- Dr. McCoy: [as an old man enters the room] Gentlemen, I believe we have a visitor.
- Old Man: [bows, then passes out bits of herbs] For strength. Many of us have felt the power of our Oracle. This has been of benefit.
- Dr. McCoy: Tastes like an ancient herb derivative.
- Old Man: You are... not of Yonada.
- Captain James T. Kirk: No, we're from outside your world.
- Old Man: Where... is outside?
- Captain James T. Kirk: Up there. Outside, up there, everywhere.
- Old Man: So they say, also.
- Old Man: [winces in pain] Many years ago, I climbed the mountains, even though it is forbidden.
- [winces again]
- Captain James T. Kirk: Why is it forbidden?
- Old Man: I am not sure.
- Old Man: [another wince] But things are not as they teach us. For the world is hollow, and I have touched the sky!
- Captain James T. Kirk: [to McCoy] You seem to be the special favorite.
- Mr. Spock: Indeed, Doctor. The young lady did show a marked preference for your company.
- Dr. McCoy: Well, now, nobody can blame her for that, can he?
- Captain James T. Kirk: Personally, I find the lady's taste questionable; but she obviously prefers you, and you obviously don't seem to mind.
- Nurse Christine Chapel: [to McCoy] A lot can happen in a year. Please... give yourself every minute.
- Dr. McCoy: There's something I need to tell you.
- Natira: There is nothing you need to say.
- Dr. McCoy: But there is.
- Natira: Then tell me, if the telling is such a need.
- Dr. McCoy: I have an illness for which there is no cure. I have one year to live.
- Natira: Until I saw you, there was nothing in my heart. It sustained my life, but nothing more. Now, it sings. I could be happy to have that feeling for a day, a week, a month... a year. Whatever the Creators hold in store for us.
- [they kiss]
- Natira: I cannot go with you. It is not fear. I understand the great purpose of the Creators. I shall honor it.
- Dr. McCoy: You intend to stay here, on Yonada.
- Natira: I shall stay willingly; and because that is what I must do.
- Dr. McCoy: Then I won't leave you.
- Natira: Will McCoy stay here to die? No. McCoy will not let go of life and fullness of years.
- Natira: This... is my universe. You came here with a great mission, to save my people. Shall *I* abandon them? Perhaps one day, if it is permitted, you will find Yonada again.
- Nurse Christine Chapel: I am a nurse first, Dr. McCoy, and a member of the crew of the Enterprise second.
- Dr. McCoy: You're excused! You may return to your quarters.
- Nurse Christine Chapel: No, I'm sorry, Doctor! I have called the Captain, and I'll wait until he comes!
- Captain James T. Kirk: [enters] What's the emergency?
- Dr. McCoy: [loudly] I said you're excused, Nurse!
- Dr. McCoy: [quietly] Please, Christine. I promise you I'll give the Captain a full report.
- [Nurse Chapel exits]
- Captain James T. Kirk: That was quite a scene.
- Dr. McCoy: I've just completed the standard physical examinations for the entire crew.
- Captain James T. Kirk: Excellent. What's the emergency?
- Dr. McCoy: The crew is fit. I found nothing unusual, with one exception.
- Captain James T. Kirk: Serious?
- Dr. McCoy: Terminal.
- Captain James T. Kirk: What is it?
- Dr. McCoy: Xenopolycythemia. It has no cure.
- Captain James T. Kirk: Who?
- Dr. McCoy: He has one year to live at the most.
- Captain James T. Kirk: Who is it?
- Dr. McCoy: The ship's Chief Medical Officer.
- Captain James T. Kirk: You?
- Dr. McCoy: I'll be most effective on the job in the time left if you'll keep this to yourself.
- Natira: [stiff and formal] For what reason do you visit this world?
- Captain James T. Kirk: We come in friendship.
- The Oracle of the People: [loud thunderclap] Then learn what it means to be our enemy, before you learn what it means to be our friend.
- [the landing party is immediately electrocuted into unconsciousness]
- Mr. Spock: Incredible as it may seem, these people have no idea they're living on a spaceship.
- Captain James T. Kirk: I wonder how many generations have lived out their lives, and... been buried here, without ever knowing that their world is hollow?
- Captain James T. Kirk: [entering the transporter room with Spock to find McCoy ready to beam over with them] Dr. McCoy, Mr. Spock and I will handle this.
- Dr. McCoy: Without me, Jim? You'd never find your way back.
- Captain James T. Kirk: [narrating] Captain's log, stardate 5476.4. We are on a parallel course with Yonada. It is still on a collision course with Daran V. Our failure to correct its course, and the critical nature of Dr. McCoy's illness, made the extraordinary event of contact with Starfleet Command imperative.
- Mr. Spock: Captain, informing these people they're on a ship may be in violation of the Prime Directive of Starfleet Command.
- Captain James T. Kirk: No. The people of Yonada may be changed by the knowledge, but it's better than exterminating them.
- Mr. Spock: Logical, Captain.
- Captain James T. Kirk: And the three billion on Daran V.
- Mr. Spock: Also logical, Captain.
- Mr. Spock: [studying the inscriptions on a door] The writing is definitely Fabrini, Captain. I recognize it.
- Captain James T. Kirk: Fabrini... Didn't the Fabrini sun go nova and destroy its planets?
- Mr. Spock: Yes. Toward the end, the Fabrini people lived underground as these people do, to protect themselves.
- Captain James T. Kirk: Some of them must have been put aboard this ship and sent to another planet. And these... are their descendants.
- Mr. Spock: Captain. Intelligence files. Their banks contain the total knowledge of the Fabrini, ready for the people to consult when they arrive at their destination. And they seem to have amassed a great deal of medical knowledge.
- Mr. Spock: Your hemoglobin count is back to normal, Doctor, which indicates that the flow of oxygen to each cell of your body is back up to its abundantly energetic level.
- The Oracle of the People: To become one of the people of Yonada, the instrument of obedience must be made part of your flesh. Do you now give your consent?
- Dr. McCoy: I do.
- The Oracle of the People: Proceed.
- The Oracle of the People: You have listened to the words of the non-believers.
- Natira: Yes, I have listened.
- The Oracle of the People: That was the first transgression. You felt the pain of warning?
- Natira: Yes, I did.
- The Oracle of the People: Why did you listen further?
- Natira: They said they spoke the truth.
- The Oracle of the People: THEIR truth.
- Natira: Is truth not truth for all?
- The Oracle of the People: The truth of Yonada is YOUR truth. There can be no other for you.
- [Spock has removed the obedience device from McCoy]
- Natira: [about McCoy] He is not part of our people. You've released him from his vow of obedience.
- Captain James T. Kirk: We have freed him, from the cruelty of your Oracle.
- Natira: Fools. You think we are children? You think you can do as you please, commit whatever offense amuses you?