Star Trek: 10 Times Starfleet Officers Crossed The Line
In the long history of Star Trek, what counts as crossing the line and where should it be drawn?
When one considers the rules that Starfleet officers must follow, one can hardly be surprised that there are dozens of cases of rule-breaking in the history books. How many times did Jim Kirk circumvent the chain of command for the greater good, or how many times did Tom Paris shout pepperoni in the face of consequences?
We must bear in mind that, sometimes, rules really do get in the way for no good reason. 'Because it was there' may be a good reason to climb a mountain, but hardly an excuse to avoid a difficult decision.
What then counts as crossing the line in Star Trek? Do we, the audience, feel the overstep, beyond any chance of understanding? Or do these following officers' actions leave us pondering their motives, their methods, and their means?
10. Seven Of Nine Condemns A Sentient Being To Death - Prey
While her career in Starfleet may still have been several years away, there was little doubt that Seven Of Nine was an honourary officer aboard Voyager. She was assigned duties like any other officer, she contributed to the smooth running of the ship like any other officer, and she faced the music like one too.
When the ship was boarded by a member of Species 8472 in 2374, Seven found herself face to face with a being who, as part of the retaliatory war against the Borg, had most likely destroyed thousands of drones.
This being was hunted by the Hirogen - a fearsome Delta Quadrant species who would later capture the ship for their brutal war games - though it had largely managed to evade them. Despite some promising attempts at communication by Tuvok, Seven stepped around the rules and beamed both the creature, and the Hirogen hunting it, onto one of the latter's ships.
Though she attempted to argue her case, Seven was bluntly reprimanded by Captain Janeway. There was a time and place for expressing individuality - but that wasn't it.