The savage stalked Kirk as he circled the "cage". And the female of the species waited a chance to aid her mate. With a rush, the "Merak" grabbed Kirk, choking him; but Jim utilized his hand-to-hand combat training to break his hold. Spock's FSNP (famous Spock neck pinch) had immobilized the girl. This was enough to stop the male. He couldn't understand what had happened.

Spock spoke with a detachment possible only in a native of Vulcan - "There are two races here. One Asiatic in character, the other like Earth's Western races."

Kirk was annoyed by his First Officer's academic observation. "Which of them, if either, are on the side of freedom?" Mention of the word "freedom" stirred the savage to talk for the first time. "Freedohm is a worship word," he said. "God gave such words to the Meraks."

Mr. Spock had been working on the bars in the window of his cell. Kirk turned his attention to the same pursuit.