(Courtroom) (There are four officers in dress
uniform on the bench, including Stone.) This court is now in session.
I have appointed as members of this court Space Command Representative
Lindstrom, Starship Captains Krasnovsky and Chandra.
Captain Kirk, I direct your attention to the fact that you have a right to ask for substitute
officers if you feel that any of these named harbour any prejudiced attitudes to your case.
I have no objections, sir. Do you consent to the service Lieutenant Shaw
as prosecuting officer and to myself as president of the court?
I do, sir. All right,
clerk. COMPUTER:
Charge, culpable negligence. Specification in that on Stardate 2945.7, by such negligence,
Captain Kirk, James T., did cause loss of life, to wit, the life of Records Officer Lieutenant
Commander Finney, Benjamin. To all recorded charges and specifications, what is the plea?
Not guilty. Proceed, Lieutenant.
I call Mister Spock. (Spock hands over his data chip,
sits down and puts his hand on the lie detector.) COMPUTER: Spock, serial number S179-276SP.
Service rank, Lieutenant Commander. Position,
First officer, science officer. Current assignment, USS Enterprise. Commendations,
Vulcanian Scientific Legion of Honour. Awards of valour. Twice decorated by Starfleet command.
Mister Spock, as a First officer, you know a great deal about computers, don't you?
I know all about them. It is possible for a computer
to malfunction, is it not? Affirmative.
Do you know of any malfunction which has caused an inaccuracy in the Enterprise computer?
Negative. That answer is based on your mechanical
survey of the Enterprise computer ordered by the defendant prior to this trial, is it not?
Affirmative. Now the stardate
But the computer is inaccurate, never the less. Why do you say that?
It reports that the jettison button was pressed before the Red Alert.
In other words, it reports that Captain Kirk was reacting to an extreme emergency
that did not then exist. And that is impossible.
Is it? Were you watching him the exact moment he pressed the jettison button?
No, I was occupied. The ship was already on Yellow Alert.
Then how can you dispute the finding of the log? I do not dispute it. I merely
state that it is wrong. Oh? On what do you base that statement?
I know the Captain. He is in Please instruct the witness not to speculate.
Lieutenant, I am half Vulcanian. Vulcanians do not speculate. I speak from pure logic.
If I let go of a hammer on a planet that has a positive gravity,
I need not see it fall to know that it has in fact fallen.
I do not see what that has to Gentlemen, human beings have characteristics
just as inanimate objects do. It is impossible for Captain Kirk to act out of panic
or malice. It is not his nature. In your opinion.
Yes. In my opinion.
Thank you. Your witness, Mister Cogley. No questions.
You may step down. (music)