What Was Kirk Going to Say?

[Admiral_Sisko]

I'm currently watching The Undiscovered Country, and have viewed the dining room scene within the last few minutes. My question is about the dialogue involving Captains Kirk, Spock and General Chang. Chang asks Kirk, "Will you be willing to give up Starfleet?"

Kirk appears uncomfortable, as the question is clearly a reference to the impending end of hostilities between the Klingons and the Federation, a reality that Kirk does not appear to want (and Chang clearly does not). Spock senses Kirk's unease, and attempts to answer for his commanding officer by saying that "Starfleet's mission has always been one of peace."

Kirk glares in Spock's direction and says, "Far be it for me to dispute my first-officer, but Starfleet has always been even more..." before Chang interrupts, saying that "in space, all warriors are cold warriors."

What was Kirk going to say? It would seem that he was prepared to refute Spock's claims about peace with the Klingons, but was he on the verge of saying something to the affect that Starfleet was even more committed to defending themselves than the Klingons, in the event that hostilities broke out? He was clearly unhappy with Gorkon's peace initiative and the Enterprise's involvement in it, but would he have been willing to spark a disagreement by insulting Chang and the Klingons?

 

[sbk1234]

After the dinner he comments on how they really messed it up. It seems likely that Kirk was probably going to say something that could have been considered tactless and provocative. That could have been what he was going to say.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Spock: Starfleet's mission has always been one of peace.

Kirk: Far be it for me to dispute my first-officer, but Starfleet has always been even more a mission of exploration.

He's knocking the peace down a rung and offering a palatable and historical substitute. The rejection of peace as the prime purpose of Starfleet would have not gone unheard.

 

[sonak]

probably something about how Starfleet's mission was more about "defense" or "security" than "peace," because he seemed to think that the way Spock put "peace" implied weakness.

 

[Mr Silver]

Kirk: Far be it for me to dispute my first officer, but Starfleet has always been even more a pain in the ass, than simply flying around the galaxy and shaking hands with anyone who doesn't take pot shots at you.