TRTSS7: The Hidden Trek Voyage! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: Although this chapter begins the tie-in of the new movie "Star Trek", the prelude begins NOW. Thus, I will officially give a "Possible SPOILER alert"…now. C&C are welcomed.
Part 28
About an hour after the trip to Andor begins, Usagi picks up an unusual signal.
"Odd," Usagi said, as she clears up the signal.
Peter and the others turn around to face Usagi.
"What is it, ma'am?" Peter asked.
"Well, I am receiving a 'Code 1' Distress call, but its origin is from Planet M622."
Uhura, Chekov and Ranma looked at each other with worry.
"What is it?" John asked, not knowing why the senior officers had the look of worry in their eyes.
"It means that we have problems," Ranma said. He then turns his head towards Peter.
"Commander, how fully operational is THIS Enterprise?" Ranma asked.
"Well, everything works, including weapons," Peter said. "But they are for demonstration purposes."
"Are we the only ship closest to M622?" Uhura asked Chekov.
"One moment," Chekov said, as he performs a quick calculation of the distance between all available ships and M622.
CHIRP!
"We are the closest, I'm afraid."
"Could someone tell me what is going on?" John asked.
"I would like to know it as well," Peter said.
Chekov clears his throat.
"As the head of Starfleet Security, I do not have to allow anyone here to divulge information on the nature of planet M622," Chekov said. "But I will tell you, commander, that it involves one name: Edith Keeler."
Peter's eyes widened. He was familiar with the name Edith Keeler, and he knew why Chekov was using semantics in telling him why M622 was significant.
"I understand."
"Well, I don't," said John.
"You'll be told the truth, if you want to accompany myself, Ranma, Usagi and Uhura down to the planet, once we have achieved orbit. But I must tell you, under certain penalties, if you divulge information on what you learn, you run the risk of court-martial."
John swallows his throat. However…
"I understand."
"Good," Ranma said. "The sooner we see what is happening, the better."
"Commander?" Usagi said. "You're call."
"Whatever it is, we are duty bound to respond to the distress," Peter said, as he faces the screen. "Com, inform Starfleet of our situation. Helm, lay in a course."
"Yes, commander," Usagi replied.
"Aye, commander," Ranma said.
"Déjà vu…all over again," Chekov said.
"Indeed," John said, recalling how an unprepared Enterprise-B had to leap into action in order to save lives…
"Engage," Peter said.
With that, the Enterprise changes course, and heads straight towards "Planet Gateway", the home of the Guardian of the City on the Edge or Forever (or simply "Guardian", for short).
Soon, the Enterprise finds itself in orbit around Planet Gateway.
"Stationary orbit has been achieved," Ranma said. "Well, it's been a while."
"Hopefully, we won't be here for a while," Chekov said sardonically.
"Perhaps I should send a security team with you-" Peter began to say.
"No, that won't be necessary," Uhura said. "I'm sure Ranma and Usagi's presence will be sufficient."
"I'll be sure to bring back souvenirs," Usagi said, as she pats Peter on his left shoulder.
Peter could only nod his reply as he chuckled.
BRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGG…
John got his bearings straighten long enough to see ruins all around him. However, he saw a few structures about, indicating that he was in a Stafleet research facility.
"What is this place?" John asked.
"This…is a temporal research facility," Usagi said. "Here on planet 'Gateway', Starfleet has a team of scientists investigating a unique artifact."
"And that is…?"
"You'll see soon enough," Ranma said. "Come…"
As the five Starfleet captain went into the main compound, they were struck as to how quiet things were.
"I don't like the sound of things," Uhura said.
"We do not hear anything," Chekov replied.
"That's the problem. We hear nothing. Where is Starfleet security? What about technicians and scientists?"
"That sounds bad."
"What is important about this place?" John asked.
"That," Ranma said, as he points towards the purpose of the research facility.
"That…donut," John said. "Or something."
"That is the Guardian," Usagi said, as she begins to take readings from her Tricorder. "It allows people to view different eras from across the Universe. Sometimes, you can step into those eras."
"What is it doing here?"
"No one knows," Ranma said. "But, from my contacts, the non-Terrans who created it left for 'Beyond the Rim' a long time ago, but left THIS."
"Does it work?"
"Yes, before I had a hand in neutralizing it," said a voice.
All eyes turn towards a middle aged man. However, in spite of the years, Ranma and Usagi immediately recognized the man.
"You," Ranma said, as he squints his eyes.
"Charlie?" Usagi asked quietly.
"So you know who I am," the man smirked. "I'm not surprise."
"You know this man?" John said, as he was about to take out his phaser.
"You won't be needing THAT," the man said, as he nods his head.
BONG!
John's phaser disappears.
"What-?"
Ranma was about to act, but Usagi reined him in.
And then, a thought popped into Uhura his head.
"Charlie…you're Charlie Evans," Uhura said.
"The singing lady remembers," Charlie said with smirk.
"I don't understand," John said.
"Years ago, the original Enterprise picked up a 17-year old boy named Charlie Evans," Chekov said. "It turned out that Charlie was a human orphan that was raised by energy beings known as Thassians, and developed powers allowed him to affect both matter and energy to do…a lot of amazing things."
"But that power was corrupted by his loneliness," Usagi said, as she shook her head. "Charlie tried to take over the ship after being spurned by a fellow crewmate of ours, even so far as to make her disappear. And that is on top of the fact that he had murdered a crew of Starfleet personnel when he threw a tantrum."
"This guy tried, but ultimately failed," Ranma said with a smirk. "He didn't know that there were others that could counter his abilities. But…Captain Kirk felt sorry for him, and wanted to give Charlie a second chance. However, the Thassians should up, and took him back to care for him."
"Yes," Charlie sneered. "You and Usagi could have helped Kirk stop the Thassians from taking me. But you didn't.
"After what you did, you got off easy, if you ask me."
"See? No remorse or empathy," Charlie said. "Well, it makes things easier when I do this…!"
BOOM!
The Guardian activates, as the mists of Time swirl about the structure.
"Be seeing you…IN OBLIVION!"
And with that, Charlie enters the structure.
"No-!" Ranma said, as he jumps after Charlie.
"Ranma-!" Usagi yells. And then-
FLASH!
"Oh, dear," Sailor Pluto said, as Time and Space bends and mends into a new series of events. From the vantage point of the Time Gate, Sailor Pluto examines a series of key events involving the death of Nodoka Saotome, Ikuko Tsukino and Winona Kirk at the hands of an unknown stranger. Thus, Ranma Saotome, Usagi Tsukino and James Kirk cease to exist. As a result, key events that were essential to the timeline are now displaced, and have begun to affect the history of this Universe…
"I better initiate…'Plan B'," Sailor Pluto said, as she breathed a sigh of relief…
2004 CE: Azabuu Juuban District (Tokyo, Japan).
"Mom!" Sakura said, as she runs down the stairs. "I'm ready to go to school-"
"Here," Urd said, as she hands her daughter her lunch bag. She then gives her daughter a kiss on the cheek.
"Now, I want you to find a nice boy to be a special friend with."
"Mom, that's gross!" Sakura whined.
Urd chuckles a bit. From her memories of the true timeline, she knew that the Moon Princess was a rival of hers when it came to the art of love and romance. Maybe she could give her daughter some pointers in that regard…
"Okay, dear. You have a nice day, dear."
"Thanks, Mom!" Sakura said, as she runs out the house.
"Bye, Mom!" Shingo said, as he tries to run out the door.
"Hold it, squirt," Urd said, as she stops her son.
"Aw, Mom!"
"Hey, I just want to make sure that you look nice for your new girlfriend."
"Naruru is NOT my girlfriend," Shingo said in a huff.
"Sure she's not," Urd said with a smile. "Here."
Shingo takes the lunch bag.
"Can I go now?'
"Sure kiddo," Urd said. "Have a nice day."
After Shingo leaves, Urd sighs. She hoped that her best friend, the Moon Princess, returns to this mortal coil…someday.
2006 CE: Nerima District (Tokyo, Japan).
"I'm NOT going to marry you, you know," Akane said, as she and her new fiancé walked towards Furinken High School.
Sasuke Saotome merely ignored his fiancée. He was more interesting in getting to know the lay of the land, so he could master it…
"Are you ignoring me?"
Sasuke turns to face Akane.
"If you want validation, then, yes, yes I am."
Akane blood boiled. To think that this arrogant know-it-all was even more egotistical than her sempai at school. At least, he should act like he cared…
"Why you-!" Akane said, as she took a swing at Sasuke.
A moment later, Akane was bound and gagged in the middle of the walkway.
"Mmmmph!" Akane said.
"Listen," Sasuke said. "I only accepted this arrangement to please my mother, whom is a saint. But I will not tolerate anyone who feels the need to attack me. We can be friends, at the very least, IF you behave yourself-"
"Boy!" Genma yelled, as he comes running up to his son and his fiancée. "You should treat your fiancée better-"
Sasuke immediately performs those weird hand gestures that his father Genma has seen his son do before.
"FIRE STYLE: DRAGON'S FLAME!"
FWOOSH!
A crispy Genma blinks his eyes, before collapsing unto the pavement.
KLUMP!
"Oh, my," Belldandy said, as she covers her mouth, walking towards her family. She knew that her husband and son loved to be rambunctious at times, but still…
"Mother, I apologize for…this," Sasuke said, as he bows his head. "I was…attacked."
Belldandy smiles.
"I am sure it will be alright in the end," Belldandy said, as she helps her husband up. "I'll take your father to the local clinic, while you escort Akane to school. And don't be late."
"Yes, Mother," Sasuke said, as he taps the binds placed on Akane.
SNAP!
"Humph!" Akane said, as she removed her gag. How a saintly woman could have a son like her fiancé was beyond her. She hoped that Kasumi didn't have a brat when she has children.
"Come, loser," Sasuke said, as he turns to go to school.
"Grrrr-!"
Belldandy sighed. She missed Keiichi, but even if that old life was gone for good, at least she has a son she could be proud of…
Tbc.
Author's Note: More on "Plan B", and what happened to Ranma and Usagi. Also, a special shout out to "Innortal", for how "Plan B" was developed (Thanks!). See you next time…
