Naruto: Infinity Divide

Mountain Climbing

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter we see the U.S.S. Darwin in action for the first time. Enjoy!

Port = Left

Starboard = Right

[ ] Signifies a foreign language

Last time:

Officer's Mess

Naruto was quietly eating a Terran vegetarian dish as M'rella chortled at his expense. She was immensely enjoying the embarrassment that Naruto couldn't wipe off his face. T'Lyra had been no better as she took off towards her quarters to change into a fresh uniform. Naruto ended up making two shadow clones to clean up his quarters after the mess he and T'Lyra made.

M'rella said smiling, "You and T'Lyra are so cute when you are embarrassed. You should really set your alarm earlier if you are going to be up that late."

The blonde Vulcan just mentally cringed and said, "I apologize for disturbing your sleep."

The Caitian beauty just continued to giggle to herself. "You didn't. I got up to get a drink in the bathroom when I heard the two of you were busy. The scent of pheromones was rather intoxicating as well."

Rafi came over and sat down with her friends. The excitable Trill girl said, "So what's this about pheromones anyway?"

M'rella said smoothly, "I was just explaining to Naruto that the Caitian nose can scent pheromones quite well."

"Interesting." said Samui as she joined them as well. "You look much better this morning Naruto. I take it you are back on top of your game?"

M'rella managed to keep her giggles under control as Naruto blushed green…

…

Chapter 28

...

Stardate 2273.038, U.S.S Darwin

"Ship's Log, Stardate 2273.038: Captain Francis James reporting. NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin was on escort duty for the NX-03 U.S.S. Challenger until we were joined by the Destroyer NCC-530 U.S.S. Charlemagne which relieved us. Starfleet Command has ordered us to proceed to the Gamma Hydra System where the Colony on Gamma Hydra IV was wiped out six years ago due to radiation*①. A distress call has been detected there and Starfleet believes that the Survey Freighter S.S. Herodotus may have crashed on the stricken world. We are currently travelling at Warp Factor Eight as time is crucial. If anyone survived the crash, they may have already succumbed to the radiation sickness there…"

…

The U.S.S. Darwin streaked into the Gamma Hydra System with her special sensors actively scanning anything near or around Gamma Hydra IV. Chief Science Officer Jamie Beam said, "We've located the survey freighter. It appears to be in a decaying orbit around Gamma Hydra IV. I'm also detecting another ship on the opposite side of the planet and…It just vanished from the sensors!"

Shizuka said, "It could be a cloaked ship sir. This could be a trap."

Captain James nodded and said, "Yellow alert. Drop us to warp two Mister Abraham. Chief Nadeshiko; begin charging weapons. Shields up." James got on the overhead. "This is the Captain speaking. This is not a drill. We may be entering combat soon and I want each one of you on standby. That is all." 'I shouldn't have to say any of that but I have a shipload of Cadets.'

Crewmembers all over the ship started filling in their positions for yellow alert and the remainder were on standby for red alert. The tension levels on the ship were higher than most of the Cadets ever experienced…they were afraid.

As the U.S.S. Darwin plodded along towards the S.S. Herodotus, two Romulan frigates were observing from under cloak…

…

Bridge, RIS Scimitar

Subcommander Kurenai was in a quandary. The RIS Scimitar and a smaller Snipe Class Frigate*② RIS Corvus had the task of laying a trap for the Federation Destroyer U.S.S. Charlemagne which had been prowling the edge of the Neutral Zone recently. The Romulan Star Empire didn't take such things lightly and wanted the offending ship crushed…no survivors.

"…And now that we've carefully laid our trap a Federation Heavy Cruiser class vessel shows up." she growled. "Centurion Vandus; front and center."

Her First Officer stood before her and saluted. "How may I be of Service Subcommander?"

"Vandus, what is your honest opinion of Centurion Alidar who Commands the Corvus?" asked Kurenai.

The bridge doors opened about that time and Tal Shiar Major Anko stepped onto the bridge. "Ooooh, I'd be interested in knowing that too."

Kurenai spun her chair around to face her friend Anko. "What are you doing on my bridge Anko? I thought you had no interest in this operation."

Anko smiled evilly and said, "I just wanted to see a Federation Destroyer go up in a fireball." She looked at the screen and saw the U.S.S. Darwin carefully heading their way. "Oh, that changes matters completely."

The red eyed Subcommander said, "My thoughts precisely, Major." She turned back to Vandus and said, "You were saying Vandus? You've dealt with Centurion Alidar before, I haven't."

Centurion Vandus sighed and said, "The only reason that Centurion Alidar hasn't been stripped of his command is his political connections. He is impulsive and a glory seeker who does not think before he acts. I don't trust him at all as a leader."

Anko smiled with mischief in her eyes and said, "That sounds like a death sentence for his crew."

Vandus just nodded and Kurenai motioned him back to his post. She said, "Unless that cruiser runs afoul of the mines we planted around the survey freighter then there is little chance for us to victor here…"

…

Bridge, U.S.S. Darwin

Naruto was at the Special Sensor Station three which was his assigned post. He and the others at the special sensor stations were ordered to 'look for anything even remotely suspicious' by Captain James. All he saw was a demolished freighter that had plasma torpedo damage as well as mine damage. Commander Terumi was nearby, and Naruto said to her, "There are traces of plasma torpedo damage indicating Romulan or possible pirate attack. The Herodotus also has nuclear space mine damage judging by the caved in hull. It would be prudent to scan for other mines."

Mei said, "Make it so Cadet. Captain, we've detected evidence of mine damage on the freighter in addition to plasma torpedo damage."

Captain James said, "All stop Mister Abraham. It looks like we need to go mine sweeping and hunting a cloaked ship."

The Darwin started scanning for nuclear space mines and soon located two of them. "We achieved lock on to one mine sir." said Commander Beam. "Shall we destroy it?"

"Fire two phaser 3 defense phasers and eliminate it." said Captain James. Two blue phaser beams shot out from under the secondary hull of the Darwin and the first mine ceased to exist.

…

Bridge, RIS Scimitar

"It's a Galactic Survey Cruiser, not a Heavy Cruiser." said Anko. "With their special sensors they'll pick us up faster than a regular Heavy Cruiser. They may know we are here already."

Kurenai frowned and said, "We have nothing to gain here. Signal the Corvus we are withdrawing."

"Transmitted Subcommander." said her communications tech. "…Centurion Alidar wishes to speak with you Subcommander Kurenai."

Kurenai sighed and said, "Put him on screen."

Centurion Alidar's boyish face appeared on screen. "Subcommander Kurenai, I demand to know why we are withdrawing! That cruiser is nothing but a huge target waiting to be destroyed!"

"It's also at red alert and ready for us." said the beautiful red-eyed Subcommander. "You may want to commit suicide, but I don't. The pair of us was sent to take on a Destroyer, not a Galactic Survey Cruiser. We are withdrawing Centurion. That is an order from your superior officer."

"We can bluff them." said Alidar. "All we have to do is-"

Kurenai growled, "All we have to do is choose our battles wisely. That is how we survive."

"You are a coward! They just destroyed a second mine!" roared Alidar. "Follow my lead!" Alidar cut the transmission and the RIS Corvus streaked around the planet to hit the stationary U.S.S. Darwin from behind…

…

Bridge, U.S.S. Darwin

"A cloaked vessel is approaching fast sir! It's hugging the planet and leaving ion trails!"

Captain James looked at his tactical screen and said, "ECM*③ to maximum. Dedicate Special Sensor One to it as well. Bring us around 170 degrees to port and stand by to fire."

The Corvus started coming out from under cloak on the viewscreen and Communications Officer Edwards said, "We have an incoming transmission from the Romulan vessel."

"Put them on screen." said Captain James.

Centurion Alidar appeared on screen and said, "Federation vessel, this is the Romulan Imperial Starship Corvus. We demand your immediate surrender, or we will destroy the freighter."

Captain James calmly said, "I understand Corvus, you are in violation of the Treaty of the Neutral Zone. Request denied. Fire photon Torpedoes, full overload." Alidar's face turned to one of horror as the communications were cut off. RIS Corvus never had a chance to fire when her forward shield was completely destroyed and the tiny frigate was sent reeling with her main weapons demolished. James shook his head and said, "Fire both port phaser 1's and finish them off."

A second later the Corvus ceased to exist in a ball of fire. Captain James said, "The damn fool got arrogant. Cycle all weapons. Now where are his squadron mates?"

…

Bridge, RIS Scimitar

Kurenai swore in Romulan and unknowingly mirrored her counterpart. "The damn fool got arrogant." She watched as the undamaged Darwin pivoted back towards the Scimitar. For a moment she feared the Galactic Survey Cruiser had spotted them but then she realized he was targeting where the RIS Corvus had first been spotted. 'Whoever this Federation Captain is good…and very experienced. If we were a normal squadron of three Snipes then the other two would be right where he's aiming.' "Helm, get us out of here. Alidar was a fool and his crew paid for it with their lives." 'Even in a successful pincer between the two of us wouldn't have destroyed that ship and one or both of us would have ended up destroyed.'

…

Bridge, U.S.S. Darwin

"The other cloaked ship is leaving at warp factor six sir." said Security Chief Nadeshiko. "A flawless victory."

Captain James sighed and said, "More like a waste of life Shizuka. Sensor station one make sure to keep an eye on that cloaked vessel until they disengage. Let's return to clearing the mines and scanning that survey freighter for life signs."

…

"Ship's Log, Supplemental: Captain Francis James reporting. After hours of searching, we can only come to one conclusion; there are no survivors from the S.S. Herodotus. The ship's log showed they were hit by a plasma torpedo and then stumbled upon a mine eight days ago. Afterwards they abandoned the ship. The crew never had a chance to send a distress call; that was the Romulan's doing. There were two Romulan frigates; a brand new K5R and an old Snipe-A type. We scanned the surface where the few survivors of the S.S. Herodotus beamed down and there were no signs of life. They succumbed to radiation long before we even arrived…I think it's safe to say this empty victory has been very sobering for the Cadets. Sadly, the good guys don't always win…"

…

Officer's Mess

Rafi and her fellow Think Tank Cadets were eating together quietly. Naruto and Shar had been on the bridge during the battle and M'rella, Samui and Rafi had been in the Auxiliary Control room watching at the same time. "Captain James was smooth as glass." said Shar. "I don't think he batted an eyelash during the entire engagement."

Samui said sadly, "I really hoped we could rescue the crew of the Herodotus. It seems they died just because the Romulans wanted to lay a trap."

Naruto rubbed his chin. "I wonder if they even laid a trap for us in particular. From the logs we got from the Herodotus all they had was a K5R and a Snipe. They might have been hoping for a destroyer or a light cruiser. They simply didn't have the power to take on a Galactic Survey Cruiser like the Darwin."

"Maybe they were hoping for the mines to cripple us so they could sweep in and finish the job." said Rafi.

"That would be a big gamble." said M'rella. "I have to wonder what possessed the Captain of that Snipe to attack us so suicidally."

"I wouldn't rule out the Snipe's Captain was a complete idiot." said Jackie Nodaway as she sat down to join them. "Obviously Captain James had it all under control. How are you guys doing? It seems like we've been on opposite shifts."

Rafi said, "This is the first time I've seen you since we came aboard a month ago Jackie. What shift are you on?"

"Otome and I are on third shift." answered Jackie. "What about you guys?"

Shar said, "They are all on first shift but I'm on second so we don't get to interact as much as we would like to."

Jackie smirked, "Rumor has it you saved the ship when we got too close to that wormhole Rafi."

Rafi blushed slightly and said, "I lucked out."

"Not according to Commander Terumi." said Otome as she sat on Jackie's opposite side. "She said that you did the impossible to get us out of that mess. I bet you'll be commended for going above and beyond."

"Stranger things have happened." said Samui as she patted Rafi on the back.

…

Shizuka Nadeshiko's Quarters

Later that day Shizuka invited T'Lyra over to her quarters to see if the younger Vulcan woman could help her pronounce her Vulcan name. "…And this is the information I received from the Vulcan Center for Citizen's Affairs about my family T'Lyra. The problem is I don't know how to pronounce any of it! Can you help me?"

T'Lyra raised an eyebrow and Shizuka couldn't tell whether the beautiful brunette was amused or dumbfounded. T'Lyra said, "Let me see your name then and I will tell you how to pronounce it." She read aloud; "Actual name: S'lara-yon T'olara'es. This is pronounced S'laron Tolaris." T'Lyra seemed pleased. "It seems we are related because we are both descended of the Honorable Blue Dynasty of ShiKahr."

"How do you say it again?" asked Shizuka.

"Your given name is pronounced S'loran." said T'Lyra. "Your name means 'from the firebird.' It is a very poetic name."

The green-eyed girl said, "Essloran?"

"S'Loran." repeated T'Lyra. "You are pronouncing the first s sound wrong."

Shizuka messed with her tongue a bit and said, "Ss'loran, Sloran, S'Loran! S'Loran. It kind of rolls odd off of my tongue."

"That is because it's Golic Vulcan." explained T'Lyra. Your last name is Tolaris which means 'of the honorable blue' which refers to our Clan's house color.

The Security Chief asked, "So how big is this Toleri-blah Clan?" 'I'll work on my last name later.'

T'Lyra said, "Tolaris; there are literally thousands of us. We come from a very populous clan. Let's look at your other relatives." Your Father's name was Heya-vik T'olara'es. In standard you would pronounce it Ivek Tolaris. Your Mother's name was Shen a'Tha T'olara'es or Shath Tolaris. Those names sound vaguely familiar…"

"What about my Aunt, Uncle and cousin?" asked Shizuka excitedly.

"Hmmm….Your closest living relatives are your Aunt Ha nauk T'olara'es (Anuak Tolaris) and Uncle Fal+tor T'olara'es (Falor Tolaris)…." T'Lyra's eyes widened and she said "…Who are my parents…"

Now it was Shizuka's turn for her eyes to widen. "Your parents are my Aunt and Uncle?! That means we are first cousins T'Lyra!"

T'Lyra nodded and said, "Cousin: T'sai lirpa T'olara'es (T'Lyra Tolaris)."

"That's a mouthful T'Lyra." said Shizuka happily. "How do you say your given name again?"

The brunette couldn't hide her amazement at the situation. "To think we've been first cousins all this time and didn't know it…My name is pronounced T'sai lirpa which means 'lady of the lirpa.' A lirpa is a traditional Vulcan weapon."

"This is amazing T'Lyra!" said Shizuka. "I have my original name and a younger cousin!"

…

Naruto's Quarters

T'Lyra was explaining the situation with Shizuka to her mate Naruto that evening as they ate dinner together in his quarters. '…And it turns out that Shizuka's actual birth name is S'Loran Tolaris and that she is my first cousin. Her biological parents died in Starfleet Service six years before we were born."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "That would explain why you physically resemble each other so strongly."

"I never noticed before, but her build and facial structure are similar to mine." agreed T'Lyra. "We need to teach her emotional control to some degree. I could tell from our mind meld that Shizuka has a great deal of rage just below the surface. It seems that she channels it through her martial arts. That's why she is in security."

"Lieutenant Nadeshiko wasn't raised with logic as we were." said the blonde. "There is also the possibility she doesn't wish to suppress her emotions. All of her formative years were spent with emotional humans after all."

"It is a difficult situation." said T'Lyra. "Shizuka says she's never been to Vulcan. It might open her mind to logic seeing the world of her ancestors."

Naruto frowned slightly and said, "I believe a Vulcan psychologist might be able to give us some answers. Lieutenant Nadeshiko isn't an emotionalist in the traditional sense of the word. She hasn't rejected logic; she simply never had it in her life. Pon Farr aside she may find other issues that Vulcans have long eliminated through suppression of emotions."

"Perhaps asking her if she wishes to learn about logic would be a good first step." pondered T'lyra. "It would be wrong to force logic upon her."

The blonde replied, "I doubt any sort of behavior could be forced upon her. From my interactions with her I would say she is very regimented and unlikely to change easily."

"Perhaps I should talk to my friend Ino Yamanaka." said the beautiful brunette. "She would have insights into emotionalism that you and I do not."

"I've meant to visit Ino for some time given we were acquainted as children." said Naruto. "It seems that every time I think to visit her, she is unavailable."

"Ino is very busy being the acting ship's Counselor you know." said T'Lyra with a tiny bit of mirth in her tone. "I'm sure you two will have some time to meet up eventually. She has indicated that she wishes to see you after all these years as well."

…

"Personal Log of Naruto M'Fau, Stardate 2273.042. Our Cadet Cruise has been very eventful so far. We have only been out for six weeks but it seems to have been much longer. We are now en route to the Theta Gamma Star System to visit the Federation Colony on Theta VII*④ which is noted for its agriculture and mining. The Colony has a population of nearly 300,000 and often is a stopover for Federation trading vessels."

"The U.S.S. Darwin has been called there for a twofold purpose; the main purpose is scientific; there have been claims of Pergium*⑤ deposits which the colonists who have requested us to verify with the Darwin's special sensors as it could potentially make them very wealthy. Pergium is typically used in energy production and life support systems by thousands of planets, making it a very valuable commodity."

"The other purpose of the Darwin is political. The presence of a Federation warship in the area will keep most illegal starships from harassing the regular shipping with the belief that Pergium is already being mined and smuggled out of the colony. There is no hard evidence at this point that Pergium deposits even exist on the planet, so such illegal activities seem highly illogical to me. However, to quote one of my Vulcan Science Academy instructors, logic and greed are rarely compatible."

…

Bridge, U.S.S. Darwin

The U.S.S. Darwin entered the Gamma Theta System and as expected there was a great deal of space traffic from the largest ore freighters to the smallest light transports carrying passengers. There was a large commercial platform in geosynchronous orbit above the colony that directed the space traffic there and doubled as an orbital trade station of sorts. "It's been a few years since I've been here." said Mei happily. "Perhaps we'll end up with a bit of time for some shore leave."

Captain James smirked at his First Officer's not so subtle hint and said, "So you've visited the shore facilities here before Commander Terumi?"

"The beaches are lovely." said Mei. "It's not Risa's Planet*⑥ but what is?"

Lieutenant Thomas Abraham was envisioning Mei in a bikini while he was at the helm. 'Oh yeah…' he thought.

Navigator Lieutenant Karatek looked over at him and said in her usual flat Vulcan tone, "You are drooling Lieutenant Abraham. Show some decorum while on duty."

Abraham realized he actually WAS drooling and quickly wiped his mouth on his shirt sleeve much to Karetek's disgust.

Shizuka was up at her usual post manning the Security Station. She didn't note any unusual activity in the shipping. "Captain, I'm not seeing anything out of the ordinary for a civilian port. The Federation Police Cutter U.S.S. Gatekeeper is here but our records show she is on routine rotation."

Captain James nodded and said, "Good to hear Lieutenant Nadeshiko. I was concerned there might already be a fox in the henhouse." He turned to Karina Edwards at Communications and said, "Hail the Commercial Platform first and request permission to enter orbit."

…

Within hours the U.S.S. Darwin was scanning the surface of Theta VII looking for traces of Pergium in the planet's crust. Shar was at Special Sensor Station Two talking with Chief Science Officer Jamie Beam. "I'm surprised their own equipment can't detect Pergium deposits Commander Beam." said Shar.

"Their surface equipment can but what takes them weeks we can do in hours from orbit Cadet." explained the Science Officer. "Besides, as a Galactic Survey Cruiser this is exactly the sort of work we often do. When I was stationed aboard the Darwin's sistership U.S.S. Byrd I scanned so many lifeless rocks for mining purposes that I wondered if I'd ever see a Class M world again."

"You don't paint a very pretty picture, Commander." replied Shar morosely.

Beam laughed. "Looking at all those dead rocks means when you do find a world that supports life it's something truly worth remembering."

…

Theta VII, Surface

Naruto was with a survey team down on the surface of Theta VII under Shizuka Nadeshiko's Command along with Samui, Rafi and M'rella. It was more to get valuable practice with away team procedures than search for Pergium (not one of them was a geologist). At any rate their job was to set up a deep surface scanner via transporter once they were at the right location. They had a guide who was a miner and surveyor who went by the name of Clearwater leading them. Rafi was doing most of the talking with Clearwater. "I've been in the mining business since long before you were born girl." said Clearwater. "If I can't find Pergium out here then your fancy high tech scanner won't either."

Rafi chuckled. "There's no proof that Pergium is anywhere on this world, but it never hurts to check. Why in the hell was this area strip mined anyway? The environment is badly damaged."

Clearwater raised a grayed eyebrow. "This area was strip mined before the Theta VII Colony really got started. It wasn't until some profits were coming in before they stopped up here and started mining in environmentally friendly ways. You don't know much about mining, do you?" he snarked.

"Sorry old man but I'd rather sail the stars than dig holes in the ground." Rafi shot back.

"Hahah! I like you girl." said Clearwater.

As the group travelled Naruto looked in the distance and saw strip mining equipment that was cocooned over for preservation and later use. Beyond that it looked like unspoiled wilderness.

To Samui the area reminded her of a caldera she'd visited with her parents when she moved to Earth. It left a big impression on her as a child.

M'rella was more interested in her tricorder. Seeing the environment demolished like this made her long for the untouched rain forests of her homeworld, Ciat. M'rella said, "Hmmmm." in her usual purr. "The ground ahead of us is unstable. I doubt it will support the weight of a deep surface scanner."

Clearwater asked, "How much does this gizmo weigh?"

"It weighs 525 kilograms." said Naruto. The base of it is 1.5 meters square so the scanner is dense despite its compactness. Its height is-"

"I asked how much it weighed, not for the damned owner's manual!" grouched Clearwater. "You Vulcans…" he muttered.

Shizuka was a bit incensed, but Naruto seemed to simply ignore the old miner's ramblings.

The group slowly went up an incline that led to a nearby cliff edge. Clearwater got out his survey equipment which was mounted on a spike with old fashioned tripod legs. He drove the spike about a half meter into the loose soil and extended the legs of the tripod. Tapping the side of the instrument he looked through the visor and said, "We still have a few hundred meters to go. Can you kids handle it?"

Shizuka growled, "We are fine. Lead on."

Clearwater was going to say something obnoxious but the fierce burning in Shizuka's green eyes to him to shut up now.

Samui smirked to herself and thought, 'I guess I'm not the only one that finds this old man annoying.'

Clearwater led the along and stopped a few times along the way to take distance readings. Finally, he said, "Here we are. The soil is mighty thin here. If Pergium is in this area, it's below the bedrock. He drove the mount for his survey gear in the ground again and the surface started to crack. Clearwater said in an unsteady voice, "That's not good."

Then the surface gave way.

Shizuka grabbed Clearwater and threw him back away from the landslide before it took her down along with Clearwater's equipment. Naruto felt the ground shifting rapidly and pushed M'rella back to safety. Rafi went over the edge and barely missed the saving hand of Samui who tried to catch her friend. Half the party was lost in the landslide…

Clearwater was breathing heavily, and he saw M'rella near him and Samui looking over the cliff edge. "Get away from the cliff edge you stupid girl! Otherwise, you'll fall in too!"

…

Shizuka caught herself on the cliff face when he snagged a handhold. She was about ten meters down but saw no way of getting back up. 'Shit. I'm not going to die now!' she growled mentally.

Rafi tried to catch herself but bounced off the surface and fell onto a small ledge that knocked her unconscious. The last thing she saw before she passed out was Naruto walking down the sheer cliff face towards her…

…

Naruto thought to himself. 'First I'll get to Rafi and then I'll carry her up. Then Lieutenant Nadeshiko will also need my help as she is trapped.' He heard the earth groan from Shizuka's direction and heard the raven-haired Vulcan woman cursing up a storm. 'I guess the secret is going to be out regardless.' He whispered, "Shadow clone jutsu."

Shizuka felt herself slipping a yelled. "SSSHHHIIIIIITTT!" as she fell about a meter before Naruto's shadow clone caught her.

He said, "It seems I arrived at the right time Lieutenant. Hold onto me and I'll carry you up."

The young Vulcan woman's green eyes were as big as saucers, and she unconsciously gripped onto the clone tightly. The clone said. "Now that you are secure, I will take you up."

"How are you doing this?" whispered Shizuka as she looked down the cliff face in fear. "I-it's impossible!"

The clone simply said, "You'll find I excel at the impossible Lieutenant." He carried her gently up the cliff face as smoothly as he could, and the entire group was astonished as Naruto walked up to level ground with Shizuka in his arms.

Samui said, "N-naruto?! Is Rafi-?"

"The real me is getting her." said the clone as he sat Shizuka down gently. "Check Lieutenant Nadeshiko over. Rafi is injured so it's going to take a bit."

Shizuka said, "Naruto I-" and the clone vanished in a puff of smoke.

…

The original Naruto was down with the unconscious Rafi. There really wasn't room to check the Trill girl over and since she was unresponsive Naruto was carrying her up bridal style. 'Once I get to the top of the cliff, I'm calling the Darwin for an emergency beam up to sick bay.' He got the memories of his clone and thought, 'At least everyone else got away with only scuffs and bruises. Lieutenant Nadeshiko seems lively as ever.'

Naruto gently cradled Rafi once he got her secured. It was a long walk up and Naruto had to be careful because much of the newly exposed cliff face was loose gravel. After what seemed like hours to everyone (it had only been a few minutes) Naruto chakra walked up the edge of the cliff face and onto level ground. Samui rushed over to help Naruto put Rafi down in a safe spot.

M'rella was soon hovering over Rafi with a tricorder and said, "I don't think her life is in danger, but she's seriously hurt."

Shizuka hobbled over to where M'rella was checking over Rafi and got out her communicator. She said, "Nadeshiko to Darwin, do you copy?"

"This is Darwin Nadeshiko, go ahead." crackled the communicator.

"I have two for emergency beam out to sickbay." said Shizuka. "One is possibly critical, the other slightly injured." The black-haired Vulcan woman nodded at M'rella who stepped back so they could beam out.

"Understood Nadeshiko, stand by for beam out." replied the Darwin.

The last thing Shizuka said before she beamed out was, "Thank you Naruto. I'm leaving you in charge." With that the green-eyed beauty and Rafi vanished in a transporter beam.

Samui and M'rella watched as Naruto walked over. "You have a lot of explaining to do Mister." said M'rella with a slight frown. "All those times I saw more than one of you were real!"

"We'll talk about it when we get back to the ship." said Naruto. "My abilities are a secret I would have preferred to keep quiet, but the situation necessitated their use. I did not wish to deceive you M'rella."

The beautiful Caitian girl hugged him tightly and said, "As long as you are okay."

Samui said, "You know Lieutenant Nadeshiko is going to blow the lid off of your little secret Naruto. How did you do that anyway?"

Naruto had a ghost of a smile on his face and said, "I am a hybrid you know. We'll talk about it after I'm disciplined by the Captain."

"That's not going to be fun." replied Samui.

The blonde Vulcan nodded. "It is not something I am looking forward to."

….

Sickbay, U.S.S. Darwin

Doctor Shelly Wilson was taking care of Rafi under Doctor Walker's supervision while Greg Hammond took care of Shizuka's sprains. Shizuka was laying back stoically and toughing out the pain as Greg did his job. Hammond said, "I've got your left knee and calf straightened out Chief Nadeshiko." He felt her tense up. "Don't move Lieutenant. I still have your right arm to work on." Shizuka just grumbled under her breath and Doctor Hammond smiled. "Next time you decide to do impromptu rock climbing try not to fall off a cliff, okay?"

First Officer Mei Terumi came in and saw Rafi was in bad shape. She didn't interrupt the busy Doctors. Then she came over to the irritable Security Chief and said, "I heard you had a spill and decided to check on you Shizuka. You fell off a cliff…?"

"Cadet Naruto caught me and brought me back up the cliff side." said Shizuka. "He saved my life Commander. But now he's in big trouble."

Mei raised her eyebrows and asked, "Can you elaborate Lieutenant?"

"He can walk straight up cliffs in defiance of gravity. I don't know how he does it." said the Security Chief in a baffled tone.

Doctor Hammond said, "It probably has something to do with his hybrid nature. He has more bioelectric energy in him than everyone else on this ship combined."

"Interesting." said Mei with her usual smile. "The Captain will want to talk to him about this little secret. Something like that should surely be in his medical records."

Shizuka sighed. "I hope Captain James isn't too hard on him. He saved Cadet Rafi from certain death as well."

"I'll talk to the Captain on his behalf." said Mei.

….

"Personal Log of Naruto M'Fau, Stardate 2273.043. To use a human phrase 'the cat is out of the bag.' My chakra abilities are being studied and Captain James is most displeased that I've kept those abilities hidden. He has ordered the medical staff to run every test they can think of on my person, and it has been most uncomfortable. Since I technically never lied and simply did not use my abilities (homework notwithstanding) I am in less trouble with Captain James than I originally estimated. I do not know what my final punishment will be, however."

"My friend Doctor Shelly Wilson is utterly fascinated with chakra and wishes to discuss it in detail…"

Naruto was lying in a bed in sickbay under a deep scanner that was mapping all his bodily functions. Doctor Walker was hovering over the scanner and said, "This is amazing! Do you realize that you have an entirely independent circulatory system for your chakra energy? Why in the heavens did you not share this with us Cadet? I'm looking at what could be an evolutionary step towards energy-based life!"

"I did not share this with you for two reasons Doctor." said the blond hybrid. "First I am doing an independent genetic study on the subject already regarding the extinct civilization of Tori Prime IV."

"And the second reason?" asked Doctor Walker.

"I did not wish to be poked, prodded and otherwise violated by Doctors and scientists which is exactly what you are doing now." said Naruto. "I am a sentient being, not a lab animal to be experimented on. As far as I am concerned my rights as a Vulcan and a Federation Citizen are being violated."

"You are a Cadet Officer in Starfleet and have hidden valuable information from us." said Captain James who had just entered Sickbay. "I don't like that at all, and it is grounds for dismissal." James then rubbed his forehead as if to ward off a migraine. "I submitted my report to the chain of Command at Starfleet, and it seems you are considered too valuable to dismiss however. I don't know who it is, but you apparently have a friend or friends in high places. I was going to have you shipped back to the Academy rather than dismissed because your record up to this point has been exemplary and you did save the lives of two of my people."

"Rather than a traditional punishment I'm going to order you to turn over the genetic information you've gathered about yourself to the medical staff to do a joint study with them." said the Captain. "You'd better be on your toes Cadet because I will be keeping an eye on you." Captain James then turned and left.

Naruto was less than thrilled to be an object of the Captain's ire but didn't know what else to do. He saw Commander Terumi walk in with a sway in her hips and she said, "He didn't even cut your pay Cadet Naruto. I think our Captain is going soft. Of course, you did save other people's lives in the line of duty so that is a major plus. Just between you and I; very nicely done."

…

*① In the mid-23rd century, a Federation experimental colony was founded on Gamma Hydra IV. In 2267, a rogue comet intersected with the orbital path of Gamma Hydra IV. As the trail of the comet passed near the planet, the planet was irradiated with residue left behind by the comet. This radiation affected the colony, resulting in a total loss of life via extremely rapid aging. (See TOS Episode "The Deadly Years")

*② Snipe Class Frigate: Google "Romulan Snipe Class Frigate" This is a very old design converted to warp technology. It is at best an escort vessel and could not stand up against modern frigate designs.

*③ ECM: Electronic Counter Measures to jam enemy vessels sensors.

*④ This Colony was mentioned in the TOS Episode "Obsession"

*⑤ Pergium (symbol Pe, and also known as roentgenium or Rg) is a chemical element, atomic number 111 on the periodic table.

*⑥ Risa's Planet: Risa is famous throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants as a place of tourism and recreation and is referred to as a "pleasure planet." It got that reputation because of its constant, stable climate, its attractive landscapes, and most of all; its' very friendly staff. Its native species, notorious for their open sexual mores, number approximately three billion, and the planet hosts about one billion tourists at any given time.

Whoops! Looks like Naruto's chakra abilities just went public. Who knows what that will lead to. See you next time. Blue out. 9/24/23