In 2285 at Starfleet Academy, Admiral Kirk is busy training new cadets. Among the cadets is Saavik, a young protégée of Spock's, who feels that she has failed the Kobayashi Maru — a no-win scenario test used to evaluate potential commanders. Kirk advises the young Vulcan that all commanders at some point must face a "no-win" situation. Saavik, displaying her willingness to become a reliable commander, pilots the U.S.S. Enterprise out of spacedock on a routine cadet training exercise.