De acordo com a novela oficial (de James Blish), o Gorn fez tentar mordê-lo, mas Kirk foi capaz de mantê-lo na baía, empurrando-o com o braço:
Kirk sprang aside barely in time. As the Gorn passed, somewhat off-balance, Kirk swung a killing blow into its midriff. The impact nearly broke his hand, but it seemed to have no other effect. The club lashed back, knocking Kirk sprawling against the rocks.
The Gorn wheeled around, clumsily but swiftly, and pounced. Kirk, dazed, tried to counter with a forearm blow to the throat, but it was like hitting an elephant. Then the creature was gripping him like a grizzly. Kirk’s arm just managed to keep the teeth away, but that grip was going to break his back.