“It is premature to derive that conclusion from the available evidence, sir.”

“Don’t give me the Vulcan runaround, Spock! You’re trying to protect a friend, the same as anyone else would.”

“I assure you, Admiral, I am able to retain my objectivity. I will follow the evidence where it leads—but as yet, we have too little evidence to act upon.”

Cartwright reined in his temper. “Which is why your orders are to bring Nyota Uhura back to Earth for questioning. We need to find out everything she knows, whether she’s an active part of this or an unwilling dupe.”

“Or to clear her if the correlation is determined to be spurious.”

“Yes, yes, of course. All we want is to get to the truth.”

Spock raised a brow. “In that case, Admiral, you and I are already committed to the same goal. If that is all, sir?”

The admiral glared. “You have your orders, Captain. Starfleet out.”

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco

Leonard McCoy frowned on Ashley Janith-Lau’s behalf as the two of them strolled together in the park. “It sounds like your Academy visit didn’t ease your concerns.”

The activist doctor sighed, watching a group of children run past in the middle distance. It was a warm, clear Saturday afternoon, the first chance she and McCoy had gotten to touch base since her visit. “In some ways it did. Most of the Warborn seem genuinely committed to the goal of finding a peaceful purpose.”

“But in other ways?”

“I’m more concerned than ever that Starfleet could succumb to the temptation to use them as soldiers. Commander Rakatheema as good as said he was hoping for that.” Her lips narrowed. “As for Jim Kirk, I’m not sure which side of the question he’s on. Though I give him credit for listening with an open mind.”

McCoy smiled at her. “So… you’re calling him Jim now, eh?”

She smiled back, a bit quizzically. “Sure. That’s what you do when you make friends with someone.”

His face sank. “Just friends?”

“What else would you expect? I mean, heaven knows, the man has a reputation, and I can see why women fall for him. But come on, did you seriously imagine I’d ever pair off with a military man?”

“Oh.” He furrowed his brow. “I guess I’ve gotten so used to associating with Starfleet people that it didn’t occur to me.”

Janith-Lau finally registered his disappointment. “You were hoping something would happen! Is that why you set up our meeting? Some kind of matchmaking ploy?”

McCoy cleared his throat. “I set it up because Jim asked me to, like I told you. But, well… Jim’s a lonely man. And you’re quite the catch, my dear. You can’t blame me for hoping two of my friends could find happiness together.”

She stared at him. “Really. Is that why you haven’t made a play for me yourself?”