[ COURTROOM ]

In the courtroom, the crew feel the Enterprise slow to a halt. The subdued music and dancing of the Orion club continue, though lights come up on Spock, Kirk and Tor. Spock is out of uniform, possibly cuffed, and flanked by security guards at high attention. Kirk and Tor draw their attention away from the holovision and toward one another. An intercom signal announces request for communication from the Engine Room.

KIRK

What have you got for us, Scott?

SCOTT

Success Captain. As you may have noticed, I have just shut down the engines and stopped the ship.

KIRK

Excellent Scott.

SCOTT

It seems Uhura’s plan has succeeded without detection. I accessed the engine room’s controls a moment ago.

TOR

Tor to bridge. Does Sulu have access to navigation?

UHURA

Affirmative Commodore. Sulu has full control of the Enterprise.

KIRK

Lieutenant Sulu, set an immediate course—

SPOCK

[interrupting, to Pike]

Tell them you want to wait, Captain. Say “yes” that you want to go to Talos IV!

Pike, unmoving, remains silent.

Please Chris, forget regulations…It’s your life, now…at least a chance for life.

KIRK

“A chance for life”…how so, Spock? Your plan, with all its illusions, is clear to us now—though we can reject it just as easily in your theater as we would have anyway, had you’d put it to us plainly in the beginning.

SPOCK

Jim, there’s more to it than—

TOR

More manipulation I suppose? Your own evidence makes this foolishness plain.

Didn’t you hear? What life can Pike discover in a Cage? Dancing like a trained monkey? Life, Spock, is not a simulation—

KIRK

Lieutenant Sulu, set an immediate course for Starbase M-11. Lieutenant Scott, prepare for warp speed.

SCOTT

[from the intercom]

Aye, aye, Commodore.

TOR

I move we proceed directly to the verdict.

KIRK

I concur.

TOR

The accused has pleaded guilty to all charges. I find the defendant guilty as charged. Captain Pike, your ruling?

Pike’s brain image glows with affirmation, at once an agreement and an expression of force and rigidity.

TOR

And you, Captain Kirk?

KIRK

[after an expressionless pause]

Guilty.

The intercom signals again.

UHURA

[voice on intercom]

I’m sorry Commodore. Urgent communication from Lieutenant Sulu.

TOR

Proceed.

SULU

Commodore, I’ve set a new course. But we’re under the grip of an unknown gravitational force. Warp speed has failed. We’re orbiting something—I’m not sure—

TOR

Computer. Analyze our surroundings.

COMPUTER

Recalculating location. No large gravitational force is near. Currently orbiting a Class-M planet, the fourth in distance from Sirius in the Talosian system.

KIRK

Talos IV.

SULU

I can steer us away, Commodore, but—

KIRK

But nothing will come of it. If a Talosian enemy wants us to believe we have succeeded, we’ll perceive whatever they wish—

SPOCK

You are correct, Jim. The Talosians control not only the Enterprise, but your experience of all that occurs on board. They control our perception telepathically, as adeptly as they did thirteen years ago.

The holovision brightens again. Tor and Kirk glance at Spock, who signals he did nothing to turn it on. Pike and Vina are asleep in each other’s arms.

[now with more confidence]

Chris, only you know the truth. Please remember. You have a choice.

The courtroom darkens.