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.

Author's Note: I decided to complete the "Next Generation Saga". For the sake of clarification, I had completed "Season 1" of the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and crew, and did a few other episodes, in the latter half of "The Ranma Trek Story". Ultimately, I want every episode and movie related to the Star Trek franchise to be retold from the POV of Ranma Saotome (and, to a lesser extent, Sailor Moon). For the purpose of this story, the remainder episodes in the Next Generation Saga will be retold in THIS story. Thus, I am extending "The Ranma Trek Renaissance" for the time being. Hopefully, I can pull it off. Until, enjoy!


Part 7


"The Child"

It was the start of second year of the voyage of the USS Enterprise-D, and Lt. Commander Ranma Saotome (2nd Officer/Conn Officer) was in a foul mood.

"Gah!" Ranma yelled in frustration, as he entered the suite where he, his wife Lt. Commander Usagi Tsukino-Saotome (Science Officer) and their child Aikiko lived. It was also where the alien known as Lianna, a member of the Guardians of the Universe, Ranma's "supervisor", who stayed with the Saotome clan as Aikiko's nanny.

Usagi, who was looking over some data that she had received, looked up.

"What's wrong, hon?" Usagi asked.

"It's our new 'Chief Medical Officer', that's what," Ranma said, as he plops down on to the couch.

"Ah," Usagi said knowingly, as she sits down her PADD. She had received the data from the interim Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Katherine Pulaski. She knew that Ranma didn't like Dr. Pulaski due to her objections over allowing Augments to attend Starfleet Academy, and she saw Ranma and Usagi as "Augments", even though they had nothing to do with either the Eugenics War or its most famous "product" Khan Noonian Singh. It was only because of wiser heads, most notably Ambassador Spock, which over-rode Pulaski's objections…

"I'll fix you some tea," Usagi said, as she got up. She was glad that Lianna was back on Oa for the time being, and that Aikiko hadn't return from pre-school.

"You ought to put something stronger in there," Ranma said. "And not that 'synthehol' crap."

"Oh, don't be so melodramatic," Usagi said, as she fixed the tea via the food replicator. "So, what happened this time?"

"Well, she thinks because of my record as a pilot, I'm too much of a maverick to safely ferry that batch of viruses and bacteria from 'ground control' to the Enterprise. Personally, I think she still pissed at us for going around her so-called judgment-"

BLIP-BLIP!

"Yes?" Usagi asked.

"Commander, I need to see you in Sickbay," said Dr. Pulaski over the speaker.

"If it's about data on the sample batch we're suppose to move-"

"Actually, it's about Counselor Troi. And…you might need to bring 'hot shot' with you."

"Feh," Ranma said, as he gets up.

"We're on our way. Tsukino: out."

Usagi then turned to her husband.

"Now, Ranma, behave yourself," Usagi said.

"Oh, I will, because whatever that 'witch' wants involves my goddaughter," Ranma said. "Otherwise, I'd tell her what for."

Usagi can only sigh in reply.

Later, in the Conference Room…

"So," Commander Will Riker (First Officer) said, as he turned to his "imzadi' (i.e. "beloved" in Betazoid). "Who's the father?"

Counselor Troi could only turn away in reply.

"Commander, we believe that, sometime during the night, Counselor Troi was visited by an unknown entity," Dr. Pulaski said.

"'Entity'?"

"I used an advance form of spectral analysis to detect minute traces of radiation that is indicative of 'advanced beings'," Usagi said. "We don't know what type, but the end result is 'an immaculate conception' event."

"So, there was no rape involved?" Lt. Tasha Yar (Chief Security Officer). Having come from a failed Federation colony, where gang rapes were the norm, she felt empathy for Counselor Troi.

"None was detected on a physical level," Dr. Pulaski said. "That is why I wanted consultation with the Chief Science officer, since she and her husband are more familiar with such beings."

"So, you're saying that an 'advanced being' created the condition for the process of gestation within Counselor Troi," Captain Jean-Luc Picard said.

"Correct. In effect, whatever is going on within the counselor has used her own genetic structure to create a new person."

"Okay," Picard said. "So, what do we do now?"

"We could study this phenomenon for our records," Lt. Commander Data (Chief of Operations) said.

"We should terminate the pregnancy," Lt. Worf (Chief Bridge Officer) said.

"Terminate?" Riker said.

"This…thing could be a prelude to a threat to the ship," Worf said. "Better nip this in the bud, so to speak."

"Saotome?" Picard asked.

"Why not asked Deanna what she wants?" Ranma said, as he turned to Deanna. "De-chan?"

Counselor Troi looked up at her godfather.

"What do YOU want to do?" Ranma asked.

Troi looked at Ranma, then at the rest of the command crew, and then at the video showing what was growing inside of her…

"I need to see this through," Troi said. "I want to know why, out of all the crewmembers on this ship, I was chosen for this…honor."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Riker said.

"Yes. After all, he is going to be my child."

"Counselor, I understand your feelings, but I have to say that if your child becomes a threat to this ship, I will have to do whatever it takes to remedy the situation," Picard said.

"I understand, sir," Troi said, as she turned towards Ranma. "And I trust that my godfather will be there to look after my best interests, as he has always done ever since my father passed on."

"I'll do what I can, snowflake."

"Then, the matter is settled," Picard said. "Now, on to other business…"

The child is born rather early, and is given the name "Ian", named after Counselor Troi's father. Amazingly, the child matures to a pre-teen within 24 hours. However, it was after taking on a dangerous cargo of dangerous bio-agents that trouble occurs…

"I don't understand it," Lt. Commander Geordie LaForge (Chief Engineer) said, as he scanned the viral incubator within the cargo hold. "This particular strain of virus is maturing at such a rate that the force fields won't prevent it from spilling over into the other viral strains, and creating a mega-virus that'll kill everyone here on the ship."

"Recommendations?" Picards asked, as he stared at the incubator.

"We can't destroy or move the incubator," said the man in charge of ferrying the incubator to its new location. "All our years of research will go down the drain-"

"Sir, I know the source," Usagi said with a sigh, as she shows her readings to Picard. Upon reading the sensor logs, he frowns…

"NO!" Troi said, as she sheltered her son Ian. "This is impossible!"

"Ian's accelerated growth is causing the incubator to fail," Dr. Pulaski said. "There's very little we can do-"
"Actually, there is," Ranma said, as he puts on his Green Lantern power ring. As his eyes turned green from using this power, he jams the ring into the main access panel. He then channels the energy to enhance the force field around the incubator.

"How are you doing that?" Dr. Pulaski asked. "Your ring only generates light construct."

"Ha, if you only you knew, doc," Ranma said with a scoff. "At rate, I'm not going to sacrifice anyone in the name of science, especially Ian."

Ian looks up at Ranma, and smiles.

"Really?" Ian said.

"Really, kiddo. Even if you weren't family, I still would do my best to protect you."

"Cool…"

Later, after the incubator was transferred to its new site safely, Ian continues to grow to maturity. Upon reaching adulthood, he decides to leave the Enterprise-D.

"Are you sure you want to do this, my son?" Deanna said, as she and the rest of the crew bid Ian good-bye in the shuttle bay. Picard decides to allow Ian to borrow a fully stocked shuttle pod, in return for a visit to the Enterprise-D now and again.

"Well, I do want to explore my roots, Mother," Ian said. "I mean, I can begin my trek, starting with the Earth and Betazed."

"Well, if you do go to Betazed, don't let your grandmother corrupt you," Ranma said, which earned him a mild elbow jab from Usagi. "Ow!"

Ian only laughed in reply.


"Where the Silence has Lease"

Upon investigating a "hole in space", Cadet Wesley Crusher, who was being instructed in helm control by Ranma, asked the Starfleet officer if he ever saw a similar phenomenon before.

"Actually, I have, Wes," Ranma said. "The last time I saw something like this was when I encountered a space amoeba, or something."

"What did you do?" Tasha asked.

"Well, we killed it with a bomb."

"Nice," Worf said.

"You killed it?" Troi asked in horror.

"We had no choice," Usagi said, as she turned away from her work on the Bridge. "All efforts to communicate it failed, and the ship and crew were in danger of being absorbed by it, as was done to a Vulcan science ship before our encounter."

"Perhaps this phenomenon is similar to the one you had encountered, Ranma?" Data offered.

"Well, there is one way to find out," Ranma said, as he pressed his communications badge. "Saotome to Picard…"

After Picard was briefed on the situation, he made the decision to investigate the phenomenon further, starting with the delivery of a Class-III probe. However, when the probe did not respond, Riker suggested that the Enterprise-D should go into the probe.

"Feeling adventurous, Number One?" Picard asked.

"We ARE explorers, after all," Riker said. "Besides, we can always use extraordinary means to extricate ourselves in case of difficulties."

"Right," Picard said. He then turned to Wesley.

"Take us in, Cadet," Picard said.

"Aye, sir," Wesley said, as he pilots the Enterprise-D into the hole, where they would meet an enigmatic alien entity with a sense of amoral curiosity…

"Tell me, Captain Picard, can you describe what death means?" said the grinning face, which belonged to an entity named Nagilum, which was seen on the Bridge's main viewscreen.

"What do you mean by that?" Picard demanded. "We came here in peace, and you make threats?"

"Like you, I am an explorer. Thus far, I have gleaned from your crew's minds many things, but what fascinates me is how you deal with death…"

Pause.

"Let's have an experiment, shall we?"

"Uh, excuse, let's not," Ranma said, as he stood up.

"Ranma?" Usagi said with hesitance.

"Saotome?" Picard said. While he did not like have the chain-of-command to be bent by those underneath him, he saw no other actions that could remedy the situation. The last thing he wanted was any of his crewmembers to be used as lab rats, or worse…

"You and your mate are most…curious to me," Nagilum said. "Out of all the members of the crew, your minds seem…strange to me."

"How so?" Riker asked.

"It is like you are showing me what you want me to see."

"That's because I'm a trained mentalist," Ranma said. "But enough about me. How about this: you let us go, and my wife and I allow you to live."

"Considering your predicament, I am surprised that you would make such a bold statement. Besides, are you not representatives of the values of your much-vaunted Federation?"

"We all strive to embrace those ideals, Nagilum," Ranma said. "But some of us are willing to do what it takes so that the rest of us CAN embrace those ideals…"

Pause.

"For example, I am willing to give you a chance to negotiate in good faith."

"And how do you propose to do that?" Nagilum asked.

"You were trying to read our minds, but can't read either my mind or Usagi's," Ranma said. "Now, I'll give you this one opportunity to walk away from this nonsense peacefully, after you take a look at my memories. So…what do you say?"

"I shall endeavor your offer," Nagilum said, as Ranma opens his thoughts to the alien…

As Nagilum reads Ranma's mind, the crew notices that Nagilum's smirk turns into a look of horror. As he delved deeper into Ranma's mind, Nagilum first saw Ranma as a boy, who trained as one of the greatest martial artist his planet has ever produced, as well as the trials and tribulations—including the fiasco that was the "Cat Fist Training"—Ranma had to go through in order to become a martial artist. But, as the entity peeled away the layers of Ranma's memories, Nagilum saw the beings that Ranma has interacted over the years, whether they are friends, mentors, teachers or foes. And then more layers of Ranma's mind are unfolded before Nagilum…

"Impossible," Nagilum said in fear. "You…you can't be HIM…"

"I can be many things, including HIM," Ranma said. "Now, what was that about wanting to test how humans deal with mortality?"

Nagilum turns towards Picard.

"Captain Picard, I do apologize for my…actions," Nagilum said. "I am willing to open a dialogue of mutual respect with your Federation."

Picard glances over at Ranma, who breathes a sigh of relief. He has known Ranma for years, even going back to his own Starfleet Academy days, but even he knew very little of his 2nd Officer's background, or his wife's.

"I do appreciate your offer, Nagilum," Picard said. "But, perhaps, we can negotiate in normal space?"

"Agreed," Nagilum said. He then turned towards Ranma.

"My apologies for this inconvenience, Lord Izanagi," Nagilum said.

"Whatever," Ranma said. "Just don't abuse your privilege of being a greater being. You have much to offer to those who, like you, are also explorers."

"Of course, of course…"

Afterwards, Wesley goes to Ranma, who was playing his violin in the Arboretum. Ever since his days on board the original USS Enterprise, Ranma made it a habit to practice his musical instrument, which was inspired back when he had dated a certain African communications officer, whose first name was meant "star" in Earth standard…

"Um, you have a moment, sir?" Wesley asked.

"Sure, Wes," Ranma said, as he lowers his instrument. "What's up?"

"I looked up the name 'Izanagi'," Wesley said. "You were a…god?"

"Wes, when you live as long as I have, legends are told about you, and then those legends become myths and fables."

"But, Nagilum was convinced that it would be in his best interest to stand down."

"Remember when I told you that the space amoeba was killed by a bomb?" Ranma asked.

"Yes…"

"I never told you what kind of bomb it was," Ranma said, as he created a small chi sphere that glowed softly. "I used a ki-technique called a 'spirit bomb', and I did so because nothing on board my ship would have been powerful enough to deal with the creature."

"Oh, I see…"

Pause.

"Can I learn how to create this…spirit bomb?" Wesley asked.

"Wes, you're still learning how to pilot this ship," Ranma said. "Learn that first, then you can be trained in martial arts…"

Pause.

"And if you're talented enough, I'll teach you how to create a spirit bomb yourself."

"Cool…"


"Elementary, My Dear Data"

"I must say that you impress me, Saotome," Dr. Pulaski said, as she, LaForge, Data and Picard watched Ranma play a game of 3-D chess with a holographic representation of the Sherlock Holmes character Professor Moriarty. Earlier, Dr. Pulaski challenge Data to a Holmes-style murder mystery, complete with all participants dressed in Victorian era period clothing. Unfortunately, thanks to a slip of a tongue, in which LaForge had told the ship's computer to create a foe capable of defeating Data, and not the Holmes character Data was role-playing, the Moriarity character had gain self-awareness. As a result, Moriarty had kidnapped Pulaski and LaForge, and was on the verge of taking over the Enterprise-D. This resulted in Picard being summoned down to the Holodeck, in order to negotiate with Moriarty. Unfortunately, Moriarty had upped the ante with a challenge of 3D Chess, and wanted to play an opponent that would be the most unlikely to be his match. Dr. Pulaski suggested Ranma, who wasn't known to be an intellectual heavy-weight, but knew that he was a strategist without peer…much to her chagrin.

"Why would you think that, doc?" Ranma said, as he made his move. He then leans back in his seat, as he faced Moriarty.

"I never lose. And check-mate."

"What?" Moriarty said, as he looked at the board. "Impossible. I know every move that this vessel's has on record."

"That's the problem," Ranma said. "You become too predictable if you solely rely upon a handbook…and Data as a standard to measure up to. No offense, Data."

"None taken," Data said.

"Well, will you fulfill your end of the agreement?" Picard asked.

"Of course," Moriarty said. "The ship is yours, and I will return to oblivion."

"Actually, we can save your program," Ranma said. "After all, I would love to have a rematch."

Moriarty looks up at his opponent, and smiles.

"I would love that as well…"


"The Outrageous Okona"

"You know, Guinan, I don't know what's worse," Usagi said, as she sipped her Romulan ale at Ten-Forward, a bar and eatery managed by the enigmatic Guinan.

"What is?" Guinan said, as she filled Usagi's glass with the slightly-illegal drink.

"Having to sit through Data's latest attempt at humor, or Ranma and that Okona guy competing with you can collect the most 'phone numbers'—or whatever—from the unattached women on this ship. Doesn't he know he's married…to ME?"

"I wouldn't be so hard on Ranma," Guinan said. "Besides, it's not like you and he did not have an open relationship before."

"That was before we had gotten married. But, what's with this Okona guy?"

"Apparently, he's been ferrying messages between two rival planets, specifically the heirs of each head of state."

"Oh?"

"Think 'Romeo and Juliet'," Guinan said, as she pours herself a glass of Romulan ale.

"Ah," Usagi said. "How romantic…"

"I'll drink to that," Guinan said, as she and Usagi clinked their glasses together.

CLINK!

Tbc.