Detailed synopses...

ENTERING THE NEUTRAL ZONE A shocked Commander Sulu reminds the Captain that if a starship enters the zone, they will be in violation of the treaty. Saavik is aware of her responsibilities and the helmsman have no choice but to follow orders. Upon entering the zone, Spock reminds Saavik that they are in violation of treaty. Saavik ignores this warning and orders transporter room to prepare to beam survivors aboard. Soon, Commander Uhura loses contact with the Kobayashi Maru. Soon, the computer informs the cadets that three Klingon cruisers are in range and in attack formation. Saavik raises the shields and informs Uhura to inform the Klingons that they are on a rescue mission. However, the Klingons are in no mood for talk as they jam all frequencies.

"NOT A FAIR CHANCE" Kirk realizes that Saavik is still on the Bridge, while the others, the junior officers, have hastily retreated to the Briefing Room. "Well, are you gonna stay with the sinking ship, Mr. Saavik?" Kirk asks. Saavik is clearly distressed by her performance to the Admiral. She asks for permission to speak freely, and when granted, informs the Admiral that this was not a fair chance of her command abilities. Kirk wonders why that is, and Saavik replies that there was no chance to win. Kirk soon reminds her that there may be a time when the Commander doesn't have the luxury of winning, thus the object lesson for the Kobayashi-Maru simulation. Kirk also reminds Saavik that commanding a Starship can also have a life-and-death situation, which did not cross Saavik's mind whilst in the center chair. Kirk leaves her to ponder about that situation.

EVALUATION OF HIS CREW'S PERFORMANCE Outside the simulation room, Kirk runs into Spock, who is stone faced with anxiety, of course a Vulcan would not feel emotions. Kirk assumes that he is loitering around the simulation room to find out the performance ratings of his crew. Spock is curious. Kirk tells him that they destroyed half the simulator room and equipment. Spock reminds the Admiral that the scenario often does have a negative effect on equipment and the room, as the Admiral should be well aware. Just as they come to a TurboLift, Kirk thanks Spock for his gift, an ancient text entitled "A Tale of Two Cities", by Charles Dickens. Kirk wonders if the gift has any sentimental value to it. He reads the first line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Kirk demands a logical explanation, and Spock just replies that it is the best of times as it is the Admiral's birthday. Kirk does not need to be reminded as his mood changes. Soon, Spock is called away to the Enterprise, saved by the bell for the Admiral, who feels embarrassed that he is getting old.

BEWARE ROMULANS BEARING GIFTS Later in his cabin, as Kirk is overlooking the great San Francisco Bay, he gets a visit by Doctor McCoy, who bears him a perfectly wrapped gift. Kirk takes it gratefully and McCoy adhores him with "Happy Birthday, Jim." As Kirk is opening his present, he realizes that it is a bottle of Romulan Ale, illegal within the Federation. McCoy explains that he has a cargo that supplies him the potent alcohol to him now and then again, for medicinal purposes. As Bones takes the bottle, he hands Kirk another wrapped gift. Kirk hopes that it isn't Klingon aphrodisiacs this time. Kirk realizes that it isn't as it is an old-style 19th Century glasses. Another reminder of Kirk's growing age, which the Admiral doesn't need to be reminded of. Bones soon hands Kirk a glass of the Romulan ale and the two friends take a sip.

IN ORBIT OF CETI ALPHA VI USS Reliant is in orbit of Ceti Alpha VI to search for a lifeless planet for the Genesis experiment, as explained in the ship's log by Commander Pavel Chekov, formerly an Ensign on board the USS Enterprise. Starship Log, Stardate 8130.4. Commander Pavel Chekov reporting. Starship Reliant in orbit of Ceti Alpha VI in connection with Project Genesis enquiry. We are continuing our search for a lifeless planet to satisfy the requirements of the Genesis Project. So far, no success. On the Bridge, Captain Terrell informs his helmsman to maintain orbit. Soon, he asks his science officer for a report, who reports that the planet is desolate of life, surrounded by craylon gas and sand, which indicates a major ecological disaster. Chekov, already bored in his new assignment, asks if the planet has to be completely lifeless. Soon he informs his captain that he picked up a minor lifeform fluctuation on one dynoscanner. Captain Terrell thinks it is something that can be transplanted. He informs Commander Kyle, another former Enterprise crewmember, to contact Dr. Carol Marcus, leader of the Genesis Project, for her opinion.

ON CETI ALPHA V Captain Terrell and Commander Chekov beam down to the surface of Ceti Alpha V, not realizing that it isn't Ceti Alpha VI. The surface of the planet is a barren sand heap, covered by swirling wind, inhospitable. Commander Chekov thinks that their landing place is the garden of Ceti Alpha VI, however, his tricorder may be malfunctioning. As the two Commanding Officers roam the surface of Ceti Alpha V, they soon discover something. They discover an abandoned ancient spacecraft of sometype. Captain Terrell soon identifies it as a cargo carrier of some kind. The two officers soon enter the abandoned spacecraft.

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