Post by magicmuggle01 on Dec 22, 2018 12:07:32 GMT
Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are captured on a planet that resembles a Roman Empire with 20th century technology. They are set to die at the hands of gladiators for the sake of public spectacle.
Summary
Near the planet 892-IV, the USS Enterprise discovers the wreckage of the SS Beagle, a merchant ship missing for the last six years, and whose commanding officer is R.M. Merik, a old friend of Captain Kirk from the Academy. When the Enterprise enters orbit to look for survivors, it intercepts a 20th century-style television broadcast in which a Roman gladiator defeats and kills a "barbarian." The casualty is named William B. Harrison, whom Spock identifies as the Beagle's flight officer. Kirk assembles a landing party to the surface of the planet to investigate.
Act One
Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down, outside the city where the broadcast originated, mindful of their duty under the Prime Directive not to interfere with the society's natural development. Almost immediately after their materialization, they are captured by the "Children of the Son" – runaway slaves who are hiding in caves to avoid recapture. Flavius Maximus, a former gladiator, regards the officers as Romans who should be killed to avoid disclosing the hiding places, but the rebels' leader, Septimus, abhors violence, and Kirk's use of his communicator convinces him they are not with the authorities but are from an "offshore ship." Septimus says the Children of the Son teach peace and brotherhood but are persecuted for their beliefs.
In a cave, the crew looks at magazines that show astonishing parallels with Earth's ancient Rome, though with 20th century technology. However, when Kirk mentions the loss of Captain Merik six years earlier, they conclude that he is now Merikus, the First Citizen. Kirk explains to the Children of the Son that such interference would violate an "important law," for which he needs to be removed for punishment. Septimus orders Flavius to lead them into the city.
However, the group is quickly spotted and captured by the police.
Act Two
The captives are taken into the city. Kirk uses their captors' fear of reprisal to angle for a meeting with "Merikus." He is indeed Merik, and he takes them to Proconsul Claudius Marcus, who knows all about their off-world origins. Merik explains that, after the shipwreck of the Beagle, he was forced to beam down all 47 of his crew. They were given two options: "adapt" to their new world or fight in televised gladiatorial competitions for the entertainment of its inhabitants. Kirk sees that Merik has violated his oath and ordered his own crew to their deaths. Claudius hands Kirk his communicator and tells him to do the same. Kirk initially plans for he, Spock, and McCoy to be beamed up, but Claudius' guards enter with machine guns pointed right at Kirk. Abandoning the attempt, Kirk gives Scott the code Condition Green, a signal that the landing party is in trouble, but forbidding a rescue attempt. Claudius elicits from Merik that Kirk has a starship commission that Merik sought but could not qualify for. The livid Claudius dispatches Spock and McCoy to "the games" to die.
Act Three
On the Enterprise, Scott notes in his log that Kirk ordered him to carry out Condition Green, which prohibits him from taking any action to save the troubled landing party. Scott orders that Ensign Chekov locate power sources down on the planet and how much their beams will take to overload them. Scott announces that, although he is forced to not take any action on the planet below, there is nothing stopping him from frightening the planet's inhabitants about what a starship's power capabilities truly are.
On the planet, Kirk is forced to watch as Spock and McCoy are condemned to fight Flavius and another gladiator named Achilles in the arena. Spock holds his own against his opponent, but McCoy is severely outmatched, only surviving because Flavius is reluctant to kill him. Claudius again tries to pressure Kirk into ordering his crew down, but Kirk calmly refuses. Flavius is threatened and whipped to encourage him to attack, whereupon he gives McCoy some tips to make it "look real." Spock overpowers both opponents and incapacitates one with a Vulcan nerve pinch. This violates the rules, and the lives of Spock and McCoy are put in the hands of Merik and Claudius. They spare the two to maximize their influence on Kirk.
Act Four
Kirk enters Claudius' quarters, and a blonde woman emerges, pouring wine. She tells Kirk that her name is Drusilla and she is the proconsul's slave. Tonight, though, she is Kirk's slave. Kirk yells out to Claudius that this will not work on him and he still refuses to cooperate. Drusilla assures Kirk that they are indeed alone together.
McCoy and Spock seek a way out of their cell – and McCoy seeks a way past Spock's determination to control his emotions, remarking that the Vulcan isn't afraid of dying – he is more afraid of living, for fear in that one day, his Human half might "peek out", as McCoy puts it. For a moment, Spock appears to admit it but then turns to McCoy and simply says "Really, doctor?". McCoy then tells him "I know, I'm worried about Jim too."
Kirk is eating the food given to him by Drusilla. He finds the food good, and Drusilla informs Kirk that she is here to please him. Kirk tells her that he has been to many worlds with strange customs; perhaps what he is experiencing is torture on her planet. Drusilla does not understand, as she does not wish to see Kirk tortured and gives him a kiss. She asks Kirk to tell her when he feels the first sign of pain, and they continue to kiss. Much later, Kirk wakes up alone and Merik tells him that the crew of the Enterprise will eventually come down to the planet's surface, but Kirk still refuses to cooperate.
The Enterprise intercepts broadcasts announcing Kirk's execution in the arena. Scott, though forbidden to mount a rescue because of the Prime Directive, devises a way to disrupt the execution and warn the city through the power demonstrated by the Enterprise.
Claudius tells Kirk that his night with Drusilla was a favor to a condemned man rather than an attempt at interrogation, in the process dealing an insult to Merik. Kirk is taken to the arena for his execution, one that Marcus promises will be swift. On the way, Merik has a change of heart; he is too late to save Kirk, but tells him he will try to save the other two. The execution, however, is interrupted by Flavius, and by a power blackout induced by beams activated by Chekov from the Enterprise. Flavius is killed by the guards' machine guns during Kirk's execution, but the captain escapes and runs to free Spock and McCoy from their cell.
The Romans intercept Kirk's rescue attempt from both sides, and thus draw swords rather than firearms to avoid crossfire. During the fighting, Merik signals to the Enterprise with a stolen communicator but is stabbed by Marcus. Merik still manages to toss the communicator to the feet of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Locking onto the signal, Scott beams them back aboard, just as the Roman guards open fire.
On the bridge, Spock muses about the remarkable parallels between Earth of the Roman Empire and Planet 892-IV – except that Rome had no sun-worshippers. But Lieutenant Uhura, who has been monitoring the planet's broadcasts, reveals that they are not worshiping the sun but the "Son of God." Planet 892-IV had both a Caesar and a Christ, and its evolution will proceed, implying that Rome will fall, in due time.
Log entries
"Captain's log, stardate 4040.7. We've run across one of the strangest examples of parallel planet development." (trailer only).
"Captain's log, stardate 4040.7. On the surface of planet IV, system 892, the landing party has won the confidence of what obviously is a group of runaway slaves. They dwell in caves not far from a large city, wear rags, live under primitive conditions. But they are creatures of a heavily industrialized 20th century-type planet very much like Earth, an amazing example of Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development. But on this Earth, Rome never fell. A world ruled by emperors who can trace their line back 2,000 years, to their own Julius and Augustus Caesars"
"Captain's log, stardate 4040.9. Uniformed police like those of Earth, a great city like Rome with automobiles. Astonishing similarities to 20th Century Earth, down to the fine carbon steel in the bars."
"Ship's log, stardate 4041.2. Chief Engineer Scott recording. Captain Kirk and his landing party have checked in, but they have used the code term Condition Green, which means they're in trouble. But it also prohibits my taking any action."
"Enterprise log, Engineer Scott reporting. All banks in readiness for disruption of power sources on the planet's surface."
"Captain's log, stardate 4041.7. Note commendation, Engineering Officer Scott. Despite enormous temptation and strong personal feelings, he obeyed the Prime Directive. His temporary blackout of the city below resulted in no interference with the society and yet saved the lives of myself and the landing party."
Memorable quotes
"Once, just once, I'd like to be able to land someplace and say, 'Behold, I am the Archangel Gabriel!'"
"I fail to see the humor in that situation, doctor."
"Naturally. You could hardly claim to be an angel with those pointed ears, Mister Spock. But say you landed someplace with a pitchfork…"
- McCoy and Spock, after arriving on the planet 892-IV
"What do you call those?"
"I call them ears."
"Are you trying to be funny?"
"Never."
- Flavius and Spock, as Flavius captures the landing party
"May the blessings of the Son be upon you."
- Septimus, to the landing party
"Medical men are trained in logic, Mr. Spock."
"Really, doctor? I had no idea they were trained. Watching you, I assumed it was trial and error."
- McCoy and Spock, discussing slavery on 892-IV
"Are they enemies, captain?"
"I'm not sure they're sure."
- Flavius and Kirk, on Spock and McCoy
"I know you, Flavius. You're as peaceful as a bull."
- Lead policeman, as two guards take Flavius away
"My world, Proconsul, is my vessel, my oath, my crew."
- Kirk to Claudius, as Spock and McCoy compare Earth history with that of 892-IV
"You bring this network's ratings down, Flavius, and we'll do a special on you!"
- Master of the Games, as Flavius is whipped
"We believe men should fight their own battles. Only the weak will die."
- Claudius, explaining the rules of the game to Kirk
"The games have always strengthened us. Death becomes a familiar pattern. We don't fear it as you do."
- Claudius, on the Roman fighting spirit
"Fight, you pointed-ear freak!"
"You tell him, buster! Of all the completely … ridiculous … illogical questions … I ever heard in my life!"
- Achilles and McCoy, after Spock asks McCoy if he needs any help in the arena
"I'm trying to thank you! You pointed-eared hobgoblin!"
- McCoy, offended by Spock's lack of empathy
"Do you know why you're not afraid to die, Spock? You're more afraid of living. Each day you stay alive is just one more day you might slip and let your Human half peek out."
- McCoy, commenting on Spock's personal insecurity
"You're a Roman, Kirk, or you should have been."
- Claudius, expressing admiration for Kirk
"You may not understand because you're centuries beyond anything as crude as television."
- Claudius, as Kirk is taken to the arena
"They threw me a few curves."
- Kirk to Spock, commenting on his night with Drusilla
"I pity you, Captain Merik. But at least watch and see how men die."
- Claudius, as the guards corner Kirk, Spock, and McCoy
"Caesar and Christ. They had them both. And the word is spreading only now."
- Kirk, after realizing that Flavius worshiped the Son of God
Summary
Near the planet 892-IV, the USS Enterprise discovers the wreckage of the SS Beagle, a merchant ship missing for the last six years, and whose commanding officer is R.M. Merik, a old friend of Captain Kirk from the Academy. When the Enterprise enters orbit to look for survivors, it intercepts a 20th century-style television broadcast in which a Roman gladiator defeats and kills a "barbarian." The casualty is named William B. Harrison, whom Spock identifies as the Beagle's flight officer. Kirk assembles a landing party to the surface of the planet to investigate.
Act One
Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down, outside the city where the broadcast originated, mindful of their duty under the Prime Directive not to interfere with the society's natural development. Almost immediately after their materialization, they are captured by the "Children of the Son" – runaway slaves who are hiding in caves to avoid recapture. Flavius Maximus, a former gladiator, regards the officers as Romans who should be killed to avoid disclosing the hiding places, but the rebels' leader, Septimus, abhors violence, and Kirk's use of his communicator convinces him they are not with the authorities but are from an "offshore ship." Septimus says the Children of the Son teach peace and brotherhood but are persecuted for their beliefs.
In a cave, the crew looks at magazines that show astonishing parallels with Earth's ancient Rome, though with 20th century technology. However, when Kirk mentions the loss of Captain Merik six years earlier, they conclude that he is now Merikus, the First Citizen. Kirk explains to the Children of the Son that such interference would violate an "important law," for which he needs to be removed for punishment. Septimus orders Flavius to lead them into the city.
However, the group is quickly spotted and captured by the police.
Act Two
The captives are taken into the city. Kirk uses their captors' fear of reprisal to angle for a meeting with "Merikus." He is indeed Merik, and he takes them to Proconsul Claudius Marcus, who knows all about their off-world origins. Merik explains that, after the shipwreck of the Beagle, he was forced to beam down all 47 of his crew. They were given two options: "adapt" to their new world or fight in televised gladiatorial competitions for the entertainment of its inhabitants. Kirk sees that Merik has violated his oath and ordered his own crew to their deaths. Claudius hands Kirk his communicator and tells him to do the same. Kirk initially plans for he, Spock, and McCoy to be beamed up, but Claudius' guards enter with machine guns pointed right at Kirk. Abandoning the attempt, Kirk gives Scott the code Condition Green, a signal that the landing party is in trouble, but forbidding a rescue attempt. Claudius elicits from Merik that Kirk has a starship commission that Merik sought but could not qualify for. The livid Claudius dispatches Spock and McCoy to "the games" to die.
Act Three
On the Enterprise, Scott notes in his log that Kirk ordered him to carry out Condition Green, which prohibits him from taking any action to save the troubled landing party. Scott orders that Ensign Chekov locate power sources down on the planet and how much their beams will take to overload them. Scott announces that, although he is forced to not take any action on the planet below, there is nothing stopping him from frightening the planet's inhabitants about what a starship's power capabilities truly are.
On the planet, Kirk is forced to watch as Spock and McCoy are condemned to fight Flavius and another gladiator named Achilles in the arena. Spock holds his own against his opponent, but McCoy is severely outmatched, only surviving because Flavius is reluctant to kill him. Claudius again tries to pressure Kirk into ordering his crew down, but Kirk calmly refuses. Flavius is threatened and whipped to encourage him to attack, whereupon he gives McCoy some tips to make it "look real." Spock overpowers both opponents and incapacitates one with a Vulcan nerve pinch. This violates the rules, and the lives of Spock and McCoy are put in the hands of Merik and Claudius. They spare the two to maximize their influence on Kirk.
Act Four
Kirk enters Claudius' quarters, and a blonde woman emerges, pouring wine. She tells Kirk that her name is Drusilla and she is the proconsul's slave. Tonight, though, she is Kirk's slave. Kirk yells out to Claudius that this will not work on him and he still refuses to cooperate. Drusilla assures Kirk that they are indeed alone together.
McCoy and Spock seek a way out of their cell – and McCoy seeks a way past Spock's determination to control his emotions, remarking that the Vulcan isn't afraid of dying – he is more afraid of living, for fear in that one day, his Human half might "peek out", as McCoy puts it. For a moment, Spock appears to admit it but then turns to McCoy and simply says "Really, doctor?". McCoy then tells him "I know, I'm worried about Jim too."
Kirk is eating the food given to him by Drusilla. He finds the food good, and Drusilla informs Kirk that she is here to please him. Kirk tells her that he has been to many worlds with strange customs; perhaps what he is experiencing is torture on her planet. Drusilla does not understand, as she does not wish to see Kirk tortured and gives him a kiss. She asks Kirk to tell her when he feels the first sign of pain, and they continue to kiss. Much later, Kirk wakes up alone and Merik tells him that the crew of the Enterprise will eventually come down to the planet's surface, but Kirk still refuses to cooperate.
The Enterprise intercepts broadcasts announcing Kirk's execution in the arena. Scott, though forbidden to mount a rescue because of the Prime Directive, devises a way to disrupt the execution and warn the city through the power demonstrated by the Enterprise.
Claudius tells Kirk that his night with Drusilla was a favor to a condemned man rather than an attempt at interrogation, in the process dealing an insult to Merik. Kirk is taken to the arena for his execution, one that Marcus promises will be swift. On the way, Merik has a change of heart; he is too late to save Kirk, but tells him he will try to save the other two. The execution, however, is interrupted by Flavius, and by a power blackout induced by beams activated by Chekov from the Enterprise. Flavius is killed by the guards' machine guns during Kirk's execution, but the captain escapes and runs to free Spock and McCoy from their cell.
The Romans intercept Kirk's rescue attempt from both sides, and thus draw swords rather than firearms to avoid crossfire. During the fighting, Merik signals to the Enterprise with a stolen communicator but is stabbed by Marcus. Merik still manages to toss the communicator to the feet of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Locking onto the signal, Scott beams them back aboard, just as the Roman guards open fire.
On the bridge, Spock muses about the remarkable parallels between Earth of the Roman Empire and Planet 892-IV – except that Rome had no sun-worshippers. But Lieutenant Uhura, who has been monitoring the planet's broadcasts, reveals that they are not worshiping the sun but the "Son of God." Planet 892-IV had both a Caesar and a Christ, and its evolution will proceed, implying that Rome will fall, in due time.
Log entries
"Captain's log, stardate 4040.7. We've run across one of the strangest examples of parallel planet development." (trailer only).
"Captain's log, stardate 4040.7. On the surface of planet IV, system 892, the landing party has won the confidence of what obviously is a group of runaway slaves. They dwell in caves not far from a large city, wear rags, live under primitive conditions. But they are creatures of a heavily industrialized 20th century-type planet very much like Earth, an amazing example of Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development. But on this Earth, Rome never fell. A world ruled by emperors who can trace their line back 2,000 years, to their own Julius and Augustus Caesars"
"Captain's log, stardate 4040.9. Uniformed police like those of Earth, a great city like Rome with automobiles. Astonishing similarities to 20th Century Earth, down to the fine carbon steel in the bars."
"Ship's log, stardate 4041.2. Chief Engineer Scott recording. Captain Kirk and his landing party have checked in, but they have used the code term Condition Green, which means they're in trouble. But it also prohibits my taking any action."
"Enterprise log, Engineer Scott reporting. All banks in readiness for disruption of power sources on the planet's surface."
"Captain's log, stardate 4041.7. Note commendation, Engineering Officer Scott. Despite enormous temptation and strong personal feelings, he obeyed the Prime Directive. His temporary blackout of the city below resulted in no interference with the society and yet saved the lives of myself and the landing party."
Memorable quotes
"Once, just once, I'd like to be able to land someplace and say, 'Behold, I am the Archangel Gabriel!'"
"I fail to see the humor in that situation, doctor."
"Naturally. You could hardly claim to be an angel with those pointed ears, Mister Spock. But say you landed someplace with a pitchfork…"
- McCoy and Spock, after arriving on the planet 892-IV
"What do you call those?"
"I call them ears."
"Are you trying to be funny?"
"Never."
- Flavius and Spock, as Flavius captures the landing party
"May the blessings of the Son be upon you."
- Septimus, to the landing party
"Medical men are trained in logic, Mr. Spock."
"Really, doctor? I had no idea they were trained. Watching you, I assumed it was trial and error."
- McCoy and Spock, discussing slavery on 892-IV
"Are they enemies, captain?"
"I'm not sure they're sure."
- Flavius and Kirk, on Spock and McCoy
"I know you, Flavius. You're as peaceful as a bull."
- Lead policeman, as two guards take Flavius away
"My world, Proconsul, is my vessel, my oath, my crew."
- Kirk to Claudius, as Spock and McCoy compare Earth history with that of 892-IV
"You bring this network's ratings down, Flavius, and we'll do a special on you!"
- Master of the Games, as Flavius is whipped
"We believe men should fight their own battles. Only the weak will die."
- Claudius, explaining the rules of the game to Kirk
"The games have always strengthened us. Death becomes a familiar pattern. We don't fear it as you do."
- Claudius, on the Roman fighting spirit
"Fight, you pointed-ear freak!"
"You tell him, buster! Of all the completely … ridiculous … illogical questions … I ever heard in my life!"
- Achilles and McCoy, after Spock asks McCoy if he needs any help in the arena
"I'm trying to thank you! You pointed-eared hobgoblin!"
- McCoy, offended by Spock's lack of empathy
"Do you know why you're not afraid to die, Spock? You're more afraid of living. Each day you stay alive is just one more day you might slip and let your Human half peek out."
- McCoy, commenting on Spock's personal insecurity
"You're a Roman, Kirk, or you should have been."
- Claudius, expressing admiration for Kirk
"You may not understand because you're centuries beyond anything as crude as television."
- Claudius, as Kirk is taken to the arena
"They threw me a few curves."
- Kirk to Spock, commenting on his night with Drusilla
"I pity you, Captain Merik. But at least watch and see how men die."
- Claudius, as the guards corner Kirk, Spock, and McCoy
"Caesar and Christ. They had them both. And the word is spreading only now."
- Kirk, after realizing that Flavius worshiped the Son of God
