Sailor Moon ST 1: An Enterprising Experience – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 11


It's been two weeks since the Suliban affair, and all was calm. Well, maybe too calm…

"Man, I'm board," Ranma said, as he continued his lessons in mathematics.

Both he and his bunk mate Usagi were completing their lessons in their shared quarters. Since joining Starfleet a year ago, the pair had to going through remedial in order to just get on par with what was standard lesson plan. For instance, in a few months, they will have completed the theoretical mathematics sequences, the third tier of mathematics, before choosing a discipline for specialization. In the duo's particular case, Ranma's specialty will be in aerospace engineering and astrophysics (as it pertains to his desire to become Helm Officer, especially after earning a pilots certificate), while Usagi's specialty will be in planetary science (a general field of study ranging from zoology, botany, geology, geophysics and so forth), since Usagi wasn't sure what she wanted to do until graduate school. She did earn an engineering certificate, specializing in diagnostic tools, sensors and power manipulation. That was why Tucker trusted Usagi to handle the EMP device that crippled the Suliban Cabal's Helix, since she was able to link the Helix main power conduit with the EMP device for a sustained burst…

At any rate, the pair was continuing their lessons while gaining real world experiences on board the Enterprise.

"Well, we can't do anything until we complete our morning lessons, Ranma," Usagi said. "At least we have that weapons test to do with Lt. Reed."

"What so good about the weapons tests anyway?" Ranma said, as he leans back in his seat.

"Well, if we are to be useful around here, we have to know everything there is to know about ship board operations," Usagi replied. "And beside…it's fun challenging one's self, don't you think?"

"Says the cadet who whined about T'Pol assigning you the astrometrics survey," Ranma said with a smirk.

"Hater…"

A short while later, Ranma and Usagi are in the weapons room (aka the Armory) with Reed and Mayweather.

"Your targeting skills are okay, but the assignment is to program the targeting system for 'modular mode'," Reed said.

"I'm sorry, sir," Ranma said, as he begins to program the torpedo's warhead for their target simulation.

"Well, don't be, cadet. I blame Starfleet for sending you and Cadet Tsukino out here without a proper lesson plan," Reed said.

"I don't know about that," Mayweather replied, as he and Usagi load the warhead into the torpedo. "You can learn much from hands-on experience."

"Things are delicate as it is, especially since there are so many unknowns out here," Reed replied. "We need everyone ready for possible conflicts, although I prefer that we have none…"

Reed then turns towards Ranma again.

"Prepare to fire the next torpedo, cadet."

"Aye, sir," Ranma said, as he punches in his new program for the guidance system of the torpedo. "Ready."

"Fire…"

After a few more simulations, followed by a live-fire exercise that had mixed results, Usagi and Ranma sat down for lunch in the mess hall.

"Well, I'm glad you two decided to join me for lunch," Dr. Phlox said.

"Well, I wanted to know what are assignment was for biology," Ranma said.

"He's not very good at it," Usagi said with a giggle over tea.

"Yeah, whatever…"

"Actually, we can have our next lesson, starting now with a review," Dr. Phlox said. "Cadet Tsukino, what is the 'endocrine system'?"

"Um, endocrine system is the network of glands that regulate the body's functions," Usagi replied.

"Very good. Cadet Ranma: name five of those glands, as it pertains to the human body."

"Um, the thyroid, the pineal, the pituitary, hypothalamus, and the parathyroid," Ranma said.

"Very good. Cadet, name the remaining five glands."

"Let's see, the thymus, the pancreas, the adrenals, the testes and the ovaries," Usagi said with a blush.

"Are you sure of your answer?"

"Well, male and female humans typically develop nine glands during the gestation period. Only in the final developmental stages that secondary sexual characteristics are developed on the glandular level."

"Go on…"

"Um…oh! And sometimes a person can be a hermaphrodite," Usagi said proudly.

"Very good! You and Cadet Saotome are coming along just fine."

"Hey, the sooner I pass advanced biology, the better," Ranma scoffed.

"You're not into life sciences?" Dr. Phlox asked.

"No, I'm not. I rather do something relating to flying or martial arts than being a doctor or something."

"I see. I read that in your file."

"You did?" Ranma replied.

"Yes. Let me educate you on a technique that my people were able to develop…"

Dr. Phlox turns towards two women chatting up in the back of the mess hall.

"See those two?"

"Yes?"

"Which one just finished exercising?"

"How can tell?"

"By honing one's sense of smell, that's how. The one on the left, Ensign Sakura, had just finished working out."

"So what does she smell like?" Usagi asked out of curiosity.

"Like a Nausicaan: very earthy."

"Oh…"

Dr. Phlox then turns towards a couple eating quietly, alone.

"And those two are going to mate later on," Dr. Phlox said.

"Doctor!" Usagi said in embarrassment.

"What was the point of that?" Ranma said with annoyance.

"The point, my young friends, is that knowing how the endocrine system works, can allow you to know the different smells that they make in unison, depending upon the combination of the individual endocrine. That is how you can tell the emotional state without even looking at a person's face."

"So you're saying that…if I know how the biology of a person works beyond pressure points and junk, I can be a better martial artist?" Ranma asked.

"Precisely. Of course, in order to know this knowledge, you have to want to receive it."

"Well, Doc, you got me," Ranma said with a smile. "I'll take my lessons more seriously."

"Well, at the very least have fun learning how to use your knowledge in a practical way," Dr. Phlox said with a smile.

Later, on the Bridge of the Enterprise, Usagi was running a routine long-range scan of the nearby sectors with T'Pol, when she picked up an object nearby.

"Captain, I think I found something," Usagi said, as she looked into her viewing scope. "It's about three light-years off our projected course vector."

"T'Pol, patch the sensor grid into the command area," Archer said, as he gets up from his center seat. "Hoshi, request Tripp's presence for this one."

"Yes, sir," Hoshi said, as she patched in a direct line to Engineering…

After much debate amongst the department heads, which ended with the usual "We're-going-because-T'Pol-suggested-that-we-shouldn't" argument, Archer ordered the Enterprise to intercept the ship, which appeared to be dead in space. Upon closer examination, which revealed hull breaches, Archer decided to send a Landing Party to board the ship, which included Ranma and Usagi.

"This is SO exciting," Usagi said, as she zipped her space suit.

"Why are YOU excited?" Ranma asked, as he went over the equipment with Reed and Hoshi.

"I like to meet new people, Ranma," Usagi said. "What better way of meeting new people than simply by showing up?"

"I still think you're being a little too enthusiastic about this mission, cadet," Reed said. "We could easily find ourselves in a hostile situation."

"I think you've been watching too many sci-fi vids, Reed," Archer said. "And besides, we only need our phase pistols."

"Why the phase pistols?" Hoshi said. Hoshi didn't want to participate in the mission due to having claustrophobia, vis-à-vis the space suits…

"Safety," Archer said, as he snaps the pistol in place on Hoshi's suit.

"Humph."

After a quick trip over to the derelict ship, and after figuring out a way to get inside the ship, the Mission Party were able to board the ship…

"Enterprise, we're in," Hoshi replied.

"And hopefully, we won't get shot at or something," Ranma said, as he climbs aboard while helping Usagi up.

"Tell me about it," Reed said.

"Just stay calm, and don't do anything rash," Archer replied, as he was the last to enter the ship…

"I see scorch marks all over the decks," Ranma said, as he scanned the corridor.

"Not much power running through these conduits," Usagi replied, as she scanned the duct work.

"What do you think happened to the crew?" Hoshi asked.

"I think this is our first clue," Reed said, as he points to a dried, green substance.

"Blood?" Archer asked.

"Possibly."

"Okay, stay alert, people," Archer said.

"Captain, I think the life-signs are coming from down that junction corridor, where this ship's power station is located," Ranma said.

"Okay, Reed?" Archer said.

"Understood, sir," Reed said, as he took point, as they go towards the source of the bio-signatures…

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Hoshi and Usagi screamed in unison, upon finding the bodies of the alien crew, all of which were strung up while blood was being pumped from their bodies.

"Damn," Ranma said, as he looks up. "No wonder the sensors were strange."
"What do you mean?" Reed asked. "They're dead."

"Technically, yes, but that's fresh blood."

"Like a vampire," Archer spat.

"I guess. But, I hope it's not, because all this seems recent."

"Sir, Cadet Saotome's right," Reed said. "I would humbly suggest we return to the ship."

"Not before I get the data logs," Archer said, as he turns towards Hoshi and Usagi.

"You two: I need the logs."

"But-?" Hoshi began to say.

"Please, do it."

"Yes, sir," Usagi said, who was still somewhat in shock over seeing a helpless crew being done in the way they were…

After much debate, it was decided to investigate the matter further, in spite of the fact that whoever butchered the crew might be back. With that, Dr. Phlox and Tucker joined the Mission Party…

"Sad, indeed," Dr. Phlox said, as he examined the bodies. "Clearly, I am in agreement that this is more ritual than not."

"Explain," Archer asked.

"Why save the blood of your defeated?"

Meanwhile, Usagi and Hoshi was working on activating the main computer, while Ranma, and Reed tried to get the alien ship up and running.

"Not much damage to the auxiliary power core," Reed said.

"Sir, we just established a link with the computer core," Usagi said.

Words could be heard over the loud speaker…

"The message must be garbled or something," Ranma replied.

"Actually, that's a foreign language being spoken, Cadet Saotome," Hoshi said.

"Oh."

After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the crew was attack by the equivalent of poacher for their globular fluid, most likely for their holistic properties. Unfortunately, humans could be used as a worthy substitute. And then…

"Sir, I'm detecting an alien ship, on approach," T'Pol said while aboard the Enterprise. "You were right."

"We're on our way…"

Unfortunately, while transferring back to the Enterprise, the alien vessel, which looked like a pair of hooks joined on one end, attacked. As a result, the Enterprise was essentially dead in the water. Making matters worse, the torpedoes were still not ready, and the alien ship probed the Enterprise and its crew.

"Well, it looks like we've been sized up to be used, the same way our unfortunate friends were," Dr. Phlox said.

"Not if I can help it," Ranma said. He then turns towards Reed.

"Sir, I think you should let Usagi and I tinker with the torpedoes."

"What?" Reed said. "We don't have time for this foolishness."

"Sir," Usagi said, as she looks down at first. "I…have a special knack for games."

"I know about your score, but-"

"Please?"

Archer looks into the pair's eyes. He read their respective files, and if half the things he read in them were true, they just might have a chance.

"Okay, but Reed and T'Pol will supervise."

"Yes, sir," Reed said, as he motions T'Pol to follow him and the cadets…

"This is highly dangerous," T'Pol said, as Ranma and Reed loaded a pair of torpedoes into the launchers. "To expose your person to this danger is illogical."

"The problem is that the magnetic coils can only carry an object at a standard speed before deceleration," Ranma said. "I propose to give the thing a kick."

"How is that going to happen?"

"You'll see, sir…"

"Sir, I got the targeting computer set," Usagi said. "Where to aim?"

"Anywhere would be a start," Reed said. "I just hope that we all survive the resulting explosion from this farce."

"We might not survive at all if this gambit fails," T'Pol said. She then presses an intercom button.

"Armory to Bridge: we're ready…"

"Whatever you are going to do, Cadet Saotome, now is the time," Reed said.

"Right," Ranma said, as he gets into a horse stance. His aura begins to glow…

"What is…this?" T'Pol asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"My god," Reed said. "What are you?"

"A martial artist named Ranma Saotome who won't lose to ANYONE," Ranma replied. "Especially, to a bunch of blood suckers…"

"Archer to Reed," Archer said from the Bridge. "Fire."

"Now," Reed said to Ranma.

"Moko Takabisha Revised: Dragon Spiral Attack!" Ranma yelled, as he unleashed his attack while the Enterprise launched the torpedo. It moved in a spiral, traveling much faster than it was designed for…

"Usagi!" Reed said, as he monitored the targeting system. "Stay on target!"

"I'm trying, sir!" Usagi said, as she guided the torpedo home.

The alien vessel's crew was surprised that the ship before them could produce a powerful weapon. They were even more surprised as Ranma continued to channel his power into the attack, as the torpedo drilled into the alien ship's shields, and destroyed its propulsion system.

"You did it!" Reed said, as the alien ship veered off course, but was unable to travel faster than it's thrusters.

"Yeah," Ranma said, as he nearly feinted.

"Ranma!" Usagi said, as she caught her bunk mate.

"Sickbay, please send a medical team down to the armory," T'Pol said into an intercom. She then turns towards Ranma.

"You and I will have a talk about this thing you just did," T'Pol said.

"Yeah, whatever…"

Thanks to the successful torpedo attack, enough time was bought before the people of the dead crew, the Axanar, arrived to deal with the aliens who murdered their fellow Axanarians. And thanks to Hoshi, official first contact was made.

Meanwhile, thanks to Ranma and Usagi's actions, Reed now has a means to make the Enterprise's torpedoes a lot more lethal, should a new power source could be used to charge the torpedo. It will be only be a matter of time before such a power source can be used regularly.

Meanwhile, Ranma is reading up on his endocrine examination, while Usagi was listening to old J-Pop songs.

"Imagine that," Usagi replied. "All this time, Hoshi was afraid of meeting new aliens."

"Uh-huh." Ranma replied, not really paying attention.

"Have you heard a thing I said, Ranma?"

"Yeah, but I got to finish this up, 'cuz Lt. Reed wants me to help him on one of his projects," Ranma said. "He thinks that I help him upgrade the weapons systems."

"Imagine that," Usagi said. "A martial artist into weapons."

"Hater…"

Tbc.