We have had this argument before.
"You must reassess what constitutes an acceptable risk, captain. The consequences of your actions, while they are your responsibility, are far broader than you are inclined to believe. There are several who are effected by your choices, myself and Dr. McCoy included."
"I can't believe I'm having this discussion with you again. What is this, round four thousand?"
It is necessary to raise the subject matter with the captain.
"Your life is not the only asset at risk when you act without regard for hazards inherent to the situation."
"So you're going to do the whole cost/benefit analysis argument again? I guess that's the only way you know how to argue, with all that logic rammed up your nose. Does it leak out your pointy ears as super logical earwax? Do Vulcans even have earwax?"
Neither he nor I desire to repeat this same debate again. It always ends the same way. The captain, by sheer force of personality and/or superior rank, overrides all my objections and does exactly as he pleases.
"Captain, my reasons for mentioning this subject are not trivial. I have long comprehended and accepted that the very nature of our profession is dangerous. I no longer subscribe to Starfleet's recommended mentality concerning risk management and assessment, therefore you cannot accuse me of 'parroting the Starfleet script,' as you have in the past."
"Oh really? That's news to me, because you're still saying the same old blah blah."
The outcome of those actions vary. In this case, the results were disastrous not only for the diplomatic mission, but they will negatively impact the Federation at large.
"I have heard all your statements justifying the gambles you take, have taken and will take. Some of these explanations are reasonable and I agree with them. Some are completely based on your whims and emotional inclinations."
"No shit, I have emotions? And I act on them? Woah, brilliant analysis, Spock. You're really at the fucking top of your game today."
Terrans are familiar with the phrase "One for all and all for one." The captain in this instance was inclined to act according to the latter half.
"An insult to your pride is not justification for initiating a man-to-man duel and then breaking off diplomatic relations with the Atkinnons."
"What the fuck are you talking about? If anyone should be offended and pissed off, it should be you. Maybe you're okay with them talking shit about you, but I'm not going to sit around and deal with those fucktards if they can't manage to respect my First Officer."
"The Atkinnons' culture is such that those of mixed blood are regarded as—"
"I don't give a fuck about their culture. You're not an Atkinnon, so why the fuck should they treat you like one?"
"Jim, I am used to such slanders and words leveled at me. I do not let them affect my behavior, as you allowed yourself to be affected. This diplomatic mission was of great importance to Starfleet as there are key resources on the planet for rebuilding the fleet."
"Starfleet can go find cretuisium or whatever the fuck they need somewhere else."
"No, they cannot. Starfleet is well aware of the policies of the Atkinnon and also find them to be morally repugnant. However, they are in desperate need of these materials. You cannot afford to take such juvenile attitudes toward these types of scenarios over an offensive cultural practice."
"So what the fuck do you want me to do? Go over and curtsy and pretend it never happened?"
"The damage is done. We may have been able to restart diplomatic talks, but they will have no contact with you, since you killed their Great Minister."
"It's their cultural rules, not mine."
"He almost killed you. Then the entirety of the Enterprise would be at the mercy of the Atkinnons. When you stood and challenged the Great Minister to the duel, did you consider all of the possibilities?"
"Yeah! There was only one fucking possibility—I was gonna fucking kill that bastard who went around thinking he could spit on you."
"Did you consider all the possibilities? There was more than one outcome and it is clear that in the moment of your self righteous anger, you did not think of the untenable situation you placed yourself, myself, Nyota, the diplomatic team, the crew of the Enterprise, and the Federation. If you had been defeated and killed, we would have been summarily executed, Jim, and the Federation would not have been able to interfere without violating several treaties.
"I do not know why you have suddenly taken a proprietary interest in my honor, but that interest does not justify your actions in the course of this mission, captain. There are times when one stands for what one believes and fights for it, and there are times when other, more vital concerns must take precedence over those beliefs. This was one such incident, and I can personally guarantee you that there will be many more in the future."
"So what're you telling me to do? What the hell am I supposed to do when they sneer and look at you like they want to kill you and fuck your corpse and then chop up the bits and feed them to their dogs?"
"Control yourself. As you say, captain, 'deal with it.' The thought is appreciated, but you must learn to place the needs of many above the needs of the few. You have no difficulty placing the crew's needs above your own. Why do you make an exception for me?"
"No way, there is no way I'm doing that after the whole 'let's kill off half the population to keep the other half alive' bullshit."
"There are times when that attitude is appropriate and needful."
"Fuck you! I'm not gonna let you fucking lecture me on how to do my job—"
"Captain, you are being unreasonable. Your outlook is immature—"
"Who the fuck cares? I'm sick and tired of this bullshit, I don't give a fuck about your lessons on society versus individual or whatever. I made a fucking decision and yeah, I have to live with it—"
"It is not only you who has to live with your decisions, Jim. You have adjusted remarkably well to the responsibilities of your office, but when you act on impulse, you forget those duties and—"
"I don't ever forget my duties, Spock—"
"You act on your personal thoughts and feelings. A captain cannot afford to allow such motivations to cloud his judgment."
"Oh, so now my judgment is compromised?"
"On this mission, it was significantly compromised."
"Okay, fine, you know what? If you're cool with these asshats walking all over you, then fine. I won't do a fucking thing about it next time. Happy?"
"My concerns are not centered around the specifics of the situation but your ability to distinguish between your personal and official duties and balance those two obligations."
"Since you have all the fucking answers, being a Vulcan and all, why don't you answer this one question for me—what the fuck kind of universe do we live in that you've learned to just accept all the illogical hatred and bigotry they hurl at you?"
"Jim, what kind of universe do we live in that you have cultivated a completely aggressive instinct towards any and all hostility leveled at you?"
