The crew gather in a special room for a special ceremony, as Scotty
erects a visual camera on a wall. As Kirk enters the room, Scotty informs him that the ceremony
will be broadcast on all viewing screens and Kirk acknowledges. As Kirk moves toward the front,
Dr. McCoy informs him that he's got a call from the Bridge. Kirk moves toward a communications
panel and contacts the Bridge. On the Bridge, Mr. Spock reports that Outpost Three has now gone
silent after Outpost Two. Kirk orders Spock to maintain course toward the Neutral Zone and to
report anything out of the ordinary to him in an instant.
Soon, he sees the bride at the doorway and moves
toward the dais. The bridesmaid makes her way toward the front of the dais, whilst Scotty
escorts the bride toward the dais. The bride kneels in front of the captain and as she gets up,
Kirk begins the ceremony. Kirk informs the crowd that since the beginning of wooden ships, the
ship's master had the pleasure of bonding two people in the bonds of matrimony. We realize that
a wedding is taking place. He soon states that both Angela Martine and Robert Tomlinson have
gathered before their fellow officers and crew to pledge their loyalty to each other.
Before Kirk can finish the ceremony, they are
interrupted by an alert and Sulu's voice informing them of impending doom. Kirk goes toward the
communication panel and contacts the Bridge. Spock informs him that Outpost Four is now reported
under attack, the attacker's identity is unknown. Kirk orders Spock to maintain full speed
toward the Neutral Zone and orders the entire ship to battlestations, as he and the crew report
to their posts, leaving the bride and groom in their place. They soon report to their posts when
they have no choice, their wedding day ruined.
------
As the Enterprise speeds toward the Neutral Zone, the captain's log
reports that the Enterprise is patrolling the Neutral Zone, a border between the planets Romulus
and Remus and the rest of the galaxy. He reports that they've received a distress call from
Outpost Four and that they are under attack from an unidentified intruder. They are moving to
investigate and assist if possible...
Captain Kirk enters the Bridge and Uhura reports
that Outpost Four's message indicates that they are under attack and then the message
terminates. Spock verifies the message. Sulu reports that they are at maximum speed and the
navigator reports that they are eight minutes away from Outpost Four. Kirk goes to Scotty
begging for more power. Scotty, anticipating Kirk's request, informs him that he's already
talked to the engine room for more power and that he'll have it. Kirk goes to Uhura and asks her
if Outpost Four identified the attacker. Uhura confirms that they have no visual identification
of the attacker, but the navigator reassures the captain that they have no doubt who's
attacking. Kirk then orders Spock to put up the current sector on the viewscreen. As Spock does,
Kirk also orders their current position, which is shown as a white dot on the screen. Kirk then
orders Uhura to patch him throughout the ship, which Uhura acquiesces. When Uhura informs the
captain that he's channeled on all stations, he announces the following to the crew.
Kirk informs the crew that the next act any crew
make must be calculated and no room for mistake made by any man aboard, and he turns the
briefing over to Spock. Spock informs the crew to look at their nearest screens, as they will
note that eight outposts line the barrier called the Neutral Zone, which borders between
Romulus, Remus and the Federation. Spock informs the crew that the outposts were constructed on
an asteroid and that it was constructed during the early wars of the Romulan-Earth conflict over
a century ago. He informs the crew that during those times, the war was fought with primitive
weapons much like an atomic bomb and in primitive ships.
During the war, there were no visual
communications, so no human, Romulan or ally, has seen each other. Earth believes the Romulans
to be warlike, cruel and treacherous; and only the Romulans know what to think of Earth. He
tells the crew that the treaty which has established this Neutral Zone via subspace has been
created to prevent either side from crossing it, and crossing it would mean an act of war. The
treaty has not been broken since. Spock passes the briefing over to the captain. Kirk informs
the crew that the next decision he makes must be precise and infallible. He explains that under
no circumstances will they be allowed to enter the Neutral Zone. They can defend themselves if
necessary, and the ship and crew will be considered an expendable commodity.
After Kirk ends the briefing, navigator Stiles
suggests that since the Romulans sneaked into their side and attacked their outposts, they
should retaliate. Kirk reminds Stiles that after a century of war what have they learned. They
don't know the identity of their attacker nor would they just simply appear and identify
themselves. Stiles says that they will be identified as a Bird of Prey and Kirk didn't know
Stiles had a good grip on history. Stiles says its family history as there was a Stiles back in
the war over a century ago and Kirk reminds Stiles that it was their war, not theirs. He should
not forget that.
Spock soon reports that they are coming into sensor
range of Outpost Four and reports that at least it's still there. They are also coming into
sensor range of Outpost Two. Kirk asks Uhura if Outpost Two was the first outpost to go silent.
Uhura confirms and reports that Outpost Three went silent an hour later. Spock reports that the
area surrounding Outpost Two consists of dust and debris, and the asteroid they were constructed
on, pulverized. Kirk orders Uhura to contact their nearest base and to report their position and
status. Uhura acknowledges. Kirk then orders Sulu to battlestations and orders navigator Stiles
to energize main phasers. Stiles orders phaser room to charge the main phasers as the crew
begins to battle their invisible enemy.
In the phaser control room, Angela Martine, the
crewman who was about to be married, acknowledges Stiles orders for phaser and reports that the
phasers are energizing to full. After reporting, her fiance Tomlinson comes to her and says
happy wedding day, almost. Angela Martine reassures her fiance that she will marry him, phasers
and battle notwithstanding, and that he won't get off her hook easily. Until then, he is still
her superior officer and tells her to get with it. The phaser crew reports that all phasers are
charged and Angela acknowledges.
Back on the Bridge, Stiles reports that they are
five minutes away from Outpost Four. Uhura reports that they are receiving communications from
Outpost Four and Kirk orders it on speakers. Commander Hansen of Outpost Four soon comes on the
speakers and reports that Outpost's Two, Three and Eight are completely destroyed. Kirk asks
Hansen to confirm what hit them, but Hansen replies that they only got a glimpse of the intruder
and never got a full view of the intruder before causing major damage. Hansen reports that the
intruders weapon destroyed their deflector shields and with their deflector shields down, they
are defenseless. Hansen soon reports that he has them on his visual and Kirk orders Uhura to tie
them in. As they get a visual of Outpost Four, the damage caused by the intruder becomes
apparent.
Hansen pleads with Kirk to see what kind of damage
that the intruder caused and Kirk confirms their visual and prods Hansen for more. Hansen
reports that the intruder became visible for only a second before firing a plasma weapon and
causing caustic damage. Soon, Hansen reports that the intruder is back and the crew of the
Enterprise also sees this, after tying in with the outpost's visual. Kirk asks Hansen if he has
weapons but Hansen denies. Kirk orders Uhura to challenge the intruder off, but Uhura responds
that it doesn't acknowledge. The crew soon watches helplessly as the intruder fires its powerful
plasma weapon and completely destroy the outpost.
After the outpost is destroyed, Spock reports on
its destruction. Spock soon reports that he has a motion blip on his sensors and Kirk orders it
on screen. There is nothing on screen and Kirk orders full mag, but Sulu says that the screen is
on full mag. Kirk doesn't understand it as they clearly got a glimpse of the intruder moments
ago. Spock says that invisibility may be theoretically possible, with the selective bending of
lights, but the power consumption is enormous. He explains that the Romulans may have solved
that problem. Kirk elaborates that they didn't solve it entirely as they need to decloak when
firing. Uhura informs the captain that she is continuing to challenge the intruder, but Kirk
orders her to desist and orders the remaining outposts to contact them once they have sightings
or motion sensors of the intruder. Spock says that the intruder is moving at a very leisurely
maneuver and that they must not be aware of them. Kirk deduces that the invisibility screen
works both way, they can't see them and the Romulans can't see them, which gives them the
advantage. Soon, Spock says that the intruders heading is one-eleven mark fourteen; a course
that would take the intruder toward the Neutral Zone and home.
Kirk orders Sulu a parallel course but Stiles
interjects, saying shouldn't they be intercepting them. Kirk denies that, as he explains to Sulu
that he wants to match move for move to that of the intruder to think that they are a reflection
of them. He also reminds them that under no circumstances are they to cross the Neutral Zone.
Kirk orders Sulu to stand down from battlestations but to maintain security alert. Soon, Stiles
says something on his mind. He reminds the captain what has happened here. The Romulans have
crossed the Neutral Zone, sneaked up on their bases and attacked them. Kirk wonders if Stiles is
questioning his orders but Stiles denies this, except to say that he believes there is an
intruder aboard. Sulu respectfully agrees with Stiles and suggests that they maintain security
alert on all decks and Kirk agrees.
Soon, Uhura reports that she is picking up
communications from the intruder. She puts it on speakers for everyone to hear and explains that
it sounds like code. Spock believes that he can pinpoint the signals location and he believes he
can tie them in, get a look at their Bridge. Kirk orders it on visual. Soon, the crew sees the
Romulans for the first time. When they realize that the Romulans look like the Vulcans, the crew
are stunned, more so than Stiles as he has hated the Romulans for a century. The crew reacts to
this sudden revelation.
------
After the revelation that the Romulans look like Vulcans, everyone
eyes Spock for answers. While others continue on with their work, Stiles continue to stare at
Spock. Only the captain's tapping on the navigation board snaps him back to attention. Kirk
wonders if they are decoding the transmission. Uhura says that cryptography is working on it.
Stiles soon mumbles that Uhura should give it to Spock to which Kirk replies that he didn't
quite get that and wants the navigator to repeat it. Stiles says that Mr. Spock could probably
translate it for them. Kirk wonders if Stiles is complimenting Spock on his decoding techniques,
but Stiles isn't sure. Kirk then becomes firm with him and informs Stiles that there isn't a
place for bigotry on his Bridge and asks him if that is understood. Stiles says it is. Uhura
informs the captain that the transmission has been cut off and informs Spock that she's made a
tape of it and hands the information to Spock. As Spock listens to the decoding, Sulu reports
that something visual is ahead, as their enemy appears on screen. Sulu says that the enemy is
changing course. Kirk orders Sulu to stay with it.
As the Romulan vessel continues toward the Neutral
Zone, its commander and crew watch as the Enterprise follows suit. On board the Romulan vessel's
Bridge, the commander informs his officer that they are visible and that they should cloak. The
officer informs him that the reflection doesn't grow nearer or approach them and that the
cloaking device consumes a lot of power. It is his judgment that they should run from the
reflection. But the commander is firm saying that the Earth outpost sent a distress call and an
Earth ship follows them. He orders the officer to engage the cloak. The officer obeys and
engages the cloaking system.
After the ship cloaks, the commander tells his
centurion that he longs to see the stars of home again. The commander tells the centurion he
knows they are following. The centurion wants to know if an Earth ship, why does it not attack.
The commander tells the centurion that the Earth commander is studying their move and weakness,
and if he was their commander, he would do the same as well. Soon, an officer approaches the
commander and asks him if he sent for Decius. The commander informs him that a message was sent
during a battle and that he broke the code of silence. Decius says only in code and that he was
eager to inform the preator of their glorious mission. The commander informs him that his
carelessness might have ended their glorious mission and he reduces the officers two steps in
rank and orders him to return to post.
The centurion warns him to be careful with him, as
he has friends and friends of his kind mean power; and power means danger. The commander informs
him that danger and him are old companions. The centurion tells the commander that they've
fought over a hundred campaigns together and yet he doesn't understand him. The commander
believes the centurion does. He informs him that they must return home and let them know of
their enemies weakness. And, if the Earth vessel follows them, he'll destroy them and he must.
He'll let the Romulan people know of their first victory over this war. The centurion asks if
they are the strong, must it not lead to war. The commander doesn't want it to end that way and
how many people have they lost already in the previous wars. The centurion says a portion and
soon the commander says that the praetor would taste more if it does lead to war. The centurion
says it is their obedience for war. The commander balks at the thought of obedience. He then
says that like the centurion, he is too well trained to permit it and he also longs for
destruction before they reach home. He orders the officer to continue evasive maneuvers as he
retires to his quarters.
Back on the Enterprise, Mr. Sulu informs Kirk that
the intruder is changing course again and that he is staying with him. Mr. Spock informs the
captain that the intruder is back to his old course of one-eleven mark fourteen, back toward the
Neutral Zone. Kirk asks the navigator their ETA toward the Neutral Zone. The navigator says that
they will enter the zone within one hour, assuming of course the captain doesn't retreat. Soon,
Chief Engineer Scotty informs the captain that they have debris from Outpost Four aboard. Kirk
orders him to bring it to the Briefing Room and orders his senior staff to the briefing as well.
In the Briefing Room, Spock holds debris from the
outpost and explains that the outer protective layer of the outpost is cast rodinium, the
hardest known substance to science. He then proceeds to break the substance, illustrating how
effective their enemy's weapons are. Spock explains that the lab theorizes that the Romulans
have created an enveloping plasma, creating an implosion, which is able to destroy all objects
on impact. Kirk wants comments or opinions. Spock informs them that the Romulans have advanced
weaponry and a practical screening technology. Dr. McCoy tells Spock that he's discussing
tactics, which means that millions upon millions of lives hang in the balance on what this
vessel does next; or on what this vessel fails to do, adds Spock. Kirk wants to know if they can
still outrun them, with a possible chance of victory. Scotty says there's no question, as the
Romulans use simple impulse engines. Kirk then suggests that they can outrun them with their own
engines, but Stiles wants to know if they will either retreat or attack them. Kirk gives
permission for Stiles to express his opinions as he called for the briefing.
Stiles says they should attack, as the Romulans
crossed over into the Neutral Zone and attacked them. Sulu wonders how they can attack without
a visible target. Stiles says that they could blanket their shots in the hopes that one of those
shots could strike them; but not before they zero in on them and destroy them, cautions Sulu.
Stiles says that if they run, the Romulans will report back and claim Earth to be weak. Sulu
wonders what if the Romulans could report that they were destroyed. Stiles then says that if
they run from them, the Romulans will come back with not one ship but a hundred ships. He then
accuses Spock of knowing that and has hated him ever since the Romulans are revealed to be like
Vulcans and wants to know why Spock left out that bit of information.
As Stiles gets confrontational, Kirk orders him to
sit down. As Stiles sit, Spock agrees with him and informs them that they should attack. Kirk
wants to know if they should attack to prevent a fight. The doctor then wants to know based on
what, of a forgotten war over a century ago, or on theories of people they don't even know
about. Stiles reminds the doctor what they look like. Bones reminds Spock that war is never
imperative. Spock begs to differ as the Romulans do; and if the Romulans are indeed an offshoot
of his kind, to which he thinks likely, then attack becomes more imperative. He informs them
that Vulcans, like Earth, had it's aggressive colonizing period, savage even by Earth standard.
He also reminds them that weakness should not be shown in front of the Romulans. McCoy wonders
if Kirk wants a galatic war on his conscious.
After a moments hesitation, Kirk contacts the
Bridge. After Uhura acknowledges, Kirk asks her if they are continuing to broadcast tactical and
status report to base. Uhura confirms. Kirk then asks her if the intruder is still on a direct
course and Uhura informs Kirk that the intruder will enter treaty boundary within twenty-one
minutes. Kirk then asks Uhura how long will it take for a response at this distance from base.
Uhura says approximately three hours. Kirk orders Spock to check the course ahead and Spock
reports that there is a comet dead ahead, and that the intruder is heading toward it. Kirk
recognizes the comet as Icarus Four and wants a composition on it. Spock informs him that the
comet is made up of ice and pressurized gas. Kirk then wonders if an invisible ship passing
through those gases will leave a visible trail. Spock confirms it does. Scotty gets excited.
Kirk then orders all personnel to battlestations as they have their chance of victory. They are
going into battle. As the others leave, Kirk wonders if he won't be needing McCoy's services.
McCoy says amen to that and a big gamble at that. The crew of the Enterprise prepares for
battle...
------
The Enterprise approaches the comet's tail. Kirk asks for battle
status. Sulu says all boards show green and Stiles confirms all weapons fully operational. Spock
informs the crew that the intruder is heading straight toward the comet's tail. Kirk orders
Stiles to compute the intruder's path to the comet. Kirk informs Sulu that once they enter the
comet, the intruder will become visible. Once outside, they'll swing around and catch him at
that stage. Sulu acknowledges.
On the Romulan ship, the crew enjoy the view of the
passing comet. Even the commander says that the comet is pleasing to the eye, a marble in the
universe. The centurion then wants to know if the commander spoke of entrapment. The commander
says that the comet's tail will obscure their enemy's sensors. Once fully obscured, they will
make their move, informs the commander. One of the officers then declare that their screens are
clear, which alarms the commander. The officer informs the commander that the reflection no
longer follows. The commander orders escape maneuvers.
On the Bridge of the Enterprise, the crew watches
intently for any sign of the Romulan vessel. An alarmed Spock goes up to the captain and tells
him that they are losing sensor contact. Kirk orders Sulu to stay with them and steady as they
go. Once clear of the comet's tail, the crew are stunned to see no Romulan vessel. Spock says
that at the last minute, they must've guessed their move, finishes Kirk. Kirk orders Sulu to go
hard to starboard. As they do, Kirk says that the Romulan commander would've done what he
would've. He won't underestimate him again. He orders Stiles to lay down blind fire and to fire
weapons. Stiles acknowledges and fires their weapons.
As the Enterprise fires upon the Romulan vessel,
the Romulan vessel takes massive damage. The second set of phaser fire causes a part of the
Romulan ships ceiling to collapse. Seeing it will injure the commander, the centurion pushes him
out of the way and gets hit by a falling debris. After they remove the fallen debris from the
centurion, the commander orders the officers to divert all power to weapons.
Back on the Enterprise, they have problems of their
own, as the ship shakes and a circuit breaks loose. Sulu says they've got a phaser control
circuit burnout. Spock goes to his station to put out a sensor fire. After he puts out a fire,
Spock says it'll take time to correct. Sulu suddenly becomes alert as he sees the Romulan vessel
decloaking and wonders if they are surrendering. Kirk doesn't think so and orders Sulu full
astern and emergency warp. They watch as the Romulans fire their plasma weapon. The plasma
weapon continues toward them and Sulu says only if they had one phaser working, they can
detonate the incoming weapon; but Spock says, it's impossible.
As the weapon looms closer and closer, and Spock
continues to fix their phaser problem, Kirk orders an officer to feed their records to the
dispensary and launch immediately. Yeoman Rand enters the Bridge and asks the captain if she
should continue log entries. At first the captain ignores her, but then confirms her log entry.
The two then watch as the weapon slowly but assuringly approach them. As the weapon approach
them, Stiles notes that the weapon is dissipating and Kirk realizes this. The weapon hits and
the ship shakes from the damage. Kirk is astonished at the weapon's limited range.
Spock reports that their phaser problems are fixed
and rises to proceed with his scanning. Spock reports that the intruder is back on his original
heading of one-eleven mark fourteen, back to his original course. Spock believes the intruder
may think that they're destroyed. But Kirk wouldn't bet on it and thinks their commander doesn't
either. Kirk orders Sulu to stay with the Romulan ship.
On the Romulan ship, the commander tends to the
injured centurion, while an officer reports that the reflection returns. The commander orders
the officer to activate the cloaking system. The officer protests saying that their fuel runs
low. But the commander does not wish to know about it and orders the cloaking system. Another
officer is stunned, as he thought they destroyed them. The commander reminds them that this
starship commander is not one to repeat a mistake.
Back on the Enterprise, Stiles report that they are
one minute from the Neutral Zone, their treaty boundary. McCoy wonders if they should break the
treaty and Spock informs him that they did. McCoy then reminds them that once inside, the
Romulans could claim they broke the treaty. If they want war, they furnish them with the
provocation. Spock reminds the captain that they are still on their side. Kirk then says that
they should get them while they still are. Kirk then orders Stiles to lay down phaser fire
again, but Stiles wants to know why at this distance. Firing from this range would be the
wildest stroke of luck. Kirk realizes that, but then informs Stiles that they know of the
Romulans's Achilles heel. They need to decloak before they can fire. Kirk wonders if the phasers
are ready and Stiles confirms it is.
On board the Romulan ship, an officer becomes
alarmed and informs the commander. The commander orders evasive maneuvers and informs the
centurion that the Earth ship is back again... On the Enterprise, Kirk orders Stiles to fire
phasers and as the Enterprise fires their weapons, the Romulan ship takes a beating. As the
Enterprise continues firing, Stiles reports that they are twenty seconds til the Neutral Zone.
Kirk orders Uhura to tell Command Base that it is his option, no opinion, they are proceeding
into the Neutral Zone. Kirk orders Stiles to continue firing.
Decius says that they are still within range. He
rushes to the commander and says that he'll tend to the centurion. The commander informs Decius
that the centurion is dead. Decius wonders why they don't attack. The commander says that this
starship captain is shrewd. He has estimated they have enough fuel. Suddenly, he gets an idea.
He orders Decius to load all debris into the disposal tube, including the body of the centurion.
He tells the deceased centurion to forgive him, as he must use all of his experience to get home
now.
Back on the Enterprise, Spock reports that the
motion sensor has stopped. Kirk orders ceasefire and Sulu notes debris scatter ahead. Kirk asks
for an analysis and Spock reports that the debris contains mold, conduit, plastiform and a body,
however. Kirk wonders what the however is. Spock says that it is insufficent mass for a vessel;
in fact, it is simple debris. Kirk orders up a sensor probe of the nearby area, but Spock says
there are none. He reports that they have lost them.
------
As the Enterprise waits in the Neutral Zone, the captain's log tells
us that the Enterprise lost their invader. But Kirk believes they are still here, waiting the
silent game. Kirk says that the Enterprise is also playing the silent game, in the hopes of
luring them into a trap... As the Enterprise powers down, Spock reports to the captain that the
transfer coils are giving out again and he must make repairs. Kirk agrees, and orders Spock to
work quietly.
On the Romulan ship, Decius reports that twenty
full cycles have passed. He informs the commander that they must've moved on. But the commander
believes that they are still there as he can feel them.
Back on the Enterprise, the captain's log informs
us that nine hours have passed since they've lost them... In his quarters, Captain Kirk ponders
his next move. Yeoman Rand enters and asks the captain if he wants anything from the galley.
Kirk denies, then Rand suggests some coffee. Kirk orders her to bring it to the Bridge. Soon,
Dr. McCoy enters. Kirk tells Bones that he wishes he was in a long sea voyage somewhere, with no
deck tenants, no yeomans to look after him. He then says that he looks at all the pondering
faces, waiting for him to make the next move and wonders why him. Before the doctor can answer,
Kirk says that he doesn't expect an answer, but McCoy has one for him, something he heard a
customer say. Suppose in all their galaxy there are millions of millions of earth-type stars.
And in all of that, millions of millions of universe and only one of them. He reminds the
captain not to destroy the one named Kirk.
As Spock finishes repairing the transfer coil, he
is careful at not making any noise. At the last minute, he accidentally triggers a button that
turns on his console, which angers Stiles. Kirk has to restrain Stiles before he can knock Spock
to the floor and Kirk reassures him that it's okay. He orders the crew to power on... On the
Romulan Bridge, they receive the triggered signal. The officer says they have him and the
commander orders him to move toward him.
Back on the Bridge of the Enterprise, Kirk orders
Sulu to reverse power as he knows that the Romulans will try to sneak under them. Kirk then
orders Stiles to fire phasers and Stiles acknowledges... As the Enterprise fires, the Romulan
ship gets hit and takes heavy damage. Decius wants to know how and the commander says that Kirk
is a sorcerer and he can read their mind. They try and sneak under them and yet he still manages
to fight back. He also manages to make them waste their energy. Decius wonders if the praetor's
pride and warship is finally beaten. The commander then says that they can perhaps save the
praetor's pride. The commander then asks Decius if they have any of those old style nuclear
warheads aboard. Decius says they only have one and the commander orders him to load one into
the disposal tube and set it off for proximity blast.
Sulu soon reports more debris scatter ahead and
Kirk orders ceasefire. Kirk asks for an analysis quickly from Spock. Spock reports that it's the
same composition as before, except for one metal cased object. Alarmed, Kirk orders hard to
starboard and orders Stiles to fire phasers. As the phaser fires, the nuclear warhead detonates
in front of the Enterprise and causes considerable damage.
On the Romulan ship, the Romulans celebrate their
slight victory. Decius says it's glorious, just glorious. The commander says that they can now
go home. Decius reminds the commander that they are at their mercy and they should finish them
off. The commander remind Decius that they have all but exhausted their fuel supply and don't
have enough energy for the necessary kill. Decius reminds the commander of his duty. Decius says
that if he won't destroy them, allow him the thrill of the kill. The commander says that they
will move on them, but on his orders only.
Back on the Enterprise, Kirk asks Dr. McCoy for a
casualty list. McCoy says that there are twenty-two, mostly from radiation burns from the outer
area of the ship. As the power comes back on, Kirk asks Spock for a report. Spock reports that
it was a nuclear device of some kind, like the ones used in the earlier wars. Kirk asks for a
damage report and Spock says that most damage are from circuit burnouts. Kirk then contacts
Scotty and asks if they still have phasers working. Scotty says that only the forward phasers
are operational but specialist Tomlinson is manning it by himself. Stiles soon volunteer to
assist Tomlinson as his previous post was weapons control. Kirk acknolwedges and orders Uhura
to take over Stiles's position. Spock soon notes that the engines are back online, if the
captain wishes to move out to make repairs. Kirk states that he will try and draw the Romulans
to their side of the zone and orders Spock to hold position.
In the phaser control room, Tomlinson and Stiles
man the console. Spock enters and asks Stiles if there are any damage and Stiles says negative.
Spock then wonders if they require his assistance, but Stiles angrily says that they'll manage
it on their own. After Spock leaves, Stiles notices a leak in their system and notifies
Tomlinson. Tomlinson goes off to repair the leak.
Back on the Bridge, Sulu informs the captain that
the Romulan vessel is decloaking. Kirk orders Stiles to standby, and once fully visible, Kirk
orders Stiles to fire phasers. When Stiles doesn't answer, Kirk becomes desperate. Stiles is
incapacitated by the leaking fumes and Spock, having heard the cries of Kirk, rushes to the
phaser control room and manages to fire the phasers. Their weapon manages to disable the Romulan
ship as it lies dead. Kirk orders Sulu to move toward the disabled Romulan ship and orders Uhura
ship-to-ship communications and to put it on the viewscreen. As the Romulan commander appears
on-screen, Kirk orders him to prepare to beam over with their survivors. The commander says no,
as it is not their way. Kirk wonders what purpose would it serve to die. The commander says that
they are creatures of duty and regrets they meet in this way. He informs him that in another
reality, he could have called Kirk friend. He now has one more duty to perform. He then proceeds
to blow himself up and his ship.
In Sickbay, Stiles is being treated by Dr. McCoy as
Mr. Spock watches close. Soon Kirk enters to check up on any patients and casualties. When Kirk
comes in, Stiles informs him that Spock pulled him out from the leaking phaser control room.
This seals their rift and confrontational friendship due to Spock's ties with the Romulans.
Spock reminds him that he saved a trained navigator, so that he can return to duty and that he
has no other feelings whatsoever. Kirk then wants to know how many they lost. McCoy says only
one: Tomlinson, the boy that he was going to marry. His fiancee is at the chapel. As Kirk
leaves, Yeoman Rand intercepts him and tells him that they've received an answer from base. She
tells him that command will support whatever decision he makes, which is too late for that now.
In the chapel, a grieving Angela Martine prays for
the soul of her deceased fiancee. When Kirk enters, she proceeds to hug him. Kirk tells her that
she must know there was a reason for her lost. She understands and tells him that she's all
right and exits the chapel. After a while, Kirk too exits the chapel ready for their next
mission...
