Ranma led most of the command crew to the holo-deck for the debriefing. He had the computer recreate Nerima as it was. He felt the memories come back as they entered. Most of those memories were bad. But he moved forward.
"So Ranma, why are we heading to this planet? It was labeled as pre-warp."
Ranma smiled at Tom, "We are off to see the most preeminent scientific expert in existence. She may look young but she is older than 20,000 years. If you have a science problem or question, she would know it. She stays with the crown prince of the Jurian empire. He favors living in quiet areas. They lived on earth back when I lived there."
"Why?"
"He was born there. Him and his family left before WWIII and the eugenics wars."
"Small galaxy eh?"
"Something like that. Hopefully he'll be open to the Idea of company."
"Where is this Ranma?" Belana asked.
"This is twentieth century Tokyo, Nerima district, Japan. This is near where I lived before Q took me. Computer, transfer the EMH to holo-deck 2 please."
The computer gave a quick chirp and the doctor materialized before them. The medical program looked around "Nice place,"
"Thanks doc. you're going to need a name while we poke around the real place."
"I have to have a name?"
"Even in the late twentieth, the people here held etiquette in high regard. It would make things easier."
"Joy,"
Ranma proceeded to explain the ins and outs of Nerima's chaos. The wild tales of superhuman strength and skill shocked many of them. Ranma assured them that is wasn't tales of fiction. Leading the team through his old neighborhood, pointing out various landmarks and safe places. He had simulated people he had downloaded. The computer recreated them with good accuracy.
Running them through meetings of the holographic wrecking crew people began to wonder why Ranma wanted to go back at all.
"Ok, you mean to tell us that you want to go back to these nut cases?" Harry asked.
Ranma looked around sadly, "I need to finish things Harry. You know us, honest to a fault yea? I'm just saying goodbye and settling some unfinished business."
Seven watched on completely lost. It didn't make sense. She would refuse to set foot in this place if it was her. Ranma was one giant puzzle to her. She could never figure out all the pieces. "We are settling this business and then we return and this Washu person can send us to earth?"
Ranma nodded. "She could drop us off in space dock in orbit of earth. It's probably safer than dealing with that blasted Q…"
"Aww, you hurt my feelings Ranma. I thought we were friends. I help you get better then you ever could and you insult me."
Ranma looked around trying to locate Q. Ever since he had gotten better, he wanted to deck the omnipotent being. "You threw us to the Borg you bastard!"
"And just look at you. You're smarter, faster, stronger, and know more about martial arts than any mortal alive."
Ranma put aside his rage and fell into his calm center. He let a smirk creep on his face, "Show your face Q, or are you afraid of a little mortal?"
Q appeared in a flash of light and laughed. A Q afraid of a pitiful human? It was just too much. "You very funny Ranma. I hadn't had a good laugh in a while. A Q afraid of a Borg drone, it is simply just too much. I can make you into a puddle of goop in just a thought; what could I have to possibly have to fear from you?" he said in his jaunty haughty tone he used.
Janeway stepped in, "Alright, that is enough. Ranma, stand down. That is an order. Q, get the hell off my ship."
"I'm hurt Kathy. We are such good friends."
"Only in your mind Q."
"I was just dropping in to check on Ranma here. You need to work on your pronouns Ranma. Your starting to sound like British royalty."
"Jolly good. Now go to hell."
"Good luck Ranma, your more fun than Jean-luc."
Q snapped his fingers and vanished. Ranma let out a growl. Before he could begin to curse… "Bridge to the captain,"
"Go ahead,"
"We have arrived. You got to see this captain."
Everyone exited the Holo-deck wondering what could be so interesting. Ranma already knew, but was keeping his mouth shut. He was now wound up and ready to deck someone. He just grumbled to himself and waited till they got to the bridge. They found that the main screen now showed a planet very close to earth in looks. Even Ranma had to smile. It was as close to home as he had seen in over two years. Soon, if all goes well, we will all get to earth… "Harry, open a tight wave signal to the coordinates I gave you."
"Channel open, go ahead."
"This is Ranma Saotome to little Washu, you receiving Washu?"
"What do you want? I'm Busy!"
The screen showed a small woman with wild red hair. Her outfit was a simple shirt and shorts with a long black coat with green trim. She looked at Ranma and lifted her eyebrow to a degree that rivaled Spock. "Oh, It's you. You're late. Well, come on down Ranma. Lets get this over with."
The screen returned to a view of the planet and Ranma looked puzzled. "Is anyone else as confused as I am?"
"I have a theory. Perhaps as partial payment for helping you, you are asked to drop off something to her past self. Thus creating a loop of sorts."
"Works for me" Janeway says.
Well everyone. Thanks for staying tuned in and wading through these short updates. Thank you to my loyal readers.
