Star Trek: 10 Times Starfleet Officers Crossed The Line

7. Jonathan Archer Steals A Warp Coil - Damage

What must one do when it comes to saving, not just their crew, but the future of humanity? Is there any line a captain wouldn't cross? Jonathan Archer was forced to confront this dilemma in 2154 when stuck, sans working warp coil, inside the Delphic Expanse.

Though relations with the Ilyrians would somewhat improve in the century that followed, this first contact was devastating. Despite the newcomers' offers to help the stricken NX-01, Archer settles on piracy as the only course of action open to him. He needs their warp coil, despite knowing it will strand them three years from home.

Though a visibly emotional T'Pol argues with Archer, imploring him not to commit to this mission, he overrules her. Enterprise attacks the Ilyrian ship, securing their warp coil, resulting in their being successful in rendezvousing with sympathetic Xindi. While history may consider the decision worth the risk, Archer himself was forced to continually ask himself if he did the right thing.