3. The Changeling

A space probe of immense power and sophisticated technology has apparently annihilated the entire Malurian civilization, and now threatens Enterprise . But when Kirk hails it, the attacks cease and it allows itself to come aboard. Soon enough, the reason for its forebearance is revealed: it mistakening believes Kirk is its creator, Jackson Roykirk. This probe is Nomad , launched from Earth long ago. But its technology is far beyond what was understood then; beyond even what the modern Federation is capable of. What happened to Nomad , and why does it destroy whole civilizations?