If Kirk Had Killed Spock in Amok Time

T'Pring never struck me as the science type.

 

I think she and Georgiou would have a lot in common, though. Both versions.

 

From observation, I would opine that many people can change to varying extents, just as with some develop at differing rates as well. Sometimes with more difficulty as age progresses, with brain chemistry changes and external stimuli and everything else... having to play catch-up can't be easy either. But some personality traits and skill sets can be transferable. She did have a sense and display of logic, which could be used in numerous fields. Transport her to the 1800s and convince Gregor Mendel she'd be of use and think of the magic they'd create together. Like two peas in a pod...

But I digress. She could still offer a new perspective to Kirk. And even McCoy would be occasionally more tempered in some of his jokes and jibes too. I'd hope!

 

If I was on duty with her I sure wouldn’t turn my back on her. Knives out!

 

Just don’t stand in the way of something she wants . “No problem T’Pring. You take that last slice of pizza.”

 

From the perspective of a Canadian reader, that part of the plotline of Spock`s World sounds like it could have been inspired by the decades-long situation in Canada, with Quebec separatism. This novel got me thinking: If Quebec did actually separate in a way that didn`t involve them having their cake and eating it, too, what would happen to the land and resources that would have formerly been controlled by various federal departments? Would the national parks revert to the new government, or would they be available for private ownership? Would resource-seeking companies move in to exploit them (there`s a lot of natural resources under the ground in our national parks - something that wasn`t known at the time the parks were created)?

That novel made me rethink some of my views of Quebec separatism and wonder just who is really pulling the strings and what they personally stand to gain. It can`t all be just for political ideology.

Of course the separatists in my own province (Alberta) are pushing this nonsensical Wexit idea. They`re just more upfront about who will profit.

 

Kirk would've needed a new first/science officer...

 

Paging Lt Sonak. Lt. Sonak to the transporter pad, please.

 

Probably would've been a Lt. Commander at that point in his career, since he was already a full Commander in TMP.

Interesting question is if Nimoy had left, would they have created a new character or try to recast the role?

 

Rumor is Mark Lenard and Lawrence Montaigne were on the short list to play Spock if Nimoy walked.

 

I've seen that rumor floated over the years. I imagine without Nimoy, the show wouldn't have survived its second season.

 

My guess is Montaigne and Lenard etc. would have been used as bargaining chips is all, a threat to Nimoy that he wasn't irreplaceable, even if he was. The fact is Spock was the show's breakout character, and while they weren't happy with his demands they were going to do their best to keep him on the show. As a former boss of mine once said, "We know we're going to have to pay them something, the question is how much."

 

I suspect if Kirk had killed Spock (presumably in self-defense) there would have been a Board of Inquiry per Starfleet protocol. Under the circumstances it seems unlikely the BoI would have felt the need for a Court Martial, but assuming they did...again, assuming it was self-defense, it seems unlikely Kirk would have been convicted of anything.

Spock might face other problems, as even with the temporary insanity defense, he could have warned Kirk and McCoy that T'Pring could choose the challenge.

 

Of course Spock would know that T'Pring might choose *a* challenger (as is her right), but I don't see how he possibly could have foreseen that she'd choose Kirk. Everyone, Spock included, seemed surprised when she did that.

 

I think he figured he'd just straight up get married. No challenge. No deaths. Then it was back to the Enterprise.

 

Spock doesn't seem the type to omit something potentially deadly on the grounds that it's merely improbable.

Of course, he's famous for being close-mouthed about Vulcan traditions even when speaking of them would be for his own benefit...

One wonders whether he gave Kirk and McCoy any level of information about what was to occur. Heck, they didn't even dress up for the occasion.

 

Hide bound the Vulcans are with tradition but the Kalifee may have been rarely used by this time so no one thought to mention it. Spock's name and family and even T'Pring's might have made some equivalent of a divorce impossible and left this old dueling ritual the only get out with honor all around satisfied.

 

I can easily see the beginninga and core of the prime directive being that the Federation can not interfere in any aspect of the member planets.

My take is that. Vulcans are compulsive homicidal maniacs, who bearly control themselves through meditation and life philosophy.

To the OP's original question. Similar to the beginning of TVH, Kirk would have to of remained on Vulcan under the protection of the Vulcan government.

 

Some possibilities:
1. Kirk resigns his commission. He remains an exile on Vulcan in Sarek's household, and reluctantly releases T'Pring. Montgomery Scott becomes Acting Captain for awhile, until replaced by Captain Zarlo, of course.

2. Kirk, with persuasion by McCoy and public appeals from T'Pau and Sarek, retains his captaincy, and takes on T'Pring as his official wife, per Vulcan custom. They initially treat each other with coldness, and Starfleet isn't too happy with the arrangement. T'Pring's bodyguard, Stonn (played by Lawrence Montaigne), takes over as a science consultant, and a love triangle forms.

3. Kirk feels really bad, but next week the XO spot is filled by Commander Thelin (played by new cast member and one-time guest actor Mark Lenard) and no mention of Spock is made in future episodes. Thelin, due to exorbitant makeup costs, is dropped from the third season (which features an all-human cast), but returns for the animated series and the four TOS feature films.

 

I don't think Kirk would face a Starfleet board of inquiry or civilian prosecution. The ceremony shows every indication of being sanctioned by Vulcan law and was officiated by one of that planet's most influential living leaders. Spock's words about resigning and offering no defense come from his guilt. In a scenario where he had really killed Kirk, I see him standing in front of a panel of commodores who explain this to him as he quietly begs for punishment.

Now, back to the scenario where Kirk killed Spock, I think first of all he would find a way to screw over T'Pring concerning the property she wanted, maybe by donating everything in Spock's name to the Vulcan Science Academy. Then I think he would go back to commanding the Enterprise - resigning isn't his nature - but would be angry and self-destructive. He'd make some error of judgement or do something rash and get himself killed within a year, maybe in the jaws of the Doomsday Machine.