Two Captains

Chapter 9

"This session has been called to resolve a troubling matter." The Academy President says. "James T. Kirk, Natasha Adams, step forward."

All eyes avert to us and Jim and I look at each other.

"Did you...?" Jim asks in a barely audible whisper.

I slightly shake my head and both of us hesitantly stand, then move our way down to one of the two podiums in the front of the room, at least 500 cadets behind us. Jim and I stand next to each other at the one podium.

"Cadets Kirk and Adams evidence has been submitted to this council suggesting you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuant to regulation one-seven-point-four-three of the Starfleet code." He pauses. "Is there anything you care to say before we begin, sir?"

"Yes, I believe we have the right to face our accusers directly." I answer.

He nods and looks to his right and Jim and I look where he's looking. There we see the Vulcan, Spock, stand up and quickly tug the hem of his shirt.

"Step forward please."

Spock walks to the other podium as the Starfleet Academy President speaks.

"This is Commander Spock, he is one of our most distinguished graduates."

Spock looks at Jim and I as he walks to the other podium and I slightly narrow my eyes at him when he looks at me.

Why am I here? I didn't do anything wrong...did I?

"He's programmed the Kobiashi Maru exam for the last four years." He continues. "Commander." He looks at Spock.

"Cadet Kirk you somehow managed to install and activate a sub-routine in the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test."

"Your point being?" Jim asks.

"In academic vernacular, you cheated." The Academy President answers, looking at Jim. In response, there's a rustle in the crowd of 500 cadets behind us, shifting in their seats and whispering loudly to one another.

"Let me ask you something, I think we all know the answer to: the test itself is a cheat, isn't it?" Jim cuts in, looking at Spock. "You programmed it to be unwinnable."

"Your argument precludes the possibility of a no-win scenario."

"I do not believe in no-win scenarios." Jim answers. "Neither of us do." He glances at me.

"Then not only have you violated the rules, you've failed to understand the principle lesson."

"Please, enlighten me." Jim says.

"You of all people should know Cadet Kirk, a Captain cannot cheat death."

The crowd behind us rustles again and Jim looks away from Spock.

"I of all people..." Jim repeats.

"Your father, Lieutenant George Kirk, had assumed command of his vessel before killed in action did he not?"

"I don't think you like the face that we beat your test." Jim says, referring to both of us.

"Furthermore you have failed to divine the purpose of the test."

"Enlighten me again."

"The purpose is to experience fear. Fear and the face of certain death. To accept that fear and maintain command of one's self and one's crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet captain." Spock answers with a long pause between each sentence.