August of 1975 brought Gold Key Comics’ Star Trek issue #32 to store spinners. The Animal People featured a story by Arnold Drake, art by Alberto Giolitti and Alden McWilliams, and yet another cover painting by George Wilson.

The issue opens with information about the planet Hercula. It will be the story’s setting as the Enterprise receives an SOS from it. The inhabitants claim they are overrun with maddened animals but the truth of the situation will be troubling and dangerous as is hinted on the splash page.

Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty beam down to Hercula where they meet with Emperor Lidoro. They promise to provide help within the guidelines set by the Federation. Spock, however, is concerned that the animals they are expected to subdue have learned to use weapons.

The Emperor’s son, the lead general, Jivi, is against military acts. He wants a more compassionate solution. When the emperor shows them some of the dangerous animals they’ve captured, the stalwart explorers of the Enterprise are stunned to discover that these ‘animals’ look like primitive man.

Referred to as Yerbas, they are incredibly violent, and the Herculans have been using them as laborers. Now, with this uprising, they have proven that they are too dangerous to make use of anymore.

Unawares, Spock returns to the Yerba caves later that evening, puzzled by their attentive behaviour toward one another. Before he can further investigate, he is struck unconscious and taken by escaping Yerba. Once he’s back on his feet, Spock notes that they aren’t verbal but have an intricate sign language. They aren’t animals; they are intelligent beings.

He is guided to their camp and meets their leader, Germal, a woman. A Yerba who is able to speak!

With Spock missing, the Federation authorizes Kirk to do what’s needed to quell the Yerba, and find his man. Meanwhile, Spock continues his discussion with Germal learning her history and that the Yerba do not want violence they simply want their freedom. The Vulcan suggests Germal speak with the emperor.

But in the midst of that an attack craft arrives, wards Spock to get clear, and opens fire immediately. Kirk is less thn happy with the military’s behavior towards the Yerba, and his missing man. Spock urges Germal to negotiate but with countless Yerba dead, she take him prisoner and flees

In the mountains, Spock makes his move and knocks out Germal, and carrying her, escapes even as Kirk and Colonel Mynota join the foot chase. The colonel gives his men orders to shoot to kill. But Kirk countermands the order when he spies Spock and Germal. They head to see the Emperor.

While the Emperor is set in his ways, Jivi recognizes Germal as the Yerba who saved him when he was young. Kirk also clues into the fact that Jivi and Germal may be falling in love with one another. The Emperor wants her locked away to keep her and her people in check, after she refuses to order their surrender.

And the landing party finally learn the truth about who the Yerba are, and why they can’t speak. This is an all-out genocide.

Germal finally agrees to record a message in their sign language to broadcast to her people. Colonel Mynota lets her send a message that causes an uprising, because, like others, he wants the war. He wants to wipe them all out.

Jivi refuses to lead the armies and Kirk advises the Emperor that the Federation, having learned the truth, is withdrawing its support.

Jivi and Germal begin to admit how they feel for one another, and perhaps there is a way for them to bring peace to their world. They relate the history of the planet, one of occupation and slavery, but there may be a way out.

They need to be quick because the conflict is escalating. They marry and then commit the greatest sacrifice to cement a new peace and the possibility of a better future.

The Enterprise continues on its way, racing to an encounter of Kirk vs. Kirk in The Choice.