“I assure you, Doctor, Starfleet’s policy is always to use force as a last resort when peaceful options have failed. But there are many cultures out there that respect strength, or that see any weakness as an opening to be exploited.” He smiled. “If you make it clear that you have teeth but choose not to use them, that demonstrates your peaceful intentions more effectively than going unarmed.”

She did not look convinced. “So do you think this conversation would go better if I’d come in here brandishing a phaser? Would I even have been let onto the grounds?”

Kirk gestured between them. “You and I are members of a single society with established norms and expectations. If we were from different cultures meeting for the first time, then yes, we might both need to be armed to establish the ground rules of the exchange.” He chuckled. “It’s not so different from how Doctor McCoy makes friends.”

She lowered her head, stifling a laugh. Then she met his gaze again. “I guess you do know how to de-escalate after all.”

“I try my best.” He spread his hands. “Look… we’ve wandered off-topic. We aren’t going to settle the larger philosophical questions about Starfleet’s existence in this office. I just want to convince you that our intentions for the Warborn are beneficial—to guide them toward a constructive purpose, not to exploit them for combat. If you can be persuaded of that, then you can take that message to the public and assuage their fears about the program.

“Maybe what you need is to meet them for yourself. Talk to them. Get to know them as individuals.”

Janith-Lau nodded thoughtfully. “That is only fair. I suppose… I have been reacting to the threat I feel they represent, rather than who they are as people. And maybe I’ve been unconsciously feeding those prejudices in my speeches. I should do better than that if I want to be true to what I claim to stand for.”

Kirk smiled, very impressed by her admission. He’d always believed that true morality began with questioning oneself, not just others. That she believed the same spoke well of her.

He rose, and she followed. “Very well, Doctor. The students are in class now, but we can schedule a time when you can speak to them as a group.”

“I’d like to do more than just speak to them,” she ventured. “If you don’t mind, perhaps I could shadow them for a day. Observe them in their classes, see what they’re learning and how they’re interacting with their fellow students. I’d try not to be too intrusive—”

“No, that’s quite all right, Doctor. Full transparency is important if we’re to reassure the public about the value of this program. I’m sure it can be arranged.”