"Status report."
"All systems functioning normally, Captain. We have arrived at our starting point, ready to begin our patrol." Sulu reported, once again at the helm.
"Very well. Send an encoded to message to Starfleet, inform that our mission has begun." Thrawn stated. "Helmsmen, proceed at one quarter impulse power and keep us at least one light year distance from the neutral zone. Mr. Spock, I want scanners on full, conducting two-minute sweeps into the Neutral Zone."
"Aye Captain."
Thrawn stared at the tactical display showing the position of the 'Enterprise' and the Neutral Zone.
Through the many histories of the Milky Way races Thrawn had gained an appreciation of the many races and their art. He had even gone as far as to use replicators to create exact replicas of many forms of art from Earth, Qo'nos, Romulus and several more worlds that fascinated him. Thrawn, better known to his people as Mitth'raw'nuruodo was born on the planet Csilla during the final decades of the Galactic Republic. His species, the Chiss, controlled an area of space in the part of the galaxy known to those in the Republic as the Unknown Regions.
He and his brother, Mitth'ras'safis, were born as commoners, but after joining the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force Mitth'raw'nuruodo was taken as a merit adoptive in the Eighth Ruling Family of Chiss society. Mitth'ras'safis also joined the Eight Ruling Family, eventually becoming a Syndic within the family. Though the practice of military officers becoming merit adoptives in the Ruling Families, and taking on the colors of their adoptive family, was common, they usually ceased belonging to the family upon leaving the military. Mitth'raw'nuruodo, however, soon reached the rank of commander—the youngest Chiss ever to achieve the rank—and impressed the Eighth Ruling Family enough during his early career to be considered a trial-born, with the possibility of becoming a permanent member of the family.
His work with the Expansionary Defense Force gave him the opportunity to learn to speak several languages used throughout the Unknown Regions, including the trade languages Sy Bisti and Minnisiat, in addition to his native Cheunh. When the Republic sent an exploration fleet known as the Outbound Flight into the Unknown Regions Thrawn had been introduced to Darth Sidious who informed him of the Outbound Flight's purpose and had concluded that the Outbound Flight needed to be destroyed when it became clear it would attract the attention of the Far Outsiders that had appeared in the Maw during the Alliance attack on the Borg installation set up there. Sidious was impressed by Thrawn's destruction of his task force and told Doriana to provide Thrawn with their reports on the Far-Outsiders and the technical date on Outbound Flight. He also warned Thrawn to be aware of the Jedi's ability to use the Force against him, though he informed the commander that a high loss of life would dull their senses.
Thrawn lost his brother during the destruction of the Outbound Flight and many in the Ruling Families still saw Thrawn's actions as tantamount to murder and from that point on, his actions were watched carefully. Palpatine, meanwhile, was impressed with Thrawn's abilities and, over the coming years, attempted on at least two occasions to contact the Chiss and secure the commander's services to assist him in carrying out his ambitions of galactic domination. Not coincidentally, the destruction of Outbound Flight had killed eighteen of the Jedi Order's most prominent Knights and Masters, furthering the Sith Lord's plans for the extermination of the Order.
For his part, Thrawn was intrigued by the idea of working for Palpatine but knew that he could not honorably accept the offer and turned his back on the Expansionary Defense Force and his people. Instead, he remained in service to the Chiss and decided to engineer his own downfall by continuing to press for pre-emptive strikes. After attacking an enemy ground installation that was manufacturing weapons for an upcoming attack, Thrawn was judged to have acted against everything his people believed and was brought up on charges. Found guilty, he was stripped of all rank and exiled to a world in the Unknown Regions, just beyond the edge of the Outer Rim Territories.
Thrawn's new home had a breathable atmosphere and was located close enough to the system's star to provide adequate warmth. However, life on the remote planet would be difficult. In a clearing in the planet's equatorial forest, Thrawn constructed a small dwelling out of local materials. He was forced to improvise often, making clothes out of the skins and furs of the planet's indigenous animals. Among Thrawn's few possessions from offworld were two small-base power generators, though over time one started to run empty and Thrawn began stripping it for parts to keep the second functioning. Throughout his time in exile, Thrawn sought a way to return to his people and defend them from the many dangers he perceived in the galaxy, not least of which was the burgeoning threat of the Far Outsiders.
Before his exile, he learned of the United Federation of Planets making contact with the Republic and that a Starfleet ship had been dispatched to explore the Unknown Regions. Seeing a chance to escape, Thrawn secretly took with him a distress beacon that he would activate and manage to it alive long enough until the Federation ship entered the system where the planet he was exiled to was located. He witnessed the landing party beaming down with their amazing transporter devices and carefully observed them for several hours as they came upon his camp. He arranged it so they would be attacked by one of the predators of the planet and saved one of their crewman in time, making himself out to be a humble man in need of rescue.
The plan worked and he was beamed aboard the ship where he was under guard and examined but he was able to access unrestricted information on the Federation. He learned of its history and culture and found it different from the Republic in the manner that it had its own defense force, Starfleet but usually acted as an exploration force rather than a military but was armed and was trained to be military in the event of wars or skirmishes. And they were technologically advanced, making it possible that they would be useful in defending his people from the Far Outsiders.
A strong central government would be needed to answer this threat, or the alternative would be anarchy. Still, it didn't prevent Thrawn from studying the hundreds of cultures that made up the Federation, the Prime Directive, and the most famous commanders and leaders from many of the worlds in the Milky Way such as Sun Tzu, George Washington, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Philip Green and Abraham Lincoln of Earth and Surak of Vulcan followed by famous Starfleet captains like Jonathan Archer, Christopher Pike, James T. Kirk, Spock while other leaders included the Kahless the Unforgettable, General Korrd, Kor and several other high profile leaders. Thrawn studied each strategy of these figures that were famous in their own way, respecting many of them for their strategies and victories and even working on perfecting their most famous tactics.
The Xindi Conflict.
The Earth-Romulan War.
The Battle of Charon.
The Federation-Klingon conflict that was ended early on by the Organians.
So while the Federation tried to avoid war they would not be afraid to fight if necessary which was good. Believing that only a unified galaxy could resist the numerous threats in the Unknown Regions, such as the Far Outsiders whom the Chiss had already encountered, Thrawn believed the first step was to join Starfleet and forge a deeper connection between the two galaxies.
"Captain, I'm receiving a distress signal." Uhura reported."
"On speakers." Thrawn replied.
A filtered voice came in through the speaker but was breaking up. "Imperative! Imperative! This is the Kobayashi Maru – nineteen periods out of Altair Six. We have struck a gravitic mine and have lost all power... Our hull is... and many casualties."
"This is the Starship Enterprise." Uhura answered. "Your message is breaking up. Give your coordinates. Repeat-"
"Enterprise, our position is Gamma Hydra, Section Ten...
"In the neutral zone." Thrawn muttered, beginning to see what the test was about.
"Hull penetrated, life support systems failing. Can you assist us, Enterprise? Can you..." The message broke up, leaving only static.
"I've lost their signal, Captain." Uhura said after attempting to re-establish communications.
"Computer, I wish for all known information on the Kobayashi Maru." Thrawn turned to the viewscreen that was currently on the tactical setting.
"Subject vessel is third class neutronic fuel carrier, crew of eighty-one, three hundred passengers."
Thrawn considered what he knew at the moment.
Starfleet Regulations clearly stated that they should offer immediate assistance to any ship in distress, and they are honor-bound to assist.
However, it was in the Neutral Zone.
Crossing in the Neutral Zone would violate the treaty with the Klingon Empire and war would be immediately declared, starting with the destruction of the Enterprise. Thrawn carefully considered his options, seeing that the test was possibly meant to gauge his reactions as a commanding officer dealing with the political ramifications of whatever choice he might make.
In that case, the choice was obvious.
"Lieutenant Uhura, relay a message to both Starfleet and the Klingon home world and tag it urgent, informing both sides of this incident." Thrawn began, catching Uhura's attention. "Then begin broadcasting into the Neutral Zone that we will be entering to conduct a rescue mission and request escort."
"Aye sir."
"Mr. Sulu, plot an intercept course. Maximum warp." Thrawn continued.
"Captain, may I remind you that if a Federation ship enters the zone-"
"I am aware, but regulations are quite clear. We cannot ignore a ship in distress." Thrawn stated in a firm tone. "Maximum warp."
Sulu turned to his console. "Course plotted and set."
Thrawn tapped the comm switch on his chair. "Bridge to Engineering."
"Yes, sir." Scotty responded.
"Chief Scot, would it be possible to divert warp power to the deflector dish?" Thrawn questioned.
Spock glanced over his shoulder, having heard Thrawn's question.
"Aye, it would be possible." Scotty answered, slightly confused by the question.
"Good. In a few moments we will be dropping out of warp to conduct a rescue operation." Thrawn explained. "It is likely we will meet with hostile resistance. Having studied the interior workings of a starship, I would like to try implementing a possible contingency. The Enterprise is designed that phaser power comes directly from the anti-matter reactor, correct?"
"Aye sir."
"How long would it take to modify the systems to divert warp power directly through the navigational deflector?" Thrawn asked.
Though it was a simulation it was designed to be as realistic as possible with the simulation systems designed to anticipate and adapt to all possible real-life scenarios. Thus, Thrawn would treat this as a real-life scenario and bring up a possible theory he made while studying how Milky Way starships work.
"…A few minutes sir."
"Then please begin, Mr. Scot. I calculate you will be done by the time we emerge from warp. Thank you." Thrawn tapped the switch, closing the channel.
By that time, the Enterprise had already entered the Neutral Zone. "Warning, now entering Neutral Zone."
"We are in now violation of treaty, Captain." Spock stated.
"Any sign of any escorts?" Thrawn asked.
"All scans report negative." Spock answered.
"Continue scanning. Alert for me of anything irregular. Signal Red Alert." Thrawn ordered. "Activate shields and charge phaser banks."
Sulu glanced back. "Captain-"
"It is likely the Klingons will choose to attack. I will not enter a battle zone unprepared." Thrawn reasoned.
Accepting his decision, Sulu turned back to his station as alarm klaxons rang.
Thrawn remained focused on the view screen as the Kobayashi Maru came into view. "Status of the Kobayashi Maru."
"Reading heavy damage to their warp core, Captain." Spoke reported. "Power is failing throughout the ship, including life support."
"Life signs?"
"I read over sixty life signs." Spock answered.
"Bring us about and then turn one hundred eighty degrees, Mr. Sulu. Lock a tractor beam on the ship and lower shields but I want the phasers remaining charge. We can tow the ship back to Federation space if it is salvageable. If not, we'll scuttle it before we leave." Thrawn stated before tapping a switch on the chair arm. "Transporter room, begin locking onto life signatures and beam them aboard as soon as you are able."
"Aye sir. Locking onto survivors now."
"Alert. Sensors indicate three Klingon Cruisers, bearing 316, mark 4, closing fast." The computer announced.
"Visual!" Thrawn immediately ordered.
On screen they could see the approach of the Klingon vessels, looking dark and sinister as before.
"Have they responded to our hails?" Thrawn questioned.
"Negative, Captain. They are jamming all frequencies." Uhura answered.
"Klingons on attack course and closing." The computer informed them and the viewscreen verified this.
"Raise shields but divert all shield power to the forward shields. Lower the rear shields so we can continue beaming survivors aboard." Thrawn immediately ordered. "Put us between them and the Maru. Lock phasers on the nearest Klingon vessel but hold firing until my order." He then tapped the switch on the chair-arm again. "Bridge to Engineering."
"Engineering reporting."
"Have my modifications been carried out?" Thrawn asked.
"Aye sir." Scotty answered. "But sir, I must argue that the deflector dish cannot hold that much power for very long."
"Your concerns are noted. Prepare." Thrawn stated, ending the call.
"Alert! Klingon torpedo firing!" The viewscreen showed a Klingon cruiser firing photon torpedoes.
"Forward phasers fire!" Thrawn ordered.
The forward phaser banks fired just as the torpedoes hit the front shields but the additional power had reinforced the shields enough that they managed to take the hit without suffering too much damage but the bridge still violently shuddered.
"Shields down to forty percent." Spock reported.
"Lock phasers and fire. Lay down covering fire until the last of the survivors are aboard." Thrawn ordered, his training as commander of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force now guiding him.
The phasers fired again, hitting the Klingon ships as they attacked.
"Shields down to twenty percent." Spock reported before his console exploded, knocking him down.
"Transporter room to bridge, all survivors beamed aboard!" The transporter officer reported.
"Mr. Sulu, take us to warp. Any direction out of the Neutral Zone." Thrawn ordered as the bridge shook again.
Before Sulu could do so, his console exploded, and he was down next. Thrawn rushed over to the helm station as the bridge exploded again.
"Captain, this is insane!" Scotty shouted. "The deflector dish will overload and explode with that much power!"
"Do it!" Thrawn cut off any argument.
He looked at the view screen as the warp power was shunted through the deflector dish, generating what he had chosen to call a repulsor beam. It slammed into several torpedoes that were fired and actually pushed them back towards the Klingon ships, slamming into their shields and then sending them spinning back. Thrawn watched as the view screen seemingly spun before it actually exploded followed by all the remaining consoles in the simulator room.
"What in the world happened down there?" Admiral Cartwright placed the report on the desk, looking up at Spock with an astounded look on his face. "He actually managed to be the no-win scenario?"
"Ensign Thrawn studied the inner workings of a starship and was most curious about the inner workings of the navigational deflector. He theorized that with enough power, the dish's main function would be suitable enough for the deflector to emit a wide dispersal tractor beam. He referred to it as a Repulsor Beam, based off of the Repulsor Field technology that is used in his home galaxy." Spock explained. "The simulation computer was designed to account for any and all possible outcomes under combat situations, so Ensign Thrawn chose to test his theory during the Kobayashi Maru scenario."
"Only it didn't just repel the torpedoes or the Klingon ships. It sent the ship spinning through space so fast that the entire simulation overloaded." Cartwright remarked.
"As I have said before, the Kobayashi Maru scenario wreaks havoc on the simulation equipment but in this case, the systems could adapt fast enough to account for Ensign Thrawn's theory. Nevertheless, the ship would have been damaged beyond salvage, but they actually would have limped out of the Neutral Zone." Spoke stated. "As far as Ensign Thrawn's solution to the no-win scenario, it was…unique."
"And extremely dangerous." Cartwright remarked. "Still, he proved it is possible to win the no-win scenario. I might have to look into this 'Repulsor' field idea of his and see if it can be adapted. Until then we will have to ensure Ensign Thrawn and the cadet crew share nothing of what happened during the scenario."
Spoke nodded in agreement.
As much as he would praise Ensign Thrawn for his creative solution, if everyone knew it would render the point of the no-win scenario moot. The point of the Kobayashi Maru scenario was meant to test the character of would-be commanding officers, to see how they would handle being in a situation where there is no possible solution. If a solution was found, even one as unorthodox as the one Ensign Thrawn had presented, no one would bother trying their own method to winning the test.
"I understand Ensign Thrawn was discovered marooned on a planet discovered by the Lexington during the brief exploration into the Unknown Regions of the Skyriver Galaxy." Cartwright leaned back in his chair.
"Yes, Admiral. A distress signal was intercepted by the Lexington and the landing party led by Captain Franklin." Spock reminded the Admiral. "Ensign Thrawn had apparently been exiled by his people following the fallout of the Outbound Flight."
"Wasn't it suspected that he destroyed the Outbound?" Cartwright questioned.
"Officially under the orders of his government. He made no attempt to lie or defend himself from the charges when he explained his actions." Spock answered. "Apparently the Chiss government feared the Outbound Flight was the opening for an invasion of their space. They were already engaged in aggressive contact with another space faring species and mistook the Outbound for an attempt to establish an outpost close to their space. When the Chiss government learned the truth, they laid the blame on Ensign Thrawn and chose exile over execution, due to his military service that was excellent but at the same time they feared he was becoming too aggressive."
"It is questionable he would wish to join Starfleet." Cartwright commented.
"Admiral, he was marooned on a planet far from his civilization. Logically he would seek out any means of escape, but I agree his motives are somewhat suspect. He has clearly already had military training and he submitted his record to be reviewed." Spock said. "In fact, he stated his reasons for joining Starfleet is because he believes his people need help."
"Help?" Cartwright raised an eyebrow.
"He believes there is a threat in the Unknown Regions, one that might make contact with the Republic and possibly us one day." Spock continued. "He wishes to continue helping his people and offered his own expertise and knowledge of the regions to us in exchange for joining Starfleet with the added possibility of helping with First Contact with his people."
Cartwright mulled over this. "He took a risk asking to join us."
"A risk but a reasonable one." Spoke stated.
"Hmph…Since his actions were part of his role as a military commander we cannot officially condemn or praise his actions, but I would ask that a close eye is kept on him and all other recruits from the Skyriver Galaxy. And as his instructor, I am tasking you with monitoring him, Mr. Spock." Cartwright folded his arms, giving the Vulcan a serious face. "I don't know what his intentions are but I do not want to risk compromising Earth or the rest of the Federation."
"Understood, Admiral."
"You have done exceptionally well, Mr. Thrawn." Spock moved one piece. "I admit, since your arrival and entrance into the academy, I've been monitoring your progress closely. You've exceeded many expectations."
"I only seek to preform to the best of my abilities, Mr. Spock." Thrawn took a second before he moved a piece of his own.
Both Spock and Thrawn were engaged in the game of 3-D chess and had been so for the last hour. Thrawn found the game to be intellectually challenging, especially with a skilled player as Spock.
"I must admit, even I did not expect the results of your performance in today's test. Aside from one, no one has ever managed to beat the test." Spock surmised, taking a moment to ponder his next move.
"That being Admiral Kirk, correct?" Thrawn guessed.
Spock nodded. "If I may be allowed to ask a question of a personal nature, Mr. Thrawn what exactly led you to perform your actions on the test?"
"I heard a great deal about the Kobayashi Maru scenario around the academy but aside from the cadets who were only able to guess, everyone else was astoundingly secretive about it. It led me to believe that out of the many tests and drills here in the Academy, this one test is unique. Especially for those who have potential to command a starship." Thrawn moved an upper piece. "Due to the experience of my people's own military academy, I could only surmise that the test would be targeting the nature of how a commanding officer would be placed in a difficult situation, such as the no-win scenario."
"You made a guess?" Spock raised an eyebrow.
"More of a theory than an actual guess. From the moment the test began it was clear that I was being presented with choices that would target my own ability to not only command a starship but to also consider the political ramifications such as the choice to either enter the Neutral Zone and risk war or ignore the distress call which would be against regulations as a Starfleet officer. I knew immediately from own experience as a commander in the Chiss defense force that I would have to make a choice." Thrawn began as Spock moved a piece. "From there on, the nature of the test became clear that as a Starfleet captain, I would potentially be forced to make dangerous choices for myself, my crew and even Starfleet as a whole. It is an interesting concept, and I approve of the method you use to drill the importance of these lessons into all recruits. As an officer of any organization, you must bear the weight of lives under your command and representing your people in every skirmish or first contact that could determine whether we take the paths to peace or war."
"An interesting philosophy, Mr. Thrawn." Spock admitted, moving a lower piece. "Still, I am curious to the maneuver you created. You seemed prepared to the point I wondered if you had anticipated what would happen."
"I admit, I studied the designs of your starships, specifically the Enterprise with great detail. Most of my studies where for the idea of that I could possibly submit an exchange of technologies with my people if First Contact was ever established and a chance for trade was offered. If my 'guess' to the Kobayashi Maru test was correct, I sought to consider every possible idea, no matter how unorthodox it might be. If conventional methods were ineffective, I had to consider an alternative method and the simulation was enough for me to test the idea of boosting the navigational deflector with power diverted from the warp engines." Thrawn moved one more piece. "I admit, it was more of a gambol then I wished to consider but the only one I was capable of formulating on such short notice."
"A gambol?" Spock raised his eyebrow. "Fascinating. Given your own history as a commander, you understand if Starfleet Command wishes that you refrain from anyone outside of the test of your solution."
"I perfectly understand, Mr. Spock." Thrawn nodded. "If my solution was well known, it would indeed render the effectiveness of the Kobayashi Maru scenario moot, but it would also make future commanders using such a maneuver and that was a risk itself in a simulation. I have no qualms about accepting a useful idea merely because it wasn't my own and I even hope one day, someone might find a more effective solution."
They moved their final pieces, and the game was over.
"A draw." Spock mused.
"It seems so, Mr. Spock." Thrawn admitted with an intrigued look in his eyes. "I find this game to be rather refreshing when playing against someone who is able to foresee and counter my movement."
"I am just one of many who is good at this game. I will admit, only Admiral Kirk has ever managed to play against me to a stalemate aside from the Enterprise computer." Spock mused.
"And you are the first to ever have managed to gain a stalemate with me in any game since my younger years." Thrawn admitted with a small smile. "I am almost…glad to have this opportunity."
