“I don’t think the Arcturian situation is quite the same, Bones,” Kirk said. “They saw the Warborn as a necessary evil, but one deserving of respect and gratitude for their sacrifice.”

Janith-Lau put on a skeptical moue. “The Aztecs felt the same way about the people whose hearts they cut out to appease the sun god.”

“The Warborn did help them keep the peace, by defending them against outside threats.”

“Many of those invasions happened because the Warborn existed! Conquerors like Maltuvis couldn’t resist the potential of a quick-bred slave army.”

“And it’s to the Arcturians’ credit that they committed themselves so religiously to ensuring that never happened. Whatever your concerns about Rakatheema, Ashley, I doubt that one man can change so many centuries of conviction.”

She considered his words for a time. “I want to believe you’re right… but it’s hard to reconcile a commitment to peace with the perpetuation of such a warlike custom.”

Kirk replied slowly, thoughtfully. “I think every culture that pursues the path of peace must struggle with the potential for violence that still remains within their nature, and attempt to reconcile themselves with the ways it’s shaped their history and values.” He gestured to McCoy. “For Bones, it’s the role of slavery in Southern heritage. For me, it’s the paradox of American freedom being built on continent-wide conquest and genocide.”

She nodded, conceding the point. “I’m Russian-Chinese. Plenty of autocrats and mass murderers in both those histories.”

McCoy leaned in. “Then you’ve got a planet like Argelius. Two centuries of peace, but they’ve never bothered to repeal the law that murderers are put to death by slow torture. Even Vulcan still has a legal form of ritual combat to the death in…” He cleared his throat. “… certain rare cases.”

“The point,” Kirk said, “is that no culture is perfect. No matter how much you strive to be better, some mistakes and bad habits will remain. The Federation’s made its share of mistakes too, like Captain sh’Prenni’s botched first contact with the Partnership, or John Gill’s misguided experiments on Ekos.

“The important thing is to face those flaws, to admit them as part of ourselves. That’s the only way we can hope to overcome them. And just as importantly, that ability to acknowledge our own flaws is what enables us to forgive the flaws we see in others. To understand that they might be struggling to improve themselves just as we are, and that they need encouragement for what they do right, rather than just condemnation for what they get wrong.”

Janith-Lau smiled at Kirk in appreciation. “You do have a way with speeches, Jim.”

“I’ve caught him practicing in a mirror more than once,” McCoy teased.