Star Trek: Ranma's Chronicles6 – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: Ranma ½, Star Trek and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 6: "End of an Era".
It is said that when clash of swords die, there is a time for reflection. The "victor" must reflect on what he or she has learned, so that future conflicts must be avoided, while the "vanquished" must reflect of the error of his or her ways. Regardless the outcome of the battle, one thing is clear: for every season, there is the turning of the page. Very few will be remembered for their contribution, good or ill, for what has happened on "Middle Earth". And, perhaps, it is as it should be.
Location: Isengard.
The next day, Gandalf and his party sought to confront Saruman the White, the servant of Lord Sauron, and thus set out to travel to the wizard's tower.
"Ouch!" Ranma said, as he picked at his wound. He and his companions, on horseback, continued their trek to Saruman's tower at Isengard.
"You really should let that wound heal," T'Pol said.
"Aye, laddie," Gimli the Dwarf interjected. "It's just a wound."
"Yeah, well, it still hurts, you know."
"I want to thank you for saving my kinsmen," Legolas the Elf said.
"Ah, it's nothing."
"Never say that," Gandalf the White interjects. "Taking a blow for a comrade in battle should never be taken lightly."
"I suppose you're right, Gandalf-sama. Actually, I'm more concerned about Usagi and the others. I…can feel Usagi's well-being, but still…"
"Yes, we are all concerned about those three."
"Look alive," Aragorn said, as they entered Isengard.
All around, the five riders saw signs of heavy destruction, both natural and unnatural. Only Saruman's tower seemed untouched. And then…
"Hello!" said two voices in unison.
Everyone looked up to see Merry and Pippin eating lunch on a wall.
"Hhh," Ranma began as he smiled. "It looks you sorry jerks made it out okay."
"Okay? We've never been better!" Merry replied.
"And still just as humble," said Legolas.
"As you can see, we have been busy," Pippin said.
"So, what happened here?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes, we would like to know," said Gandalf.
Pippin and Merry told the remaining Fellowship how the tree dwelling Ents had used their great strength to take down Saruman. A short time later, the Ent Treebeard himself would confirm this.
"Well, I say we should knock that tower down with Saruman end it!" Gimli.
"With pleasure," Ranma said, as he was about to prepare a "ki-blast"…
Aragorn was still amazed at the power that his student had. It made all the difference in these past battles, where life is concerned.
"No, don't," said Gandalf. "You need to save your strength. Saruman is not a threat at this point."
"Okay…" Ranma said with disappointment.
"We better get back to Rohan then," Aragorn said.
Just then, Merry notices something glowing in the water-saturated courtyard.
"Wait!" Merry said, as he dismounted from one of the horses. He picked up a black sphere.
Gandalf sees this immediately. He recognizes it as "The Eye of Sauron".
"Here, give it me," Gandalf commanded. "Quickly now."
Disappointed, Merry gives the object to Gandalf, who wraps it up in a cloth.
Later, after riding back to kingdom of Rohan, Ranma is greeted by…
"Why, hello, kind sir," greeted Eowyn, the niece of King Theoden.
"Um, hello," Ranma said shyly. Ever since meeting this princess, he has been developing affection for her; and, after displaying nearly unparalleled bravery by saving many lives, Eowyn developed affection for Ranma.
Of course, Eowyn was certainly beautiful, and, in a weird way, reminded him of a certain "uncute tomboy". At any rate, he wasn't sure if not he liked her as a friend or otherwise. "So…what's up?"
"Well, I have been practicing those exercises you have taught me," Eowyn said.
"Okay, let's see what you got then."
Eowyn grabbed Ranma by the hand and brought him to one of the stone bricks that she had brought back with her from Helm's Deep. It was perched on a stone slab that doubled for a table.
"Here we go," Eowyn began. "Ah-HA!"
The Princess brought her hand down on to the stone in a hand-strike motion…and cleaved it in two.
"How is that?"
"That's pretty good. I knew you had a strong enough spirit to manifest 'ki'."
"Thank you, sire," Eowyn blushed.
"Just call me Ranma. I can't stand 'titles'."
"Ranma!" T'Pol called. She was fuming over Eowyn's attempt to grab Ranma's attention. "We have a meeting."
"Well, I got to go, but keep practicing. You never know when you're going to use it in battle."
"I'll do that…Ranma."
When Ranma walked over to T'Pol...
"I see that you have quite a following," T'Pol smirked.
"T'Pol, Eowyn wanted some pointers. That's all."
"You can be SO dense at times."
"What?"
"Ranma, Eowyn obviously likes you…more than as a friend."
"Oh. OH, I see…"
"Now you get it?"
"I guess so…"
T'Pol merely shakes her head in disappointment.
The days move swiftly. After a near mishandling of the Eye of Sauron by Merry the Hobbit, Gandalf takes Merry to the capital city of Gondor, with Ranma accompanying them as an escort. Merry, having handled the Eye, received a vision of Sauron's intentions: the attack on Minas Tirath, the capital.
"Now, don't do anything brash," said Aragorn, as Ranma mounted his steed.
"Hey, with me around, we can't loose."
"Pray that this is not the case."
"Here," said Eowyn. "Take this for good luck."
Eowyn gives Ranma her handkerchief. It had a whiff of her scent.
"Thanks…I guess."
T'Pol sees this, and decides to "protect" her turf. So…
"Mmmmph!" Ranma said, as T'Pol grabs him, and kisses Ranma deeply.
"There," T'Pol says. "You will get more when you return."
Ranma blushed, as did Eowyn (though for different reasons).
And with that, Gandalf, Merry and Ranma ride off to Minas Tirath.
Location: The outskirts of Morder.
Usagi, Hoshi, Frodo, Samwise and Gollum trekked carefully through the bogs that contained the souls of the damned. Usagi, being the most sensitive to the supernatural, could hear the cries of the dead. So…
"Hoshi, can you play something…melodic or something?" Usagi asked.
"Sure," Hoshi said, as she took out her lyre. "How's 'The Song of Serenity'?"
"Sure, whatever."
Hoshi began to play her song. Soon, the restless day began to show signs of being affected by the harmonic of the spell. Soon after, the spirits, assuming much pleasant appearance, were partying about the bog.
"That was…interesting," Sam said.
Frodo merely nodded.
Location: Minas Tirath.
When Gandalf, Merry and Ranma were close to Minas Tirath, they could see some sort of commotion. The warriors of Gondor were retreating back to capital city, facing the wrath of the Nazgul riders.
Needless to say, Ranma and Gondor did not tolerate this.
"Dragon Rising Ascension Revised: KANSAS TWISTERS!" Ranma yelled. He had perfected his attack to the point where he could direct it to attack a specific target. In this case, he was throwing multiple attacks. Luckily for Faramir and the others, Ranma, Gandalf and Merry had arrived just in time to witness the retreat. Gandalf creating a warding spell to ward off the rest of the Nazgul.
When everyone gathered at the White Hall…
"Thank you for saving my life, sir," said Faramir. "I am Faramir, son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor."
"And I am Ranma of the Saotome clan," replied Ranma. "Oh, I would like to introduce you two to Gandalf the White, and Merry the Trouble-maker."
"Hey!" Merry cried.
Denethor, the father of Faramir, and the Steward of the Throne of the Kingdom of Gandor, is distraught over the loss of his older son Boromir. So much so that he's willing to sacrifice Faramir because of it.
Ranma, ever the rebel, threaten to destroy Minas Tirith's throne room if Faramir is sent out to retake Osgilith. Faramir implored not to do it.
"But-"
"I have to do this, for the sake of my family's honor."
As Faramir and his men rode out, Ranma looks at Gandalf with a perplexed expression.
"But…this is insane! We can't let them go out like that!"
"We are what are circumstances made us, lad," replies Gandalf. "Therefore we do what we are designed to."
Upon reflection, Ranma realizes how true that statement is. He, himself, had been a victim of it growing up.
"But it is still not right, Gandalf-sama."
"I know."
Meanwhile, Usagi the Serene was smoking her pipe while in deep thought, while sitting on a high, rocky perch. They had just gotten passed a major garrison filled with Sauron's forces, when Gollum attempted to put a wedge between Frodo and Samwise. Convinced that Frodo needs to see how dangerous Gollum was, Usagi allowed Frodo, Sam and Gollum to move on ahead, while she and Hoshi stayed behind.
"Are you just going to sit there and smoke?" Hoshi asked.
Usagi looked down from her perched, to where the long column of minions was still trekking out towards Gandor.
"I'm waiting for something…"
Then, Usagi heard a faint scream from above.
"Let's go!" Usagi said, as she puts away her pipe and packs her things away.
"Where are we going?" Hoshi asks.
"Frodo is in trouble. But first…"
Usagi opened her left palm and concentrated. From the ether, she started to collect ambient energy. Then, when the sphere was big enough, she threw it down onto the heads of the assembled orcs…
"Hold on!" Usagi said, as she grabbed Hoshi's pack, with Hoshi in it.
"What are you doing!" Hoshi replied.
"I just launched a weapon called the 'Dragon Slave'. It's not powerful enough to do serious damage, but it is enough to help Ranma and company out."
"Wait, isn't that…?"
"Yes, and I bought it from that nut Lina, the last time we were heading East, remember?"
"Oh, yeah…"
And, with that, Usagi rose into the air, using a simple levitation spell…
BOOM!
Usagi's weapon took out hundreds of orcs and Uruk-hai, thus giving the forces of light much needed "space".
At the same time, Frodo was running through the webbed lair of Shelob, the giant spider. Gollum had tricked Frodo into taking that so-called shortcut. Eventually, he managed to make it out, only to find himself faced-to-faced with…
"Give me the Precious!" Gollum yelled, as he began to choke Frodo. Frodo, seeing no other option, tossed Gollum over to the side…
SNATCH!
Gollum looked up to see the pretty face of Usagi the Serene.
"Smeegal, you gave me your word that you will not try anything."
"But Mistress, Smeegal is not the culprit! Gollum is!"
While this was going on, Shelob was sneaking up on Frodo, who was caught in the numerous webbing, and company…
"Mistress, lookout!" Gollum cries.
Just as Shelob pounced, Usagi commanded Frodo and Sam to close their eyes.
"But-" Frodo began.
"Do as I said!" Usagi retorted.
"SKREEE!" Shelob said.
"You think you're scary? What do you think of THIS…?"
If one was to look at the back of Usagi's head, they would see snakes and tentacles jut out from her face and head. Shelob takes one look at Usagi's new visage, and runs away in fright.
YIP! YIP! YIP! YIP! YIP!
Once back to normal, Usagi gave the okay for the others to look again.
"What did you do?" asked Frodo.
"I created an illusion spell called 'The Horror Factor'. Basically, I wore the face of the one thing that spider would be afraid of."
Frodo and Samwise shivered at the thought.
"We better get going. And Gollum, remember our deal."
"Yes, Mistress."
Hoshi shook her head, as she cut loose Frodo and Sam.
Location: Pellenor Fields.
A day later, the battle for Minas Tirith begins. Using whatever means possible, the forces of light defends the capital of Gondor. T'Pol lays a stream of lava between the orcs and the city, but the orcs uses their own comrades to get across. Then, the sky is used to let the Nazgul, led by the witch-king, attack the city's defenses. Thankfully, three things occurred to prevent the success of this incursion. One…
Two…
"CHARGE!" King Theoden yelled, as the riders of Rohan charged the battlefield. Pippin and Ewoyn had secretly accompanied the riders, for they wanted to prove their abilities in battle. Eowyn in particular wanted to see her Ranma again. After the initial success of the Rohirrim, their success was tapered somewhat by the advancing armies from the South. Thankfully, the third thing occurred…
"GET THEM!" said the Ghost-King, as his army of phantoms charged the remaining Orc forces. Aragorn, along with Legolas and Gimli, was successful in getting their pledge fulfilled by having them honor their loyalty to his family line.
Meanwhile, Eowyn and Pippin had made it passed the line, but were shocked when the Witch King mortally wounded Theoden. Pippen steered away, but Eowyn jumped her steed to intersect the Witch King's final blow…
CLANG!
The Witch King looked as concerned as if he was about to be bitten by a bothersome insect.
"No man can defeat ME," the wraith said.
Eowyn remembered a technique that Ranma had showed her. She was practicing before the Rohirrim went out to war. She prayed that she is successful in its implementation.
As Eowyn stretched out her right palm, she drew upon the one emotion that was dear to her:
Love.
Eowyn knew she could not compete with T'Pol. However, she loved him nevertheless, and would do so for the remainder of her days.
Just as the Witch King charged, Eowyn released a ki blast. Made from pure, positive energy, the spheroid went through his torso. Stunned, the Witch King could only watch as Eowyn took off her helmut.
"And I'm no MAN," she said, as she thrust her sword into the Witch King's head. In a roar, the wraith crumpled into nothing.
"Are you well?" Pippin asked, as he dismounted from their horse.
"I am tired, but-"
That is when she saw her uncle's crumpled form.
"Uncle!" Eowyn cried, as she went over to Theoden.
"Niece…it is good to see you…" Theoden managed.
"Do not dispair! We can get you some help!"
"I'm beyond help…"
"No! Young Master Ranma has shown me how! You have to believe in me!"
The look in Eowyn's eyes gave Theoden the will to stay alive. Eowyn placed her hands on Theoden's head. The two began to glow softly…
"What are you doing?" asked Pippin.
"I am using my life force to speed his healing, but it is not enough!"
"Is there something I can do to help?"
"There may be a way. Hold my hand, so I may draw energy from your spirit."
And with that, the two allies joined forces to help heal a kinsmen.
And, with that, the battle was WON. Later that day, Aragorn and the other victors of the battle had assembled in the throne room to discuss matters. Denethor, having proven unable to defend the city, committed suicide in a fiery blaze of glory. Merry had saved Faramir, who had been recovered earlier in the battle, from the failed counter-attack on Osgilith, from suffering his father's fate.
"We have to give Frodo and the others more time to reach Morder," Gandalf mused.
"I am more the willing, but we are sorely depleted," Aragorn replied.
"My people are more than ready to help," Theoden said, who was slowly recovering. "My nephew and I are waiting and willing to lead this attack."
"Well, it certainly won't be easy," says Legolas.
"All we have to do is draw Sauron's forces out of Morder," Aragorn says.
"Sounds like a plan," Gimli quips. "Why not?"
"What say you, young sir?" asked Gandalf.
Ranma was thinking hard. There was one way to inflict serious damage on Sauron's forces.
"I have…one last technique. However, once I employ it, I will be useless to you."
Aragorn placed one hand on Ranma's left shoulder.
"Do not worry about that, Ranma," Aragorn says. "We only need to stall for time."
T'Pol merely observed what the males were doing.
"Come," Eowyn said, as she led T'Pol out of the room. "We have much work to do."
T'Pol merely nodded, as she covered her head. Even though she was not married to Ranma, for all intents and purposes, she was his mate. And as such, she, by the custom of these lands, must prepare her roll as a widow.
Location: Mordor.
A short time later, Frodo and company made it to Mordor. Unfortunately, Usagi's attack drew undue attention. So, while they ran, Usagi was forced to run interference.
SPURCH!
"ARRGH!" yelled the latest orc to cross their path.
Usagi, now in her "Sailor Moon" uniform, was sore, tired and bleeding. She couldn't risk having her "Gammazon" run become a liability.
Moon stumbled a bit, as she leaned on her sorcerer's staff. She wiped Orc's blood from the blade from her "Moon Sickle" on her skirt.
"Usagi…we made it," Hoshi said, as she looked at the plains of Mordor. Unfortunately, there were legions of Orcs and other assorted creatures.
"Will Master be well?" Gollum asked.
"I'll be fine," Frodo says. "Let's get…going."
"But how?" Sam asked. "There are way too many of them!"
Just then, Sauron's eye went to a specific direction. Soon after, the legion went towards the direction closest to Gandor.
"They're…they're moving!" Sam exclaims.
"Then we better get going, Sam," Frodo replies.
Eventually, after an arduous trek through the sulfuric steam, the four finally managed to make it to…MOUNT DOOM!
"Will the Mistress fulfill her promise, yes?" Gollum ask.
"Yes," Usagi replies. "Frodo, give Gollum the Ring."
"No! I can't! It's mine!"
Oh, no! Usagi thought. He really in it now, and this place is not helping!
"Mr. Frodo-!" Sam began.
"No," Usagi commanded, as she snatched Sam.
"But Usagi," Hoshi said with worry. "Are you sure?"
"Have faith my friend. Have faith."
As soon as Frodo puts on the ring, Gollum roared. He jumped onto Frodo's invisible form.
And thus, the battle begins.
Location: Outskirts of Mordor.
Meanwhile, the assembled forces, under the command of Aragorn, march to the Black Gate that led to Mordor. Once they arrived, Aragorn dismounted.
"WE SEEK THE MASTER OF THE GATE!" Aragorn yells.
Then, he turns to his forces.
"Remember! Show NO fear!"
Sure enough, the Black Gate opens up, revealing the legions that were under the command of Lord Sauron, the Lord of the Ring.
"Ready, squire?" Aragorn asked Ranma.
"I'm ready, sensei," Ranma replied. Slowly, he began to build up his energies, amounts that he has not used since his fight with Saffron, the Phoenix King. When Ranma nodded that he was ready, Aragorn turned towards his foes.
"CHARGE!" Aragorn yells.
At the same time, Ranma, after raising his palms towards the sky, released his final attack:
"Moko Takibasha Perfect Revised: VICTORY'S GLORY!"
A huge sphere of energy grew from Ranma's raised palms, and expanded outward. Ranma's confidence, and the confidence of his allies, fueled the energy attack. In the end, while the forces of light remained unharmed, the orcs and their allies were being swallowed up in the attack. When the attack was over, thousands of orcs perished.
"Did it…" Ranma said, as he feinted.
"I have you, lad," Gandalf said, as he grabbed Ranma.
"You know, I finally impressed by the lad's skills," Gimli said with a smirk.
Legolas merely shook his head.
Meanwhile, Frodo and Gollum continued to fight over the One Ring, until…
CRUNCH!
"ARRGH!" Frodo cried, as he clutched his hand.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam cried, as he rushed towards his friend.
"I got the Precious! I got the-"
Smeegal.
"Who-?" Gollum asked, before turning to the source of the command.
Standing in front of all was not Usagi the Serene, but Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom.
"You are to receive what very few people can afford: a choice. You can allow the Ring to rule over you further, and thus assure the destruction of this world, or you can finally be free of your burden. The choice is up to you."
A battle of wills began to wage.
Gollum.
Smeegal.
Gollum.
Smeegal
Gollum.
Gollum.
Smeegal.
SMEEGAL.
"Help me, Mistress! Help Smeegal!"
"With pleasure," Serenity smiled, as she pushed her hand forward…
FLASH!
Serenity's act knocked the twisted form of Gollum, who still carried the One Ring, over the edge of the cliff….
"YEEEEEEAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHH-!"
SPLOOSH!
What remained was the shivering form of the original Smeegal.
"Help me…" Smeegal cried.
Serenity held Smeegal in her arms.
"I will, Smeegal," Serenity said, as she turned back into Usagi. "I promise."
"What about my finger?" Frodo complained.
"Sam, get Frodo's finger. Frodo, I'm sure Gandalf is more than willing to heal you."
"Usagi!" Hoshi said, as she ran towards her friend. "We have to leave now, before this place blows!"
Usagi nods, and leads her friends out of Mt. Doom.
And thus, with the destruction of the One Ring, Sauron's defeat was complete.
As the Frodo, Sam, Usagi and Smeegal stumbled out of the mouth of the volcano, it roared to life. They managed to grab a hold of one of the few spots that was safe from the lava flow. Sam nearly cried at the thought that he never asked the barmaid, back in the Shire, for her hand in marriage.
"It is okay, Sam," Frodo said, as he comforted his friend. "It's okay."
Usagi looked at Sam and Frodo before looking away. She was still too weak to fly them all out of danger.
"Usagi?"
Usagi turns to Hoshi.
"I just wanted to say…that I have always loved you, and even will always love you…Usako. I will love you in this life and in the next."
Usagi places a hand on Hoshi's face.
"I know that it's been rough for you, my Prince Endymion, my…Mamo-chan. And for that, I am truly, love."
The two share a passionate kiss.
Well, Usagi, she thought to herself, as she broke off the kiss. Only a miracle will save us now.
"Look!" Smeegal cried, as he pointed his finger to the sky.
There, coming in low, were three great eagles. On the back of one them was-
"GANDALF!" Usagi said with surprise. She knew in her heart that the Wizard-in-White from her dreams was her teacher.
I take it you four need a lift? Gandalf thought telepathically to his apprentice with a smile.
Usagi merely smiled.
A few days later, Aragorn is crowned the new king of Gandor at a special ceremony on the pavilion of Minas Tirith.
"My friends," Aragorn began. "We could not have defeated Sauron without the help of our friends and allies."
When Aragorn bowed towards the Hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin, everyone bowed. Even Ranma, Usagi, Hoshi and T'Pol received such an honor, especially since they have received titles for their contribution in the war. Like the Hobbits, the four from Starfleet were dressed in the finest clothes of Middle Earth, much to the consternation of Ranma.
"Ranma, you look very nice," said Usagi, who was dressed in a gown fit for a princess.
"It just that these clothes itch," Ranma squirmed.
"Really, it is no different from when you first don a Starfleet uniform," T'Pol quipped. "You were not ready to wear THOSE clothes either."
"What!"
"Well, T'Pol is sort of right," Hoshi interjected.
"Not you too!"
Usagi merely shook her head.
Aragorn, after greeting his love Arwen, who arrived with Legolas, Elrond and the others, goes up to his former student.
"Lord Ranma."
"Your Majesty," Ranma said hesitantly. He still wasn't sure if he liked royal titles.
The two former Rangers looked at each other before Aragorn spoke again.
"You passed, Ranma. I would be honored to consider you a kinsman of my House…and as a fellow Ranger."
"I…am honored, sir."
And the two hug each other.
"Did…I pass, too, Gandalf-sensei?" Lady Usagi asked.
"Of course you have, girl," Gandalf admonishes. "But remember, you simply went to the next level in your development. Use this time wisely."
When everyone began to mill about the court, Eowyn went up to Ranma.
"Lord Ranma," Eowyn began.
"Princess Eowyn, I…" began Ranma.
"Shh. You do not need to speak," Eowyn said, as she placed her right forefinger on his lip. "I understand."
"I'm…glad. You are a good friend to me."
"And I, you, Lord Ranma."
"Just 'Ranma'. I hate titles."
"Me, too…Ranma. Me, too."
Afterwards, during the ongoing party, Ranma ask T'Pol to dance.
"Why Ranma," T'Pol said jokingly. "Are you TRYING to seduce me?"
"It's just a dance, T'Pol."
"Then it's a dance I gladly accept."
And thus began the Fourth Age of Man. While this new age will not be freed from violence, there is still a hope of optimism. For Ranma Saotome and his companions, there were more adventures to be had. Even now, the coming of the Age of Heroes, Ranma's heroism will never rest. Only time will tell how this will pan out…
END FLASHBACK!
"Yeah, I guess you're right, Q," Ranma said, as he got up. "It looks like I'm fated to be the hero in this story."
"Don't flatter yourself, fem-boy," Q says. "Your development as a champion is still on-going."
"So I'm still being tested?"
"Of course, you are. There is a foe that you will someday meet, who is closer to you than you realize."
"And who this might be…?"
"Like I'm going to tell you, Saotome. Nevertheless, you will find out someday. Ta-ta!"
FLASH!
And with that, the entity Q was gone.
"Man, I hate that," Ranma said, as he prepared to perform an "Instant Transmission" technique. "But, as they say, 'May you live in interesting times…"
FLASH!
Location: Federation Station "Deep Space Nine", Bajor Sector.
A few days later…
"Commander Ranma Saotome, reporting for duty sir!" Ranma saluted.
Captain Benjamin Sisko, an African-American Starfleet officer from the American south, nods his head, as he gets up from his chair.
"At ease, Commander," Sisko says. "I'm glad to have a new helms officer, but aren't you a bit overly-qualified."
"Sir, I feel that I can most benefit from this transfer, since it will allow me to further Starfleet's exploration ventures. I do speak Bajoran, and I have contacts within the Anla'Shok that has an office on Bajor Prime."
Ranma pause for a moment.
"And I want to be close to my wife, Counselor Tsukino."
"Ah, I see. I have no problem with couples being part of the crew, but I am concerned with the Anla'Shok's presence in this sector."
"Understandable, but I must remind you that a contract was signed between the Federation and the Interstellar Alliance concerning 'Ranger' activities. As a member of Starfleet, I will abide by the terms of the agreement."
"I'm glad that you understand that. And Commander?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Welcome aboard."
Fin.
Author's note: Okay, we're at the start of the "DS9" saga. Expect appearances from FOUR of the Nerima Wrecking Crew members Ryouga Hibiki, Ukyo Kuonji, Kodachi Kuno, and Shampoo (along with her great-granddaughter "Pert"). I don't know how long this saga will be, but I want to make sure that when the Maquis Rebellion, the Cardassian-Klingon War and the Dominion War (not to mention the stuff with the Prophets) hit, there will be a noticeable effect on Ranma. Remember: an action that Ranma will take will cost him dearly (some of you already know how, of course). C & C are always welcomed.
Next time: Things start off with a BANG, when the Klingons invade Cardassian space. See you then!