Let That Be Your Last Battlefield Line-by-Line

Spock: Negative, Captain. The Enterprise is now moving in a circular course.

 

SCOTT: And at warp ten, we're going nowhere mighty fast.

 

KIRK: We're waiting for you to fulfil your commitment, Commissioner.

 

Bele: Captain, I am happy to have you complete your mission of mercy to the planet Ariannus. It was madness to interfere with such a worthwhile endeavour. But, if you will, upon completion, please take me and my traitorous captive to Cheron.

 

I think about the morale of the crew after this. Kirk almost killed us, and for what?

I know the situation on Ariannus is desperate, I know lives are being lost by the minute. I know a detour to Cheron could cost untold numbers of lives. So how does destroying the Enterprise help? Worst case scenario you go to Cheron, drop off Bele and Lokai, and get to Ariannus as soon as possible to save as many as you can at that point. As a crewman aboard the Enterprise my trust in Kirk would take a real hit here.

Oh, and

KIRK: I make no deals for control of this ship, sir.

 

BELE: The ship's course is now in your control.

 

SPOCK: Enterprise is now on course to Ariannus, Captain.

Well the problem is, in your one post you've put more thought into the motivations of the characters than the writers did for this entire episode. More thought, in fact, than they put into the heads of Lokai and Bele!

Though, I disagree on one point: The worst case scenario would be the Enterprise gets hijacked to Cheron, taken over by the technically superior Cheronians (because it's been demonstrated that both sides of their conflict don't give a damn about the lives they destroy) causing a major delay to the Ariannus rescue.

 

KIRK: Speed, Scotty?

 

SCOTT: Warp six and smoothly operating, sir.

 

Kirk: Good. Lieutenant Uhura, cancel Red Alert.

 

Kirk: Let me reaffirm my position, gentlemen. I could put you in the brig for what you have done, but I won't do it because you are new to this part of the galaxy, which is governed by the United Federation of Planets. We live in peace with full exercise of individual rights. The need to resort to violence and force has long since passed, and it will not be tolerated aboard this ship. You are free to move about the ship. I hope that you'll take the opportunity to know more about the Federation through its best representatives, my crew. But let me make it clear. I will stand for no interference with the function of this ship. All hands, return to normal routine. Captain out.

 

(Bele leaves, with an escort.)
LOKAI: You speak very well, Captain. Your words promise justice for all.

(A Note: The line Orac quoted above reads like something from the TNG universe.
"We live in peace with full exercise of individual rights. The need to resort to violence and force has long since passed"
It kind of denies all the adventures the crew has been through for the last 3 seasons having to fight for those rights.
It sounds exactly like something 1st season Picard would say in a "Well, humans are perfect now" tone of voice. It almost makes me think TNG occurs in a parallel universe.)

 

KIRK: We try, sir.

 

LOKAI: Yes, well, I have learned to wait for actions. After Ariannus, what is justice? I shall wait to see it dispensed.

 

(Lokai leaves)
SPOCK: Fascinating. Two irrevocably hostile humanoids.

 

Scotty: Disgusting is what I call them.

 

SPOCK: That description is not scientifically accurate.