Trekking Through Compliance

In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Return of the Archons which aired on February 9, 1967, Star Date 3156.2.

 The Enterprise arrives at the planet Beta III in the C-111 system where the USS Archon was reported lost nearly 100 years earlier. They find the inhabitants living in a 19th-century Earth-style culture, ruled over by cloaked and cowled "Lawgivers" and a reclusive dictator, Landru. 

It turns out that Landru "pulled the Archons down from the skies". They find out that Landru saved their society from war and anarchy 6,000 years ago and reduced the planet's technology to a simpler level.

Marplon takes Kirk and Spock to the Hall of Audiences, where priests commune with Landru. A projection of Landru appears and threatens them. Kirk and Spock use their phasers to blast through the wall and expose a computer programmed by Landru, who died 6,000 years ago. The computer neutralizes their phasers. Kirk and Spock argue that because the computer has destroyed the creativity of the people by disallowing their free will, it is evil and should self-destruct, freeing the people of Beta III. The computer complies.

Compliance Takeaways:

1.     Is the Prime Directive absolute or is there room for flexibility?

2.     Groupthink can kill off a civilization or corporation.

3.     AI will always be enhanced by human interactions and interpretations.

 Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for Return of the Archons

MissionLogPodcast.com-Return of the Archons

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Court Martial which aired on February 2, 1967, Star Date 2947.3.

 After sustaining severe damage in an ion storm, the Enterprise is forced to seek repairs at Starbase 11, where  Commodore Stone investigates the death of records officer Ben Finney, who died in the storm. Stone finds it was Kirk’s negligence that led to Finney’s death.  A trial ensues and Kirk’s former flame Ariel Shaw is the prosecuting attorney, and Kirk seeks the services of attorney Samuel T. Cogley.

Spock discovers something amiss in the program bank of the Enterprise after he is able to beat the computer 5 times, despite the fact that its program should not be capable of losing. Recognizing the computer has been tampered with, they find Finney and  Kirk's record is cleared, and Samuel Cogley takes on a new case: defending Finney.

 Compliance Takeaways:

1.     Have you tied down your documents before your investigation begins?

2.     Your investigation can change based upon facts on the ground.

3.     Never forget in a FCPA enforcement action, each lawyer represents his or her client.

 Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for Court Martial

MissionLogPodcast.com-Court Martial

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Arena, which aired on January 19, 1967, Star Date 3045.6.

 The Enterprise arrives at the Cestus III Outpost by invitation of its commanding officer, but the crew finds the outpost obliterated and then under attack from an unknown vessel. Both ships enter a new space sector and lose all propulsion power shortly after. Enterprise is contacted by the Metrons, who announce they will pit the respective captains in a one-to-one battle to the death. Kirk is transported to the planet’s surface along with the other captain of the Gorn.

Kirk attempts to communicate with the Gorn but has not received a response. Kirk lies in wait for the Gorn and fires on him. As Kirk prepares to deal a death blow, he considers the Gorn’s claims that the attack on Cestus III was only self-defense and allowed him to live. Suddenly, the Gorn disappears, and a Metron appears to Kirk, congratulating him on not only winning the battle but showing the advanced trait of mercy for one’s enemy, leading the Metron to comment that “you are still half-savage, but there is hope,” and that the Federation should seek out the Metrons again in several thousand years.

Compliance Takeaways:

1.     Get out, talk, but most importantly, listen.

2.     What causes a regular risk to grow into a high risk?

3.     All due diligence may be required, Even with facts on the ground.

Resources:

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for Arena

MissionLogPodcast.com-Arena

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Squire of Gothos, aired on January 12, 1967, Star Date 2124.5.

 The Enterprise encounters a rogue planet previously hidden from their sensors. As Sulu attempts to enter a course around the planet, he suddenly vanishes from the bridge, and Kirk vanishes a moment later. The Enterprise then receives a strange message on a viewscreen in blackletter writing: "Greetings and Felicitations!" followed by "Hip hip hoorah. Tallyho!" Spock orders Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy, along with Lt. DeSalle and geophysicist Karl Jaeger, to form a landing party and conduct a search.

The landing party beams down and unexpectedly finds itself in a lush and breathable environment, a medieval castle. They find Captain Kirk and Lt. Sulu immobilized and a humanoid who identifies as "General Trelane, retired.

Trelane suggests that Kirk be prey for a royal hunt, and Kirk agrees in return for the release of his ship. Two beings appear and call out to Trelane, ordering him to "come along" and lecturing him for his misbehavior. He then disappears, and the two beings follow after apologizing to Kirk, who returns to the ship.

Compliance Takeaways:

Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for The Squire of Gothos

MissionLogPodcast.com-The Squire of Gothos  

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Galileo Seven, which aired on January 5, 1967, Star Date 2821.5

The Enterprise passes close to a quasar-like formation identified as Murasaki 312. Kirk sends a science team to investigate the formation. Soon after launch, the shuttle is pulled off course. Spock makes an emergency landing on Taurus II, a rocky, fog-shrouded world in the middle of the Murasaki phenomenon. The crew is attacked, and Spock chooses to attempt to frighten the creatures rather than kill them outright.

Spock then manages to get Galileo off the ground using the shuttle’s boosters. The shuttle has too little fuel to escape the planet’s gravity or achieve a stable orbit, and there is still no way to contact the Enterprise. Spock suddenly dumps and ignites the remaining fuel from the shuttle’s engines. The giant flare he produces is seen on the Enterprise view screen just as the ship has left orbit. The survivors are beamed out.

Back on board the Enterprise, Kirk questions Spock, trying to get him to admit that his final action was motivated more by emotion than logic. Spock refuses but freely admits to stubbornness, at which the rest of the crew burst into laughter.

Compliance Takeaways:

1.     Why sometimes you must adhere to a culture’s traditions.

2.     What is a risk?

3.     As your risks change, you must re-evaluate your risk management strategy.

 Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for TheGalileo Seven

MissionLogPodcast.com-Galileo Seven  

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Shore Leave, which aired on December 29, 1966, Star Date 3025.3.

This is one of the most fun and beloved TOS episodes. It begins with the Enterprise discovering  Omicron Delta, which appears to be the ideal location for rest and relaxation for the Enterprise crew. However, strange things soon begin to happen to the landing party. McCoy sees Alice and a white rabbit, Sulu finds an antique Police Special gun, Don Juan and Esteban Rodriguez accost Yeoman Barrels, and Angela sees birds. Kirk cancels shore leave for the rest of the crew but is confronted with practical joker Finigan from Starfleet Academy on the one hand and his former girlfriend Ruth on the other.

Spock reports from the Enterprise that he has detected a sophisticated power field on the planet that is draining the Enterprise’s energy. Spock beams down to help investigate, just as communications with the ship are becoming impossible. After asking Kirk what he was thinking about before encountering Finigan, Spock realizes that the apparitions are being created out of the minds of the landing party. The planet’s caretaker appears with McCoy. The caretaker apologizes for the misunderstandings and offers the services of the amusement park planet to the Enterprise’s weary crew.

Compliance Takeaways:

1.     When you see a fact from your past, interpret it in light of your current situation.

2.     What is a risk?

3.     As a leader and CCO, sometimes you have to have a little fun.

 Resources:

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for Shore Leave

MissionLogPodcast.com- Shore Leave  

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Balance of Terror, which aired on December 15, 1966, Star Date 1709.1

Enterprise investigates the lack of response from Earth outposts 2 and 3, monitoring the Neutral Zone between planets Romulus and Remus and the rest of the galaxy. The Earth outposts have been constructed on asteroids and were authorized by treaty following the atomic war with the Romulans more than a century earlier. No human or Romulan, however, has ever seen the other.

As the Enterprise communicates with Outpost 4, Commander Hansen reports an attack underway by an unknown weapon from a spaceship which subsequently vanished. The Romulan commander questions his mission of starting a war and discusses it with his Centurion. The Enterprise and Romulan ship exchange fire. The Enterprise then sits motionless, hoping the Romulan ship will make a move and reveal itself. They do so, and the Romulan ship is rendered inoperative, and its captain self-destructs.

Compliance Takeaways:

Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for Balance of Terror

MissionLogPodcast.com-Balance of Terror  

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Conscience of the King, which aired on December 8, 1966, Star Date 2817.6.

The Enterprise is called Planet Q by Dr. Thomas Leighton. Leighton suspects Anton Karidian, the leader of a Shakespearean acting troupe currently on the planet, is Kodos the Executioner, former governor of the Earth colony of Tarsus IV. Kodos had ordered that half the population of 8000 be put to death during a food shortage. Both Leighton and Kirk were eyewitnesses.

Kirk arranges to ferry the acting troupe to its next destination. Spock learns the history of the massacre, Kirk’s connection to it, and that seven of the nine witnesses had died, in each case when Karidian’s troupe was nearby. Kirk confronts Karidian with his suspicions. Karidian does not admit to being Kodos.

Karidian, overhearing, is disturbed, and Lenore tries to reassure him by revealing that she has been killing the witnesses to his crimes. Kirk moves to arrest them both. Lenore snatches a phaser and accidentally kills Karidian.

Compliance Takeaways:

1.     When does a leader step from business to personal?

2.     Can you ever be sure in an investigation absent a confession?

3.     What is the difference between an investigation and a root cause analysis?

 Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for The Conscience of the King

MissionLogPodcast.com-The The Conscience of the King

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Menagerie (Part Two), which aired on November 24, 1966, Star Date 3012.4.

This was the original pilot episode presented to NBC. Spock’s trial continues, and the transmitted scene resumes with Pike in 2254 in a cell with a transparent wall. The Talosians begin their “experiment,” which consists of several illusory situations involving Pike and Vina. The Talosians hope that Pike and Vina will mate and find a race of slaves who will reclaim the war-damaged surface of the planet.

That night, Pike can capture the Keeper as he attempts to confiscate the weapons. The captured crew proceeds to the surface. Number One sets her phaser on overload, preferring to die rather than be enslaved. The aliens have found that humans’ “unique hatred of captivity” makes them unsuitable for the Talosians’ plans, which must be abandoned. The crew beams back to the Enterprise.

Back in 2267, the transmission ends as the Enterprise arrives at Talos IV. The court-martial was a ploy to buy time to bring Pike back to Talos IV, where, if willing, he could enjoy the illusion of everyday life. Pike is transported to the planet and rejuvenated Pike.

Compliance Takeaways:

 Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for The Menagerie (Part Two)

MissionLogPodcast.com-The Menagerie (Parts 1 & 2)

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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Menagerie (Part One), which aired on November 17, 1966, Star Date 3012.4.

This was the original pilot episode presented to NBC. Set in 2267, the Enterprise arrives at Starbase 11 in response to a subspace call Spock reported receiving from the former captain of the Enterprise, Christopher Pike, under whom Spock had served. Pike is unable to move or communicate other than answering yes/no questions with the aid of a device operated by his brainwaves. Pike refuses to communicate with anyone except Spock.

Spock, meanwhile, commandeers the Enterprise by means of falsified recordings of Kirk's voice and orders the ship to depart under the computer's control. After several hours, upon learning from the computer that the shuttlecraft does not have enough fuel to return to the starbase, Spock has them brought aboard and then gives himself up, confessing to mutiny. Mendez convenes a hearing, at which Spock requests immediate court-martial, which requires three command officers. The tribunal begins, and Spock offers as his testimony what seems to be video footage of the Enterprise's earlier visit to Talos IV in 2254.

In 2267, the scene is interrupted by a message from Starfleet Command, which reveals that the images they have been viewing are transmitted from Talos IV. Mendez is placed in command of the Enterprise, but Spock begs Kirk to see the rest of the transmission.

Compliance Takeaways:

 Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for The Menagerie (Part One)

MissionLogPodcast.com-The Menagerie (Parts 1 & 2)

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