The Ranma Trek Voyage! By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "SM", "R1/2", "ST" and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 25
Five years later…
It has been a while since the Romulan emperor Shiarkeik took the Lady Usagi, as his consort. As far as everyone was concerned, Usagi was an orphan, a commoner and a courtesan. This, however, made Praetor Dralath suspicious. After all, as long as the emperor was relegated to some "fossil", Dralath did not have to worry about some heir affecting his agenda. However, thanks to Usagi's presence, Dralath has more than one person to worry about…
"Mamma!" T'Suki (dark hair with Odangos) screamed in delight. "Look what I have done!"
Usagi, who was painting, looks over to her daughter. With Tasha's suppose "death" a year ago, she only had T'Suki to keep her company…
FLASHBACK!
Usagi sat in the galley, as Tasha Yar waited for the execution to commence…
"Tasha Yar of Earth, wife of Admiral Mendak, you have been charged with kidnapping and treason," says the magistrate. "How do you plead?"
Tasha swallowed, as she looked over to Usagi, who had hung her head in sorry-
"Usagi!" Tasha yells.
Usagi looks up.
"Take care of Sela for me."
Usagi gives a half-hearted smile while nodding her head.
"And now, proceed with the molecular disruption."
MMmmmmm…
As the disruptor chamber was activated, Usagi began to sense some sort of temporal disruption.
CHOOM!
Suddenly, everything seemed to stand still…
And then, a strange, familiar sound could be heard, like the grinding of gears.
"Huh?" Usagi says to herself, as she sees a blue British police box appear in the middle of the execution chamber. A moment later, Ranma appears.
"Ranma…?"
Ranma was dressed in his familiar Chinese clothes.
"Hey," Ranma says, with a cocky smile.
"RANMA!" Usagi cried out, as she ran into Ranma's arms while crying. "Ranma…"
"Shhhhh," Ranma says, as he pats Usagi on the back. "It's okay, Usa…"
"Is the coast clear?" says Captain Katherine, as she steps outside.
"Yeah," Ranma says, as he let's go of Usagi.
"Good," Sailor Minerva says. "The sooner we pick up our next passenger, the better."
"So, you're here to rescue us?" Usagi asked. "Me, Tasha and our daughters?"
"No, Miss Usagi," says the eighth incarnation of the Doctor, as he steps outside the TARDIS. "Just Miss Tasha."
"Oh…"
Inside the TARDIS, Miss Stadi, Miss Datum (an android version of Usagi) and Mrs. Tendo (also known as "Susan") look at the events taking place outside…
"It looks weird with me…her looking like a Romulan," Stadi says.
"Miss Stadi, how is that different from you looking like a deceased crew-person?" Datum asked.
"Well, um…"
"She has a point, you know," Susan says with a chuckle, as her fingers danced over the TARDIS' control panel, all in an effort to stabilize the temporal stasis that her daughter, Sailor Minerva has established. "We should get Miss Tasha in here soon. I don't think we can maintain this pause in the space time continuum."
Meanwhile, the Doctor supervises Ranma and Miss Katherine, as they carefully remove Tasha from the chamber, while Sailor Minerva concentrates on keeping the temporal stasis field intact…
"What is going on, Doctor?" Usagi says.
The Doctor turns around to face her old companion.
"A war, my dear companion," the Doctor says with mirth. "There is a war involving time coming…and I will need help to prevent the deaths of countless number of lives."
Usagi wanted to say something about wars and wasted lives, but she realized that at least with Tasha going with the Doctor, she has a chance to live…or, at least, die FREE.
ZZZark!
"Got her, Doc," Ranma says, as he holds an unconscious Tasha Yar.
"Excellent!" the Doctor says. "Captain Katherine, make sure that the computer on this…ghastly machine indicates as successful vaporization."
"Already done, Doctor," says Captain Katherine, as she uses her "sonic pen" to make the modifications. "And I prefer that you address by my LAST name."
"As long as there are TWO of you running around, I will address you as 'Captain Katherine'. You know, to tell you and your counterpart apart."
"Heh, I seriously doubt you can, since Kathy is CONSISTENT, if nothing else."
"Laugh it up, Ranma," Captain Katherine says. "And don't be surprised if you have to sleep on the couch tonight."
"Wait, you…and Ranma are-?"
"Let's just put it this way," Sailor Minerva says. "Everyone LOVES Ranma."
"…"
"Well, if nothing else, we must be off," the Doctor says, as he straightens his coat. "Oh, one more thing…"
The Doctor reaches into his coat pocket, and pulls out a tiny pillbox.
"Here," the Doctor says, as he tosses the box.
KTCH!
"What…is this?" Usagi says, as she holds the box.
"THAT will save your daughter's life," the Doctor says.
Usagi quickly turns towards Ranma, as he goes into the TARDIS with Captain Katherine while holding Tasha…
"He knows," the Doctor says with reassurance. "And his love for you knows no bounds, even if his pride is slightly wounded."
"Oh, okay," Usagi says. "But, about the pill box…?"
"Yes, a man named Dralath, you know him as the Romulan praetor, will poison your daughter before her fifth birthday. Those pill will allow her to tolerate the poison."
"My god!" Usagi cried out. "He needs to be stopped!"
"And he will, if you use your head. If you do this, Dralath will be stopped, though not without cost."
Usagi nods her head in understanding. She may be a prisoner, but she is not HELPLESS.
"Now, get back into position," the Doctor says.
Usagi moves back into the galley.
"Good day…and good luck."
And with that, the TARDIS begins to disappear…and then it reappeared. The door opens up again.
"Usagi," Ranma says, as he rushes over, and passionately kisses her.
Usagi embraced Ranma back. And for a split moment, she was free.
"That's down payment," Ranma says with a wink and a smile. "And you look cute with the pointy ears."
"Ranma…" Usagi replies with a blush.
And then, he and the TARDIS were gone.
When the flow of time was restored, everyone assumed that Tasha was disintegrated. And from that day forth, Usagi began to plan for the day when she would face Dralalath.
END FLASHBACK!
Snapping out of her reverie, Usagi focused on her daughter.
"Oh?" Usagi says, as she sets her paints and brush down. She then gets up and goes over to examine the clay figure.
"Wow, what is that?"
"It's a…rabbit, Momma!" T'Suki says. "It's from that book you have about Terran animals."
"I see," Usagi says with a smile. "Well, you could become an artist when you get older-"
"Personally, the Princess should go into government service," says a stern voice.
Usgai stands and turns towards to source of the voice.
"Praetor Dralath," Usagi says, as she bowed slightly.
"This is actually an impromptu visit, Lady Usagi," Dralath says with a nod. Dralath looked almost like a hawk, with his beady eyes and hook-like nose.
"I'm here to see the Emperor, but I was curious about your work."
"You are always welcomed in the Emperor's house, Praetor."
"I'm SURE."
Just then, Shiarliek and his personal assistant S'Lan enter the arboretum, where Usgai and T'Suki do their arts and crafts.
"Greetings," Shiarliek says, as he surveys the area.
"Daddy!" T'Suki says, as she stops her activities, and runs to her father's side.
"Hello there, honey," Shiarliek says, as he picked up his daughter.
"Emperor," Dralath says with a nod.
"Beloved," Usagi says, as she bows.
"We are honored that you are willing to host the Princess' 'coming-of-age' celebration tomorrow, Praetor," S'Lan says.
"No, the honor is mine," Dralath says. "Besides, we have to celebrate the future, correct?"
"Of course," Shiarliek says. He then turns to his daughter.
"T'Suki, your father has business."
"Yes, Daddy," Tsuki says, as she was lowered to the floor.
"Emperor, will you be joining us for dinner?" Usagi asked.
"Yes, though I will be a little bit late."
"Of course."
And with that the men leave Usagi and her daughter to tend to their needs…
Later that night, in a secret lab…
"Are you sure of the test results, technician?" Dralath asked. He has been frustrated that the Tal Shiar's attempt to poison the child of the Emperor has proved to be unsuccessful thus far, thus warranting stronger measures. Hence, taking genetic samples of the child and her mother.
"The test has confirmed your suspicion, Praetor," the technician says. "The Emperor's consort is non-Romulan."
"This…changes nothing."
"Sir?"
"As long as the Emperor has an heir, even if only half-Romulan, the child could undermine my authority. The plan…continues…"
The next was a day of festive celebration, as important people and their children mingle.
"Let's see," Usagi says, as she surveys the gifts. "The gift from the Pro-consul goes over there…"
"Mommy, Mommy!" T'Suki says. "Sela is here."
Usagi turns away from her thoughts on whose gifts were to be opened forth, to see Admiral Mendak bringing in her daughter, Sela.
"Hello, Sela," Usagi says.
"Hello, auntie," Sela says. "Thank you for inviting me here."
"The pleasure is all mine."
Usagi then stands to face Mendak.
"Admiral Mendak," Usagi says. "Congratulations on your promotion."
"I had to make up for my flawed judgment," Mendak says.
"Of course."
Soon the party gets underway. Presents and confections are passed around. Finally, it was time for the Praetor to speak.
"You have a gift for my daughter?" Shiarliek asked, as he held T'Suki.
"Yes, my Emperor," Dralath says. "In fact, I have a holographic demonstration. Lights?"
There, in front of the assembled guests, a data representation of Usagi could be seen, shocking everyone present.
"And as you can see, your 'consort' is HUMAN."
Usagi looks at the Emperor, who was perplexed at what to do. She knew that the next few minutes could change the course of Romulan society.
"Yes…I am."
"So you admit this fraud?"
"Fraud? If I may, I will tell you the TRUTH."
"I would be very curious as to what this truth is," Mendak says.
"The truth of the matter is that I am Usagi Tsukino, beloved of Ranma Saotome."
There was a slight uproar, as the name Ranma Saotome is considered to be a curse in Romulan society.
"Settle down," Dralath says with a smug expression. "I want to hear this."
"Because of this, I was kept prisoner. However, someone in the Romulan government sought to use me to humiliate the Emperor, in exchange for allowing Terran humans to leave for their home. And that man is…Praetor Dralath!"
"What?" Dralath exclaimed.
Usagi glances over at S'Lan, who nodded his head with approval. It took her and S'Lan—who still had contacts within the Tal Shiar—a year to create enough "evidence" to frame Dralath. And considering the fact that Dralath had a lot of enemies, there were plenty of people to help in this endeavor.
"Observe," Usagi says, as she created her own holographic "presentation". "As you can all see, the Praetor arranged everything. It is not secret that Dralath wanted the throne of the Romulan Empire, all in the effort to increase his power."
Dralath seethed with raged.
"Guards…arrest that woman!" Dralath says.
"On the contrary," Shiarliek says, as he sets his daughter aside. "The Imperium Guard is STILL under my orders. Is this correct, Pro-Consul Narviat?"
The head of the Romulan Senate stands up.
"Yes, Emperor," Narviat says.
As if on cue, guardsmen surround Dralath.
"You can't do this!" Dralath says, as he is whisked away. "No-!"
Usagi breathes a sigh of relief. She then turns to Shiarliek.
"I'm sorry," Usagi says meekly.
"No, you did save the Empire from a madman, though not without cost," Shiarliek says sadly.
END FLASHBACK!
"Afterwards, the Emperor was forced to disown both me and my daughter, in order to save face," Usagi says. "However, I was given a deep space mission assignment, so I was able to still serve the Empire."
"So, you were promoted to Commander then?" Janeway asked.
"Eventually," Usagi says. "But it didn't matter. I can never set foot on Romulus again, or until further notice…which ever comes first."
Usagi then turns to Ranko.
"I apologize for what happened long ago. I never meant to embarrass you, Ranma. Sometimes…I forget that I'm not alone in this Universe of ours."
Ranko sighs, and then goes over to hug Usagi.
"There's no need to, Usa," Ranko says. "You did what you had to do. And that other Ranma is right about one thing."
"Oh?"
"You DO look cute with pointy ears."
Usagi blushed.
Normally, Janeway would have rolled his eyes at the statement, but she did appreciate the cute comment nevertheless.
"I…need to ask you a favor, Captain," Usagi says.
"Sure, what is it?"
Hours later…
"Good luck, Commander Usagi," Janeway says on the Bridge of the "Voyager". "And no matter what anyone says, you will always be 'Starfleet' in my book."
The pseudo-Romulan officer nods her head.
"Thank you, Captain Janeway," Usagi says. "I'll be sure to inform Starfleet of what has happened to you at the appropriate time. Usagi: out."
CHIRP.
"So tragic," Chakotay says.
"Indeed," Janeway says. "Though I wonder if this…'war of time' that Usagi had mentioned will have any relevance to us in the present. Tom?"
"Yes, ma'am," Paris says, as he laid in a course for home. He then turns to Harry.
"So, I hear that you have a new roommate."
"Yes, we do," says Harry, as he continued his work. "At first, I thought that it was unfair that Ranko wanted to be T'Suki's guardian, but then I realized that…family is what we make of it."
"True, but it does complicate matters with the Delaney sisters."
"Yeah, well…"
"But look on the bright side…you did get a wormhole named after you."
"Yeah, some honor. That thing is collapsing."
"Well…it's something, right?"
"…"
Down below, Ranko was reading a bedtime story to T'Suki.
"…The End," Ranko says, as she closed her book. She sees that T'Suki was already asleep.
"You have my promise, Usagi," Ranko says. "Believe it."
Tbc.