2286 An alien probe, dubbed the 'Whale Probe', disables Starfleet and Klingon ships, and causes serious damage to Earth's atmosphere. It is discovered that the probe was sent to contact the species Megaptera novaeangliae or humpback whale, which had, however, been hunted to extinction in the 21st century. Admiral James T. Kirk is able to retrieve two members of the species from the year 1986, and avert further catastrophe. The probe leaves Federation space, and the disabled ships are restored.