star trek lightning storm

What Is Red Matter In Star Trek & Why Is It So Dangerous?

When taking on one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises of all time, J.J. Abrams made a calculated decision to attempt to ensure his success. Instead of earning the ire of fans by besmirching established canon, the 2009 "Star Trek" film became  one of the better Star Trek movies by entering a different timeline. Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe doubled down on the multiverse, Abrams introduced a time travel plot line where Jim Kirk's (Chris Pine) father is killed by what appeared to be a lightning storm in space. This decision gave Abrams the advantage of calling back to mythology that fans were familiar with while introducing completely new concepts.

One such device was the devastating use of Red Matter. The invention is initially used to make a dying star inert before it goes supernova. Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy) injects the amorphous substance into the star, intending that the Red Matter will create a black hole and consume the event. Unfortunately, he is too late, and the star goes supernova, destroying the nearby planet of Romulus. This tragedy starts a course of events where the Red Matter is weaponized for revenge. A surviving Romulan, Nero (Eric Bana), gets pulled into the black hole and, after capturing Spock, decides to use the Red Matter with terrifying consequences.

While Spock uses the substance in an attempt to save lives, Nero decides to take them. His actions with the Red Matter show how, in the wrong hands, it can yield unthinkable consequences.

Red Matter can cause genocide

Though Spock's intentions were pure, Red Matter is dangerous and should not be taken lightly. In essence, the substance creates a black hole in space that absorbs any material it touches. The technology can be used to contain exploding stars, but as Nero demonstrates in "Star Trek," it can also be mishandled and weaponized. Because the Red Matter creates a singularity in space, Nero uses it to destroy an entire civilization.

Wanting Spock to endure the pain that Nero felt watching his home destroyed, the Romulan plants Red Matter at the center of Vulcan. Just as it did with the star that went supernova, the substance creates a black hole that destroys Spock's entire planet. Both Spock Prime and this universe's Mr. Spock (Zachary Quinto) watch as their home is turned into nothing. Quinto's Spock beams to the surface of the planet to save who he can, and even though he is successful in rescuing his father and other Vulcan elders, he loses his mother after she falls into a chasm created by the planet-wide destruction.

Nero uses the Red Matter to become a war criminal, utterly unremorseful as he enacts genocide on an unsuspecting planet, even though Romulus has not even been destroyed in the Star Trek Kelvin timeline . The events of the film make it clear that, due to its incredible destructive power, Red Matter does more harm than good.

Star Trek (2009)

Chris pine: kirk.

• Photos (67)
• Quotes (51)

Photos 

Quotes 

Spock Prime : James T. Kirk!

James T. Kirk : Excuse me?

Spock Prime : How did you find me?

James T. Kirk : Whoa... how do you know my name?

Spock Prime : I have been and always shall be your friend.

James T. Kirk : Wha...

[shakes head] 

James T. Kirk : Uh... look... I-I don't know you.

Spock Prime : I am Spock.

James T. Kirk : Bullshit.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : I may throw up on ya.

James T. Kirk : I think these things are pretty safe.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Don't pander to me, kid. One tiny crack in the hull and our blood boils in thirteen seconds. Solar flare might crop up, cook us in our seats. And wait'll you're sitting pretty with a case of Andorian shingles, see if you're still so relaxed when your eyeballs are bleeding. Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence.

James T. Kirk : Well, I hate to break this to you, but Starfleet operates in space.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Yeah. Well, I got nowhere else to go. The ex-wife took the whole damn planet in the divorce. All I got left is my bones.

Spock Prime : What if I told you that your transwarp theory was correct, that is is indeed possible to beam onto a ship that is traveling at warp speed?

Scotty : I think if that equation had been discovered, I'd have heard about it.

Spock Prime : The reason you haven't heard of it, Mr. Scott, is because you haven't discovered it yet.

Scotty : I'm s... Wha... It... Are you from the future?

James T. Kirk : Yeah, he is. I'm not.

Scotty : Well, that's brilliant. Do they still have sandwiches there?

Spock Prime : To stop Nero, you alone must take command of your ship.

James T. Kirk : How? Over your dead body?

Spock Prime : Preferably not.

James T. Kirk : Your ship is compromised, too close to the singularity to survive without assistance, which we are willing to provide.

Spock : [speaking privately]  Captain, what are you doing?

James T. Kirk : Showing them compassion may be the only way to earn peace with Romulus. It's logic, Spock. I thought you'd like that.

Spock : No, not really. Not this time.

Nero : [replying to the offer of assistance]  I would rather suffer the end of Romulus a thousand times. I would rather die in agony than accept assistance from you.

James T. Kirk : You got it! Arm phasers. Fire everything we've got!

James T. Kirk : Now, what is it with you, Spock? Hm? Your planet was just destroyed, your mother murdered, and you're not even upset!

Spock : If you are presuming that these experiences in any way impede my ability to command this ship, you are mistaken.

James T. Kirk : And yet you were the one who said fear was necessary for command. I mean, did you see his ship? Did you see what he did?

[pause] 

Spock : Yes, of course I did.

James T. Kirk : So are you afraid or aren't you?

Spock : I will not allow you to lecture me about the merits of emotion.

James T. Kirk : Then why don't you stop me?

Spock : Step away from me, Mister Kirk.

James T. Kirk : What is it like not to feel anger... or heartbreak... or the need to stop at nothing to avenge the death of the woman who gave birth to you?

Spock : Back away from me.

James T. Kirk : You feel NOTHING! It must not even COMPUTE for you! You NEVER loved her!

[Spock snaps and attacks Kirk, nearly killing him] 

Sarek : SPOCK!

[Spock regains control] 

James T. Kirk : [on Spock]  Who was that pointy-eared bastard?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : I don't know, but I like him.

Spock : [standing across Lt. Uhura before he and Kirk are about to be beamed onto the Romulan warship]  I will be back.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [leaning in]  You better be! I'll be monitoring your frequency.

Spock : [actually quite emotional]  Thank you, Nyota.

James T. Kirk : [after Uhura leaves]  So her first name's Nyota?

Spock : I have no comment on the matter.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Well, congratulations, Jim. We've got no captain and no god-damned first officer to replace him.

Kirk : Yeah, we do.

[Kirk sits himself into the captain's chair] 

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : What?

Hikaru Sulu : Pike made him first officer.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : You gotta be kidding me!

Kirk : Thanks for the support.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : I sure hope you know what you're doing...

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [sarcastically]  ... CAPTAIN.

Kirk : So do I.

Spock : [Kirk has been appointed captain, and the Enterprise is preparing to depart. Spock enters the bridge]  Permission to come aboard, Captain.

James T. Kirk : Permission granted.

Spock : As you have yet to select a first officer, respectfully, I would like to submit my candidacy. Should you desire, I can provide character references.

James T. Kirk : It would be my honor, Commander.

Spock Prime : You are, in fact, the Mr. Scott who postulated the theory of transwarp beaming?

Scotty : That's what I'm talking about! How do you think I wound up here? Had a little debate with my instructor on relativistic physics and how it pertains to subspace travel. He seemed to think that the range of transporting something like a... like a grapefruit was limited to about 100 miles. I told him that I could not only beam a grapefruit from one planet to the adjacent planet in the same system - which is easy, by the way - I could do it with a life form. So, I tested it out on Admiral Archer's prized beagle.

James T. Kirk : Wait, I know that dog. What happened to it?

Scotty : I'll tell you when it reappears. Ahem. I don't know, I do feel guilty about that.

James T. Kirk : [still suffering from the vaccine]  My mouth is itchy. Is that normal?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Well, those symptoms won't last long. I'm going to give you a mild sedative.

James T. Kirk : Oh, I wish I didn't know you.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Don't be such an infant.

[He jabs Kirk with a hypodermic needle] 

James T. Kirk : OWW! How long's it supposed to...

[he suddenly collapses on the bed] 

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : [Shaking his head]  Unbelievable.

Spock : [volunteering for what could be a suicide mission]  Romulans and Vulcans share a common ancestor. Our cultural similarities will make it easier for me to access the ship's computer to locate the device. Also, my mother was human, which makes Earth the only home I have left.

James T. Kirk : I'm coming with you.

Spock : I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it.

James T. Kirk : See? We are getting to know each other.

James T. Kirk : So what kind of combat training do you have?

Hikaru Sulu : Fencing.

Christopher Pike : [whistles to break up fight between cadets and Kirk]  Outside! All of you! Now!

Christopher Pike : [to Kirk]  You all right, son?

Kirk : [Looks at him upside down and stunned]  You can whistle really loud, you know that?

James T. Kirk : You know, coming back in time, changing history... that's cheating.

Spock Prime : A trick I learned from an old friend.

[With an uncharacteristic smile, he gives the Vulcan salute to Kirk] 

Spock Prime : Live long and prosper.

[Kirk rushes onto the bridge, urging the ship to stop. Three-way arguing ensues between him, Spock, and Pike] 

Spock : I can remove the cadet...

James T. Kirk : Try it!

Christopher Pike : Kirk!

James T. Kirk : This cadet is trying to save the bridge!

Spock : By recommending a full stop, mid-warp, during a rescue mission?

James T. Kirk : It's not a rescue mission. Listen to me, it's an attack!

Spock : Based on what facts?

James T. Kirk : That same anomaly, a "lightning storm in space" that we saw today, also occurred on the day of my birth, shortly before a Romulan ship attacked the U.S.S. Kelvin. You know that, sir, I read your dissertation. That ship, which had formidable and advanced weaponry, was never seen or heard from again. The Kelvin attack took place at the edge of Klingon space, and at 2300 hours last night, there was an attack: forty-seven Klingon warbirds destroyed by Romulans, sir, and it was reported that the Romulans were in one ship, one massive ship.

Christopher Pike : And you know of this Klingon attack how?

[Kirk glances at Uhura] 

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Sir, I intercepted and translated the message myself. Kirk's report is accurate.

James T. Kirk : We're warping into a trap, sir. The Romulans are waiting for us, I promise you that.

[Unsettled, Pike looks at Spock] 

Spock : The cadet's logic is sound. And Lt. Uhura is unmatched in xenolinguistics, we would be wise to accept her conclusion.

Christopher Pike : You know, I couldn't believe it when the bartender told me who you are.

James T. Kirk : Who am I, Captain Pike?

Christopher Pike : Your father's son.

James T. Kirk : [Turns toward the bar]  Can I get another one?

Christopher Pike : For my dissertation, I was assigned the U.S.S. Kelvin. Something I admired about your Dad: he didn't believe in no-win scenarios

James T. Kirk : Sure learned his lesson!

Christopher Pike : Well, it depends on how you define winning. You're here, aren't you?

James T. Kirk : [as beer is brought to him]  Thanks.

Christopher Pike : You know that instinct to leap without looking, that was his nature too. And in my opinion it's something Starfleet's lost.

James T. Kirk : [laughing]  Why are you talkin' to me, man?

Christopher Pike : 'Cause I looked up your file while you were drooling on the floor. Your aptitude tests are off the charts, so what is it? You like being the only genius level repeat offender in the Midwest?

James T. Kirk : Maybe I love it.

Christopher Pike : Look, so your Dad dies. You can settle for a less than ordinary life, or do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special? Enlist in Starfleet.

James T. Kirk : [scoffs]  Enlist!

James T. Kirk : [laughs]  You guys must be way down on your recruiting quota for the month!

Christopher Pike : If you're half the man your father was, Jim, Starfleet could use you. You could be an officer in four years. You could have your own ship in eight. You understand what the Federation is, don't you? It's important. It's a peacekeeping and humanitarian armada...

James T. Kirk : Are we done?

Christopher Pike : I'm done.

Christopher Pike : [Gets up]  Riverside Shipyard. Shuttle for new recruits leaves tomorrow morning, 0800.

Christopher Pike : [pause]  Now, your father was captain of a Starship for 12 minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother's and yours. I dare you to do better.

James T. Kirk : [hurling to his death with Sulu]  Kirk to Enterprise. We're falling without a chute. Beam us up!

Transport Chief : I'm trying. I can't lock onto your signal.

James T. Kirk : Beam us up!

Transport Chief : You're moving too fast!

Pavel Chekov : I can do zat! I can do zat!

Spock : We are traveling at warp speed. How did you manage to beam aboard this ship?

James T. Kirk : Hey, you're the genius. You figure it out.

Spock : As acting captain of this vessel, I order you to answer the question.

James T. Kirk : Well, I'm not telling, "Acting Captain." What, did...?

[Kirk smiles] 

James T. Kirk : What, now, that doesn't frustrate you, does it? My lack of cooperation? That-that doesn't make you angry...

Spock : [Spock turns to Scotty]  Are you a member of Starfleet?

Scotty : I, um, yes. Can I get a towel, please?

Spock : Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp.

Scotty : Well...

James T. Kirk : Don't answer him.

Spock : You will answer me.

Scotty : [pause]  I'd rather not take sides.

Kirk : [highly agitated and suffering side effects from McCoy hypospray]  Uhura! Uhura!

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Kirk? What are you doing here?

Kirk : The transmission from the Klingon prison planet. What exactly...

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Oh, my God, what's wrong with your hands?

Kirk : [waves off the question with his bloated hands]  I-i-it's... Look, who is responsible for the attack...

Lt. Nyota Uhura : What?

Kirk : ...and was the ship walullaa?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : And was the ship... WHAT?

Kirk : [to McCoy]  Whass happening to my mouth?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : You got numb-tongue?

Kirk : NUM-TUNG?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : I can fix that!

[hurries off to find another hypospray] 

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Was the ship what?

Kirk : Womulan!

Lt. Nyota Uhura : What? I...

Kirk : WOMULAN!

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Romulan?

Kirk : Yeah!

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Yes!

Kirk : Yes?

[Bones injects him with another hypospray] 

Kirk : ACK! ACK!

[trying to say 'stop it'] 

Kirk : STAHHMIT!

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [During the Kobayashi Maru test]  We are receiving a distress signal from the U.S.S. Kobayashi Maru. The ship has lost power and is stranded. Starfleet Command has ordered us to rescue them.

James T. Kirk : [clearly enjoying himself]  "Starfleet Command has ordered us to rescue them... CAPTAIN."

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : [rolls his eyes]  Two Klingon vessels have entered the Neutral Zone and are locking weapons on us.

James T. Kirk : [Smugly]  That's okay.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : "That's okay?"

James T. Kirk : Yeah, don't worry about it.

Test Administrator : Did he say "Don't worry about it?"

Test Administrator : Is he not taking the simulation seriously?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : I'm impressed. For a moment there, I thought you were just a dumb hick who only has sex with farm animals.

James T. Kirk : Well, not only.

Burly Cadet #1 : This townie isn't bothering you, right?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Oh, beyond belief, but it's nothing I can't handle.

James T. Kirk : You could handle me, if that's an invitation.

Burly Cadet #1 : Hey, you better mind your manners.

James T. Kirk : Oh relax, cupcake, it was a joke.

Burly Cadet #1 : Hey, farm-boy, maybe you can't count, but there are four of us and one of you.

James T. Kirk : So go get some more guys and then it'll be an even fight.

[the U.S.S. Enterprise is being sucked into a black hole, seconds away from doom] 

Scotty : I'm giving her all she's got, Captain!

[the bridge ceiling begins to crack as the ship's drawn closer] 

James T. Kirk : All she's got isn't good enough! What else ya got?

Scotty : Um... Okay, if we eject the core and detonate, the blast could be enough to push us away! I cannae promise anything, though!

[the viewing window starts to rupture] 

James T. Kirk : DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!

Admiral Richard Barnett : 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?

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

James T. Kirk : Your point being?

Admiral Richard Barnett : In academic vernacular, you cheated.

James T. Kirk : [to Spock]  The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? I mean, you programmed it to be unwinnable.

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

James T. Kirk : I don't believe in no-win scenarios.

Spock : Then not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principal lesson.

James T. Kirk : Please enlighten me.

Spock : You of all people should know, Cadet Kirk, a captain cannot cheat death.

James T. Kirk : [reminiscing]  I of all people...

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

James T. Kirk : I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test.

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

James T. Kirk : Enlighten me again.

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 the quality expected in every Starfleet captain.

James T. Kirk : [Stepping aboard the bridge as its official captain]  Bones! Buckle up!

James T. Kirk : Stardate: 2258.42... or, uh, 4... Whatever. Acting Captain Spock has marooned me on Delta Vega, in what I believe to be a violation of Security Protocol 49.09 governing the treatment of prisoners aboard a star...

[Kirk breaks off abruptly before completing the word starship as the howl of a predatory animal is heard, possibly heading his way] 

James T. Kirk : I relieve you, sir.

Christopher Pike : I am relieved.

James T. Kirk : [upon taking command of the Enterprise]  Attention crew of the Enterprise, this is James Kirk. Mr. Spock has resigned commission and advanced me to acting captain. I know you are all expecting to regroup with the fleet, but I'm ordering a pursuit course of the enemy ship to Earth. I want all departments at battle stations and ready in ten minutes. Either we're going down... or they are. Kirk out.

[Spock Prime and Kirk arrive at a derelict Starfleet outpost, and discover...] 

Scotty : You realize how unacceptable this is?

Spock Prime : Fascinating!

Scotty : Okay, I'm sure you're just doing your job, but could you not have come a wee bit sooner? Six months I've been here, living off Starfleet protein nibs and the promise of a good meal! And I know exactly what's going on here, okay? Punishment, isn't it? Ongoing! For something that was clearly an accident!

Spock Prime : [pleased]  You are Montgomery Scott.

James T. Kirk : You know him?

Scotty : Aye, that's me. You're in the right place. Unless there's another hardworking, equally starved Starfleet officer around.

Keenser : Me.

Scotty : Get aff! Shut up! You don't eat anything! You can eat, like, a bean, and you're done. I'm talking about food. REAL food!

Spock : [finding himself aboard the ship of his future self]  It appears that you have been keeping important information from me.

James T. Kirk : You'll be able to fly this thing, right?

Spock : Something tells me I already have.

James T. Kirk : Good luck.

Spock : Jim... the statistical likelihood that our plan will succeed is less than 4.3%.

James T. Kirk : It'll work.

Spock : In the event that I do not return, please tell Lieutenant Uhura...

James T. Kirk : Spock. IT'LL WORK.

[Kirk rescues Pike] 

Christopher Pike : What're you doing here?

James T. Kirk : Just following orders.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Three more Klingon warbirds decloaking and targeting our ship. I don't suppose this is a problem either.

Simulator Tactical Officer : They're firing, Captain.

James T. Kirk : Alert Medical Bay to prepare to receive ALL crew members from the damaged ship.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : And how do you expect us to rescue them when we're surrounded by Klingons, Captain?

James T. Kirk : [not taking anything or anyone seriously]  Alert Medical

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Our ship's being hit. Shields at sixty percent.

James T. Kirk : [nonchalantly]  I understand.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : [exasperated]  Well, should we - I dunno - fire back?

James T. Kirk : [pulls an apple out of nowhere and starts munching]  No.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Of COURSE not.

[the entire simulation suddenly shuts down, then starts back up] 

Test Administrator : What is this? What's going on?

James T. Kirk : Hm. Arm photons. Prepare to fire on the Klingon warbirds.

Simulator Tactical Officer : Yessir.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Jim, their shields are still up!

James T. Kirk : Are they?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : [checks again]  No... They're not.

James T. Kirk : Fire on all enemy ships. One photon each should do. Let's not waste ammunition.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Target locked and acquired on all warbirds. Firing.

[the simulation shows the birds being destroyed one by one] 

Simulator Tactical Officer : All ships destroyed, Captain.

James T. Kirk : Begin rescue of the stranded crew.

James T. Kirk : [grandstanding his victory]  So! We've managed to eliminate all enemy ships, no one on board was injured AND the successful rescue of the Kobayashi Maru crew is... underway.

[takes a large bite out of his apple] 

Ayel : Your species is even weaker than I expected.

[chokes Kirk] 

James T. Kirk : I can't...

Ayel : You can't even speak!

[Kirk garbles] 

Ayel : What?

James T. Kirk : I got your gun!

[shoots Ayel] 

Christopher Pike : Mr. Spock, I'm leaving you in command of the Enterprise. Once we have transport capability and communications back up, you'll contact Starfleet and report what the hell's going on here. And if all else fails, fall back, rendezvous with the fleet in the Laurentian system. Kirk, I'm promoting you to First Officer.

James T. Kirk : What?

Spock : Captain? Please, I apologize. The complexities of human pranks escape me.

Christopher Pike : It's not a prank, Spock. And I'm not the captain. You are.

Christopher Pike : [to Kirk]  Let's go.

James T. Kirk : Sir, after we knock out that drill, what happens to you?

Christopher Pike : Ah, I guess you'll have to come and get me.

Christopher Pike : [last word to Spock]  Careful with the ship, Spock. She's brand new.

[Pike previously told Kirk he would be an officer in four years] 

James T. Kirk : Four years? I'll do it in three.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Gaila, who is he?

Gaila : Who's who?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : The mouth-breather hiding under your bed?

James T. Kirk : [comes out from under Gaila's bed]  You can hear me breathing?

James T. Kirk : What are you doing?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : I'm doing you a favor. I couldn't just leave you there looking all pathetic. Take a seat. I'm gonna give you a vaccine against viral infection from Melvaren mud fleas.

James T. Kirk : OW! What for?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : To give you the symptoms.

James T. Kirk : What are you talking about?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : You're gonna start to lose vision in your left eye.

James T. Kirk : Yeah, I already have.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Oh, and you're gonna get a really bad headache and a flop sweat.

James T. Kirk : You call this a favor?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Yeah. You owe me one.

Gaila : Jim, I think I love you.

James T. Kirk : That is so weird.

Gaila : Lights.

Computer : Lights on.

Gaila : Did you just say, "That is so weird"?

James T. Kirk : Yeah, I did, but...

James T. Kirk : Where you came from... did I know my father?

Spock Prime : Yes... you often spoke of him as being your inspiration for joining Starfleet. He proudly lived to see you become captain of the Enterprise.

James T. Kirk : CAPTAIN?

Spock Prime : A ship we must return you to as soon as possible.

Kirk : [Bolts out of bed suddenly from being sedated]  Lightning storm!

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Ah, Jim, you're awake. How do you feel?

[He looks down, suddenly growing alarmed] 

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Good God, man!

Kirk : What? AH!

[He yelps and raises his hands, which are now twice their normal size] 

Kirk : What the hell's this?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : A reaction to the vaccine, dammit! Nurse Chapel, I need 50 cc's of cortizone!

Nurse Chapel : Yes, sir!

[He starts scanning Kirk while Kirk replays Chekov's message] 

Pavel Chekov : [on the computer]  ... appeared to be a lightning storm in space.

Kirk : Bones! We gotta stop the ship!

[He takes off running down the hall] 

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : [running after him]  Jim! I'm not kidding, you need to keep your heart rate down!

[he fumbles through a first aid kit while Jim accesses another computer console] 

Kirk : Computer, locate crew member Uhura.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : You know, I haven't seen a reaction this bad since med school!

Kirk : We're flying into a trap!

[He starts running again] 

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Dammit, Jim, stand still!

[injects him yet again] 

Kirk : [yelps in pain]  OW! STOP THAT!

[he runs through the engine room, looking for Uhura] 

James T. Kirk : Scotty, how we doin'?

Scotty : Dilithium chamber at maximum, Captain.

Scotty : [noticing Keenser straddling a console]  GET DOWN!

James T. Kirk : Where are we?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Medical Bay.

James T. Kirk : This isn't worth it.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : A little suffering's good for the soul.

James T. Kirk : Bones, doesn't it bother you that no one's ever passed the test?

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Jim, it's the Kobayashi Maru. NO one passes the test, and no one goes back for seconds, let alone thirds.

James T. Kirk : [leaving]  I gotta study.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy : Study, my ass.

James T. Kirk : I don't feel right. I feel like I'm leaking!

James T. Kirk : Sulu, let's go home.

Kirk : Make that two. Her shot's on me.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Her shot's on her.

[Turns to Kirk] 

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Thanks but no thanks.

Kirk : Don't you at least wanna know my name before you completely reject me?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : I'm fine without it.

Kirk : You ARE fine without it. It's Jim, Jim Kirk.

[Waits for Uhura to introduce herself, and gets no reply] 

Kirk : If you don't tell me your name I'm gonna have to make one up.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [Reluctantly]  It's Uhura.

Kirk : Uhura? No way! That's the name I was gonna make up for you! Uhura what?...

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Just Uhura.

Kirk : They don't have last names in your world?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : Uhura is my last name.

Kirk : Then they don't have... uh first names in your world?

[Uhura smiles] 

Spock Prime : It is remarkably pleasing to see you again, old friend. Especially after the events of today.

Kirk : Uh, sir, I appreciate what you did for me today, but -- but if you were Spock you would know we're not friends at all. You hate me, you marooned me here for mutiny.

Spock Prime : Mutiny?

Kirk : Yes.

Spock Prime : You are not the Captain?

Kirk : No, no. Umm... you're the Captain. Pike was taken hostage.

Spock Prime : By Nero.

Kirk : What do you know about him?

Spock Prime : He is a particularly troubled Romulan.

[stands] 

Spock Prime : Please, allow me. It will be easier.

[attempts to mind-meld with Kirk] 

Kirk : Whoa, whoa. What are you doing?

Spock Prime : Our minds. One and together.

[Spock Prime melds with Kirk] 

Spock Prime : One hundred twenty-nine years from now, a star will explode, and threaten to destroy the galaxy. That is where I'm from, Jim. The future. The star went supernova... consuming everything in its path. I promised the Romulans that I would save their planet. We outfitted our fastest ship. Using red matter, I would create a black hole, which would absorb the exploding star. I was en route, when the unthinkable happened. The supernova destroyed Romulus. I had little time. I had to extract the red matter, and shoot it into the supernova. As I began my return trip, I was intercepted. He called himself Nero. Last of the Romulan Empire. In my attempt to escape, both of us were pulled into the black hole. Nero went through first. He was the first to arrive. Nero spent the next twenty-five years awaiting my arrival. But what was years for Nero, was only seconds for me. I went through the black hole. Nero was waiting for me. He held me responsible for the loss of his world. He captured my vessel, and spared my life for one reason. So that I would know his pain. He beamed me here, so that I could observe his vengeance. As he was helpless to save his planet, I would be helpless to save mine. Billions of lives lost, because of me, Jim. Because I failed.

Spock : We must gather with the rest of Starfleet... to balance the terms of the next engagement!

James T. Kirk : There won't BE a next engagement! By the time we've "gathered," it'll be too late! But you say he's from the future - knows what's gonna happen? - then the logical thing is to be unpredictable!

Spock : You're assuming that Nero knows how events are predicted to unfold. The contrary, Nero's very presence has altered the flow of history, beginning with the attack on the U.S.S. Kelvin, culminating in the events of today, thereby creating an entire new chain of incidents that cannot be anticipated by either party.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : An alternate reality.

Spock : Precisely. Whatever our lives might have been, if the time continuum was disrupted, our destinies have changed.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [catches Kirk hiding under her roommate's bed]  You!

James T. Kirk : [scheduled to take the Kobayashi Maru test the next day]  Big day tomorrow.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [throws his clothes at him]  You're gonna fail.

James T. Kirk : Gaila, see you around.

Lt. Nyota Uhura : [hustling him to the door]  Get out!

James T. Kirk : If I pass, will you tell me your first name?

Lt. Nyota Uhura : NO! Good night!

James T. Kirk : I think the fact that you picked up a transmission is *very* interesting...

[She shuts the door in his face] 

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Hospital Ship 4-2 in a storm

In meteorology , a storm was described any dangerous or severe weather disturbance that existed in the atmosphere of a planet or in outer space . Planetary storms were often accompanied by strong winds , thunder , lightning , and precipitation .

In 2151 , on an uninhabited planet, the crew of Enterprise NX-01 had to take shelter in a cave to avoid a storm. ( ENT : " Strange New World ")

In 2256 , the prison shuttle SPT 21 got caught in a storm in open space but was rescued by the USS Discovery . ( DIS : " Context Is for Kings " )

A class M planet in orbit of a G-type star was chosen as the new home for the recently awakened Vaadwaur . The planet featured a subcontinent with edible vegetation and an underground water supply. Unfortunately, the region was also subject to windstorms. ( VOY : " Dragon's Teeth ")

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• Misc. Star Trek

Lightning Storm? What Lightning Storm? [SPOILER ALERT!]

• Thread starter TJ Sinclair
• Start date May 16, 2009

Fleet Admiral

• May 20, 2009

And I hadn't previously thought about the lack of a subspace radio warning from the six ships that got to Vulcan earlier. One more plot hole to add to the list... Click to expand...

Fleet Captain

Timo said: And I hadn't previously thought about the lack of a subspace radio warning from the six ships that got to Vulcan earlier. One more plot hole to add to the list... Click to expand...

DarkHorizon

lawman said: Timo said: And I hadn't previously thought about the lack of a subspace radio warning from the six ships that got to Vulcan earlier. One more plot hole to add to the list... Click to expand...

Or at least our heroes supposed that the drilling platform was doing the jamming. Nero could certainly have bought a 24th century jammer from a random Ferengi at the price of half a holonovel, and it would have brought the best mid-23rd communications systems crashing down. Of course, since the destruction of the drilling head did lift the communications and transportation block, our heroes apparently supposed right. One wonders why the beanstalk drill was necessary in the first place. Many a 24th century starship has been able to drill similar holes by using an emitter that was located outside the atmosphere; it was only tens of thousands of kilometers of atmosphere that in VOY "Extreme Risk" blocked phaser beams. Would the dedicated drilling beam emitter of the Narada really need to hang down deep in the atmosphere? Then again, the platform no doubt was originally intended for some other use than penetration of planetary mantles. The Narada supposedly (and according to the comic book backstory) was a thoroughly civilian vessel to begin with, and the drill beam might have been optimized for the vacuum conditions of asteroid mining, making the beanstalk necessary. Or something. Timo Saloniemi  

Cary L. Brown

Rear admiral.

Timo said: Or at least our heroes supposed that the drilling platform was doing the jamming. Nero could certainly have bought a 24th century jammer from a random Ferengi at the price of half a holonovel, and it would have brought the best mid-23rd communications systems crashing down. Of course, since the destruction of the drilling head did lift the communications and transportation block, our heroes apparently supposed right. One wonders why the beanstalk drill was necessary in the first place. Many a 24th century starship has been able to drill similar holes by using an emitter that was located outside the atmosphere; it was only tens of thousands of kilometers of atmosphere that in VOY "Extreme Risk" blocked phaser beams. Would the dedicated drilling beam emitter of the Narada really need to hang down deep in the atmosphere? Then again, the platform no doubt was originally intended for some other use than penetration of planetary mantles. The Narada supposedly (and according to the comic book backstory) was a thoroughly civilian vessel to begin with, and the drill beam might have been optimized for the vacuum conditions of asteroid mining, making the beanstalk necessary. Or something. Timo Saloniemi Click to expand...

Crazy Eddie

Vice admiral.

Timo said: Or at least our heroes supposed that the drilling platform was doing the jamming. Nero could certainly have bought a 24th century jammer from a random Ferengi at the price of half a holonovel, and it would have brought the best mid-23rd communications systems crashing down. Click to expand...

One wonders why the beanstalk drill was necessary in the first place. Click to expand...

Cary L. Brown said: Timo said: Or at least our heroes supposed that the drilling platform was doing the jamming. Nero could certainly have bought a 24th century jammer from a random Ferengi at the price of half a holonovel, and it would have brought the best mid-23rd communications systems crashing down. Of course, since the destruction of the drilling head did lift the communications and transportation block, our heroes apparently supposed right. One wonders why the beanstalk drill was necessary in the first place. Many a 24th century starship has been able to drill similar holes by using an emitter that was located outside the atmosphere; it was only tens of thousands of kilometers of atmosphere that in VOY "Extreme Risk" blocked phaser beams. Would the dedicated drilling beam emitter of the Narada really need to hang down deep in the atmosphere? Then again, the platform no doubt was originally intended for some other use than penetration of planetary mantles. The Narada supposedly (and according to the comic book backstory) was a thoroughly civilian vessel to begin with, and the drill beam might have been optimized for the vacuum conditions of asteroid mining, making the beanstalk necessary. Or something. Timo Saloniemi Click to expand...

LaxScrutiny

Timo said: Basically, then, it wouldn't be a plot hole (which I think the movie didn't have in abundance). It would merely be a plot contrivance - which in turn the movie was heavily ballasted with. Kirk wouldn't have been able to tell Pike it was a trap unless he mistook Spock's arrival for a sign of Nero's evil antics. A coincidence and a contrivance. But so was the fact that Earth only had cadets and second-rate ships available at the critical hour; not a plot hole, since it's perfectly possible for Starfleet's best men and ships to be engaged in some other task at the time of any given Kirk adventure - but certainly a coincidence and thus a contrivance. Having Kirk's friend McCoy become the CMO of Kirk's starship at a time of crisis was also possible, but contrived. And so forth. I don't think there was anything in the movie that would have been impossible by the rules of the Trek universe. But the whole movie was a big pile of things that were plausible alone, but highly improbable in combination, in the Trek universe. Timo Saloniemi Click to expand...

Precisely because it IS a dill and not, say, a phaser or a giant force beam. More likely it was designed to carve deep holes in an asteroid and then extract the contents from within using a second mode, like an oil rig or something. Click to expand...

Timelord Victorious

Ultimately the drilling platform is the most effective and fastest and only way to get through to the planet's core. The Narada doesn't seem to be armed with standard phasers "only" those cluster missiles which would be useless for drilling purposes. And the original purpose probably included changing the angle towards the asteroids it was mining without maneuvering the ship too much.  

• May 21, 2009

Timo said: Precisely because it IS a dill and not, say, a phaser or a giant force beam. More likely it was designed to carve deep holes in an asteroid and then extract the contents from within using a second mode, like an oil rig or something. Click to expand...

Surely the dipping of the drill head into the atmosphere had little or no effect on the drill's ability to do its work? Click to expand...

Ronald Held

BTW is the drill an energy device? if so does the matter it is removing go to the same place as a disintegrated body by a phaser? To counter the extreme pressures at the core, is there a force field surrounding the beam?  

• May 23, 2009

Jimmy_C said: Timo said: Precisely because it IS a dill and not, say, a phaser or a giant force beam. More likely it was designed to carve deep holes in an asteroid and then extract the contents from within using a second mode, like an oil rig or something. Click to expand...

Cary L. Brown said: Jimmy_C said: Timo said: Being a drill would explain the need for the extracting mode. But it doesn't quite explain why Nero used that mode when he was extracting nothing. Surely the dipping of the drill head into the atmosphere had little or no effect on the drill's ability to do its work? Timo Saloniemi Click to expand...

Cary L. Brown said: OK, maybe your counterargument is "well, they have the drilling beam in an 'annular confinement beam' so it's not in contact with the atmosphere." In that case, wouldn't Olsen have just bounced off the containment beam? Click to expand...

No... this entire scene was really an excuse for a "kewl action sequence." Click to expand...

The thing that REALLY amazes me about this little sequence is that the Vulcans didn't have every air-worthy craft in their inventory swarming the thing. Apparently, nuVulcans are luddites who just happen to like to build upside-down buildings? (sigh) Click to expand...

Why under normal circumstances would a drilling platform need protection from an attack?  

• May 24, 2009

The lightning storm was Spock coming out of the "black hole", and it was near Vulcan/The Neutral Zone. I'm sure Starfleet picked it up, and thought that it may have had something to do with the natural disaster Vulcan was experiencing.  

And Kirk wrongly assumed the Narada was the CAUSE of that phenomenon, never realizing it was just an amazing (though hardly inexplicable) coincidence. Proof yet again that, as fat as the Enterprise is concerned, it is better to be lucky than smart.  

USS Intrepid

TJ Sinclair said: Flake said: This movie is full of conveniences & plot holes. From a Trek Tech perspective its total blasphemy. Character moments and dialogue are excellent, but plot-holes, conveniences and tech issues are horrific. Luckily these issues will go over the heads of 98% of people who watch the movie I was entertained and enjoyed the movie, so its a job well done in that department. Infact I was enjoying it so much that I missed most of the plot holes! Click to expand...

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Assignment: Initiate a Lightning Storm Above Ancient Time Travel Test Site

• VisualEditor

• 2x Engineering or Operations

• Critical Success : 3%
• Success : 23%
• Moderate Success : 74%

[ Temporal Duty Officer ]

Summary [ | ]

A massive series of temporal anomalies have been recorded occuring at roughly 30-year intervals from the late 19th century to early 21st century, on Earth. In order to assist in ensuring that the timelines get straightened out, you are to send a team to covertly assist in the successful operation of an archaic time machine.

Variations [ | ]

This assignment is unique.

Requires [ | ]

• Critical Success : Efficient , Founders of the Federation , Teamwork
• Success : Deflector Officer , Technician
• Moderate Success : Logical , Unruly

Outcome [ | ]

Final outcome: Moderate Success

Final outcome: Success

Final outcome: Critical

Notes [ | ]

• This mission refers to the Back to the Future film series.
• 2 Playable starship
• 3 Infinity Prize Pack - T6 Ship

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Diablo 4: chain lightning sorcerer build guide (skills, gear, & requirements).

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Diablo 4: Season 5 - How To Unlock The Infernal Hordes (& How They Work)

Diablo 4: how to get the skyhunter bow, bg3 made an important change to long rests you’ll definitely want to adopt for d&d, quick links, best chain lightning sorcerer skills & aspects, chain lightning sorcerer paragon board.

Diablo 4 Season 5 brought a ton of reworks to the Sorcerer class, which had been trailing behind the other four classes for several seasons. This transformed the Sorcerer into a much stronger contender in endgame activities, allowing them to push further into higher-level tiers of activities. As a result, Sorcerer has never felt more fun to play and has some of the flashiest gameplay loops.

This Sorcerer build utilizes Chain Lightning for damage and the new unique pants Axial Conduit. This setup is shaping up to be one of the best builds of the season , as it can effectively clear Tier 7-8 Infernal Hordes, the current endgame activity. It is no slouch in boss damage either, hitting dozens of times per second for millions of damage each.

Diablo 4 Season 5 has released brand new dungeon activities called the Infernal Hordes, which act as a Horde Mode activity with wave based combat.

Best Abilities & Gear

Chain Lightning's gameplay loop is quite different when utilizing Diablo 4 's Axial Conduit , as the unique pants will drain extraordinary amounts of Mana. To compensate for this, use l egendary gear with the +6 Mana Per Second Greater Affix and Shimmering Ice Armor, and Invigorating Conduit in the early game, stacked with Destructive Chain Lightning. This should allow for easy Mana Restoration before you reach the passive, which makes this build incredible, according to RageGamingVideos .

Swapping to Mystical Ice Armor for more damage is preferred once the player has enough Mana Regeneration.

The Warmth Passive is the key to this build, as it can now effectively combo with the Starlight Aspect through overhealing. Combined with the Firebolt Enchantment, this means that for every burning enemy near you, you are healed for a large percentage of your Maximum Life. This healing will contribute to Mana Regeneration through the Starlight Aspect, allowing you to unleash more Chain Lightning with impunity.

Tempering +1-2 Ranks to Warmth on your Chestpiece and Helmet is quite important, as it can reach absurd levels of healing when near Burning enemies.

To boost this build's strength even further, some Mythic Uniques are required. The Andariel's Visage Helmet is perfect for this build , as the Poison Nova allows for more damage stacks from Tal Rasha's and the +437 Life On Hit Affix for even more Mana Regeneration. The Ring of Starless Skies also slots in quite effectively as a replacement for the Starlight Aspect, as long as you have Andariel's Visage already.

Focus On Critical Strike Damage

There are many ways to build a Paragon Board for Chain Lightning Sorcerer, but this setup utilizes eight Glyphs for maximum damage potential, as seen in RageGamingVideos ' video. Prioritize leveling up Reinforced and Elementalist to activate their corresponding additional bonuses and Destruction for increased Critical Strike Damage. This build hits for mostly critical strikes, meaning pumping Critical Strike Damage up will vastly increase overall damage output.

If you are lacking the additional Paragon points from Renown, you can forego the Tactician Glyph.

This paragon board setup is fairly standard for sorcerers, stacking resistances, and non-physical damage multipliers, but with the reworks to the class, it has never felt stronger. With this build crafted, players can feel confident tackling the highest tiers of Infernal Hordes and farming Tormented bosses in Diablo 4 .

Source: RageGamingVideos​​​​​​​/YouTube