Naruto: Infinity Divide
The Celjok Shrine
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This chapter we get to explore some ancient ruins on Planet Vulcan. Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
[ ] Signifies a foreign language
For those of you keeping track; here is the current timeline of the story:
Stardate/Year/Starfleet Battles Timeline
Stardate 2230. = 2230 = Y120 Spock Born to Amanda Grayson & Sarek
Stardate 2233. = 2233 = Y123 Kirk Born
Stardate 2336. = 2336 = Y126 Constitution Class Launched
Stardate 2254. = 2254 = Y144 Republic NCC-1371 Ensign James T. Kirk
Stardate 2254. = 2254 = Y144 Naruto Born to T'Ara and Sovar
Stardate 2263. = 2263 = Y153 Talok Born to T'Ara and Sovar
Stardate 2265.-2270 = 2265-2270 = Y155-Y160 U.S.S. Enterprise 5 year Mission (TOS)
Stardate 2265. = 2265 = Y155 Naruto's kahs-wan
Stardate 2267. = 2267 = Y157 Naruto enters the Vulcan Science Academy
Stardate 2267. = 2267 = Y157 Naruto and T'Lyra's koon-ut-la
Stardate 2271. = 2271 = Y161 Naruto and T'Lyra enter Starfleet
Stardate 2272. = 2272 = Y162 V'Ger Incident (Star Trek I)
Stardate 2272. = 2272 = Y162 End of Naruto's first semester/Naruto and T'Lyra return to Vulcan
Last time:
"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…
…
Chapter 19
Stardate 2272.203, The Slumbering Sehlat Hotel, Lake Yuron, Planet Vulcan
Naruto and T'Lyra awoke in the morning at the quiet and rather secluded Slumbering Sehlat Hotel west of Lake Yuron. Naruto awakened first and saw T'Lyra's eyes flutter open about ten minutes later. Her deep brown eyes opened, and she saw Naruto's blue ones looking at her contentedly. He leaned in and kissed her deeply. "Good morning my Wildflower Princess." he said happily.
She smiled softly thinking of all their lovemaking the night before. "Good morning my love." She yawned and stretched. "Hmmm. What shall we do today, Naruto?"
The blonde propped his chin up on the heel of his palm and said, "There are a number of things around Lake Yuron aside of the beach. What picks your interest?"
T'Lyra had a curiosity about the ancient Celjok Shrine on the east side of the lake. She said to Naruto, "Let's see the Celjok Shrine. I know you saw it while you were attending the Vulcan Science Academy, but I have not. I've read the myths about it being a sanctuary for clerics and others fleeing tyrannical warlords in olden times." Her brown eyes had a spark in them. "Let's take a transport out there after we have breakfast."
Naruto gave a minimal smile at her enthusiasm. "Anywhere you want to go T'Lyra. It's been a few years since I took archeology so I would like to see the shrine again as well. It's the only thing I actually have seen in the Lake Yuron area before."
As Celjok Shrine was a fairly popular tourist attraction; it was an easy task to get a transport to the ancient construct…
The young couple was soon staring at the massive tower-like structure trying to soak up all of the details as they walked up to join a tour group gathering up at the base of the tower. At the entrance ware docents that broke the group up into manageable numbers for the tour guides to direct through the areas of the shrine open to the public…
…
"The ruins of the Celjok Shrine are magnificent to this day, and one must wonder what this splendid structure looked like in antiquity." said the tour guide as she motioned around herself at the massive fortress/shrine. "Vulcan historians cannot say with certainty how long the ruins of Celjok Shrine have existed, but it has been deemed a protected historical site and is overseen by the Vulcan Science Academy. It is still being studied by archeologists and every year new details about the structure and the many artifacts excavated within are still being revealed…"
T'Lyra looked around in fascination and quietly asked Naruto about details as they walked along so as not to interrupt the tour guide. Naruto was answering from what he remembered from his archeology class. As Naruto explained they were interrupted by someone unexpected. "Is that you Doctor M'Fau?" asked an elderly Vulcan wearing a Medallion from the Vulcan Science Academy. He was standing on a balcony of sorts above. Naruto froze and his head pivoted mechanically up towards the older Vulcan. "It IS you. Marvelous, simply marvelous. Welcome back to the Celjok Shrine. Have you considered taking up an apprenticeship here Doctor? My offer is still open!" he said loudly.
Naruto cleared his throat. "Ah, Doctor Delvok, it is an unexpected pleasure to see you again." said Naruto in a strained voice.
"Is he an acquaintance of yours?" asked T'Lyra quietly.
Naruto nodded slightly and said, "He was my archeology professor. He is very ...eccentric."
"Wait right there. I'll be right down Doctor M'Fau." said Devlok. He motioned to the tour guide and said in a dismissive tone, "Yuris, continue with the tour; I will escort Doctor M'Fau personally."
The tour guide Yuris looked up at the unconventional old Vulcan and bowed. "Of course, Doctor Devlok; I will leave you with your guest." The tour group looked oddly at Naruto until he opened his outer robes revealing his Vulcan Science Academy Medallion with the inscriptions showing he had two doctorates and many other achievements. Everyone seemed to understand then and moved on.
Doctor Devlok soon came out of a side passage and said, "Doctor Naruto M'Fau; it is so good to see you again." He looked at T'Lyra dubiously and asked, "Who might this young lady be?"
Naruto said, "Doctor Devlok, allow me to present my mate T'Lyra Tolaris. She attended the Vulcan Technical Institute at ShiKhar. T'Lyra, this is Doctor Devlok of the Vulcan Science Academy." Naruto added to his mate telepathically, 'Doctor Devlok is rather preoccupied with one's education.'
"So what might your degree be in Miss Tolaris?" asked Devlok.
"My degree is in Engineering." said T'Lyra. "I'm continuing my education in Starfleet."
"Ah, I see. Marvelous, simply marvelous." said Devlok as he turned from T'Lyra to Naruto. "You should have told me you were coming in advance Doctor M'Fau. I would have had an appropriate welcome prepared for you."
It was then that T'Lyra got the grand tour of the Celjok Shrine. She had many questions and Doctor Devlok was more than happy to answer them. Soon they were in newly excavated areas the Naruto hadn't seen so the eccentric professor was describing them in detail…
…
Doctor Devlok led them into a chamber where five very realistic statues of a very fearsome looking Vulcan were standing. They were each three meters tall and looked very intimidating. "We are positive these five statues all represent the insidious tyrant Sipor*①."
"Why would there be statues of the infamous Tyrant of Raal be here hundreds of kilometers away here in the Celjok Shrine?" asked Naruto.
"An excellent question." said the archeologist. "As you well know Sipor was a mind lord capable of killing others telepathically. To this day the ShiMara Fortress*② is rumored to be haunted with the katra*③ of his victims."
Naruto got a flat look. "I never thought that you put stock in such rumors Doctor."
Devlok replied, "Normally I don't but I have been to ShiMara Fortress many times and there is definitely a presence there."
"Regardless of whether or not the Fortress in Raal is 'haunted' that bears little relevance as to whether or not these are indeed statues of Sipor…unless you believe one or all of them contain parts of his katra." said the blonde. Seeing the gleam in his old professor's eye Naruto said, "You believe Sipor's katra was split up here so he would be imprisoned for all eternity don't you Doctor Devlok? It was said to be a punishment for his type if they could capture them alive."
"I knew you would catch on immediately. You always have been an exemplary student." said Doctor Devlok in a pleased tone. "He was supposed to have been assassinated but the body of Sipor was never actually found Doctor M'Fau. I theorize he was brought here wounded and placed in the statues by a group of High Masters." The old professor was practically giddy (by Vulcan standards). "We have an adept who has achieved kolinahr here from the P'Tranek Monastery nearby who is investigating." The professor motioned to a younger Vulcan sitting in a meditative position in the center of the room between the five statues.
Naruto's blue eyes widened in alarm. "If this is truly Sipor's spirit we are talking about then logic dictates only a High Master from the P'Tranek Monastery or Mount Selaya would be capable of handling such a powerful katra."
The adept's eyes opened and he started to laugh hysterically. Everyone stared in shock as the adept stood up with a deranged smile on his face and said, "Right you are foreigner. These fools haven't noticed as I combed their minds for knowledge. You are wiser than they are. It seems I have a whole new world to conquer. Come to me simpletons!" A psychic shock wave blasted everyone in the room and knocked them senseless.
Naruto felt himself assaulted by the psychic wave and it deflected off his chakra and into the dazed T'Lyra who was holding hands with him. She was sent tumbling before she rolled to a stop. Naruto cried out, "T'Lyra!" as she laid still. He rushed over to her only to be thrown into the temple's stone wall by a ponn-ifla throw from her that cracked his skull and sent his green blood flying.
The adept collapsed. T'Lyra stood up and said, "I'm shocked this woman's body is this strong. Perhaps this one is the better choice to take as my own for now."
Doctor Devlok stumbled to his feet and said in disbelief, "Sipor?! It is not your place to take the bodies of others!" He attempted to tackle T'Lyra's body only to be stopped by her open palm and thrown back.
"Weakling, you have no chance against me." said Sipor in T'Lyra's voice. She pointed at Devlok and the old professor started screaming in agony as he was psychically attacked. "I don't even have to touch you to kill you." she said with a cruel smile etched on her beautiful face.
Suddenly Sipor was captured in a bear hug from behind. A blood covered Naruto roared, "Get out of my mate body snatcher!"
Sipor struggled but couldn't break free of Naruto's massive strength. She yelled, "Damn it! I can't believe you still live!" Naruto felt Sipor try to possess his own body but once again the katra of the tyrant reflected off Naruto's chakra. T'Lyra went completely limp and the seemingly unconscious acolyte sprang back up. He simply said, "Die." as he pointed at Naruto.
Naruto felt intense pain as if his brain was on fire and body flickered behind one of the Sipor statues where he created a shadow clone to watch over the knocked out T'Lyra. Then he body flickered again to the opposite side of the room behind another statue.
The Adept looked wildly about the room trying to sense Naruto. He said, "I don't know what you are foreigner but somehow you are in two places. What are you?" Naruto created two more shadow clones that further added to the tyrant's confusion. "Now there are four?!"
One of Doctor Devlok's assistants came in through the passage and said, "I heard screaming." He saw bodies lying everywhere. "What is going on?"
Sipor was distracted for a split second and Naruto appeared behind him with a rasengan in hand glowing like a star. The adept whipped around only for fear to fill his eyes. "I'm sorry." whispered Naruto as the adept's chest was blown out his back.
The tyrant screamed in horror as the spiraling sphere vaporized his katra and he cried out, "No! Not after so long, not now!"
The assistant stared in shock and horror at the grisly mess that was once the adept. He turned and ran. Naruto could hear vomiting down the tunnel…
Naruto nearly got sick himself as he saw the adept's green blood coating his robes and all over the floor. The adept was literally torn in half. The only comfort Naruto had was the adept had died in an instant. Naruto saw his shadow clone come out with the dazed but now conscious T'Lyra. In spite of the gore she hugged him tightly and kissed Naruto tenderly. "I love you Naruto." she said in an exhausted voice. "That was an awful experience."
Naruto nodded sadly and kissed her forehead…
…
Stardate 2272.206, P'Tranek Monastery, Lake Yuron
It was three days later that the High Masters of the P'Tranek Monastery cleared Naruto and T'Lyra to return to their normal activities. It took a great deal of effort to eradicate the last vestiges of Sipor's katra that afflicted those he attacked, particularly T'Lyra and Doctor Devlok. The professor was still in a coma. Naruto was relatively unharmed and any damage he suffered was soon healed.
The High Master Lodzhal soon came out to the rather exhausted young couple and said, "I have spoken to the other High Masters and you are both safe to return to your vacation. The only side effects we have found is Miss Tolaris's telepathic abilities seem to have increased significantly according to her own memories. I would advise practice, meditation and reflection to master your new abilities, Miss Tolaris."
T'Lyra bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance Master Lodzhal."
Lodzhal nodded and said to Naruto, "Your thoughts Mister M'Fau?"
"I am concerned that Sipor isn't truly dead Master Lodzhal." said Naruto. "He survived for centuries without a body."
Lodzhal said, "We High Masters share your concern Mister M'Fau. One thing is certain, however. Even if he survived somehow, you dealt him a crippling blow. His terror at being destroyed that you heard was very real. We shall remain vigilant."
The young couple enquired about Doctor Devlak's condition and was told he was still in a coma and would be taken care of. They soon bid the High Masters farewell with the traditional Vulcan Salute and said, "Peace and long life."
Master Lodzhal replied with, "Live long and prosper."
…
Stardate 2272.207, The Slumbering Sehlat Hotel, Lake Yuron
Returning to the resort hotel they were staying at, Naruto and T'Lyra had a light dinner and turned in for the night given they were mentally and physically drained.
Around 2 AM Naruto awoke to T'Lyra kissing his neck and jawline wildly. Naruto was in a daze and started returning his mate's aggressive advances. They made love desperately for hours wanting to feel alive after their horrible experience at the Celjok Shrine. Four hours later they were lying in each other's arms feeling exhausted having spent all their energy. Naruto looked into T'Lyra's eyes and saw worry and unease. He whispered, "We are safe now T'Lyra." Seeing her indecisive look he said, "Let us share our thoughts."
T'Lyra nodded and kissed her husband before she brought her hand up and gently placed her fingers in place to initiate a mind meld. Naruto closed his eyes peacefully as they said in unison [Your mind to my mind; your thoughts to my thoughts] in old Golic Vulcan.
Their souls touched and the young couple shared their pain with one another. For his part Naruto never killed before and slaying the adept from the Monastery weighed upon him heavily. As far as Naruto could discern it was the logical if not only option at the time but killing an innocent person left Naruto feeling sick and empty inside.
On T'Lyra's part, she felt horrible that Sipor took over her body. She not only felt violated but using her ponn-ifla to hurt Naruto and psychically attacking Doctor Devlok had been soul wrenching for her. The pair of lovers gently took each other's pain away through their intimate mental contact. They spent hours soothing and caressing one another's souls to heal each other…
When they came out of their mind meld Naruto and T'Lyra felt safe and peaceful. They kissed gently and T'Lyra said, "I love you Naruto."
"I love you too T'Lyra." replied the blonde as he snuggled up closer to her. "Let's sleep now. We're both tired and I just want to hold you close to me."
No more words needed to be said…
…
Stardate 2272.214, Vulcana Regar, M'Fau Banking and Investment Firm
A week later T'Lyra and Naruto arrived in Vulcana Regar and took the public transport to the commercial district to meet up with Naruto's cousin Metana of the M'Fau Banking and Investment Firm. They had an appointment to keep that morning and the blonde wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing Metana face to face again. Naruto was doing the basic math in his head. He received a Starfleet communiqué regarding the payments for his warp design. The second installment of 250 million credits had been deposited and an additional ship was being converted so an additional 25 million was pending once the ship was completed.
Naruto had talked to several Starfleet officers over the last few months about the recent Klingo-Kzinti conflict and one thing was certain to him. War was coming whether the Federation wanted it or not. The recent movements of the Federation Fleet towards the Klingon border were shortsighted and illogical to him. The show of force was bound to backfire. If the Federation wanted to negotiate with the Klingons then making threatening movements towards the Klingon Empire was a very bad idea. Naruto wasn't biased against the Klingons but knew they were militaristic by nature and in the face of aggression were far more likely to attack if the opportunity arose…In history that was the case with warrior races time and again including the Vulcans of the not so ancient past.
He and T'Lyra had discussed this at length and decided that war industries would probably be the wisest investments to make at this point in time. They would start by expanding from just warp engines into other starship components both military and civilian. Phasers, impulse engines and auxiliary power reactors were their primary focus for the time being. Naruto also had an interest in developing auxiliary warp reactors which were in their design infancy.
For her part, T'Lyra had the idea of investing in pharmaceutical and medical research to help develop new ways of healing others which she thought was far more progressive than just funding weapons for war. Naruto agreed. It was with this plan in mind that they went to see Metana M'Fau.
The young couple was sitting in the waiting room while Metana finished her appointment that preceded theirs. At precisely 09:00 they were invited in by Metana's secretary. Upon entering they saw Metana had a medium sized office that was very ergonomically and logically arranged. The black-haired advisor stood and welcomed them with the Vulcan salute and said, "Peace and long life cousin Naruto; welcome. Please make yourselves comfortable." She then formally exchanged greetings with T'Lyra and the three were seated.
…
"So, you wish to invest more in the military industrial complex cousin?" asked Metana. "I admit all these companies make both military and civilian goods, but one might consider your investments to be preparations for some kind of a war."
Naruto thought to himself, 'She is very perceptive.' He frowned and said, "I am fully qualified in starship design. If I wish to pursue that in the future, then owning parts of these various firms will benefit me and give me opportunities I might not have otherwise. Besides, my mate and I are also looking into medical research funding."
Metana's dark eyes lit up at this. "There are a number a medical firms right here on Vulcan that could benefit from prospective investors such as yourselves."
After three hours of rather intense discussion Naruto and T'Lyra had the investments set up in the way they desired and bid Metana farewell with the Vulcan salute.
Metana got up after they left and thought to herself, 'Why was I such a foolish child? He is very talented and very intelligent…not to mention he has grown up to be very physically attractive…Now Naruto has a beautiful mate and it is obvious how strong their bond is…That could have been me…'
…
Once T'Lyra and Naruto were outside the M'Fau Investment Firm they both relaxed a bit. The blonde said, "That was taxing. I wanted to tour Vulcana Regar a bit but now I'd prefer to go back home to our families in ShiKahr. What do you think T'Lyra?"
The brunette beauty yawned slightly. "It wasn't what we planned but I am in total agreement. Let's go home and relax."
….
Stardate 2272.215, ShiKahr, T'Ara and Sovar's house
Naruto and T'Lyra were at his parent's house in the kitchen quietly drinking some Vulcan Port with them as he described the disastrous trip to Lake Yuron. Sovar sipped his drink and said, "It sounds like the two of you had a rough time of it. You both need to rest physically and mentally. Coming home to ShiKahr was the logical thing to do my son."
T'Ara said, "You are more than welcome to stay here of course. We have plenty of room. After an experience like that it would be best for you both to find your center."
The young couple spent the remainder of their time on leave reconnecting with family and friends and touring a bit around ShiKahr on their speeder bikes.
They also went to a club to see what it was like…
…
Thelin's Cross-Temporal Tavern, Multicultural Mercantile District, ShiKahr City
Naruto and T'Lyra had never been to any sort of nightclub before but they both knew how to dance thanks to Naruto's little sister Talok and practicing V'Shan. As they spun and orbited around each other Naruto saw the happiness in his mate's eyes that mirrored his own. The young Vulcan couple was completely in their own world as other couples around them danced. As the blonde twirled T'Lyra away from himself and then back to him he thought, 'Beautiful…'
T'Lyra was having a wonderful time and was fighting the urge to break into a full-blown smile as Naruto's eyes crackled with chakra showing how excited he was. 'Tonight, we are going to a private room.' she thought eagerly. 'Naruto M'Fau, I love you…'
Ironically Naruto's Orion classmate Leatta was there with another female cadet from their class. Thelin's was a favorite watering hole for Starfleet personnel and she and her friend Heidi Gaul of the Engineering Group had to check it out. She said to a Heidi, "They've been dancing in perfect synch together for two hours." 'I was hoping Naruto would ask me to dance too but he doesn't seem to know I exist.'
Heidi was thoroughly impressed that Naruto and T'Lyra danced so well. She raised her eyebrows and said, "I certainly couldn't keep up with them. It's like watching two spirits glide across the mist of the forest floor."
Leatta smiled and said, "That's quite poetic there."
The human grinned and said, "What did you expect? Poetry is a hobby of mine being a musician."
"I should have guessed." chuckled the Orion girl.
As it turned out Naruto and T'Lyra never even noticed Leatta was there…
…
Stardate 2272.229, Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
The trip back to Earth was sedate much to both Naruto and T'Lyra's relief. Upon landing at San Francisco, they both immediately noticed the cooler climate and lower gravity they would have to (once again) have to acclimate to. They were able to stay a night at a hotel before T'Lyra had to catch a transport to Mars to report for duty. Naruto likewise had to return to the dorms to start his second semester…
…
Dorm F, Room 125-F, Starfleet Academy
It was just after lunchtime when Naruto returned to Dorm F with his luggage and saw that his roommate and good friend M'rella was already there. Fresh tropical planets adorned their shared quarters as well as some new paintings that were obviously from Cait. The soft purrs of Caitian music was quietly playing. Naruto had a tiny smile as she came into view dancing to the music in an emerald green kimono. 'She must be completely wrapped up in her music to have not noticed me.' thought Naruto. 'She really can dance. I had no idea.' he thought looking at the beautiful Caitian girl.
Deciding it was rude not to make his presence known, Naruto cleared his throat causing her to stop dancing mid step with wide amber eyes. She blushed through her sleek black coat of fur and said, "N-Naruto? When did you arrive?"
"Just now." said Naruto. "I was looking at the new decorations in our quarters so I knew you must have been here. When did you arrive?"
The Caitian girl smiled. "I arrived early and got in the dorms early this morning."
"You must have been very busy as it is early afternoon now." said the blonde hybrid. "It is good to see you well M'rella."
M'rella flashed Naruto a big smile and said, "I am happy to see you looking so well Naruto. A new semester starts in a couple of days. I'm sure it will be even better than the last one."
Naruto gave a tiny smile at the Caitian girl's optimism. "Yes, let us hope so."
…
Stardate 2772.229, Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Orbital Shipyards, Planet Mars, Fleet Repair Dock 15
Upon her return to Mars the first thing T'Lyra noticed was something was very amiss with the U.S.S. Darwin. "Where are the warp engine nacelles and pylons?!" asked the young Engineer's Mate in dismay. "The Darwin was supposed to launch at the end of the month!" Soon T'Lyra got the news from her good friend Brea Mathuin…
Brea said, "Yeah, the engine refit on the Enterprise was so successful that Starfleet Command decided in their infinite wisdom to perform the same conversion on the Darwin as well."
"But the old engines were completely refurbished." said T'Lyra. "Starfleet Command has caused months of work on the Darwin to be demolished."
"I wasn't too thrilled either T'Lyra." said the dark-haired Irish girl. "The engines were removed intact as spares for Darwin's sisterships, but it still is a huge setback for us."
"So how far back has the launch date been pushed back?" asked the brunette.
"The launch date for the Darwin has been pushed back four more months." said Brea with a sigh. "She's supposed to launch on New Year's Day 2273."
"So as of Stardate 2273.001 Darwin will launch." pondered T'Lyra aloud. Her dark brown eyes suddenly glittered. "Will any of you humans be sober for the launch?"
Brea just sweat dropped and asked, "You aren't ever going to let me live that down are you…?"
…
"So how was your trip home to Vulcan?" asked Brea cheerfully.
T'Lyra said, "It was very…distressing. I would rather not talk about it."
The hollow sound in T'Lyra's voice made Brea concerned. "Is everything alright between you and your husband?"
The brunette perked up. "He saved my life. Things could not be better between us. Naruto and I have never been closer."
Brea exhaled, not realizing she'd been holding her breath. "I'm glad for you two then. That's what really counts."
T'Lyra replied, "You are right. My mate and I got to spend time together and relax. That part was most enjoyable."
…
Stardate 2272.231, Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Planet Earth
Naruto and M'rella were soon exchanging greetings with the other members of the Think Tank that were all in the process of unpacking and preparing for classes to start. They had an impromptu get together with Rafi, Samui and Shar from the command Team to exchange greetings. Later the entire group of twenty was all together in the mess hall celebrating everyone coming back for a second semester. The big Orion Kloene from engineering said exuberantly, "This is going to be great. We'll do even better this semester!"
Naruto's Trill friend Rafi said with equal enthusiasm. "That's the spirit! Cheers!"
"CHEERS!" roared the rest of the Think Tank in approval.
Shizuka Nadeshiko looked in on her unofficial charges and smiled. 'I wonder what they'll come up with this semester…'
….
POSTSCRIPT:
*① Sipor was a cruel Tyrant that ruled over the Raal region from the Shimara Fortress for decades before he was assassinated by an underling.
*② ShiMara Fortress was constructed centuries ago to support the efforts of laborers in the kevas mines along the coast of the Voroth Sea in Raal. It was controlled by tyrants such as Sipor in antiquity but was converted into a place of peace and logic before it was abandoned for centuries. As most of its structures are still intact it is often rumored to be haunted.
*③ Katra is a "living spirit" of an individual or the essence of a Vulcan's intellect. When death is near some Vulcans are able the transfer their katra into the mind of another living being.
This chapter actually is further along in the plot than I planned. It was originally going to end after Naruto and T'Lyra visited Metana but I had a ton of space left so I started the next semester. Looks like the U.S.S. Darwin is stuck in dock for a few months longer. What will come of that? The Think Tank is back in high spirits, and we'll see the return of many familiar spaces next chapter. See you next time. Blue out. 9/21/23