“I have read the press release, Admiral. But surely you can see there are gaps in its logic.” She leaned forward. “Starfleet may call itself an organ for diplomacy and research, but you are also the Federation’s military. You’re the group that fights our battles, that patrols our borders, that enforces our laws on the frontier.”

“There’s room in Starfleet for both soldiers and scholars. We boast some of the finest research facilities in the Federation. We attract many of the best scientific minds.”

“Yes—and it saddens me to see so many great minds subverted to the cause of military readiness. Len McCoy included.”

“McCoy serves as a healer. His responsibility is to save lives, not to take them.”

“Exclusively? Can you really say that Doctor McCoy has never fired a phaser, never participated in a battle?”

“Only when he’s had no other choice. I told you he’s saved my life a number of times. More than once, he’s done it with a phaser, saving me from predatory creatures.”

“That’s just it, Admiral,” Janith-Lau said. “However much you profess your benevolent intentions, being in Starfleet forces people to become fighters. Trying to be both scientists and soldiers at once—it keeps you from doing either one as well as you should.”

“Out on the frontier, there’s no telling what a ship and its crew may be called upon to become at any time. It’s best to be prepared for every possibility.”

“Exactly. How can you guarantee that the Warborn will not have to fight if they join Starfleet? It doesn’t make sense.”

Kirk pondered his reply for a moment, and decided to go for honesty. “I admit we don’t have all the answers. That’s the reason for this pilot program—to explore whether we can make it work. This is new ground for us, as well as for the Warborn cadets. But I believe that if anyone can help them integrate into peacetime society, it’s Starfleet.” He leaned closer. “You see our blend of martial and peaceful aspects as a weakness. I see it as a strength, a source of adaptability. Who better to guide a people trained solely for war to redirect their abilities for peace?”

Janith-Lau folded her hands on her lap, considering his words. “That might be a more convincing argument, Admiral, if not for the timing. It doesn’t seem accidental that you attempt to bring a specially bred warrior subspecies into Starfleet at the same time that Starfleet is turning toward a more martial footing.”

He blinked. “I don’t believe that it is, Doctor. It’s the galaxy that’s growing more dangerous. Renewed Klingon aggression, our turbulent relations with the Romulans, unpredictable outside threats like the Naazh or these vacuum flares. Starfleet is merely responding to those threats.”

“The way to respond to a threat is to de-escalate, not to heighten tensions still further.”