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 21

On this day, Ranko decided to bring down her training of B'Ellanna down a notch, since the Doctor (i.e. the EMH program) complained to Captain Janeway about the demi-Klingon's injuries of late. However, that didn't mean that Ranko was going to go easy on her…

Ranko and B'Ellanna were in the holodeck, where a re-creation of "Jusenkyo", the valley of springs that was cursed, was being used as a training exercise. As Ranko played her flute, B'Ellanna was hopping on wooden poles that were stuck vertically within each pool of water that dotted the landscape. Every time B'Ellanna hops onto the next pole, she performs a hand kumite kata, using Klingon martial arts as the means.

"This...isn't so bad," B'Ellanna says, as she moved her arms accordingly. "I don't know why Chakotay made such a big fuss about 'Jusenkyo'…"

Ranko stops her flute playing.

"My dear, unlike the real 'Jusenkyo', you don't have to worry about getting cursed," Ranko says. "And unlike the real Jusenkyo, we are using wooden beams, instead of bamboo stalks."

"So…you really were cursed by these pools?" B'Ellanna says, as she hops unto the next beam to perform her next kata.

"Yep," Ranko says. "And the amazing thing about them is that it was because of the remains of a Changeling that caused the morphing affect from one species to another."

"So, there's nothing magical about them?"

"Some would say that, I suppose."

"And do YOU say?"

"Hmmm…"

"Well?"

"I say that what's hyper-science to some is magical to others. What is considered to be an alternate realm to some is the spiritual plane to others. And from my experience, there are more things between heaven and hell than meets the eye…or the mind."

"To paraphrase 'Hamlet', scene five," B'Ellanna says.

"Since when were you literate in Shakespeare?"

"Since being forced to stay read his works in lieu of getting detention, while growing up."

"Ah, you've been naughty?"

B'Ellanna stops her movements, and turns to give Ranko "the look".

"What?"

"I have heard that the great 'Ranma Saotome' had a reputation for being a ladies' man. So I HOPE you are not hitting on me."

"…"

"No comeback line?"

"Uh, as your teacher, there are certain boundaries I will not cross. So to assume that using innuendos to make jokes, as an indication of me 'hitting on you', is quite insulting."

"Oh, sorry for implying, then."

"THANK YOU," Ranko says. "Besides, I've seen what you look like naked anyway, remember?"

"Why, you-!"

SPLASH!

"Rule #1: never let a foe distract you. Rule #2: distract the other guy."

B'Ellanna coughed, as she swam to the side of the pool.

"So…this was another test?" B'Ellanna says.

"Life is a series of tests, but yes it was. Although, I would like to call that little exercise a 'pop quiz'. Yeah, that's it…"

"…"

"Okay, then," Ranko says, as she reaches for a long piece of black cloth from behind her back. "Now, get back on those poles, and perform the kumite, this time BLIND FOLDED."

"…"

Later…

"So I believe that Harry and I have come across a wormhole," Kat says. "However, we would need a more detailed analysis."

"Understood," Janeway says. She then turns towards her Operations Officer.

"Harry, make sure that Kat and 'astrometrics' get the resources they would need for further scrutiny of the phenomenon."

"Yes, ma'am."

Janeway turns to Chakotay, Tuvok and Ranko.

"Imagine that: a short cut already found."

"We do not know if the wormhole will take us where we need to go," Tuvok says.

"We should consider taking a chance on this," Chakotay says.

"Ranko?" Janeway asked.

"At the very least, we should consider all options," Ranko says.

"Agreed. Tom? Lay in a course for the anomaly."

"Yes, ma'am," Paris says, as he redirects the Voyager towards the newly discovered wormhole.

"And ma'am?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"If this wormhole pans out, I say we petition the Federation Astronomical Committee to name the wormhole…the 'Katrina Janeway-Harold Kim Wormhole'," Paris says.

"Like the sound of that," Janeway says, as she sits down in her seat.

"That's because of the name 'Janeway being included," Ranko comments.

"Posh!"

Later…

"Well, so much for that," Ranko says, as she notes the fact that the wormhole in question 37 centimeters in diameter…the size of a standard person view screen.

"Maybe there is a way to send a sub-space signal through?" Kat offered. "Like a conduit."

"That's right, we can compressed a signal for sub-space transmission," Kim says.

"I recommend sending a micro-probe," Tuvok says.

"Do it," Janeway says.

With the launch of the micro-probe into micro-wormhole, everyone was on pins and needles as to where it could end up. Eventually, it manages to make it through…

"It did it," Kim says with glee.

"Captain, from the initial readings, I say that if we are going to make an attempt at sending a signal, it must be done within 72 hours," Kat says. "Otherwise, communications will be all but impossible."

"Just do your best," Janeway says.

"Captain, I must caution you that we still do not know where this wormhole will lead to," Tuvok says.

"No, but we'll find out soon enough."

Soon, linkage was successfully established between Voyage, and an unknown vessel…in the Alpha Quadrant. Everyone seemed to be happy, until full communications was established…

"From my readings, the source is…Romulan," Tuvok says.

"Oh, great, Romulans," Ranko says with scoff.

Janeway turns towards Ranko.

"I take it that you have had run-ins with the Romulans before?" Janeway asked.

"Let's say that the Romulans have had it in for me since the beginning-"

"The Romulan vessel is hailing us," Tuvok says.

Janeway looked surprised. However…

"On screen then."

CHIRP!

Now, Ranko was never one to be shocked about anything. However, upon seeing the face of the person on screen, Ranko literally went white as a sheet.

"This is Commander Usagi, of the Romulan science vessel 'Talveth'," Usagi says. She was dressed as an officer of the Romulan Star Empire. "How may I be of service?"

After an initial greeting was made, Janeway requests a brief adjournment before immediately requests Ranko's full attention…in private.

"Why is Counselor Tsukino on that ship?" Janeway demanded.

Ranko looks at Janeway.

"I don't know."

"Ranma, I know that you have…other affiliations within Starfleet and the Federation, so surely you know-"

"I DON'T KNOW," Ranko says forcefully. "The last time I spoke with Usagi was immediately after the 'Voyager' became lost."

"Hmmm," Janeway mused. "We could do a more detailed analysis of the wormhole, to see if we are not peering into another dimension."

"Or we can make a request for THAT person to visit our ship," Ranko says.

"Ranma, if we do that, then I want you on your best behavior, okay?"

"…"

"Ranma?"

"Fine, you have my word."

Later, in the primary transporter bay…

"We're ready to accept your beaming signal…Commander," Janeway says, over a secured line.

"Huh, imagine the good counselor being worst than I am-" Chakotay begins to say, until he sees Ranko's 'death glare'. "Er, never mind…"

"Mister Tuvok? Energize."

Usagi is transported unto the Voyager, where Janeway, Ranko, Chakotay, Tuvok and a cadre of security specialists greet her upon arrival.

"My, what a welcome wagon," Usagi says. "Hello, Captain Janeway."

"Hello…Commander Usagi," Janeway says. "And I must say that I am not used to a Terran being in charge of a Romulan vessel."

"Indeed."

Usagi scans her eyes until she sees a glaring Ranko, though she decides to say nothing at the moment.

"Ma'am, may we escort the Romulan officer to Sick Bay first?" Ranko says.

"'Sickbay'?"

"There are some questions that need answering," Janeway says.

"Of course, lead on."

And with, everyone files out of the transporter bay, save for Tuvok.

"Tuvok," Chakotay begins, as he pulls the Vulcan security officer to side. "I need your help on something that could help us unravel this mystery."

Tuvok looks at the sincerity in Chakotay's eyes.

"Very well, let us proceed."

Tbc.