TRTSS6: The Termination Agenda! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: None of the principle characters and situations belongs to me.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 1
When one thinks of "Time", most sentient beings would consider "Time" as a linear construct: from point "A" to point "B", from the past, through the present, and into the future. Certainly, no one would consider the possibility of moving in the reverse direction. However, those in the know like one Ranma Saotome, were unperturbed about this fact. For one, Ranma was a believer in infinite possibilities. For another, Ranma has earned the skill of manipulating Time to great effect, having learned how from many a master. And it is because of this, that the story of one John Connor, the future leader of the Human Resistance Movement of a possible timeline, begins…
August 4, 2029: "Skynet" (Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado).
With the battle raging above, tactical command (or "Tac-Com") sends a crack commando team to this closed-off section of the complex…
"Sir, are you sure that the artifact is here?" asked Sgt. Kyle Reese, as he and Colonel Ranma Saotome ran down a corridor that had not been used in years.
"It should be," Ranma says, as he kept his pace. If I recall, the transmat system went out, when Skynet initiated the missile strike. If we can secure the artifact, we'll be able to call upon our allies."
"Will they be human?"
"Yeah, I hope…"
"You WHAT?"
Soon, the pair arrives at their destination.
THUNK!
Ranma kicks out the screen that leads to the receiving area of the-
"Is…is that the 'Stargate', sir?" Kyle asked, as he takes in the full scope of the alien construct.
"Yep," Ranma says, as he sets his equipment bag. "When Skynet began its attack, many of the personnel that worked for the Stargate Project left Earth through this ring, after sealing this section off."
"They abandoned us?"
"Kyle, you can't blame people for being caught up in the confusion of the attack. And besides, thanks to their actions, Earth will have a chance to recover a lot faster than what is expected of it."
"Huh. So, what's next?"
"We teleport this baby to back to HQ. But I'm going to need your help to both re-establish the power-couplers while preparing it for transmat."
"Huh?"
"In other words, we plug this thing back in."
"Oh."
"Let's get started…"
As Ranma and Kyle begin their operations, Ranma's mind wonders back in time a bit. It was while he and his wife Usagi were "lost in space", when SkyNet, a tactical defense system went sentient…before going 'nuts'. From what Usagi could later find out, one of her Technocratic Union "conventions", called "Iteration X", had allowed the Machine God "Daedalus" to enter Earth realm, by merging with SkyNet. Fearing Usagi's possible response, SkyNet initiated a pre-emptive strike nearly a month later, after taking advantage of Usagi's extended absence. Thus, the War of the Machines took place, earlier than anticipated.
Behind the scenes, Ranma and Usagi worked to set the stage for a major strike against SkyNet. Ranma returned to Earth immediately, to help with the formation of the Resistance, which fell under the leadership of John Connor. Usagi role was to secure allies amongst the stars, as well as take in refugees who managed to escape the human holocaust. Ultimately, this was humanity's fight to win, which is why, once the war was over, Usagi's operations were primed to deliver relief to a battered world. Hence, it was necessary to secure the Stargate, before Cheyenne Mountain was leveled.
CHOOM!
With the Stargate active, the iris began to spin…
"Good," Ranma says, as he breathed a sigh of relief. "It'll be a little bit before there is enough juice to begin the transmat process-"
THOOM!
Ranma and Kyle turn towards the source of the sound.
"What the hell was that?" Kyle asked.
"The power surge must have alerted SkyNet to our presence," Ranma says. He then turns to Kyle, while taking out a notepad from his vest pocket.
"You're going to input the launch sequence," Ranma says, as he hands over the pad to Kyle. "Follow the instructions exactly."
"But what about you?"
"Our lives are not as important as securing this 'gate," Ranma says, as he points to the spinning gate. "If SkyNet gets this, will be in a bigger mess of trouble. I'll do my best to hold them off."
"Yes, sir," Kyle says, as he turns. "And sir?"
"Yes?"
"Good luck."
Ranma smiles.
"You, too, Reese."
And with that, Kyle goes to the control center, to begin his input.
Meanwhile, Ranma gets behind a blast shield, while taking out an EMP gun.
"Okay, let's see if this thing works," Ranma says to himself, as he activates his weapon.
CHK!
Hummmm…
Ranma takes aim, as he waits for the "HKs" (or "hunter-killers"). Those HKs that have been wrapped in synthetic flesh are commonly known as "Terminators". And true to their reputations, they begin to march into the receiving bay of the Stargate chamber.
"Here ya go…you bucket of bolts!" Ranma yells, as he discharges his weapon.
ZAAAARRRRK-!
As the HKs fell like tin soldiers, Ranma was comforted by the fact that he gave Kyle the distraction that he needed. And thanks to his EMP gun, Ranma will buy Kyle enough time to-
BANG!
CRASH!
"Ah-!"
"KYLE!" Ranma yells, as he sees a Terminator in the control room. It must have been a newer model, since it recognized Ranma's tactical advantage.
The Terminator in the control booth smiles, as he takes aim with his pulse rifle.
CHOOM! CHOOM! CHOOM-!
Ranma dodges the attack easy enough, rolls, and takes aim at the Terminator.
ZAAAAAARRRRRK-!
With the Terminator down, Ranma immediately goes up to the control room, as sees a prone Kyle. He then turns to see that the transmat was primed. Seeing no other choice, Ranma choice to finish Kyle's work.
SWIP!
And the Stargate…was gone.
"Kyle, hang on," Ranma says, as he picks up Kyle into his arms, just as more HKs began to fill the control room. He then turns towards his mechanical enemy.
"Not today," Ranma says, before turning into the opposite direction…just as HKs began discharging their weapons.
RATATATATATATATATAT-!
Thankfully, Ranma's knowledge of the complex was even more extensive than SkyNet's. Thus, Ranma made his escape. However, the escape was not without cost…
A few days later…
Ranma waited in General Connor's office, while he looked at the picture of Sarah Connor…John's mother. For some reason, John insisted upon giving him the picture.
And then, the door to Connor's office opens up.
"Sir," Ranma says, as he gets up. Filing into the room was John, Usagi, Ryouma—a reprogrammed Terminator that was created based attempt to use combined genetic traits of Ranma and fellow Resistance member Ryouga Hibiki—Cameron—another reprogrammed Terminator—and Setsuna Meioh.
"At ease," John says. "We've come to a decision that will correct what shouldn't have happened."
"How so?"
"Have you heard of the 'grandfather clause' in temporal mechanics?" Setsuna asked.
"Yeah, I have. What of it?"
Setsuna turns towards John, who nods his head. She then turns to look back at Ranma.
"Kyle Reese is the father of General Connor."
"Huh. Let me guess: was Sergeant Reese suppose to have gone back in time at one point in the future?"
"Correct."
"And without that, General Connor won't be born."
"Correct."
"Then…how can we correct this flaw? Send me back a few days ago?"
"Actually, I came up with a plan that is…unusual," Usagi says.
"Huh?"
"I'm going to beat around the bush," John says. "As crude as this may sound, I want you to fulfill Reese's role."
"As what?"
John sighs.
"As my new…FATHER."
"What?" Ranma yells.
"Some time ago, some of my…past associates were able create a carrier DNA strand, that could be attached to a host DNA structure," Usagi says. "As of now, even if you managed to 'hook-up' with John's mother, as is, he still wouldn't exist. Plus, the genetic variations wouldn't guarantee it. So, I can have you possess Kyle's DNA as a carrier."
"In other words, I have…'relations', but the Kyle would still be the father, after the fact."
"Correct."
"But why me? Why not use Derek?"
"Derek…can't," John says. "And that's all I have to say."
Ranma sighs. He then turns towards Usagi.
"Are you fine with this arrangement?"
"Ranma, if it means saving the world, then yes…I am," Usagi says. "But I have to warn you: I've never done this before, and I don't know if there will be side-effects."
"Great…"
"General Connor, if this operation is a go, then we have to hurry," Setsuna says. "I don't know how long I can protect this timeline from an obvious paradox."
"If nothing else, then this meeting is adjourned," John says.
Ranma sighs. He hates solving temporal paradoxes just as bad as time traveling. Still, at least he can make sure that the right elements are secured for the hope of the future…
August 4, 1984: Downtown Las Angeles, California.
In a back alley behind a department store, electricity suddenly flashed and arced. A silvery ball suddenly appears and expands, dissolving anything that it touches…
FLASH!
POP!
When the smoke cleared, Ranma stood up…and nearly fell backwards.
"Whoa," Ranma says, as he steadies himself. He wasn't sure if it was the gene therapy or the time traveling that was making him nauseous…
"Ah, hell," Ranma says to himself, as he realizes that he was nude. "I better find some clothes or something…"
And off into the night Ranma goes.
Ten minutes later, a second silvery sphere suddenly appears…
FLASH!
POP!
When the smoke cleared, Ranma-onna stood up…and nearly fell backwards.
"Whoa," Ranma-onna says, as she steadies herself. She wasn't sure if it was the gene therapy or the time traveling that was making her nauseous…
"Ah, hell," Ranma-onna says to herself, as she realizes that she was nude. "How did I become a girl? Feh, I better find some clothes or something…"
And off into the night Ranma-onna goes.
Tbc.
Author's note: I'm not going to spend too much time on "The Terminator" movies, since I want to catch up on the TV series of "The Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles". See you next time.