“A message was dispatched. You’ve broken the rule of silence.
Only in code, Commander. To inform our Praetor of this glorious mission.
Your carelessness might have *ended* this ‘glorious mission’. You’re reduced two steps in rank, return to post.
…
Take care, Commander. He has friends, and friends of his kind mean power. And power is danger.
*dismissively* Danger and I are old companions.
We’ve seen a hundred campaigns together, and still I do not understand you.
I think you do. No need to tell you what happens when we reach home with proof of the Earthmen’s weakness. And we will have proof. The Earth commander will follow, he must. And when he attacks, we will destroy him. Our gift to the homeland: another war.
If we are the stronger, is this not the signal for war?
Must it ALWAYS be so? How many comrades have we lost in this way?”
ST:TOS – ‘Balance Of Terror’