Naruto: Infinity Divide

Swimming

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hmmm, well it seems that there was a law against Augments joining Starfleet that was in Deep Space Nine (that I never saw). We're just going to say that Samui is an exception or a test case to see if Augments can be integrated into the fleet since rewriting everything over the last several chapters seems like a bad idea at this point. Other than that I'm throwing myself on the mercy of the court as I honestly had no idea about this law. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Port = Left

Starboard = Right

Last time:

Samui rolled her eyes and was about to say something in retort, but the Fourth Years pounced first. The female human growled, "Kirov, you jackass! You and your team of idiots on the Warlock fucked up everything!"

Kirov smiled weakly and said, "Ummm, honestly Jackie. We really thought it was a D6 heavy cruiser we were facing. Hehe, it was just a simulation."

"Just a simulation?!" shrieked Jackie. She practically had steam coming out of her ears. "It's our grades here! I ought to wring your scrawny neck Third Year!"

"It not a big deal beautiful!" said Kirov in a frightened voice. "No need to pull rank or anything."

"Bastard, your group broke ranks and we could have won!" roared Jackie. "Get them guys!" The Fourth Years charged over the Think Tank's table and began pummeling Kirov and his Third Year compatriots.

"We're out of here! Let the Marines deal with this mess!" said Samui as the Think Tank cleared out of the fighting.

A wild brawl broke out but somehow the fast track Cadets made it out of the Mess Hall unscathed as the Marines moved in to break it up…

…

Shar sat down looking a bit disheveled (He'd crawled out under the tables). "Samui, you and Naruto could have taken them all."

"One must choose one's battles wisely Shar." said Naruto sagely.

Samui sighed. "That and we don't need demerits for fighting. There are enough issues to deal with as it is."

"Good point." said Shar. Rafi and M'rella nodded in agreement…

…

Chapter 14

Stardate 2271.330, Zero-G Training Center, Phobos, Moon of Planet Mars

T'Lyra was floating in the Zero-G 'Cantina/Mess Hall' with the other off duty recruits. She was tired but felt good about herself. Chief Casper had walked her and Brea through inspecting the dismal Work Bee Seven and then the two recruits did Work Bee Twelve on their own with Casper simply observing. Seven was currently down for repairs but Twelve only required some quick maintenance and it was ready to go. 'I guess we'll spend the day working on Work Bee Seven tomorrow.' thought T'Lyra.

Off duty one was allowed to imbibe so Brea Mathuin was drinking her fill of rotgut Martian brewed beer. (T'Lyra couldn't stand the stuff). "You know, this place could sure use some music." said Brea. "It's too quiet except for the talking. What do you think T'Lyra?"

"I have my ka'athyra in its case." said T'Lyra. "I haven't had time to practice recently though."

Brea looked a bit confused and said, "What the hell is a ka'athyra?"

"It's what you humans call a Vulcan lyrette or lute." explained the brunette.

"Ohhhh! Okay, I've seen those played on programs." said the Irish girl. "Do you know any Irish folk music?"

T'Lyra had a very flat look that said, 'Are you serious?' Then the Vulcan beauty said, "I'm afraid not. I know many traditional Vulcan songs though. Would you like to hear?"

….

T'Lyra soon had the group rather shocked with her classical Golic Vulcan songs that were actually folk tales said to music. Her higher pitched, operatic voice washed over the cantina in powerful waves that astounded the group there.

"She's incredible!" whispered Brea to another. The young Vulcan woman entertained them all evening. She finished with the only song she knew from Terra called "Mars Bonfire" from the 22nd Century which elicited a great deal of applause*①.

…

Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth, Dorm F, Room 125-F

M'rella was looking at her one-piece blue and white swimsuit that had been issued to her by Starfleet. The style didn't bother her but there was one glaring issue: There was no hole for her tail! The young Caitian woman's ears drooped slightly, and her amber eyes narrowed.

Naruto had learned to read M'rella's moods well since they started rooming together. He noticed her tail was stiff and kinked in irritation. "What is wrong M'rella?" asked the blonde hybrid. "You look perturbed."

"We are supposed to start swimming survival training courses tomorrow and my swimsuit is cut for a human." explained the Caitian girl. "There is no place for my tail and it will be most uncomfortable."

Naruto sighed softly and said, "You're just checking your swimsuit for the first time M'rella?" She nodded. "Let's go down to requisitions and get a proper swimsuit for you then."

M'rella smiled and her ears perked up. Her tail took its usual relaxed posture. "Thank you for coming with me Naruto. The people in requisitions aren't very kind."

The two roommates went across the campus to get a swimsuit for M'rella and she was purring softly in happiness that she didn't have to go by herself. Her purring abruptly stopped when she saw the line leading to the requisitions building.

"It seems this will take some time." said Naruto. "I never realized they are always this busy. I was under the impression they were only this crowded during enrollment periods."

…

One hour later the pair was finally at the front of the line where two disgruntled clerks were manning the counter. M'rella held up her current swimsuit and said, "I was issued a swimsuit for a human and I need one for a Caitian. I wish to exchange this please."

"Let me see the human suit." said the clerk. He quickly scanned the stock code on it and said, "Cadet M'rella?" she nodded and he said, "ID please." M'rella held up her cadet identification card and he nodded. The clerk looked her over with a very appraising eye and said lecherously, "I guess these measurements from your old suit are correct then eh?"

M'rella replied in a flat tone, "My measurements are correct sir."

The clerk smiled and said, "I'll see what we've got for all those curves Cadet." A few minutes later he came back with an identical suit with the back cut down further for a Caitian.

She quickly inspected the suit and said to the clerk, "Thank you, this will be fine sir."

"Come back soon sweetheart." said the clerk as he gazed at the sway in M'rella's hips as she walked away. If the Caitian girl noticed she paid no attention to the man.

M'rella said happily, "Let's go back to the dorm and I'll try on this new swimsuit."

…

Dorm F, Room 125-F

Naruto was doing his best to focus on his tablet as M'rella changed into her swimsuit right in front of him. The blonde thought to himself; 'You'd think I would be desensitized by now given she sleeps naked. I wonder if all Caitians are such exhibitionists.' He heard her giggle as she looked into the mirror at different angles.

"What do you think Naruto?" asked the Caitian beauty. "Does it look okay on me?"

Naruto looked up and saw her in her sleek swimsuit. He did his best not to stare. "It fits you quite well M'rella."

She smiled and gave him a generous view of her cleavage. "Hmmm…I'm glad you like it." she purred.

There was a knocking on the door and M'rella said, "I'll get it!" and darted over to the door with her dainty feet not making a sound.

It was Rafi and Samui at the door and they were quickly invited in by M'rella. Rafi grinned and said, "Do you always run around in your swimsuit M'rella?"

The Caitian girl chuckled and said, "I had to make sure it fits. We're starting our swimming survival training tomorrow you know. It turned out I had a human suit, so I had to get one designed for a Caitian."

Samui looked around the dorm room and noticed Naruto wasn't in sight. "Is Naruto here?" asked the blonde Augment.

"He's doing his homework on his bed as usual." said M'rella. "Come in and sit."

"Hi Naruto!" called Rafi into the bedroom.

Naruto came out deciding he probably wouldn't get much homework done anyway. "Hello Rafi; Samui. Tea?"

"I wouldn't mind some rum if you've got any." said the Trill.

"I'm afraid that Vulcan Tea and Caitian fruit drinks are all we have available Rafi -except for what's available through the food replicator." said Naruto.

M'rella handed Rafi a sweet fruit drink and offered one to Samui. "I think I'd prefer tea, thank you." said Samui.

"I'll brew some." said Naruto as he got out an ornate Vulcan tea set.

Samui was looking about and saw the beautiful art decorating the walls. They were mainly landscapes with the looks of rain forests and jungles. The room was accented with tropical flowers as well. "Your room is quite nicely decorated." said the Augment girl impressed. "Everything here has a rain forest theme."

"Hmmm…I'm glad you like it." purred M'rella happily. "Everything here reminds me of my home on Cait. I've encouraged Naruto to decorate but he has chosen very little to liven up the place. He only has one painting up above his bed, but it leaves quite an impression."

As Naruto sat down at the table to brew some tea, M'rella took their two guests into the neat and clean bedroom where they saw a picture of some sort of explosive dust/lightning storm. The painting seemed to hold so much uncontained, raw power that it was jarring to the viewer.

"Whoa! What is this?" asked the Trill girl. Everything in your quarters is so calm and soothing but this…"

"I've offered to take it down, but it is special to me." said Naruto. "You are looking at a painting of a sandfire storm over the desert in Vulcan's Forge."

Samui said, "It looks like the lightning could leap off the painting. It has so much explosive energy. I can't really describe it."

"My cousin Zerin painted it." explained the hybrid. "It's called The Maelstrom, and this is how she sees me."

"She sees you as a violent sandstorm?" asked Rafi. "That seems odd."

"Zerin is a very good artist for all of her idiosyncrasies." explained Naruto. "She told me this was what she envisioned when we first met years ago."

"I think it's a very moving piece." said the Caitian girl kindly. "Somehow I can see Naruto like this from seeing him spar with you Samui."

Samui looked at the painting and thought of her recent spar with Naruto. "Cool; I could see that."

…

The four were sitting down discussing their recent simulation. "We do well in the actual simulations, but we need to follow ranks and titles according to Commander Jackson." said Samui. "We should either use or ranks or titles specific to our positions at the time."

Rafi was looking over her critique and said, "Yeah, our command structure and discipline need to shape up from what she says. I guess the easiest thing to do would be to use titles like helm and navigator since it's basically roulette as to where we end up." The Trill added, "It would get confusing if we used our rank because we're all cadets."

"We ought to get Shar's input as well." said M'rella. "He is part of our team too."

"That seems logical." agreed Naruto. "What dorm room is he in? We should invite him."

"He's in room 140-F." replied Samui. "One of us should fetch him if he's available." The beautiful blonde said while looking pointedly at Rafi.

Rafi stared back challengingly at Samui and said, "Yes, one of us should."

"I'll go fetch him." said Naruto.

…

Room 140-F

Shar was talking with his human roommate Cadet Shelly Wilson of Earth. She was also a fast track student and was a Medical Doctor. They were discussing the philosophy behind the Hippocratic Oath when Naruto knocked. Shelly got the door and the pretty auburn-haired Cadet blushed when she saw Naruto standing there. "Um, hello Cadet Naruto."

"Good evening, Cadet Wilson." said Naruto formally. "I hope I'm not interrupting your evening."

She smiled and said, "You're not interrupting anything at all. Shar and I were just discussing a bit of philosophy. Please come in."

The Vulcan hybrid followed Shelly in and saw the Andorian reclined back in a his chair. Shar was surprised to see Naruto. "Naruto, it's good to see you." said the blue-skinned Cadet. "What brings you by?"

"Our group was discussing the most recent simulation we were in and we agreed that your input would be benificial for all parties concerned." said Naruto. "Would you be available to join us?"

"May I join you as well?" asked Wilson hopefully. "My team of five exclusively deals with medicine and life sciences so we don't do the bridge simulations your group does."

Shar said, "You might find it a bit boring Shelly."

The medic deflated a bit but perked up when Naruto said, "There is no reason you can't attend if you wish Wilson."

"Just call me Shelly, Naruto. I'll get my boots." she said with a smile.

…

Starfleet Headquarters, Starship Bureau of Design and Repair, San Francisco, Rear Admiral Tolm's Office

Rear Admiral Lucian Tolm was having a meeting with Commander Montgomery Scott about the latest innovation in warp drive mechanics – The Curved Transitional Warp Field Theorem. "Commander Scott, after reviewing the Curved Warp Field, the board has unanimously agreed that it should be incorporated into the U.S.S. Enterprise refit. I'm astonished that you found such a talent in a mere Cadet, Commander."

"It was pure luck sir." said Scotty. "When I met Naruto years ago, he was just a boy but his theory was so fantastic. I stayed in touch with him while he got his doctorate and encouraged him now and then but that was it. He developed it from the ground up."

The Admiral sat back and pondered for a few moments before he said, "How good do you think Doctor Naruto would be at designing new warp configurations and new ship designs Mister Scott?"

Scotty leaned forward and said, "Challenge him to it. His degree is in Astrodynamics and Astrophysics. He's fully versed in warp architecture and starship design. The lad is practically a ball of untapped potential."

Tolm nodded and said, "I want to meet this boy."

….

Room 125-F

"How's it going Shelly?" asked Rafi. The Trill was a bit curious about the medic's presence. "You usually have your nose stuck in a medical text of some sort or other."

Shelly smiled and said, "I decided to sit in and see what the command team does. I might decide that the captain's chair is preferable to sick bay."

The group was soon sitting and discussing their grades. Shar grumbled, "I was marked down for 'indecisiveness' and 'not obeying a superior.'

"It must have been when you looked back at me and wondered about my orders." said Naruto. "That's the only thing I can think of."

"Maybe…" said the Andorian. "That reminds me, did you actually smile when the Kzintis attacked us?"

"Have you ever seen me smile?" asked Naruto.

Shar frowned in thought and said, "No I haven't now that you mention it."

"Would you smile in the face of an enemy attack?" questioned the blonde hybrid.

"No; of course not." said the Andorian. "I guess it was a trick of the light."

'I love mind games.' thought Naruto laughing inside.

The group turned in early given their underwater training started tomorrow…

…

Stardate 2271.331, Underwater Training Center, Kwajalein Atoll, Planet Earth

"Welcome to Kwajalein Atoll Base Cadets." said a tall blonde-haired woman in her thirties. "I'm Lieutenant Valerie Pushkin and I will be instructing you along with the staff here on swimming and underwater survival. You'll also be trained in basic underwater navigation, so you won't get lost. Vehicles such as submersible rovers, full submarines and surface craft are for a later, more advanced course if you desire to take them. That is your option later. Your job during this week is to fill your minds and bodies with the knowledge to survive in a water or underwater environments."

Pushkin added, "There is only one other thing I will say; I know most of you a geniuses of some sort or other. I don't give a damn. You are Starfleet Cadets and I will train you as such. Obey your teachers and trainers to the letter and we'll all get along nicely. I you don't…You and your classmates will be severely punished. That is all."

A Chief Petty Officer said, "Alright Cadets; file into your temporary quarters and change into your swimming gear. Report back here after you do. You have twenty minutes, GO!"

"I can already tell this is going to be a week in paradise." said Samui to the others as they trotted over to the large hall where the bunks were four to a unit. Samui said, "M'rella, Shelly, bunk with Rafi and I."

Naruto was with Shar when two other male fast track Cadets joined them. One was a human with freckles and red hair. "I guess we haven't been formally introduced. I'm Doctor Gregory Hammond with the medical group. Nice to meet you. He shook hands with Shar and Naruto. "This is my friend Kloene from the engineering group." Hammond said as he motioned towards a beefy green skinned Orion male. His hair was black and in a topknot.

Everybody in the foursome introduced themselves and quickly changed into their blue and white standard issue swimming suits. "Can't wait to see the girls dressed out." said Kloene. "All that eye candy will make this training worthwhile –especially Leatta."

Naruto didn't really know Leatta but she was a very attractive and flirtatious Orion girl with classically green skin and long black hair. She already had a reputation as a man-eater. Shar shook his snowy head and said, "The girls I like but this heat and humidity are going to be taxing on my physiology."

As they trotted out to the beach, they broke into a run realizing their twenty minutes were nearly up. As it turned out, two of the Cadets were late so they all ended up doing five hundred pushups each…

…

After that the group was taught the basics of swimming by Petty Officers throwing them off a dock into the water to make sure they didn't sink. For his part Naruto could swim okay but had to fight back the urge to water walk back over to the dock and grab a particularly sadistic petty officer that was being rough on Rafi who couldn't swim well. Samui seemed fine and M'rella was a very good swimmer so that left Shar who seemed okay even though he was complaining constantly about the 'barbarism of it all.'

Day Two

Naruto found that Shar, Kloene and Gregory Hammond were all pretty good swimmers but their Petty Officer Davis in charge of them apparently woke up on the wrong side of the bed Every. Single. Morning.

At mess the four males were so tired that even looking at the girls took effort. They all wanted to sleep but needed their energy. "If I ever complain about the food at the Academy again you have formal permission to slap me Naruto. It's gourmet dining compared to this fare." said Shar.

"Kelp is actually very good for its nutritional value." offered Gregory in an attempt at being upbeat about it. Then he hung his head and said, "It does taste rather bad the way it's been prepared though. I'm so fucking tired…"

The blonde hybrid wolfed down his food and said, "After we eat, I plan to do some homework and rest."

"I'm skipping the homework and going straight to bed." said Shar in an exhausted tone.

"I'm with the Andorian." said Kloene tiredly. "I'm so tired that I can't even chase women. My family would be ashamed of me."

…

Day Four

M'rella surfaced from her dive and said to Naruto, "Diving in these beautiful waters is so much fun! It's hard to believe that Bikini Atoll was once used for Nuclear testing."

Naruto nodded. M'rella seemed overjoyed here in the tropics. He said, "The Earth is fortunate that they never had a nuclear war like Vulcan did."

The Caitian girl's ears drooped but then perked back up. "But the people of Vulcan learned and adapted. Many races would not have survived what yours did."

"Hey there cutie." said Kloene to M'rella. "How's my favorite Caitian girl?"

M'rella smiled and said, "Let me guess; you struck out with Leatta again."

Kloene slumped his shoulders. "Is it that obvious?"

Naruto said, "It is my Orion friend." M'rella broke out into melodious laughter before she stuck her oxygen rebreather in her mouth and dived again.

The Orion male said, "I never knew how sexy alien girls were till I joined Starfleet. There are so many to look at that my head gets dizzy sometimes."

The blonde hybrid said, "Beauty comes in many forms Kloene." 'It's a shame T'Lyra isn't here. I would love to see her in a snug swimsuit.'

Kloene chuckled, "It seems funny hearing that from a Vulcan. I guess under all that logic Vulcan guys aren't that different from other guys."

Naruto raised a blonde eyebrow and said, "We are all humanoids; it is genetic and can't be helped."

…

Day Six

The Cadets were all going through an underwater maze to test their navigational skills. Most made it without exceeding the thirty-minute mark but some had to retake the test. M'rella made it through the fastest in twelve minutes. The rest of The Think Tank Command Team all made it through on their first try (Rafi barely made it in twenty-nine minutes).

"A pass is a pass." said the exhausted Trill. "I guess I need to practice more. I'll take space over water anytime. Navigating by sight is difficult with the water refracting your vision."

...

Day Seven

Everyone was assembled in their regular Cadet Uniforms on the landing pad. "You've all passed the physical and mental requirements of basic underwater survival and navigation." said Lieutenant Pushkin. "Many of you need to continue your exercises to build up your endurance but you did well generally. Consider the basic course passed. Next time you are out here I expect to see you all performing better as swimmers. Fall out and board your shuttles."

Thirty minutes later the twenty students were split between two troop transport shuttles with the belongings and head back to the main campus in San Francisco…

…

Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Dorm F, Room 125-F

"Personal Log: Stardate 2271.337. M'rella and I have thankfully returned to our quarters. I found the swimming exercises to be beneficial but the sheer amount of them in the last week was taxing. I am not exhausted or physically sore like most of the others but that is due to my unique metabolism. Upon my return I found that T'Lyra is still off planet, and I have orders to report to Starfleet Headquarters to meet with an Admiral Lucien Tolm who I am unfamiliar with. My research indicates he is a Rear Admiral in charge of Starfleet Command's Starship Bureau of Design and Repair. He holds a Masters degree in Astrodynamcs and has been in the Bureau on the Repair and Construction side for twenty years."

"The only logical reason he would want to see me is my warp theorem so I will have to be prepared…"

…

Stardate 2271.339, Zero-G Training Center, Phobos, Moon of Planet Mars

T'Lyra was working under the watchful eye of Chief Warrant Officer Casper as she completed the repairs on the last Work Bee with Brea following her lead. "It's finished sir." said T'Lyra. "Work Bee Nineteen has been given a complete inspection and overhaul."

Casper typed in a few things on his tablet and said, "Very nicely done. You have passed all the requirements recruit. Not only is your operator's license approved but also you are now fully qualified to inspect and maintain Work Bees."

"I wasn't aware I was being tested." said T'Lyra.

The Chief chucked and said, "You picked up on this so well that I decided to give you the test for practice. You passed with flying colors. Normally you don't do this training until you are at least an Engineer's Mate so you are way ahead of the game recruit T'Lyra."

"Way to go T'Lyra!" said Brea happily. 'Glad he didn't test me. I'd have flunked out.'

"Thank you, sir!" responded the Vulcan girl. "I hope to continue to do well."

"I think you're going places recruit." said Casper with a grin. "You've both worked hard today. Go grab some chow."

…

Starfleet Academy, Simulation Hall

The Think Tank exited the simulator. They had been back on the frigate U.S.S. Burke again and supported other ships in a Federation vs. Klingon fleet action scenario. Rafi had been in command, and they distinguished themselves by destroying a Klingon frigate and chasing off another without taking much damage in return. Considering Klingon F5 frigates were better than Federation frigates it was no mean feat. Their 'Admiral' was the Fourth year Jackie Nodaway who praised them highly for keeping the Klingons at bay while she used her dreadnought to wreck the enemy's command ship (incidentally captained by Joseph Kirov and his group of Third Years).

It had been a decisive victory for 'Admiral' Jackie Nodaway's Fleet…

Commander Triella Jackson was soon talking to her cadets. "You did much better this time maintaining your chain of command." she said gruffly as usual. "That was some good work detecting those transporter mines before they wrecked your ship. I think this group might have potential after all."

…

"Nice job on the science station Naruto." said Rafi. Samui, you were great the way you side slipped the mines after Naruto detected them. As your Captain, I'm treating you all to a huge feast…in the Mess Hall!"

"Your generosity knows no bounds." said Samui to her roommate in a flat tone.

"You may praise me more!" exclaimed the Trill.

"Being at navigation is kind of fun." said M'rella happily. "-Except for firing weapons; I don't like that part."

"Communications was crazy with all those ships involved." said Shar. "It was difficult to know what to pipe through."

"Better to learn in a simulation than in actual battle." said Naruto.

Rafi laughed. "No need to be so serious guys. Let's go eat."

"Hopefully the Fourth Years won't attack anybody today." said Shar dourly.

…

Stardate 2271.344, Starfleet Headquarters, Starship Bureau of Design and Repair

Five days later Naruto walked into a large staff meeting room where Rear Admiral Tolm was sitting with a couple of others. Tolm was a long time Staff Officer in his seventies with a thick gray mop of hair and looked very laid back. To his right was a very studious looking man of Asian descent with full captain's insignia on his lapels. He looked to be in his fifties. Lastly was another full Captain of Vulcan heritage. She was studying Naruto with extreme scrutiny in her dark eyes. Her brown hair was in a conservative bun.

Tolm motioned Naruto in and said, "Welcome Doctor Naruto; please come in and join us. This is Captain Hiro Suzuki who is our head of Starship Design and Captain Vach who is our head of Astrodynamics and warp theory."

Naruto came up and gave the traditional Vulcan salute and said, "I come to serve."

Rear Admiral Tolm and Captain Suzuki both looked a bit confused by this greeting, but Vach nodded slightly to herself and returned his salute. "Your service honors us. Please be seated."

Naruto bowed and took his seat opposite of the Admiral who smiled slightly to put Naruto at ease. He pushed a touch screen and the Enterprise with Naruto's Curved Warp Field appeared in a holographic projection. Tolm simply said, "Doctor Naruto, I think you'll be happy to know that your Curved Warp Field has been fully approved for the new refit of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Our staff has been very excited to meet you since this breakthrough."

Captain Suzuki said, "To find someone as young as yourself possessing such advanced talent is rare indeed. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Vach said with hard eyes, "So you are the second hybrid after Spock."

Naruto nodded and met her stare head on. "Commander Spock is a friend of mine."

…

Naruto and the three officers discussed Naruto's warp design theorem in detail until all parties seemed satisfied. Admiral Tolm said, "Doctor Naruto, I have a challenge for you. During your next three semesters you have the option of independent study credits. I want you to design a basic ship for me as an outside consultant. Are you up to the task?"

"What kind of ship?" asked Naruto.

The Admiral grinned. "Your tentative design proposal would be to replace the older Light Cruisers of the NCC-900 Texas Class which as you no doubt know were originally sub-light ships. I have the general specifications the fleet is using but I want you to only be limited by your imagination. Many designs are being submitted and we want to combine the best features of those designs. The only requirement I'm giving you is to make the design flexible so it could be converted into a scout or a minesweeper for instance."

"I will give it my best sir." replied the blonde hybrid. "I was planning on doing an engineering project for independent study regardless, so this works out well."

"Excellent Doctor; we look forward to the fruits of your labor. Captain Suzuki will be your contact here at headquarters for questions and guidance." Then the Admiral added, "By the way, your first payment for the licensed use of your warp theory is being deposited as we speak. You are going to be a very wealthy young man, Doctor Naruto."

Vach said, "I will be available to discuss things with you as well Doctor Naruto. I am as interested as Suzuki in your progress."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and said, "I will submit my reports to both parties then."

"Excellent Doctor Naruto. You are dismissed." said Admiral Tolm

The blonde hybrid bowed and excused himself.

…

Now Naruto had a mission. After Naruto left Rear Admiral Tolm asked, "What is your opinion, Vach? You voiced plenty of doubts before this meeting.

"He looks just like his Mother." said Vach. "He's a very handsome young man."

Tolm and Suzuki face faulted. The Rear Admiral coughed and said, "I meant his capabilities as a ship designer and warp engineer."

Vach said, "He answered all of my questions in a quick and direct manner. My doubts about him are dispelled."

"I personally can't wait to see his paper project." said Suzuki. "It's always good to have fresh blood although I'm sure his ship will be unrealistic compared to Starfleet's needs. We need a design that can rapidly be mass produced for the war which is no doubt coming. I picture his design as being complex and probably difficult to build just from his personality."

"Who knows?" said the Admiral. "Regardless, it should be interesting."

...

Starfleet Academy

Naruto got back in time for lunch and his afternoon classes. Meeting up with several high-ranking officers had been taxing on the blonde hybrid. He wanted a bit of normalcy and more importantly he wanted to see his mate. 'The message she sent indicated she should be back on Earth by now. I hope all goes well and we can see each other soon. It's been a month since we even spoke via transmission.'

…

T'Lyra and her friend Brea Mathuin were touring the Starfleet Academy Campus when the young Vulcan woman's sharp eyes saw her mate conversing with his fellow members of The Think Tank. T'Lyra hid a tiny smile and thought, 'There is that spiky blonde hair I know and love.' She walked directly towards her mate and called his name out, "Naruto M'Fau!"

Naruto whipped around and saw T'Lyra standing there in gray urban camouflage combat fatigues and a snug black tank top that showed off all her generous curves. Her long hair was pulled back in a tight braid. The young couple quickly moved to each other and touched their middle and index fingers together affectionately. Both basked in each other's presence for a moment before they spoke. "I've missed you, my mate." said Naruto.

"I've longed to see you as well." said T'Lyra as the couple gently touched their foreheads together.

Rafi looked a bit shocked as she watched the young Vulcan couple. "What happened to the Vulcan salute? This is way over the top."

M'rella said disappointedly, "I believe that's Naruto's mate. He keeps a hologram of her by his bed." Her ears drooped a bit.

"I had no idea." said Shar.

The Trill said, "She's beautiful."

Samui felt a twinge of jealousy and then said, "Let's introduce ourselves to her."

Brea was standing to the side feeling rather awkward. 'My always logical friend practically leapt at that guy. I assume he is her boyfriend. I'll never figure out Vulcans.' "Umm, hey T'Lyra; who is your friend?"

T'Lyra turned to Brea and said, "This is my mate Naruto. We are betrothed."

Brea's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "I…I had no idea."

Samui and the rest of The Think Tank came over to introduce themselves and T'Lyra and Naruto quietly held hands as everyone else talked.

For right now just being together was enough…

…

POSTSCRIPT:

*①: You can thank your author for just borrowing a song title. My original idea was 2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx by Rush. The idea of T'Lyra jamming like a female Getty Lee and blowing them all away completely cracked me up.

This chapter went smoothly, and our favorite Vulcan couple are together again for a little while. Naruto has a ship (some sort of light cruiser) to design and has received his first paycheck already. T'Lyra has impressed her superiors enough to receive some advanced training so the future looks bright for both of them. The Think Tank survived underwater survival well and didn't have to invent a new form of underwater apparatus in the process. And last but not least there were no brawls in the Mess Hall this chapter. See you next time. Blue out. 9/21/23