The Ranma Trek Odyssey – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "R1/2", "SM", "ST" and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 14
Meanwhile, on the Bridge, Tasha is looking at her in-ship sensors…
"Hmmm," Tasha says.
"What is it?" Riker asked.
"I don't know if this is correct, but I'm detecting a powerful energy signature in the Saotome quarters," Riker replied.
"Probably the Saotomes doing…something," Picard says flatly.
"No, I compensated for that-"
"Captain, its not the Saotomes," Troi says, as she extended her senses. "It's…Q."
"Q?" Picard says angrily. "What the devil is he doing here?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Obviously, his visit has something to do with the Saotomes," Riker says. "How do you think we should handle the situation?"
Picard muses for a moment.
"Sir?" Yar says.
"Lieutenant Yar, take a security detail with you and apprise the situation. I can trust the Saotomes well enough to NOT provoke Q in the immediacy."
"Yes, sir," Yar says, as she is relieved by another Bridge Officer.
"Sir, what do you think he is up to?" Riker asked.
"I don't know, 'Number One', but I am sure that we will find out soon enough…"
Meanwhile…
"So…you're my father?" Usagi says, as she, Ranma and Q sat in the middle of the front room of the living quarters that belonged to the Saotomes.
"Indeed I am, my dear," Q says. "Why is that hard to believe?"
"Because you are a known liar, perhaps?" Ranma says flatly. "Or is it because you've been a total jerk to those who can't defend yourself?"
"You know, fem-boy, if you weren't married to my daughter-"
"Hey, you can try, you know," Ranma says, as he stands to crack his knuckle. "You and I both well that your powers don't work on me, for some reason."
"And that reason is because you are the avatar of Chaos," Q says. "There is equal chances that I could fail or succeed in turning you into the gnat that you are."
"And I'm just as arrogant enough to test that theory," Ranma says. "So, do YOU want to take that risk?"
Silence was evident, as the two men thump their respective chests.
"Ranma, Q…STOP," Usagi says. "There are bigger matters to attend to."
"I agree," Q says, as he rises from his seat. He then gets ready to snap his fingers.
"Shall we?"
SNAP!
FLASH!
Both Q and Usagi disappear.
"Usagi?" Ranma called out. "USAGI!"
SSHHHHP!
Having activated the override control panel with her security clearance, Yar and her security detail enters the premises.
"Commander, what just happened?" Yar asked.
"Q kidnapped my wife, that's what happened!" Ranma says.
Meanwhile, at the same time, a guest on board the Enterprise-D suddenly looks up from her various PDAs and datapads.
'That's odd,' Doctor Elizabeth Dehner says, as she looked around. She could have sworn that she felt a spatial displacement a second time…
Dehner was on board to both evaluate Troi's performance in her role as "Ship's Counselor", as well as assist in evaluating the Iotians' ability to adapt to the changing times within the Alpha Quadrant, without the need to discard their society's own culture. Technically, the Iotians have successfully achieved "faster-than-light" status on their own, so open dialogue was already in order. However, because they have adapted the look and technological level of Starfleet circa 2268 (CE), there was concerned that the Federation's traditional enemies would mistake the Iotians for Starfleet. Thus, it became important to develop more permanent relations with the Iotians.
Shaking the feeling on unease, Dehner goes to a nearby intercom and-
"Dehner to Bridge," Dehner says. "Is…everything okay?"
On the Bridge, Picard raises an eyebrow towards Troi and Riker.
"The ship's status is affirmative, Doctor," Picard says.
"Oh, okay," Dehner says. "Sorry to bother you. Dehner: out."
"Well, that was unusual," says Riker. "Dehner doesn't seem the sort to call the Bridge for idle banter."
"She's not, Commander," Troi says. "From what I know of her, Doctor Dehner is a very tough evaluator."
"Not the exactly the type of person that would be friends with Commander Tsukino," Riker says. "Then again…we all know from experience that she has an endearing quality that is quite…refreshing."
Troi crosses her arms.
"I DO hope that you meant that metaphorically, Commander," Troi says icily.
"…"
'Whoa, scary,' Picard thought to herself.
Meanwhile…
"Hulkusagi SMASH!" Hulkusagi raged, as the green-skinned "Gammazon" tore through the Q Continuum. "RRRRAAAARRRR-!"
Years before, Usagi was held prisoner on an alternate Earth—called "The Rifts"—and was subjected to a Gamma-radiated transfusion from an evil version of the 21st century hero known as "The Hulk". However, in his evil state, he was called "The Maestro", who ruled a decadent kingdom in the name of his dark masters, The Splugorth. These giant, sentient octopi-like creatures ruled a vast interstellar empire, with hundreds of races serving their every whim. Usagi, captured while severely wounded during a battle with the Splugorth, was given to the Maestro as a prize for his loyal service. The Gamma-powered henchman learned of Usagi's true heritage, and promptly sought to change the Moon Princess into his perfect bride: Hulkusagi. Thankfully, the process was stopped before Usagi could be changed mentally, but most of the damage was already done.
Now, whenever Usagi thinks that she is going to lose Ranma, for a variety of reasons, the change occurs. Depending on how serious the situation was, Usagi could either have her full mental faculties, or throw a temper-tantrum. And strangely, depression is the trigger for the change, which is why she always tries to look for the bright side of life, or engage in activities that make her happy, like loving someone. Over the years, Usagi has learned to control the change, but, on occasion, she can lose control over herself…
Upon being brought to the realm, Usagi's sadness over being kidnapped triggered her transformation. She wore only a T-Shirt and black sweat pants when she was talking to Q over her supposed parentage, when Q took her from her ship. Now, Hulkusagi's clothes barely fit her, as she smashed every conceptual object—since there was no true translation of the concept into the human mind. However, to Hulkusagi, she believed that she was being hounded by the old United State Army is some desert region.
"Where is puny man who took Hulkusagi from her Ranma?" the Gammazon says, as she lifts a tank, and tosses it many hundreds of yards away. "Tell Hulkusagi, or there will be more smashing!"
In some bunker, the members of the Q confer amongst themselves. They all appeared to be in military dress of varying rank.
"Q, blast you for not preparing for this!" says Q, as he looks into his binoculars.
"I don't see what's the big idea, Q," Q says, as he looks at Usagi's display of tantrums. "She'll just wear herself out."
"That's not the point, and you know that!"
"You know, you need to relax, Q," Q says. "As I said before, she'll wear herself out. And even if she doesn't, I invited someone here to help reassure her."
"Who?"
"Her mother."
Hulkusagi looks around to see what else she could smash, when she sees a ball of light appears out of thin air.
"What light is that?" Hulkusagi says. "Bah! Puny man tries to trick Hulkusagi-!"
"No, my darling daughter," says a gentle voice.
"Voice sounds familiar…"
"It should be, since I am your mother," Queen Serenity says, as she appears in her human form.
"Mo-ther?" Hulkusagi says.
"Oh, my poor baby," Serenity says, as she touched her daughter's form. "To see you become a savage breaks my heart."
"Mo-ther," Hulkusagi says, as she kneels down. "Hulkusagi wants Ranma."
"You will, I promise."
Hulkusagi smiles, as joy comes to her heart. With her happy, the change comes over her…
"Ohhhh," Usagi says tiredly, as she collapses into her mother's waiting arms, while the environment changes to that of the old Moon Kingdom.
"There, there…your mother will be here to make it all better…"
Tbc.