Princesses of the Final Frontier

By DrummondType2

I.Assuming Command

Starfleet was in a crisis. Vice Admiral Vaughn Rittenhouse was in custody, a secret organization within Starfleet, known as Section 31 had been uncovered and its operatives arrested and dismissed from the service, and one of Starfleet's most promising officers, Commander James T. Kirk, had died in the line of duty to stop Rittenhouse, sacrificing his life to prevent an attack on Starfleet Command. Kirk was given a posthumous promotion to Captain, and buried with full honors, a hero to Starfleet and the Federation.

One of the few ships with no members of Section 31 aboard, The U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike, had returned to Earth, where Pike was promptly promoted by Admiral Nogura to Chief of Starfleet Operations, and much of the crew of the Enterprise reassigned to fill holes throughout the fleet where the rogue element had been removed.

Several junior officers were being promoted and placed aboard the Federation's flagship to serve as her new crew.

"Only one person from the command crew will still be aboard the Enterprise," Pike informed newly minted Captain Shizuru Fujino as the shuttle from San Francisco took them up to drydock and the waiting starship, "My former XO and science officer, Commander Natsuki Kuga."

Shizuru looked concerned, "Forgive my asking, but wouldn't Commander Kuga be resentful that she was left as second in command, rather than being promoted to Captain of the ship?"

Pike shook his head, "Kuga's not really interested in command of a ship, per se. She's…well, you'll understand once you meet her."

"I see. What of the other officers to make the crew?"

"You've read their dossiers. You know as much about them as I do, I think. I'm sorry about your friend, by the way. Kirk was a good man."

"He's the one who should have this position, not I," Shizuru sighed, "But as the fates have made that impossible, here I am."

The shuttle reached the hangar bay, and they were greeted by a honey-blonde woman in a red shirt and black trousers, "Lt. Commander Haruka Armitage, in charge of security. I'll escort you to the bridge, Captain."

Shizuru sighed. She understood the decision Starfleet had made to retire the mini-dress styled uniforms after the coup attempt, wanting to promote the appearance of professionalism after such a prominent scandal. But she did miss seeing her female crew go by in them.

They took a turbolift to the bridge, where there was chaos and noise as the ship was being ironed out after a minor refit. The Bussard collectors at the front of the warp nacelles had been changed out so that they no longer had the prominent antenna protruding from them. And the aft end of the nacelles had been modified as well. And many of the interior systems had been modified as well.

"Captain on the bridge!" a young woman called in a husky voice. Shizuru was intrigued the moment she saw her. Vulcanian, from the look of her, with long blue-black hair, pointed ears, and a pale complexion that was only enhanced by the blue of the Sciences Division uniform that she wore.

"Can you direct me to Commander Kuga?" Shizuru managed after a moment, trying hard not to stare at this exotic beauty that stood before her.

"I am Commander Kuga," she replied matter of factly in that delightfully husky voice.

Shizuru couldn't hide her astonishment, "Oh, forgive me. From the name, I'd expected…Yours is not a typically Vulcan name, is it?"

Natsuki Kuga looked annoyed, "I am only half-Vulcan, and I prefer my human heritage over my Vulcan blood. Regardless of the green blood and ears."

"I meant no offence, Commander," Shizuru said calmly, "I look forward to working with you."

Natsuki turned a sour look at her former Captain, "You didn't tell her?"

Pike smiled gently, "I thought it better if she learned for herself."

Natsuki sighed, "I'm sorry, Captain Fujino. I assumed Captain Pike…"

"Ahem."

"Excuse me, I had assumed Admiral Pike had informed you about me. I apologize for being snappish."

"I didn't find you snappish at all, Natsuki," Shizuru smiled, "Now, can you introduce me to the rest of the crew?"

"Of course, Captain," she nodded, "As I'm sure you know, I only know most of them by reputation. Lt. Uhura is in charge of communications, and the rest of her staff. Lt. Nao Yuuki, and M'Ress."

"One for each shift," Shizuru noted, "But why are all of them working on the control panel, now?"

"Technical issues with the new equipment. Uhura is monitoring the frequencies while M'Ress is attempting to check the connections, and Lt. Yuuki is calibrating the controls."

"I'll make formal introductions, later," Shizuru put a finger to her lip thoughtfully, "It seems they're rather busy at the moment."

"Indeed," Natuski nodded, "Over here we have Tactical, Lt. Mai Tokiha, and Helm, Ensign Yukino Kikukawa."

"Hopefully, you'll never need my services at all, Captain," Mai said, "But if you do, I'm more than capable of shooting straight."

"And I promise to steer straight as well," Yukino added, "Captain Fujino, sir. Er…or is it 'ma'am'."

Shizuru gave her a placid smile, "'Ma'am' will do in a crunch. Just call me Captain. And please, relax. It's my first day on the job, too."

"Sir, yes sir!" Mai and Yukino threw salutes, Mai in a clearly tongue in cheek way that indicated that she appreciated her Captain's words, Yukino in a much more tight salute that suggested that she was still highly nervous.

"Of course, I run the science station," Natsuki said calmly, "And I also serve as your Executive Officer. I assure you that I can perform both duties without difficulty, even in a crisis situation."

"You have served under Admiral Pike for many years," Shizuru hoped her tone was calming, "So rest assured, I've no doubts about your qualifications. That's the Engineering Station, but our Chief Engineer doesn't seem to be present. I assume I shall find…"

"Commander Montgomery Scott," Natsuki said, "Yes, he'll be in Engineering. He has quite the reputation. At age 16, he disproved the Perera Field Theory with the Aberdeen Solution."

Shizuru was notably wide-eyed, but maintained her smile, "That was our engineer? We are most fortunate indeed."

Natsuki actually smiled at that, "Of the available candidates, he's who I would have picked, given the choice."

Shizuru chuckled, "I'm sure he'll be pleased that he meets with Natsuki's approval."

"Are you teasing me, Sir?" Natsuki looked mildly annoyed.

"Oh, of course," Shizuru replied, "But only in good sport. I find you quite commendable, after all. And our Head Doctor?"

"That'd be me," A familiar, warm voice called to Shizuru, "'Zuru."

Shizuru's smile grew, "I don't know that it would be appropriate to use nicknames in front of the bridge crew…Bones."

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy grinned, "Y'know, I don't mind. After what happened to Jim…Well, I sorta missed having someone call me that. I just came to the bridge because the records indicate that two people still have to get their physicals before we ship out, and since there's time while they're still putting the pieces together, I might as well take care of it, now."

Shizuru pursed her lips in thought, "And given that you came to the bridge, I assume that I am one of those two."

"Well," McCoy suggested with a reasonable tone, "Have you had your physical?"

"I haven't."

"Then, yes, Captain Fujino, one of them is definitely you. And the other is a Commander Natsuki Kuga."

Natsuki's face flushed a slightly darker shade of green as her copper-based blood rushed to her face, "I…may have neglected a physical or two, recently."

McCoy raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "You're Natsuki Kuga?"

"We've already gone down that path once," Shizuru said to McCoy, "But let us head to Sickbay and have our examinations done. There will be a female member of staff present? Not that I doubt your integrity, Bones, but regulations are regulations."

"Which is precisely why my Head Nurse, Yokho Sagisawa, will be aiding me in the examination of any and all female crew members," McCoy said, then poured some deliberate emphasis on his drawl, "Besides, madam Captain, I am a gentleman."

Natsuki noticeably rolled her eyes, "You don't say?"

"Well, this is a first," McCoy said, "I've never met a sarcastic Vulcan, before. Or at least, not that I could tell if they were sarcastic or not."

Natsuki sighed, "I am only half-Vulcan. My mother, Saeko Kuga, was human. My father, Sarek, is an ambassador. He and my Mother separated after one too many disagreements about my upbringing. She earned full custody, despite Sarek's connections, after they took the case before T'Pau."

"T'Pau? THE T'Pau?" McCoy blinked.

"She performed a mind-meld with me. It's a form of tactile telepathy between Vulcans. The old shrew touched my mind, and she immediately said, 'The girl shall go to Earth. There is no place on Vulcan for such as her.'"

"Harsh," McCoy shook his head, "To say that to a child. How old were you?"

"I was eight."

"Oh, Natsuki," Shizuru looked forlorn, "I'm so sorry."

"You shouldn't apologize for the actions of others," Natsuki shrugged, "Not unless they're under your command, Captain. Besides, I got what I wanted out of the situation. I ditched that cold, arrogant ass of a Father of mine and got to live on Earth. I consider myself Human, not Vulcan…although admittedly, Dr. McCoy, your treatments for my body will run more to the latter than the former."

McCoy frowned, "Well, I'll have to bone up on my Vulcan physiology, then, but in the meanwhile, one of my physicians, Dr. M'Benga, specializes in Vulcans."

Natsuki smiled, "I thank you. In fact, Dr. M'Benga has treated me in the past, during my days at Starfleet Academy."

They exited the turbolift and went to Sickbay, "I'll tend to the Captain first," McCoy said, "The rest of the nurses are still en route. I'll have Nurse Sagisawa assist Dr. M'Benga with your exam when I'm finished with the Captain, Kuga."

"Should I excuse myself, then?" Natsuki asked.

"Please stay," Shizuru said before she knew what she was saying, then quickly added, "I have no secrets from my XO, not when the safety and security of the ship is concerned. You should know as much about me, medically, as I and the Doctor know."

"That's…reasonable," Natsuki admitted.

Shizuru smiled, "Thank you. Besides, having someone to talk to might distract me from the poking and prodding."

"Then…I'm happy to be of service."

"I can see the human, yes," McCoy smiled, "Now, Captain, go behind that curtain, change into the gown, and then be ready to stick out your tongue. And not to tease your First Officer."

"Why Doctor McCoy!" Shizuru feigned affront, "I am a proper Kyoto lady. I would NEVER stick out my tongue for the purposes of teasing…unless it was really amusing."

McCoy turned to Natsuki, "You I expect to have green blood. What's surprising is that given the amount of green tea this woman drinks, she doesn't."

"Mou, Doctor McCoy, ikezu!"

Natsuki decided in that moment that she rather liked her Captain, though she wondered if her life was about to get much more complicated.

~~*~~

Ten Years Ago/San Francisco

Jim Kirk and Shizuru Fujino were standing on a balcony, overlooking San Francisco Bay. From time to time a shuttle or transport ship would swoop gracefully under the Golden Gate Bridge, their lights reflecting off the dark waters of the midnight bay.

Kirk handed her a cold bottle of Yebisu beer, while he had a brand from Milwaukee himself.

"I hear you're shipping out on the Farragut, tomorrow,' Shizuru said.

"And you're going on the Hornet," Kirk replied, taking a sip, then nodded at her bottle, "It's not sake or your usual green tea, but you should drink it while it's cold. I know you enjoy the occasional beer."

Shizuru grinned, "Is the secret to Jim Kirk's success with women that he plies them with alcohol? I have to warn you, it won't work with me."

"No," Kirk suddenly looked somber, "No, it won't. and that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Shizuru. When are you going to be honest with yourself?"

Shizuru looked at him wide-eyed. She felt herself flush, both in embarrassment and anger. And that she had betrayed an emotion so openly when she tried to remain behind a serene mask angered her even more.

"You couldn't get me to go out with you, so you suggest it's because I'm a lesbian, Kirk? I thought you better than that."

She expected an angry denial, an outburst of rage, or even an embarrassed retraction. What she got was a sad look and a sigh.

"You do know me better, Shizuru. And I know you. C'mon, I'm Jim Kirk. The guy who got a commendation for beating the 'no-win scenario'…"

"By cheating," Shizuru said, "I was your communication officer in that scenario."

"The point is, I've seen you up close for a couple of years now, Shizuru. At first I thought you were asexual. But then I saw you the other night, at that party."

Shizuru suddenly knew what he was going to say, and she couldn't find voice to stop him.

"I saw you looking, Shizuru. I saw the look in your eyes while I was dancing with that lab tech…"

"Carol. Carol Marcus," Shizuru sighed.

"You know her name, despite never having talked to her," Kirk said, "And I saw the look in your eyes. I've done enough pining of my own to recognize it in someone else. And it wasn't me you were pining over. You've seen me with enough girls without ever making that face, before."

Shizuru stood silent. She couldn't deny what he was saying, and she dared not confirm it.

"It's the twenty-third century, Shizuru. What's holding you back? Religion? Family? Your plans for the future? All of the above?"

She did something she couldn't believe herself. She started to cry, "So, you know my dirty little secret. Are you happy, Jim?"

He shook his head, and took her tenderly in his arms, allowing her to shed her tears into her shoulder, "No. And neither are you, which is sort of my point. You're my friend, Shizuru. You're probably the only cadet I would expect could beat the 'no-win scenario' without cheating. You'll probably make a very good captain, hell even an Admiral, one day. But what sort of victory will it be if you don't find someone to share it with?"

"How?" Shizuru asked with a shaky voice as she willed her tears away, "How can you be so kind to me, knowing how wicked, how twisted…"

"Because you're not. You're my friend. And I don't like it when my friends are unhappy. Look, I'm not saying go out right now and find someone and go out with them just to say you've done it. But you? One day, Shizuru, you're going to find someone amazing, someone worthy of you. And when you do…I only hope for two things."

"And those are?" Shizuru pushed away gently to meet his eyes with her own.

"First, that she reciprocates. And second, that you're not too scared of yourself to let it happen."

And he leaned down, and he kissed her on the forehead. Not as a lover. But as a big brother looking out for a beloved little sister.

"Thank you, Jim."

"No, Shizuru. Thank you. For being willing to listen."

~~*~~

"If it makes you uncomfortable for me to be here, Natsuki, I can return to the bridge, now," Shizuru said evenly.

"N-no," Natsuki said, "It's…It's fine."

"Vulcan physiology," Dr. M'Benga was explaining to Dr. McCoy and Nurse Sagisawa, "Is notably for perfect bilateral symmetry. Their heart is located where our liver would be, and is much faster, owing to their living in a somewhat higher gravity with lower oxygen concentration.

"Now, Kuga, let me know at any point if you feel discomfort."

"Just my injury from Rigel VII," Natsuki said.

"I'll give it a look. She was only a lieutenant junior grade then," M'Benga said, "I treated her on Earth when she took leave. Took a spear to the side from a fight with one of the Kalar Warriors."

"I was one of the fortunate ones," Natsuki opined, "Three of our people didn't make it home, and two had to leave the service."

Dr. M'Benga gently touched the scar on her flank, which caused her to visibly wince. Shizuru, in an act of instinct, took her hand to try and comfort her.

"Captain, no!" M'Benga tried to warn, but it was too late. Physical contact had been made, and Shizuru was reeling from the torrent of memories that flowed from Natsuki as the stimulus of the scar brought back memories of the pain and fear of the spear penetrating her side.

It was more than Shizuru could handle at once, and she fell unconscious.

~~*~~

Starfleet Headquarters, two months ago

"Jim! Damn it, Jim, what did you do?"

Kirk was leaning against an emergency hatch. There was a severe phaser burn on his chest, right over his right lung, and Shizuru realized with horror that she could see light through the hole from the other side. Kirk was gasping, struggling for breath, but he grinned as he nodded at the unconscious form of Admiral Rittenhouse laying unconscious on the deck.

"Lucky…for me…he had a…glass jaw," Kirk made a show of blowing on his knuckles. It was a mistake. He fell to the ground, struggling to breathe.

"Starfleet…out of danger?" he panted, his color ashen.

"Yes, Jim," Shizuru cradled his head in her lap, "You saved Starfleet. You saved us all. Jim, hang on. Bones is on his way."

"Hey…"Kirk managed, "You…you find anyone…yet…Commander Fujino?"

"I…Jim what are you saying? You need to keep still."

"You'll find her…Shizuru…" Kirk sighed, "But I'm afraid…"

"Hang in there, Jim. I hear Bones, now."

Kirk managed a brief shake of his head, "I'm afraid…I have to…go on ahead…Oh, my."

And all was silent, as Jim Kirk lay dead in her arms. McCoy arrived a moment later, and he did a cursory check with his tricorder, but he'd been an experienced enough doctor to know already.

"Jim's dead, Fujino," he shook his head.

There had been a board of inquiry. Rittenhouse's plans, his attempted coup, his alliance with the shadowy organization known as Section 31 all came to light. But Jim Kirk was dead. And Commander Shizuru Fujino, for her role in helping to uncover the conspiracy, was promoted to Captain.

~~*~~

"She's coming out of it," She heard McCoy's voice.

Shizuru found herself lying in a diagnostic bed.

"What…what happened to me?" Shizuru sat up, her head throbbing.

"You made contact with Kuga's hand," M'Benga said, "Without the benefit of insulated medical gloves. Vulcans, and some half-Vulcans, are tactile telepaths. Kuga was in the middle of reliving her experiences on Rigel VII when you took her hand, and so you relived them with her."

"And Kuga apparently picked up your memories of Jim Kirk's death," McCoy said, "She was shaking me, and she was actually speaking in your voice and Kyoto dialect, saying 'Save him, Bones. You have to save him.'"

Shizuru looked around, concerned, "Is she alright?"

"She's fine," Yokho Sagisawa said, "She's in the next bed over, waiting to talk to you."

"It was an incomplete meld," M'Benga said, "And that can lead to issues. For both parties. A proper meld will have to take place."

"Not here," Natsuki spoke from her bed, "I can manage this part on my own, Doctor M'Benga, Doctor McCoy. It is…necessary for us to have…privacy."

"It will be here," McCoy said, "But we can give you both privacy. We'll head to the mess hall. The biobeds will signal my communicator if there's any issue."

McCoy, M'Benga, and Sagisawa left the room.

"I'm sorry, Natsuki," Shizuru said, "I fear I've troubled you."

"You were concerned," Natsuki said, looking away, "You tried to help. The Vulcan mind meld is…not something that's widely known. There are so many things from that side of my heritage that are so…secretive and…from my perspective…meaningless."

"Natsuki, I'm sorry you had to relive the death of my friend."

"That's not all I relived," Natsuki said, "You've been thinking about him a lot, lately. About what he said to you, years ago. And it's because of me that you remembered those words."

"I never intended to behave inappropriately with you," Shizuru sniffed, trying to keep herself from crying over the strong emotions surging through her.

"You haven't," Natsuki said, "And it was not lust I sensed from you, but curiosity, amusement, and even a mild affection. But we must complete the meld, or it will cause us both a sense of troubled identity."

Natsuki sat across from her, and reached out timidly, "I…have to touch you."

"Of course. Go ahead."

Natsuki's fingers touched Shizuru's face gingerly, softly, and then she heard Natsuki's voice, "My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts."

And everything between the two women was laid bare. Every thought. Every feeling. Happy memories. Ugly ones. Nightmares and dreams of elated happiness. Every triumph. Every tragedy. Every desire.

And then, they separated. And for Shizuru, that was more painful than anything she'd experienced through the meld. To be a part of such an experience that was deeper than any physical experience she'd ever had, to actually merge souls with another person, only to be apart again, it was like a piece of her own soul was ripped away.

Until she opened her eyes and saw those beautiful emerald eyes staring at her, and a smile, "Are you…well, Captain?"

"I am. And you?"

Shizuru saw a smile and a blush not quite as green as her eyes touch Natsuki's delicate features, "I am well."

Shizuru smiled, "Shall we join our medical staff in the mess hall? We have T-minus four hours before launch."

"I would like that, Captain."

Natsuki reached out, offering her index and middle finger extended. Shizuru knew the meaning from her meld with the young woman, and smiled, holding out her hand in a similar way, touching the tips of her fingers to her First Officer's.

Author's Note: Admiral Rittenhouse and his attempted coup are a reference to the TOS novel Dreadnaught. And of course, Section 31 make handy villains that are a part of Federation history.

I didnt' want to replace all of the Enterprise crew, and I simply couldn't think of any HiME/Otome characters that would replace Scotty, Uhura, or Bones.

Natsuki, being Natsuki, refused to accept me trying to writer her as a Vulcan trying to suppress her human side, and so I went with her and have her as trying to force her emotions to move past her ingrained Vulcan stoicism.

I will be writing more adventures for them as they begin their five year mission aboard the Enterprise, but I am open to suggestions about which episodes you might want to see. Where would the differing personalities of Natsuki and Shizuru cause a different outcome from the ones we saw in the Classic series, even as they're the same situations they encounter? Would the gangsters of Sigma Iotia find Natsuki's aim to be terrifying? Would Shizuru sit down to tea with the Horta?

Oh, and do expect Alyssa and Miyu to show up as dignitaries for the Federation, with Alyssa the half-sister from Dr. Saeko Kuga's remarriage.

Let me know what you think in the reviews. I am open to suggestions about where to go next.