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. C&C are welcomed.
Special Note: This story will cover most of Seasons 2 thru 7 of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (i.e. what I didn't cover in "The Ranma Trek Story").
Part 11
"The Icarus Factor"
One day…
"I don't know why Lt. Worf is acting strange…even for him," LaForge said, as he, Data, Yar and Ranma sat around a table in the Ten-Forward Lounge. He then turned towards Ranma. "Do you know, sir?"
"Of course I know," Ranma said, as he sipped his drink.
"Well, what is it?" Yar asked.
"Well, I shouldn't be saying this, but..."
"But what, sir?" Data asked.
"Well, today is the anniversary of what would have been his 'Day of Ascension'," Ranma replied.
Data searched his internal data banks for what the 2nd Officer meant…
"Do you mean the equivalent of his 'Bar Mitzvah', or the Klingon Rite of Passage?" Data replied.
"Yep."
"What do you mean?" LaForge asked.
"Warf has never had the chance to have one, on account of living with humans for twenty or so years," Ranma said. "I should know, since I was the one who found him after the Romulans attacked Nerendra III."
"Ohhhh," Yar replied. "So, what are we going to do about it?"
"I'm more concerned about what to do with Commander Riker," Ranma said, as he notices Riker, as he sat at a table with Troi, as Riker stared at his father, Ambassador Kyle Riker, who was having an intimate conversation with Dr. Pulaski. "Apparently, he doesn't want to accept command of the USS Aries, due to thinking that his father having a hand in getting Riker the opportunity to command his own ship."
"Ah."
"You know, I have an idea," Ranma said. "You guys with me?"
Everyone looked around the table before nodding their collective heads towards Ranma.
"Okay, here's what we are going to do…"
Later that day…
"What's this?" Riker said, as he and his father found himself in one of the holodecks. Both were invited to the holodeck for a sparring match with Ranma and Yar. Kyle accepted since he had been friends with Ranma for years, ever since Ranma had taught his son the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu…
"Ah, William, Kyle," Ranma said, as he slipped his visor off, after sparring with Yar. They were having an 'anbo-jyutsu' match, which was an alien fighting style using sticks that, for safety reason, had pads on both ends.
"Glad that you guys accepted the invitation."
"If AMBASSADOR Riker was going to be here, I wouldn't have," Riker said.
"What's the matter, Will?" Kyle said. "Can't take the heat as usual?"
"I can take the 'heat' just find. It's the company that I find questionable."
"With all due respect, would you two STOP it?" Yar asked. "Commander, at least YOU have a father. I lost BOTH of my parents, remember?"
"Humph."
"Kyle, you really ought to stop pushing your son, you know," Ranma said.
"What business is it yours what I do with my own son, Saotome?" Kyle replied.
"My father was a lot like you, when I was growing up," Ranma said. "The difference was that I could never trust him, since he was using me to get famous for having an awesome son."
"But I'm not using my son."
"Then why are you pushing me to accept command of the Aries, then, Dad?" Riker asked. "I've been making my own decisions, ever since Mom died."
"You know why? Because you remind me too much of her, that's why."
"Now, we're getting to the root of the problem," Ranma said. "We could go to Deanna for some much-needed counseling…"
Pause.
"Or, we can have a good, old-fashion sparring match," Ranma said.
"Sparring match," Riker said. "I'm not comfortable explaining any of this to Deanna."
"I agree," Kyle said. "We Riker(s) don't talk about our problems like wimps."
"Then, by all means, let's get it on," Ranma said, as he points to the ring.
"After you, Dad," Riker said, as he motions to the ring. "Age before beautiful."
"Ha!" Kyle replied, as he prepared himself for his sparring match. "You'll regret that crack…"
Later that day, still…
"What's this?" Worf said, as he entered another holodeck. He had accepted Ranma's invitation to a sparring match as well, but at a later time. Due to having learned that Riker and Yar had their matches, Worf never suspected the truth behind HIS invitation…
Ranma, in full Klingon regalia, stepped forth, as LaForge, Yar, Data and Riker—who was told about Ranma's plan concerning Worf, after his sparring match with his father—standing behind him. He was the only non-Klingon to hold the special rank of "Da'Har Master", the highest honor that could be bestowed to a legendary warrior. It was a title Ranma earned after becoming the Federation ambassador to the Klingon Empire…
"Worf, son of Mogh, on this day, you were born from pain," Ranma said in Klingonese. "Today, it is time to confess your sins, as you complete the rites of adulthood, on this 'Day of Ascension."
Just then, two rows of Klingon warriors appeared, each one carrying pain sticks. The rows parted, stepped aside to create a path between Worf and Ranma, and turned to face each other.
"Worf, son of Mogh, are you prepared to confess?" Ranma said.
Worf smiled, as he mentally prepared himself for what lies ahead of him.
"I am, Da'Har Master," Worf said, as he began to recite a litany of sins he has committed, while going down a line of pain…
Later that night, Worf had a proper birthday party, complete Usagi bursting out of a giant cake while wearing something sexy. Also, it must be noted that ultimately, even after settling their differences, Riker would turn down his own command.
"Pen Pals"
"Okay, we can begin this meeting," Picard said, as his command crew sat around a lounge room. "Data?"
"Yes," Data said. "Earlier today, I made contact with a pre-warp civilization. Specifically, I made first contact with a native girl—a girl named 'Sarjenka'—who managed to invent a sub-space transmitter. Afterwards, I promise her that I would help her, by determining the best way to stabilize her home planet."
"Cadet Crusher?" Picard asked. He had assigned Wesley to work with Usagi, the Enterprise-D's Chief Science Officer, on determining why the Sarjenka's planet was destabilizing.
"Aye, sir," Wesley said, as he cleared his throat. "Thanks to the team that Lt. Commander Tsukino had assigned me to, I determine that the planet's dilithium deposits have become highly-charged, thanks to the planet's unique position in this solar system."
"In other words, the planet has so much dilithium crystals that the entire planet is reacting to its star, effectively turning the planet into a natural warp core," Usagi said. "But without the usual magnetic fields to stabilize the planet, the planet will break up."
"We're looking into an equivalent of a warp core breach, sir," LaForge said.
"Cadet, any recommendations on how to solve this problem?" Picard asked.
"We can use the ship to realign the planet's magnetic field," Wesley said. "Doing so will prevent the planet's star from doing what it is doing now."
"Hold on," Yar said. "But wouldn't we be violating the Prime Directive?"
"Are saying that you would allow Sarjenka's world to be destroyed?" Dr. Pulaski asked.
"As a security officer, my job is to follow the rules and regulations as set by the Federation Council, and as enforced by Starfleet Command," Yar said.
"Are there not exceptions?" Counselor Troi asked. "I do believe that the captain as some discretion in this case."
"Then he needs to justify that exception, because it will be my logs that Starfleet Command will have to infer upon, if they get around to investigate any appearance that the Prime Directive is being violated."
"And that is why I have you all assembled," Picard said. "The purpose of the Prime Directive has many functions, not the least to protect US from being caught in a complicated situation…"
Pause.
"Saotome, I'm sure you are very aware of the nature of the Prime Directive," Picard said, as he turned to face Ranma.
"Aye, I am," Ranma replied. "Usagi and I were around BEFORE the General Orders had been implemented, and they definitely have evolved over the years to reflect the changing nature of Starfleet's mission."
"Such as?" Riker asked.
"I remember when, for example, General Order 26 had changed," Ranma said. "Before the change, a starship commander could unilateral destroy a planet if that planet poised a great danger to the rest of the sector…and beyond."
"Have you ever implemented it?" Worf asked.
"Once," Ranma replied. "It was during my second term as captain of the USS Enterprise-B. A parasitic organism had infected a Federation colony, turning anything—including people—into a xenomorphic life form. Since it was too late to save the colonists, I gave the order to use destroy that planet completely."
"Oh my god," Dr. Pulaski said. "You destroyed an entire planet?"
"Doctor, had that parasitic nasty escaped, you wouldn't be here right now," Ranma said, as he stared at the Chief Medical Officer coldly. "I'll send you the complete records of what happened, but those parasites didn't care who or what was being infected…"
Pause.
"Nevertheless, because of what happened, new legislation was implemented where future starship commanders had to gain approval, unless there is a life-or-death situation at hand. Even then, he or she would have to justify his or her actions if General Order 26 is implemented."
"Which goes to the heart of the matter," Picard said. "I know that we can save Sarjenka's home planet. The question is whether or not doing so is a violation of her people's natural course of evolution."
"That's the question, is it?" Riker said. "If there is a 'cosmic plan', do we have the right to interfere with that plan?"
"I do not believe in 'plans', but I do know that the rules were implemented in order to give guidelines for Starfleet personnel to follow," Worf said.
"Sir, it could be that the Prime Directive refers to the cultural development of a world," Troi replied. "It may be that Sarjenka's world can be saved without her people's knowledge."
"I do agree with that assessment," Picard said. "Okay, we'll save Sarjenka's home planet, but, in order to prevent future contamination, Mr. Data will go to the planet, and retrieve the Sarjenka's communications device. From there, will implement an advisory buoy, warning Federation ships to be mindful of Sarjenka's people, just in case there is a another improper first contact situation…"
Pause.
"Dismiss…"
"Q Who?"
"So, 'space clown' shows up, again?" Ranma said drolly.
"You know, you really should have more respect for your betters, half-man," replied the entity Q, as he, Picard, Riker and Ranma, with Guinan in attendance, have their meeting, with Yar securing and her team securing Ten-Forward.
"You haven't given us a reason for respecting you, Q," Picard said.
"Has Guinan being telling lies about me?" Q said, as he glances at the Al-Aurian.
"Feh," Guinan replied, as she turned away to fix herself a drink…
"It's from experience, Q," Riker said.
"Well, my dear commander, I am here, as a means of making up to you all, to be a member of your crew," Q said.
"The Q Continuum kicked you out, eh?" Ranma said.
"Probationary," Q replied.
"As fascinating an opportunity to have you be here, we already have a resident 'alien' living here on the Enterprise-D," Picard said.
"Ah, the Guardian," Q said. "Are saying that you would allow her here, and not moi?"
"Lady Lianna has respected the arrangement that I have made with her," Picard said.
"But you will need me for what lies ahead," Q said. "You will be entering an area of space very few humans have gone. You will indeed have an opportunity to explore strange new worlds and all that, but there will be dangers that I do not think you are prepared for."
"I think we'll manage," Riker said with a smug expression.
"Are you mocking me, Riker?"
"No, he's saying that we can manage things without you just fine," Picard said.
"Oh, really?" Q said, as he steps away from the bar. "We'll see about that…"
"Q, wait!" Guinan said, as Q snapped his fingers.
SNAP!
The Enterprise-D tumbled beyond the Alpha Quadrant, and ended up some place else…
"What did you do?" Picard said.
"I just initiated a demonstration on how utterly wrong you are," Q said. He then turned towards Ranma and Guinan.
"It looks like you two will be needed for what lies ahead…"
And, with that, Q disappears.
FLASH!
Meanwhile, on the Bridge…
"Report," Worf said, as she turned towards Data and Wesley, with the boy-genius assigned to the Conn in Ranma's absence. Worf was in command since he is a Bridge Officer, unless either Picard, Riker or Ranma were on hand…
"Apparently, we have traveled at Warp 9.9 within seconds," Wesley said. "In fact…I think we're in the…Delta Quadrant."
"'Delta Quadrant'?" Usagi said, as she looked up from her station in a startled manner.
"Any damage to the ship?" Worf asked.
"None so far," Data said. "I am consulting with Engineering for more feedback…"
As all this was going on, Usagi had only one thought.
'Hoshiko,' Usagi thought, as her mind begins to journey to a time when she and Ranma lost their beloved child...to The Borg.
Tbc.