Kirk and T'Lora stood in the turbolift, updating Spock and McCoy on the current mission as well as why they were beaming down to the planet with little notice.
"The Horizon's contact came before the Non-Interference Directive went into effect", Kirk explained the conflict between the previous starship and the planet.
"They must have interfered with the normal evolution of the planet", McCoy suggested.
"It will be interesting to see the results of the contamination", Spock said.
"A contamination?" T'Lora asked. "No one ever said anything about a contamination. Spock, this is something else."
"What was the state of the Iotian culture before the Horizon came?" McCoy asked.
"The beginning of industrialization."
As the group entered the transporter, Spock and McCoy continued arguing over what should've been done with the planet under question. Kirk looked at T'Lora almost getting annoyed as they picked up their communicators before stepping on the platforms.
"So we're going down to recontaminate them", McCoy assumed.
"The damage has been done, doctor", Spock said. "We are here to repair it."
"Okay, we're going down", T'Lora said interrupting. "Can the two of you stop so we can hear from the captain what is to be done?"
Everyone looked at Kirk as he nodded approvingly at her.
"Let's go study it", he said before turning to the controller. "Energize."
The engineer threw the switch, beginning the transportation from the Enterprise to the nearby planet. The group beamed down, being greeted by a sunny morning in the middle of the city. The city, however did not appear to be a friendly one. The streets were littered with trash. Extremely old automobiles cruised around the streets.
"Fascinating", Spock said as women dressed in tight outfits walked by staring.
"What is so fascinating about it?" T'Lora asked elbowing him.
"The culture is much different than anything I've experienced", he answered, not understanding the jealousy she displayed.
"This is like coming home", McCoy smirked noticing how much like Earth the planet seemed.
"Home was never like this", Kirk said looking around. "I've seen pictures of the old days that look like this."
Spock looked around noticing the machine guns many of the men in the area were carrying out in the opening.
"Interesting, Captain. Passers-by are carrying, I believe, firearms."
T'Lora looked around seeing the guns.
"This is not safe", she said. "Are we armed at all?"
Two men came around the corner, pointing their guns at Kirk, Spock, T'Lora and McCoy. They were both wearing suits and hats, matching the fashion of everyone around them.
"Okay, you three, let's see you petrify."
"Sir, would you mind explaining that statement, please?" Spock asked while keeping a protective arm around T'Lora.
"I want to see you turn to stone. Put your hands over your head, or you ain't going to have no head to put your hands over."
Everyone froze looking at each other. Once again, another smooth mission was about to go wrong. The men reached their hands out, demanding the group to hand over their communicators and phasers.
"What's this?" one of them asked looking at the phaser.
"That's a weapon", Kirk said. "Be careful with that."
"A heater, huh? Hey, the boss will love that."
"Is your boss a weapons collector?" T'Lora asked.
"None of your business, toots", the man said. "Pretty dames like you should be keeping your nose out of our business."
"Toots?" she asked. "Dames? Listen, bud no one talks to me like that!"
Kirk put his hand on T'Lora's shoulder, pulling her back as the two men pointed their guns at her.
"Look, we were asked to come down here by Mister Oxmyx", he explained. "He said—"
"I know what he said, bud", they answered. "He said some of the boys would meet you. Okay, we're meeting you."
"Well, those firearms are not necessary", McCoy raised his eyebrow looking at the gun.
"You trying to make trouble?" the men asked pointing their guns at McCoy.
"Stop it", T'Lora said. "He's a doctor. He's not asking for any trouble."
"Don't give me those baby blue eyes. I don't go for that innocent routine."
Spock looked around and saw the increasing numbers of people holding guns. This was very unsettling.
"Sir, does everyone here carry a firearm?" he asked.
"I never heard such stupid questions in my life", one of the men scoffed.
"Well, since this Oxmyx asked us down here, don't you think we should see him?" McCoy asked getting tired of this routine.
"All right. Get moving. Down the street."