SMSTSS 23: The Return of the Starblazer! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST, SW and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre, two-part story.
Special Note: The following is a brief timeline of events for clarification sake-
2161 CE: United Federation of Planets is formed, after the conclusion of the Earth-Romulus War. A "Hundred-Year Plan" is enacted to help unify all member planets on a gradual basis.
2162 CE: Out of revenge, Romulan agents seemingly kill war hero Ranma Saotome's wife and children. When that fails, the agents attempt to sabotage a goodwill tour conducted by newly-appointed Usagi Tsukino, by damaging a Stargate to Vulcan. Instead, Usagi, Ranma, Hoshi Sato of Earth and T'Pol of Vulcan are casted into an adventure that would take tens of thousands of years to recover. Ironically, the group would return only minutes after their initial departure.
2163 CE: Ranma joins the intelligence service "Section 31", initially as a means of getting revenge on those who had seemingly murdered his family. Meanwhile, Usagi signs up to work on the SS "Nostromo" as a "Yeoman", although her experiences enabled her to perform a variety of roles. Her ship encounters a xenomorphic lifeform on the planet LV-426 (located in the so-called "Uncharted Territories"). Save for Usagi and Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley, all hands are lost (including the Nostromo).
2170 CE: Usagi and Ellen's life pod is discovered by a salvage crew, and is quickly blamed for its destruction by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (a subsidiary of the Mishima Zaibatsu). Months later, wanting to clear their names, Usagi and Ellen accepts a special assignment to travel back to LV-426, with a contingent of UEA Space Marines, to investigate why the Company lost contact with its survey mission there. Accompanying the team, on the Sulaco, is company representative Edmund Burke and Section 31's Ranma Saotome (in disguise as Burke's executive assistant Miss Ranko Tendo). Later, it is learned that Weyland-Yutani knew about the xenomorphs, but hid this fact in order to capitalize the findings. Most of the team is killed, including Usagi Tsukino herself.
2176 CE: The survivors of the Sulaco crash land on the penal colony on Fiorina "Fury" 161. Unknown to all, a xenomorphic egg results in another alien encounter. Ranma defeats the drone alien with the help of the 8th Doctor, but fails to save Ellen, who was carrying Usagi's genetic code within her system; apparently, Usagi knew that she was going to die stopping the Alien Queen on LV-426, so she inserted her genetic code into Ellen in order to later clone a body. Unfortunately, Ellen dies on Fury as well, in an effort to destroy the xenomorphic queen as well.
2181 CE: A rogue laboratory group of Section 31 secretly clones both Ellen and Usagi, in order to recreate a xenomorphic clone of the alien queen. Meanwhile, Ranma infiltrates a mercenary group that is involved with the group, and rescues both Ellen and Usagi while helping to put an end of the group's illegal experiments. They all return to Earth, after the UEA "Auriga" crashes in Africa. Months later, Usagi and Ranma settles down as "high school students" in Buenos Aires, South America, to recuperate, only to be caught up in the Arachnid War. Ranma joins the Mobile Infantry while Usagi joins Fleet (as a pilot) within the Federal Service.
2184 CE: Returning to reserve status, Usagi and Ranma journey to the so-called "Uncharted Territory", to live on one of the underlying Federation colonies. An accident occurs in mid-transport, causing their transport, the SS "Hunter-Gratzner" crashes on a moon known as Hades, where a war of survival occurs. Meanwhile, Usagi meets with criminal thug Richard B. Riddick, where the pair finds camaraderie (much to Ranma's chagrin). After barely escaping the moon, Usagi, Ranma, Riddick, Iman Faisal al-Mustafa, Jacqueline (aka "Jack") and a handful of survivors, are captured by a band of mercenaries working for Madam Antonia Chillingsworth, where they fight for their lives. After escaping from Chillingsworth's ship, the SS "Dark Fury", the survivors crash on the planet Chikyuu. There, the pair adopts an orphaned, monkey-tailed boy named Goku, after getting married. Later, Usagi and Ranma becomes Federal Marshals while remaining in the military reserves.
2186 CE: During a trip back to Earth, Chikyuu's "Red Ribbon Army" sabotages the family ship, forcing the Saotomes to crash on the planet Jeegoo. There, they learn about Elemental Bending, while helping Jeegoo's chief protector, a young monk named Aang (known as "The Avatar").
2188 CE: Usagi (in disguised) and Ranma are recalled back to Federal Military Service to rescue a Trill named Captain VJ Dax, as well stop a heinous experiment, conducted by the Arachnids themselves, involving the melding of humanoid and Arachnid life to create infiltrators. Months later, while working as Federal Marshals, the pair searches out for Riddick in an effort to fight the threat of the Necromongers. Due to this adventure, a cure for Usagi's acidic blood is found.
2191 CE: Ranma and Usagi's adopted son, Son Goku gets married to Princess Chi-Chi, the daughter of the Ox King.
2192 CE: Redrafted back into the military, Ranma and Usagi finds the source of the Arachnids, the so-called "Bug God", and destroys it, after the daughter of T'Pol and Ranma (named Moria Saotome) is kidnapped by it (in an effort to learn UAE secrets). Later, Moira marries Brigadier Dix (a protégé of Ranma's).
2193-2194 CE: Usagi and Ranma get a chance to return home by working for the Federal Marshall Services as time traveling fugitive retrieval agents (aka "Project: Time Trax").
2196 CE: A family reunion takes place on Chikyuu, which is interrupted by the Saiyan invader named "Radditz", who reveals to all that Goku was an alien. Ranma and Goku die, but train in an alternate dimension known as "Other World" under the watch of King Kai. Meanwhile, Usagi and friend Bulma creates a booster serum that has unusual side-effects (essentially modifying Usagi's DNA into that of a "demi-Saiyajin".
2197 CE: The Prince of the Saiyans, Vegeta, and his partner Nappa, invade Chikyuu, but are defeated. Later, Goku, Ranma, Usag, Piccolo the Namek and the other Z Warriors take the fight to Frieza, an alien tyrant, on Piccolo's home planet of Namek. Goku and Usagi seemingly disappear when Namek is destroyed.
2198 CE: A mysterious time traveler named Trunks Briefs warns about the impending arrival of Dr. Gero and his killer Androids, just as Goku and Usagi return with a new technique: the Instant Transmission, with Usagi being able to become a "Super-Saiyan" the first time. Afterwards, Usagi trains with Ranma, between assignments, while sharing her technique with him.
2199 CE: Earth is attacked by a mysterious power from a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy cluster, using advanced hyper-dimensional "planetary bombs" to destroy the Earth. A special mission is inaugurated (called "Project: Starblazer") to find and neutralize the power, after a message is received in regards to this mysterious power from the same galaxy, where the attacks are coming from. Later, it turns out that this mysterious power, the Gamalons, attacked Earth based upon a self-fulfilling prophecy, that Gamalus would be destroyed by an ancient ship from Earth. That ship turns out to be the refurbished Japanese battleship "Yamato".
2201 CE: Dr. Gero and his Red Ribbon Army's "androids" wreck havoc on Chikyuu, although the Z Warriors were able to stop them (thanks to a time traveler who claimed to be the child of Vegeta and Bulma). Goku and his parents fake their deaths inorder to make sure that Chikyuu remain safe.
2203 CE: The UAE "Yamato" is destroyed while attempting to stop Earth's impending destruction at the hands of the water-world of Aquarius.
2210 CE: Ranma, Usagi and Goku return to Chikyuu based upon the actions of the alien wizard Babibdi, and on a direct request for assistance from the Supreme Kai, to prevent him from releasing a living weapon named Majin Buu. They failed to stop Buu, and Usagi and Buu briefly merge as "Sailor Buu". Sailor Buu is ultimately stopped, and everything is returned to normal.
2217 CE: The last of the so-called "Colonial Wars" (a war that ran both "hot" and "cold" since the early 21st century) ends with the defeat of the independent minded "Browncoats", followed by the banning of "mobile suits". Months later, Ranma and Usagi joins the crew of the SS "Serenity" as a cover to investigate UAE corruption within the colonies.
2220 CE: Grandson Gohan gets married, while Goku takes on a student named Ubuu (the reincarnation of Kid Buu). Both Ranma and Usagi participate in the 28th World Tournament (first started by Son Goku and family, when Piccolo, then a badguy, threatened the Earth).
2225 CE: Earth humanitarian fleet is attacked by an unknown fleet of ships, even as Earth Dome attempts to quietly relocate Earth's inhabitants while a cascading "Black Hole" approaches Earth. After the destruction of the second and third humanitarian fleet, Earth Dome reunites the crew of the Space Battleship Yamato to handle the crisis quietly.
2230 CE: After an old enemy wished for Goku, Ranma and Usagi to be children (to make it easy to defeat them), using Chikyuu's Dragonballs, Ranma and Usagi are reunited with the Z Warriors to solve the crisis, only to face great challenges, such as the menaces known as the Black Star Dragon, Baby, Super 17 and Shadow Dragon. In the end, both Goku (after merging with Shen Long) and "Usama" (a fusion of Usagi plus Ranma) become the first ever to achieve the previously impossible fifth Super-Saiyan level. Both entities take off to parts unknown, into the so-called "Uncharted Territories", where the pair would be known for their legendary exploits. They would not return to Chikyuu for a hundred years (done so in order to prevent future enemies from trying to claim the Dragon Balls).
2233 CE: A divergent point is created when a Romulan ship from the future arrives to intercept the Federation starship "Kelvin", which was returning from an exploration mission in the Uncharted Territories with Usagi and Ranma (as "hitchhikers"). In both the prime timeline and the alternate timeline, the legendary James Tiberius Kirk is born.
Author's Note: Hopefully, the timeline is clear. Now, we can begin the actual story. C&C are welcomed.
Part 1
2225 CE: Old Tokyo, Japan.
Ever since Usagi was cured of her acidic blood, thanks to Necromonger medical science, she has been enthusiastic about making love to her husband, Ranma, who obliged his wife. In previous years, Usagi had to be careful, and used special protective measures as a way of not hurting Ranma. There was the temptation of utilizing the Dragonballs to wish for a cure, but felt that wishing for such things was a selfish act. Thankfully, old family friend Dr. Bulma Briefs of Chikyuu learned how to use Necromonger medical science to help her friend. And now, it appears that the Moon Princess was making up for lost time…
"That was wonderful," Usagi cooed, as she cuddles her husband.
"Yeah, maybe for YOU, but even I have my limits," Ranma said with a smirk.
"You're not saying that you didn't…like it?" Usagi asked, as she faced Ranma.
"I'm not saying that. I am saying that I have my limits."
"Ah."
"At any rate, I got to get to work," Ranma said, as he pulled himself away from his wife. "I plan on accepting that job offer.
"So, the great Ranma Saotome has decided to be a physical education teacher for Furinkan High School?"
"Hey, sometimes one has to give back to the community, especially since that one's WIFE once to be a homemaker, and all."
"Ranma, I want to start having children, okay?" Usagi said. "Why do you think we did all…this for?"
"Because of my awesome good looks, that's why?"
"Okay, THAT is true, but I really want to have kids."
"Well, make sure to have NORMAL kids, and not the kind that comes out of egg sacs or burst out of one's chest."
"Oooh!" Usagi said, as she threw a pillow at her husband.
"Ha, you missed," Ranma said, as ducks, before he sticks out his tongue. "Nyah-!"
Just then, the couple hears their front door's ringer.
"Huh," Ranma said, as he gets up. "I wonder what THAT could be…"
"Hopefully it's nothing that we did," Usagi said, as she gets up out of bed. "Go see what they want."
"Humph," Ranma said, as he pulls up his sweat pants, before putting on his robes…
"Yes?" Ranma said, as he opens the door. Waiting on the front porch was two representatives of United Earth Space Probe Agency (UESPA) and United Earth Force (UEF), two branches of the United Earth Alliance's "Earth Dome". Although the United Federation of Planets was created to represent all member planets, some worlds, such as Earth, still had their own agendas. The creation of Starfleet in 2161 CE, formed to handle joint operations, was a step towards having a unified command…
"Sorry to disturb you, but you are needed," said the man dressed in black.
"It isn't 'Section 31' stuff, is it?" Ranma asked.
"That is on a need to know, sir," said the second man who was dressed in black.
Ranma rolls his eyes.
"What's going on?" Usagi said, as she stood by her husband's side.
"Company business," Ranma said.
"Well, you have fun, now-"
"Actually, you're needed as well, ma'am," said the first man dressed in black.
"Oh?"
Forty-five minutes, in a secret location in Crystal Tokyo…
Ranma and Usagi sat quietly, as they watched telemetry of an unknown fleet of non-Terran extraction, attacks a fleet of Earth ships. And then, the recorded feed ends in black.
"That's what we know for sure, Ranma," said Dr. Sandor, as he ends the recording.
"Wait," Ranma said. "Why hasn't this been publicized?"
"Because, of this," Admiral Nabiki Kuno (aka "N") said, as she brings up another video feed. Nabiki was the head of "Section 31", the Federation's premier (an autonomous) intelligence agency. Over the years, Nabiki has been working to transfer oversight from EarthDome to the Federation Security Council, with much success…
"We have been secretly been moving Earth's citizens using all kinds of gimmicks to new worlds," Nabiki said. "And the reason why is because of this Black Hall phenomenon…"
A video feed of a worm-like energy field is seen expanding from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, destroying planets and stars in its path.
"'Black Hall'?" Usagi asked.
"A Black Hall, unlike a Black Hole, is an expanding tunnel with the properties of a Black Hole," Dr. Sandor said. "Unfortunately, we predict that it will engulf Earth within a week's time."
"What's being done?"
"We've been moving people off-world as quickly as possible," Nabiki said. "In fact, we had been moving 300 million people to the new colonies, until this alien attack occurred."
"The last two refugee fleets have been destroyed, along with the escorts," Dr. Sandor said with a sigh. "It was only with the destruction of the last refugee fleet that we were able to discover the culprit."
"So, what's being done now?" Ranma asked.
"We decided to bring the 'Yamato' back into commission, using the cover of bringing back the ship as a 'museum' vessel, so that it can escort the next wave of refugee ships," Nabiki said.
"Who's taking command?"
"We've elected to have Captain Wildstar take the helm, since his commission is presently active," Dr. Sandor said. "No offense."
"None taking..."
"What about us?" Usagi asked.
"Your job is to determine the origin of the alien fleet, and to see if the Black Hall phenomenon is related," Nabiki said.
"You think that thing is related?" Ranma asked.
"Maybe, maybe not, but I find it strange that Earth is being attacked while it is facing impending doom. And if there is no correlation, we still need to know why are being attacked."
"Good point."
Tbc.
Next Time: The old crew of the Space Battleship "Yamato" reunite, just as a new enemy renews its unprovoked attack on Earth's humanitarian fleet...while certain doom arrives to destroy the Earth! Meanwhile, Usagi learns that she is pregnant. Unfortunately, she will have to make a heart-breaking choice between ship and crew...and her baby! See you then...