Naruto: Infinity Divide
Deep Cover
Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
This chapter was partially written months ago. It didn't fit in at the time, so I shelved it. Then I rediscovered it and decided to update and complete it. There is a time skip of about three months from the last installment here. Here is Chapter 100, Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
[ ] Signifies a foreign language
{ } Signifies hand signs
~ ~ Signifies singing
…
Last time:
Starbase 1, Spacedock, M'Fau Family Quarters
That evening, Vyorin returned to the M'Fau home looking unruffled as ever. He took off his sandals and said, "I'm home."
Naruto stood up and replied, "Welcome home my son. I trust all went well?"
"Yes, interacting with a Romulan was interesting." answered the brunette boy. "She wanted to know what Planet Vulcan was like. I told her about the Forge, and she told me a bit about Planet Romulus. It was a pleasant experience."
"She didn't ask about any state secrets, did she?" asked Shizuka suspiciously.
"I'm ten. I don't know any state secrets Mom." replied Vyorin flatly.
The Earth-raised Vulcan facepalmed. "…Maybe I'm overreacting a bit..." muttered Shizuka.
The oldest son continued. "She did say she wanted to see me again in a few years when we are both grown. Lady Mirai is a very curious person."
"It sounds like you had an enriching experience." stated T'Lyra.
"It was novel." quipped Vyorin.
"Building diplomatic ties early is a good thing." said Naruto.
Alison smirked. "I still say she's looking for a future husband."
Vyorin raised an eyebrow. "You are not helping Mama."
The redhead laughed…
…
Chapter 100
Stardate 2298.094, Federation Space, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
Naruto was making a log entry from his command chair on the bridge.
"Ship's Log, Stardate 2298.094. Fleet Captain Naruto M'Fau reporting. Our extended shakedown cruise is complete, and we have assumed regular duties within the fleet. The Wolverine has performed well, and the new systems are running perfectly. Our current destination is the Sol III System where we will resupply at Starbase 1."
The blonde hybrid turned off his log recorder and saw his crew moving around like clockwork. It had taken a few months to become acclimated, but the ship was at peak performance now and the new staff and enlisted crew members were doing an outstanding job.
He heard his beautiful Caitian mate talking at the communication station. She turned to him with urgency in her amber eyes and M'rella said, "Fleet Captain, Admiral Morrow is calling from Starfleet Command, Priority One."
Naruto replied, "On screen, M'rella."
Admiral Morrow appeared on the mainscreen seconds later. He was a little grayer than Naruto remembered but it had been over a decade since the blonde had seen the man. Morrow said, "It's good to see you back in the command chair again Fleet Captain. You have been missed. Officers of your caliber are hard to come by."
The blonde nodded. "It is good to be back Admiral."
"Unfortunately, we've lost contact with one of our vessels." said Morrow. "NCC-2527 U.S.S. Bastian went missing two stardates ago near the Acadia Minor System."
Naruto frowned ever so slightly. The Bastian is of the Constellation Class. She's practically a new ship."
Admiral Morrow stated, "We need you to find her. Captain Carmichel and her crew were investigating a subspace signal and simply vanished. Proceed to Acadia Minor at best speed Fleet Captain."
"Understood Admiral." replied the Vulcan hybrid as Morrow signed off. He turned to Samui and said, "Plot a course for the Acadia Minor System."
The blonde bombshell nodded. "Course laid in sir."
"Ahead warp factor ten Rafi." ordered Naruto.
She grinned and said, "Aye Fleet Captain, warp factor ten."
…
Stardate 2298.096, Federation Space, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Staff Room
Two days later, the bridge crew was gathered in the Staff Room reviewing the log entries from the U.S.S. Bastian under Captain Julia Carmichel. They were looking at a holographic projection of the Acadia Minor System which was centered around a blue giant star.
"According to the Bastian's log, they received what they believed to be a signal from intelligent life in the Acadia Minor System and went to investigate on Stardate 2298.092." explained Maya Ayasugi. "Unfortunately, they didn't say what kind of signal it was."
"…Or how unlikely it is." added M'rella.
Shizuka asked, "What do you mean?"
The Caitian frowned. "The Acadia Minor System has a pulsar in it that is strong enough to jam subspace radio transmissions. It would effectively mask anything but a very powerful or very close signal."
The hologram zoomed in. and Alison said, "The blue giant Acadia Minor has three terrestrial planets in the system and two gas giants. More importantly it has a pulsar in an elliptical orbit further out that is throwing off masses of radiation. The last survey vessel out here that charted the system reported it was a navigational hazard and there was little chance of life in the system due to radioactivity."
"When was that?" asked Rafi.
"It was 65 years ago." answered the redhead. "It was a civilian research vessel S.S. Commune that charted for the Federation for decades."
Samui interjected, "It goes without saying that technological advances on the U.S.S. Bastian could have detected things the S.S. Commune could not."
Konohamaru said, "So the Bastian could be sailing around the Acadia Minor System unscathed with her log entries being masked by the pulsar."
"That would be a best-case scenario." said Naruto. "We must be prepared for the worst. When we get to the fringes of Acadia Minor, we will search for this mysterious signal that the U.S.S. Bastion detected and tread carefully from there. We must be cautious."
"What is our current ETA to Acadia Minor?" asked Thera Sorkalif.
"We are three hours out." answered Rafi.
"Everyone be prepared then." ordered the Fleet Captain. "In three hours, we will be entering potentially hostile territory."
…
Edge of the Acadia Minor System, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
Naruto was back in his command chair waiting to see if sciences or communications could pick up any transmissions or signs of the U.S.S. Bastian. It had been nearly four hours, and they had been at station keeping scanning the system. Shar was with Maya and Alison at the sciences station while Thera was with M'rella at the communications console.
Alison said to Shar, "Zoom in 32 degrees to starboard, I spotted a reflection. It could be our lost ship."
Shar adjusted the sensors and replied, "Good eye Doctor Fairbanks. Fleet Captain, I think we've located the U.S.S. Bastian."
"On screen." ordered Commander Sarutobi. "Magnify"
The screen was soon filled with a view of the Bastian. Her four warp nacelles were dark and obviously shut down. Aysugi stated, "No running lights, no emergency lights, no indications of power. Our sensors show she's adrift, dead in the water."
M'rella said, "I'm transmitting to the U.S.S. Bastian tight beam at maximum power. There are no signs she is receiving our signals."
Thera asked, "Is there any indication of damage we can detect at this range?"
"Negative." answered Alison. "There is no sign of damage or life from here. The only thing I can advise is to close the range. Life signs would be impossible to detect at this distance regardless with all the radiation."
Naruto pivoted his chair to face M'rella and ordered, "Inform Starfleet Command we have located the U.S.S. Bastian, and she appears to be disabled. We are going to attempt to rescue her."
"Right away sir." answered the Caitian beauty.
The blonde hybrid said, "Plot a course for the Bastion, impulse speed only. I want the shields at maximum power and phasers armed. Have Counselor Yamanaka come to the bridge. We want no surprises."
…
It took nearly thirty minutes of plodding along carefully at impulse power before they reached the U.S.S. Bastian. Pulling alongside, they could clearly read NCC-2527 on the darkened ship's hull.
"No power at all." reported Doctor Fairbanks. "We can thankfully read life signs though."
Ino said, "I sense fear and despair coming from the Bastian. I also sense desperation."
"Lock a tractor beam on the U.S.S. Bastian." commanded Naruto. "We're towing them out at impulse speed."
"Why not warp speed sir?" asked Konohamaru.
"Call it a hunch Commander Sarutobi." replied the Fleet Captain.
"I'm picking up a weak subspace signal from the third planet nearby Fleet Captain." said M'rella. "I suspect it is what the Bastian detected."
"Record it for now but do not respond." ordered the Fleet Captain. "Right now, our duty is to get the U.S.S. Bastian to safety."
"Tractor beam engaged." reported Samui. The Wolverine shook slightly. "We have a solid lock on the Bastian."
"Reverse course Rafi." said Naruto. "Let's get that ship out of here."
Rafi nodded. "Understood sir. We are underway."
"It's a shame we can't use transporters in this radiation zone." groused Ino. Those people are scared."
"We'll be able to help them soon, Counselor." assured the Fleet Captain.
…
It took nearly an hour for the Wolverine to tow the larger Bastion out of the radiation zone. Once they were safely outside the system, Naruto ordered them to prepare to board the Constellation Class vessel.
"All systems show green." reported Kloene from the engineering console. They just have no power. It appears that the crew has moved towards the center of the saucer section to conserve warmth. It's sub-zero in the outer sections."
"We will need an away team assembled." ordered Naruto. "Kloene, Doctor Fairbanks, and Chief Shizuka will be joining me. Inform Doctor Shelly Wilson and Counselor Yamanaka we'll be needing them as well. Commander Sarutobi, you have the bridge."
…
Transporter Room
Transporter Chief Heidi Gaul asked, "Everyone bundled up?" as she looked at the away team in their insulated gear. "I'm beaming you into the main transporter room where it is negative two Celsius. It's the warmest place we can find that isn't packed with crew members aboard the U.S.S. Bastion."
Everyone looked at one another and nodded. "We are ready to go Heidi." said Naruto. "Energize."
…
NCC-2527 U.S.S. Bastian, Transporter Room
The Wolverine's away team materialized aboard the Bastian and immediately turned on their hand-held lights in the inky blackness.
"Well, isn't this lovely?" quipped Alison as she saw her breath in the frozen air.
Shizuka panned the room with her light. "There is frost everywhere."
"I'm picking up traces of ion energy." stated Kloene as he looked at his tricorder. "Given the fact it's everywhere, I'd lay odds that's what caused the power loss."
"We'll figure that out later." said Doctor Wilson. "We have people to save."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "I'll get the door."
…
After meandering through the pitch-black corridors of the Bastian, they located the ship's sickbay deck where all 350 crew members were huddled together trying to stay warm. Naruto and Shizuka pried the door open and saw the crew of the ship laid out in neat lines apparently asleep.
Shelly immediately got out her tricorder and said, "They've been sedated to conserve on body heat and oxygen. Smart move."
Naruto turned to Counselor Yamanaka and asked, "Do you sense anyone awake Ino?"
"Follow me." said the Betazoid. Reaching out with her senses, Ino led them through the maze of sleeping bodies to the sickbay proper where the Bastian's staff officers were assembled.
Naruto banged on the sickbay doors and called out, "This is Fleet Captain Naruto M'Fau of the U.S.S. Wolverine. We've come to rescue you."
The was a clatter and then a woman's excited voice said, "I'm Captain Julia Carmichel of the U.S.S. Bastian. You don't know how glad we are you are here."
…
NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Sickbay
Over the next few hours, the crew of the powerless Bastian was beamed over to the Wolverine and awakened. Other than a few minor cases of frostbite, there were no serious injuries and everyone from the U.S.S. Bastian was accounted for.
The first to be awakened was the medical staff from the Bastian to help take care of those still asleep. It was a large load for the fast cruiser to handle but they had been through worse.
…
Captain Carmichel was soon in the captain's ready room with Naruto discussing what had happened to her ship. "We were following a transmission to its source on Acadia Minor III when there was a flash, and we lost all power in an instant. After that we began emergency procedures to recover power but given we were in a radiation zone our options were limited."
She continued. "It was a mess and some of the crew began to lose discipline, so our Chief Medical Officer suggested we start sedating the crew members to conserve what oxygen we had left. I was beginning to believe it was over, but luck was on our side, and you rescued us after four days of being dead in the water. For that you have my eternal gratitude Fleet Captain."
Naruto nodded. "We were glad to help, Captain Carmichel. Our engineering and science staffs have determined that the Bastian was hit with a powerful ion beam. I have postulated your shields weren't active at the time?"
She nodded. "We were not expecting an attack. Our shields were down. How bad off is my ship?"
"Fortunately, we've found no damage and are charging the Bastian's batteries as we speak." replied Naruto. "Once that is done, we can attempt to restart the impulse engines. In a worst-case scenario, we can tow your ship to the nearest Starbase for repairs."
…
U.S.S. Bastian, Engineering
Freyja Christianson said, "Beginning impulse engine restart procedures… hit it!"
The impulse engines lit up after a few seconds and there was a small cheer among the mixed engineering crew from both ships.
She had a smile on her face. "Impulse engines are online. Let's start getting systems reactivated."
…
U.S.S. Wolverine, Captain's Ready Room
"Ship's Log, Stardate 2298.098. Fleet Captain Naruto M'Fau reporting. NCC-2527 U.S.S. Bastian is undergoing checks, and her crew is returning to their ship. The past 48 hours have been very busy reactivating the star cruiser. We are waiting on Starfleet Command for further instructions as we attempt to decipher the nature of the jamming signal that we detected from Acadia Minor III."
Naruto turned off his log recorder and pondered the Acadia Minor System. As he looked over the map of the system he thought, 'This would be an ideal place to hide. With the pulsar here and the radiation it's difficult to detect anything. There is more to this than meets the eye.'
…
Out on the bridge, M'rella was analyzing the transmissions from Acadia Minor III. Adjusting the frequencies and gain expertly, she saw it was a repeating signal that scrambled subspace radio over the whole band. 'It could easily be mistaken for a message with its repeating nature but it's jamming. The question is who would need to jam signals with the pulsar already disrupting everything?'
The whole staff of the Wolverine was very curious about the third planet. They'd already determined the Bastian travelled to Acadia Minor III at warp factor two and sent out a universal peace signal before a powerful ion beam of unknown origin hit them and left the ship dead in space. Everything pointed to a defense system of some type and the Think Tank by nature wanted to unravel this mystery.
…
Stardate 2298.099, Edge of the Acadia Minor System, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Bridge
Admiral Morrow was on the mainscreen talking to the crew of the fast cruiser. "You've done an outstanding job rescuing the U.S.S. Bastian and her crew Fleet Captain Naruto. Starfleet Command feared the worst. I understand from your reports that you believe there is an active defense system around Acadia Minor III, and you wish to investigate it?"
"That's correct Admiral." replied the blonde hybrid. "It is our belief that someone or something is hidden on Acadia Minor III and doesn't wish to be found."
"Do you suspect it is pirates?" asked Morrow.
Naruto shook his head. "Pirates tend to act more aggressively. This was a passive attack by nature."
The Admiral stroked his chin. "The U.S.S. Wolverine and U.S.S. Bastian are at your command Fleet Captain. Unravel this mystery in the Acadia Minor System to prevent further incidents from happening in the future."
"Understood Admiral." said the blonde. "We will do our best."
…
NCC-2527 U.S.S. Bastian, Bridge
Captain Carmichel and her crew were a bit skittish about reentering the Acadia Minor System but understood the necessity of it. "We are at your Command, Fleet Captain Naruto." said Julia. "We'll be travelling with our shields up this time."
"Very good Captain." replied Naruto on the mainscreen. "I understand your trepidation, but the Wolverine will be on point this time."
The blonde signed off and her First Officer Stanwick said, "So that's Naruto of Vulcan. He really is fearless."
She replied, "There is a reason he's a legend Stan. I saw him at a panel back when I was a cadet at the Starfleet Academy. He's the real deal."
…
NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
The fast cruiser was trailed astern by the star cruiser at impulse speeds. Both ship's sensors were at maximum as were their shields. They were in contact with each other via a very tight beam transmission. Naruto had explicitly ordered to not send any transmissions to Acadia Minor III.
As the two ships approached the icy planet, their sensors detected something that the crew of the Wolverine was intimately familiar with: mines. Alison looked up from the sensor station and said, "I'm detecting mines of an unknown configuration. It could be the source of our ion beam."
"All stop." ordered Naruto. He motioned to M'rella. "Inform the Bastian to go to station keeping."
"The Bastian has acknowledged her orders Fleet Captain." reported M'rella.
"What about our mines Doctor Fairbanks?" asked Konohamaru.
"They appear to be heavy captor mines*① judging by the emitters on them." answered the redhead. An image appeared on the screen of one of the mines. "They seem to be very old judging by the amount of dust a debris on them as well as wear and tear. I'd estimate they are over a hundred years old."
Maya Ayasugi interjected, "The sensors show seven mines loosely in geosynchronous orbits around Acadia Minor III. Judging by the gap in their orbits I'd say there was an eighth one at one time. Their orbits seem to be decayed judging by the way they are staggered. I concur with Doctor Fairbanks; they've been here a really long time. Of course, that doesn't mean they are any less dangerous."
Naruto looked at the screen and asked, "Have we located the source of the jamming yet?"
"It's located directly over the planet's electromagnetic south pole, a perfect place to conceal a station from scanners." answered M'rella. "Whoever built this wanted to hide from something badly."
"I guess the first thing we should do is clear out these mines." said Shizuka.
Naruto nodded. "Inform the U.S.S. Bastion we are going to eliminate the seven mines and to scan for more as we eliminate them. There may be others we have missed. Once the area is cleared of mines we'll start scanning Arcadia Minor III."
…
NCC-2527 U.S.S. Bastian
Captain Carmichel and her crew watched as the Wolverine cleared out the mines like clockwork. Commander Stanwick said, "I have to admit it, I'm baffled. They've swept those mines out quicker than we can even follow."
Julia said, "Experience counts. I wonder how many minefields they saw behind foreign lines."
"…We just received the signal that the last of the mines have been cleared Captain." said her communications officer. "Our orders are to head to the southern hemisphere and start mapping the surface for a life forms. They are heading to the south pole to examine the jamming transmitter."
"Acknowledge our orders communications." said Carmichel. "Let's get cracking crew."
…
NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
"We are directly over the magnetic south pole Fleet Captain." said Rafi.
"Start scanning immediately." ordered the blonde hybrid. "Let's see what we can find."
It didn't take long for the Wolverine's crew to locate an X shaped series of transmitters at the south pole of Acadia Minor III. "Our scans show about half of them are functioning." said Ayasugi. "From the design they look to be something that Earth used over a century ago. I can't be more precise without seeing them up close. The jamming isn't helping either."
"There don't appear to be any settlements in the area." interjected Shar. "It's just a jamming array with power generators. There a no life signs at all."
"Is the surface safe?" asked Konohamaru.
Ayasugi frowned. "It would be like Antarctica on Earth but technically it's livable without a pressure suit."
Sarutobi brightened up. "Since the radiation zone we're in makes transporters iffy, I'd like to lead an away team down via shuttlecraft and examine these relics. Maybe we can figure out their origins."
"Make it so, Commander." said Naruto. "Pick your team and try to solve this mystery."
"I'll take Ayasugi, Kloene and Simmons with me." said Konohamaru. "There are bound to be some computers controlling these things… And Lieutenant Rafi Meta can round out my little crew to fly the shuttle."
Rafi smiled. "I'm up for it."
"Great, it'll be a regular vacation." grumped Maya. "Let's get on our polar gear."
Naruto nodded. "Get your away team ready and stay in contact Commander."
"Aye sir!" said Konohamaru jauntily. "Let's get going people. Maybe we can squeeze in some skiing."
…
Acadia Minor III, South Pole
…An hour later, Commander Sarutobi and his team clambered out of the shuttlecraft NCC1602/1 Nomad into the icy wasteland known as the south pole. Making sure their suits were adjusted properly, the group of five wandered over to the center of the X shaped array where the largest of the dish shaped transmitters was.
They heard the generator humming loudly from the building adjacent to the largest transmitter and Konohamaru briskly led them over to the ice coated door. Banging on the frozen door, Sarutobi yelled over the wind, "Kloene, give me a hand here and we'll pry this open!"
Ever the pragmatist, Ayasugi said, "I have a better idea." She pulled out her phaser and yelled, "Stand aside!"
Everyone got back and Maya melted the ice off the door with her weapon on its lowest setting. She smirked before turning the nob on the door that opened easily now that it was warm to the touch. "It works a lot better when it's not encrusted in ice Commander."
"Uh, yeah." said Konohamaru. "Let's check the place out."
Stamped on the metal door was the engraving Proudly Made in Benecia Colony*② 2150.
"The Benecia Colony? I didn't realize it was that old…" said Konohamaru.
Maya shrugged. "I know it was an early Earth colony, but I don't know when it was founded. Obviously, they were already manufacturing things by 2150."
"I've linked up to the computer running this station." said Daniel Simmons as he read his tricorder. "This coding is ancient. It says the programming was done in 2157 on Benecia for the Terra-Return League*③. That was before the Federation even existed."
"Can you shut the jamming down without damaging anything, Danny?" asked Kloene.
Simmons nodded. "Piece of cake."
Konohamaru patted Daniel on the shoulder and said, "Make it happen. Lieutenant Meta, go warm up the shuttle."
Rafi pouted. "Then skiing is cancelled?"
Maya laughed. "I guess so, Rafi. Maybe next time."
…
Stardate 2298.100, Acadia Minor III Orbit, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine, Staff Room
Naruto and his staff were in a conference meeting via subspace with the staff of the U.S.S. Bastian. Doctor Alison Fairbanks was speaking to both groups.
She explained, "The Terra-Return League was formed on the Benecia Colony in 2157. It was a political group created with the proclamation that stated they wished an end to the Federation's policy of expansion. Furthermore, they wished that all humans to leave the outlying regions of space and return to the Sol System."
"That's a bit extreme." commented Captain Carmichel. "What was their reasoning?"
The redhead stated, "This is where it gets interesting. The League felt that humanity had not solved many of its own basic problems when it entered space and as such resources were both abused and exploited on an interstellar level."
"That's highly debatable." said Samui with a frown.
"And debate they did." stated Alison as she continued. "The Terra-Return League believed there was enough room for development on the inhabitable worlds within the Sol system. They reasoned Mars, Venus, Ceres, Titan and Ganymede would be enough. Later, the League advocated the dissolution of the United Federation of Planets, and that Earth observe a strict isolationist policy regarding extra-solar activity. We all saw how that turned out."
"So, whatever happened to this political group?" asked Stanwick.
"They kind of dissolved into history but a few fringe groups cut ties with the Federation." said Doctor Fairbanks. "I suspect that is what we are dealing with here."
Shar drummed his fingers. "So, a holdout group from the Terra-Return League came out here to Acadia Minor III and apparently has been hiding for well over a century. It's admirable that they stuck to their beliefs, but I have to wonder if any of them actually survived."
"Our scans of the southern hemisphere show no signs of intelligent life." said Maya. "However, the ice is approximately a kilometer thick with warm oceans below that support a thriving ecosystem. There is a possibility that they settled in the northern hemisphere hidden under the ice."
"That's what we intend to find out." stated the Fleet Captain.
"What do we do if we do find some sort of settlement?" asked Thera.
Naruto answered. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, I believe we should report our findings to Starfleet Command. Are there any further questions? If not, this meeting is adjourned."
…
POSTCRIPT:
*①: Captor mines -These are mines that mount and fire weapons rather than explode. They are not as common as standard exploding mines.
*②: Benecia Colony -This colony was referenced several times in TOS. See Memory Alpha and Memory Beta.
*③: Terra-Return League -See Memory Beta for further background. Most of it is described within the chapter.
This chapter focused on the space side of things aboard the Wolverine. There will be snippets of the family back on Earth from time to time, but we'll mainly be revolving around Naruto and the Think Tank for now. See you next time. Blue out. 12/8/24