Naruto: Infinity Divide
Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Because it was asked, the Steel City is from my imagination. Nothing canon is involved. Here is chapter 58. Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
[ ] Signifies a foreign language
…
Last time:
Stardate 2279.060, U.S.S. Wolverine, Ship's Staff Room
Captain Naruto M'Fau was addressing his excited staff. "Starfleet Command has agreed that we should go to Sheffield 3 and explore the floating city there."
"Yes!" whispered Samui as she and Rafi high fived.
Alison said, "We should redouble our efforts on that probe then. There is bound to be data upon it about the Steel City."
"Steel City?" asked Mabui.
Kloene spoke up. "That's what the probe's databank calls it. Steel City or Metal City. We don't have an exact translation yet."
"How many days will it take to get to the Sheffield 3 System?" asked Commander Whitaker.
"It will take nine days at warp factor 4." answered Rafi.
Doctor Fairbanks said, "Then that gives us nine days to study that probe."
Shelly Wilson grinned. "The Etzel passed up a golden opportunity."
"Commander Gibson was simply being cautious." said Commander Kumo with a smile.
"His loss is our gain." said Ino. "Maybe there are records of an ancient civilization there."
Amelia was a bit trepidatious of the whole idea but found herself caught up in the excitement of the crew.
Adjourning to the bridge Naruto took his command chair and said, "Lieutenant Schrodinger. Lay in a course for the Sheffield 3 System."
"Course laid in Captain." reported Samui.
Naruto nodded with a tiny smile. "Rafi, ahead warp factor 4."
The fast cruiser shot off in a rainbow flash of light…
…
Chapter 58
Stardate 2279.068, Federation Territory, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
Science Officer's Log, Stardate 2279.068; Doctor Alison Fairbanks reporting. The U.S.S. Wolverine is a few hours away from the Sheffield 3 System. The probe we recovered has an exhaustive history on it which we are translating. As a result, we have uncovered a great deal of information about the people that inhabited the Steel City. They were known as the Machu and were specialists in one thing above all else: War. That isn't to say they were particularly warlike, but rather they were mercenaries. The Machu were created to fight wars by another, unknown humanoid race that utilized them for centuries as their warriors.
For whatever reason, the Machu's parent race was wiped out leaving the Machu to their own devices. As a result, the Machu sought out other worlds over the centuries and offered their services as warriors to many peoples throughout their native quadrant which we have yet to determine. The Steel City itself was the equivalent of o mobile Starbase and was apparently one of many.
Something went wrong at Steel City however and it lost contact with the other Machu. The data is not clear, but we hypothesize it may have fallen into a wormhole or the like. When this happened is currently one of the many mysteries we are trying to unravel as their records of recording time are totally alien to us being based upon the lunar cycles of their predecessor's home system which was lost even to them.
We have also discovered that the Machu chose to go to sleep at that time until the right time to wake up comes. It is possible that the Steel City is a great sleeper ship as a result. It may actually be a necropolis. We simply do not know at this point. One thing is certain; the Machu put all of this data in this probe hoping it would be discovered presumably by another Machu. It will be fascinating finding out exactly who the Machu are or were…
…
Stardate 2279.069, Sheffield 3 System, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Staff Room
"Sheffield 3 is pretty lifeless." said Maya Ayasugi. "Previous surveys of the system have been extensive due to mining interests. It's a classic red dwarf system with two small terrestrial planets orbiting very close to the star. They are both fast moving chunks of molten rock. In the orbital area where liquid water could exist is Steel City. Beyond that is a thin asteroid belt. That's it. The survey was done 9 years ago so we know Steel City arrived here in the last nine years."
Naruto asked Alison, "Doctor Fairbanks, is there any correlation on a timescale?"
The redhead explained, "They measured their arrival as two full and three-quarter moons ago. The science staff believes that their cycles of measurement are based on two lunar orbits because they always list things in pairs. Unfortunately, that still doesn't give us a time scale to work with. It's just another part of the mystery to unravel."
"What is our current ETA?" asked Commander Kumo. "At least from what the U.S.S. Etzel sent us it's a massive, inert hunk of metal."
"We'll be in the Steel City orbit in thirty minutes." said Samui. "As for the Etzel she remained at maximum sensor range. We know at least an automatic probe launcher has been active recently which means a computer of some sort is online."
"We must approach it with caution." said Shizuka. "If the Steel City belonged to a warrior race, then no doubt it has defenses even if they are inactive."
"We are in total agreement Lieutenant Nadeshiko." said Naruto. "We will be approaching it very carefully."
That was when they heard a proximity alert and Amelia Whitaker's voice came over the speaker, "Captain to bridge, another vessel is in our maximum scanning range. It is also on a direct course for the Steel City. They are changing course directly towards us."
Naruto responded immediately. "I'm on my way."
The primary bridge crew had just settled into their positions on the bridge when M'rella said, "Incoming transmission from the approaching vessel. They identify themselves as the Tholian Cruiser Akkrev and demand to speak with you. Naruto raised an eyebrow and said, "Put them in screen."
A sleek, twin hulled Tholian Cruiser looking like two triangular wedge shapes flying in parallel came into view*① on the screen before it was replaced with the crystalline features of a Tholian being. His orange red color was visible on the screen and the background on the bridge of the cruiser shimmered in the extreme internal heat of the ship. The Tholian said, "Federation vessel, this is commander Kisok of the Tholian Cruiser Akkrev. The Tholian Holdfast claims all rights to the large space station in this system. In the name of the Holdfast and the Assembly I order you to leave this system immediately."
Naruto's eyes narrowed as his crew wondered what he was going to do. The Tholians were known to viciously protect what was theirs. The blonde Vuclcan said in an iron tone. "This is Captain Naruto M'Fau of the U.S.S. Wolverine, The United Federation of Planets does not recognize your claim to the Steel City. You have violated Federation space and are far from the Tholian Holdfast's Territory. If you do not withdraw back to Tholian Territory a maximum speed immediately you will be destroyed."
"Those are strong words Captain M'Fau." said Kisok menacingly.
"I'm giving you a chance to leave peacefully Captain Kisok." said Naruto. "You now know the consequences if you don't."
…
Tholian vessel Akkrev
Captain Kisok turned to his first officer Commander Losek and said, "Your thoughts Commander?"
Losek shook his head. "The only Federation Captain with a strong will and we have the misfortune of running into him. I don't recognize the configuration of that cruiser either. Do you think it's a new type?"
Kisok replied, "I believe it is one of their so-called fast cruisers but beyond that I know little else about the type. We have been charged with the task of claiming that massive mobile city regardless. We must prevail. Go to condition red, let us see what they are made of."
…
U.S.S. Wolverine
"Sensors show their shields are raising and they are arming their weapons sir." said Alison.
"Then let us do the same." said Naruto. "Go to red alert. This will cost the Tholians dearly."
Commander Whitaker asked, "Why do you say that sir?"
The blonde Vulcan stated, "This will be a diplomatic disaster for the Tholians entering our territory so blatantly and more importantly their ship production is very slow. They can't afford to lose a cruiser hull. If they want a battle, then we will give them one." He turned to M'rella and said, "Signal Starbase 15 that we are engaging the Akkrev in the Sheffield 3 System."
"Aye sir." said M'rella as she quickly relayed the message.
…
Tholian vessel Akkrev
"Open fire with disruptors at maximum range." said Captain Kisok. "These Federation fools don't know who they are messing with."
…
U.S.S. Wolverine
"So they want to pound us at long range." said Naruto. Lieutenant Rafi, bring us to a halt and begin retrograding. Shizuka, begin cycling our two photon torpedoes in proximity mode*②."
Samui smiled and said, "Reverse course across the system plotted sir."
"Put us in reverse Rafi." said Naruto.
Amelia Whitaker asked, "We're employing the Kaufman Retrograde*③ sir?"
"Yes." answered the blonde. "We'll get outside the range of their disruptors and pound them at longer ranges with our proximity photons. The more speed they try to use to catch us, the more damage they will take. No matter how much they slow down or speed up we can match them with our excess warp power. Back us towards the asteroid field Rafi. That will punish the Tholians even worse."
…
Tholian vessel Akkrev
"The Federation ship is backing out of our disruptor range." said Losek. "They are retrograding."
Kisok growled, "We have to catch them! It's just a delaying tactic so more Federation ships can arrive."
"Incoming photon torpedoes sir." said the helmsman. The Akkrev shook as her front shields absorbed the damage.
"Fire disruptors!" said Kisok.
"Out of effective range sir." replied their gunnery officer.
The Captain was getting irritated as his ship shook again from another photon torpedo hit. "Increase speed helmsman!"
The Akkrev shook again, and the science officer said, "They have matched their speed with ours."
…
U.S.S. Wolverine
"They've sped up again." said Rafi with a grin.
"Keep matching their speed changes Rafi." said Naruto. "Reinforce the rear shields when we hit the asteroid field."
Amelia said, "Entering an asteroid belt at this speed-"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Have faith in Lieutenant Rafi's skills at the helm. She'll get us through with the asteroid field with minimal damage."
…
Tholian vessel Akkrev
"They've entered the asteroid field sir." Said the helmsman. "We must slow down."
"Damn them!" roared Kisok. "We are taking a beating." Another photon hit them and then another. "Pursue them into the field!"
The Akkrev slammed into the microparticles hard as they maneuvered through the asteroids with photons torpedoes dogging them the whole way for the next ten minutes. "The Federation vessel is slowing down!" said the helmsman with a cheer.
"Shunt power into the disruptors!" roared Captain Kisok. "We have them now."
That's when two massive explosions hit the Akkrev and blew her forward shields to ribbons. The Tholian cruiser was a gutted wreck when she drifted to a stop having hit two mines from the Wolverine at high speed…
…
U.S.S. Wolverine
Naruto looked grimly at the demolished Akkrev and said, "Fire all phasers." The Tholian cruiser barely survived the point-blank alpha strike from the phasers of the Wolverine.
M'rella said, "The Akkrev is hailing us."
"On screen." said Naruto.
"It's audio only sir." replied the Caitian beauty.
"Pipe them through." said Naruto.
A crackled transmission came through. "This is First Officer Losek of the Tholian Cruiser Akkrev. "Our Captain is dead and we are crippled beyond all reckoning. We will withdraw to Holdfast territory and trouble you no more. Please let us go."
"This is Captain Narato M'Fau of the U.S.S. Wolverine. You knew the consequences and now you will pay the price." He turned to Shizuka and said, "Finish them."
Eight phasers lashed out and the Akkrev was reduced to cosmic dust…
…
Ship's Log, Stardate 2279.069; Captain Naruto M'Fau reporting. The U.S.S. Wolverine is none the worse for wear after our battle with the Tholian Holdfast Cruiser Akkrev. Our shields are in need of repair but that will only take a few hours to fully restore them. We have returned to our actual mission now of studying the Steel City. I have to wonder personally why the Tholians came so far outside of their territory. It has led our staff to speculate that the Steel City may have been within the Tholian Holdfast for a time…
…
Starbase 15
Admiral Danzo Shimura was thrilled to hear of the destruction of the Cruiser Akkrev as he personally hated the Tholians with a passion. The Admiral had already read the official report from Naruto (which was very brief and to the point). He was currently reading the report from Lieutenant Commander Whitaker about the action with the Tholians.
Message To: Admiral Danzo Shimura
From: Lieutenant Commander Amelia Whitaker
RE: Battle of Sheffield 3, Stardate 2279.069
Captain Naruto and the crew of the of the U.S.S. Wolverine handled the battle with the Tholian Cruiser Akkrev with great expertise and skill. The Wolverine never took anything but damage to her shields whereas the Tholian ship (theoretically equal to a Federation Heavy Cruiser) was utterly destroyed. Captain Naruto showed a certain ruthlessness in his character that I did not expect from a Vulcan.
A full battle report is included, and the tactics employed were textbook perfect. In my humble opinion the Tholians never stood a chance. I believe we can count on Captain Naruto as an ally in the future.
-Lieutenant Commander Amelia Whitaker
…
U.S.S. Wolverine, Captain's Ready Room
Captain Naruto M'Fau was looking over a holographic projection of the Steel City and its numerous "T" shaped towers. There were no signs of power and no signs of life as the massive disk-shaped city orbited serenely around Sheffield 3. Their data showed the Steel City to be about five times the diameter of a Federation Space Dock like Starbase 1 that orbited planet Earth. It was only fifteen times the mass though. He watched as more data came in by the second.
Steel City Estimated Specifications:
Diameter: 19,800 meters
Height (Main): 4,600 meters
Height (Overall): 7,800 meters
Mass: 1,260,000,000 metric tons
Inscribed on the construct we many symbols but the largest of them translated into STEEL CITY 031 in reference to it being the 31st of its type built. It dwarfed anything the Federation even contemplated building to date. The city's edges were lined with eight items equidistant from each other that looked like colossal thruster ports and divided the city into eight easily defined divisions, one of which (Number 4) was completely barren except for rows and rows of massive doors…one of which was open.
Engineering was positive these were docking berths for starships but sciences thought it was possible they were simply unfinished construction sites. Either way it was a good place to start exploring. Naruto deactivated the holographic projector and went to the bridge…
…
As the Wolverine slowly orbited the Steel City at range scanning for data, the massive construct itself remained inert and silent as a tomb. The dark, metallic city showed absolutely no signs of life or power. M'rella turned to Naruto and said, "We just entered short wave transmission range Captain. Shall I begin sending out the Universal Peace message on the same frequency as the probe sir?"
Naruto nodded. "Begin transmission M'rella. Long wave transmissions have drawn no response, but we are much closer now. Perhaps something will happen."
"Transmitting." replied the beautiful Caitian. There was a pregnant pause before a signal returned to them visually. One of the T shaped towers lit up brightly. M'rella's eyes widened. "I'm receiving a short-range transmission!"
"On screen M'rella." said Naruto.
The screen showed a being with a cloak and hood with a full mirror facemask that hid any features the being may have had with the exception of it being humanoid. It said in an electronic voice. "This is Steel City Control. Identify yourselves please."
Naruto replied, "Steel City Control, this is Captain Naruto M'Fau aboard U.S.S. Wolverine of the United Federation of Planets. We come in peace and wish to contact the Machu."
"Do you have work for the Machu?" asked the being.
"We hope to open friendly relations with the Machu as your city has entered our territory." said Naruto.
The being paused as if deliberating and said, "Your answer is acceptable. Docking bay 27 will open for you U.S.S. Wolverine. Stand by."
The Number 4 section of Steel city lit up and a docking bay with the number 27 slowly opened showing a well-lit berth within. "Their sensors just activated. They are scanning us." said Shizuka.
The blonde Vulcan said "Easy Lieutenant Nadeshiko. They are curious about us as we are them."
The being on screen said, "Docking Bay 27 pressurized. Atmosphere on U.S.S. Wolverine is 97% similar to that of the Machu. Gravity pylons activated. Tractor guidance beams activated. Atmospheric prssurization in docking bay 27 is complete."
The Wolverine shook slightly. "They have us in a low power tractor beam sir." said Samui. Lasers shot out of the Steel City that illuminated a path to Docking Bay 27.
"Do you require tractor guidance U.S.S. Wolverine?" asked the being.
Naruto answered, "We would prefer to dock manually Steel City Control."
The being said, "This is Steel City Control; manual docking acknowledged. A representative will be waiting for you once you are safely docked."
"Understood." replied the blonde hybrid. "Rafi, one quarter impulse power. Take us in."
Within ten minutes the Wolverine was safely within Docking Bay 27 at station keeping. "Gravity pylons have engaged sir." said Samui. "We are safely docked."
"The atmosphere around the ship is now fully pressurized." said Alison. "A gangplank is extending from the dock to the nose of the ship."
"It seems our representative is walking out to greet us." said Shizuka as a 3-meter-tall humanoid walked down the gangplank to the Wolverine. It stopped at the edge of the ship and waited.
Naruto said, "If the atmosphere is safe, we should walk out and greet this being."
Within minutes an away team made up of Naruto M'Fau, Shelly Wilson, Alison Fairbanks and Shizuka Nadeshiko walked out across the hull of the Wolverine and stopped in front of the tall being which said in a smooth mechanical voice, "I am the designated representative of the Machu. Please address me as Representative." It too had a featureless mirror facemask that hid any form of identity. "May I know how to address you?"
Naruto quickly introduced the members of the away team and the Representative said, "Please follow me Captain M'Fau and party. I welcome you to Steel City 031."
Doctor Wilson asked, "Are all of your people mechanical?"
The Representative replied, "All caretaker units are synthetic beings. As we do not age like the Machu it is our duty to watch over them while they sleep."
"Fascinating." whispered Alison. "Then your form…It emulates the Machu?"
"The Machu created us after the Steel City was lost in space time but before they decided to go into hibernation." explained the Representative. "They created us in their image excepted for our faces. They gave us full facial scanners instead. That and we a gender neutral of course."
The tall droid added, "As the Representative I must establish your relationship with the crystalline beings that identify themselves as Tholians. We temporarily stopped in their territory, and they tried to claim ownership over the Machu. As a result, we were forced to leave their region of space."
Naruto explained, "The Tholians are an isolationist and xenophobic race that we try to remain on neutral terms with but if we enter the Tholian Holdfast they guard it viciously. They are likewise forbidden to enter Federation Territory by treaty and the vessel we destroyed hours ago was in violation of that agreement."
"Then they are your enemies?" asked the Representative.
"It would be more appropriate to say they are not our friends rather than true enemies." said Naruto. "We want no quarrel with them and they prefer to keep to themselves."
"I understand." said the Representative. "The Machu wish no quarrel with them either, but they aggressively attacked us in an effort to seize our technology. We feared we would have to awaken the Machu to defend Steel City but we caretakers were able avoid the problem by withdrawing."
"Would the Machu be interested in staying within Federation Territory?" asked Alison. "Such a thing might be mutually beneficial to our peoples."
"The caretakers would have to reflect on such a move before making a decision." said the Representative. "I find the idea intriguing however as we do not know exactly where we are in relation to our home systems."
The group was soon looking at a map of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Representative explained, "This area is where we come from."
"And this is approximately where we are now." said Doctor Fairbanks as she pointed to a void area on the opposite side of the Milky Way. "Your map of the galaxy seems…incomplete."
"The Machu never studied much beyond our own territories." replied the Representative. "Perhaps your knowledge could help us."
…
Ship's Log, Stardate 2279.076; Captain Naruto M'Fau reporting. Over the past week, we and The Machu Caretakers have negotiated an information exchange in hopes that both peoples may benefit. We have agreed to help them chart a way home and in exchange for our star chart information they have agreed to give us information on some of their advanced construction techniques.
The materials used in the construction of the Steel City are all known to us except for their singularity drive (which is a closely guarded secret). Regardless, their methods of constructing things are radically different from our own. I have personally learned a great deal from them on starship design alone.
Between our Science and Engineering Staffs we have learned a great deal of new information that could help us safeguard our future…
…
Stardate 2279.076, Sheffield 3 System, U.S.S. Wolverine
Admiral Shimura was on an encrypted channel talking to Naruto in his ready room. Danzo wanted to recruit the Machu into the Federation to fight the Klingons and was not happy that the crew of the Wolverine was not making efforts to do so.
The blonde hybrid said, "While I agree with you that they would make powerful allies Admiral, the most I could do at this point is to turn them over to the Diplomatic Corps. They might be able to cement a Treaty of Alliance with the Machu but the caretaker's overriding goal is to go home."
Shimura was exasperated. "Why not offer them a new home instead?"
Naruto replied, "I already mentioned the Federation was in a position to offer them a place to stay but the Representative of the caretakers said they would reflect and deliberate on the matter among themselves for many weeks before they could come to a decision on such a thing. They have asked to move further away from the Tholian Holdfast though which is why I contacted you to begin with sir."
"Well why didn't you just say so Captain?" asked Danzo. "We could use this to our advantage."
"I don't have the authority to offer them a system to settle in even on a temporary basis Admiral." said Naruto. "The logical thing to do would be to find someone that does and see if arrangements can be made."
Shimura narrowed his eyes and said, "Then what system should we offer them logically Captain?"
The blonde thought for a moment and then brought up a star map. "The Cherubim System. It's technically owned by Starfleet for use as botanical system development and only a few scientists actually live there. There is nothing of value and it is nearby. The Steel City would be close by but far enough away from the Tholians and still under Starbase 15's jurisdiction."
Danzo blinked and looked up the Cherubim System and said, "I see that would be a good place for them to park that city. It seems I underestimated your resourcefulness, Captain Naruto. Very good. Make it happen under my authority Captain."
"Understood sir." replied the Vulcan hybrid.
…
Stardate 2279.080, Cherubim System, U.S.S. Wolverine
Steel City was currently parked in orbit of Cherubim IV, an icy Class M world that was being used for botanical testing. Naruto's negotiation skills were put to the test but as machines the Machu caretakers were open to logical ideas and arguments and the blonde (Under Admiral Shimura's aegis) was able to get the caretakers of Steel City 031 to agree to move to the Cherubim System with the agreement that they would watch over Federation interests there. This was considered a huge diplomatic victory and a tentative alliance between the Federation and the Machu was formed as a result.
Even Fleet Admiral Nogura sent the Wolverine and her crew a "Well done."
…
Naruto's Quarters
Personal Log, Stardate 2279.082; Captain Naruto M'Fau reporting. The U.S.S. Wolverine is done in the Cherubim System for now and our new Machu allies are under the formal protection of the United Federation of Planets. Admiral Shimura's warlike ways are beginning to bother the staff, however. With the obvious exception of Commander Amelia Whitaker, the idea of having the Machu as fodder in a war with the Klingons is a distasteful concept.
We have been ordered to return to Starbase 15 for replenishment. I find myself mirroring Commodore Kosnett's views that Admiral Danzo Shimura is an efficient Flag Officer who knows how to get things done but is very unlikeable as a person…
…
Naruto was working on a new starship design on his tablet that evening in his quarters when his beautiful mate T'Lyra came in and greeted him with a loving kiss. He reciprocated and then she looked at what he was drawing. Deftly maneuvering herself onto the couch beside him she said, "That's an unusual design. Did the Bureau of Design & Repair contact you?"
Naruto looked at his computer drawing and said, "This incorporates design features that I learned from the Machu. Before there were some insurmountable structural problems that I couldn't work around. Now they've been solved."
T'Lyra looked intently at the drawing and said, "It's different but not as radical as some of your designs. What's so special about it?"
Naruto said to the computer, "Display Design Federation Fast Battleship A*④ beside the standard Federation Heavy Cruiser." The hologram displayed the new design was a behemoth at twice the length of the Constitution Class Cruisers.
T'Lyra's brown eyes widened. "That dwarfs a Dreadnought. Do you think the Federation would actually build something that size?"
The blonde said, "Whether they will or won't is academic. The point is with this design they can."
"Have you sent the design to your Aunt Vach M'Fau?" she asked.
Naruto raised a blonde eyebrow. "Do you think I should? It's just an experiment."
T'Lyra gave him a flat look. "It's that or my mate will sit and obsess over the new design until he does…"
…
Sol System, Planet Earth, San Francisco
Starfleet Captain Vach M'Fau was enjoying her morning tea and reflecting upon peace and tranquility as the morning sun rose in the east. It was then that she noted that she had a message that had downloaded last night in an encrypted code she alone had a code key for. "My errant nephew, Naruto…" she thought aloud.
Then she realized the coded message took up half an extended memory module. She raised her eyebrows and thought, 'What has he come up with now...?'
…
Starfleet Bureau of Design & Repair
Captain Vach called upon her colleague Captain Hiro Suzuki and dragged him in to Rear Admiral Lucien Tolm's in his office. The old Admiral saw Vach come in with a glint of…mischief (?) in her eyes. He said, "Good morning Vach, Suzuki. What brings you two in first thing in the morning?"
Suzuki said, "I was wondering the same thing."
Vach held up an extended memory module and said, "Doctor Naruto M'Fau sends his greetings."
"What did he design?" asked Admiral Tolm.
The Vulcan replied, "I have no idea."
Captain Suzuki asked, "You truly have no idea?"
She shook her head. "It was a total surprise to me as well. Shall I decrypt it?"
Lucien cleared his desk and said, "By all means, load it and decrypt it Vach."
After ten minutes the screen read:
EXPERIMENTAL FEDERATION FAST BATTLESHIP DESIGN A
Then it displayed the design of the ship that would become known as "The Great Experiment" in the future. As they watched the ship's details fill in Hiro Suzuki's jaw dropped and Vach's eyebrows raised.
Rear Admiral Tolm said, "I think our boy did it again…"
…
*①: Tholian Heavy Cruiser- Google 3788 Tholian Command Cruiser to see pictures of this vessel
*②: Proximity Mode -Shooting Photons at longer ranges set to explode within the proximity of the target rather than hitting it directly. Causes less damage but allows for extreme ranges.
*③: Kaufman Retrograde -Retreating from an opponent and inviting them to advance into the teeth of your fire as they do so. Used by ships with a tactical maneuver advantage, and a range advantage, but not necessarily a firepower advantage. The idea being to keep your opponent at your ideal weapon range and outside their own.
*④: Google NCC-2000 Excelsior
This chapter came out shorter than planned even though it took longer to write. I just don't get it sometimes. See you next time. Blue out. 5/21/22
