It's kind of thrilling to be able to ask a computer to put you through a test. Not sure why, really, but it is. Generally, I don't like being tested, but this sounds interesting. I was shocked to see the computer played along when you asked to choose between two options, and then refused to choose between those options. I guess you're the boss, so you can do what you want, and it has to accept that. But that kind of cheapens the test, if you don't have to play by the rules, doesn't it? Hahah.

Question: How does the program decide what the outcome will be? Does it decide randomly? Does it make a decision based on all available information? Does it ask itself "what would Gene Roddenberry do?"

I think it's unrealistic the Romulans would go for that. Part of the setup is that the Romulans have already decided their intention and communicated it to you. You essentially sent back another message saying "no thanks, I'm going with my own plan". Would that really work with Romulans? If this were a Star Trek episode, and the author wanted the Romulans to reconsider their decision, I think the Starfleet captain would have tried something other than "I disagree, not gonna do it!" Perhaps he would have brought forward some information about the situation the Romulans didn't have, which might get them to recalculate. Simply "nah" doesn't ring true for me, after 30+ years of Star Trek : P

But hey, the computer went along with it... so all good! In fact, it congratulated you on not playing within the rules. Nice!

Engage!