Barry Russo

Captain Kirk and Mr Spock beam down to the planet Janus IV following a distress call and discover that more than 50 workers there have been hideously slain by an unknown monster. When an important piece of machinery goes missing, Spock becomes convinced they are not dealing with a mindless beast.

Captain Kirk is sceptical when he learns that the USS Enterprise is to be piloted by a machine. The computer is to take control of the ship during the Star Fleet war games, but catastrophe strikes and Kirk must battle with technology to regain power.

Ex-convict Jimmy Dennis is accused of murdering a gangster who's found shot dead in his gift shop; Maris and Lt. Weston had helped rehabilitate Jimmy and believe he's being framed.