TRTSS2: The Trek of Ranma Who! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 36: "The Unicorn and the Wasp" (I)
Meanwhile, somewhere outside of Time and Space…
"What are you reading?" Ranma said, as he carried his tools to the central control panel of the TARDIS. He and the Doctor wanted to give the near-living time machine a much needed maintenance check, and since Ranma received the shortest stick…
Donna looks up from when her book…with a perturbed expression.
"What?" Ranma asked.
"I'm still pissed off at you for trying to 'dominate' me, 'dark wonder'," Donna said with a smirk.
A while back, the TARDIS landed in an alternate future timeline, where an evil alien god named Darkseid had taken over the Universe, remaking the Earth into a dark reflection of itself. During that time, Ranma became "Genranma", the new body of Darkseid. As Darkseid, he had remade Donna's body into a super-hot vixen version of her normal self, and had her mind warped to have naughty urges. Had it not been for the efforts of the Doctor, Jackie and a future version "Black Mary", Donna would have ended up as Genranma's "mistress". Still, the thought of being a mistress to someone like Ranma, even an amalgamized version, still ticked Donna off to no end.
She DID like being a 'hottie' now, however.
"Donna, I told you. 'Genranma is NOT me'."
"Oh, really? Then how come you still have that guise? But it doesn't matter, since…since…"
"Ah, I get it," Ranma said, as he sets down his tool kit by the control panel. "You having no control over your actions would have given you the excuse to be with ME."
"N-no, that's not true!" Donna said, as she started to blush furiously.
"Oh, but it is. I had been with enough women—and I have been a woman myself—long enough to tell 'the cues'. You want me, don't ya?"
"Shut up, you…you wanker!"
Donna turns around, and hugs herself. Her eyes begin to become wet with tears.
"I just…don't want to be a notch on your belt, if these feelings…are real," Donna said.
Ranma sighed, as he goes up to Donna and hugs her from behind.
"Look, I may a reputation, but I never force anyone to be with me. And even if you are offering yourself to me, I'm not going to be such a bastard that I would take advantage of your…indecision."
Donna let's go, and turns around.
"But what about all those women you…meet? Do you care about them?"
"Of course I do. It's called being friends. For some, the connection is like a spark…you know, instantaneous. For others, it's like a slow burn. But no matter what, I always make sure that they know what they are doing, and I make sure that they know where I stand. After all, we're adults around here, and I consider YOU a close friend."
"Ohhhh," Donna said, as she smiles. "That's so sweet."
"Even if you are annoying at times," Ranma said with a knowing smile.
WHAP!
"Ow!" Ranma said, as he felt his redden cheeks. "What was THAT for?"
"Humph! And just when I thought you were going to be nicer to me…"
"What's going on?" the Doctor said, as he and Jackie walked into the central area of the TARDIS.
"It looks like Donna has become yet another member of MY HUSBAND'S 'harem'," Jackie said with a smirk.
"No way," Ranma said with a scoff.
"ME?" Donna said. "A part of HIS harem? Don't be daft."
"Then what WERE you doing?" Doctor said, as he raises an eyebrow.
Ranma swallowed, as he quickly looks around the TARDIS. He spots Donna's book…
"Actually, I was thinking that we should visit Agatha Christie," Ranma said, as he swallowed.
"Really," the Doctor replied skeptically.
"Yeah."
"Ranma, we haven't seen her since she published her first book," Jackie said.
"YOU and 'wonder boy' met Agatha Christie?" Donna said.
"Yeah," Ranma replied. "Back then, 'Jackie' and I were members of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, who consisted of 'metahumans' who worked for the British Empire…in some capacity."
"You GOT to be kidding," Donna said.
"Actually, Ranma is correct," Jackie said. "For example, back when we first joined the group, our team-mates consisted of Alan Quartermaine, Mina Harker, Rodney "The Invisible Man" Skinner, Dorian Grey, Dr. Jekyll, Captain Nemo and Tom Sawyer. Over the years, the team dynamic would change to reflect the times, such as the inclusion of Orlando the Immortal, John Carter of Mars, Miss Fanny Hill and a number of assorted characters that I can't say, due to 'national security' imperatives."
"'Characters' is RIGHT," Donna said. "All those names you mentioned are NOT real."
"Actually, I met a few of the people Jackie had said," the Doctor said. "It's common practice to tell the truth through works of fiction, so that at least the public at large knew what was going on in the world of shadows."
"So…Sherlock Holmes is real, huh?"
"Actually, that was a pseudonym that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had used, while acting as a consulting detective for Scotland Yard. But the stories he wrote were based upon the adventures he had."
"I see."
"But I do like a mystery, so…why not pay Ms. Christie a visit?"
"What mystery is that?"
"Her disappearance, of course…"
The Doctor turns towards Ranma.
"Ranma, can you do the honors…?"
"Aye, aye, Doc," Ranma said, as he places a hand on the central control panel, and flips a lever.
WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…
Soon, the TARDIS appears on the grounds of a country estate. Dressed in "period" clothes of the 1920s, the Doctor and company steps outside the time-traveling blue box.
"Ah, smell that air," the Doctor said, as he took a whiff.
"What?" Jackie asked.
"No pollution."
"No kidding," Ranma said, as he closes the TARDIS' door behind him. "Remember where we parked, guys."
"Oh, like we're going to get 'TARDIS-jacked'," Donna smirked. She then looks around.
"So, this is indeed the 1920s, Doctor?"
"Yep."
"How can you tell?"
"The TARDIS told us."
"Okay, what if the TARDIS is wrong?"
"Then I can use my nose to tell."
"Oh, really?" Donna said with a smirk. "Or how about that big vintage car?"
A distance away in a carport, a 1920s Mercedes comes roaring into the lot. The group sees the driver getting out of the vehicle, where a house servant greets him. Then, they could see the local "vicar" getting off his bike. They appeared to be talking about something…
"I wonder what they are saying?" Donna asked.
"They are talking about having a get together this afternoon," Jackie said, as she used her enhanced senses to hear what was going on."
"A party?"
"Apparently so," Ranma said, as he used his "special glasses" to see through the house. "A lot of food and things are being prepared."
Donna looks at Ranma, and frowns.
"You're not peeping, are you?" Donna said accusingly.
Ranma quickly takes off his glasses. It was standard amongst the Time Lords and other similar beings to have "special glasses".
"What do you mean?" Ranma said nervously.
"You WERE peeping!"
"Hey, by accident, you know."
Donna turns towards Jackie.
"How can you put up with this, Jackie?"
"Donna, you're talking to an exhibitionist," Jackie said. "Personally, I LIKE being peeped. It proves that I can still attract men…and women, too."
"Oh, how CAN I forget such a thing?" Donna said, as she rolled her eyes. "And if we are going to be here, how can we interact with the folks here?"
"Simple," the Doctor said, as he takes out his "psyche pass". Although the paper within the wallet appeared to be blank, it can appear as anything the holder wants, based upon the expectations of those who are looking at it.
"We crash, the party," the Doctor said. He then turns towards Ranma.
"Ranma?"
"All clear, Doc," Ranma said. "Once the gathering begins, we'll be able to slip in."
"Well, I for one hope I look presentable," Donna said, as she checked herself out once more."
"Trust me, Donna, you look fine," Jackie said assuredly.
"Then, if nothing else, well be off," the Doctor said, as he turns to leave the TARDIS, in order to walk towards the grounds. "Come, we have a party to attend…"
A sort time later…
"Mum, we have…visitors," said the butler.
An elegantly dressed, middle-aged woman turns around.
"Visitors-" the woman began to say. She then sees a familiar face.
"Ah, Lord Ranshin!" the woman said happily, as she goes up to Ranma, and takes his hand. "I didn't know you would be in Britain this time of year."
"Well, I had business with Professor Angus MacGyver over at the University of Edinburgh, Lady Eddison," Ranma said, as he spoke in a 'Transatlantic" accent. "My government and the crown wishes to work on improving metallurgic properties in steel making, particularly after the tragic events of last year."
"Ah, I see…"
"Why is Ranma talking funny?" Donna whispered, as she leans towards Jackie. "And what's he talking about?"
Jackie leans over.
"Ranma was the Japanese ambassador to the UK during this time," Jackie said. "And he is referring to the Great Kanto Earthquake that destroyed Tokyo last year."
"Oh. But he's lying about meeting with this Angus bloke, right?"
"No, Ranma's past self IS in Edinburgh at the moment, and is not scheduled to come here to see Lady Clemency Eddison."
"Ah, convenient. But…how does he know HER?"
"We had been living in Hong Kong, when her father was assigned to work there as a member of the British governor's consular staff year before."
"And your companions?" Lady Eddison asked, as she glances over towards the Doctor and the others.
"Where are my manners?" Ranma replied. "This is Miss Jacqueline Tyler, my secretary here while I am in the Britain."
"Hello," Jackie said, as she performs a slight curtsy.
"This is Miss Donna Noble, of the Chiswick Nobles."
"Charmed," Donna said, as she failed to appear "upper-crust". "Spiffing day, wot?"
Jackie shakes her head, while Ranma did what he could to not laugh.
"Donna," Doctor said, as he cleared his throat. It was his way of getting Donna to stop making a fool out of herself.
"Oh, sorry. I feel lightheaded this day."
"Oh, dear," Eddison said. "Do you need to see the Doctor?"
"Actually, I am a 'doctor'," the Doctor said, as he takes Eddison's hand. "I am Dr. John Smith, of the Institute of Health and Science, in London."
"Nice to meet you, Doctor," Eddison said, as she turns towards Ranma. "Lord Ranma, I wished that you had informed me of your visit."
"Oh?" Ranma asked.
"Yes," Eddison said, as she walked over to get a glass of bubbly. "No one can be too careful, considering that 'The Unicorn' has struck."
"'The Unicorn'?" Donna asked.
"A local jewel thief," Jackie said.
"Local or not, we have to be weary of such people. However, since you are here, please…enjoy yourself."
"Thank you," Ranma said, as he nods his head.
After Eddison leaves to welcome other guests, Donna smacks Ranma in the arm.
WHAP!
"Hey!" Ranma said.
"How can YOU pass as 'upper-crust', while I can't?"
"That's because I am, and I hate to repeat myself, awesome."
"…"
"Donna, don't worry about his ego," Jackie interjects. "Ranma and I spent year harnessing our clandestine skills, and it's not that hard to do."
"Well, we might need to use those skills, because the mystery as begun," the Doctor said, as he sees Agatha Christie enter the yard with other guests."
"Show time."
Tbc.