He understood how she felt. He felt like that too, sometimes, looking down on those primitive cultures they knew about. Knowing they had the technology and medicines to help them. Perhaps they would react nicely. Perhaps they would welcome them, learn from them. But would they as a people be eroded against the pressures of the rest of the galaxy? Or would they react badly - take the technology they had been given, their minds shattered by these revelations, and begin an all out war? It wasn't just the health of one planet they spoke of then. It was the safety of many, many more. And unfortunately, the worst case scenario was the one that had to be bent too.

At its heart, the Prime Directive was about protecting all planets within the Federation, most especially those not yet mature.

"I'm sure it does," he agreed with, glancing out at the moon again, seeming to finally realize its position. "We should head inside, try and get at least some sleep while we can. Otherwise we'll be dead on our feet tomorrow."