Naruto: Infinity Divide
Run Silent, Run Deep
Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Special thanks to all those who read and reviewed last chapter!
-The Klingons ONLY have phasers and disruptors in TOS. Drones were in Star Fleet Battles. Photon torpedoes and cloaking devices were added in the movies. I can only figure the photons were captured technology and the cloaks were obtained from the Romulans via treaty. Thus, I'm treating them as "new/experimental technology" in Klingon circles at this point and time. They become standard later.
-The foreign language in this chapter is exclusively Klingon. Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
[ ] Signifies a foreign language
{ } Signifies hand signs
For those of you keeping track; here is an updated timeline of the story:
Stardate/Year/Star Fleet Battles Timeline
Stardate 2230. = 2230 = Y120 Spock Born to Amanda Grayson & Sarek
Stardate 2233. = 2233 = Y123 James T. Kirk Born
Stardate 2336. = 2336 = Y126 Constitution Class Launched
Stardate 2248. = 2248 = Y138 Shizuka Nadeshiko Born
Stardate 2254. = 2254 = Y144 NCC-1371 U.S.S. Republic (CA) Ensign James T. Kirk
Stardate 2254. = 2254 = Y144 Naruto Born to T'Ara and Sovar
Stardate 2263. = 2263 = Y153 Talok Born to T'Ara and Sovar
Stardate 2265.-2270 = 2265-2270 = Y155-Y160 NCC-1701 U.S.S. Enterprise (CA) 5 year Mission (TOS)
Stardate 2265. = 2265 = Y155 Naruto's kahs-wan
Stardate 2267. = 2267 = Y157 Naruto enters the Vulcan Science Academy
Stardate 2267. = 2267 = Y157 Naruto and T'Lyra's koon-ut-la
Stardate 2267. = 2267 = Y157 Siegfried M'Fau Born
Stardate 2271. = 2271 = Y161 Naruto and T'Lyra enter Starfleet
Stardate 2272. = 2272 = Y162 V'Ger Incident (Star Trek I)
Stardate 2272. = 2272 = Y162 End of Naruto's first semester/Naruto and T'Lyra return to Vulcan
Stardate 2272. = 2272 = Y162 Subcommander Kurenai promoted to her first command, the RIS Scimitar (K5R)
Stardate 2273. = 2273 = Y163 Cadet Cruise aboard NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin (GSC)
Stardate 2273. = 2273 = Y163 Naruto graduates Starfleet Academy
Stardate 2274. = 2274 = Y164 Cruise aboard NCC-1728 U.S.S. Gettysburg (CB)
Stardate 2274. = 2274 = Y164 Siegfried M'Fau moves to Vulcan
Stardate 2274. = 2274 = Y164 Discovery of Ozari-Thul of the Tkon Empire
Stardate 2274. = 2274 = Y164 Location of Tkon Colony planet Rzom discovered (Planet Atra)
Stardate 2274. = 2274 = Y164 Journey on NCC-602 U.S.S. Oberth (SUR)
Stardate 2274. = 2274 = Y164 Mission on NX-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine (CF) and Battle with the Cai at Arcanum System and launched through space/time
Stardate 2277. = 2277 = Y167 NCC-1500 U.S.S. Kearsarge completed (NCL)
Stardate 2278. = 2278 = Y168 Return of NX-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine (CF)
Stardate 2278. = 2278 = Y168 General War Begins with Lyran/Kzinti War
Stardate 2278. = 2278 = Y168 NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine (CF) Assigned to Starbase 15
Stardate 2278. = 2278 = Y168 Discovery of the Machu
Stardate 2279. = 2279 = Y169 Naruto's Marriage(s)
Stardate 2281. = 2281 = Y171 Klingon Invasion of the United Federation of Planets
Stardate 2281. = 2281 = Y171 NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine (CF) First War Cruise
Stardate 2282. = 2282 = Y172 Naruto's Marriage to M'rella
Stardate 2282. = 2282 = Y172 NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine (CF) Second War Cruise (Fast Squadron One)
Stardate 2282. = 2282 = Y172 Siegfried's pon farr
Stardate 2282. = 2282 = Y172 Fast Squadron One ambushes the Direslayer
Stardate 2283. = 2283 = Y173 Romulan Invasion of the United Federation of Planets
Stardate 2283. = 2283 = Y173 NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine (CF) Third War Cruise (Fast Squadron One)
…
Last time:
Stardate 2283.141, Klingon Imperial Space, Dakrohn System. NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
After nearly six weeks of preying on Klingon convoy traffic, Fast Squadron One had arrived at the edge of the Oort Cloud of the asteroid filled Dakrohn System. There, they spotted a lone D-12 Escort Frigate in a Fleet Repair Dock attached to an orbital science research station.
They had been monitoring the small ship and facilities for five days straight and found nothing abnormal. The D-12 had a cloaking device which was unusual but not unheard of. It also was armed with a single photon torpedo launcher (probably captured). The REALLY important thing was it could fire torpedoes while under cloak!
Doctor Alison Fairbanks was observing through the sensors. "It doesn't always work and the cloak sometimes fails due to plasma leakage but given a few years I'm sure the Klingons will have a viable weapons platform for infiltration …or worse."
"Then we need to destroy the ship and research facilities immediately!" said Kurotsuchi.
"Let's not be hasty. Who's to say the Klingons don't have backup research elsewhere?" asked Samui.
Rafi's eyes narrowed. "If we blow it all to kingdom come then it will set their research back for a decade."
Naruto came onto the bridge and heard the tail end of the conversation. "It would be better to capture the ship and facilities and take the research back to the Federation with us. That D-12 is the only defense they have and it spends more time in dock powered down than active."
"Then all we have to do is time it right and we can swoop in and steal the thing." said Shizuka.
"Precisely." said Naruto as he took the command chair. "We will be patient and wait for opportunity to strike."
…
"Captain's Log, Stardate 2283.148, Captain Naruto M'Fau reporting. Fast Squadron One is ready. The Klingon D-12 I.K.V. Dakrohn is docked and shut completely down. The transmissions we have intercepted indicate the plasma coils overheated (apparently a common problem) and have been replaced as a result. The ship is scheduled to be remanned a flight testing is to resume in two days."
"If all goes according to plan then the flight testing will be taken over by Federation personnel. We will commence operations in two hours…"
…
Chapter 72
Stardate 2283.148, Klingon Imperial Space, Dakrohn System. Dakrohn Orbital Science Facility
The staff of the Dakrohn Scientific Facility was closing this down due to the bimonthly ion storm that was thrown off the white dwarf star they were orbiting. Their head scientist, Doctor Kozenko was settled in his quarters for the twelve-hour storm.
Kozenko was a well-respected civilian scientist in Klingon circles and was the son of the head of the Kozenko Design Bureau that created the outstanding Klingon D5 'War cruiser.' General Chang had recruited him for his expertise on the cloaking device along with a small team of other civilian experts on the subject. The slightly graying scientist was among the first to work with his Romulan counterparts on installing a cloaking device on a Klingon vessel.
The real problem with cloaking devices Doctor Kozenko had discovered over the years was a ship had to virtually be DESIGNED around a cloak from the ground up to use it successfully as the Romulans had for decades. Fitting them to Klingon vessels was certainly possible but the power costs of using the cloak was considerably more than a comparable Romulan one.
The Romulans were also (appropriately) very secretive about their cloaking technology and in exchange for the warp powered eldery Klingon KR series they had provided older cloaking technology. Kozenko and his staff not only had to reverse engineer Romulan cloaks, but they also had to adapt them to fit existing Klingon designs which simply didn't work as well.
Then General Chang wanted to take it a step further and be able to fire a weapon while UNDER cloak. It was a brilliant concept really. The problem was how to go about doing it. Energy weapons reactions would cancel the effects of a cloak so the Klingon's primary weapons of phasers and disruptors were out. Romulan plasma torpedoes were out as well (provided the Klingons could obtain them). Drones were an option but without initial guidance from the ship firing them they were virtually useless.
That left the most obvious choice- a direct fire weapon that required no guidance -the United Federation of Planet's photon torpedo. It was slow to load and charge but it was very effective when it hit. It also was something that had been studied over the years, so it wasn't as alien to Kozenko's staff as the cloaking device was.
That left the choice of vessel to use. The Doctor didn't have the time or resources to design a new ship from the ground up as he would have liked to, so they chose the D-12 to adapt to their needs. There were certainly problems (and with all the modifications the experimental escort frigate cost more than a command cruiser) but when everything was working properly, the design was a success! Kozenko and his staff were realistic though, it would take another four or five years before they would have a ship that could warrant production and have the reliability necessary for actual combat.
Still, the fact that they had a working prototype was a tremendous testimony to the skill and dedication of Doctor Kozenko and his staff…
…
Dakrohn System Oort Cloud, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
M'rella's amber eyes widened as she monitored Klingon transmissions at her post. Fast Squadron One was getting ready to move in when she said, "I've just intercepted a Klingon transmission. The Dakrohn Base is shutting down all communications for the next 12 hours due to the regular bimonthly ion storm from the white dwarf."
Naruto replied, "Light signal the other ships to stand by and await further instructions." He turned to Alison and said, "Can you confirm this ion storm Doctor Fairbanks?"
Alison smiled and said, "Samui and I already predicted one, but we didn't know when it was going to hit or how long it would last. It was quite kind of the Klingons to give us such an accurate weather forecast. Doctor Schrodinger and I will verify."
Ten minutes later, Samui looked at the screen and said, "There it goes. Given the intensity of this ion storm, transporters and tractor beams will be useless."
Kurotsuchi said, "What are we going to do then? Our plans to beam over our Marines and raid the facility are impossible now."
Captain Naruto turned to his first officer and said, "We will simply dock with them manually and board that way. Then we will proceed as originally planned."
Looking flustered, Commander Kamizuru said, "With all due respect sir, maneuvering a cruiser to manually dock during an ion storm of this magnitude would be close to docking in a nebula. It's too dangerous."
Naruto's eyes crackled with chakra in the flash of the ion storm. "Your concerns are noted Commander. We will proceed as planned." The blonde then turned to M'rella. "New orders via light signals. "The Thor will manually dock in the shadow of the science facility facing away from the star. Brunhild will enter the repair dock to capture the escort ship and the Wolverine will dock with the side of the station facing the star. Follow the Wolverine line ahead."
Fast Squadron One quickly fell into formation with the U.S.S. Wolverine in the lead…
…
Dakrohn Orbital Science Facility
An hour later Doctor Kozenko was looking boredly at his data tablet. The other Klingons called the storms 'downtime,' but he referred to them as 'a waste of time.' During the ion storms there was simply nothing to do with power fluctuations and the repeated, annoying flashes of the ions hitting the shields outside. It was a huge inconvenience as far as he was concerned.
That was when a large shadow suddenly blocked out the glare of the ion storm in Kozenko's transparent aluminum window. Then there was the strange sound of a dull clunking noise down the hall at the airlock. Then there was another, but more distant clunking sound seconds later.
…
NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Bridge
"…Smooth as glass…" whispered Kurotsuchi as Rafi guided the Wolverine into place.
Alison looked up from her scanner screen and said, "Docking complete."
Naruto flashed a tiny smile showing his elongated canines in the red alert lights and got on his command chair communicator. He said, "Major Terrill, we show docking is complete. Confirm please."
Scarlet's voice echoed back through the speaker, "Terrill here sir, Docking Confirmed."
The blonde hybrid replied, "Proceed with capture operation Major."
…
Dakrohn Orbital Science Facility
Doctor Kozenko heard yelling out In the hall and then felt an explosion. His eyes widened as he heard ["WE HAVE INTRUDERS! WE HAVE INTRUDERS!"] Then the Doctor heard yelling, disruptors and phasers firing as well as explosions in the distance. Then all went silent and he heard a tap on his door…
Outside…
Scarlet Terrill was standing silently with her phaser rifle at ready. One of her enlisted had a scanner pressed up against Doctor Kozenko's door. He hand signed {One lifeform, Klingon.}
{Open it.} signaled Scarlet.
The door lock blew a second later and Doctor Kozenko found himself on the floor looking up at an emitter of a Federation heavy phaser rifle. ["Who are y-"] was all he got out before he was shot unconscious.
Major Terrill signed {Another civilian. Take him prisoner.}
…
NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Bridge
It had been 42 minutes since docking and M'rella was sifting through the communications chatter. She said to Naruto, "I have Major Terrill on the line sir."
"Put her through M'rella." said Naruto
Scarlet's voice crackled through, and she said, "The science facilities and Imperial Kling Vessel Dakrohn are secured Captain Naruto. We have twenty-four Klingon Civilians captured and fourteen security officers dead sir."
The blonde hybrid asked. "Any casualties Major Terrill?"
"Negative." answered Scarlet. "Resistance was nil."
"Bravo Zulu Major, very nicely done." said Naruto. "Get those prisoners in the Wolverine's brig and we will start sending in the science and engineering teams to dismantle that science station."
"Aye sir." said the Major with a smile in her voice. "We will comply."
…
Dakrohn Orbital Science Facility
Over the next eleven hours, the crews of the U.S.S. Wolverine, Thor and Brunhild took everything in the Klingon science facility that wasn't welded or bolted down (and a few things that were). Having stripped the orbital station to a carcass, Fast Squadron One and the captured I.K.V. Dakrohn set the facility and repair dock to self-destruct and flew out of the white dwarf system as quickly as they could.
…
I.K.V. Dakrohn, Bridge
Commander Kurotsuchu Kamizuru found herself in command of the captured I.K.V. Dakrohn as her first command. Her prize crew included several engineering specialists from the Think Tank. Lieutenant Kloene was examining the engines with a fine-toothed comb; Ensign Emma Forester was examining the Cloaking Device in detail and Lieutenant (JG) Daniel Simmons was decrypting the ships computer data.
The rest of the prize crew was only 20 people that were from the U.S.S. Wolverine. Thor and Brunhild so no one ship would run short of personnel. They all overheard Emma Forester describing the basics of cloaking device mechanics to her fellow Think Tank Members. Emma said, "Strictly in layman's terms, Cloaking Devices are most commonly employed on starships for purposes of subterfuge, allowing a vessel to move unhindered by unaware opposition. The power consumption of cloaking devices is often seen as a limiting factor, making even cloaking small starships difficult."
She continued, "In order to function, most cloaking devices need to be tied into a ship's deflector shield grid. When activated, the cloaking device projects a cloaking field around the vessel which selectively bends the path of light and sensors to render the vessel invisible and undetectable."
Then she started calculating the math to cloak a Klingon cruiser which completely went over the heads of everyone present except the Think Tank...
"…So as you can see by this basic formula, a cloak needs to be integral to a ships design." she finished. "One cannot simply add a cloaking device to a ship and expect it to function in the long term. It's going to take a few years to reverse engineer this into something Starfleet can use." Emma smiled. "See?"
"That makes perfect sense." said Kloene.
Daniel Simmons agreed. "I understand completely now Doctor Forester."
The rest of the prize crew of the I.K.V. Dakrohn had swirls in their eyes… Including their Commander Kurotsuchi…
"What did she just say?" asked the helmsman.
The navigator replied, "I haven't got a clue…"
…
Stardate 2283.149, ShiKhar District, Vulcan Science Academy
In the meantime, Siegfried M'Fau found himself in an unusual set of circumstances. The Daystrom Institute of Technology sent a group of representatives from the Advanced Supercomputing Annex at the Starfleet Academy led by Doctor Aaron Simms of Earth who smiled brightly at the young Vulcan hybrid. Siegfried had just sat down to eat lunch in the VSA student's cafeteria.
Doctor Simms said, "So this is the brilliant young scientist who is up for the Daystrom Award*①, the Vulcan Scientific Legion of Honor*② and even the Zee-Magnees Prize*③. It's an honor to meet you Siegfried Schrodinger. I'm Doctor Aaron Simms."
Siegfried was totally dumbfounded. "I'm afraid that I do not know what you are talking about. I am a student here at the VSA working towards my degrees. I'm not even sixteen yet."
"I'm talking about your magnificent Isolinear computer chip*④ Mister Schrodinger." said Simms beaming. "We've been developing them in tandem with your notes and have an actual, working prototype created from your theories. You do not know how thrilled we are! Your creation stands to revolutionize computer science as we know it!"
Siegfried was looking down at his food and found that he'd completely lost his appetite. "…And how did you gain access to my notes?" he asked in a deceptively calm voice.
"You instructor Professor Lorot has been sending us data for months."
"At what Stardate did he begin sending you data?" asked Siegfried.
Doctor Simms seemed puzzled and looked on his datapad. "The Stardate was 2282.210 so it's been a little over ten months. Professor Lorot and I are old friends so-"
Siegfried's eyes were lit up like stars with chakra and he was letting off a fearsome killing intent. "I never gave Professor Lorot permission to share ANY of my work. You have copied my intellectual property without my express permission, Doctor Simms. I will be speaking to Director Sekla about this gross breach of my rights as a Federation citizen."
Simms felt both horror and fear. He squeaked out, "But-"
"This conversation is over." stated the young blonde hybrid. Siegfried stormed off to calm his mind.
…
Stardate 2283.150. NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Brig
Doctor Kozenko woke up with a terrible headache and in a holding cell. ["What hit me…?"] he moaned.
["You were shot by a standard Federation Phaser Rifle on stun Doctor Kozenko."] said a purring voice in perfect Klingon. Kozenko turned a saw M'rella in in her crimson Starfleet uniform. ["Welcome back to the world of the conscious."] she said humorously.
"See? He woke up with only 5cc of Anphedrin*⑤ just like I said he would." said a lanky human male Ensigns bars. "Should have left him asleep…"
M'rella smiled and said, "You're always such a ray of sunshine Doctor Nathanial Athens."
"Call me if you need me M'rella." said Ensign Athens as he slinked away down the hall.
The Caitian turned back to Doctor Kozenko and said, ["You'll have to forgive Nate. He's a bit antisocial."]
Kozenko said, "I can speak Federation Standard. Where am I?"
"You are a prisoner aboard the United Federation Starship U.S.S. Wolverine." explained M'rella.
"What about my staff?" asked the Klingon Doctor.
"They are captives on board also, Doctor." said M'rella. "I'll inform the Captain that you are awake.
…
Captain's Ready Room
Soon, M'rella was talking to her husband. "Doctor Kozenko doesn't seem as warlike or aggressive as other Klingon's I've met from the Empire. Perhaps it's because he's a civilian and a scientist."
Naruto looked over the filed on Kozenko that they'd decrypted from the computers taken from the Dakrohn Science Facility. "It could also be because he's not of the warrior class. He's never served in the military and has been a shipwright for the Kozenko Design Bureau his entire adult life. Hmmm… It says here he was one of the chief designers of the Klingon KDB-1104/D5 series. Fascinating. We have a very valuable prisoner, M'rella."
…
Bridge
The U.S.S. Wolverine was racing along at warp 6 when the ship was suddenly slammed to a violent halt everyone was thrown forward as the fast cruiser was knocked out of warp by some kind of wall-like field. To the crew on the bridge it looked like a kaleidoscope of light as red alert klaxons blared and everyone tried to get back to their stations.
"What the hell is it?" asked Rafi.
Samui commanded, "Full reverse!"
Then the light fully enveloped the Wolverine and all they knew was screaming and pain…
…
NCC-554 U.S.S. Thor
Commander Amelia Whitaker had seen the entire event from 50,000 kilometers aft of the Wolverine. A continent sized disk of light appeared from nowhere in front of the U.S.S. Wolverine. Then it folded in half and the kaleidoscope of light vanished along with the fast cruiser… "Begin arming weapons." She spoke.
…
NCC-555 U.S.S. Brunhild
The Brunhild had been aft and above the Wolverine when it was enveloped by the light. Commander Jackie Nodaway immediately said, "Full stop. Fire a probe at the last known location of the Wolverine. That giant disk folded over them like a Venus flytrap before it disappeared."
…
I.K.V. Dakrohn
Commander Kurotsuchi Kamizuru was panicking and also ordered a full stop. "What was that? Where are they?" she asked.
She saw the probe from the U.S.S. Brunhild enter the area where the Wolverine disappeared. The disk appeared again and consumed the probe. While it was open the disk revealed the battered form of the U.S.S. Wolverine in the center of the disk.
"It's a two-dimensional field!" said Kloene looking at the sensors.
…
The U.S.S. Thor fired her two photon torpedoes and a drone at the disc only to see the weapons consumed as well.
…
NCC-555 U.S.S. Brunhild
Commander Nodaway contacted the other ships and said, "I am assuming command of Fast Squadron One. Everyone hold your positions. We are going to fire another probe. Arm your phasers and concentrate fire on the center of the disk when it opens!"
The second probe entered the area where the Wolverine was, and the disk opened once again. Jackie roared. "All phasers, FIRE!"
16 lances of death hit the disk dead center and it SCREAMED before the disk shattered into billions of shards that shimmered out of existence. Floating in space now was the inert U.S.S. Wolverine, a drone and two probes.
…
Jackie Nodaway was horrified as the screen showed images of the scorched scarred and battered hull of the fast cruiser. "Check for life signs!" ordered Nodaway. 'Please be alive…' she prayed.
…
NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Bridge
Rafi was the first to wake up on the bridge and thought, 'I haven't felt this hungover since I had that drinking contest with Shar when we were cadets…'
Then the Trill heard "…This is the U.S.S. Brunhild, come in Wolverine, Is anyone alive over there?!"
Rafi stumbled over to the communications console and nearly tripped over the unconscious Shar who had been at that station when the light appeared. "This is Lieutenant Rafi, Brunhild." She looked around her and saw the others on the bridge were all knocked out and that they only had impulse power online. "We're going to need serious medical help. I'm the only one that is awake."
…
Three days later…
"Chief Medical Officers log, Stardate 2283.153, Doctor Shelly Wilson reporting. The Captain and appropriately half of the members of the crew are comatose. Medics from the entire Fast Squadron are trying to take care of them. An additional 81 crewmembers are dead. Our Acting Captain is Commander Kamizuru but she is at a loss as to how to handle the Wolverine in her crippled state The ship is a wreck and Freyja Christianson is bearing most of the weight of getting us warp power once again…"
"Whatever the creature or object was apparently fed on both warp and bioelectric energy. This meant the ship and the crew were attacked simultaneously. None of us remember anything aside from extreme pain and blacking out. We need to get to a Starbase but until we have warp power again the only way to get home is to abandon the ship and ride in the destroyers…"
…
Fast Squadron one was doing their best to remain deeply hidden in an asteroid belt transferring personnel around and trying to get the crippled Wolverine running again. The Medical Staffs were working themselves to the bone trying to revive those that were comatose.
The Engineering Staff was also overloaded as the Wolverine's hull was very badly damaged and holed in multiple places. While they were able to patch a lot of damage, some parts of the ship were simply sealed off until they could reach a proper repair facility.
…
Stardate 2283.174, ShiKhar District, Vulcan Science Academy
Over the past three weeks, Siegfried M'Fau had found to his horror that his creation, the isolinear computer was already at the blueprint stage thanks to Lorot's meddling and the Advanced Supercomputing Annex at the Starfleet Academy.
The Daystrom Institute of Technology had already offered him a fellowship and a full Doctorate for his work. They were seeking to buy off the angry young hybrid and it wasn't working. He had already received the Daystrom Award and was inducted to the Vulcan Scientific Legion of Honor. It was also stated that he was virtually guaranteed to receive the Zee-Magnees Prize if he would cooperate.
He had been discussing the situation with his Grandmother T'Ara and Director Sekla (not to mention his hot-headed girlfriend S'Harien). It was a huge scandal and it all boiled down to the question of what to do about the fact he'd been robbed…
…
Stardate 2283.176 NCC-555 U.S.S. Brunhild
"Captain's log, Stardate 2283.176. After twenty six harrowing days of hiding in an asteroid field doing frantic repairs, the U.S.S. Wolverine is warp capable. As Acting Squadron Commander I've very carefully plotted a course for us to follow home. We are avoiding space traffic of ANY kind and are headed back to Starbase 15 along with the I.K.V. Dakronh which is currently under the command of my XO, Lieutenant Commander Richard Donaldson. Since the Wolverine can't exceed Warp six and the Dakrohn can't exceed warp eight regardless we are going to be travelling at warp factor five."
"I've transferred the majority of the Wolverine's crew off onto the destroyers in case we are forced to abandon her. She's already armed foe self-destruct in a worst-case scenario. I just pray that it doesn't come to that."
…
Stardate 2283.185, ShiKhar City, T'Ara and Sovar' House
While Fast Squadron One was in dire straits, Siegfried had an unexpected guest in his home, Captain Rafi of Starfleet. Rafi was overjoyed to see her former ward despite the terrible circumstances. She messed with the blonde's hair and engulfed him in a hug. "Ziggy, my little boy! Look at how you've grown! What's it been, three years since we got to see each other in person? I'm so proud of you!"
S'Harien was wondering who this woman was hanging all over her boyfriend. She asked in an icy tone, "…And you are…?" 'That's mine!' the tall girl thought.
Siegfried said, "S'Harien, this is Rafi. She raised me until I was six. I told you about her. remember?"
Rafi zipped over to S'Harien and smirked, "So who's this hottie Ziggy? Is she your girlfriend?"
Both teens blushed slightly, and Siegfried stammered out, "S'Harien is my girlfriend."
The Trill woman had stars in her eyes. "Nice to meet you! I'm Captain Rafi. Commanding Officer of the heavy cruiser NCC-1727 U.S.S. Essex. Do you want to come along? Ziggy's chariot awaits!"
S'Harien looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Rafi grinned. "What I mean is, Ziggy is a VIP and the crew of the U.S.S. Essex has the honor of conveying him to Planet Earth. Commander T'Ara is coming too. Since you are his girlfriend, I'm going to bend the rules a bit and invite you to come along!"
T'Ara got a flat look. "Isn't that a bit irresponsible Rafi?"
The Trill laughed, "Captain's discretion. Besides, I think Ziggy would enjoy having his girlfriend along." She waggled her eyebrows. "I'll get them a room together."
T'Ara shook her head at Rafi's antics and the two teens blushed…
…
Stardate 2283.190, Federation Space, Starbase 15
Naruto woke up bleary eyed and feeling awful. He found he was in a medical facility he didn't recognize. He heard a woman's sing-song voice say "Good morning sunshine! You are more resilient than I thought surviving a run in with a yerkwak*⑥. They basically feed on telepaths you know."
Naruto focused on the woman, and he said miserably, "Q."
Q smiled and said, "In the flesh! Your wives will wake up soon except for the redhead. She's a vegetable."
Naruto had shock in his eyes and asked, "Will she ever wake up?"
"Nope, but I can restore her." said the entity. "I can make her even better than before! …But you'll owe me a favor."
"What kind of favor?" asked the hybrid desperately.
"Hmmm… I'll think of something." Q said with a smirk.
'I'm making a deal with the devil.' thought Naruto. "Heal my Alison."
Q snapped her fingers. "Done!" she said. "Your love really knows no bounds." The dusty blonde entity said, "I'll see you again Naruto M'Fau."
…
The blonde hybrid closed his eyes and reached out psychically to his mates. Samui and M'rella responded immediately to his mental 'call.' Shizuka, T'Lyra and Alison were still in a deeper sleep.
'What hit me?' moaned M'rella mentally. 'We ere in your ready room and suddenly it felt like my mind was on fire.'
Samui added, 'I was on the bridge when that light appeared and attacked us."
Naruto was brought out of his mental conversation by Doctor Shelly Wilson's voice. "He's come out of his coma! Naruto, can you hear me?"
His azure pools opened tiredly and he said, "Doctor Wilson, where are we?"
Shelly smiled and said, "We're safely at Starbase 15."
"The crew?" asked Naruto.
The good Doctor's smile faltered. "86 dead, 30 are still in comas. Some will never wake up. It's Stardate 2283.190. You were in a coma for 40 standard days." He went to sit up, but Doctor Wilson gently pressed him back down. "Just rest. That's an order from your chief medical officer. There are other things you need to know so I need you to pay attention. Your wife, Doctor Fairbanks is- "
Gregory Hammond said, "Shelly! Alison Fairbanks is showing brainwaves!"
Shelly gasped. "WHAT? That's impossible! Hold that thought Naruto!" Doctor Wilson zipped away. Before long the entire Medical Staff surrounded Alison's sleeping form. "Her genetic markers are changing!"
"Bioelectric pathways are forming!"
"Cells are altering on a molecular level."
"DNA is in flux!"
Shelly's voice rang out over the din and she commanded, "Cross reference those genetic markers with Captain Naruto's non-Vulcan half!"
"…"
"…"
"We have a match, Doctor Wilson. Subject Alison Fairbanks in evolving before our very eyes!"
"NARUTO…" growled Shelly with an unholy fire in her eyes. "Just what did you do?!"
The blonde hybrid was too weak to argue the point. "I didn't do anything. Continue your observations, Doctor Wilson."
Shelly frowned and turned back to the sleeping Alison. "We'll be talking about this Naruto…" said the Doctor in a menacing voice.
…
Six hours later Alison was awake and talking eagerly with Shelly Wilson. "…So in short, I was altered down to a molecular level into a Shinobi which means I should be able to access chakra and my lifespan has been increased to 200 years like my husband and my sister wives*⑦."
Shelly nodded. Your lifespan increase is some tweaking that Q did separate from turning you into a Shinobi. I practically had to ring Naruto's neck to get him to admit Q was involved. She said he 'owed her a favor' whatever that means. For what it's worth we're all glad to have you back Alison."
The redheaded scientist smiled and asked, "What about the Think Tank? Are you all okay?"
"We are all alive and well by some minor miracle." replied Doctor Wilson. "We've still lost a lot of friends though and the Wolverine is a total wreck. The Admiralty is debating whether she should be scrapped or repaired."
Alison said, "The U.S.S. Wolverine is our home. Naruto designed that ship. He'll be devasted."
"He'd be far more devastated if he'd lost you Alison." said Shelly kindly.
…
Stardate 2283.191, Federation Space, Starbase 15
Commander Nodaway was visiting with the recovering Captain Naruto about the situation with Fast Squadron One and what all had happened, "It seems that you saved my ship and crew from certain death Jackie. I owe you more than I can ever repay." said the blonde hybrid.
Jackie smiled. "You saved me back when I was on the Littorio. It was the least I could do Naruto. Please accept my condolences for the crew that you lost. I know what it's like."
What about Fast Squadron One?" asked Naruto.
"It's being reformed with the Gryphon, Thor and Brunhild under Captain Mabui Kumo." answered the Commander. "That's all I know at this point."
The blonde nodded. "You'll do well with Mabui. She's a superb officer."
"With all due respect, I'd rather them give you and your crew the U.S.S. Gryphon. You wrote the book on commerce raiding." she replied.
"My crew needs time to convalesce Jackie. It will be a while before we are back in action." said Naruto.
"I heard the Wolverine may be scrapped." said Jackie.
"Not if I can help it." said Naruto with fire in his eyes. "She's too good of a ship to end this way."
The Commander smiled. "There's the Captain we all know and love!"
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: Daystrom Award: is a scientific medal named in honor of Doctor Richard Daystrom. See Memory Alpha.
*②: Vulcan Scientific Legion of Honor: is a prestigious medal awarded on Vulcan in recognition of an individuals scientific achievements. See Memory Alpha.
*③: Zee-Magnees Prize: is an award comparable to the Nobel Prize of old Earth that is awarded to people who have contributed to the advancement of Federation Society. See Memory Alpha.
*④: Isolinear computer chip: it is more advanced than duotronic chips and are utilized as an information storage device or for the operational control of various forms of computer technologies. See Memory Alpha.
*⑤: Anphedrin: a stimulant often used to awaken patients after surgery.
*⑥: yerkwak: this is what the Q named the named the two-dimensional creatures. The name and creatures are original concepts. What yerkwak translates into is currently unknown.
*⑦: 200 Year Lifespan: Vulcans. Caitians and Augments all live to be 200 years old naturally.
So, the U.S.S. Wolverine has been wrecked and Siegfried has been robbed. What else could go wrong? See you next time, Blue out. 7/21/23