In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Arena, which aired on January 19, 1967, Star Date 3045.6.

 The Enterprise arrives at the Cestus III Outpost by invitation of its commanding officer, but the crew finds the outpost obliterated and then under attack from an unknown vessel. Both ships enter a new space sector and lose all propulsion power shortly after. Enterprise is contacted by the Metrons, who announce they will pit the respective captains in a one-to-one battle to the death. Kirk is transported to the planet’s surface along with the other captain of the Gorn.

Kirk attempts to communicate with the Gorn but has not received a response. Kirk lies in wait for the Gorn and fires on him. As Kirk prepares to deal a death blow, he considers the Gorn’s claims that the attack on Cestus III was only self-defense and allowed him to live. Suddenly, the Gorn disappears, and a Metron appears to Kirk, congratulating him on not only winning the battle but showing the advanced trait of mercy for one’s enemy, leading the Metron to comment that “you are still half-savage, but there is hope,” and that the Federation should seek out the Metrons again in several thousand years.

Compliance Takeaways:

1.     Get out, talk, but most importantly, listen.
2.     What causes a regular risk to grow into a high risk?
3.     All due diligence may be required, Even with facts on the ground.

Resources:

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for Arena
MissionLogPodcast.com-Arena