“Don’t worry about it.” The speaker was Targeemos, a natural-born Arcturian female who was also in their class. “To be honest, even we have trouble telling the Warborn apart. It’s the nature of their special genetics, or their fast development, or both. That’s why they wear those bandoliers and epaulets on top of their uniforms.” Kayros had wondered about those embellishments to the standard cadet dress code. The metallic pieces hadn’t struck her as very functional; the bandoliers in particular appeared to be merely loops of cable draped around the neck and right shoulder.

“The color patterns show their regiments and serial numbers, which is how you tell them apart,” Targeemos went on. “At least until you get to know them well enough to recognize them, I suppose.” The ruddy, hairless humanoid fidgeted. “Not that I’ve ever met any before. They’re not even supposed to be created anymore. But my family has passed down stories about the Maltuvian invasion. My great-grandmother treated some of the Warborn who survived.”

On Kayros’s other side, Vekal clenched his jaw; she could hear his muscles tensing and his teeth clicking together. “Breeding a whole subspecies purely to serve and die in combat is deeply unethical,” the young Vulcan said. “The Warborn program should never have been revived, no matter the provocation.”

Targeemos looked offended. “I never suggested otherwise.”

“I was not implying that you did. I was expressing my own objection.”

Kayros stared at him. “So, what, you’re saying you don’t think those guys over there should ever have been born? What, do you think they should’ve been euthanized or something?”

His brows shot up. “That was not my intent. I simply mean that their presence here raises questions.”

“Like what?” Ashrafi asked.

“The Warborn program was revived during a time of conflict with the Klingons, in the belief that they would be of value in the war. Now, relations with the Klingons again grow tense—the Romulans as well—and the Warborn are revived and enrolled in the Academy.”

Ashrafi laughed. “You think this is some conspiracy to turn them into Starfleet infantry or something? Come on, you heard the admiral. They’re here to learn stuff other than fighting.”

Kayros tapped the side of Vekal’s head. “Logic, remember? They already know how to fight, so if that were all they were needed for, they wouldn’t be at the Academy.”

Vekal squirmed away from her touch. “It need not be their only role in Starfleet for it to be a potential role. And if Starfleet is open to it, then that suggests Starfleet’s emphasis may be shifting toward greater militarization. I do not wish to see it move in that direction. I joined to become a scientist, like Captain Spock.”