Naruto: Infinity Divide
The U.S.S. Darwin
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ever wonder what happened to Shizuka Nadeshiko? This chapter you'll find out. Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
Last time:
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…
…
Chapter 15
...
Stardate 2271.344 Prometheus XII System, U.S.S. Darwin
"Ship's Log: Stardate 2271.344. Captain Trent Aldridge commanding NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin. We were assigned to the Prometheus XII System because as a Galactic Survey Cruiser we have some of the best lab systems in Starfleet. Prometheus XII D was logged earlier this month as a Class M Planet that possibly could serve as a future colony. The Light Survey Cruiser NCC-962 U.S.S. Viking took long distance scans of this world on her return from her last mission. Unusually enough, the world seems to be teaming with abundant plant life with little or no animal life. This is a matter of great scientific curiosity as a planet evolving this way would be unique and our biologists are very eager to set to work…"
At the Security Station stood the twenty-three-year-old Lieutenant Junior Grade Shizuka Nadeshiko, an Earth raised Vulcan*①. As acting Security Chief, she was at her bridge station. Her light green eyes scanned the tactical screen in the system and she found no signs of any other vessels save the Darwin. "We are clear of hostiles sir. Even the special sensors show no signs of any ships being here anytime recently."
"Excellent Chief Nadeshiko." said Captain Aldridge. "Helm; set us in a standard orbit, nice and smooth. Science Officer Francesco tell our people down in the labs that the port sensors are all theirs. Something tells me there is something big on this world."
Shizuka had a mental chuckle. 'Captain Aldridge has the heart of an adventurer. He's like a little kid whenever we find a new world to map and explore.'
Aldridge clapped his hands together. "You know the drill people. We'll be mapping for two hours to see if there are any signs of intelligent life before we send down an away team…probably our botany specialists."
A chorus of "Aye; aye sir!" spread throughout the bridge.
Once again, the Darwin's outstanding crew was moving like a well-oiled machine…
…
ShiKahr City, Planet Vulcan, T'Ara and Sovar's house
T'Ara was in her everyday Vulcan brown robes fixing dinner with Talok when a call came in from Starfleet. Turning the dinner duties over to her nine going on ten-year-old daughter; the black haired beauty went to private screen and went through the security checks to receive the call. Captain Vach's rather stern visage appeared on the screen much to T'Ara's surprise. "Greetings Captain Vach." said T'Ara to her superior officer as she gave the Vulcan salute.
Vach returned the salute and said, "T'Ara; I'm calling you as your Aunt, not your superior officer in Starfleet."
T'Ara raised an eyebrow and said, "You are using a Starfleet frequency for a personal call?"
The older woman said, "It's connected to Starfleet in a way…I met Naruto today. He looks just like you."
"Did you now…?" asked T'Ara. "Why would a full Captain from Starfleet's Bureau of Design and Repair want to meet with a simple Cadet?"
Vach had humor in her eyes. "He acts just like you and your Father T'Ara. He even raises his eyebrow the same way. I had my hesitations about him at first but then I realized how much he reminded me of my late twin brother and found myself enjoying the conversation. You must be proud of him."
"Did you inform Naruto you are his Great Aunt?" asked the younger Vulcan woman.
The Captain frowned, "Of course I didn't. It was a formal meeting in the presence of my immediate superior. Besides, I wasn't sure what to make of him at first."
"You always were so personable." said T'Ara sardonically. "So why did you meet with my son?"
"We met with him because of a certain warp theorem he came up with." said Vach. "Perhaps you've heard of it?"
"If you are referring to the Curved Transitional Warp Field Theorem my son recently patented then of course I know about it." said T'Ara.
"Starfleet is interested in it." said Vach with a bit of pride in her voice. "Your Father would have been thrilled if he was here today."
T'Ara took a rather aggressive tone and asked, "How interested is Starfleet?"
The older woman's eyes seemed to twinkle. "About two hundred fifty million credits in advance alone." (T'Ara gasped) "It took hours to hammer out an agreement. Your son is a hard negotiator. I can't give you the specifics on the contract as it is confidential but suffice it to say your son will probably be able to buy a moon or something once the contract is fulfilled."
'By the gods…' thought T'Ara. "Aunt Vach, are you intending to tell him you are his Great Aunt?"
"All in due time my niece." said Vach. "I have to tell you this is big T'Ara. I understand that you want to know more details but as a fellow Starfleet Officer I must keep things classified. Just know that Naruto is an exceptional young man. I personally am looking forward to getting to know him better. I must go. Peace and long life T'Ara."
"Live long and prosper Aunt Vach." Replied the onyx eyed beauty.
…
Talok saw her Mother come back in the kitchen and asked with a raised eyebrow, "What has my big brother done this time Mama?"
T'Ara gave a tiny smile and said, "Naruto has simply outdone himself again."
The young girl shook her head. "He always has been an overachiever."
"That he has." agreed T'Ara. "So are you."
Talok gave a matching smile in return and the two soon got back to finishing up dinner…
…
Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
T'Lyra and her friend Brea were touring the campus a bit until Naruto finished his afternoon classes. They'd already seen the Museum of Starfleet History and the Arts Center and decided to stop and have a late lunch at one of the many restaurants on campus. T"Lyra pulled out her tablet to check her finances before they ate at a place that was too expensive. The brunette beauty saw Naruto's monthly paycheck, her monthly paycheck and…
08:00 -Deposit [Starfleet Payroll]: Naruto M'Fau: 5,000 credits
08:15 -Deposit [Starfleet Payroll]: T'Lyra Tolaris: 2,500 credits
11:30 -Deposit [Starfleet Command]: Naruto M'Fau: 250,000,000 credits
Her brown eyes were big as saucers and her jaw dropped. "W-w-what?!" 'Naruto M'Fau! What have you been up to?!' she screeched telepathically.
…
Naruto was taking notes in class when he winced from T'Lyra's telepathic call from across the campus. 'What do you mean T'Lyra?'
'There are 250 million credits deposited in our credit account as of 11:30 this morning!' thought T'Lyra to her mate. 'How the hell did it get there?'
Naruto sounded a bit embarrassed and said telepathically, 'I'm in class T'Lyra. I promise I'll explain it all to you this evening!'
'I'll be looking forward to hearing your explanation Naruto.' thought T'Lyra as she ended their 'conversation.' 'Only my mate could make us multimillionaires and forget to mention it…' thought the brunette beauty nonplussed.
'Oh boy…' thought the blonde hybrid…
…
Later…
Naruto asked, "You know that warp theorem that I've been working on for years?"
"Of course, I do." replied T'Lyra. "It was your doctoral thesis after all."
"Well, I got it patented you see….and Starfleet wanted a contract to use it." explained the blonde hybrid. "So, I signed a contract with them to use it under license. The 250 million is the first half of the down payment and the second half will be paid when the first ship is complete. After that I will be paid a fee for every ship it's used upon…pending its success of course."
T'Lyra looked at her mate in disbelief and said, "Of course it will be successful; you created it. Why would there be any doubt?"
Naruto gave a tiny smile and kissed T'Lyra softly on the lips. "Thank you for your faith in my work. Regardless we will have 500 million credits whether the tests are ultimately successful or not. Starfleet wants me to design a ship as well."
The brunette's eyes widened and then she gave him a kiss in return. "I always said you were too smart for your own good. What are we going to do with all that money?"
"We could buy a moon I guess." said Naruto with a shrug.
T'Lyra said with a full smile, "You are so illogical at times."
…
Stardate 2271.345 Prometheus XII System, U.S.S. Darwin
"Ship's log: Stardate 2271.345. Captain Trent Aldridge reporting: Our Away Team may have discovered why there are no animals. The samples of plants that they brought back were all dangerous by nature. Two of my crew were poisoned which our medical staff quickly took care of but Ensign Pulaski was hit by a plant that actually fires spores and was badly injured. Three others were hit as well but their injuries are minor. Our medics are very concerned for Pulaski's survival as the spore infection is spreading very rapidly…"
Shizuka was in the Officer's Mess eating some lunch with her friend Medical Doctor Leah Walker*②. "Damn; Pulaski's a good kid and his life is hanging by a thread down in quarantine." said Shizuka. "He just got out of the Academy too. At least the others are all okay."
Leah was poking at her food. "Chief Medical Officer Caleb is doing all he can for Pulaski but-"
An alarm horn blared to life and the lighting went red. "We have a breach in quarantine! I repeat, a breach in quarantine! Pulaski's body just exploded! All Medical teams report in to help the injured. Damage control units respond."
"Jesus Christ!" yelled Leah. "Get to the bridge and coordinate Shizuka. I'm headed to the main sick bay to take care of the incoming wounded!"
…
Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
Naruto and T'Lyra were talking with T'Ara over subspace. "So you've licensed that little warp theorem of yours my son." said T'Ara. "Very nicely done."
Naruto's blue eyes widened. "Mother, how did you know? I haven't even had a chance to inform you yet."
T'Ara's eyes glinted with humor, and she said, "Mothers have ways of keeping up with their children." Getting the gob smacked look from Naruto that amused her to no end, T'Ara said, "Your Great Aunt Vach called and told me Naruto."
Naruto blinked a couple of times and said "Great Aunt Vach? I don't recall- Wait; do you mean Captain Vach from Design and Repair?"
His Mother nodded. "She sent you a gift for your kahs-wan but I doubt you ever opened it."
"I didn't open any of my kahs-wan gifts except yours as you are well aware Mother." said the blonde hybrid. "Which side of the family is Vach from?"
"Vach M'Fau is my late Father Varith's twin sister." explained the onyx eyed beauty. "Her contact with the family has been sporadic at best since Father died. They were very close you see."
"That would explain why she was so personable with me." said Naruto acidly.
T'Ara gave a tiny smile and said, "She was quite pleased with you. You remind her of my Father."
"Do I now…?" asked Naruto. "I guess that would explain why she left the contract negotiations to the others."
"Don't let Vach know that you are aware that she is your Aunt." said T'Ara. "Aunt Vach is playing some sort of game and we don't want to spoil it for her."
"I see." said Naruto nonplussed. "Very well Mother, I'll play along with this game for your sake."
"That's my boy." beamed T'Ara. "Let me talk to T'Lyra, I haven't seen her lovely face in some time."
Naruto handed the tablet to T'Lyra who said, "Greetings Mother T'Ara, it is so good to see you."
"It is good to see you T'Lyra. Naruto told me you had some trouble during training. Are you alright?" asked T'Ara.
"I am well." said T'Lyra. "It was frightening naturally but I am fine."
"Did you really bite a man's finger off?" asked T'Ara with humor in her eyes.
T"Lyra's eyes widened and she kicked Naruto (off screen) for leaking that little tidbit. The brunette said, "Humans taste bad."
"Good to know." said T'Ara. "It is Talok's turn to talk to you now."
The young couple talked for the next two hours with Talok, Sovar and T'Ara again before they bid their loved ones goodnight. All in all, they had a nice time.
"Did you have to kick me in the shin T'Lyra?" asked Naruto.
"It seemed like the logical thing to do at the time." she answered sweetly.
…
Stardate 2271.347 Prometheus XII System, U.S.S. Darwin
The bridge of the U.S.S. Darwin was a vision of hell incarnate as Lieutenant Junior Grade Shizuka Nadeshiko stepped onto it wearing a Marine survival suit used for boarding party combat. She saw the remnants of Captain Aldridge and several others. They'd obviously been at point blank when one of the spore infected crewmember's bodies exploded. The remains of all the bodies were peppered with spores now. 'I hope they all died in an instant…' thought the young Vulcan woman trying to make herself feel better. It wasn't the first time that she'd seen such horrors and she was able to keep from throwing up at the scene.
Most of the Marines were still alive because they had access to the combat survival suits. Shizuka wasn't sure what officers were left alive and had ordered her Marines to treat the Darwin as hostile territory. Turning back into the turbolift Shizuka activated her communicator and called to one of the remaining crewmembers in the Emergency Bridge; "This is Nadeshiko; lock down the bridge. I repeat, lock down the bridge. It is contaminated with no survivors…."
"This is Pizer in the emergency bridge." said Marine Sergeant Pizer. "All ventilation to the Bridge is locked down. All doors and turbolifts are locked down. Lieutenant, that's 45% of the ship quarantined. We've lost contact with the auxiliary control room as well."
"I'm on my way with squad A." said Shizuka. "Have we had any further contact with Chief Engineer Orwell? He's ranking Officer as far as I know."
"…Negative Ma'am." replied Pizer in a hollow tone.
Shizuka hung her head. "What's the closest team to engineering Pizer?"
Pizer reported, "Second Lieutenant Wilcox and Squad C are the closest. They are securing the transporter room. "
The Vulcan Security Chief ordered, "Coordinate with them and tell Wilcox to head to Engineering when he's done in the transporter room, Nadeshiko out."
"Understood Ma'am. Pizer out." replied the Sergeant.
…
Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
"Personal Log: Stardate 2271.347. Having T'Lyra here with me has been a huge relief. Seeing her safe and well has lifted an immense weight off of my shoulders to use a human term. I was very concerned about her given the assault on her person, but she says she is fine now that we are together. We have been at a hotel room here on campus reserved for guests for the past few days so that we may have some privacy. I truly doubt T'Lyra would appreciate M'rella's exhibitionism regardless. T'Lyra's friend Brea Mathuin is extremely gregarious and enjoys drinking a bit too much. T'Lyra says this is normal behavior for Recruit Mathuin but I find it vexing when she interrupts my mate and I."
"We have decided that T'Lyra and I will get some time together next time by renting a pair of speeders and going touring for the weekend…"
…
T'lyra was looking at her mate across the coffee table. "So how does one go about designing a fully-fledged Federation starship when your only experience in the area is strictly in civilian designs?"
Naruto gave a tiny smile and said, "I presume that the best way is to take an existing design that is successful and use it as a starting point. This 'light cruiser' must be large enough to adapt to future design changes but also to have some modular features so it can be adapted to different roles. I'm reading a design history on Federation vessels, and it seems that designs start small and tend to grow as the design progresses. I was told that I'm only limited by my imagination, but I still want something reasonable to present to the Bureau of Design and Repair."
The brunette said, "Then you should start with the engines and build the ship around them. You already know astrodynamics so once the power systems are figured out you can set your other parameters from there."
Naruto pondered and said, "So it would be designed like a speeder?" Seeing her nod; he entered some data into his tablet and said, "I can find no fault in your logic T'Lyra. I already had the power plants figured out because I needed them to fit the architecture of my curved warp theorem. Perhaps I should let you design it instead."
She gave a small smile in return and said, "How about you design it and I just be your advisor?"
"I couldn't ask for a better advisor than you T'Lyra." said Naruto warmly…
…
Stardate 2271.349 Prometheus XII System
"Ship's Log: Stardate 2271.349. Lieutenant Shizuka Nadeshiko reporting: The Galactic Survey Cruiser NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin has lost over 80% of its crew and the uninfected are hunting down the remaining infected crewmembers in boarding party combat survival suits. I am the only bridge officer left alive. As Chief of Security, I have to safeguard the remaining crew's lives at all costs. The fungal spores brought back by our Away Team have proven 100% lethal to all infected. A few willingly surrendered and died for the sake of their fellow crewmembers but most have been gripped by madness and have savagely fought to the death or worse exploded into a shower of spores and spread the infection. I managed to activate the quarantine beacon from the Emergency Bridge to keep other ships away, so they won't suffer Darwin's fate…"
Shizuka saw an infected crewman that was covered with the telltale blue mushroom like protrusions. They were even growing out of his eyes as he stumbled down the hall moaning mindlessly. Shizuka pulled her phaser rifle and clicked the setting to disintegrate. 'I have to vaporize him now. He's at the terminal stage and his body will burst and spread more spores!' She fired the blue beam at her former comrade, and he vanished into nothingness. The Security Chief motioned the two Marines with her out with an 'all clear' sign. They came around the corner and set their sights on Sick Bay. She pounded on the door when it didn't open and noted it was locked. Hitting the communicator on the wall Shizuka said, "Sick Bay! Is anyone alive in there? This is Lieutenant Nadeshiko. If you are alive give me a sign!"
"Nothing Ma'am." said one of her Marines. "Should we force the door?"
Shizuka stood back and said, "Do it." The two Marines quickly forced the door open and found the room was empty save for scorch marks. There had obviously been a shootout in the medical bay. There was only one active monitor and Shizuka went over to it. It had a message flashing on it and Shizuka said, "Computer; play back message."
Her best friend, Doctor Leah Walker's face appeared on the screen. She was showing signs of infection and had a phaser wound in her shoulder. "I'm the last one alive in the Sick Bay medical lab." said the recording. "The spores can only live for 48 hours outside a human or animal body. They cannot infect plants. If anyone is seeing this and there are still infected crewmembers, then put on survival suits and cut the life support to kill the remaining infected personnel." Shizuka's eyes widened. Then Leah said, "I'm terminating myself now before the spores cause my body to erupt and spread further. This is Doctor Leah Walker signing off."
Shizuka's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the burnt-out chair where Leah took her own life with a phaser. "Damn it all!" she whispered.
The Security Chief pulled out her communicator that was set on a coded frequency. "All remaining personnel uninfected on this frequency pull back to the staging area in the Cargo Bay. Repeat; pull back to the staging area in the Cargo Bay."
….
Two hours later fifty-three uncontaminated people were in the Cargo Bay and an additional nine were in the Emergency Bridge. They were all wearing survival suits with access to plenty of additional oxygen in external tanks. On the Emergency Bridge Shizuka was standing at the panel to cut the life support and said, "Gods forgive me." before she punched the button.
The ship's life support immediately shut down and the airlocks and shuttle bay doors opened which caused the hull to rapidly depressurize. Both bodies and debris were blown out into space as the Darwin continued to orbit Prometheus XII D leaving a macabre trail of death drifting behind her…
…
Stardate 2271.351, Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
Naruto and T'Lyra shared a very passionate kiss goodbye (in private) before the brunette and her friend Brea Mathuin got on the shuttle to their next training destination which was in Paris on Earth. The blonde hybrid stood at the launch terminal platform for a long time before M'rella and the rest of The Think Tank pulled him back inside. M'rella patted Naruto's shoulder and said, "I'm sure you'll see each other again soon."
The blonde hybrid nodded and said, "I believe getting back to my homework would be the best option." He spent the afternoon diligently working on his class assignments before turning in early for the night…
Dream…
Naruto was standing at the base of a flight of stairs inside a round stone tower. In the center of the tower was a raised dais that the stairs led up to. Everything seemed familiar to Naruto even though he'd never seen the place before. "Is this an ancestral memory?" he wondered aloud. "It feels like one."
"It is not." said a woman's voice from the top of the stairs. Naruto's vision rose to the dais and beside it stood a beautiful white-haired woman with white eyes and horns. She also had a single red eye in the center of her forehead.
"Kaguya…" he whispered. The blonde's voice was one of awe.
She smiled down at him and said, "Hello Naruto; you've grown into a fine young man. This is not a dream but rather me contacting you, my Grandchild."
Naruto asked, "I am your Grandchild?"
The Rabbit Goddess nodded. "Yes, your first name was Ashura though that's irrelevant now I suppose. You've reincarnated many times. I have something for you."
Naruto looked warily at her and said, "I have seen the extinction of our people through my dreams."
"It's not that. I know the memories of the Shinobi have been engrained in your very DNA and that of your future children." said Kaguya.
"Our people were called the Shinobi?" asked Naruto.
"Those who practiced ninjutsu were a warrior class called Shinobi." explained Kaguya. "Our race as a group simply referred to ourselves as 'humans' like those of other worlds. But it was the Shinobi that made our race grand. Those that wielded chakra made the world great but also led to the world's extinction. I blessed your Mother with the honor of birthing you so that you would have the emotional control that our people lacked. You are the last of the Shinobi. As I once was you are the beginning of a new race."
Naruto looked confused. "You wish for me to continue our lineage as a new race?"
"Yes; the new Shinobi will exceed their predecessors because they won't be foolish as I was." said Kaguya. "I had enormous power; more than all of the others really. But I developed a messiah complex that led to me being sealed away. I don't care to remember it but it was only the death of all my descendants and centuries of contemplation that brought me back, so I am more of a spirit than anything."
Naruto said, "I suppose centuries of solitude would be lonely."
"It was necessary I'm afraid." said Kaguya. "The new Shinobi you will Father won't suffer the same fate as their ancestors. As I said though; I have something for you. You know many techniques that are so powerful that your body is incapable of using them, yes?"
"Yes, that is true." said Naruto. "I never understood why."
"That is because you do not know Sage Mode yet Naruto." said the Rabbit Goddess. "When you come to visit me in my garden, I will train you in Sage Mode to you as a gift. It is far too powerful to learn in dreams without supervision. I will give you that training and it will open doors to a new level of power that is your birthright."
Then she smiled and said, "I will call upon you again sometime in the future. When you are ready to make your journey here, I will be waiting Grandson…"
Dream end…
Naruto awoke in his quarters and saw it was still before the sun came up. M'rella was still fast asleep purring softly as she usually did. Naruto laid awake in bed pondering his future. 'Someday I must go to the world of Tori Prime IV and learn the ways of this Sage Mode.' Eventually Naruto let himself drift back into a dreamless sleep…
…
Stardate 2271.353 U.S.S. Darwin
"Ship's Log: Stardate 2271.353. Acting Captain Shizuka Nadeshiko reporting: NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin has successfully re-pressurized, and we are in contact with Starfleet Command. The spores are dead thanks to Doctor Leah Walker's diligence. We've been given orders to lay in a course for Starbase 17 at warp factor 4 to rendezvous with our sistership, NCC-1807 U.S.S. Sagan so they may examine the Darwin and check for final decontamination. All 62 survivors are glad that the voyage on the Darwin will soon be over as we all consider it a death ship now. We are lucky to have survived at all but I for one will be haunted a long time by what I've seen…"
As the U.S.S. Darwin plowed through space her remaining crew never stepped outside the areas that weren't cleared as uncontaminated. It wasn't just a matter of the former contamination; it was the gruesome remains that were too numerous to count. They rendezvoused with the U.S.S. Sagan on schedule and were soon docked in a floating repair dock outside Starbase 17. The Darwin's remaining crew was taken off the ship so the entire vessel could be completely decontaminated of all the possible foreign particles. Starfleet's Engineer's estimated that it would take two months before the ship would be fit for habitation again –and that was the estimate without physical repairs. As the Darwin was scheduled for a six-month refit period the next year it was decided that once decontamination was complete she would be sent to Mars shipyards to complete her refit ahead of schedule by trading places with one of her sisterships…
…
Shizuka was standing at attention with her shipmates where the Starbase commander Admiral Carroll was presiding over a memorial for all of those that died aboard U.S.S. Darwin. The bagpipes were played as they gave a ceremonial salute to those who died. After the ceremonies were over, Shizuka was promoted to full Lieutenant and awarded the Federation Distinguished Service Cross. 'It wasn't worth it…' was the only thought that ran through her mind as she respectfully accepted her award and rank pins.
…
"So, what are you planning to do now that you are a full Lieutenant?" asked Second Lieutenant Wilcox. Shizuka was drinking with the Marine contingent.
The Security Chief said, "Right now I'm going to drink. I've already put in for temporary leave back home on Earth. We all need to get our heads back together after what happened." Shizuka shook her head and looked out through the transparencies at the floating repair dock where the Darwin was lying dormant. "It's been two years since I've seen my folks. What about you Wilcox?"
"I'm headed home myself." said Wilcox. "I think we all are. There's just too much heartbreak out here... Space is a dangerous place…"
…
Starfleet Academy, Medical Hall, Psychiatric Offices
Once a month Samui Schrodinger was to visit her 'handler' because she was an Augment and the recent events involving Khan Noonien Singh aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise made Starfleet hit the panic button. As it was the beautiful blonde Augment girl was waiting outside her handler's office. He was over two meters tall and built like a pro wrestler. He had a shaved bald head and a goatee. She couldn't decide whether he had a degree in psychiatrics or if he was just an ex-parole officer Starfleet picked up off the street. His name: Maximilian Grissom. Hobbies: Annoying Samui with obvious bias against her heritage. Talents: Being a dick. Samui's pet name for him: The Arsehole.
Grissom looked up as he buzzed Samui into his office. "Good afternoon, Miss Schrodinger, I see you are on time for our monthly meeting." The man's voice was dripping with derision.
Samui sat herself down opposite the handler at his desk and said formally, "Good afternoon, Handler Grissom."
The big man wasted no time getting on with things, "Upon reviewing your profile I've found your grades are exemplary as always and your behavior is within societal norms for a human being."
"Given I am a human being I would think that would be expected." said the blonde curtly.
"That's a matter of perspective." said the handler. "Let's get on with the interview."
…
Grissom: "Do you feel your augmented abilities make you more suited to command than others?" 'Monster.'
Samui: "No sir." 'Jackass.'
Grissom: "Have you ever forced others to do your bidding with your enhanced strength?" 'Freak.'
Samui: "No, I have not." 'Idiot.'
Grissom: "Do you have the desire to hurt others or abuse them in any way?" 'Devil's spawn.'
Samui: "No." 'Arsehole.'
Grissom: "Have you been using any narcotics or other illegal substances to enhance yourself?" 'Maniac.'
Samui: "No sir, I haven't." 'Bastard.'
Grissom: "Have you had the urge to take command forcibly from others?" 'Evil one.'
Samui: "No." (sigh) 'Moron.'
Grissom: "Have you had any megalomaniac urges this month?" 'Demon.'
Samui: "Only when I'm on my period."
Grissom: "WHAAAAT?!"
The interview went downhill quickly from there…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: See way back in Chapter 3. Shizuka Nadeshiko has typical Vulcan features but thinks and acts like her human parents that adopted her at birth.
*②: Also, from Chapter 3. Shizuka's blonde friend from High School.
Another chapter in the books. This chapter had some particularly dark themes, so I added Samui's interview at the end for some levity. It seems Kaguya has contacted Naruto after seventeen years with the offer of Sage Mode. Will Naruto take a secret journey in the near future, or will he wait? Also, Naruto has started roughing in some basic ideas for a starship with the help of T'lyra. We will see more development of that as time goes on. See you next time. Blue out. 9/21/23