TRTSS38: Prelude to the Return of the Revenging Clones of the Hopeful Phantom Empire! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon, ST, Star Wars and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a limited story.
Special Note: This story is based upon the trailers for the RPG "Star Wars: The Old Republic" (specifically during the time of the "Sith-Republic War").
Author's Note: Yes, the title makes no sense, but I wanted to touch upon the titles of the Star Wars franchise. As always, C&C are welcomed.
Part 4
Meanwhile, in another time and place…
"[Where am I]?" said a red haired woman, who sat in an "open" interrogation room within SGC. She was wearing a basic utility uniform without any tags or labels, and was being observed through a two-way mirror.
"[I demand to know where I am-!]"
"So, the woman is not from any of the know Tau'ri planets or elsewhere in the directory?" Landry asked.
"No, sir," said Sam replied, as she jotted down her notes. "According to Usagi, based upon the tattoo on her person and language, she is a 'Mandalorian'."
"A what?"
"Mandalorian. Apparently, the woman is from a planet located in a galaxy on the edge of the known Universe."
"So, is that how you and Usagi were able to track down Saotome's location?" Landry said in surprised.
"Not exactly. We were able to come up with the general coordinates of Ranma's last location. However, Usagi felt that she wanted to narrow the search using Ranma's genetic records. And, in a way, were successful."
"Wait, then why is this woman here?"
"She, er, is familiar with Ranma's, um, DNA."
Landry briefly looked at Sam before coming to a realization as to what Sam meant.
"Oh, I see…"
"Apparently, we retrieved this woman shortly after she spent time with Ranma. That's why when we retrieved her, it was in the nude."
"Alright," Landry said. "You know, you can always count on Saotome to go…native…"
Pause.
"Now what?"
"Well, need to get more information as to Ranma's activities, especially since Usagi believes that she was too narrow in her retrieval plan."
"Right..."
Silence…
"Speaking strictly as a man, Ranma Saotome is one lucky bastard."
"You don't say, sir," Sam replied sarcastically. She has heard of and seen Ranma's exploits when it comes to his dating life; his love life amongst the alien races, even some hostile towards humans, was evident of this. In a tiny way, thanks to her own feminine pride, she was slightly upset that Ranma never tried to flirt with her at any point in their professional life…
Still, Sam did wonder why Usagi, Ranma's actual wife, puts up with his womanizing ways.
"I'm ready," said a voice from behind.
Landry and Sam both turned to see Usagi. She was dressed in dark clothes that highlighted her sensuality while wearing a cloak that seemed to bellow without the benefit of a breeze. But what was most striking was the fact that her skin was pale, and that her eyes were a dim, reddish/orange glow.
"Tsukino?" Landry said with hesitance. For some reason, he felt nervous around his officer.
"My apologies, sir," Usagi said, as she glides across the floor towards her superior officer and colleague. "It's that whenever I assume my old 'Darth Lune' persona, it tends to creep people out."
"'Darth…Lune'?" Sam said.
"I told you that the events in 'Star Wars' were based upon true events."
"Really?" Landry asked.
"Yes, sir. Back when Ranma and I worked in the entertainment industry in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and then later in 1970s and early 1980s, many of our exploits served as inspirations for screenwriters, producers and directors for their television and movie projects."
"But why would you do that?" Sam asked. "Wouldn't you and Ranma risk exposing yourself like that?"
"Not unless it's couched in science-fiction it won't," Usagi said.
"Oh, I see," Sam replied. "So, this…get up of yours makes you into a…Jedi?"
"No, 'Sith Lord'," Usagi replied.
"And that means…?"
"Yes, I do have a lightsaber," Usagi said, as she removes a metal cylinder from her belt. "You want to see?"
"Might as well," Sam said. Inwardly, she was excited by this newest revelation of her friend, since she knew that Usagi might be familiar with alien technology…
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
"Impressive," Landry said, as the glow of the red-colored energy blade gleamed. "So, that's really a weapon?"
"Yes, sir," Usagi replied. "It's capable of cutting through most metals like a hot knife through butter. However, a Force user can amplify the power of the blade to perform all kinds of stunts-"
"Incoming!" yelled a technician, as a reprogrammed Skynet T-7T Tetrapod (aka "Spider") barrels down the hallway towards Usagi's position. Although it is known that there could be a problem concerning the possibility of Skynet Defense Grid becoming a self-aware computer network system that seeks to terminate human lives, as evident by the regular arrival of the so-called "Terminators" from the future, Homeworld Security felt that the benefits outweigh the risks of having Skynet fully operational. Thus, the development of the T-Series drones continues unabated…
Without saying a word, Usagi expertly tosses her lightsaber like a javelin, which lands dead center into the eye of the Spider, deactivating the drone instantly.
"And that was for…what?" Landry asked.
"A demonstration," Usagi said, as she willed her lightsaber back to her. "Thanks, Tech Sergeant."
"You're welcome, ma'am," said the Tech Sergeant, as he and his team begin to look after the damaged drone…
Upon catching her lightsaber, Usagi deactivates it.
Hzzzzz-SNAP!
"Anyway, I hope to use my Darth Lune persona to interview Ranma's…friend," Usagi said, as she clips her lightsaber to her person. "Mandalorians, if nothing else, respect power. I might be able to get her to talk this way."
"Then proceed," Landry said with a nod. "We will be monitoring your conversation from here."
"Yes, sir," Usagi said, as she proceeds to enter the interrogation room.
"Usagi, wait," Sam said.
"Yes?" Usagi said.
"When you were this…Darth Lune, what were you doing at the time?"
"I was the chief inquisitor to a despot before replacing him rather…forcefully," Usagi said coldly, sending chills up Sam's spine. "And someday, I hope to make amends for what I have done during that time…"
And, with that, Usagi proceeds with her interview.
Meanwhile, in another time and place…
Ranma-onna arrives to the upper terraces of the Jedi Temple, where she is met by Master Darach.
"Are you ready Miss Vizla?" Darach asked, as he was flanked by lesser-ranked Jedi and temple security guards.
"I am," Ranma-onna said with a nod. She didn't want to let on that she was really let Darach know that she was really Ranma Saotome, especially after that weird spatial distortion that had suddenly appeared in her room. She had been intimate with the real Shae Vizla, in her regular male guise, the morning when the distortion had appeared. Not knowing what to do, Ranma-onna had attempted to act in self-preservation, while trying to save Shae's life. However, Shae ignored Ranma-onna's warnings by doing the exact opposite of what Ranma-onna wanted her to do, and was promptly sucked into the spatial distortion. Not knowing what to do, Ranma-onna searched Shae's personal stuff, and learned of the impending attack on Coruscant in general, and the Jedi Temple in particular. In fact, the very Galactic Republic was so thoroughly infiltrated with Sith Imperial agents that it would not take much to collapse the Republic's defense systems. So, Ranma-onna took his discovery to the Jedi Order…and the rest is history.
Now, it was time to make a sacrifice in order to save the future…
"I don't like this plan of yours," Ven Zallow said. "We should be more proactive in dealing with this!"
"There's an old saying from where I come from," Ranma-onna said, as she took a look at her wrist sensors, which displayed a holographic image of an approaching transport ship, no doubt full of Sith Warriors. "A sacrifice of a few can result in a victory for the many."
"Why am I not comfortable with that?"
"Master Ven, if it hadn't been for your actions on Alderaan a month ago, I would not have counseled the High Council to listen our friend's advice on this matter," Darach said, recalling what his former student Satele had told him of Ranma's actions during that time…
FLASHBACK!
Thirty days before on Alderaan, the proverbial soul of the Galactic Republic, the Sith Empire, led by Darth Malgus, decided to embark on a campaign to take the planet. But with the Republic not ready to mount a counter offense just yet, supplies for the Republic Troops were not as forthcoming. However, thankfully, Darach knew of people who could run the Sith Empire's blockade, in order to ferry much needed supplies…
"We're here, partner," said Nico, as he shuts down the engines of his ship, the X-2 Corellian "light freighter".
"I'm not your partner, Nico," Ranma said, as he activates the cloaking device that he had installed on Captain Okarr's ship for this favor he was doing for the Jedi. "Anyway, we should be at 'silent running' now."
"Right," Nico replied. He then turned towards his T7-01 astromech droid. "T7! Make sure that the modifications don't fry the primary system."
"TWeerp-Ork!" replied the astromech droid, as he moved out of the cockpit.
"You don't trust my modifications?" Ranma asked.
"Considering the fact that I don't recognize some of the technology that you just installed, I don't know what to think," Nico said. "And besides, 'The Centennial Raven' is a temperamental ship, ever since I had gotten her from a bet…"
"Don't tell me your problems," Ranma said jokingly. "Anyway, just sit back, and watch my ingenuity at work."
"Whatever," Nico said, as he allowed his ship to coast. "Let's just get this over with…"
As the Centennial Raven coasted through the blockading Sith Imperial fleet while cloaked, someone on its flagship felt something…off.
"Beloved?" said an attractive, female Twi'lek named Eleena Daru, as she sat up in her bed to see a nude Darth Malgus looking out into space with his arms crossed behind his back while standing.
"I feel something," said Malgus, as his eyes glows a soft orange/red/yellow, as he continued to stare out into space. "I feel a power that might be greater than mine…"
"No one power is greater than yours, beloved," Eleena said, as she gets out of bed, and then saunters to the Sith Lord. She then hugged Malgus from behind.
"After all, do you not have ambitions to become the 'Sith Emperor' someday?"
"Of course, but as long as this quiet power is out there, I cannot feel claim my own destiny," Malgus said, as he removes himself from Eleena's arms. He then turns away from the window and his lover.
"I have a campaign to win," Malgus said, as he walks off to his closet. "Until Alderaan is secured, we won't be spending time together. So, I expect you to leave this ship within the hour."
"Yes, beloved," Eleena said, as she sighs in defeat. She does not know why Malgus insists on being secretive about their relationship…
"Now, leave me," Malgus said, as he opens his closet door, revealing his Sith robes and outfit, which was suspended within an anti-gravity field. His lightsabers were encased in a clear box on the inside of his closet door, along with an assortment of other kinds of weapons…
"Now, to prepare myself," Malgus said, as he takes one of his lightsabers from the case, and then feels its surface, before activating it.
SNAP! Hzzzz…
"Yes," Malgus said, as he savored the glow and heat of his weapon's energy extension. "The power of the Dark Side flows within me. I can FEEL it. And whatever the source of power I feel will feel my wrath!"
A short time later, down on the planet below…
"Achoo!" Ranma said, as he sneezed. He was helping to unload cargo with Republic Trooper Commander Jace Malcolm, which was unusual considering the fact that a low-level staffer could be handling the unloading duties. Point of fact, Jace considered both Nico and Ranma close friends, along with one other person...
"You okay, Ranma?" Jace asked, as he checked off the cargo manifest.
"I don't know," Ranma replied, as he rubbed his nose. "I think I have an allergy or something…"
"Speaking of which, I think we are all avoiding one particular subject," Nico said, as he sits down a light box on top of others.
"What's that?" Jace asked.
"Oh, Ranma knows."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Ranma said.
"Yes, you do," Nico grinned. "And this person happens to be the former student of Kao Sen Darach."
"I STILL don't know what you are talking about."
"Oh, really?" Jedi Adept Setele Shan said, as she stood offended while having her fists on her hips. She was still upset that Ranma is still turning down the offer of joining the Jedi Order. After all, everybody with any talent in using the Force should join the Jedi Order, right?
"Oh, hey," Ranma said, as he smiled broadly. "What's up?"
"You know, what's up! Ever since you got here, you act like some 'nerf' every time I am around. I thought we were friends, Ranma."
"Um, well…"
"Um, I think I need help getting a particular part from the cargo hold," Nico said, as he turns towards Jace. "Right?"
"Huh?" Jace asked, before realization dawned on him. "Oh, right! Of course, that part…"
"Yes, well, we will leave you two alone to discuss things," Nico said, as he pulls Jace away from what could be an impending disaster. "Come."
"Coming," Jace said, as he took one last look at Ranma and Satele, before boarding the Centennial Raven with Nico…
"Look, I know that Master Darach speaks so highly of your skills in combat," Satele said, as she moves in Ranma's personal space. "But I don't understand why you are wasting time at your bar and café. You should join the Jedi Order."
"If I say no, will you give up?"
"Of course not. We need people like you to help with the war effort, and I feel that your talents are best served within the Jedi Order."
"Oh, really?" Ranma said, as he raised an eyebrow. "Are you simply using your recruitment efforts to mask your…attraction to me?"
"Don't be absurd," Satele said, as she noticeably blushed, as she turned her back on Ranma while crossing her arms. "You KNOW that the Jedi Order forbids attachment."
"Yeah, I know, out of fear of being corrupted by the Dark Side," Ranma said, as he sets down his manifest digital display device. "And that is precisely why I don't want to join the Jedi Order."
"Or, it because you can't control yourself around women?" Satele said accusingly.
"That has nothing to do with me not wanting to join the Jedi Order, although, it does help to have an incentive. Heh."
"Okay, then if sexual relations is the key to you joining the Jedi Order, then I will oblige."
"Oh, stop it. You're better than that. And besides, I don't want to feel like you are some kind of hostage."
"Then…can you at least tell me a real reason why you don't want to join the Jedi Order, or at least do something proactive in the war effort?" Satele asked, as she slowly turns to face Ranma. "There has to be a reason for you wanting to be on the sidelines most of the time."
Ranma looks away a bit. Truth be told, he didn't want to tell Satele that he was not only an inadvertent time traveler, but that he was a married time traveler who was trained in both the Light and Dark Force Arts, making him a follower of the Gray Force Arts. Ergo, Ranma wasn't sure how Satele would react if she knew that he was a Jedi Master who was corrupted to be a Sith Lord. And this was on top of the fact that Ranma didn't want to do anything to change his own personal timeline…
"Just tell me SOMETHING, okay?" Satele pleaded.
Ranma turned to face the attractive Jedi Adept…
"Setele, I-"
Suddenly, there were thunderous noses overhead, even as Jace runs out of the Centennial Raven.
"Ranma, Setele, we have a forward wave of Sith Assault troops!" Jace yelled. "ETA on this base will be twenty minutes!"
"Nico!" Ranma said, as he touched his wrist communicator.
"I know, I know!" Nico replied via a secured communications link. "I'm already prepping the Raven for takeoff."
"I better get to the others, Ranma," Setele said with disappointment. "You have a nice flight back to Coruscant."
And, with that, Setele runs out of the docking area on the hidden base.
"If you're leaving, you have to go now," Jace said, as he gets his gear ready. "We're going to be swamped as it is."
Ranma thinks for a moment, before reactivating his communicator.
"Nico, take off now," Ranma said.
"What?" Nico exclaimed. "What about you?"
"Don't worry about me. But tell my business partners that I won't be back in time."
"You got it, buddy," Nico said. "Take care of yourself…and good luck."
"Right, same to you, buddy."
Once the lines of communications were secured, the Centennial Raven lifts off from landing zone, and takes to the skies…
"Well, it's time that I earn my respect back," Ranma said, as he turns to the dock workers. "Okay, listen up! We don't have much time before the Sith Troopers arrive, so this is what we are going to do…"
Tbc.