"The Devil in the Dark'' Line-by-Line

KIRK: (answers comm. beep) Kirk here.

 

SPOCK [OC]: Captain, the security officers have gathered in Chief Vanderberg's office.

 

KIRK: I'll be right there. Kirk out. Scotty, ride herd on it. Kind words. Tender, loving care. Kiss it. Baby it. Flatter it if you have to, but keep it going.

 

Scott: I'll do what I can sir.

 

[Vanderberg's office]

KIRK: You will proceed from level to level, checking out every foot, every opening. You are searching for some sort of creature which is highly resistant to phaser fire. Phasers will be set on maximum, and remember this. Fifty people have died. I want no more deaths.

 

Vanderberg: Except the bloody thing!

 

KIRK: The creature may or may not attack on sight. However, you must. It is vitally important we get this installation back into production.

 

SPOCK: Mister Vanderberg, may I ask at which level you discovered the nodules of silicon?

 

Vanderberg: 23rd, why?

 

Kirk: Commander Giotto, take your detail. Go directly to the twenty-third level. Start your search there.

 

GIOTTO: Aye, aye, sir. May I ask if you have reason to suspect this creature may be on that level?

 

Kirk: It's one of the possibilities we've discussed. (to Vanderberg) I want your people to stay on the top level, together at a safe place.

 

VANDERBERG: I don't know any safe place, Captain, the way that thing comes and goes.

 

KIRK: Well, gentlemen, you have your instructions. Let's get at it.

 

[Tunnels]

(The Starfleet people walk carefully along wonderfully smooth floors with just the occasional piece of equipment strewn around. Spock stops to use his tricorder on a section of the tunnel wall.)

KIRK: Mister Spock? Find something?

 

SPOCK: Adjusting my tricorder to register for silicon, Captain. Interesting...

 

KIRK: Traces?

 

SPOCK: A life form, Captain. Bearing 111 degrees, elevation 4 degrees.

 

KIRK: One of our people?

 

SPOCK: No, sir. Silicon.