Kirk was not able to accompany the doctor to every class she visited, for other Academy duties intervened for much of the day. He had to meet with Professor Blune and several faculty members to finalize the parameters for next semester’s starbase work-study program for the second-year cadets; afterward, he needed to attend a disciplinary meeting to determine punishment for a trio of third-year cadets who had attempted to revive an infamous, long-banned hazing practice known vernacularly as “the Finnegan.” Kirk struggled to compartmentalize his humiliated memories of falling prey to it in his own first year, so as not to penalize them more harshly than they deserved. Admiral Chandra would surely frown on keelhauling.

Eventually, he was able to rejoin Doctor Janith-Lau for a rather different classroom experience: Unarmed Combat under Lieutenant Commander Vandenecker. Kirk arrived in time to see the two Warborn cadets in the class, Portia and Bertram, engaged in a fierce, ruthlessly efficient sparring match against each other while the rest of the class looked on with expressions of admiration and intimidation. Even knowing that these Arcturians had been bred and raised as soldiers, Kirk was startled by their display of skill and aggression, having become accustomed to the notion that their studies at the Academy would be oriented toward peace. Bertram had a clear advantage of size and bulk, but the leaner Portia made up for it with her agility and sheer drive. It was a truly impressive sight, and if anyone had been taking wagers (and if he had been willing to overlook such a violation of Academy rules), he would have put his credits on her.

This time, Janith-Lau was not impressed. “This is just the sort of thing my people are concerned about,” she said to Commander Rakatheema, who bore a proud look on his face as he observed the combatants. “Shouldn’t the Warborn be exempt from the requirement to take combat-oriented courses? Isn’t that against Arcturian belief?”

“They are exempt,” Rakatheema told her. “These two chose to enroll anyway. Who are we to forbid them? After all, it’s only training.”

“The purpose of which is to prepare cadets to do the real thing. Will you train them in phasers too? In shipboard weapons and combat maneuvers? Will you teach them these things and then not expect them to use them?”

“Starfleet officers are never expected to use force, except as necessary in defense of self or others.”

“Yet you keep finding situations where it is ‘necessary.’ So tell me, Commander, what is the real goal here? I’m having trouble seeing just where you’re drawing the line between Starfleet responsibilities and Arcturian doctrine on when and why the Warborn can fight.”

Rakatheema answered slowly. “Finding a balance between doctrine and a changing reality is not simple. A healthy doctrine may need to evolve to remain relevant.”