Guest Characters

TREKCORE > TOS > EPISODES > THE CORBIMATE MANUVER > Guest Characters

 
 LIEUTENANT BAILEY

PLAYED BY: Anthony Call
SPECIES: Human Male

Bailey was on duty during a star mapping mission in 2266, when, on the third day, the Enterprise encountered a warning buoy, and later the First Federation flagship Fesarius. The tension of the encounter detracted from the gung-ho lieutenant's performance and might have ruined his career.

Initially relieved of duty for a near breakdown, he requested permission to return to duty even though the ship was apparently seconds from being destroyed, confirming Kirk's positive assessment of his character and fitness for bridge duty.

At the conclusion of the encounter, when Kirk put together a landing party to visit Balok's pilot vessel, he offered to take Bailey, to give him "a look at the unknown". When Balok commented how lonely he was, and suggested that even an alien would be welcome company, Kirk looked to Bailey, who eagerly volunteered.
   
 YEOMAN RAND
 
PLAYED BY: Grace Lee Whitney
 SPECIES: Human Female
 
Captain Kirk was surprised that Starfleet had assigned a female yeoman to his command. However, after seeing Rand's efficient work ethic in action, Kirk grew to respect her as a crew member and friend. Despite their professional relationship, an undercurrent of sexual attraction remained between the two. Kirk, however, could not requite the feelings Rand felt for him, due to his position as ship's captain.
   
 BALOK
 
PLAYED BY: Clint Howard
 SPECIES: First Federation Male
 
During a mission, the Enterprise encountered an immense, highly sophisticated space vessel, the Fesarius, and its commander, Balok. Balok's appearance eventually yielded to Spock's determined efforts: a bluish, cat-eyed alien in an eerily-lit control center that wavered and rippled.

Balok condemned the crew as warlike because they had been forced to destroy a marker buoy. In fact, he had forced their hand, goading and threatening them with the device. Then, he advised the crew that they and their vessel, "obviously the product of a primitive and savage civilization," were to be destroyed.

A tense standoff followed, during which Captain Kirk sought vainly for a solution. Eventually, he bluffed Balok with corbomite – a ploy that apparently worked, for Balok decided not to immediately destroy the Enterprise. Instead, it would be towed to a planet of the First Federation, where the crew would be imprisoned and the Enterprise destroyed.

Kirk gambled again, as his ship was being dragged to its fate; he attempted to shear away from Balok's pilot vessel (a much smaller craft, launched from the Fesarius) and succeeded, apparently damaging Balok's ship in the process. At this point, Kirk could have attacked – certainly, he'd been provoked – or he could have fled. He chose instead to board the small vessel and offer aid. There, he learned the truth; "Balok," or at least the Balok he had seen, was merely a puppet.

Moving past this display, Kirk and his landing party discovered the real Balok, a diminutive alien. This Balok revealed that the entire encounter had been an elaborate test of character and ethics. The purpose of the puppet, "Mr. Hyde to my Jekyll", was to frighten and intimidate. Balok shared a drink of tranya with the landing party, and gave them a tour of his ship.

The Fesarius had a crew of only one, so Balok was the only representative of the First Federation seen, so far. Kirk left Crewman Dave Bailey with Balok, for an exchange of cultures and ideas.