Naruto: Infinity Divide
Combat Survival Training
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This time we get to see the Think Tank fight the Marines and the return to Vulcan. Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
Last time:
After the Cadets were escorted out by a Junior Officer, Shizuka said, "Sir; I respect your judgment of course b-"
"Why did I pick you Lieutenant Nadeshiko?" asked the Admiral with a twinkle in his eye. "You're in a rut Shizuka. You do a superlative job as my bodyguard, but you are capable of so much more. The Darwin incident was a tragedy but you're too young to stay in the past. It's time to move on. I think you might enjoy this assignment. It's obvious that they are young, but you saw what they were like in the Kobayashi Maru. Hell, Cadet Samui Schrodinger and Cadet Naruto both exhibit the qualities of outstanding command material. Cadet Rafi handled that cruiser like a veteran and the other two aren't that far behind."
The Admiral slapped his desk again to get across his point. "Train and shape those kids Shizuka. Show them how it's done. But learn from them too. You're young as well. See what these 'jam sessions' are like. You're way too young to be here at headquarters counting down to retirement. I see it in your eyes. You want to sail the stars again. It's time to go out there and live a little. Consider this assignment your first step towards recovery Lieutenant."
Shizuka sniffled a bit and said, "Thank you sir."
Admiral Pye gave a warm smile and said, "Anytime Shizuka."
After Shizuka left Admiral Pye face palmed. "Damn, I was going to give those Cadets a formal Commendation. I got so excited about simulator shuttles and everything else that I forgot all about it…It sucks getting old…"
…
Chapter 18
Stardate 2272.161, Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
Lieutenant Shizuka Nadeshiko was sitting in on a 'jam session' between the command team and a few members from the engineering team of the Think Tank. Shizuka was highly intelligent but was totally lost at the level of specialization the cadets were talking on. The big Orion Kloene from the engineering group said, "It sounds like a serious problem for a shuttle's warp engines to sustain the simulation from more than a few minutes. There is a finite amount of power you know."
Samui nodded. "That is one of the many reasons we wanted your input."
Daniel Simmons in engineering said, "What about a dedicated Electronics Warfare platform to use instead of a standard shuttle being modified?"
"We considered that." said Naruto. "The problem is shuttle bay capacity. Smaller ships with tiny shuttle bays couldn't afford to give up their standard shuttles for a dedicated EW platform. It might be possible for larger ships but how many peacetime Captains are going to want part of their shuttle bay committed exclusively to wartime use?"
Shar added, "We also have to consider the civilians involved in funding what could possibly be termed as a new weapon. A shuttle modification wouldn't ruffle as many feathers to use a human phrase."
Shizuka listened to the group banter back and forth and realized that the forum really was completely open. Both groups suggested and debated numerous ideas she hadn't even imagined. 'These kids are ten steps ahead in the game. They really are a Think Tank.'
"Clearly we need more data." said M'rella. "We need to get the sciences team involved as well."
Kloene nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll get the engineering team to work on a more efficient power transfer system from the warp engines. Running the electronics more efficiently should be something the sciences team can accomplish."
Everyone agreed to that motion and soon filed out to do their own homework assignments.
Shizuka was impressed. 'Even when there was a major disagreement, they worked it out in a levelheaded and professional manner.' She made a few notes in her tablet and thought to herself, 'If the Admiralty's Staff meetings went this smoothly a hell of a lot more would be accomplished.'
…
Shizuka was talking with Samui and Rafi as they went down to requisition a standard administrative shuttle from maintenance for the prototype conversion. "So, what do you guys do to relax? It seems like you all are always working overtime. Most cadets spend their off hours fraternizing or partying. I know I did."
"We don't have that luxury." said Samui seriously. "We have to squeeze four years' worth of training into two years so we don't have much down time."
Rafi shrugged. "We go to the seasonal parties but there isn't much else. I tried partying in the beginning but we're too damn busy completing our degrees and stuff. I have my Doctoral degree in Astronavigation, but I still have a lot to learn about Astrophysics."
"Why aren't you in sciences then Rafi?" asked Shizuka confused.
Rafi shrugged. "Starfleet put me in the command track. They really didn't give me a choice. Same goes for Samui; she's a Doctor of Cosmology and Astronomy from Cambridge."
'I'm surrounded by geniuses.' lamented Shizuka. 'I have a Masters Degree but it's in Physical Education and the Martial Arts…'
…
Stardate 2272.169, Combat Training Grounds, Starfleet Academy
The entire Think Tank was gathered for Combat Survival Training. For the past week they had been working on the simulator shuttle at the orders of Admiral Pye when their survival course instructor Lieutenant Franz decided they needed to learn what it was like to fight in the field against real, living opponents. Their hand-to-hand combat instructor Lieutenant Jenny Kaufmann protested that they weren't ready yet but Franz was running the show…
"…Is it just me or does it seem that Lieutenant Franz is holding a grudge about our desert survival training?" asked Shar. "Our opponents are Marine Officer Candidates for god's sake. Of course, we're going to get clobbered."
Rafi growled, "Of course the sadist is holding a grudge. We outsmarted Franz and he wants to punish us for making him look bad. On top of that only about a third of us are proficient enough at hand-to-hand combat for this. Lieutenant Kaufmann said so."
The group was looking over the map of the 'fort' they were supposed to defend against the Marine Candidates. Samui said, "We are armed with hand phasers and phaser rifles set to a maximum of stun. We also have stun grenades and launchers. To win we have to hold this fort for twenty-four hours. What's worse is the Marines have already been through multiple simulations. We are completely green."
"All those Marines looked big and intimidating." said M'rella. "I really do not wish to fight them."
Naruto sat looking over the map looking for a logical solution. 'I have no doubt that our opponents aren't going to take it easy on us. Franz probably wants to see us beat up badly.' He sighed. 'We are organized into five teams of four with each group defending a corner of this square fortress except the central command team that will back up the others. My Team is Shelly Wilson, M'rella, my Orion friend Kloene and myself. Kloene is proficient in hand-to-hand combat and M'rella is a superb shot with a phaser. Shelly is kind of a liability in close combat and her aim is in the fiftieth percentile. We'll have to protect her.'
Kloene patted Shelly's shoulder and said, "Just do your best Wilson. Naruto is leading us in Team 1 so we'll be okay."
Naruto turned on his communicator and said, "Team 1 to command, we are in position."
They heard Rafi's agitated voice. "Team 3 is in position. Let's give them a bloody lip."
"Team 2 is ready." said Samui in a steely tone.
Shar's trembling voice rang over the com units. "This is Shar. Team 4 is as ready as we'll ever be. We are in position."
"This is Leatta in charge of Command Team 5. We are ready to coordinate with the other teams…"
…
Forty-five minutes later…
"They've breached the wall!" yelled Samui. "Prepare for hand-to-hand Team 2!" The first Marine around the corner was hit with a brutal uppercut from the blonde augment girl and he went stumbling back in pain. She hit him hard enough to knock his helmet off and it knocked him unconscious when he hit the floor.
Another member of Team 2 rapidly threw a stun grenade into the breach to stop the onslaught. Unfortunately, he was cut down by phaser fire in return. Samui rolled out low to the floor and sprayed the hallway down with phaser fire as she continued to roll to the opposite side of the breach.
Team 2 was (barely) holding their own…
…
…Naruto was the only one left standing on Team 1 thanks to a well-placed stun grenade from the Marines. 'Damn.' he thought. 'I'd best stay concealed.' Naruto saw his opponents come in carefully and one of them kicked M'rella hard in the ribs while she was still unconscious. She let out a gasp and coughed.
"Damn man." said one of the Marines. "You didn't have to kick her Sammy."
"Lieutenant Franz said to beat them down and teach them a lesson so that's what I'm doing." said the now named Sammy. "I'm just following orders." he added with a laugh.
…A chakra coated fist sent Sammy through the wall behind him with the force of a speeding train. The remaining members of Sammy's Team felt a massive killing intent as Naruto's angry eyes crackled with blue chakra energy…
…
…An hour later the Marines took the 'fort;' but in the process they lost seventeen of their twenty members due to the fanatical/suicidal tactics of the Think Tank. At best it was a pyrrhic victory. The only ones still standing on the Think Tank's side were Naruto and Samui who had a much higher resistance to damage than the others. For Naruto it was the first time he'd truly unleashed his powers as a shinobi even if it was non-lethal. For Samui it was a matter of powering her way through the opposition. The Marine team of three that actually captured the base completely avoided ground combat and slipped in through the roof. Leatta's team all 'died' from a stun grenade dropped in through the hole in the ceiling the Marines made above them…
…
Stardate 2272.170, Combat Training Sick Bay, Starfleet Academy
"That blonde whisker-faced son-of-a-bitch took out eight of my men by himself and technically 'survived' the battle." said Marine Officer Candidate Scarlet Terrill. She was a petite human woman with wavy light brown hair. "I think I'm in love. What the hell is he doing in the Navy?"
Her superior Captain Omar Jameson growled, "I'm going to kill Franz for this farce. I can't believe he ordered your group behind my back to cause unnecessary injuries in a training exercise. All but four members of the Think Tank are hospitalized and eleven of our own are hospitalized as well. This has been a training disaster!" Omar smashed his fist in an open palm. "Terrill, as our lead Officer Candidate I'm putting you on watch over the injured in sick bay. Break up any unnecessary fights."
"Yes, sir!" said Scarlet with a crisp salute.
….
Naruto was sitting in the lounge of the Combat Training Sick Bay. He'd heard the many doctors and nurses talking about the appalling number of injuries involved and how shocked they were. "Injuries are inevitable with combat training but 67% is unheard of! What the hell happened out there?!" asked one doctor. His thoughts were echoed by the entire medical staff.
Naruto was sitting out in the lounge. 'I truly lost my temper, but it felt like the appropriate thing to do.' The blonde hybrid sipped on some tea and sighed. 'Sixteen of my colleagues are badly hurt. M'rella has broken ribs. I don't know what to do. Marine Captain Omar Jameson said that no charges were going to be pressed against the trainees, but I still feel I should have handled things more logically.'
An enthused female voice broke Naruto out of his brooding. "So where did you learn to fight like that handsome?" The blonde looked up and saw the smiling visage of Scarlet Terrill. She held out a hand to shake. "I'm Marine Officer Candidate Scarlet Terrill. What's your name?"
"I'm Cadet Naruto M'Fau." replied the hybrid as he shook her hand. "In answer to your question; I was trained in the martial arts by my Father and Mother on Vulcan."
Terrill looked at Naruto's ears and asked, "You are a Vulcan? I mean; you've got the ears, but I've never seen a blonde Vulcan before."
Naruto wanted to sigh but quickly explained his situation. "I'm a hybrid. I am half Vulcan and half humanoid."
She laughed. "You sure put the hurts on Sammy Samuelson when you punched him through that wall."
"He assaulted one of my teammates when she was already down." said Naruto. "I couldn't stand by and let that happen."
Scarlet grinned. "I'll have you know you're a hell of a fighting machine. Captain Jameson was really impressed at how many people you wrecked. Are you going into security?"
Naruto shook his head. "No, I'm in the Command track." He unzipped his combat jacket and showed his gold uniform shirt.
"I'm in the command track myself." Scarlet said enthused. "Maybe we'll end up serving together someday. –Say; you want to go out drinking after we get off duty? I'm free tonight."
The blonde hybrid sighed. "I thank you for your kind offer but I'm afraid I am on duty watching over my comrades."
She smiled. "Maybe next time then Naruto. Look me up sometime!"
…
Stardate 2272.177, Primary Spaceport, Starfleet Academy
A week later the still aching members of the Think Tank were working on the simulator shuttle as a group under Shizuka Nadeshiko's watchful eye. She'd been furious about what happened in combat training, but the members of the Think Tank took it in stride. Lieutenant Franz had been very subdued since the training took place and rumors had it that Marine Captain Jameson wanted to bring Franz up on charges…nobody really knew the truth of the matter though.
As it was the first ground test of the simulator shuttle was going well and the shuttle was portraying a landed Federation Express Transport. Scans from orbit and on the ground simply showed an express transport readying for takeoff. Naruto was pleased to see their brainchild was performing optimally for ten minutes before they shut it down.
Kloene's voice crackled over the communicator. "Everything is successfully shut down. Engineering team; let's get the system recorders and see how it did." The five members of the engineering team quickly moved in and took out the black boxes to examine. It wasn't long before all the members of the Think Tank were pouring over the data.
For her part Shizuka was quite pleased though the cadets seemed to be grumbling among themselves about a power coupling failure. She saw Naruto addressing the sciences team. "It is just as we predicted. The standard power coupling between the transmitter and the projector unit was unsatisfactory and overheated. It's logical to construct something specifically to suit our purposes."
Lieutenant Nadeshiko asked, "What is the problem, Cadet Naruto?"
Naruto said, "Our goal to use common parts in Starfleet's inventory to save on expenses is proving difficult. We need to once again create new pieces exclusively for this project."
Shizuka grinned at the grouchy Cadets. 'What a group of perfectionists.' "Technically this test was a success though. It proves the basic theory works, doesn't it? Isn't that worth celebrating?"
…
Admiral Harold Pye's Office
Lieutenant Nadeshiko was reporting to Admiral Pye that evening. "…And they seem quite disappointed in the results and said they would redouble their efforts."
Admiral Pye chuckled. "Spacedock from orbit said that only after extensive work in the labs could they tell something was even amiss with the simulated transport. They had the luxury of sitting back and going over the readings for hours. This is a resounding success! No ship would have time to do that in a combat situation. For a preliminary report I couldn't be more pleased. Bravo Zulu*①. Pass that along to them."
Shizuka smiled. "Will do sir. I think that might lift their spirits a bit."
"Good." Said the elderly Admiral. "You seem to be in better spirits yourself Shizuka. What do you think of these kids? –Off the record of course."
Shizuka scratched her chin and said, "Off the record? Frankly they are amazing. I've never seen a group so hard working and determined to succeed. I just don't want them to burn themselves out."
…
Stardate 2272.185, Primary Spaceport, Starfleet Academy
After three more ground tests the Think Tank finally declared the simulator shuttle prototype was ready for Phase II -spaceborne testing. The Admiralty cleared them after seeing the results from the Spacedock's sensors but there were still bugs to be worked out, so Phase II was delayed. The simulator shuttle was flown remotely up to the frigate NCC-330 U.S.S. Rickover for testing….
Naruto was not pleased with the situation. "It's only logical that we should be present on the Rickover given we know how to operate the simulator shuttle. If there is a technical problem, it would be much simpler for us to solve it."
There was a great deal of grumbling among the cadets until Nadeshiko spoke up. "Quiet! Have faith in your future colleagues. Someday you may be serving alongside them."
Soon there were (apparently) two Rickovers in orbit near the Spacedock. The scout NCC-585 Hermes exited the dock and activated its special sensors to identify which was the Rickover and which was the simulator shuttle. After 20 minutes of intense scanning the simulator shuttle burned out due to the power load being exceeded. Up to that point the Hermes was unable to determine which one was the real frigate.
In orbit the crews of the ships were eagerly transmitting what fantastic results the test yielded. On the ground in the viewing room every member of the Think Tank was standing with their jaws dropped at the sight of their "baby" going up in a ball of fire. 'We told them ten minutes maximum!' was the anguished thought on their collective minds….
….
Stardate 2272.192, Central Auditorium, Starfleet Academy
The Close of the Semester Ceremonies was going on and the entire Think Tank was standing at attention in their dress uniforms. They were being addressed by a Captain Schultz from the Academy which they had never heard of or had seen before. She said, "…So the second prototype is going to be built by the Starfleet Corps of Engineers so you may continue your studies as future officers. Every member of the fast track class is receiving an official commendation by Starfleet Command and the five members in the command group are receiving an additional commendation from Admiral Pye for defeating the Kobayashi Maru through a superior display of skill. Congratulations!"
There was a polite clapping among the student body but the Think Tank collectively felt rather mutinous seeing the project they worked so hard on was ripped from their proverbial hands…The rest of the Close of the Semester Ceremonies involved largely shot past them…
…
Stardate 2272.194, Starfleet Academy, Dorm-F, Room 125-F
Naruto and M'rella were packing their things for the semester break. "So, you are going home as well over the month break M'rella?" asked Naruto.
"Hmmm." she purred. "Yes; I am going home to visit my family on Cait. What about you?"
"I plan to go back to Vulcan once T'Lyra's leave is approved." said the blonde hybrid. "I need to get away from the Academy for a bit."
"We all feel that way after what Starfleet Command did with the simulator shuttle." said M'rella. She gave Naruto a quick kiss and giggled at the shocked look in his eyes. "See you in a month Naruto." said the Caitian beauty. She quickly left with some extra sway in her hips…
For his part Naruto was just dumbfounded…
…
Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Orbital Shipyards, Planet Mars, Fleet Repair Dock 15
T'Lyra was packing her things for her trip home to Vulcan. 'Naruto will be here in just a couple of hours. An entire month at home on Vulcan is going to be wonderful. I'm glad I saved up my shore leave time to see our families.' She closed her travel case and checked the time. 'I should change into my Tolaris family robes from my work uniform.' Soon T'Lyra had her hair up in her traditional ponytail and her blue robes on. She'd taken a shower and was quietly reading a Starfleet Mechanical Magazine on her tablet as she waited for her mate to arrive.
…
Shuttle Bay
Naruto arrived an hour later wearing his crimson M'Fau robes and stepped out onto the platform at FRD-15 where he showed his Starfleet identification to come aboard. After passing through the security checks Naruto used the directory to make his way to T'Lyra's quarters she shared with her friend Brea Mathuin. Though he'd never been on an FRD he found the arrangements to be quite logical and easily found T'Lyra's quarters. Ringing the door chime he was soon greeted by his beautiful mate T'Lyra. They immediately touched their fingers affectionately. Naruto sighed in bliss at the warm feelings travelling through his body as T'Lyra did the same.
The blonde whispered, "I have missed you, my mate. It has been too long that we have been apart."
T'Lyra felt Naruto's warmth through their bond and replied, "I have missed you every day my love. Please come in…"
…
90 minutes later the young couple emerged from the shower together. They simply hadn't been able to keep their hands off each other after so long. T'Lyra had a very sultry, contented look in her eyes as she put her blue robes back on. The two kissed passionately again and then Naruto got dressed as well.
T'Lyra came out of the bathroom just as Brea got off duty and came in. The young Irish woman said, "I'm surprised you're still here T'Lyra. I thought you'd already be planet side by now."
"Naruto came to pick me up." explained T'Lyra. "He's finishing up in the shower."
Brea nodded. "It's always good to be clean before a long trip. Some transports aren't as sanitary as others. How many days to Vulcan?"
"It is four days to 40 Eridani A." said T'Lyra. "We'll probably have a meal and be off within an hour."
Naruto came out of the shower feeling nice and refreshed. He gave the Vulcan salute to Brea. "Peace and long life Crewman Mathuin."
The dark-haired girl sweat dropped. "Just call me Brea off duty. You don't have to be so formal." She then returned his salute. "It's nice to see you again."
"It is good to see you as well Brea." replied Naruto.
Brea smiled. "Well, if you two will excuse me I'm going to shower off myself."
…
Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Planet Mars
After beaming down to the surface to await their ship, Naruto and T'Lyra were in the spaceport lobby awaiting a Vulcan Transport Liner name S.S. Sunrise. The young couple soon boarded and found it was neat and clean but a bit Spartan. It was very Vulcan and almost everyone aboard was of Vulcan descent…
"Personal Log: Stardate 2272.198: T'Lyra and I have had a pleasant trip aboard the Sunrise. The food is native Vulcan and much better than the food I've grown used to on Terra. Half of the passengers seem to be Starfleet personnel returning to Vulcan. As my mate and I spent most of the trip in of cabin we have not interacted much with the other passengers. On an unconnected note, I now believe the rumors that my younger sister Talok was conceived in the back seat of the family speeder is probably true. Before I was with T'Lyra I would never have believed such a thing was factual…"
…
Stardate 2272.199, Planet Vulcan, City of ShiKahr, Vulcan Space Central
T'Lyra and Naruto stepped off the S.S. Sunrise into the stifling heat and heavier gravity of Vulcan and it felt wonderful to the young couple. After going through the immigration terminal, they were welcomed to Vulcan. T'Lyra inhaled the hot Vulcan air and said to her mate, "It is hard to believe it's been almost nine months since we have been here at home."
"It has been too long since we felt the warmth of our own sun." said Naruto in agreement. "Let's go to the terminal entrance and wait for my parents. They should be here soon."
About that time Naruto's personal communicator came to life. It was his Father Sovar. They soon met up at the entrance and saw the M'Fau family speeder parked there. Sovar gave them the traditional Vulcan salute and said, "Peace and long life my son and daughter in law. Welcome home."
Returning the salute, Naruto loaded up their travel bags and T'Lyra talked with her Father in law. "It is so good to see you, Father Sovar. We have missed you."
Sovar helped Naruto load up the bags and replied, "Both of you have been missed. Talok wanted to skip school to come out and greet you with me but could not justify it logically. T'Ara is at the Vulcan Science Academy giving a seminar. She will meet up with us later. Your parents send their greetings T'Lyra. They are at a town meeting. Let us depart for home."
Naruto and T'Lyra listened to Sovar as he spoke about the goings on while they had been away. The trip through ShiKahr City to the opposite side of town where the M'Fau residence was a pleasant one. "Things are just as I remember them." quipped T'Lyra. "I can't wait to see everyone."
Naruto watched the scenery go by. "I have missed everyone as well. I'm sure Talok has grown taller in the time we've been away."
Sovar nodded. "You've both grown more mature while you've been away. I can tell. You both look well. We'll have to do some sparring to see if you've been practicing…."
Naruto hid a grin. "It will be good to spar against a real opponent in Kareel-ifla. The fast track students with me are generally not martial artists though there are exceptions of course." 'Samui is a very strong opponent.' He thought as he pondered the beautiful blonde Augment girl.
….
T'Ara and Sovar's house
Sovar pulled up into the driveway at the M'Fau family residence and Naruto hopped out of the hovercraft and stretched. "I have missed this place." he said.
"So, what are you two intending to do over your break?" asked Sovar as he helped the couple unload their things. "You have a month to relax and see everyone."
"We were considering going to tour the Path of Enlightenment*② and the P'Tranek Monastery*③ around Lake Yuron since I have never been there." replied T'Lyra. "We might go hiking around the area as well."
The blonde hybrid nodded in agreement and said. "We'll also be going to Vulcana Regar to see cousin Metana M'Fau about managing our investments."
Sovar sighed. "I hope it goes better than the last time you met face to face with her."
T'Lyra frowned slightly. "Naruto told me about that disaster. It sounds like she was a rather vulgar child."
Naruto had a minimal smile on his face. "She has matured since then…or at least acts like it."
…
T'Ara soon made it home and greeted Naruto and T'Lyra warmly. "Look at the two of you all grown up. I am so pleased to see you both looking so well. Talok will be home soon. She has been looking forward to seeing you and hearing about your adventures in space."
"Mother, we have missed you all so much." said Naruto…
…
Lake Yuron
"Personal Log: Stardate 2272.202: Our stay at home in ShiKahr and seeing our families and friends has been a wonderful respite from the demands of our duties in Starfleet. Though it was unintentional on our part T'Lyra and I arrived at Lake Yuron during the uxhaya wak-krus festival*④ so the area is very busy with offworlders and Vulcans alike. I never attended the festival during my years at the Vulcan Science Academy as I was too busy with my studies but T'Lyra is curious about it so we will stop and see what the festival is all about…"
…
Naruto and T'Lyra strolled along the Eridani Beach watching the musical festivities when Naruto realized something and had to resist the urge to face palm. "What are all these Starfleet Cadets doing here?" asked Naruto under his breath. "I came home to get away from the Academy."
T'Lyra raised her eyebrows. "You know all these people Naruto?"
The blonde shook his head. "I know their faces, but I don't see any classmates." Then he saw a certain Orion girl in a tiny bikini. Naruto held back a groan and said, "Well, I do know Leatta."
Two Cadets broke out in a fight over the Orion woman and tumbled out into the sand disrupting everything. "What the hell?!" yelled another over the music as the two humans duked it out.
One of the men threw a punch and nearly hit T'Lyra by accident. Naruto pulled his mate clear, and she saw the anger in his eyes at the two brawlers. "I will put an end to this." growled the blonde.
Naruto grabbed the young man that nearly punched T'Lyra and chopped him in the neck which rendered him unconscious. The other man ended up knocked out an instant later from a Vulcan nerve pinch. Naruto moved so fast via body flicker that no one save T'Lyra knew what happened. The blonde Vulcan really wanted to beat the stuffing out of the two fools for ruining his peaceful time with his mate but logically he knew in this case that violence would solve nothing. 'Only humans…' thought Naruto.
The music was still playing and T'Lyra gently squeezed Naruto's hand with her own which made him relax. Naruto returned her squeeze and gave her a minimal smile.
"My Naruto, I had no idea you were so forceful." said a woman's voice over the music. It was Naruto's Orion classmate Leatta. She smiled and said flirtatiously. "I guess since you knocked out my two wannabe suitors that you can dance with me instead."
The blonde suddenly felt so much killing intent from T'Lyra that it was like being in a war zone. Naruto raised an eyebrow as his lovely mate bared her proverbial fangs and said, "My husband and I are walking with each other already. Find someone else to bother."
Leatta was going to say something saucy but the fearsome killing intent rolling off T'Lyra made her feel fear and the clinically raised eyebrow from Naruto showed he was curious as to whether Leatta was smart enough to back off. Finally, the green skinned young Orion woman turned and quickly left in a huff.
Naruto clasped hands with T'Lyra and said lowly in her ear, "We have other places to be my love." She nodded and the young Vulcan couple left for the hotel they were planning to stay at…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: Bravo Zulu: In old Earth Navy vernacular this means "Well done."
*②: The Path of Enlightenment: It leads to the P'Tranek Monastery and is followed by those who wish to attain kolinahr, the purging of all emotion in favor of total logic.
*③: The P'Tranek Monastery: The centuries old home of the High Masters who have achieved kolinahr.
*④: Uxhaya wak-krus: or "Season of renewal." Loosely analogous to "Spring Break" on Earth but not nearly as outlandish.
So, the Think Tank survived their first semester of schooling and their simulator shuttle literally went up in smoke. See you next time. Blue out. 9/21/23