Welcome to Starbase 11, captain. The commodore is waiting to see you.
He's curious why you suddenly changed course and came here.
We received a subspace message asking us to divert here immediately.
This base sent no message, captain.
Oh, Jim, I just can't understand this.
Mr. Spock received a transmission from this starbase,
a message from former commander of the Enterprise, Fleet Captain Pike,
urgently requesting that we divert here.
- Impossible. - If my first officer states he received...
- Jim, I'm not doubting anyone's word. - Jose, l...
- I'm simply telling you it's impossible. - Why?
You don't know? You actually don't know
what's happened to Captain Pike?
There's been subspace chatter about it for months.
I'm sorry to have to be the one to show you.
He's upstairs in the medical section.
You ever met Chris Pike?
We met when he was promoted to fleet captain.
About your age.
- A big, handsome man, vital, active. - I took over the Enterprise from him.
Spock served with him for several years.
Eleven years, four months, five days.
What's his problem, commodore?
Inspection tour of a cadet vessel, old class-J starship.
One of the baffle plates ruptured.
The delta rays?
He went in, bringing out all those kids that were still alive.
Just wanted you gentlemen to be prepared.
Captain Pike?
Captain.
You remember these gentlemen. They wanted to visit you.
Two flashes mean "no."
I thought you might make an exception for them.
I'm sorry, gentlemen.
Chris, if there's anything I can do for you...
Captain Pike...
...may I remain for a moment?
You know why I've come, captain.
It's only six days away at maximum warp,
and I have it well planned.
I have never disobeyed your orders before, captain.
But this time, I must.
I know. I know it is treachery, and it's mutiny.
But I must do this.
I have no choice.
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.
Once more, Jose.
Spock stated he received a message for us to come here.
He entered same in his log. That's all the proof I require.
And what do those record tapes show?
No message sent from here.
No message received by your vessel.
Then I suggest the record tapes have been deliberately changed.
A computer expert can change record tapes,
duplicate voices, say anything, say nothing.
The fact remains that your first officer's former captain is hospitalized,
horribly injured, at this base.
And that same first officer seems to be the only one
- who heard that message... - If he wanted to see Captain Pike,
he could've requested a leave.
Well, that's true, of course.
Who would want to divert us here?
There's no trouble in the space sector we're patrolling now,
no alien problems.
Computer centre.
Chief Humboldt here, sir.
Have you rechecked all the record tapes
on the date in question?
- Yes, sir. - Is there any way at all
a message could've been sent without us knowing it?
Negative. We've checked and double-checked everything possible.
All right. Start checking the impossible.
Mendez out.
Oh, have I introduced Miss Piper, Jim? This is Captain Kirk, Miss Piper.
I recognized the captain immediately.
A mutual friend described you, sir. Lieutenant Helen Johannson?
Helen described...
She merely mentioned she knew you, sir.
You have something to report, Miss Piper?
Oh, yes, sir.
I'm afraid our investigation turned up very little, commodore.
There is, of course, Mr. Spock's years of service with Captain Pike,
indications of his extreme loyalty to this former commander...
A Vulcan can no sooner be disloyal than he can exist without breathing.
That goes for his present commander as well as his past.
We're forced to consider every possibility, sir.
We can be certain Captain Pike could not have sent a message.
In his condition, he's under observation every minute of every day.
And totally unable to move, Jim.
His wheelchair is constructed to respond to his brain waves.
Oh, he can turn it, move it forwards or backward slightly.
Through the flashing light, he can say yes or no.
But that's it, Jim.
That's as much as that poor devil can do.
His mind is as active as yours and mine,
but it's trapped inside a useless, vegetating body.
He's kept alive mechanically,
a battery-driven heart.
Then there's no way he could even have asked
for that message to be sent?
Starbase Operations.
Starbase Operations Starbase Operations to Enterprise.
Stand by to receive new orders, Enterprise.
Starbase Operation, Mr. Hanson.
Starbase Operations to Enterprise. Stand by to receive new orders.
They are to be fed directly into the ship's computers.
This is top-secret and scrambled.
Enterprise standing by.
Request confirmation.
Enterprise to starbase. Request confirmation.
Sir, this is a security area. What are you doing?
I have security clearance, chief.
Who gave you clearance? I haven't been notified.
You're cross-circuiting the...
Whose tapes are these?
Repeat, Enterprise to starbase. Orders received.
We need operating confirmation from the ship's captain.
Come in, starbase. Come in, Captain Kirk.
This is Captain Kirk. You have confirmation, Miss Uhura.
Hanson here, captain.
Our destination has been scramble-fed into ship's computers.
How can I handle the helm if I don't know where we're going?
Mr. Spock is with me here. He'll answer all questions. Kirk out.
This is Mr. Spock.
The ship's computers will handle the helm on this voyage, Mr. Hanson.
Course will be computed and set automatically.
You will not discuss this with ship's crew or starbase personnel.
- Do you read? - Acknowledged, sir.
Stand by. We'll warp out of orbit in one hour.
He keeps blinking "no." No to what?
I've tried questioning him. He's almost agitated himself into a coma.
- How long will he live? - As long as any of us.
Blast medicine anyway.
We've learned to tie into every human organ in the body except one:
The brain. And the brain is what life is all about.
Now, that man can think any thought that we can.
And love, hope, dream as much as we can.
But he can't reach out, and no one can reach in.
- He keeps blinking "no." - No to what?
They could question him for days, weeks,
before they stumble on the right thing.
Bones...
...could this have anything to do with Spock?
I don't read you at all, Jim.
What I mean is...
...either a message was received...
It was one of two things.
Either someone sent a message diverting us here
or someone onboard the ship lied about receiving it.
Could that someone be Mr. Spock?
Jim, forgetting how well we both know Spock,
the simple fact that he's a Vulcan means he's incapable of telling a lie.
He's also half human.
And that half is completely submerged.
To be caught acting like us
or even thinking like us would completely embarrass him.
Someone's interfering with my command and my ship.
I don't know who it is, but I mean to find out.
Even you. If I thought you had the technical know-how, I'd suspect you.
But you don't. Spock does.
He would not make a false entry.
There's a false entry in the log now which doesn't jibe with the facts.
- How do you explain that? - I can't
but to question Spock, of all people...
Me, yes, I could run off half-cocked, given a good reason. So could you.
But not Spock. It's impossible.
Dr. McCoy, report to Transporter Control.
- Dr. McCoy to Transporter Control. - McCoy here.
You're needed aboard the Enterprise, doctor. Medical emergency.
Well, what is it? Sickness, injury? How bad is it?
That's all we have on it, doctor. Just "needed aboard."
Probably somebody discovered a hangnail.
I'll beam up and let you know, Jim.
"For eyes of Starfleet Command only."
I'm certifying I ordered you to read it.
Know anything at all about this planet?
What every ship captain knows.
General Order 7: "No vessel, under any condition,
emergency or otherwise, is to visit Talos IV."
And to do so is the only death penalty left on our books.
Only Fleet Command knows why. Not even this file explains that.
But it does name the only Earth ship that ever visited the planet.
The Enterprise.
Commanded by Captain Christopher Pike.
With a half-Vulcan science officer named Spock.
Commodore! Captain Pike, he's gone.
- Mendez here. What is it? - Starship Enterprise, commodore.
It's warping out of orbit. Refuses to acknowledge our signal.
Out of orbit, Mr. Spock.
Seems strange with no navigator on duty.
The Enterprise knows where she's going, Mr. Hanson.
- Someone's trying to hail us, sir. - Maintain radio silence, lieutenant.
This is First Officer Spock.
Per Starfleet orders this date,
I've been placed in temporary command of the Enterprise.
While our destination is secret, our mission is relatively simple.
Starbase Command has assigned Captain Kirk medical rest leave
until our return. His instructions are...
...that you will obey my orders as you would his.
First officer out.
What's going on around here?
Who said Jim needed a medical rest leave?
And this call about me being needed aboard the ship.
- I've checked everywhere. - And no one made such a call.
- That's right. - Doctor, I regret
they elected to keep certain things from you.
Will you come with me, please?
What is this, Spock?
Captain, are you all right?
- I see that you're still signalling... - Doctor, one moment, please.
Kirk to Dr. McCoy.
I'm recording you this message, Bones,
so there'll be no misunderstanding.
I'm sorry to have to make it an order.
You are not to disturb Captain Pike with any questions.
Simply take good care of him.
Follow Spock's instructions to the letter. Kirk out.
Sir, scanners report an object following us.
About the size of a starbase shuttlecraft.
- Shall we reverse helm? - Take no action, Mr. Hanson.
But at our speed, they'll never catch us.
- But in case they want to reach us... - You have your orders, Mr. Hanson.
We'll make no contact.
Starbase Shuttlecraft 1 to Enterprise. Come in, please.
Enterprise, Commodore Mendez and Captain Kirk.
If you read me, you are ordered to reply.
Repeating it on all emergency frequencies, Jim.
Spock is headed for Talos IV, all right.
Pulling ahead of us fast.
Fuel is down to 63.3.
If we turn back now, we've just got barely enough
to get us back to the base.
Shuttlecraft to Enterprise, come in.
Enterprise, come in.
- Library computer. - Lock onto sensors.
Measure object now following the Enterprise.
Computed. Object is a class-F shuttlecraft.
Duranium metal shell, ion engine power...
Stop.
How long before shuttlecraft's fuel supply
forces return to starbase?
Computed.
Shuttlecraft is already past point of safe return.
We coast.
Blast you anyway.
You had no right to come along.
R.H.I.P., captain. "Rank Hath lts Privileges."
Two hours of oxygen left.
Wonderful.
Part of me is hoping that the Enterprise won't come back for us.
We step on that deck, Spock is finished,
court-martialed, disgraced.
He's dead if he makes it to Talos IV.
Why would he want to get Pike there?
The Command report stated Talos contained
absolutely no practical benefits to mankind.
Spock would have some logical reason for going.
Maybe. Maybe he's just gone mad.
I keep wondering who might be after us in a shuttlecraft,
and I keep coming up with the same answers.
But I can't be right, can I, Mr. Spock?
Computer Control, lock onto shuttlecraft following us.
Locked on. Tractor beam ready.
Go to tape Able-Seven-Baker. Execute instructions.
Is it the captain, Mr. Spock?
Sir, the engines are reversing.
She's brought herself to a dead stop.
This is the first officer speaking.
Security, send an armed team to the bridge.
Transporter room, stand by to beam Captain Kirk aboard.
Effective until then,
Lieutenant Hanson is in operational command.
- Sir? - First officer out.
Doctor, as senior officer present,
I present myself to you for arrest.
- You what? - The charge...
...is mutiny, doctor.
I never received orders to take command.
Security reporting, Mr. Spock.
Doctor...
Mr. Spock is...
...under arrest.
- Is confinement to quarters enough? - Adequate, doctor.
I'll make no trouble.
- Well, confine him. - Yes, sir.
Store our shuttlecraft on the hangar deck, Mr. Scott.
Beam us directly aboard.
All right, captain. Locked onto you.
- Transferring command to you, sir. - Accepting command.
- Where's Mr. Spock? - In his quarters, sir, under arrest.
His quarters? After what he's done, lieutenant?
Captain from bridge. The engines are coming on.
Reverse power. Hold position. Tell whoever gave those orders...
Sir, there's nobody giving orders.
Mr. Spock has the computers running the ship.
- Disengage Computer Control, Uhura. - We can't disengage, captain.
The helm does not respond.
Computer Control, come in.
- Computer. - Disengage from helm.
Unable to comply.
This is the captain. On voice command,
you will override all contrary instructions.
Voice command: Disengage from helm.
Unable to comply.
Any such attempt will cross-circuit vessel's life-supporting system.
Computer Control cannot be disengaged
until vessel reaches planet Talos IV.
Captain's log, stardate 3012.4.
Despite our best efforts to disengage computers,
the Enterprise is still locked on a heading
for the mysterious planet, Talos IV.
Meanwhile, as required by Starfleet general orders,
a preliminary hearing on Lieutenant Commander Spock
is being convened, and in all the years of my service,
this is the most painful moment I've ever faced.
This hearing is convened.
Mr. Spock...
...you're aware of your right to counsel of your choice?
Sir, I waive counsel.
Further, I waive rights to this hearing and request immediate court-martial.
Request denied.
May I enquire on what grounds, captain?
Mutiny requires a trial board of no less than three command officers.
Since there are only two of that rank available...
Sir, I must point out
that there are three officers of command rank available:
Yourself, Commodore Mendez, and Captain Christopher Pike.
Denied.
Captain Pike is a complete invalid.
I believe you'll find he's still on the active-duty list.
We didn't have the heart to retire him, Jim.
He's got you. Whatever he's up to, he's planned it well.
Captain's log, stardate 3012.6.
General court-martial convened.
Mr. Spock has again waived counsel and has entered a plea of guilty.
Mr. Spock,
are you aware in pleading guilty
that a further charge, involving the death penalty,
must be held against you
should this vessel enter the Talos star group?
- I am. - Why?
What does it accomplish to go there or to take Captain Pike there?
I want to know why.
Are your comments a part of the record, sir?
Yes, it's on the record!
Thank you. Request monitor screen be engaged.
For what purpose?
To comply with the request you just made, sir.
That I explain the importance of going to Talos IV.
By asking him why, you've opened the door
to any evidence he may wish to present.
Apparently what he had in mind.
Present your evidence. Screen on.
This is 13 years ago.
The Enterprise...
...and its commander, Captain Christopher Pike.
Definitely something out there, captain, headed this way.
Screen off.
Chris...
...was that really you on the screen?
That's impossible.
Mr. Spock, no vessel makes record tapes in that detail, that perfect.
- What were we watching? - I cannot tell you at this time, sir.
Captain Pike, were any record tapes of this nature
made during your voyage?
The court is not obliged to view evidence
without knowing its source.
Unless the court asks a prisoner why, commodore.
You did ask that question.
You mean I was manoeuvred into asking.
Your evidence is out of order.
I am forced to contest that. I want to see more.
You have that right, captain.
But just because the prisoner is your first officer
and your personal friend...
That has nothing to do with it.
Very well. Continue.
Screen on, Mr. Scott.
No. It's something else. There's still something out there.
As I stated, gentlemen, this was 13 years ago.
We were on routine patrol
when the ship's sensors detected something ahead.
At first, we were not certain what it was.
It's coming the speed of light. Collision course.
The meteorite beam has not deflected it, captain.
- Evasive manoeuvres, sir? - Steady as we go.
It's a radio wave, sir.
We're passing through an old-style distress signal.
They were keyed to cause interference and attract attention this way.
A ship in trouble making a forced landing, sir.
- That's it. No other message. - I have a fix.
It comes from the Talos star group.
We've no ships or Earth colonies that far out.
Their call letters check with a survey expedition:
SS Columbia.
Disappeared in that region approximately 18 years ago.
It would take that long for a radio beam to travel from there to here.
Records show the Talos group has never been explored.
Solar system similar to Earth. Eleven planets.
Number four seems to be...
...class-M.
Oxygen atmosphere.
Then they could still be alive, even after 18 years.
If they survived the crash.
We aren't going to go... to be certain?
Not without any indication of survivors, no.
Continue on to the Vega Colony
and take care of our own sick and injured first.
You have the helm. Maintain present course.
Yes, sir.
- Boyce here. - Drop by my cabin, doctor.
What's that?
I didn't say there's anything wrong with me.
I understand we picked up a distress signal.
That's right.
Unless we get anything more positive on it,
it seems to me the condition of our own crew takes precedent.
I'd like to log the ship's doctor's opinion too.
Oh, I concur with yours, definitely.
Good, I'm glad you do,
because we're gonna stop first at the Vega Colony
and replace anybody who needs hospitalization.
And also...
What the devil are you putting in there? Ice?
Who wants a warm martini?
What makes you think I need one?
Sometimes
a man will tell his bartender things he'll never tell his doctor.
What's been on your mind, Chris? The fight on Rigel Vll?
Shouldn't it be?
My own yeoman and two others dead, seven injured.
Was there anything you personally could've done to prevent it?
I should've smelled trouble when I saw the swords and armour.
Instead, I let myself get trapped in that deserted fortress
- and attacked by one of their warriors. - You set standards for yourself
no one could meet.
You treat everyone onboard like a human being except yourself.
And now you're tired, and you...
You bet I'm tired.
You bet.
I'm tired of being responsible for 203 lives,
and I'm tired of deciding which mission is too risky and which isn't,
and who's going on the landing party and who doesn't.
And who lives.
And who dies.
Oh, I've had it, Phil.
To the point of finally taking my advice, a rest leave?
To the point of considering resigning.
And do what?
Well, for one thing, go home.
Nice little town with 50 miles of parkland around it.
Remember I told you I had two horses?
We used to take some food and ride out all day.
Oh, that sounds exciting,
ride out with a picnic lunch every day.
I said that's one place I might go.
Or I'd go into business on Regulus or in the Orion Colony.
You, an Orion trader, dealing in green animal-women slaves?
The point is that this isn't the only life available.
There's a whole galaxy of things to choose from.
Not for you.
A man either lives life as it happens to him,
meets it head-on and licks it, or he...
...turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
Now you're beginning to talk like a doctor, bartender.
You take your choice.
We both get the same two kinds of customers:
The living and the dying.
Mr. Spock here. We're intercepting a follow-up message, sir.
There are crash survivors on Talos.
"Eleven survivors from crash.
Gravity and oxygen within limits.
Food and water obtainable, but unless..."
The message faded at that point, sir.
Address intercraft.
System open.
This is the captain.
Our destination is the Talos star group.
Our time warp, factor 7.
Course computed and on the screen.
All decks have acknowledged, sir.
Engage.
Screen off.
Mr. Spock, I'm truly amazed at your technical prowess
in somehow manufacturing all this.
I congratulate you on your imagination.
But this is a court of space law, not a theatre.
Captain, please tell the court this is not imagination,
nor some clever photographic record.
Are we seeing the actual events of 13 years ago?
Yes, gentlemen, on that screen, as it happened,
the incredible experience of Captain Christopher Pike on Talos IV.
If, after witnessing this, the court wishes to turn this vessel back,
I will release this ship to manual control.
You're in no position to bargain. This is ridiculous.
This man mutinied, stole your ship, abducted Captain Pike.
- For me, this has gone far enough. - We still haven't heard the story.
- I vote to continue. - And I vote we do not. Deadlock.
It's not a deadlock.
There's still one member of the trial board to be heard from.
Very well. Captain Pike,
it's up to you. Do we continue under these conditions?
Yes.
Captain's log, supplemental.
Mr. Spock, on trial for mutiny,
has forced the court to accept unusual evidence.
On our monitor screen,
the voyage of Captain Pike and the Enterprise
to the one forbidden world in all the galaxy.
Screen on.
We've settled into orbit, sir.
Geological lab report complete, captain.
- Preliminary lab survey ready, sir. - Spectography?
Our reading shows an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, sir,
heavy with inert elements, but safe.
- Gravity? - Zero-point-nine of Earth.
Captain. Reflections, sir, from the planet's surface.
As I read it, they polarise out as rounded metal bits.
- Could be parts of a spaceship hull. - Equip a landing party of six.
- You feel up to it? - Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
Sorry, Number One. With little information on this planet,
we'll have to leave the ship's most experienced officer here covering us.
Of course, sir.
There's no indication of problems, but let's not take any chances.
Yes, sir. There's a canyon to the left.
We can set you down there completely unobserved.
Sir.
They're men.
They're humans.
Captain Christopher Pike, United Spaceship Enterprise.
Dr. Theodore Haskins, American Continent Institute.
Is Earth all right?
The same old Earth, and you'll see it very soon.
And you won't believe how fast you can get back.
Well, the time barrier's been broken. Our new ships can...
This is Vina.
Her parents are dead. She was born almost as we crashed.
- Enterprise. - Landing party, come in.
We'll begin transporting the survivors and their effects up to you very shortly.
Quarters are being prepared, sir.
Have I permission to send out scouting and scientific parties?
Yes, affirmative on this...
You appear to be healthy and intelligent, captain.
Prime specimen.
I didn't get that last message, captain.
Affirmative on request.
Landing party out.
You must forgive her choice of words, captain.
She's lived her whole life with a collection of aging scientists.
If they can spare you a moment, I'd like to make my medical report.
I think it's time to show the captain our secret.
Their health is excellent, almost too good.
There's a reason for our condition,
but we've had some doubt if Earth is ready to learn the secret.
Let the girl show you. We'll accept your judgement.
You're tired, but don't worry. You'll feel much better soon.
Don't you see it?
Here and here.
- I don't understand. - You will.
You're a perfect choice.
Captain!
- Spock here. - Landing party, come in.
There is no survivor's encampment, Number One.
This is all some sort of trap.
We've lost the captain. Do you read?
- What is it? - It's for Commodore Mendez.
Fleet signal for you, sir. Go ahead, Uhura.
Commodore Mendez. Urgent.
Subspace monitors show
Enterprise receiving transmissions from planet Talos IV
in violation of Starfleet general orders.
Receiving transmissions from Talos IV?
Then the images we've been seeing are...
- Are coming from Talos IV, sir. - Captain Kirk is hereby relieved.
You are ordered to assume command of the Enterprise.
Disable vessel, if necessary, to prevent further contact.
Message signed, Comsol, Starfleet Command.
Mr. Spock, you're aware of the orders regarding any contact with Talos IV.
You have deliberately invited the death penalty.
You've not only finished yourself, Spock,
but you finished your captain as well.
The commodore must be aware that Captain Kirk knew nothing of this.
And you're aware that a captain is responsible
for everything that occurs on his ship.
I order you to return this vessel back to manual control.
Sir...
...I respectfully decline.
Very well. You've earned the consequences.
This court is in recess.
Do you know what you're doing?
- Have you lost your mind? - Captain.
Jim, please don't stop me.
Don't let him stop me.
It's your career and Captain Pike's life.
You must see the rest of the transmission.
Lock him up.