Emotional Logic

Romulan Bird-Of-Prey Attack | Part 2 - 

Star Trek Strange New Worlds S01E10

STILES: 

We have to attack 

immediately.

KIRK: Explain.

STILES: They're still on our side of the Neutral Zone. 

There would be no doubt they broke The Treaty.

SULU: Attack, without a visible target? How do we aim our phasers?

STILES: Aim with sensors. Not accurate, but if we blanket them

SULU: And hope for a lucky shot before they zero in on us?

STILES: 

And if we don't? Once back, they'll report that we saw their weapons and ran.

SULU: 

And if they could report they destroyed us?

STILES: 

These are Romulans! You run away from them and you guarantee war. 

They'll be back. Not just one ship but with everything they've got. 

You know that, Mister Science Officer. 

You're the expert on these people, 

always left out that one point. Why? 

I'm very interested in why.

KIRK:
Sit down, Mister.

SPOCK: 

I agree. Attack.

KIRK: 

Are you suggesting we 

fight to prevent A Fight?

MCCOY: 

Based on what? Memories of 

a war over a century ago? 

On theories about a people 

we've never even met face to face?

STILES: 

We know what they look like.

SPOCK: 

Yes, indeed we do, Mister Stiles. 

And if Romulans are an offshoot of my 

Vulcan blood, and I think this likely, then 

attack becomes even more imperative.

MCCOY: 

War is never imperative, Mister Spock.

SPOCK: 

It is for them, Doctor. Vulcan, like Earth, 

had its aggressive colonising period. 

Savage, even by Earth standards. And if Romulans 

retain this martial philosophy, then 

Weakness is something we dare not show.

Do you really want a galactic 

war on your conscience?