"Errand of Mercy" Line-by-Line

[Athena28]

CLAYMARE: We thank you for your altruistic offer, Captain, but we really do not need your protection.

 

[Orac]

Ayelborne: We are a simple people, Captain. We have nothing that anybody could want.

 

[Enterprise1981]

KIRK: You have this planet and its strategic location. I assure you that if you don't take action to prevent it, the Klingons will move against you as surely as your sun rises. We will help you build defences, build facilities.

 

[Kor]

Ayelborne: We have no defences, Captain, nor are any needed.

Kor

 

[Enterprise1981]

KIRK: Gentlemen, I have seen what the Klingons do to planets like yours. They are organized into vast slave labor camps. No freedoms whatsoever. Your goods will be confiscated. Hostages taken and killed, your leaders confined. You'd be far better off on a penal planet. Infinitely better off.

 

[Orac]

Ayelborne: Captain, we see that your concern is genuine. We are moved. But again we assure you we are in absolutely no danger. If anybody is in danger, you are, and that concerns us greatly. It would be better if you returned to your ship as soon as possible.

 

[LeadHead]

Kirk: You keep insisting there's no danger. I keep assuring you there is. Would you mind telling me-

 

[Orac]

Ayelborne: It is our way of life, Captain.

 

[LeadHead]

Kirk: That's the first thing that would be lost! Excuse me, gentlemen. I'm a soldier, not a diplomat. I can only tell you the truth.

 

[Orac]

Ayelborne: If you will excuse us, Captain, we will discuss your kind offer.

 

[LeadHead]

Kirk: Certainly.

 

[Athena28]

SPOCK: Captain, our information on these people and their culture was not correct. This is not a primitive society making progress toward mechanization. They are totally stagnant. There is no evidence of any progress as far back as my tricorder can register.

 

[Enterprise1981]

KIRK: That doesn't seem likely.

 

[Athena28]

SPOCK: Nevertheless, it is true. For tens of thousands of years, there has been absolutely no advancement, no significant change in their physical environment. This is a laboratory specimen of an arrested culture.

 

[Enterprise1981]

KIRK: Thank you, Mister Spock. That might be useful.

 

[Orac]

Ayelborne: We have discussed your offer, Captain. Our opinion is unchanged. We are in no danger. We thank you for your kind offer of assistance, although we must decline it, and we strongly recommend that you leave Organia before you yourselves are endangered.

 

[Athena28]

KIRK: Gentlemen, I must get you to reconsider. We can be of immense help to you. In addition to military aid, we can send you specialists, technicians. We can show you how to feed a thousand people where one was fed before. We can help you build schools, educate the young in the latest technological and scientific skills. Your public facilities are almost non-existent. We can help you remake your world, end disease, hunger, hardship. All we ask in return is that you let us help you. Now.

 

[Enterprise1981]

AYELBORNE: Captain, I can see that you do not understand us. Perhaps...

 

[Orac]

Kirk: (answering communicator) Excuse me, sir. Kirk here.

 

[Enterprise1981]

SULU: Captain, a large number of Klingon vessels have just arrived.

[Bridge]

SULU: They're opening fire.