I felt like I had the spot of being a captain in the bag. I mean who could resist the first person to pass the Kobayashi Maru right? It seemed practically foolproof.

But I was wrong. Apparently someone was far to skeptical of my success that the StarFleet council called a aced my wide meeting in the Starfleet chamber. Hundreds of cadets all sat and whispered or each other. Some were blissfully unaware of what was really going on as I overheard some of the rumors going on around me. I sat beside Bones who seemed to know what was going on but hadn't yet voiced it.

Within minutes the Starfleet council all sat down in their respective seats at the front of the chamber in front of two podiums. I felt intently nervous as I had just about no doubt that this council wasn't called for me. I didn't think Laurie ratted on me, she was far to loyal.

I felt my palms sweat as the head council member, who was a black man in grey robes began to speak. " Jailee Kirk, please step forward to the podium" He announced and I stood up a little hesitantly as hundreds of eyes zoned onto me. Bones looked at me with surprise as I walked down our aisle and towards the stairs. Soon I found myself sat the podium with my back turned to the stands stand now facing the 12 Starfleet board members. Among them was Christopher Pike. He scanned the crowd and found me within seconds. I met his gaze and saw something I hadn't often seen in his eyes. Something I didn't want to see. Disappointment. I felt a heavy sense of dread and fell away from his steely gaze.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to keep calm. My mood ring showed black for Nervous as sh*t! " An incident has occurred today that concerns the entire student body. Academic immorality by one is an assault on us all. It will. Not. Stand. 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. Is there anything you care to say before we begin?" The academy president asked.

I nodded and tried not to fidget " Yes sir, I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly" I suggested and the president inclined his head towards the crowd and I turned to see who was the bastards who caused this mess.

I looked upon a tall handsome man with jet black hair that was set into a neat bowl cut. He wore a grey uniform signifying he was a commander already. His eyebrows were thick and upturned. He had strange pointed ears that made me think of an Elf. I could recall Uhura talking about him. He was the infamous Commander Spock. The half Vulcan half human. She normally drones on and about how hot he was and I could agree to an extent. But at I seriously wanted to punch him in the face as he walked down the steps and took the podium on my left.

" This is Commander Spock, one of our most distinguished graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru test for the last four years" The academy president explained. I inwardly groaned at that.

He looked at me with blank eyes that were devoid of all emotion. Vulcans were all pretty much robots. I had met only a handful in in my life and each one was as cold and serious as the next. They were all incredibly smart and completely felt like logic was was everything in life. Books and equations were stuffed down their throats the moment they were born.

I was practically the exact opposite.

He cleared his throat and looked at me with his hand behind his back as he stood pin straight. " Cadet Kirk. It is obvious you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test" Spock started with in deep montone. God he sounded like a talking encyclopedia.

" Your point being?" I asked feigning innocence. The academy president looked at me sternly " It common vernacular: You cheated" He explained. I had been in debate class before in high school. I had been good to, but I had never gone against a Vulcan. Nor a half Vulcan.

"Now let me ask you something I think we all know the answer to: the test is rigged, isn't it? You programmed it to be unwinnable" I insisted as it was the real reason I had done what I did. If it was an impossible mission my job was to make not impossible right?

The academy president looked a little in trestles in my statement " Mr. Kirk, I don't see how the intent of the exam is relevant to these proceedings" the president stated.

" Because if I'm right, Sir, then the test itself is a cheat" I continued trying to build my case that was a tad wobbly as I wasn't really prepared. "Your argument precludes the possibility of a no-win scenario" The Vulcan in grate nearby suddenly butted in.

I looked at him and tried to retain my composure " I don't believe in no win scenarios" I replied giving him almost a glare like stare. Spock's body language stayed perfectly rigid and unreadable. " Then not only have you violated the rules, you've failed to understand the principle lesson" Spock stated and I rose a brow.

" Then please enlighten me?" I asked curiously meeting his gaze. I didn't dare look away as his serious brown met my cocky blue. "You, of all people should know, Cadet Kirk -- A captain cannot cheat death" Spock explained and that felt like a punch to the gut. Very few people spoke of my father ring such a matter and many who did regretted it soon after.

I felt my cockiness fall away as he said that and swallowed deeply as I felt a flicker of anger. " I of all people?" I asked looking down. " Your father, Lieutenant George Kirk, had assumed command of his vessel before killed in action, did he not?" Spock stated without any emotion.

I felt a muscle in my jaw strain from aggravation. This bastards had some serious nerve. " How long did it take you to look that one up?" I asked as my voice was now quieter.

"How long did it take you to program the virus that allowed you to cheat?" Spock fired back and I glanced at the Academy president who was smirking a little. Most likely finding this argument terribly entertaining.

" I don't think you like the fact I outsmarted you" I insisted and Spock rose a brow at my words. " You did not "outsmar- You don't see my logic here do you?" I asked cutting him off.

" No, in fact I do not" Spock replied and I could have sworn I heard a hint of irritation in his voice. Good. " I am not known for my hacking abilities, yet I managed to infiltrate your test" I continued and he blinked.

" Explain further" Spock insisted and I saw the tiniest bit of confusion in his eyes. " If I was able to hack into your test than maybe your not such a genius. Perhaps you arrive no longer fit to be the programer of the Kobayashi Maru" I suggest and an excited flutter off conversation followed as the cadets turned to each other in surprise. Maybe this could turn the tables.

Unfortunately, Spock didn't look taken back very much " You astray from the topic at hand. Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test" Spock continued. I rose a brow this time " Enlighten me again" I replied.

"The purpose is to experience fear. Fear in 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 expanded. I narrowed my eyes " So the point is to feel fear?" I asked and noticed that that though never really occurred to me. I was supposed to be scared but be fit enough to maintain command as he said. I hate that he is right!

" Fear is essential yes" Spock answered looking at me bluntly.

" And you have taken the test, Commander Spock?" I asked and his name tasted like vinegar coming off of my tongue. Spock made almost what I could assume was a smug look "As a Vulcan, I require no additional training to control my narcissism when making command decisions" Spock claimed. A startled silence followed as well as several "Oohs" from the crowd. I felt obscene embarrassment as he said that in front of everyone. Oh no he did not just say that!

"You keep reminding me that you're Vulcan. And I'm sure you're really proud of that who wouldn't be-- but isn't it true you people don't experience fear at all?" I questioned trying to hide the rage in my voice. Spock rose a brow but I could see, no matter how subtly I was getting somewhere with him. " And if that's the case -- What's that say about your ability to make command decisions?" I asked and this created a similar reaction from the crowd. Spock, of course, did not react very much but a flash of something went across his eyes.

However, before he could reply a sudden red shirt lieutenant ran in, breathing heavily. He jogged towards the Academy president with a very urgent look on his face. He spoke in a very rushed way but I couldn't pick up what exactly they were saying.

The academy president stood up looking into the crowd " We've received a distress call from Vulcan" The president stated and I saw a flicker of concern wash over Spock. " Cadet Kirk -- you are on academic probation pending the result of your hearing. Cadets, report to Shuttle Hangar One immediately -- this hearing is at recess until further notice. Dismissed" The president continued and the began to file out. As did the rest of the Cadets as they hurriedly walked away.

Distress from Vulcan? That's uncommon. Must be something serious. I walked away from the podium only to come to face with Pike. There was still clear disappointment on his face. " Cheating isn't winning" Pike stated before walking away. He sounded ashamed of me. I looked down and swallowed. I never meant for it to go this far. I just wanted to pass that stupid test.

Bones suddenly appeared at my side and I looked up quickly with intent. Spock also walked with not so much as a glance towards me. " Who does that pointy eared bastard think he is?" I asked crossing my arms. Bones shrugged in response as we hurriedly walked out.

" I don't know. But I think it like him"