A Private Little War ( episode ) On a planet with a primitive civilization , the " Enterprise " discovers that the Klingons are providing a Stone Age society with increasingly - advanced weaponry . Summary . Teaser . On a scientific mission to Neural , a primitive , pre - first contact planet protected by the Prime Directive , Spock , Kirk , and McCoy are doing some minor research on indigenous plant life and chemical compounds . Spock finds large footprints of the Mugato , a white ape - like creature . Kirk remembers his first planetary survey as a lieutenant thirteen years prior on this very planet . Spock comments on the qualities of the planet , how Earth - like it is . Kirk notes that the inhabitants have stayed at the same technological level for centuries , and that bows and arrows are still the tools of hunting . He also explains that the people are peaceful and never fight amongst themselves . Kirk and Spock hear yells from some of the inhabitants and run over to see what is going on . It is obvious the men are not holding bows and arrows , but flintlock firearms . Kirk explains that it would be impossible for them to have invented these types of weapon s in the duration since his previous visit . Coming toward them is a band of men , one of whom is , the man Kirk lived with while on his original mission . They are walking directly into a trap set by the armed men . Warned by Spock that the use of his phaser is expressly forbidden , Kirk throws a stone and distracts one of the men , causing him to fire his weapon and give away his position . The other men scatter for cover , as do Kirk and Spock . The armed men make chase and McCoy quickly prepares the through his communicator for the landing party ' s return . Spock is shot in the back by one of the flintlock guns and goes tumbling to the ground . Kirk helps him back to his feet and they run to McCoy . The three of them beam up , leaving the armed men wondering where they could have gone . Act One . They arrive on the ship , with Dr . M ' Benga and Nurse Chapel waiting in the transporter room ready to treat Spock . " " Lucky his heart is where his liver should be or he ' d be dead now " " , McCoy says . As they hover over Spock , a red alert is called by Lieutenant Uhura ; a Klingon ship is approaching . Before leaving for the bridge with Scotty , Kirk asks McCoy about Spock ' s condition , and he can only reply , " " I don ' t know yet , Jim . " " Kirk arrives on the bridge . Ensign Chekov explains that the Klingon ship does not know of their presence , since the " Enterprise " is holding the planet between them . Uhura offers to contact Starfleet , but Kirk warns that it could give away their position and alert the Klingons . Kirk begins to contemplate the likelihood that the inhabitants of the planet could have developed firearms in the few years since they started forging iron . Scotty , Chekov , and Uhura on the bridge offer explanations as to how it could have happened progressively but Kirk abruptly cuts them off . He later apologizes , stating to them that he ' s worried about Spock . Spock ' s condition is poor because there are no replacement organs available to treat him . They are forced to wait and see what happens . However , Spock is also in excellent hands with McCoy ' s immediate subordinate , Dr . M ' Benga , who has considerable experience in treating Vulcan s , having interned in a Vulcan ward . Kirk explains to McCoy that they must go down to the planet , together , overruling McCoy ' s preference to treat Spock personally by reminding him of his own recommendation of M ' Benga , and must discover what has happened with the disparity in weapons . While asking Scotty to have the ship ' s stores prepare period clothing , Kirk is warned that " Enterprise " may have to leave orbit to avoid being discovered . They set a time for a rendezvous . McCoy and Kirk beam down to the planet . McCoy reminds him of their orders . Kirk recalls it was his own recommendation not to permit contact with the inhabitants . As the men walk , Kirk is attacked by a Mugato . He is bitten and suffers from the effects of its poison fangs . McCoy pulls out his phaser and vaporizes the Mugato . Rushing to Kirk ' s side , McCoy ' s small collection of medical supplies will not be sufficient to save his life . He attempts to contact the ship but to no avail – it has left orbit . Kirk tells him to get Tyree ' s men , the , who have already found them . McCoy explains to them that they must take Kirk to Tyree or he will die . Act Two . Tyree ' s men bring Kirk and McCoy into their camp . Tyree and his wife , Nona follow some men with guns . She explains to him that they must obtain the same " fire stick s " , making them strong and able to take the enemy ' s houses and supplies . Tyree is sure that the enemies will someday return to peace again . She does not agree . She brags that she is a " kahn - ut - tu " , valued by men because they aid in achieving power . Tyree claims he accepted her because she cast a spell on him . She explains about many spells that she uses to keep him . She pulls out a sprig of leaves and rubs them on his face and arm , driving the plant ' s contents into his skin . He is obviously affected by its presence . He grabs her and kisses her intensely . They are interrupted by a scout , Yutan , from the camp requesting their presence . Tyree is dazed by the plant but Nona heads back . She asks Yutan to bring Tyree when his head has cleared . McCoy notes Kirk ' s struggles . Hoping to keep him warm , he uses his phaser to heat rocks in the cave where Kirk lays . As he is heating the last of three stones , Nona returns and sees him firing the weapon . She is surprised and awed . She steps out of the cave , avoiding being seen by McCoy . As Tyree returns to camp , Nona asks him to explain who these men are before she will help them . Tyree tells her that he promised Kirk silence . She says she is his wife , and that she too will remain silent or Kirk will die without her help . Back on the " Enterprise " , Nurse Chapel takes Spock ' s hand as she watches the medical panel . Dr . M ' Benga walks in and Nurse Chapel quickly puts Spock ' s hand down . M ' Benga comforts her and assures her that Spock is concentrating on his healing and that is why his readings are so low . It is self - induced hypnosis . He says that Spock is aware of them and what they are saying but that he cannot show it . He also says that Spock probably knows she was holding his hand . Nurse Chapel looks at him in surprise , then in embarrassment . Tyree and Nona enter the cave . She pulls out a Mahko root and holds it above Kirk ' s chest . It moves in her hand . McCoy asks what it is . Nona replies that few know how to use it . She offers Tyree her knife , and he cuts the palm of her hand . She puts the root on Kirk ' s bite , then places her hand over the root . Her blood and Kirk ' s blood mix through the Mahko root . Nona flails about as if she is seeing what is going through Kirk ' s mind and his knowledge . Tyree softly pounds on a drum . The poison is extracted and Kirk regains his consciousness , then promptly falls asleep . McCoy removes the root showing that the injuries have been completely healed . Nona claims that Kirk belongs to her now . Tyree explains to McCoy that legend says that no man can refuse a woman who is joined with a man in this way . Act Three . McCoy wakes up to find Kirk missing , but discovers that Kirk is sitting in the next room . As he rouses Jim , Tyree stands . Kirk and Tyree are reunited . Kirk remembers nothing since the animal attack , but knew that Tyree would find a " kahn - ut - tu " to heal him . Kirk asks Tyree to tell him about the weapons the enemy has acquired . Tyree assures him that he will hear everything . Back on the " Enterprise " , Spock ' s readings fluctuate , but have improved . Dr . M ' Benga tells Spock that someone will constantly be at his bedside . M ' Benga tells nurse Chapel that if Spock awakes , she is to do whatever he asks . Tyree tells Kirk that the " fire sticks " arrived about a year ago , and that the villagers are producing them . McCoy asks if any strangers have been seen with them . Tyree answers in the negative . Kirk then asks if they can spy on the enemy during the night . Tyree warns about the Mugato , which travel at night . Since McCoy killed one earlier , its mate will not be far . Nona walks to the table , alluding to the fact that Kirk and McCoy have enough tools and strength to make Tyree a very powerful man on Neural . Kirk explains to her that they are simply visitors from another village . She interrupts him and claims that they come from the sky and that they have powers far above " fire sticks " . Tyree warns her to not speak about any of this with anyone . Nona claims that the act of kindness she did brings her the right to be rewarded . Kirk admits he is grateful , but explains that his people ' s weapons grew faster than their wisdom . This leads to his vague explanation of the Prime Directive . Nona assumes that this implies that Kirk will not help them . She is disgusted . Tyree understands the issue and yet refuses to kill anyone . McCoy mentions to Jim that it could be the Klingons who have dabbled in this conflict , and that there may be a way to balance things out . But that possibility disturbs Kirk . Tyree , McCoy and Kirk make their way to the other village . Kirk knocks out a guard and Tyree takes the man ' s gun . An enemy villager named Apella walks into a room with a Klingon , , inside . The Klingon tells him to bring in the man who did the most killings because he is to be rewarded as an example to the others . He offers the man another improvement to the flintlock weapon . He mentions other improvements that will make the weapon more effective and more accurate . McCoy and Kirk continue their spying . They find coal for forging , and sulfur which is used in making gunpowder . They enter the building and find the forge , some drill points , and barrels of extremely high quality , none of which could have been manufactured by the planet ' s inhabitants . It is further proof that the Klingons have been providing these weapons . Voices can be heard outside , forcing Kirk and McCoy to hide . The Klingon man and Apella enter , discussing the rewards for bravery and conquest . Krell assures that rewards will be granted , including power over the planet , and making Apella a governor in the Klingon Empire someday . As the men are talking , McCoy ' s tricorder is somehow activated , its high - pitched whirring sound announcing their presence . Kirk leaps from behind the forge and attacks Krell , causing him to discharge the flintlock rifle he carries . It fires harmlessly into the floor . A fight ensues , and though they defeat Apella and the Klingon , they are caught at the door by two more men with rifles . Act Four . They escape by clubbing the men with fists and gun barrels . As they run , voices cry out that intruders are in the village . The men are chased through the streets of the village , with the villagers firing their flintlocks at the fleeing Kirk , McCoy , and Tyree . In sickbay , Spock partially arises from his hypnosis . He calls to Nurse Chapel and asks her to strike him . At first she refuses , but does so to appease his request . Spock barely feels her first few strikes ; he asks her to hit him harder . He explains that the pain will help him return to consciousness . She then hits him repeatedly , much harder . Just then , Scotty enters the room and , assuming Spock is under attack , restrains Nurse Chapel . Dr . M ' Benga runs into the room and pulls Spock into a sitting position . He slaps Spock in the face with great swings . After several strikes , Spock catches his hand and explains that he is sufficiently revived . Witnessing this bizarre ritual , Scotty questions the practice . Spock and M ' Benga tell him that it is a natural Vulcan response to self - healing . On the planet , Kirk explains to Tyree and his men how to use a flintlock weapon and how to work the trigger and hammer . Tyree brings the weapon to his shoulder and fires it , shattering a clay cup on his first shot . McCoy requests to speak to Kirk about this new development . He is intensely upset that Kirk has now introduced these weapons to both sides in the battle . Kirk defends the decision . McCoy reminds him about the power that Nona supposedly has over him . Kirk explains that they must equalize the fighting forces , even though McCoy is worried about a never - ending war . They discuss the 20th century Brush Wars on Earth , and how it led to the balance of power . They struggle with their decisions , but know there is no better way . Since Tyree refuses to fight , they hope to convince Nona to sway him . Spock returns to the bridge as " Enterprise " returns to orbit . They are approaching the rendezvous time . They also detect that a Klingon is beaming back to his ship . Kirk follows Nona to a waterfall but she believes that she willed Kirk to be there . She pulls out the same leaves she used on Tyree and begins tempting him . Kirk simply wants to talk . He is obviously affected in the same way as Tyree , who happens upon the two of them . His jealousy is aroused , but Kirk walks away from Nona only to return to her . Tyree raises his gun and cocks the hammer . Kirk and Nona kiss , but Tyree can ' t bring himself to fire . He throws the weapon to the ground and runs into the trees . As Tyree flees , a Mugato appears and makes its way to attack Kirk and Nona . Kirk is dazed by the effects of the leaves and cannot help her . The animal pushes her around repeatedly but Kirk finally pulls out his phaser to vaporize the creature . As he is still recovering , Nona hits him on the head with a stone and takes the weapon . Tyree returns to the camp . McCoy notices he no longer has his gun . After asking him about it , McCoy asks him to take him back to where he left it . When they arrive , they find Kirk rubbing his head and still fighting off the effects of the plant . Nona runs to the enemy villagers . She asks them to take her to Apella , because he will know how to use the new weapon . She brandishes the phaser and shows it off to them . The men know she is a " kahn - ut - tu " , and they only want her for themselves . They surround her and she begins to fight them . McCoy offers to give Kirk an injection from his hypospray . He refuses and discovers that his phaser is missing . They realize that Nona has taken it . Nona tells the villagers that the weapon she holds is more powerful than their " fire sticks " . They continue to fight her . As the fighting continues , Tyree , McCoy and Kirk catch up to them . Tyree calls out to Nona . The villagers think it is a trap set for them . They stab Nona and throw her to the ground . A gunfight ensues , and McCoy is struck in the arm but it is only a simple nick . Tyree and Kirk fight the men . A distraught Tyree catches his wife ' s assailant and bludgeons the man to death with a rock , only stopping when Kirk physically restrains him . McCoy informs them that Nona is dead . Tyree is angered and asks Kirk for more weapons . He no longer has a desire for peace . McCoy returns the phaser to Kirk . They are upset about the outcome , but there was no other option . Kirk calls to the ship , and Spock responds . McCoy is almost surprised to hear that Spock is alive , but then tells him that a computer could never die . Kirk asks Scotty to construct 100 flintlock rifles for the people . Scotty is confused about the request , but Kirk changes his request to , " " Serpents , serpents for the Garden of Eden . " " He adds , " " We ' re very tired , Mr . Scott . Beam us up home . " " Memorable quotes . " " And you have ways as far above firesticks as the sky above our world . " " " " Blast it , do something ! He ' s dying ! " " " " We once were as you are – spears , arrows . There came a time when our weapons grew faster than our wisdom , and we almost destroyed ourselves . We learned from this to make a rule during all our travels – never to cause the same to happen to other worlds . " " " " I ' ll make a Klingon of you yet . " " " " What are you doing , woman ? ! " " " " I thought my people would grow tired of killing . But you were right . They see that it is easier than trading and it has pleasures . " " " " Jim , that means you ' re condemning this whole planet to a war that may never end ! It could go on for year after year ! Massacre after massacre ! " " " " A balance of power . The trickiest , most difficult , dirtiest game of them all , but the only one that preserves both sides . " " " " Well , war isn ' t a good life , but it ' s life . " " " " Touch me again and this small box will kill you . " " " " Well , I don ' t know why I was worried . You can ' t kill a computer . " " " " A hundred what ? " " " " A hundred . . . serpents . Serpents for the Garden of Eden . " " Links and references . References . 20th century ; 2255 ; antibody ; antitoxin ; anvil ; ape ; arrow ; Asian continent ; " Bones " ; bow and arrow ; breechloader ; Brush Wars ; carbon ; chrome steel ; class M ; coal ; cold rolling ; coranalin ; costume ; ; dizziness ; drum ; Earth ; fire stick ; flintlock ; forge ; furnace ; Garden of Eden ; governor ; gunpowder ; ; hand laser ; heart ; ; Hill People woman , captured ; ; hypnosis ; internship ; iron ; " Kahn - ut - tu " ; Klingon ; Klingon Empire ; Klingon vessel ; lead ; liver ; logic ; machine gun ; Mahko root ; medic ; mile ; mugato ; Neural ; phaser ; physiology ; pig iron ; poison ; powder horn ; pressure packet ; Prime Directive ; priming pan ; priming powder ; recorder ; red alert ; rifle ; scanner ; ship ' s store ; shock ; serpent ; spear ; starbase ; Starfleet Command ; sterilite ; striker ; sulfur ; tape ; trading ; Treaty of Organia ; trigger ; Tyree ' s camp ; venom ; Vitalizer B ; ; Vulcan ward ; Vulcan s ; witch ; yellow alert