Jim just nods, not disputing her conclusion. The equality theory is popular because that's what the Federation is founded on, and people often want to take the more optimistic view of their ancestors. But humanity can also be ugly and brutal and savage, and especially in the days before First Contact, it often was. He has no trouble whatsoever believing that the old governments would use genetic engineering as a power grab, or that it backfired on them so horribly.

This is the part of the story where he has to be careful. Can't give so much as a hint that part of Starfleet was responsible, that Admiral Marcus was behind it all, no matter how much Jim hates having to bury that small detail. The consequences could be steep, if word ever got out. "The faction that found their ship woke Khan up, yeah. I don't know if they knew who he was before they did or not, but it seems pretty damn likely, considering he's the only one they revived. They kept his crew in cryosleep as hostages to his good behavior and tried to get him to work for them. Making weapons and stuff like that. It... didn't go well." He looks away, remembering just how many casualties came from one man's warmongering. Civilians. Starfleet officers. Beloved friends. Himself. The wounds run deep, and even months later, it still haunts him.

"The man who made all those decisions is dead," he adds, since that is probably tactically relevant. No reason to have them prepare to face a threat that won't be coming, not from that corner, anyway. "Khan killed him too."