TRT 8: The Ranma Trek Renaissance! – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Special Note: This series takes place during "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

Author's Note: While auditing the "The Ranma Trek" series, I realized that the "Next Generation" saga hasn't been dealt with properly. Meaning, other than the Next Gen movies, and a few Next Generation episodes (such as "Best of Both Worlds", featuring the Borg, and "Unification", featuring the Romulans), the majority of the Next Generation has been given the short attention. Color me embarrassed. So, here's the plan: those incidents that have been covered already will be mentioned, while those that haven't will be elaborated upon. I will try my best to footnote which story has the details that will only be mentioned in this story. Hopefully, some of you long-term readers will point out my inconsistencies that will surely pop-up from time to time. As always, C&C are welcomed. And, now, let's begin…


Part One


The year was 2364 CE, Earth Standard Time, when Ranma Saotome and his wife Usagi Tsukino Saotome, were selected to join the crew of the United Federation of Planet's newest flagship, the NCC-1701-D USS "Enterprise", heralding a new era of space exploration and the human condition. The irony was that this couple was seen as "throwbacks" to an era when gunboat diplomacy was the norm, and scientific pursuits were complimentary. However, there were those within Starfleet who felt that the Federation will need people like the Saotomes to help guide today's Starfleet officers in dealing with the unknown. It did help that this couple did know the command crew personally, which should make operations aboard the Galaxy-class ship run smoothly. Still, the Saotomes themselves were not amused with their assignment, having to deal with being parents again to their young child, a four-year old daughter named "Aikiko". In fact, even after getting new commissions, the Saotomes had elected to stay planet-side until their daughter was old enough to attend boarding school. However, it took the advice of an old friend to get them to accept the assignment…

Azabuu Juuban Ward: Tokyo, Japan.

"Oh, Spock, you're here," Usagi said in surprise, as she let in her old friend into the house. "Come in…"

Federation Ambassador-at-Large Spock enters the Saotome house wearing the equivalent of a Vulcan smile on his face.

"It's been a long time," Usagi said, as she closes the door behind Spock.

"It has," Spock replied with a nod. "Where's Saotome?"

"He's playing with Aikiko out back, Spock," Usagi replied. "How's T'Sara and Tho'Ohki doing?"

T'Sara, Usagi and Spock's daughter, was the planet Vulcan's ambassador to the Federation. Tho-Ohki was a pet cabbit (i.e. a rabbit and a cat amalgam) that could transform from a humanoid to a Mech-Suit to a spaceship. Tho-Ohki's previous owner had been Usagi, until Usagi felt that T'Sara needed someone to keep her company. Thus, Tho-Ohki's ownership changed hands…

"They are doing fine, thank you," Spock said. "I'll be sure to let them know how you feel about them."

"I wish I could spend time away from Starfleet stuff," Usagi said with a sigh. "Between becoming a new mother again and completing the course work for retraining at Starfleet Academy, I've been swamped."

"You did not need to sacrifice your commission, Usagi," Spock said.

"Well, it was a price to pay in order to rejoin Starfleet," Usagi said with a shrug. "Besides, I think Ranma likes having fewer responsibilities that comes with the demotion. And, we can keep a low profile in the process."

"As always, the choices you and Ranma make tend to be illogical, albeit understandable."

"So, why are you here?" said a familiar voice.

Spock and Usagi turn to see Ranma holding his young daughter Aikiko in his arms. They both appear to be dressed in martial arts training outfits…

"I see that you are passing on the knowledge of your martial arts: the Musabetsu Kakuto," Spock said.

"Why wouldn't I?" Ranma said with a shrug, as he puts down his daughter. He then turns towards her.

"What do you say when you meet new people, Aikiko?" Ranma asked.

The little girl nods her head, and turns to face the aged Vulcan.

"Hello," Aikiko said, as she attempted to form a Vulcan gesture to greet the ambassador.

"Hello," Spock said, as he replied likewise.

"Hon, how were your exercises?" Usagi said, as she knells to straighten Aikiko's clothing.

"It was fun!" Aikiko said with an enthusiastic nod.

"Great! Now, I want you to go to your room, so your father and I can discuss business with Ambassador Spock."

"Okay, Mommy," Aikiko said, as she looks at Spock with hesitation…

"It's okay, kiddo," Ranma said with a broad smile. "Do what your mother has told you."

Aikiko nods her head, and then runs towards her room.

"Your daughter is very perceptive," Spock said.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Ranma said.

"I am here to formally ask you to accept your assignment aboard the USS 'Enterprise-D'."

"We…haven't made a decision on that, Spock," Usagi said. "It wasn't that long ago that I returned to Earth after spending a number of years as a Drow princess…"

To make her point, Usagi does away her glamour spell, revealing her true appearance: that of a Drow elf. Drow elves were gray to black-skinned elves with white hair, pointy ears and red eyes, and they were skilled in the Dark Arts, such as necromancers, and death dealing. Between the time of her extended stay on Romulus and her return to Earth, Usagi had ended up back in the past on Middle Earth, and under the care of the Drow, the worshipers of Llolth the Spider Queen. In fact, it was Lolth herself sought to use the Moon Princess as a vessel of her will, starting with changing Usagi's form into that of the Drow. However, Lloth incorrectly assumed that Usagi was an easy victim of her machinations, and had the tables turned on the Drow goddess. As a result, Usagi became "Usagi-Lloth", the goddess of the Drow. It was only fairly recent that Usagi gathered the courage to return home, in spite of her changed appearance. And, thankfully, Usagi developed the rote to revert back to her normal appearance, even if it is for a short time…

"This is ME, Spock," Usagi-Lloth said. "Do you think I should go out there looking like this?"

"Well, if I may give you some solace, I do like your ears," Spock said with a smirk.

"Ha, ha," Usagi-Lolth said. "Very funny."

"Spock, you do know we have a daughter to raise now?" Ranma said.

"Which is why I recommended you and Usagi to be posted on board the Enterprise-D," Spock said. "The Galaxy-class starship is made for long-term exploration missions, and is designed with families in mind."

Pause.

"But more precisely, the Federation will need some of us 'veterans' to ensure that the next generation of Starfleet officers is prepared to face what lies out there."

"I don't, Spock," Usagi-Lloth said, as she reverts back to normal. "I spent twenty years away from home, mostly on Romulus."

Pause.

"I don't know if I could leave home again so soon, which is why I specifically requested a planet-side assignment."

"Not to change the subject, but what are your plans, Spock?" Ranma asked.

"Based upon Usagi's experiences, I feel that unification between Vulcans and Romulans is more possible than ever."

"Spock, I would not recommend such a thing, especially since Romulus is going through some political transition at the moment."

"Then, that is the best route to take, when Romulus is in a state of change."

"You're such a dreamer, Spock."

"Vulcans do not dream," Spock said.

"You're half-Vulcan, Spock."

"Touché."

"So, if we do take this assignment, who will be the commanding officer?" Ranma asked. "I didn't stick around Utopia Planetia to find out, after I participated in the Enterprise-D's warp tests."

Utopia Planetia was the main shipyards for the construction of the Federation's starships. Ranma had been assigned there as part of his academic program…

"The next commanding officer of the Enterprise-D will be Captain Jean-Luc Picard," Spock said, hands Ranma a personal access data device (PADD) from his shoulder bag. "You find the rest o the crew manifest."

"I heard of Jean-Luc Picard," Usagi said, as Ranma scrolled the list of crewmembers for the Enterprise-D assignment. "Wasn't he court-martialed for the lost of the USS Stargazer, before being exonerated?"

"Yep," Ranma replied. "I was his flight instructor decades ago, in fact. Later, I saw Picard again after one of his officers had died during a Cardassian ambush."

"Oh?" Spock said.

"Yeah, it was, well, 'black ops' stuff."

"Ah," Spock replied, as he shook his head in reply. "Apparently, he remembered you, Ranma, since he specifically requested you to serve aboard his ship," Spock said. "Furthermore, knowing that you have a family, he also requested Usagi to serve with you."

"Package deal, eh?"

"Correct."

"Usagi, the decision is yours to make," Ranma said, as he turns towards his wife. "Ultimately, no matter where we are posted, we'll be together."

"But it'll be only us."

"Actually, William, Geordie, Deanna and Keiko will be serving on board as well," Ranma said, as he hands the PADD over to Usagi for examination. "See for yourself."

"So, that's what Keiko was saying, when she said she was going to be posted on a ship as a civilian," Usagi replied, referring to Ranma's great-granddaughter Keiko Isikawa, the granddaughter of Ranmak of Amerind Prime and Demora Sulu.

"Oh, I see."

"As you see, you will have familiar faces on hand to help you adapt," Spock said. "That is, if you are willing to commit to your new assignment."

"I see. Well, I guess I shouldn't turn down an opportunity like this," Usagi said. "Very well, Spock. I will accept the assignment, as long as you promise me that you will be careful on yours."

"That would be the most logical means of resolving our two situations," Spock replied. "You have a deal…"

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ranma asked.

"Eh, you know me, Ranma. We both sacrificed too much for Starfleet and the Federation already to simply walk away. Besides, this is the new Starfleet. We don't need to rely on that 'gunboat diplomacy' anymore, right?"

"I guess, so…"

And so, once again, the Saotomes are assigned to a new starship named "Enterprise", albeit a new iteration…and a different crew.

A week later…

"Captain on Deck!" said Security Chief Tasha Yar, as the Klingon Lt. Worf pipes in the arrival of the Enterprise-D's first official commanding officer. Before this moment, Ranma had piloted the shuttle carrying Captain Jean-Luc Picard, with Yar providing escort. The French starship captain thought that adhering to protocols while in orbit over Earth was a bit much, but accepted it with good grace.

"Welcome aboard, sir," said the android Lt. Commander Data. He was unique, even amongst automatons, since he had pale-yellow skin and golden eyes.

"Thank you, commander," Picard said, as he steps forward. He then places his hand on a raised panel. The computer accepted the validity of Picard's identification, and officially transferred command of the ship over to him.

"Well, with that out of the way, we should go on to Farpoint Station, so that I can pick up the rest of my crew," Picard said, as he looks around. "That'll be all."

"Dismiss!" Yar said, ending the small assembly of crewmembers.

"Well, that went well," Ranma said, as he hops from the shuttle's doorway to land on the deck of the Enterprise-D's hanger bay.

"Of course it did, Ranma," Usagi said. "No, actually, we have an alien living with us, now."

"It's not fault that Lianna wants to choose me as her personal 'Green Lantern'."

"Uncle, you do know that you'll have to tell the captain about your new girlfriend," said Counselor Deanna Troi of Betazed. Her family knew the Saotomes ever since Ranma had once commanded the USS Enterprise-B, decades ago. In fact, it was under Ranma's tenure, which followed John Harriman's era, which saw Betazed, home to a race of humanoid telepaths, see entrance into the Federation as a member in good standing. In fact, Ranma personally knew Troi's mother, an ambassador to the Federation, which is why the Ship's Counselor called Ranma "Uncle"…

"And I'll get to that as soon as possible," Ranma said. "I just hope that the Captain doesn't mind…"

Tbc.