[video | memory theater]

[hischair]

[ The memory kicks in with Jim and Leonard in their cadet uniforms, the latter trying to get through to his distracted friend. There's a sense of needing to be active and occupied until he takes the Kobayashi Maru test again tomorrow, higher stakes pitted on his side this time; his feet lead him to Gaila's room where he wastes some time before Nyota Uhura returns ("You can hear me breathing?") and kicks him out.

The scene flickers to the set of the Kobayashi Maru, Spock's old program, and from Jim's perspective he's being more attentive than he looks where he's lounging in the captain's chair. The subroutine goes as planned while he holds off inputting any more commands, thereby activating it via newly installed pathways through Gaila's stolen codes, and he munches cheerily on an apple as he swans around his bewildered fake crew, chomping loudly and obnoxiously as he glances up to the instructors above.

Third time's a charm, he thinks smugly, taking a bigger bite. ]



( OOC: Jim's memories are broadcasting of the Kobayashi Maru, an exam at Starfleet Academy. It runs at 29:32-33:11 on the nosvideo link, not including the hearing after. If the HD link doesn't work, try this! Jim is unaware of the post at the time of it hitting the network. )

Comments

[mortemscintilla]

[ There's a beat to file the information on the video away. Not because he's planning to play an angle, but because it's training and instinct. When he switches the device on, he summons 'Li's look of wide-eyed nervousness. ]

...Um.

I'm sure you've already been made aware. But your life is flashing before everyone else's eyes. [ Li, Li, Li. There are better ways to phrase that 8| ]

[hischair]

It's okay, it's nothing terrible. I gather this happens sometimes, one of those curses.

[mortemscintilla]

It's a curse, yes. Part of the weekend's mixed theme. Everyone gets a different one.

[ ... ]

You really seem to like apples.

[hischair]

Nah, it was lunchtime and that was all I could sneak in. Relished the moment though, sure.

[mortemscintilla]

What exactly is the, um, Kobayashi Maru? Some sort of final-exam for Starfleet members?

[ It's almost amusing, the idea of a structured and sterile simulation, trying to emulate the risks in-field. Hei has grown up as a child-soldier in the thick of a war-zone. If there's one thing he's learnt, it's that even the best training can't prepare you for the practicalities -- the volatility -- of the battlefield. Psychological guidelines are useless when the Rules Of Engagement are just a rumor -- and a distant one at best. ]

[hischair]

No, it's a test to see how well would-be captains react to getting their vessel destroyed. You can't win no matter what you do, and the simulation provides the experience of getting people killed. Failing.

Except I didn't want to go down like that.

[mortemscintilla]

I see. So it's like a zugzwang.

You don't believe in failure. [ What a curious thing you are, Mr. Kirk. But perhaps he can relate. ] At least that means you're more liable to watch out for your crew, too.

[hischair]

Zugzwang? Feels like I should be saying Bless You. What is that?

[ He offers a shrug. ]

I believe in failure, but it's ... more that I don't think there's never a chance of winning.

[mortemscintilla]

It's a move in chess, sir. Basically you're forced into a corner, and any move you make will be a disadvantageous one. It's part of a combinatorial game theory.

[ In a more careful tone, ]

What would you have done if you did lose, though? [ During the Kobayashi Maru. During a real-life event. The question is open-ended. ]

[hischair]

You're best off talking official chess strategies with my first officer, I've always had a more unique approach.

[ And he wins as much as Spock, so he counts himself as a decent player. ]

If I had lost? Died in theory.

[mortemscintilla]

[ There's a little wince. ]

This test sounds like serious business. [ There's a beat, before he ventures, ] So ... how exactly did you win? Or is that a secret?

[hischair]

I won because I didn't want to lose, in short.

[ Hah, like he'll admit the intricacies to a stranger, but Jim doesn't mind taking all the credit for his own genius. ]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Omg Jim what did you do was it illegal!!? :< ]

Fair enough. [ Sheepishly, ] It's not really my business.