In the Star Trek pilot episode The Cage, Captain Christopher Pike has broken free from his cell. With Vena, Number One, and his yeoman, he has taken the Talosian leader captive and journeyed to the surface via the underground elevator. But either the Talosian is creating the illusion that Number One’s communicator has malfunctioned, or the Talosians have made good on their leader’s threat and destroyed the Enterprise. With his phaser pointed at the alien, Pike says “I want to contact my ship.”
The Talosian Leader points out that they are on the surface as he wished them to be. Now, with the female of his choice (and with plants from their underground gardens), Pike can start the work of returning life to this dead world. As the Talosians live much longer than humans, they will be able to guide Pike’s descendants, and evolve a thriving human society on Talos 4. Pike sees the nobility of their cause, but his first concern is the Enterprise and her crew. So, knowing that even with a phaser to their leader’s head, the Talosians are still in control of the situation, Pike makes this offer. “You give me proof that my ship is all right, and send these two back...”
Here he pauses. Then, ultimately:
“And I’ll stay with Vena.”
There are all types of worthy causes in which others would love to enlist us. Sometimes we allow others to talk us into devoting our energies into roles for which we are ill-suited. These end up sapping the joy that should come from service to others. As a result, we may get so burned out that we cast off these unwanted obligations and recuperate by concentrating on our own pleasures.
Each of us, if we take the time to think about it, know what we are best suited for. It cannot be that hard to figure out a way to utilize the gifts and abilities that elevate our spirits into tasks that will benefit those around us. Despite the deaths and casualties his crew suffered on their previous mission, Pike is best-suited for running a starship. His gift to others is the advancement of human learning, and bringing humanity into contact with others from which both civilizations will benefit. Pike may be willing to sacrifice his life for his crew, but he doesn’t need another noble calling. He already has one, which he is pursuing to the best of his abilities. Can each of us say the same?
The Talosian Leader points out that they are on the surface as he wished them to be. Now, with the female of his choice (and with plants from their underground gardens), Pike can start the work of returning life to this dead world. As the Talosians live much longer than humans, they will be able to guide Pike’s descendants, and evolve a thriving human society on Talos 4. Pike sees the nobility of their cause, but his first concern is the Enterprise and her crew. So, knowing that even with a phaser to their leader’s head, the Talosians are still in control of the situation, Pike makes this offer. “You give me proof that my ship is all right, and send these two back...”
Here he pauses. Then, ultimately:
“And I’ll stay with Vena.”
There are all types of worthy causes in which others would love to enlist us. Sometimes we allow others to talk us into devoting our energies into roles for which we are ill-suited. These end up sapping the joy that should come from service to others. As a result, we may get so burned out that we cast off these unwanted obligations and recuperate by concentrating on our own pleasures.
Each of us, if we take the time to think about it, know what we are best suited for. It cannot be that hard to figure out a way to utilize the gifts and abilities that elevate our spirits into tasks that will benefit those around us. Despite the deaths and casualties his crew suffered on their previous mission, Pike is best-suited for running a starship. His gift to others is the advancement of human learning, and bringing humanity into contact with others from which both civilizations will benefit. Pike may be willing to sacrifice his life for his crew, but he doesn’t need another noble calling. He already has one, which he is pursuing to the best of his abilities. Can each of us say the same?
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