"For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky"
The Enterprise finds an asteroid that contains a generational ship on a collision course with an inhabited planet.
"Welcome to the world of Yonada." (Natira)
"I can't say I think much of your welcome." (Kirk, After Ambush On The Landing Party)
The Oracle Of The People was the name for the central computer of the Yonada world ship built by the Fabrini. The inhabitants of Yonada revered the Oracle as a deity. The High Priestess accessed the Oracle at the Oracle Room, which contained the physical representation of the Oracle, a tall pilaster decorated with a stylized sunburst. The center of the sunburst contained a round crystal that glowed when the Oracle communicated with its chief worshipper. The Oracle room also contained a kneeling platform, which served to place the Priestess in a properly respectful position, and to attract the machine's attention. Within the Oracle Room, the machine had two chief defensive mechanisms. It could direct electricity sufficient to stun up to at least three Human-sized individuals simultaneously. It could also operate heating elements concealed within certain of the carving panels that could raise the temperature of the room to lethal levels in very short order. Outside of the Oracle Room, the machine enforced its will through the use of the Instrument of Obedience.
"But things are not as they teach us. For the world is hollow, and I have touched the sky." - Fabrini Man's Last Words
The Instrument Of Obedience was a star-shaped device that was implanted subdermally in the right temple of each inhabitant. At some point during a Fabrini's life, the instrument was inserted by a hand-held mechanism operated by the high official. This event marked the individual's becoming one of the People of Yonada. Presumably all those born on Yonada underwent the ritual. Outsiders could as well, since Leonard McCoy underwent this initiation in 2268 following his brief resignation from Starfleet. The instrument apparently monitored an individual in an undetermined manner to detect offensive behavior, including (but not limited to) questioning the Oracle, engaging in any of various acts defined as sacrilege, or speaking (and presumably believing) things that contradict the official doctrine of the faith. Offenders experienced pain inflicted through the instrument; repeated offenses caused increasing pain and eventually death. When operating, the device glowed red brightly enough to be seen through the skin. The Oracle monitored and probably operated the instrument, as it was aware of offenses requiring punishment.
"Is truth not truth for all?" - Natira (Challenging The Oracle)