"I don't believe in fate," he said. "I believe our circumstances are similar enough that we were drawn to the same life. That our qualities make us naturally inclined to this position." Though all this was being questioned by recent weeks, by the various interactions between counterparts and striking similarities and differences, Jim had to keep believing that. Fate had no place in his world, where actions had direct consequences which were not mapped out beforehand.

"Circumstances conspired to put you there ahead of me. But from what I hear, you were there because you were the right man for the job. You saved the Enterprise. You saved the Earth and the remnants of Vulcan. Who else, Jim? Who would you put in command of the Enterprise? I made mistakes at your age. I've wondered, these past few weeks, if you were too young. If I would have been too young. But I've made mistakes since then, too. Fewer as I go on, I hope. You never stop doubting that. I haven't, even though I've learn to hide it. But I've learned also to balance that doubt with the knowledge that most of the time, I'm doing the right thing. That someone will call me on it when I'm not.

"Maybe someone else might have made different choices. No way of telling whether they're better. But I know you're a good captain. And I know Admiral Pike wouldn't have sanctioned your command if he didn't have complete faith in you. It's a difficult job. If it isn't, something's wrong."