SMST: Journey to Adventure - By DSWynne


Disclaimer: None of the principle characters and situations belongs to me.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 4
Meanwhile, back in the past…

"…And you take the eggs like so, and place them in separate containers," says the host of the baking show.

Usagi did as she was told. She liked making food on new recipes, since, at this point, she knew how to cook. In this case, Usagi was trying to make "crème brulee" for dinner that night with neighbors, since Ranma will be "out of town" for a while.

Meanwhile, the T-X scans the entire house…

STRUCTURE IS LINED WITH ANTI-SENSOR TECHNOLOGY.

UNABLE TO SCAN FOR TARGET…

IMPROVISE.

The T-X runs through varying calculations for successful termination. It then produces, from within its chassis, a bullet that was made from "premium". Premium, a product of "Iteration X", had anti-paranormal properties. However, within the rounds was a lethal poison tailor-made to kill Usagi.

Satisfied, the T-X inserts the round into its gun, holsters it, adjusts her glasses, checks her make-up and hair, and gets out of the car.

Inside, Usagi was on the verge of conducting the next step of her recipe, when her cell phone "sounded". With a sigh, Usagi picks up the phone.

"Yes?" Usagi asked.

"Colonel, this is General Landry," came the response.

"Oh, sir," Usagi says, as she straightens herself out. "What's up?"

"SG-1 has received word that the Tamaranians would like to open a Stargate on their homeworld. Building one is not a problem, but we need a more…senior person to evaluate the situation on the ground."

"Well I can tell you right now that 'Blackfire' is not the most congenial of persons to deal with, since she hates the idea of negotiations by way of equal standing."

"And that is why Osiris and her entourage will be accompanying you," Landry replies. "A show of strength could affect the situation to our advantage."

"Perhaps, but I would think that Ranma would be better suited at this than I, given he and 'The Wicked Witch of the West' have a kid. And speaking of 'Redfire', isn't she going to be with Ranma during his mission?"

"Princess Remind'r will be with you for this mission."

"Oh. Gee, I was SO looking forward to this crème brulee…"

"Well, I do make a mean apple," Landry offered.

"You know how to bake, sir?"

"I have you know that I earned a living in high school as a baker," Landry says. "So don't worry; I'll make it up to you, Colonel."

"You're on," Usagi says. "I'll be up in a jiffy…"

The T-X deactivates her audio "taps", and reassessed the situation. The Terminator could attempt to engage the target now, or follow the Moon Princess on her mission…

INITIATE SECONDARY PLAN…

And with that, the T-X returns to its car, and leaves the home of the Saotome family for Cheyenne Mountain.

Meanwhile…

"Man," Ranma says, as he observes his new command from the gantry. He had used the speed tram from Colorado, and traveled to "Area 51" where he was to receive his newest command.

"Would you LOOK at that," Ranma says, as he takes in the sight of the LC-401-A: "Enterprise".

"Ain't she a pretty sight?" says Don West, as he smiles. "And this one operates even more efficiently than the previous Enterprise."

Ranma turns to his First Officer and Friend.

"What are we now? Environmentally conscious or something?"

"Hey, things are changing. Now that the Asgard has 'ascended', we are pretty much on our own."

"Tell me about," Ranma snorted. "And they took their technological secrets with them."

"That IS a problem," Don says. "And even though we have made friends with a few alien races, they aren't going to help us any time soon."

Don pauses for a moment.

"Maybe you can-"

"I don't think, Don," Ranma says. "I may be the host of 'Ra', but 'Ra' feels that humans ought to learn how to be a space-faring race, rather than just being handed to them advanced alien technology. And the other System Lords have adopted that policy, too."

"I see…"

The truth is that Ranma agreed with Ra's assessment of the situation. Earth was NOT ready to be a space-faring race in full anytime soon. Maybe it was his sensitivity to the Temporal Prime Directive, but Ranma was not about to push humanity forward, if they were not prepared for what lie ahead…

"And besides, we don't want to risk a war with a bunch a vegetables, right?" Ranma says with a grin.

"Don't even get me started on THAT misadventure," Don snorted. "'Vegetable Rebellion', indeed!"

Meanwhile, back in the future…

"Ranma, we're home," Usagi calls out, as she opens the door to her San Francisco residence.

Setsuna looks about the home, which was located in the old Japantown District in the City. It was situated over the family dojo, and seemed ordinary.

"When you said that your home was located over the Tendo Dojo, I assumed we would be returning to Japan," Setsuna says.

"What?" Usagi replied. "You don't like it?"

"No," Setsuna retorted. "It's just that…it seems so ordinary."

"Well, we like to keep things minimal," Usagi says. "And Ranma wanted to name the dojo downstairs 'The Tendo Dojo' in honor of the original."

"I see…"

And as if on cue, Ranma enters the foyer, dressed in ordinary clothes, and was wearing an apron.

"Hello, dear," Ranma says, as he goes in to kiss his wife on the cheek.

Setsuna is taken aback.

'Is this…Ranma?' Setsuna thinks to herself.

"I have your bath ready, and breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes."

"Thanks, Ranma."

Usagi motions towards Setsuna's direction.

"You remember Setsuna, don't you?" Usagi says.

Ranma sees Setsuna.

"Oh, Setsuna," Ranma says, as he goes over to hug the "Senshi of Pluto". "It is SO wonderful to see you again."

"Er, yes," Setsuna says, as she took in the hug. "You seemed…chipper."

"Well, I certainly hope so-"

TING!

"Oh, that must be the scones," Ranma says, as he breaks the hug. "Dear, would you like some tea, coffee, orange juice or…?"

"I'll have some cocoa with some cream."

"With cinnamon sprinkles?"

"Yes, Ranma."

"And you, Setsuna?"

"Tea…'Earl Gray', hot with a touch of lemon and honey."

"Excellent choice. I'll be right back…"

Setsuna sees Ranma go into the kitchen. She then turns to face Usagi with a questioning look.

"You got me…and I'm the one living with him."

Tbc.


Next time: While the Terminator continues its mission, Setsuna decides to confront Ranma on his unusual behavior. Until next time…