and the reason will change Federation/Klingon relations for decades to come.—CommanderBalok

With the breakdown of peace negotiations, the Federation finds itself at war with the Klingon Empire. The Enterprise is ordered to the planet Organia in order to ensure that the Klingons are prevented from using the planet as a base. They arrive to find a peace-loving population who seem to know little of war or violence and don't see a threat, even after the Klingons arrive in force on the planet. While Kirk and the Klingon commander Kor jockey for position, the Organians refuse to support either side and both commanders soon learn that the Organians have good reason not to fear or support either of them.—garykmcd

The Enterprise is at war with the Klingons. Kirk and Spock beam down to Organia, a crucial planet which can be used by either side as a military base, before the Klingons can arrive, and guess what they find? The people are moving around like sheep, as if nothing has happened. Kirk and Spock go to see the council, while Sulu is in charge on the ship (with orders to retreat if attacked by the Klingon fleet). The council is led by Ayelbourne (John Abbott), an old man who speaks peacefully and gently. Kirk argues that Organia side with the Federation since Klingon is a military dictatorship and life under their rule will be very unpleasant. They organize defenseless planets such as Organia into slave labor camps. Ayelbourne says that they are not in danger, but Kirk and his ship is. Spock tells Kirk that Organian society is arrested in time and has no intellectual advancement in many thousands of years.

The Klingon fleet arrives and Sulu buggers out after informing Kirk. Ayelbourne changes Kirk and Spock into local clothing to protect their identity as Federation officers. Ayelbourne takes away their phasers and refuses to return them. The Klingons beam down. Kirk and Spock are dressed like the Organian people. Kor (John Colicos), the commander of the Klingons, says "Who are these two." Kirk poses as a Organian citizen and Spock as a Vulcan trader. Kor says "I like this one. He has spirit. Not like you sheep." Kor publishes many new rules for the Organians to follow. Kirk and Spock sneak out on a night mission and set bombs in the ammunition dumps of the Klingons. Ayelbourne implores Kirk never to use violence again, But Kirk again begs Ayelbourne to resist the Klingon rule. Kor had overheard everything (plus when accosted, Ayelbourne reveals Kirk's real identity to Kor) and throws Kirk and Spock into a dungeon. Kirk thinks Organians are plain cowards. That night Ayelbourne rescues Kirk and Spock as the Klingons wanted to do violence to them.. Kor executes many Organians. Kirk says to Ayelbourne "Don't you care?" Ayelbourne says "Only their bodies are dead. It is you who must leave. We do care deeply about you." Kirk wants his phasers to be returned to fight the Klingons

Ayelbourne says to them "I have your phasers & communicators. Now please leave before you are hurt." Kirk says to Spock "Can we get to Kor?" Spock says "The odds are 7824.7 to 1." Kirk laughs. "Let's improve our odds". They do get to Kor and there is a standoff in the Klingon headquarters. Kor informs Kirk that a Federation fleet is en-route to Organia and Klingons will fight. Kirk is talking to Sulu by communicator. "Get ready to fire on the Klingon ship, Sulu." The Klingons are about to fire too. Kirk, Spock, the Klingons on the planet are all holding guns. But then the guns become hot, and they all have to drop them. On the ship, Sulu says "Captain, the instruments to fire are too hot to handle." Then Ayelbourne and the council walk in.

Ayelbourne says "Gentlemen, I cannot have you commit violence against each other. You are disarmed. Now make peace."What gives you the right" says Kirk "to tell our Federation." "Or our Empire" Kor says. Kirk continues "Not to fight??" Ayelbourne says "Gentlemen, begone, your presence disturbs me." .. Ayelbourne further stipulates that all war machines of the Federation and the Klingons are immobilized till they make peace. Then Ayelbourne and the Council vanish into bright lights. Kirk and Kor know they must make peace, but TEMPORARY, until they can get the hell off of Organia.