Year Four , Issue 2 Summary . Captain Kirk , Spock , and Dr . McCoy are sharing a glass of ice wine with Marat , ruler of the planet . Spock comments on the remarkable change since their last visit , changing the world from a harsh ice planet , to somewhere almost comfortable . As Marat responds , two men in heavy parkas burst in , one stating " " Death to Marat . . . ! Death to the Feder . . . " " before he is cut off as Kirk knocks a pillar into him , knocking an explosive out of his hand . Spock grabs it , throws it to McCoy , and he hurls it from the balcony , allowing it to explode harmlessly in the air . The men are taken into custody , and Marat tells them of a traditionalist group on the planet , wanting things the old way . Kirk contacts the " Enterprise " , and tells them to inform Starbase 14 of their delay . On board the " Enterprise " , Scott shows Marat ' s daughter , Sharday , the old crystal that burnt out in an ion storm . She shows him the new crystal , 97 . 4 % pure . He admires it , stating " " like the first bit of light on a spring morning . " " Sharday offers to show him some performance increasing modifications , and tells him that it is customary to celebrate with ice wine when finding a crystal of that purity . He apologizes for the lack of ice wine , and suggests a proper drink . Elsewhere on the ship , Spock and Kirk discuss the traditionalists , and their goals . On deck nine , they encounter McCoy , and he points out that they cannot interfere due to the Prime Directive . Spock notes that the traditionalists believe that the Federation has already violated it when they gave the ecosphere reshaping technology . Spock notes that an overthrowing of the government is inevitable , and that the traditionalists may attempt to ally themselves with an anti - Federation group , such as the Klingon s . Back on the planet , Kirk visits one of the imprisoned terrorists and discusses the attack , noting that it was timed to be when the Starfleet members would be in the palace . He also points out that they know that he can ' t interfere and wonders why they would risk their lives unless he wanted them to interfere . The guard points his spear weapon at Kirk and releases the terrorist , who takes Kirk ' s phaser . Back on the " Enterprise " , Sharday makes some last minute adjustments to the plasma flow before Scotty escorts her to the transporter room . As they leave , the intermix monitor shows a danger signal . On the bridge , Uhura cannot raise Kirk on the communicator . Spock tells Scotty to take control of the vessel while he and McCoy beam to the surface . On the planet in an ice cave , Kirk is being held prisoner , hands tied . He attacks the guard , who accidentally frees him , and Kirk knocks him unconscious , just as an explosive goes off . Over at the palace , McCoy and Spock look about in the dark and are surprised as an explosion lights up the sky . Sharday and Marat step out of the shadows , pointing phasers at them and tell them that the explosion was the " Enterprise " . Kirk steps out of the shadows and shoots Marat in the shoulder . Sharday is quickly disarmed as Scotty steps in , noting that he checked her work before any damage was done . Kirk and Scotty quickly explain things to McCoy , and as they prepare to beam back to the ship , Kirk tells them that the dilithium mine entrance collapsed in the explosion , and that the Araakians have a lot of time to sort out their problems . Memorable quotes . " " Dammit Spock – ! I ' m a doctor , not a grenadier ! " " " " He has a point . " " " " He always does . " " " " And you knew about this , Spock ? " " " " Some . The rest I surmised from the available information . " " " " And when were you going to tell me ? " " " " I just did . " "