Back planetside, Jim packs the belongings of his old roommate (deceased). Never the neatest person, and hardly one he ever saw or cared to know, he gathers his possessions nebulously scattered in the flat and can’t seem to stop making comparisons to the sight of broken Federation vessels set against the violent red of Vulcan.

Staff members of the academy come by, startled to find boxes stacked side by side, a life tucked into squares. Jim greets them softly and turns back over on his bed, cradling bruised ribs.

Later, after the ceremony, the Enterprise’s new captain apologizes to Spock.