Tenth UK Story Arc " Cruising on her exploratory mission in deep space , the starship " Enterprise " was in the uncharted complex of Sigma Draconis . . . and suddenly , she was not alone ! " Summary . While exploring the Sigma Draconis system , the " Enterprise " happens upon an unidentified vessel adrift in space . Since the craft doesn ' t respond to hail s , Kirk and Spock take a shuttlecraft to investigate . Donning environmental suit s and gaining access through an airlock , they explore the entire ship and find it empty . Suddenly , they hear an intensifying loud whine , knocking them unconscious . Their bodies are then transported away . On the " Enterprise " , Montgomery Scott is concerned about Kirk and Spock ' s extended absence , and takes a security team over to the spacecraft . Finding it empty , Scotty has his men quickly gather some paperwork lying around for clues and leave . Turning the samples over to Uhura in an emergency meeting , the computer deciphers the documents . The papers comprise an incomplete log entry from an Eldorian spy ship , describing a war between the planets of Eldor and Norus . Surmising that the Norusians seized the Eldorian crew , as well as Kirk and Spock , Scott orders the crew to locate planet Norus and prepare the " Enterprise " s defenses . Materializing on Norus , Kirk and Spock are apprehended by Norusian soldier s . Kirk tries to explain himself , but is knocked unconscious , and Spock is made to carry him . Arriving at a governmental building , the two are brought before the Norusian " Council of the Wise " and are accused by the President of conspiring with the Eldorians . Kirk again offers an explanation , and the Council decrees , unleashing the Moloth , a gigantic crab - like creature . Kirk and Spock manage to dodge the Moloth ' s attacks and inflict damage on it , discovering it to be a robot . Spock disables it with a blow to its head , and the Moloth turns on its masters . The president ' s guard destroys the machine , and Kirk asserts that the victory proves their innocence . The president agrees , but orders the men seized and sent to a slave camp for endangering his life . Approaching Norus , Uhura explains that communications in the region are jammed . Scotty decides that he must assume Kirk and Spock are being held by hostile forces and calls for a team of volunteers , finding no lack of willing men . The " Enterprise " speeds toward Norus with defensive systems raised . Suddenly , sensor s pick up another ship behind in pursuit . It grazes the " Enterprise " s force field and then comes about , assuming a parallel course . The craft sends a delegation over to the " Enterprise " , entering through an airlock . Commander Karth of the Eldor Space Service warship " Lebron " introduces himself , apologizing for intercepting the " Enterprise " so abruptly . Scott concedes that he knows the Eldorians are at war with Norus , and Karth says that Eldorian intelligence reports that Kirk and Spock are being held under close guard . Norus is protected by radiation bombarders as well as transporters employed as weapons . The " Lebron " is protected by the latest technology , and Karth invites an alliance . Scott accepts the offer , and the combined assault commando force head to Norus on board the " Lebron " , " en route " to destroy the underground defense control system located at the capital and pave the way for an invasion . In captivity , Kirk and Spock become despondent , but decide to go out fighting . When the guards return to mistreat them , the two make a desperate attack and escape . As they move through the dungeon corridors , an intercom blares the announcement of an incoming air assault . Readying their gunnery systems , the Norusians are stunned to find only a single Eldorian ship approaching . The Norusians bombard the " Lebron " with no effect . In return , Eldorian missile s obliterate the Norusian gunnery in an explosive fireball . Frantic , the President orders remaining Norusian forces on standby to attack the Eldorians when they land and disembark , unprotected . Karth laughs at the Norusians ' plans , and activates the ship ' s hidden telescopic legs , crushing the remaining ground forces , and forcing the surrender of the survivors . Inside the government Council chamber , the President ' s men abandon him , preferring to be on the winning side . The " Lebron " lands , and the commando team invades , gaining control of the capital . Scott ' s team goes to rescue their commanders with urgency , since the Eldorians set up destructive charges to blow up the capital . Oblivious to outside events , Kirk and Spock continue to wander the depths of the capital , planning to find the president and take him hostage , bargaining for their release . Turning a corner in the dark corridors , Kirk and Spock are poised for confrontation , expecting to see Norusian soldiers . Instead , they discover Scott and his men , who whisk them outside with only seconds to spare . As the capital explodes and erupts in flame , Scott tells a bewildered Kirk that he has just finished waging a war and will fill him in on all the details later . Memorable quotes . " " I ' ve got an odd feeling . Something ' s making my flesh creep . . . " " " " Then " where " in creation have they gone ? Maybe they " melted " away ? " " " " Why , you treacherous rat ! I don ' t know what the Eldorians are like , but I sure hope they win the war ! They can ' t be worse than you ! " " " " Do you think they ' ll kill us , Spock ? " " " " A certainty . We ' ve got to hope for a " miracle " , captain ! " " " " Whatever happens , I ' m going out fighting . Even if we manage to take a couple of Norusians with us , it ' ll be worth it ! " " " " You ' re right . Let ' s take the very next opportunity . . . " " Background information . Publishing history . None of the UK weekly stories had titles . Each installment was two pages in length .