The USS Enterprise has been sent to a planet in the Nibiru system to observe a primitive civilization. Captain James T. Kirk violates the Prime Directive when First Officer Spock's life is jeopardized by an erupting volcano, exposing the Enterprise to the planet's civilization during the rescue. Called back to Earth, Kirk is demoted and Admiral Christopher Pike is reinstated as commander of Enterprise where Kirk is given the position of first officer of the Enterprise. The two attend an emergency meeting at Starfleet Command to discuss the bombing of a secret Section 31 installation in London, perpetrated by former Starfleet agent John Harrison. The meeting is attacked by a gunship piloted by Harrison, killing Pike. Kirk destroys the gunship, and Harrison escapes to the Klingon homeworld o