Kathryn's Maru

Unofficial Literary Challenge 1 - The Kobayashi Maru
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Kathryn glanced at the operations display over her left shoulder. The image of the Constitution-class ship was dotted with red flashing lights, signifying damage. It was not a pretty picture. 

The simulation was putting her through the paces though and sweat dripped from the stress and from the heat of the controlled fires on the bridge. Her bridge crew was also in various states of smudge and sweat. One even played dead on the bridge after his console erupted in sparks, signifying a catastrophic EPS conduit failure.

"Target status report!" Kathryn refocused her attention to the task at hand. The Kobayashi Maru had taken damage from the Klingon attack and her crew was able to destroy one Klingon ship and cripple a second one, but the third was being particularly elusive, especially for a K'Tinga-class cruiser. Although Kathryn decided on the oft-used tactic of head-on combat, she was proud her flying orders had kept her ship alive and firing.

A Bolian from the tactical station replied, "shields down to twenty-five percent, port nacelle venting plasma, but he's still flying sharp."

"Thank you Nebar. Weapons, keep putting pressure, to stop that ship from getting closer to the Maru. I don't care for hits, just keep them away." Krysta'alin nodded as she waved off a puff of smoke from behind her. "Ops, status of theMaru."

Carranza quickly replied, "heavy structural damage, shields down, they are requesting emergency transport."

"Tell them we are on our -"

"New warp signature inbound!" Nebar’s interruption caught everyone on the bridge off-guard. Even the 'dead' crewman turned his head toward the viewscreen. 

The Kobayshi Maru was joined by a Brigand Cruiser. Carranza reported, "reading multiple transporter signals!"

Kathryn response was immediate, "Helm, take us to the Maru. Weapons, concentrate firepower to the engines, that ship is not going anywhere!"

"Captain, bogey three is turning for an intercept course to the Maru."

"Thank you, Nebar, but I'm sure we'll get there first."

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The training commander tossed the PADD onto the desk. It slapped the surface without bouncing and slid toward Kathryn, resting for her to see the small script. She glanced at it to be formal but she knew what it read, then looked back to the wall behind the commander.

"I'm curious what you think of the results."

Kathryn swallowed a little before responding. "The test was unfair."

The commander rolled his eyes. "Please humor me, by telling me something original."

Clearing her throat and sitting up straighter, Kathryn said, "what I mean is a variable was introduced not typical for the test."

"Ah, yes. The Orions. Your tactic was to intercept their ship, disable the engines ... and then what?"

"Once the Brigand was immobilized, then we would attempt to finish off the K'Tinga. If that was done, then a MACO team would be sent to the Brigand to rescue the Maru crew.

The commander reclined in his chair "Attempt. If. You were taking chances on chance, wouldn't you say?"

Kathryn shrugged her shoulders. "Given the situation, those are all I had."

"I see. If you plan to sit in the command chair of a vessel in Starfleet, then I recommend not getting used to shrugging shoulders."

"I -," Kathryn cut herself short when she noticed the commander's raised eyebrows. "Yes, sir."

There was a moment of silence before the commander spoke again. "Cadet Beringer, I've read your dossier from Counselor A'Mand. Consider this experience a warning to you: don’t let your personal feelings get in the way of your duties. Duty to Starfleet before duty to self, do you understand?"

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Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Training Commander - Bill Murray
Bridge crew - random street extras
Mentioned but not seen - Counselor A'Mand - Lynn Collins