So, I have nothing to do all day, and I intend to spend that time typing. Yay! Hahaa.

I only own T'Pel.

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

T'Pel sat in between Jim and Bones, along with all the other cadets in the assembly hall. It had only been a couple of hours since Jim had beaten the Kobayashi Maru, and Starfleet was not happy about it. They called an assembly of all personnel to discuss the situation at hand.

"James T. Kirk," said the Commodore. "Step forward."

Kirk looked around confused and stood, squeezing past T'Pel and Leonard. They looked at each other, worried and confused. Jim stepped up to the stand.

"Cadet Kirk," The Commodore continued. "Evidence has been submitted to his council suggesting that 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, sir?"

"Yes," said Jim. "I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly."

Kirk followed the Commodore's gaze to a Vulcan man a few rows up. "Step forward, please. This is Commander Spock. He is one of our most distinguished graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru for the last four years. Commander?"

"Cadet Kirk," Spock started. "You somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test."

"In academic vernacular, you cheated."

"Let me ask you something I think we know the answer to. The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? I mean you programmed it to be unwinnable." Said Kirk.

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

"I don't believe in no-win scenarios."

"Then not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principle lesson."

"Please, enlighten me."

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

Kirk suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I of all people?"

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

T'Pel took a small breath at her seat. "How could he say something like that?" she whispered.

"Sh," Leonard put an arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him, worried for her other big brother.

"I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test." Kirk spat.

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

"Enlighten me, again."

"The purpose is to experience fear, fear in the face of certain death. To accept that fear, and maintain control of oneself and one's crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet Captain."

The room was quiet. T'Pel leaned more towards Leonard and he tightened his grip on her. A lieutenant walked into the assembly room and handed the commodore a PADD. He thanked the man and, after reading the message, became suddenly aware and alert.

"We've received a distress call from Vulcan." He said. Spock looked up at the word of his home planet and T'Pel shot up in panic. McCoy kept hold on her, trying to calm her down with no avail.

"With our primary fleet engaged in the Laurentian system," the commodore continued. "I hereby order all cadets to report to Hanger One immediately. Dismissed."

Everyone stood, ready to go to work, and filed out of the assembly hall. Kirk watched Spock run out the opposite door as T'Pel and Leonard approached him. T'Pel was shaking, bad.

"Who was that pointy-eared bastard?" asked Jim.

"I don't know, but I like him." Bones replied. "Now, come on. We need to get something to calm her down before she goes into a panic attack." He had an arm wrapped around T'Pel's waist and a hand on her opposite shoulder as they hurried out of the hall.

Sorry it's so short! But the next chapter has some really exciting stuff in it.

Cally