One thing I don't get in the new Star Trek movie?

Question

Okay, so I've watched the DVD like 20 times now. Obsessive, I know. But there is one part of the movie that I just can't understand. When Kirk's escape pod lands on Delta Vega and he finds Spock hanging out in the ice cave, they have a little chat and Spock tells Kirk that he needs to get back to the Enterprise. So they walk to the Federation outpost, and Scotty and a little green alien guy appear to be the only people at this particular facility. They never explain exactly what the purpose of the outpost is, just the fact that Scotty suspects he was assigned there as punishment, basically implying that there were some sort of questionable 'official orders' placing him there and requiring him to stay there. So why is it that after Spock (basically) sets up the transport, Scotty beams WITH Kirk to the Enterprise? I mean.. other than the obvious answers such as 'he didn't like it there on the icy planet' or 'he was really hungry'. Wouldn't he basically be abandoning his post? Wouldn't he then get in trouble for that by Starfleet? Its not like they wouldn't find out. It just seems strange and out-of-place to me that he would make such a bold and deliberate decision to invite himself along to the Enterprise without even asking anybody or anything. Maybe its just me..

Update:

These are some great answers!!

Just to add to the discussion: whatever Scotty did AFTER transporting (saving the Earth and what-not) to the Enterprise is basically irrelevant as far as his motive / reason for going with Kirk in the first place. But it is plausible that Spock (being very old & wise) did recommend that Scotty accompany Kirk (in some off-screen conversation they all had).

Hey.. I wonder if any video footage was cut from that scene for time constraint reasons? That would be interesting. Maybe I should listen to the director's commentary audio track?! =P

Dogbreath McWoofy · Accepted Answer

Probably Spock engineered that Scotty come on board, because remember Spock was already trying to get Kirk to be Captain, so its natural he'd want Scott on the Enteprise too, since he was trying to re-create the original crew. Spock would have the clout to both order Scott along, and get him out of any trouble with the Federation. That's my guess anyway.

Timbo · Answer

Its a good question, i dont recall seeing the reason for the outpost other than its just there to monitor stuff. Maybe the space traffic that goes by.

I am guessing since he helped with saving Earth by being on the Enterprise and coming up with the idea to save the Enterprise, they over looked that he left the outpost and let him stay on the Enterprise.

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Since you said something about for Scotty left his post and not getting into trouble over that, i figured since he help with things, thats why he didnt get into trouble.

? · Answer

I would guess that since Scotty realized where Spock came from, he decided to follow his original destiny. 

I don't know anything about the rewards of his formula from the alternate timeline, but maybe it will relieve him from getting in trouble.

grandfather raven · Answer

yes, TECHNICALLY he was abandoning whatever post that was, and you're right that the movie didn't address his motivations thoroughly

but with most of the fleet destroyed, Starfleet was probably more concerned about getting the best and brightest into active duty than it was punishing them for bending the rules

especially when he helped save the Earth and everything

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One thing I don't get in the new Star Trek movie?

4 Answers