Naruto: Infinity Divide

A New Beginning

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter the Think Tank finally gets to go into space. Enjoy!

Port = Left

Starboard = Right

[ ] Signifies a foreign language

Last time:

Stardate 2272.330, Federation/Romulan Neutral Zone, Icarus System

The light freighter S.S. Vikrant was taking an illegal cargo into the Federation/Romulan Neutral Zone. They'd been paid extremely well to risk a little trip into the Neutral Zone. Their cargo was a Vulcan defector named Alieth. The Captain said, "We're here Miss Alieth; the Icarus system. Just as you requested, we're in the orbit of the lifeless rock Icarus IV. What now?"

Alieth gave the Captain a datacard and said, "Transmit these codes at a short transmission range only and my ride will show up."

The Captain shrugged and said, "Whatever you say Miss Alieth." He slid the datacard in the slot and transmitted the codes as she requested.

"Now we wait." she said as he handed her back the datacard.

A second later the Romulan frigate RIS Scimitar appeared directly in front of them. The Captain gasped and Alieth got out a Romulan communicator. She said, [One to beam up.] in perfect Romulan. She quickly disappeared in a shimmering transporter beam. The codes that Alieth was safely aboard the frigate came through seconds later which made the crew of the Vikrant finally relax.

The Romulan frigate then fired her plasma torpedoes at point blank range and the Vikrant ceased to exist. Seconds later the RIS Scimitar faded out under cloak.

…

Bridge, RIS Scimitar

Kurenai was watching the viewscreen impassively from her command chair as the last sparks and fragments of the hapless Vikrant burned into dust over Icarus IV. She noted absentmindedly, "I despise smugglers." The doors to the bridge opened and Kurenai turned her chair to face the newcomer Alieth. She smiled and said, "Welcome aboard the Scimitar Tal Shiar Major Anko. It's good to see you again old friend."

Anko's light brown eyes seemed to glint in the low light of the ship's bridge. She grinned mischievously. "It's good to see you again as well Subcommander Kurenai."

The frigate Scimitar soon headed smoothly back into Romulan space…

…

Chapter 25

Stardate 2272.332. Prison Transport Ship U.S.S. Weare on course to the Jeron System, United Federation of Planets

Anthony MacDougal was sitting in his solitary cell aboard the U.S.S. Weare wondering what would become of him. He'd been involved in one of the biggest disinformation programs against the Romulan Tal Shiar there had been in the last twenty years. The whole thing blew up in his face due to one mistake. He wagered that the Think Tank Cadets would knuckle under to authority without question. All his accomplices and silent partners vanished in the blink of an eye…and he was considered a traitor! 'I'm more of a patriot for the Federation than anyone in Starfleet!' he raged to himself. 'Section 31 said they had me covered and they hung me out to dry.' He knew Alieth (or whatever her actual name was) hit the hot button so she could escape. All the other Romulan Agents were just a means to an end, and she sacrificed them all without blinking an eye.

"What a heartless woman…" he thought aloud.

The doors to his cell opened with a hiss and three Section 31 agents entered. Two were younger and he didn't know them but the third he knew well. The man went by the name Tower and held a Commander's rank. God only knew what the man's real name was. Tower wore his gray hair in a military buzz cut and the black uniform of Section 31. Commander Tower motioned the two guards to guard the door outside and said sarcastically, "Weeping over lost love Tony?"

MacDougal glared at Tower and said, "I never loved Alieth!"

Tower looked at MacDougal with mirth in his eyes and said, "Really? Don't kid yourself! She was never supposed to know about the Simulator Shuttle, but you fucked up Tony. Then you tried to cover your own tracks by enlisting a bunch of geniuses to break the rules. Did you really think those kids would be that easily manipulated? We've been eyeing them since the whole Fast Track program started. We put that program in place. They were all put through subconscious testing to make sure they were hard enough to endure the tasks at hand. In a few years each and every one of those kids will be invited to join Section 31."

The former Captain gasped, "Then those Cadets were working for you?! Why didn't they cooperate with me then?"

The Section 31 Agent shook his head 'no.' "They are candidates though they don't know it. They've proven to have more loyalty to the Federation than you Tony. Did you know they hacked your files and knew about the Simulator Shuttle's whereabouts before you even called them? Those kids knew it was a cock up from the beginning! They followed the spirit of the regulations to the letter. In the meantime, you were leaking information to that woman about the Simulator Shuttle. Luckily, we caught on and fed you false information so the specs and plans you got from Mars were nothing but fabrications and lies. Your little Romulan sweetie ran back to Tal Shiar High Command with nothing of use to anybody."

MacDougal was beside himself with rage. "You set me up Tower! I should-" A phaser beam shot Anthony MacDougal and silenced him forever…

"You were a loose end, Tony." said Commander Tower as he put away his phaser pistol. "Section 31 doesn't tolerate loose ends…"

…

Stardate 2272.335, Starfleet Academy Assembly Hall, San Francisco, Planet Earth

The Think Tank was called in as a group by Captain Schulz that they'd seen before in the opening and closing ceremonies. The biggest thing they remembered her for was making the announcement that the Simulator Shuttle was being handed over to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers…They weren't looking forward to what she had to say. Captain Schultz saw the Cadets were stiff at attention and almost had a look of hostility in their burning eyes. 'Such spirit and determination are admirable but what did I do?' she wondered. 'What an unfriendly bunch of Cadets!'

She cleared her throat and said, "Welcome Cadets. Your little group has made quite an impression upon the Admiralty. They have decided that you are ready for your six-month Cadet Cruise along with your Fourth Year upperclassman. I realize this must come as a surprise to you going sixth months early but Starfleet Command has decided that you are ready. Congratulations! You will all be shipping out on the newly refitted Galactic Survey Cruiser, NCC-1802 U.S.S Darwin as of Stardate 2273.001. Your new orders will be forwarded to you by the end of the day. You are among Starfleet's rising stars, and we expect you to continue to excel. Well done!"

The Think Tank members were collectively shocked and some of them were abhorred. The U.S.S. Darwin's reputation as a Death Ship aside; most of them had degrees and projects to complete and needed the next semester to do so. Captain Schultz was expecting them to break into wild applause given they would be out of the classroom and out in space. They eventually realized they were supposed to be clapping and broke out in polite applause while wondering how this would affect their futures. A general mood of grim determination settled over them when the meeting was over.

…

Starfleet Academy, Dorm-F, Room 125-F

M'rella was pacing about frantically and was generally in an uproar. "We are not ready for this Naruto! What about our educations?! I'm not through my second Doctorate in Languages!"

Naruto's mind was racing through ideas inside but outside looked completely composed. He finally said, "Let's sit down and discuss this over some tea M'rella. You need to calm your mind and think."

Taking a deep breath M'rella said, "Tea sounds good. Let's have some of that Vulcan Spiced Tea you make so well. It is much better than that bland Plomeek Tea that you brew sometimes."

Naruto thought to himself 'What's wrong with my Plomeek Tea? I admit it isn't as good as my Mother's but…I'm being illogical.' He mentally smacked himself. "Spiced Tea it is then." '…Then again, a shot of Vulcan Port sounds better.' Remembering how plastered his lovely Caitian roommate got the last time she had Vulcan Port the blonde Vulcan quickly decided tea was the better choice.

They were soon discussing options (aside from resigning) of continuing their educations. M'rella said in her usual purring voice, "Alright Naruto, what do you think would convince the Admiralty to push us forward so quickly? We were supposed to have three to four semesters of instruction and then our Cadet Cruise, not two semesters. Our Sciences Team already looked it up and this is unprecedented even in wartime."

Naruto took a sip of tea and said, "If I were to engage in speculation, I would estimate that either the Admiralty has that much faith in us (which isn't logical) or the Admiralty is desperate for more officers quickly. If I was in a position to push forward for more officers quickly, I would choose among outstanding third years rather than members of the Think Tank. We are not experienced enough."

"Also, there are only twenty of us." said M'rella. "If they were really desperate for more officers, they wouldn't limit it to us only. It is very odd. I suppose on paper we are the equivalent of the Third Years."

As a group the Think Tank concluded that whatever the Admiralty's reasoning was, they really weren't in a position to fight receiving what was supposed to be a huge honor by being advanced so quickly. Their upperclassmen were divided on the subject. The Third Years were virtually all opposed to it and (justifiably) felt they were getting the shaft. Among the Fourth Years, many felt the Think Tank were a bunch of upstarts, but others were congratulatory such as Jackie Nodaway and her team who had faith in the fast track student's abilities. No fights broke out for the simple reason that the Think Tank students preferred negotiations to fist fights. They all agreed that they couldn't afford to get into pitched battles anyway.

…

Naruto soon was on his tablet talking to his mate T'Lyra about the situation. She said, "For purely selfish reasons I am pleased. We can serve together at last. Does this not please you?"

The blonde gave a tiny smile and said, "Of course it pleases me T'Lyra. But it is still highly illogical. Taking a group like the Think Tank into space with our lack of experience seems like a very bad idea."

"I'm sure you and your group will adapt. My training only took months." said the beautiful brunette. "Besides, you've been picking up Commendations left and right to use a human term."

"And you have been nominated for the Starfleet Medal of Valor my mate." said Naruto with a bit of pride in his voice.

The young couple talked about everything and nothing until lights out. They were both very pleased to be serving together at last…

…

Stardate 2272.338, Starfleet Academy, Admiral Harold Pye's Office

Admiral Pye was in a conference call with the higher ups in Starfleet Command. Pye had protested the Think Tank being advanced so quickly and given he'd been in the position of Commandant of the Starfleet Academy for many years his voice couldn't be ignored. Essentially the decision was made behind his back and the old Admiral wasn't going to take it lying down.

"Harry, you yourself gave five of them a personal Commendation as well as a group Commendation for the Simulator Shuttle project." said his old friend Admiral Wallace. "I've known you for decades and you don't give unnecessary praise. You always told me that whenever you gave someone a Commendation that they sure as hell earned it."

Pye said, "And they did earn it! The problem is those kids are going too far too fast. Reverse the decision and let them take the full two years. This is a mistake."

Admiral Barnes said, "We would lose a lot of face doing something like that. Both the public and the students themselves would be disillusioned and a reverse decision would make Starfleet Command look indecisive. We can't have that. If nothing else, what do the Cadets of the Think Tank feel about it? When I was their age I would have been doing back flips."

Harold Pye narrowed his eyes and said, "They were quite shocked seeing their education is being completely derailed. Schultz said that they gave a light applause after several minutes of dead silence. They aren't ready and they know they aren't ready. That fact alone speaks volumes of how they will turn out if we teach them right."

"The decision is made Harry." said Wallace. "Don't be difficult for all of our sakes."

"What about a compromise then?" asked the Academy Commandant.

"What did you have in mind Pye?" asked Barnes warily. Barnes knew Admiral Pye was sly as a fox when he needed to be.

Admiral Pye said, "It's very simple. They get their Cadet's Cruise early and can finish their education during the following year back at the Academy. Then they get their Commissions as Starfleet Officers."

Wallace stroked his goatee and said, "It would have to be handled on a case-by-case basis but since there are only twenty of them…."

Barnes nodded in agreement. "It's not unreasonable. Make it so."

Pye slapped his desk as he was known to do and said, "Consider it done gentlemen!"

…

Starfleet Academy, Dorm F, Student Conference Room

The Think Tank students were summoned after their normal study hours to the Student Conference Room which was used by the Dorm F Committee of Students Affairs regarding matters pertaining to the Dorm. It was considered a form of self-government that gave a degree of autonomy to each dorm. In general, it was considered something of an extracurricular activity but there were certain honors in sitting on the Student's Committee. Needless to say, the Fast Track students quickly had any hopes dashed of joining in because they were too busy being buried alive with homework assignments.

They were sitting at the long conference table wondering why they'd been summoned when Lieutenant Charles Cross that taught them Starfleet Regulations came in and called them to attention. "Is the entire Fast Track group present?"

He snapped his fingers and pointed at Kloene who instantly said, "Sir, yes sir! All twenty of us are present sir!"

Cross grinned and said, "Students, remain standing and face me at attention, a guest speaker is here to talk with you. Some of you have met him personally but all of you know him."

Admiral Harold Pye sauntered in with a bodyguard in tow. Cross turned to him and saluted as did all the Cadets. The Admiral had a twinkle in his eye and asked, "Lieutenant Cross, are all members of the Think Tank present and accounted for?"

"Sir, yes sir!" said Cross.

"Excellent." said Pye. "At ease Cross." The Admiral seated himself at the head of the table and said, "All of you at ease and be seated. There is a bit I wish to discuss with you about your Cadet Cruise on the U.S.S. Darwin." Once the Cadets were seated; Pye said, "I spoke to Captain Schultz and many of your instructors regarding your general attitude regarding the Cadet Cruise. I've reviewed every one of your personal records and you all have one quality above all others; you all want to learn. Yes, you all have the desire to succeed and excel but each of you has a thirst for knowledge that can't be quenched. That's why Starfleet needs young people like you. That is why you are Fast Track students."

The Admiral steepled his fingers and narrowed his eyes. He asked, "How many of you want to go on this Cadet Cruise and join the fleet without finishing your education here first? How many of you in your own judgment are ready to join the fleet as officers?" Cross's eyes went wide at such a direct question. He looked down the table and saw not one of the Think Tank raised their hands. The Lieutenant was shocked. Admiral Pye glanced at Cross with his bug-eyed look and thought to himself, 'I've still got it.' with a mental smirk.

Turning back to the students he said, "Good, very good. It's always good to reach for the stars but going too far too fast…you have to know your limitations. I've spoken to the General Staff and the decision for you to go on your Cadet Cruise on the U.S.S. Darwin cannot and will not be reversed. However, when the cruise is complete you will each be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and those that are not ready to join the fleet will be transferred back to the Academy to complete your final 6 months of course work. Those that are deemed ready will receive their Officer's Commissions at that point. Now, I'm sure you all have questions. Let's start here on my right and go down the table. Due to time constraints we need to keep this short and concise…"

…

Two hours later the Cadets were dismissed, and Lieutenant Cross was talking with the Admiral. "I had no idea they felt that way sir." said Cross with a bit of distress in his voice.

Pye grinned and said, "For God's sake Charlie, sit down and speak freely. You are turning blue from bottling it all up."

Charles Cross sat down and took a deep breath. "Sir, I honestly thought that bunch of hotshots would be tearing down the walls to get an early Commission. It seems I was wrong."

The Admiral said, "You or I would have at their age, but these kids are different. I've been teaching for forty-three years Charlie. Sometimes you stumble across a genius in the lot that truly wants to better themselves first so they can be the Officers they are meant to be later. Starfleet somehow stumbled across twenty of them and packed them into one group. It's extraordinary. They are still kids though and they need a firm hand to guide them. When I asked them if they were ready, I would have been shocked if any of them raised their hands."

Cross looked thoughtful and said, "I expected all of them to raise their hands."

"They think before they act unlike most Cadets." added Pye. "That alone makes them special; that's why I've had you teaching the Rules and Regulations. They needed someone to be tough on them because they are all free thinkers. When they started, they couldn't stand you but now a year later you've earned their respect. Hell; they admire and respect our own Commander Triella Jackson. Cadets regularly want to run screaming from her."

Cross laughed. "The Cadets call Commander Jackson the Meat Grinder for a reason, sir."

"Let me tell you a little secret Charlie." said Admiral Pye. "The Think Tank Cadets have never lost in a one-on-one simulation. Oh, they've been destroyed in fleet situations because of a Command decision above them but they've always pulled off something sly and came out on top in a duel. The fact they beat the Kobayashi Maru was just icing on the cake."

"But failure is a great teacher." said Cross.

"It is." agreed Pye. "I believe they'll get a large dose of that reality on this Cadet Cruise. In a simulator you don't have to deal with a poor crew or anything off the bridge. The Cadets will learn. You also must work with others outside your sphere of classmates and friends. There are dozens of things they will learn the hard way but better on a Cadet Cruise now than in real combat later. That's the one plus I see about these kids taking a little voyage on the U.S.S. Darwin…"

…

Stardate 2272.351, Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Orbital Shipyards, Planet Mars, FRD-15, U.S.S. Darwin

Up in the Captain's ready room was Captain Francis James; a 45-year-old dark skinned human that had been in Starfleet for 27 years. He was slightly graying and had a handlebar moustache. He looked at the ship's roster and saw all those marked in green were Starfleet Cadets. Captain James muttered to himself, "350 officers and crew and 150 Cadets. On top of that it's a shakedown cruise for one of the most technologically advanced ships in the fleet…" It was no secret that Captain James was less than thrilled to have an inexperienced crew and a bunch of kids. 'I would have taken a shakedown cruise OR a Cadet Cruise but why both? It takes time for the crew to work and live with each other and learn the idiosyncrasies of their ship. I'm going to have a crew that is half lost leading 150 children that are completely lost."

His first officer Commander Mei Terumi had yet to report aboard, and she was en route from Starbase 19. Whether she would be there in time for launch was arguable. He'd never spoken to the woman but the auburn haired 30-year-old had an outstanding serving record. The first staff meeting was a disaster. The Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Jonathon Walker had gotten himself lost in between Sickbay and the Staff Meeting Room and was late. He was older and his hair was completely gray. Captain James' Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Sassaav was Andorian and had been livid that construction was still going on and that the engineering decks were a mess.

The Darwin's Chief Science Officer Lieutenant Commander Jamie Beam was a short human with light brown hair. She was very timid and seemed afraid to give an opinion. Captain James noted she was newly appointed and had never headed a department before, but her lack of nerve didn't bode well…Especially on a Galactic Survey Cruiser that had an enormous science department. On the other hand, he was genuinely pleased with his Security Chief Lieutenant Shizuka Nadeshiko. She not only knew what she was doing but was damn good at it…Even if she was a Vulcan that acted like a normal human. She was up for the Starfleet Medal of Valor and that spoke volumes about her mettle.

Captain James' Head Navigator was a younger Lieutenant, a Vulcan woman named Karatek. She didn't have a lot of years under her belt, but her record showed she was very talented. The last member of his staff was a dark brown haired human male Lieutenant named Thomas Abraham. James understood that Abraham was an excellent helmsman but was a hotshot and a womanizer. The Captain of the Darwin was less than thrilled about the latter. Francis James didn't like troublemakers and this Lieutenant Abraham had trouble written all over him. Lastly, they had a human Communications Officer named Karina Edwards. She was a full Lieutenant and had been in the service longer than Captain James.

…

Down in the aft end of the secondary hull several heavy warp shuttles were rotating between Starfleet Academy on Earth and large shuttle bay of the U.S.S. Darwin where Cadets with their personal effects were offloading. It was barely controlled chaos as the many petty offers barked out orders to the scrambling Starfleet Cadets. The Think Tank was kind of congregated together since they had all come in together on the same shuttle. Naruto felt fortunate that their roommates were the same as at the Academy. At least he had one friend in the mass of confusion. The various Cadets were soon assigned to their quarters by the ship's crewmaster. Naruto and M'rella were on the starboard side of Deck 6 in the primary hull.

The design of the room was quite different from the Academy where virtually everything was shared. Naruto and M'rella had a shared bathroom and shower in between their connected rooms. Everything else was separate. They each had a standard bed, desk and chair as well as a small bookshelf. Their quarters were also accessible by separate entrances. These were standard crew quarters and a few Cadets complained about not having Junior Officer's quarters. The ship's crewmaster promptly shoved those Cadets in the noisiest and most undesirable quarters available. M'rella was a bit baffled at the situation since she felt their quarters were just fine.

M'rella and Naruto entered their conjoined quarters an immediately set about unloading their belongings. M'rella purred happily, "Hmmm. We are the first ever to have these quarters. It's nice that they are all shiny and new."

Naruto nodded as he investigated the bathroom. There were four side doors that led to their adjacent rooms and walk in closets for their rooms. Naruto looked at his schedule and saw that the ship's mess hall was open at certain times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but that the food replicators were available at all hours. The cadets were to report for general inspection the next morning at 06:00. Naruto said, "We'd best make sure our things are put away neatly in case they inspect our quarters as well."

"It's very different from our dorm room, isn't it?" asked M'rella.

The blonde Vulcan said, "These quarters have to be different given the ship's internal structure and the fact it has to move."

M'rella giggled and asked, "How do you think the others are doing? We don't even know where they are yet."

"I'm sure we will learn soon enough." said Naruto. 'I wonder where T'Lyra's quarters on this ship are. I presume they are arranged like mine given these are standard crew quarters…'

…

"Personal Log of Naruto M'Fau: Stardate 2272.358. We Cadets have been following the orders of the Petty Officers and are primarily going wherever we ordered as masses of work needs to be done to have the U.S.S. Darwin ready to launch on time. The ship's stores are still not filled, and we have unloaded an average of 28.5 shuttles per day. Tons of foodstuffs and supplies are being shipped aboard as if the duration of our mission is a five year one rather than a six month one. I have yet to spend any time bonding with T'Lyra. She is working hard in engineering, and I have been somewhere else on the ship at all times. I have received the information where her quarters are however. She and her friend Brea Mathuin are opposite of M'rella and I on the port side of the saucer section."

"As we launch in a week whether we are fully prepared or not the tempers of many are running extremely high. Many arguments have broken out amongst the Cadets and the lack of discipline is appalling. It seems that the Petty Officers that oversee us Cadets were expecting this and are harshly reprimanding those who get out of line to use a human phrase. We are being inspected continuously as well. I personally am looking forward to getting under way and being assigned to regular duty stations. Unfortunately, I currently have no data on what duties I will assume other than I am in the Command Branch…"

…

Naruto was in the forward saucer section when he heard a gravelly voice roar his name over the public overhead. "Cadet Naruto report to Chief Engineer Sassaav on Engineering Deck 15 immediately!"

The Chief Petty Officer that had been cracking the whip on Naruto's group all day suddenly blanched and said to Naruto, "I don't know what you did but get your ass down to Engineering as quickly as possible. It sounds like Sassaav is in a bad mood."

…

Chief Engineer Sassaav was having a bad day. 'For all the engine testing that has been done; they never did a warp bubble projection test for various speeds! In our current situation we can't exceed warp two without causing warp fluctuations or even a wormhole!' He glanced over at T'Lyra who was emotionlessly working on the installation of a warp overflow plasma tube. He sighed, 'Typical Vulcan.'

Flashback…

Sassaav was raging and everyone was basically running for cover to avoid his wrath. "This ship can't exceed Warp Factor Two safely with this formula! What the hell were they thinking? This new warp field is bunk!"

After hearing Sassaav rant and rave for nearly twenty-five minutes T'Lyra decided the Andorian was in need of help that she might be able to supply him with. (Otherwise, the Chief Engineer was going to go up like an uncontrolled matter-antimatter reaction). She came up to Sassaav and said, "Permission to speak sir."

The Andorian's head pivoted mechanically around to her, and he turned to tower over the unflinching T'Lyra. His eyes were full of rage, and he said, "What is it Engineer's Mate?"

T'Lyra said simply, "The engines and warp core on this vessel were designed to fit the NCC-1710 Kongo; not the U.S.S. Darwin."

"I'm well aware of that Engineer's Mate." growled Sassaav. "What does that have to do with my warp formulas? If you think-"

"The warp formulas entered may be exclusively designed to fit the Kongo, not the Darwin." said T'Lyra.

Sassaav sighed. 'Well, at least this girl is trying to help.' "Computer, what ship is the warp architecture in the NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin's computer programmed for?"

The computer answered in a pleasant voice, "The program is designated for NCC-1710 U.S.S. Kongo."

The Andorian's dark eyes widened to epic proportions and he said, "How did you know this Engineer's Mate? I-what is your name anyway?"

The brunette Vulcan answered, "I am Engineer's Mate T'Lyra sir. I was involved in the warp core installation, and everything had to be adapted to fit the U.S.S. Darwin. It seemed logical that the computer programming would also have to be adapted to fit the Darwin."

Sassaav said sarcastically, "Then all I need to do is convert a Heavy Cruiser warp field to fit a Galactic Survey Cruiser." He gave a half smile to T'Lyra, "Well, at least the problem is identified. You wouldn't happen to know anyone who knows this new warp architecture forwards and backwards would you Engineer's Mate T'Lyra?" 'This could take weeks…' he thought to himself morosely.

T'Lyra raised her eyebrows and said, "Actually I do…"

…

"Cadet Naruto report to Chief Engineer Sassaav on Engineering Deck 15 immediately!"

Flashback end…

…

Naruto came speed walking off the turbolift and directly onto Deck 15 of Engineering. The blonde Vulcan saw his mate and T'Lyra motioned him towards a large Andorian that was pacing around like a big cat in a cage directly in front of a large hologram of the Darwin's warp field.

The blonde came up to Sassaav and saluted crisply. "Cadet Naruto M'Fau reporting for duty Chief Engineer Sassaav."

Sassaav turned to face Naruto and pointed to the holographic image of the Darwin. He said, "Can you tell me what is wrong with this picture Cadet?" The Andorian had a smile on his face that had everyone trembling in fear. (His smile was the last step before meltdown).

Naruto raised an eyebrow and said, "Clearly someone tried to apply a Constitution II warp field over the U.S.S. Darwin's hull structure. It would work until approximately warp 1.96 before it started to collapse. It's highly illogical that anyone would do such a thing."

The Chief Engineer was genuinely impressed that Naruto figured it out in mere seconds. Sassaav said, "You seem to know this warp architecture program quite well."

Naruto turned and locked eyes with Sassaav. "I created the program." said the blonde Vulcan. "Do you need it corrected sir?"

"You created the program?" asked the Andorian.

"That is correct sir." said Naruto.

"Engineer's Mate T'Lyra said you knew it well, but she never said you made it." said Sassaav.

"It is classified Chief Engineer Sassaav." the blonde clarified. "She was following the correct protocols. Do you wish for me to correct it sir?"

Sassav blinked and said, "By all means proceed Cadet. How can I help?"

Naruto said. "Take the secondary station so you can enter the appropriate override codes as I have no access on this ship." Naruto's eyes lit up with chakra and he said, "I'll take care of the rest."

…

Sassaav watched as the wild-eyed Vulcan's fingers danced across the data pad keys in a blur. For the next 40 minutes Naruto broke down the algorithms and reconstructed them to fit the Darwin exclusively. The big Andorian was watching transfixed as the young blonde shot through formulas faster than the eye could follow. "Seven more minutes." said Naruto as the new warp field maps started appearing rapidly on the holographic image of the Darwin. Seven minutes later Naruto tapped the final key and said, "Execute!"

The hologram changed from a ship with various oddly shaped warp fields to completely seamless and smooth warp bubbles around the ship. "Computer, calculate maximum warp speed with current warp field program."

"Working." said the computer. "The maximum speed of U.S.S. Darwin with the current warp field is 9.06."

Naruto simply said, "Acceptable. Display warp curvature between warp 3.5 and 4.5."

'Acceptable?! What is his definition of good?!' wondered Sassaav. Then he saw a slight 'kink' in the warp field at the stern and frowned. Everything else looked fabulous to him. "What's this Cadet?"

"There is a drag in acceleration between warp 3.6 and 4.1. I will need to program it manually." said Naruto. "The fantail*① with the drone rack on it is causing an unacceptable lag in increase of velocity."

The Andorian Engineer wondered a bit about Naruto. He didn't look that old and was obviously a genius. Naruto didn't look tired but the sheer number of calculations the blonde Vulcan had done in the last hour was staggering. Sassaav said, "Let's take a break before we go back at it, Cadet." Naruto nodded as he trailed the Chief Engineer over to a small worker's lounge with a food replicator in it. Sassaav had Terran coffee and Naruto ordered Plomeek Tea.

Sassaav took as sip of his drink and got a sour look on his face. "This human coffee is an acquired taste. Out of the replicator it's worse. How old are you, Cadet? You must have quite an education."

"I'm 19 years old sir." replied Naruto. "I hold two Doctorates from the Vulcan Science Academy. One is in Astrophysics and Astrodynamics. The other is in Genetics and Xenobiology." Seeing the Chief Engineers puzzled look Naruto added; "I have wide interests sir."

"I guess you do Doctor." said Sasaav. "How long do you think it will take to fix that 'kink' around the fantail?"

"It's a simple matter of remapping the fantail sir, it's just time consuming doing it manually." said the blonde. "I would estimate twelve to sixteen hours depending on the drone rack's configuration."

Seeing Naruto had already was done with his tea Sassaav said, "Let's get back to it Doctor Naruto."

…

"Personal Log of Naruto M'Fau: Stardate 2272.359. After 12 hours 45 minutes with a 30-minute meal break Chief Engineer Sassaav and I successfully remapped the warp field around the Darwin's fantail and eliminated the acceleration issue without too much difficulty. Commander Sassaav was very curious as to why I was in the Command Branch instead of sciences or engineering. I explained to him that Starfleet chose the Command track for me and I had little choice in the matter. He simply nodded and said he understood now and was looking forward to the new warp field's performance in real life. He is an interesting person but seems to have very little in common with my friend Shar other than they are both Anodorians."

"I spoke to Shar later and he said that Engineer Sassaav was probably a 'hothead' from the equator of Andor as opposed to a 'cooler head' like Shar from the polar regions. I was aware that Andorians were partially exothermic and most of their warriors were from the warmer climes on Andor, but I was unaware that they themselves used slang like 'hotheads.' I learn new things every day…"

…

Stardate 2273.001, Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Orbital Shipyards, Planet Mars, FRD-15, U.S.S. Darwin

Captain James was in his Command chair and turned to his helmsman Thomas Abraham. "Thrusters at station keeping Mister Abraham."

"All decks report in green." said Science Officer Jamie Beam.

Communications Officer Karina Edwards reported, "FRD-15 reports all tractor links and gravity pylons are cleared. We are free floating."

Shizuka Nadeshiko said, "All decks are secured."

"Thrusters ahead full Mister Abraham. Let's make this happen." said Captain James.

…For the first time in months the U.S.S. Darwin was moving under her own power…

…

POSTSCRIPT:

*① Fantail: The rounded overhanging part of the stern of a vessel, especially a warship.

Well, it took 25 Chapters but Naruto, T'Lyra and the Think Tank are finally in space. Here is a list of the Darwin's Staff Officers for future reference:

Crew of the U.S.S. Darwin

Captain: Francis James

First Officer: Mei Terumi

Chief Engineering Officer: Sassaav

Chief Medical Officer: Jonathon Walker

Chief Sciences Officer: Jamie Beam

Security Chief: Shizuka Nadeshiko

Navigator: Karatek

Helmsman: Thomas Abraham

Communications Officer: Karina Edwards

Next chapter we will begin Space Truckin' on the U.S.S. Darwin. See you next time. Blue out. 9/23/23