The Universe Doesn't Cheat

"The Universe Doesn't Cheat" is a one-shot story in StarSword's Bait and Switch 'verse, starring Kanril Eleya. It is the sixth story in publishing order and the second chronologically. It was written for Unofficial Literary Challenge #1.

Summary

Fresh off the Borg surprise attack on the Vega colony, Brevet Lieutenant Commander Kanril Eleya, acting captain of the USS Kagoshima, must pass the Kobayashi Maru scenario to confirm her right to command.

Memorable quotes

"[Kanril's] got potential. Now, she’s got a temper, she’s coarse—seriously, she swears a lot—and she’s a straight shooter without a lot of subtlety. On the other hand, she’s smart and she thinks on her feet, she doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and she’s fiercely loyal to her friends. You know I’ve been an advocate of the accelerated OCS program since its inception? Kanril was my favorite student."

— Captain Haelivthras th'Shvrashli

"The universe is not fair, Commander Kanril."

"Your logic is fallacious, sir."

"Excuse me?"

"False analogy fallacy. The universe doesn’t cheat."

— Captain Sivuk, Lieutenant T'Var, Commander Steven Hackett, and Kanril Eleya

References

Characters

Brenth Arkad • Baines • Brota • Daniels • Bynam Ehrob • G'Sten • Justine Haas • Steven Hackett • M'raak • Tesjha Phohl • Birail Riyannis • Haelivthras th'Shvrashli • T'Var • James Taylor

Referenced only

Sivana Dica • James T. Kirk • Jean-Luc Picard • Hikaru Sulu

Locations

Starfleet Academy

Referenced only

Starbase 179 • Vega colony

Races and cultures

Andorian • Bajoran • Bolian • Caitian • human • Klingon • Trill

Referenced only

Borg • Catullan

Ranks and titles

brevet • captain • commander • ensign • lieutenant • petty officer • rear admiral • vice admiral

Referenced only

cadet

Starships and vehicles

D7 class battlecruiser (D7A and D7C variants) • USS Constitution (Constitution-class) • USS Kobayashi Maru (Ptolemy-class) • VoDleh-class battleship

Referenced only

USS Kagoshima (Shi'Kahr-class)

States and organizations

Klingon Empire • Klingon Defense Force • Starfleet • Starfleet Academy Board • United Federation of Planets

Referenced only

Borg Collective

Technology and weapons

hologram • Kobayashi Maru scenario • PADD • phaser array • photon torpedo • saucer separation • torpedo launcher

Other references

Cardassian language • Officer Candidate School • tlhIngan Hol

External links

• "The Universe Doesn't Cheat" on the Star Trek Online forums
• Story:B&S/The Universe Doesn't Cheat article at Memory Gamma