American Rhetoric: Movie Speech

"STAR TREK" (2009)

STAR FLEET ACADEMY DISCIPLINARY HEARING ON CADET KIRK'S ETHICAL CODE VIOLATION

ADMIRAL BARNETT: [This session has been called to resolve a troubling matter. James T. Kirk, step forward.] Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council suggesting that you violated the Ethical Code of Conduct pursuant to 17.43 of the Starfleet Code.¹ Is there anything you care to say before we begin, sir?

CADET KIRK: Yes, I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly.

BARNETT: Step forward, please. This is Commander Spock. He is one of our most distinguished graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru exam for the last four years.

Commander?

COMMANDER SPOCK: Cadet Kirk, you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test.

CADET KIRK: Your point being?

ADMIRAL BARNETT: In academic vernacular, you cheated.

CADET KIRK: Let me ask you something (I think we all know the answer to). The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? I mean, you programmed it to be unwinnable.

COMMANDER SPOCK: Your argument precludes the possibility of a no-win scenario.

CADET KIRK: I don't believe in no-win scenarios.

COMMANDER SPOCK: Then, not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principle lesson.

CADET KIRK: Please, enlighten me.

COMMANDER SPOCK: You, of all people should know, Cadet Kirk: A Captain cannot cheat death.

CADET KIRK: I, of all people.

COMMANDER SPOCK: Your father, Lieutenant George Kirk, assumed command of his vessel before being killed in action, did he not?

CADET KIRK: I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test?

COMMANDER SPOCK: Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test.

CADET KIRK: Enlighten me, again.

COMMANDER SPOCK: The purpose is to experience fear, fear in the face of certain death, to accept that fear, and maintain control of oneself and one's crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet captain.

AIDE: Excuse me, sir [handing a digital sitrep to Admiral Barnett].

ADMIRAL BARNETT: We've received a distress call from Vulcan. With our primary fleet engaged in the Laurentian system, I hereby order all cadets to report to Hangar One immediately.

Dismissed!

¹ Regulation 17.43: "Starfleet Officers are forbidden from participating in or instigating activities which are considered unethical by the United Federation of Planets." [as offered by Redditor bremo93; source: https://www.scribd.com/document/227301510/Starfleet-General-Orders-Regulations-Directives-etc]