Synopsis: Cadet Kirk is solo piloting his first deep space shuttle mission. When Dr. Richard Daystrom, his intended passenger, cannot make the flight at the last second, Kirk is reduced to ferrying a medical intern named McCoy and a Vulcan ensign named Spock. The flight is interrupted by a group of criminals intent on kidnapping Daystrom, and the three young men of Starfleet must learn to work together if they want to live.