Naruto: Infinity Divide

Duel Over Genesis

Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

I was pleasantly surprised with the response to the last chapter. I figured people would tear it apart. This chapter ties in with some of the events in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. It is also a major milestone for your author as I've finally exceeded the number of chapters in my first story, Lunar Eclipse.

Just a small note: It was pointed out earlier in the story (I don't remember which chapter) that the Kearsarge and Miranda classes are more or less interchangeable name wise. So were the Anton and Reliant Class subtypes. It just depends on the source material. There ARE differences but I streamlined it for simplicity's sake.

Here is Chapter 77, Enjoy!

Port = Left

Starboard = Right

[ ] Signifies a foreign language

{ } Signifies hand signs

…

Last time:

Naruto and his staff were carefully observing the formation of the new Planet Genesis with both Doctor Carol Marcus and Doctor David Marcus aboard. As the only survivors of the original Project Genesis Research Team still alive, it seemed appropriate for them to monitor the results of their work. Also, aboard to assist them was Lieutenant (JG) Saavik from the U.S.S. Enterprise who was to act as the liaison officer between Project Genesis and Starfleet.

Doctor David Marcus was on the bridge of the U.S.S. Wolverine using sensor station two to observe Planet Genesis as it rapidly cooled into a lush, fertile Class M world. He kept looking over at Naruto until his curiosity got the better of him. David said, "Excuse me Captain Naruto, are you related to Siegfried of the Daystrom Institute? He said both of his parents are Starfleet Officers."

'Must be the birthmarks.' thought Naruto. "Siegfried M'Fau is my son." He motioned over to Samui. "His Mother is Lieutenant Commander Samui Schrodinger." David gawked at the blonde bombshell and the Fleet Captain said, "Siegfried said that you are his friend and lived across the hall from him at the Daystrom Institute."

Doctor Marcus tore his eyes away from Samui's fabulous frame and looked back at Naruto who had an eyebrow raised. "Um, yes. Siegfried is a great kid. He's brilliant too. It amazed me that he won the Zee-Magnees Prize. You must be really proud of him."

"Samui and I are both very proud of Siegfried." stated the Vulcan hybrid. Then he added "Your Father is very proud of you as well."

"You know my Father?" asked David.

Naruto nodded, "Yes, Jim Kirk is a good friend of mine."

…

Chapter 77

Stardate 2284.069 Sol System, Planet Earth, Starfleet Bureau of Design & Repair

Commander Montgomery Scott was devastated. Admiral Morrow had informed him that the Enterprise was to be decommissioned and scrapped. "She's forty years old and heavily damaged Commander Scott." said Admiral Morrow. "Refitting and repairing her simply isn't economically sound. The U.S.S. Enterprise served Starfleet well for decades but it's time to move on. I've recommended that you transfer to the U.S.S. Excelsior instead."

Scotty decided to go and visit Rear Admiral Tolm about it and Lucien said, "Scotty, we're old friends so I'll tell it to you straight. NCC-1701 has already been sold to the breakers to be scrapped. She's too badly damaged. Even if they authorized us to repair her the ship is too old to upgrade any further. Her systems are simply too outdated. Morrow wants you on the Excelsior, but I have another option."

Montgomery looked depressed but said, "What would that be sir?"

Lucien said, "You heard about X-Technology no doubt. The NCC-1749 U.S.S. Vincennes became an experimental testbed. She was too advanced in construction to do what we really wanted so a new CX Heavy Cruiser was authorized."

"A new X-Heavy Cruiser Admiral?" asked Commander Scott.

The Rear Admiral had a gleam in his eye. "You saw what the new and improved U.S.S. Wolverine can do. She's the first ship to have full X-Technology. Imagine the possibilities of a Heavy Cruiser built to that level. I've had to pull some strings and secured the name U.S.S. Enterprise. What would you think about being the Chief Engineer of the new Enterprise Scotty?"

Montgomery Scott's eyes brightened. "When can I go see her sir?"

"Captain Vach will be going out to see her tomorrow, Scotty. I think you could hitch a ride with her if you asked nicely." said Lucien. "Besides, there's a young man going along that I'd like you to meet. I think you'll find him interesting."

"So, who is this lad?" asked the Commander.

"He's the one who made X-technology possible by inventing the Isolinear chip." replied Admiral Tolm. "His name is Siegfried. He's Fleet Captain Naruto's son."

Scotty laughed. "It sounds like the apple didn't fall far from the tree."

…

Stardate 2284.070 Mutara Sector, Genesis System, Planet Genesis Orbit, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine

The crew of the U.S.S. Wolverine was busily mapping the newly formed world of Genesis. The Science ship NCC-638 U.S.S. Grissom had been delayed so the Fast Cruiser was to remain on station for the time being.

…Down on the surface of Planet Genesis were Doctor David Marcus and Lieutenant Saavik as well as Doctor Alison Fairbanks, Lieutenant Maya Ayasugi and Security Chief Shizuka Nadeshiko. They each had a tricorder as well as backpacks with gear for deep scanning the planet's crust in connection with the Wolverine in orbit.

Maya was having a field day as life sciences was her area of specialty. She was cataloging the abundance of plant life on the surface. She stated, "The plants here are hyper evolving…I suppose that's to be expected but the evolution is unnatural and erratic. Instead of them flourishing I'm detecting upheavals on a cellular level that is causing the plants to die almost as quickly as they grow."

Alison was taking core readings and frowned. "This planet's core is showing abnormal signs."

"What kind of signs?" asked Shizuka.

"Signs of instability." stated the redhead. "Instead of the core stabilizing, we're seeing micro-climactic disruptions.

The ground shook slightly and Shizuka's light green eyes widened. "Like that?" asked the Earth raised Vulcan.

"Exactly." replied Alison.

Doctor David Marcus was recording the sectors on the planet's surface with Saavik. "Sector 1 has foliage in a fully developed stage of growth. The temperature is 22.2 degrees Celsius." noted David into his tricorder. "Sector 2 has desert terrain with minimal vegetation. Its temperature is 39.4 degrees Celsius." he continued. "Sector 3 has subtropical vegetation with indications of snow and a rapidly decreasing temperature…All the varieties of Earth's land and weather are within a few hours walk of each other. This is incredible..."

…

Stardate 2284.071 Sol System, Planet Earth, Starfleet Bureau of Design & Repair

Vach M'Fau was talking to her nephew Siegfried M'Fau, "Today we will have a guest accompanying us. He is Commander Montgomery Scott and was one of your Father's mentors as a shipwright when Naruto was even younger than you are now."

"Father always spoke to me in glowing terms about Commander Scott." said Siegfried. "I've always wanted to meet him."

"Then you shall have you chance now." said Vach. "If all goes well, he will become the Chief Engineer on the new U.S.S. Enterprise."

Montgomery Scott trotted up and said, "I hope you saved a place for me on that warp shuttle Captain Vach. You can't imagine how excited I am."

Vach gave the Vulcan salute and said, "Peace and long life Mister Scott. We've reserved a spot so you can accompany us. May I present my great-grandnephew Siegfried M'Fau. He has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Siegfried gave the Vulcan salute and said, "It is an honor to meet you, Commander Scott. My Father has praised you highly."

The Commander gave a big grin and shook hands with Siegfried. "And it's my pleasure to meet a recipient of the Zee-Magnees Prize. Just call me Scotty lad. You needn't be formal with me…it seems that you are a chip off the old block!" laughed the Commander. "Let me tell you about your old man when I first met him…"

As Scotty talked about meeting Naruto for the first time, Siegfried placed his fingers on the back of his Aunt's hand and said mentally, 'He's so…human.'

Vach replied. 'No one is perfect, Siegfried.'

…

Stardate 2284.071 Sol System, Planet Mars Orbit, Planitia Utopia Shipyards, FRD-3

Captain Vach's warp shuttle made it to FRD-3 within an hour from Earth as she listened to Scotty talk about Naruto when he was young. Vach herself didn't meet Naruto until he was a Cadet Officer, so it was intriguing to her too.

The trio was soon inspecting the exterior of the new Enterprise and on the lower primary hull was partially painted NCC-1771. Commander Scott was puzzled as it looked like the NCC registry was being removed rather than added. He was about to ask about it when they crossed the bow and saw the top of the saucer where proudly emblemized was the name U.S.S. Enterprise with registry NCC-1701-A.

There wasn't a happier man in the solar system when Scotty exuberantly cheered, "YES!"

…

Vach, Siegfried and Scotty were soon aboard the 68.7% completed NCC-1701-A. and Montgomery Scott couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He was involved in the construction inspection with Captain Vach but it was Siegfried who was checking the ship's Mk I Isolinear computer out. The younger blonde hybrid was not pleased and ordered several things to be rectified.

Scotty was a bit shocked at how stern a taskmaster young Siegfried was. He whispered to Vach, "Is the lad always so strict?"

Vach nodded. "Siegfried is a perfectionist. If he wasn't, X-Technology would still be on the drawing board."

…

Stardate 2284.072 Mutara Sector, Genesis System, Romulan Imperial Ship Allegience*①

Commander Kurenai was in her brand-new vessel, a Firehawk-K Heavy Cruiser, the R.I.S. Allegiance. News of the Genesis weapon had reached Romulan Imperial Command and they had ordered the Allegiance to travel deep into Federation territory to investigate it. Her First Officer, Sub-Commander Vandus and Tal Shiar Colonel Anko were on the bridge as the Class M world came into view. "We're picking up a vessel in low orbit Commander Kurenai." said Vandus.

Kurenai smiled like a predator and said, "Put it on screen and magnify." There was a Federation Fast Cruiser and her heart nearly jumped into her throat. "Is it the Stingray?"

…

Flashback…

During the first few weeks of the Romulan invasion of the Federation, the Romulan frigate R.I.S. Scimitar was investigating the disappearance of several convoys in the sector. The war's opening had been a disaster and Kurenai's orders were to find the pirates responsible for the missing convoys and eliminate them with extreme prejudice.

After nearly a week of trailing destroyed freighters and escorts, Kurenai correctly predicted where the enemy would strike. The Scimitar was hidden within the convoy under cloak and waiting to strike. That was the day she saw the strange arrowhead shaped hull of a Federation Fast Cruiser emerge from a nearby asteroid field.

Sub-Commander Kurenai had read about the Federation's Fast Cruiser class and knew they were speedy but under armed. The frigate's sensors positively identified the ship as the NCC-1603 U.S.S. Stingray and the Scimitar powered up its weapons to pounce.

Sadly, the Stingray's sudden appearance was a distraction. The Federation ship had laid down mines ahead of the convoy's course and the freighters blundered right into them with devastating results. The Scimitar was caught in three mine explosions and was in bloody shambles before she could fire a shot…

The frigate's cloaking device was demolished, and the last thing Kurenai remembered before her ship was destroyed was the Stingray firing photon torpedoes in slow motion before its phasers ripped into the helpless freighters like some kind of demonic phantasm…

Kurenai woke up from a coma three weeks later at a Romulan Starbase…

Flashback end…

…

"Negative." replied the science officer. "It must be a new ship. The warp signatures don't match any known fast cruisers we have on record."

A frown marred Kurenai's beautiful face and she ground her teeth. 'I want revenge on the Stingray, but this will do for now.' "Condition red." said Kurenai. "It's time for the Allegiance to draw blood once again."

…

U.S.S. Wolverine, Bridge

Shar looked up from sensor station one and said, "There's a spatial distortion closing fast from dead ahead! It's a cloaked ship!"

Naruto snapped to attention and said, "Red alert. Shields up. All phasers that can be brought to bear in gatling mode Mister Shores!"

…

R.I.S Allegiance, Bridge

"Damn, they must have spotted us." growled Kurenai. "Their shields are going up. Begin uncloaking and fire all phasers, launch the plasma torpedoes as they come online!

Six heavy phasers ripped into the reinforced number one front shield of the Wolverine as the Fast Cruiser started to pivot to port towards the planet. Two Plasma-F*② and a pair of Plasma-S*③ torpedoes were launched with the plasma damage distributed between the number two and three starboard shields. The plasmas had been weakened*④ a great deal by the eight X-phasers firing a massive barrage at point blank in gatling mode.

"The Fast Cruiser's one, two and three shields are ripped to shreds but no internal damage!" exclaimed Vandus.

"Damn it!" roared Kurenai. "What's a Fast Cruiser doing armed with gatling phasers*⑤?!"

…

U.S.S. Wolverine

"The shields held…barely." reported Edgar Shores

Naruto's eyes were blazing with chakra as the Romulan ship passed over them and aft of the Wolverine, He said, "Rafi, high energy turn*⑥ to port. I want us to face their stern. Mister Shores, fast load the photon torpedoes. We can still fight!"

"They are cloaking out!" exclaimed Jackie.

As the Wolverine rotated at warp speed, the back of the Allegiance came directly into view. Naruto said, "Fire the two port phasers, full overloads. Fire photon torpedoes, narrow salvo."

The number four aft shield of the Allegiance was ripped through by the overloaded barrage and her inboard port engine was totally demolished as the Romulan vessel faded out…

"Excellent shooting Mister Shores." complimented Naruto. He signaled engineering. "Start arming a simulator shuttle." Then he pivoted his command chair to face Shar. "Even with a cloak there has got to be gas and debris leaking off that damaged engine. See if you can track them under cloak."

"Understood Captain." said Shar grimly.

Samui said, "Captain Naruto, we've positively identified the Romulan vessel. It's the R.I.S. Allegiance, a Firehawk-K type heavy cruiser."

"Those Romulans came a long way from home to see us." said Commander Nodaway.

…

R.I.S Allegiance

Anko reported to Kurenai, "Our aft shield is gone, we've lost warp engine number three and a Plasma-S."

Kurenai shook her head. "These Fast Cruisers are demons. Why would they be armed with gatling phasers to starboard and some sort of extra heavy phaser to port? It makes no sense…"

"Perhaps prudence is in order Commander." said Vandus. "Clearly, we are facing a new ship, possibly experimental. We could withdraw and take this information back to the Empire."

Anko growled, "We were sent here to find out the secrets of Genesis! Their shields are torn to shreds! Even in our damaged condition we can finish them off."

Kurenai's red eyes narrowed. "If we cripple them, we can capture that Fast Cruiser AND the secrets of the Genesis weapon. Begin charging our three remaining plasmas and phasers. We'll take them head on."

…

U.S.S. Wolverine

"They've travelled around to the opposite side of Genesis." said Shar.

Samui nodded. "Odds are they are rearming their plasma torpedoes under cloak."

Kloene's voice came over the comm. "The simulator shuttle is ready."

"Lauch the simulator shuttle and send it over the north pole of Genesis at .85 light speed." said Naruto. "Rafi, take us south at .75 light speed. Standby to accelerate at my mark."

Rafi grinned and said, "Understood perfectly sir,"

"All weapons are recharged. At standard loads." said Edgar Shores. "Shall I overload them?"

"Photons only." replied Naruto. "Shunt our extra power into number one shield reinforcement in case there is an explosion."

…

R.I.S Allegiance

"Sensors show the Fast cruiser is coming over the north pole." reported Vandus.

Kurenai smiled, "Clever, they hid from our sensors using the electromagnetic pole. Helm, pivot us to face them."

"All weapons at ready." stated the gunnery officer.

The red eyed Romulan Commander said, "Fire as soon as we get a sensor lock. Drop cloak in three, two, one. Execute!

The Allegiance faded in, and the gunnery officer exclaimed, "We have a lock!"

"Fire." said Kurenai with a cold smile. A full salvo hit the Fast Cruiser dead on…causing a tiny explosion that left nothing behind. "What the hell?!" wondered the Commander of the Allegiance.

Anko's eyes widened in terror. "BEHIND US!" she screamed.

…

U.S.S. Wolverine

Naruto's eyes sparked with chakra as their readings showed the simulator shuttle was vaporized. "Accelerate now Rafi." ordered Naruto. Within seconds, the stern of the Romulan Heavy Cruiser loomed on the screen in front of them, dead ahead of the Wolverine.

Samui said, "We're at point blank range Captain."

Naruto said, "Fire."

The Allegiance was hit with a full salvo of ten phasers and two photon torpedoes at zero range. The results were catastrophic for the Romulan Heavy Cruiser. With no aft shield to protect her, the ship's keel was broken, and the Allegiance's only power left online was emergency life support. The once proud Romulan vessel was a flaming wreck…

…

R.I.S Allegiance

Kurenai's body lied there crushed like a broken rag doll with her red eyes staring at the roof of the shattered bridge in death. A support beam had fallen upon her, and she was killed in an instant.

Almost everyone on the bridge died at their posts and it was a sea of green blood everywhere. Anko awoke and saw Sub-Commander Vandus was still alive though his left arm was hanging there limply, and he was coated in blood. Anko saw Kurenai's body and started to cry in both anger and sorrow. She looked at the mangled Vandus and spoke. "It wasn't supposed to end this way!"

Vandus said in a pained tone. "Our life sign signals show only a few of us are left alive Colonel Anko."

Anko's eyes were full of rage. "Then we must self-destruct. Help me activate the-"

"Almost everything on the bridge is smashed beyond recognition. The self-destruct can't be activated from here." said the Sub-Commander. "I'm going to hobble down to engineering where I can activate it. The Federation vessel is hailing us. Perhaps you can stall the Federation on the communications console." He pried open the shattered doors that led aft to the rest of the ship and said to Anko. "Farewell Colonel, perhaps we'll meet in the next life."

Anko looked over at the communications console and saw a Centurian, their communications officer was dead as well. He'd been impaled by flying debris and was laying on the floor by his station. The Tal Shiar Colonel limped over to the communications console and saw they were being hailed. Sitting down in the dead Centurian's station, Anko activated the screen…

…

U.S.S. Wolverine

M'rella said, "I have visual contact Captain. It isn't pretty over there."

Naruto nodded. "On screen M'rella"

Anko's tear- and blood-stained face appeared on the main screen. The smoking wreckage and the bodies behind her were visible as well. Naruto recognized the unusual Tal Shiar uniform and said, "A Tal Shiar Colonel. I take it you are the ranking officer in command?"

Colonel Anko glared at Naruto as fresh tears spilled out of her eyes. "You killed everybody, EVERYBODY! You Federation scum! "

Naruto replied, "We show a few life signs. I'll give you a choice Colonel, unconditional surrender or death. Make your decision."

The Tal Shiar Officer was taken aback. "You aren't going to offer to help us?"

The blonde hybrid shook his head. "There will be no mercy for you. You tried to murder my crew and destroy my ship. Now make your choice. Surrender or die."

Anko bared her teeth and said angrily, "I'll NEVER surrender to you, Vulcan!" She pulled a phaser pistol and set it to disintegrate herself. Then she hissed, "I'll see you in hell!" The Colonel pulled the trigger and let out a scream of agony as her body was turned to atoms.

The crew winced at the screen and Jackie said, "That was an awful spectacle."

Shar looked up from sensor station one and said, "I'm sorry to say it but between the radiation and the lack of life support she would have perished anyway."

M'rella asked, "Are there any survivors that might live?"

The Andorian said, "Only if they contact us so we can beam them out."

…

R.I.S Allegiance

Sub-Commander Vandus made it to one of the few radiation-free areas on the Allegiance, the ship's sick bay. The way to engineering was depressurized and with the radiation burns he had; Vandus figured he was good as dead anyway. He got on the communicator out in the hall by sick bay and said, "Doctor Rondete, do you read?"

An older Romulan woman answered, "I read you Sub-Commander. Where are you?"

Vandus replied, "I'm out in the hall Doctor. I'm afraid I won't last much longer due to the radiation. I'm already dead anyway."

Rondete said in a pained voice, "What about Commander Kurenai? Surely-"

"She died in her command chair. The only other one left is Colonel Anko but she's a Tal Shiar and can't be trusted." Vandus coughed. "You and the medical staff in there are the only ones that will live if you surrender and beam over to the Federation ship. If nothing else, save Commander Kurenai's daughter. She's just a baby."

"Mirai is-" started Doctor Rondete.

"-An innocent child." replied Vandus. "You and your staff must each decide whether to surrender or not, but Mirai must live. That is my final order to you Doctor. Do NOT fail me." He turned off the communicator and slid into a sitting position in the corridor. 'So, this is how I die.' he thought as he closed his eyes for the last time…

Doctor Rondete shed a tear and said to her staff. "Sub-Commander Vandus is correct. Baby Mirai must live."

…

U.S.S. Wolverine

"I have an audio contact Captain." said M'rella. The Caitian beauty's eyes widened. "It's the Chief Medical Officer of the Allegiance. She wants to speak with you."

Naruto turned to face M'rella and said, "Pipe her through."

A tired female voice crackled over the speaker. "This is Doctor Rondete, Chief Medical Officer of the R.I.S. Allegiance. To whom am I speaking?"

"This is Captain Naruto M'Fau, commanding officer of the U.S.S. Wolverine, Doctor Rondete." replied the blonde hybrid. "The Allegiance is structurally damaged and will break up soon. If you wish to live, then I suggest you surrender peacefully."

"My remaining medical staff of eleven and I will surrender to you peacefully on one condition Captain Naruto." said Rondete.

"I will listen to your condition." answered Naruto.

Rondete replied, "We have a baby aboard that is only a year old. She is innocent and I want you to give me your word that she will be kept safe and not a prisoner of war like the rest of us."

The blonde pondered a moment and said, "You have my word, Doctor Rondete. Maintain this frequency so we can get a signal lock and beam you, your staff and the child out."

,,,

Stardate 2284.072 Mutara Sector, Genesis System, Imperial Klingon Vessel Qel'Poh*⑦

Commander Kruge sat in his command throne aboard the I.K.V. Qel'Poh as he watched the U.S.S. Wolverine finish off the R.I.S. Allegiance with a phaser salvo having taken the remaining Romulans prisoner. "So this is Captain Kiba Warrigul's friend." said Kruge as he exhaled. "Captain Naruto…the infamous Nightstalker."

"The Nightstalker sir?" asked his gunnery officer. "The one named after the old war god that hunts within our territory?"

Seeing Kruge nod, the helmsman asked, "How could he be a 'friend' of Captain Warrigul or any Klingon for all that matter?"

"He is an honorable but incredibly dangerous warrior." said Kruge. "Captain Naruto and my good friend Captain Kiba met before the war. They were both young officers and Naruto thrashed Kiba within an inch of his life for insulting his mate."

The Klingon Commander barked out a laugh. "I would have paid money to see that…Later, Captain Naruto saved Captain Warrigul from some kind of natural disaster that wrecked his ship in the Neutral Zone. He would have made a damn fine Klingon. It's a shame he's our enemy now."

"What are we going to do then sir?" asked Kruge's navigator. "If the Wolverine took out a Firehawk then-"

"Then we would be crushed utterly." replied Kruge. "There is no dishonor in not committing suicide. A good warrior knows when to choose his battles. We will observe from range. Once the Wolverine leaves, we will see what we can figure out about Planet Genesis ourselves."

…

Stardate 2284.075 Mutara Sector, Genesis System, Planet Genesis Orbit, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine

"Science Officer's Log, Stardate 2284.075. After several away teams ran various tests on Planet Genesis, all of them have been withdrawn because the planet is quickly becoming tectonically unstable. We've estimated that the core of the planet will probably explode in four days."

"After the Science Staff had an intense discussion about why the Project Genesis is failing so rapidly, Doctor David Marcus revealed that he used Protomatter*⑧ -an unstable substance that every ethical scientist in the galaxy has denounced as dangerously unpredictable- to solve some of the fundamental problems inherent in the Genesis matrix."

"Doctor Carol Marcus was shocked that her son had done this and wasn't sure what to say or do. Doctor David Marcus seems to have been impatient for results and grasped ahold of Protomatter because it provided solutions. As a person I can understand wanting to get results but as a scientist I can only say that the use of Protomatter has doomed the Genesis Project."

…

Sick Bay

Doctor Shelly Wilson was holding baby Mirai as she spoke to Doctor Rondete. The Romulan Doctor had been very cooperative but was still under Marine guard. Shelly said, "So the baby's necklace has a chip in it with a message from Commander Kurenai to her daughter?"

Rondete nodded. "The Commander was very specific that little Mirai should have it if the Commander died."

Doctor Wilson looked at Mirai and saw the child's red eyes and curly black hair contrasted nicely with her porcelain skin. "What a beautiful little girl." said Shelly. "Do you know who the Father is?"

"I do not." replied the Romulan Doctor. "The only thing Commander Kurenai ever said to me was he wasn't good Father material and has little knowledge about Mirai."

Shelly sweat dropped. "Those kind of useless sperm donors seem to plague our galaxy regardless of race or species."

The Romulan Doctor couldn't help herself and burst into laughter…

…

Stardate 2284.079 Mutara Sector, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine

The U.S.S. Wolverine was well out of orbit as they observed Planet Genesis go through its final death throes and finally explode into molten debris. It was a sad occasion for Doctors David and Carol Marcus as their dreams for Project Genesis had come to an unfortunate and untimely end.

Admiral James T. Kirk had contacted them from Starbase 1 via subspace. Jim was talking to Carol for some time before he spoke to his son. "David, what went wrong?" asked the Admiral.

"I went wrong." answered David.

Jim replied, "I don't understand."

"I'm sorry sir, but Genesis doesn't work." said the younger Doctor Marcus. "I thought I had solved things, but I only made them worse."

The Admiral said, "Come back to Earth with Carol, David. I'm here too. You don't have to bear this burden alone."

David hung his head. "That's what Mom said. I'll see you soon sir."

…

Captain's Ready Room

Lieutenant Saavik was speaking with Captain Naruto M'Fau and Doctor Alison Fairbanks in the Ready Room.

"Doctor David Marcus's brilliance is only outweighed by his lack of logic." said Saavik. "Had he been patient instead of using Protomatter it is possible that Project Genesis might have worked."

Alison said, "Doctor Carol Marcus said David's impatience comes from his Father's side. What would you say Captain Naruto?"

Naruto felt the weight of both female's stares upon him and replied, "Admiral Kirk is very motivated to get results if that is what you are asking. As far as judging his personality, I believe Doctor Carol Marcus would be in a better position to do so than I. The question I have is whether the use of Protomatter is considered illegal as opposed to simply unethical."

"I know Protomatter is banned on Vulcan." said Alison. "It is still available to be studied on Earth though."

Saavik asked, "What is the bearing of legality of Protomatter sir?"

"It could make the difference between Project Genesis being considered a failed experiment and losing its funding or Doctor David Marcus possibly facing criminal charges Lieutenant Saavik." explained Naruto. "Most of the backing of Project Genesis was private but Starfleet was involved in the financing of it. There is already a great deal of controversy surrounding Project Genesis in the Federation Council."

"What kind of a defense could be formulated for David Marcus?" asked Saavik.

Doctor Fairbanks frowned. "The best defense would be to blame the project's failure on Khan Noonien Singh. He did set off the device before it was authorized for testing after all."

…

Stardate 2284.080 Mutara Sector, I.K.V. Qel'Poh

The Klingons were dismayed, and Commander Kruge was disgusted. "Planet Genesis is completely destroyed." he said. "The secrets of the Genesis Weapon died with it. High Command is not going to like this. The entire voyage was a waste of time and fuel. Helm, plot a course for home. There is nothing left for us to see here."

…

Stardate 2284.085, Federation Space, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine

The U.S.S. Wolverine was travelling at warp four back to Starbase 1. Commander Nodaway was in the Command chair, and she said with a chuckle, "I guess there's never a dull moment with the Think Tank around. During the first month of our shakedown cruise, we've battled a madman in a stolen Federation light cruiser, saw a planet born, destroyed a Romulan heavy cruiser and saw the same planet explode."

"Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Wolverine Commander Nodaway." said a smiling Rafi. "We have a proud tradition of getting into crazy situations."

Samui added, "Things haven't changed all that much since we were cadets; just our rank pins and this stupid war."

Jackie nodded. "Steady as she goes Lieutenant Rafi."

…

POSTSCRIPT:

*①: The R.I.S. Allegiance is a Firehawk-K Class Heavy Cruiser. See Memory Beta Imperium Class for a picture of this vessel.

*②: Plasma-F: As stated in previous chapters this is the second weakest type of plasma torpedo.

*③: Plasma-S: As stated in previous chapters this is the second strongest type of plasma torpedo.

*④: Plasma torpedoes can be weakened by phaser damage.

*⑤: Gatling phasers are defensive weapons usually caried by carriers in their escorts and wouldn't be seen on a normal ship. What Kurenai doesn't know is X-phasers have a gatling mode.

*⑥: High energy turn: This is a rapid, near instantaneous turn involving warp power. It is a dangerous maneuver that can send a ship out of control if done incorrectly.

*⑦: The Qel'Poh is the Klingon B'rel Class Bird-of-prey that was in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock & Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. See Memory Beta.

*⑧: Protomatter: A highly dangerous, unstable form of matter. See Memory Alpha.

That wraps up the Planet Genesis Arc. Enterprise-A is under construction and the events of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home are going to be put off for a while. The Whale Probe can really show up at the canon time as far as your author is concerned. I'm seriously thinking about pairing Saavik with David but I'm not 100% sure yet. See you next time. Blue out. 10/8/23