Star Trek: The Original Series: Seasons of Light and Darkness by Michael A. Martin

shared a drink or two with the Yegorov ’s geology people during the trip out here,” McCoy said. “I already know more than I ever wanted to know about topaline. Not to mention the settlements that can’t keep their life-support systems running without it.”
    â€œGood,” Wieland said, looking impressed. “Then you must also be familiar with Altimara.”
    At length, he said, “No.”
    â€œAltimara is a planet that supports dozens of extensive mining operations,” Wieland said. “For more than a hundred years, it’s been the main topaline source for Federation colony worlds that otherwise wouldn’t be able to support life. During the last few decades, virtually all of the Federation’s topaline has come from the Altimaran mines. But those mines are rapidly playing out. Over the next few years— years , mind you, not decades or centuries—they’re expected to run out entirely.”
    â€œRight now I’m concerned with the welfare of only one person,” McCoy said, gesturing toward Naheer.
    Doctor Wieland raised his hands in a gesture of concession. “All right. But how does a single individual’s life stack up against the lives of countless millions of Federation citizens?”
    â€œI don’t make those kinds of decisions!”
    â€œLeonard, you are about to make precisely that kind of decision,” Wieland offered quietly. “By deciding to throw out the Prime Directive, and disobeying your oath as a Starfleet officer, you are deciding the fate of all those millions of topaline-dependent Federation colonists. Only you can decide whether or not to throw your career away. But take a moment and think: How do you suppose the people closest to you will take the news that you’ve been demoted for insubordination? Or even cashiered?”
    McCoy lowered his gaze and took a moment to ponder both of Wieland’s aftermath scenarios. Jocelyn would no doubt see a dishonorable discharge as more evidence of his unreliability as a father. Further proof of his inability to follow through on his commitments. He was bitterly aware that he’d already given her ample evidence of those failings over the past several years.
    And Joanna will probably believe whatever her mother tells her to believe , he thought glumly.
    McCoy looked Wieland directly in the eye. “How can I just let this boy die?”
    â€œDoctor, you can’t force these people to adopt practices for which they’re not yet prepared,” Wieland said. “And there’s no telling when they might finally be ready to accept what we’ve been offering them. You certainly can’t force it.
    â€œWhether they come around a thousand years from now or next week, this boy’s death won’t be your responsibility—it’ll be theirs . They’ve made their choice, as is their right, and they’ll have to live with it. Now it’s time for you to do the same.”
    â€œYou outrank me, Doctor,” McCoy said. “Are you ordering me to violate my oath—to stop trying to save Naheer’s life?”
    â€œNo,” Wieland said. “I don’t think I’ll have to. You have a promising Starfleet career ahead of you, Leonard.” He extended his right hand toward McCoy.
    McCoy studied the older man’s hand.
    Ignoring the still, silent voice that warned him not to do it, he deactivated his hypo and placed it in Wieland’s outstretched palm.

Interlude
    STARFLEET HEADQUARTERS, SAN FRANCISCO
    Stardate 8130.5 (March 22, 2285)
    â€œThe course of action you chose was undoubtedly the correct one, Doctor,” Spock said, though he seriously doubted that his friend and colleague was in any condition to process his judgment.
    â€œThink so, do you?” McCoy slurred. He sloshed the Romulan ale bottle’s depleted contents until it became a whirling gyre. “It’s only true from the perspective of the