Living Memory by Christopher L. Bennett

Author:Christopher L. Bennett [Bennett, Christopher L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781982165901
Google: ZvwDEAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B08LDWKSW8
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2021-06-14T23:00:00+00:00

San Francisco

When Leonard McCoy invited Jim Kirk to dine with him and Ashley Janith-Lau, the admiral was glad for the opportunity to set aside his worries about the burgeoning vacuum flare crisis for an evening. Granted, Janith-Lau was a reminder of the ongoing controversy around the Warborn Arcturians, but that was a milder crisis, and Kirk still had hopes of finding common ground with the charming activist. Mainly, though, he welcomed the chance to see how his old friend and his new friend (or friendly rival, perhaps) were hitting it off. The two of them had been seeing each other for nearly a week now, and while it appeared to be in a relaxed, casual capacity, McCoy certainly seemed happier than Kirk had seen him in quite a while.

Both Kirk and McCoy were initially a bit awkward with each other in Janith-Lau’s company, embarrassed by their mutual former hope for romance between her and Kirk. But the pediatrician proved a deft peacemaker, her easy, comfortable rapport with both men proving contagious. Soon the three of them were chattering and laughing around the table like lifelong friends.

It was inevitable, of course, that the conversation eventually came back around to the Warborn. But this time it was a relaxed and open discourse among friends, and Kirk took heart from that.

“I’ve been researching Arcturian history a lot lately,” Janith-Lau told him. “Trying to get insights into the traditions of the Warborn practice, its specific tenets and how they might have been bent or broken in the past. I’m trying to find out if there are precedents for what I fear Commander Rakatheema is trying to do—to broaden the Warborn’s mandate to fight for the whole Federation.”

Kirk studied her. “Would it really be so wrong to let them defend the Federation the same way the rest of us do? After all, it’s not like we’re going to reinstitute the Warborn breeding program. These twenty thousand are the only ones of their kind.”

McCoy spoke up in support of his ladyfriend. “That’s what they say now, Jim. But a hundred years ago, they said they’d never breed any more Warborn at all. Once you make that first compromise, it gets easier to make the next one, and the next, until you forget there used to be a line you wouldn’t cross.”

Janith-Lau nodded. “I just don’t want to see Starfleet’s purpose go through that same erosion. I don’t believe you do either, Jim. But other Starfleet officers have crossed ethical lines before.”

Kirk kept his silence. He’d certainly known some who fit the bill—Ben Finney, Ronald Tracey, Antonio Delgado—but he had no desire to impugn his fellow officers in the company of civilians.

The activist sighed. “To be honest, I’ve gained a lot of admiration for the Arcturians. They found a way to achieve peace among their own nations far earlier than Earth did, even earlier than Vulcan, and they’ve kept it up for an impressively long time.

“But the perpetuation of the Warborn practice is the one major blemish that remains.

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