The Magicks of Megas-Tu Line-by-Line

Kirk: Lucien has said only that you came as wise men, helpful wizards.

 

MEGAN: Then hear this. Know that one, upon your world, I was known as Asmodeus, he who sees all. Gaze upon my countenance, so that you too may see. (over images of his story) We came to your world as friends. But wherever we went, the story was invariably the same. Some humans would attempt to use us to gain power, to serve their own greed and lust. When we refused to serve them, they turned against us and taught other humans to fear us, to hate. They called us devils, warlocks, evil sorcerers. Those of us who survived came to the town of Salem in Massachusetts, as settlers, and tried to live like other men.

 

Spock: But you made mistakes, used your powers.

 

MEGAN: And burned for it. Burned!

 

Kirk: As witches.

 

LUCIEN: And loneliness and fear.

 

MEGAN: Should we not fear the Earthlings? Should we not fear the cruelty of outsiders? Never again have we explored. Never again has companionship been sought. Yet here you are.

 

MEGAN: We do not want to hurt you. We have never had to hurt anyone before. If there were some reason not to. Who will speak in defense of the Earth humans?

 

Spock: I will, Asmodeus. I am not of Earth.

 

MEGAN: Yes, you are different. The court will hear a defense.

 

(Spock is freed from the stocks)
Spock: I call Lucien as my first witness

 

Lucien appears in a dock

Spock (continued): Lucien, you alone of all those here do not seem to fear or hate humans. Why?

Lucien: They are like me, with questions to be answered, with minds that range outward, boundless. But every Megan is always alone in his sphere of knowledge. Humans are always together. They share. That is why I adopted your ship when I saw it arrive.

 

Kirk: I think we've been trying to, Spock. Humans have their faults, greed, envy, panicky fear. But in the centuries since the Salem witch trials we have learned. We try to understand and respect all life forms.

 

SPOCK: Indeed, Captain. Could you elaborate?

 

KIRK: The records of the Enterprise are open for your inspection. All the history of Earth and the Federation is at your disposal. Look, look at General Order number One. No starship may interfere with the normal development of any alien life or society. Compare that with the Earth you once knew.

 

Megan: Enough! Here is your history. Here are your records. Citizens, you have heard, you have read. How do you vote? (pause) According to your records, your entry here was an accident unlikely to be duplicated. With that in mind, plus all you have said, it seems to us that Megas-Tu is safe. But Lucien must be punished. For his betrayal of his people, he shall be confined in limbo for all eternity, to live with only himself.

 

KIRK: No. To isolate someone like Lucien, that's the same as sentencing him to death.