The Destruction of the USS Constitution

Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock beam down to Elba II to deliver a revolutionary medicine to the insane asylum located there which houses the 15 incorrigible insane criminals of the Federation. Elba II is surrounded by a poisonous atmosphere. Inmate Marta warns Kirk and Spock that their host is not really governor Donald Cory, but they do not believe her. Upon viewing Cory's cell, however, Kirk and Spock discover that the inmate and former starship fleet captain Garth of Izar has imprisoned Cory in his cell and is running the facility with the aid of the other inmates. Garth imprisons Kirk with Cory, and destroys the medicines Kirk and Spock have brought.

Garth is able to change form at will using the technique of cellular metamorphosis (learned on Antos) and gains control of the USS Enterprise to escape and punish his former mutinous crew by impersonating Kirk. The USS Enterprise leaves Elba II to intercept the USS Constitution. Captain Garth's former mutinous crew are aboard the USS Constitution.

The USS Enterprise intercepts the USS Constitution. The USS Constitution goes to Red Alert and arms its weapons and shields. The USS Enterprise goes to Red Alert and arms its weapons and shields. Captain Garth has Lt. Uhura hail the USS Constitution. Lt. Uhura hails the USS Constitution. Captain Garth tells his former mutinous crew to surrender or be destroyed. The crew of the USS Constitution respond by firing a photon torpedo on the USS Enterprise! A battle begins. The USS Enterprise battles the USS Constitution. The battle ends with the USS Enterprise emerging victorious and destroying the USS Constitution. The entire crew of the USS Constitution are killed in the destruction of the USS Constitution.