The Beginning...

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Do you have any idea why they called us down to an assembly?" I asked Leo as the three of us sat down next to each other.

"No idea, but I don't like it." He responded wearily.

"Jim?" I turned to my brother who sat to my right.

Jim's shoulders looked relaxed. He sat as if he didn't have a care in the world. He seemed not at all worried about the assembly we were currently in.

"Do you have a clue as to why we're here?" I whispered to him. I had a hunch it was probably due to Jim passing the Kobayashi Maru test, but I'm not sure if it's good or bad. Either way, I wasn't looking forward to it.

"No, but if they're going to congratulate me on being the first one to pass the Kobayashi Maru test then yes I will welcome congratulations." Jim said a grin growing on his face. I wanted to hit him behind the head or something, but instead I shook my head since Admiral Barnett announced attention.

"This session has been called to solve a troubling matter."

Troubling? Oh no. I thought as the Admiral said "James T. Kirk, step forward." One of my fears and dreams came true: Jim got in trouble. I would ask what for, but as I mentioned before I had a hunch.

Jim looked at Leo and I, with a confused, weary look, before he stood to stand behind a podium in the front. I could feel eyes not only on Jim, but on me as well. Most of the cadets present in the assembly knew that I related to Jim. But for sure, all knew that Jim has a sister who also attends the Academy. All are smart to enough to put that together, I suspect.

"Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council suggesting you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuant to regulation 17.43 of the Starfleet code." By this time James had reached the podium and was standing behind it. "Is there anything you would like to say before we begin, sir?" Admiral Barnett asked Jim.

"Yes, I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly." Jim stated calmly. In the audience, to the far left of my vision, but was actually across the aisle from where Leo and I sat, an officer stood up. A strangely familiar pointy eared officer. Spock. Although this didn't surprise me a tiny bit.

He was Spock. Of course he'd tell the board if someone did something wrong. Like cheating, which is what Jim did. But how, is the correct question.

Spock walked down and took his spot in the podium next to James after the admiral asked him to step forward. "This is Commander Spock. He is one of our most distinguished graduates." The admiral introduced Spock to the audience and Jim, except well I already knew that so...

"He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru test for the last four years." The admiral provided more information, which I also already knew, to the audience.

Jim eyed Spock, but Spock, after giving Jim a quick look over, paid no mind to the cadet next to him and chose to face the Board. I could feel the tension in the room change as they stood next to each other. Although both are intelligent, they each show it differently, way differently.

"Commander?" Admiral Barnett signaled to Spock so he could commence.

"Cadet Kirk, you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test." Spock enlightened the entire room with his even tone.

So that's how the buffoon did it!

"Your point being?" James said obviously knowing where that was going.

"In academic vernacular, you cheated." The Admiral answered for Spock. The entire room erupted in loud whispers, and I could feel the stares, once again, from all different points in the room.