"Balance of Terror" Line-by-Line!

Greetings, programs!

We recently completed our "The Enemy Line-by-Line" thread over in the TNG forum.

After each completed thread, I, or my youthful ward LeadHead, randomly pick someone who participated in the thread to choose the next episode we do. Random.org selected thread participant Enterprise1981 to be our next chooser. And Enterprise1981 has chosen the TOS classic "Balance of Terror" as our next line-by-line adventure.

For any unfamiliar with our "game," you are asked to post only a single line (defined as one character speaking without interruption by another character) per message. You can post as often as you like, but someone else must post a line in between your posts.

As before, at the conclusion of this thread, we will pick someone at random from among all the participants to choose the next episode we do.

Enjoy!

 

[Enterprise Chapel]

SCOTTY: The ceremony will be carried on all viewing screens, sir.

 

Kirk: Good.

 

MCCOY: There was a call for you from the Bridge.

 

(Kirk smiles at a crew member in the audience and walks to the intercom)

Kirk: Kirk here.

 

SPOCK [over comm]: Still no answer from Earth Outpost number two, Captain, and now number three's gone silent.

 

Kirk: Maintain course to Outpost Four, keep me informed. Kirk out.

(Kirk walks up to the podium and Scotty over to Angela at the door, to escort her to her husband-to-be. She kneels briefly at the altar at the podium, while Kirk and Janice Rand watch. She then stands...)

Kirk: Since the days of the first wooden vessels, all ship masters have had one happy privilege. That of uniting two people in the bonds of matrimony. And so, we are gathered here today with you, Angela Martine and you, Robert Tomlinson, in the sight of your fellows, in accordance with our laws and our many beliefs... (intercom whistles) ...so you may pledge your...

 

SULU [OC]: Alert! Alert! All decks alert! Alert! Alert! Captain to the Bridge. All decks alert.

 

(Kirk and half the assembled audience run over to the intercom)

Kirk: Kirk here.

 

Spock: (over comm) Earth Outpost 4 reports they are under attack. A Space Vessel, identity unknown.

 

Kirk: Full ahead. All decks, condition red.

 

[Corridor]

SULU [OC]: All decks, condition red. All decks, condition red.

 

KIRK: Captain's Log, stardate 1709.2. Patrolling outposts guarding the neutral zone between planets Romulus and Remus and the rest of the galaxy, received emergency call from outpost 4. The U.S.S. Enterprise is moving to investigate and assist.

 

[Bridge]

UHURA: Outpost four reported under attack, sir. The message terminates.

 

SPOCK: Verified, Captain.

 

SULU: Our speed is now maximum, sir.

 

STILES: We're less than 8 minutes from outpost four at this velocity, sir.

 

KIRK: Scotty.

 

SCOTT: I've talked to my engine room, sir. We'll get more speed out of her.

 

KIRK: Did Outpost 4 give anything at all on the attacking vessel, Lieutenant?