Chapter 2:

Postmortem

"Freeze simulation," commands a voice.

"Oh shhh..." Worf chides.

A trio of Starfleet officers appear through the still smoke.

"Attention, commander on deck!" announces the lead officer.

Kirk, Picard, Riker, Spock and Worf rush to form a line and stand at attention. A silhouette of a tall and slender man stands over the cadets. He eyes the bridge and notices the wavering of the five cadets against the artificially frozen environment. Jonathan strains to make out his features but they are obscured by the blinding illumination. However, his distinct voice easily gives away his identity.

"At ease, cadets!" says Commander Tuvok.

At ease they stand.

"I see you have discovered new ways in destroying the Enterprise and losing your lives in the process," he remarks.

"Yes sir," sighs Kirk as he ponders for a moment. "Do you have any suggestions, sir?"

Commander Tuvok walks out of the light and into better view.

"Suggestions, cadet? Carefully consider the choices that you make because it is extremely cold in space. Arch."

Holodeck 4's arch materializes and Commander Tuvok comes face to face with Kirk.

"I'm sorry to inform you that your team has exhausted your simulation practice credits for the Kobayashi Maru," Tuvok announces. "End program."

Enterprise-F's bridge vanishes instantly and all that remains is the harsh yellow grid lines separating the glossy black interior of Holodeck 4.

"Unfortunate," remarks Spock.

"Indeed," Tuvok replies.

Jonathan is still agitated by the revelation.

"I can't see what we missed sir," he pleads.

Tuvok gently raises an eyebrow in characteristically Vulcan fashion.

"Then, cadet, you will remain perplexed. Dismissed."

Tuvok and the two officers leave Holodeck 4. Worf frowns and then makes his way for the exit as well. As he makes for the hatch door, Kirk grabs his shoulder from behind and spins him around.

"Why can't you take this seriously?" yells Kirk. "You better get on board with the team if you ever want to be in Starfleet."

Worf slaps Kirk's hand off his shoulder and growls.

"Counsel yourself Kirk. Accept your destiny – you will never be in command of a starship," Worf snarls.

Jonathan takes the offensive and aggressively moves face to face with his bulky adversary. Genevieve quickly intervenes.

"Whoa," she carefully says while forcefully separating the angry pair.

"That's right, Kirk, hide behind the woman," Worf jests.

From out of nowhere, a stunning green female Orion cuts through the loitering cadets and embraces Worf with a deep passionate kiss. Jonathan frowns.

"I will be going now," taunts the Klingon.

With the Orion on his arm, Alexander shoulder bumps Jonathan out of his way. Jonathan angrily watches as the two disappear beyond the corridors of Starbase 3.

"Never took you for the jealous type," Picard remarks.

Jonathan shakes his head and sighs. "I just don't get it."

Genevieve pats him on the back.

"The mission or the girl?" she asks.

"Both."

She giggles and then pats him again on the shoulder as she passes him by.

"Drinks?" asks Kirk as he turns around.

"I'm not your type,"

"What's that?"

"Easy."

"Right…"

"I'll see you around,"

"Sure,"

Genevieve takes her leave as Marina comes out of Holodeck 4 looking a bit down.

"Sir," she says.

"Marina, it's me, Jonathan," Kirk replies, pointing to himself.

"Yes, Jonathan."

"It's ok, Marina. Go on, get some shut eye."

"Thank you," she responds with a smile. As she passes him, Marina turns around.

"Maybe next time we'll get it right," she says encouragingly.

"I'm sure we will," he smiles back.

Marina nods and takes her leave. Saren is the last to exit the Holodeck.

"Well," Kirk addresses Spock as she appears into view.

"I believe your performance in light of the situation was acceptable," she quips in near-monotone.

"But not good enough,"

"Not enough to graduate…" she reflects for a moment. "…or to survive."

Saren then takes her leave of Jonathan who is left pondering why he had failed, but more importantly to him, why he couldn't live up to the prestige of the name, Kirk.

A/N - Thank you for reading this chapter and if you enjoyed it please review.