Arena story
The Enterprise comes under attack by unknown aliens while investigating the near destruction of the Cestus III colony. While chasing the aliens into unexplored space, both ships are captured by the powerful Metrons , who force Kirk and the alien captain (later identified as a member of the Gorn race) to trial by combat: the winner's vessel will be set free, while the loser's ship will be destroyed.
24 total · 4 choice · 14 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| brains vs. brawn | choice | Kirk/Gorn captain :: Kirk and Gorn |
| civilization vs. savagery | choice | Kirk assumed the Gorn were a savage race but they had reasons for attacking Cestus III |
| transnational conflict over a claimed territory | choice | Gorn :: Federation and Gorn over base on Cestus III |
| what if I had to fight to the death | choice | Kirk :: Kirk with Gorn |
| agility vs. strength | major | Kirk, Gorn captain :: Kirk vs. Gorn |
| desperation | major | Kirk :: Kirk |
| enemy point of view | major | Gorn :: Gorn had his reasons for destroying Cestus III |
| facing a mortal enemy | major | Kirk :: Kirk with Gorn |
| humility | major | Kirk :: Kirk |
| lesson in humility | major | Kirk :: Kirk and humanity more generally |