do not
surrender your ship
at the end of that time,
your destruction
is certain.
We will be open
to communication
should you wish it.
You understand that
Starfleet Command
has been advised
of the situation?
The subspace message
will take three weeks
to reach Starfleet.
The decision is yours,
Captain.
One hour.
The design of the ship
is the same.
Mr. Spock, you said
you had a theory
on why your sensors
didn't pick up the new ships
until they were upon us.
I believe the Romulans
have developed a cloaking device
which renders
our tracking sensors useless.
If so, Romulans could attack
in Federation territory
before we knew
they were there ...
before a vessel or planet
could get their defenses up.
They caught us
right enough.
That's
a brilliant observation.
Do you have
any helpful opinions?
We've not got
many choices.
We have three.
We can fight
and be destroyed
or we can destroy
the Enterprise ourselves
and keep her
from the Romulans.
Or we can ...
surrender.
Opinions, gentlemen.
If the Enterprise
is taken by Romulans,
they'll know everything
there is to know about a star ship.
If we had not crossed
the neutral zone,
on your order,
you would not now
need our opinions
to support a decision which
should never have had to be made.
Jim, you ordered us?
You had no authority!
- Dismissed, Doctor.
- Jim!
I said dismissed.
[Intercom Whistles]
Bridge to Captain Kirk.
Kirk here.
The Romulan vessel
is signalling again, sir.
Put them on the screen.
Aye, aye, sir.
My commander wishes
to speak with you.
Put him on.
The commander wishes to see
you and your first officer
aboard this vessel.
It is felt this matter
requires discussion.
Why should we walk
right into your hands?
Two of my officers will
beam aboard your vessel
as exchange hostages
while you're here.
What guarantee
do we have
they'll beam aboard our ship
once we're on yours?
Granted we do not easily
trust each other, Captain,
but you are the ones who
violated our territory.
Should it not be we
who distrust your motives?
However, we agree
to simultaneous exchange.
Give us your
transporter coordinates.
We're beaming aboard.
One final order,
Engineer Scott.
If we do not return,
the Enterprise
must not be taken.
If the Romulans
attempt it,
you're to fight,
and if necessary,
destroy yourselves.
Is that clear?
Perfectly clear.
Energize.
Captain Kirk.
Commander ...
I'm honored.
I don't think so ...
but we have an important
matter to discuss.
And your superficial
courtesies
are an overture
to that discussion.
You are
the first officer?
Spock.
I speak first
with the captain.
You may wait outside.
The matter of trespass
into Romulan space
is one of galactic import,
a violation of treaties.
Now I ask you simply,
what is
your mission here?
Instrument failure
caused navigational error.
We were across the neutral zone
before we realized it,
then surrounded
by your ships
before we could get back.
A star ship,
one of the Starfleet's
finest vessels?
You're saying
instrument failure
as radical as you suggest
went unnoticed
until you were
well past the neutral zone?
Accidents happen.
Backup systems malfunction.
We were due for overhaul
two months ago.
But you were able to navigate
with this malfunction?
The error was corrected.
I doubt it'll
clear you of espionage.
We were not spying,
Commander.
Your language has always been
most difficult for me, Captain.
Perhaps you have
another word for it.
You're grossly mistaken
if you think we were --
No Romulan vessel ventured
far into Federation territory
without good explanation.
What would a star base
commander do?
You see ...
it works both ways.
I hardly believe
you are the injured party.
Spock, come in.
The captain has made
his statement.
I understand.
I must admit some surprise
on seeing you, Spock.
We were not aware of Vulcans
aboard the Enterprise.
Starfleet
is not