Editing The Ultimate Computer (section)

==Plot==
The [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] [[starship]] ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|Enterprise]]'' is summoned to a space station without explanation. [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] Wesley (Barry Russo) explains that the ''Enterprise'' will be a test vessel for the M-5 Multitronic System, a revolutionary tactical and control computer designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom ([[William Marshall (actor)|William Marshall]]). The M-5 is to handle all ship functions without human assistance. While Science Officer [[Spock]] is impressed with M-5, Captain [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and Chief Medical Officer [[Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy]] have doubts.

The M-5 succeeds at its first tasks, performing ship functions more quickly and efficiently than a living crew. However, M-5 also exhibits unexpected behavior, such as turning off power and life support to unoccupied parts of the ship, and drawing increased power for unknown reasons; Daystrom maintains M-5 is working properly. Spock and Kirk engage in a discussion about whether Spock would prefer to serve under a computer or Kirk.

In its first tactical drill, M-5 defends the ''Enterprise'' against mock attacks from Starships ''Excalibur'' and ''Lexington''. The ''Enterprise'' is declared the victor, and Wesley jokingly refers to Kirk as "Captain Dunsel", employing a [[Starfleet Academy]] slang term for a part serving no useful purpose. Kirk is troubled by this.

Some time later, M-5 detects the ''Woden'', an unmanned freighter, and attacks with live torpedoes, destroying it. Kirk orders M-5 taken offline, but on attempting to do so, finds it protected by a powerful force field. Chief Engineer [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] orders Ensign Harper to disconnect its power source, but the M-5 creates a direct connection to the ship's [[Warp drive (Star Trek)|warp engines]], vaporizing Harper in the process. Spock and Scott attempt a manual override, but discover that the M-5 has rerouted all controls. Spock questions Daystrom on his computer design, and Daystrom reveals that he has imprinted human [[engram (neuropsychology)|engrams]] onto M-5's circuits, creating what amounts to a human mind operating at the speed of a computer.

Meanwhile, four of ''Enterprise'''s [[sister ship]]s,  ''Lexington'', ''Potemkin'', ''Excalibur'', and ''Hood'', approach to begin a new tactical drill. Since M-5 has disabled communications, Kirk is unable to warn M-5's targets. M-5 detects the ships, and attacks them with its weapons at full power. The crew watches helplessly as the ''Enterprise'' fires on the ''Lexington'', killing 53, and then turns to the ''Excalibur'', killing all aboard and leaving her adrift. Commodore Wesley assumes that Kirk himself is responsible for the attacks, and requests permission from [[Starfleet#Starfleet Command|Starfleet Command]] to destroy the ''Enterprise''.

Daystrom, having indicated that the engrams he used were his own, believes he can reason with the M-5, but his conversation with the unit quickly degenerates into a self-pitying lament over his own career disappointments. McCoy warns Kirk that he sees a [[nervous breakdown]] coming, and as Daystrom begins loudly to proclaim his and his creation's invincibility, Spock subdues him with a [[Vulcan nerve pinch]].

Kirk then tries to persuade the M-5 to stop its attacks. The M-5 acknowledges Kirk, who asks M-5 what its purpose is. M-5 responds that its purpose is to protect lives. Kirk argues that it acted contrary to its purpose by murdering people. M-5 acknowledges that it has committed murder and must therefore die, and shuts itself down. In so doing, it also cripples the ''Enterprise''.

Having received permission to destroy ''Enterprise'', the other Federation ships close in. Since Scott is unable to restore communications immediately, Kirk decides to allow the ship to drift with shields down, hoping that Commodore Wesley will realize that the threat has passed. The gamble pays off as the Commodore orders his ships to stand down at the last moment. Spock reminds Kirk and McCoy that while computers are more efficient, they are not any better.