All language subtitles for Star Trek The Original Series [1x23] - A Taste of Armageddon

Captain 's Log.
Star date 3192.1--

The Enterprise is en route

to star cluster NGC 321.

Objective--to open
diplomatic relations

with the civilizations
known to be there.

We have sent a message
to Eminiar 7,

principle planet
of the star cluster,

informing them of
our friendly intentions.

We are awaiting an answer.

Nothing yet, Lieutenant?

Nothing, Captain.
Hailing frequencies are open.

Have you received an answer
to your message yet, Captain?

Nothing yet, Ambassador.

We're awaiting a reply.
Today's the first time

we've had any evidence
they've picked up our signal.

Captain, message coming in
from Eminiar 7.

Sir, it's code 710.

Are you sure?

Positive.
It repeats over and over.

Is that supposed
to mean something?

Code 710 means
under no circumstances

are we to approach
that planet--

no circumstances what so ever.

You will disregard
that signal, Captain.

Mr. Fox, it is their planet.

Captain, in the past 20 years,

thousands of lives
have been lost on this route--

lives that could have been saved

if the Federation
had a treaty port here.

We mean to have that port,
and I'm here to get it.

By disregarding code 710,

you might involve us
in an interplanetary war.

I'm quite prepared
to take that risk.

You are.

I'm thinking about
this ship, my crew.

I have my orders, Captain,
and now you have yours.

You will proceed on course.

Achieve orbit status and
Just leave the rest to me.

You're aware

that my mission gives me
the power of command.

I now exercise it.

You will proceed on course.

That's a direct order.

In view of code 710,
Captain, may I suggest--

Yes, Mr. Spock.
This is the captain.

Condition--yellow alert.
Phaser crews stand by.

Deflector shields up.

We're going in--
peacefully, I hope--

but, peacefully or not...

we're going in.

Space--
the final frontier.

These are the voyages
of the starship Enterprise.

Its five-year mission--

to explore
strange new worlds...

to seek out new life
and new civilizations...

to boldly go where
no man has gone before.

Captain 's Log.
Star date 3192.5--

Now in standard orbit
around planet Eminiar 7,

my orders are clear--

We must establish
diplomatic relations

at all cost.

Preparing to beam down
to planet's surface.

We know very little about them.

Their civilization is advanced.

They've had space flight
for several centuries,

but they have never ventured
beyond their own solar system.

When first contacted
50 years ago,

Eminiar 7 was at war
with its nearest neighbor.

Anything else?

The Earth expedition
making the report

failed to return
from its mission.

The U.S.S. Valiant.

Listed as missing in space.

Kirk, what's this about
you going down alone?

Not alone. I'm taking
some security people with me.

It is my prerogative.

I can't risk beaming
you down there until I know

what kind of reception
you'll receive.

Your safety is my responsibility.
Those are my orders.

Mr. Spock.

Transporter room
standing by, Captain.

What coordinates?

We've selected a site

which seems to be near
an official establishment.

[Kirk]
Final sensor readings?

No hostility directed toward us,

no apparent notice
taken of us at all,

which seems strange.

They did scan us
when we assumed orbit.

Obviously, they know we're here.

Ship's defenses?

Screens down,

but all defensive details
on general alert status, Captain.

Good.

The landing party

will pick up phaser number 1 s
from the arsenal.

Keep them inconspicuous.

Mr. Scott, the ship is yours.

Take care of her
until I come back.

Aye, aye, sir.

And have a bonny trip.

We'll do our best.

Let's go.

[Scanner Humming]

They will materialize there.

Remember your instructions--

They are to be treated
correctly, nothing more.

I'm Captain James T. Kirk
of the starship Enterprise

representing the United
Federation of Planets.

I know.

I'm Mea 3.

I congratulate you
on your instrumentation.

You've come directly to
the Division of Control.

If you'll follow me, please.

Captain, I wish...

Yes?

You were warned
not to come here.

I had orders to come here.

Why did you tell us
to stay away?

It was for your
own safety, Captain.

I see no danger here.

The danger exists.

Never the less, you are here.

It would be morally incorrect

to do less than
extend our hospitality.

Anan 7 and members
of the High Council await you.

If you will come
this way, please.

I'm Captain Kirk.

This is my first officer,
Mr. Spock,

Lieutenants Galloway,
Osborne, Yeoman Tamula.

Welcome to Eminiar 7.

Well, Captain,
what can we do for you?

My mission is to establish
diplomatic relations

between your people and mine.

That is impossible.

Would you mind telling me why?

Because of the war.

You're still at war?

We have been at war
for 500 years.

You conceal it very well.

Mr. Spock.

Sir, we have completely
scanned your planet.

We find it highly advanced,

prosperous in a material sense,

comfortable for your people,

and peaceful in the extreme,

yet you say you are at war.

There is no evidence of this.

Casualties among
our civilian population

total from 1 to 3 million
dead each year

from direct enemy attack.

That is one reason, Captain,

why we told you to stay away.

As long as your ship
is orbiting our planet,

it is in severe danger.

With whom are you at war?

The third planet in our system,

called Vendikar,

originally settled by our people

and now a ruthless enemy--

highly advanced technologically.

[Alarm Buzzes]

Please excuse me.

Vendikar is attacking.

Mea, prepare for our guests.

Strange.

To say the least.

It will not last long.

Don't you take shelter?

There is no shelter, Captain.

Are these attacks frequent?

Oh, yes, and we will
retaliate immediately.

Oh!

[Kirk]
What is it?

A hit right here in the city.

Do you hear any explosions,
Mr. Spock?

None, Captain.

Yeoman Tamula?

Sir?

Tricorder readings--

radiation disturbances
of any kind.

[Buzzing]

Working, sir. No evidence.

Mea...

if this is an attack,

may I ask what weapons
the enemy is using?

Fusion bombs--

materialized by the enemy
over their targets.

[Communicator Beeps]

Kirk to Bridge. Scotty?

Scotty here, Captain.

Scanners operative
on the planet's surface?

Of course, sir. As per orders.

Anything unusual?

Nothing, sir.

All quiet.

Thank you. Kirk out.

Look, Anan.

Yes, I see it.
They were warned.

Just as it happened
50 years ago.

Alert a security detachment.

They may be needed.

It was a vicious attack--

extremely destructive.

Fortunately,
our defenses are firming,

but our casualties are high--

very high.

Sir, I have been
in contact with my ship,

which has had this entire planet
under surveillance.

All during this
so-called attack of yours,

we have been monitoring you.

There's been no attack,

no explosions, no radiations,

no disturbances whatsoever.

If this is some sort
of game you're playing--

This is no game, Captain.

Half a million people
have just been killed.

Activate the attack units, Sar.

Yes, Council man.

Launch immediate counter attack.

Computers, Captain.

They fight their war
with computers totally.

Yes, of course.

Computers don't kill
a half a million people.

Deaths have been registered.

Of course they have
24 hours to report.

To report?

To our disintegration machines.

You must understand, Captain,

we have been at war
for 500 years.

Under ordinary conditions,

no civilization
could with stand that,

but we have reached a solution.

Then the attack by Vendikar
was theoretical.

Oh, no. Quite real.

An attack is
mathematically launched.

I lost my wife
in the last attack.

Our civilization lives.

The people die,

but our culture goes on.

You mean to tell me...

your people just walk into
a disintegration machine

when they're told to?

We have a high consciousness
of duty, Captain.

There is a certain
scientific logic about it.

I'm glad you approve.

I do not approve.

I understand.

Good.

Then you will recall

I warned you not to come here.

You chose to ignore my warning.

I'm sorry, but it's happened.

What has happened?

Once your ship was in orbit
about our planet,

it became a legitimate target.

It has been classified destroyed

by a tricobalt
satellite explosion.

All persons aboard your ship

have 24 hours to report to
our disintegration machines.

In order to ensure
their cooperation,

I have ordered you,
Captain, and your party

held in custody
until they surrender.

If possible, we shall
spare your ship, Captain,

but its passengers and crew
are already dead.

Captain 's Log delayed.

The Enterprise,
in orbit about Eminiar 7,

has been declared a casualty

of an incredible war
fought by computers.

land my landing party,

though apparently not included

as casualties aboard
the Enterprise,

are confined
on the planet's surface

awaiting...

what?

I have been sent to ask
if you require anything.

We require a great deal.
I wish to speak to Anan 7.

He's busy coordinating
casualty lists.

He'll have more casualty lists

than he knows what to do with
if he doesn't talk to me.

Don't you understand?
Our duty--

Your duty doesn't include

stepping into a disintegrator
and disappearing.

I'm afraid mine does, Captain.

I have been declared a casualty.

I must report to a disintegrator
by noon tomorrow.

Is that all it means to you,

to report and die?

My life is as dear to me
as yours is to you.

- Then how can you stand--
- Don't you see?

If I refuse to report
and others refuse,

then Vendikar
would have no choice

but to launch real weapons.

We would have to do the same
to defend ourselves.

More than people
would die then.

A whole civilization
would be destroyed.

Surely you can see that
ours is a better way.

No, I don't see that at all.

It's been our way
for almost 500 years.

Is there anything
I can bring you?

Yes. Anan 7.

I tell you, we should have
heard something by now.

Aye, Doctor, that we should,
but we haven't,

and we cannot raise them.

You know, if there'd been trouble,

they should have managed
to get word back to us.

We can't just sit here.

What would you suggest?

Me? I'm a doctor.
If I were an officer--

Would you have me open fire?

Of course not.

Mr. Scott, message
coming in from the captain.

Scott here, Captain.

Good news, Mr. Scott.

The Eminian shave agreed
to the establishment

of full normal
diplomatic relations.

Mr. Fox will be glad
to hear about that.

They've extended an invitation

to all personnel to come ashore.

They've assured me our people
will have a wonderful time.

Uh, Captain?

Yes, Mr. Scott?

All personnel?

All personnel.

We'll transport up trained Eminians

to assume support positions.

Those are my orders, Mr. Scott.

Aye, aye, Captain.

We'll start forming
shore parties immediately.

Scott out.

Well, now, what do
you think of that?

I don't know.

Well, I do.

Computer,

last message received
and recorded from Captain Kirk.

[Computer Whirs]

In play.

Run it through analyzer.

Question-- Is it or
is it not the captain's voice?

Negative.

A close copy.

A voice duplicator?

98% probability.

Well, they've got them, Doctor,

and now they're trying to get us.

Are you sure
you can do it, Mr. Spock?

Limited telepathic abilities

are inherent
in Vulcanians, Captain.

It may work.

It may not.

Do your best.

- Thank you.
- My pleasure.

What do we do now?

We get our communicators back

and try and contact the ship.

Mr. Spock,

we'll need more weapons.

I understand.

We'll try to take it easy,
but if we're forced to kill...

An entrance, Captain, but no exit.

They go in,
but they do not come out.

A disintegration machine.

So I would assume.

- Mea!
- Oh!

- What do you think you're doing?
- I'm--I'm going--

- You're not going in there.
- Well, I must.

Please--don't worry about me.

Mr. Spock, that guard.

I'll cover you.

Sir, there's a multilegged creature

crawling on your shoulder.

All right, you people,
clear out of the way.

What are you doing?

Throwing a monkey wrench
into the machinery.

You can't do this.

I've done it.

Come on. Let's get out of here.

The Federation prisoners have
attacked their guard and escaped.

They are armed.

Disintegration station
number 12 destroyed, Council man,

apparently by disruptor fire.

All security personnel,

Federation prisoners have escaped.

They are to be found.

They are armed.

If they resist,
do what is necessary.

Planetary disruptor banks,

calculate orbit of
star cruiser now circling.

Stand by to fire full power.

Councilman, planetary
disruptor banks locked onto target.

Standing by.

In 10 seconds, open fire.

Destroy the star cruiser.

Those are the orders
of the council.

Ship 's Log.
Star date 3193.0--

Chief Engineer Scott recording.

The captain
and first officer are overdue

and missing
on the surface of Eminiar 7.

I have taken standard
precautionary measures

while we continue
our attempts to locate them.

All stations reporting.

Deflector screens
rigged at full power.

Phaser crews ready.

Sensors reading 0.

Correction. Mr. Scott.

Yes, Mr. DePaul?

Sensor readings just
shot off the scale.

Well, now...

they're taking pot shots at us.

Holding, Mr. DePaul?

Screens firm, sir.

Extremely powerful
sonic vibrations.

Decibels-- 18 to the 12th power.

If those screens weren't up,

we'd be totally disrupted by now.

I guess that answers
our questions, Mr. Scott.

They're not very friendly,
are they?

Aye.

But what about our captain

and the landing party
down there some where?

We get them out.

If they're alive
and if we can find them.

That's a big planet.

Not too big for
the Enterprise to handle.

We can't fire full phasers
with our screens up.

We can't lower our screens
with their disruptors on us.

I could treat them
to a few dozen photon torpedoes.

You'll do no such thing.

We're under attack.
They're trying to knock us down.

You have taken
defensive measures.

Of course, but--

There are no buts.

Obviously it's a misunderstanding.

One of my jobs is
to clear up misunderstandings.

They're holding our captain.

We have no proof of that.

I'm responsible for
the safety of this ship.

I'm responsible for
the success of this mission,

and that's more important.
Is that clear?

We came here to establish
diplomatic relations.

But they're the ones
looking for a fight.

This is a diplomatic matter.

If you check your regulations,

you'll find that
my orders get priority.

I'll try to make contact
with the planetary officials.

Lieutenant, open up a channel
and keep it open.

Tell them to expect
a priority-1 message from me.

There will be no punitive
measures, gentlemen.

Those are my orders.

Diplomats.

The best diplomat I know

is a fully activated phaser bank.

Why did we come back here, Captain?

The last place they'll look
is where we escaped from.

Cover the door.

Captain, let me go.
My time's almost up.

Are you that anxious to die?

You don't understand.

How did that raid work out?

We captured four of their weapons,

two complete outfits
of male clothing,

and, most important of all,

one of their
communication devices.

Will it reach the ship?

Its range is restricted
in comparison with ours.

I can alter its components,

but it will take time.

Work on it. We've got
to contact the ship.

Mea, give me a complete
layout of this complex.

- How do I get to the war room?
- No!

Listen to me.

I'm trying to help you,

to save your life
and millions like you.

If you help me,
maybe I can do it.

If you don't, you'll die,

we'll die, and the killing
will go on--

Or are you that fond of the war?

What are you going to do?

We're going to try
and stop the killing.

We're trying to help.

Believe me.

I believe you, but--

Tell me what I want to know.

Please.

Time is running out.

We have been unable
to destroy the Earth ship,

one of our
disintegration chambers

has been eliminated,

and we have already fallen
far behind in our quota.

This is a grave crisis,

and I am at a loss
to know how to proceed.

The central channel, Anan.

The Earth ambassador's calling

with an urgent message.

What is the great immorality,

open honesty

or a deception
which may save our lives?

Put me through
to the Earth ambassador.

A channel is open,
Mr. Ambassador.

You will be speaking to Anan 7,

head of the High Council
of the Eminian Union.

[Beep]

Mr. Anan, this is Robert Fox,

special ambassador for the
United Federation of Planets.

A great honor, Mr. Ambassador.

We have approached you openly,

with the intent of establishing
formal and friendly relations

between our peoples,

but now, for some reason,
you have attacked us,

and apparently you're holding
several special representatives

of our Federation.

A mistake, Mr. Ambassador.

We are at war.

An error in our sensors

indicated that your ship
was about to attack us.

I'm giving orders that
our attack be stopped.

Now, as to your representatives,

you have my sacred word
as an Eminian

that they are alive and well.

Thank you.

I thought perhaps
it was all a mistake.

Mr. Scott, disruptor beams
are no longer hitting us.

Maintain status, Mr. DePaul.

We are most anxious to establish
relations with you, Mr. Fox.

We will make arrangements
to receive you.

The minute their screens
are down, open fire.

Yes, Councilman.

I apologize deeply for
the misunderstanding.

These are trying times
for us, you understand.

I understand.

Mr. Anan, I presume

that you have
our ship's captain on hand

when I beam down.

He will be there, sir.

I give you my word.

I'm sure that from now on,

your planet and our Federation

will attain the deepest friendship.

I look forward to seeing you.

Diplomacy, gentlemen,

should be a job left to diplomats.

You will, of course, immediately
resume a peaceful status.

No, sir, I will not.

What did you say?

I'll not lower the screens,

not until the captain tells me to.

You are taking orders from me.

You will lower the screens
as a sign of good faith.

My authority.

I know about your authority,

but the screens stay up.

Mr. Fox, they faked
a message from the captain,

they've launched an attack
against our ship.

You want us to
trust them openly?

I want you to obey
my lawful orders.

No, sir. I won't
lower the screens.

Your refusal to comply
with my orders

has endangered the entire
success of this mission.

I can have you sent
to a penal colony.

You can, sir,
but I won't lower the screens.

Your name will figure prominently

in my report
to the Federation Central.

Well, Scotty,
now you've done it.

Aye. The haggis is
in the fire for sure,

but I'll not lower my defenses

on the word of that
mealy mouthed gentleman down below,

not until I know
what happened to the captain.

Won't you join me
in a drink, Captain?

You'll find our trova
most interesting.

I didn't come to drink.

I assume that is what you used

to destroy
disintegration chamber 12.

An efficient weapon.
I'm not afraid of using it.

My first impression was correct.

You are a barbarian.

I am?

Don't sound
so incredulous, Captain.

Of course you are.

We all are.

A killer first,
a builder second.

A hunter, a warrior,
and--let's be honest--

a murderer.

That is our joint her it age,
is it not?

We're less cold-blooded
about it than you are.

What do you want, Captain?

I want to contact my ship.

Where are my communicators?

In a safe place.

You take a lot of
chances, Councilman.

You're worried about
your ship, Captain.

I'm trying to save a world.

If I were you,

I'd think about saving my life.

Won't you have a drink, Captain?

And then we can discuss
our differences.

I'm not interested
in discussing our differences.

You don't seem to realize
the risk you�re taking.

We don't make war with computers

and herd the casualties
into suicide stations.

We make the real thing, Councilman.

I could destroy this planet.

Why do you think I don't
let you talk to your ship ?

I don't need the ship for that.

You mean, all by yourself
with a disruptor,

you can destroy this planet?

That's exactly what I mean.

I had no idea you were
so...formidable.

You think I'm joking?

Where are the communicators?

If I told you, Captain,

would you walk right out
and get them?

Something like that.

Very well, Captain.

They're in the war room.

Go left, down the corridor,
left again.

They are unguarded.

Is he alive?

Pity.

Man like that would have
preferred to die fighting.

Take him to the council room.

Ambassador Fox?

I am Robert Fox.

Have I the honor
of addressing Anan 7?

Welcome to Eminiar,
Mr. Ambassador.

Uh, Mr. Ambassador,

I am truly sorry
for what must happen.

I beg your pardon?

You and your party have
been declared war casualties.

You will be taken to one
of our casualty stations

so that your deaths
may be recorded.

You mean...
we are to be killed?

That is correct,
Mr. Ambassador.

I regret it very much,

but there is nothing
I can do about it.

[Beeping]

Spock to Enterprise, come in.

Mr. Scott, it's Mr. Spock.

Scotty here, Mr. Spock. Go ahead.

Is the ship all right?

We're all right now.

How about the captain and you?

The captain is overdue.

We've suffered
no casualties among us.

This is important.

Under no circumstances shall any one
beam down from the Enterprise.

They'd be killed
the moment they arrived.

That ties it. Fox went down
a couple minutes ago.

The ambassador.

I knew it had
a rotten ring to it.

Orbit out to
maximum phaser range

and stand by
for further orders.

Spock out.

What are you going to do,
Mr. Spock?

Find the ambassador
and the captain.

Yeoman Tamula, you stay here

and prevent this young lady
from immolating herself.

Knock her down if necessary.

This is a killing situation.

Do what you must
to protect yourself.

Yes, sir.

What are you doing?

I'm a representative of
the United Federation of Planets!

A special representative!

Get in line.

Spock!

Please, Mr. Fox.

Move quickly away
from the chamber

or you may be injured.

[Beeping]

What are you doing,
Mr. Spock?

Practicing a peculiar
variety of diplomacy, sir.

I'll take you to a safe place,

then I must find the captain.

They have him.
The guards told us.

They took him to the council room
under heavy guard.

By now, Mr. Ambassador,
I'm sure you realize

that normal diplomatic procedures
are ineffective here.

I've never been
a soldier, Mr. Spock,

but I learn very quickly.

Very well. We need all
the help we can get.

Captain, surely you can see
the position we are in.

If your people do not report
to our disintegration chambers,

it is a violation of an agreement

that dates back 500 years.

My people are not responsible
for your agreements.

You will be responsible

for an escalation that
will destroy everything.

Millions of people
horribly killed,

complete destruction
of our culture here

and the culture on Vendikar,

disaster, disease, starvation,

horrible, lingering death,

pain and anguish!

That seems to frighten you.

It would frighten any sane man.

Yes. You're quite right.

Don't you understand, Captain?

We have done away with all that.

Now you are threatening
to bring it down on us again.

Are those 500 people of yours

more important than the hundreds
of millions of innocent people

on Eminiar and Vendikar?

What kind of monster are you?

I'm a barbarian.

You said it yourself.

I had hoped I'd spoken
only figuratively.

Oh, no. You were
quite accurate.

I plan to prove it to you.

Open a channel to the Enterprise.

You give me no choice, Captain.

We are not bandits,

but you force us to act as bandits.

This is the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Scotty, general order 24
in 2 hours! In 2 hours!

Enterprise...

this is Anan 7,

first councilman of
the High Council of Eminiar.

We hold your captain, his party,

your ambassador and his party
prisoners.

Unless you immediately
start transportation

of all personnel aboard
your ship to the surface,

the hostages will be killed.

You have 30 minutes.

I mean it, Captain.

All that it means is
that I won't be around

for the destruction.

You heard me give
general order 24.

In two hours,

the Enterprise will
destroy Eminiar 7.

Planetary Defense System,

open fire on the Enterprise!

I'm sorry, Councilman.

The target has moved out of range.

You wouldn't do this.

Hundreds of millions of people.

I didn't start it,
Councilman...

but I'm liable to finish it.

Councilman, received
a message from Vendikar.

Our time is nearly up.

Our quota is short
by several thousand.

They accuse us of
reneging on the treaty.

You see?
It's started.

You're wrong.
It hasn't begun.

Councilman,
disintegrator station 11

has been destroyed.

Guard positions
in tunnels 8 and 10

fail to answer.

Earth party reported
seen in corridor 4-A.

You have less than
2 hours, Councilman.

What I want has
nothing to do with it.

Escalation is automatic.

You can stop it!

Stop it?

I'm counting on it.

Open a channel, Lieutenant.

[Beep]

This is the commander
of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

All cities and installations
on Eminiar 7

have been located, identified,

and fed into
our fire control system.

In 1 hour and 45 minutes,

the entire inhabited surface
of your planet

will be destroyed.

You have that long
to surrender your hostages.

What can I do?

Somebody please tell me.

Hold it!

Over there.

You, over there.

Move, move, move.

Now we'll talk.

I had assumed you needed help.

I see I'm in error.

No. I need the help.

In there, Mr. Spock.

Kirk to Enterprise.

Come in, Scotty.

Captain, are you all right?

Everything's secure here.

Maintain position.

If everything goes to plan,

you can beam us up
in 10 minutes.

If you don't hear from us,

carry out general order 24
on schedule.

Aye, aye, Captain.

Is there anything else
we can do?

Cross your fingers.

Kirk out.

Death...

destruction, disease, horror...

that's what war
is all about, Anan.

That's what makes it
a thing to be avoided.

You've made it
neat and painless.

So neat and painless,

you've had no reason to stop it.

And you've had it for 500 years.

Since it's the only way

I can save my crew and my ship,

I'm going to end it for you

one way or another.

Mr. Ambassador.

Yes, Captain.

Take these people
out into the corridor

and hold them there.

Gentlemen, if you please.

You...

come with me.

Mr. Osborne.

Our communicators, weapons.

All right, Mr. Spock.

These are
the attack computers, Captain.

That one's defense,

that one computes the casualties.

They're tied in with
a subspace transmission unit,

which keeps them
in constant contact

with their Vendikan
counterparts.

Yes, go on.

At the moment
contact is broken,

it abrogates the agreement
between the two warring parties.

What are you going to do?

This one's the key.

The circuit is now locked.

Destroy this one,
and they'll all go.

Good. Get him out.

No. Wait a minute!
Please, please!

Let's go.

Against the walls!

You realize
what you have done?

Yes, I do.

I've given you back
the horrors of war.

The Vendikans now assume
that you've broken your agreement

and you're preparing to wage
real war with real weapons.

They'll do the same,

only the next attack they launch

will do more than count up
numbers in a computer.

They'll destroy cities,
devastate your planet.

You'll want to retaliate.

If I were you,
I'd start making bombs.

Yes, Councilman, you have
a real war on your hands.

You can either wage it
with real weapons,

or you might consider
an alternative--

Put an end to it.

Make peace.

There can be no peace.

Don't you see?

We've admitted it to ourselves.

We're a killer species.

It's instinctive.
It's the same with you.

Your general order 24.

All right.
It's instinctive.

The instinct can be fought.

We're human beings

with the blood of a million
savage years on our hands,

but we can stop it.

We can admit that we're killers,

but we won't kill today.

That's all it takes--

knowing that we won't kill today.

Contact Vendikar.

I think you'll find

that they're just as
terrified, appalled,

horrified as you are,

that they'll do anything
to avoid the alternative--

peace or utter destruction.

It's up to you.

As a third party
interested only in peace

and the establishment
of normal relations,

I should be glad
to offer my services

as negotiator between
you and Vendikar.

I've had some
small experiences

in such matters.

There may be a chance.

We have a direct channel
with Vendikar's High Council.

It hasn't been used
in centuries.

Then it's long overdue.

Shall we go?

There's a chance
it may work, Captain.

Kirk to Enterprise. Scotty?

Scott here, Captain.

Cancel implementation
of general order 24.

Alert transporter room.

We're ready to beam up.

Lay in a course for
Argana 2, Navigator.

Mr. Scott?

Space detail set, Captain.

Message from Eminiar 7, Captain.

Ambassador Fox reports negotiations
underway with Vendikar.

Outlook hopeful.

Good.

Captain...

you took a big chance.

Did I, Mr. Spock?

They have been killing
3 million people a year.

It went on for 500 years.

An actual attack wouldn't
have killed any more people,

but it would have ended
their ability to make war.

The fighting would have
been over permanently.

But you didn't know
it would work.

No. It was a calculated risk.

Still, the Eminians keep
a very orderly society,

and actual war
is a very messy business,

a very, very messy business.

I had a feeling that they
would do anything to avoid it,

even talk peace.

Feeling is not much to go on.

Sometimes a feeling, Mr. Spock,

is all we humans have to go on.

Captain...

you almost make me believe in luck.

Why, Mr. Spock,

you almost make me
believe in miracles.