Trekipedia

How Much For Just the Planet?

An inconceivable fortune—a bewildering population . . . an impossible situation!

• Stardate Unknown
• Released October 1987

Dilithium. In crystalline form, the most valuable mineral in the galaxy. It powers the Federation‘s starships . . . and the Klingon Empire‘s battlecruisers. Now, on a small, out-of-the-way planet named Direidi, the greatest fortune in dilithium crystals ever seen has been found.

Under the terms of the Organian Peace Treaty, the planet will go to the side best able to develop the planet and its resources. Each side will contest the prize with the prime of its fleet. For the Federation—Captain James T. Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. For the Klingons—Captain Kaden vestai-Oparai and the Fire Blossom.

Only the Direidians are writing their own script for this contest—a script that propels the crew of the Enterprise into their strangest adventure yet!

Written by: John M. Ford

Cast:

• Captain James T. Kirk
• Commander Spock
• Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy
• Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott
• Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu
• Lieutenant Nyota Uhura
• Ensign Pavel Chekov

Guest Cast:

• Captain Kaden vestai-Oparai

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Excerpt

“You think we can help?” Kirk asked.

“You plan against these petty nobles; that is bold,” Captain Kaden said, twisting the cap from his fourth bottle of beer. “That is the way of the line-founder and I salute it… but what if we were discovered interfering with your planet? Would not the lightbulbs object?” He looked at the bottlecap in his hand, tossed it aside as if it were hot.

“Lightbulbs?” Pete said.

“Organians,” Kirk said. “It’s a habit they have… Well, never mind that. I don’t think this should make any difference at all with them. It’s not like we’re trying to influence your world’s decision about the dilithium rights…”

“No,” Kaden said quickly.

“Of course not,” Pete said.

“Absolutely,” Kirk said.

“Nothing like it,” Kaden added.

“Well,” Kirk smiled. “I’m glad we understand that.”