Naruto: Infinity Divide

Hot Warp Cruiser

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

There are some small time skips this chapter rather than day by day as we have been going so watch the Stardates. Enjoy!

Port = Left

Starboard = Right

Last time:

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…

...

Chapter 16

Stardate 2271.360, Starfleet Academy, Simulation Hall, San Francisco, Planet Earth

"It's the last simulation of the year people!" said Commander Triella Jackson. "Let's do this right."

Federation Light Cruiser U.S.S. Texas

"Ships Log; Stardate 2271.360 Captain M'rella of the United Federation Starship NCC-900 U.S.S. Texas reporting. The Texas has been assigned to guard a small convoy of four freighters to Battle Station 16. Unfortunately, one of the freighters, the Bauxite, has developed engine trouble and brought our convoy to a crawl. We have sent an engineering team over to the Bauxite to help repair their engines. Convincing the other freighter Captains to slow down while we conduct repairs has been a difficult task as they wish to abandon the Bauxite and make a run for Battle Station 16 since pirates have been spotted in the area recently…"

The last hour had been diplomatic hell for Captain M'rella and had been equally bad for Samui Schrodinger who was stuck at the communications post. They were escorting four small freighters and the Captain of each freighter was argumentative and only cared about their own personal gain. They would abandon the Bauxite and everyone on it in a heartbeat if it would get them the tiniest bit ahead in the game.

'I thought fleet battles were rough but compared to convoy duty they are easy.' thought M'rella. 'At least there is a true chain of command in a fleet. I feel like I'm trying to herd animals instead of escort freighters.'

The crewmembers of the Texas were all thinking along the same lines…

…

Orion Raider Cruiser Lost and Found*①

"Ship's Log, Captain 'Blackjack' Joseph Kirov reporting. The Lost and Found has had the good luck of inserting a man and sabotaging the small freighter Bauxite's engines. Now we are waiting to pounce on the fat, juicy freighters that will no doubt break away from their escort at any minute now. We are hiding under a second-hand cloaking device from the Romulan Empire and that unsuspecting old Federation light cruiser Texas is unaware of our presence. We've been waiting 65 standard minutes for the freighters to break away and run. Why they haven't yet is beyond me…"

It was rare for Orion Pirates to get their hands on a Romulan cloaking device, but it wasn't unheard of. Most that did were operating in Romulan territory. As it was the third-year team had a huge tactical advantage. "Captain Kirov?" asked the helmsman.

"Yes helm?" answered the pirate Captain.

"We only have twenty-five minutes before Federation reinforcements arrive. The convoy should have broken up by now. I suggest we take out that light cruiser while her shields are down. As old and slow as that Texas is we should have the advantage."

Kirov chuckled. "From the chatter over subspace those freighters are going to break away any second. Let's be patient, shall we?"

…

Federation Light Cruiser U.S.S. Texas

Naruto was sitting at the navigator's station plotting the shortest course to Battle Station 16 when he spotted something odd. "Captain M'rella, there appears to be a spatial distortion 23 degrees off our starboard bow at 120,000 kilometers."

M'rella's ears perked up slightly in concern and she said, "Magnify on screen; sciences get me some readings on that distortion."

Shar studied the sciences monitor and said, "Minimal time/space fluctuations. It could be nothing…or it could be a cloaked ship as unlikely as that seems."

M'rella thought for a moment as she looked at the distortion and said, "Yellow alert, bring our shields up and phasers online. Have our shuttles on standby for launch. Communications, inform all freighters to do the same."

Samui nodded. "…I've sent the message away; the freighter's Captains are squawking about their shuttles and want to know why."

"Inform them the shuttle's phasers will help in our defense and double the firepower of our convoy for the next few minutes."

…

Orion Raider Cruiser Lost and Found

"What the hell?" said the third-year science officer. "Why are they raising shields?"

Kirov looked wide eyed and said, "Ahead full. Arm the disruptors!"

"They are launching shuttles sir." said sciences.

"It's of no consequence." said Kirov. "Once we wreck the Texas then the rest will go like clockwork."

…

Federation Light Cruiser U.S.S. Texas

"The distortion is moving towards us at warp factor four. It's a cloaked ship." said Shar.

"Our photons won't be armed in time." said Rafi from the helm.

M'rella's amber eyes widened. "Put the extra power towards the number one shield instead of the photons. Energize the tractor beams with battery power. Execute!"

"An Orion Raider Cruiser is fading in from under cloak!" said Rafi as the Lost and Found started to uncloak.

"As soon as we have lock on activate the tractor beams." said M'rella.

"The first tractor failed to link…" said Shar. "…The second tractor has locked on!"

…

Orion Raider Cruiser Lost and Found

"They've locked a tractor on us!" said the helmsman as the Lost and Found shook violently.

"Cloak us out!" yelled Kirov. "Get us out of here!"

…

Federation Light Cruiser U.S.S. Texas

"They are trying to fade back out!" said Shar.

"Fire all phasers." said M'rella. "Their cloak won't work while under a tractor link."

"Firing phasers." said Naruto.

Six blue phaser beams lashed out from the Texas and plowed into the forward shield of the Lost and Found. The pirate ship couldn't return fire with her (ineffective) cloaking device active. Her front shield buckled as the phasers cleaved into the dark gray hull of the pirate cruiser.

M'rella said, "Communications, have all shuttles and freighters open fire!" Samui passed the order along and the Lost and Found suffered massive internal damage from the second volley without her forward shield to protect her. Between the shuttles and the freighters, they were able to bring ten smaller phasers to bear and the results were devastating at point blank range. The pirate cruiser managed to lurch away and used its own tractors to negate the tractor beam from the Texas before it fully cloaked out again…

"The Orion Raider Cruiser is limping away Captain M'rella." said Shar. "Shall we attempt to pursue?"

M'rella shook her head. "No; our job is to protect this convoy. That Orion is crippled at best. Let's recover the shuttles and get the Bauxite under tow. Best speed to Battle Station 16."

…

Orion Raider Cruiser Lost and Found

The lights were out in the smoking bridge of the Lost and Found. "Well, shit! We took a direct hit in the bridge and we're all floating dead out in space Captain Kirov." said a voice in the dark.

A female voice added, "Where the hell did you learn how to fight with a cloaking device you moron? Reactivating it while we were under a tractor was tantamount to suicide."

Kirov's voice said weakly, "Sorry guys, I should have reviewed that chapter on cloaking devices before we started."

"YOU DUMB BASTARD!" shrieked the entire third year bridge crew.

…

Stardate 2271.365, Starfleet Bureau of Design and Repair

It was New Year's Eve and Naruto was talking with Captain Hiro Suzuki at the Starfleet Bureau of Design and Repair about adapting and existing design to suit Naruto's new warp theorem. "We are projecting the new engines that were designed last year as being mated to a proven Constitution Class heavy cruiser hull but there are speed limits we can't get past Doctor Naruto. The Enterprise will have them but no matter how much power you pack in something there is only so fast you can go astrodynamically.

I know that you are formulating ideas for a light cruiser, but this design project takes precedence. I want you to adapt the Constitution Class design as a consultant and completely redo the warp field architecture to fit your curved warp theorem. I believe that putting your hot warp breakthrough and an existing design together could yield some fantastic results."

"Hot warp?" asked the blonde.

"It's the moniker your theorem has gained Doctor." said Suzuki. "We estimate a 17% warp efficiency increase from your theorem. I don't know who coined the phrase hot warp, but it seems appropriate; yes?"

Naruto mentally sighed at the nickname. "So, you are trying to top Commander Scott's Enterprise refit before it's even finished." said Naruto.

Suzuki grinned. "It is the nature of ship design to always improve over the preceding classes."

Naruto said, "I'll need detailed schematics on these new engines as well as the refitted Constitution Class, Captain Suzuki. Given it's a new type aren't you being a bit fast and loose with security?"

The Captain said, "Captain Vach and I discussed this at length as well as Rear Admiral Tolm. We have four outside consultants and the staff befuddled with this problem. They are working on it around the clock but bringing in a fifth consultant seems to be our best option at this point. Besides, you know the curved warp theorem better than anyone."

…

Naruto was less than thrilled that his new light cruiser design was pushed to the side in favor of this hot warp cruiser. He was getting paid handsomely for his work as a consultant but all the same he felt like he was just picking up the pieces of someone else's labors. Nevertheless, he decided to throw himself into it. 'The ideal thing would be a more compact saucer to improve astrodynamic efficiency with the engines whether they are more powerful or not. The problem is that would imbalance the Constitution Class's center of mass and greatly reduce internal room for everything. Either the systems would have to be made compact and mass added to the bow or…I need to work on this in my quarters where my equipment is. I can expand later in the Engineering Hall once I get a preliminary design outlined.'

…

Starfleet Academy, Dorm-F, Room 125-F

Naruto arrived at his dorm room pondering the new ship design the whole way. When the blonde hybrid entered, he found his roommate M'rella in a very fancy black and gold kimono style dress with Aztec patterns complete with jewelry. "There you are Naruto!" she said happily with a purr. "Hmmm…What do you think?" she asked as she twirled slowly to show off her form fitting attire. Her dainty feet were bare except for anklets.

The blonde's brain raced for a complement, but he had no idea why she was dressed up fancy. "You look dazzling M'rella. But I must ask; why you are in dress clothes?"

She giggled. "It's New Year's Eve here on Earth. The whole dorm is having a party in the gymnasium remember? We are supposed to eat, drink and be merry remember?"

Naruto cringed mentally. His head was so filled with starship designs and warp field structures that the party had been all but completely forgotten. "Ah yes. Now I remember. I was sidetracked by other things you see."

Her amber eyes were filled with curiosity. "Hmmm…What were you thinking about; romantic dancing or music perhaps?"

"Warp fields actually." replied the blonde.

The beautiful Caitian girl face faulted and said pointing at Naruto, "Put on your dress clothes and escort me to the party!"

"Yes Ma'am!" answered Naruto crisply. He got into his closet and pulled out his crimson M'Fau robes. The scent of Vulcan and the desert was upon them. He gently smelled them before he took them back into the bathroom to change. When he came out the blonde neatly put his laundry in the hamper and put on his Vulcan sandals after putting his boots away.

M'rella came over to Naruto's side and began to examine his crimson robes. She ran her fingers over the surprising course material and said, "This fabric…it's awfully sturdy material for dress clothing don't you think?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow in his usual manner and said, "It needs to be sturdy in case of sandstorms or other hazards on Vulcan. It is very practical clothing."

The Caitian girl chortled and said, "How eminently logical Naruto."

"Thank you." replied the hybrid.

"You are welcome." she said with a giggle. "Let's go to see the others."

…

Dorm-F Gymnasium

M'rella was leading Naruto along a she had his elbow. "…And the craziest thing about it was for a second this morning I saw you asleep and then two of you sitting around the desk studying. I knew I was still not quite awake at that point, so I hopped in the shower." said the Caitian girl.

Naruto mentally panicked. 'By the gods, my shadow clones were nearly discovered! I have to be more cautious.' "Perhaps you were just tired M'rella."

"I guess so." she said with a giggle. "I don't know how many Narutos the universe could handle at one time."

'About eight to ten is my current maximum but the mental feedback tires me out.' thought Naruto. He opened the door to the gym and heard clapping and cheering. There was a stage at one end of the gym where music was being performed. It was quick and steady with a mandolin-like instrument playing rhythm that one could dance to. Amidst all this at the center of attention was their Orion classmate Leatta who was dancing in a filmy white outfit that barely covered her modesty. The drums started playing more rapidly as she swayed to and fro like a snake charmer. It was a rather fantastic display similar to Terran belly dancing and most of the males in the room were transfixed in fascination…

M'rella let out a snort of disapproval and said, "I see Leatta is the center of attention as always. With all the pheromones she's sweating off it's no wonder the men won't stop staring."

Naruto knew that Orions let off pheromones that affected others around them to some extent. It was said whatever mood they were in seemed to be transmitted to others around them. A frightened Orion would send out pheromones that would cause others around them to feel fear to some degree. The legends of lustful Orion slave women being irresistible lovers probably stemmed from this. 'Or was simply hype for slave dealers to sell off their wares…' thought Naruto cynically.

The Caitian girl spotted their friends Rafi and Samui Schrodinger sitting over by the bar with Shar and his roommate Shelly Wilson. Rafi waved them over and M'rella smiled. "Come on Naruto. The others are waving to us." she said over the noise of the crowd.

Naruto followed M'rella over and saw Samui was wearing a blue ballroom style gown. Rafi was wearing a white backless dress and her Trill 'spots' were prominently on display. "Hey guys!" said Rafi exuberantly. "Come drink with us!"

M'rella laughed and asked, "What are you drinking there Rafi?" Rafi was already a bit tipsy.

Rafi grinned and said, "It's spiced rum. I'm afraid I already drank poor Shar under the table though. Of course, he was drinking Andorian Ale, so I think he put away more alcohol than I did."

Naruto looked at Shar who looked very sharp in his dark blue Andorian dress clothes…Aside of the fact he was face down on the table looking quite dead with his arms hanging there lifelessly at his sides. His blue colored ale glass was about half full sitting by his head.

"Anphredrine might wake him up, but he'll still need to sleep off the side effects of the ale." said Shelly as she sipped on her Chardonnay. "Of course, as a Medical Doctor I can't recommend drinking contests to begin with."

"What does Anphedrine even do?" asked Samui as she nursed her scotch.

Shelly took another sip of her drink and said, "It's a stimulant to wake someone up after certain medical procedures."

"I see." said M'rella. "I want a drink but not enough to put me out."

Samui said, "Don't drink with Rafi then."

Rafi slurred, "That will be enough out of you Cadet Schrodinger."

Naruto walked over to the bartender and asked, "Do you have any Vulcan Port?"

The bartender questioned, "You actually like that stuff?"

The blonde said, "It's an acquired taste even for us Vulcans."

Then the bartender noticed Naruto's pointed ears and said, "I didn't realize you were Vulcan. I should have some Vulcan Port but it's rare I get asked for it."

Naruto nodded as the bartender looked through his wares. Soon Naruto joined the others with a glass full of emerald green Vulcan Port. M'rella also joined them with a small glass of Saurian Brandy.

"So, what is the traditional toast to a New Year here on Earth Shelly?"

"Ummm…cheers?" said Shelly uncertainly.

"You just wish everyone a Happy New Year." said Samui. "Then you all clink your glasses together and say cheers. That how my parents did it anyway."

A table over they heard Naruto's Orion friend Kloene leading a toast. "Empires may come and go but Orion Gold is forever!" Everyone at his table looked dumbfounded.

"Wow; he's really wasted." said Rafi. "Happy New Year!" she said, raising her glass. "CHEERS!"

…

Barcelona, Spain

"CHEERS!" roared Brea Mathuin. T'Lyra (henceforth known as the responsible one) was dragging her friend Brea out of the bar that many of the recruits were spending their New Year's in. Brea was in rare form and was loaded up on blue Antarean Brandy. She was totally gone and the responsible one was hauling Brea's carcass out before the dark-haired Irish girl did something stupid…

T'Lyra thought to herself, 'I'll never understand human customs. What is the point in getting falling down drunk?'

…

Starfleet Academy, Dorm-F, Room 140-F

Naruto set his Andorian friend Shar down on his bed under the careful guidance of Shelly Wilson. She'd had too much herself but could still walk a straight line. Shar on the other hand was sleeping like he was in a coma. The blonde thought to himself, 'I wonder how T'Lyra is doing. This human custom of getting drunk at New Year's makes no sense to me.'

It was tough being a Vulcan at New Years…

…

Stardate 2272.001, Starfleet Academy, Dorm-F, Room 125-F

It was morning and Naruto was up early as usual making his log entry…

"Personal Log: Stardate 2272.001. It is New Years day here on Earth and the humans follow a tradition of dealing with the effects of inebriation and doing nothing on this holiday as explained to me by my friend Samui. She has a much higher alcohol tolerance thanks to her physiology. Likewise, in my case I would have to imbibe a great deal to suffer any ill effects from alcohol due to my healing factor."

"M'rella is sleeping peacefully and I don't wish to disturb her so I am doing homework in the living space at the desk as I eat breakfast. I was looking at the option of having eggs for breakfast on the food replicator when I came to the realization that this fast cruiser I am working on could have its normally saucer shaped primary hull stretched into an egg shape in order to compensate for the center of mass and space problems. It is fascinating where one's inspiration may come from…"

The blonde roughed in his idea for an egg or arrowhead shaped primary hull for the fast cruiser during the morning hours and finally came up with something workable in short order. "Simple solutions are best." Naruto thought aloud. After carefully calculating the structural weight Naruto realized that the basic idea was viable, but he would need months to develop the structural details and map out the new warp field. 'Once I have this framed in, I should be able to present the concept to Captain Suzuki and Captain Vach.'

…

Stardate 2272.034, Starbase 1, Geosynchronous Orbit over Starfleet Headquarters, Planet Earth

A month later T'Lyra Tolaris and Brea Mathuin graduated their training and both qualified as Engineer's Apprentices and were assigned to the Spacedock repair facilities at Starbase 1 orbiting over Earth. Outside of the Starbase was Floating Repair Dock 1 which was where the starship NCC-1701 U.S.S. Enterprise was being refitted. FRD-1 was a bustle of activity and the two young women often found themselves running supplies out to the repair dock when they weren't working on ships docked at the Starbase proper. It was a very busy place and often T'Lyra would gaze down at Earth knowing her Naruto was miles below her at the Starfleet Academy still stuck in school while she was high in the heavens above working.

'It's nice knowing Naruto is just a transporter beam away.' thought T'Lyra. 'I can't believe he bought us a pair of speeder bikes just to celebrate my graduation. I wish I could spend every weekend out racing around with him but we both have very busy schedules. At least we can spend one weekend of shore leave together every month and there are no issues communicating with each other in the evenings. Life is good right now. I wonder how things will change once he graduates. We should be assigned to the same duty stations according to the regulations for mated couples. Of course, we'll hopefully be married by then…'

The young Vulcan woman shook her head. "There I go daydreaming again..." she thought aloud.

…

Stardate 2272.041 Mojave Desert, California, Planet Earth

The next weekend Naruto and T'Lyra were out in the desert camping in the dry heat. They'd been making love in their tent all night and throughout the morning. T'Lyra was laying on top of her lover feeling sated and content. In spite of the heat, she was basking in Naruto's warmth. Despite the fact Naruto seemed ready for another round she was a bit tender from losing her virginity the night before. T'Lyra was using his chest as a pillow and the gentle rise and fall of his breathing made her think of being on the ocean. She smiled as she lazily drew circles on his chest with her right index finger.

For his part Naruto was lying flat on his back gently rubbing his mate's back. Feeling her soft skin next to his was an amazing feeling and seeing her in all her naked glory the night before had been amazing. He said, "Good morning T'Lyra. Last night was wonderful. I love you."

T'Lyra smiled happily and hummed in agreement. She shimmied up her mate and gave him a deep, passionate good morning kiss. ""I love you too my husband. We should have done this long ago."

Naruto returned his lover's smile and said, "I'd love to do this every weekend. Do you want to get up or lay here awhile longer?"

She hummed softly and said, "Let's doze for a while longer. I'm very comfortable."

The blonde gave his beautiful mate a kiss and said, "Sleep awhile then." He yawned and said, "I'm entirely too content just to hold you T'Lyra."

It wasn't until several hours later after they made the trip back to San Francisco…

…

Stardate 2272.068, Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Orbital Shipyards, Planet Mars

The decontaminated hull of NCC-1802 U.S.S. Darwin arrived slightly behind schedule with a skeleton crew of fifty to bring her to Mars for an extensive refit. While the ship was thoroughly scoured clean the damage from minor explosions and phaser shootouts on nearly every deck made her look more like a derelict inside than a proud ship of the fleet. There was a great deal of work to be done inside and out.

It was here that Engineer's Apprentice Brea Mathuin and her friend (just promoted) Engineer's Mate T'Lyra Tolaris were assigned. Brea looked at the Galactic Survey Cruiser as it slowly was maneuvered into Floating Repair Dock Number 15. They heard the dock's overhead announce, "This is Command. U.S.S. Darwin has successfully docked at FRD-15. All dock personnel report to your operating stations. Repeat: All personnel to your stations."

"Looks like we have a lot of work to do T'Lyra." said Brea. "The Darwin and the Enterprise over Earth are the only heavy ships under full refit in the system."

T'Lyra nodded "We have six months. The U.S.S. Darwin should be good as new when we're done."

The young Vulcan woman had been less than thrilled to transfer out to Mars. She had just passed her tests to become an Engineer's Mate and put in to transfer to work on the Enterprise when she was (quite illogically) transferred out to Mars and the Darwin. There was no problem getting in touch with Naruto of course but the young couple was extremely dismayed finding out they wouldn't be able to spend as much time together…

Such was life in Starfleet…

….

Stardate 2272.098, Starfleet Bureau of Design and Repair, San Francisco, Planet Earth

It took Naruto nearly four months to design the primary hull of the hot warp cruiser to his liking. The finalized design was very unusual in concept. Other attempts had met with failure and the fast cruiser concept was bogged down. Both Suzuki and Vach had expected something from Naruto sooner but failed to take him being a perfectionist into account. When the blonde called Captain Suzuki, the man was honestly surprised.

Flashback…

Captain Hiro Suzuki was sitting in his office looking at the eleven preliminary fast concepts in puzzlement. Some looked like a basic Constitution Class with minor changes, but others were so radically different that they barely resembled the original design. They all had one major flaw or another but there was one thing they all had in common: None of them were significantly faster than the refitted Enterprise design under construction. 'Perhaps this design study will simply have to be shelved until a later date. We've got eleven concepts here and no major improvements.' he thought to himself.

His monitor lit up and his secretary Clara said, "Incoming message from Doctor Naruto sir. He says it's regarding the fast cruiser design. Shall I put him through?"

Suzuki's eyebrows rose. "That's unexpected. Put him through please."

Naruto's whiskered face appeared on the screen. The hybrid gave him the Vulcan salute. "Peace and long life Captain Suzuki. I believe I have solved the fast cruiser design problem which you gave me."

Hiro sat there a bit dumbfounded and said, "You solved it?"

Naruto nodded. "I would like to bring the design to you when it is convenient for you."

"How soon can you be here?" asked the Captain eagerly.

Naruto raised a blonde eyebrow and said, "I can be there this afternoon after my classes at 16:00."

"I'll see you at 16:00 then Doctor." replied Suzuki.

Flashback end….

Captain Vach was in Suzuki's office waiting for her mysterious great nephew. She said, "This is most unexpected but welcome news Suzuki. It's been months since we heard from him. Did Doctor M'Fau*② say anything else other than he solved it?"

"The Doctor didn't elaborate but he seemed quite sure of himself." said Suzuki. "Considering this is his first attempt at designing a military vessel I'm interested in seeing if it's useful compared to the other design concepts we have."

"None of the other designs are big enough improvements to warrant production." said Vach. "If Doctor M'Fau's design proves successful then he will gain a great deal of credibility in naval design circles."

Suzuki grinned. "Admiral Tolm is anticipating great things from that young man."

"As am I." said Vach. 'He is my nephew after all.'

The monitor lit up again and Suzuki's secretary informed him that Doctor Naruto was there. "Send him in Clara." said Captain Suzuki.

Naruto was shown in seconds later wearing his Cadet dress uniform. He gave the Vulcan salute and seeing Vach there as well he said, "I come to serve."

Vach returned his salute and said, "Your service honors us."

Suzuki said warmly, "Welcome Doctor. Please come in and sit with us. Captain Vach and I are eager to see your work."

Naruto came forward and pulled out an extended memory module. The hybrid decoded the security lock on it and placed the module on the desk and said, "The design I created is on the memory module. It is a compromise, but it is within the design parameters you gave me."

Vach raised her eyebrows and asked, "Why would a proof of concept require an entire memory module?"

"I'm curious myself Doctor Naruto." said Suzuki.

"I had to map the new warp pattern over every square meter of this new design to make sure your requirements would be met." said the blonde. Seeing disbelief in Vach's eyes Naruto cut her off and said, "Every. Square. Meter."

"That would explain why it took so long." said Vach.

"I was given six months." said Naruto. "I took four months, so I fail to see the problem."

Suzuki sweat dropped and said, "There is no problem, Doctor Naruto. Please show us the design." He set an external module jack up on the desktop and said, "Be my guest."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and quickly snapped the module into place. "Load Fast Cruiser design number one computer."

"Working." was the computer's emotionless reply. Vach and Suzuki expected the computer to load in seconds and were surprised when the computer was still loading ten minutes later.

"Computer; is there a problem?" asked Suzuki after sitting for several minutes.

"Working, 93.5% loaded." answered the computer. Suddenly the desk lit up and the computer said, "Loading completed. Shall I display the program?"

"Display the program computer." said Captain Vach.

Detailed plans for a new cruiser came up in a holographic display. The new design had an unusual arrowhead shaped primary hull that was completely unique compared to the other designs*③. Its engines were longer as well. Otherwise, it was similar to a Constitution Class heavy cruiser.

As the hologram populated all the details Suzuki and Vach realized something. "This is a complete deck by deck cruiser design, not a proof-of-concept design!" exclaimed Suzuki.

Naruto was unfazed. "It had to be designed inside and out to prove the concept worked. Logically I created the basic inner structure as well." The blonde said, "Computer, display warp field map."

Captain Suzuki looked at the calculated specifications "A 20% increase in warp efficiency?!"

The hybrid nodded. "I had to sacrifice two of the four photon torpedo mounts, but I added two additional Type 1 Phaser banks to compensate."

Vach touched the desktop and started to rotate the design to see different angles. She and Suzuki each went over the ship in detail and found no flaw in the general design. Finally, she said, "This design is magnificent Doctor M'Fau. To have created something this detailed in only four months is most impressive."

Suzuki said, "Doctor Naruto; this is hot warp cruiser is brilliant! Admiral Tolm and the Engineering Team are going to love this ship. The Admiralty won't like the two photons being dropped but my god, the war college is going to love it. This ship is quite literally built for speed!"

Captain Vach nodded and said, "You've exceeded all of our expectations Doctor M'Fau. Well done."

'It seems that Captain Suzuki is quite excitable.' thought Naruto. 'Captain Vach obviously approves as well. I wonder when she's going to tell me she is my Aunt. What an unusual woman.'

….

POSTSCRIPT:

*①: Not to be confused with the Orion Light Raider of the same name. And yes, Orion pirate ships often have whacked out names. I didn't just invent it for grins.

*②: Most refer to Naruto by his first name. Non-Vulcans don't pronounce M'Fau quite right but obviously Vach can being from the same clan.

*③: Google: Wolverine Fast Cruiser and look at images

Well, Naruto's Fast Cruiser is a success on paper. Whether or not it will actually be built…time will tell. I decided to change the simulations a bit by showing the point of view of the "other side" as well instead of strictly the point of view of The Think Tank. Hopefully it added some depth to the battle for everyone. Naruto and T'Lyra finally had their first time together. I decided not to go into explicit detail as lemons really aren't my strong point. Now T'Lyra is on Mars again; this time as a graduate working on the Galactic Survey Cruiser U.S.S. Darwin. What will come of that? See you next time. Blue out. 9/21/23