William Shatner: Kirk
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Quotes
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Kirk : We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. And yet it should be noted that in the midst of our sorrow, this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world; a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human.
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[Terrell disobeys Khan's order to kill Kirk, who taunts Khan over the communicator]
Kirk : Khan, you bloodsucker! You're going to have to do your own dirty work now! Do you hear me? Do you?
Khan : Kirk? Kirk, you're still alive, my old friend?
Kirk : Still, "old friend"! You've managed to kill just about everyone else, but like a poor marksman, you keep missing the target!
Khan : Perhaps I no longer need to try, Admiral.
David Marcus : Oh, no! Let go! He can't take it...!
[Khan beams the Genesis device away]
Kirk : Khan... Khan, you've got Genesis, but you don't have me. You were going to kill me, Khan. You're going to have to come down here. You're going to have to come down here!
Khan : I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her; marooned for all eternity in the center of a dead planet... buried alive! Buried alive...!
Kirk : KHAAANNNN!
[echo]
Kirk : KHAAANNNN!
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McCoy : [Kirk runs in to the engine room and sees Spock inside the reactor compartment. He rushes over but McCoy and Scotty hold him back] No! You'll flood the whole compartment!
Kirk : He'll die!
Scotty : Sir! He's dead already.
McCoy : It's too late.
[They let go and Kirk walks to the glass and pushes the intercom button]
Kirk : Spock!
[Spock slowly walks over to the glass and pushes the intercom]
Spock : The ship... out of danger?
Kirk : Yes.
Spock : Do not grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many, outweigh...
Kirk : The needs of the few.
Spock : Or the one. I never took the Kobayashi Maru test until now. What do you think of my solution?
Kirk : Spock.
[Spock sits down]
Spock : [Gasping] I have been... and always shall be... your friend.
[he places a Vulcan salute on the glass]
Spock : [Gasping] Live long... and prosper.
[Spock dies]
Kirk : No.
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[On whether Kirk should assume command from Spock]
Spock : If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny; anything else is a waste of material.
Kirk : I would not presume to debate you.
Spock : That is wise. Were I to invoke logic, however, logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Kirk : Or the one.
Spock : You are my superior officer. You are also my friend. I have been and always shall be yours.
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Saavik : Admiral, may I ask you a question?
Kirk : What's on your mind, Lieutenant?
Saavik : The Kobayashi Maru, sir.
Kirk : Are you asking me if we're playing out that scenario now?
Saavik : On the test, sir... will you tell me what you did? I would really like to know.
McCoy : Lieutenant, you are looking at the only Starfleet cadet who ever beat the no-win scenario.
Saavik : How?
Kirk : I reprogrammed the simulation so it was possible to rescue the ship.
Saavik : What?
David Marcus : He cheated.
Kirk : I changed the conditions of the test; got a commendation for original thinking. I don't like to lose.
Saavik : Then you never faced that situation... faced death.
Kirk : I don't believe in the no-win scenario.
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McCoy : He's not really dead. As long as we remember him.
Kirk : It's a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before. A far better resting place that I go to than I have ever known.
Carol Marcus : Is that a poem?
Kirk : No. Something Spock was trying to tell me. On my birthday.
McCoy : You okay, Jim? How do you feel?
Kirk : Young. I feel young.
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[after allowing the simulated Enterprise to be destroyed]
Saavik : Permission to speak freely, sir?
Kirk : Granted.
Saavik : I do not believe this was a fair test of my command abilities.
Kirk : And why not?
Saavik : Because... there was no way to win.
Kirk : A no-win situation is a possibility every commander may face. Has that never occurred to you?
Saavik : No, sir, it has not.
Kirk : And how we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life, wouldn't you say?
Saavik : As I indicated, Admiral, that thought had not occurred to me.
Kirk : Well, now you have something new to think about. Carry on.
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Kirk : Scotty, I need warp speed in three minutes or we're all dead!
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Carol Marcus : Please tell me what you're feeling.
Kirk : There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years who's trying to kill me. You show me a son that'd be happy to help. My son... my life that could have been... and wasn't. How do I feel? Old... worn out.
Carol Marcus : Let me show you something that will make you feel young as when the world was new.
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Dr. McCoy : You're hiding... hiding behind rules and regulations.
Kirk : Who am I hiding from?
Dr. McCoy : From yourself, Admiral.
Kirk : Don't mince words, Bones. What do you really think?
Dr. McCoy : Jim, I'm your doctor and I'm also your friend. Get back your command! Get it back before you turn into part of this collection, before you really do grow old.
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Joachim : [Enterprise is running with shields down] They still haven't raised their shields.
Khan : Raise ours.
[Joachim raises shields]
Spock : Their shields are going up.
Khan : Lock phasers on target.
Joachim : [looks at targeting computer] Locking phasers on target.
Spock : They're locking phasers.
Kirk : Raise shields!
Khan : Fire!
[Joachim fires phasers]
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Kirk : Kirk to Enterprise.
Spock : Spock here.
Kirk : Captain Spock, damage report.
Spock : Admiral, if we go "by the book". like Lieutenant Saavik, hours could seem like days.
Kirk : I read you captain. Let's have it.
Spock : The situation is grave, Admiral. We won't have main power for six "days". Auxiliary power has temporarily failed. Restoration may be possible, in two "days". By the book, Admiral.
Kirk : Meaning you can't even beam us back?
Spock : Not at present.
Kirk : Captain Spock, if you don't hear from us within one hour, your orders are to restore what power you can, take the Enterprise to the nearest star base, and alert Starfleet Command as soon as you're out of jamming range.
Commander Nyota Uhura : Sir, we won't leave you behind!
Kirk : Uhura, if you don't hear from us, there won't be anybody behind. Kirk out.
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David Marcus : Lieutenant Saavik was right: You never have faced death.
Kirk : No. Not like this. I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing.
David Marcus : You knew enough to tell Saavik that how we face death is at least as important as how we face life.
Kirk : Just words.
David Marcus : But good words. That's where ideas begin. Maybe you should listen to them. I was wrong about you. And I'm sorry.
Kirk : Is that what you came here to say?
David Marcus : Mainly. And also that I'm proud - very proud - to be your son.
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Kirk : [describing Khan; who is predictable at being goaded into rash actions] I'll give him this: he's consistent!
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Crewman : Sir! The mains are back on line!
Kirk : Bless you Scotty! Go, Sulu!
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Preston : I believe you'll find everything ship-shape, Admiral.
Kirk : Oh, do you? Do you have any idea, Midshipman Preston, how many times I have had to listen to Mr. Scott on the comm, telling me his trouble? Do you have any idea of the ribbing I've had to endure in the officers' mess... to the effect that the Enterprise is a flying death trap?
Preston : Oh, no sir! Wha... this is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet! If the Admiral can't see the facts for himself, then, with all due respect, he's as blind as a Tiberian bat!
Scotty : Ahem!
Preston : Sir!
Kirk : Midshipman, you're a tiger.
Scotty : My sister's youngest, Admiral. Crazy to get to space.
Kirk : Every young man's fantasy. Seem to remember it myself.
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McCoy : Admiral, wouldn't it be easier to put an experienced crew back on the ship?
Kirk : Galloping around the cosmos is a game for the young, Doctor.
[Leaves]
Commander Nyota Uhura : Now what is that supposed to mean?
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Kirk : You're bothered by your performance on the Kobayashi Maru.
Saavik : I failed to resolve the situation.
Kirk : There's no correct resolution. It's a test of character.
Saavik : May I ask how you dealt with the test?
Kirk : [trying to be funny] You may ask.
[seeing she's not getting it]
Kirk : That's a little joke.
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Kirk : We have a problem. Something may be wrong on Regula-1. We've been ordered to investigate.
Spock : If memory serves, Regula-1 is a scientific research laboratory.
Kirk : I told Starfleet Command all we had was... a boatload of children, but we're the only ship in the quadrant. Spock, these cadets of yours, how good are they? How will they respond under real pressure?
Spock : As with all living things, each according to his gifts. Of course, the ship is yours.
Kirk : No, that won't be necessary. Just get me to Regula-1.
Spock : As a teacher on a training mission, I am content to command the Enterprise. If we are to go on actual duty, it is clear that the senior officer must assume command.
Kirk : It may be nothing. Garbled communications. You take the ship.
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Carol Marcus : I don't understand. Who's responsible for all this? Who is Khan?
Kirk : Well, it's a long story.
David Marcus : We appear to have plenty of time.
Kirk : Is there anything to eat? I don't know about anybody else, but I'm starved.
McCoy : How can you think of food at a time like this?
Kirk : First order of business: survival.
Carol Marcus : There is food in the Genesis cave, enough to last a lifetime; if necessary.
McCoy : We thought this was Genesis.
Carol Marcus : This? It took the Starfleet Corps of Engineers ten months in space suits to tunnel out all this. What we did in there, we did in a day.
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Scotty : [one of his cadets has been killed] He stayed at his post when the trainees ran.
Spock : [calling on the intercom] Admiral, this Spock.
Kirk : Yes, Spock.
Spock : Engine room reports auxiliary power restored. We can proceed at impulse power.
Kirk : Best speed to Regula-1. Kirk out.
McCoy : I'm sorry, Scotty.
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Kirk : [In a whisper to Carol] Is that David?
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Commander Nyota Uhura : There's no response from Regula-1.
Spock : But no longer jammed.
Commander Nyota Uhura : No, sir. No nothing.
Spock : [wandering over to the captain's chair] There are two possibilities: they are unable to respond, they are unwilling to respond.
Kirk : How far?
Spock : 12 hours, 43 minutes, present speed.
Kirk : "Give up Genesis," she said. What in God's name's it mean? Give it up to whom?
Spock : It might help my analysis if I knew what Genesis was, beyond the biblical reference.
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Carol Marcus : Why are you taking Genesis away from us?
Kirk : Taking Genesis? Who's taking Genesis? Who-who is... who is taking Genesis?
Carol Marcus : I can see you, but I can't hear.
Kirk : Carol!
Carol Marcus : Jim, did you give the order?
Kirk : What order? Who's taking Genesis?
Carol Marcus : Please help us, Jim.
Kirk : I'm trying...
Carol Marcus : I will not let them have Genesis without proper authorization.
Kirk : Have Genesis? Who's taking...
Carol Marcus : On whose authority can they do this?
Kirk : No one's authority.
Carol Marcus : Jim...
Kirk : [trying to get a clearer signal] Uhura, what's happening?
Commander Nyota Uhura : Transmission jammed at the source, sir.
Kirk : Alert Starfleet Headquarters.
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Kirk : An emergency situation has arisen. By order of Starfleet Command, as of now, 1800 hours, I'm assuming command of this vessel. Duty officer, so note in the ship's log. Plot a new course for space laboratory Regula-1. Engine room. Mr. Scott.
Scotty : Aye, sir.
Kirk : We'll be going to warp speed.
Scotty : Aye, sir.
Sulu : Course plotted for Regula-1, Admiral.
Kirk : Engage warp engines.
Saavik : Prepare for warp speed.
Sulu : Ready, sir.
Kirk : I know that none of you were expecting this. I'm sorry. I'm going to have to ask you to grow up a little bit sooner than you expected.
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Kirk : [receiving a pair of antique eyeglasses] Why, Bones, this is... charming.
McCoy : For most patients your age, I'd recommend Retinax 5.
Kirk : I'm allergic to Retinax.
McCoy : Exactly. Cheers.
Kirk : Cheers.
[taking a sip of Romulan ale, the taste obviously doesn't agree with him]
Kirk : [forcing himself to swallow] Ahh.
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Kirk : Computer, request security procedure and access to Project Genesis summary.
Computer : Identify for retina scan.
Kirk : Kirk, Admiral James T.
Computer : [scanning his eye] Security scan approved.
Kirk : Summary, please.
Carol Marcus : [a video file plays] Project Genesis. A proposal to the Federation.
Spock : Carol Marcus.
Kirk : Yes.
Carol Marcus : What exactly is Genesis? Well, put simply, Genesis is life from lifelessness. It is a process whereby molecular structure is reorganized at the subatomic level into life-generating matter of equal mass. Stage one of our experiments was conducted in the laboratory. Stage two of the series will be attempted in a lifeless underground. Stage three will involve the process on a planetary scale. It is our intention to introduce the Genesis Device into a pre-selected area of a lifeless space body; a moon or other dead form. The device is delivered, instantaneously causing what we call the Genesis Effect. Matter is reorganized with life-generating results. Instead of a dead moon, a living, breathing planet capable of sustaining whatever life forms we see fit to deposit on it.
Spock : Fascinating.
Carol Marcus : The reformed moon simulated here represents the merest fraction of the Genesis potential, should the Federation wish to fund these experiments to their logical conclusion. When we consider the cosmic problems of population and food supply, the usefulness of this process becomes clear. This concludes our proposal. Thank you for your attention.
Spock : It literally is Genesis.
Kirk : Power of creation.
Spock : Have they proceeded with their experiments?
Kirk : Well, the tape was made about a year ago, so I can only assume they've reached stage two by now.
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Commander Nyota Uhura : I'm getting a voice message. They say their chambers coil is overloading their comm system.
Kirk : Spock?
Spock : Scanning. Their coil emissions are normal.
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Kirk : If it's me you want, I'll have myself beamed aboard. Spare my crew.
Khan : I make you a counter-proposal. I'll agree to your terms if, *if*, in addition to yourself, you hand over to me all data and material regarding the project called Genesis.
Kirk : [playing dumb] Genesis? What's that?
Khan : Don't insult my intelligence, Kirk.
Kirk : Give me some time to recall the data on our computers.
Khan : I give you 60 seconds, Admiral.
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Kirk : [after the Enterprise is fired upon] Damage report.
Spock : They knew exactly where to hit us.
Kirk : Who? Who knew were to hit us? And why?
Spock : One thing is certain. We cannot escape on auxiliary power.
Kirk : Visual. Sulu, divert all power to phasers.
Spock : Too late.
Kirk : [seeing in incoming photon torpedo] Hang on!
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Kirk : [seeing the Genesis cave] You did all this in a day?
Carol Marcus : The matrix formed in a day. The life forms grew later at a substantially accelerated rate.
McCoy : Jim! This is incredible! Have you ever seen the like?
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Spock : [Khan is requesting all data relevant to Project Genesis] At least we know he doesn't have Genesis.
Kirk : Keep nodding as though I'm still giving orders. Mr. Saavik, punch up the data charts of Reliant's command console.
Saavik : Reliant's command?
Kirk : Hurry.
Khan : 45 seconds.
Spock : The prefix code?
Kirk : It's all we've got.
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Kirk : Sensors, Captain.
Spock : Scanners and sensors are still inoperative. There's no way to ascertain what's inside the station.
Kirk : No way of telling if Reliant is still in the area.
Spock : Precisely.
Kirk : What do you make of that planetoid beyond?
Spock : Regula is Class D. It consists of various unremarkable ores, essentially a great rock in space.
Kirk : And Reliant could be hiding behind that rock.
Spock : A distinct possibility.
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Kirk : I'm going down there.
McCoy : Khan could be down there.
Kirk : He's been there. Hasn't found what he wants. Can you spare someone? There may be people hurt.
McCoy : Yeah. I can spare me.
Saavik : Begging the Admiral's pardon. General Order 15. "No flag officer shall beam into a hazardous area without armed escort."
Kirk : There's no such regulation.
[getting her point]
Kirk : All right. Join the party. Mr. Spock, the ship is yours.
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Kirk : Scotty, what's left?
Scotty : Just the battery, sir. I can have auxiliary power in a few minutes.
Kirk : We don't have a few minutes! Can you give me phaser power?
Scotty : A few short, sir.
Spock : Not enough against their shields.
Kirk : Who the hell are they?
Commander Nyota Uhura : Admiral, the commander of the Reliant is signaling. He wishes to discuss terms of our surrender.
Kirk : Put it on screen.
Commander Nyota Uhura : Admiral...
Kirk : Do it! While we still have time.
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Spock : Reliant's prefix number is 16309.
Saavik : I don't understand.
Kirk : You have to learn why things work on a starship.
Spock : Each ship has its own combination code...
Kirk : To prevent an enemy from doing what we're attempting. We're using our console to order Reliant to lower her shields.
Spock : Assuming he hasn't changed the combination. He's quite intelligent.
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Kirk : [of his son David] I did what you wanted. I stayed away. Why didn't you tell him?
Carol Marcus : Oh... how can you ask me that? Were we together? Were we going to be? You had your world, and I had mine. And I wanted him in mine, not chasing through the universe with his father. Actually... he's a lot like you. In many ways.
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Spock : Scanning an energy source on Reliant. A pattern I've never seen before.
David Marcus : [looking over his shoulder] It's the Genesis wave.
Kirk : What?
David Marcus : They're on a build-up to detonation.
Kirk : How soon?
David Marcus : We encoded four minutes.
Kirk : We'll beam aboard and stop it.
David Marcus : You can't.
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Kirk : Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha V to pick up the crew of USS Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. "There are always possibilities," Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed life from death, I must return to this place again.
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Kirk : [as the Genesis Planet takes shape] My god, Carol, look at it.
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Commander Nyota Uhura : Bridge to Admiral Kirk.
Kirk : Kirk here.
Commander Nyota Uhura : Sir, there's a message coming in for you from station Regula One. Doctor Carol Marcus.
Kirk : [pause] I'll take it in my quarters, Uhura.
McCoy : Never rains, but it pours.
Kirk : As a doctor, you of all people should know the dangers of re-opening old wounds.
McCoy : [after Kirk exits] Sorry.
