Not Quite Cornered

[madimpossibledreamer]

I know this is technically cheating, but given the day I'm going to have tomorrow I don't care.
(Also, because the Kobiyashi Maru was written wrong in the movie, and I could fix it.  And have been watching Bridge Crew.)
~Dreamer~

Main Points:
Star Trek (the 2009!movie verse) Cambion AU
Summary: A trial goes a bit differently...
Word Count: 1337 (no not kidding that's actually the word count)
Rating: Teen, probably

          They don’t let Pike sit on the trial board.  They don’t even explain much other than suddenly taking him from his office, shoving him in a room with a viewscreen, and locking the door.
          When the screen flickers on, showing what looks like a trial, Chris’ stomach plummets like he’s in freefall.  When Admiral Barnett says (at least in a neutral tone), “Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council suggesting that you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuant to Regulation 17.43 of the Starfleet Code.  Is there anything you’d like to say before we begin, son?” and he can see the trace of panic quickly and professionally wiped away in those blue eyes and the way he supposedly casually looks around the room but most importantly at the bench and Christopher knows that he’s looking for a certain Captain to speak on his behalf, Pike doesn’t bother hiding the anger on his face or clenching his fists in a manner that suggests violence.  He doesn’t lose his temper or start cursing Komack out, either.  It’s no leap of logic to say that there’s a camera in this room that a certain Admiral will be watching with glee later, but he’s not going to give the man any more satisfaction than he can possibly help, considering the man has appointed himself one of Jim’s judges.  What he’s feeling right now is the realization that oh, right, there was a Klingon ship, that’s why my starship is plummeting through the atmosphere.
          Fortunately, Kirk is as on board with the not giving satisfaction plan, because he calmly and professionally asks to see his accuser.  Of course, it’s a ludicrous accusation.  Jim would be offended by the very suggestion, because contrary to popular belief he does take his academics very, very seriously.  He just happens to have a semi-eidetic memory and doesn’t need to study as much as the average cadet.  The fact that he’s not looking more offended probably has a lot to do with the professional demeanor he’s adopted and the realization that, true or not, if Komack is behind this it’ll be difficult to not make it stick.
          The instant they say Spock’s name and he steps forward—wait.  What?  Surely the Vulcan wouldn’t have anything to do with it; Pike had thought about making him First Officer—
          Unless, a voice whispers in Pike’s ear.  Unless he’d been convinced that Jim didn’t belong here, and the evidence convinced him.  The two have clashing personalities.  In fact, Jim’s probably the sort that hurts Spock’s sensibilities by his very existence.
          They do the usual, mentioning Spock’s distinguished career.  Given that this is an academic trial, it’s notable that they don’t do the same for Kirk.  Bias about a person’s lifestyle, good or bad, has very little to do with the actual facts of a case, and yet it’s effective, so even after so many years it still keeps being used.
          And then they mention the Kobiyashi Maru, and the feeling of freefall is joined by icy certainty.  He’s not sure how, or why, but Jim did do it.  He’s been obsessed with the test ever since he failed the first time, determined that he won’t fail again.  Spock himself had wondered to Pike about the stubborn inability to face facts that the cadet betrayed, ignoring the personal trauma the test invoked.  George might not have been Jim’s biological father, but between that and the lectures about not dying Kirk would work himself into a coma trying to find his third option.
          “Cadet Kirk, you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code thereby changing the conditions of the test.”  Someone with no familiarity with the half-Vulcan would think there was no emotion involved.  Pike knows better.  That tone is, at the very least, irritated, but given what it takes for Spock to show emotion of any kind, he’s probably way beyond furious.
          Jim doesn’t try to defend himself.  Maybe not the smartest move, especially in suggesting that the test itself is a cheat (even though it really is).  A little humility might be what’s needed right now, but then, studying the smug look on Komack’s face—maybe even that wouldn’t work.
          And then Spock brings up George Kirk, and Pike can’t help but smack the table in fury.  Maybe it’s a good thing he wasn’t there, or he would’ve smacked the smug Commander in the face.  That’s below the belt, but then—that’s exactly what he’s going for, isn’t it?  Spock’s trying to evoke some sort of emotional response.  Jim gives him that, and he feels vindicated.  So that’s exactly what Jim can’t do.
          Still, Jim doesn’t give in to the fury that he must be feeling right now.  His expression disappears, and his voice is flat when he repeats, “I of all people.”
          His hands are a little white as he leans on the podium, but he still doesn’t give in, and that sort of self-control…
          It’s something Pike had been waiting for for a long time, to see this, and he’s still utterly shocked by it.  This kid could be a great Captain, if given the chance.
          If given the chance.
          Rather than respond to the textbook summary of his ‘father’s’ death, a moment that has haunted Jim all his life, the cadet breathes in quietly and shakes his head.  “You say I cheated.  But no situation is hopeless.  I refuse to believe in no-win scenarios.”  Spock’s expression hasn’t changed.
          “Then you failed to divine the purpose of the test,” he states.
          “No, I think you made it pretty clear after my first time taking it.”  Jim lets the slightest hint of anger creep into his voice, but he’s still carrying himself like a Captain.  “The purpose of the test is to teach us that some situations are hopeless.  That as Captain, sometimes, we should just give up and let ourselves and our crew and the people the Federation is supposed to protect die.”
          Spock shakes his head.  “No, you were supposed to do everything you could…”
          “…Which I did,” Jim agrees.  “I didn’t just give myself an automatic win.  I incorporated the best systems into my ship to make sure my ship and crew had the best chance at survival.  As many of the council probably know, I’m taking engineering classes as well.  When I can, I’ve been helping out Dr. Steve Reid, who you might remember as my tactical officer.  He’s been developing a Remote Intrusion System to override the systems of other ships.”
          Pike blinks and resists the urge to punch the air or grin manically.  That’s not cheating, that’s creative thinking.  Of course, the Admirals might disagree.
          Dr. Reid stands up before Jim can continue.  “I helped him, because he made a persuasive argument and I wanted to see a more controlled test of the system.”  He sits down.
          For the first time, Jim appears a little unsure.  “Of course, he wouldn’t have been involved if not for me.  As the Acting Captain I am responsible for the actions of my crew.”
          Spock’s irritation seems to have disappeared.  He seems intrigued, actually.  “Explain your process,” he demands, and Jim complies without complaint.
          “The first thing we had to do is decide which version of the system to emulate.  We decided to go for the last stable system.  From there, we had to try to perfectly emulate the system.  We had to make sure it worked exactly the same, including the likelihood of success.  I would’ve tried to include a function to talk to the Klingons, but that would’ve required more test cooperation than I had.”
          If Spock was human, he would’ve smiled.  “Indeed,” he agrees quietly.
          And then the trial is interrupted, and someone’s come to gather him and give him his own ship too, and as exciting as it is to get a beautiful ship like the Enterprise he’s worried about the fallout from what’s happening, but he isn’t given much chance to think about it.