The Ranma Trek Voyage! By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: "SM", "R1/2", "ST" and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 9


Meanwhile…

Kat looks over to her mother and the rest of her crewmates and their guests. She wanted to do something, but she knew that Janeway's over-protective nature would kick in. So, she allowed herself to be forced unto the ground.

"Oof!"

Janeway went over to her daughter.

"Lieutenant?"

"I'm fine…Captain," Kat says dismissively. "The only thing that is bruised is my pride."

Chakotay, ever the observant one, notices this. In fact, there was something about Kat that seemed familiar to him…

However, those thoughts would soon wait, for the leader of this particular group of Kazon has exited his "hooch" to greet these "aliens".

"So…you have some nerve to be here, Talaxian!" says the burly Kazon name "Jal Jabin"—the "maje" (or "chief") of this sect within the Kazon Collective—as his people accosted the combined "Away Team" consisting of Janeway's "Starfleet" and Chakotay's "Maquis". "After losing our cormaline, I ought to kill you right now!"

"I…I know, Jabin," Neelix says nervously. "That is why I brought these people with me."

"Huh," Paris says, who begins to suspect a con game afoot, but says nothing.

Jabin looks over to these strange people.

"What can THEY offer?"

"They have access to water…and lots of it."

Jabin steps up the strangers.

"Explain."

Janeway swallows her throat, but kept her composure.

"I can give you water, in exchange for some information…on the Ocampa," Janeway says.

"Really?" Jabin sneers.

"Really."

Janeway presses her communications badge.

CHIRP!

"Janeway to Voyager: Mister Kim, beam down 100 gallons of water in two containers."

"Yes, ma'am," Kim replied over the receiver.

BRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG…

Two, large size containers appear out of thin air.

"How-?" Jabin begins.

"We have the means to fulfill your end of the bargain," Janeway says. "Now, our friends…?"

Meanwhile, Stadi was taking sensor readings, when her Betazoid abilities kicked in. The EMH program had said that her injuries would slow down the return of her telepathic abilities, so them returning at that point in time was something to be expected. What she did not expect to sense was a potentially powerful mind…in the form of a sprite-like girl. The girl seemed to have picked up Stadi's inquiry, since she was now staring at Stadi.

'Why are there two of you?' the girl thought telepathically.

This declaration startled Stadi. However, before the Betazoid could do something-

"Kes, you're okay!" Neelix says, as he goes over the girl.

"Neelix!" the girl says, as she hugged Neelix.

"So…Mister Jabin?" Janeway asked. "We were looking for the Ocampa, and were under the impression by Mister Neelix they would be here."

"Ocampa?" Jabin sneered. "Those useless bags of flesh are underground."

"Do you know a way to their…facilities, then?" Tuvok ask.

"No, we do not. They possess am energy field that prevents ANYONE from locating their lair."

"Ma'am, that's the weird filed Mister Kim picked up before we beamed down the planet," Stadi says. She then turns to Neelix and his friend. "This girl might know the way there."

"Ha!" Jabin says. "She has yet to reveal how…as you can see."

Janeway notices some bruises on the girl's face, but says nothing.

"But she got out," Chakotay says, as he points to the Ocampa.

"Occasionally, some DO get out," Jabin says. "But the barrier is sealed away afterwards."

Jabin pauses.

"But I AM more interested in this technology that creates water."

"We can't," Janeway says. "It's integrated into our ship."

"Then I am SURE that your crewmates would not mind trading this miraculous technology…with your lives…"

While this was going on, Stadi seemed to wink in and out of consciousness…

FWOOMP!

Suddenly, Stadi was behind Jabin, while putting him in a chokehold.

"Stadi…?" Paris asks.

"You will surrender and never harm us or the Ocampa…or I will snap your neck," "Stadi" says with a glazed expression.

"O…kay!" Jabin manages to say.

Stadi tightens her grip.

"OKAY!" Jabin manages to yell. "I give you my word as the leader of this sect!"

Stadi lets go of Jabin.

"Allow these people to return to their ship in peace."

"Our weapons?" Janeway asked.

"Er, yes," Jabin says, as he returned the weapons. "I did give my word not to harm you and your crew."

"We'll remember that."

"But I didn't," Neelix says, as he blasted a hole in each of the containers.

BLAM! BLAM!

"THAT was for hurting Kes," Neelix says. He then turns to Janeway.

"Captain, shall we?"

"Right," Janeway says, as she taps her "combadge". "Janeway to Voyager: eight to beam up."

"Aye, ma'am," Kim says. "Oh, and we found Ensign Tendo and B'Ellanna Torres."

Chakotay turns to face Janeway.

"What's Torres' condition?"

"They are being looked at now in Sickbay."

"Captain, I think Stadi might need to see the Doc as well," Paris says, as he comforts a shaken Stadi."

"You hear that, Ensign?" Janeway says.

"I'm relaying that information to the EMH. Please stand by for transport."

As Janeway waits for the beaming process, she wonders about Ranko Tendo's condition…

Later…

"I told you, I'm FINE," Ranko says with an annoyed expression.

"Perhaps, Miss Tendo, but you have an unusual physiology," says the EMH.

"I don't see why I was the only one to be sequestered…in bio-hazard bay…"

"That is because you tend to be a dangerous person…Ensign," says Janeway, as she enters the room with Lt. Tuvok.

"Captain," Ranko says, as she stands.

"At ease," Janeway says, as she raises her hands.

"Captain, I am glad that you are here," the EMH says. "There must be something wrong with my files, because these medical readings, other then that which makes Ensign Tendo female, is exactly like-"

"Computer, return EMH to primary medical facility," Janeway says.

SSSSHHHHHRRRP!

With that command, the EMH disappears.

"Thank goodness," Ranko says. "That program is SO annoying-"

"No more games," Janeway says. "Too many lives were lost…in more ways than one."

"After much discussion, I recommended to Captain Janeway that we go directly to the source Ensign Tendo…or do you wish to be called 'Commander Saotome'?"

"Ah," Ranko says, as she leans on the bio-bed. "You've never cease to amaze me, Mister Tuvok, even after all these years since knowing you…"

"Ranma, we're alone because I want to give you the benefit of a doubt because of our past history. Tell me…WHY ARE YOU REALLY HERE?"

"Is it because of the Maquis that you accompany the Voyager?"

Ranko shook her head.

"No, Mister Tuvok…which is interesting that you would make that connection."

Janeway backs up a bit.

"My god…you're with the Maquis."

"No, Kathy…I AM the Maquis…or, at least, one half of it."

Tuvok went for his phaser, but Janeway stayed his hand.

"No, Tuvok."

"Captain, if he is the leader of the Maquis, then he needs to be arrested."

"No, I want to know the reasons."

"I'll give you more than that," Ranko says. "Computer."

CHIRP!

"This is 'Ranma Saotome', access code 1-9-9-2-0-9-2-5. Omega."

CHIRP!

The medical screen changes to a full text of preciously classified documents.

"You have full access to the Federation directive that allowed Starfleet Intelligence to plan, coordinate and implement 'Project: Maquis'."

Janeway hesitantly takes a look at the summary document, which allows for full authorization for Ranma and Usagi to create the Maquis…

"If this is correct, then why the secrecy?" Tuvok asked. "And why have Starfleet Security initiate the capture of Maquis personnel?"

"Because it's a shell game," Janeway says, as she stands up. "What better way to retrieve information but by 'arresting' personnel within the Maquis?"

"Correct. Tuvok's mission was to 'arrest' Chakotay's group, and bring them back for debriefing without allowing the Cardassians realize the con game."

"So, does Chakotay know about this?" Janeway asked. "What about the others?"

"General policy is no, thereby allowing for culpable deniability. But he and the others do know that I will protect them if they do get in a jam."

"So, Paris knew what was going to happen."

"Yes. When he was arrested, Paris was debriefed."

"And then it's back in Starfleet?"

"If he wanted to resume his career, yes. Eventually, since he helped you capture a cell leader, he would be exonerated for his actions."

Silence.

"So what now?"

"Because you read the directive, you are now obliged to obey it…or face a court-martial."

Janeway looks at Ranko hard.

"And to think that I wanted Kat to get to know her father. What kind of kind of man are you!?"

"The kind that is willing to sacrifice all for the betterment of others," says a disembodied voice.

Ranko looks around wildly. He felt this powerful energy signature before…

FLASH!

An alien of some kind appears in the room. He was elongated baldhead—adorned with some sort of crown—was accented by his mustache-less beard. He was dressed in elaborated robes that appeared ancient.

"Who are you?" Janeway says, as Tuvok took out his phaser.

The alien smiled, as he turns to face Ranko.

"I believe your former mate knows me quite well," the alien says.

Janeway turns to face Ranko.

"Who is this man?"

Ranko folds her arms.

"His name is 'Lorien'," Ranko says with a smirk. "And the last time I saw him, he said that that the next time we meet…he will take me from this 'mortal coil'.

Tbc.