“I think the entire population of Earth is grateful that you did. Along with the crew of the Enterprise.”

“Still, it proved to me that my commitment to Kolinahr was not as absolute as I had believed.”

“And you don’t think the Arcturians’ commitment to peace is as great as they believed.”

“On the contrary—I am convinced it is as sincere as the Federation’s.” He lifted a brow. “And yet, when the temptation was sufficient, they yielded.”

“You’re saying we could yield too. That having the Warborn in Starfleet would create too great a temptation to use them as they were bred to be used.” He reached toward the chessboard, fingers hesitating above one of the smallest pieces. “As pawns to be sacrificed.”

“It is a risk that must surely be addressed. Starfleet’s martial drives are rarely as far from the surface as we would like to believe.” His eyes darted across the antique guns and armor pieces that adorned the walls of the nook. Kirk liked to think he collected and displayed them as a reminder of how far humans had come from their barbaric past, that such things were now seen only as historical curiosities and works of art rather than functional tools of destruction. Yet he understood how Spock could read a mixed message into his fascination with military history.

“However,” Spock went on, mercifully leaving that question aside, “it would be no more fair to the Warborn to disregard their need for guidance—for a place where they can lead lives of purpose and fulfillment rather than being cast aside.

“I found such a place in Starfleet. It is entirely possible that the Warborn could do so as well. But we must be certain of our own ability to resist temptation.”

Setting down his teacup, Spock steepled his fingers before him and turned his full attention to the chessboard. “Shall we play, Jim?”

Starfleet Academy

Following his discussion with Spock, James Kirk decided to endorse Commander Rakatheema’s proposal regarding the Arcturian Warborn. The matter came up for debate at the next meeting of the Academy’s senior administrators, held in the office of Admiral Nensi Chandra, a white-haired, round-faced human who had served as superintendent of Starfleet Academy for the past eight years. Also present were Chandra’s subordinates: Kirk as commandant of cadets, responsible for the day-to-day supervision and discipline of the student body; Professor Blune, the full-figured Denobulan female who served as the civilian academic dean, overseeing the faculty and academic programs; and the lean, narrow-faced Captain T’Vari of Vulcan, Chandra’s chief of staff, who advised on daily operations and administration.