Star Trek: Ranma's Chronicles 1 – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: Ranma ½, Star Trek, Sailor Moon and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: This is a sequel to "Star Trek: Ranma's Story".
Arthur's note: I wanted to start fresh, so that is why I'm creating a new story. Furthermore, just to keep track of things, I will provide a section, called "Temporal Nexus Alert", that will map out what has unfolded as this story progress. This will allow me to keep track Ranma Saotome's "adventures". And no, this is not to artificially inflate my pages/word count. Hopefully, no one will be confused THIS time with THIS particular story.
I hope...
Chapter 1: "Behind the Fellowship".
Space IS the final frontier...and HE is smack dab in the middle of it!
These are the adventures of Ranma Saotome.
He is both an officer...and a gentlemen.
He is a family man...and staunch ally.
And all Ranma wants to be is the best martial artist who has ever lived...but with STYLE.
Fall, 2374 CE: "El Capitan", Yosemite National Park (Earth Sector).
(A/N: Imagine the CD sound-track from the movie"Mission: Impossible 2" playing in the background...)
On the rocky facing of "El Capitan", a lone figure is performing "free-style" rock climbing.
That figure was Starfleet Commander Ranma Saotome, formerly of the late Federation starship Enterprise-D.
Sometime ago, the Enterprise-D, was assigned to investigate reports of Romulan activity near the Veridian Sector. It turned out to be something much larger, and potentially dangerous, which involved time, space and everything in between...and beyond. However strange the adventure, the in result was the destruction of his ship, the discover of the wish-fulfilling "Nexus Zone" and the return of the legendary (and personal friend) Starfleet Captain James T. Kirk of Earth. Speaking of whom, with his return, Kirk is contemplating on his future. One-hundred years before his disappearance into the Nexus, Kirk was on the verge of retirement. Now that he has returned, it remains to be seen if he would stay in retirement, especially with so much time and circumstance has occurred. Starfleet Admiral Nacheyev, of Starfleet Operations, had offered Kirk a chance to be the next Commandant at the Starfleet Academy, or resume his duties as a starship captain, as the captain of the USS Serenity (Starfleet Counselor Usagi Tsukino's old ship). For now, Kirk was simply glad to have returned from the proverbial "dead".
As for Ranma himself, he wasn't sure WHAT he wanted to do. He is lending his expertise on the construction of the Enterprise-E, a member of the more powerful "Sovereign-class" starship, though, for the most part, his friend Starfleet Chief Engineer Geordie LaForge is conducting the operational duties of the building of the ship. He could resume his duties as an instructor at Starfleet's Tactical Operations School, or take some time off to focus solely on his duties as "Green Lantern" (since senior Green Lantern Hal Jordan has retired from his patrol as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814...which includes the entire Milky Way Galaxy). It was still weird that his sponsored Oan Guardian Lianna had returned home with his daughter Aikiko for good, until he and her mother Usagi are more settled in their respective careers. Lianna was a friend of the family, to be sure, the Oan feelings for Ranma was more than just a friend. At one point, she had challenged Usagi for the right to be with Ranma in combat. Knowing that such a battle could be a serious affair, Usagi accepted the challenge. Lianna then took the fight to the very harsh "Sector 3600", which was basically the corpse of a sentient section of the universe. In the end, the fight became a contest between the irresistible force versus the unmovable object.
In other words, in spite of the literal rendering planets, stars and other celestial bodies, the fight was a stalemate.
However, in spite of Lianna's actions, neither Usagi nor Ranma held her actions against her. In fact, they still trusted the Oan with the welfare of their daughter. Besides, at this point in their lives, neither one were particularly opposed to the idea of Lianna being with Ranma, since, from their experience, things...happen. And, technically, because Ranma was of Juraian descent (vis-a-vis her mother Nodoka's family, the Masaki clan), he is entitled to a second wife...something that both Ranma AND Usagi was trying to come to terms with. So, for now, Lianna is still a member of the Saotome clan, and has gone so far as to become their daughter's "official" nanny, and is looking after her on Oa.
Speaking of Usagi, his wife, she has continued her duties as "Counselor" aboard DS9. Ever since she chose her new assignment, mostly to keep her step-granddaughter Keiko Saotome-O'Brien (a civilian botanist and herbalist) and her daughter Molly company, while Keiko's husband Chief Miles O'Brien took up his duties as Operations Director at the station, Usagi was free to be HERSELF for a change. Lianna is taking care of Aikiko, and Ranma is taking care of himself, so that allowed Usagi the luxury to focus on her personal needs for a change.
As Ranma pulled himself to the top of the mountain, he observed all that he surveyed. It was hard to believe that he was so sated about his desires. He was an accomplished martial artist. He was a family man. He has a stellar career in a peacekeeping and exploration space organization, not to mention being a "space knight" as a member of the Green Lantern Corp.
So, why does he feel so...off?
"Perhaps you need a 'roll-in-the-hay' with that wife of yours?" said a voice.
Even without his "aura sense", Ranma knew who was the owner of the voice.
"Q", Ranma smirked, as he plopped down onto the ground, and stretched his limbs. "What brings you by THIS time?"
Q, who was dressed as a typical hiker,squats close to the pig-tailed martial artist.
"Oh, I wanted to cheer you up," the entity replied.
Ranma gives Q "The Look".
"Right," Q says, as he makes himself comfortable. "Two things. One, I want to check up on my 'son-in-law'-"
"Gah, don't remind me," Ranma snorted, as he recalled the fact that Usagi, back during the days of the Silver Millennium, was sired by Q...when he was trapped in the body of an Earth man named "Joxer" of ancient Greece; he was being punished by the Q Continuum for some perceived offense. At any rate, during an adventure on Earth, a young Serenity took a fancy of the bumbling idiot and...well...Princess Serenity was the result. This does explain why energy augmentation and manipulation comes easily to the Moon Princess. And why Q has been a particular nuisance to Ranma.
"Yes, I, too, feel your pain. Anyway, I wanted to check up on you, because if YOU aren't happy, Usagi's not. Understood?"
"Whatever. Look, I'm fine, okay?"
"Suuure. But, I won't push it. I mean, you've gotten over worst funks, right? Like...when you defeated the Ainur "Sauron the Dark" for example."
"Well...it was NOT easy, after all the crap me, Usagi and the others went through..."
FLASHBACK!
Eregion, Middle Earth.
In the waning days of the Third Age, the dark legions of Lord Sauron of Mordor roams the land in search for the One Ring. With the departure of the Elves to the "Western Lands", very few champions of Light remain on Middle Earth. As a result, the influence of Sauron grows ever stronger. The betrayer Saruman the White seeks to please his dark master by sending the enemies of Light against both the Fellowship and those who seek to assist them. Only time will tell if Lord Ranma of the Sun, Lady Usagi of the Moon, Lady Hoshi of the Earth and Lady T'Pol of the Forge are up to the task in surviving these dark times.
May the Blessed One smile upon their journey...
(A/N: To keep score, the LOTR stuff takes place immediately before the Age of Heroes, which is the time of the legendary Hercules and Xena.)
The Ranger Ranma Saotome and his companion the Bard Hoshi Sato had come up from Gondor, after being summoned by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey. Gandalf, a teacher and mentor to the Sorcerer Usagi Tsukino, seeks to have a "Plan B" ready in case something occurs to cause the Fellowship of the Ring to Fall. On a side note, Ranma and the crew of the Serenity have been on Middle Earth on two separate occasions. The first time was over 100 years ago, when the Hobbit Bilbo first discovered the One Ring; the second time was when Gandalf had summoned them (while the Serenity was in mid-transit in the Rifts). At this moment, Ranma and Hoshi were to meet up with the Scout T'Pol at the soon-to-be abandoned Eregion Elven Outpost. If all goes well, then they were to catch up with the Fellowship near the planes of Rohan.
If they get past the two Ringwraiths that are searching for the possessor of the One Ring.
"You shall not pass..." said the lead 'Wraith, whose voice was that of a cold breeze. Both he and his companion were cloaked in black garb, and possessed a skeletal aura about them.
Ranma and Hoshi looked at each other, and nods.
Ranma was dressed in woodman's clothing, as did many Rangers of Dunedain. He took out his bow and arrow, notched four arrows from his quiver, and let off a volley that struck home.
"ARRGH!" the two screeched, as they stumbled backwards.
Hoshi took out her lyre, and began to pluck a few chords...
TWANG!
The effect created a shock wave that sent the 'Wraiths sprawling onto the ground. Still, this did not stop the servants of Sauron from moving into Ranma and Hoshi's presence for the kill. Just as they were about land a strike, successful or not-
CLANG!
-Elven steel blocked the attack.
"BEGONE," T'pol said, as she raised her sword in the air. A blast of water, shaped like a stampede of stallions, came through the area...and swept the 'Wraiths out of the valley.
"SCREEEEEE-!"
"Hey!" Ranma said, as he puts away his bow. "I could have taken care of them!"
"True, but we do not have time for your showmanship," T'Pol says flatly.
"I thought that we were to meet you at the safe house?" Hoshi asked.
"There is an incursion of Orcs in this area," T'pol says. She was dressed in red elven clothes that indicated her status as a Scout, while her long hair was tied in a ponytail. "I need your assistance in dealing with them."
"Maybe you can BORE them to death with your poetry," Ranma smirked. "I feel like killing myself after listening to one of your poems..."
"Guys?" Hoshi interjected.
T'Pol merely shakes her head.
A short time later, Ranma and his companions arrived at the safehouse, where they got new supplies. Soon, they reach higher elevation, where they notice the signs of snow. They had made it to the Eregion Ridge.
"You need anything?" Ranma said, as he puts on a heavy clock on from his pocket dimension.
"I'm fine," T'Pol says, as she covers herself.
That's when they were attacked by "worgs", who were huge, pig-like cats. They are very nasty creatures to deal with.
Unfortunately, they were just catlike enough to affect Ranma's performance.
"GAH!" Ranma said, as he tried to take aim with his bow. "I can't...I can't do this!"
Hoshi takes out her lyre, and plays a soothing song, which calms Ranma down just long enough to make a successful shot.
Meanwhile, T'Pol takes out her elven blade to perform a successful strike.
CHOK!
Unfortunately, she got caught by the claw of another worg.
"Ah!"
"T'Pol!" Ranma cried out, as he summoned his courage to finish off the creature.
"T'Pol, are you okay?" Ranma said, as he threw down his weapon to check up on his friend.
That's when he noticed something odd about T'Pol.
Now, Ranma knew that T'Pol pried herself on her athletic body. So, seeing a slight bulge in her belly clued Ranma on what was the matter with his friend. And since he and she had gotten together recently, to help T'Pol in her "time of need", there was only one logical conclusion he could come up with.
"Um, T'Pol, are you...?"
"Yes, Ranma," T'Pol replied. "I...am."
Ranma nearly fainted.
"Congratulations!" Hoshi says, as she moved to comfort her companion.
"Thank you," T'Pol replied, as she got up. She then looked at Ranma. "I am sorry that I did not tell you sooner, Ranma."
Ranma stood up.
"T'Pol, I don't want you on this mission! It's dangerous for you and...well...you know..."
"Ranma, I would not be here if Lord Sauron and Saruman the White did not make their move in the here and now. My daughter Galadriel needs me to ensure that the Fellowship succeeds."
"Gal-chan...talked you into doing this?"
"No, Ranma, I talked her into letting me on this mission because of the importance of the Fellowship."
Ranma sighed.
"Fine, but I'll take the lead, okay?"
T'Pol simply looks at Ranma with an expectant look.
"Alright, WITH your input."
"I appreciate that, Ranma. In spite of my child's human heritage, he or she should be proud of you...nevertheless."
"Hey!"
"Guys?"
"You are right, Hoshi. Let us not tarry, for we need to meet our contact at the Temple of Light..."
Soon, the trio arrive at the elven "Temple of Light", where they see a bevy of orcs fighting a lone person...
Ranma sees a clocked figure near the alter of the temple, itself in a state of ruin. Apparently, the person was trying to protect an Elven light stone.
"Call Lightning!"
BOOM!
A lightning bolt strikes two of the orcs.
Ranma then let loose a flurry of arrows on the rest of them, wounding them in the process.
Hoshi began to play her lyre, which caused vines to sprout out of the ground. These vines restricted the remaining orcs' movements, allowing the hooded figure full access to their necks.
SLICE!
"Nice," the hooded figure said simply, as she cleaved the last Orc. She then whipped Orc blood off her sword, an Atlantean Rune Sword named "Mars", and lowered her hood.
It was Usagi.
"About time you guys showed up," she said, as she stabbed the stone ground with her sword. "I was getting bored with dealing with these- T'Pol! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Usagi," T'Pol said, as she sat down. "Have the Elven Shards been secured?"
"Got 'em right here," Usagi replied, indicating her treasure bag. "I explored these ruins while waiting for you all."
"Wait, you were here by yourself?" Ranma asked. "And how did you know about T'Pol's...unknown...that?"
"It's a female thing. Oh! That's right. You've should've known at least HALF the time. WATER BURST."
SPLASH!
"Why you-!" Ranma-chan began, as she wiped away the excess water from her brow.
"As amusing as these antics are," T'Pol began, as she got up, "we have to catch up with Lord Gandalf and the others."
"Yeah," Ranma-chan said, as she checked her weapons and gear. "I was sent to retrieve Hoshi from Gondor, while you accompanied the Fellowship up until you all reach the foot of Moira. Here, you are to wait for US."
"Indeed," Usagi said. "Oh, Gandalf-sensei told me to give this you..."
Usagi gave Ranma-chan a scroll with Gandalf's mark.
"He told me to tell you that by reading the words on the scroll, you will hear his thoughts on what we are about to face."
"Telepathy?"
"More like a...travel-log. The spell is suppose to guide your action, as we head deep into...Moira."
There was a sense of dread emitting from Usagi.
"What?"
"From what Gandalf-sensei has told me, we may be in a lot of trouble."
Ranma-chan nods, understanding what Usagi means. So, with that in mind, she opened the scrolls. As Ranma-chan read the words on the scroll, something popped into her brain...
TING!
Lord Ranma of the Sun, if you are hearing my voice, then you have arrived at the old Temple of Light, and that my apprentice, Lady Usagi of the Moon, has given you the "Scroll of Afterthought". This is good, for you will need to hear my counsel, as you and your companions travel to the forgotten realm of the Dwarves. Heed my counsel when appropriate, for, in spite of your great strength, there are dark forces that Man need not face. However, your friend and mentor, "The Strider", has great, and it was his counsel that gives me faith in your abilities as a man amongst men...in spite of your abilities to be a fair maiden at least half the time.
Tbc.
Next time: "In Darkness and in Fire".